- >The two of you back off. There’s too many to fight head-on.
- >A bomb is a tad extreme; especially when you’re not sure you’ll even need it.
- >You close the console, Mark understanding your meaning.
- >You slap him on his back and both of you retreat back into the sea of columns.
- >The leader hisses, sicing its troops upon you.
- >You take cover behind a pillar and fire a shot.
- >Your shot goes wide, stone shards blast across the floor.
- >A xenomorph pounces at the pause forcing you to roll away.
- >It lands on the pillar behind you, immediately following it up with another leap.
- >Its attack is relentless not giving you time to strike back.
- >Mark is engaging three of them in close-range combat effortlessly.
- >You’ll be sure to ask for some training after this shit is over.
- >The xenomorph’s tail juts forward narrowly missing your head.
- >It appears to be imbedded in the rock, and with a quick slice you cit it off, its owner shrieking in anger.
- >You take a brief moment to introduce its cranium to your friendly 12 gauge.
- >The blood splashes against the webbing which remains immune to its effects.
- >You charge towards Mark, a Pegasus xenomorph sneaking up behind him.
- “Got your back!”
- >You crash into it shoulder first and take it for a ride.
- >The both of you collapse into the chamber wall.
- >It writhes around clawing ay anything within reach.
- >You slam your boot on its head to pin it down on the floor.
- >You bring your head next to its head.
- “I’ma bleed you, real quiet. Leave ya here. Got that?”
- >You ravage its neck with your serrated blood cutting it in two.
- >The body begins to spasm, spewing its corrosive blood over your already damaged armor.
- >You cut off the straps and toss aside your death trap of armor before it hits you.
- >Your back begins to tingle, a familiar warmth washing over you.
- “Oh hell no motherfucker!”
- >You jump over the xenomorph corpse quickly escaping the wave of fire from behind you.
- >Another Unimorph appears from within the flame.
- >You take a shot, the attack reflected by a small barrier.
- >Well that’s out of the question, but how does it like fire?
- >You flip on your incinerator and release your own tasty flavor of flame.
- >The Unimorph backs away in fear, leaving it vulnerable once more.
- >You tackle it while its shield is down, both of you engulfed by its black inferno.
- >You emerge at the far side of the room, it pinning you down again.
- >It seems to smile at your predicament, possibly the same one that took Duff.
- >It winds up its tail to finish the job it began.
- “You’ll pay for what you did to Duff!”
- >You bridge on your neck, its claws digging deep into your chest, and scissor your legs to lay on your chest.
- >Building up, you grab its hand and throw it over your shoulder as you raise your hips.
- >It plops on its back momentarily stunned.
- >You grasp its tail and swing it around, its head colliding with every pillar you see.
- >After gaining enough momentum you let go causing it to fly into the air.
- “Pull!” You cock your shotgun and take aim.
- “This is for Duff you bastard.”
- >You blast off both barrels, the body disappearing in a mist of yellow.
- >Mark seems to be getting overwhelmed, two more joining the fray.
- >You pull out your pistol and Incinerator, sprinting behind Mark.
- >He has his back to a boulder as he dodges and deflects several blows.
- >You sprint on top of the boulder behind him, put two fingers in your mouth and whistle.
- “I’m right here assholes.”
- >You jump over Mark, an incinerator in one hand roasting some premium xenomorph, and your pistol in the other wounding a few others.
- >You roll forwards as you land, granting some breathing room for the both of you.
- >This doesn’t last long, as your little stunt attracted the attention of more than a dozen xenos.
- >Mark equips a staff and readies his shoulder-cannon, while you reload your shotgun and pistol.
- >You hear a thunderous roar as the columns come crashing down.
- >The enlarged alien steps out of the rubble, brandishing his two sets of arms and teeth.
- >Turns out your friend didn’t like being left out.
- “Welp, we’re only majorly fucked.”
- >An explosion of purple forces him to stumble back and shield himself.
- >Wait if that’s purple, then that means…
- >”Didn’t think you’d get off that easy did ya?” Rainbow hollers behind you.
- “I’m happy to be wrong for once.”
- >The rest of the mane 6 show themselves, joining you side by side.
- >”Who’s your buddy?” Twilight asks questionably.
- “A friend, but I think we have more important issues right now.”
- >The big guy reels back and wails a death cry in rage.
- “You guys know what to do.”
- >The eight of you split up as you engage the army of the xenos.
- >Three take the left and the others take the right, each making sure to split the force up.
- >You and Mark take the middle, dealing with your old acquaintance.
- >The monster screeches and charges right at you.
- >You kick off of Mark steering both of you clear of its path.
- >If that thing picks you up, it’s game over.
- >You pull out the pulse rifle and pump some grenades at it, though it dodges them easily.
- >It’s fast, you’ll give him that.
- >Tossing down the empty rifle you signal Mark to use his own cannon.
- >The Xenomorph dodges that blast as well and strikes Mark, tearing the cannon clean off his shoulder.
- >A Pegasus xeno swoops in to take advantage of his weakened state, but is waved off by a surge of flame.
- >”NO! BAD ALIEN! BAD!” Fluttershy screams chasing it down with an incinerator.
- >Make a note, don’t fuck with Fluttershy.
- >Mark manages to get back up; the blow would have knocked any human out cold.
- >You release a few shells into the creature, merely irritating the colossal being.
- >It sweeps its tail under your feet, knocking you down.
- >You roll out of the way as the tail immediately spikes into the ground.
- >You cock the shotgun and let both barrels go to town, chipping away at its large headdress.
- >This thing just takes a lick and keeps on ticking.
- >Mark takes out his disk and throws it at the alien, cutting the sides of it.
- >He takes another attempt and the xenomorph dodges in time for it to lodge itself into a wall.
- >How many ways is this thing going to screw you over?
- >You ready your shotgun again, the creature smacking you away with its tail.
- >Your gun is stripped from your hands, the xenomorph crushing it under its feet.
- >Turns out you thought too soon.
- >You get to your feet and pick Mark’s disk out of the wall.
- >The incinerator puffs out a little gust of fire before shutting off.
- >A fucking Bunsen burner would be more useful than this thing.
- >You toss it away, now limited to your pistol, disk, and knife.
- >None of which would be useful in taking it down.
- >You hear a blast of confetti and get an idea.
- “Pinkie, bring that thing over here double time! Rarity I need to help out my buddy.”
- >Mark is circling the xenomorph stabbing at it with his spear, Rarity trying to protect him with her telekinesis.
- >You’re both fighting a losing battle, but maybe you can turn the tide.
- >Pinkie gallops over with her party cannon in tow.
- “Give it hell.”
- >An amalgamation of confetti and other party equipment knocks the xeno on its back.
- “Bull’s-eye, now go back to help Applejack.”
- >Pinkie does as instructed as Mark goes in for the killing blow.
- >The creature was waiting for this and skews him with its tail.
- “NO!”
- >It tosses Mark aside, leaving him a bleeding mess on the floor.
- >The xeno aims its tail at Rarity who’s frozen in fear.
- >You draw your knife and disk and charge at it.
- “Get away from her you bitch!”
- >Its tail zooms toward the vulnerable Rarity.
- >The tail hits cold hard stone as Applejack saves her just in the knick of time.
- >You slide under the Xenomorph’s head and begin skinning it of its large headdress.
- >It squeals in pain, unable to pick itself up to defend himself.
- >Before you can finish it thrashes its head about throwing you away from it.
- >You lay next to Mark, still bleeding from his gaping wound.
- >Picking up his spear you place it in his hands.
- >He weakly being to take off his mask. His arms shaking something fierce.
- >You finish the process for him, resting it on his lap.
- >His face is covered with his green luminescent blood.
- >He coughs, a surge of blood dripping out of his mouth.
- >”Ff- fffr-“ *cough*
- >You look back at the thrashing xeno, completely immobile with its damage.
- >Probably should’ve invested in Life Alert.
- >Mark’s coughing catches your attention again.
- >He barely picks up his spear and mask, forcing both into your chest.
- >”Frrr- *cough* eeend.”
- >Is he saying what you think he’s saying?
- “Did you just say… friend?”
- >He nods before grunting in pain.
- >He extends his hand, imitating the human handshake.
- >This is- kind of sad to be honest.
- >You meet his hand and give him a hearty shake.
- >You wish you could have got to know him…
- >Mark flips open the console on his wrist and presses a few buttons.
- >He gives you one last look staring you in the eye.
- >I… hold…”
- >You pull out Evans’ dog tags and place them in his hands.
- >He gives a pained laugh and presses the last button initiating countdown.
- >The light in his eye fades, his hand going limp, still clutching the dog tags.
- “Goodbye Mark.”
- >You spring up to your feet. Performing your signature whistle you gain the attention of your friends.
- “Ponies, we are LEAVING!”
- >You quickly pick up Mark’s equipment and sprint towards the exit after the Mane 6.
- >The beeps of the device echo behind you, increasing in pitch and speed as you rush up the tunnels.
- “Twilight close off the tunnel, now!”
- >Her horn sparkles to life rumbling the tunnel’s interior.
- >All you need is a boulder chasing you and this would be the perfect experience.
- >Applejack trips and falls flat on her face.
- >You pick her up by the waist and keep moving up.
- >The walls begin to fall apart. Dust and rock coming down around you.
- >Twilight appears worried that she has doomed us as well.
- >”The cave is collapsing!”
- “This is no cave,” you reply nonchalantly.
- >Another quake, this one dwarfing all those you’ve experienced thus far blasts from behind you.
- >You dodge a falling stalactite and run past the entrance which collapses as you make it out.
- “Keep running!”
- >The others don’t ask questions, instead galloping faster than before.
- >The quake reaches its apex as you turn around.
- >An aura of neon blue erupts from the ground, tossing you off your ass.
- >You never thought death would look so beautiful.
- >Everything fades to black as the light consumes you.
- >Location- Ponyville
- >Time- Don’t even care
- >It’s been four months since the incident.
- >Peace has returned to Equestria once more.
- >The refugees came back home and helped us rebuild.
- >Seeing so many families reunite warmed my heart.
- >You almost couldn’t bear to watch Raúl embrace his wife and daughter.
- >The mane 6 are your family now, and you’re glad for it.
- >Having them as friends is comforting, knowing they won’t leave you.
- >You still think about Duff and Mark everyday. Their deaths weight heavy on your shoulders.
- >All those you’ve lost… It’s hard to keep that stuff with you everywhere you go.
- >Duff said they chose their fate, and maybe there’s some truth to that.
- >He didn’t want your past to consume you, and you’re not going to let his wish fall on deaf ears.
- >Doesn’t mean you can’t keep a piece of them with you.
- >This journal is what’s bringing me back to the past.
- >This will be my last entry, not because I don’t think I’ll be able to write anymore.
- >But because I need to let this go.
- >These are the detailed accounts of an ex-marine.
- >A marine who traveled to another world when all seemed lost.
- >His name was Private Anonymous.
- >The problems of his past sought to bring this new world to ruin.
- >But he made an array of friends who helped him overcome his enemies.
- >He lives life anew, no longer constrained the reality of his previous life.
- >His name is Anonymous, citizen of Ponyville, and for once in his life…
- >He’s finally happy.
- >[End of Entry]
- >You set down the journal on your desk and take a deep breath.
- >It’s finally over. You’re free.
- >You look up to Mark’s mask, still displayed proudly before you.
- >Grabbing your coat you head downstairs into the living room.
- >”What took you so long? We’re going to be late.” Pinkie says.
- “Just wrapping some things up.”
- >”The ceremony is going to start soon.”
- >Pinkie pulls you outside with the rest of the mane 6.
- >You all trot to Ponyville Square where a mass of ponies await.
- >You and Twilight head on up the steps.
- “I’m not sure about this Twilight. Surely you can do it.”
- >”They still need you Anon. One last time, for them.”
- >You grumble under your breath, but give Twilight a hug anyways.
- “Wish me luck.”
- >”Don’t you remember Anon? Luck has nothing to do with it.”
- “Get your happy ass back down there.”
- >”And here to give a speech is Anon.”
- >The ponies cheer wildly, quieting down at your signal.
- “The last time I was in front of you all I came with a message of war. Today, I’m here to give you a message of hope.”
- >You run your eyes over the mob of ponies below you.
- “We’ve overcome the seemingly unstoppable. We persevered when all hope was against us, but it wasn’t due to firepower, or troops, or tactics.”
- >You smile and look down at your friends.
- “Friendship got us through those times, and friendship will guide us into the future. I am proud to call you all my friends, and I hope you feel the same.”
- >The ponies give you a round of applause as you jump off the steps and give your friends a group hug.
- “I’ll never leave your side…”
- >They eagerly embrace you as well.
- >”And neither will we.”
- >You hold onto them, the crowd still cheering.
- >A tear runs down your cheek, and you hold them a little tighter.
- “I know…”
- ---------------------------------- Leads to Anons in Equestria -------------------------------------
- >You pick up a magazine off the ground and place it in your pouch.
- >Seems your first run through wasn’t as thorough as you’d hoped.
- >You don’t like to be away from Ponyville.
- >It feels wrong to be far from home.
- >Funny how things work out.
- >You find a fuel canister, swapping out your incinerator’s tank.
- >After the Xeno infestation there hasn’t been a need for you to be constantly bogged down with guns.
- >Old habits die hard it would seem.
- >A headache blisters in your head as you reach for clip.
- >You stow away the clip and head under the trees for some shade.
- >What is up with the light?
- >You sit down against the tree and close your eyes, but it doesn’t stop the painful throbbing in your head.
- >All that stress really has come back to bite you in the ass.
- >One of those massages Rarity craves sounds great right now.
- >You open your eyes, and… you’re not where you thought you were.
- >You shake your head and stand up, the landscape a constant.
- >It was bright and sunny before, but- Why the hell are you in a forest?
- >You hear some commotion nearby as if two p0nies are fighting.
- >Maybe they can tell why you’re… umm, not where you were.
- >You pull out your pulse rifle and stow your motion tracker.
- >You step through the bushes, something is definitely being attacked.
- “Alright break it up, break it-“
- >They’re human. Holy hell, another human being.
- >One’s on the ground in a leather jacket covering himself up as the other strikes him.
- “I said hold it!”
- >But he doesn’t stop.
- >You point your gun in the air and fire off a warning shot, the forest silencing.
- >The aggressor sees you and your gun, “You- You’re a-“
- “United States Colonial Marine Corps, stand down and back away from the civilian.”
- >He lets go of the others jacket, “You don’t understand, he’s not a civilian. This man's a murderer.”
- >”The first thing you do when you see me is punch me in the face, and you’re painting me to be the bad guy.”
- >”You have to believe me, he’s a threat to all of Equestria,” he begins to move.
- ”I said hold it! One more move and the next shot won’t be a warning.”
- >He pauses. What the fuck is going on here?
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Colonial Marine in Equestria: Chapter 9 (Friends to the End)
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