> Brothers To The End. > by spetsnaz pinkie pie > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1. Brothers To The End. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Story: Brothers to the end. Chapter: 1. Brothers to the end. Author: spetsnaz pinkie pie ----------------------------------------------- June 8, 2012 (Time- 0100) - Location U.S Military base, Israel Name. Petty Officer 3rd Class , Benjamin, Emilio York Master Marksmen for U.S. Navy SEAL'S, Team 9 'Today? Why did have to be today!?' I thought to myself as I lied inside my make shift cot. 'I swear all I wanted to do was get some sleep tonight, but with the upcoming mission into Afghanistan I wasn't surprised I could not get even a wink of it. As I lied there in my cot, just thinking about today's mission, I felt a strong pressure push against my side as I felt myself falling off the side of my cot. "Get your ass up! We leave in an hour." The familiar voice of my brother yelled to me as I began to lift myself up off the ground. "What the fuck man was that really necessary?" I grumbled back as I brushed off the dirt of my clothes. "Not really. No... Theirs been a change in plans. The area were heading into is to hot for Humvee's, command wants us to head to the runway where a 'Super' is being prepped for our departure. It seems were going in the fun way!" "You mean?" I asked as a small smirk graced my lips. My brother gave a small laugh as he slapped my back. "That's right! we're going 'Halo Jumping' brother! "Today just got better." I said as we both began to move forward out of the barracks. "Oh by the way." My brother said grabbing my attention. "Happy birthday little bro. "Oh... Damn." I mumbled under my breath. 'I never really cared for my birthday. To me it was just another day.' "And also. Dude I'm taller than you." Instead replying he simply chuckled and shook his head. Things were quiet as we made our way out of the barracks. It was the dead of night here at the base in Israel. Most of the men and woman from the other branches of the military were fast asleep. Only few were out, guarding the base. Hell it was so quiet you could hear the bugs skittering around the light posts. "You know it's a shame we have to do this today." My brother said as we passed the firing range. "Hell I know man but we had our sights on this basterd for years now, and this is the first time in months were we've been able to locate the 'piece of shit.'" "Still it's a shame we have to do this today. Hell I thought you would have asked for time off for your birthday?" "You know I wouldn't ask for such time. Especially with the Intel we've been getting from our sources. Hell I don't give a shit what today is I just want to get this mission done." "Yeah, you and me both." We passed many sights as we made our way to the armory. Barracks for the men and women in the Marines or Army branch. The mess hall along with basketball court and gym. Hell it's not home but I dig it. A few more twists and turns and we finally reached the armory for Navy Special Forces and started to gather what we needed for our mission. Being a Master Marksmen, I have been trained with many long-range rifles but my personal favorite was my own customized m82 Barret 50.cal. I called her Tavi, she makes the most beautiful music with every pull of the trigger. The m82 is not widely used for Seals. Most use the Mk 11 mod 0, but those have better use for urban environments. As I handled Tavi and gave her my usual inspection. I could sense my brother staring at me as inspected every inch of her. "Will you stop fondling your m82 and hurry up. Dammit we have 30 minutes to meet up with Commander and the rest of our Squad." He berated me. "Alright, alright don't get your panties in a knot!" My sidearm was a family heirloom that has been passed down from father to son. This pistol has been through alot, since my grandfather first used it in his days fighting in World War 2. Then passed down to my father during his time in the Navy. And before Roger and I shipped out for basics my father turned to me the last day of being a simple civilian and told me to always hold onto it with my life. "Yo you finished yet man?" Roger asked as he began putting the last of his gear on. I shook my head as I realized I spent too much time messing with my weapons. "Just need to get my gear on." I started to strip from my fatigues so I could begin to get into my jump gear when my brother looked back at me again. He began to shake his as he looked to my arms. "I still don't know why the hell you got those damn ponies tattooed on you bro?" "What?" I asked turning to him confused by his question. And wanting to know where this will go. "Seriously man what where you thinking getting those! I mean I knew you were a fan but damn! Really?" I looked to my arms and I couldn't really understand why he felt the way he did. "Whatever man look at this one here." I said as I pointed to the tattoo I had on my bicep. "This shit here makes me 20% cooler than you." "Boy you did not just talk back to me. That's it when we get back you ain't talking to mom." "What!" I half yelled as I looked to Roger, him holding a mix of a facial expression of a scowl and a smirk. "The hell man you know I haven't spoken to mom in months! You can't do this to me!?" "Tuff Titties Bitch! That's what you get for yelling at your older brother not to mention 'Superior Officer'. Now get your ass in gear and load up on ordinance." I breathed a heavy sigh letting everything go. No need to be riled up before the mission. I started packing anything and everything I needed for tonight. 11 magazines for my Barret, 10 for my 1911. A couple M.R.E.S. Grenades, Smokes, Claymores, Flares. 2 packs of C4. The ever trusty suppressors for the 50.Cal and 45.Acp. And two combat knives. One strapped to my vest and the other to my ankle. We finished packing all our equipment and started are short track out of the armory, when the loudspeaker roared throughout the base. "Petty Officer Blake York and Petty Officer Benjamin York report to the runway 3, A.S.A.P." "Well let's go get this shit done." I said giving my brother a push forward out of the armory. My brother gave a slight nod as we started our trek to the runway. As we approached the EMB-314, I felt a presence like something sliding a finger down my spine. Whatever it was it stopped me right in my tracks only a few meters away from the plane. I turned my head to the right and saw my brother had also felt something as well. "Fuck man you feel anything just now?" I asked him as I shifted uneasily. "Yeah. Don't know what to make of it. Felt like something just... You ever had a girl trace a finger through your spine?" "Yeah?" My brother shook his head and shrugged his shoulders before stepping forward. "Forget it, it's probably nothing." I gave a sigh as I swung Tavi over my shoulder stepped up next to Roger as we made our way to the already prepped 'Super'. When we stepped inside we noticed the rest of our team are waiting for our sorry asses when they greeted us. "Took you harry ass heroes long enough. Beowulf was "Angel Eye' messing with his m82 again?" Martinez asked. 'Angel Eyes' the name the Team gave me because of unique and to them the discomforting colors of my eyes. It was strange. Really strange. When I was born the color of my eyes were just a lazy hazel color. But as I got older they changed, and the irises began to change not to a diffrent color but to many. They had a... Rainbow affect to them that many doctors were baffled and tried to understand why that happened. And the girls loved them too. "Yeah, yeah not only that we got held up outside the plane for a bit" I said "With what?" The newest member of the team Luke asked. "It doesn't matter anyway. " Roger grunted replying back. "We should be leaving soon anyway." "Cut the chatter ladies, pilots are ready for take off." The voice of Gunney our Commander spoke over our coms braking the chatter between us. Roger and I took our places inside and strapped ourselves in. It was going to be a short flight from Israel to Afghanistan and the others weren't going to do much but talk about some of the things happening back in the states. I myself decided to take out my Zune. 'Might as well get comfortable.' I searched through my playlist for something simple. I didn't want anything to heavy. like I said something simple. Martin O'Donnell was a composer I liked to listen to. Although the only albums of his I had were from the Halo Soundtracks. A simple push on the touch screen, I picked Black Tower from the Halo III Soundtrack. With the song beginning it's play through I shut my eyes and let myself rest for the small amount time I would get before we begin moving. ----------------------------------------------- We must have been high up in the air when I started to feel that damn feeling again running through my spine. I looked to my right to see Roger looking back to me. All he did was give a simple shrug, telling me he to acknowledge what just happened. My attention was gained as Gunney climbed out of the planes cockpit, fastening his parachute as he moved up to the squad. "Ok people were 10 minutes from jumping, everyone get ready." With that I powered off my zune and placed it inside my pack. We all made sure our gear was in order and that nothing was obscuring our parachutes from opening. Two minutes from jumping the hatch to the 'Super, opened. The darkness of night filled the hull and the flickering red light of the planes hatch continuously blinked before steadying itself as my squad prepared for the jump. In the final seconds Roger, turned to me putting his arm on my shoulder. "Hay Benjamin remember. 'We ride together we die together bad boys for life.'" I blinked a few times before the quote actually registered into my brain and I grew a smirk. "D-did you just quote Bad Boys?" Instead of answering he simply laughed to me as he placed his air mask on and turning forward to the open hatch. The steady red light of the planes hull flashed again before switching green. Once it switched our squad huddle together before moving fast taking our leap out of the 'Super'. Jumping from a plane at 22,000 feet is no easy task. There were few Seal trainees that have died during practice. But when things go right there is not much time to see the beauty of the world below as it is quickly rushed to you. And during the hours of twilight the stars shined bright and you could see the true beauty they world would show and beyond with out sight of it being obstructed by the lights of nearby city. Falling to the earth below at 130 Miles an Hour was truly frightful experience. But repeating it over and over again for a few years you get used to it. Hell you start enjoying it! We were spread out. Not to far but close enough to see the silhouettes of each other. With the wind rushing past me I could hear the crackle of my coms as Gunney's voice came to. "Night Vision on guys. Parachutes open in 15." One by one we deployed our chutes and sailed through the cold afghan air. It was well below freezing here. Hot as hell during the day but cold as ice at night I would rather be back in Texas during the summer without air-conditioning. We finally reached the desert sand, we wrapped our gear up the oxygen tanks and the parachutes before dumping them at our Evac location with a marker so we wouldn't lose anything. The six members of our small squad gathered together before heading north 5 klicks from our target's location. We made small talk all the way to our destination, asking each other what to do when we started our leave time. We where two klicks out when my brother spoke. "This should be simple right? Go in kill the son of a bitch then leave" "Nah we if that was the case then we would sent a drone over. We confirm the kill also take out remaining forces inside and grab as much Intel we can find." Was the response of Jackson our tech expert. "Sounds fun" I chuckled in response. "Cut the chatter guys lights up over the ridge." We moved closer and to our perspective Gunney was right. "That must be the compound we're looking for" Martinez mumbled "Alright this should be simple. Blake, Benjamin you setup shop on that ridge and provide recon over the compound. Report anything you see out there. When the area is clear the rest of us will move in and take out the target." "Understood Gunney, alright brother lets head out." We spent 15 minutes finding a spot and setting up our equipment the sun was beginning to peak out over the horizon without a cloud in the sky. I setup my M82 and Roger took out his spotter scope, I looked through my Leopold 10x scope and watched for any enemy movement. The compound was small but from what I could see there were only six men guarding the compound. Four on the ground three with simple Ak's and one with a PKM Lmg. And on the roof stood 2 men both with RPG's. "Gunney I have eyes on the compound not much outside. Got four small arms men on the ground and two RPG's on the roof." "Alright not heavily fortified. This should be quick. Slide on your suppressor and take out those RPG's we'll take care of the rifle men" "Roger that" Twisting on the suppressor, Roger, peered through his spotter scope and gave me the rundown on what to do. "Alright bro two RPG's one's up the other..." I heard him pause. I finished attaching the suppressor to Tavi before looking to him. He began to laugh. Not a hardy laugh but a small... Giggle? He was giggling? 'What the hell?' "This..." He laughed. "This is going to be easier than any mission we've ever been on." He laughed again. "My god. Left side of the roof, one of the RPG's is asleep. Shoot the other first before moving to him." "Simple enough." I said. I peered through my scope moving the cross hairs over to the RPG standing on the right. He slowly walked around the roof his RPG strapped to his back with a open bag filled with explosives. I adjusted my scope, for wind and weather resistance along with measuring for distance. It's bad news for everyone if a sniper can't kill his target on the first shot. Don't want the enemy to know we're here. I steadied my breathing as I followed my current target through my scope. I slowly ex-haled as I pulled the trigger. The shot was perfect. The fifty caliber round tore straight through the middle of his chest killing the Taliban basterd instantly. His body fell with grace with a large chunk of his torso missing. His friend on the other side of the roof didn't even budge from his slumber, still sitting crossed legged his RPG in his lap. "Hay what you thinking for the next asshole?" I asked. "Headshot" "Headshot?" "Headshot" "You know this will be my one hundred and seventeenth headshot since we first join the team?" "Really? Huh thought you were off by three or four." I shook my head before peering through my scope again. Lining up the shot was simple enough and my calibrations to my scope were already fixed only thing left to do was pull the trigger. The suppressed fifty caliber round sailed through the afghan air hitting it's target with sub-sonic force and in it's wake left nothing but it's lower body still slumped in the same position only thing diffrent was the missing head and blood gushing out. With both RPG's down we notified Gunney on the downed enemy personnel. It was safe for the others to take out the remainder of the enemy forces outside the base before they moved inside. "Alright Gunney enemy RPG's are taken down." I radioed in receiving a quick reply back. "Roger that." I watched through my scope to the front of the compound and watched as the others silently moved in and in a split second the four riflemen that were stationed at the front compound dropped to the ground dead one single round to each skull. "Tango's down gentleman we're moving inside." "Good hunting guy's we'll provide recon out here." I watched as Martinez took point and entered inside. It was silent all through out the time the others went inside. Through the coms the sound of suppressors going off and the lack of regular Ak's firing stated simple seek and destroy we were use to. "Easy day bro." Roger said "Blake come in." Rogers coms fired up the voice of the Commander hailing through. "What's up Gunney?" "Good news target is dead and we got Intel." "And the bad news?" "Bad news is that this place has enough explosives, ammunition and whole lot of other crap that can supply these terrorist bastards for years! Hell this just first level there is, and the basement we haven't checked yet. Be on standby for now and keep check on any disturbances. We're going to rig this place to blow and I want all of us to be up in the air when that shit happens." "Affirmative Gunney we'll keep tabs out here. Anything at least useful you find inside?" "Are you kidding me? These basterds have plans for future attacks all lined up! Dates, locations any high level personnel attending. We have to hurry this up and get this shit to Washington fast." As there conversation ended I spotted movement to the west. a trail dirt and sand wafting through the air, as I spotted 5 enemy convoys heading east towards compound. "Gunney you're going to have to move faster, I'm spotting large enemy transports closing in from the west. If I had to guess E.T.A. About seven minutes." "Shit! Alright we don't have much time before they get here. How many transports coming?" "I got five in my scope but... Damn't Gunney it gets worse. We got two T-62's heading this way. E.T.A. Fifteen minutes." "Fucking hell! Angel Eyes take as many of those damn convoys out as you can. Martinez, Jackson, Luke setup those explosives we're going to fire on this bitch sooner then we thought. I'll get on the radio with command. Get us some air support. "Roger that Gunney. We'll slow these fuckers for ya." Roger and I gathered the gear we didnt need and stowed it away in our pouches we took a few sips of water from our canteens and waited for the transports to move in closer. Once they were at a decent distance I turned to Roger. "I'm going to create a road block with one of those transports slow a few of them down" "That's the best option we got right now. Try to hit the fuel tanks if you can." I gave my brother a slight nod as I went through the motion and zoomed in on the convoys in scope. It wasn't long when I found my target. A large fuel tank on the second enemy transport was in my crosshairs. I took a few steady breaths then a quick inhale. The sound of Tavi firing rang through out the desert sands along with the sounds of single convoy's fuel tank igniting. The explosion of the truck shook the ground around it as fire spread fast to the cabin where many enemy hostiles began jumping out from the back as fire consumed and burned away there flesh. The convoy behind the second slammed on its brakes when the driver witnessed the carnage of the other, the fourth convoy was going to fast to stop and smashed in to the back of the third sending soldiers flying threw the air. Fire began to spread through out all three convoys more fuel tanks igniting and more hostiles burning alive while they fired there rifles in panic. The last convoy was lucky though. Instead of going straight into the carnage it veered left off the road and was heading straight to the ridge where Roger and I where positioned. "Get ready to move Roger.- Gunney this is Benjamin three convoys down one is still moving towards the compound, last one is heading for us." "Alright not to bad we can deal with these assholes. What's the E.T.A. on those tanks?" "Five minutes tops." I heard the Commander give a heavy sigh before he spoke again. "Ok this is the plan. There's a transport here that will take the rest of us to the Evac zone. I spoke with the Admiral Halsey, we got two Chinooks with rest of our platoon paired with Apache's to escort us out. I'm setting the explosive's to detonate in 4:45. Both of you move your asses and get to that Evac zone Asap this is going to be one hell of an firework. When we get home the cigars are on me." "Hooyah Gunney they better be Cubans, over and out." Time was not on our side right now. We had to move over five clicks to the Evac and the timer for the explosives was close to detonating. Our legs burned as we pushed ourselves faster and faster but we were already spotted right as we left the ridge. That convoy from before was right on our tail no more than two hundred meters away and it was closing in fast. "Roger we have to find cover we can't out run that thing!" There was nothing but sand around us. Nowhere to hide or a place to cover us. We sped through the sand searching for anything, the convoy behind us was fifty meters closer now, I could hear the roar of the engine the faster it came. "There behind that bolder it's our only option!" Roger yelled. We spotted an outline of large rocks sixty meters away. They were large enough to cover us and provide a shield from any enemy fire. "I'll take it!" When we got into cover it happened. The timer detonated and the explosives did their job, a great tremor waked through the sands as a powerful explosion erupted about a klick south of where we were. Even from the side of the rocks we were being covered from we could still see what looked like a mushroom cloud that covered the afghan air. "Holy fuck that was huge!" I yelled out watching the mushroom cloud slowly move away. "Gunney you see that shit!? What in the fuck was in the compound?" I yelled into my radio but in return all I could hear wad white noise as feedback. "The fuck? Roger check your coms." "I got nothing." "Shit." That explosion must have dropped the our com signals and now that damn convoy was stopping about one hundred meters out. We were tired but we had to keep fighting I shouldered Tavi once again and Roger took out his M4. "How many mags you got?" I asked looking behind me watching my brother placing a 40mm grenade into his m203 launcher. "I'm full man. twenty mags for the carbine, ten 40's for the launcher and ten mags for my pistol. What about you?" "Only fired three rounds, still got seven in this magazine including eleven more mags in my packs and ten mags for the 1911." "This is going to be one hell of a fight. YOU HERE THAT ASSHOLES I GOT SOMETHING HERE TO SEND YOU TO ALLAH YOU TALIBAN MOTHERFUCKERS!!!" Enemy soldiers started to pour out the back of there convoy, all heavily armed with Rifles. Ak's Lmg's and any other weaponry. Without hesitation they began firing, bullets began striking the sand and the rocks covering our position. God I'm glad these fuckers can't shoot worth shit. "OPEN FIRE!" I yelled The sounds of automatic weapons and the explosive sounds of my 50.cal filled the air and the screams of men reached our ears. We felt no sympathy. We were doing our job and now what we're fighting for is for survival. There numbers were dwindling and the dead bodies of the Taliban littered the ground by there comrades. Time passed and slowly our cover was being chipped away by enemy gunfire RPG's would either past us and ark up and explode in the air or hit the rocks covering us, but through the sound of all hell around us a new noise reached our ears. It was a roar of an animal. A hungry animal. I looked out with my scope and found four dogs being pulled out from the back of the convoy. "Roger they got fucking attack dogs!" "Shit how many?" I looked out again to get a better picture, I spotted two still in the back being fitted for packs with explosives, but the other two I could no longer see. "Bad news! We got four attack dogs two are being fitted with C-4" "Fuck! This day won't get any easier will it! Use Tavi and take out those fucking sploders! I'll try and kill the other two!" I shouldered my m82 once again aiming for one of those damn C-4 dogs, all I needed was a clean shot. I've been trained to stay calm when all hell was breaking loose around me. I just needed one shot, a clear line with no Taliban assholes in my sight. There! One enemy hostile dropped to his death giving me a clear shot. A swift pull of the trigger and the 50. from Tavi sailed through the air striking not just one but both dogs. When they dropped the dogs exploded taking a few enemy soldiers with them. The scene was gruesome, a mix of blood, bodies and charred sand filled the area. 'They must have been using new sensors.' I thought before moving to other enemy hostiles. "Two down!" I yelled pulling the trigger sending another round to a fleeing RPG basterd. "I got one over here! Never mind I got em he's down!" "That just leaves one - OH SHIT!" Was all I said the last attack dog jumped straight into my face making me fall on my back. This dog was ferocious I went for its throat but it kept evading me. What should have taken five seconds took far longer as I struggled to snap its neck. This dog did not want to quit, the thirty seconds that passed I could see into the dogs eyes the look of hunger and anger was filled in them and in one final jerk a loud snap was heard and the attack dog went limp. I pushed it over and retrieved my 50.cal getting back in the fight. "Ben I have three mags left, any ideas?" I shouldered my m82 again and looked through the scope bodies lay everywhere there were at least ten soldiers left but I searched, further back behind the now burning convoy was another heading straight over. "Save them, we have to go! another convoy incoming. Prep a flashbang, when I give the signal toss it." I slung Tavi over my shoulder and took out my pistol. I took out a smoke grenade already pulling the pin, when the time was right I would toss it. I looked to my brother, he gave me nod ready to toss and run. I began counting down. 3... 2... 1... Mark Roger tossed the flashbang across the sands and we waited for the detonation. A loud crack of the flash bang went off. I tossed my smoke a few meters ahead of us before making our move. We ran again and this time there was nothing but sand. No places to hide or rocks to cover us. As we I looked to my right to see how Roger was fairing, but when I did what I saw was only an empty space right next to me I stopped looking back where we've been running and seventy yards back I saw Roger, down on his knees gasping for air as smoke billowed behind him. "ROGER!" I yelled to him making my way back but I stopped again when the silhouettes of Taliban forces walked through the smokey air. "RUN BEN, GET OUT OF HERE!" Roger yelled back to me as he turned himself over. My brother pulled out his m4 and placed it at his hip giving small three round burst fire. I watched as more and more enemy hostiles started to walk closer. I brought my pistol up and started firing but the we're to far away I was able to pick a few off until my gun clicked empty I removed the magazine as fast as I could and replaced it. I watched as a new round enter the chamber but before I could start returning fire I fell to one knee. I was hit but I didn't know where and didn't care where either. I looked up and watched hostiles beginning to surround my brother, my coms flicked on and I heard a voice. My brothers voice. It was only a whisper but I could hear it clear as day. "Ben get out of here." I heard him cough. "I'll take care of these assholes." "I'll see you on the other side brother." What happened next was an image that will forever burn into my mind. A massive ball of fire and a sickening explosion was heard, and inside the fire those who were close disintegrated into ash, outside the bodies of men scattered the desert blood staining the sands. I just watched my brother sacrifice himself in hope of me getting out alive, a single tear fell down my face I just lost my brother my best friend. I turned away from the crater. That's what all was left. A crater. I limped away, I wasn't able to go far when enemy soldiers started returning and with them more fire power. I brought up my pistol and returned fire, they went through magazine after magazine and didnt hit anything but air. 'Assholes couldn't aim for shit.' on my last clip I felt a stinging pain in my chest. I was hit again, I faltered and fell to my knees, the pain was great running through my being. I could see air around me slow, I could see the trails behind of each bullet that fired. I reached for my pistol that fell beside me. I took out the magazine inspected the remaining rounds. I only had two left. I'm not going to make it out of here. And the one thing I'm not going to do is let these assholes take me down! I won't give them that opportunity. I put the magazine back in watched as the single .45 entered the chamber. I lift the pistol to my temple, some people when going through this motion would say goodbye to the people they love, I already said my goodbye once today right now I have three choice words that want to say before I pull the trigger. "Worst. Birthday. Ever." I pulled the trigger. "Fuck me." The damned thing jammed on me! Son-of-a-bitch! I went ahead and just placed the pistol back in my holster and waited. What came next was what I really didnt want. What I wanted what just a bullet in the heart, but what I got was the butt of rifle to the side of my skull. I clung to what little consciousness I had left as the darkness of sleep circled around my eyes. I could hear only barely my enemies gathering around me and cheer. I could feel them begin to strip me from everything I had. My guns and gear. I could barely hear they're laughter, now that the darkness was growing closer. I blinked once more before letting it take me. But not before I let one thought go through my mind. 'Save me a seat in hell brother. I'll be there soon.' > Chapter 1.5. Bad Dreams And Nightmares. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2. Bad dreams turn to nightmares "I'll see you on the other side brother" [Really im unconscious and I have to relive this moment again, this shit happened not twenty minutes ago] The fire the bodies turning to ash and the blood staining the sands. "It was hard for you to watch me die wasn't it?" "The fuck Roger is that you? Where are you?" "Look to your left jackass" Sure enough I turned my head left to see my brother standing next to me I was still in my seal gear but he was in civilian attire. "I see that tear was for me?" "No dude the tear is for that guy over there of course it's for you dumbass, I already lost a few friends in this war but I didnt want to lose my best friend." "Is this really a time for sarcasm?" "It's my dream if I want to be sarcastic I will be, but your right not really the time for it right now,... you know when you detonated your explosive it took no more than five seconds for all the carnage to end, here it's taking a lifetime" "Well it is a bad dream so that's a reason for to feel like it's taking forever." "Good point" "Look there is a reason why im talking to you now" "And what pray tell could it be?" "Enough no more sarcasm, uh look this bad dream is ending soon and the true nightmare is about to begin, you have to wake up." "I will see you again right brother?" "Ben you said it yourself "I'll see you on the other side brother"" "I did say that didnt I" "Do you Remember what Gandalf the white told Pippen in return of the king?" It took me a few seconds to think of the conversations Gandalf and Pippen had but I haven't seen that movie in three years,so lets see what I remember. "Fool of a tuke" "Ah no" "Peregrine tuke" "Still no" "Alright I got one left"You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you... feasting and... and *smoking.*" "That was Gimli you jackass" " Oh well then I got nothing" "Death is but another journey one we all must take" "Oh right he did say that didnt he funny,... So tell me where did you go after you died?" "I haven't gone anywhere im still here" "What I thought you're religion says you'll go to some place in the sky with clouds and angels or some crap like that" "Guess i chose the wrong religion" "Sure looks that way" i chuckled inwardly "Look it is time for me to go Benjamin and you will be waking up soon" "I guess this is goodbye for now brother?" "It is but remember your nightmare is about to begin." The image of my brother faded and the color of the sands that surrounded me grew dull, I felt a stinging pain reach my left cheek, then to my right the pain grew and I could here a faint voice yelling at me. "Wake up you American pig" *SMACK* I awoke from my dream still dazed but I could faintly see a few blobs in my vision, I blinked a few times to see whom i was was facing it took me a few seconds but focused my eyes i saw three men standing in front me with dirt and blood on there faces. "The American is awake" [Shit] The man to my left grabbed my neck and removed my dog tags. "Lets see who we we have here ah call sign Sgt Angel Eyes tell us Sgt what is your real name?" I didn't speak im not going to give them anything. "You will tell us Sgt you will give us the information we seek" I only gave him a short and simple sentence one that any person could understand. "Go fuck yourselves." When those words left my tongue they began the beating they worked me over good, punches and kicks to my torso and stomach they must have broken a few ribs, the pain was unbearable but this was only the beginning. "You will tell us what we want American." I laughed at him "You can't make me do anything bitch." His eyes grew wide and the anger inside grew to a new level of hate. "Untie his arms and bring a table I want him to see what I will do to him next. [Fuck what is he planning now] When the table was placed in from two of his men untied my arms and brought them in front of me and retied them to the table. "This is your last chance American if you do not tell what we want you will say goodbye to your little friends" What should I do give him what he wants and sacrifice my fellow soldiers or save myself, it only took me half a second to give him my reply. *SPLAT* "There is my response asshole" I spat in his face if I could be able see a little better in this room maybe I could see the redness in his, he lift his fists and started punching my face in one minute I had a broken nose busted lips and an eye that fully swollen. What came next is what he promised he brandished is knife and stood right next to me. "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" I screamed I have never been in so much pain before, he carved around one of my tattoos it was Fluttershy once he finished circling he started carving away. "Your little friends here will be my prize of you're defiance" he laughed "You two work on the others." The immense pain was to much for me to comprehend after a few more seconds I couldn't take it anymore I blacked out. In the darkness of my mind a voice spoke out I couldn't give the voice a face it was new and dark. "It is almost over my child the nightmare is almost over" I dont know what time it was but when I awoke I found myself alone and my arms retied around my back, there was massive amounts of pain radiating from my arms. When I found my voice I gave a blood curdling scream. "AAAAAHHHHHHH YOU TERRORIST FUCKS I HOPE YOU ALL FUCKING DIE AAAAAHHHHHHH!" I clamped my mouth shut tears streaming down my face. [fucking kill me now the pain... its to much.] I opened one of my eyes to look around again the table was still placed in front me and on it was my flesh and each one covered in blood and ponies, from left to right was Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie pie, Rarity, and last Rainbow dash. These fucking monsters why wont they just kill me. "Ah the American is awake again" "YOU FUCKING FAGGETS YOU WONT QUIT WILL YOU!" "NO! we are done with you, Amal bring it in." I dont know who the hell Amal was but what he brought in I did not like. A fucking camera. [So this is how im gonna go out huh well at least we got the job done.] "Cover his eyes and mouth I dont want to hear a grown man scream." At first they taped up my mouth I could feel small bits of blood create pools inside my mouth with no way to escape, I've had to much blood loss I know im not gonna last much longer I just hope I go before they start cutting again. My eyes grew heavy and the light started fading as the men put a cloth on my eyes blinding me. I couldn't feel the pain in my body anymore I felt weight less I could only make out bits and pieces of a few words. I guess I'll just have to wait for the Grimm Reaper to finally cut me down. It could have been seconds or minutes when I felt pain again it was starting at my throat, I could feel a piece of metal cutting into my throat. [So it's finally ending for me huh well Roger I'll be there soon enough.] •3rd person view• The leader of the group inside the building brandished his knife once again with one thought in mind. "It is time to die Sgt" The leader brought the blade to the Sgts neck and slowly cut away at his throat no sound was heard no screaming no crying just the sound of the blade cutting deep and the sound of the blood hitting the floor. It took a few minutes of cutting but leader stood tall and victorious with the head of Sgt in his hand blood still falling from his neck he stood there laughing at his victory. When the leader finished he spoke once again. "Send the video to the Americans let them see what I have done." •Unknown Realm• "His nightmare is finally over. I'm sorry my child but you were never meant for that world neither was you're brother the both of you have trained well in the art of warfare but now you will have new task. I wish you luck on your journey my child, we will meet again, but until then I cannot interfere with your journey." •Celestia pov• It was the start of a new day but my bed never felt so comfortable before today, I wanted to sleep just a little longer the silk sheets wrapped around my body and the pillow felt so soft against my head it was simply bliss. *knock knock knock* But of course being a princess that can raise and lower the sun comes with some disadvantages, the door slowly creaked open and the form of a blue Alicorn stepped inside. "Sister are you awake? It is time to raise the sun for the new day" "Oh Luna can't it wait my bed feels fantastic right now." "Tia you have to raise the sun you are already an hour late." "Very well I would like to go back to sleep soon." "Count your blessings sister at least today is Sunday so there will be no day court." "Um lovely more sleep for me then." "You know you could acquire more sleep if you did not get up in the middle of my night to eat cake." Luna joked and gave a small giggle I gave a small giggle in return, after the giggling died down i retrieved my princess regalia and and shoes and headed for my balcony. "Alright Lu-Lu go ahead and end the night." I watched has Luna's horn glowed in its dark blue aura i turned my head to gaze at the stars and one by one they disappeared in the sky and the moon finally made its way to under the horizon. "Ok Celestia it's you're turn now." I gave Luna a simple nod and with a little force the horn on my head glowed in it's beautiful golden aura and with little effort I raise the sun over the horizon giving my little ponies another beautiful day. "It will be a joyous day will it not sister." "Yes Luna today will be a great day for my little AHH." Before Celestia could finish both sisters shut there eyes and suffered from an immense pain in the heads a took only but a few seconds before the pain subsided and they were able to open there eyes again. "Tia what was that?" "I am not sure Luna it feels as if two beings have just entered our world." "What do you mean?" "There presence is nothing I have ever felt before, with all the data on creatures in our world I have never sensed creatures like these." "Do they bring I'll intensions to our land?" "Luna even i do not know the answer to that question, right now all we can do is hope that the two beings do not cause harm to my little ponies." Luna and I looked out to our land and hoped whatever the two beings are that they would not harm my subjects. > chapter 2. Rude awakening > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2. Rude awakening. •purgatory• "So...this is the after life huh? Well, I'm a bit disappointed I was hoping for something like oh i don't know a beautiful beach, facing a big blue ocean, with half naked girls enjoying the finest alcohol and food to ever exist yeah that should just about do it." "But no in actuality in ACTUALITY! what i get is an empty fucking void with no color, just a never ending sea of white, come on man don't I get anything I was a soldier I protected civilians from insurgents, I SAVED LIVES!" I was pissed to say the least this has had to be the biggest bullshit ever this is worse than dying, im going to have to spend an eternity here in what ever the hell people call these types of places. "So...What the hell am I gonna do now?" I let the question set In into my brain and waited for my response, just waiting and waiting and waiting. "Why the hell is it taking so long to answer my own damn question screw this im going to sleep." "You're already sleeping you jackass." The hell where did that voice come from? I waited a few seconds for an answer but none came. "Oh great im already starting to go insane and I created an imaginary friend. Wait, wait just one hell of a minute i have an imaginary friend that means. "I can control who the imaginary person is, oh hell yes Snoopy is that you nah nah not Snoopy Black Dynamite get you black ass out here." No answer. "Ironman you playboy son of a bitch where you at-ow! the hell? Why am I feeling pain ow! seriously what the shit is going on ow! Seriously WHAT THE FUCK!!! •Unknown Area/ Roger Pov• "Wake" *Kick* "The" *Kick* "FUCK" *Kick* "UP" *kick* "Damnit how long do I have to keep kicking your ass until you wake up" •1 Hour Earlier• An hour before Roger started kicking his brother trying to wake him from his slumber, Roger himself awoke eyes shooting open only to see clear blue skies and the sun beating down on him. It took him a few seconds to gather his bearings before he got up onto his feet, with a little wobble in his legs he was able stand tall and take in his surroundings. "My first question at this time is going to be. Where the hell am I?" Roger looked around and found himself in the middle of an orchard an orchard filled with...apples? "So let me get this straight I was in a desert with my brother running for our lives then I get shot down after a another minute or two of fighting I blow myself up with my grenades and now I find myself surrounded by apples trees." This really is a strange turn of events. "You know what I ain't even mad. But *sigh* I do wish I knew what became of my brother I hope he got back to the evac zone." My face fell, my eyes closed almost on the verge of tears, not knowing if Ben made it out of that hell hole alive. Roger slowly opened his eyes again and finally noticed something he didn't earlier. "Honestly how the hell is this even possible I mean I can understand if my clothes came with me I mean I really wouldn't like to be naked at this time but how did all my gear also come with me?" I thought of my question for a second but I decided to let it go. "Well I have my rifle with me and my Mark 23 so if anything attacks me then that means tonight's the night bitches die." Roger looked around again to see if he could find anything else in the orchard. A few trees down he noticed silhouette under a tree, from his point of view he couldn't see who or what it was but he will soon find out. After walking closer to the silhouette Roger shouldered his m4 and place it on semi-auto. Roger approached the silhouette and he realized what it was, a body a human body. He walked faster to take and look and see who this human was. When Roger came closer to the human the first thing he noticed was the blood soaked clothes. 'What the hell happened to this guy' he also noticed some of the familiarity of some the items the human had on him, especially this humans knife. "There is only one person I know who would replicate this knife." Roger dropped down to his knees and looked to his right to see the humans face, with quick wave of his hand he brushed the leaves off the human. When he saw the mans face his heart sank into his stomach he realized who the man was with the trembling of his lower lip Roger spoke. "I-I guess you didn't make it out of that hell hole after all brother. Heh well at least well be able fight side by side again." Roger looked back at his brothers blood soaked clothes. "When you wake up I want to know why your soaked in blood?" "hmm naked girls." "what the hell are you mumbling about. Hey Benjamin wake up." Roger began to try and wake his brother but it was going to be a truly difficult task for him. •Present Time• "You know what Ben im sorry about what im about to do to you but you really need to wake up." Roger sighed to what he was about to do, he knew it wasn't right but right now there things they need to do, Roger slowly brought his left leg back and with a bit force kicked Ben once again. *CRUNCH* •Benjamin Pov• "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT THE FUCK! AAAAAHHHHHHHH! GOD DAMN MY BALLS! AHAHAH! WHO THE FUCK HIT ME IN THE BALLS!" Well Rogers idea worked now that Ben is clearly awake. I rolled over onto my stomach and began dryheaving I have never wanted to vomit so badly before this. "So I see you're finally awake a brother." I looked up and saw Roger standing over me my eyes narrowed n his and his my pupils dilated. "You better be a figment of my imagination because if your real im going to beat the ever living piss out of you" i replied with venom in my voice. "Sorry bro but I've been trying to wake you for the past 30 minutes." "So the thing you try is to FUCKING KICK ME IN THE NUTS!" "What? No I was kicking you on the side of you're stomach before that." "Shut up just-just give me some morphine." "It wasn't that bad was it?" "Know this my brother you will suffer by my hands and i will have my revenge. Now give me some damn morphine." Roger pulled out a shot of morphine from his med pack and handed it over. "Fine fine here you go." I greedily took the morphine and ripped open the package I readied the morphine and i gave myself a shot to the nuts. "Ahh!, better, good news I won't go sterile bad news I'm not going to be able to feel my balls for a good 6 hours." "Here let me help you up" Roger held out his right hand for me to grab, I lifted my left hand and grabbed his arm." "Thanks bro" I said with a small grin on my face as I got up onto my feet. "Not a prob-*oomf*" I gave Roger a hard right punch he fell onto his back holding his stomach. "Ok *cough* ok I deserved that" "Damn right you did, by the way im still gonna get you back for that nut shot." "Alright no more screwing around." Roger said as he got back on his feet. "Yeah I believe some questions need answering." "exactamundo first question why the hell are you covered in blood?" I looked down to see what he was talking about and sure enough I see that my arms and my torso is covered in blood, but I already knew the answer to that question. "What I find even more strange is the fact that i have all my gear with me, I remember waking up with nothing on when I was captured." "We can talk about our gear being here later I still want an answer to what the hell happened to you after I died?" "Do you want the short version or the long version?" "Keep it short." "Alright after you died I was wounded but kept fighting then I was wounded again tried killing myself with my pistol but it jammed go fucking figure then I was captured tortured they cut off all the tattoos on my arms but i was still alive then they brought in a camera and then they cut my head off." When I finished with the small story Roger just stood there stoic trying to comprehend the words he just heard. "Hello earth to black man you in there?" "Yeah, yeah im fine, well that explains the blood but it's just that how, how can you say that like it was nothing?" "I'm not sure but I know I'm not going to forget about those events for a very very long time. *Sigh* look lets start walking somewhere i still want to know where we are." "Yeah alright but before we go check your gear I wanna know what we have." We started to check our gear but before I started searching myself I noticed Tavi was lying on the ground a few feet away, i retrieved my beautiful 50.cal and set it beside a tree, i opened the ammo packs on my Kevlar vest, i searched them and found everything. "Roger do you find any of this strange? I'm looking through my ammo packs and i have everything 60 rounds of 50.cal ammo for Tavi 10 magazines for my Colt .45, 2 frag grenades, 2 semtex sticky grenades and my custom made Halo Reach combat knife. "You got that right I found 10 mags for my m4 and 10 mags for my Mark 23, 3 frag grenades and couple of flares." "If I didnt know any better I would say we have all the gear we packed before we entered the ac130." "Well I'm not complaining we dont know what's out here, but if anything attacks us well I dont think it'll get close enough to do any damage." he said with a smile on his face. "You got that right, hay just to be sure check you're back pack." "You got it." I checked my back pack and sure enough everything was in there. "Yep I was right got everything here 2 M.R.E'S my silencer for both Tavi and my .45 my Zune, wait what the hell? When did I pack my laptop?" "Yesterday remember we were playing some left 4 dead when the orders came in to get ready to roll in the humvees." "I must have packed it by mistake." "Ha you're not the only one." "Well everything looks about right come on pack up and lets move out." With everything in order Ben picked up Tavi and placed a fresh magazine inside her, he pulled back the action sliding a fresh 50 Inside the chamber. Both brothers left and were locked and loaded ready to face whatever crossed there paths. •Applebloom pov• Inside the two story house a small filly was running around searching for her things when her older sister stops her. "Applebloom what in tarnation are you doing runnin around like that?" "Oh hay big sis im just looking for some stuff so I can go an' fix up the cutie mark crusader club house." "I thought ya already finished fixin up the club house weeks ago?" "I did but I want Ta surprise sweetie belle and Scootalo with some cutie mark crusader decorations." "Alright then Applebloom just be careful out there ok." "Don't ya worry big sis it'll be easy it won't take long at all." "Alright then lil sis go ahead and do what you need to do im gonna head inta town and get some supplies for the farm." "Ok bye Applejack I see ya later." Applebloom yelled as she ran out the door •2 hours later• "AAAAHHHHHHH! SOMEPONY HELP MEEEEE!" •Benjamin pov• "Roger you hear that sounded like a child screaming." "Let's go" Roger and i ran forward we couldn't hear any screaming anymore but when we past a small hill we came across a tree house, when we walked closer we could hear the sound of a child crying. Roger and I split up to find the source of the crying I was not able to find the child. "Benjamin get over here." "Where you able to find the kid?" i yelled while heading to my brothers location. "Well yes and no." "What do you mean yes and no did you not find the ki-." I shut my mouth when i got close enough to see what Roger was talking about when Roger saw me i waved my hand motioning him to back away. As i got closer to the being on the ground i looked over it carefully, as i took a few more seconds to look at it, the creature spoke. "Please mister can you help me? I-i hurt my leg when i fell." I stood in place for few seconds I only knew of one person or should I say one pony with that voice but i can't say her name out loud, how would she react to a creature she has never seen before but some how knows her name. I shook my head and went back to the little filly that was hurt. "I will help you little one but please don't be scared when you see me." "O-ok" Applebloom said with tears running down cheeks. I slung Tavi over my shoulder and kneeled down. "I'm going to turn you over so i can take care of your hurt leg." Applebloom gave me a nod and a small whimper. When I turned Applebloom over she kept her eyes shut. "Roger bring me your med pack." "Tossing it over." Roger tossed over his med pack and with one hand i caught the bag and opened it I layed out the items I might need to help Applebloom. "Can you tell me which leg is hurt?" "Yes it's ma left front leg I was hangin some decorations on the crusader club house when I fell off the ledge." Applebloom began to cry again. "It's ok there is no reason to cry I'm here to help you." Applebloom slowly opened her eyes to look at the pony helping her but when she finally got a good look at him, she noticed that he wasn't pony he didn't look anything like a pony, Appleblooms heart rate sped up and her breathing increased in sped as well. "Mister w-what a-a-are y-y-ya?" Applebloom asked in a very scared voice. "Sshhhh it's ok like I said im not here to hurt you im here to help you. My name is Benjamin and over there is my brother, Roger come say hi to the little filly." "Hello" "H-hello" "Do you mind telling us your name?" I asked Applebloom while looking at her leg, nothing seems to be wrong with it just a sprain. "No I don't mind my n-name is Applebloom." "Applebloom that's a lovely name for a cute little filly." I said to her which made Appleblooms face turn a little pink. "Thank you Benjamin." "Please just call me Ben, I looked at you're leg and it seems to be only sprained you will have to stay off of it for a while." Applebloom started to pout and sniffle. "Now now no need to pout you should be fine by tomorrow here I'll make you a sling for it that way you dont have to hurt yourself any further." "Thank you Ben" I smile at Applebloom which she gives me a smile in return. "I'd hate to break up the smiles between you two but we should get you back home Applebloom we wouldn't want you're family to worry about you." "Roger is right we should get you home." "Oh okay well where already at ma family's farm but my house is a good way's away." "That's alright just point the way and we'll get you there." Applebloom nodded her head and pointed her hoof east. I gave Applebloom smile before I picked her up and placed her in my left arm. "WOAH" Applebloom said when I picked her up. "Sorry about that A.B. But I don't want you to hurt you're leg from walking." "It's ok thanks again." I gave Applebloom another smile while we started walking towards her house. •20 minutes earlier Applejack pov• "Big mac have ya seen Applebloom?" "Nnope." Big mac replied. "I thought she would be done with the cmc decorations by now, well im gonna go check up on her, I'll see ya at dinner Big mac." "Eeyup" was Big Macs only response. Applejack started trotting down to the west where the CMC club house was located, about ten minutes in applejack felt like something was off, she rounded the next corner and what she saw stopped her cold in her tracks, what applejack saw put fear into the tough cowpony, she watched as two tall creatures that stood on the hind hooves approached a crying Applebloom. Applejack would have gone and bucked the creatures straight to Tartarus but when she moved closer she looked at the taller creature and noticed that It's clothes was covered, in blood. Applejack turned around and ran has fast as her pony legs would let her. "Don't worry Applebloom im gonna go get help and we'll take down those monsters, stay safe Applebloom please stay safe." The cowpony ran straight out of sweet apple acres and into the small town of Ponyville. "Applejack hay Applejack where are you running to?" when the cowpony heard the raspy voice of a certain Pegasus reach her ears Applejack stopped running and skidded to a halt. "Rainbow dash I need your help can you get the rest of the girls and meet me at Twilights its an emergency!" Applejack said with a worried look on her face Rainbow noticed the look in Applejacks eyes, she could see fear "You got it Applejack I'll get them to Twilights in ten seconds flat." When Rainbow finished she zoomed off and headed towards Fluttershy's cottage. With Rainbow dash gone Applejack turned back around and headed straight to the library. •Twilight Sparkle pov• Inside the quite little library a purple unicorn was reading her most recent spell tome given to her by princess Celestia herself, when suddenly a loud crash was heard at the library's front door. "TWILIGHT TWILIGHT WHERE ARE YA?!" Twilight placed the spell tome down and raced to the stairs, Twilight raced to the bottom where she met a frantic looking Applejack. " Applejack what's wrong you looked like you you have been apple bucken by yourself again." Twilight giggled. "Twilight now is not the time for jokes something happened Ta Applebloom at the farm!" "What? Applejack what happened?" "I'll explain when the rest of the girls get here." not a second later Rainbow dash zoomed inside the library behind Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie pie. "Good your all here girls, now Applejack what were you saying about Applebloom you said something happened to her. The girls gave a great gasp when the heard something happened to there friends little sister. "I was heading to the cmc club house when i felt something a bit off at the time, when a rounded a corner to head to the club house i saw these two creatures that stood on there hind hooves and they were looking down at Applebloom who was crying. Gasps of shock were heard from the five ponies listening to Applejacks story. "Those monsters what did they do to sweet little Applebloom?" Rarity asked. "Those monsters got dates with the hospital after I get through with them." Rainbow said with a grin on her face "If those meanie bo beanies hurt her there not getting a welcome party." "Quite girls I'm not finished, I was heading over to them cause I was gonna buck them to Tartarus for making Applebloom cry but when I got closer I saw something that stopped me cold I looked at the taller creature and-and it was wearing clothes *gulp* clothes covered. In. Blood. Another round of gasps hit the girls in which Rarity fainted, Pinkies hair deflated and her face fell in sadness, Rainbow who was in the air listening to the story and doing some fighting moves fell to the ground wings fastened against her back with no expression on her face, Fluttershy cowered behind her mane with her hooves covering her crying eyes. "I must send a letter to the princess before we go maybe she'll send down some guards to help us." Applejack gave a nod in response, in which Twilight used her magic to bring some parchment a quill and some ink, she placed the items on top of her table, she dipped the quill in the ink jar and started her letter to Celestia. 'Celestia' 'Something has happened over at sweet apple acres Applejack the element of honesty says that she was walking to her sisters club house when she noticed two creatures she has never seen before standing over her sister who was crying, she says that these creature where tall and stood on there hind hooves but there was something else, she also says that they wore clothes but the taller ones clothes were coverd. In. BLOOD!!!' 'We are heading to sweet apple acres to save Applebloom we ask that you send some guards to help us.' "Done SPIKE GET DOWN HERE!" Twilight yelled Descending the staircase was a small purple and green dragon scared to the reason why Twilight was yelling. "Twilight why are you yelling." Spike looked to his left and noticed the girls expressions. "What happened what's going on?" "Spike there's no time I need you to send this letter to the princess we're heading to sweet apple acres on an emergency." Twilight turned back to her frightened friends."Girls we have to go we need to save Applebloom from those monsters." One by one the girls started trotting out of the library and headed straight to sweet apple acres, spike was confused and scared when heard the word monster, he did what he was told to do and set the letter to the princess a blaze sending the letter straight to her. •Celestia pov• Celestia sat in her study reading for any news coming from the many cities of Equestria everything mostly the same she was just about finished with her reading when a scroll popped out next to her head. "Ah this should be another friendship report from my student." Celestia opened the scroll and the first she noticed was the miss using of her name no 'dear Celestia' or 'to princess Celestia' to the princess this was most strange. Celestia read the letter, taking in every word written, her eyes grew wide when she came across the word creatures, she kept reading the scroll and her eyes grew wide again when a part of it said that one of her subjects may be in danger, but the one word that got to her the most was the one that kept repeating in her mind. 'Blood Blood Blood Blood Blood' With the force of the Canterlot voice Celestia yelled. "GUARDS COME HERE!" in a half second two guards rushed into Celestia's study. "yes princess how may we be of service?" both guards asked in unison. in a firm voice Celestia replied "Go to Shining Armor and tell him to gather his best guards and to meet me at the royal carriages in 15 minutes." "Yes ma'am" one of the guards replied before racing off to find his captain. "Your highness may I ask why do you need squad 24?" "Two unknown creatures have heart my little ponies and i myself will see that they are crushed for what they have done"Celestia said with venom in her voice. > Chapter 3. Meet the mane six. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- •chapter 3. Meet the mane six• •Celestia pov• With the news of two monsters hurting the element of honesty little sister, and that one of these monsters was covered in Blood! I sent forth one of my guards to find shining armor and to ready his most elite squad for battle. With preparations under way I headed towards my closet. In the back lies a chest I haven't opened in over a millenia. Celestia gave a heavy sigh before she spoke "I thought I would never have to wear this ever again." Inside the dust covered chest lies a set of armor, a large pure white chest piece with gold trimming, the armor was able to cover her from the bottom of her neck and ended just before the sun goddesses cutie mark. The helmet itself was a piece of work the hole for Celestia horn was surrounded by four perfectly cut diamonds and there it was also able to let the princesses mane flow freely in the back. Celestia used her magic to wipe off the remaining dust from her armor before she placed upon herself and headed to the royal carriages. When Celestia arrived at her royal carriages, waiting beside for her was Shining Armor and his squad. The guards noticed Celestia's arrival, when she approached the carriages, each guard noticed the armor she wore no other pony has ever seen the princess in her armor in over a thousand years they raised a brow in wondering why she would need to wear such armor but there thoughts quickly passed as she came closer each guard stood at attention, then bowed to her. Celestia looked upon her guards, she knew squad 24 were the most highly skilled of the royal guards that equestria had to offer. Squad 24 has only 6 members , 2 Pegasi, 2Unicorns, and 2 Earth ponies with now an addition of Shining Armor. Shining Armor lifted his head up to look at the princess what he saw confused him Celestia stood there facing her guards her usual motherly smile was gone, she stood there with no smile the only thing Shining could see was the look in her eyes, he saw fear and anger. "Shining Armor I called for you and your squad to accompany me to Ponyville." Celestia spoke with no emotion in her voice. "I received a letter from your sister, Twilight Sparkle, she says that her friend Applejack found two unknown creatures on her farm. I have called upon you and your squad because you are the best guards we have in equestria, and i fear that these creatures are a threat to our fair country." "Your highness we are ready to do our duty for Equestria we will go to Ponyville and take down the creatures you speak of." Celestia gave Shining Armor quick nod and entered into the carriage, each guard looked to the princess as she entered, each one followed right behind her. When all the ponies were inside the carriage the 2 Pegasi in front flapped there wings and shot straight down the air strip, taking off heading to Ponyville. •Meanwhile Benjamin pov• As Applebloom Roger and I were heading to Appleblooms house we got to conversing about a number of things, Applebloom asked about the red stuff on my clothes, and you know im not gonna tell her that it's my blood do you realize how badly she will freak out, but instead i simply told her that is was paint, other than that it was just a few simple questions like what we are 'Humans' she asked where we are from, she was surprised when we told her that we were from another planet, i knew she would ask why we are in a equestria so i went ahead and explained that we didn't know how we got here that we woke up inside her farm. In return of Appleblooms questions she told us about herself and her family saying that her sister Applejack and her brother Big Mac work on the farm while her grandma Granny Smith tends to some of the work inside there house, Applebloom was a little miffed on the fact that her sister wouldn't let her work on the farm because she was to small. In retrospect I already knew about most of the stuff that Applebloom was talking about, Roger on the other hand didnt watch my little pony or read any of the fics on the internet so he didnt really understand anything that was going on. Applebloom just finished talking about her friends Sweetie belle and Scootalo and there adventures in trying to get there cutie marks, when she asked me a question. "Um Ben can you put me down for a bit? I have to go use the little filly's room." "Sure thing Applebloom." I set applebloom down and she left to do her business, I turned to Roger and spoke. "Alright Appleblooms gone, look we need to talk. I know where we are now, and it's going to seem a bit outrageous but it's the truth, you remember that show I told you about. My little pony, you know the show my tattoos are based off of." roger raised one of his eyebrows and nodded slowly. "Well it seems when we died we ended up in the show, everything Applebloom told us, alot of it I already knew about from watching the television show." "Ben that makes no sense how can we die and end up in a world that's a television show." "For something like this i end up thinking about the multiverse theory." "The multiverse theory?" "In simple turns instead of there being one universe there are an infinite number of universes, so like a universe where 9/11 never happened and universes where fictional things in our universe will exist in others. Such as left 4 dead or gears of war. So that being said for some reason we now find ourselves in a universe where Equestria exists." "Another thing I dont know how the pony's of this land will react to us being here." "What do mean?" "In the first season of the show there was an episode where the entire town was scared of a certain zebra which now there friends with but anyway when someone has fear of an outsider they call it xenophobia, that's not the definition but that's what I'm going with but if the entire town was scared of a zebra how do you think they will react to us." "Do you think Applebloom want to help us out." "Possibly speaking of the little filly where is she?" I left the spot Roger and I were at and headed into the direction where Applebloom went too, i kept walking until I came across a bush where I could hear I lite snore coming from inside, I looked into the bush and found Applebloom sleeping. "Seriously how can she fall asleep after using the bathroom? *sigh* She must be tired after her fall, well at least she didn't do her business in this bush." I picked Applebloom up from the bush and let her rest back in my left arm and headed back to Roger. "Well good news i found Applebloom bad new she fell asleep in a bush" "Seriously?" "Yeah poor girl must be tired from her injury, well come on lets get her home." With Applebloom in my arm Roger and I started walking again in the direction the little filly pointed. "Hay Ben what can you tell me about Equestria?" "Well Equestria is ruled by two princesses Celestia and her younger sister Luna and there are four types of ponies, Applebloom here is an earth pony then you have Unicorns and Pegasi the last type of pony is called an Alicorn they have both a horn and wings and are very rare, in the show there was only three Alicorns Celestia, Luna and there niece Cadence." "Right now where in sweet apple acres that's right outside of the town of Ponyville where the main characters of the show Live, there is Twilight Sparkle a purple unicorn who happens to be the Celestia's personal student, Applejack a orange earth pony that wears a Stetson, Fluttershy a yellow Pegasus, Rarity a white unicorn if everything goes well she is probably going to make us new clothes, there's rainbow dash seriously you can't miss her she is the only pony with a rainbow mane and she happens to be the fastest flyer in equestria also she loves to boast about her accomplishments, and last but not least is Pinkie pie and she is pink very pink she loves to throw party's so like i said if everything goes well there will defiantly be a party for us." I told roger alot of what I knew like Luna turning into nightmare moon than being banished to the moon that one he had trouble understanding but I kept going when I mentioned discord he laughed at what these ponies call chaos, yeah that one really made us laugh. "Look i'm still not sure how they will react to us so I'm asking if anything bad happens don't kill any of them alright but if we have to fight just wound them but nothing fatal." "Sure thing brother." Roger replied After Rogers reply the two brothers began walking again but instead of questions about Equestria the two brothers began to tell some old jokes they heard years ago, they both laughed at each others jokes as they headed for the little filly's house, a few minutes in, they rounded a corner and found themselves on a dirt road still laughing as Ben covered Appleblooms hears and told his last joke. " You'll have plenty of time to live in a van down by the river when... you're LIVIN' IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!" after the joke both brothers began laughing hysterically with Roger almost busting his ass. •Twilight pov• The girls just entered sweet apple acres half of them out of breath from running, they all trotted close together except for Rainbow dash whom was flying a couple of feet above the rest. "Applejack was there anything else you noticed about the two creatures?" twilight asked when she finally caught her breath. "Not really no after I saw the blood I hightailed it out of there to get you girls. "Oh I hope Applebloom is okay" came a frightened voice behind Applejack. "Don't worry Fluttershy with the six of us together those monsters won't know what hit them." Rainbow said showing off some of her punches and kicks. "-LIVIN IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!" the girls hears perked up with the loud voice coming from over the next hill. The girls started running to where they heard the loud voice, when they reached the hill they saw the two monsters on the other side laughing. "That's them!" Applejack cried out When Applejacks words left her mouth the tall monster turned to face the girls blood on it's clothes and an injured Applebloom in it's arm. The frightened Pegasus in the back of the group looked at the monster holding applebloom, the frightened features of the pony subsided as a another feature appeared on the face and in the eyes of the yellow Pegasus "How dare you!" came from the soft voice of fluttershy "HOW DARE YOU!" she yelled as she flew fast to the blood covered monster. •Benjamin pov• After our hysterical laughter ended a voice cried out saying "That's them!" I turned my body right to find the voice but in instead of finding one pony i found six, i stared at them for a few seconds before i realized who the pony's we're. A few more seconds of staring I saw fluttershy starting to flap her wings her mouth moved a bit but I couldn't hear her voice with a slight pause her mouth started moving again but the words she used rang crisp and clear in my hears "HOW DARE YOU!" she yelled before flying fast towards me. She stopped right at my face she tried to look in my eyes but my sunglasses were covering them, I looked at her and I could see the same look she had when she confronted the dragon in season one. "How dare you hurt sweet little Applebloom what makes you think you can come here and hurt this little filly she has never done anything to you why would your hurt her!... Well?" With my right hand at my side i slowly lifted it up to take off my sunglasses, i slowly pulled them away, with my eyes no longer covered I locked eyes with Fluttershy, in a few brief seconds her feature changed from anger to nothing she slowly backed away her eyes still locked with mine, she didn't say a word the entire time as she flew back to her friends on the hill. •Twilight pov• The girls were shocked when Fluttershy returned. The look on her face surprised the girls they couldn't see any emotion in Fluttershy's face there was no sadness no anger nothing, Twilight rushed over to her friend when she appeared in front of the entranced pegasus, Fluttershy snapped out of whatever she had on her mind. "Fluttershy what happened did that monster do anything to you?" "N-no it d-didn't do a-anything to me there's something about it's eyes they we're so entrancing." As the girls conversed for a bit trying to understand what just happened to there friend another conversation was going under way between the two brothers. •Benjamin pov• When Fluttershy reached flew back to her friends Roger was amazed at the act that just transpired right before his eyes. "Ben what the hell just happened? What did you do?" "Dude there's a reason why they call me Angel Eyes." I said to him as I placed my sunglasses back on. "Let's just say my eyes are sometimes able to diffuse certain situations." "Hmm Ben what's goin on? Where am I?" The sleepy earth pony in my arm asked, she still looked tired but right now it would best for her to be awake. I looked at her and said "Hello Applebloom well I think we are on the main road to your house and I think we ran into your sister an orange pony with a Stetson." "Applejack? where is she?" I pointed my Index finger the girls on the hill and sure enough with Applebloom seeing her sister again her tired look washed away "HEY APPLEJACK HEY APPLEJACK!" The little earth pony yelled with a smile. The girls ears perked up when they heard the little filly's voice call out applejacks name, the girls rushed over to our location but stood a few feet away still worrying of what might happen to them if they got too close to us. "Applebloom are you okay? WHAT THE HAY DID YOU MONSTERS DO TO MA SISTER?" "Calm down we did not do anything to little Applebloom." I said as I ruffled the little yellow pony's mane "Y-you can talk?" twilight asked surprised "Of course they can talk Twilight." Applebloom stated. "Applebloom did they hurt you? If you hurt ma sister im gonna buck you all the way Ta Tartarus." "Applejack why would ma friends hurt me, they helped me after i fell off of the cutie mark crusader club house." "You WHAT!" came from the girls "Applebloom how did ya fall off the club house?" Applejack asked. "Well I was hangin some decorations up on the club house when I might've accidentally miss stepped and fell of the ledge." "We happened to be close by when she screamed for help, when we got to her location she was lying on the ground crying just a little bit, I checked her condition but all she has is a sprained hoof and a couple of scratches." "I want Ta thank ya again Ben for helpin me back there." I looked down at the yellow pony and gave her smile "It was no problem Applebloom, I'm glad I could help." in return she gave me a smile and a hug it was a d'awwww moment for the ages. 'I'm really glad the blood has dried I really dont want to think about what would have happened if she was covered in my blood.' "Well since this hole mess has been straightened out and hopefully you do not see us as monsters anymore how about we introduce ourselves." "I am Sgt. Benjamin, Emilio York. United States Navy Seals "And I am Lt. Roger, Blake York. United States Navy Seals. "Yes well my name is Twilight Sparkle Ponyville librarian and personal student of princess Celestia." does she through out that student thing when she meets new pony's or something. "The names Rainbow Dash future wonder bolt and fastest flyer in Equestria." still very full of herself just like in the show huh funny. "My name is Rarity I run the Carousel Boutique in Ponyville there is no other place in Equestria one will find clothes as fabulous as the ones I create." still can't understand why spike likes her. "m-my n-name is f-fluttershy eep!" the name truly speaks for itself. "I want Ta thank ya for helpin ma sister when she got hurt, well where are my manners ma names." I cut her off before she continued. "Yes Applejack you're sister told us about you and you're family, I gotta say this is a really impressive apple farm you got here." "Well shucks thanks for the compliment Sgt" Applejack chuckled a bit leaving a bit of a blush on her face, bonus points for friendliness' achieved. "There is no need for formalities you can call me Ben and you can call him Roger." well that's five ponies down one more to go. After I finished the thought Pinkie leapt into the air and came down right on top of me embracing me with a hug. "Oh Benji thank you so much for helping Applebloom with her injury." when she finished hugging me Pinkie gasped in realization and ran straight back to her friends. "Girls now that Appleblooms ok we can throw a 'thank you for saving Applebloom, welcome to Ponyville Ben and Roger welcome party yeah!"' "Pinkie before we start planning a party we have some questions for our new acquaintances." Twilight said "Oh ok Twilight but we will have party sometime right?" "Of course pinkie." "Well then what would like to ask?" I stopped to look at each of them there eyes were fixed on my clothes. "If you're first question is going to be about the red color on my clothes." I stopped to cover Appleblooms ears. "Yes it is blood." The girls gasped with the conformation of there suspicions. "I told Applebloom it was red paint so she wouldn't get scared, if you want to know why i have blood on me i ask that Applebloom to not be present the reason is that the story is a bit mature for her." Applejack nodded in agreement before moving forward. "Hey Ben let go of ma ears!" "Oops sorry A.B." I said with a sheepish smile "Come on sis im gonna take ya back to the house to let Granny Smith look after yer leg." "But Applejack I wanted Ta hear some of the stories." "No buts little missy we have to get those scratches taken care of." "Oh alright." Applebloom huffed as I placed her on her sisters back, "Bye Ben Bye Roger you think you can come back sometime I'd like ya Ta meet ma friends." "Sure thing Applebloom" I waived goodbye before the two trotted down the dirt path to the apple family house. "Ok so any question before Applejack gets back?" Twilight raised her right hoof in anticipation. "You don't have to raise you're hoof to ask just go ahead and ask you're question when your ready." "Oh well ok." Twilight said with a blush of embarrassment. "I would like to ask what you are I have never seen creatures like you ." "That's a simple explanation we are known humans." "Humans? None of books ever mentioned a species with that name in it." "You're not going to find it on any of you're books because humans don't exist on this planet." Roger pointed out. "WHAT!" they screamed "So you two are aliens? WOW aliens really exist I can't believe it I mean I didn't think we were the only planet in the universe that had life on it but now I know aliens exist *gasp* you have to let me study you!" "Maybe later Twilight, so who's next." "Can you fly?" Of course who else would ask such a question. "Ben you know more about that subject than I do." "To answer that question it's both yes and no, no meaning that we dont have wings for flying but yes we can fly because with the use of our technology we have built aircrafts to help us fly from place to place. "Whatever an air-craft is I bet there slow and can't even do a sonic rainboom." Rainbow said with hint of amusement in her voice. "Ah what is a sonic rainboom?" Roger asked "Hah I knew they couldn't do it. "A sonic rainboom is where a Pegasus fly's so fast that they break the sound barrier and light spectrum at the same time showing a rainbow colored wave. "Twilight stated matter of fact. "Yep and im the only Pegasus to ever do it." So much boasting. "Well she has me stumped we can't do a sonic rainboom how ever in our advance in technology we have an aircraft that can reach the speed of mach 9.8 breaking the sound barrier ten times over." I stated The once boastful Pegasus slammed to the ground mouth agape the others were speechless as well at the fact. "That's that's not possible you're lying." "The x-45 is the fastest unmanned aircraft ever built it can reach speeds up to 10,000 mph while staying up at 110,000 feet in the air." "STOP LYING!" Rainbow yelled "What in tarnation is going on over here!" Applejack yelled 'thank you if anypony can sense the truth in my words it's her'. "Applejack, Ben here says that of a, ah what was it?" *sigh* "With our technology we built an aircraft that can fly at a speed of mach 9.8 or 10,000 miles per hour and that can break the sound barrier 10 times over." "Yeah that's what he said and now that you're here you can confirm that he's lying." "I hate to bust you're bubble there sugarcube but he ain't lyin." "But but how?" Rainbow asked And with help of the SpongeBob imagination meme I put my hands side by side above my head then slowly pulled them away while saying "~Technology~" Rainbow Dash looked at me with an unamused look on her face. "Ok that's enough of that. Ben, Applejack is back so... Can you tell us... why you have blood on you're clothes." "It's not from anypony is it?" came from the soft voice of Fluttershy. "No this isn't pony blood, no this is my blood." "You're blood? How is that even possible no creature can lose that much blood and still be alive." "And you're right Twilight, you see the blood on my clothes is the effect one has when there getting there head cut off." *Silence* > Chapter 4 An explanation or two > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- •chapter 4• •An explanation or two• •Celestia pov• As we approached the small town of Ponyville, my guards we're becoming restless they have no clue of the creatures we we're to face soon I have not a clue. As I looked out to the small town in the distance Shining Armor asked me a question. "Princess what do you suggest we do when we find these creatures?" As i kept my gaze towards the small town I asked myself that same question. 'What should we do? We have no knowledge of who or what these creatures are? What are there capabilities? I am not sure but Twilights letter stated that my little ponies maybe in danger, and this creature covered in blood what has it done?' "When we find these creatures I want them immobilized as quickly as possible then we will send them to tartarus." Shining Armor nodded his head in response. "You're highness." One of the Pegasus pulling the carriage spoke. "We are descending into Ponyville right now." "Good, guards be ready we will be going to sweet apple acres that's is where the creatures we're seen last, I want these creatures subdued before I send them to tartarus myself." The royal carriage slowed down to begin it's landing, as the wheels of the carriage rolled onto the grass of Ponyville, while guards began retrieving there gear Celestia rose from her seat and began to walk to door. With the carriage at a complete halt, the door swung open and in full view of the many ponies walking about in the streets of Ponyville, Celestia princess of Equestria stepped out of the royal carriage adorned in the armor she has not warm since the time of the fall of Nightmare Moon. The ponies stood there stoic never having seen there princess in such armor, after Celestia stepped out one by one her guards exited the carriage with there weapons with them. "There is no time for introductions, guards now go to sweet apple acres where we will face these creatures." With a salute to the princess the guards and there princess made a mad dash heading straight to the apple family orchard. •15 min before arrival• •Ben pov• "And you're right Twilight, you see the blood on my clothes is the effect one has when there getting there head cut off." *Silence* I looked to each mare to see there reaction, each one showed no emotion but there eyes told a different story there eyes grew as large as dinner plates and each eye retained tears of sadness. The girls stood there in silence they didn't move a single inch they didn't take a single breath as that sentence lingered in there minds, it was silent for a couple of seconds but it felt more like a couple of hours Roger was the one to finally brake it. "I think what you just said broke them Ben." "I think so too, can you girls do something you're kinda starting to freak me *oomf*" Slipping through my vision I could barely catch the sight of the pink blur that tackled me to the ground. lying on my back I opened my eyes to see Pinkie pie hugging me while tears streamed down her face. Hell you could see tears on all there faces even Dash. These ponies knew nothing about war how could they if the fan fictions were right they haven't seen war in over a millennia. "Why?" came a raspy voice in the crowd "Why would somepony do that to you?" "Because War is a hell of a place." I stated as I began picking myself up off the ground with pinkie still holding on to me. "We should tell them." Roger said turning to me. "T-tell us what?" Twilight asked still sobbing. "How we died." "B-b-both of you d-d-died?" Fluttershy cried. "Yes we did and we are going to tell you how." But before I could do that in going to need this pink mare to get off me. "Pinkie can you let go of me please." I said with a monotone voice, she looked up at me her hair deflated and eyes were blood shot red from crying. She slowly climbed off of me and went back to the side of her friends while she stared at the ground. "Ben before we tell them about what happened to us yesterday I think it would be best if we started with our jobs." "Yeah that would be wise, *sigh*alright let's do this ." "Before we tell you about our deaths. there is something you should know about us. In our country we are part of an elite group of military soldiers known as Navy Seals, what we do in that group is more dangerous and more deadly then many others of are kind would dare to try." Roger decided to take over the conversation now. "I'm going to tell you the exact same things that were said to us when we were enlisting" "You will be Conducting insertions and extractions by sea, air or land to accomplish covert, Special Warfare / Special Operations missions" "Capturing high-value enemy personnel and terrorists around the world." "Collecting information and intelligence through special reconnaissance missions." "Carry out small-unit, direct-action missions against military targets." "Perform underwater reconnaissance and the demolition of natural or man-made obstacles prior to amphibious landings." Roger finished "We have been doing these things for four years now, to be a Navy Seal you must smart you must be strong and you must be fast, before joining we where top athletes in school but being strong and fast is nothing if you have a weak mind, we study, we read, we learn and train for 30 months to be the best of the best and as an extra went through the Navy Seal sniper program so we had to learn and train even more, our jobs are never easy we have done many things we have rescued hostages we have captured terrorists, we have killed many of our own species." They gasped in shock the thought of killing a member of your own species. they started to slowly back away in fear of there lives. "But listen when i say this, never have we killed an innocent civilian, we have only killed evil men that wouldn't want nothing more than to watch our world burn." that was the partial truth I have killed many of my own kind men, woman children fucking horrible but when you are sniper high up on the ridge or a building you see men, woman, hell children firing a weapon at fellow soldiers or civilians you do you're job and take. them. down. The six of them stared at us all of them frightened for there lives Fluttershy heavily crying and rarity beginning to sway and almost faint, there was a few seconds of acquired silence between the two parties until I unslung Tavi and placed her in my hands. "W-What the hay is that?" applejack asked. I looked down at my 50cal an answered. "This here is my primary weapon for war. This here is my m82 Barret 50cal rifle I can take out an enemy soldier over a mile away." I pulled back the action and retrieved the 50cal round from inside the chamber, I held up the round and showed it to the girls. "It is called a bullet this is what I use to take down our enemies, all I have to do is point my weapon to my enemy and pull this here trigger then this bullet is propelled out of the barrel faster then the speed of sound and when it hits its mark well let's just say it will obliterate anything in its path." I finished and placed the round back into the chamber. "My weapon is a bit different then Ben's rifle his is a semi-automatic meaning he can only fire a single round with every pull of the trigger, but mine." Roger said as he unslung his m4a1. "can fire full auto meaning with a single pull of the trigger my m4a1 can fire every single round I have in its magazine, although my rifle fires a smaller round then his 50cal the outcome is pretty much the same when we use our weapons." "Basically if you happen to be our enemy and you happen to be on the receiving ends of our rifles, you can kiss you're ass goodbye cause you will never see it again." "J-j-just w-w-why what do you accomplish with war w-w-with k-k-killing you're own species." Twilight cried out. I shrugged my shoulders. "Hell if I know, our species has been killing each other since the beginning of our existence we fight for anything survival, food, resources, religion, money and many more hell some country's will kill each other just because they don't like one another screwed up I know but that's our planet." "Well Roger this has been a fun little tangent from what we were talking about now back to story of our deaths, girls I'm going to give you two options, option one I can tell you everything what our last mission was and how it was executed yes we accomplished the mission but we still lost our lives. Or option two we can skip the details and just tell you how are deaths rolled out, it is up to you six to decide." The girls slowly began to form a huddle to discuss what option they should choose they but before they began I spoke up again. "A bit of warning option one is not for the faint of heart yes it is more action packed then option two but, wait Roger how many did we kill in our last mission." Roger brought his hand to his chin thinking. "I'm thinking about 130, 140 we killed not to mention those 4 attack dogs." Well you can forget about either option because right on the spot rarity fainted hitting the dirt road hard, Fluttershy she just started balling her blue eye's out while the rest looked at us with evil intent. "DOGS YOU KILLED DOGS! WHY IN EQUESTRIA WOULD YOU KILL DOGS! " Rainbow dash was pissed beyond belief but I believe she thought we killed tiny little dogs like Applejacks dog Winona or some crap like that. "OH IM SORRY I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS SUPPOSED TO LET THOSE DOGS RIP MY DAMN THROAT OUT!" I began to yell back. "I DIDN'T REALIZE WHEN THEY STRAPPED EXPLOSIVES ON THE DOGS I WOULD LET THEM BLAST MY ASS ALL THE WAY TO HELL! " "ENOUGH!" Roger yelled. "Everyone just calm the hell down, rainbow dash listen our enemies used attack dogs, they weren't small tiny dogs or pups no they were full grown shepherds the same size as you, these dogs were trained specifically to attack and kill but not only that they sometimes placed explosives on these dogs so when they got close enough they would explode destroying everything in a close proximity of the detonation." "We don't kill dogs for the fun of it. I wish wouldn't have to kill them but when you are put into situation where a suicide dog is running straight to you and your family, you do what you can to protect them." Each mare I looked at had tears still streaming down their faces I couldn't take this shit anymore this has got to stop. "Alright I have had enough you all have been crying for to damn long will you please just stop with the waterworks." That didn't stop there crying uh damn I hate apologizing. "Listen I'm sorry for yelling but you have to understand our worlds are very very different, when was the last time Equestria was at war?" Twilight started to hold back a few tears to answer. "W-we haven't been to war in over a thousand years." "You should count yourselves lucky, in the 236 years our country has been around we have been to war 7, 8 times let's see the revolutionary war, civil war, world war one, world war two, Vietnam, desert storm, ah there's been a few others. Our country goes to War with others country's to help protect our allies." Rarity was beginning to awaken from her little nap when she gathered her Barings and stood back onto her hooves she gave herself a quick inspection. "AAAHHHHHH!" she screamed "Dirt filthy dirt get it off me get off me, oh my beautiful coat i just got back from the spa and now it's, it's ruined this is the worst.possible.thiiiheheing." she cried, I shook my head in annoyance while Roger looked in to the sky "I'm sorry for interrupting your little episode sweetheart but, Ben we got incoming 12 o'clock." I understood Rogers words and shouldered Tavi I peered through the rifle scope, half a mile down the dirt path I saw three flying figures two smaller than the other as they got closer I saw Celestia! flying in the air but she wasn't wearing her royal regalia no it looked like she was wearing battle armor. 'oh shit!' "Twilight question? Um does your princess usually wear battle armor?" "WHAT!?"the girls screamed in unison. "I take that as a no, anywho it looks like she brought some guards with her, and there coming in fast so I'd say there about a minute or so from reaching us. "Got any ideas?" Roger asked "Roger when do I not have a plan." I gave my sarcastic answer. "You're not going to hurt them are you?" twilight asked puffy red eye's. "Only if they try something stupid." Celestia and her guards where only two hundred feet away from elements and the two brothers, with the two Pegasi by her side and Shining Armor and rest guard running under her, as the guards and Celestia there drew closer to the creatures she spotted the tall one with it's blood soaked apparel, just the sight of it pushed the princesses anger further. 'What ever you have done to my subjects monster I will have your head.' "GUARDS SEIZE THEM!" Celestia roared with the royal canterlot voice. "And there it is twilight something stupid." I said while I slung Tavi back over my shoulder. "Roger flashbang 180 you know what to do." "Got it." The princess had flown down behind the elements while her guards came straight for us. I counted seven guards two Pegasi with spears, two earth pony's, and finally three unicorns with swords levitated by there magic. "NOW!" I yelled. Roger went ahead and tossed one of his remaining flashbangs, as it sailed through the air we both turned away and closed our eye's and covered ear's. As the flashbang sailed through the air the guards slowed down to watch the unknown object, once the flashbang hit the ground it rolled right in the middle of the approaching guards, as they closed in the flashbang detonated leaving a bright light and noise the pierced the ears of all the ponies near by. With detonation of the flashbang Roger and turned back around all the ponies where lying down covering there ears but the Pegasi that were flying fell straight to the ground knocking themselves out. "ROGER KNOCK'EM DOWN!" With that Roger and I ran straight to the guard kicking and punching them down I let my brother handle the last two as i ran straight Celestia herself. She was rubbing her eye's with her hooves trying to get the dazed affect out of them, I was no more than three feet away when I took out my pistol, i grabbed the base of her horn lifting her head up and placed my pistol right under her jaw. Celestia was still dazed from the flashbang and was still not sure of what was happening, i looked back to Roger all of the princesses guards were down but Roger had a his k-bar to one of the unicorns neck. I turned back to Celestia she was finally getting her bearings together, looking to the right where the girls we're I saw them getting back on there hooves shaking there heads from their confusion. Celestia was blinking heavily from the flash, she tried moving her head but it was locked in place she tried thrashing around trying to move that's when I spoke to her. "I don't suggest you do that you wouldn't want your horn to brake would you?" Celestia eyes flared upon, she looked up and noticed my hand holding the bottom of her horn she followed the length of arm until she noticed my face, she could not see my eyes they were still covered by my sunglasses. "LET GO OF ME CREATURE SO I MAY SEND YOU TO YOUR DEATH!" She roared with her royal voice. I didn't back down i stood my ground, that yell was starting to piss me off, with my hand still firmly gripped onto the base of her horn i squeezed my hand tighter, she gave me small Whimper of pain, I placed my mouth right next to her ear to speak. "If you value the lives of your guards and yourself I suggest you explain yourself.!" "B-ben please don't hurt her." twilight cried. The girls watched as I had my hand on there princesses horn grip on tight. "I won't hurt her Twilight all I want is an explanation to why she had her guards try and fail in attacking me and my brother." "You attacked my subjects that is why I came here to send you to deepest depths of tartarus!" "WHAT I have done nothing of the sort, who put that idea into your head!" I said with a venomous sneer. "B-Ben I'm so sorry it was my fault, Applejack ran to my library saying a blood covered monster was attacking her sister, i sent a letter to the princess asking for assistance, but oh Ben please I'm so sorry." Twilight cried 'Well shit now I know why she attacked alright how am I going to diffuse this situation.' "It's fine Twilight you did good by alerting your teacher, Celestia I wish we could have met in a different circumstance but that is the past now I am going to let go of your horn and my brother will let go of your guard I want us to talk in a civilized manner, but before I do I want you to ask Applejack if we have hurt any of your subjects." Celestia's eyes were still fixed on me she still had anger Inside of them. "Applejack my loyal subject is what he says true has he not hurt any of my subjects." "Princess what he says is the truth he has hurt no pony actually princess ma sister Applebloom fell of her club house and hurt herself and Ben and his brother Roger fixed Applebloom up and brang her up to the farm." "We have no reason to hurt your subjects Celestia unless we are attacked then we will defend ourselves do you understand." Celestia gave me a small nod in response. "Ok good pinkie pie can you come over here please." Pinkie walked over her hair was still straight raw noodles and still held her sad face. "Thank you Pinkie, Celestia I'm going to let go of your horn but before I do your going to have to promise me that no harm will come to either my brother or to me." "I-I promise no harm will come to either of you." "I can not accept that what I want is (pause for dramatic affect) a pinkie promise." *GASPS* "How do you know if that?" Rainbow asked. "You will know in due time but first Celestia please the pinkie promise." "I promise no harm with come to you or your brother cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye." she finished it felt good having her do that. "Thank you." I let go of her horn and placed my pistol back in my holster, I walked over to Roger and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Alright Roger let him go everything should fine now." Roger didn't question me he let go of the unicorn guard and place k-bar back in its sheath. I looked to Celestia her eyes showed fire she wasn't happy not one bit I think she was pissed I made a fool if her in front of her subjects especially her student. Just for insurance incase Celestia brakes the pinkie promise I slung Tavi back and hoisted her up onto my arm barrel facing the sky and my finger on the trigger. "Now we will have to introduce ourselves once again, I am B-." before I could even speak my name Celestia yelled. "WHY DO YOU HAVE BLOOD ON YOU'RE CLOTHES CREATURE!?" *KA-BOOM* The roar of my 50cal silenced her, that sound alone pretty much scared not only princess but the other ponies as well, I don't think I ever seen the princess with fear in her eyes maybe that one time when she fought Chrysalis. "Now now Tia." Celestia flinched when I used the pet name only her sister Luna would ever use. "If you didn't interrupt me you would have know about that soon-." *SPLAT* I was cut off with the sound off flesh hitting the dirt road I looked down and noticed black body turned to mush. "What the fuck is that?" > Chapter 5 That was satisfying. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- •Chapter 5• •That was satisfying• "What the fuck is that?" Roger pointed at the black mush that fell upon the dirt road. I bent down to take closer look at the mush, i moved my hand and start to pick at it with every touch green goo started slither down. 'I got a bad feelin about this. As I moved more of the mush away I found something quite disturbing. "Well I know now what the hell this thing is." The ponies watched with wide eyes as I moved my hand around the dead body making squishing sounds every second. "I just have one question? What the fuck is a changeling doing here in Ponyville?" asked the ponies in front of me while i stood up with the changelings head in my hand showing it to Celestia and the mane six, the only guard that was still conscious was still dazed to hell. 'I should really kick him in the face so he can wake up.' If you have ever seen ponies vomit before I shit you not it's ten times worse then a human, right in front of us we have Celestia dry heaving, rarity fainted AGAIN, it looked like twilight was puking her guts out along with Fluttershy while Applejack and Rainbow dash were using a thousand yard stare with the most dumbfounded expressions. It took a good five minutes for Twilight and Fluttershy to stop vomiting the later started to cry and for someone to finally answer my question, Celestia finished her little dry heaving act putting a hoof to her lips to keep the vomit down. "Changelings should not be here there home is in the caverns in the badlands far from the borders of Equestria!" "You say that but why am I holding the head of one?" I asked in a sarcastic tone. "Y-you must have brought it here I knew i could not trust you two creatures!" This fucking bitch. I thought to myself "Look bitch!" Roger yelled "If you don't stop these damn acquisitions about us I swear I'm going to pimp slap you to the fucking moon." 'One of these days Alice one of these days bam zoom straight to the moon' that thought got me to give a slight chuckle, damn honeymooners. "How dare you speak to me in such a way I am the princess and ruler of Equestria I can send you to the sun if I wish!" While these two kept bickering and since I was in my thought of the honeymooners I was barely able to pick up a slight buzzing sound coming from not to far away. "Will you two shut the fuck up and listen!" I yelled, Roger and Celestia both closed shut there damn pie holes finally. "Does anyone else here that sound?" I asked *buzzzzzz* The ponies ears perked up but in the end they shook their heads Roger and I where the only ones to hear the sound. "it's faint but I can barely make it out." Roger proclaimed. Twilight raised her hoof to get my attention. "Yes Twilight?" I asked her "Can you tell us what that sound could be?" *BUZZZZZZZZ* "It sounds just like that." I said back to her. The lot of us heard the growing sound of that damn infernal buzzing noise, fear was setting into the ponies none of us knew where that sound was coming from, I started tossing the changeling head in the air like you would with a baseball with my hand while I looked upon the apple orchard. "BEN THERE!" Roger pointed to the right side of the apple orchard. Flying high above the apple trees was the sight that I knew these ponies might not forget for a while. 'Fucking changelings.' "IT'S A GODDAMN SWARM, ROGER OPEN FIRE! CELESTIA STAND BY THE ELEMENTS, TWILIGHT SHIELD UP!" twilight froze in fear from the incoming swarm she didn't hear Benjamin's orders. "TWILIGHT SHIELD UP NOW GOD DAMMIT!" She finally snapped out of her frozen state and took in my words her horn glowed in a purple haze erecting a purple shield that surround the elements and celestia. The changeling swarm was coming in fast from the right field I couldn't count how many but it didn't matter, even though Celestia has been a bitch since she got here, still I can't let anything happen to them, 'well listen to me being all chivalrous.' "KILL THESE MOTHER FUCKERS!" Queue gunfire *RATATATATA-*BOOM* *RATATATATA-*BOOM* The changelings we're closing in fast, they couldn't have been about 100 yards away when Roger and I started firing our weapons, funny thing was even though there we're many in there swarm they still dropped like fly's 'hehe like fly's' hell I swear I took out three maybe four of them with each round I fired. Chunks of dead bugs rained into apple orchards staining apples and trees in a color of green blood while random parts of the dead changelings scattered around them. "MULTI' KILL BITCHES!" I yelled out while firing my last round in my magazine. "Swapping mags!" Swapping mags has gotten so much easier since I got Tavi I can take out the empty mag place back in magazine pouch take out another mag pop it in and pull back the action in ten seconds flat. HA! "WOAH YEAH BRING IT ON SUCKA THIS MY KINDA SHIT" I swear he always does this that when we are getting easy kills. "IS THIS REALLY THE TIME TO QUOTE THE COLE TRAIN JUST KEEP FIRING!" I told him I would kick him in the balls for saying that again. Damn these changelings there getting to close I'm surprised they keep advancing we must have killed about 40 or 50 of these things by now there numbers are dwindling fast, wait what the fuck are they, god dammit! "There diving into the trees!" tricky little bastards what's next they going to start turning into ponies?" It has been two minutes since the changelings went into the trees I dropped Tavi on the ground she was useless in close quarters instead I grabbed my 1911 with my right hand, unsheathed my knife with my left. "Now it's time to play the waiting game." "Ben where are these things?" "There in the orchard kill anything that comes out!" dammit why aren't they doing anything. After that thought a small bush beside a tree started to rustle something was inside. I leveled my pistol to the bush waiting for the changeling too step out. Few seconds passed and the bush stopped moving that is when the being finally stepped out. 'Applebloom!' •Inside the bubble shield• •Beginning of changeling attack.• A scene of two humans firing deadly weapons against a swarm of changelings was in full view of the mane six and Celestia, they watched in a state of shock and awe as the two brothers stood strong when killing the advancing changelings with such ease. The thoughts going through the ponies minds was mostly fear and in seeing what Ben and Roger we're doing save for one. "These guys are AWESOME!" rainbow blurted out. All the ponies inside the bubble looked to there rainbow maned friend with disgusted looks. Rainbow dash looked back to her friends and saw the faces she wasn't sure why they had them like that so she decided to ask. "What?" "Rainbow how can you think that do you know what here doing? There killing those things this is murder!" Twilight looked away in disgust and turned to the princess. "Celestia why aren't you stopping them?... Princess?" Celestia did not answer her students question she could only watch as the two brothers killed the changelings that descended into her land. 'i have not seen a changeling in over two hundred years why are they coming here to Equestria? Surely they know that they are banned from entering my land. The changelings may be banned but what these two are doing is appalling how can they so easily kill without a second thought?" "MULTI'KILL BITCHES!" 'And they treat this like it is some sort of game! But what truly disturbs me is how the tall one knew about the changelings and most shocking how did he know that the girls were the elements of harmony? I must find out how he knows for the good of my land.' While Celestia was in her thoughts for the better part of two minutes Twilight has been trying to get her mentors attention to figure why she has done nothing to stop the killing. "PRINCESS!!!" Twilight yelled at her mentor finally taking Celestia away from her thoughts. In confusion Celestia shook her head then looked to her left and saw the fear in the faces of five of her little ponies but a smile on the six. "Princess!" Twilight exclaimed getting Celestia's attention. "Why are you not stopping them there just, just killing those things you have to do something!" Celestia understood why Twilight was scared murder was a very rare subject in Equestria but to see so easily happen in front her was devastating. Celestia took her eyes away from her student to look back at the creatures killing the changelings Celestia sighed in defeat she knew she should not stop them, changelings are very dangerous beings and there capabilities are very frightening. The princess shook her head in disapproval in intervening in the fight. In a sad state Celestia spoke to her student "Twilight I must not intervene i understand that what they are doing is wrong. but the creatures they are fighting are known as changelings they are parasites that feast on the love of all sentient species." before Celestia could go on she was interrupted with a yell coming from the two brothers. "WOAH! YEAH BRING IT ON SUCKA THIS IS MY KINDA SHIT!" "IS THIS REALLY THE TIME TO QUOTE THE COLE TRAIN JUST KEEP FIRING!" "How can they be enjoying what they are doing this is, this is just evil!" twilight yelled. "That is not all my student have you noticed a few things about them the tall one-" "Benjamin?" twilight interrupted. "Is that his name?" Twilight nodded her head. "Benjamin knew about the changelings my student he knew that you girls where the elements of harmony!" That statement caught the attention of the others off guard. "That don't make a lick of sense princess how in the hay can he know we are the elements o' harmony they said they just got here to-." Applejack was cut off when the Benjamin yelled out. "There diving into the trees!" The ponies inside the bubble looked out and noticed the once large swarm was dwindled down to 20 to 25 changelings, the changelings began heading into the foliage of the apple orchard. Time was slowly ticking and the changelings haven't made a single move everypony stood quite until twilight spoke up. "Princess what do we do when this massacre is over? Especially with them?" Twilight pointed out to Roger and Benjamin with her hoof. Celestia thought of what the best coarse of action is to take with the new creatures. 'can I trust them to not hurt any of my subjects I am not sure they helped the element of honesty's sister. I will speak with them when this is over. But what of the dead changelings my strongest guards are incapacitated. *sigh* I must contact Luna for assistance. 'Luna can you hear me?' 'What is the matter thou sister I am trying to sleep.' 'Luna I need you're assistance changelings are attacking Ponyville!' 'WHAT! Sister are you okay what of the elements! 'It is alright Luna we have help but I need you to send guards over immediately to clear away the *gulp* the dead changelings ' 'Dead changelings sister we do not kill any beings no matter what they are ' Celestia cut off Luna before she could go any further. 'Luna now is not the time please send guards down immediately when this is finished i will return to canterlot with the elements and two... Guests.' 'Alright Tia i will send a few chariots down as soon as possible.' 'Thank you Luna.' As Celestia finished her talk with her sister she turned to the elements and explained what is to be done. "Girls Princess Luna is sending more guards to take care of the...dead changelings we will take those two with us to Canterlot I wish to understand why they ar-" This chapter has a lot of ponies getting cut off meh! "APPLEJACK LOOK!" Rainbow dash yelled out. The girls looked out to the orchards where they caught a glimpse of something small and yellow it was Applebloom. "applebloom? APPLEBLOOM GET OUT OF HERE IT'S DANGEROUS! Applejack yelled out with all her might to warn her filly sister while she banged her hooves on bubble shield. *BANG* In a flash Applejacks little sister's head swayed backwards there in a heap of blood she lied dead with a bullet wound to the head. "no! NNNOOOOOOO! APPLEBLOOM NO! NO! GET UP APPLEBLOOM! GET UP!" Applejack yelled with all her might for her sister to get up but her sister didn't move, the orange farm pony legs buckled as she dropped onto the dirt road and crying with heavy tears, she watched her little sister die by the same being that helped her when she was hurt. Celestia came next to Applejack and knelt down next to her and draped her wing over the farm pony. Inside the bubble the girls all cried for the loss of the farm ponies filly sister, Rainbow dash hugged her best friend tight with her own tears streaming down her muzzle. Through Applejacks crying she was was trying to speak but was barely able to form any coherent words. "H-h-he k-killed Appleblooho-ho-hoom!" she wailed for her lost sister. Through Celestia tears she watched as something was happening to the dead filly then she remember what changelings can do. This was when Celestia spoke up to the crying mare. "No young Applejack look." Celestia pointed her hoof at the body of Applebloom. With her eyes puffed out and pink from crying Applejack looked out to where her sister lied dead she was able to see something happen, in a whisk of green fire the body of Applebloom transformed into that of a small changeling. "But. What? That wasn't my sister?" With a smile on her face the princess informed her ponies of what it was "No my little pony changelings have the ability to transform themselves into many types sentient beings that makes it easier to steal love of others." "Celestia do you think Benjamin knew that the Applebloom he killed was a changeling to begin with?" "I don't know my student but I hope so." "I just want this horror to be over *Sniff* I want to go home!" Fluttershy cried out while she was curled up in to a ball. "Everything will be fine young Fluttershy when this is over we will go to Canterlot and we will bring those two with us I wish to learn about them and in hope that we can become good allies." 'These two are very dangerous and i do not know there capabilities, I have hope that maybe we can become allies, hope is all i have right now.' •Outside bubble shield• •Benjamin pov• I heard the cries of applejack when I killed the changeling that took the form of Applebloom, I'm not stupid there we're key differences in the real Applebloom and the fake. The real one had bandages and cuts on her coat plus a ruffled mane, the fake well looked like a normal Applebloom so there you have it. Applejack she did not know that the changelings could transform that means the wedding hasn't gone through yet I wonder how far the story has gone. But back to the matter at hand those remaining changelings could attack at any moment. "Roger I don't care what comes out of there what ever it is kill it." Roger gave me a nod while he aimed his m4 into the orchard. 'If my calculation are correct there should be only 24 changelings left. You best hurry you little bastards you are going to die. Another minute has passed and still no sign of the little buggers this is getting frustrating we should be finished with this where the hell are they? *BUZZZZZ* Well that answers my question. "Here the come get ready!" it's about goddamn time. At the first sign of the buggers we opened fired on there black bug asses *ratatata - ratatatata* *Bang-bang-bang* a few fell dead from our weapons but most of them dodged-ducked-dipped-dived-and dodged again. "Sixteen remaining!" I yelled out to Roger. "Switching mags!" Roger yelled back as he was replacing his empty mag two changelings flew straight to him I raised my pistol to get the two attacking buggers. *Bang - bang* "Not today bitches!" I yelled to the dead pieces of shit that skid to the feet of my brother. Roger got his new mag into his m4 and started firing at the three advancing changelings, each one fell dead a Limb or head being torn away from excess bullet damage. I went back to looking into the orchard for any of those assholes, four of them came straight for me I held my pistol tight and fired. *Bang - click - click - click* "Oh fuck me!" with three remaining bugs still heading for me I dropped my pistol before the changelings slammed into me causing me to stumble and fall back on my ass. We scrambled on the dirt floor I started swinging my arms but would only brush there wings or there legs. The three little bastards hooves or what ever they have barely did any damage hell i could barely feel any of there blows but what got me was when they started to bite me. "Aah Shit!" I yelled In a fit of rage I grabbed one of the changelings by the neck squeezing the life out it I brought my knife straight to it's gut the damn thing struggled to get away it was pointless it's green blood started to spill all over on to my gear while I held it there in the air, with it dead I tossed the dead changeling out if the way leaving me exposed. Another changeling lunged forward and latched its fang right on to my MY GOD DAMN FACE. "AAAAHHHHHHH!" I screamed in pain I started punching the damn thing but it still held on. With every punch I could give it, it would only make the changeling move making the fang in my cheek tare more. I couldn't take it anymore I grabbed the changelings head and pulled it off me, I started to squeeze my hand with everything I had till I heard a loud *CRUNCH*. Either the bones of a changeling is extremely weak or I'm a strong son of a bitch cause what i saw was that the skull I crushed was forced into itself there was green blood and brain matter gushing out of the damn things nose, mouth, and ears. I tossed it away with anger. That's two down I started to pick myself back up but with the bites on my legs and the damn pain coming from face it was a struggle. I walked back over to my pistol I picked it back up and replaced the empty magazine and placed a .45 into the chamber. When I finished a realization hit me. There was a third changeling that attacked me, I looked around to try and find the damn thing, I looked down and found an extra changeling laying next to me with a bullet to the head. 'Roger must of took him out, good I didn't want it to bite me in the ass.' "Roger how many are left!" I yelled while grunting in Pain. 'Dammit when this is done im getting some morphine, wait shit I already took some earlier well what could another dose do?' "Not sure took out three just a second ago!" 'If my calculations are correct and they always are there should be 4 left. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" a high pitch scream come from close by. I turned and saw that there were three changelings in a semi circle surrounding twilights bubble shield blasting it with their green magic. 'Dumb asses they won't be able to break through the shield haha' "Oh this is to easy." I aimed my 1911 to one of the changelings and fired. *BANG* oh yeah rights in the chest. The other changelings didn't flinch when I fired they kept attacking the bubble not really sure why. I aimed my pistol again to the changeling on the far right and fired again *BANG* well let's just say that one won't be able to see anything ever again. 'Because it ain't got no face nigga'. Last one kept it's eyes on the bubble not even bothering to fire any of it's magic or to fly away. 'It must know it's gonna die so I'm gonna go ahead and have fun.' I placed my pistol back in my holster and placed my knife in my right hand I stood 10 feet away from the blasted thing make a few calculations in what I planned on doing, with everything squared away I spoke. "Hay little shit all of your friends are dead guess who's next!" The changeling slowly turned around and stared right into my eyes, the damn thing was scared if changelings could use the restroom I swear it would have crapped itself right here and now. It started to flap it's wings trying to scurry away but before it could.lift itself of the ground my knife was already on it's way to meet the bug. The bug lifted itself about of the ground before my knife cut right into it's head and my blade impaled itself onto Twilights bubble shield, another shriek came from inside the bubble most likely rarity. 'I'm pretty sure there all scared shitless right now, ok let's take head count let's see one ,two, three ok carry the four add two then another three and one more three that makes 15 shit!' "Roger there's one left find it!" Roger gave me a nod we spread to look for the damn thing not ten seconds pass when the top of the apple trees start to sway and move with out there being any wind. "There mida!" I pointed out the changeling fleeing the farm Roger fire his m4 *Ratatata* but it was to far. "Roger pass me Tavi!" He walked to my Barret and tossed it over, I checked the action and found that a round was inside, i brought Tavi up and peered through her scope the darn thing was flying fast must have been almost a mile out, reconfigured the sights and took aim again i placed my crosshairs a few millimeters above the changeling i slowed down my breathing and in small twitch of my finger i fired. *BOOM* The 50cal failed through the air and obliterated the escaping changeling leaving both left except for small black body pieces that fell to the border of the Everfree forest. With all the changelings dead I placed my rifle back on my shoulder and walked back to the bubble shield with the dead changeling still stuck to it, Roger soon walked over the shield and placed a new magazine in his rifle, I grabbed my knife and pulled it back it was a little tricky but I got. When the knife was out the changeling fell to the dirt road green blood covering the body. I placed my knife back in it's sheath and turned to face my brother. "That was satisfying." i turned my head back to the bubble and spoke again. "Hay girls there all dead you can come out now." The bubble shield started to fade away showing the fears in most of there eyes but there was something else i noticed something that didn't quite catch my attention at first. So I did what I thought was best spoke out about it. "You ponies are freaking short!" > Chapter 6 On the road again. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- •Chapter 6• On the road again I can't wait to get on the road again my real love is making music with my friends, and I can't wait to get on the road again. -Willie Nelson. The bubble shield started to fade away showing the fears in most of there eyes but there was something else i noticed something that didn't quite catch my attention at first. So I did what I thought was best spoke out about it. "You ponies are freaking short." There was no reaction to my sentence only the sound of silence that befell the ponies in front of us. "Well I guess nobody wants to talk oh well." i turned to my brother who was to my right. "Hay Roger give me some morphine and patch my face up." I turned back to the ponies raised my brow and asked them a question. "I'm not gonna get aids from this am I?" I said pointing where the changeling attacked me. Nope not even a chuckle. "I can understand why there not talking." Roger spoke up while retrieving the med kit. "Yeah it's not everyday you see things die but it would be pretty nice for these ponies to say SOMETHING, I mean hell we just saved Ponyville from who knows what those damn bugs would have done." With what Ben said Twilights eye started to twitch and her face getting red with anger. "saved ponyville!,SAVED PONYVILLE! YOU KILLED ALL THOSE CHANGELINGS WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? WHAT HAVE THEY EVER DONE TO YOU?" Twilight was furious with us I don't think she knew what the changeling attack meant. "Twilight my student please calm down there is no need to be upset." Celestia was trying to calm down her student but it would be of no use. "No princess! These two MONSTERS massacred all those changelings for no reason and they showed no mercy to them. They don't belong here, there nothing but heartless evil, MONSTERS they 'need' to be banished from Equestria!" Her words did not hurt me not one bit. She is a fool knowing not what she speaks she knows nothing of what the changelings could have done to this town, all those changelings against the few ponies that can fight they wouldn't have stood a chance against them. "Twilight?" "No Celestia." I spoke in a stern voice "Let me speak to her." I interrupted Celestia for a reason Twilights needs to know why we did this. I knelt down on one knee I placed my face right in front of the purple unicorn 'she is going to realize what the hell happened and why.' "Tell me Twilight why do you think the attacking changelings came here? What was there purpose for coming to Ponyville?" Twilight gave me a death glare while trying to think of an answer. Inevitably her glare began to softened she hung her head in defeat when she could not find an answer. "I-I don't know why they attacked." she looked up to me and looked into my eyes. "I have never heard of a changeling before I have never seen one till today." "When my brother and I we're fighting did Celestia tell you anything about the changelings? What their abilities are?" Twilight gave a sad nod in return. "Yes she said that changelings are creatures from the badlands and that they feed off of love... And after you killed the one that took the form of Applebloom she said that they can also transform in to ponies to disguise themselves." "I want to give you a scenario Twilight. What would have happened if my brother and i were not here when the changelings attacked? What would have happened to Ponyville when they arrived?" Twilight closed her eyes to think about Benjamin's question. 'What would have happened? All of the changelings attacking Ponyville. I know Rainbow Dash and Applejack would have fought them along with Rarity and maybe Pinkie pie I would fight too, Big Mac would help, and Fluttershy would have been to scared. 'Out of all the ponies in town only a few would do anything to help in protecting it. We, we wouldn't have had a chance in protecting Ponyville. Twilight kept her head down she was shaking in fear of what could have been until she broke down and started to cry into her hooves. 'She understands now how truly screwed they we're without us.' I brought my right hand and placed it on Twilights head stroking her mane to calm her down. I kept petting her for a few minutes with no words being said by both parties. Until the lavender mare spoke up. "I understand." she said in a weak tone. "I understand now why you...killed all those changelings *sob* if it... If it wasn't for you the both of you, Ponyville... We wouldn't have stood a chance in the attack." Twilight picked herself back up but kept her head down tears still falling from muzzle. I stopped stroking her mane and placed my hand under her chin and lift her face up so she can see me. "You understand now Twilight why what we did was necessary." she gave me nod in understanding. "Part of what we do is to protect the innocent we will do so even if it cost us our own lives." I gave her a happy smile and scratched under her chin to brighten her mood a little, she smiled back and her face turned from a lavender to a little pink blush. As I began to stand back up to my full height Twilight kept her eyes on mine till there was a faint *cough* next to us. We turned our heads and there was Celestia with questionable look on her face. "You have a question Tia?" I asked her raising my brow. "Yes Benjamin first I want to thank you and you're brother for protecting my little ponies. And I want to apologize for having my guards attack the both of you earlier I acted out of fear that is no way for a princess to act." 'Funny speaking of her guards she hasn't even checked on them once since they went down.' I shrugged my shoulders saying there was no need to apologize. "But there is something I would like to ask?" I walked by her to attend to her guards to check on them while I spoke back to her. "I know what you are going to ask Celestia. You are probably wondering how I knew about the changelings or that these 6 here are the 'elements of harmony.' I happen to know a few things about this world but..." I paused for dramatic effect. "It would be best if we go to canterlot to speak of this matter, also I think Luna would like to know of this as well ." Celestia was shocked of my proposal especially when it included her sister. "How much do you know about my sister... About us?" Celestia asked if it was of great importance. I started to remove the helmets of the guards when I spoke up again. "Quite a bit princess of the sun. But right now is not the time. Twilight can you come here it seems you're brother is beginning to wake up." "SHINING?!" Twilight yelled when racing to her brother. "Shining are you okay speak to me?" she sat next to her brother holding his head trying to help him wake up I stepped away from the two siblings and stood next to Roger. "T-Twily" Shining said while opening his eyes. "T-Twily is that you ow! my head w-what happened?" Twilight wrapped her forelegs around Shining neck and hugged him tight. "Bbbff you're okay." "I'm fine now Twily, but what in Equestria happened?" twilight let go of her brother letting him look around he spotted his fellow guards lying next to him unconscious. "What happened to my guards?!" "Oh um." Twilight looked away stalling in answering Shinings question. She didn't have to wait long till someone got Shinings attention. While we watched Twilight hug her brother Roger leaned in next to my ear to ask the question. "Bbbff?" "Big brother best friend forever." "Really?" "Eeyup." I held up my hand to my lips to stifle my own laughter. Roger caught on to it. "What's so funny?" "Maybe *Snicker* maybe I should call you my 'Bbbff'." I started laughing out loud. From my own comment which caught the ears of a certain 'Captain of the guards'. Shining Armor away from his guards to find the one pony that was laughing it did not take long for him to find one of the creatures he tried to fight against laughing. "CREATURES STAND AWAY FROM THE PRINCESS AT ONCE!" I looked to where I last saw Twilight and Shining Armor. When I looked I saw Shining Glaring at us while trying to stand back up on his hooves, with every second that passed I laughed at him as he tried to get off the ground. "I SAID STAY AWAY FROM THE PRINCESS!" Oh he was so pissed. So I did the best thing I could think of I stepped away from my brother and made a Beeline straight to Celestia as I stood next to her I placed my arm around her neck and hugged her close. As I stared straight to Shining Armor with a smug look on my face next to me was Celestia whom stood still from my touch. "Shinning shinning shinning take a look around you what do think happened here when you we're defeated by US. Do you think even now you would have chance to do anything, hell we defeated you and you're guards in a matter of seconds. As a matter a fact." I took my pistol out of my holster and aimed straight to him. "I can kill you right now!" A collection of gasped was heard from everypony present. "It will take only a second Shining Armor." I paused to let my words sink in into his thick skull. "But." I placed my pistol back in my holster. "I'm not here to kill ponies." It took Shining Armor a few seconds to recover from my death threat when he finally got the balls to ask me a question. "If you are not here to hurt us then why are you here?" "It's one of life's great mysteries, isn't it? Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some... cosmic coincidence? Or is there really a God, watching everything, you know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know man, but it keeps me up at night." •??????• •Pov Fate• A lone being stood tall watching the events at the equestrian farm take place. "I really hope he is quoting Red V.S. Blue!" •Back at the farm• I stood there looking at sky waiting, the ponies around just stood there dumbfounded by me words. "WHAT!?!?!" The ponies screamed in unison. I looked down unto them looking at there expressions... They were priceless. I exploded In laughter Roger doing the same, in my laughter Celestia snuck away from to stand by her subjects, it took my brother a good minute or two to cease our laughter. "By God that was funny you're. *Snicker* you're faces they were priceless hahaha alright *snicker* alright I'm done no more screwing around ...perhaps some time later. Now... what was the question again?" "My question was why are you here in Ponyville?" "Yes I too would like to know you're reason as well?" "AND WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AS WELL CREATURE!?!?" Flying to us was the midnight blue alicorn in her royal regalia her mane flowed like a river with reflection of the stars hanging onto it. 'I wondered when she would get here oh well better late then never.' "GUARDS SURROUND THEM!" she roared in a matter of seconds guards a good two dozen surrounded the both of us, Roger brought his m4 up and I took out my colt 45. We stood back to back waiting incase some pony decided to make a move. "GUARDS STAND DOWN!" Celestia ordered back to her guards. They were apprehensive about their princesses order but one by one the guards retreated back to stand by their princesses but still held caution against us. "Luna what in Faust name are you doing?" "My sister thou said to bring royal guards to Ponyville thou said of a changeling attack?" Luna looked around to the surrounding area, on the dirt ground of the apple farm many changeling bodies her face grew a sour look she turned away from the carnage and to also stifle her growing sadness. "Guards." the new guards that came looked upon the area seeing the dead changelings a few left to another area to vomit others stood stoic from the dead bodies surrounding them. "Guards!" the yell broke the guards from there gaze there attention shot back to there princess. "Good I have you're attention. I want you to split off into groups I want one group to take the unconscious guards to the Ponyville hospital, the other groups I want you to gather anything you can find of the changelings and place them in the everfree." Her guards started murmuring to each other deciding who will do what job until a lone guard walked up the her. "Princess?" "Yes my little pony?" the guard to a look towards Roger and myself till he looked back at Celestia. "What of those two what will you do with them?" this caught the attention of the remaining guards and the night princess. "They will accompany us back to canterlot there will be much for us to discuss." Luna looked apprehensive about this decision she didn't think that, that would be a wise choice. "Sister are you sure we can trust them we don't know anything about them?" "You know we can hear you right Lu-Lu?" Luna froze staring at her sister when I spoke again of another pet name. "How? How do you know of that name?" she asked while slowly looking back into our direction. I chuckled at her wariness "It is part of the many things that we will discuss on our way to canterlot, but may I suggest we start heading out, this place is starting to bum me out." "Yes." Celestia said gathering the attention of her sister, Shining Armor and the mane six. "Let us head back to canterlot there is much for us to discuss." "After you Celestia." I gestured to the sun princess to start our journey. One by one we all fell into sync and started to head to the small town of Ponyville. As we trekked our way out of sweet apple acres he only sounds made where that of the ponies hooves giving a clip clop on the dirt path, silence befell us a no one was willing to start a conversation. 'Well I guess it's up to me.' "You know." I started "I did promise to explain a few things about us." "That you did Benjamin, you also said you would explain how you knew about the changelings and the elements of harmony." "And how does thou know of thy name only my sister ever used?" I thought of their questions and I knew that would have to tell hell they need to know but of course I will not do it here where others can over hear our conversation. "The question of how I know of Equestria, the elements and many other things will have to wait, it would be best if we conversed about that in private i wouldn't want that information to go out to public." "That is a wise choice Benjamin, we can speak about that when we reach the royal carriage. But i would like to know of who you and where you come from?" "Yes that i can explain, well let me introduce my self you Shining and Luna only know of my first name yes?" The Two alicorns and single royal guard nodded their answer. "I am Sgt Benjamin Emilio York part of the United States Navy Seals. And over there standing next to Luna is my brother." Luna turned her head to the right to look at Roger she couldn't see much his gear covering his back and chest with military equipment his sleeves rolled up to his elbow showed the dark skin that covered his arms, she couldn't see much of his face with his military cap on sunglasses covering is eyes, the only thing she could make of him was that he had a dark complexion. "Yes and my name is Lt. Roger Blake York also part of the United States Navy Seals... So which one of you will be the first to ask a question?" "Yes i shall begin." Celestia said "You both stated United States is that the name of you're World?" "Not at all the United States as I mentioned or the full name the United States of America is the name of the country we come from, our planet is known as earth." "That tis interesting what of this Navy Seal? Is that the name of you're royal guard?" "I'll answer that." Roger began to answer as we walked over another hill showing Ponyville only to be a 5 minute walk. "The Navy is a branch of our countries military we have the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. We were trained under the Navy to an elite group of soldiers known as Seals." In the back of the group there was a low mumbling coming from certain royal guard. "Elite my flank! They just got lucky back there." "If I were you Shining Armor." I spoke back to him. "You shouldn't talk shit behind my back." Everyone looked to me then to Shining trying to figure out what just happened. " How did you hear what I said?" he asked skeptically. I chuckled in response. "I didn't, usually when someone mumbles or talk below their breath so no one can hear them means there talking about the other behind their back." I finished off leaving him to lower his ears. "So ... What did you say?" "Like I'm going to tell you!" Shining said in anger and furrowed brows. "Captain!" Celestia looked back to view her Guard. "I am ordering you to speak of what you said!" hesitation grew in Shining he knew he couldn't hold what said in forever, with heavy sigh he furrowed his brow again and spoke. "I said Elite my flank, you just got lucky back at the farm!" he said with much malice and venom he could use. I halted in my tracks causing a pony to slam in to my legs, anger started to slowly grow inside of me, I started to clench my fist in anger my teeth closed tight I was fuming mad. Roger saw is brother clench his fist he knew Ben was angry from such a comment they both worked hard, harder then allot of men would ever try to become what they are. Roger walked over to Ben and placed his hand on his shoulder to try and calm him down. The ponies didn't understand why Ben stopped or the reason he was clenching his fists they just didn't know. I felt Roger grabbing onto my shoulder that alone told me enough to calm myself, I took a deep inhale of oxygen and while I held it in the anger inside started to dissipate into what it should be nothing. When I finally calmed my self I spoke up not turning back to acknowledge any pony their. "You couldn't fathom the hell we go through as Seals, the training alone will break can brake you. We are contracted to do special operation missions, small tactic unit fighting, hostage rescue, demolition, assassinations the list goes on and on, we do things that not even you would dare try. So don't give me that we just got lucky bullshit!" I turned around looking straight at Shining Armor. "I have helped rescue countless number hostages, and in the four years, four years! I have spent as a Seal i have killed over 600 of my own species' actually you can bump up that number since yesterday." "Y-You're a monster what's the point killing you're species is it some sort of sick pleasure you have!?" "SHINING!" Twilight raised her voice at her brother. "You have no clue of the enemies we have faced back on our world or the atrocities they commit, you think you had it bad when Discord was released a few months ago trust me you ain't seen shit." The ponies grew worried looks about things worse then Discord, Shining still had an apprehensive look upon his face 'Asshole!' "Our last mission which was yesterday. At the beginning everything went great, we were sent to another country to eliminate a high value target, his name was Asaad Naul Aidid this man was a target for crimes not only against our country but for others as well, he used woman and children or what you would say mare's and fillies as sex slaves." *Gasps* came from the ponies Luna roared in her royal canterlot voice "What!? WHY!?!?" WHY WOULD A STALLION DO SUCH A THING TO MARE'S AND FILLIES!?!?" I could understand her anger sick basterd deserved death. All the ponies began to cry Applejack and Rarity began to cry to think of somepony wanting to hurt there little sisters and Rainbow silently sobbed thinking of her number fan being treated in such a way Fluttershy and Twilight held each other for comfort, Shining Cried thinking of his sister the two alicorns sobbed to think of such cruel things happening to such young fillies. "I'm not done."I pointed out to them to listen to the rest of what I was to say. "He also sent his own people out to kill innocent civilians all over north America and Europe in all of this, he has had thousands killed for his own cause and amusement" The ponies continued to cry to these atrocities. "You can understand why he needed to die." The ponies slowly nodded their heads while they brushed their tears away. "We fought hard that day Roger and I, after our team killed Asaad we lost contact with them and in the end of it, it was just the two of us, fighting for our Lives we killed over a 100 hundred enemy insurgents while we fled back to the evac zone." *Sigh* my tone grew somber with the reflection of yesterdays event crossing my arms and putting my focus away from the ponies and on to the ground. "But in the end we couldn't make it we were K.I.A." "K.I.A.? What does thou mean?" Luna asked through her teary eyes. "K.I.A. Is and abbreviation meaning Killed in action." I look back to the ponies there eyes with fresh tears streaming down their muzzles with looks of horror in some of their faces. "Honestly it was inevitable." Roger pointed out. "We were heavily out numbered, injured and running low on ammo. Even though we lost our lives we still did our job and that's all that counts." Crying it's what they do alot here even for a princess whom has been alive for over a thousand years will shed tears over this sorrow. "You know what I believe what the worst part of that day was?" the ponies looked to Roger while he himself looked to his brother, Ben picked up on his brothers gaze and figured what he was going to say. "Roger don't!" I said through gritted teeth. "The fact that It was his birthday." "Fuck!" i said under my breath. It was silent at the time the wind in the air was the only sound coming through, Ben held his gaze in the air watching the clouds go by he didn't want the ponies to figure out what was said just yet. The eyes of everyone that was there looked to Ben they didn't want to believe it. Death is one thing but to be killed on a such a certain day it is just horrid. No pony there moved an inch silent tears fled from there eyes. But one lone pony slowly trotted up to the Seal never breaking her gaze away from him she stopped right at his feet she sat on her rump and with one big push from her hind legs she jumped right into his chest wrapping her hooves around his neck silently crying into the man's chest. 'Damn you Roger' I thought to myself, I looked down to spot pinkie crying on my chest her dark pink mane straight as a ruler covered her entire head front and back, i brought my hand up and started to stroke her mane "shhh, shhh it's okay, pinkie it's okay, I'm... Okay." Celestia tried to talk but kept silent as her mouth opened and closed repeatedly until she could find her words. "Benjamin may I ask how ol.-" "24." I said cutting her off. The number i used made pinkie squeeze me tighter as if i was going to blow away like dust in the wind. "So young to lose one's life." Celestia said as she looked to me then to Roger. As i kept stroking pinkies mane i looked upon the other ponies, it's a sob fest with Fluttershy rolled up into a ball, i took a glance at Shining when i met his gaze he quickly looked away in shame. I looked back into the direction of Ponyville the small buildings that flooded the town, the giant tree standing right in the middle, I couldn't see any ponies trotting around but I didn't pay it any mind. With out speaking a single word I made my way inside Ponyville while I held a crying pink mare in my arms. The others fell behind me giving pinkie and I some distance between them it was silent once again and as I started to pass the first few houses that bordered Ponyville I looked to my pink passenger still crying in my chest with little hiccups every once in a while. Pinkie shouldn't like this, this is not her, am I sad that I died especially on that day, nah I really don't give a shit, she shouldn't be sad on my part none of them should, I'm gonna have to fix this. 'And i know exactly what's going to fix it.' i thought bringing a devilish smile to my lips while I looked to the pink pony. And here we go! "~My name is Pinkie Pie And I am here to say I'm gonna make you smile And I will brighten up your day~ As I walked through Ponyville singing pinkies song she herself began to stir from her position on my chest. "~It doesn't matter now If you are sad or blue Cuz cheering up my friends Is just what Pinkie's here to do! Cuz I love to make you smile, smile smile! Yes I do! It fills my heart with sunshine all the while! Yes it does! Cuz all I really need's a smile, smile, smile From these happy friends of mine!~" Pinkie looked up away from Ben's chest and into his eyes, she could see no sadness In them as if the conversation they all had a few minutes ago never happened. "~I'd like to see you grin. I'd love to see you beam. The corners of your mouth turned up is always Pinkie's dream. But if you're kind of worried, And your face has made a frown, I'll work real hard and do my best To turn that sad frown upside down!~" I started to lift Pinkie up into the palms of my hands to make her Eye level with me, she noticed this but didn't care, I stared into her eyes as I continued the song. "~Cuz I love to make you grin, grin, grin! Yes I do!~" I brought her nose to nose with me and wiggled around kinda of like an Eskimo kiss, this got her frown to quiver, her lips began to move in the opposite direction, the darkened color of her mane began to recede the curls in her mane were slowly beginning to morph. "~Bust it out from ear to ear! Let it begin! Just give me a joyful grin, grin, grin! And ya feel me with good cheer! It's true some days are dark and lonely. And maybe you feel sad? But Pinkie will be there to, Show you that it isn't that bad! There is one thing that makes me happy, And makes my whole life worth while! And that's when I talk to my friends and get them to smile!~" I began to tickle her ribs making her smile more noticeable her mane was very close to being bright pink again and most of her mane was curled up into usually poofy style that it was. "~I really am so happy Your smile fills me with glee. I give a smile, I get a smile And that's so special to me. Cuz I love to see you beam, beam, beam! Yes I do! Tell me what more can I say to make you see, That I do!? It makes me happy when you beam, beam, beam! Yes it always makes my day!~" Pinkie began to sing with me her mane and tail to their usual poofyness her smile was on full force instead of me holding her in front me she decided to climb onto my back wrapping her hooves around my neck again as we continued on. "~()Come on everypony Smile, smile, smile! Fill my heart up with sunshine, Sunshine! All I really need's a smile, smile, smile! From these happy friends of mine! It's the perfect gift for me! It's a smile as wide as a mile! To make me happy as can be! Smile! Smile! Smile! Smile! Smile! Come on and Smile! Come on and Smile!~" > Chapter 7 Noooooo!/Speech. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- •NOOOOOO!/Speech• As the ponies and two Seals walked through the town of Ponyville, near the center of town stood Ponyville's town hall where a mass of the town's population stood at the entrance wanting answers for today's events. "Why are the princesses here!?" "What were those loud noises coming from sweet apple acres!?" "Are we under attack!?" "JUST WHAT THE BUCK IS GOING ON!?!?" The ponies at the town hall were scared they didn't know what was happening, they just knew that both of the princesses were there in Ponyville and with them a large group of royal guards. The ponies were becoming more frantic by the minute but as the next second past the mayor, Mayor Mare stepped out of town hall to address the citizens of her town and to answer the question's they have has best has she could. "CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE PLEASE CALM YOURSELVES!" Mayor Mare shouted, with gusto the ponies constant badgering began to simmer down to murmur thanks to the mayor. "Now then I know alot of you have question of what is happening at sweet apple acres but rest assured the princesses are there to help." The many ponies there at town hall started firing off questions left and right at the mayor, she was becoming overwhelmed when she finally had enough. "SILENCE!!!" The ponies constant questioning stopped right after she yelled. "Now I want you to raise you're hoof if you have a question then I will choose which pony to call upon understand!?" All at once the crowd of ponies answered "YES." with a sigh of relief Mayor Mare began selecting the ponies that had questions. One by one she answered with the best of her abilities questions rained from, 'Why the princesses are here' or 'Are we under attack'. With each question asked Mayor Mare assured the citizens that everything was alright that there was no need for panic. Just as she finished reassuring everything was alright the sound of a song being sung interrupted the ponies at town hall, the ponies looked all around trying to find the singing pony, but unknown to them the singing pony turn duo was about to reveal themselves. •Pov Ben• Smile! Smile! Smile! Smile! Smile! Come on and Smile! Come on and Smile! Pinkie and I just finished her very own patented smile song as we kept walking through Ponyville and I was glad I could see that big happy smile of hers one of things I liked about the pink party pony. Just as we finished singing we passed what looked like a local eating establishment, but once we passed we were confused in what we saw. Standing in front of Pinkie and I was what looked like the entire populace of Ponyville. Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth ponies all stood in front us some with shocked expressions some of them were confused. I stood there Pinkie still on my back hanging her hooves around my neck while the ponies starred at the two of us. Both sides said nothing. Their was nothing. Earlier i wandered if the ponies would flee in terror from the big bipedal monsters but they didn't, all in all they stood there ground as I stood mine. Zecora must of helped them with there xenophobia. Eventually Roger and the others finally caught up to us it was about damn time too. I didn't really know how long it would take for the ponies to start freaking out but now I was glad Celestia and Luna were here beside us, who knows what the hell would have happened. Even with the Princesses beside me there was still the awkward silence that fell upon the town, but like the ruler she is Celestia brought her hoof up to begin speaking to her loyal subjects. "Citizens of Ponyville I see that you have questions and I also see that most of you are scared and confused. I am here to say that there is no cause for alarm, there was a small incident at sweat apple acres but nothing to worry about. I also see that all of you are wondering who these two are well here with me are Equestria's newest residence they come from a far away land and there are known as 'Humans'. With me here are Sgt Benjamin Emilio York." "Yo" I waved to the crowd who just stared back at me. "And over here is his brother Lt Roger Blake York." "Hi" said in response "Now I'm sorry my little ponies but we must be off there many things that we must discuss in Canterlot but rest assured that these two mean you all no harm and that you are all safe." Large amounts of happy sighs left the mouths of the happy ponies in town, with the assurance of the solar princess why shouldn't they be. Celestia turned back to our group with a happy smile on her muzzle. "Well I'm glad my little pony's are not causing chaos." (Hehe funny) "Come the chariot is close by once we leave then we can discuss a few matters on the way to the castle." "Well then lead the way Celestia." I told her with that she started to trot her way to what supposed to be the direction of her chariot after a few steps I caught twilight looking at me for some reason. "Something on you're mind Twilight?" I asked her with a raised brow. "Um yes I do I have to ask why do you call the princess by her name Instead of well saying well princess?" I looked to her and I knew why I didn't call either Celestia or Luna princess it is because in America we didn't have royalty and also for the fact that I fucking hated royalty god I'm glad I got the assassination job to kill the queen of England. Stupid bitch Honestly trying to retake power over the people of the united kingdom big no no the people did not like that one bit. I don't know why M.I.6 asked the U.S. For the assassination but I never really cared I'm just glad I got the job. "Easy to answer Twilight One. We don't have royalty in our country Two. It doesn't matter who you are king, queen, prince, princess I'm still going to treat you as my equal so with that if you are a part of royalty dont expect me to acknowledge you as such." The girls were skeptical about my response but it is the truth, both Rarity and Twilight did not like it one bit. "Well I must say Benjamin that what you just said very uncouth I mean really." "Now Rarity I know what I said may seem that I would not respect Celestia or Luna but I do, you see some of those who happen to be of royalty tend to miss use their power and that is one of the things I do not like about royalty." Rarity had a look remembrance on her face she thought back at the time of gala when she spent time with the insufferable prince blueblood. *sigh* "You do have point dear Benjamin I have had my share of being acquainted with an unsavory part of royalty." she shivered at the thought of what happened that night. "Please let us not speak of this any further." "Very well Rarity we won't speak of this. Celestia?" I called to her. "How long until we reach you're carriage?" I asked her with a raised brow. "Well why don't you look ahead of you we already here." I looked to the carriage it was 'tiny' I mean seriously it looked as if Celestia and Luna could barely fit and hell Roger and I are taller then the both of them. "I highly doubt we are all going to fit in that tiny thing, look there about 11 of us do you really think we all can fit?" I asked her but she kept a small smile on her muzzle as if nothing could be wrong. "It may seem small Sgt but it is alot larger on the inside." she spoke back to me before heading on inside, one by one the group of ponies went Inside first Celestia followed by her sister Luna, then Shining Armor, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. Pinkie and I were up next to get in 'She is still wrapped around my neck' I looked inside and i can see the ponies looking at Pinkie and I and most had looks of being impatient Especially skittles'. I lifted my right leg up on to the door i placed a bit of my weight on it till i heard. *Creak* Their. Is. No. Way. In. Hell. I'm climbing into this thing. I know it was just a creak from my weight but it was only a tiny bit of my weight i mean hell with all my gear i should weigh at least 320 not including pinkie actual how much does she freaking weigh seriously she has been with me since we left Sweet Apple Acres and it feels like she weighs as much as Tavi does... Fucking weird! With that initial thought still plaguing my mind I stepped aside from the carriage and looked to Roger. "Yeah you go ahead and get on first bro." Roger didn't question me he simply shrugged his shoulders and went on and stepped inside. •Ten seconds later• *CRREEEAAAAAKKKKKK* •Twenty seconds later• *SNAP* •Five seconds later• *CRASH* The axles on the carriage snapped sending the damn thing to crash onto the Ponyville street sending dust and dirt to fly away from the wreckage. I looked inside to see a multiple pony and one human pile-up. "You see." I spoke to the others inside while chuckling like a hyena. "I knew this was going to happen." When Pinkie saw the ponies and human inside the wreckage she went into a fit of giggles and fell of my back. "Really funny asshole now shut up and help us out of this blasted thing!" Roger yelled. There were sounds of discomfort and maybe pain coming from the ponies inside as I helped Roger out the carriage. "Hay get yer flank off ma face!" "Oops s-s-sorry A-a-applejack." "Would some pony please be a dear and GET OFF OF ME!!!" "Tia." *grunt* "Maybe thou should stop eating so much cake thous flank tis getting quite LARGE." "LUNA!!!" Celestia roared, a giggle came from Luna as Roger helped her out of the carriage, all the ponies aside from Celestia were outside the carriage waiting for there solar princess to exit the broken down wreckage. As I helped Celestia get back on to her hooves I came close to her and spoke not so loud that the other could hear us but just enough so she can hear my words. "If it means anything from me I think you have a very nice flank." Celestia stood there dumbfounded from Ben's words never in her entire life as anypony or any creature ever had the courage to complement or for that matter to say anything to the solar princess about her own flank. Aside from her sister of course. Celestia face turned bright red from the soldiers words, the two of them slowly got outside of the carriage Celestia face was still a little red and this caught the attention of her little sister. "Sister is thou alright tis face looks a bit red?" "I-I'm ok Luna." Celestia stumbled with her words she looked around seeing the ponies that were inside the carriage were not and looked to be in good health, well except Rarity whom was complaining about her mane. Celestia sighed and looked to the wrecked carriage. "I believe flying to Canterlot will be out of the question." "Indeed it is. Now is there any other way of getting to Canterlot?" I asked and with irony the sound of a horn invaded our ears. *Tooooooot Tooooooot* I whipped my head around and noticed the approaching train coming into the old timey type train station. "Well that answered my question." I looked back to the ponies all of them fixed themselves from unfortunate accident and looked ready to leave once again. "Looks like we're taking the train, everyone ready to go?" The others looked to me and gave me different confirmations of being ready. Rarity still complained about her mane but we had to get to train before it left. 'part of me asks why the hell do I like to hear her complain? Well beats me. Honestly I find it cute.' We made are way to the train station it wasn't far just a couple of blocks the ponies talked about why the carriage broke down Celestia had the two Pegasi that flew the carriage to Ponyville told them to stay there and take the carriage the local blacksmith for repairs. Back to our journey to the train we reached our destination. I looked at the train and it was pink really really pink I looked over the rest of the pink monstrosity and noticed that the only ponies that were left on board were the one's coming out of the last caboose at the end of the train. I still had my vision to the last caboose until Celestia caught my attention. "B-Ben please make you're way Inside the train shall leave for Canterlot soon." i could still see a hint of red in her face 'My comment couldn't have affected her that much to cause a blush. Would it?' i shrugged my shoulders and didn't bother to look into the matter. I made my way inside and saw the caboose i walked into was fit for a king or should i say princess, it had the works, a crystal chandelier hung from the top of the caboose the chair's, drapes hell mostly everything was laced with finest of silk and there was a bedding area that took almost half of the caboose 'Damn I have never been on cross country train before or whatever the hell their called oh and the dart train in Dallas doesn't even come close the equaling to comparison to this train.' I was the only being left standing as the others already chosen their seating I looked around trying to find a spot to sit in but noticed that the ponies took all the chairs and pillows to sit on, Roger himself decided to sit on the floor, I looked around and the only thing that wasn't preoccupied was the king size bed at the end of the caboose with a shrug i made my way over to it, I took Tavi off my back and placed her right beside me on the bed I got myself comfortable because part of me knew this was going to be a long long trip. As Ben and the others made themselves comfortable for their long trip inside the caboose at the end of the train the last passenger exited from the caboose taking her first few hoof steps out she looked around and she noticed something was... Different. The mare made her way away from the train station and into the town center of Ponyville she looked around and saw that every mare, stallion filly and colt were there speaking to one another. "What the buck?!" the mare exclaimed eyes wide open with confusion. From all the ponies talking she couldn't here the one pony trying to get her attention "Lyra LYRA!!!" The pony shouted catching the attention of the mint green mare she blinked away her confusion and looked around to find the voice shouting her name. "LYRA!" The voice shouted again the mint green mare whipped her head around and found the one pony calling her, it was her best friend. Bon-Bon a tan colored earth pony with a two toned mane colored blue and and a swirl of pink. "Bon-Bon!" Lyra yelled as she ran over to her roommate giving the earth a pony a big hug. "Well it's good to see you to Lyra, oh how was the audition in Canterlot?" Lyra gave her best friend a big grin when Bon-Bon asked. "I nailed it I'm going to be part of the first chairs for the all the concerts!" "I'm very proud of you Lyra did they tell you when you're first performance will be?" "Huh? oh yeah should be in about a month or so. Hey Bonny what in Celestia's name is going on? All of Ponyville is out here!" "Oh um Lyra?" Bon-Bon said nervously. "Before I say anything I want to tell you I'm sorry." Lyra was confused why would Bon-Bon say she's sorry? "Sorry for what?" she asked. "Well um it seems you were right the entire time. About the humans. They do exist." "WHAT?! Bon-Bon why do you all of a sudden believe me about the humans!?" She asked with a raised brow. "Lyra." *Sigh* "I don't think you are going like what I have to say but well there were humans here two of them they were being escorted to the train station by the princesses with Twilight and her friends." Lyra stood there looking at her friend trying to figure if she was lying but the look on Bon-Bon's face said it all. "WHAT!?!?!?" *TOOOOOT TOOOOOT* Lyra whipped her head around again looking to the train seeing it being ready to depart to Canterlot. In a mad dash she made her way to the train station she was at a full gallop when the wheels began to turn giving the locomotive enough power to move forward. Lyra was so close but yet so far the engine of the train proved that it was to powerful and train itself proved that it was to fast for the mint green unicorn to keep up with, the further away it got the further away her dreams of meeting a human would be achieved. It was now only in the distance where the train was that Lyra gave up on trying to catch it her legs buckled causing her to stumble forward she watched as the train rounded the mountain finally escaping her view. Lyra couldn't control the tears there were beginning to stream down her muzzle, she sat upon her haunches and lifted her fore legs into the air as she screamed. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" •thus ends our tale in Ponyville the humans the princesses along with Shining Armor and the mane six sit quietly in the caboose while the train made it's way to Canterlot.• •Meanwhile in another universe!• It has been four hours since the raid on Asaad Naul Aidid's compound in southern Afghanistan with the word Texas being used as code for kill confirmed on Asaad once Texas was called reports starting blasting all over the internet causing thousand of U.S. Citizens to flock to the white house in Washington D.C. To show support and thanks on the raid against the new Al-Qaeda leader. But for the president that would only be the good news that he will report to the people of the United States. Inside the war room The President was pacing back and forth in thought his staff stood by waiting for the President to say something, it was then President Obama halted in his tracks and looked straight to his staff. "How could this have happened." He asked looking to General Walberg "Why were we not notified of any enemy armor near the compound!?" President Obama was furious the raid may have been a success but at the loss of two soldiers it was unacceptable. "Mr. President I have personally checked all satellite images on and near the compound there shows no signs of any Enemy Armor even remotely close to the compound sir." President Obama went back to his chair sitting down with his right hand placed over his brow deep in thought. A few minutes passed and nobody inside the room said a single word the President removed his hand from his brow and looked up to his staff still waiting for his words. "Who were they? General who were the soldiers that lost their Lives today?" General Walberg looked through his portfolio searching for the soldiers listed for the raid, as the General scanned his documents two files popped out. The files he was looking for. General Walberg scanned both files noticing that something was same about both, when he pieced it together he exclaimed rather loudly. "Dammit!" "General?" President Obama question. "Mr. President you may want to have a look at these." The General said as he walked to the president's desk handing him both files. President Obama opened each file taking out the first page to both, both pages showed a picture of the soldier his name, rank, date of birth, ECT. In his right hand Obama held the page of the soldier Lt. Roger Blake York, height 6,1, 27 years of age date of birth December, 10th, 1985 ethnicity Black. The president read details of Lt. York's file the picture showed a black man with short buzz cut hair no signs of any scars or any other type of abnormality. As the President finished reading Lt. York's file he placed the file on his desk and began reading the other. Sgt. Benjamin Emilio, York. "Wait. Brothers?" President Obama asked which got a nod from the General, President Obama read further into the file, height 6,4, 23 years of age date of birth June 8th, 1988. "General am I reading this right it says here that Sgt York's birthdate is... Today?" "Their is no error their Mr. President that file is the most up to date one we have." "Jesus Christ!" Obama exclaimed. He dropped both files on to his desk and clenched his hands to form fists. "This was supposed to be simple operation! Just simple get in grab Intel annihilate target and leave!" *sigh* Obama unclenched his fist and brought his hands together over his face, his voice became somber with his new thought "The American people are waiting outside right now wanting a speech just like last time, but now I have to tell them we lost two of our own and they were brothers no less." Behind The President stood the second in command Vice-President Joe Biden he had frown upon his face as he looked to the nation's leader. "Barack what's done is done they did their job, what happened to them was unexpected but you can not beat yourself up for that, the best thing we can do is honor those two brothers for their deeds." President Obama took his hands away from his face he turned around to look at Vice President Biden, he new he was right those two brothers fought for their lives against outnumbering enemy forces even though they lost, the mission itself was still a success and that what was needed to be done. "Joe you're right we will honor them for their bravery against the Impossible. Send someone to the roof i want the flag at half mast today, let us go the world is waiting for us." The President left the war room his staff close behind him as he made his way outside to the podium he would to inform the world of today's success and failure. Thousand's of Americans where outside the white house gates waiting for the nation's leader to confirm the successful raid on Asaad's compound many brought with them American flags, and many posters depicting their hatred for the Al-Qaeda leader. Chants were yelled beginning to heighten the crowds enthusiasm. "U.S.A.!!!" "U.S.A.!!!" "U.S.A.!!!" All the chanting of the people ceased as President Obama made is way to the podium in front of him cameras from many news station filled his view along with thousands of people standing outside the gates. President Obama took in a deep breath and exhaled coming his nerves. "My fellow Americans it is today that I confirm that Asaad Naul Aidid is no more." The crowd outside the white house gates exploded in joy chants grew louder the people were ecstatic the one man that had terrorized their country and her sisters was now dead. The crowed was still chanting and the President could hear it but there was no smile upon his face instead a lone tear fell from his eye and all the cameras in front him captured it. The crowds chanting began to die down for the president was not finished with his speech. "Our Seal team successfully raided Asaad's compound in southern Afghanistan where they were able to take down Asaad and gather all Intel of Al-Qaeda's plans, again we did take down Asaad but not without losses of our own." The President finished his sentence and that moment the flag on top of the white house slowly made it's way to half mast. The people were confused and worried reporters start trying to get the Presidents attention but only one voice broke through. "Mr. President what happened?" "I will not go Into detail, after our Seal team raided the compound enemy forces started to move in on the compound, we lost two today they were not just brothers in arms but actual brothers." All was silent from the reporters they waited for the President to continue what he had to say it wasn't about a moment latter to secret service agents walked up to the podium and stood by the president side each one carrying a photo of a deceased soldier. "These two are who we lost today they are... Were brothers this here." he picked up the photo to his right. "This is Lt. Roger, Blake York." he showed the cameras the picture of the black Lt. In his officers uniform. he handed the picture back over to the agent that held it before him, President Obama turned around and grabbed the other photo of the now deceased soldier. "This is Sgt. Benjamin, Emilio York. Both soldiers lost contact with their squad as enemy forces moved in on the compound they fought for their Lives today doing their best to evade the enemy forces." As the president continued his speech 1,300 miles away a lone woman stood in her three bedroom house in Frisco Texas watching the President give his speech on her television as the photos of the two soldiers whom lost their Lived were showed her heart broke and shatterd the woman fell to her knees as tears began to stream down her face. "My son's." was all she could say as she broke down further falling limp onto the floor as she cried her eyes out with tears, never in her life has she been so broken her only son's were now gone from this world never to return. Never again could she hear her son's laughs to see theirs smile's to celebrate their... Birthday. > Chapter 8 Revealing The Truth > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- •Revealing The Truth• The train rounded the side of the mountain as it made it's way to canterlot. The 11 beings inside were relaxing comfortable as the train went. Ben had taken off most of his gear he placed his rifle and pistol magazine's inside his backpack and was now beginning to remove his Kevlar vest but noticed an unbearable stench coming from his body. *Sniff* *Sniff* "Dear god I smell!" that exclamation caught the attention everyone else on board as they looked at Ben whom trying not to vomit as he removed his Kevlar vest. 'I have been through a lot of shit in my time but seriously this shit stinks' "Ugh! I really need a shower. Their wouldn't happened to be one I can use on this train is their?" Celestia shook her head to me. "I'm afraid not Benjamin." "Damn well how long till we reach Canterlot?" "Oh only about five hours." Twilight answered. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried not to breath in my stink. "I smell like blood and sweat, does any unicorn or alicorn here know of a spell that can de-funk me? Oh and my brother as well?" I asked. The three unicorns and two alicorns look towards one another wandering if any of them knew of such a spell. With a look of disappointment on all of their faces I knew that they didn't. Rarity seemed to perk up a bit as she made her way to me. "I'm sorry darling it seems that we do not know of any spell such as that but if you will let me I could remove those stains with a bit of my magic." she was enthusiastic about the hole thing and I had no complaints about it so what the hell. "Sure just give me a minute." Rarity gave me a nod. I turned around my back facing the others as I began to remove the rest of my gear I had already placed my magazines and grenades inside my back pack and my Kevlar vest was already off so all I had to do was remove my jacket and shirt and everything will be ready for Rarity. I was almost finished when Rarity call out to me. "Benjamin dear what is that on your back is that a cutie mark?" my back? What could be on my Oh! Right. "It's not a cutie mark miss Rarity what I have on my back is known by my species as a tattoo." "Um if you don't mind me asking Benjamin what is a tattoo?" "I don't mind Rarity. A tattoo is an artificial image or word that is surgically imprinted on to the body meaning I paid someone to use a needle on me to write a word on my back." "D-did it h-hurt?" a shy voice asked me "Indeed it did Fluttershy but it's worth it if you know what to have tattooed on you." "Hmm I've seen language like that before but I can't place where." Twilight mused. "You have the Latin language here?" Roger asked her "What? Latin is that what that word is written in?" "Yes this word is written in the Latin Language it reads Veritas meaning Truth. Roger has one too his reads Aequitas meaning Justice." "I think we watched to much Boondock Saints growing up that's why we have these." "Boondock what now?" Applejack asked confused. "Nevermind that. Rarity I've finished." I placed the last of my blood soaked gear on the bed as it was noticeable that I had no item of clothing covering the upper half of my body, I turned signaling that was finished but as soon as I turned three loud *POMFS* resonated from inside the caboose. *POMF* *POMF* *POMF* My eyes made contact with ponies on the other side of the room, in my view I could see three certain ponies two of them being The Princesses sporting what I knew would be from reading a few certain fics, (WINGBONERS) that alone brought a smile to my face. I could see that Celestia and Rainbow Dash had a certain amount of crimson flushing there cheeks as they looked to me both of their mouths agape. Luna on the other hand I could barely detect any flushing of the cheeks at all her midnight blue coat made it really hard to find. The others I haven't forgotten about them, as I looked to the others Rarity was swooning a bit as she placed a hoof over her muzzle as her coat turned pink. Applejack took her Stetson and place it over her muzzle as she smiled and blushed like a mad mare. Pinkie the hyper party pony wasn't bouncing like she usually would hell she wasn't even smiling she sat their on her rump eyes the size of platter plates, mouth agape at the sight of me, there was a possibility of drool coming out the side of her mouth but that could be my imagination. Twilight I couldn't see much of her. She looked down to the floor as her mane covered her eyes she moved just a bit just enough for me to catch a smile on her muzzle as the train hit a slight bump on the tracks. The last two ponies being Fluttershy and Shining Armor well I'm really glad Shining isn't looking at me like the others were he had more of a look of envy on him as I looked to him he hurriedly looked away and place his left hoof behind his neck trying to shy away from the awkwardness', last but not least was Fluttershy out of all the mare's she is the only pony that doesn't seem flustered as much as the others her mane blocked my view of seeing her eye's but i just chalked it up to her being shy. I looked to my brother i gave him a knowing grin. "I knew i look sexy but damn!" If these mares keep staring their gonna start bleeding out their nose and as much as I would like to see that. It's gotta stop. *sigh* "Roger you got an extra Bdu?" "Here hurry up a put it on before one of those ponies faints!" He tossed over his extra shirt which I went ahead and put it on. Although I had put on the shirt the mare's kept staring at me I looked to the back where Celestia Luna and Rainbow Dash were their wings were still stretched out their full lengths and might I add Celestia wing span is really impressive I squint my eyes trying to look closer I swear I can see their wings throb like a heartbeat. *Throb - Throb - Throb - Throb* Yeah I'm going to have to break this up right now. "HAY!!!" I yelled while I loudly clapped my hands together. This seemed to shake the ponies from their hypnosis maybe? I dont know. I all I know is that they broke their gaze away from me and hurriedly look to the floor the Alicorns and Rainbow Dash still had their wings out. And it wasn't my imagination. Their really was a puddle of drool right next to Pinkie Pie. It was quite a while for one of them to begin speaking and to begin it with Rarity. "Oh my I did not know you human's were so defined in you're body structure." Rarity mentioned still with her coat still pink in color but slowly fading back to her marshmallow white coat "Do all you humans look..." she paused her coat slowly turning pink again. "Like that?" I chuckled a bit while I shook my head "Nope sorry to say but I'm one of a kind." I said to her while i crossed my arms. Applejack looked to Ben while he crossed his arms their she noticed something on them she squinted her eye's looking to get a better view. Her eyes snapped open when she found what the image was. It was of. Her. "WHAT THE HAY IS ON YER ARM!?" Applejack yelled pointing her hoof at Ben's arm. The shout itself caught the attention of everyone on board, Ben himself un crossed his arms to look at what she was yelling about. And their he saw it the image of Applejack herself crossing her forelegs while her eye's gave a half lidded look. "Holy Hell I still have these!?" Ben exclaimed loudly their on his arms were the mane six tattooed on his arms like they were never cut off by those Al-Qaeda assholes. Everyone looked to Ben and noticed he was looking at his arms the ponies in the caboose look to what Ben was looking at noticed the images on his arms their were loud gasps coming from six mares in the room. *Gasps* A growl came from Shining Armor when he saw an image of his sister (I honestly wanted to tattoo Twilight doing her ladybug dance of course that may have been a bit much so I decided against it seriously having twilight sticking her flank in the air kinda much don't you think?) "What is the meaning of this!?" Celestia asked to me her voice was mixture of confusion and suspicion. "First you say that you know of me and my subjects and now we see these." She then uses her hoof to point to my tattoos of the mane six on my arms. "I want the truth now!" she emphasized by slamming her hoof on the floor. "You want the truth?" I asked her with a raised brow. "Yes!" she narrowed her eyes back to me. I stepped forward from where i stood pointing my finger straight to her. "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" The ponies jumped back in fright from my outburst. Shining Armor charged his horn for an attack. Celestia and Luna eyes grew wide with worry of what I might do. In a matter of seconds the room that was filled with nothing but silence exploded in laughter from the soldier sitting on the bed. The ponies looked to one another dumbfounded with what happened. Shining Armor slowly let the spell he held fade away as the laughter continued. "Hahaha oh Jesus tap dancing Christ, I always wanted to say that line hahaha. Ah! That was hilarious." "What in Faust's name was that for!?" Celestia yelled at me. I could see Roger snickering to himself from what happened and I just kept a smile on my face. "Thou nearly frightened us to death!" "Look. Look I'm sorry I had to do that. The tension in the room was getting to high. Plus I always wanted to say that line." "I would still like to know why you have cutie marks of my sister and her friends!?" Everything went silent again in the caboose. All the ponies looked to me with raised brows waiting for an answer. "Well this is gonna be awkward." Roger said aloud breaking the silence. "Alright fine I'll start explaining a few things. If you have a question raise you're hoof. Got it?" The ponies nodded the head vigorously. "Also what I say will not leave this room." "Ok let me start by asking a question. Does anypony here know of a theory called the multi-verse?" All the ponies looked straight to Twilight for an answer. She herself didn't know of any theory such a that. She slowly shook her head giving everyone the opposite of what they where hoping for. "Ok then let me put it this way. Their are an infinite number of universes out there. Some where. Some are the similar to one another and some are vastly different. But it's the little things that make each universe their own. Example there would be a universe where Twilight never became Celestia's student." The lavender mare's eyes grew wide over that concept. "Or how about a universe where Nightmare Moon was never banished." The ponies gasped at such a thing. To think a their is a universe where the land was covered in eternal darkness. Luna face grew a sad look when I reminded her the monster she used to be. "Now you're probably wandering how this theory works in our universe. Well here's the thing. You." I pointed to them. "All of you exist there. But not in a way you would think." The ponies stayed silent as I turned around and looked through my back pack searching for my laptop. "Tell me do you have movies here in Equestria?" My back was still turned as Twilight answered my question. "Well yes we do. It has only been available for the past few years and the quality is ok not as good as what we have for our music industry. But to simply answer your question yes we do have movies here in Equestria." "Excellent." I said as I turned back around my laptop in my arm. "What in the hay is that?" Rainbow questioned. "Oh this? This is my laptop." The pony's gave me a certain look saying they wanted more details. "Ok like I said this thing is a laptop. With this device I can watch movies, listen to music, play video games ECT, ECT. The reason I brought it out was that their is something you all should see." I sat back down onto the bed and opened my laptop hitting the power button so we could get this event started. "Now I'm going to show you all. A movie if you will. But before I do let me ask. What was the last major event to happen in Ponyville?" The six young mares looked to one another before they huddled together to collaborate on which event to choose from the many things that happened in Ponyville. "So what ya girls thinkin? I say we go with the hole Flim Flam Brothers thing that happened at ma farm." "Oh! Oh! What about Mr. Cranky Doodle Donkey? He was fun." "I'm thinking more about the time Rainbow Dash broke into the hospital to steal the Daring Do book." "Twilight!" Rainbows face gave a scowl to the purple unicorn. "No! I do not one these stallions to think I'm an egghead." Twilight rolled her eyes on response. "I say we go with Aj's story." The others all gave a nod to each other as they broke the huddle. Damn my laptop only has 40% percent battery life left. I hope they have electrical plug-ins here. I looked up from the computer screen to see the others looking at me ready to speak their minds. "Well I gotta say the last big event ta happen their in Ponyville was those gosh darn Flim Flam Brothers. Tried ta take ma farm away from ma family." Well I'll go with that. Of course I still need to know if anything else has happened I need to know where the show stands at the moment. Back in Ponyville I saw that Cranky Doodle Donkey guy so it's passed that point and I know that the changelings haven't attack yet so right now the story is right in between those two points of time. "Well I have to say that explains a lot. Now back to the matter at hand." I opened my Zune program and entered the My Little Pony folder. I knew which episode I was going to play for them. And it is going to be embarrassing to one lavender colored pony. I grabbed the table that sat at the side of the bed and placed my laptop on top of it. I placed my laptop in front of me as I prepared the video for the ponies standing in front me. "Ok you all are going to watch a video on my laptop don't bother asking any questions until the video is finished. I know what your about to see may seem strange and I'll answer all of you're questions when it is done." I turned the laptop over to the screen facing to the ponies and pressed play. "Welcome to 'Lesson Zero.' "My Little Pony, My Little Pony, Ah Aah Aah Aah, My Little Pony." Minutes passed and the show had started coming to an end. As the credits started to roll I slowly closed my laptop and began putting it back in side my pack back. "What? What did we just watch?" I turned around looking at the ponies, they had backed away to the other side of the caboose in fright. Their eyes were wide and the had looks a fear in them. It was opposite of what I thought it would be. 'Dammit how could I have been so stupid! Of course they would freak out to something like this.' I sat back down on the bed. I placed my elbows on my knees and intertwined my hands together. I started to tap my thumbs on my cheeks as I went through what I would tell them in my head. 'I just better be blunt about this.' "What you just saw was a television show from our universe, known as 'My Little Pony.' The cartoon is centered on you six the Elements of Harmony and goes into detail of your adventures together. It all first started with the defeat of Nightmare Moon." there eyes grew even wider as I mentioned her name. "Later on in went to many more adventures, like the Sonic Rainboom at the Best Young Flyers Competition. Not to mention how you six defeated Discord the lord of chaos. And there is more. Alot more." People say that. 'The tension in the room is so thick one could almost cut it with a knife.' yeah that's exactly what's happening now. I don't know for how long we all stayed silent. There was no talking, no whispering, yelling or any form of speech just the clanking sounds of the trains wheels. More time passed as both groups stared at each other. Celestia walked forward from her group. She wanted to know how much more the human knew. "Tell me Benjamin how? How is this possible? Can your magic let you see into our world?" "Magic? Humans do not have magic." Celestia wanted to speak again but I did not let her. "You ask to know how we know you?" Celestia gave me a nod. "It's simple... We created you." Those last words I spoke drove the once silent ponies into anger. Most yelled at me for saying such lies. Twilight's eyes started to twitch. Rainbow and Rarity gave scowls of hate for saying such things. "Tis a lie. Tis not possible to create those whom have lived for over a thousand years or to create a world filled with many different species'. Your claims are false human!" They kept with their arguing and yelling against me. No matter how much they yelled it did not phase me. I knew this would happen. They wanted to know truth and that's what I gave them well giving them. There is still more to tell about. I raised up my right and trying to calm them down little by little the yelling began to dwindle till the minute passed and they were silent again. "I know what I said seemed illogical." Luna huffed at me saying 'Clearly' but I let it pass. "What I meant by we created you. I mean we created your adventures. From Twilight moving to Ponyville all the way to Pinkie befriending Cranky Doodle Donkey. Plus more. But that's what's weird about the multi-verse. Everything is created with a single thought. A universe where Rainbow Dash is captain of the Wonderbolts. A universe where Applejack never left Manehattan. It goes on an on an on. Hell a universe where you ponies create adventures for us humans. This situation right here right now could be the doing of someone's thoughts. And that in itself created it's own universe. I'm not saying we are the reason you exist. How could that be possible that would mean we would have to create every single detail about everything in this world. All we did was create your adventures. What happens before or even in between them is not our doing." I finished my long speech at which the ponies just stood there with open jaws. It's revelation to them but seriously the multi-verse is one fucked place or places. Anywho. I can tell some of them were thinking about what I said while the others had blank expressions adorning their faces. I looked back to Roger. Out of everything that was happening. All he did through out the argument was clean his rifle. What. An. ASS! "So." I heard one pony say. "How awesome are we?" I turned back around to see Rainbow Dash looking at me with big grin crossing her face. Only she would ever be the one to ask such a question. Well might as well humor her or them. "What if I said their were thousands upon thousands of humans of both sexes from different age groups that love to watch your show?" Rainbow replied back to me with what I would believe to be the biggest shit eating grin I have ever seen. "Hoowee that's alot a pony's." I didn't think Aj would be upbeat about this. "U-um Mr. Ben?" I could barely hear her. Her voice was almost lower than a whisper. "Yes Fluttershy?" I looked her straight in the eye. She gave an audible screech before she hurriedly covered her face with her mane. She turned to Rarity and spoke into her ear. The Alabaster mare gave a few short nods before turning to me. "Darling. Fluttershy asks why you have us. Um tattooed was it? Yes why you have us tattooed onto your arms?" "Okay let me point out that you all are famous where were from. Well their are people out there in our world that have done different things to show how much they love the show. Some created plush toys, some created their own art and stories. (No way in hell I'm telling them about the x-rated things about there show.) And then there's me. I kinda just a had all six of you tattooed on me." "Why?" Came from Rainbow. "I'll keep this short. I was bored I was on leave from the Navy. Plus I had money to spend so I said why not." "So. Uh you just decided to permanently scar your body with pictures of us?" "In a nutshell yes." "Well I'm cool with it. So what more can you tell us about how awesome we are." "Well where to begin?" I began to explain many different things to them. I told them it all started a few years ago it was meant to be a show for young girls. But the story was so good and the development of the characters was so amazing many older humans began to watch. Then i mentioned about the bronies of course I told them that I am one as well showing them my tattoos again. That bronies were older males aged from 14 to 30 that watched to show that made their own art stories hell even music. (still not mentioning any nsfw.) As the time passed and I explained many things to them. I was in the middle of explaining the brony conventions. Which I never went to because well you know. Anywho I was in the middle of explaining when Twilight violently interrupted me. "WAIT JUST A SECOND!!! Twilight surprised everyone with her outburst. She sent Fluttershy in the air with her yelling. "Ben earlier you said 'Plus more' after referring to Pinkie befriending Cranky Doodle Donkey. What. Exactly did you mean?" I was actually hoping no one picked up on that. Now this is going to be a tough one because I know about their later adventures. Fluttershy meeting Ironwill, Shining Armors wedding, the rise of the Crystal Empire, Fluttershy reforming Discord. 'To which I am hoping to meet that Draconquess bastard. Seriously i would totally want to be that guys friend. So much chaos spread.' And then Twilight's coronation to becoming an Alicorn. There going to want to know what's going to happen in the future. But I can't tell them any of that. If I did then what lesson would they have learned none that's right. "You want me to explain what I mean by plus more?" She gave a nod back to me as I sighed. "Damn well. What I mean is that I know of your future adventures. Most of them." The ponies just stared at me again before Twilight screamed. "WHAT!?!?" I can already see the hell I'm about to put up with. "YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?" "Yes. Now please calm down alright?" Twilight breaths went from hyperventilating to a calming Rhythm. "Better?" I asked her. She gave me a nod. She was about to speak up again but I intervened before she could speak. "Don't bother asking me about what the future holds I can not tell you." "WHAT!!! WHY!?!?" Was Twilight's response. I could see her eye starting to twitch. Hell with information about the future I would want to know what in the hell it holds too. "Why can't you tell us. What if something bad happens and the only way to fix it is if we fix it before it happens!?!?" "See there's a problem in that. If I where to tell you about the things that happen for you girls in the future then what about the lessons you learn? Lessons you learn in friendship or the new things you learn about yourselves? It would pointless of the adventure you go in the future if i told you what they were. All I'm gonna say is dont try asking I'm not gonna say a thing about it." They looked at me as if I slapped Celestia across the face. "But, but what if ponies get hurt what if we can stop a natural disaster. Please there's got to be some thing you can tell us." Her eyes dear god her eyes. I swear if I was a lesser being my head would explode. I contemplated what I could tell them. Nothing big mind you just a small matter. "Mmm. Well the only thing I'm gonna say is that Fluttershy is going to rock Ponyville like a hurricane some time later on." I swear every time I talk these ponies always give me dumbfounded. "Wait. Fluttershy really? But h-" Rainbow's voice was cut off as the trains speakers came to life. (Not actual but you get the meaning.) "Attention passengers we are making our way into the Canterlot train station. Please remove all personal items from cabins before leaving the train. It is now 6:47 here in Canterlot. Princess Luna's moon should be making it's over the horizon in a few minutes. I want to say thank you for choosing the Friendship express and hope all you ponies have a wonderful." I stood by the windows as the train made it's way into Canterlot. "Well I believe we arrived at out destination." I walked back over to the bed and just realized. Rarity never cleaned my gear. Dammit! "Hay Rarity?" She looked up to me from where she stood. "Yes dear." hmm dear not gonna dwell on it... For now. "Yes we will be leaving soon I wanted to ask how fast that cleaning spell you have will take it?" I think she forget about the spell a while ago because the face she is giving me looks confused. So I motioned her to my blood covered gear so she could get the jest of what I was talking about. "Oh dear! I'm sorry Benjamin I'll have these clean right away! Just give a minute or so." She said as she wrapped her blue aura around my blood covered gear. "Thank you Rarity. Alright." I said to turning back to the others. "Does everyone have what they need?" The ponies just looked at me AGAIN. Seriously starting to creep me out. And I'm used too seeing some crazy shit. But this getting weird. Roger picked himself off the ground as he picked up his back pack off the floor. "Side from the fact that my ass hurts from sitting for five hours and that I'm hungry? I'm pretty much good at this point." "Noted." I looked to Celestia and I just realized something. "Hey Celestia I just realized something... Where did your armor go?" She looked me straight and just said. "I had it teleported to my room at the castle of course." I gave a what the hell look to her as I just thought of something else. "Ok... Ok. Let me get this straight. You teleported your armor to your room at the castle but decided to let us ride the train all the way here to canterlot?" "Yes. Is there a problem." I pinched the bridge of my nose to keep myself from yelling at her. "Actually yes couldn't you have also teleported us to the castle as well?" "Well no I couldn't. I thought about doing so but I dont know how your bodies would react to our magic. It is a possibility for you to even be immune. "Hmm. Interesting we can dwell on this later when we are not to walk about in a city filled with thousands of residents." "Finished~" Rarity sung from her place by the bed. "Here you go Benjamin your clothes are back to their original color." I turned back around to see that yes Rarity has finished. My clothes are the exact same when I left the U.S. Base in Israel. "Thank you very much Rarity looks like new." I bent down and placed a kiss on the spot next to her horn. I could see her face turn a bit pink from what I did. I started to place my gear back on as Rarity made her way to the other end of the caboose. The ponies watched as Ben placed a kiss on Rarity's forehead leaving her a bit pink. Rarity began walking to them and they noticed how flushed she was from the contact. "Looks like somepony here as a crush." Rainbow spoke as Rarity walked over. "Well look at ya Rarity gettin all flustered over a kiss." Rarity's body began to heat up and turn pink itself as Applejack spoke. "Rarity I didn't think you would like the human. He is a bit of brute dont you think?" Rarity didn't say anything she was trying hard not to think of the kiss Ben gave her not one minute ago. The train began slow and grind to a halt as it entered the station. The speakers began to crackle as the voice spoke out of them. ". As the conductor finished his speech the doors to the train began to open letting a certain marshmallow colored pony to run out of the caboose. "Wow I've never seen Rarity run so fast before." The others replied to Twilight with yeah's and what not. Ben had finished strapping on all his gear placing his pistol and rifle magazine back in their respected pouches. Grenades, semtex, flares and others back where they belong. "Well that's everything everyone ready to g-" He stopped mid sentence when realized there was one pony missing. One marshmallow coated pony. "Can anyone tell me where Rarity is?" There was a few snickers coming from the mares before Rainbow spoke up. "Oh she just ran out the door when it opened." "Can I ask why?" Ben said as he lifted his brow. The girls looked at each other before they all shook their heads. "Well let's go find her so we can head to the castle." Ben picked up Tavi which was still placed on the bed and tossed it over his shoulder. The ponies already started walking out of the caboose and on to the streets of Canterlot. Celestia and Luna were the last of them to step off as the Ben and Roger both made there way to the door. Celestia and Luna turned to face them as the two brothers took there first step out. "Welcome Benjamin and Roger." Celestia spun around now facing the city. "To Canterlot." > Chapter 9: Finding the White Mare. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 9: Finding the White Mare. As the train doors opened Rarity found herself galloping with all her might trying to get away from the comments her friends were making. She ran as far as her legs would let her. The white mare passed the many stores she would usually stop by and shop at, but with the thoughts plaguing her mind she paid no heed to them. Rarity began to slow as the energy she used was beginning to give out. She made her way into alley were she began to sort out her thoughts of what happened on the train. 'Why did I run? What possessed me to flee from my friends? From the princesses? From ...Benjamin? I'm not sure where to start. Was it the girls questioning about the kiss? Or was it the kiss itself? My heart raced when I felt his lips kiss my head. Something about it was just... I'm not sure how I could describe it. It was as if a spark lit in my heart when he kissed me. It made me feel warm, it made me feel safe. But of anything it made me feel loved... 'Wait!!!' Rarity's heart began to beat faster at what she just thought. 'T-that can't be! W-we just met! H-he's a brute! He's a killer! He's nothing like my dream stallion!!! For CELESTIA'S SAKE HE'S NOT EVEN A PONY!!!" There was pause in the white mares thoughts. Her heart was beating faster then she ever thought it could. She began to take deep breaths to calm herself before her thoughts began to resurface in her mind. 'But... If he isn't like the stallion I've dreamed of, why do I yearn for another kiss?' Rarity began to slowly move her right hoof so it made a circle in the cobblestone. 'Why do I yearn to just be close to him? And why is it I yearn to have him hold me?' Rarity hung her head and let a few tears begin to travel down her muzzle, as the thoughts of Benjamin began to take a toll on her mind. 'But my biggest question is. Why does my heart ache for him?' Rarity couldn't take it anymore. Her mind and heart were trying to fight one another for a reason why she would and would not love the human soldier. Both finding reasons to why she should or should not pursue. But in the end, it was heart that won. Rarity began to wipe the tears away from eyes as she thought of what she should do next. But before she could begin, the sound of hoof steps were coming from behind her making the alabaster mare quickly turn to the pony only to stop as she heard a voice speak out to her. "Rarity?" ~Canterlot train station 47 minutes earlier~ The sight of Canterlot was one to behold, the white structures glistening in the evening sun as the ponies trotted through the cobblestone streets. In the back was the castle. Celestia and Luna's castle, just as white as the buildings surrounding us but except for the purple and gold accents covering the spires. Never have I seen such beauty in a city, and I myself have traveled the world to many beautiful cities. Cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, Moscow, Dubai, Paris and England. All having a unique beauty to them but this, this a hole new category. And as much as I would like to view more they're is a pony missing from our group and we need to find her. "As much as I would like to look at the city some more, we need to find Rarity. So this is what I propose, we are going to split up in two's. Before everyone leaves I want everyone here to meet up at the castle in one hour even if you haven't found Rarity." This got a few okays from the group plus an annoyed looking Shining Armor. "Alright now Rainbow you and Fluttershy take to the skies and see if you can spot her." "Sir, yes sir." Rainbow gave me a salute before turning to Fluttershy. "Come on flutters let's do this!" "O-ok R-Rainbow." The timid mare spoke to her friend as she slowly began to flap her wings and flew slowly behind the rainbow maned Pegasus. "Alright we got our air coverage, now Applejack I'm pairing you with Pinkie pie. Take what ever path you think Rarity would take and follow it. Remember castle in one hour." "Can do sugar cube. Come on Pinkie let's hop to it." "Okie, Dokie, Lokie." The pink mare said as she literally began hopping next to the the apple farmer as they made there way down the cobblestone road. "Twilight you and Shining Armor will search together. Roger you go with Luna and Celestia and I will go our own wa-." "Why you pairing yourselves with the princesses! What are you planning!?" Shining Armor questioned as if I had a reason for pairing myself and my brother with each princess. Actually yes there is a reason. "Look asshole I'm pairing us with the princesses to avoid any conflict we would have with the guards. Unless you want more of your guards going to the hospital. Or dead! Depends on what they try. If you don't like my suggestion I really don't give a fuck! You're going to live with it. Now let's get going I want to find Rarity before Celestia has to set the sun. Roger if you happen to find her first, contact me over coms and Celestia and I will head to the castle." I didn't bother in hearing in any objections by anyone there, I walked the path I chose best with Celestia following behind me, she didn't question my actions nor did she bother speaking at all, it was fine for now finding Rarity was our objective before we moved on to the castle. ~Back to group after Ben and Celestia left~ With Celestia and Benjamin already on there way down one of the side roads of Canterlot, his brother Roger and the Lunar Princess left the two remaining ponies and made their way down a path they chose to find the white unicorn. With the two princesses and the two Seals gone this gave Shining Armor the chance to rant about his frustration against the two brothers. Especially Benjamin. "Ugh! I can't believe we let those two monsters just go off with the Princesses! And why is everypony following that demons orders!? Did you forget what they did back at the farm!" Twilight was appalled by her brother's words. His attitude after the fight with the other guards and Princess Celestia against the two Seals was neutral at best but after Benjamin giving orders to the others to find Rarity his entire being turned to anger against the younger human. "Shining!" Twilight bellowed at him. "What is wrong with you!? What's with all this anger now!?" "No pony gives me orders Twilight! No! Pony!Only the princesses have the authority to do so! Sergeants, Lieutenants buck even the Generals answer to me!" Twilights shocked attitude grew to annoyance for Shinings foalish behavior. "Shining there is no reason to act like this! Rarity is missing and the first pony, well human to suggest finding her was Ben! So stop being a foal and be the Captain of the guard that you are and let's go find her!" In a huff Twilight began walking away from her brother down a path she thought Rarity might have taken. Shining slowly trotted behind her, murmuring to himself frustration for not taking command and letting the human! Do. His! Job! ~Pov change to Luna and Roger~ There was silence between the Lunar Princess and the soldier. Luna wanted to speak to Roger since they left the others to try and find Rarity but all she could do was look back and forth between the Seal and the road ahead. 'Say something you fool! This is your chance to get to know one of them better! Imagine what you can learn. 'Doesn't thou think we do not know of this!? We are a princess! It tis our duty to learn about any new tidings that come to our fair country.' 'Well then what are you waiting for?' 'We are trying to find a way to start!' "You know you can start by asking how I'm doing. That would be easy enough, don't you think." Roger spoke out making the Lunar Princess jump in shock. "Gahhh!!!" The Lunar Princess jumped. "D-did thou just read our thoughts?" Luna spoke in fear with a worried brow raised high on her face. Roger couldn't help but laugh as they both walked further on the cobblestone street. "Not at all. You were kinda speaking out loud there for a bit." "Oh!" Luna blushed a bit in embarrassment. "S-so um. How is thou doing? Aside from our confrontation earlier at Sweet Apple Acres of course." Luna spoke to Roger giving him a sheepish smile. "Well..." Roger began as he rubbed his chin. "Unlike my brother, all of this is really, really, really strange to me. I never watched the show like he did. I had... Better things to do. Everything that has happened so far is not so much freaking out, more like taking me by surprise. "That tis interesting Lieutenant." "Please call me Roger or Blake doesn't matter." "Oh! Ok um Blake." Luna said with a small blush of embarrassment adorning her cheeks. Roger didn't notice as he kept his eyes forward looking for the missing white unicorn mare. "So... Is there anything else you and you're brother do other than being a guard?" Roger began shaking his head at the notion of being called something as simple as a rent-a-cop. "We are not guards Luna. We are soldiers for our countries military." "M-my apologies dear Blake. We have not had use of the term 'soldier' in a very long time... So um what does thou do other than being a 'soldier'?" "Nothing actually. As Seals we are on call 24/7 even when we are on leave we are subject to being called into action. But when we do have free time we tend to do what we can either it be something simple as going home and playing some video games, or to go to a bar. But from time to time Ben and I would go to a few racing events and race our cars." "What pray tell tis a c-a-r?" Luna asked with a confused look. "And what are video games?" "I can tell you about those things at a later time. But now there are some things I would like to ask you." Luna gave Roger a nod in understanding. "That tis understandable. I did ask thou a few things tis fair for you to ask as well." "Thank you for understanding. You must understand that I don't much about this world, only snippets of what my brother has told me. Other than those six mares being the 'Elements of Harmony'. The defeat of Discord. For you to turn into Nightmare Moon and trying to put the world into eternal night only to be sent to the moon were you lived for the past thousand years. Other than all that! I really don't know much." Luna stopped in her tracks shocked when the soldier spoke of the entity that once took over the Lunar Princess and the time she spent on the moon. "Y-you know about that!? About Nightmare Moon!? About my time on the moon!?" Roger stopped where he was and looked back to Luna seeing a sad look across her muzzle and a tear falling from her eye as she looked towards the ground. "Only a bit. But I don't honestly see what the big deal is. Even though you still lived on the moon for one thousand years, that is still a better punishment then what we would have done. Luna looked up to the Seal in shock wondering what he meant. "W-what would have thou d-done to us?" The Lunar Princesses felt terrified. She knew of what the two soldiers were capable of, but hearing his last sentence made her start shivering in fear. "Honestly, if you were to try that in our world in today's time there would only be one option... Death." Luna has never been so scared as she was now. Tears were streaming down her muzzle as she looked to the towering soldier before her. "Y-y-you w-w-would k-k-kill me?" Roger looked straight into the Lunar Princess's eyes, seeing the same fear he always did when he interrogated a terrorist prisoner. Roger sighed knowing he just made one of the rulers of the land he now stands on to fear for her life. "That option would only be there if the one known as Nightmare Moon was to put the United States in harm's way." From where the two stood no pony or any other being could see what was happening. They also couldn't see the Lunar Princess bawling her eyes out as she sat on the cobblestone road. Roger knew he had upset the princess very badly, he could kick himself for being so dense on a touchy subject. The lone soldier walked back to Luna and embraced her in a hug, he began to rub her neck as began to apologize for the words he spoke. "Look Luna I'm sorry for what I said. From what I understand you personally were not in control when Nightmare Moon took over your mind." Roger said as he spoke softly into Luna's ear. "I knew I shouldn't have said those words to you. Look we are not going to hurt you alright." Roger said as he pulled away from the hug. "It was my mistake for saying anything about it." He began to wipe the tears away with his thumbs as he looked into Luna's eyes. "Hey why don't we put this behind us and never say anything about this again?" Luna didn't say a word she was still shivering in fear and crying. Roger could only think of one thing to do now. It was risky but he had no choice. 'Dear god don't let this fail.' Luna couldn't stop herself now. She couldn't help to not cry out in laughter from Rogers barges of tickles. "T-thou s-stop t-this Hahahaha! S-s-stop this a-a-at once Hahahaha! No matter how much she cried for the soldier to stop, he wouldn't let up. Minutes passed and Luna felt she was going to pee herself if Roger kept up what he was doing. Right as Luna was on the brink of letting go the soldier removed his hands from Luna's sides and backed away from the hysterical alicorn. Luna's laughter began to die down and as soon as it did she glared at Roger very unhappy at what he did to her. "How dare thou do such a thing to us! We should have you put in the dungeons for touching the princess of Equestria!" Luna may have looked mad but if anyone were to look closely at her they could see the small hint of blush rising in her cheeks. And for Roger? Well let's say he did notice. He noticed it even before the princess began to speak. Roger began to smirk as he went to retort his answer."That blush on your cheeks says you didn't mind it all." 'I can see why Ben likes these ponies. They are pretty damn cute.' Luna began stumble with her words trying to say something back to the tall human only to be distracted by the sound of beeping entering her midnight blue ears. "What in Faust name is that infernal racket!?" Her hears clenched to her head with constant beeping flooding them. "Well." Roger said as he looked do his watch.he pressed the off button for the timer and looked back to Luna. "Alright times up Luna it's been over an hour, we should make our way to the castle now." "A-alright that tis what the other said to do, so we must make haste. Hopefully the others have found the one known as Rarity." Both the Lunar Princess and the American Soldier began there trek to Canterlot Castle wandering if any of the others found the Alabaster mare. Roger knew it would take a while to get there, might as well liven things up. "So... Anything fun you like to do?" ~Start of Celestia and Benjamin's journey~ Celestia and I walked through the streets of Canterlot looking for Rarity. We passed many ponies on our way. Although they all bowed to their princess, after they caught site of me they began running away in fear. I think a few of them pissed themselves too. It didn't bother me one bit, I was here to find Rarity, not to interact with the inhabitants of this city. Well not now anyway. The conversations between the two of us was... Limited. thanks to the many ponies that would step up and bow to Celestia. You would think they would just run away from seeing the large creature that stood a foot taller then they're Solar Princess that was walking beside her. We began walking another path. One that was void of any civilians. Now that we were alone. FINALLY!!! Maybe now we could start a nice conversation. "STOP RIGHT THERE CREATURE!!!" Or so I thought. Celestia and I stopped where we stood when we heard the sound of someone yelling and the rushing of hooves traveling our way. In front of us were no more than, I would say ten little shits galloping in our direction. From what I could tell there were a four Unicorns, three Earth ponies. Along with three Pegasi flying in the air. The unicorns were using their horns to hold spears about a foot above their heads. The two Pegasi held their spears in their hooves. How that is possible is beyond me. But since this is Equestria I'll just have to say. 'It's fucking magic.' The Earth ponies on the other hand didn't have spears of their own. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I grew annoyed of being right. Again! I knew this was going to happen. And this is the exact reason I brought Celestia with me. "CREATURE STEP AWAY FROM THE PRINCESS OR ELSE!!!" Celestia didn't say a single word. All she could do was face hoof as she realized she forgot to send a letter to the guard barracks informing of the certain situation pertaining to the two humans that now walk in the capital city. I myself narrowed my eyes at the ten offending little shits 'They really think I'm gonna do that do they? I have a much, much better idea.' I stood my ground. Celestia not even a foot away from me. "You know what... No. I'm not going to step away. No I think I'm gonna do this." I slowly raised my left arm and placed it over Celestia's shoulder pulling her close for another hug. Celestia visibly stiffened from the simple touch. She could feel Ben's strong arm wrap around her shoulder and around her neck. And... She liked it. She began to like it more when she felt one of those appendages he had on his hoof, slowly scratched the back of her ear. The feeling alone made the Solar Princess sit on her rump where she began to kick her left leg on the ground as she shut her eyes letting out a slow moan of pleasure as her cheeks visibly flushed pink. I could see it in there faces. I could see the shock and anger as if I just raped the Solar Princess in front of the entirety of the Equestrian population. The ponies began to growl in anger has they watched their princess moan in pleasure. Some of the guards began to slowly move forward hoping to catch the attention of the creature that held the princess in it's claws, while the others went to flank it's side. 'These little bastard's really think I don't understand what there planning? I mean really trying to flank my position is one of the oldest tricks in the un-written book.' With my left hand still scratching Celestia's ear, I used my other to slowly unsheathe the combat knife I kept on a strap on the left side of my chest. And I begun to twirl the knife around in my hand as I looked to the four ponies that were flanking my position. I looked to both groups and grinned as I flicked Celestia's ear, making her gasp and shudder at the feeling. The gasp made both groups slow approach to immediately cease in movement. I began to chuckle at them as I went back to scratching Celestia's ear. "My brother and I already took down your Captain and what was supposedly the most elite squad of your Royal Guard. Maybe you should really think about what your doing before you get hurt?" The guards did not heed my words. They began to growl louder, as they slowly crept closer to the two of us. Celestia being none the wiser in her state bliss. I gave a sigh knowing I should really stop what I was doing to Celestia. And besides we still have to find Rarity. "As much as I would like to kick your candy asses. I don't have time for this right now." I took my hand away from Celestia's ear and began to rub her neck. The pleasurable sensation the Solar Princesses was feeling was gone now. Now that she couldn't feel it she soon was brought back from the bliss and found her Royal Guards coming closer to her with looks of pure rage in their eyes. "Lieutenant Shiny Sides?" Celestia questioned as she looked to the unicorn with red armor. Hearing Celestia's voice, the two groups of guards halted in the tracks once again hoping the princess was okay. "My Princess are you okay!? Has this creature harmed you!?" The unicorn with red armor spoke as he looked to Benjamin with a scowl. "Everything is fine Lieutenant. Please come here my loyal guards I have a task for all of you." The guards didn't move, they were still apprehensive about the tall creature that still had the Solar Princess in it's claw. The one known as Lieutenant Shiny Side trotted closer to the two beings standing before him but still had his spear ready to attack the creature. "My Princess what of this foul beast? Why are you not asking for us to apprehend it?" Celestia began shaking her head as she gave a small giggle. "Lieutenant Shiny Sides I would like you and the other guards to meet Sergeant Benjamin Emilio, York. As of earlier today he and his brother are friends to Equestria." "Is it true?" The Lieutenant asked quickly. "Is it really true you defeated Captain Shining Armor and squad 24?" I looked into his eyes and gave him a toothy grin as I placed my combat knife back in it's sheathe. "It only took us a matter of seconds to incapacitate the lot of them yes. If you don't believe me ask Celestia." The Lieutenant looked to Celestia hoping I was wrong only to get a nod of confirmation from the Solar Princess of what we I and my brother did to the Captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard and there most elite squad. The Unicorns and Earth ponies began to gather around us as the three Pegasi flew closer to our position. A few guards awed at the realization of there Captain being defeated. But a few others right out denied the fact. I took my hand off Celestia's neck grabbing her attention. "Celestia we do not have time for this. Remember we are still searching for Rarity." Celestia gave me a nod before turning to her guards. "Lieutenant Shiny Sides. Guards. There is something I must ask all of you to do for me." This grabbed the ten guards attention as they all gave there un-divided attention to there Solar Princess. "I want all of you to take a good look at Benjamin here. He and his brother are the only two of their kind here in Equestria. His brother is with Princess Luna at this time. Now what I want for you my little ponies to do, is to speak to the other guards and make sure that they do not, I repeat do not take offensive action towards them. Lieutenant I want you to head to the guards barracks to explains this to the others that are there. Do all of you understand?" "Yes ma'am!" The guards shouted as they saluted to their princess. Before the guards began to walk off and head to there new destinations I began to ask a question that could be very well be useful at the very moment. "Listen up! Have any of you seen a white unicorn mare with a purple mane galloping through this area?" Many guards began to shake there heads as they trotted off to there new objective. Out if the ten that were there nine visibly left, the last one that was here was a Pegasus mare. "Did you happen to see the mare we are looking for?" "Yes Sergeant I did." I shook my head at her. "I am not part of the Equestrian Royal Guard there is no need to call me that. But please do tell where you happen to see where this mare went off too?" "Of course. I was flying above the street about a few minutes before the Lieutenant rounded a few of us up to protect the princess. But before that I noticed the mare in question galloping down the road and turn to an alleyway between the donut shop and the book store." "Thank you for the information ms.?" "O-oh! I'm sorry" The Pegasus blushed under her helmet. "I'm Corporal Razor wing sir." "Thank you Razor wing, your help It is very much appreciated. Let's go Celestia hopefully Rarity is still there." Celestia and I began to walk the path once again, free of any other guards or civilians. Celestia kept her eyes on me from time to time as we passed a few stores. She looked as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. "Alright I'll bite. Is there something you wanted to say Celestia?" She blushed to me and gave a shake of her head. "Y-yes I do. What exactly did you do to me back there?" "Oh you mean this?" I placed my hand on right ear this time and began to scratch the base. "Oh! Yes!!!" She almost screamed. I took my hand away leaving her with her tongue out and her eyes half lidded. 'By the goddess that feels so heavenly. What I wouldn't give for him to do that even more!' "Come on sun butt." I said to Celestia giving her a pat on the flank. "Focus." Celestia stiffened when she felt the pat on her flank. 'D-did he just? N-no no pony as ever touched the royal flank!' Celestia's ears laid flat against her head at the realization. 'But I wish somepony would.' 'You know the human just did that right? Or did you forget already?' "What the w-who said that!?" "Said what? I didn't say anything?" Benjamin spoke as he raised a brow to the Solar Princess. 'I'm your conscious dear.' The voice said again. 'Wait my conscious? I have been alive for over a millenia and only now you choose to speak to me!? Why?' 'Well you have never needed my intervention in the past. You always knew what to do in all your decisions.' 'Okay? But why are you speaking to me now?' 'You really are daft aren't you? You have been through so much in your time as a princess you have never sought out the one thing that would complete your own little piece of harmony.' 'What exactly are you getting at? I have my sister back from the moon, I have the love and respect of my subjects and I have built a nation that thrives on harmony. What exactly am I missing!?' Celestia's conscious began to giggle before she went to retort her answer. 'What are you missing? You have been alive for over fourteen hundred years, and in all that time you have never known the joy of being with the one you love. I have known you all of your life. Seen what you have seen. And I know why you never had the chance to find a stallion to love?' 'Then tell me why then!? Tell me why after so many years have I never been courted!?' Even though Celestia may have been arguing with her conscious inside her mind. That did not mean she could show the sadness and tears on the outside. 'Your ponies do love you Celestia. But even then some stallions fear of what would happen if they tried to show you there love.' Celestia didn't think of what to say. After so many years of hoping for a stallion to come, to sweep her off her hooves. They never did. 'But he's not afraid.' her conscious spoke again. 'If anything I think this human likes you. Maybe even more.' 'A-are you sure he does? Celestia asked as she looked to Benjamin. He was looking straight at her mouthing off a few words that The Solar Princess was not able to hear. Celestia shook her head in confusion "I'm sorry Benjamin did you say something?" Benjamin fully turned to the Princess and placed his palms on her muzzle as he used his thumbs to wipe away her tears. He looked straight in to her magenta eyes and asked "Why are you crying Celestia? What has you so upset?" Celestia looked into the soldier multi colored eyes, and from what she could see was worry. He actually worried for her. 'H-he does like me.' 'I told you~' Celestia's conscious sung in her mind. The Solar Princess began to smile as she sniffled back her tears. "I am fine Benjamin. Just... a few thoughts that had happened to cross my mind upset me a bit. But I'm okay now." 'Because of you.' "That is good to hear." Ben said with a smile as he took his hands off Celestia's muzzle. "Come. The donut shop and the book store are right over there." The soldier began his walk over to the nearby alley leaving Celestia to her thoughts. Celestia was becoming quite giddy with excitement for what the possibilities may hold in the future. 'I can't believe it! I'm going to get a coltfriend! Wait he's not a stallion. He's a human. What do they call there special ponies?' 'Well I certainly don't know.' Her conscious spoke. 'But you better catch up to him he's about to enter the alley.' Celestia looked her way to the human to see him only a few feet from the alleyway entrance. She quickly galloped her way to the soldier side and quickly nuzzled his arm and smiled. Ben looked to his side where Celestia just nuzzled his arm. 'Did she just. Yep. Yeah she did.' I gave a simple chuckle as we turned into the alley. Razor wing was right. I looked down the alleyway and found Rarity sitting on the cold cobblestone floor as she wiped her muzzle with her hooves. Celestia and I stepped forward, the clopping from the Solar Princess's hooves on the cobblestone caught the alabaster mares attention as her ears perked up. As she began to turn her head to us I called out her name. "Rarity?" she stood stalk still as I looked into her sapphire eyes. Her mane was a mess of tangles, her eyes were bloodshot as her mascara ran down her muzzle from her tears. "Benjamin, P-princess! W-what are you doing here!?" I walked up to her and bend down on my knees, my Barret making an audible clang as the stock hit the cobblestone floor. But I paid no attention to it. "We came to find you Rarity. You had the lot of us worried when you ran off." 'H-he was worried about me?' The alabaster mare questioned. She felt her heart beating faster once again. "I've got to ask Rarity. Why did you run off like that?" Rarity began to stammer for answer only to find her self babbling a bit. She stopped to calm herself as she tried to answer the question only to look into Benjamin's enamoring eyes. 'Oh my. H-his eyes there so... Beautiful.' Subconsciously Rarity began to smile as her coat began to brighten to a soft pink. Celestia took notice to this and wandered. 'Does she like Benjamin as well? Hmmm.' Celestia trotted up beside the soldier to grab his attention. "Benjamin can you give us a moment? I wish to speak with Rarity before we head to the castle." I gave Celestia a nod and walked out of the alleyway as they started there conversation. I waited outside for quite some time as they talked I watched as a few ponies walked by then ran away when they saw me. I was called back maybe after about five minutes to find Celestia smiling and Rarity to have a neutral expression on her face. It seemed while I was away Rarity was able to fix her mane as well as her make-up. Her bloodshot eyes were back to the white sapphire eyes she had before. "You two have a pleasant conversation?" I asked them. "I believe so." Celestia said. "Don't you think so Rarity?" "Y-yes of course." Rarity said with a sheepish smile. She began to trot forward out of the alleyway before she stumbled and fell face first onto the street. "Are you alright Rarity? That looked like it hurt." I said as I made my way to her side making sure she wasn't hurt. She shakily began to lift herself up off the ground as her eyes filled with a new batch of tears. "I-I'm okay." She sniffled. The right side of her face began to turn red as a tear fell down her muzzle. I cupped the right side of her muzzle with my hand and wiped away her tear. She looked up at me again and began to smile. 'My heart is right. I do love you Benjamin.' "Alright then. Let us go, the others should be heading to the castle by now." I said to them as I stood up to my full height. Both Celestia and Rarity gave me a nod as we began to walk down the street only to stop to see that Rarity's legs were still shaking quite a bit. I bent down and lifted her up by her barrel. She gave a yelp at the sudden action before I placed in the crook if my left arm. "B-B-Benjamin you shouldn't do this I can walk perfectly fine. Please put me down." I gave a chuckle as we walked to the castle. It wasn't far maybe ten, fifteen blocks at the most. "I don't think I should do that Rarity your hurt and a lady shouldn't over exert herself in such a state." Rarity gave a sigh as she nestled herself into Ben's arm. 'He's so thoughtful. I won't lose this game Princess you can count on that.' Celestia herself began to smile at the unicorns action 'Well I see how it is. Then let the games begin my little pony.' > Chapter 10. Broken Hearts and Broken Minds. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 10: Broken Hearts and Broken Minds. The hour had passed and the three of us were making our way through the city of canterlot and on our way to the castle. It may have been maybe five or so minutes in, when Rarity closed her eyes and began to snooze as she snuggled in to the crook of my arm. Ya know the few times when my team and I were off duty, I would go onto my laptop and read few fan fics from time to time, time and in that time there always something that always perturbed me. Why do people hate Rarity? Usually in the fics I read they would make her out to be a bitch or in worse case a whorse (A whore, basically). They make her out to be like one of those snobby ponies from Canterlot, her posh voice doesn't help much but hell they way she does it, it just makes her cute. Anyway as I was saying I still can't understand why alot of people hate her so much? I don't know I think she is perfect they we she is. As we walked and I thought on the subject, I began running my fingers through Rarity's curled mane eliciting a happy sigh from the snoozing mare. Beside me Celestia giggled a bit at the reaction Rarity made while she herself had a small blush on her muzzle. 'I wish his claw was stroking my mane. If it was anything like the way he scratched my ears, it feel as if I was in Elysium.' As if Ben was peering into Celestia's thoughts, his hand moved away from the unicorn mares mane and softly stroked the multi-hued mane of the Solar Princess, causing her to quickly 'eep' from the touch before she visibly relaxed and let the new sensations of his hand was giving her as it softly brushed her free flowing mane. 'Oh Faust above! This feeling... Ooh! I never want this to end. It's so soothing, it is much better then using a brush for my mane.' Celestia while in her moment of bliss of having her mane brushed by nothing more than the fingers of her human companion, had stopped in her tracks as she began to bob her head from the the flow of how Ben brushed her mane. As she waited for the next pass of Ben's hand to come the motion had stopped and felt another sensation, but it quickly grew annoying for the Solar Princess as she felt something poking her back, right above where her wings are. The poking she felt although grew annoying to Celestia, it was still not much to brake her from the small bliss she was clinging too. It wasn't till she heard the sound of her name being called when she had snapped herself out of her daze. With a quick shake of her head she looked back to the claw poking her back and to the lips calling her name. "Celestia we have to move quickly, there's shouting coming from the castle." Sure as Ben finished his sentence the loud roar of the Royal Canterlot Voice pierced the ears of the Solar Princess and the human soldier while also waking the sleeping beauty that slept in the crook of the soldiers arm. "TIS NOT POSSIBLE!!! WHY MUST THOU LIE TO US!?!?!?" Rarity began shaking in Ben's arm when she heard the horrid scream from Canterlot Castle. "W-Was that Princess Luna?" She asked. Both Rarity and Benjamin looked to the alicorn next to them only to see the Solar Princess sigh as she began to trot forward a bit faster then when the three of them were walking before. With ease Ben stepped up next to Celestia as they moved. Celestia spoken before anyone else could say a word. "I'm afraid Luna just used the Royal Canterlot Voice. For whatever reason I do not know, but hopefully it is nothing to serious." with brisk walk they were taking the three would reach Canterlot Castle in an estimated time of 4 minutes. ~Canterlot Castle Gate~ "Look Luna what I'm saying is the truth! You can deny it all you want but I know about my own species capabilities along with our own accomplishments!" For the past 10 minutes both Luna and Roger would argue with one another. Roger speaking of humanities accomplishments and Luna denying there capabilities with the species lack of magic. Luna found what Roger spoke of to be down right ludicrous let alone impossible. "We do not care what thou says! Thous species lack of magic determines that thou is lying of these so called 'Accomplishments'." Luna used her hooves to quote the word accomplishments not thinking of them being real. The others in the group were watching all of this unfold not wanting to step in between the two super powers in fear of being in the cross fire of their argument. Minutes ticked by and the fight wasn't close to coming to an end, that was until the two heard a voice rising above theirs. "Just what in the fuck are you two arguing about!?" A gruff voice spoke up behind the alicorn and Seal. Behind the two arguing parties was the last of the ponies and single soldier that meant to arrive at Canterlot Castle that day. Benjamin walked up to both Luna and Roger, Rarity still in his arm but cringing a bit as she heard the vulgar comment coming from the soldiers mouth. "Ya know it's about damn time you got here brother. And I see you found Rarity as well nice work." Before Ben could reply, the other mares in the group came galloping to the towering Seal before them holding the Alabaster mare in his arm. In flash of lavender light the unicorn mare was gone and in another flash Rarity was left standing in front of the others before being tackled by a pink blur with a pink cotton candy mane. "OhmygoshRarity!Whydidyourunawayfromus?Wewherereally,really,reallyworriedaboutyou!?Butnowyourhereandyourokayand-" Before the Pink mare could go on another small flash of lavender light encompassed her mouth, and like a zipper found behind on the back of a dress, zipped her mouth closed before she could ramble on. Another purple glow encased Pinkie Pies entire equine body and with a bit of force was able to lift the pink party pony off of the fashionista letting her get back onto all four of her hooves. "Pinkie!" Rarity cried out. "Look at what you have done! There is dirt, filthy dirt all over me!" "Well ya don't seem any worse for wares, Rares. Now why in the hay did ya run off like that!? Ya had us mighty worried when ya did!" Rarity stopped brushing the dirt of her forelegs and looked up to her friends that all held a questions gaze to the fashionista. The alabaster mare turn her head to face Benjamin before quickly looking away. "I do not wish speak of it at the moment Applejack. It is difficult to say as of now." No pony there at the moment caught the quick glance Rarity made to Benjamin, except for one orange earth pony apple farmer. Applejack squint her eyes and looked to Benjamin, she couldn't put her hoof on it but she was mighty curious at the moment. Applejack wanted to ask why her friend looked to the soldier behind her but decided to leave it be... For now. "A-As long as your safe Rarity, that's all that matters to us." Fluttershy spoke softly as she gave her friend a soft nuzzle. "Well this is definitely a heart warming moment, but I still have to ask?" Ben spoken before taking his gaze away from the mares in front of him to the Lunar Princess and his brother. "Why the hell were you two arguing!?" "HEY! Don't you dare speak to Princess Luna like that!" Shining Armor yelled from beside Twilight and her friends. I distinctively rolled my eyes at the guy before I spoke back to him. "First of all I wasn't speaking to you I was speaking to them. So be good little stallion and be quiet!" Gasps rang from the mares beside Shining Armor as he only elicited a scowl my way. Before he could ring out his own response Luna was quick to answer what I asked. "We have been speaking to thous brother for some time now. And from what we have been told we claim false. For there is no possibility that the claims he had suggested could not have been done with out the use of magic; And from what thou had said before, you're species has no form of magic." I looked over to Roger where he began to shake his head. "She got mad because I said we have been to the moon not only once but multiple times." The only thing I could do at the moment was face palm. Neither Celestia nor Luna was present at Sweat Apple Acres when we had Applejack confirm that we were not lying about our achievements. "First of all, Luna never underestimate the capabilities of us humans. We have been to the moon, multiple times in fact if you wish I can show the footage of the first lunar landing with both Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong, both setting foot on the moon." "Yes we wish to see this "Footage" sometime soon." "Very well." I responded. "Another thing. We humans have been living without the use of magic for thousands of years. We have no need for it really. With our intellect and ingenuity we can achieve anything." Before I could go on Celestia had come to my side and brushed her head against my arm. I looked back to her and into her eyes, she gave me a look as if to ask me to drop what I was saying and to continue at a later time. The Solar Princess gave a slight cough to clear her throat before she spoke to the group. "At this time I believe we should make our way inside the castle. Luna and I are already late in our daily duties and we do not wish to further our tardiness' in changing the day and night. We can all meet back at the Royal Dining Hall when we are finished. Ben, Roger I will have Shining Armor escort you to your rooms at this time. Girls you know your way to the dining hall it should not take us long to join you all there." Celestia began trot forward to castle entrance where two solar guards gladly opened the doors for their majesties. Behind Celestia the others followed in with Luna next to her big sister and the two brothers following behind the others. In the middle of the group held six mares and one smiling guard captain. Unknown to the others, though the smile the captain held was not truly one of happiness, but one of madness' and revenge. Revenge of the humans making a fool of the captain of the royal guard. Everyone present maid there way into the main hall of the castle where both brothers marveled in the beauty of the architecture the castle held. "Benjamin, Roger. Shining Armor will take you to your rooms in the west wing. When you finish with anything you need done please ask one of our guards to escort you to the dining hall." Both brothers gave Celestia a nod before Shining took them both to their destination. The others too began to disperse, Celestia and Luna made their way to the castles throne room while the mane six made their way to the Royal Dining Hall. ~Mane six making way to the dining hall.~ The girls had been trotting through the castle halls for short time. They weren't far from the dining hall and everything was quiet so far, until the orange earth pony Applejack stopped in her tracks and turned to the alabaster mare that was trotting next to her friend Twilight Sparkle. "Alright missy were alone now, no pony here but us six. Now I want to know why in the hay did ya run off the train when ya did!? And another thing! What was that look ya gave to that there feller Benjamin?" The others had stopped and looked straight to Applejack before they realized the questions she asked. Once they did there eyes shifted from the apple farmer to fashionista standing behind them. Rarity was taken aback with Applejacks forwardness' she also began to feel bits of sweat fall from brow when she asked about Benjamin. The indigo maned mare didn't wish to speak of this so soon, but with Benjamin not with her, she might as well come clean. "Girls." Rarity began. "You are all my closest friends, and as such I should not keep what I have to say from you all. The reason for why I ran... I-I was having conflicting emotions from what happened on the train earlier... Not only from the things all of you said, but also from the kiss Benjamin gave me. During the time I was away I had time to think. And I have come to a realization... I love him." "WHAT!?" Was shouted from the other mares. A barrage of questions where thrown to the fashionista from what she just said. Even the quiet and well mannered Fluttershy was feverously questioning the alabaster mare. "ENOUGH!!!" Rarity cried out to her friends, the questions were beginning to overwhelm the alabaster mare. Rarity began to slowly breath in and out to calm her self for what was to come next. "Yes. I love Benjamin. I know that it seems quick for me to come to such a conclusion, and I know that Benjamin has a unsavory past being the soldier he is and... I know he could be a bit of a brute." "A BIT!?!?" Rainbow Dash screamed, causing the others cringe back from the volume. "Rarity this isn't like you?" Twilight spoke after Dash. "He's everything you hate! He's a brute, he's dirty and he's a killer. Not to mention that he's not even a pony!" "Don't you all think I don't know that!" Rarity snapped back, as a few tears had fallen from her diamond colored eyes. "I had to fight myself to understand my feelings for him! That kiss he gave me on the train... I never felt a sensation such as that rush through me. Like I said to myself earlier, "It was as if a spark lit in my heart when he kissed me. It made me feel warm, it made me feel safe. But of anything it made me feel loved... After I ran from you all and I had stopped to think about what had happened, and I had come to a realization. A realization that I yearn for him to kiss me again, I yearn for him to hold me and I yearn to be close to him. It was that kiss, that small simple kiss that made me realize that I had fallen in love with that handsome stall- human." Rarity began to wipe away her tears before she looked to her friends. She was somewhat shocked at what she saw. There was no glaring or disappointed looks from any of the five standing before her, only tears that fell from her friends muzzles. Rarity was a little shocked to find her rainbow maned friend shedding a few tears of her own. "R-Rarity we didn't know how he affected you so deeply." Fluttershy softly spoke. "How?" A question coming from a tearing Twilight. "How, in just a matter of a few hours, was he able to have you fall in love with him?" 'I wonder if I should tell them, that the princess also fell in love with him?' "What about Spike!?" Rainbow Dash blurted as Rarity thought about mentioning the Solar Princess. "He has a major crush on you Rarity!" Rarity's alabaster coat began to dull as she remember about the baby dragon that fawned over her like a dog would fawn over a large bone. The comment Rainbow made began to stir the other mares as they too remember the affection the baby dragon had for Rarity. She began to choke up as she felt a lump in her throat, making it hard for to talk. "I... I love my little Spikey-Wikey, I truly do. But... Nothing more than a friend I'm afraid." Rarity spoke as she dropped her head. "I know of his affection towards me, but those are feelings I could never be able to replicate." The alabaster mare looked to her friends again and voiced her reason. "His age is a large factor, he is a baby dragon to put it simple, but it also because I hold no attraction to dragons that I could never truly love him in return. I know he is going to be heart broken when he realizes that I do not share the same feelings, and I know there will be nothing that could possibly do to ease his aching heart." Rarity lowered her head as she felt more tears beginning to cascade down from her muzzle. Pinkie Pie began to moved forward from her position and moved to her crying friend. There she enwrapped Rarity in a hug trying to stop her friend from any more needless crying. The other four behind Pinkie stared for what seemed like forever, only until one by one they too went to there fashionista friend and to wrapped there fore-legs around the indigo maned mare. "It's alright Rares we knows it gonna be hard when the time comes when ya gonna have ta talk ta spike, but don't ya worry none, where all gonna be there if ya need the lot of us." Applejack spoke before releasing Rarity from the hug. "Aj's right. I'm the element of loyalty after all, I'm not going to abandon any of you. Even if it is with all this mushy stuff." The others began to brake away from Rarity as she began to giggle and wipe away her tears. It was good to have reassuring hoofs from her friends even from the rough and tumble Rainbow Dash when the subject dealt with Romance. "Thank you girls so very much. You all do not know how much I appreciate every single one of you." "Well of course Silly, Filly. Friends are there for you no matter what. Through thick and thin. If you need help where gonna be there." Pinkie Pie finished with signature large smile making Rarity smile just a bit wider. "Well then enough about this." Rarity began as she lifted herself onto all four of her hooves. "I should find a washroom. I don't want Benjamin seeing me like this." The only thing the others could do was giggle at what Rarity said. Twilight moved forward followed by the others as she began to direct the alabaster mare to the nearest washroom. "Hey Rarity. Something I wanted ask?" Twilight said. "What is it darling?" "Why was Benjamin holding you when he and Princess Celestia were walking up to the castle?" "I got a better question then egg-head here. What, was it like when he was holding you? Those arms looked pretty strong back on the train." The cyan Pegasus said as she wiggled her brow. Rarity began to blush as she remembered Benjamin's strong arm holding her as his claw was placed under her rump. "Must'a been sometin ta make her red all over." Applejack quipped making the others giggle in return. The six mares made there way down the castle halls once again, looking for a washroom for the high class mare. Through the small talk they made on their way and through the course small laughter and giggles, the sound of a blood curtailing scream that ran through the halls went unnoticed by the mares as they continued on. ~Canterlot Throne Room~ The trot through the castle was quiet for the princesses. But from time to time as they walked, Luna couldn't help but notice that her elder sister was more lively then she had been in the past few months. Luna wanted to ask why she was being so giddy as of now, but she realized the question might have to wait for after she had raised the moon. "Lu-Lu can I ask you something?" The Solar Princess asked as she faced forward. "What tis on thous mind Tia?" "What do you think of them? Benjamin and Roger?" Celestia asked still with a smile on her muzzle and half lidded look as she thought of the soldier that towered over her. After so many years of having to look down to see her subjects, it felt good for the princess to finally having to look in the opposite direction to see her now human friends. And one, soon to be lover. "Well..." Luna began to ponder on her thoughts on the two soldiers, not noticing the Celestia half lidded look. "To be honest Tia. They... Scare us." Celestia stopped at the throne doors before she turned to the midnight blue alicorn beside her. "They scare you Lu-Lu? Whatever for?" Luna looked to her sister, her eyes filled with worry. 'How could she too not be scared after what they did! Those guards they'll be in the hospital for days if it wasn't for healing magic. And those changelings... Shredded to pieces by there weaponry. How could she of all ponies not be scared!' "Tia did thou forget there capabilities and of what they did at the Sweet Apple Acres!? They took those changelings lives! Every single one of those things were slaughtered! And what of thous elite guards! From what the one known as Roger has told us, they were defeated without haste! Tia what if they attack us!? What if they attack our subjects!?" Luna was beginning to hyperventilate. The two human soldiers scared the Lunar Princess far more than Nightmare Moon or Discord ever did. They were relentless when they killed the changelings, making sure none had survived. And what Roger had told her, that she would have been hastily annihilated if Nightmare Moon would attack their home country. Unknown to Luna, Celestia could see the fear in her younger sisters eyes. Slowly the Solar Princess unfurled her wing and gently wrapped it across Luna's back. "Calm down Lu-Lu, they will not cause us any harm. Luna quickly turned her head to her sister. Her eyes red and tears streaks through her matted fur. "How can thou be so sure Tia!? With a bit of magic from Celestia's horn, the Solar Princess slowly opened the throne room doors and lead the frightened Lunar Princess inside, making there way to the throne room balcony. "Luna I have come to understand of what they had done at 'Sweet Apple Acres'. As I see it they had only acted in self defense against my guards and again, against the changelings. We shouldn't fear them Luna, we should thank them. If they were not there then Ponyville would have been over run by changelings." "But sister they slaughtered those changelings! Since our return from the moon, We have read some of the history that has passed over the millenia we were away, and not once have we read a tale of murder inside equestrian soil! Tia even when we were known as Nightmare Moon we did not come to the acts of murder, nor had Discord when he ruled over Equestria! But these two... Humans! They kill as if it is in there nature! Didn't thou here what Benjamin said! He and Roger have both killed over 700 of their own species'!" Celestia and Luna both reached the balcony where they would begin the changing of the day and night. But with Luna in her frantic state of mind Celestia needed to calm the Lunar Princess before either of them could begin the ritual. "Luna please." Celestia spoke as she began to nuzzle her sister side. "Lu-Lu they could have killed my guards... Benjamin could have killed me when he had the chance. But they didn't... He didn't... Luna. Since we left Ponyville I have been thinking on our situation between us and the two humans. To calm your doubts about them I have come to a decision." "And what is it thou has decided on?" Luna asked with a questioning brow. With a small giggle from the Solar Princess, Celestia told of her idea. "In time Lu-Lu I will give them the honor of joining our Royal Guard." "WHAT!?" Luna screamed in her R.C.V. "Tia does thou think that they would except such an offer!?" Still cringing a bit from hearing Luna use her R.C.V. Celestia gave a nod before answering. "I do Luna. Just think the good they could do for our little ponies. Imagine the vast knowledge they could teach us, the technology we could create. And how much stronger our guards could become from what they could learn from them." 'But all that compares to him just being by my side.' Luna's fear began to wash away and smile began to grace her lips. "Yes, thou maybe on to something. These "Humans" would make wonderful allies. Although we do not care for there weapons." Celestia unwrapped her wing and brought it back to her side. "Those we could leave be Luna. Our ponies do not need such instruments of war." "But should we let them keep those things? Surely there would be no need for such weapons in a peaceful country such as ours?" The Solar Princess shook her head as she looked to the country side below her. "No Luna that would be most unwise. If we try to take them away they could retaliate against us, and we do not wish for them to become our enemy. Those weapons although meant for war could also be used to protect our ponies." Luna gave a slight nod before turning back to landscape before her. "Very well sister... Are thou ready to set the sun?" "Yes, Luna let us begin. With a flicker of magic a golden aura encased the Solar Princess horn. The vibrant sun in the evening sky began it's decent below the horizon. The bright day began to slowly fall into night as the last remnants of the day that gave the sky beautiful hues of orange and gold along a blues and purples began to slowly die as all bright colors began to fade as the sun vanished underneath the horizon. Celestia's golden aura vanished as she raised her head. Stepping back the Solar Princess walked passed her sister whom herself walked forward unto the balcony ledge. Lowering her head Luna's midnight blue aura encased her horn and with a flicker, a crescent moon began to rise over the horizon, showering the land a soft dull light. Sky began to flicker along with the Lunar Princesses horn as night sky began to litter itself in a sea of stars. During the transition of day into night and unknown the two princesses, a blood curdling scream rang through out the castle halls before falling silent as it went unheard by the ponies inside. Being done Luna's aura began to die down as she brought her head to stare into her beautiful night sky. "It's so beautiful Tia." She said as the stars began to twinkle. Celestia walked up next to her little sister and looked to what Luna had given to there subjects. "It truly is a work of art Lu-Lu... Just think of the ponies out enjoying the events of the night." "Tis so wonderful to know ponies enjoy the night such as myself." "Indeed little sister. Come we should make our way to the Royal Dining Hall. The girls shouldn't be waiting for us." "Very well Tia, let us go." With duties done, both Celestia and Luna made their way off the balcony and onto the marble floor of the throne room. With no such of a single word spoken, the two princess's left the throne room and made their way to royal dining hall where they would meet the others and wait for the two human soldiers. ~ Walking to the west wing ~ Roger and I haven't been walking for long since we left the others. Shining Armor stayed no less a few feet away from us, as we walked. As we passed by corridor after corridor we were amazed by the painting's and tapestries that adorned the castle walls. Before long a gruff next to me stirred me away from the castle walls. Looking into my brothers direction, I could see he had something on his mind. Something he wanted to voice to me. "I recognize that look on your face Roger. What's troubling you?" Roger gave a sigh before he shook is head. "This is strange Ben, really strange. Just what in the hell are we doing here? To be placed in a world that has no reason for beings such as us. A world that is so very real but fictional in ours. I understand we died in Afghanistan but why were we brought here, to this land? There has be a reason? Another thing... And this has been going through my mind since we boarded the train. Do you think more humans will show? It can't be as simple as two soldiers brought to a magical land of talking ponies! That sounds like a bad story!" I thought about what Roger said as Shining Armor lead us into the next corridor. In everything my brother spoke, he was right. What is our purpose for being here? I am not sure how this world works. It could be the same as it is portrayed on the show or it could be vastly different? It has only been a few short hours and in that time I haven't seen much difference between where we are and what the show portrays. And if it is the same. Where do we fit in? And what about the other thing Roger spoke of. What if there is a possibility of more humans making there way here? I've read many stories that detailed one or two humans being sent to Equestria. Sure it seems great in the story, but as of now it seems so cliché for our predicament. There is a phrase I had heard years ago detailing humans. If there is one, there's two. If there is two, there's twenty. Roger and I already made first contact with the Equestrians, so as of now we are acting as representatives not only for the U.S. But also for the human race entirely. If more do come we need to make sure that there are treated as equals. Question is. If more are coming when would they get here? I myself gave a sigh as I looked to the castle ceiling. "Honestly Roger. I don'-" I was quickly cut off as the sound of a blade being unsheathed loudly rang through the empty corridor. Quickly I brought my gaze away from the ceiling, down to the floor to find a sword held in a pink aura holding steady at the front of my neck. Looking further I can see Shining facing Roger and I with a manic smile, his hating gaze placed upon me and his horn glowing with a pink aura same as the sword placed at my neck. "Shining what the fu-" "Shut up demon!" The captain spat at me in anger as he cut off my sentence. "You beast have no purpose here in Equestria! I will not let you taint this beautiful country with your filth!" It was quiet for a short time. Shinings manic smile, hate filled eyes never leaving mine. I could see it in his eyes. That murderous intent I have seen in other soldiers. This guy is ready to kill us without a thought to any consequences. "Shining Armor." Roger spoke as he looked to guard captain with furrowed brow, his hand slowly reaching for his pistol. "I advise you, do not try anything foolish." "You be quiet! I have had enough of the both of you! Neither of you have any authority to give ME orders! You assaulted my guards! You assaulted my princess! You murdered those creatures in Ponyville! I will not let neither you walk upon this land any further then you already have." Silence swept the corridor once again. Shining's horn being the source of noise as the humming sound rang around us. With my brow furrowed I kept my gaze onto him never looking away never blinking. 'He is any idiot. If his reason for wanting us dead is because he doesn't like being ordered by others, then he is an incompetent piece of shit that has no business being a captain for an entire guard corps.' "So..." I started not moving only looking behind the sword in front of me. "You're going to kill us? That is your plan?" Shining's smile began to widen as he looked to and fro from Roger then back to me. "Yes." Was his simple answer. "Never has there been a recorded case of a pony killing another. It seems I would be the first, although what I'm going to do is for the safety of my country." "Have you ever taken a life Captain?" I asked and through his grit Shining gave me a no as he shook his head. "Some people can't take the guilt when they kill others. The remorse some would feel after doing so would cause them to detach themselves from the outside world. To live day by day as nothing more than a husk of there former selves. That being said do you think you could truly do it? To take a life? Shining Armor kept his smile as he kept his eyes on me. "I may have never taken the life of another, but if yours is the only two I take then I don't think I would feel so bad for doing so. The ponies would scream my name in joy as I walk the streets! They would praise me for ridding such disgusting creatures from this country!" "Then what of others? What about your sister Twilight?" Shining's smile quickly faltered as my brother spoke the purple unicorns name. "How would she feel knowing her brother was responsible for the death's of the first humans in Equestria?" Shining's face began to harden, his fallen smile turning into an angry scowl. The fire in his seemed to burn brighter as looked to my brother. "You do NOT BRING MY SISTER INTO THIS!" In his anger, Shining removed the blade away from neck and began to move over to my brother. Without hesitation, I grabbed the sword by it's hilt and ripped it away from Shining Armor's magic. With as much force as I could muster at the moment, I slammed the sword down to it's hilt into the marble floor next to Shining Armor's left fore leg cutting off a few of the loose hairs from his fetlock. The Captain was in shock from what just happened. Here he was having the upper hoof to slay the demons that not only murder the Changelings at Sweet Apple Acres. But also hospitalized his most elite of his Royal Guards. Now in front of him he finds himself defenseless against the two humans. One holding his L shaped weapon to his head. The other using his claw to grab onto the guard Captain's horn. 'WAIT! HORN!?' Shining Armor screamed in pain as he was lifted into the air by Benjamin holding onto nothing but the his horn. He began to swat at Benjamin's arm with his forelegs trying to get the soldier to let go. But to Ben, each hit felt like if he was being punched by a five year old. Shining Armor tried again and again to get me to let go of his horn. Each hit he gave with his forelegs was pathetic in my eyes. I didn't smile. I didn't laugh. He attempted to kill me and my brother. Regarding U.S. Military rules, I have every right to kill this mother fucker... But I won't, and I will tell him why. With more force then what I used on the sword, I slammed my right knee into Shining Armor's gut, cracking the iron armor that protected it. His screaming ceased as the oxygen was expelled from his lungs as more pain coursed through his body. I let go of his horn and his body fell limp onto the marble floor next to his sword. The captain of the guard began to convulse on the floor before he wretched and began to vomit. Bits of blood mixed in as he moaned in pain. He began to cough, and as he did more blood would come out of his mouth. Minutes passed and coughing began to die down. The broken unicorn began to wheeze trying to breath in as much oxygen as he could. Shining opened his eyes to look at us. His eyes filled with tears and regret. With this I took a knee and looked into his tear filled eyes. The cowardice, the fear, the regret all shown in his eyes. "You brought this upon yourself you piece of shit." I was calm when I spoke to him, I did not let any of my anger control me. "You are now an enemy to the U.S. Military! Try what you did again and we will not hesitate to kill you. Do you understand me?" I paused letting my words sink into his tiny brain before he slowly gave a nod. "I didn't kill you back at 'Sweet Apple Acres'. And I'm not going to kill you now..." He looked a bit relieved knowing this. "There are things I want you to think about. Things you should already have thought of before you had even given the thought of attacking us... Things like how would you're sister feel knowing her brother was killed because of his own incompetence?" His breathing began to slow as he shed more of his tears. "And that is not the only pony you should concern yourself with... What about you're parents? And let's not forget you're fiancee Cadence? Or should I say Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Oh how would the young pink alicorn would feel knowing her soon to be husband was stupid enough to let his pride and anger control his actions." As I went on Roger didn't say a single word. He only placed his pistol back in it's holster before he crossed is arms as he looked to the fallen Captain. Shining began to look around the empty corridor hoping to find somepony that could help him, but there was no pony anywhere near his position. He intentionally brought the two humans to this location in the castle highly unused even by the maidens so he could take action in his plan. "Look at me Shining Armor. Look into my eyes." I said in a monotone voice. Slowly he looked up from where he laid and looked into my multi-colored eyes. His entire body began to shiver the longer he looked into them. "You are lucky it was us that arrived here in Equestria. For if it were our enemies. You're sister, would be dead. Her friends, would be dead. All of Ponyville would be nothing but a sea of flames as it burned to the ground. You and you're guards would have died. And Celestia?" I asked as I brought my head next to his as I whispered in is ear. "Take the hint." I lifted myself up to my full and look down to the piece of garbage before me. I kicked him over onto his side and he began coughing once again. No more blood coming out as he did. A few minutes passed and he again began to wheeze trying to suck as much oxygen as he could. His body laying limp, his head lied on the floor next to the puddle of vomit and blood. I looked to my right to where my brother stood. His brow still furrowed and eyes still gazing at Shining Armor. "Roger... Hold him down." My brother moved forward and placed his left boot on Shining Armor's neck. "What do you plan to do brother? He said as he looked back to me. "I will make sure that he will forever remember this day. When he looks to us, even hear our names he would feel fear far above anything else." I simply said as I stared into the fallen stallions eyes. "Let this be a lesson to you Shining Armor... Don't fuck with us. Don't you ever. Fuck. With. Us." I raised my right leg and brought it right above the captains head. Without a second thought I slammed my heel down, right onto Shining Armor's horn. The force of my heel snapped the white spiraled horn clean off from his fore-head inducing pain far more devastating then I knew he had ever felt. The once quiet corridor was now filled with blood curdling scream's that could make any lesser being flee in terror, but as quickly as it came it left as the once proud Captain of the Celestial Royal Guard fell into unconsciousness' after feeling such agonizing pain. Minutes passed as Shining Armor unconscious form lied sprawled out on the marble floor, blood trickling out from his horn and open maw. The pitter patter of hooves galloping, rang through the castle corridors before abruptly stopping. At the far end of the hall, far from where the two humans and broken stallion where, stood a small contingent of royal guards peering too the seals direction. "What in Equest-... CAPTAIN!!!" A single guard yelled in horror. Quickly him and the remaining guards galloped to there fallen superior to find him in a most horrifying state. "W-w-what did you DO TO HIM!!!" The same guard yelled as he spread his wings in a battle ready stance. The other guards stood in shock but did not do the same as the Pegasus guard in front of the two brothers. They remembered the announcement made by Lieutenant Shiny Sides, and they now knew better then to try to confront the humans. "You have two choices." I spoke after the Pegasus guard flared his wings. "You can stay and fight us, only to end up like this piece of shit here." I flat out told him as I pointing to Shining Armor. "Or you can take him to the infirmary were if you hurry, he might not die from blood loss..." The wings of the Pegasus guard snapped back into they're original position, as the his eyes grew wide in horror. "You!" He yelled to one of the unicorns in his group. "Teleport to the Infirmary and tell them to ready a room! Everypony else! Help me carry the Captain!" As if it was a routine. The unicorn vanished in a flash of dull grey light as the others moved slowly to move the unconscious Captain to the back of a large earth pony. In a matter of seconds they were gone from sight. The only way one could tell there was a confrontation there in the corridor, would be from the vomit and blood stained onto the sheik carpet, the Sword belonging to a royal guard captain, stabbed to it's hilt into the marble floor. There was one last thing that would confirm such a confrontation. And it was to be my memento for dealing with an incompetent and foolish pony that had the audacity to try and fight those who have been in the face of death and have caused them. I bent down onto one knee and picked up the white spiraled, broken and bloodied horn off the marble floor. "A prize for the victor?" My brother asked. I stood tall once again as I gripped the horn in my hand. "Indeed it is... Let's get out of here. We still have to meet the girls for dinner." "Yeah." Was the only word Roger spoke before both brothers walked out of the castle corridor. Time passed once again and both found a single guard that lead them to there original destination. "You rig you're gear?" Roger asked as both brothers exited their appointed rooms. "Enough explosives to rid anything that try's to mess with it." Benjamin said as they walked down the west wing once again. Roger gave a smirk at this as the single guard lead them too the Royal Dining Hall, where they were to meet the others for hopefully, a relaxing dinner. > Chapter 11. A Horrible Truth > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 11. A Horrible Truth. Roger and I have been standing outside the doors to the Royal Dining Hall for five, maybe ten minutes now? I'm not really sure. But what I am sure, is that we are in a bit of a conundrum at this time. No less than an hour ago we were placed in a confrontation against the Captain of the Celestial Royal Guard. Which resulted with us acting against said Captain in self defense. And due to the injuries the Captain sustained, he was sent off to the castle's infirmary with what I am pretty sure would be a few, if not all of his ribs broken. Some internal bleeding. Maybe a few punctured organs and not to forget his broken horn. Now that I think about his condition, I would be surprised if he did not die from his injuries. And with Shining Armor in his condition it would only be a matter of time when Celestia and Luna would confront the two of us on this matter. See that there is our conundrum. Being in a first contact situation with an familiar, yet unfamiliar intelligent equine species is difficult enough, but putting what I presumed was the head of the Equestrian guard into the hospital raised the difficulty another few notches. Sure we acted in self defense against the crazed Captain. And some would say I had gone to far breaking off his horn, but everything I did was a necessity when facing an adversary whom is bent on ending the lives of not just me but also a member of my family. Hell the only member that has been with me to the very end. Once we walk through these doors we would not only have to face the two princesses of the Equestrian nation, but also six mares that represent the 'Elements of Harmony' and one said mare being the 'Element of Magic' that is also the little sister to the now damaged Captain. "So what do you think?" Roger asked me finally braking the silence that was held between the two of us. "It could be today or tomorrow when they find out what we did to Shining Armor. It's only a matter of time." I lied my back against the wall thinking of what to do as I twiddled the broken horn between my fingers. "As I see it Roger, we have two options... Option 1. We can explain what had happened to the Captain, which could weaken our standing with the princesses and where there is a possibility of there being a retaliation by his sister Twilight. But I could be over thinking that last part..." My brother began to shake his head at the first option I gave before he spoke. "It's already been a long enough day for these ponies. I don't think going in there and saying 'Hay! Captain Shining Armor tried to kill us, so we defended ourselves in combat and broke him and his horn and placed him in the castles infirmary, were he still has a high chance of dying!' Hell it's bad enough I scared the crap out of Luna earlier." I looked to him with a questioning brow meant for him to spill what happened. "Yeah, kinda mentioned we would expend no asset to kill her or actually Nightmare Moon if she tried to bring eternal night to earth." I stood there bewildered that Roger would say such a thing, just as I face palmed with my free hand. "Wait to go jackass... Well I shouldn't say that." I said back looking to him. "Just bad timing. Out of everything that's happened today... Yeah. It's best we wait on this matter." "So Option 2 then?" Roger asked as I took a firm grip on the broken horn before nodding. "Yes. Let them find out what happened first, then we will speak to them... The only thing I don't want to happen is for another confrontation against any Equestrian Forces because of this matter. But if it happens it happens." "Very well" Roger replied as he stretched his torso. "I believe it's time we head inside... They've been waiting for quite a while now." I pushed my back off the wall and looked straight to the French styled doors in front of us. "Yeah." Was all I said as I placed the broken horn into my pocket. Walking forward I placed my hand on the door handle before turning it. "I hope they have bacon..." Inside the Royal Dining Hall, eight mares sat waiting for the arrival of the two human soldiers and one guard captain. Questions went to and fro between the mares as they talked about life in general, would it be work on the farm. Incoming business for the seamstress. The newest pet for the animal care taker. The next Wonderbolt air show. Mention of the two foals at Sugarcube Corner. A new first edition spell tome to come to the library. But as the minutes went so did the patience for a certain rainbow maned Pegasus. No matter how cool she thought they were, there was no excuse for being so slowwwwwww. But as if on queue the doors opened to the Royal Dining Hall, all activity was quickly silenced as the ponies inside watched as the doors swayed open revealing the two humans from earlier that day. "Finally!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, as she threw her hooves into the air as both brothers walked to the dining table. "You guys took forever getting here! What in the hay took you so long!?" "Rainbow Dash!" Rarity yelled from across the table. "They are our guests. Please be civil. It has been a very long and tiring day already." "Blah, blah, blah whatever Rares, I'm starving here! If you haven't noticed we haven't had anything to eat since, oh I don't know BREAKFAST!!!" Rarity rolled her eyes at the LOUD Comment Rainbow gave her while the other shook there heads in amusement. "Simmer down there Sally and hold yer horses. These two fellers are here now and I reckon were gonna get some grub soon." Applejack spoke as she jabbed a hoof at the cyan Pegasus. "Ugh! Fine." The cyan mare said in a huff of aggravation. "Um... Question? Where is my Bbbff?" Twilight spoke up, having everyone's attention to her. Roger and I looked to each other knowing she would ask for such a question, so we came up with a simple enough answer for her. "He decided not to join us for dinner." I said shaking my head as my brother and I drew closer to the dinning table. "Oh. Ok I'll talk to him tomorrow. It had been months since I last spoke to my BBBFF." I kind of felt bad for Twilight. She was going to be in for a rude awakening when she finds out what happened to her brother. Next to Twilight, Celestia stood and gestured to two open spots at the table. "Come, come the chef's are preparing everything for tonight." Celestia gave a happy smile as I walked to the pillow that was placed between her and Twilight. On the other side of the table Roger took the spot between Luna and Fluttershy. We both looked down to the cushions before looking back to each other shaking our heads. I turned to my right to see Celestia's happy smile start to falter noticing that neither of us has taken a seat on the cushion before us. "Celestia I have to ask. You wouldn't happen to have any chairs for bi-pedals such as us would you?" Celestia's face contorted to one of confusion then quickly changed to one of embarrassment. "Oh! I'm terribly sorry to the both of you! I should have realized this earlier." In a flash of golden light the plush cushions were gone only to be replaced by plush chairs designed for bi-pedals like us. "There you are. These chairs are usually used by the minotaur ambassadors but since you two are here I see no reason for you not use them." I gave Celestia happy smile and a nod making her cheeks to flush just a bit. I pulled the plush chair back and took my seat next to the alabaster alicorn and her protégée. Roger doing the same taking a seat between Luna and Fluttershy. The small yellow Pegasus began to hide behind her mane in fear of Roger being beside her. 'You know these chairs are pretty comfortable. Reminds of the seats on my.-' Ben's thought was quickly stopped as a familiar sounds of creaking rang through the dining hall. Before anyone inside could mutter a single word, loud snaps of wood breaking filled the room along with the sounds of the two human soldiers bodies crashing onto the marble floor under them. In haste the ponies around them stood from there cushions in panic. "Ben!" Both Celestia and Rarity yelled in concern as the later quickly moved to his side as the former was already there. On the other side of the table, Luna yelled out to Roger in concern as she moved closer to him. "Benjamin, darling, are you alright!? Please say something!?" Rarity asked her love as she stroked her hoof on his chest. "Ya know..." I said through gritted teeth as the pain coursed through my head from the impact from the fall. "Part of me knew that was going to happen. Roger you good!?" I Half yelled as I picked myself up off the floor. Rarity and Celestia doing the best they could to help me. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine!" He yelled back as he himself was being help up by Luna and a still shivering Fluttershy. At the middle of the table the sounds of roaring laughter came to everyone's ears as a rainbow maned Pegasus laughed rolling on the floor as she did. "My sides! My sides!" She screamed in her hysterical state. "Rainbow Dash! This is not funny! While you laugh they could be seriously hurt!" The unicorn yelled to the laughing Pegasus. Celestia lift her head towards mine, giving me a small nuzzle just before looking me over. "Are you alright? You're not hurt are you?" "Nah. We've been through many things back on earth, a simple fall isn't gonna do much damage... How's the cut on my face? The stitches come loose?" "Hmmm." Celestia hummed looking for any breaks in the stitching. "No I don't see anything bleeding. Are you sure you are okay? I can take you to the infirmary?" "I'm positive Tia." I said her pet name causing her face to redden slightly and for me to give a small chuckle. I looked to other side of the table to see my brother patting Luna on the head as she gave him a sad look. Shouting sounded once again as I heard Rarity and Rainbow Dash go back and forth with one another, Rarity demanding for Rainbow to apologize to us for being so uncouth for laughing in our misfortune. "What! Hey stop it Rarity!" Rainbow Dash yelled to Rarity as she was being dragged by the ear from alabaster mares magic. "Not until you apologize to them Rainbow!" She said in huff placing the blue Pegasus before me. "Rarity it's fine, just let her go no harm no foul. Hell I would've laughed myself if it happened to my brother." I finished with a smirk looking to Roger. "Haha real funny ass hole!" He replied flipping me the bird. "Oh alright." The alabaster mare said letting her magic dissipate and letting Rainbow Dash free from its grasp. Rainbow dash used her hoof to rub her ear. "Look." She said placing her hoof back on the marble floor. "I'm sorry for laughing at you guys, but that was seriously funny! Minotaurs are heavy creature's. And when I mean heavy, I mean HEAVY! And when you both broke the chair thingamajigs I couldn't help myself!" Rainbow Dash began giggling again. Hearing what she said about the Minotaurs really explained something that I was beginning to suspect being here in Equestria. "Hearing you say that Rainbow as really made me think about something." I said placing a hand on my chin. "If Minotaurs are really heavy, what if I may ask is an average weight for one?" "Well." Twilight spoke up. "In my book 'Creatures of Equestria' it stated that the average male Minotaur would weight in between 350 to 400 pounds." "That there was something I was afraid of. The reason why, is that I myself only weigh 210 pounds. But knowing that these now broken chairs were suppose to not only be able to hold our weight, but that of the weight of the gear we wear is very troubling for Roger and I." I stopped leaving my brother to speak up what we were talking about earlier pertaining about this problem when we both broke our beds. "It seems that the gravity from our world is less dense then it is here. You see the gravitational pull of our world runs about 9.81 m/s^2, m/s means meter per second. Meaning that the gravity here in your world is making us heavier then what we should be, but that there is another problem. "Right." I took over once again. "You see if we are heavier then what we were in our world then we would have trouble in basic movement here, but that doesn't seem to be a problem. In fact it seems that although we became heavier our bodies were able to either rapidly adapt to the new weight which is impossible or something has caused us to not only be able to be stronger in this world, but also faster." I looked around the table to find that everyone was dumbstruck on most of what we said. Celestia seemed to understand, and if a starry eyed Twilight Sparkle meant anything, I'm sure she also knows what we were talking about. "Does anyone know the gravitational pull for this planet?" I asked. Receiving odd looks from the mares, two of them scratching there heads in confusion. "YES!!!" Twilight yelled in joy before sheepishly blushing and apologizing form the out burst. "S-sorry about that. He-he." She awkwardly rubbed one fore-leg in front of the other, causing me to chuckle at her embracement. "Right, the gravitational pull on Harvest was first brought to light by 'Star Swirl The Bearded'. In his Book 'Life of Harvest' he calculated that the gravitational pull of our planet was, and this is quite amazing he also used the same calculating math you spoke. He written that the pull of Harvest was calculated to 29.49 m/s^2!" I was taken back by the high number. "This... This is very concerning." I voiced out showing my concern with the frown I had given to the ponies around me. The mares looked to Ben. Most took to a worried gaze while the others looked dumbfounded about was happening. "I ain't sure what in the hey is going on. Can one a y'all tell me what everypony's so worried about?" "Yeah! What's with all this egghead talk anyway?" "If it's okay. Can you um, please um, s-sorry." "it is alright Fluttershy, I'm sure they will elaborate why such a thing is bad. Please darling if you could tell us why this gravity thing is problem? The few of us do not seem to understand what is wrong." Roger gave a sigh as he shook his head. "The problem is that, according to the math, the two of us have calculated that we weigh more then three times our original weight here on this planet." "My brother is correct. At the moment I should weigh anywhere between 630 to 670 pounds. Which my body should not be able to handle. In fact we both should have died again once we appeared here in Equestria due to the pressure of this planet. That or I can chalk up everything to the strange physics of this world... It is also concerning that when we fought your guards Celestia, it is possible that we did more than knock them unconscious. More to the fact that we may have not only broken bones but also given blunt force trauma to there heads." "Oh my, this is very concerning indeed." Celestia said. "Are you positive Benjamin? about this?" "Well..." I rubbed my chin thinking. "The broken carriage and the broken Minotaur chair says so. Also earlier today when I carried Pinkie Pie on my head when we walked through Ponyville, and I don't want to sound rude because I am speaking of a mares weight. But to me she couldn't weigh anymore then maybe fifty pounds? And the same goes for you Rarity. When I carried you here to the castle." "Oh my this is very concerning... Please excuse I have to speak to one of my-" Celestia took only a single step forward before the door to the Dining Hall burst open in a flash of red aura causing them to crash into marble wall leaving spider web cracks in the wall. Roger and I quickly took out our pistols fresh magazines and a fresh round already chambered. We watched for anything to happen and before the dust from the crash could settle something did. A pink alicorn walked through the dust a scowl on her muzzle as her aura around her horn flashed between pink and red. "WHERE ARE THEY!!!? WHERE THE BUCK ARE THEY!!!?" Cadence screamed in the 'Royal Canterlot Voice' as she trot forward to the table. She had fire in her eyes as she looked to me then to Roger. "YOU MONSTERS! YOU BUCKING MONSTERS!!!" "PRINCESS CADENCE CALM THYSELF THIS INSTANT!" Luna yelled to her niece using the same voice as the young alicorn. "NO!!!" *BANG* The sound of my pistol firing erupted inside the dining hall silencing the enraged pink alicorn and making the others splay there ears back from the loud sound. Cadence horn began to dim before it finally extinguished. Her eyes were wide in shock and fear. Slowly she turned her head back to door to see the small hole in the door where a 45. Slug was embedded inside. Nobody moved from where they stood and no one said a single word. As the seconds passed the sounds of multiple hooves clopping against the marble floor sounded through out the silent hall as dozens of guards galloped to the entrance. There now we all stood. Mine and Rogers pistols stilled aimed at the young princess, the guards standing by the entrance of the dining hall weapons raised either by hooves or by magic, Pegasi roamed in the air spears or sword in their hooves. I slowly reached into my left pocket and took out the broken horn. I didn't let anyone see it but I will have to reveal it soon. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." I spoke catching the young pink alicorn by surprise. "Yes I know who you are. And I also know why you are here... I do not regret what I did to him. Your fiancé was an idiot and he paid the price." I turned my head slowly keeping my eyes on Cadence but to took quick sweeps looking to the ponies near me. all of them were shocked by what was happening and most were confused by what I said about Cadenza's, Fiancé, Shining Armor. "I want everyone here to listen to what we have to say!" My brother spoke with a commanding voice. "Ben it's all you right now." I gave my brother a nod as I lowered my pistol. "I am sure some of you know about the condition of the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor." Guards began to murmur among themselves. But next to was a stuttering Twilight Sparkle. "S-shiny?" I heard Twilight say with a scared tone. "W-What's wrong?! Is he okay? What happened?!" I lifted my hand up and took out the white horn for everyone around to see. "No. He is not." a collection of gasps from the ponies around made it aware that they caught site of the white spiraled horn in my grasp. Three ponies walked from behind the guards that stood by the dining hall doors. One was a Earth pony, his coat was brown in color. His mane was two-toned, a mix of red and grey, his cutie mark was the image of a shield with two swords crossed in the center. Next was a Pegasus mare. I couldn't see her coat but if I had to go by anything I am sure it was Spitfire in her Wonderbolts outfit. If that wasn't anything than the fiery type mane she had put the pieces together. Next and last pony to come forth was a grey coated unicorn stallion. His mane was one color. Black. He had a diagonal scar that went across his left eye. I'm sure he should be blind with that one. His cutie mark was simple. Just a bulls eyes, that was it. "Shining Armors horn..." The unicorn spoke. "How did you get that?" His tone was calm but I could see the anger in his eyes. "I snapped it off..." I paused as gasps rang out again, the sounds of guards behind the open door vomiting as weapons began to clang against the marble floor. "After I put him down." Guards began to yell and the mares near Roger and I began to move away in fear. Celestia and Rarity stepped away from me, making their way to the group ahead of us along with the others. Roger and I stood where we were, his pistol stilled aimed to the group ahead as mine was still in my hand. Ahead of us stood everyone. Celestia, Luna, Cadence, the Mane Six along with the Royal Guards. It was like a Mexican stand-off, where all would wait till someone made the first move. Tears flowed in the eyes of Twilight, and Cadence. The others showed the signs of hurt in and distrust especially in the eyes of Luna, Celestia and Rarity. Looks of fear and terror for Fluttershy. Pinkie with her hair dark and deflated was sad. Rainbow Dash and Applejack gazed at to us with a bit fire in their eyes. They bared there teeth and looked ready to charge. "Your Captain made the biggest mistake of his life today." Roger said as he moved up beside me. "His actions he used earlier resulted with him being hospitalized. Celestia when you and your guards attacked us earlier today by all rules of our military's law we had every right to not only fight back but to kill if necessary." The ponies all let out a gasp. To hear that they could have kill their princess was enough of a shocker for a few if not many, to lose consciousness in the back of the small horde of guards. "Your Captain in all honesty is a disgrace. He is foolish, incompetent, hot headed and above all else stupid. He decided by his own accord to disobey your princess and not lead us to our private quarters, but instead to lead us to a lone hallway far from where our rooms were to be. He had one goal on his mind the entire time." "What my brother say's is true. Shining Armor's goal was to kill us plane and simple. To take our lives from us because we didn't belong here. We as soldiers have taken the many lives of our enemies. He has never taken one. He spoke so cheerfully of how the ponies in the street will cheer his name as he walks down the paths of your city. How his name will forever be known for vanquishing a terrible evil from the land. We asked him about how others would feel about this. For him to mercilessly kill two beings that have not just recently arrived in your world but have saved the small town from which you Twilight and as well as the other 'Elements of Harmony' lived. His blade was placed at my neck as he rambled on but when my brother spoke of you Twilight. His insanity turned into pure rage. And when he moved his blade to Roger I acted swiftly and brought him down. Our world has known war since the very beginning. I am only at the age of twenty-four and I have seen and caused more death and destruction and yet save the lives of many innocent people because that is our life. I do not regret my actions against that fool. He is lucky I let him live." Tears streamed from the mares faces but far more by Twilight and Cadence than any other pony next them. What Roger and I spoke of really hit them hard. Weapons were sprawled all around the guards hooves and the Pegasi in the air had dropped down to the floor from shock. It was true we really didn't belong here. We are elite soldiers of an unstoppable military force. Killing is like second nature to us. We don't even bat an eye as we spill the blood of our enemies over there land. The nightmares that once plagued my mind during my sleep don't scare me no more than they used too. I shook my head breaking my gaze away from the ponies ahead of me. I turned to Roger telling it would best for us to leave at the moment. I walked forward my grip still held strong on my pistol as I walked up to the the Elements and the princesses. "Move... Please." I asked with a heavy hearted tone. "We will be leaving now." The ponies parted like the red sea leaving us room for Roger and I to walk side by side to walk out of the dining hall. Twilight and Cadence didn't react to us as we stepped forward on are path back to our rooms. The two ponies sat in the same spot staring to where my brother and I once stood there eyes red from crying and tears that slid past there muzzles and down to the marble floor. As we walked I suddenly stopped not looking anywhere else but forward as I called the princesses names. "Celestia. Luna... If you need us will be on our rooms." Those were the last words I said before I caught up to Roger and walked our way back to our rooms. ------------------------------------------------ Back inside the dining hall the ponies watched as the two soldiers left not whispering a single word or moving a single inch. The silence finally broke as the hoarse voice of Twilight Sparkle spoke from her place next to her crying not so soon to be sister-in-law. "A-applejack." She said grabbing her friends along with Celestia's attention. "W-what is it sugar-cube?" The apple farmer asked dreading that her friend would not ask the question she would never want to answer. "Applejack was what Ben said true? Everything he said... Was it t-t-true?" Twilight stuttered trying to finish coming to thoughts that were so sickening. Her brother would never do such a thing. The big brother she loved so much with all her heart would never try such a thing. Applejack walked up to her friend. Twilight's face matted from tears her mane in disarray her eyes blood shot red with circles around them as if she hadn't slept in a fortnight. "Sugar-cube I..." "Applejack." The lavender unicorn turned to her orange coated friend and pleaded for an answer. "Please." All the apple farmer could do was hang her head low as she confirmed Twilight's fear. It was so quick to happen. Twilights eyes began to twitch before they rolled back into her head and she crashed forward onto the floor unconscious. Her friends surrounded her prone body trying to wake her hoping she was okay before a golden aura wrapped itself around her body and Princess Celestia forward bringing the unconscious form of Twilight up and placing the lavender mare on her back. As this happened the pink alicorn off to the side was comforted by Luna as she had her wings wrapped around her niece comforting as best she could. Loud sobbing was heard from the pink Alicorn, but there was nothing anypony there could do. Celestia began to walk away leading her and the rest of the elements to the open dining hall doors where her guards began collecting there weapons along with the unconscious guards. They six mares walked steady passing corridor after corridor till they reached a single door with a picture of the sun emblazed on it's frame. With Celestia's magic the door opened letting herself and Twilight into her chambers. Celestia walked to her very bed and placed the Twilights sleeping form under her silk covers tucking her in like she did when the lavender mare was once a small filly. As Celestia walked out from her room she found the others steadily waiting for her return not bothering to talk to one another. Celestia could see that her subjects where still in a state of shock of what happened just minutes ago. She herself couldn't be sure if she could ever forget what happened this day. "Girls." Celestia called to the elements eliciting there attention. It was a sad sight truly. Every mare had matted upon their muzzles from whence they cried the spunky and unnatural curly hair of Pinkie Pie was straight as noodles ur mopey expression it hard for Celestia seeing one of her most happy subjects to be so distraught and saddened. The princess gave a sigh as she looked the other over. "In all my years have I ever experienced such a day as this. When the time came for my sister and I to use the elements on Discord was less chaotic then today. I do not know what tomorrow may bring I just pray to Faust that it will be better. Today as been to long and I wish you all a good night. You may take any room you wish. Also I will have a maid stop by to your rooms to take your order if you are still hungry. Good night my little ponies may Faust bless you good night." One by one Celestia watched as her saddened subjects each picked a room of their own. As the each mare began to walk in Rarity stood outside her room looking to Celestia before she gave a sigh and walked inside. The Sun Princess turned to her chamber and as she walked inside. A lone tear fell from her eye and for once in her life she was dreading of what could come tomorrow. > Chapter 12. I Need A Song. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 12. I Need A Song. As Roger and I reached our rooms we went our separate ways. Walking into my room I found that everything was in place, my gear that I had stashed behind the cabinet was secure, no sign of being tampered with. Even if it was the explosives I had rigged would have detonated if anything was moved. After unrigging the C4 I took out one of my M.R.E.'s a spaghetti and meatball with a side of bread and other assortment of nutritious food. As the food heated I sat back against the far wall next to the king sized bed where I went back contemplating on what had happened today. Today was one hell of a long day, not just for myself and my brother but for everyone that we had crossed. So much as happened it's bordering on the level of stress after the fucking first day of hell week at Bud's. Looking back. Painfully waking up in the apple orchard to finding little Applebloom hurt from falling off her tree house. Meeting the mane six to fighting royal guards and placing my pistol under Celestia jaw. Killing a horde of Changelings to walking though Ponyville. Showing the ponies an episode of My Little Pony. Searching for Rarity in the streets of Canterlot to finding Roger and Luna arguing at the castle steps. And last... What I had done to Shining Armor and the crushing pain I had caused his loved ones. In all I understand that had no justification for what I had done to him. I could have simply subdued the basterd and brought him to rational thought, but instead I became the basterd when I had hurt him, broke him and almost killed the fucker... And as I bite into my food I realize the pain I had caused Twilight and Cadence through my actions against Shining. But it's not just them. They're also the guards under his command. And not to mention his parents as well. And I realize in actuality it is the fault of my own that was the reason he placed his anger against my brother and I. But more specifically, towards me. "I acted like a dumbass greenhorn fresh out of basic. Showing such disrespect to a guard that most-likely worked hard to get to the rank he is today. And yet I cast him aside like he was nothing more than a nuisance to my time, instead of respecting him like a fellow brother in arms would." (Although not an actual soldier but a brother nonetheless) I began to laugh at my own idiocy. I didn't take this first-contact situation seriously at all. I acted like a damn fool letting my emotions get the best of me. Something they beat the shit out of you during training. And if any of the guys back in the team where to see my actions today I would with out a doubt, have been duck-taped to a pole in nothing but my boxers some where back home. Just like they did in the first week Roger and I joined our team. Sure I still don't regret what I had done to Shining Armor, but what I do regret was treating him like a child. The disrespect I showed to him was most likely the reason why he broke. I need to remember these guards are not as trained as I and my brother are. I won't apologize for the actions I took here in this castle, but what I will do is make things right. I owe Twilight and Cadence that much. Finishing my meal I tossed all trash into a nearby bin before going back and fishing through my bag searching for my laptop. Turning it on I clicked on my Zune app along with a few others. As I let the Zune program load I placed my laptop on the king-sized bed and walked to the far door that lead to the bathroom. The bathroom was lavish to say the least. Accents of gold and purple. The shower itself was more like a walk in pool. Walking over I twist the knobs letting the water flow and warm up to a decent temperature. Walking out of the bathroom I noticed my laptop had finished loading the music app letting me choose one of the many thousands of songs I had stored. There was only one song I wanted to hear right now. It was a song I would listen to after a 'long fucking day'. And you can bet your ass today was one of them. And as the song played, the warm water of the shower cascaded over me washing away the dirt, sweat, blood and fatigue that had composed onto my being on this, a day like so many others will never be forgotten in my mind. Or anyone else that had to be with me today. A day founding of first-contact, foolishness, fear, anger, hate, love and mistakes. Mistakes made by both human and pony. ----------------------------------------------- In the room across from his brother, Roger looked upon the land of Equestria as he stood against the balcony railing, cigar in hand watching as candle lights blew out and the country fell to it's slumber to the night. It was so peaceful, so quiet. He took a puff from his cigar enjoying the flavor of the Churchill before making an O with his mouth as he blew out a few smoke rings. The sound of wings flapping above him caught his attention. He contemplated turning and drawing his pistol but decided against it as he heard the sound of large hooves hitting the stone balcony next to him. He closed his eyes taking a quick breath of fresh air, catching a new aroma as he did. Opening his eyes, Roger looked back out to the country side. "What can I do for you Luna?" He asked before taking another puff on his cigar. He didn't need to look over to see whom the pony was. He could tell by her scent that the pony next to him was the night princess herself. Luna at first did not answer, instead she looked upon the land as her stars twinkled in her night sky. She was so afraid. Never in her long life as any pony or being had ever driven her to such fear. Not Discord, nor the Nightmare that plagued her mind over a millenia ago. She trembled just by being near the soldier, but even so she needed to speak to him. She just needed to know. So with a shaky voice she asked him what was on her mind. "Why?" She finally asked, not looking to him but still her eyes fixed upon the land. "Why did you come here, to our land? Not here for one day and see what you and your brother have done to us. Hospitalized our best guards, killed a horde of Changelings and lastly placed a young Captain of our sister's guard into a coma. One where no pony will ever know if he will awaken, causing his family and fiancée much grief and sorrow." She paused letting out a sigh and small tear streak down her muzzle. "W-Why did you come here? What is your purpose here in our peaceful land?" Roger took one final puff of his cigar tasting the unique flavor before putting it out and looking to the Lunar Princess beside him. "You think we want to be here Luna? We don't want to be here any more than you wish us to be. We have a duty, not only to our country but to the world. And right now we would rather be back their with our brothers. But we don't have a choice now. Were here and nothing can change that... Unless you have the ability to bring back the dead. Luna turned away from the land to look at the soldier. She watched his eyes. And to her they seemed so... Hollow. Long ago a pony once said that the eyes were a gateway to the soul, and yet as she gazed into his, the Lunar Princess found nothing not a speck of emotion. "You know when Ben and I awoke in that apple orchard today we at first had not a clue that we had come to this world." Roger shook his head before looking back out to the land. "We died back in Afghanistan and then poof! We find ourselves here. And at first it was strange. Being soldiers we realize that most of the time, things never go the way we want. And when we found Applebloom hurt and in need of help we realized we found ourselves here on this world and not in heaven. Heaven a paradise that many of the people of our land wished to go when they passed on. A paradise my brother and I had no right to go to. And from what I understand." He looked back to Luna and into her blue eyes. "This world is the same. A paradise we have no right to be in." And for second time that day, Luna, heard the soldier laugh, the same he did after he apologized to her on streets of Canterlot and began to tickle her to cheer the frightened Night Princess from his haunting words. "Heh, but who can truly dictate where a being could go after they have passed on from life." Seconds passed and the two stared at each other before Roger placed his hands back upon the railing setting his gaze out to the stars. "Later, when we had made contact with those six mares then with your sister I will say that our intentions then where not of hostility but of peace. I understand from not just seeing the two of us but with my brother covered in blood, Celestia's skepticism was well placed. And when she sought her guards along with herself to confront the two of us, we fought back like the soldiers we are... Our goal was to only incapacitate those guards, not to place them in the hospital. But at that time we didn't know that our abilities were... 'Strengthened' as it were. Next when it came to fighting the Changelings as few had called them. I myself had no clue to what they were, but from the reactions from not just your sister but that of my brother I understood that they are not to be taken lightly. Which is why we shot to kill back at the apple farm." Those words 'To Kill' shook the mare where she stood. Being alive for so long, the only way anypony had ever lost their lives was of age. Never of a pony taking the life of another. Equestria was a land of peace and harmony. Not of violence and horror. "-That in itself was a mistake on both parties." Luna quickly shook her head when she missed his words as Roger continue on. "It was wrong for Shining Armor to make an attempt to attack us and yet it was also a mistake for my brother to belittle the Captain the way he did. And I know my brother well enough to know he is thinking the exact same right now. And I am positive that, in time, he will find a way to resolve what had been done." Silence swept both human and pony. Luna looked upon the soldier as the soldier himself looked upon her stars. She was still afraid, even more so after she became aware of Shining Armors condition. And now? What was their left to say? He told her what she had asked. And so far neither side knew why the two soldiers were brought to Equestria. Maybe it was luck or fate but who's to say such a thing should have happened. "It's a beautiful sight." Luna looked to where Roger was staring and found his gaze towards the stars. Her stars. She looked back to him and found him smirking as he shook his head, turning back and begun walking into his room. "But it's far, far too different. Good night Luna we will see each other tomorrow morning." And with those last words the balcony doors closed, leaving Luna their alone to stare back to her night sky. --------------------------------------------- In two different rooms three different mares lied back upon their beds, but out of those three only one was able to sleep. The other two tossed and turned but still had no luck in embracing the sleep that alluded them. There was a difference between those two. One a elegant seamstress from a small community not to far from the capital of her country. But the other? The other is a beautiful princess. A princess who's duty is to raise and lower the sun, as well as watch over the country she rules over. Their difference is uncanny... But as of the moment, their problems where the same. Their problem was of the heart... "Why is it..." "With all that he has done..." "Good and bad..." "He does not leave my thoughts..." "Even for a moment..." Both princess and seamstress shuffled inside their beds tugging at their blankets to where the only part of themselves that were uncovered with their tired eyes. "He kills without a second thought..." "But he protected us by putting himself in harms way..." "He could have taken our lives the very moment he had seen us..." "But at the end he instead only wished to be our friend..." Both gave a shaky breath and blinked away at the tears that brimmed in their eyes. "Even with all him and his brother have been through..." "Fighting, protecting, saving, killing..." "Friendship was their first goal..." "And when all was safe and we had time to talk..." "He showed us the very world we lived in..." "And gave us thanks for giving his own world another reason to smile..." Both mares tore their blankets away as they sat up from their beds. "But out of all that he his and that he has done..." "What is it about him that entices me so?" "Could it be his eyes? The way they shine with all the colors of the rainbow?" "Or the way he held me in his protecting arms?" "The way he touched me so when we walked together?" "Or the kiss he placed upon my head on the train?" "Or Maybe it was the kind words he said to me?" "I'm not sure. I... I want to see him, my heart is telling me to be with him right now..." "But I am scared. Could this love be one sided?" "Or maybe he feels the same for me as well..." "Could he feel love for beings such as us? We are not of the same species..." "But does that matter to him?" "I will not know if I sit here thinking about it." "I will not know if I sit here thinking about it." Both princess and seamstress stepped off their beds, the princess slowly doing so to not wake her student from her much needed rest. -------------------------------------------- Celestia looked back before making her way to her bedroom door. She looked to her student and sighed veering her gaze away from her and to her floor. "I know you will not like what I am about to do Twilight, but this is something I need, something I have lived all my life without. I don't expect you to understand at first, but in time I hope you will." With those last words the door to Celestia's bedroom opened and as quietly as the Solar Princess could, she stepped out from her bedroom and began making her way down the hall. The elements had all taken to their own rooms right by Celestia's personal quarters. The Solar Princess expected the other girls were fast asleep. But as she past the last door she stopped as her ears caught the sound of the last door on the left creaking open. "Princess?" She heard one mare call. The sound of the voice was to easy to distinguish who the mare was. Turning around Celestia looked down to see Rarity, the other mare that had fallen for the soldier, looking up to her with sad eyes. "Princess... Your going to go see him, aren't you." It wasn't a question, Celestia knew that. Just an acknowledgment that the unicorn understood her reason for being out of her chambers so late in the night. "Yes. And I suspect that is your reason for being out so late as well?" Rarity gave a sigh as she looked down, away from the princess. "I cannot sleep. I have not been able to get him out of mind princess, ever since..." The mare gulped feeling her breath hitch in her throat. "Ever since the confrontation in the dining hall." A tear came to her eye as she looked up to Celestia. "I love him, but why? He is everything I loathe and yet I want to be close to him, I want to be held by him and I want to be kissed by him. And you Celestia, I know you want it to. A blush came to Celestia's cheeks, a reddening hugh clashing with her alabaster fur. "Yes... I do, I truly do. Walk with me Rarity, there is something you should know." Rarity could only nod at Celestia's words as the solar princess turned away and begun walking the path that would eventually lead them to their destination. It was silent for a time. Neither princess nor seamstress said a single word to each other as they passed one corridor after another. A heavy sigh came from the lips of the alicorn as she turned her head to look to the mare walking beside her. "Did you know Rarity," Celestia began as they made their way through another corridor. "I have lived for over fourteen hundred years. And in all that time I have never known the love and companionship of another?" Rarity gave a gasp at Celestia's words. "W-what!? But-but your a princess! Stallions should be throwing themselves at your hooves for a chance to court you!" Celestia shook her head at these words. "One would think so but that is not how it always seems Rarity. Romance novels are far different then what is to be found in the real world. When you have the power to raise the sun like I do, that itself can detur any stallion from showing you love. The same could be said for Luna, for she too has never found love. The reason? They fear our power... And they shouldn't have to fear us, but they did and still do too this day... Though there is something, something inside my heart that is telling me that 'He' isn't afraid. That 'He' is the one that can save me from desolation. I'm so lonely Rarity, so very lonely." Rarity looked up to the solar princess, and out of all the times she had accompanied her with the other girls, she had never seen the princess so melancholy. Rarity stayed quiet about what Celestia had said, but as the two past another hall the words kept repeating in her head. 'Lonely, desolate, afraid'. No pony should feel this way. "Celestia I have a confession to make. I know what we both had said to one another back in that alleys of Canterlot, but this is something I believe you should know." Celestia looked to the unicorn beside her seeing the still sad look in the young mare's eyes. "I don't wish to play this game Celestia. I don't wish to fight against you for his love. It wouldn't be fair for us. And It also wouldn't be fair to Benjamin." Celestia was curious with the young unicorns words. Was she giving up? Did she not want to be embraced by the soldier she too had fallen for? No. This was something else. "Celestia, what I am about to say is something I would never have thought I would say in any lifetime. We both hold feelings for the same stallion- hrr, I am not sure what his kind calls the males of his species, but never the less we both have fallen for him. And it is because of our love for Benjamin that what I am suggesting to you Celestia, is the starting of a herd. A herd for the... Man, we both have fallen in love with." Celestia was speechless with Rarity's revelation. A herd? They were not uncommon in Equestria due to the low stallion to mare ratio but, could she do this? Would the nobles of Canterlot accept the fact that their princess, the one that has risen the sun for over a millenia be in such a relationship? Should she even care what they think on this matter? 'Buck no. This is my life, this is my chance at love and no pony, nor gryphon, minotaur, donkey or zebra shall come between me and the man that has taken my heart.' "Rarity, the nobles of Canterlot will not take kindly to this. More so that I their princess will be courting a being of an unfamiliar species. But I say let the nobles do their dance, we can not help whom as taken our hearts." "Celestia, the nobles are but a minor inconvenience. It is the girls and especially Twilight, that I wish not too upset. But I know they will be. After what has happened today and with the happenings of Twilights' brother, I do not doubt that they will understand why we chose to pursue him after what he has done." "I understand Rarity. The events of today have been brutal, and for the condition of my Captain, it pains me so. The others will think of us as selfish for going to him even after what he had done, but it is a price we pay for love. It will be rocky at first, and I believe, in time, things will become better." "I trust your words Celestia, and not just for you being a princess. But for you being a fellow sister of the herd. Though I just have one question... What exactly are those guards doing?" Celestia looked as Rarity's sad features quickly turned into a befuddled look as the young mares eyes caught the site before her. Celestia to turned where Rarity's gaze fell and her too saddened features turned to a befuddled look as her eyes caught sight of her sisters lunar guards... Banging their heads in the air? > Not a Chapter. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- [youtube=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=POopx1Pw0s4] Alright... I have personally went back and reread this story. And I don't like it. I really, really don't. So much randomness, no thought in how I made the oc's in no way look professional. I put up random quotes and crap! So I think it is best I did a complete overhaul. Drop the comedy. Just delete and remake or leave this up but have a revamped version to work on. I believe it is best.