Rebels in Equestria 3 - REDUX
 
> You felt the shock wave from the explosion.
> The sheer force from the blast felt like it was shattering every bone in your body.
> You witnessed the fiery explosion claim the lives of others just as it began to claim yours.
 
 > For just a split second you felt it all.
> The sorrow and joy.
> The regrets.
> And above all, the pain.
 
> Both physically and mentally, you suffered.
> A pain so unbearable, it made you yearn for death.
 
> It was just a split second before your inevitable death.
> An event that at this point, seemed farther away than your childhood.
 
> You felt regret for your actions.
> Remorse for your decisions
> And sorrow for your loved ones.
 
> For your journey ends here.
> You become nothing more than a casualty.
> An insignificant loss.
> A statistic.
 
> Despite your best efforts, you couldn't hide your true emotions.
> You've served your time in hell.
> And this was your ticket out.
 
> The blast takes it's toll and extinguishes your life.
> You were free.
> Finally.
 
> But what of the others?
> What of the hundreds of people who were stuck in this hell ridden place that they once knew as their home?
> Regret fills your very soul.
> You get this unshakeable feeling that you've abandoned them.
> Could you have done more?
> Could there have been another way?
…
>Maybe.
> But you'll never know for sure.
 
> At this point, you're nothing more than a lost soul wandering in limbo.
> What else is there for you?
 
> Religion never was a factor in your decisions.
> But is there really a god?
> Does he truly reside in heaven, judging your every action?
 
> What did he think of you?
> Will he grace your noble efforts?
> Will you live out the rest of your time in paradise?
 
> Or will he deem you unfit for such privileges.
> Doomed to spend the rest of eternity burning in the fires of hell.
> There's enough blood on your hands for it to very be so.
 
> It's surreal.
> To wander in limbo is the only equivalent of having all your senses striped from you
> You're left with nothing but your very soul as you wander the impenetrable darkness.
 
> This is what death must be like.
> Truly it is an unreal state.
> You wander limbo without any senses to guide you.
 
> Death; it's a strange place.
> A place where you don't exist.
> Yet a place where you can truly find yourself.
> Left with nothing but your thoughts and your very soul.
> [spoiler] It's maddening. [/spoiler]
 
> As you wander in the infinite abyss that is limbo, you recollect on yourself.
> Carefully analyzing and questioning every decision you've ever made.
 
> Over the course of the war, you've committed horrible atrocities.
> Acts of inhumanity fueled by hate and vengeance
> You've done things you'd never imagine yourself doing to another living being.
 
> Eleven months.
> Eleven months is all it took for your life to end.
 
> In that short amount of time, you've seen enough death and suffering to last you a lifetime, and then some.
> Some of it was of your own hand.
> But all that bloodshed.
 
> Did it really accomplish anything?
> Was fighting really the best option?
 
> Could you have done anything else?
> You weren't a member of the military, nor a simple civilian.
> No. You were part of something different.
> Something bigger than yourself.
> An underground resistance. A rebellion. A rag tag group of freedom fighters.
> With your fellow country men you “fought” day in and day out for the name of freedom.
> With nothing but the pathetic hope that your life would one day return to how it once was.
> Praying for a swift end to the war that has claimed so much.
> Praying for the day that your children may once again live life without the fear of oppression.
> You fought each night in hopes that you could witness a new day.
> A new beginning.
> You chased a dream that you knew you would never come true.
> You even payed the ultimate sacrifice in the name of that day.
> A day you wouldn't live to see.
 
…
 
> No..
> It's not fair!
> Why'd those Stovie bastards have to show up!
> Those fuckers!
> They stole everything from you!
 
> They destroyed your home!
> They stole your friends and killed your family!
> They even cost you your very life!
 
> This isn't what you wanted from life.
> It's not what you can accomplish.
> It's just not fair..
 
> You didn't want to have to join a resistance!
 
> You didn't want to a war!
> This isn't it!
> This wasn't how it was supposed to be!
 
> You have nothing.
> Nothing to look forward to.
> Nothing to go back to.
 
> There is no hope back there.
> No.
> Not on Emmeria.
> Not on that dammned place.
 
> This isn't what you want.
> You don't want to go back.
> You don't want to start over!
“I just want... another chance.”
 
…
 
> Slowly but surely you feel your pulse start back up.
> It's slow and labored rhythm is absolutely captivating.
> Your heart jump starts itself back up, and with it, a new beginning.
 
> One by one, your senses return to you.
 
> Birds.
> You can hear the songs of birds all aorund you.
> The sounds rushing water fills your ears.
> There must be a stream nearby!
 
> Light then floods your eyes.
> Blinding white light clouds your vision.
> With time, your eyes adjust to the light.
> Color fills your vision once more.
> Bright blue skies and beautiful white clouds are in sight.
 
> A cool breeze brushes against your skin.
> It's a refreshing sensation that sends a shiver down your spine and leaves your hairs on end.
> You can feel the soft grass underneath you.
> The long blades of grass itch against your neck.
 
> With the slight breeze, it carries the scent of a cool autumn day.
> Fallen leaves gust around and hit against you.
 
> You lie on the ground motionless as you take in this scene.
> Focusing your newly regained senses as much as you can.
> Listening for even the smallest indicator...
 
…
 
> You wait..
> And listen.
 
> But..
 
> Nothing.
> No gunshots.
> No explosions.
> No screaming.
> But most importantly, [spoiler] no war. [/spoiler]
 
> Is this heaven?
 
> You sit yourself up and check the area.
 
> You've awoken smack dab in the middle of a forest clearing.
> A cool breeze sways the tall greeze with grace.
> The forest is bright with golden leaves.
> Autumn is in full swing here.
 
> You scan yourself for any wounds or other ailments.
> But amazingly you can't find anything.
> The wound on your leg, along with the rest of your body are completely healed.
> Deep scars are still left as a testament.
 
> Almost by second nature you scan your surroundings once more.
> Checking along the treetops and bush lines.
> But there's no sign of anyone else here.
> With that small sense of security, you relax your guard.
 
> A slight glimmer nearby catches your eye.
> It's shine is hidden within the dancing blades of grass.
> It captivates you and draws your attention.
> Pushing yourself off the ground, you make your way towards it.
 
> You try to make your way to the light, but find it difficult to move about.
> Every muscle in your body ache's in pain.
> All your senses feel like they've been over loaded.
> One of your legs cramp up, and you fall face first onto the ground.
“F-Fuuuuck!”
> Your voice is sore and dry.
> It's coarse sounds carry echo throughout the forest.
 
> You cough up a mix of phlegm and blood.
> The vocal chords in your throat feel like their on fire!
> Any attempts to speak only lead to a slight wheeze.
> You've thrown out your voice.
 
> Despite all of this, you push onwards, your curiosity getting the best of you.
> You do your best to crawl towards your destination, ignoring the aches as best as you can.
 
> Clearing the tall grass out of the way you find the source of the shine.
> It was the polished finish of your revolver that caught the bright sun.
 
> It, along with the rest of your gear, was neatly layed out in front of you.
 
> Right now isn't the best time to question this.
> Without further hesitation you delve into your equipment.
 
> There are several bags and satchels strewn about.
> Digging inside you find all of your old weapons and munitions.
> All of them fully loaded and ready to go.
> Within the other satchels, you produce various explosives and other tools.
> You don as much gear as you can, tossing the rest into a rucksack.
> You equip the automatic rifle and sling the other over your back.
 
> By now, your cramps have subsided.
> You take in your surroundings one last time.
> Desperately trying to piece together today's events so far.
> …
> Where are you?
> Are you dead?
> How did you get here?
> What of the others?
 
> You pull your radio from it's holster and flick it on to one of the emergency channels.
> You hold it close to your ears, expecting to hear the voices of your comrades.
> …
> But you're met with nothing but silence.
 
“Hello?!” you shout. Your voice cracking at it's peak.
> …
“Wolverine Squadron!”
> …
“Wolverine Squadron!? Respond! Please respond!”
> …
 
> Your anxiety grows.
> Flipping through the other channels yields similar results.
> Nothing but silence.
> Tch.
> It must be the reception.
 
> A radio signal can only travel so far.
> And the interference from this dense forest makes it near impossible for it to travel farther than a few hundred yards.
 
> Maybe you're not alone here.
> You probably just need a better reception.
> A high vantage point to broadcast from.
 
> You scan the horizon.
> Tch.
> While the treeline may be beautiful, it's nuisance at this point.
> The only land mark you can make out is the silhouette of a small maintain.
 
> It doesn't seem too far off into the horizon.
> Probably a couple miles or so.
 
> You juggle your options in your mind and recap the situation in your mind.
 
> Despite having died in a terrible “accident”, you've awoken up to see a new day.
> You're surrounded by what seems like miles of forest in every direction.
> You don't know who or what is out there.
> You'd like to sit it out and wait for help.
> But it's still unclear whether you're alone here or not.
> To wait here would be foolish.
> It seems the only course of action is to press onwards.
 
> Before you set out, you take a moment to adjust your equipment.
> You had been dressed for nocturnal urban environments.
> While they were effective on the streets of Tarvo City, your dark gray outfit offered little use in the autumn woods.
 
> You find your way to a nearby brook.
> The cool water feels invigorating.
> You grab some mud that was collecting at the bottom of the waterbed, smearing it across your skin and clothing.
> The thick mud leaves your clothes a dirty brown, giving some extra against the trees.
 
> With your weapons and gear in tow, you finally set out.
> You use the brook as your guide, following it upstream towards the mountain.
 
> With every step, you can hear leaves crunch underneath the soles of your boots.
> The forest is thick with various flora and fauna.
> As you travel, you can point out several small critters and birds.
> All of them scurry away at the sight of you.
 
“Heh.” something you've become all to familiar with.
 
> Months of living with the resistance has changed you.
> The constant work and movement has kept you in top physical form.
> You cut through the dense forest with speed and grace.
 
> The constant blur of golden leaves becomes monotonous.
> Your mind begins to wander as you travel.
 
> What really happened?
> Why are you alive right now?
> Is this the after life?
> Could this really be heaven?
> Or is this just some cruel joke played by a mischievous god?
> Where is everyone else?
> Have they arrived in this remote land as well?
> Is it possible that they've already regrouped?
> Tch.
> Knowing those guys, they've probably already started another war here.
 
> All of which ultimately reminds you...
> How are things going back in Emmeria?
> Was the operation successful?
> Where the Estovakians finally driven out of your home?
> Has peace finally graced your home?
> You hope for nothing but a complete victory.
 
> Continuing forward, you maintain a cool and collective attitude.
> Doing your best to cast aside any notions of doubt or anxiety.
 
> As you travel farther upstream, the bush thickens, hindering your progress.
> The thick tree canopy barely allows any sunlight to pierce the forest floor.
> The setting sun only makes matters even worse.
 
> Any sane person would call it quits at this point.
> But you've been through worse.
> Instead, you take a moment to rest.
 
> A large rock plastered on the stream's bank catches your attention.
> You take a seat and relax for just a moment.
> Cupping your hands you take a drink from the stream.
> The water tastes pure and refreshes your very soul.
> This water is a godsend compared to the filtered sewer water you had to live with.
 
> You let out a hearty laugh.
> Never once did you imagine yourself having to rely on the sewers for shelter and substance.
 
> As the sun is begins to set; light becomes scarce.
> The night's first stars begin to peek through the twilight sky.
 
> You activate the flashlight on your rifle's end.
> It's bright light is nearly blinding in the darkness.
> But you're not satisfied with just a simple flashlight.
 
> Digging through your bag you produce a small glow stick.
> You snap it and shake it vigorously.
> It's green chemical glow fascinates you even as an adult.
> You tie one around around your neck and keep digging through your bag.
 
> At the very bottom of your bag, you find a small chocolate bar.
> You smirk in delight.
> You've been saving this for a rainy day, but what better time than now?
 
> The chocolate is absolutely delicious, and you savor every bite as if it were your last.
> Because in all reality, this silence is nerve racking.
> You've grown accustomed to the constant hardships of a war ridden nation.
> Day in and day out, you grew accustomed to the constant beat of gunfire.
 
> Much to your dismay, this silence is broken.
> Of in the distance, you hear leaves rustling in the bush.
 
> Without an ounce of hesitation you ready your rifle.
> You aim your rifle towards the tree line.
 
“Don't try anything! I'm armed! Come out! Nice and slow!” you shout
 
> But despite your warnings, the sounds move.
> You can hear twigs snapping and tree's being displaced as it circles around you.
 
“Don't fucking test me! I'll blow your fucking head off! I mean it!”
 
> You follow the sounds with your rifle.
> They circle around you once more before stopping at the bush nearest to you.
> The bright flashlight does little to penetrate the thick tree line.
> But within the impenetrable darkness the flashlight catches the reflection of a pair of eyes.
 
“Y-You motherfucker! Get out here!”
 
> It's then when you hear a low growl.
> It's an eerie sound that sends chills down your spine.
> You recognize it as non other than a lion's growl.
> The rifle's light dances as you struggle to keep the weapon steady.
 
> Your mind races with questions.
> But before you have a chance to lull them over, the beast comes into view.
> It slowly steps out of the tree line and into your sights.
 
“W-What the f-fuck...” you mutter.
 
> You gaze onto the beast that stands before you.
> What seems like a horrible cross over between a lion and several other creatures.
> Dumbstruck, you stand motionless before what stands before you.
> He raises his scorpion tail up high/
> The thick stench of it's poison fills the air.
> It slowly steps forward, bearing it's fangs.
 
“No...No...No!...No! No! No!” you yell.
> Your disbelief transforms into anger.
 
> That...that thing!
> It's not real!
> It can't be!
> No!
> It's fucking impossible!
> It's just a bunch of shit!
 
> It steps forward once more and lets forth a proud roar.
> A cry that is absolutely deafening, and could be heard for miles.
> But you've had enough of this bullshit.
 
> You release the safety and pull the trigger.
 
> RATATATATATATATATA!
 
> Heavy chugging of your rifle is almost as loud as the bastards roar.
> You disregard any previous notions of proper marksmanship and spray bullets in that general direction.
> With a steady grip you manage the rifle's recoil as best as you can.
> Poor bastard never knew what hit him.
 
> CLICK.
 
> The rifle snaps back as you empty the magazine.
> Before you, the beast lies slumped over the ground.
> His body is covered in wounds as he slumps in a pool of his own blood.
> The scorpion tail still twitches with life.
> You take one last look at the beast before you snap with anger.
 
“No!” you shout in disbelief
> Your voice thick and commanding.
> You stumble over to the beast, kicking it as hard as you can.
“You! You motherfucker! No! No!”
> With your side arm you end his suffering.
> You kick the lifeless corpse.
> This beast.
> This thing.
> It's a very damnation of god's natural laws.
 
> What worries you is the fact that you've awoken in a land that harbor's such a beast.
> This must be the land of the damned.
> The place of reckoning.
 
> A land where the very laws set forth by nature no longer apply.
> A place where logic doesn't exist.
> A land inhabited by mythical beings all ready to kill.
> Worst of all, you have no idea what lurks beyond the next corner.
> Other than a few arms here and there, you have little to defend yourself against the unknown.
 
> Your ear catches a low hissing sound.
> Almost as if something was wheezing and having trouble breathing.
> The sound, just barely in ear shot, is coming from the far corner of the clearing.
 
> Without hesitation, you reload your weapon and fire into the direction of the sounds.
> Picking up your things as quickly as you can, you sprint back up the stream.
 
> With your adrenaline pumping, you pick up the pace and truck through the forest.
> Occasionally you turn around just to check if anything was following you.
> And at any hunch of another presence, you fire you fire your rifle into the darkness, hoping to kill whatever lies in wait.
 
> You arrive at the foot of the mountain.
> With all your gear in tow, the ascent becomes difficult, but is feasible none the less.
> The air becomes cold, and winds start to howl.
> Luckily, your side of the mountain is a smooth ascent.
> No jagged cliffs here.
 
> Your exposed skin starts to burn with each passing moment.
> So much so that your lose feeling in your hands.
> But you continue on so, finally reaching the summit.
 
> You turn around, rifle in hand, to ensure you hadn't been followed.
> Frantically, you aim your rifle back and forth.
 
…
 
> But much to your relief, you're alone.
 
> You glance around at the summit.
> A small natural springs pumps outs a steady stream of water.
> Several small tree and bushes gather about the source.
 
> The view up here is amazing.
> And you take a moment to take it all in.
> The surrounding forest stretches for miles in every direction.
> And just before the horizon, you can make out the forest's edge.
> Giving way to rolling country sides.
 
> The land here is raw and untamed.
> You are as far from home as you could ever be.
 
> You find the highest point on the summit and take a seat on the rocky ground.
> You produce your radio.
 
“Wolverine Squadron!”
> …
> ...
> ...
“Wolverine Squadron! Respond!”
> …  
> …
> …
“Respond! Please respond!”
> …
> …
> …
“Wolverine Squadron?! Phoenix Squadron?! Anyone! Respond! Please respond!”
> …
 
> You try. And try. And try.
> But each call for help only brings about nothing but silence.
> Tears well up in your eyes as you bury your head in your hands.
> Ultimately falling into hysterics.
 
> The radio didn't work.
> Your only idea was a failure.
> You're stuck here.
> Alone.
 
…
 
> You lull it all over in your mind.
> You've been through hell and back.
> Awoke in a god forsaken forest with little to no supplies.
> And no one at your side.
> …
> But that doesn't mean it has to end here.
 
> There has to be a reason you're here.
> Right?
 
> You've broken the very laws of the natural order.
> You shouldn't be alive right now.
> It's strange.
> You're stuck in a place where you non-existent entity.
 
> Your mind struggles to maintain itself.
> Constantly replaying the last moments on the bridge to itself.
> The moment you detonated the bombs.
> The instant you ceased to exist.
> The moment you killed yourself.
> And the moment you killed everyone else?
 
> Why aren't they here?
> Why aren't they here with you?
> Are you truly alone right now?
> Is all this even real?
 
> This mountain.
> This forest.
> You.
> Everyone and everything here.
> Is it all real?
> Or is it all just a hallucination?
> Maybe this is all a dream.
> Maybe this is just hell.
 
> Yeah.
> That's gotta be it.
> There's no point.
 
> You produce your pistol.
> And you feel it's hefty weight.
> It's polished finish shines in the moonlight.
> It feels as real, just as everything else does.
 
> You put the pistol to your head.
> The metal barrel prodding against your temple.
> Tears flowing from your eyes.
> Your breathing becomes labored.
> You grit your teeth.
 
[spoiler] You can't do it. [/spoiler]
 
> Your hands tremble.
> You feel light headed as you fall to your knees.
> Nausea overcomes you and you vomit all over the ground.
 
Have you lost your mind?
 
[spoiler] No. [/spoiler]
 
[spoiler] Not yet. [/spoiler]
 
> It may or not be real, but whatever this is...
> But this is it.
> It's what you've wanted.
> Your second chance.
 
> You pick yourself up from the puddle of bile.
 
> The cold night air pecking at your face.
 
> You gather firewood.
> And with what little you could find, you made a small fire.
> It barely provides any warmth.
> But it's enough.
> If just to keep you company.
 
> You dig trough your bag once more.
> Getting a good feeling for your inventory of items.
 
> During the war, you kept a large backpack with you at all times.
> You never slept in the same place twice, so it was best to keep everything with you at all times.
> Among your war supplies, you kept some of your closest momentos.
> Things like photos, books and journals.
 
> As you dig deeper and deeper, you produce an old gameboy in your hands.
> You let out a soft chuckle.
> The old gray and green device is absolutely dwarfed by your clammy grip.
> You find your copy of Tetris, and boot it up.
> And much to your surprise, the familiar “NINTENDO” logo still appears on screen.
 
> The 8-bit music starts playing once more.
> You tear up.
> It's nostalgic.
> And reminiscent almost like meeting an old friend.
 
> Using the moon and firelight, you burn through the game once more.
> Piling brinks with ease.
 
> During the war, there was little time for comfort.
> But this was one of the few escapes from reality.
> A glimpse of your childhood before you.
> To reject your own world, and delve into another.
> It was beautiful.
 
> You enjoy your time with the game.
> Cherishing each moment spent.
 
> …
 
> As the night drags out you gather as much as much firewood availble at the clearing.
> It's small golden flames danced with the howling winds.
> But the small branches and twigs could only last for so long.
> Your turned off your game when your fire went out.
> Leaving you only with the black night.
 
> You gaze up into it.
> The stars are beautiful.
> And the moon looks especially marvelous this night.
 
…
 
> Leo.
> You were born under the zodiac Leo.
> You scour the skies for the constellation.
> …
> But you can't find it.
> You can't find anything for that matter.
> No Big Dipper
> No North Star.
> Nothing.
 
> You produce a pack of cigarettes and your Zippo lighter.
> You light the cigarette.
> Savoring it's smooth flavor.
“Tch. It's been too long.”
 
> No later than you finish your cigarette, you hear a motion in the darkness.
> The low hissing noise is back.
> It sounds like it's coming from all directions.
 
> Without so much as a second thought you pull up your rifle and begin firing.
 
> This time, you fire in small controlled bursts.
> You flick the flashlight on and aim down the sights, hoping to catch a glimpse of  whatever is out there.
> Quickly jolting your rifle back and forth with each sound.
 
> But they're fast.
> And whatever is out there escapes your light.
 
> It's unsettling.
> You empty the magazine and load a new one.
 
> You can hear it's movements.
> Whatever is is hiding behind the shadows is not alone.
> There's probably two or three circling about.
> And they seem to be getting closer.
 
> You run through your second magazine in a matter of seconds.
 
> This time, you dig through your bag, hoping to find more ammo.
> But instead, you find something else.
 
> A flare gun.
 
> Yes!
> Perfect!
 
> You ready the gun and aim for the sky.
> Shutting your eyes tight as you fire it into the sky.
> It takes a moment for the white phosphorus to kick in, but when it does, it provides a small amount of light.
 
> Enough so for you to be able to see around you.
> There, you can see silhouettes in the distance.
> You pull up your rifle and take aim.
> This time spraying at the target.
 
> RATATATATATATA!
> CLICK!
 
> You reload your weapon once more and continue firing.
> RATATATATATATA-
 
> Beyond the gunfire, you hear a howling scream.
> And the silhouette falls to the ground.
> It yells out in pain.
> Screeching in a loud coarse voice.
> The other silhouettes call out from the darkness in response.
 
> You pull your gun up to the others and fire.
> RATATATATA!
> CLICK!
> You listen out for any signs of hitting your mark.
> But you get nothing.
 
> The flare finally extinguishes itself in air.
> You sling your rifle and pull out the flare gun once more.
> You can hear the others strafe you and move towards the downed target.
> All of them screeching at the top of their lungs.
> It's a horrible sound that is sure to stay with you.
 
> You start running towards them.
> Moving toward the downed target, you reload the flare gun.
 
> But you're not fast enough.
> It takes a few precious seconds to re-fire the gun.
> And even longer for the flare to ignite within the night sky.
 
> And when it does, you arrive at where the target fell.
> All that remains is a dark pool of blood.
> You can see the tracks left by the beings as they dragged their comrade away.
 
> You aim the rifle down the mountain.
> Just barely, you can spot the beings crawling down the forest at break neck speeds.
> Their wounded comrade in tow.
 
> Fuck.
> They got away.
 
> You contemplate running after them.
> But you note their tracks lead back down the mountain and into the forest.
> To venture in there would surely be suicide.
> An option you're not willing to take.
 
> Your white flare burns overhead for a few more moments.
> It slowly parachutes down the mountain side before burning out.
> Scanning the hilltops you aim for movement.
> But you come up with nothing.
 
> Content, you turn around and start to head back towards your camp site.
 
> Those things.
> They were terrifying.
> And the way they called out to each other.
> It was wild.
> Primitive.
> Feral.
 
> You begin to analyze their pattern of attack.
> Checking the various footprints in the ground.
 
> When suddenly, you see it.
> You see a bright purple light glowing within the forest.
“What the fuck?” you mutter.
> The purple light begins to glow brighter and brighter.
 
> When suddenly a small purple light shoots up from the thick tree line.
> It shoots up into the night sky and floats back down.
> It slowly extinguishes itself before another is shot up into the night sky again.
 
> Its...
> It's a flare!
 
> You react quickly and fire another white flare into the sky.
> This time, angling it towards the source of the purple flare.
 
> Your flare lights up the night sky.
> And another purple one is fired up in response.
 
> It's someone.
> Someone has found you.
> It's a search party!
> Probably your squad!
> They must have gotten your SOS calls.
> Finally, you're going to be out of this hellish nightmare.
 
> Without so much as a second thought, you
 
> You gather your things and makes your way towards the flares.
> The thought of finding your old comrades brings tears to your eyes.
> What you wouldn't give to hear the coarse voices of your comrades.
> Maybe if you're lucky, they'll have some cigars at the ready.
 
> Slowly, but surely, you descent down the mountain, firing a steady stream of flares.
 
> With your rifle at hand, you trek into the forest once more.
 
> In the distance you spot a faint purple light.
> You turn your flashlight to strobe and trek towards the light.
 
“Hey! Hey! Over here!” you shout.
 
> You inch your way towards the search party.
> In the distance, you hear some voices.
> It's a welcome contrast to the gargled growls you've heard all day.
 
“Yo! Mac! Team! Over here! I'm over here!” pressing through the bush you make your way towards the others.
 
> Finally, the you come face to face with the search party.
 
“W-What...” you mutter.
 
> Before you stands six small horses.
> They're about the height of your waist.
> Each one of them has an oddly colored coat.
 
“No...No...No...”
 
> The small horses, ponies, just stare at you.
> They're unlike anything you've ever seen before.
> Their manes look like they've been styled.
> They carry saddle bags.
> And they've also got small markings along their hind flanks.
 
> One of the first things you notice is the fact that they're all wearing some form of jewelry.
> Each one of them is a golden necklace with a jewel encrusted in the center.
 
> All of them, with the exception of a purple pony, who dons a tiara on it's head.
> Upon further inspection, you realize the purple and white ponies have horns upon their heads.
> The yellow and cyan ponies are also sporting a pair of wings.
> Unicorns and pegasi.
 
“W-w-what the fuck.”
 
> You pull up your rifle.
> All of you remain in a stand still.
 
> Somehow, you can see it in their eyes as well.
> You can see the same emotions in their eyes.
> Disbelief, doubt, curiosity, and above all: Fear.
 
> You lock in eye contact with the purple pony for what seems like an eternity.
> It's studying you.
> You can feel it's eyes prod all over you.
> It's maddening.
 
> The purple pony takes a step towards you.
> You take a step back
“Woah woah woah!” you shout.
> It takes maintains eye contact, and gives you a deadpan stare.
> It takes another step forward before speaking in a foreign language.
 
>...
> Wait...
> Did it just talk?
> Did that fucking horse just talk?
 
> You stagger back as it moves closer.
> It carries a soft female voice.
 
“Heyheyhey! Stay back! Stay back!” you shout.
> You're not taking any chance with these things.
> But it doesn't let up.
> Instead, it begins to trot forward.
 
“No! No! Get away! Get the fuck away!!”
> The purple pony turns to speak with the rest of them.
> They all nod before turning to you.
 
> In the corner of your eye, you watch as the orange pony pulls out a rope from it's saddle bag.
 
> The purple one starts to yell something out.
> Suddenly, the purple one's horn begins to glow a bright purple.
> The same color as the flares.
> The rope is enveloped in a bright aura as it is levitated into the air.
 
“W-What the fuck...No. No! No!”
> You pull your rifle up and fire a barrage of rounds into the sky.
> They all flinch.
> The aura diminishes.
 
> You start to step back.
> Not turning your back on them.
 
> The purple one quickly regains it's composure.
> Quickly it starts it's horn once more. This time, it pulls out a book from her saddlebag and levitates it in front of her.
> She begins to step forward.
> Her horn starts to glow a bright purple.
> The two pegasi start to take flight.
> They all start to circle you.
 
> No.
> You've been fed up with the bullshit.
 
> You pull your rifle up and sprint towards the purple pony.
> Using your bayonet as a spear, you ram towards her, with nothing less than the full intention of killing her.
 
> CLANK!
 
“W-What?!” you shout
> Your bayonet collides with a wall made of purple aura.
> The purple pony has a purple force field around you.
> The sheer force of the impact makes you stagger back for a few moments.
 
> But you're quick.
> You pull the rifle up to your sights and let loose.
> Spraying a flurry of bullets at the purple horse.
 
> That force field she deflects your bullets.
> You watch in horror as they ricochet of her sheild and into the forest nearby.
> The other ponies flinch as the bullets ricochet near them.
 
> Just then, the orange pony grabs the rope.
> She starts forms it into a lasso and throws it towards you.
> You try shift your aim towards her.
> But it's too late.
> The rope ties around your the barrel of your weapon.
 
> You fire it off again, but it's no use.
> She yanks the damned thing right out of your hands.
> Fuck!
 
> They start to circle you.
> You sprint towards the orange horse and tackle her to the ground.
> The both of you hit the ground with a loud THUD.
 
> The orange horse tries to punch and kick you.
> But it's no use.
> You easily over power her.
> After a bit of struggling, you position yourself on top of the orange horse.
> You pull your arm back to land a punch
> But it's on use.
> In those crucial moments, the cyan pony takes flight.
> She picks up speed and dives right into you.
 
> The wind is knocked out of you as she makes contact.
> She knocks you to the ground before regaining her stance.
> You can see a coy smirk on her face and she returns to land.
 
> The ponies all begin talking amongst themselves.
> If you had to guess, they were probably coordinating their attacks.
 
> The assault rifle is only a few feet away from you.
> This is your chance.
> You make a dive for it.
> But at the last moment, it is enveloped in a blue aura as it's dragged just out of your reach.
> The rifle is carried back to the white pony, the source of the blue aura.
 
> You regain your composure.
> You are completely surrounded by all of them.
> You've reached a stand off.
> The purple one starts to shout at you.
> Probably telling you off.
 
> You reach for your pistol.
> The orange pony throws her lasso towards you, and grabs you by the hand.
> The white one uses her horn and grabs your other hand.
> They pull in opposite directions, leaving you completely defenseless.
 
“No! Y-You fuckers! W-Who the fuck do you think you are Let me go!”
 
> You thrash about.
> As they near you, you flail your legs.
> You kick up dirt.
 
“I'll kill you! I'll fucking kill you! Let me go! Leave me alone! I didn't do shit!”
 
> You stared at them all.
> The looks of fear still lingered in their eyes, just as they did in yours.
 
> The purple one smirks as she circles around you.
> She speaks to her friends before turning to you.
 
“Y-You! Assholes! Let me go! Please! Let me go!”
> But they ignore your cries.
 
> Instead, they begin to go through your belongings
> They ravage through your bag.
> Pulling out your precious mementos.
 
“H-Hey! Leave that shit alone! You hear me!? Drop it! Drop it! Now!”
 
> Finally, the purple pony turns her attention to you.
> She speaks to you in a soft tone.
> She pulls your rifle up to your face, waving it about.
> She continues to speak to you. Her tone of voice carries confusion.
 
> Her horn starts to glow a deep purple.
“P-Please! Let me go! I-I don't wanna go! Not like this! No!”
> You watch as the purple pony shoots a bolt of aura at you.
 
> As it engulfs you, you begin to lose strength.
> As if the very life is being sucked out of your body.
 
> Soon enough you start to lose your vision and hearing.
> The ponies' voices start to get muffled out.
> And soon, everything turns to black as they fade out.