> Bright light floods your vision.
> Just for a split second, you feel nothing less of bliss and euphoria.
> It's beautiful.
> An overwhelming sense of joy and happiness overcomes you.
> Your senses become dulled as you travel through the mirror's portal.
 
> And just as quickly as it started.
> It ends.
 
> A final flash of bright light floods your eyes.
> You land on the ground with a loud thud.
 
> Almost every inch of your body is aching and trembling after your trip through the mirror.
> With every most you make, your body screams in pain.
> The world around you feels as if it's spinning.
> An uneasy feeling wells up in the pit of your stomach.
> You struggle to bring yourself back onto four hooves.
 
“Geeze, Twi. You never said it was gonna be a bumpy ride!”
 
> A gust of wind blows through, and it knocks your stetson off your head.
> You find it on the ground next to you.
> It's covered in a thick layer of snow.
 
“Snow?” you mumble. “Shoot! Ya should have told me I'd be wintertime over here! I'd have dressed warmer!”
 
> You pause for a moment; expecting a witty response from.
 
> …
 
> But there isn't one.
 
“Twi!?”
> Your eyes finally adjust from the blinding light.
> It's dark.
> It's snowy.
> And it looks grim.
 
> Tall concrete walls surround you at almost every angle.
> They tower above you, giving a sense of vertigo.
> You quickly glance around, hoping to find a familiar face.
> But you're met with nothing but silence and darkness.
 
“Twi!? Rarity!?” you belt.
 
> No response.
 
> You start to run down the alleyway.
“Rainbow!? Pinkie Pie!?”
> Your heart starts to race.
“Fluttershy!? Hello!? Anypony!?”
 
> The sound of your voice travels far.
> It echoes against the cold concrete walls and parrots itself back to you in almost a taunting manner.
 
> Your mind races.
> Where are you?
> Where's Twilight? Where's the rest of the girls?
> Are they safe?
> Are you safe?
 
> You reach the end of the alleyway.
> It opens up to a large street.
 
> Your eyes dance across this new scenery.
> Your jaw drops.
> It's unlike anything you've ever seen.
> The street edges are all paved in solid stone and concrete.
> Buildings line up against each other in perfect symmetry.
> Each one of them looks cold and lifeless.
> Metal and Glass structures span for what seems like miles.
> Each one of them reaching for the heavens above.
 
> There's a loud crack roaring from the skies above.
> It catches you by surpirse and nearly knocks you off your hooves.
> It almost sounds like a sonic boom.
 
“Rainobow!” you shout, “If this is some kinda 'sick joke!-”
 
> You look up into the skies, expecting to see a certain blue pegasus lazing about on one of the overhead clouds.
 
> But you don't
> You see something else.
 
> The night sky is brought to life by various aircraft.
> It's unlike anything you've ever seen before.
> It seems like dozens of them, flying about the skies with extreme speed and grace.
> As they zoom about the sky, these aircraft cover the skies with their swirling entrails.
> Soon enough, they have the entire sky covered in trails.
> Dead locked in a constant game of cat and mouse, they travel the skies as gracefully as dancers would.
> One of them flies quickly overhead.
 
> You look up to the aircraft.
> And for what seems like a split second, you make out a few details on the craft.
> The pilot inside, we was not a pony.
> He was unlike anything you've ever seen before.
> He almost looked like a minotaur.
> The plane was small and agile.
> With small red emblems across it's wings.
 
> His speed was quick, and his altitude was low.
> You cover your ears as it creates a deafening road in it's wake.
> A second flying aircraft gives quick chase.
> You shut your eyes and cover your eyes.
> It feels like your ear drums are going to explode.
 
> You glance up, only to see the first plane struck by a flying projectile.
> He erupts into a huge ball of smoke and fire.
> He soars overhead for a split second before spiraling into the earth below.
> The sounds of metal twisting and fire burning fill the air.
> The lone aircraft screams into the empty night.
 
> You feel the ground beneath you shake as you see the aircraft crash land a few blocks away.
> A huge plume of smoke and fire rises above the skyline.
 
 
> You're left in shock.
> Unsure of what to do.
“ Twiilight!? Somepony!?”
> You shiver as a cold gust of wind travels along the street.
> Snow and ice whips along your face like pinpricks.
> Your hooves become numb.
“Rainbow Dash!? Rarity!?”
 
> …
 
“Hello!? Somepony!?”
> Your voice becomes sore.
“Please! Twilight!? Where are you!?”
 
> Suddenly, a bolt of white light shoots up from the crash light.
> It catches your eye as it illuminates the night time sky.
> It's a faint purple flare that flashes for a few moments before dying out.
> It almost looked like a bolt of magic.
“Twilight!?” you shout out.
> Your voice drowned out by the howling winds
 
> You start to walk down the street at a brisk pace.
> Passing by several store fronts and buildings.
> You take in awe of the world around you.
> Soon you lose track of yourself.
> Losing yourself in thought, your body continues autonomously.
> It's practically a ghost town.
> Not a soul in sight.
> Where are all the humans Twilight spoke of?
> Where's the high school she'd mentioned?
 
> You trip and land against the concrete ground beneath you.
“W-What the-?”
> You quickly turn around to see what you tripped on.
> A small snow covered mound sticking out of the ground.
“Huh.” you ponder.
> You step back to the mound and poke it with your hoof.
> It's soft and cold.
> Curiosity get's the best of you.
> You brush the thick layer of snow and ice off.
 
> It's a human.
> Cold and lifeless along the street.
 
> You stare long and hard.
> You remember hearing about them from Twilight.
> She even showed you a few photographs.
> But to see one in the flesh?
> It sends a shiver down your spine.
> You step towards him.
> Running your hoof along his face.
> It's cold.
> Frostbite has long since covered his skin.
> His eyes still full of fear.
> His almost as pale as the snow around him.
 
> You take a step back and start running towards the crash site.
“Twilight!?”
> You heart racing.
“Rarity!?”
> Where are your friends?
“Fluttershy! Rainbow Dash!?”
> Where are you?
“Pinkie Pie!?”
> Tears run down your face as you choke up in tears.
 
> You run.
> You run as fast as you can.
> Tears stream down your face.
> Your hooves echoing throughout this dead, empty city.
> It's a damned place.
> It's not what Twilight promised.
> No.
> Not at all.
> A small sense of guilt whither in your mind.
> You were right all along.
> This wasn't a bad idea.
> This was a terrible idea.
> You don't belong here, wherever this is.
 
> You stop running.
> You've arrived at the crash site.
> A twisted wreck of metal and glass sits before you.
> Thick smoke and fire rages about.
> The air is thick with the smell of gasoline.
> So much so, that it leaves a pitting sense of nausea in your stomach.
> Concrete and gravel are strewn about.
 
> You take one last look at the wreckage.
“No...” you whisper.
> You start to turn away.
“No. No! Twilight! Twilight! Where are ya!?”
> You turn and head away from the wreckage when a weak voice calls out.
> It's soft and muffled.
> “P-Please.”
> Your ears perk up.
> You turn back to the wreckage at the sound of your voice
> “P-Please. H-Help. Someone.”
> You run back to the wreckage.
 
> “P-Please. Don't leave me! I can't move... Please.”
 
> You glance over to see a human slumped over the cockpit of the aircraft.
 
> Your gut instinct is telling you to run.
> Leave.
> It's not safe here.
 
…
 
> “Please!” he grunts, “P-Please! Help! I-I know you're out there! P-Please!”
> He's hurt.
> He's in pain.
> And he's alive.
> A live, sentient being who deserves your help in his time of need.
> You pull yourself together.
> And quietly make your way to the human.
> He's strapped down to a semi-ejected seat.
> He's wearing a thick green jumpsuit with a large helmet.
> The helmet's visor is cracked and shards of glass are missing.
> Tubes and wires run from his helmet into the aircraft.
> You walk over to him.
> Your body trembling in fear.
“A-Are you alright, sugarcube?”
 
> “Please...My helmet. I-I can barely breath.”
 
> You carefully undo the straps of his helmet and lift it off his head.
> You cover your mouth in shock as the helmet pops off
“Oh...Oh my gosh...”
> There's heavy burns along the side of his face.
> Glass from the visor has shattered and embedded itself all along his eyes.
> They're bloodshot and tattered to bits.
 
> “H-Hey. I'm not that ugly.” the pilot mumbles.
> He lets out a weak laugh, before grunting in pain.
> He clenches his sides in pain.
> Blood seeps through his jump suit.
> You stand in shock without a clue of what to do.
“A-Are you alright?”
> “I can't see... My legs... I think my legs are broken. I can't find the ejection harness.”
“W-What should I do?”
> “Help me out of here. Please.”
 
> With your help, he undoes his harness and drops to the ground below.
> He hits the ground with a loud thump.
> “Gyah- Shit!” he shouts.
“A-Are you alright!?” you parrot
 
> You hear small explosions coming from the far end of the street.
> One of the aircraft zoom overhead for a split second before pulling off in to the city.
> The pilot wheezes for a bit before catching his breath.
> It's slow and weak.
> “What's your name, Miss?”
“M-My name? Applejack.”
> “A-Applejack?”
“Y-Yes.”
> “You from around here, Applejack?”
“N-No. I'm...I'm new in town.”
> “Hah.” he scoffs, “I haven't heard that one before. Where you fr-”
> Before he could finish his sentence, he starts coughing up blood.
> His breathing grows sharp and he writhes about.
 
> You put pressure on his wound with your hoof.
> Blood seeps out and soaks your orange coat.
> You press harder on his chest.
> He grabs your arm.
> “Stop...”
 
“Hold on!...We just... We just gotta find you a doctor or somethi-”
> He points straight up to the sky.
> “Isn't...Isn't it nice?”
> His eyes are bloody and destroyed.
> There's only lumps of tissues where they once stood.
> “It's... beautiful...”
> He slowly loses his grip on you and his hand falls limp.
 
---
 
> The room is lively.
> Off duty officers fill the room with chatter and laughter.
> Outside, you can hear the cold winter winds pounding against the cheap windows.
> But you managed to stay nice and warm inside the small building.
> What once was a small bakery has recently been renovated into your platoon's barracks.
 
> Sprawled across a small cot, you stretch out your body.
> Most of the bones along your spine let out a small pop in relief.
> You're so comfortable.
> Almost too comfortable.
> And just when you were about to drift to sleep, you hear someone call out to you.
> “Artyom! Eyy! Artyom!”
> Your eyes shoot open.
“Whaat?” you croak.
> “Eh! So he is awake after all! Artyom! Come play a few hands with us!”
 
> You glance down to the man calling to you.
> Him, along with a few other Estovakian officers are circled around a small wooden crate.
> One of the officers quicky shuffles a deck of cards before dealing them out to the men around.
 
“No thanks, Dimitri.” you shout “I'm still trying to recover from our last game.”
> “Hah!” he scoffs. “Your loss!”
 
> You stare back up to the ceiling.
> An old light bulb flickers above you.
> It's soft warm light is almost captivating.
> You glance around the room.
> The walls are covered in patriotic propaganda posters.
> Cots are lined up against the walls of the room.
> Some of them are occupied by sleeping officers.
> Others are neatly made, and untouched.
> There are men strewn about the room.
> Some are in the traditional officers uniform.
> While many are simply in boxers and tee shirts.
 
> Some are busy maintaining their fire arms.
> Others are mending to their uniforms.
> But most are lazing about. Enjoy what little time they have off duty.
> Everything as to be expected from an officers barrack.
 
> You shut your eyes and try to drift off to sleep once more.
> It's the first time in months since you've been given an entire weekend off duty.
> You'd best try to enjoy it.
 
> But before you could, you feel someone jostle you by the shoulder.
 
> “Artyom?”
> You open your eyes to see a solider carrying a small satchel.
“Yeah?”
> He pulls out a box from his satchel and hands it to you.
> “Mail call.”
> You take it.
“Thanks.”
 
> You watch as he walks away and finishes handing out the rest of the letters in his room.
> You look back down.
> It's a hefty little package.
> And it's addressed from home.
> Without much hesitation, you pry it open, spilling it's contents onto the cot.
> A few small books plop out along with a small stationary set and some photographs.
> You marvel at your new gifts before double checking the envelope once more.
> A small hand written letter falls out, to which you quickly open and read.
 
Artyom,
I have mailed you a couple of books to read. I hope that you like them. Yesterday, the dogs dug a hole from under the fence. They ran all over the neighborhood. Even scared the stable horses half to death. By the time we found them, the Harrison's rooster's had been terrorized. Don't worry about us. Just take care of yourself and come back safely. Remember what I said to you... Always do what is right because it is right. I pray for a speedy end to the war, and for your quick return. Love, Mom.
 
> You smile.
> Fond memories of home blow through your mind.
> It's nearly eleven months since you were drafted.
> You put the letter in your pocket and start going through some of your new literature.
 
> The door to the barracks swings open.
> Three uniformed men step into the room.
> Suddenly. Everyone in the room, including yourself, snaps to attention.
 
> One of the uniformed men steps forward. One of the higher ranked officers.
> “As you were.”
> You drop attention and return to sitting on the cot.
> “Now gentlemen. We have a very serious matter on our hands.”
> He steps through the room.
> His voice booming throughout.
> “I have just received solid intelligence that a certain resistance cell is planning on destroying one our major transport bridges tonight. If successful, they'll land a crippling blow in this area of operations. We'd be sitting ducks! And from what I can tell, they're already on their way to finish the mission. I'm putting all of you on active duty, ASAP.  We must intercept and eliminate them. Ready up, I'll brief you on the way.”
> The room comes to life with activity.
> Quickly, you stash your belongings in a bag and get dressed.
> You grab your Kalash rifle and start to head out to the door.
 
> “Artyom!”
> You turn around to see the high ranked officers calls out to you.
> “Artyom! Come!”
> You head over and fall to attention.
“Sir?”
> “At ease, soldier.”
> He leads you out the room.
> “Artyom, our Air Force had just sent out a request for a search and rescue. Something about a down fighter. He landed somewhere in the southern quadrant. UAV imgaing indicates that he didn't survive, but we've gotta make sure.”
“Okay.”
> “I can't afford to send out an entire squadron out.  No. Not right now. Defending that bridge is our top priority. So instead, I'm sending a single recon unit. You.”
“But sir? What about the enemy?”
> “He's landed in familiar territory. And judging by the size of the attack on the bridge, you shouldn't expect any resistance on your end. Just do a quick body check. Bring his tags, and regroup back with us.”
“Yes sir.”
> “I've O.K'd use for one of the APC's in the southern car pools. We just new paint jobs on them, try not to scratch it now.”
“Yes sir.”
> “Good. Now get going.”
 
> You salute for a final time before heading out the barracks.
 
> The cold wind is fierce.
> You pull up your hood and put on your gloves.
> You step out into the night.
> The rest of your barrack loads up into a set of tanks and APC's.
> They head north.
> Your friend Dimitri is manning one of the tanks heavy machine guns.
> He waves at you.
> “I'm still counting on that card game, Artyom! You still owe me money! You'd better make it back!”
> You smile and wave back.
> The caravan turns the corner and you lose sight of them.
 
> You head to the carpool.
> As you pass by, the guard gives a salute.
> He hands you a set of keys and leads you to one of the APC's before heading back into the gaurd's station.
> You stare at the giant truck before you.
 
> The snow crunches softly underneath your boots.
> You glance at your watch.
> It's gonna be a long night.