GREEN
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6161 35 KB 647
6161 35 KB 647
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>"Anons, I...don't know if I should ask this of you, but I fear that desperate times call for desperate measures. The Griffons, the Minotaurs, and the Diamond Dogs have already conquered our allies in Stalliongrad and the Crystal Empire. Saddle Arabia is facing internal turmoil. The Changelings are building up for an attack. Equestria stands alone. Humans are well versed in warfare. We need a miracle to change the outcome of this terrible war. Please, will you help us?
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>You tilt your head and squint at your computer.
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>This is, very suddenly, the only thread on /mlp/.
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"The fuck?"
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>What happened to the rest of the board?
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>You click refresh.
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>Still nothing.
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>Just this one thread with a picture of a sad-looking Sunbutt.
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>Several people have already responded.
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>You click on the post, and begin reading replies.
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>Most people are saying yes, while only a few are asking where the rest of the board went, which is still the question that dominates the moment for you.
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>Your computer refreshes, and you see that the numbers of replies has increased dramatically.
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>Several posting pictures of tanks and planes, saying "I'm gonna bring this."
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>"Sure, princess, let me grab my full suit of chainmail."
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>"I've got a bunch of swords I can bring!"
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>You chortle.
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>You didn't know that many people were on this board at any one time.
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>You tap your desk for a moment...
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"Ohhhh...."
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>You know what this is.
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>It's gotta be a CYOA.
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>You look out the window.
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>Still pissing rain.
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>Well, what the hell else are you doing this weekend?
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>You reply to the OP.
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"Sure, why not."
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>The moment you press enter, you notice the room getting brighter and look to the window.
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>A gentle glow seeps past the curtains, growing bolder with each moment.
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>You track its progress across your desk, slowly turn your head, and watch as it casts a long shadow of you on the opposite wall.
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>You use your hand to shield it from your eyes and look at the screen.
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>OP has responded to all the replies:
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>"Thank you all. I never expected this sort of response. Reaching out to you may be a gamble for me, but I believe in my heart you can help us put things right."
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>"I ask that you all grab whatever provisions you would bring, and leave your homes."
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>Wait, like... leave the house?
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>Unironically leave the house?
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>You look out towards the window.
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>The light consumes everything in your vision.
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>You feel... something... pulling at you.
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>The Mosin, Anon.
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>The Makarov.
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>You hop out of your chair and go to your closet door, opening it to a Mosin-Nagant.
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>It's nothing special, a carbine made in 1942.
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>But it runs.
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>You pull it out of its soft case and give it a once-over, cycling the bolt and squeezing the trigger.
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>All good, you put it back in the case and prop it against the desk.
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>Next comes the Makarov, you give it the same treatment, all good.
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>You clip your holster to your pants and stick it in.
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>You pull your backpack out from the top shelf of the closet and begin filling it up.
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>Ammo
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>Stripper clips
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>chest rig for said stripper clips
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>Bayonet
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>You forgot how heavy ammo can be.
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>You head back over to the computer to shut it off.
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>Your finger hovers over the power button briefly.
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>What are you doing, Anon?
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>Where are you going?
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>And then, there it is again.
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>That... feeling.
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>Go, Anon.
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>You shut off the computer, and grab your weapons.
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>Out the bedroom door and down the hall you go.
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>Out to the living room and to the front door.
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>You open it.
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>The light is still bright, but doesn't hurt your eyes now.
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>You freeze.
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>This isn't right.
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>Something's fucky.
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>What is this???
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>You take a deep breath.
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>The light shimmers with a quiet... magic.
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>No. Impossible.
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>It can't be...
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>Right?
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"Ppphhh-f-fuck it."
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>You step into the light.
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>It consumes you entirely as you walk.
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>A dark tunnel appears ahead of you, and you stop.
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>You look back.
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>Nothing back there, Anon.
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>Might as well keep going.
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>Into the tunnel you go, but it's not a long one.
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>You can see the other end right there.
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>Coming out of the tunnel, you enter into a courtyard, cobbles beneath your feet and massive, white stone walls on either side of you.
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>Your eyes follow them upward to the towers above them, accented with gold and topped with massive, candy-striped onion domes that pierce the sky itself.
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>It's like Neuschwanstein and St. Basil's Cathedral had a baby.
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>"Welcome to Canterlot, son!"
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>Your eyes shoot to the source of the words.
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>A chestnut-colored pony with an incredible grey mustache looks up at you, his blue eyes partially hidden by the brim of his helmet.
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>He nods behind him.
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>"Pick a line, any ol' line!" he says with a thick southern drawl
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>Looking behind him, you see several lines of other people, all adult men like yourself.
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"Any old line, huh?"
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>"That's right! Don't wanna dilly-dally too long."
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>You nod slowly.
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"Yea... o-ok, thanks."
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>You pass him and pick a line.
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>As it shuffles forward, you look around at the others.
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>A wide range of weapons, from swords to spears to guns in cases like yours.
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>Some guys are loaded head to tow with tactical gear.
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>Some are in full fucking suits of armor.
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>Most are like you, just normal clothes.
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>Some anons brought nothing but the shirts on their back.
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>You glance back up the walls again, catching glimpses of guard ponies peering over the top to get a look at you.
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>You wonder who's more confused, you or them.
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>"NEEEEXT!"
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>oop, your turn.
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>You walk up to a pony at a table.
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"H-hello."
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>He turns around and looks behind him.
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>"Well?"
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>You look to see who he's--
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>Wait.
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>Holy Shit.
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>That's Shining Armor.
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>His horn starts to glow as he stares at you, and in that moment, you're overcome by a feeling of weightlessness.
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>Breathlessness.
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>It stops as soon as it started, and you have to cathc your breath.
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>Shining Armor smirks and nods. "Give him a green card."
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>"Green card for you, sir!"
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>The yellow pony hands a green card to you.
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"B-bck home we use these to immigrate."
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>Shining chuckles.
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>"You gotta earn that chance here," The other pony says, speaking quickly. "You're gonna follow that yellow carpet to the right. Do no--Hey, look at me."
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>Your eyes snap back to him.
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>"DO NOT stray off the carpet."
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"Okay."
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>"You're gonna follow it out through the castle gate, then follow that street to the town center. Turn right, follow that out to the big fountain, then to the right you'll see the train station. You show the card to one of the conductors and they'll guide you to your train. Any questions?"
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"N-no, thanks."
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>"Thankin' you! NEEEEEXT!"
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>You head away, your eyes still fixed on Shining.
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>He glances and notices you.
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>You can only offer an awkward nod.
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>He smirks and nods in return.
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>You follow the carpet through the gateway and out to the castle wall, then continue to follow it around, gawking at castle guard ponies in their gleaming armor with the other anons.
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>You come around to the front of the massive castle, and look up again at the onion domes.
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>That's it.
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>That's Canterlot Castle.
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>"Fucking wild, isn't it?" an anon says as he passes.
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"Yea."
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>The sky is impossibly blue.
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>You turn around and follow the yellow carpet out the main gate, and down the marble staircase into town.
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>The cobbled streets are bustling with activity.
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>Shops offering bright jewels and sweet treats, and somebody's bread smells incredible.
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>The street is littered with ponies, many of which stealing are stealing glances from you and the other humans parading down the street with you.
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>Real, honest-to-God, pastel-colored horses.
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>And they're looking at YOU.
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>You don't know what to say to them.
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>Keep moving, Anon.
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>Train's waiting.
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>The train station has several platforms, and each is packed with anons.
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>'Present card to conductor' niqqa you can't even find one.
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>You push past other anons until you find a light blue colt directing anons to their trains.
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"Hello, uhhh I have a green card."
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>"Platform 6, two that way, thanks!" he says, pointing to the right.
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"Thank you."
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>You go back to brushing and pushing past anons and make your way to platform 6.
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>You jump onto the train car right behind the locomotive.
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>It's cramped.
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>Claustrophobic.
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>You shuffle down, dodging elbows, knees, and the occasional dangling gun.
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>A curly-haired mare stands at the other end of the coach.
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>"Weapons on the racks above you!"
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>You eventually find an empty seat, toss up your rifle, and sit down, shoving your backpack under the seat in front of you.
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>Your knees press against the seat in front of you.
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>Oh boy.
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>The coach quickly fills up with other armed anons, and the smells of burning coal and varnished wood are now joined by intense body odor.
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>An anon comes up, looks at your seat, then looks at the rack space above you.
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>"Do ya mind?"
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>You really want to say no, but...
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"Go right ahead."
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>He puts his case up, then slumps down next to you, putting a similar bag under the seat in front of him.
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>He's wearing camo cargo pants, a grey hoodie, and a dirty, green Eagles hat
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>He whips out his phone.
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>"No fucking service," he mumbles, then puts it away.
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"I mean... what'd you expect?" you say with a chuckle.
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>He chuckles.
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>"Man, I dunno."
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>You glance out the window at the bustling anons, and the few ponies gawking at you through the window.
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"So uhh," you say turning back to the guy next to you, "you get a green card too?"
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>"Nah, I got, like, turquoise," he says, pulling it out of his pocket to show you.
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>It is, indeed, turquoise.
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"They told me this was the green card train."
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>"Look, they told me track 6, so if it's a fuck-up, it's not mine."
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>He looks up to the pony who was pacing the coach, helping people with their things.
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>"Hey, why do you look like a World War I Englishmen?"
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>"I don't, know what that means," he says. "Hey-hey sir, put your weapon up top there please?... Thank you."
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>"Like, why is your uniform like that?"
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>"I don't know, it's just my uniform! she replies, exasperated. "Weapons on the rack above you, gentlecolts!"
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>"Men!" your seatmate replies, "we are men, gentle-men."
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>"You became gentlecolts the moment you walked through that gate," the mare says with a classic customer-service smile.
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>Your seat-mate puts his hands up in concession, while you and several others laugh.
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>The mare quickly scans up and down the aisle. "Okay, looks like we're full here, but I'm not sure we have a full head count for the whole train."
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>Your seat-mate pipes up yet again.
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>"Maybe check with he other soldiers and see if the rest of the train's full?"
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>"Oh, yes boss, sure boss. Whatever you say, boss!" She says loudly, bowing her head at him.
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>You laugh even harder, along with most anons nearby, as he slinks down in his seat.
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>Seems like she was just in it for the banter, as she quickly straightens up.
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>"Okay," She bellows, "If I don't come back, the doors will close and you'll be on your way for assignment. Best of luck, and thank you for your attention--"
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>She glances back to you two.
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>"--gentlemen!"
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"Thank you!" you all say at once as she hops out the door, followed by a rousing cheer.
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"Geez, Boss, you got them all listening to you!"
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>"Shut the fuck up," he says, shaking his head, as more anons laugh.
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>A conductor blows a whistle behind you, followed by a shrill, high-pitched shriek from the locomotive, as if the iron beast itself understood.
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>The coach doors are slammed shut, and another rousing cheer rises up from your fellow passengers as the train lurches forward.
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>You look out at the ponies on the platform, how they smile and wave at you.
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>A thought creeps in:
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>Are they waving at their saviors, or the monkeys in the new exhibit?
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>You shake it off.
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>Whatever, you'll find out later.
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>The iron beast up front tows you down the mountain, and the impossibly blue sky above is complimented by the impossible green grass below.
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>You try to sneak looks out the opposite window, and although you can't see much, the mountainside is a pale purple.
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>Butterflies flitter alongside you, and if the window was open you'd try to snatch one.
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>In fact, maybe just open a window.
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"Mind if I open this?" you say to your seat-mate
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>"Go for it," he replies.
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>You push in the latches on either side of the window and drag it down.
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>Some other anons who saw you do the same.
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>God, that breeze.
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>Spring grass with a pang of smoke.
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>It sneaks around your neck and makes its way down your shirt, like it's alive.
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>Take a deep breath, Anon.
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>The novelty of fresh air and vivid scenery wears off.
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>The wooden seat offers no protection from each and every bump and jolt of the tracks.
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>You can hear the locomotive chugging away through the open window, and while it sounds like it's trying its damnedest, you're not going too fast.
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>Time begins to drag.
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>You search again and again for another position that's more comfortable, but each just presents a new soreness that didn't exist before.
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>The rhythmic clatter of the locomotive becomes a metronome of pain.
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>Fuck you faqqot, fuck you faqqot, said Thomas.
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>Fuck you too, fuck you too, said the coaches.
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>At least your guy 'Boss' has the aisle seat and could stretch one leg.
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>Might as well fold yourself up with your Mosin on the rack, wouldn't make a difference.
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>The air from the window grows cooler as you travel.
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>You guess you're going north.
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>Finally--Thankfully--the train screeches to a halt.
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>Medium-sized town.
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>Blonde mare with a Minnesooooooota accent hops aboard, same uniform as all the others.
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>"Green and terquoise cards! This is your stahp! Welcome to Whinnyapolis! LET's GO!"
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>Almost everyone hops up from their seat.
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>Your seat-mate grabs your rifle and hands it to you before grabbing his own shit.
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>You both shuffle your away out of the coach and into the open.
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>The cold air hits you like a slap.
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>The northern wind is a frigid witch.
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>"What is this, Green Bay?" your seat-mate says, shaking his shoulders.
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>You are all summoned through the main station entrance and down the street.
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>It looks like Anytown USA tbh.
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>But with pastel-colored horses.
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>And even they are bundled up for the cold.
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>The air sends shivers down your spine, but your sweater helps block some of it.
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>You and the anons are marched away from town.
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>The ground crunches beneath your shoes, the landscape outside of town a mix of barren fields and rolling hills.
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>The skeleton of a military installation stands before you.
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>Ponies bustles around, hooves pounding the cold earth, the tang of construction dust in the air.
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>They don't have time to gawk at you.
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>It's not much, but they're making progress.
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>Some ponies use magic to lift beams and stone.
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>The gears of war are turning here.
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>As you cross a green training ground, another uniformed stallion, wrinkled and gruff, shouts at you.
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>"GREEN CARDS KEEP MOVING, TURQUOISE, WITH ME!"
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>Your seat-mate splits off to join the old boy.
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>"See ya 'round, good luck."
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"You too, man."
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>You follow the other greenslips down the cobbled path towards what look like stone barracks.
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>Simple stone cottages with wooden frames, huddled together in three semi-circles.
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>You can see a warm glow through the windows of each.
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>"Halt!"
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>You look down at a pink mare with a clipboard.
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>Not Pinkie Pie
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>you am disappoint
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>She scans her clipboard. "Barracks 4, right there!" she says as she points to the first semi-circle.
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>You nod and head over, seeing the ornate '4' on the door of your barracks.
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>A maid pony keeps a roaring coal fire bristling in the fireplace at the back of the small space.
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>It smells of fresh wood, and as you look around you see several sources.
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>Floors, bunks, each with a matching wardrobe, all rough-built but sturdy.
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>A table with mismatched chairs.
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>A pantry with... some food in it.
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>Through a door, a small bathroom and shower that'll do.
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>Welcome home, Anon.
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>"Excuse me," the maid mare briefly whispers as she rushes past you.
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>You can't help but peep the ponut as she leaves, closing the door behind her.
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>You pick a bunk, unload your wares, and take a seat near the fire.
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>Fatigue rushes over you, and you're about to close your eyes, when--
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CRASH
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>Two anons come strutting through the door
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>one looks like he stepped out of a WW2 movie as an SS extra
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>the other has a fluttershy t-shirt on
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"Jesus, you better hope she never sees that shirt."
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>"I want her to see it!" he replies, unpacking his things.
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"Why?!"
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>"Because I like her!"
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"She will NOT like that, I'm telling you now."
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>"Thank you," the Waffenboo says, "I cannot talk any sense into him."
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>Another guy comes through the door.
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>Clean-cut soldier, full camo, Canadian arm patch.
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>"How we doing, anons?"
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"Okay, anon," you chuckle.
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>"Yea, I guess we're all anons here, huh?" FLutterfaqqot says.
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>You nod.
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>Wehraboo, finished unpacking, joins you at the table.
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>"You enjoy the train ride?" he says with a smile.
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"For the first five minutes," you say with an eye roll.
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>"Oh, but the scenery was so nice!" he says, putting his stahlhelm on the table. "It looked like Austria."
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>"Until we came out of that tunnel, then it looked like Alberta," Canuck said.
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>The door snaps open again, and the old, gruff pony from earlier comes in.
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>"Gentlemen, your squad leader."
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>Well well well.
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>Your seat-mate from the train steps through the door, rifle case in hand, revolver on his hip.
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>The Eagles hat now sits backwards.
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>"Best of luck, boys, you have your orders." With that, the old stallion leaves you.
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>You can't help yourself.
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"Good to see ya, Boss!"
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>"You fuckin'--"
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>"Wait, Boss?!" Wehraboo can barely contain himself. "Why? Why are we calling him Boss now?" he asks you.
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>Boss flips an arm in the air, exasperated. "Well ya might as well tell him."
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"I uhh, sat on the train next to him, and he kinda got mouthy with one of of the mares?"
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>"I didn't get mouthy, I just wanted to go!" he immediately protests.
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>"You got pwned by a horse!" Wehraboo cracks. "And here it's because I thought you were, like, tough or something."
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>Boss unzips his hoodie. "You'll see how tough I am, you keep talking like that."
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>Wheraboo stands back up, a wicked smile on his face. "Oh yea?"
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>"Easy, fellas," the Canuck says, stepping between them from his bunk. "No need killing each other when we're gonna have griffons, minotaurs and who knows what else trying to do that."
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>Boss sighs and nods. "Yea, yea. But If I gotta have a stupid name, so do you guys."
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"No protest here, squad leader."
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>Canuck shrugs.
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>"Fair enough, just go easy on us," Wehraboo says.
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>"Alright," Boss says, "fuckin' Fritz--"
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>"Coulda been worse," Fritz chuckles.
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>"--Maple--"
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>"I'll take it," Maple says.
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>"--fuckin', FLutterguy? Seriously dude?" he says, pointing at his shirt.
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>"What is WRONG with it?" FLutterguy complains as you all chuckle.
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>"And uh..." Boss reaches his hand towards you, but shakes his head, unable to think of something.
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>He then notices the gun on your bed.
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>"Nugget."
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"Really?"
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>"Really. You got a problem?"
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"No," you say with a sigh.
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>"Right, take a seat, fellas."
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>The other three join you and Fritz at the table as Boss pulls a letter from his hoodie pocket.
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>"'Gentlemen, welcome to Equestria. You have been assigned to Special Task Team #4, henceforth known as Delta Squad. You have been assigned based on your ability as assessed by our nation's brightest military minds.'"
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"Wait, what?"
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>"Did they explain what that means?" Flutterguy asks.
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>"No."
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>"Is that... when we got buzzed by unicorn magic?" Maple asks.
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"Ohhhh," You and Fritz say at once.
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>"You're probably right," Boss agrees. "Anyway. 'With this letter you are receiving your first orders. You will be air-lifted to Crystal City, in the heart of our northern ally, the Crystal Empire...'"
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>Fritz lets out a diving whistle.
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>"'Your assignment to to rescue and extract a valuable team of advisors with whom we've lost contact. Captain Shining Armor and his peers assessed you all personally, and agreed that your team gives us the best chance of mission success given these circumstance.' No pressure guys."
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"No kidding."
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>"'This letter should find you with about six hours' time to prepare, and perhaps get some sleep. Time is of the essence, so please be prepared when you are called. I place my trust in you. Yours, Princess Celestia.'"
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>"Wow," Flutterguy says, "straight from the top! Who could be that important?"
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>You shrug.
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>"I dunno. Look, we're not gonna get six hours' sleep, we gotta get ready. Load magazines, stripper clips, speed loaders in my case..."
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"What're you running?"
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>"SKS and a .357."
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>"Ah, the Viet-Cong loadout," Fritz.
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>"Not quite, I got box mags for it."
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>The door swing open again, and the maid mare form earlier appears, a bucket full of coal around her neck.
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>"Am... I interrupting?"
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>You all sort-of shrug.
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>"Nah, you're good," Boss says.
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>She prances past you and proceeds to lash the whole bucket of coal into the fireplace, instantly cranking the heat in the room.
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>Boos shrugs and looks to you all.
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>"Alright, let's get to work."
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>The knock on the door comes far too loud, and far too early.
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>Boss was right, you got an hour's nap tops.
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>Couldn't turn your brain off.
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>Boss answers the door as you roll out of bed.
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>"Major Coldsteel," He says to the old stallion.
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>"That's 'sir' to you," Coldsteel gruffs.
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>"Aye sir, we're ready."
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>You toss on your cheap rig, grab your rifle and pistol and follow your squad outside.
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>It's cold, the sun seemingly gone.
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>Not that you could see it when you got to this base.
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>You glance around, seeing that the work ponies have made a good bit of progress
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>A few central buildings have gone up, guards towers, most of an outside wall.
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>Magic.jpeg
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>"Follow me," Coldsteel grunts.
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>He leads you past the other clumps of tiny cottages, all full.
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>you can hear laughing from an open window
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>And here you are trudging off to God-knows-what.
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>The Major leads you to a helipad at the back of the base.
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>"You ride should be here soon," he said.
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>You ears begin to vibrate with a pulsing thrum.
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>Looking up into the dark grey clouds, you see a black shadow moving through them.
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>A V-22 Osprey appears through the low clouds, twin rotors cutting arcs through the gray
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>It tilts its engines back to slowly come to a hover, then begins a slow descent to the helipad.
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>You notice Coldsteel, taking a step or two back, then turning his face away in the wind.
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>A group of pony onlookers in hard hats and military uniforms stand awestruck further back.
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>May as well be summoning a mechanical demon.
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>The beast touches down with a hydraulic hiss, and the ramp in the back slams to the ground.
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>An anon comes out, seemingly a crewman, helmet and all, to greet you.
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>You boys Delta? Let's go!"
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>Fritz elbows you. "Hey, beats walking!" he says, barely audible over the turbines.
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>You follow him and the rest of the squad to the back.
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>You pick one of the canvas seats along the wall of the hold and flop in it.
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>A crewman comes over and helps you do up your lap belt, you give him a thumbs up.
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>The ramp clangs shut, and the engines roar back to life.
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>After a moment, the Osprey rises smoothly off the ground
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>Colder air seeps into the fuselage, and you rub your hands together.
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>The Osprey banks north, pushing you back into the wall.
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>Boss is on the other side, letting his legs dangle in the air, getting a chuckle from Fritz.
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>As you level out, the Osprey gains speed as the engines transfer fully back to flight mode.
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>THe crewman comes back around, with a headset in his hands, and a black box to clip onto your belt.
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>You take it from him, put the headset on, plug it into the box and clip it.
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>"Mic check, anybody got me?" Boss asks.
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"Loud and clear."
-
>"Tell me I'm not the only guy not enjoying this."
-
"It's kinda like flying in a blender, yea."
-
>"First time in a bird like this?" Maple asks, keying in.
-
"Oh yea. Never been in a helicopter."
-
>"Me neither," Boss agrees.
-
>Maple nods. "You get used to it."
-
>An unfamiliar voice chimes in. "If you don't like the ride, I could put you down to walk."
-
>"That won't be necessary," Boss says.
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>"Don't kick me out, I'm liking it," Fritz says, adjusting his headset under his helmet.
-
>"What's your callsign, brother, and, uh, what's our twenty?" Boss asks.
-
>"Delta 1, this is Cowboy 3, we're about twenty klicks north of Whinnyapolis at this point, got a bit of a ride ahead of us, ETA 90 mikes."
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>"I don't speak operator, Cowboy 3."
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>"'Bout an hour and a half, Delta 1."
-
>"Roger that."
-
>You look over to Flutterguy, who's still getting his headset on.
-
>"Can anyone hear me?"
-
"I got you,' you say as Boss gives him a thumbs up.
-
>"Man, some ride huh?"
-
>"Yea, we already had that conversation," Boss replies.
-
>"I just got my headset on!"
-
>"Alright, we'll talk about something else." He lifts his SKS. and presents it tow Fritz. "You wanted to see the box mags?"
-
>Fritz takes the rifle in his hands, his own gun on the seats next to him. "Ahh, the M14 we have at home!"
-
You chuckle. "Are they hard to reload?"
-
>"You gotta rock 'em in from the front, but it's not too bad when you get used to it."
-
"What's that beast, anyway?" you ask Fritz, pointing to his weapon.
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>Some kind of G3 clone with a bunch of stuff on it.
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>He picks it up and holds it out towards you with a smile. "Here's the pig. PTR with a bipod, wooden furniture, 100-round drum mags, and a binary trigger."
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>"Oooh, fun switch," Maple says, looking it over. "I think Nugget and I are both on slow mode."
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>He lifts an honest-to-God sniper rifle up. "Timberwolf!"
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>"Ah, so you're useless outside of long range," Boss says, crossing his arms.
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>"I beg to differ," Maple replies, pulling some AR pistol seemingly from his ass.
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"Were you just sitting on that the whole time?"
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>"Yup." he puts it back behind him. "What kind of Nugget you got?"
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You lift it up briefly. "Just a carbine. Nothing crazy."
-
>"Did I see you loading up a Makarov earlier?" Flutterguy asks.
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>"Full Commie loadout, huh?" Boss says.
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You pull the Mak. "I went to a local gun show and bought them both the same day."
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>"That's fair." He looked back to Flutterguy. "That a Beretta?"
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>"Yea, 1301."
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>Boss nods. "And I saw what's in your backpack, don't break that shit."
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"What's he got in there?"
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>"Molotovs."
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>for fucks sake Flutterguy.
-
-
>You all quiet down, running out of things to talk about.
-
>Just you and your thoughts now, which you can barely hear over the Osprey and all its noises.
-
>Maybe ten hours ago you were chilling at your computer looking at an imageboard.
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>Now here you are, rifle at your side, flying over a land full of magical talking ponies.
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>Funny how shit works, eh Anon?
-
-
>You feel the Osprey bank downward on its descent.
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>"Delta 1, we're coming in over Crystal City, get ready."
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>"Roger that Cowboy 3."
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>"Be advised, Delta 1, you're coming into a hot LZ, watch out for griffons and minotaurs, over"
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>"10-4."
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>You unhook your belt and grab your rifle, focused on the ramp as it begins to lower.
-
>Crystal city sprawls below you, its streets veined with scars of war.
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>Crystal buildings are fractured and dull, broken shards catching the glow of distant fires.
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>The castle rises in the city center, its spires blackened, its crystal facade looming cold.
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"Holy shit."
-
>"No kiddin'," Boss agrees.
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>The Osprey circles the castle, looking for a landing spot.
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>You catch glimpses of ponies in makeshift armor darting between piles of rubble.
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>tattered flags flying in defiance
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>The Osprey comes down with authority.
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>"Aight, boys." Boss calls out. "Let's rock n' roll!"
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>He charges down the ramp, and you all follow.
-
-
>You're immediately greeted by a big, angry Minotaur.
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>He roars as he lowers his head and begins to lunge down on you.
-
>Boss instinctively lets a pair of rounds fly.
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BANGBANG!
-
>The result is overtly cartoonish.
-
>The bull roars in agony, two holes the size of train tunnels in his torso.
-
>You both stand there speechless, wide-eyed as the dying bull gurgles.
-
>Your look at each other.
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>The two of you share the same holy-shit-did-you-see-what-I-saw expression.
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>The pair of bulls with him stare down in horror as he gurgles his last gurgle.
-
>Quick, while they're distracted!
-
>You raise your Nugget to eye level, draw a quick bead on the head of one, and pull the trigger.
-
PANG!
-
>The bull's head explodes.
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>Flutterguy runs up and cuts the third in half with his shotgun.
-
"That's... something."
-
>"Anyone smell burger?" Fritz asks.
-
-
>You all notice an armored red stallion nearby, staring at you in awe.
-
>"Wh-Who are you?"
-
>Boss speaks up. "We're Delta Squad, Equestrian HVF. Uhh... who's in charge here?"
-
>"I suppose that would be me. Major Red Ranger."
-
>"What's happening here, major? We were told the Empire had capitulated."
-
>"Oh, you heard wrong," Red Ranger said, his voice turning grim. "We will fight to the very last, my friend."
-
>"Good man--g-good stall--good on you," Flutterguy fumbles.
-
>Boss ignores him. "We were sent here to find some Equestrian advisors. They might have been with--"
-
>"Princess Cadence? Yes..." he nods. "Yes, I saw them. They fled the castle together."
-
>He glances towards Flutterguy, and his eyes widen. "That's... that's one of them," he says, pointing to his shirt.
-
"What?"
-
>You all first look at the image of Fluttershy, then to each other.
-
>"Are you sure?" Maple asks.
-
>"Positive."
-
>"...well... do you know where they went? They still in the city?" Boss asks.
-
>He points down a wide street behind you. "They headed east from here... I couldn't tell you more than that."
-
>Boss nods. "Right. Better than nothing. Thanks major. Godspeed, good luck."
-
>"You as well. Stars guide you."
-
>"Major!" A mare shouts from nearby, and he dashes away.
-
>You all look down the long street, which stretches deep into the dark.
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>"Well, nothing else for it," Maple says.
-
>"Yea." Boss raises his rifle. "Let's get lookin.'"
-
-
>You move as a group down the street, crystal shards crunching under your feet.
-
>You stay in a tight group, eyes darting from one dark corner and shadow to the next.
-
>Carved arches and sparkling remnants of facades show what this place once looked like.
-
>Roars and shouts echo around you, in case there was ever any doubt that ponies were still fighting.
-
>"They didn't hold back taking this place, eh?" Maple mumbles.
-
>"Hmm," Fritz agrees. "So neither will we."
-
>As you approach an intersection, a plume of smoke marks a nearby skirmish.
-
>A shriek pierces the air, and a griffon lunges at you from a ruined storefront
-
>You turn and fire, dropping the fucker mid-strike.
-
PANG
-
>"Damn, Nugget," Boss says, "good shot."
-
"...thanks..."
-
>"Let's keep moving."
-
>You press on, moving off the main street, weaving through alleys and side streets, heads on a swivel.
-
>The Crystal Castle still stands tall behind you, like a distant judge.
-
>You emerge from an alley onto an intersection street, just in time for a group of minotaurs to round a nearby corner.
-
"Shit!"
-
>You look around and dive behind a fallen column.
-
>Fritz dives in next to you, setting his bipod on the column and rattling off burst after burst.
-
>He downs two minotaurs before they can close the distance
-
>Maple pops a third from a kneeling position in the middle of the street.
-
>One minotaur charges through the hail of gunfire, axe high above his head.
-
>Boss sidesteps him as he swings, and pulls his .357.
-
BADANG BADANG
-
>Down he goes.
-
>You pop the last one as he's running away.
-
>"Woo!" yells Fritz. "Hell yea!"
-
>"Everyone still in one piece?" Boss asks.
-
>"Still here," Maple replies.
-
"Yup."
-
>"Uh-huh," Flutterguy says.
-
>"Aight, let's keep moving."
-
-
>You make your way down another wide street, approaching a five-point roundabout with a destroyed fountain in the middle.
-
>You all stop, looking around.
-
>A few ornate hotels, a few cafes and shops, and a theatre.
-
>"Which way we thinkin'?" Fritz asks.
-
>Boss just shrugs.
-
>"Maybe we should split up?" Flutterguy suggests, "COver more ground that way."
-
You look to him, squinting. "Do you wanna die?"
-
>"No," Boss says tiredly. "No we're not splitting up."
-
>"I say we take a loop," Maple suggests, "and then go from there."
-
>"Might as well. We'll head right."
-
>You all regroup and head towards the right.
-
>You pas by the facade of one of the hotels, most letters knocked off.
-
>A cafe, no windows left in it.
-
>The theatre, half the marquee hanging off.
-
>Maple stops and looks into it, and so do you.
-
>A shadow bolts out of your peripheral and into the dark.
-
"Yo guys."
-
>"What's up?" Boss asks as they stop.
-
You look to Maple. "You saw that too, right?"
-
>Maple nods.
-
>"Saw what?" Boss asks.
-
>Maple nods towards the theatre. "There's something in there."
-
>You all look at each other.
-
>"Anybody got a flashlight?" Boss asks.
-
>"Here," Flutterguy replies, pulling one from his pocket and tossing it to him.
-
>Boss shoulders his SKS and pulls the revolver, flashlight in the other hand.
-
>Maple shoulders his own rifle and brings up the AR pistol, turning on a light.
-
>You take a deep breath.
-
>"Yea, I know," Boss agrees. "Let's go."
-
-
>You all keep a tight grouping as you tread carefully into the dark lobby, glass and debris crunching under your shoes.
-
>You keep a tight grip on your rifle, seeing flitters of your breath on the edge of Maple's flashlight.
-
>Through an ornate wooden door into the dark theatre, some of the seats charred, the pitch-dark stage looming ahead.
-
>"THERE!" Flutterguy yelps as a shadow darts from the far end of the stage.
-
>Fritz lets four shots go, making you jump.
-
>A group of shrieks stops you all in your tracks.
-
>"Eyes up," Boss says, "Don't let is sneak up on us."
-
>You keep your eyes right as you move forward, keeping as close to the group as you can, floorboards groaning as you move.
-
>The shadow appears again on the right.
-
"Right side!"
-
>It darts back behind the right side curtain.
-
>"It's heading towards the back," Maple observes.
-
>"C'mon, boys!" Boss says as he breaks into a jog.
-
>You all dash towards the stage, jumping up onto it.
-
>Behind the curtains you navigate a maze of props and scenery, some intact, some broken.
-
>The shadow dashes back behind a large scene of, ironically, a pristine Crystal City.
-
>You all stop, hearing nervous panting from behind it, lights trained on the end.
-
>Boss looks to Maple, who gives him a reassuring nod.
-
>"Right," Boss says, "we know you're back there. Come out here slowly or... we'll come back there."
-
>...
-
>Nothing.
-
>Boss straightens up. "Tellin' you one more time... come out here. Slowly."
-
>...
-
>A soft, but clear, voice. "O-Okay, okay... we're coming out... Please, don't hurt us."
-
-
>...we?
-
>The voice is familiar.
-
>A figure steps into the lights.
-
>Princess Cadence stands before you, coat dulled by ash, mane disheveled, wings folded tight to her sides.
-
>She carries a satchel on her back.
-
Behind her, more figures emerge.
-
>Twilight Sparkle, her face grim
-
>Applejack, steady and sturdy despite a limp
-
>Rarity, favoring her left side as if injured, but head still held high
-
>Rainbow Dash, wings twitching, eyes darting around, probably looking for escape routes
-
>Fluttershy, trembling, but stepping forward regardless
-
>finally Pinkie Pie, mane deflated, falling around her eyes.
-
-
>"Well I'll be damned," Fritz says.
-
>"Boys, guns down," Boss says, and you all lower your weapons.
-
>"Who are you?" Cadence asks. "What do you want with us?"
-
>"We're Delta squad, Equestrian HVF," Boss says.
-
>"Celestia sent you?" Twilight asks.
-
>"That's right. To get you outta here."
-
>Sooo... you're on our side. Cool," Dashie says, calming down a bit.
-
>"You fellers 'r a sight for sore eyes..." Applejack mumbles.
-
"That bad, huh?"
by Taker1024