THIS IS MY FIRST STORY. FEEL FREE TO REVIEW MY STORY, BUT DON'T BE A DICK ABOUT IT.
Afghanistan, Classified location, 12th of May, 1500 hours
The hot Afghan sun beat down on the 10 truck convoy as it slowly lumbered along a small dirt path. It was the third time this particular group of men was being deployed, but only the first time their mission was classified.
"Christ, how much further is this dump of a camp?" said an Army Ranger.
"Just a couple more clicks, don't be shittin your pants too hard, Private." said Cpt. Derek Yates, or 'Triggerman' as his men called him. He was the shoot first then shoot again later type of guy. He was always serious around his men, and almost never changed his facial expression, except in battle, when he gets an extreme look of hate and anger in his eyes. He was the commanding officer of the 122nd Rangers for this mission, which was to set up at a camp at a predetermined location.
"So Captain, why is Command sending us to the middle of bumfuck nowhere again?" asked his driver.
"I don't know yet, Command refused to tell me, and said that I would be given our assignment when we get to our… *ahem*… 'new' base." Derek said as he cleaned his secondary sidearm.
"Well damn, I guess it must be really fucken important if it's too classified for a normal briefing." said the driver. Derek finished putting his prized secondary sidearm together. He thought back to the day when he first saw it. He walked through the store and looked at random pistols. It was right after walking past the collection of .45's that he saw it, a .50 AE Desert Eagle in a brushed chrome finish. He bought it just because he had never seen one in a store, and wanted to have a nice gun for shooting when bored. After he found out he was being deployed again, he made it his 'secondary sidearm', with his regular sidearm being an M9. "Well, looks like we're here." said the driver as they pulled into the small compound. "What a pile of shit." he said as he got out of the truck and paced around.
"Get used to it, this 'pile of shit' is your new home." Derek said as he walked over to the command room.
THREE WEEKS LATER….
"This…. is bullshit." Derek said as he got into a humvee and drove away. He was the only one who was awake, and the others all locked the doors to their bunks. "Cocksucking bitches will do anything to get out of work." He complained as he drove to the perimeter.
He stopped right on the edge of a small forest and exited the truck. "Command is so goddamn worried about these stupid fucking 'Unnatural Readings', maybe they should send scientists or something instead of us since there aren't any terrorist fucks to shoot at, and especially when my entire platoon feels like sleeping in every day." He grumbled as he studied the area with a geiger counter, which was going crazy. "Jesus, what the hell is going on around here, these readings are friggen ten times what they were yesterday! I better go report this shit to command."
Derek walked back to the truck and started to drive back when suddenly bullets bounced off the side of his Humvee. "Holy shit, someone wants to die!" He said as he effortlessly whipped a 180 and drove to the edge of the trees. He jumped out with his M4 and aimed towards the enemy, but just then an RPG hissed by the truck. "Shit!" he yelled as he turned around and headed into the trees for more cover.
Time seemed to slow as he vaulted over logs and took cover behind a large rock. He aimed in the direction he came from, but didn't hear any gunshots. 'Strange', he thought to himself, 'usually those retards keep shooting.'
He decided to slowly make his way back to the truck. He started climbing over stumps and logs that he didn't remember the first time he bolted through, but decided it was because he was in the heat of battle. He finally made it to the truck, but to his horror, saw that what was once a large expanse of rocky and dry terrain was now a small, grassy clearing with his truck in the middle.
"The hell?" he said aloud as he walked around, trying to figure out what just happened. He walked to the edge of the small clearing, but after that it was like the rest of the forest, and nothing like the Afghanistan he was just in.
He decided to get in his truck and look for the edge of the forest, since his map said it was just a small forest, but he highly doubted his map at this point. After driving for a short distance he found what seemed to be a small trail that was well used, and he started following it. Eventually he could make out what looked like a town in the distance through the trees, and he stomped on the gas.
Suddenly, the truck swung to the right. Derek tried to recover, but he accidentally overcorrected, and the truck veered off the trail. Derek felt the truck hit something, and then the engine died.
"Great! Well, I suppose I can walk to the town from here." he said as he forced the door open. He stepped out, expecting a flat ground, but instead landed on a steep hill. He lost his footing and rolled down the hill, only to drop his M4. When he finally rolled to the bottom, he landed up against a tree, knocking him out.
THREE HOURS LATER…..
Derek could swear he'd heard a voice, but he was still out of it. He slowly began to wake up, and as his vision came back, he saw a yellow and pink figure standing a few feet away. He groaned and moved his arms and legs like he was going to attempt to stand, but the figure made a small squeak and bolted into the bushes.
"What the- - ?" Derek said as he put his hand on his face. He decided to stand up only to find that his left leg was badly hurt. He leaned up against the tree and started limping to the hill he fell down.
"Well, I ain't climbing up there like this." he said quietly as he inspected the hill. Damn I must've hit every rock and tree on the way down. He thought to himself. Suddenly, he heard a noise behind him. He slowly reached to his M9, then whipped around and pointed it towards the sound.
"Eep!" said the bush, which was now trembling. Derek slowly walked up to the bush, and with his left hand he quickly pushed the leaves aside. Before he could react to what he saw, a loud shriek erupted from inside the bush.
"D-don't hurt me!" cried an oddly familiar voice, one that Derek hadn't heard since college. He quickly stepped back, startled at the cry, but then saw what it came from. Out from inside the bush stepped the yellow figure with a pink mane.
"Wha- wait, how….?" Derek said as he stepped back. As he stepped back, he once again tripped over a small rock and hit the tree, knocking him unconscious.
Derek woke to the feeling of a soft bed. He stirred, and then heard a soft female voice.
"Shhh, don't worry, you're fine."
'I must be in the sick bay' Derek thought. He forced his eyes open, only to realize he was in a strange place. He looked down at his feet and realized that his legs hung over the bed, and his left leg was in a splint. He looked over to his left and saw something that truly freaked him out. A pony, about 4 feet high, was standing next to him with an apple. It was the thing that hid in the bush in the woods. It took Derek about 10 seconds to truly realize what he was seeing.
"Please, eat this." the yellow pony urged. Derek remained silent, staring in disbelief at what was right in front of him. Eventually Derek took the apple, and slowly started to eat it. As he ate, he looked around the house he was in.
'I can't believe this shit, one second I'm in a war zone and the next I'm… here.' He said as he finished the apple and set it on the desk next to him. He stood up and took a step, but his left leg was too weak to walk properly. 'Damn, it's probably fractured.' he thought to himself. Suddenly, the door swung open and a group of ponies walked in.
"Wow! I can't believe you found one of these in the woods! I have so much to study!" said the purple unicorn pony.
"Well he sure does look interestin, doesn't he?" said the orange one.
"What's up with the weird clothes and hat he has on?" said the cyan colored pony.
Derek looked at himself through a mirror on the wall. He had completely forgotten about his gear. As the ponies talked, he limped around them and started for the door. He was about to exit when the door slammed shut.
"Easy there little guy, can't have ya wanderin' off now can we." said the orange one as she pushed Derek away from the door.
"Little?" Derek said as he easily pushed her aside. Right as he spoke, all of the ponies gasped at once.
"You can…. talk?" they all said in unison.
"Yea, I can." Derek said as he opened the door.
"How do you know our language?" the purple on asked.
"Are you a SPY!" the cyan one shouted as she got up in Derek's face.
"No.. I'm just a little lost," he said.
'More than a little, that's for fuckin sure' he thought as he opened the door.
"Well, you can't just go walking around Ponyville!" said the purple unicorn as she shut the door.
"So, this is for real, I'm really here? My squad didnt drug me or something?" Derek said as he looked around even more. "No, no no no, this isn't possible." he said as he started touching things. "You, you can't really exist, right?" he said as he looked the cyan colored pony in the eye and touched her face.
"Get off me!" she said as she shoved him away. He regained his balance and looked at the four ponies.
"Well, this is slightly weird." he said as they all looked at each other.
"Yea, you never answered us, how do you know our language?" asked the unicorn.
"We speak the same I guess." Derek said as he wiped his forehead clean of sweat.
"So, what are you?" asked the cyan colored pony.
"He's a human, a mythical creature that hasn't been spotted for several hundred thousand years!" said the unicorn.
"So you know about me somewhat?" Derek asked.
"No, just that you exist and what you look like. What is your name?" asked the unicorn as she got out a paper to take notes.
"Uh… I'm Captain Derek Yates, but just call me Derek." he said.
"Well, it's nice to meet you Mr. Derek, I am Twilight Sparkle." said the unicorn with a giant smile.
"Yeah, uh, it may freak you all out, but I know all your names already." Derek said as he eyeballed the door.
"WHAT! Fluttershy, did you tell him all about us already? What else did you tell him?" Rainbow Dash pressed. All Fluttershy could respond with was a small squeak.
"No, I just know somehow." Derek said as he slowly moved toward the door.
"Oh yea, prove it!" Rainbow Dash challenged.
"You're Rainbow Dash and you're the best flyer around, that's Applejack and she owns Sweet Apple Acres, and that's Fluttershy who takes care of animals, and apparently humans too." Derek said as he pointed to his leg. For a second the ponies were stunned, but then Twilight broke the awkwardness.
"Well… okay. I think we should get you some, uh, cleaner clothes." Twilight said as she pointed toward Derek's dusty ACU and combat gear.
"Oh, I don't think that's necessary Twilight…." said Derek right before he was forced out of the house and down the street.
"All you need is a nice clean shirt." Applejack said as she pushed the injured Army Ranger toward Rarity's house.
"Fine, as long as you stop pushing me." Derek said as he stopped struggling. They walked up to the house and Rarity appeared at the door.
"Well wha, I mean, who might this be?" She asked as she stepped away from Derek.
"This here's Derek, and he needs some new clean clothes." Applejack said.
"I noticed." Rarity said as she observed Derek's dusty ACU. "I will get started, but he stays out here, I don't need the dirt all over my beautiful house and fabrics." she said as she measured Derek's torso. He stood at parade rest as she carefully measured him. After she got all her measurement s, she invited all the other ponies in, and slammed the door in Derek's face.
"Well damn." Derek said into the door. He turned around and looked at the familiar world he was in. Back when Derek was in college, his roommate turned him into a brony. He wasn't like the hardcore 'know everything about every episode' brony, but he knew most of the characters and what they stood for.
Derek started to slowly limp is way around town when he was suddenly bombarded with questions from Pinkie Pie, who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"Gah!" Derek yelled.
"Ooooh, who are you! What are you doing outside Rarity's house? Are you new here, cause if you are we gotta have a party right away! Do you like parties?"
"Ehh…." Derek said confused, "sure…..?" he said as he slowly backed away from Pinkie, who was now bouncing with excitement.
"Oh this will be awesome! We'll have cake, pie, cupcakes, punch, more cake, and party games! Do you like party games, cause I LOVE party games!" she continued as Derek backed up against the side of Rarity's house. Just then, the door swung open and the others came out.
"Help….. me!" Derek said pinned up against the wall. The ponies looked at each other and laughed.
"Pinkie Pie, I think that's enough for now." Rainbow said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
"Okay, but remember, there's a party tonight just for you so don't miss it! Pinkie Pie parties are the best around!" she continued as she hopped away.
"Oh thank Christ!" Derek said in relief. "Thanks, Rainbow Dash." he said as he turned to the others.
"Here it is! Your fabulous new shirt!" Rarity said proudly. She gave it to Derek, who started taking off his combat gear, such as his camelback, Kevlar vest, and helmet. He then took off his ACU shirt and green under shirt, then reached for the new t-shirt.
"Wow, you sure look like a strong one!" Applejack said as they all stared at his muscular upper body. He slipped the new t-shirt on and turned to Rarity.
"Do you have a bag I can put my gear in my dear?" he said politely.
"Sure, stay right there!" Rarity said, blushing. She retreated into the house, then returned with a bag just big enough for his gear. He then put his helmet back on after it refused to fit into the bag.
"Follow me to the library, I have so many questions for you!" said Twilight.
"Uh.. sure." Derek said as he limped alongside her. They finally made it to the library after ten minutes, and Derek was exhausted. His leg hurt like a bitch, and it didn't help to walk on it. Twilight opened the door and they entered the library.
"Okay, first off, how do you know us? I bet you ARE a spy!" Rainbow said as she glared at Derek.
"Rainbow, be nice." Twilight said. "Okay, now tell me everything. How do your people live? How did you get here? How did you hurt yourself?"
"And what's with your weird looking clothes?" Rainbow Dash chimed in.
"Okay, well, my 'people' are very advanced in technology. We have vehicles and aircraft, game consoles, smartphones, and all sorts of stuff that you've never heard of. As for how I got here, I don't really know." Derek said as he sat down and started rubbing his leg.
"What do you mean 'you don't know'?" Rainbow Dash pressed.
"Well, before I got here, I was doing my job investigating radiation changes in Afghanistan, then I was attacked, and I ended up here." he said.
"Attacked?" Twilight questioned.
"Af-what-the-hay?" Rainbow Dash added.
"Yeah, see, I'm a soldier where I come from. I was stationed in an area that was full of war. I was patrolling one morning and then I was attacked. I ran into the woods for cover, but then I ended up here." he said as he pulled out an MRE he had in his pocket.
"How did you fall down the hill then?" Applejack asked.
"I was driving my Humvee when I lost control. When I got out I didn't realize there was a flippin mountain next to me. Must've hit everything on the way down." he joked as he opened the MRE and prepared the food.
"What's that?" Twilight asked as Derek put the food into the heater.
"This is an MRE, or Meal Ready to Eat. Soldiers like me eat these on the battlefield." he said as he got his canteen out.
"Now what're you doing there?" Applejack asked as she watched Derek prepared to pour water into the bag.
"Well, to cook this food I have to put water into this bag." he explained. "The water has a chemical reaction to something in these pouches here, and it creates heat which cooks the food." Derek explained as he poured water into the bag, making steam.
"That's interesting. What else do you have with you?" Twilight asked as she took notes.
"Not much else, the rest of my gear is in the truck." Derek said as he took his helmet off.
"What is that on your hip?" Rainbow asked as she looked at his helmet.
"Umm, this? This is my…. sidearm." Derek said reluctantly as he tried to cover it.
"What's it do?" Applejack asked.
"Well, where I come from it's a means of protection." Derek explained as he checked his food.
"Can you show us what it does?" Twilight asked as she continued to take notes.
"Not here, it might attract unwanted attention." Derek said. "I can show you when I go back to the truck if you really want to see it." he said as he opened his MRE. He ate quickly, then turned to his bag. He had almost forgotten about his prized .50 AE. He took it out of its holster and started to clean it, and didn't even notice that the ponies were staring at him the while time.
"You have two sidethings?" Applejack asked.
"This is more of a show piece really." Derek said as he cleaned the gun. "After I'm done here I'm heading into the forest. You can join me if you like." he said as he finished the cleaning.
"Well, I got work to do on the farm. I'll see y'all later." Applejack said as she left the library.
"Aight, you two coming then?" Derek asked as he put his helmet and vest back on.
"Sure, I really want to see what else you have for me to study." Twilight said as she prepared more paper.
"I suppose I could tag along, I ain't got much else to do anyway." Rainbow Dash said with a yawn. With that, they left the library and made their way to the woods. Derek limped as he climbed over fallen trees and rocks, but they eventually made it to the Humvee.
"This is your, uh, truck?" Twilight asked as she walked around the Humvee.
"Yea, it's not the best lookin thing in the world but it gets me around safely, or, mostly safely and that's all that matters." Derek said as he opened the passenger door.
"And this must be the hill you fell down. Great job." Rainbow Dash said with a grin.
"Don't judge me." Derek said as he looked through the supplies in the truck. Twilight continued to ask Derek about his life as he sorted out the truck. Rainbow Dash proceeded to fly down the hill, following the path that Derek took as he rolled. Eventually, she came back with something.
"What's this?" she asked as she held up Derek's M4.
"Oh good, you found my M4!" Derek said happily as he took it from Rainbow Dash.
"I'm bored. Can you show us your sidearm thing now?" Rainbow said as she landed next to the Humvee.
"Sure. Let me do something quick." Derek said as he walked towards a tree stump. He set up an old piece of plywood that he found in the Humvee, then walked back. "Alright, cover your ears, this will be loud." he said as he pulled out his M9. He took aim at the middle of the plywood and shot off a round. The sound of the shot made both Twilight and Rainbow jump.
"Wow, so it does that?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah, but I've never had to use it. I've only used my M4." Derek said as he put the M9 on safety.
"Show us the M4!" Rainbow Dash shouted. She was clearly amused by the concept of weapons. Derek took the M4 and aimed at the plywood. "I have it on three round burst. This will be a lot louder." he warned. He pulled the trigger once, and a quick burst of three shots erupted from the gun.
"That's awesome!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
"It is when you're not using it for war." Derek said as he cleared his weapon.
"Wait, you use these to fight? Against other humans?" Twilight asked in concern.
"Unfortunately yes, but we never do it for evil or anything. We help others." Derek assured. "Well, it looks like the truck still works, but I don't feel like driving it back to town. It may cause a problem." Derek said as he closed the door.
"I agree." Twilight said as she put her notes away. They walked back to town with some supplies, and Derek was overloaded with gear. He was carrying several ammo boxes and his M4, while Twilight and Rainbow Das assisted in carrying two bags of other supplies.
"Alright, just put these back here." Twilight said as she put the bag down behind a bookcase. Derek put his things behind the bookcase, then sat down to rest his leg.
"You know, I might have a spell to fix that." Twilight said as she went over to a book. She found something then walked over to Derek. Her horn lit up with a dark purple hue, and Derek felt a sting in his leg.
"What the fff…" he didn't want to continue the sentence. After ten seconds of pain, his leg felt normal. "Thanks, I think that I will go do some training, keep in shape." Derek said as he put his vest back on. He walked out the door and left Rainbow and Twilight in the library.
"Well, I think I'll go prank him now." Rainbow said.
"Why would you do that?" Twilight asked.
"Cause he's new." Rainbow Dash said as she flew away.
