0: The Story
"Can you tell us a story?" A child asked.
"I'm sorry. Your parents want you in bed." The man said.
"Please Uncle Jared" Another child begged.
Corporal Jared Vix sighed.
"We promise to go to bed as soon as you finish!" One proposed.
"Yeah!" The other children exclaimed.
Defeated, Jared set his M4A1 down and grabbed a chair. The children leaned from their bunks and some sat in front of him.
"What do you want to hear?"
"How about your patrols!" One said.
"No! That would be a waste of a story. He just sits in a guard tower all day." Another argued.
"Maybe something interesting happened." The same boy replied.
"Let's hear about your past!" A girl exclaimed.
Jared rubbed his chin. "How about I tell you about what we were. As humans, living freely in the world and not cast away from the places we lived."
"You mean before The Coming?" The same girl asked.
"Yep. The event that happened 600 years ago. Now, you better stick to your end of the bargain. After this, to bed."
"Yes Mr. Vix." All of the children said.
"Now, as I said, it happened 600 years ago..." Jared took out a picture of the White House and showed the children the picture.
"It started as a day like any other in the United States, the sun had risen, men and women were getting ready for work and children like you," he pointed at one, "were getting ready for school. Little did they know, the beginning of the end had just begun. An intelligent being had become irate with it's position and what we were doing with the world. It decided to take matters into it's own hands, or hooves in this case. It rose from nowhere, standing at just my height and demanded to speak with the world leaders. Everyone was confused, a talking pony? And one with wings and a horn? Ridiculous. But three more? How? Well, the president was notified and he then notified the United Nations of the equines appearance. As expected, they took his word with a grain of sand and refused consul."
"Didn't it worry them that a man of power was making such an important report?"
"Yeah, these 'United Nations' guys sound mean." a girl said.
"I admit, it was probably hard to take him seriously. But when the equine was denied council, he became enraged, so the president spoke with him." Jason put himself in the presidents position momentarily.
"What did it want?" A boy asked.
"Land. It wanted territory to create a kingdom for equines. When the president asked about the details, the equine replied something like this 'I wish for land so my wife and I may grow our children and subjects.'. The president, being a man of reason, asked where his subjects were. The equine replied with 'They are among your species. I ask to change few of your kind so the kingdom may prosper.'. The president was concerned with this creature wanting to take the citizens he swore to protect and do god knows what with them. He pressed his point and was told not to complicate things."
"Complicate things? What did he mean?" Another asked.
"He ment do what I say. Plain and simple. When the decision was said, it began. First he changed the guards in the room. Those four are still alive to this day as equines. We had no clue what to do. It was so sudden. First the White House was lost. Then the Pentagon." Jason shuffled his feet.
"Why didn't the Ghosts act?" A boy asked.
"The Ghosts didn't exist back then. If they did we may have had a fighting chance, but we may have lost them to the equines."
"What about the rest of the world?" The same boy asked.
"I was getting to that. After the US fell, some strange things happened. Things I don't think anyone could explain."
"Like what?" The children were drawn in by the story.
"The Griffin kingdom emerged in Russia. That cold backyard country became tree central. The Chinese didn't have it any better, Griffins flooded them and tokok the land." Jared got up and retrieved his rifle.
"Who's the current ruler?" one asked.
Jared turned his head and said "Celestia. She's the one who took up the hunt for us. Now go to sleep, tomorrow's an important day." He walked out and closed the door when the children were in their beds.
Jared turned his radio on and walked to the door marked "Inner Compound".
"Yo Vix! Got a minute?" A female voice shouted.
Jared turned to face Private Katie Hutner. "Yeah. What is it?"
"Lights in tower 3 are out." Hutner said to him.
"Son of a- Did you check the fuse box?"
"Yeah, all green. You think it's-" She was cut off.
"Let's hope it's not." Jared turned around to head to tower 3.
Outside the inner quarters, he quickly crossed the field and entered the tower. Inside, Jared raised his rifle and turned the foregrip mounted flashlight on and made his way to the fuse box. Glancing to his left into the darkness, he swore he saw something. Focusing his vision into the sights, he reached the box. Jared reached his hand from the grip and opened the fuse box. "Fuck fuck fuck." Jared moved to the alarm bell and pulled the switch. His radio blared to life.
"We've got it! Stay put tower three!"
Jared put the rifle's sling around his shoulder and drew his pistol and a small flashlight. "Tower three, Foremen 2-2 coming in."
Jared heard the door open and Foremen 2-2 walked into the room with a Remington 870 shotgun. "What's wrong?"
"Fuse box is blown. Something had to come in here and do it."
"Think they found us?" He asked Vix.
"Naw, I think its something else... Redmond, Ghosts still out?"
"Yeah, don't think Wind would bring 'em back unless we were found. And I think that whatever got near would have a bullet in its head." Redmond set the butt of his shotgun on a nearby table.
"Then how did something get in here? Jesus man! What if it's the bat ponies? We are screwed if it is them! They know the forest better than us, save the Ghosts." Jared rubbed his chin and glanced out of the window. "Fuck! It's a Manticore!" Jared raised his rifle and jogged outside to see a Manticore staring inside of the compound. It growled at Jared and roared.
Jared aimed his M4A1 at the beast and released volleys of fire, barley fazing the monster. The Manticore jumped over the fence and glared at him. "Shit." Jared ejected the magazine and replaced it with a full one, loading a round. Dodging to the left, he let a volley at the Manticore's head. Freezing momentarily, Redmond rushed out and quickly fired three shells into its hind legs. The Manticore howled in pain before a red mist burst from its neck, followed by its head.
"Hey there boys." A voice spoke over the radio.
"Dammit Maverick, you left your post? Wind'll kill you." Redmond looked out and spotted the trademark white splashed mask of the Ghosts.
"Had to save your sorry asses." The Ghost gave a thumbs up then pressed his hand to his left ear. "Captain wants you, Vix." The Ghost turned back and walked into the brush.
Jared walked into the command room and was met by Captain Sejio Musuki and Hot Wind.
"Corpral Jared Vix," Sejio walked down to meet Jared at eye level.
"Yes, Sir. What did I do wrong?" Jared was prepared for the chewing of the ass.
"Ghost Maverick informed me of your encounter. I must say, very few would stare down a manticore by themselves. Those being the Ghost's and groups of patrols. Why did you engage the animal?"
"Well sir, the manticore was pacing the fence, so I investigated further."
"By exposing yourself." Captain Sejio interjected.
"Yes sir. Upon investigation, I noticed the slimming of its midsection and was able to see its ribs. In an attempt to scare it off, I opened fire, only showing that there was food. It hopped the fence, and well, that's when Maverick saved our ass."
Sejio turned back to Hot Wind and nodded. Hot Wind stepped to Jared and patted his shoulder. "You did a brave action, one even my Ghosts would shuffle at. I would like to consider a formal invitation into my unit."
"I don't know, sir. I'll have to think about it." Jared was dazed by the possible promotion. Ghosts were the best of the best. He always looked up to the masked shadows and wanted to be as brave and strong as one. He never imagined that dream coming true.
"Tell me your descion tommorow. But get some sleep." Hot Wind walked away, leaving Jared and Redmond to their own actions.
"I'm going to sleep, think on it." Jared turned to leave, followed by Redmond.
"You just got accepted into GHOSTS and your going to sleep on it? I think anyone would take the job!" Redmond patted his shoulder.
"It's a test to see how I react. I'm acting in a composed way, not flipping the hell out. Unlike you." He pointed at Redmond.
"No shit I'd be excited, it's what every soldier in any outpost wants to be. I mean your an American Ghost, not Russian Ghosts or Chinese Ghosts. But you'll go to the ghosts meetings. You'll meet all of the Ghosts! I wish I was you. Well, I hope you accept." Redmond headed off to the barracks.
Jared leaned over the railing on the catwalk surrounding the compound. "Your up late, what's troubling you son?"
"I'm joining Ghost's Ma." Jared said without facing his mother.
"Your father would be proud." She hugged Jared.
"Never knew dead men could be proud." He began to walk away, only to be stopped by his mother.
"He gave his life to protect us. Why do you not understand that?" She said to him.
"He lied to me. He broke the promise he made to see me as an adult." Jared walked back inside and to his bunk.
Laying in his bed, he thought back to his father, who gave his life to lure a horde of insects away from the compound to be napalm burned by flamers. Sighing, he drifted off into sleep.
Twilight sparkle closed a book she had been reading and glanced over to a clock. It read 10:32 p.m.
"Twilight, you should get some sleep, you don't want to slep through part of the day."
"Alright Spike, good night." Twilight said to her assistant. She changed her tank top out for a pajama top and pants. Sliding into bed, she pulled the covers over her chest and eventually drifted off to sleep. What she drempt about was not normal.
"What?" she turned in a full circle, taking in the sight of daylight and creatures like her, bipedal, but all furless save for their mane. "Hello? Where am I?" She tried to touch one of the creatures only for her hand to faze through it's body. They were all glancing at watches like they had to be somewhere. Most wore suits, while some wore school uniforms. Suddenly, on a big screen, a voice began to speak.
"This just in, the creature that has spoken to the president has become hostile! Members of the Secret Service are rushing the President to a safe location where he can address the nation." the voice paused as more creatures congregated. "Eyewitness video can give us a better understanding."
The video showed King Cosmos with four other equines attacking members of the Secret Service and local police forces in the area.
"There had yet to be any reports of war. More updates as they come." The voice stopped and loud sirens could be heard along with a speaker, "Everyone please return home at this time, We require you to return to the safety of your homes. Anyone who violates this will be prosecuted. Thank you for your cooperation."
Twilight couldn't believe what she had just seen. The father of princess Celestia and princess Luna attacking an unknown species. Then a panic started as the king emerged flying above them. "Do not fear, for I have come to rescue you from yourselves and save your planet. Anyone who defies me will face the most severe of punishments."
The crowd vegan to panic and run in random directions. Those who werent fast enough became equine, while others escaped.
Cosmos looked at the four jet black ponies and said "Do not let them escape." The four bowed and sprinted off after the runners.
"What is this? When is this?" She looked around in shock, her thoughts drowned out by screams of terror and pain. She could see bodies lying still, blood pooling under the still creatures. She cried out in fear, hoping to wake up. When she stopped screaming, she found herself in a room with many bunks and smaller creatures around a larger one.
"Who's the current ruler?" One asked.
"Celestia. She's the one who took up the hunt for us." The tall man said.
Twilight then found herself standing on air above a camp, or type of complex.
"Twilight! Wake up!" A voice shouted. "Get up!"
"What?" Twilight shot up.
"Thank Celestia, you were screaming in your sleep. Are you ok?" Spike stared at her.
"I'm fine Spike, just a nightmare." Twilight wiped her eyes.
"A nightmare? Twilight, you've never been one for nightmares. What did you read?"
"I didn't read anything scary." Twilight spoke softly.
"Then what freaked you out?" Spike had his hand on her shoulder.
"I need to go somewhere." She said
"Where?" Spike looked at her.
"To the uncharted forest." Twilight said
"I'll go with you." Spike got up and walked to a closet.
"No! I have to do this on my own. I'm sorry Spike. I need to do this myself." She got up and levitated a pack into the room and put cloths into it and other camping equipment.
"Wake up kid! Up and eary! Ghosts don't get the luxury of good sleep!" Maverick shook Jared from his sleep.
"What the hell! Can't I get one last night of sleep?" He shot an angry look at Maverick.
"Nope, Hot Wind wants your answer." Maverick handed him a small radio and said "Welcome to Ghosts."
Jared scooted out of his bed and grabbed his M4.
All of the guards stared at Jared as he walked to command to meet with Hot Wind. In the command room, Captain Musuki was standing next to Hot Wind, who was speaking with two other Ghost's.
"Boys, I would like to introduce you to Jared Vix." Hot Wind moved to the side and gave the two Ghost's a clear view of the newest member.
"This is the new guy?" One asked.
"I give him two days before he's out." The other said
"Axel, Roric. Show him his new gear." Hot Wind walked away, leaving Jared with the Ghosts.
"Hey Vix! Found out what caused the fuse to short." Redmond walked in with another member. "Turns out he thought it would be a great idea to practice with his knife. Ended up cutting the fuse line." The guard looked at Jared, who was pissed.
"Yo newbie, come on. We don't got all day!" Axel walked through the door labeled " Uniforms".
Jared was given a black uniform, which he changed into instantly.
"And last but not least, your symbol." Roric handed him a black face mask. "Welcome to Ghosts."