[SiE] Chapter 2

> You were enveloped in a white light and suddenly spit out of the darkness into this harsh artic environment as of about ten seconds ago.

>This was not the real problem at hand; you were already dressed in winter gear.

> The real problem was that you were now falling towards the landscape below without a parachute at a speed that was increasing at an alarming rate.

> So this is how it really ended…you got to be a pancake in some mountain rage thanks to a fucking black hole, good job Anonymous.

> Being pretty high above the ground you could see the vast expanse of the terrain, you had to admit it looked picture perfect. The sun light glimmering off the freshly fallen snow and ice…

> Almost looks like a place you wouldn’t mind settling down in…or at least visiting…

> You could see a lake nearby; it was your only shot. You couldn’t die here; you had to at least try to survive. You owed it to yourself to make it out of this alive. You owed it to your colleagues.

> Shifting your weight towards the lake, you find it surprisingly easy to maneuver in the air, almost like you were impervious to the effects of wind.

> You feel the impact on the water, and a sharp crack as your leg breaks from the impact. You attempt to scream but ice cold water rushes into your mouth as you dip below the surface.

> You’re not impervious to drowning though. You break the surface again, gasping for air and attempting to force the water out of yourself.

> Turning to float on your back, you catch your breath and keep afloat.

>Time to take inventory…

> One shattered leg, all your gear, and the ability to breath.

> Not bad, all things considered.

> “Hypothermia.” You remind yourself. “I need a fire and a place to get these wet clothes off…”

> A chill runs up your spine no sooner than you said this. You were losing heat quick; your heart rate was already slowing and your fingers were numb.

> Shit.

> You begin to swim towards the shore slowly due to the use of only your arms being the only way to swim, desperately clawing your way out of the cold, dark water and onto the powdery snow upon reaching the shore.

> Fuck that was tiring…more than it should have been… Fatigue is setting in. Damn it.

> You can feel your eyelids starting to close; your body is aching for rest. It must be at most twenty degrees out here.

> “Get your shit together Anonymous.” You quietly whisper to yourself.

> The only positive side of hypothermia is that you couldn’t feel the pain from your leg. Your nerves were too numb.

> A small stand of snow covered, dead trees stands out as the only feature. You begin your crawl towards them, slowly and agonizingly making your way to the base of one.

> Leaning your back against the trunk, you get the first look at your leg.

> It was worse than you expected, it looked like the bone shattered inside your leg. You could see where the broken bone was poking out of your skin.

> You then realize that your losing blood as well, a trail of dark crimson leading from the lake to were you were now.

> Great, not only were you soaking wet in an artic environment, you were also bleeding out and immobile. You look to the sky to see the sun threatening to retreat behind the higher mountains.

> Not only that, a very large mass of dark clouds were moving towards you. A blizzard probably…

> You won’t survive the night if a blizzard hits.

> It’s almost kind of funny how easy it is to resign yourself to that fact when you face death every day and it never comes.

> You hold the button of your helmet radio down after a quick adjustment of frequency.

> “Calling all frequencies, anyone out there?”

> No answer, just a soft static noise.

> You adjust the frequency again.

> “Calling all frequencies, anyone out there?”

> Nothing again.

> “Damn it…”

> So this is really how it ends? You just freeze to death?

> “There are worse ways to go I suppose.” You say with a hint of bitterness.

> “Hello? Can anyone hear me?”

> You immediately hit the talk button.

> “Hello?”

> “Twi, ah don’t think it’s workin…” A very southern accent speaks up in the background.

> “AJ shhh. I’m talking.”

> Your split between a mix of relief and hope, someone could actually hear you!

> “My name is Twilight, and you are?”

> “Anonymous one, this is a distress call. I am critically injured, I’m bleeding and hypothermia is setting in. I won’t last the night out here, I need medical assistance ASAP.”

> There is a long pause. “Oh dear, well it’s your lucky day that you managed to get in touch with us! Where are you?”

> You fumble around for your PDA. Pulling the small object from your belt you immediately get the message that no satellites could be found. Must be too far north or the mountains are blocking the signal.

> “Current coordinates are unknown.” Is all you can say, this was not going to be very helpful either.

> “Hm. Could you describe what you see in your immediate area?”

> “I’m near a lake with no ice on it, I am currently sheltering in a stand of dead trees. It’s open and flat, no real features or obstructions to getting a helicopter in here.”

> “A what?” Another voice speaks up. “What’s a helicopter?”

> You roll your eyes and start to doubt your rescue. These people don’t know what a helicopter is?

> “Um…Right…” Twilight said. “Do you have some way to show us where you are? Can you make a fire?”

> “I have emergency flares.” You suddenly remember. “How do you intend to get here?”

> “I can have some friends fly out to get you, don’t worry. Now describe these flares…”

> “They spew out red smoke and burn white. I only have six of them so tell your friends to get in the air now; I will be launching them in ten minute intervals.”

> You hear a howl in the distance and it immediately sets you on edge.

> The wolves smell the blood, its dinner time.

> “Are there wolves in the area?” You ask a bit unsure.

> “I just heard that howl too. Diamond Dogs are probably headed your way, do everything you can to avoid them getting to you.”

> “I’m armed.” You respond back. “Just please, hurry.”

> “My friend is already in the air and circling the mountain. The blizzard has been postponed until later tonight so they should have no trouble seeing your flares.”

> “Got it. Keep me updated with were your friend is.”

> You pull the flare gun along with the cartridges out of another pouch on your belt, folding the gun into its ready state you load one cartridge.

> You also get your FN-2000 ready. If the wolves wanted to eat, they could earn their meal. Setting it to fire three shot bursts and then adjusting the scope for close range.

> Darkness seems to fall almost instantly as the sun disappears behind the mountains, almost as if someone just flipped a switch. You grasp the flare gun in your hand and aim it skyward.

> “First flare out.” You call into the radio.

> The dark ground is suddenly illuminated with a bright red glow as the parachute of the flare deploys and it hangs lazily in the air.

> Another howl pieces the night, this one much closer and much louder.

> In the distance you see a few figures moving around in the snow.

> People?

> “Hey! I’m over here!” You shout towards them. “Friendly over here! Near the trees!”

> They stop and begin moving towards you at a rapid pace.

> As they near you, the outline becomes much clearer.

> These aren’t people…

> Gorillas? In the middle of the artic?

> Then as they step into the light of the flare a sharp metal lance is the first thing you notice.

> “Stop right there!” You shout. “Throw the weapons down!” You order them as you aim your weapon towards them.

> They slow and begin to gather in a large group in front of you.

> At some point, these things could have been dogs. They were more like apes now though, apes with armor and crude weapons.

> A silence forms between you and the group of creatures.

> The red flare lands between you.

> You flick the switch to fully automatic.

> A third howl and the group charges towards you. You don’t think twice and you squeeze a long burst off into the center of the group.

> Taken aback by the sudden loss of seven of their comrades, they retreat.

> You load another cartridge into the flare gun and fire. You also load a forty millimeter grenade into the launcher of the FN, maybe an LTL would scare them off…

> There is a brief pause as the group reforms in the distance.

> They charge towards you once again, you take aim with the launcher’s sights.

> A loud thud echoes in the night as the grenade flies towards the tightly packed group.

> You watch as the cloud of white prosperous expands before igniting into a firestorm.

> Your eyes go wide as the fire engulfs the entire group.

> Countless screams of agony and panic fill the air. You can hear a mix of English words, all too chaotic to make out though.

> You watch the results of your mistake as they run around in disarray while burning. Some fall to the ground and flail around trying to put the fire out, others fall down dead as they burn…

> This never got easier to watch, no matter how many times you saw it.

> You realize that in your panic, you loaded an airburst incendiary accidentally, not the flashbang you had intended to use.

> Some are still alive, badly burned and moaning in agony, the smell of melted flesh and charred fur assaulted you.

> Switching to the single shot mode you bring the scope of the FN to your eye once again.

> Soft pops echo from the muzzle of your weapon as you end the suffering of the ones who managed to put themselves out.

> “Noble be man, merciful and good…” You whisper to yourself as you focus on the head of another. “…for that alone sets him apart from every other creature on earth.”

> Your work is soon finished as not many survived; most of them inhaled the prosperous, and died as it ignited inside their lungs.

> You lay the rifle down on your lap and stare at the scattered group. Some of the bodies still burning brightly illuminated the carnage you have wrought.

> You relax yourself as the second flare lands. You load a third and fire it off immediately, you look down at your leg and see that it has stopped bleeding more or less.

> But the loss of blood was taking its toll. You lean your head back against the tree, too tired to further think about the events that just took place.

> It’s not long before you allow yourself a quick rest of the eyes.

 

*Three hours later*

 

> “It was horrible Twilight, it just happened so fast…”

> “I know Rainbow, just try to get some sleep okay?”

> “After watching that? I can’t sleep knowing this…thing…is going to be in the cabin with us. What if it does the same thing to us?”

> “From what you told me, the Diamond Dogs attacked it first and it responded in kind. They would have taken him and made him do Celestia knows what…if he was lucky…you know that the Diamond Dogs out here are not the same ones from Ponyville.”

> “I know but I ju-“

> “Rainbow please, I understand how bad it probably looked…”

> “No, you don’t. I had to watch the whole thing, Twilight you were safe and sound back here!”

> There was a long pause.

> “Twilight, I’m sorry…I just…I’m not myself.”

> “It’s okay Rainbow, it’s been a long day for you. Just go get some sleep okay?”

> “What are you going to do?”

> “Stay up with Fluttershy in case it wakes up. So it won’t feel threatened...”

> “That’s cool I guess. Do we have to leave? We just got here today.”

> “Spike sent a letter to Celestia, she said she has left the castle already so she should be here in the morning. She is also bringing the Elements with her…”

> “Okay…goodnight Twilight.”

> “Goodnight Rainbow Dash.”

> Another long silence sets in.

> “Hey…Twilight?”

> “Yes Fluttershy?”

> “What if Rainbow is right about this creature? You know it being evil?”

> “I don’t think it is, I can’t feel and dark magic or vibe coming from it…then again it was able to use magic earlier to talk to me…”

> “Do you know what it is? Because I have never seen anything like it…”

> “No, Fluttershy I have never seen anything like it. I think it might be an envoy from a distant land to the Princess from a nation no one has encountered yet.”

> “Really? You mean farther away than Zecora?”

> “Possibly, it’s exciting to have a visitor, and it will look very good on our image to his nation if they find out we helped it recover from its injuries. We may have even helped secure a new alliance with a powerful race of creatures! Can you imagine how cool that would be to go see another country?”

> “Yeah…but I have a bad feeling about his kind…”

> “But you’re the Element of Kindness, how could you say that about a creature? We haven’t even seen how it reacts to us yet…”

> “Yeah, I guess your right…it’s just that Rainbow is typically not one to be afraid of anything and well, now she is afraid of this creature.”

> “I know what you mean…maybe his culture is just a bit more barbaric than ours but perhaps if we befriend him we can introduce our own ideas to his culture and make them more civil.”

> “How? What if he doesn’t like us and decides to do what he did to those Diamond Dogs?”

> “Oh come on Fluttershy, we defeated Discord with Friendship, it’s our most potent tool, besides we healed his leg, I am sure when he is awake he will be very grateful and will become our friend in the time he is here.”

> “I hope your right Twilight, I really do…”

 

*The next morning*

 

> The rays of the bright morning sun were the first thing to wake you up, coming from a nearby window.

> You sit up and go over what has happened and where you could be.

> Black hole, snowy mountain, then the attack by those things…passed out…

> You conclude that someone found you before the cold could kill you and bought you to their cabin.

> You also notice you were stripped of all your weapons, armor, and equipment.  The only things they left you to wear were your charcoal gray underclothes and your combat boots.

> Makes sense, the Armor was probably bloody and the weapons were more than likely taken for obvious reasons. Besides, if they were kind enough to save you from the cold then what did you have to fear?

> First order of business today was to find out where you were and where the closest US Embassy was, collect your gear and then leave. Simple enough.

> You hear your stomach growl and cringe, and buy some food before you leave.

> With a great yawn, you stand up and stretch yourself out.

> Then upon the recollection of last night, you furrow your brow at the sudden realization that you’re standing.

> You just stood up when yesterday you had to crawl from the icy lake…

> Looking down at your leg and see that it looks perfectly normal like it was never broken in the first place.

> Maybe you just dreamed it all?

> Maybe X just knocked you out and escaped and you were dreaming while really you were in a safe house recovering?

> You slip the cloths on and lace your boots up.

> You were put in an empty room, the only amenities being a fireplace with a small stack of wood next to it, a table with a chair and lantern, and a sleeping pallet laid out on the floor.

> Approaching the table you see a note written in medieval script.

> Come downstairs when you wake up, I wish to have a word with you. –Princess Celestia

> Princess Celestia? Who the hell is Princess Celestia?

> You start to feel a pit opening in your gut. Something was not right here…

> You open the room and step into the empty hallway. After looking left or right you notice another door open down the hallway and you can hear soft snoring coming from within the room.

> You silently move towards the door, keeping down low and to the inner wall. Suddenly, being disarmed feels a lot more intimidating.

> Pushing the door open, you see your gear on a table with notes scribbled onto countless scrolls.

> Grabbing your USP from the table along with the suppressor and ammunition you immediately leave the room for fear of waking the occupant.

> The feeling of having the little forty five caliber pistol in your hand was comforting as you screwed the suppressor back onto the end of the muzzle.

> You then load a magazine and chamber a round.

> Now you had leverage if things got too nasty with this Princess Celestia character. Maybe even enough to negotiate your release if you had gotten yourself captured.

> Then again, who captures a spy and then leaves his room unguarded?

> Concealing the handgun in your pants, you make your way around the estate until you come to a staircase.

> Hopefully, it won’t come to that.

> You can smell something cooking in the house and you follow the smell to a kitchen.

> As you walk by a room you hear some muffled noises and decide now was a good time to do some intelligence gathering.

> Grabbing a nearby drinking glass, you put it to the wall and press your ear against it.

> “So your certain of what you saw Rainbow Dash?” A very calm voice asked.

> “Yes Princess, he wiped out a pack of Diamond Dogs in a few seconds.”

> “Did he now? In what manner?”

> “I…” The voice was a bit unsure. “Well he set them on fire…”

> “I see.” The voice said with a slight twinge of unease.

> “And some of them didn’t die right away…the ones that survived he killed with that thing that set them on fire only it didn’t set them on fire it just made this really quiet popping noise and they would be dead.”

> “Do you think it was magic Rainbow Dash?”

> “Um…well, yes and no. He could talk to Twilight no problem from where he was and I guess that takes magic but…that thing just seemed a little too unnatural…like it was made to kill things and kill things only.”

> “Ah. So it’s a magical weapon?”

> “Well Twilight is the one who took it to her room to study it…along with all the rest of his things…”

> “Hey you! Stop right there! Spy!”

> You freeze and look up to see a horse clad in golden armor, holding a sword in its mouth.

>  Instinctively, you draw your sidearm and aim it at the horse.

> “Oh no he’s got another one of those things! Run!”

> Turning your head you see a rainbow mane pony running towards the doors.

> “Oh your awake.” the voice from before said. “Please, lower your weapon soldier. No need for violence here.”

> The horse seems to do a bow with its head and drop the sword into a sheath.

> You blink a few times and stare as the armor clad pony walks by, shooting you a dirty look.

> Then you register that there is a presence behind you.

> Turning on a heel you come face to face with a large white unicorn…wait, Pegasus? No…

> Both? Pegacorn? Unisus?

> “I can see you are very confused and you have many questions. I would like to ask that you put away that…thing…and refrain from frightening my subjects.”

> “I assume your Princess Celestia?”

> “Very quick on the uptake, I assume you got my note and raided my protégés for your weapons?”

> “Correct on both counts.” You answer back.

> “Well, it is an honor to receive you in my kingdom, as of now you’re a royal guest. Would you like some breakfast? You must be very hungry. I can answer questions while we eat with the others.”

> You lower the handgun and holster it in your pants again. Holding your hands out to show you have no weapons.

> “Please, forgive any insults. I meant none I am just…” You struggle to find a good word.

> Dealing with royalty was never your strong suit.

> “Bewildered?”

> “That’s a good word for it. Lead on, Princess. I’m starving.”