> Unit Alpha > by IronTitan > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > First Unit > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just outside the center of the Crystal Empire in the darkness of night was a fight between the Main six, and Umbra's army after escaping Umbra had managed to capture Cadence, and Shining Armor then Twilight, and the rest of the Elements of Harmony. They were there to try, and stop the evil queen. Twilight hid in a random room in the castle with the others, and tried to come up with a plan to save the ponies of the Crystal empire, and stop Umbra after they gave her minions the slip. They were going to sneak into the throne room, and save Twilight's sister in law, and brother. Once they had them they were going to leave, and try to come up with a plan to get rid of Umbra. They agreed on an idea, and went with it but it didn't go to plan as Rainbow Dash got too over confident, and tried attacking Umbra head on instead of swooping in, and grabbing the two royals. Umbra saw through her attack, and sidestepped slamming her elbow into Rainbow's back, making her drop to the floor in a crumpled mess. Applejack ran in with a rope, and lassoed the evil queen, but it didn't work as she spun around spamming Applejack into a wall. Fluttershy hid in a corner, Pinkie was captured when Applejack had come slamming into her, then Pinkie into Rarity from the force after she had popped up from who knows where. Twilight tried her best to save her friends, but she too was also quickly apprehended; they all sat together encased in dark crystal overlooking the Crystal Empire. The girls tried to plan a way to get out of their predicament while Umbra walked to the Palace throne rambled on about her victory, and how the Crystal Empire was always hers to rule, and no one else would be worthy to rule over her domain. But the planning was cut short when they heard something off in the distance that even managed to catch the attention of Umbra was the sound of thick branches snapping. Umbra looked to the window, and summoned her crystal minions to go see what it was, and the source of the noise to her as she continued her speech. The small team she summoned quickly made their way down to the forest edge. As they arrived they came close enough to get a glance inside before a large spear flew out of the forest with a loud whistle that even though it was faint it could still be heard even from their position. Another large spear went fly out of the trees with a loud whistle ending with a line of Umbra's troops being impaled by the large carved branch used as a crude spear gored through a large row of creatures the others raised their weapons, and shields up into defensive positions holding their ground as they waited for another assault. Umbra rushed outside to a balcony to see what the commotion was, and watched the chunk of wood fly out of the forest, but also the faint outline of someone standing in the shadows. She called out her voice loud enough that it could almost contest the royal Canterlot voice. "You dare interfere with me defending my kingdom, show yourself coward and surrender." Umbra only was angered more when the apparent stallion stepped out clothed in all black suit with a white shirt, his white hair shone in the moonlight as he adjusted his sleeves, then reached behind his back pulling out a pair of curved shortswords, and slowly began to approach the incoming army. Umbra could faintly make out mouth movements before the slow approach turned into several quick dashes. Umbra watched the whole massacre from the safety of the Crystal castle as the small stallion stood cleaving away at her troops she watched bodies rise, and fall as her army fell at the hands of this mysterious stallion she watched the shining of his hair move with his fluid motions. As the first two soldiers dropped she watched him store his weapons away, then grab their swords and swing them with absolute precision, and calculated movements that she had never seen before. The techniques he used were so alien, and nowhere in all her years had she seen such fluid motions with so many weapons. As the seconds ticked on she felt her anger slowly building up more as her grip tightened on the railing until it got to the point he crushed it in her grasp as she saw her now defeated army later on the ground their bodies scattered across the open field. She dropped the pieces of the broken rail down as she turned around away from the site to the throne. Her body consumed in onyx flames before she stood clad in full armor with a large black sword. The last soldier fell as the stranger decapitated the last member of Umbra's army, and tossed the used weapons to the ground he readjusted his sleeves, then his blue tie. He searched the enemy for any survivors when confirmed they were all dead, he began dashing to the castle. "Secondary targets: Eliminated Caution level: None, Proceeding to primary target". He disappeared from the site in a quick white flash. Everyone watching watched wondering where this strange creature went before another flash caught everyone's attention. They were confused why Umbra had turned around, but the other's couldn't turn around only just to be picked up in Umbra's magic one by one, and tossed into a corner. Everyone watched a young, white haired stallion walk in. His skin was as pale as Celestia's, and his eyes as cold as blank icey expression on his face. "How dare you interfere with me protecting what is mine? Do you know who I am, I am Queen Umbra, the only true ruler of the Crystal empire". "Target: Confirmed Queen Umbra Objective: Subdue, and retrieve. Bring to Equestria dead, or alive Caution level: Red Action: Subue, subjugation fails Terminate." Umbra quickly grew more agitated by the low monotonous voice that had slowly began listing away it's whereabouts, but had found it humorous at the fact a stallion almost half her size planned to take her down much less kill her. But had remembered how easily, and quickly it had quickly dispatched her army she decided to take caution around him knowing better than to underestimate her opponent. Umbra stood an easy seven foot tall, the one in front of her a possible five foot eight. "You think you could kill me, you wouldn't even be able to get close to me without being dead". Umbra laughed at the idea that anyone thought they could get anywhere near her without getting killed. "My minions are one thing, but I am a warrior you wouldn't have a snowball's chance in tartarus of even getting close to me. Who has the gall to send a colt to fight me?" Umbra laughed some more as the stallion before her stood silently staring at her before dropping down into what could be assumed as an attack position. His cold pale skin reflected the light as he looked at her. "Objective: Subdue if target fails to comply. Terminate." "Queen Umbra you have two choices: Release the citizens of the Crystal Empire, and turn yourself into the Unit issued, or by the power given to me by the Equestrian crown you will be terminated." Umbra chuckled at the mention of the two sisters Twilight, and the others however were confused by why they would send an stallion to collect her, or why they would allow murder to be an option. "Ha those two fools I told them many times to stay out of my affairs, and many times they chose to intervene. No more after I'm done with you I will take over their kingdom as well, and dispose of them. I have shown them kindness many times now they will feel my wrath. However, I need to dispose of you." She lowered her sword to the male standing low to the ground, and firm the blade shining in the light. She raised it up, and brought it down to cleave him in two. He stood perfectly still to which Umbra took as a foolish move knowing that it he tried to stop him she would cut straight through his body, but was surprised when his left leg swiftly spun up into the air, and the heel of his shoe came, and kicked the blade off course making it sink into the crystal floor. She quickly pried the sword from the floor leaving a large gap where the blade was, and brought it up to cut his head off, but it was again stopped by a swift kick sending it off course. As Umbra tried to correct the path of her sword she felt a sharp pain in her side, then the feeling of gravity failing. She soon started pulling herself off of the ground, quickly noticing her armor was dented. She stood, and raised her arm in time to stop another punch. The small fist was already retracting for another hit; she took the small opportunity to raise up her other hand, and catch the incoming punch. Her other hand raised up, and dug her nails through the dress coat, and shirt right into his flesh. She pulled her hand back with his arms retracting motion causing her nails to dig as deep as they could drawing as much blood as possible. She reached her hand to her sword, and raised it to see the one she was fighting disappeared. Then she heard a light tink she looked down, and saw a small gloved hand touching her armor, his hand flat leaving his fingertips to touch the cold metal. She looked up at his face, and smiled thinking he was dead, but impressed he managed to get so close. "I commemorate you for managing to touch me much less get this close however this is the end for you little colt." Her sword raised up some more before in a quick fluid motion that even Umbra barely managed to follow his hand quickly turned into a fist she felt her armor bend followed by a sharp distinct snap of metal, then a sharp pain in her midsection. Her body felt light once again as she quickly felt her feet leave the ground, then her back hitting a wall behind her. She dropped to the ground letting out a gasp of pain. Her purple eyes shot up to the small stallion's hand in a closed fist in front of him. She looked down at her armor seeing a large chunk missing. Umbra stood up, and removed her armor a small piece of metal fell free with a small clink in the shape of knuckles. Her eyes shifted back up to the stallion now very cautious of him. Every move she made was slow. He stood up, and resumed his starting position exactly where he started. She looked at him amazed, and curious at what he had just done. "That was very impressive. I have never met any creature who has managed to damage my armor, and deflect my sword. What is your name?" He replied in a short, but odd answer. "You may call me Unit." "Unit is such a strange name, but nonetheless I have a proposal: if you can best me in unarmed combat, I'll come quietly, and do whatever you wish. If you lose you will serve under me as my personal slave, and follow my every command. Deal?" She raised up her hand, a purple fire drifting from it. Unit stood up, and walked over to her his leather sole shoes tapping against the hard floor until he stood in front of her. His hand extended forward grabbing her's in a firm grip that surprised even Umbra. The purple flames engulfed their hands, sealing the deal much to Umbra's satisfaction. "Good under the old laws we have an accord let us begin." Umbra got into a combative position as Unit did the same, his cold blue eyes never leaving Umbra's; they each waited for one to make the first move. Umbra decided she should try to get the drop on him, and attack quickly. She rushed forward to throw a punch, but her attack was sidestepped, and a hand hit her on the back as she passed by.  She hit the ground, but quickly got back up, and started using her nails like claws if she could get close enough without getting hit, or her strike getting blocked. She threw a few lucky punches here, and there a good kick every so often her best bet was clawing him, but he never showed any sign of pain even when she kicked him into a wall. She went to give the finishing blow, but he pushed himself under her, and jumped to his feet as he got behind her using his fingers he hit her in the back punching a new hole through her armor. Her vision went blurry, then she collapsed and passed out. Everyone that was facing the fight gave encouragement to their savior as it went on until it's end. He turned to them, and walked over closing a fist. Everyone got nervous, and turned away afraid of what was going to happen assuming that he had turned. They all started letting out a sigh of relief as he began breaking them out of their crystal prisons. Everyone dusted themselves off, and turned to get a good look at who had saved them, but gasped when they saw his entire body covered in claw marks to the point his shirt, and jacket were barely hanging on by threads. He showed no sign of notice though spooking them all as his back was towards them wedging Umbra's sword from a wall. Twilight, Cadence, Shining, and the rest of the main six would have assumed him a diamond dog if he weren't clothed, and a minotaur, but he had no horns, or hooves. His body was also very thin, and short compared to both species making the group of six wonder what was this creature, but the fact was that when he turned, and his face was shown by the light his icy blue eyes were as cold, and empty as his face was blank. His cold monotonous voice however brought chills to their bodies as he spoke. "Objective: Collect Queen Umbra success. New objectives: Return Umbra to Equestria, Free royals, and Elements of harmony." He grabbed from his pocket a pink crystal, and laid it on the ground it gave a soft glow before projecting Princess Celestia in a nightgown, and Princess Luna in a dark blue dress. Everyone watched him bow before the two sisters followed by Luna's voice. "Unit hast thou accomplished thy mission." "Yes my lady Queen Umbra has been subdued as you, and your sister requested. Your Unit will return home immediately." Celestia looked at the kneeling creature before them as he finished talking. "Rise dear friend, and please be sure that Umbra is returned safely, and we greatly appreciate you doing as we requested in subduing her instead of terminating her. Is Princess Cadence, and Captain Shining Armor unharmed?" "Yes my lady they are unharmed, the Elements of Harmony are also here. Would you like to speak to them?" "That is not necessary. It seems it was wise sending you. Please report back to the castle, and have yourself sent to the medical ward for your wounds along with Umbra to be sure there is no indefinite damage. See you in a few minutes. I'll be sure to get changed into something proper for our meeting." As Celestia finished her sentence both her, and Luna disappeared, and the crystal stopped glowing. Unit retrieved the crystal, picking it up, then walking over hoisting Umbra's body over his shoulder, and her sword walking away with both. He tossed a blue crystal onto the floor, and stepped on it. It flashed in a bright light leaving no trace of Unit, Umbra, or her sword. "What the buck just happened?" Everyone turned to look at Rainbow dash who had broken free of her shock first. "I-I'm so confused, why did the princesses send him if we were already here?" "I can't believe auntie Luna, and Celestia sent that thing here." Everyone's eyes shifted to Cadence who was stretching her stiff wings with a couple pops. "Cadence, what do you mean by that thing? Have you met him before?" Twilight slowly walked up to her sister in law as Fluttershy checked everyone for injuries. "Yes, haven't you met it Twi? I would have figured they would have shown it to you." Cadence shook away her confusion, and got everyone together to check on the civilian population to make sure no one was hurt. Canterlot You are… hang on a tick cold ice blue eyes, pale skin, monotone voice, blank stare. Yeah it's you. You are Unit, and you just arrived in Canterlot castle with an unconscious Umbra on your back, and her sword in your hand. You're standing straight, and tall in the throne room. After seeing where you are you kneel down, surrendering the sword you took as a trophy to the two in front of you. Princess Luna dressed in a dark blue dress that closely resembles a dark starless night with her hand up stopping the two guards behind you. Princess Celestia is in a pristine white dress, and a necklace with her cutie mark on it. The two sisters smile down at you as they see that you again have completed your mission. "You may rise dear subject. Thou hast done well." Luna lowered her hand as the guards backed away with a bow of their heads returning to their posts. "Yes you have done wonderfully. But it is a shame to see you injured." Celestia's smile briefly turned to one of displeasure seeing his suit shredded, and blood dripping to the floor off your body. "Unit has received seventy percent damage. Blood loss is forty-five percent. Medical assistance will be minimal." Your eyes stay facing the ground as you hold up the sword you collected in your hands up towards your rulers. "Doest thou have anything else thy would find in need to report?" Luna stepped forward from where she stood, and moved her hand over the blade not touching it. "Unit report. Princess Mí Amore Cadenza, Captain Shining Armor, and the elements of harmony were captured in dark crystal. Unit was able to break them free of their prison after neutralizing the target Queen Umbra." You see Luna's shadow, then her feet lowering your head further out of respect. "That is unexpected, but for now guards please have a set of shackles, a magic dampening ring be brought here, and have a Doctor come as well. As for the sword as much as we appreciate it, it's best if you put it with the rest of your collection it will be safest with you. Now please rise, you know you don't have to kneel to us." Celestia puts a hand on your shoulder as you slowly rise up to your feet. "Yes my lady, I will do that." You lower the sword, and walk next to the throne standing with the sword in your hands, the point in the ground, and the pommel up towards the ceiling. Both the princess watch you stand there with no signs of pain, or discomfort, just your usual blank stare. Spike during the whole ordeal found a crystal heart that had been revealed to be the heart of the Crystal Empire after it was returned where it belonged. After everything was said, and done Twilight teleported herself, and her friends to Canterlot to talk to the princesses. They arrive, and the first thing they see is Unit completely undressed, but in just a pair of boxers, and a royal doctor stitching his wounds as he stands unmoving with the sword in his hands. Twilight's eyes quickly started scanning his body, noticing faint signs of old scars on many parts of his body, but wasn't completely sure of it because she was too far to confirm it. Fluttershy looked at him with tears welling up in her eyes, shocked at just how bad the injuries were. Rarity was purely upset about his suit, and how it was laying on the ground soaked in blood, and shredded to pieces. Applejack was stunned at how thin he was yet how strong the fact he could take down a well seasoned fighter like Umbra intrigued her, and the fact he was so young that he couldn't be more than her age. Rainbow Dash acted rather unimpressed, but was secretly curious about what technique he used to fight. Pinkie was jumping up, and down excited to meet a new potential friend. Shining Armor on the other hand was eyeing him up wondering what threat he may pose, and what he could learn from him, and use. Cadence was very much worried about him. "Auntie Celestia why do you still have that thing you know it's very concerning especially since I can't feel anything from it." "Yes Cadence I understand your concern, but worry not I assure you he's not an issue." "Princess Celestia if I can, would it be ok if I was to have him train some of the guards in whatever fig-." Shining armor much to his disappointment was quickly shot down by Luna. "We will have to deny thy request Captain Armor for what he knows is not for our military. His combat skill is his alone, and best left that way." "It is true Captain Armor, but his skill is best kept a secret." She turned and saw Twilight with a concerned look on her face. "Twilight, what is it that concerns you?" "Princess Celestia, if I can ask what it is, and why did it tell Umbra it would Terminate her?" Celestia lowered her head a bit conflicted, but sat on her throne, and explained the situation. She dismissed the doctor, and the guards. She, and Luna casted spells on the room after those dismissed left as Fluttershy on her own accord took over giving him stitches. "What you are about to hear never leaves this room. This is information that is a matter of national security if news about Equestria having an assassin in our jurisdiction would cause an uproar among other countries if not spark a war. It as you call him, Twilight Sparkle is a very old, and dangerous species our world once knew. He is a human, the last of his kind, and a member of a very elite group of assassins called Units. An archeologist discovered him in a facility buried underground; the archaeologist that had first found the facility had led a team to investigate the ruins. Celestia continued on with the story everyone listened intently to her hers, and her sisters words of what they were looking at. Origins Two million years ago earth [Location: Ohio, Top secret underground military base… Date & Time: June 18, 2016 11:00pm… Test lab: #4… Subject: Unit Alpha] "Dr. Bradford, what is our status on the subjects?" A tall military man walked into the plain white room, and looked at the man across from him. His brown eyes looked at the young person before him with a thousand yard stare. The silver in his dark hair shows his age more than it should. "Ah Colonel just in time we have finally made progress with one of our subjects." The man in the lab coat looked up at the Colonel in front of him past his cup of coffee he was sipping on, offering one to the man in green. "What do you have for me?" He accepted the coffee, and drank from it the hot bitter brew, waking up his mind more. Bringing it some comfort. "And this time I hope it's nothing trivial like last time." He looked up at the Colonel with a slight twinkling in his eye. "Oh trust me sir you're going to love this." He pressed a button on a control panel turning the glass pane from a mirror to clear glass looking into a large room. "Release experiment Chimera, and send in Subject Alpha." The speaker buzzed before a feminine voice called in confirming the request. "Colonel, do you remember that war beast project that was shut down a few years ago because of a containment breach?" The Colonel's eye watched a pair of doors rise up slowly across from each other, the one on the left larger than the right. "Of course it was some sort of hybrid things that the lab lost control of, why?" The small man continued to drink his coffee as his eyes looked back to the window as he pressed another button showing images, and info of the two being observed. In front of the Colonel was the monster from the lab incident, and info about it. It was an attempt to create monsters of myth, but failed and created freaks of nature. This one in particular was meant to stop heavy armored vehicles, light armored vehicles, and personal as well as tank hits. It's skin was armored with scales similar to an alligator gar, it's tail was like a rattlesnakes. It's head resembled a cross between a lion, and a wolf, it's teeth had the same attributes as the head. It's body looked like a bears, but it's paws were more like a panther's. It stood at a good ten feet tall. A small autonomous voice played over the speakers reading out the file. "Name: Experiment #42937 Codename: Chimera Height: 10'7 Species: Mutant Weight: 1320 lbs Personality: Extremely aggressive Combative skill… Claws: Slash Jaws: 400 psi bite Teeth: Venomous bite Skin: Slice, and neurotoxin… Tail: Constriction 150 psi Side abilities/information… Will use body weight to crush an enemy, or bite them in half. It is however impossible to control. Danger level: Alpha. Subject will attack all without discrimination" After everything the Colonel had seen in all his years in the service this was the first time he felt genuine fear about something. His eyes read over the info about it, and it's abilities. His eyes started reading faster, and faster over the information before him. But just as fast as he read his attention was drawn by a small figure stepping out from the other door as it slowly closed behind him a second set of files popped up showing that what he was looking at was known as Unit. The autonomous voice spoke again, reading the second file off. "Name: Unit 77439-AT90 Codename: Unit Alpha Height: 5'8 Age: 18 Species: Human Weight: 122 Personality: Complacent, and well organized. Combat skill… Hand to hand: Kung-fu, taekwondo, muay thai, judo, Chinese Boxing, American boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, muay thai. Armed combat: Short/Long sword, axe, spear, pike, bolt action, semi automatic, fully automatic firearms, explosives, pyro weapons. Side abilities/information… Subject is capable of lifting many times it's own weight, the extent of ability not yet measured. Can solve complex problems, and puzzles within a short period of time. Subject can use any weapons provided without fail. Hand to hand combat is just as advanced as armed combat. Subject is however unable to feel. More information will be required for analysis… Threat level: Unknown. Results of targets unknown." The Colonel looked in pure amazement at the small teen in a simple, but elegant suit standing straight and tall staring at the creature before him. His head turned to look towards the glass as the doctor's voice was heard on the intercom. "Unit Alpha your objective is to terminate the target in front of you." Without a word the young man nodded as he slowly approached the incoming beast that had a blindfold pulled from it's eyes. It's yellow eyes locked onto the one in front of it, and lounged forward towards it's prey. Unit stood perfectly still watching the creature before he moved a foot forward to take a step, then disappeared. The Colonel looked around trying to see where the boy went until he noticed a small flicker in front of the large monster. The Dr. had started writing down results over the fight, and the abilities of the two looking for anything else new to add to their files. Unit had stuck to the defensive to test out his opponent the other research subject swung it's large paws at the small man trying it's best to take him down. Unit looked around jumping from place to place until he analyzed his target completely. He returned to his starting position, then took off his weapons he set them all neatly together on the floor pushing them to a safe place  The Colonel watched in amazement at the fact that the young man he was looking at was practically teleporting around the room just narrowly dodging the claws of the monster. After a few minutes of this the boy returned to his original standing position, then pulled a pair of large curved knives, three varying types of handguns, and some smaller knives on the floor. As his foot came over to his things shoving them aside he got into a low combative position as the other experiment finally locked onto him. "Dr. what is the subject doing? I said I wanted results not a suicidal kid." The Colonel's attention quickly shifted over to the doctor who looked up at the Colonel from the corner of his eye, and smirked. "Trust me Sir, just watch, and you'll see what we've been working on." He wrote down more things on the clipboard carefully watching everything. "There's more to my little experiment than what meets the eye. Watch, and you'll see." Both of their attention returned to the glass window, the files of information now gone. Just a plain, clear glass window showing the events unfolding barely twelve feet below them. The fire in the beast's eyes blazed as it charged the young man before it. But he stood unwavering until it got close. The beast's paw rose in the air to crush him, but instead it was stopped with a pair of small hands. The Colonel watched in complete shock at the young man holding the paw back like it was nothing. A swipe that could have easily crushed a car, or flip an Abrams. The beast's other paw came to swipe him, but was again stopped by his hand that he'd moved from the first paw. The monster's paws shook with great force trying to crush the one holding it at bay. They stayed that way before it retracted it's paws to try something else only to receive a flying uppercut to the face making it stagger. It stumbled back a short ways before returning into a fighting position, and rushing in for another strike. The Colonel remained shocked that the soldier that they were working on was more than a soldier they were making monsters. "Steven, what the fuck is this this isn't a soldier this is national security level threat." "I know Colonel Tobias, but this is what your people wanted. We only did our end of the bargain. Look at him, he is perfect. He's standing toe to toe with Chimera. Imagine the lives we can save by putting him against the others. We can save so many lives from your lab's mistakes. I have to clean up your mess, and the only way to fight a dangerous monster is to use even more dangerous monsters-" He stared at the Colonel in front of him in anger. "I'm only doing what I was told to do. I didn't want to do this. I just wanted a simple job, and a normal life even if I had to work at Taco Bell for Christ sake, then so be it but no you idiots needed more weapons of war. You had to have incompetent workers, then Uncle Sam has the balls to come to me and ask for my research, and my lab." "Steven what are you talking about we didn't make these things some rogue scientists in an abandoned lab did this." "The government wanted these things the military wanted these things. My job is to fix all of your fuck ups because Frankenstein's monster got loose. I'm a civilian I was forced to do this!" The scientist stood up staring into the Colonel's eyes in anger, and hatred. Below them Unit stood holding the beast in his arms by the neck slowly listening to the sound of it's heart, and it's breathing finally crawl to a halt. Subjectt: Chimera Status: Deceased Threat level: Zero Subject: Unit Alpha Status: Moderate injury Threat level: Alpha The electric, monotone voice of the computer read out more details of the two as the scientist sat at his desk saving a video recording to Unit's file while the Colonel looked down at the beast's dead body in fear of what had been created. A new female voice came onto the intercom as Unit snapped the monster's neck to make good sure it was dead making the young man drop the body to the ground, and leave the combat area. "Unit you are dismissed please make your way to the medical bay for evaluation." "As you can see you have your soldier he is unfortunately the only one able to survive the program most others die, or don't change at all." He poured more coffee sipping it slowly letting his anger, and stress wash away with the bitter beverage. The Colonel just nodded his head walking away preparing his report on the project's progress.