> A Soldier In Equestria > by The Alchemist > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Survivor's Guilt > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What are you talking about? America is not going to be destroyed." "Never? Rome was destroyed, Greece was destroyed, Persia was destroyed, Spain was destroyed. All great countries are destroyed. Why not yours? How much longer do you really think your own country will last?” I slammed my fist into the TV, wishing I could hit the Chinese Prime Minister at that moment. He had ruined my life. Yeah, I wanted to join the military, but as a pilot. America needed cannon fodder, though. We were told that we played a huge part in the war, when all we were actually needed for were targets for the Chinese. The war effort was going good for us. We were winning, and the Chinese were getting more and more desperate, with heavy casualties being suffered. Throughout the years, many events had happened, shaping Earth. First off, the economic collapse hit Europe pretty hard except for the UK, which turned around and started to prosper. America had had rising tensions with China since 2015. This escalated to war in 2048. My name is Jake Eld. I'm a 17-year-old U.S. Marine Corporal, 1st Marine Division. I lied about my age to get in on the war effort. Now, I'm built larger than a couple of 19 year olds I knew at the time. They helped get me in, of course. I got separated from them, though, and was soon found out. Luckily, leathernecks supported my decision and helped me. Mysteriously, my name was bumped to the top of the list for advanced education, and I was trained in the use of the prototype nanosuit, a high-tech armor. It gives special abilities to the wearer including enhanced strength, vision, and the ability to heal wounds. The healing had a cost to pay - your strength. If you were near death while healing, you could be knocked unconscious for months. Let me start at the beginning of my story, though. "ELD! Get your sorry ass above deck with the rest of Whiskey Squad!" Lt. Shepard barked at me. We were getting ready to leave our position aboard USS Enterprise. "SIR YES SIR!" I saluted and moved out. I found the rest of Whiskey waiting for someone to give us our orders. We were all ready for combat. I was carrying a M4 Carbine Rifle and a M9 Pistol holstered on the prototype combat armor I was wearing. "Alright you skum fucks get in the helicopter, get to the LZ and regroup with the 1st Force Recon Battalion,” Lt. Shepard Barked at us again “NOW MOVE, SKUM FUCKS!" *15 Minutes later* We landed in the city of Guangzhou. "Alright now what the fuck do our orders say?" I asked my CO, Sgt. Moore. "Assassinate the Premier of China,” he replied. "Holy fuck, that's their equivalent of a prime minister. Are we up for this job?" "Does this Nanosuit show my ass off?" Private Reddings sarcastically asked. "Fair enough, but stay quiet. We need to carry this out swiftly and efficiently," said Sgt. Moore. We all nodded and began running from building to building, making our way up the street we landed on. Suddenly the crack of rifles and machine guns broke the silence. "Get behind cover!" shouted someone. "Check your six," came another voice. "Insurgents on the balcony above," I called. At this point, I was running on pure instinct, the HUD of my nanosuit highlighting enemies so I could take them down easier. The shooting was all over in a moment. Silence, that's my least favorite part of a firefight. I didn't know whether we would be ambushed again or if we could move on. Something hit my foot. "FUCK! FRAG! HIT THE DECK!" I flipped the grenade out the window and ran for cover. It exploded, but more were thrown in through another window. "FUCK SARGE, WE NEED TO MOVE! THEY’RE TRYING TO FLUSH US OUT!" "AGREED! FIRETEAM CHARLIE MOVE OUT!" Five marines from Charlie ran from the building with my fireteam, X-Ray, providing cover fire. They were mowed down in seconds. "FUCK NO!” They can't be dead, I thought. They can't. We've been through so much together. “GODDAMN, THOSE WERE MY FRIENDS! YOU'LL FUCKING PAY FOR THIS YOU BASTARDS!" I screamed at the sky. "Eld, pull yourself together. They knew what they were getting into and so did you. Now are you gonna sit here and cry over them or are you gonna help me and the rest of X-ray kill our target so fireteam Charlie didn't die in vain?" Moore looked on the verge of breaking down. We charged taking down the rest of the Chinese soldiers outside. *Outside of safehouse* "All right everyone breach and clear. Leave no one alive, they have control of a WMD." Moore explained "They have one in there or just controls to launch one?" I asked "The latter." He replied. We set a blasting charge on the wall and waited. It detonated and everyone dashed in. I went last. "What the fuck? Where the hell is it?" I asked. "Eld come take a look at this." I went over to where the voice came from. "It's a timer FOR A NUKE! WE ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS!" "Relax they wouldn't nuke their own country," Redding said. Ironically, at that moment the timer hit zero. "They did. They nuked themselves," someone said. I was instantly knocked off my feet I didn't hit a wall like I was expecting I felt myself falling for what seemed like an eternity before I hit ground. "OOMF,” was the only thing I could say as the wind was knocked out of me. I groaned and rolled over, feeling for my carbine which wasn't there. I heard a gasp and I looked up expecting a U.S soldier but what I saw was a white alicorn with a crown staring down on me. I only knew what I was looking at from mythology lessons that I took in school. I said "Oh no,” as realization dawned on me. “Oh no no fuck they died! The nuke went off, I'm in magic fucking ponyland and they all died!" Tears dripped off my face and onto the floor but I wasn't crying full on because I was in the presence of an Alicorn. > A new world, A new start > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Alicorn spoke up "Hello my name is Princess Celestia" I started to respond but a sharp pain in my chest made me look down there was a jagged piece of metal sticking out of me. "Oh my it's hurt." one of six ponies standing off to the side said I passed out..........*Six Hours later* "He's coming to somepony get the princess." I opened my eyes to see six ponies standing in front of me One of them spoke up "Hello my name Is Twilight Sparkle who are you or what are you exactly?" "I'm a human can't you tell what have you been living under a rock? Unless your all mutants from the radiation of the nuke. But then how did I get here I should be dead?" I had so many questions to ask myself "No sir we are not mutants Twilight said with a little bit of irritation in her voice. We are ponies. Now if you could tell us how you got here Princess Celestia would be very appreciative." I looked down and saw that I was bandaged up. "Who removed the shrapnel from me?" I asked "Me. Squeaked a voice from my left. I turned and faced the pony. She was a yellow pegasus with a pink mane.She was cowering in fear hiding behind an orange pony. "You're not mad are you?" She Squeaked again "Why would I be angry? You quite possibly just saved my life were i'm from most people would have left me to die." I don't know why but I felt compelled to hug her she was quite adorable after all she squeaked yet again. The lavender colored unicorn named Twilight spoke up "So would you mind telling us how you got here and what happened?" "Sure but you might want to sit down it's a long story. I started from the beginning and told her exactly what happened shedding a few tears when I talked about charlie team getting taken down. Twilight introduced me to all her friends finally as the commotion of an alien appearing had made her forget her manors so she said. Then she explained Equestria to me the money,government. "Well since you know the basics about Equestria we need to discuss were you'll be staying since it looks like you'll be here for a while." "Oh he can stay with me. If it's fine with you......" She trailed off and squeaked again. "That sounds good I just need my gear. Speaking of that I need that combat armor you took off of me it's government issue after all. The ponies looked at me. What I was wearing it when I got here." "Corporal you were wearing fatigues when you got here." Princess Celestia said. When the hell did she get here? "No I was wearing a prototype nanosuit when the bomb dropped........ Holy fuck it's been like melded with my body! I mean my skin looks normal but it's like a part of me I can feel it. Fuck sorry i'm rambling." "It's alright but girls how about you give the corporal here a tour of ponyville I don't think canterlot will suit his tastes." The Princess said I stood up and started stretching my limbs which were stiff as hell. The group actually my friends showed me around. First stopping at sugarcube corner at the request of Pinkie Pie "OHMYGOSH YOU HAVEN'T HAD A PINKIE PARTY YET." I was surprised she said all of that in one breath. "Wait where did Pinkie go?" I asked "Just let it go Jake." Twilight Giggled The rest of the tour consisted of the library where I got a couple of books on the Equestrian Army much to Twilight's delight "You like to read?" She asked "Course I do why wouldn't I?" "Well some of the soldiers here are more concerned with their muscles than reading." "Well than those stallions are idiots." I told her Eventually we made it to Sweet Apple Acres where I was introduced to the Apple family and assaulted by three young fillies calling themselves the CMC (Yeah you know what I mean) Rarity tried to make me new clothes "Oh but darling you simply must let me make you some clothes other than that dreadful looking uniform." "Sorry Rarity but this is the uniform of my military and it bears the flag of my people. I said sounding more than a little prideful But if you want to make something we do have a thing called blue dress which is the formal wear of the marines,and i guess a change of clothes wouldn't hurt I added. I'll find a way to pay you back." I said "No no it's free of charge that's what friends do after all." Friends.........It felt good to know that they were so accepting of me even though i'm an alien soldier. Confound these ponies they drive me to tears. Eventually we all finally made it to Fluttershy's cottage "Don't forget Jake yer always welcome to come en work at the farm to earn some bits. "Thanks Applejack I'll be there tommorow at...... "Show up at 8:00 sharp." "Okay okay i'll be there I chuckled. I said my goodbyes to everypony as me and Fluttershy entered her cottage. "Jake you can have my bed while you stay here and i'll take the couch." Fluttershy said "No Shy it's your place you can sleep where you want a couch isn't bad at all I've slept in mud before so the couch isn't bad. I said "Ookay if you're sure then do you need a blanket or anything?" "Nah i'll be fine thanks for letting me stay here Shy." I said giving her a friendly hug. She squeaked at that which made me laugh. Yeah life was good for once I thought to myself as I fell asleep > What happened to you? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A/N thanks to totallynotabrony for reformatting my first chapter. Secondly check out the new story i'm working on. Finally thanks to all who favorited Pvt.John Reddings Everfree Forest "Well that's one thing the Corps doesn't teach us, surviving nukes 101." Reddings said aloud Immediately his instincts kicked in. Look for wounded,radio for help,and survey the surroundings. Reddings started looking for any signs of survivors he didn't find any. He found the bodies of his fallen teammates and set to burying them. "Wait a minute. Reddings said aloud Great just fucking great. I have two teammates MIA and two KIA. I'm lost in a forest behind enemy lines I can't get support and the rations are gone." Reddings finished burying his fallen comrades. "Semper fi. He whispered Tears fell down the Private's face and onto his friend's graves Reddings wandered through the forest and eventually he came along to a town. This looks promising he thought to himself. Better stick to the shadows in case I see any Chinese soldiers." The Private moved throughout the town not seeing anything. Something didn't feel right yet Reddings couldn't place what that was. "I don't trust the look of this place. It's too colorful and peaceful. The Pvt passed on moving in the shadows. He eventually came through an alleyway leading to a cafe. He saw Cpl.Eld sitting outside with......ponies? Redding was pissed beyond belief. "HE LEFT US FOR PONIES!? Reddings thought to himself. With that he ran back to the forest "FUCK" He punched a tree it cracked from the force of the punch "He left you and your team for dead. He doesn't care about you or his country anymore. A voice said from behind Reddings I can help you get your revenge." "Who are you?" Reddings asked "They call me Nightmare Moon" Cpl.Jake Eld I had taken the girls out for something to eat considering I had been working at Applejack's farm since eight in the morning and it was now five in the afternoon. Apple bucking surprisingly takes a lot out of a guy. Well anyways I had earned myself a nice two hundred bits it had a nice weight in my field pack. "So Jake, hows working at the farm turning out?" Twilight asked me "It's tiring but better than doing drills at Pendleton." I replied "What's a Pendleton?" They all asked in unison I facepalmed "Camp Pendleton is the largest U.S Marine Corps base in California. And before you ask California is the name of the state where I live." "So uh Jake.... how exactly do you buck apples?" Twilight asked me "Easy, I just hit it with my shoulder. Spike belched,causing green flames to come out of his mouth. I really hope you don't do that every time you burp. Wait were the hell did that scroll come from." I asked "It's a letter from the Princess." Twilight said ignoring me "Well what's it say sugarcube? Don't keep us in the dark Twi." Applejack added, The others nodded "It says that she needs us in Canterlot urgently. I think I can teleport us there." By this time I had already learned to not give two shits about magic. After explaining to Twilight that I didn't have magic where I came from. Before I had the chance to protest I was enveloped in a purple light. Canterlot The Princess was nervously pacing back and forth in the throne room of the castle. "Okay so there's a murderous soldier from the same world as Eld. He is well armed better than any of my royal guards. I don't think anyone can get close enough to even use magic. Celestia was angry more than angry actually. At the otherworldly soldier who has murdered three of her guards. But was extremely nervous that Nightmare moon had been separated from her sister and was now able to move freely about Equestria. There was extremely powerful dark magic at work Celestia had lived long enough to know dark magic. Unknown Location A man wielding a scythe was watching these events unfold before his eyes. Normally powers stronger than him would render him useless to meddle in the affairs of mortals. He didn't have the ability to reap souls like his friend the Grim Reaper but he did keep the scales in check to keep one person from holding too much power in one dimension. This soldier sickened him he was upsetting the scales in Equestria and that couldn't be ignored. Canterlot, Throne Room "YOU BROUGHT THIS MONSTROSITY TO MY KINGDOM. Princess Celestia was screaming at Eld. IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT THREE OF MY GUARDS ARE DEAD. IF YOU WEREN'T THE ONLY THING THAT COULD STOP IT THEN I WOULD HAVE YOU IN THE DUNGEON." She struck him. Normally she would never do that but Eld had gotten three ponies killed. "Look Princess I'm sorry that you lost three of your guards but. I was cut off by a hoof to the face. I'm pretty sure it broke my nose. There was a lot of blood coming from my nose. LOOK HERE PRINCESS I'M WILLING TO FUCKING HELP YOU BUT YOU NEED TO QUIT BEING SUCH A BITCH TO ME RIGHT NOW! I shouted in hindsight it probably wasn't the best thing I've ever said but who cares? I heard not only the girls gasp but the Royal Guards present were pretty taken aback. She raised her hoof to strike me again. I caught it mid swing and tossed it back towards her. I've had years of martial arts experience I've seen more combat than anyone in the history of Equestria. Now hitting me doesn't solve any problems. Now would you mind explaining the fucking problem? Okay I need to talk to the survivors and see if they were able to identify his name." I said "Does the name Reddings mean anything to you?" Princess Celestia asked me I felt the blood drain from my face. " Oh fuck no. No No NO NO! FUCK! I shouted punching the stone pillar nearest to me. It cracked from the force of the punch. The ponies were cowering in fear from me. Princess Celestia was talking to them. Trying to soothe them like a mother would. I'm the second most violent person that was on the team. I said in a monotone voice "Who's the first?" Twilight asked "That would be me. A voice said causing all of us to jump. So Eld how's life treating you? Oh wait let me answer that. You found new friends and forgot about your actual friends. Your country. Recon stands for something Eld do you remember because I certainly do. Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine, I accept all challenges involved with this profession. Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me. Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal. Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of the reconnaissance mission shall be my life. Physical fitness, mental attitude, and high ethics—The title of Recon Marine is my honor. Conquering all obstacles, both large and small, I shall never quit. To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail. To be a Recon Marine is to surpass failure; To overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission. On the battlefield, as in all areas of life, I shall stand tall above the competition. Through professional pride, integrity, and teamwork, I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate. Never shall I forget the principles I accepted to become a Recon Marine. Honor, Perseverance, Spirit and Heart. A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word and achieve what others can only imagine. Reddings repeated his voice filled with malice and hate directed at me Applejack walked up to him and said "Now look her mister. Ah don't know who in the hay you think you are but I won't have you walkin around insultin mah friends." She said Reddings looked as to be contemplating this. Then he turned and gave her a swift kick to the ribs. Applejack hit the ground and yelled in pain. (I highly suggest listening to this) My vision turned red. At that moment I released a scream so vicious sounding everypony in the castle froze. Reddings just looked at me with a look in his eyes that screamed I'll kill all of them when i'm done with you. I charged at him still screaming in rage. I hit him with enough force to break a couple of ribs. Reddings just used my momentum to flip me onto my back. He delivered a vicious kick to the side of my head. My vision blurring, I rolled back to my feet and charged again feinting a left hook and caught him in the jaw with a right hook. I took the moment to bring my hands down over his ears.....hard popping his eardrums and setting him off balance. After that I brought his head down into my knee. His head made a cracking sound as his face came into contact with my knee. "Is that all you got!? Reddings asked me I knew you were always a bitch but man you couldn't hurt one of these ponies if you fucking tried." He said to me. I rushed him again hellbent on killing him there were a couple of loud bangs but I paid it no attention. Reddings face widened in surprise I hit him hard enough to make him fly through the air and hit a guard rail on a balcony. I ran forward and started punching him in the face. After a few punches he flipped over and now he was punching me in the face. I brought my knee into his groin and shoved him off me. But that just mad him madder he grabbed me and wrenched my arm behind my back. I stomped his foot and lowered my head. Then I brought it up with tremendous force. I heard his jaw crack from the impact. I turned around and shoved him to the guardrail. I walked up to him and immediately I felt a sharp pain in my stomach I ignored it for the moment. I grabbed him and beat him until he couldn't see anymore. But he still fought on he grabbed me and threw me off the balcony. I managed to grab him and pull him down with me. I ignored the pain I was feeling at the moment. I walked over to my old friends limp body. I brought my foot up and then down on his neck killing him. "Semper Fi" I whispered before passing out. 3 Days later When I came to I was in a hospital bed. I was surrounded by the ponies I was lucky enough to call my friends even Princess Celestia. "Where the fuck am I? I asked elegant as ever "Duh! Silly your in the hospital. Pinkie Pie said She was on my chest bouncing like a child would. I couldn't help but chuckle at her antics. Please don't hurt yourself like that again I was scared you wouldn't wake up. She was saying looking at me with her big blue eyes that were tearing up. I couldn't help myself I gave her a hug. Her mane smelled of cotton candy it was strangely comforting. All the others (Princess Celestia included) joined in on the hug. (You jelly?) After we broke the embrace Princess Celestia said "Corporal I'm extremely sorry for what I said earlier and for striking you." "Think nothing of it Princess. I said But if you could tell me why I'm in the hospital I would appreciate that. "You don't know? Twilight asked me a look of surprise on her face. I just shrugged. Well you were shot four times in the chest,you were stabbed in the stomach and you broke all the knuckles in you fist and your femur." "How the hell do you know my anatomy?" I asked "We went through Reddings camp and found what we presume to be a medics bag in there. I found a couple of books on your species anatomy." *Ding* Achievement Unlocked: Ballin like Rasputin 50g > Nightmare Night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A/N It's 1:35 were I'm at right now. But it's good to get back to this story. Hopefully this will satisfy your taste for few while I write a fifth chapter After spending a few weeks in the hospital due to Princess Celestia wanting to keep a close eye on my mental stability I was finally free and on Halloween....err Nightmare Night. Anyways always a fun time on Earth and from what I heard the ponies sure know how to party. "Come on Twilight I've been in here for like three weeks. This is torture to me." I was saying "You sound so much like Rainbow Dash it's unbelievable." She said mockingly "I'm leaving and there's nothing you can do to stop me." I said getting up out of the hospital and throwing my fatigues on "Magic remember?" She said She then preceded to try and hit me with a levitation spell which bounced off harmlessly. "How? That would work on any other pony." Twilight said dumbfounded "Did I ever mention the shield system my nanosuit has?" I asked "No. What does it do?" Twilight sounded genuinely curious "Well it makes the impact of a hit hurt a lot less than it should. It keeps me from breaking bones and gives me strength far passed that of any person besides one wearing a nanosuit. And it keeps your magic from affecting me." I said smugly After that I felt the need to do something incredibly stupid. I spied an open window and jumped out of it ignoring Twilight's screams of fear. "ALLONS-Y" I shouted falling two stories down to the ground. I landed in a crouched position and started walking to Ponyville. "Jake you are such an idiot." Twilight said walking up to me "Yeah I know. Care to teleport us to Ponyville." I asked She sighed and her horn started to get a purplish aura around it. In a flash we were standing in the middle of the Rarity's Boutique. "Jake! When did you get out of the hospital?" Rarity asked me "Just this morning. But I kind of jumped out the window because Twilight wouldn't let me come down here for nightmare night." I said grinning sheepishly "Oh well Applejack mentioned needing some help bucking apples down at the farm so if you're willing then could you head over there and help?" Rarity asked me "Yeah sure I'll head out right now." I said over my shoulder as I walked out the door I jogged more out of habit than willingness to Sweet Apple Acres. I finally saw the farm house in the distance and slowed my jog to a fast walking pace. Then a familiar orange mare walked outside and met me halfway. "Well howdy Jake what brings you round to sweet apple acres?" She asked "Rarity mentioned that you might need some help." I said matter of factly "Well if you want to help me buck apples I'll be glad fer your help and I'll pay you for it." She said I spent the hours leading up to Nightmare Night hitting trees with my shoulder to knock apples out. At the end of all that I met up with AJ on the farmhouse porch. "That was a mighty fine job Jake." Applejack said "I think so." I said At that moment I certain purple unicorn teleported in front of us. "Hey AJ, Jake the girls and I have something to show you." She said before Applejack shoved me next to Twilight who teleported the three of us. We appeared outside of Sugarcube Corner and I walked inside followed by Applejack and Twilight who were grinning like morons. I walked in to darkness "SURPRISE" My favorite pink party pony shouted I was sat down at a table that had presents and different kinds of sweets on them. "What's the occasion?" I asked confused "Well we thought you might enjoy a few presents because you did save us from that one guy." Rainbow said "That was nothing." I said "Nothing? Just shut up and enjoy your party and presents." Rainbow said giggling at my expression At Pinkie's urging I opened the presents first. The first one I opened contained a gauntlet with what I recognized as Princess Luna's cutie mark on the back of the hand. I set that aside and opened the next one up which contained a sword that had a beautiful golden hilt and a stunning orange blade. "Okay darling we'll explain your gifts right after you open this one." Rarity said nudging a small white box wrapped with a golden bow towards me I pick it up gingerly and unwrap it wondering what the hell is going on. Inside was a watch that had a white face and black Equestrian numbers. The clasp on the watch was spectrum colored like Rainbow's mane. "Now I know you might be confused on why we got you these but we realized that at heart you are a warrior and no warrior wants to be disarmed. So we got you some new stuff to replace your old ones. The watch extends into an undentable shield and the gauntlet extends into a full set of armor." Rarity explained I picked her up in a huge bear hug. "Thank you so much Rarity." I put her back down "Hey I think nightmare night's starting without us. Don't want that to happen now do you?" Rainbow said We all shared a laugh and went out to enjoy the night. [Several hours later/b] I had been working one of Applejack's candied apple carts for a while. But it was actually quite fun I had the chance to talk to alot of ponies I hadn't got the chance to meet. Eventually the girls and spike walked up and with Applejack's permission I closed up shop to hang out for the rest of the night. As we were passing through the town square there was a slightly different breeze than there should have been. "Any of you feel that?" I asked "Yeah it's like somepony is teleporting but I don't think that's the case." Twilight said At that moment a bright flash occupied the center of the square temporarily blinding me. When I could see again there was a creature standing in the center. I had only heard about him but I knew he was dangerous and needed to be stopped before any harm could be done. "Discord? But how? We used the elements of harmony to imprison you." Twilight said "Ahh my dear Twilight, You really think with Nightmare Moon separated from Luna I wouldn't be released from my prison?" Discord said Twilight looked dumbfounded for once. I spoke up "Well I'm going to play damage control here and kick your ass before any damage actually happens." I launched myself at Discord and brought my sword down across his chest. He ignored the hit and wrapped his tail around my neck choking me. My vision was fading but out of the corner of my eye I could see two familiar looking mares come to my aid. Applejack bucked him in the chest and Rainbow hit his legs forcing Discord to let go of me. I took a long breath of air and went to retrieve my sword before finding it already in it's sheath. I willed the magic in the gauntlet to change into armor. It did and I took that as my Que to launch myself at Discord again. He knocked me away with a swipe of his tail. "You really think I came here to fight you? I just wanted two of the element bearers so they couldn't use them again." Discord said before grabbing Applejack and Rainbow Dash. His body started to glow and I realized that he was teleporting away with them. "OH NO YOU FUCKING DON'T" I shouted grabbing his tail I felt the familiar sensation of teleporting and then the familiar sensation of snow. I sat up and surveyed my surroundings. I was somewhere in an icy mountain. Alone. No help. But my friends were in danger so I couldn't give up that easily. I wandered around for hours before the cold started to get to me. I was starting to black out when I noticed a cottage in the distance. I stumbled for a few minutes before collapsing a few feet away from the entrance struggling to knock. But then there was the calm inviting blackness. > To the ends of this world > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A/N Guess what? The next chapter is going to be 5k long! So be prepared for an epic fight I woke up in an unfamiliar room with a black and yellow striped pegasi standing at the foot of the bed I was in. "Hello my name is Shadow Breaker. I assume you are the famous Jake Eld." Shadow Breaker said "Yeah. I'm sorry about intruding on your property so I'll just be out of your mane now." I said standing up "Wait! Please let me come with you." Shadow Breaker pleaded "Why?" I asked confused as to why a pony I had just met wanted to travel with me "Well you see I'm a friend of Rainbow Dash's and I saw Discord pass through the mountains with her and another mare and then you show up. So I assumed you knew her." Shadow Breaker said "You like Rainbow don't you?" I said teasingly "Yeah. But don't tell her!" He said worriedly "I think if you help me save her than you may have a chance. Plus I need a guide through these mountains and some company." I said His look brightened up at my offer. "Okay I just need to get some food." He said walking to his kitchen "Only take what you're gonna eat because I can go a really long time without eating." I said After about thirty minutes he walked back to me with a light pack on filled with food. "All ready to go?" I asked "Yep." He said walking out the door into the cold I walked next to him for thirty minutes on a uneven cobblestone path that was barely visible due to all the snow. He turned to the left and started walking that direction I followed him. Eventually we came upon a canyon. "Well looks like the only place to go is through it. Be on your guard Jake" Shadow Breaker said to me "Why? It looks perfectly safe to me." I said "Trolls and lots of them. You need to be prepared to kill. That's not to tough for you is it?" He said "I can kill but where are we headed?" I asked "Discord's kingdom." He said darkly We walked about halfway through the canyon before we had any trouble. "Jake." "Yeah" "Get ready for a fight." I nodded and drew my sword holding it out in front of me. A white gorilla looking creature stood about twenty feet from us a look that would probably curdle milk on it's face. It gave a roar of fury and charged us. I stood my ground as another one came into my view. I turned toward the second one as Shadow Breaker attacked the first. I slashed at it chopping off it's arm. The troll gave a shriek of pain and hit me in the side of the with it's available arm. I fell to the ground and rolled pulling my KA-BAR Fighting knife from it's sheath on my leg. I pushed myself back up to my feet and stabbed the troll in the throat. I walked over to Shadow and helped him out from underneath the other troll's body. We resumed our trek north through the canyon to the Kingdom of Chaos. "Hey Shadow what's your cutie mark mean?" I asked "It means that I strive to protect those that cannot protect themselves." He replied We continued walking through the canyon in silence. "So you were a soldier?" Shadow Breaker asked me "Yeah an experimental one at that. Wanna hear one of my war stories?" I asked "Sure!" Flashback I was there during the fall of Moscow when Russia was still able to fight. The Russians were allied with us against China this time around so it was double the power. My platoon was caught in a fire fight against the Chinese who would not give up until we were dead. I had been firing my weapon for awhile and was on my last mag. The ground beneath me littered with spent bullet casings. We watched the Chinese kill everyone but us we were being fired at from all directions we eventually ran into a supermarket filled with decaying soldier's bodies. We had nowhere to run so we hid beneath the soldiers corpses and waited for the Chinese to walk into the supermarket. As soon as they did we sprung up and shot all of them killing almost all. The few that ran were hunted down and killed after that massacre the Chinese pulled out of Russia but not before crippling her army. Putting them out of the fight. I continued to fight in the name of all the Chinese had killed. But after that I was never the same until I came here. But death seems to follow me everywhere I go. Present Time "Hardcore.." Was all Shadow had been able to say I simply nodded and continued walking throughout the night eager to cover as much ground as possible. Thanks to the nanosuit I was barely cold but Shadow was a completely different story and I didn't want my new friend die so I stopped and set up camp. I used my lighter to start a campfire so we could rest in warmth. Shadow curled up near the fire while a laid back and put my hands behind my head. We had woken up and continued our trek through the mountain eventually finding the path that lead off of it and into large rolling grassy hills. That by itself was rejuvenating but Shadow kept up my morale and the hope of finally stopping all this evil and chaos that Discord had caused kept me going. "So where is the Kingdom of Chaos anyways?" I asked Shadow "About three days walk from here but the entrance itself is hidden so we'll have to keep our eyes peeled." Discord's Throne Room "Yes the forming of my army is almost complete! Discord cackled My soldiers shall look like Eld's skeleton and will wield swords. With them I will finally have Equestria all to myself!" Discord laughed and laughed until tears came to his eyes "You'll never get away with this Discord!" Rainbow Dash shouted "Oh my dear Rainbow I already have gotten away with my plan." Discord said Rainbow became quiet once again and curled up next to Applejack. Rainbow was extremely concerned for her friend and it was all her fault on top of that. If she hadn't talked Applejack into trying to escape Discord wouldn't have hurt Rainbow and Applejack would never have attacked him. "Jake I hope you get here soon." Rainbow said tears coming to her eyes Canterlot Throne Room The girls gasped at the violent scene before them. They saw their friend slaughtering trolls alongside a pegasi but they knew he was the only hope Equestria had of stopping Discord as neither Princess could step hoof into Discord's kingdom without experiencing extreme pain. "Girl's I know that you are curious about what happens to Jake so you can stay here and use the mirror as long as you want." Princess Celestia said "Thank you Princess." Twilight said bowing "I thought you might be here a while so I took the liberty of ordering some food and drinks for all of you. As for Spike he's being trained by one of our special dragon guards in the art of fire breathing." Princess Celestia added The ponies nodded solemnly and turned back to the scene of their friend sleeping calmly. They cried and comforted each other. Back to Eld "I will follow Discord to the ends of this world to get my friends back." I said to no one in particular  "And I'll be there to follow you and keep your sorry flank from dying." Shadow said slugging my shoulder We both laughed and continued along the dirt path that was leading towards a forest. "Do you think we might run into any trouble in this forest?" I asked "I've never come across anything bad so long as you stick to the path." Shadow replied We walked for hours until coming to a clearing in the forest. We stopped and set up camp I lit the fire while Shadow went to find firewood. I sat down and put my back to a tree trunk and closed my eyes for a few seconds. I guess I fell asleep because it was darker than when I sat down. I checked my watch "Thirty minutes and Shadow still isn't back. I better go find him." I said to myself I stood up and walked the direction I last saw Shadow take. I walked down the path and kept my hand on my KA-BAR just in case I needed to use a weapon quick. I kept on walking until the path ended my instincts to be unseen kicked in. I stuck to the shadows and moved silently forward. I found myself face to face with a tomb that was open. Never a good sign to me or anyone that watches horror movies. "HELP!" I heard Shadow call I forgot everything and sprinted inside my sword in hand. I found myself face to face with several skeletons armed with swords and axes. The lead one swung at me barely missing me but my sword found it's mark in the side of it's head. I quickly whirled around and stabbed the second skeleton in the gut turning him to a pile of bones. I left my sword and went for my knife which I used to stab the third skeleton in chest. It turned to dust. "HELP!" Shadow again called from farther down the tomb My sword leapt to my hand and glowed like Celestia's sun. My gauntlet grew spikes on the knuckles which was good because my left hand was severely under powered compared to my sword arm. I ran farther down into the tomb to Shadow's calling voice. I found myself in a large chamber with a stone table in the center of the chamber. Shadow was strapped to the table with a skeleton priest standing over him a knife raised above it's head. I ran forward and rammed my blade through the skeleton. I cut the ropes off of Shadow and helped him back up. "Thanks I thought I was going to die." Shadow said "No problem but from the looks of this we might have to fight our way out of this mess." I said The remaining skeletons surrounded us and raised their weapons. Shadow and I worked as a team I was the powerhouse destroying skeletons left and right while Shadow acted as a clean up crew bucking any I missed. Eventually there were only piles of dust and bones. "We do a damn good job at this!" I shouted "Damn straight!" Shadow replied We walked back to the clearing where I collapsed on the ground and finally got some sleep. Hopefully the morning would bring me one step closer to finding my friends and defeating Discord.