//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Equestrian Marine Corps // by KillerShadow 15 //------------------------------// I walked away. I had to. I wasn't about to risk the life of an innocent. I could hear many gasps of surprise and more shocked conversations bout what I had done. "If you need us, we'll be at the hospital. Then we're leaving." I glanced back and I swear, I saw a sad look in the massive creatures eyes. "James! What the hell were you doing! You could have gotten us killed!" "Listen, Ryan. How long have been out of basic training?" He gave a confused glance. "About 6 or 7 months. What does that have to do with anything?" "Hmm, still green round the gills. You wouldn't have died. That creature wouldn't have risked it. She didn't know enough about us to know that we wouldn't attack with that injured mare on my back." Unbeknownst to me, the larger pony was right behind me. "How about we remedy that, shall we?" I jumped out of my seat, drew my .44, and aimed at her, scaring the crap out of my team and the ponies guarding the pony currently looking down the barrel of my gun. I exhaled the air in my lungs before lowering my weapon. "The hell is wrong with you? You never surprise an armed Marine." "I'm going to ignore your first sentence. My name is Princess Celestia. If you don't mind my asking, what is a 'Marine'?" "We are an elite group of soldiers trained to protect the United States of America at all cost, even if means our death." I saw the princesses eyes widen in shock. "Where is this America? I've never heard of it?" I just rolled my eyes. "America is a county on Earth. Mind telling us where we are?" "You are in the land of Equestria. The magical land of ponies and other mystical creatures. I believe you've neglected to tell me your names." "I'm James, he's Ryan, that's John, William, and she's Connie." Each person raised their hand or saluted at their respective names. "I'd like to know how the hell we got here. One minute we were getting our asses kicked then, we're here. How the hell does that even work?" I looked at William and rolled my eyes. "Care to elaborate on the events prior to your arrival?" I looked around and eyed John, who currently had a confused look. "She wants to know what the fuck happened to us before we ended up here, smart ass." I directed the last part to John who glared at me. I then turned my attention back to the princess. "Well, we were fighting terrorists when a bright light went off, then we were in a large apple orchard." "Hmm, sounds like a summoning spell... Did you happen to see a large dragon in town?" I sighed. "Will you guys give the princess and me some time to talk? Go out and get some food or something." They all grumbled unhappily, but complied nonetheless. As soon as they left, I resumed the conversation. "To answer your question, yeah. We did. We fought it off, but it did some serious damage before we got here." Celestia had a surprised look on her face, as if something finally made sense to her. "So, it was you'r group that set off those explosive sounds. I heard them from my castle in Canterlot. I looked out a window and saw the massive creature tearing through town, with explosion-like sounds ringing through out town." I was about to respond, but a pony wearing a nurse's outfit walked out. "Your Highness, she's awake. You may see her now." I went to stand up, but was forcibly pushed back into the chair then everything went black. When I came to, I saw I was strapped to a chair in front of a table. I tested the bindings and determined that I was stuck. Then I noticed I was disarmed. I quickly raised my head and I saw him. In front of me was an angry white pony with alternating shades of blue in his mane. Then I laughed a hearty laugh. "And what is so funny?" I looked at him and laughed some more. "You ain't getting Jack Shit out of me ass wipe." He narrowed his eyes at me and began the interrogation. "What is your name soldier?! Answer me!" I glared at him defiantly. "How about, get the hell away from me before I kill you when I get loose?" The pony sneered at me. "Am I supposed to be scared?" I gave him my best Demon Smile, similar to the one my unit's DI* would give right before a massive PT** day. "Absolutely petrified. I am a Devil Dog, and I make the Devil himself turn and run!" I spoke in my most commanding voice possible, and this caused him to jump back in surprise. "Is that all you got? The 'Devil' or what ever must be a coward if that's your best." "Say what you will. I will not talk." Again and again he tried to get answers out of me, but I eventually got tired of saying the same thing over and over, so I started to recite the National Anthem one more time. "Where is this America, and what are you're plans to invade us?" "You know what, I'm tired of this bullshit. Take me to a cell or kill me already. We both know I ain't cracking and you don't have the balls to make me crack." I saw his eyes widen in anger and his horn lit up. I smiled. "That's it. Go ahead and attack me. Prove to me that you are a beast with no self control." Normally, I would not have lived this long if I were dealing with ISIS, the Taliban or AL-Qaeda, so I assumed I would not be harmed. He took a deep breath and lowered his horn as the magic fizzled out. I heard some talking out side and decided to try to escape. I bashed my head into the table, breaking my nose. I let out a scream of pain as I yelled for help. "Hey, get your filthy hooves off of my you bastard!" I then hit my head one last time faking a knock out as some one ran in to see what was going on. The next thing I knew, I was being carried out of the room as the white pony was getting yelled at. Once the voices faded, I took action. I opened my eyes and saw that there were two ponies carrying me and I slightly turned my head to see a blue pony, similar to Celestia, but smaller and with a flowing blue mane and a crescent moon on it's flank. I lightly patted my self down looking for my knife that was hidden under my shirt. It was still there. I then lifted my head, doing my best to act dazed, and disoriented. As I did, one of the guards noticed and got his buddy and the other pony to stop. Then I acted. Before any of them could react, I moved. I grabbed one by the mane and pulled him off of me. I pulled my knife and stabbed the other in the leg before punching him in the face and stabbing him again in the throat. As the other one recovered, I grabbed him under his chin and snapped his neck. The other pony looked at me in sheer horror at the acts I have just committed. I then threw my knife at her leg. When it made contact, she screamed for three seconds before I got to her and put her in a choke hold, cutting off her air way until she stopped moving. I didn't bother t check her pulse as I grabbed my knife and ran away as the sound of hooves approached. 'I need to get out of here now! *DI- Drill Instructor ** PT- Physical Training