Dry. Twilight Sparkle's mouth feeling dry was the first thing she noticed. As she slowly came to her senses, her vision cleared in the time of a few seconds. As she struggled to stand up, she realized her hooves and legs were bound with cable ties, and something not in sight was nullifying her magic. She and her still-sleeping friends were inside a modified storage room, evident by the metal crates bearing the sigil of a wolf in red or a strange feline beast in yellow.

As she struggled further to break free, a voice with a Stalliongrad-sounding accent spoke up.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, little pony."

She looked up to see the last thing she expected to see in clear view in front of her. A human wearing military garb colored brown and red, with some black-colored equipment, stood over her carrying a gun, an AK-12.

"Who are you?" she demanded. "What's going on? Where are we"

"You are in no position to ask questions, pony." the human replied. "You are a prisoner of the Bodarks. Be quiet."

"Like Tartarus I'll be quiet!" Twilight retorted, only to be met by a stun gun to the back, which silenced her argument then and there.

"As I said, be quiet." the "Bodark" replied. "Commander will see you soon. I would sleep, you'll need it."

As the Bodark departed, Twilight growled and cursed under her breath and struggled to break free, only to realize now that her wings were bound to her sides. Swearing again, this time a bit louder, she thrashed about trying to break free.

Only for a door to open and another being to speak in a toned, dark voice.

"You're wasting your time, Princess. You'll only make things worse for you and your friends."

She moved around to see a pony in a cloak and wearing a mask etched with claw marks stare back at her. A pistol lay in a holster at his side, and he leaned back in a metal folding chair.

"Who are you?" she demanded again.

"Who I am is not important." the pony replied. "However, I am known as the Scarred One to the Bodarks and Extranjeros in my employ."

"You mean the humans?" Twilight shot back.

"Ah, yes." the Scarred one replied. "They are soldiers and mercenaries, and some of the finest I have seen. But that is beside the point. I kidnapped you and the Element Bearers because I intend to tell you something that will shake your core."

"Try me."

"Equestria is not the realm you think it is." the Scarred One sighed wistfully, as if remembering a dear figment of the past. "I once believed like you do, that Equestria will be a realm of peace and harmony forever. That is all a lie. When I went to war once, it changed me to who I am now. Tell me, Princess, do you know the reason that we ponies haven't fought a war in over 1000 years?"

Twilight was taken aback as she struggled to answer. Then, the Scarred One smiled.

"It was because of me." he said quietly. "I gave Equestria everything and gained only death and scars in return. Now, I will return the favor. When the Equestrians come to rescue you, they will be slaughtered like lambs to the knife. Then, I will show this realm the true ways of war."

The Scarred One left the room without another word. At this, Twilight's friends began to wake and struggle at their own bonds. After Twilight gave them a rough explanation of what she knew, Rainbow spat at the ground.

"When I get my hooves on this psycho, I'll tear him apart!" she said angrily, thrashing about.

"Just calm down, Rainbow." Rarity said quietly. "We'll be rescued soon, I know it."

"Hopefully." Applejack replied. "Let's just wait and see."

====
United States airspace, Massachusetts
USAF C-130, callsign "Emissary".
====

As the massive plane flew over the land and towards Boston, Lt. Colonel Scott Mitchell stood in the ops center of the plane, looking down at the three Ghost teams assigned to the operation he was to lead, "Avalon Shield", if he remembered right.

First up in the roster was Patriot Team, led by "Nomad". They were fresh from wrap-up ops in Bolivia for Operation Kingslayer. Midas, Holt, and Weaver were currently deep in conversation, while Nomad was browsing on an MRT tablet.

Next was Hunter Team, led by Cedric Ferguson. They had taken down the Raven's Rock druzhina, and were returning from eliminating its leadership. Kozak, 30k, and Pepper were checking their weapons while Hunter Lead slept.

Finally came Aegis Team, led by Matthew Gates, or Castle Lead. They were a veteran unit, with several successful operations under their belt. Its members, Domino, Skate, and Ivy, or Thomas Sipes, James Trevor, and Caleb Adams, were looking over the mission briefing from the Oval Office.

Mitchell sighed and thought back to the briefing the President had given him and all three teams regarding a matter of the highest importance to national security. Apparently the Us Government had made first contact a few months ago at what was referred to as the "Canter City incident", and now the race they contacted was calling for help.

And the Ghosts would be the help that the US was sending. They were taking with them an armory's worth of weapons, tech, and ammo, several recon and assault drones, packs of explosives and other supplies…

Yeah, they weren't going to be back on Earth anytime soon with all the things they were bringing with them. Mitchell rolled his eyes and returned to the main area of the C130, and tapped into the radio.

"Pilot, ETA?" he asked.

"Five minutes out, sir." the Pilot replied. "We'll be landing at Fort McConnell, the President's waiting for us there."

"Copy that."

Mitchell returned to the passenger area, and slammed the frame three times, signalling "Get ready" to the Ghost teams, who gave three thumbs-ups in reply. As the plane descended and began to land, Mitchell watched the Ghosts form lines behind him.

"Sir?" Kozak asked. "We're ready to go."

"Then let's get this done." Mitchell said as the ramp lowered and the Ghosts disembarked. Waiting for them was President Michaels, several Secret Service Agents, and several engineers.

"Welcome to Fort McConnell, gentlemen." the President said. "We've made and sent the necessary overtures. The portal to our contacts's home realm should be opening soon. I trust that you've all read the briefing package?"

"Yes, sir." Mitchell replied. "All teams are good to go."

"Then let's move." Michaels said as they were escorted towards an open area filled with supplies. As they approached, a glowing white vortex appeared in the middle of the field. The President stood to the side as Mitchell, Patriot, Hunter, and Aegis teams entered, followed by the crates of supplies.

Michaels then pulled out a cell phone and redialed Celestia's number.

"Princess, the Ghosts are on their way. Expect their arrival soon."

====

As Celestia exited Twilight's Castle and headed to an isolated part of town, she reopened the portal in front of her. As the white vortex appeared, thirteen humans tumbled out, twelve of them in combat gear.

"Princess Celestia, I presume?" one of them asked, the only one without combat gear.

"Indeed." she said. "Welcome to Equestria, Mr…"

"Lt. Colonel Scott Mitchell. Leader and CO of the US Army 5th Special Forces Group, better known as Ghost Recon." Mitchell said. "These are Ghost Teams Patriot, Hunter, and Aegis."

"Well met." Celestia said. "Follow me, so I may begin introductions to the Guard Staff here. I also presume you want command of my Guards for a time?"

"If that's necessary." Mitchell said as they entered Ponyville, causing all the residents and Guards to freeze. Celestia cleared her throat and spoke.

"Stand down." she ordered. "These beings came to help us, and I expect them to be treated with the same respect you would accord to me. Lt. Colonel?"

Mitchell came forward and eyed the Guards with a raised eyebrow.

"These are Lieutenants Sharp, Kicker, and Broadside." Celestia said as the Guard Lieutenants came forward. "You are now under Lt. Colonel Mitchell's command, for now. Take his orders as if they were my own."

"Yes, Princess." Kicker said. "But I don't understand what's going on."

"Neither do we." Mitchell said to the Pony, who flinched. "But we're here to help, and that's what matters. I need a complete situation report of what happened and what we're up against ASAP. I also need those willing to unload supplies that we brought with us. Everyone else in the Guard, prepare for combat. Ghost Teams, stay here and direct their efforts."

"Yes, sir!" Gates said. "You heard him, let's move!"

As the Guardsponies slowly began following Mitchell's instructions, the Ghost Teams split up to begin directing them, not noticing a Skell Tech Stealth UAV watching them.

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