New Life, Same Soldier

Chapters

Settling Down
Talking and Plans
A Night of Scares
Old Friends and New Problems
Change of Plans
Awake
Secrets, Riddles, and Ancient Magic

Settling Down

Jones was still sitting in the bed for a few days when Rainbow Dash came back again. "Hey Dumbass, what's up?"

He was beginning to get used to the nickname. "Just sitting here waiting to be discharged. How about you?"

"Just flying and controlling the weather. Nothing new other than visiting you."

"How does that work anyway? Controlling the weather?"

"I'm really not, uh 'wordy' enough to know all of the specific stuff, so I think I'm better off leaving it to Twilight." Just then, the purple pony poked her head in the door.

"Well, speak of the devil."

Twilight and Rainbow were confused. "Speak of the what?"

He sighed. "Don't ask, it's just a human saying. When you're talking about someone and then they come out of nowhere, that's what we say."

Twilight was still a bit confused. "Huh. Well, I'll just ask you everything later. The nurses said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yeah. I just wanted to apologize to you and Fluttershy about the other night. Dash here talked some sense into me and I want to start over. She even gave me a nickname." He looked over at the pegasus. "It's something she heard me calling myself when I was in my coma. She said it was 'unique.'"

"Oh? She only has nicknames for her friends. What is it Dash?"

She answered nonchalantly. "Dumbass."

Twilight was a bit shocked at the name, knowing Dash had never actually heard it before. "Uh, you know what that means, right? It's an insult for humans."

"Yeah, I know. He told me."

"You know what? Nevermind. Henry, I asked the nurses on the way down here and they said you were ready to go. I already filled out the discharge papers, so you just need to gather up your stuff."

"Really? Well it's about time they let me out. Thanks, Twilight. I owe you two now."

"What? No, you don't owe me anything. I'll explain when we get to the library, just follow me. Wanna come Dash? I think I've got the newest copy of Daring Do."

"I'd love to, Twi', but there's actually a storm planned for tonight and tomorrow and it'll take a few hours to get everything in place. I'll come by when there's a chance."

"Alright. Henry? Who do you want to stay with?"

He was a little taken back. "What?"

"Which one of the girls do you want to stay with? I'd say the best choices are me or Fluttershy since we've got guest rooms. After all, Rainbow Dash lives in a cloud, AJ has the barn, and Pinkie is... Pinkie."

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll take Applejack's barn. I need a little freedom anyway."

"Okay, suit yourself. No peace and quiet with them, and they always wake up really early."

"I'm good, thanks though."

Well, there goes one of my chances to study his sleeping patterns. I have to know more about his behavior- why are they looking at me like that? Twilight Sparkle, you're staring. STOP! "Sorry, I was just thinking about... stuff."

Dash looked at Henry, who was getting out of his bed. "That's Egghead for ya." Twilight was a little agitated. "Well, have fun showing him around town. I've got a storm to make. See ya!" She trotted out the door.

"So, Twilight. Do you know where Fluttershy is? I want to apologize."

"She's either at home or at the spa with Rarity. I'd rather check the former first, if you don't mind."

"Yeah, I really don't feel like going to the spa. Good idea." He motioned to the camouflaged suit. "Can I put this in your saddlebags?"

She teased him a little. "It's a bit early for me to start carrying your stuff around, don't you think?"

He scoffed and opened the saddlebags on her back, putting the suit in. He then grabbed the strap and put it over his shoulder. "I'll carry your stuff for you then. Anything else, ma'am?"

She had to laugh. Speaking in a mockingly uptight tone, "No, that is all kind sir. Shall we go?"

He laughed again after strapping the holster and knife sheath on his waist. He'd already put on the boots. He copied her tone. "We shall, milady."

They both laughed. Henry's going to be nicer than I thought. A major break through!

Leaving and saying goodbye to the nurses, they left on their way to Fluttershy's house. A little ways out of town, Spike ran into them, obviously panicked. "Twilight, thank Celestia you're here! I was helping Rarity look for more jewels and we were attacked by those Diamond Dogs again!"

"Why can't she just complain and whine a lot like last time?"

"They put a muzzle on her and tied her up. I barely got away."

"No! Spike, go get the girls. Henry, come with me." They ran in the direction that Spike had pointed to, eventually coming across a field with three holes in the ground. They were about to go down one when they heard a muffled scream come from behind a pile rocks.

Peeking around, they found the Diamond Dogs again forcing the seamstress to locate jewels for them. "No whining this time! This was a good idea."

Twilight went around and tried to sneak up on them. Just hold on, Rarity. I'll get you. One of the dogs started sniffing the air.

"Hmmm. I smell something familiar. It smells like one of the other ponies." He turned around quickly and wrapped a huge paw around her horn and she yelped in surprise. "We've got you now, pony. You get to look for jewels too!"

Jones watched in shock as they strapped a muzzle on Twilight so that she couldn't yell. Shit! What do I do? I don't want to kill them unless I have to, but I'm outnumbered. He peeked back over the rocks. Seeing their backs turned to him, he dropped Twilight's saddlebags and walked out from behind the rocks where he could plainly see three of the dogs and a tied up Rarity and Twilight. Here goes nothing...

He yelled loudly, "Hey fuckers! Let them go!"

The three turned and looked at him. "This one is new. He looks like us, but I know a Diamond Dog when I see one." The apparent leader turned to the larger one, obviously the brute of the group. "Get him and make him dig."

"Yes, boss." The large dog walked over and stood a good two feet over the human. "Let's make this easy. I tie you up, you dig up jewels. Deal?"

He pretended to think it over, letting the dog get annoyed. "Hmm... No deal, asshole." Before the giant could react, Jones reared back and sent a steel-toed boot into the dog's nether regions. He toppled over, clutching his crotch and whimpering in pain. "No kids for you." He stepped over the incapacitated animal and faced the other two. They hadn't noticed their friend take the hit.

He snuck up until he was right behind the smallest one and noticed him staring at the hole that was currently being dug by the leader. He let his hover just behind the dog's shoulder for a moment and asked quietly, "What are we waiting for?" The dog jerked around in surprise. Before he could yell, Jones sent his fist into the dog's nose and let him crumple to the ground.

He sat cross-legged by the hole, patiently waiting for the leader to come up. When he did finally come to the surface, his back was turned the human and two dogs. His paw reached out behind him, apparently waiting for the one Jones had just knocked out. "Cattle prod." He looked and saw the smaller one with a smaller version of a human's cattle prod strapped to its belt.

He unclipped the small cattle prod and walked up behind the leader. "Heh, sure thing, boss." He quickly grabbed the back of the dog's head, jamming the prongs so hard into the beast's neck that it penetrated the flesh, then activated it. The dog tensed up then fell to the ground, where he twitched wildly for a minute and falling still, unconscious.

He turned and saw a tied up Rarity and Twilight laying on the ground, both in panic. He pulled the knife and cut off the ropes and muzzles. Rarity spoke first. "Henry, I thank you very much for saving us from those heathens, though you did use a rather uncouth way to deal with them. I forgive you, as you saved our lives." She jumped up and hugged him tightly, though it lasted only a moment. "Ahem, well, let us go home now. I would like to spend a short while to calm down."

They turned to leave and saw Spike, panting, with the rest of the girls. They all looked shocked and relieved. "Well, I'll be darned, Henry! Yah took down those three Diamond Dogs by yourself when us seven could barely stop 'em with Rarity's whi-... complainin'. I didn't think anypony could beat the stuffin' outta those dogs besides the soldiers here. And I was impressed when you said you killed that Ursa Minor!"

He glanced at the two unconscious dogs and the one laying on the ground, doubled over and nursing his own 'jewels.' "Yeah, I agree with Rarity. Let's go home and leave the bastards be."

Fluttershy looked around at the three Diamond Dogs laying on the ground. Oh goodness. How could he do this? He may be a little angry sometimes, but knocking out three vicious Diamond Dogs? Even that's just cruel. She heard Applejack talking and looked around again. She saw Twilight and Rarity getting up and stretching, apparently having been tied up by the dogs.

"Rarity, Twilight? Are you okay?"

Twilight looked up and noticed Fluttershy standing behind the group. "Yeah we're okay Fluttershy."

"Fluttershy, darling, I am very sorry that I missed our spa appointment. Would you like to go tomorrow?"

"Uh, y-yes, that would be nice."

"Thank you. Now I would like to go home. Spikey-wikey?"

"Yeah Rarity?"

"Be a dear and get the cart with jewels in them, would you?"

"Yes, alright!" He ran over to the cart and started following Rarity, struggling to keep up while pulling the full cart.

"Now, if nopony minds, I've got to go get that storm started." Rainbow Dash flew off to start gathering clouds.

"As much as I want to spend time with ya'll, I have to get back to the farm. See ya'll later!" Applejack trotted off back to Sweet Apple Acres.

That left herself, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, and Henry. "I'm still planning a party for you, Henry, so I'll see everypony later!" She jumped down the short hole that the apparent leader had been digging. When Henry looked down, he got a confused and surprised look on his face. As they were walking over, Twilight said, "Don't ask, Henry. It's Pinkie Pie." He just nodded confusedly.

He walked to Fluttershy and she shrunk back onto the ground. "Fluttershy, please let me apologize. I didn't mean to yell the other night." He squatted down to meet her face to face. "I'm really sorry, Fluttershy. If you want to accept, go ahead. If you don't," he got up and sighed. "I'll be in AJ's barn." He walked away, following the general direction Applejack had gone in.

"Twilight, what do you think I should do?"

"Well, Dash said she talked to him after we left. He's been through more than we could imagine and then some, so he's got a lot on his mind. He thinks living here in peace would be impossible because all he's known is fighting and pain. If I were you, I would accept the apology and give him some time."

"I'm sorry Twilight. I didn't think about his time before he came to the Everfree. I'll wait until tomorrow and let him think." She sighed. "I'll see you later tomorrow, Twilight. I'm going home."

"Bye Fluttershy. See you later..." Fluttershy could feel her friend staring at her back while she walked. When she got home, she found Angel waiting for her at the front door.

"I'm sorry, Angel Bunny. I got caught up with the girls, but it's okay now." She unlocked the door and went inside. "I feel sorry for Henry, though. I didn't know that he'd been through so much. I need to see him tomorrow." She noticed it was getting dark outside, probably from the storm clouds Rainbow Dash was bringing in. She looked at the grandfather clock in the den and it read 5:49 p.m. "Well, I guess we can have dinner early and laze around tonight. What do you say Angel?" His foot tapped rapidly. Yes.

Jones was sitting in the barn, organizing the few things he had with him. He sat quietly and heard the barn door open. "Big Mac, he in there?"

"Nno-" His word was interrupted as Jones stepped out into the open. "Eeyup."

"Good. Henry, come on. You're stayin' in the house, not the barn."

"Alright then." He gathered up his things and walked to the door. "Where to?"

"You can sleep on the sofa in the livin' room. You saved Fluttershy and Twilight after they saved you and Rocky, so I thought you should stay somewhere decent. Don't you worry, I already talked it over with Granny, she said you could."

"Thank you, AJ. And you too Big Mac."

"Eeyup."

"You don't talk much do you?"

"Nnope."

"Man of few words. Respectable." Big Mac nodded in thanks and led them to the farmhouse. There were dark clouds covering the sky and he could hear thunder in the distance. "Looks like Dash made quite the storm."

Applejack looked up. "Sure does. Hope nothin' happens to the barn or the trees. Don't like the look of this storm."

"Yeah, me neither. Don't think I'd have wanted to stay in the barn tonight if I knew this was in store."

"Heh, it's a good thing I came to get you then." Big Mac opened the door and let them inside. "Here ya go. If ya need anythin' my room's up the stairs, last one on the right."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." She nodded and Big Mac went up the stairs to his room. "Night, Big Mac!"

"Eeyup!"

He looked back at Applejack. "Does that stay annoying or do you get used to it?"

"Eh, your opinion varies on your mood, the way I see it."

"Yay. Anyway, goodnight."

"Night, Henry. See ya in the mornin'." She walked up the stairs and went to her room.

He heard the door shut and flopped down onto the couch. "I think I could get used to this." He closed his eyes and slowly went to sleep.

Well into the night, Jones was jolted awake from a clap of thunder. "Dammit. Looks like I won't be getting back to sleep soon." He sat and listened to the rain pelting the windows and walls, the periodic clap of thunder rattling the entire house. I think it's time to find a bathroom. He got up and walked up the stairs.

He got up and looked. He knew which one was AJ's, and from the heavy snoring coming from the room across from it, he guessed which one was Big Mac's. That left three rooms. Cracking open the door closest to Big Mac's, he saw a sleeping Granny Smith. Oops, not it. He shut the door and went to the one next to Applejack's. Peeking in the slightly open door, he saw the familiar looking faculties of a bathroom. Good.

Five minutes later, he came out of the bathroom, relieved. Alright, now back to sleep. He passed the door next to the stairs, and heard crying coming from behind. What the hell? He opened the door quickly and saw a shaking blanket on the bed in the shape of a small pony. She'd heard the door open.

"A-applejack? I-is that you?"

"No, I'm Henry." His voice startled her and made her cry harder.

"Please, go away! Ah want mah big sister!"

This must be Applebloom. "Look, your sister's asleep. I don't want to wake her up unless I have to."

Her crying slowed and she peeked out of the blanket when she realized he wasn't a monster. "You're... you're that human the mah sister saved in the Everfree."

"Yeah, that's right." He started walking to the bed, shutting the door. "You're scared of thunderstorms, is that right?"

She sniffled and scooted over as he sat down on the bed. "Y-yeah, why?"

"Well, back where I'm from, children are scared of storms too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. I can stay here if you want."

She sniffled again. "Okay." He laid down on the floor beside the bed, taking an extra pillow and blanket from a closet in the hallway. Another clap of thunder shook the window. She shot under the blanket again.

"Applebloom, don't be scared. It's just noise. I'll be right here."

She peeked out from under the blanket, looking at him. "Thank yah, Henry. You're nice for an alien. Ah'd always imagined aliens to be mean and scary."

He laughed softly at her comment. I hope to God you never have to see me like that. "Goodnight Henry."

"Goodnight, Applebloom." He waited for her to fall asleep first until he closed his eyes. He sighed and leaned up to look out the window. Rain was still hitting the window, but the worst had passed. He laid back down and went to sleep, the rain and filly's snores the only sounds that entered his ears.

Talking and Plans

Jones was running again. The Everfree forest, this time no weapons and no Rocky. He was alone.

That was his worst fear, being alone. He'd never had anyone to lean on or trust during his life until he enlisted. Then, he made friends with his squadmates, met and raised Rocky. Now, he was alone again in a mysterious place he knew nothing about except darkness and monsters. Monsters that were chasing him.

He knew they looked familiar. He'd seen colorful versions of them exploring the forest, but these were different. These were black and they looked like large insects. He knew they were out to kill him. He had no other choice than to run.

Tearing past trees, jumping over streams, and ducking under branches was taking its toll on him. His lungs were on fire, his legs were weakening, his head was throbbing. But he couldn't stop. He had to outrun them.

Just as he thought he was going to get away, a tree root doomed him. He flew through the air, landing on his back. He looked up, panting and dizzy. The monsters were uglier than he thought. There were four and they were barely panting when they caught up. They spoke to one another.

"What do you think we should do with him? Take him back to the queen?"

"No, you idiot. Look at how pathetic he is. Queen Chrysalis can barely stand us, so what makes you think she would take him?"

"What do you say we do then?"

"I say we kill him and get out of here. Even a Changeling has right to fear the Everfree Forest."

"Fine, let's just leave and report back. Say we found nothing." One of the larger "Changelings" stepped forward, Jones still had a look of fear and anger in his eyes. "Hmm... angry, determined, and uncertain. Resilient, even in death. You are different from the other humans I've killed. With that reason, I will give you enough respect to wish you luck in your next life, should there be one."

Finished speaking, the Changeling reared up on its hind legs and brought its heavy forehooves down on his head.

Jones woke up, hearing Applebloom's panicked voice yelling, "Applejack! Henry's actin' weird an' ah can't get him to wake up!" She sounded on the verge of crying again.

Her sister rushed past her and knelt over Jones. He saw fear in the normally happy pony's eyes. His eyes were filled with the same look. "Henry? Henry, can yah hear me? Are you okay?"

He groaned and slowly sat up. "I-I... yeah, just a horrible nightmare. I'm fine."

He had barely sat up on the ground, bones popping with strain, when Applebloom tackled him. "Henry! Ah'm so glad you're okay!" She held on tightly for a minute then let him get up. "Ah thought you were dyin'! You were just layin' there makin' weird noises and ah couldn't get ya to wake up!"

"I'm fine, really."

"Well, if you really are 'fine', then you won't mind comin' down for breakfast?" Applejack was still unsure.

"Yeah, go ahead. I'll meet all of you down there in a minute." The two sisters left, reluctantly, and Jones saw Big Mac walk past the door. He looked around and walked in, shutting the door.

"Listen, Henry, I don't talk much as yah already figured out, so I'm gonna make this short. I want to thank ya kindly for stayin' with Applebloom las' night durin' the storm. It was mighty kind of yah."

"Well, kids on Earth are scared of storms too, so I knew kind of how to deal with it. It was no big deal." He looked at the closed door. "If you need me to, I wouldn't mind doing it again. She's a nice girl." He looked back at Big Mac and saw concern in his eyes. "Look, I really am fine."

Big Mac sighed while looking at the floor. He shook his head and said, "Nnope." Jones followed him down for breakfast.

They got down to the table, finding Applebloom waiting at the table and Applejack and Granny Smith making breakfast. "So... You got any bacon?" The filly looked confused while the three adults looked shocked.

"I, uh... No, we don't Henry. Can I talk to you in private for a minute?"

He was confused. "Uh, yeah sure." He followed her to another room and heard Applebloom ask Big Mac what bacon was. "So, what is it?"

"Well, I won't hold anythin' against ya since you've only been here a few days, but we ponies don't exactly eat meat. At all. Some don't eat it just because we don't digest it well, bein'... herbivores is the fancy word for it... but the rest don't eat it 'cause they say it's unpleasant and gross. Me? I've been tempted but never tried it."

"Huh. Well, I'm sorry I brought I it up in front of Applebloom."

"It's perfectly fine, Henry. Unless Big Mac or Granny explains it, or, Celestia forbid, she asks another pony in town, she'll be kept in the dark. She might think there's a 'meat eatin' cutie mark. There are so many ways that could go wrong."

"Well, you guys go ahead and eat breakfast. I'm gonna go see Twilight."

"Alright then. Whatever ya do, don't ask her to explain somethin'. That one'll make everythin' too complicated for her own good."

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks. I'll see you later, AJ." He gathered his stuff, saying goodbye to the rest of the Apples, left and went on his way to Ponyville.

Rainbow Dash was flying around, keeping the storm clouds in control, making sure they didn't start up again until later when she saw Henry walking towards town. She flew down and landed next to him. "Hey Dumbass, where ya going?"

"I was planning on going to the library to see Twilight, but now that you're here..." He trailed off, indirectly telling her to guess.

Dash was nervous about his intentions. "Oh, uh, what might that be?"

"You can give me a ride!" A smirk flew across his face.

She just snorted. "I thought you were gonna have me get all soft and give you another therapy session. But, still no."

"No, you're not quite that lucky. Could you give me directions?"

She made a sarcastic laugh. "Ha ha, funny. Yeah, I can give you directions. Big tree in the middle of Ponyville, hard to miss." She looked at the ground and half-heartedly said, "Literally."

"Yeah, Twilight told me about you crashing in there all the time while I was still in the hospital."

"She did?" He nodded. She looked at the ground still, now embarrassed. She talked quietly. "You know why, then, don't you?"

"Uh, no not rea- oh. Oh! I see..."

She looked up at him, tears starting to form. "Please don't tell her. Fluttershy already knows and Rarity might too, and I don't want it to get around town and-"

"Dash, calm down. Your secret's safe with me. I told you about my life and my secrets, it's only fair that I do the same to you. My visit with Twilight can wait."

"T-thank you... You said you wanted to talk with Fluttershy?" He nodded again. "We can talk at her house. If she's not with Rarity, she'll be there." He agreed and she led him to Twilight's house. Trying to get away from the touchy subject for a few minutes, she asked about his gun.

Nodding towards it, she asked, "So how's that thing work?"

He pulled it out of the holster, pointing it towards the ground and studying it. "It's pretty complicated, but when we get to a spot to sit down at a table, I'll show you. I need to clean it anyway." He shoved it back into the slot. "Actually, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"You remember where you guys found me right?"

"Yeah, why?" She wasn't sure where he was going with it.

"I left a backpack there, and I had all of my other stuff in it. It's kind of like your saddlebags, but I wear it on my back. While you're there, there may be a lot of other guns there or near it. If you see them, tell me. I'll find a way to bring them back here and make the best of them."

"I can do that. Just keep going down this road until you find a tree with a lot of animals around. If 'Shy's not home, there's a spare key under the mat. You can let yourself in, just be sure not to go upstairs. She only allows me up there." She got ready to fly off, but stopped. "What do those guns look like, by the way?"

"Big, shaped pieces of metal, to put it dumbly. Gather everything you can, but definitely get my pack. I need it."

"Sure thing. I'll see you at Fluttershy's house." She took off in the direction of where they found Henry that night.

An hour later, after searching for a while, she finally came across the place they'd found Henry. Rocky's blood was still on the ground, though vaguely visible after drying and being disturbed by rain and possibly passing animals. She looked and saw the pack he'd been talking about.

She trotted over and tested its weight, picking it up and hovering for a few seconds. Not too heavy. If I tried, I could probably stuff more of those little boxes in here still carry some of the guns he was talking about. She went to open the pack and immediately stopped. "How do I open this?"

She looked over the thing over and over and couldn't figure out how to open the thing. "Oh well. He can just come back later for the rest." She slipped the pack on her back like Henry would have, fitting her forelegs and wings comfortably through the straps. "I can see why they wear it like this. It's actually kind of comfy..." She hovered in the air and tested if her flying was restricted. Only slightly, but she could still get away in a hurry.

She searched for as many guns as she could find. He was right. These things are pretty awkward to hold. She picked up most of the smaller weapons, fitting a couple of the ones similar to the one Henry had in the pockets in the pack. Then she found the bodies.

She looked in wide-eyed shock at the humans. There were easily ten or more, and all of them were riddled with bloodied holes. "Henry? How... How could he do this? I know what he had to do, but to see it..." She resisted the urge to vomit and quickly took off towards her shy friend's house, dropping everything but the pack strapped onto her back

Jones reached what he believed was Fluttershy's home, and saw the lights on through one of the windows. Looking inside, he didn't see anyone home. Just to be safe, he knocked on the door. "Fluttershy! Fluttershy, are you home?" No answer. He repeated this several times and waited, deciding she wasn't home. He looked under the mat and found the key Dash told him about, then let himself inside.

He opened the door to find an angry looking rabbit. It looked past him outside, then back at Jones, as if wanting an explanation. "It's a damn good thing that you can't talk, or I'd have to shut you up." The animal clearly took offense and kicked him in the shin, though it didn't hurt.

Looking around the home, he saw a staircase, doorway to the kitchen, and typical furniture. He heard a growl coming from the top of the staircase, so he looked up and found Rocky. The dog immediately stopped growling and did his best to run down the stairs on his three good legs.

Jones got down on the ground and hugged his friend. "Hey, Rocky, I've been wondering how you're doing." There was talking upstairs. Looking up again, he found a sleepy-looking Fluttershy. She sounded very scared and surprised.

"H-Henry? W-what are you doing here? How'd you get inside?"

"Rainbow said she wanted to talk to me and said to meet her here. She told me about the key under the mat outside, so I used it when nobody answered." She looked doubtful, but came downstairs, standing on the last step. "Look, I had her go get some stuff for me so I could talk to you alone."

"What... What is it?" He could see her fear.

"I just want to apologize for the other day, if you're ready to accept it." She looked at the ground, unsure. "I didn't think so. I'll just wait for Dash and-" He was interrupted by Fluttershy rushing up and hugging him.

"Y-yes, I accept your apology. I know you didn't mean it, you were just having a very rough time. I'm sorry if I scared you."

What the hell is with her and apologizing? "You don't need to apologize for anything." He heard his stomach growl. "Hey, have you had breakfast yet?"

"No, I just woke up."

"Well good, I kind of haven't eaten since breakfast yesterday and I'm starving."

"I can fix all four of us breakfast, then." She went along to make a meal for herself, Jones, Rocky, and Rainbow. Jones helped her where he could so she wouldn't have to worry about everything.

As they finished making breakfast, Rocky looking along hungrily, Rainbow Dash ran through the door. She looked like she was going to be sick. "Oh, goodness, Rainbow are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm fine, 'Shy. I got the stuff you needed, Henry."

Shit, she must have seen the bodies. "Thanks Dash." He paused for a minute. "I know what's wrong, Rainbow. I'm sorry you had to see those."

She sighed, looking up at him. "It's okay. I just can't believe it was you that did that."

"I hate it too, but it was me and Rocky, or them."

Fluttershy was standing to the side, looking confused. "Well, I don't know what you two are talking about, but we can still have breakfast if you want. Rainbow, do you want to eat?"

"Yeah, sure 'Shy. Thanks." She shrugged the backpack off, letting Henry help get it off of her back. He set it off to the side, then they went to the table and ate.

As they finished, Rainbow started talking first. "Henry, you said if I talked, you'd listen like I did that night, right?"

"Uh huh, that's what I said. Why?"

"Because it's going to take a while." They cleaned up and went into the den. Jones took a seat on a chair and the two pegasi sitting on the couch opposite.

"Just start whenever you're ready."

When she was finished, Rainbow Dash was in tears and Fluttershy had a wing around her comfortingly. Jones looked on sadly as she tried to console her crying friend. "It's okay, Rainbow, just let it out. You've been holding all of that in for way too long."

When she was finally able to, Rainbow answered. "I-I-I know, 'Shy. Th-thank you for being here and listening, Henry."

He watched her with a sad smile. "It's no problem, Dash. It's the least I could do after you guys saved me. Besides, you did the same thing for me anyway, so I thought I should return the favor."

She laughed, still crying. "You make everything sound so easy, Dumbass." She sighed. "To get off of the subject of everything I just said, how do you feel about pranks?"

Jones was confused. "Pranks? What do you mean?"

"You know! Whoopie cushions, itching powder, that kind of stuff."

He scoffed. "That's all you've got? That's cheap crap."

"What do you have in mind, then?"

"Well, back on Earth, there was one I was planning for Halloween. I'd take a group people, mostly kids, to a forest, tell them a scary myth, then have something jump out at them. I haven't pinned down which one I want to use yet, though."

"What's Halloween?" He explained the holiday to her. "That sounds almost exactly like Nightmare Night! I like your plan. Besides, it's only a week away. We can plan now."

"Give me a bit to think about which myth I want to do, then I'll get back to you. We'll need a magic user, though."

"I would ask Twilight or Rarity, but they're not the pranking type. I've got the perfect pony in mind though."

"Sounds great. I'll get to the library so I can talk to Twilight. Then I'll think of something."

"While you're there, send Spike to Sugarcube Corner. Me and Pinkie will start with sending a letter."'

"Good deal. I'll see you two later. Fluttershy, do you mind if Rocky goes with me?"

"Oh, I don't mind. Just don't let him use that leg."

"I know, thank you. It just feels weird without him with me." He picked up the pack and left with Rocky, leaving Rainbow flying to Sugarcube Corner in town.

Rainbow had been sitting in the bakery, waiting with Pinkie Pie for Spike. He finally arrived, carrying paper and a quill. "You wanted me?"

"Spike, I need you to send a letter to Princess Luna."

"Alright..." He readied the paper and quill. "Just start talking, and I'll write."

"Dear Princess Luna..."

Luna was waking from a short nap when she heard a letter materialize and drop onto her bed. "Oh?" She opened up the letter and read.

Dear Princess Luna,

You'll be happy to know that Henry is getting along pretty well in Ponyville, though he only got out of the hospital yesterday. He seemed kind of down, so I offered to take him pranking. He said he'd had one planned when he was still on Earth, but he never got to. For the one he is planning on now, he said that he needed a magic user, but never said who it had to be. I thought that you might want to get in on it, since you enjoy a bit of pranking and mischief sometimes. If you want to help, meet us at the library in three days and Henry will tell us the plan. If everything is planned right, we'll do it on Nightmare Night.

Your fellow pranksters,

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie

She looked the letter over a second time, not fully understanding what the ponies were talking about. "I shall see what they plan on at the suggested time. Guard!"

The guard at the door poked his head in. "Yes, Luna?"

"Report to my sister that I shall be gone during the day in three days' time."

"Yes, of course. Anything further you require?"

"No, that is all, thank you." When the guard left, Luna was alone. "I do wonder, though, what prompted Henry to become so close to the ponies. The rest of the humans that have been stranded here were hostile and insane. This one is different..."

It was a few days later, and Twilight had been convinced to go to Canterlot until Nightmare Night. Henry and the other three (Fluttershy and Applejack weren't very good and pranking) were sitting in the library, waiting for Luna. "So you really convinced one of the princesses to come and help us prank ponies?" Henry couldn't believe Rainbow had Luna coming to help them.

"It didn't take much. She enjoys pranking too."

"Heh, well we'll see about that."

Rarity and didn't know why she'd been told to come. "So, why am I here anyway? I am not one for pranking!"

"Just calm down for a bit. I want everyone to be here when I explain."

She huffed in annoyance. "Alright, fine! I still owe you for getting me away from the dreadful Diamond Dogs, anyway."

They waited for another hour until Luna finally showed up. "I am here, the prank planning may commence."

Henry couldn't believe how casual she was. He'd thought she would be a self-centered diva that took control of everything. "You're Princess Luna?"

Her eyes went wide. "Oh, yes I am." She held out a hoof for him to shake. "I assume you are Henry, seeing as how you are the only human here."

He took the offered hoof in his hand and shook. "Yes... That's right. Is everyone ready for what I've got planned?"

Rarity spoke again before the rest of the ponies could speak. "You may now say why I am here. I must know so that I may get back to enjoying my day."

"Don't worry, Rarity. You won't be involved with anything. I just need you to make an outfit for the monster I'm using..."

A Night of Scares

Rarity sat making the strange costume Henry had requested for his prank. This outfit is very strange, I must say. This story is good and sound, as well as scary, but murder and blood? And the uncouth language! Even on Nightmare Night, that kind of thing is not fit for the children. She continued her thoughts out loud, remembering she was alone. "Henry must know what he is doing, though. I doubt he would just deliberately frighten children and making them have nightmares like Twilight did."

She immediately stopped herself from continuing that thought and instead thought about what he'd told her about the humans' urban myth. "'It has many names, but is known commonly as one.' So cryptic, but that's what makes it creepy I suppose." Just then, he walked in the door.

"Hey Rarity, how's it coming along?"

He really must learn how to knock, this is my home after all. "Very well, so far. I must admit, I don't get requests for costumes often, so it feels strange. In the shape of an alien no less!" She realized what she'd said about the human and coughed nervously. "Er, no offense."

"It's fine. I've been called worse. Way worse."

She turned around on the stool and held up the nearly-finished costume for him to see. "How do you like it so far?"

She sat anxiously as he studied the thing. He spoke after a moment. "Very accurate. Could be taller and lankier, and make the head smaller. We need it to look as life-like as possible if it's going to work."

She huffed in annoyance and returned to working on it. "I apologize for my rudeness, by why must it be so realistic? I mean, it will be in the Everfree Forest at night, and you know how dark it gets!"

"Well, yeah..." He sighed in defeat. "It's alright if you skip some of the small things, but try to make everything fit as well as possible."

"I will do that Henry. Glad I could help you scare a bunch of innocent foals." She didn't hear him walk away, so she turned and looked at him confusedly. "You know that was sarcasm, right?" He stood perfectly still, staring into space. "Henry?"

She cautiously crept over to the still human and studied him. No movement save for his chest where he was breathing. He wasn't even blinking. "Henry, are you okay? Hello?" She began to get fearful, worried about him.

She was about to go find help when he lurched down and took her shoulders in a tight grasp, looked her straight in the eyes, and screamed. In turn, realizing what had happened in the span of less than three seconds, she screamed. Her eyes flew this way and that, looking for an escape. Then she realized he'd stopped screaming.

She looked at his face, panting and in fear, and saw that he was trying to hold back a laugh. "HENRY! You- you... You asshole!"

He immediately stopped laughing as she clamped her forehooves over her mouth. "Oh, crap, did I scare you that bad?" She didn't answer. Instead, she began crying and ran upstairs, locking herself in her bedroom.

Jones watched as Rarity ran upstairs crying. "Aw, dammit. Forgot she got scared so easily..." He looked up and could hear her crying. "She's not coming down anytime soon. Might as well just leave." He found paper and a quill, then left a note on the table, apologizing. He picked up the costume she'd made for him, stuffing it into his pack, then left.

He was heading back to the library, ready to see Twilight and fill her in on the prank they had planned for that night when he heard the familiar wing beats that betrayed Rainbow's stealth. "I can hear you, you know."

He heard her groan, the settle down beside him. "Damn, really?" He nodded, getting used to her using human curse words. "So, did you get the thing?" She nodded towards the pack.

"Yeah, but I managed to scare the shit out of Rarity."

"How bad?"

"Ran upstairs crying."

"Yeah, that's kind of bad." She paused for a moment, thinking. "So what'd you do to her?"

"I pretended to zone out, and when she came to investigate, I grabbed her shoulders and screamed bloody murder. She called me an asshole, then started crying."

"Dude... Sometimes you do deserve the name 'Dumbass.'"

"What do you mean?"

"You really don't know?" He shook his head. "She's never cursed like that before. She probably freaked since she's not used to doing that." They continued walking for a few minutes, until they were almost into Ponyville.

She looked around, and noticing no one else around, she said, "Well, I gotta go get my costume ready for tonight. Whaddya dressing up as? That thing Rarity was making sure isn't small enough."

"Probably just dress up in my camo and take some guns and go as an alien soldier from another world. Oooooooo!" He spoke in a sarcastic creepy-voice.

"Hah! Well, I'll catch you later Dumbass. Be ready for the prank tonight!"

"Sure thing, Dash." He watched her turn and fly off into the air.

He heard a familiar Southern-accented pony speak. "Hey, Henry? What did Rainbow say 'bout a prank?" It was Applebloom.

"We just have a prank planned for tonight. I'd let you in on it, but Applejack told me you're not exactly the best secret keeper."

"Pleeeeeaaaaase?" She tried to convice him with puppy eyes and cuteness, but failed.

"I'm sorry, but no. You can find out just like the rest. You can't tell anyone about the prank, alright?"

She was disappointed. "Oh, alright. Fine then." She turned and left, leaving Henry standing by himself.

He continued to the library, hoping the young princess or dragon was home.

Twilight woke up late to a sleepy dragon nudging her awake. "Twilight, wake up. Henry's downstairs and wants to see you." She looked out the window in her bedroom and found the sun nearly a quarter of the way up. Probably still early enough for breakfast.

"Twilight? You still with me?"

She snapped out of her thought. "What? Oh, yeah. Just waking up."

"Uh-huh... Well, wake up faster, Henry wants to talk to you."

She groaned and turned over to face him. "What does he want?"

"I dunno. Something about a prank for tonight."

A prank? Rainbow and Pinkie must have gotten him to do it. She crawled out of bed and brushed her disheveled mane. "I'll be there in a minute."

Spike ran downstairs to wherever the human was waiting and she could hear him yell, "She's coming down in a minute!" She rolled her eyes at his eagerness to help ponies. Or, people.

She walked sleepily downstairs and, through half-lidded eyes, saw Henry sitting on the sofa, a strange looking thing sitting beside him. It looks like a big saddlebag. Weird... "Hey, Henry. We can talk in a minute, I need some coffee."

"Alright then."

She walked and made some coffee and sat down beside him, Spike going to work on reorganizing the books in the library. "So what was it that you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, me, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie planned a prank to play in the Everfree. I used an urban myth from Earth that I thought would be perfect for the forest. I had Rarity create a replica of it out of cloth." He opened the thing sitting beside him. "Pull it out. It's too tall for me."

She complied and pulled it out with her magic. Her eyes grew wider at the sight of the thing. It stood easily eight feet tall or more, with long arms and hands that reached its knees. Its legs were a similar length. "W-what in Equestria is this?!" She couldn't contain her fear and surprise.

"That's the best part. It's not in Equestria. It followed me through." He winked and she was obviously confused. "Luna explained the whole trans-dimensional travel thing to me, and part of this myth is that it travels through dimensions as easily as you're holding it up right now."

"Sweet Celestia, that's... that could be bad."

He laughed at her. "Hey, don't worry. It's not actually real." He got really close and whispered in her ear, "At least I hope it's not." Her heart leapt into her throat. He laughed again. "Heh, I'm just kidding Twilight." He grabbed the thing out of mid-air and stuffed into the bag again. He got up to leave, but turned and said, "By the way, you might want to check on Rarity. I scared her pretty bad this morning, she called me an asshole, then ran up to her room crying. I left a note apologizing, but I doubt she's come out yet."

"Oh, alright. I'll see you later."

"Bye Twilight." He walked out the door, shutting it behind him. Spike stopped and spoke up.

"Wait, he made Rarity cry?"

She rolled her eyes again and sighed. "Yes he did, but he didn't mean to. I'll go check on her, you keep working." Spike groaned as she teleported out of the library and to the Carousel Boutique.

Luna waited in a small clearing in the Everfree Forest, waiting for Henry to bring the "monster" he was planning on using for their prank. As she waited, she thought over the plan again, playing their meeting over word for word.

"Okay, Luna, Twilight said that I came here from a different dimension of Equestria. Is that right?"

"Yes, but why do you want to know that?"

"Well, the thing I want to use can supposedly travel through different dimensions, even to its own personal one. It's scary as hell when you think about how many things happened that can only point to that."

Rainbow Dash spoke up next. "What is this thing called anyway? And why do you need Rarity's help?"

"In America, the most common name is 'Slenderman.'"

"Well that doesn't sound scary at all."

"You might think so, but let me explain. He's anywhere from eight to fifteen feet tall, can stretch his arms and legs indefinitely, and can make himself look like a tree. He has no features on his head whatsoever, just pure white. No hair, nose, eyes, no nothing. Wears a black suit and can teleport. The worst part is the way he targets people."

Luna looked over at Rarity, who had a frightened look on her face. "And, uh, what does 'he' do exactly?"

"He targets mainly children. If you see him, you're screwed. You'd go insane, thinking you see him everywhere you go. You'd be acting differently, such as random bursts of anger or sadness. He'll know your face and you could expect to be dead within a month. The way he kills his victims? There's two ways people say he does it. He either impales them onto tree branches in a forest or takes them to another dimension to feed on their souls."

"Oh my." Rarity was surprised and frightened at how specific and thought out the myth is, and Luna could see the same looks in the eyes of Rainbow and Pinkie. Luna herself just looked along wondering how Henry had discovered all of the information.

"Now Luna, that's where you come in. Rarity's going to make a replica of the thing," he looked over at Rarity and said he'd make her some drawings later, "and I'm going to make up a story involving him. I'm going to have the group following me to the clearing you'll be hiding. When I give a signal, I want you to do whatever magic you want to make it 'walk' out into the clearing. If it goes right, they'll follow my directions and run back to Ponyville."

"And what is the signal?'"

"'Now remember, if that is it, don't look at it. Just hide your eyes and find your way back to town.' Any other questions before we go?." Nopony answered, mostly in awe of his plan. It seemed more thought out they'd originally thought. "No? Alright. Luna, I'll see you in a few days."

Luna was woken from her thoughts with a nudge. Henry was standing there with a smart-aleck look on his face. "You gonna do the prank or not?"

She huffed in amused sarcasm. "No, I thought I would just come and enjoy the company of Timberwolves." She used her magic to make the illusions of several Timberwolves appear.

"Alright, smartass." He sat the pack onto the ground and opened it up. She levitated the thing out and manipulated it to simulate walking. She was impressed at how well Rarity had done. "Now," he lifted the pack on his back, obviously filled with something other than the thing she'd just removed, "I've gotta go and see how many ponies I can round up for this thing. I'll be back around midnight." She nodded and watched as he walked away from the clearing, back towards Ponyville.

It was almost dark, and Jones was traveling back into town after dropping the pack off with Luna, telling her to stay hidden with the thing until he gave the signal. He saw a few young ponies already running around town asking for candy. He silently wished he'd been able to partake when he was a child. Just then, he ran into a large chicken. "What the hell?"

The chicken looked up and revealed itself to be Pinkie Pie. "Hey Henry!" She motioned for him to get lower, which he did. In an overdramatic whisper, she asked, "So is the prank ready?"

Matching her tone, he replied, "Yes. Luna's waiting in the forest." He looked around to make sure none of the early birds had heard. If any had, they'd ignored it.

"Okie dokie lokie! Just come find me and Dashie when you're ready to go." She ran off, acting like a hyper-active chicken.

He continued walking, trying find one of the girls or even Spike. He didn't find any of them, but as he walked, in his full military gear (which he was using as his costume), he noticed all of the ponies, even the grown stallions, move around him, giving him a fearful look. He looked around, confused. He'd thought they'd have gotten used to him by now.

I just realized they've been avoiding me in town since I've gotten here. Why are they so scared? Just then, he tripped over something and fell, into a small pool of water filled with apples. In an almost comedic way, he rose up with an apple in his mouth, then spit it out onto the ground.

Soaking wet, he looked around. Several ponies looked at him in shock, while most were trying to contain laughter. He pushed himself onto his feet and noticed a tugging at his pants leg. He saw a small pony dressed as a pirate. Speaking in a British accent, he asked, "Excuse me, sir. I certainly hope you didn't mean to do that. I mean, you did trip over me."

He looked around, expecting a frightened parent to come out of the crowd and drag the colt away, but nothing came. "No, I didn't. I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

The child laughed. "It's alright. I've been tripped over before." He held up a small hoof. "My name's Pipsqueak. Call me Pip."

"Hey Pip, I'm Henry." He looked around and noticed the ponies going about their business again, some escorting children. "Where are your parents?"

He looked at the ground. "I'd rather not talk about that, if you don't mind."

So no talking about parents... "You out here by yourself or are you with another group?"

The eye not covered by an eye patch lit up. "I was looking for Pinkie Pie, but she ran off saying something about a prank."

Dammit Pinkie. "Well, how about you stick with me for now? I thought I would tell all the kids about an urban myth from where I'm from later in the Everfree."

He was excited again. "I like the sound of that! Sure, let's go." They walked off, Pip looking for candy and Henry looking for another friend to pass the time.

It was a few hours later, and the children had made their offerings to Nightmare Moon. Jones didn't question it, but he was confused. They'd met up with Pinkie Pie, and apparently she'd spread the word about his story.

By the time they'd gotten ready to travel to the forest, nearly all of the children old enough, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and a few other adults had joined the group. "Alright then. Are we all ready to go?" He was answered with a chorus of yeahs. "Let's go then." He led them into the forest, all the while explaining the myth then telling the story.

When he was finishing up, they were deep into the Everfree. "Now, I'm came here from a different dimension, according to the princesses. This thing can travel across dimensions as easily as you can walk." Several gasps and excited squeals came from the crowd. "It's very possible that it followed me here." He heard rustling in the bushes. Expecting Luna, he gave the signal: "Now remember, if that is it, don't look at it. Just hide your eyes and find your way back to town."

He tensed, waiting for it to happen. Nothing came. He looked around, confused. What the hell? What happened Luna? Improvising, he said, "Okay, wait here." He drew his pistol, which was actually loaded and his pack filled with ammo, for the sake of realism. "I'm going to check."

As he began walking, Rainbow came up beside him and whispered, "Dude, what gives? They're supposed to be running scared already."

"I don't know, Dash. I'm going to see what happened." As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a growl come from right in front of him. Just before it happened, he shoved Rainbow to the side. A giant scorpion tail flew through the air and impaled itself in the dirt where she was just standing. "FUCK! RUN!" On his command, the crowd and his two friends bolted back towards the town.

Backpedaling, the manticore came out into full view. It jerked its tail out of the ground and got ready to charge. Henry stopped to hold his ground, then readied the gun.

As it bolted at him, he emptied the magazine straight into the beast's eyes. It went beserk, blinded and enraged by the human. "Oh shit." The tail came flying from the side like a whip and hit him in the side, sending him flying against a tree and hit the ground. He got up slowly and painfully. Probably lucky if it's only a few broken ribs. He loaded another clip into the gun and got ready to fight.

Rainbow Dash was leading the group back to Ponyville, the plan failed. Then she heard the gunshots. "Pinkie!" She stopped in mid-air and turned to pink mare in a chicken costume. "I'm going back for Henry. I need you to lead these ponies back to town."

"Sure thing, Dashie!" When it came to serious danger, she knew to be serious. She took the lead and ran back to town, the group following behind.

Making sure they were gone, Dash flew back in the direction that she'd heard the shooting. What she saw terrified her. Henry was panting hard, labored breaths, holding the gun in one hand and the other wrapped around his side. He unloaded into the manticore again, and she saw only bloody indentations where the beast's eyes used to be. Then she saw the manticore ready the tail, and apparently Henry didn't.

Right as the tail thrusted towards the human, she flew through the air, grabbing right below the stinger with her teeth, and whipped her head the opposite way. It caught both the manticore and Henry by surprise, and she brought the beast down onto its side with a heavy thud. Henry quickly came up and unloaded one more time into its large head. He turned to look at her and had a shocked look on his face.

She then realized what happened. She tasted thick, metallic liquid in her mouth. She looked around, knowing that it was blood, and found the stinger ripped from the tail and laying on the ground near her. "Wh- I... Wha..." She trailed off, blacking out from shock and hit the ground.

Rainbow Dash came to and found herself in a hospital room. She looked around, and saw her sleeping friends and a worried looking human. "You okay, Dash?"

She had a horrible headache and felt sick to the stomach. "Other than feeling like I'm gonna puke, doing great."

He obviously wasn't ready for joking. "Cut it with the sarcasm, would you? When you ripped the manticore's stinger off, you swallowed venom that had escaped in the blood. The doctors said you could've died."

She looked down at the bed shamefully. "Oh... I'm sorry." She genuinely was.

"Don't be." He paused for a minute. "You probably saved my life pulling that little stunt. I owe you two now."

She perked up a little. "I... I saved your life?"

"Sure did."

"Oh my gosh..." She trailed off and remembered what had happened right before she started running. "Wait, you pushed me out of the way of the manticore's tail before it hit me. You saved my life, so that makes you only owe me one."

"Huh. I guess you're right."

"You're damn right I am." She paused and tried to look around, but her head was in too much pain. "By the way, what time is it?"

He looked up at the clock on the wall. "Hmm, 'bout two in the morning."

"Wow. Have you gotten any sleep?"

"No, I've been waiting for you to come to."

"I appreciate you doing that, but you really need sleep."

"Yeah, you're right." He sighed, then rolled over in the chair, grunting painfully. "See you in the morning."

"Wait a minute." He looked up. "Are you hurt?"

"A few broken ribs and small concussion from hitting the tree, but otherwise I'm fine."

"Well, at least it's just that. Goodnight." She was about to doze off when she remembered something Twilight had taught her. "Wait, aren't you supposed to stay awake if you have a concussion?"

He looked up sleepily and sighed. "Dammit, you're right. I'd forgotten about that. Thanks for keeping me safe but screw you for keeping me from sleeping."

She laughed and said sarcastically, "Screw you too, Dumbass." They shared a short-lived laugh, then she fell asleep, knowing her human friend would still be awake during the night.

Old Friends and New Problems

Author's Note: Over 6000 words, good God. My longest chapter ever. I hope I don't have anymore like this, it took forever for me to get this all typed. Sorry it took so long, but I have been typing on and off for the last week. Too many things to do, so little time to write with a clear head.

It was the morning after the manticore's attack and her admission to the hospital when Rainbow Dash woke up again. She looked around, blurry eyed, and felt a strange yet welcome warmth on her body. She shifted, trying to roll over, when she heard the warmth groan. What? She rubbed her eyes and found Twilight sitting beside her bed in a chair, one of her large, barely-used wing covering Rainbow.

Her eyes grew huge and looked around the room, but found nopony else other than her and Twilight. She looked back at her sleeping friend. Shaking her gently, she said, "Twi'? Twilight wake up." Purple eyelids fluttered open.

"Huh? Where am I?" She retracted her wing and saw what she'd just woken up from. "Rainbow Dash! I-I-I uh..." She kept stuttering, trying to explain what Rainbow had woken up to.

"Twilight? You okay?" Rainbow's voice was thick with concern.

"Um, I just- I don't..." She trailed off again.

"What are you trying to say?"

Twilight's eyes started to fill with tears, already bloodshot from crying the night before. She choked up several times trying to talk. "I thought- The doctors said- said that you could've- could have died. I was just- just so worried because... because." She trailed off, starting to cry.

Is she really? Rainbow hesitated. "Are... are you saying what I think you're saying?"

She was really crying now. "I don't... I don't know! I just- I just don't know!"

Rainbow's eyes were bringing on tears now. Before she could respond, Twilight teleported away in a flash of light and a loud popping sound. The pegasus lay in the bed, mouth hanging open trying to speak. A nurse came in frantically. "Miss Rainbow! Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I'm okay." She sighed, never meeting eyes with the orderly. "Just leave me alone." She rolled over and plunged into a fitful sleep.

Henry lay in the hospital bed opposite of Rainbow Dash, not being seen through the privacy screen. He'd accidentally fallen asleep and a nurse placed him in the bed, telling the rest to go home. Twilight had insisted on not leaving, and the nurse had to let her stay. He woke up just in time to hear their strange exchange.

Does that mean... Oh God, that can't end well. He quietly got up when he heard Rainbow's snoring and left the hospital, thanking the nurse who'd let him sleep. He first went to the library to see Spike.

He opened the door, not bothering to knock. He heard crying upstairs and was met with a frantic dragon. "Henry! I'm so glad you're here. Twilight teleported home, crying, then just ran upstairs and wouldn't let me in. Do you know what happened?"

He shifted his weight, leaning on the doorway. "I may have an idea. Come on, let's go find Applejack."

"Okay..." They left for the market.

They didn't find the orange pony, but instead found Big Mac sitting at the apple stand. "Hey Big Mac, AJ at home?"

"Eeyup."

"Good, thank you. I don't mean to sound rude, but I know you don't like to talk much."

"Nnope."

They left, exchanging friendly waves, Spike trailing behind Henry.

They soon got to the farm, finding Applejack emptying apples into a cellar in the barn. She turned and saw them, unhooking herself from the cart. "Hey there, Spike, Henry. What brings ya'll here?"

Henry spoke first. "We've got a problem, and it's pretty personal."

"Oh?" She looked around, making sure nobody was around to hear. "Let's go in the house. Granny's out in the market with Big Mac and Applebloom's at school." They followed her into the farmhouse. "Alright, what's the problem then?"

"It's... Wait a second." He looked at Spike. "Cover your ears." The dragon rolled his eyes, but did as he was told. "It's Twilight and Rainbow Dash. I think-"

"They've got a likin' for each other an' neither's got the courage tell the other," she interrupted. "Me an' the girls have had our suspicions, but it was pretty obvious last night at the hospital."

"Well... They had a falling out this morning and Twilight teleported home, locked herself in her room, and has been crying since."

"Oh my, that's bad. I think we should go and talk to-" She was interrupted by Spike burping. "That's pretty rude, dontcha think?"

Spike no longer had his ears covered, and tried to speak. "No, it's-" He was interrupted as he burped green fire and a letter appeared out of nowhere and fell to the ground. He picked it up and looked it over. He saw something on the sealed scroll and his eyes grew. "Oh no. This can't be good."

Henry took the letter from his hand and found nothing but a strange seal, holding it closed. "It's got a seal on it, what's the big deal?" He split the seal and started reading. It was written in curved, tilted writing.

Spike jumped up and took it back, looking slightly panicked. "It's the royal seal. Only used by the princesses on an important or urgent letter. Every time we've gotten one of these, something bad was happening." Applejack moved to read over his shoulder, and both were fearful of what they were reading.

"Well, what is it?" Henry was confused.

Applejack looked up, distracted by the letter's contents. "It's a letter from Princess Celestia. There have been sightin's of Changelings around Equestria and each team she sends to investigate doesn't come back. She wants the Element's help in findin' out what's been goin' on."

"I'd be glad to help- wait a second." He took on a frighteningly serious tone. "You said 'Changelings?'"

"Yeah..."

"You remember that nightmare I had last week? When Applebloom couldn't wake me up?" She nodded dumbly. "It was about Changelings. I was running through the Everfree by myself, being chased by four of them. They caught up, started talking about a queen and killing other humans, then killed me. That was when I woke up."

"Oh, this is bad. Very bad. We need to go get Twilight and-"

Henry interrupted Applejack. "No, I have an idea. Spike, you go get the other girls." He saluted, mockingly, and ran off to find the others. "I need your help."

"What do ya need, Henry?"

"Can your cart get to the area where you found me?" She nodded. "Good. Get it and follow me." She did as he said and they went to the clearing.

He pointed to the area where the humans' bodies were. "Don't go over there. There are things Rainbow saw that almost made her sick." Applejack looked confused for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I need you to start gathering up these," he picked up a discarded rifle, "and anything similar and put them into a pile here," he pointed to a spot on the ground near the cart. "I'll gather them up and load them. If you hear anything, let me handle it."

While the orange pony went around gathering up some of the guns, steering clear of the area he'd pointed out, he went to the bodies and searched them. He found more daggers, a few swords, some sidearms, medical supplies, gun cleaning materials and replacement parts, a decent amount of ammunition, and other various weaponry. He gathered up all of them, grunting against the pain tearing through his side, and walked back to the cart.

He found Applejack, waiting, with a pile of guns and assorted boxes of ammunition. "I found all of this, but I don't rightly know what it's all for." She motioned to some of the metal boxes. "I poked through some of these boxes and found some odd-looking cylinders and orbs." Interested, Jones hefted his first load of things into the cart and looked in the metal crates. He smiled mischievously at what he found. "What is it, Henry?"

He'd found grenades, C4, anti-vehicle bombs, ammunition for rocket launchers, and other random explosives. "I think we're gonna have fun with these." He lifted a large anti-tank bomb from the pile and gestured to it. "You've seen explosions, right?"

"You mean like fireworks?"

"Sure, but on a much larger, destructive scale. Say, explosions that, if used correctly, could leave Ponyville a smoldering crater in one sweep."

Her eyes grew wide. What she said next almost made Henry drop the bomb into the mud. "Holy shit."

"Please, never say that again." She opened her mouth to protest. "No! Don't argue, just, please, don't. Ever." She shut her mouth and the rest of the trip went quietly. They loaded the rest of the weaponry and supplies into the cart.

Picking up one of the assault rifles and some grenades, Henry said, "AJ, go ahead without me. I have something to do." He left before she could argue.

He went back to the bodies and looked through the pockets of the dead men. He found a map, a red "X" marking an area deep in the forest. "I know where I'm going." After checking his things over, he left, following the map.

He'd walked for hours. Henry was just about to give up when he found what he was hoping for. Human boot prints. Following them, he found a crumbling castle in the middle of the forest, occupied by humans. Many of them had guns, but he immediately recognized some of them. They were the ones tied up with guns to their heads. His squad mates.

Found you bastards. He also recognized who held them at gunpoint. The Afghanis. There were three, each with their own soldier. Henry lifted the rifle, equipped with a silencer he'd found, and shot the middle one in the head. He dropped to the ground, as did the others before they'd realized what happened. None of their friends had seen it.

Henry's friends had, though. Quickly looking around, they tried to find out what happened. He walked out into the open, rifle over his shoulder, and said, "Hey, you miss me?"

The Private fell over, scared for his life. "No! That's not right! The Sergeant Major's been missing for two months!"

Henry walked over and cut them loose. "Actually, we've all been missing for two months. Boys, as crazy as it sounds, we're in a different dimension."

They all looked dumbfounded. The first to speak up was Gunnery Sergeant Darrel "Frenzy" McKenzie. Long brown hair and beard, like Henry's. Brown, often angry-looking eyes. He specialized in close-quarters and was the team's explosives "expert," with a hint of pyromaniac. Often called a human tank, he was heavily built, like Henry, but a bit shorter, there was a reason for his nickname. Eyeing him suspiciously, he said, "Why the hell should we believe a ghost?"

"I don't know, why don't you ask one?" He slapped his friend roughly but not out of anger. Smirking, Henry said, "I'm as real as you suck at Call of Duty, 'Kenzie." It was true, he was absolutely terrible.

"Dammit, only Henry would do a low blow like that." They shook hands strongly. "We thought you dead, man. Glad to see you're not." He glanced around, making sure none of the other humans heard them. "So what the hell are you doing here, anyway? How'd you get away?"

Looking around himself, Henry said, "Look, I don't have time to explain. Follow me and say something if you hear anything. The monsters out here will rip you guts out." Turning to walk away, he looked over his shoulder. "Literally." Knowing his squad was following, he led them away and back to the farm.

On the way, he thought about the other two people that were with him. Private Alexander Roberts was the first to come to mind. He was, quite literally, the runt of the litter. Blonde hair and no beard whatsoever. Blue eyes and, more often than not, he put everyone else first. He was short and lanky, only five feet tall, and quick on his feet. He was the team's sniper and designated marksman. Though he'd only been on a few missions overseas, he'd gained ten kills under his belt, each of them headshots.

The other man was different from the rest of them. He didn't know much, only that he'd come from a broken home. Like Henry, he had no family or friends to speak of before his time in the Marines. He was the biggest out of all of them, nearly seven feet tall and wide. Black hair and green eyes, his size scared most people who came across him. He was a Captain, but he left most decisions to Henry. After all, being the commanding officer didn't hold much authority when you were a mute. He mostly spoke with gestures or occasionally sign language, but spoke with pen and paper when able to. Not knowing what his name was, they just called him "Captain."

Finding the clearing, Henry said, "Frenzy, I've got something to show you."

"What is it?" Henry walked over behind a tree and pulled out the metal explosives tank, motioning for him to take a look. He picked one of the explosives. "Oh my God." He held the explosive close, then put it back, looking over the rest. "Boom boom, motherfucker. We gonna blow shit up?"

Henry laughed, then clutched his side in pain. Roberts looked over. "Sir, you alright? What happened?"

He shook his head. "I'd have to show you for you to believe me. Come on, we're almost there." He led them out of the forest and they saw the apple trees of Sweet Apple Acres. Robert's eyes grew at the sight of the countless trees, McKenzie said something incoherent, and Captain just smiled and nodded in approval. "Let's go, there's someone you have to meet. Several someones, actually."

McKenzie spoke again, picking up the metal crate. "And who might these 'someones' be? Aliens?"

"Not quite. More like, aliens in a familiar form."

"Oh come on, man. Enough with your cryptic, philosophical bullshit. Just lead the way."

"Alright, just don't swear so much around them, would ya?" McKenzie frowned and nodded. "Good." He led them back to the farmhouse and peeked inside. Sure enough, the girls and Spike were in there, waiting. The cart of guns was probably in the barn. "Guys, wait here. I'll be back in a minute."

Before anyone could do anything, Henry quickly went inside and shut the door behind him. Looking around, Twilight, Rainbow, and Applejack were nowhere to be found. "Hello, Henry." Fluttershy spoke first.

"Hey, girls. Where are the others?"

"Oh, they're um... talking. Upstairs. About... stuff."

"I know, you don't have to talk about it. I just want you guys to know something." They nodded and leaned in. "You know I was in the military back on Earth, right?" They nodded again. "I went into the Everfree again and found an old crumbling castle. I found my old squadmates, my family. Or, the closest thing I had."

All of their eyes went wide with shock. Pinkie was immediately excited. "Ooh, where are they? I haven't thrown you that party, so that means that I can throw all of you a party!"

"Later, Pinkie, later." He turned to the door and opened it. He found the surprised faces of his squad. "Guys, you have to promise not to freak out. Me and Rocky were hurt, badly. The ones in here are the ones that saved me, so show them some respect. Got it?" They all nodded. "I'm gonna hold you to that." He opened the door all the way, letting his human friends inside, awaiting their reactions.

Rainbow Dash was sitting in the upstairs bedroom of Applejack with Twilight and the room's owner. The pegasus and alicorn were both crying, the earth pony sitting to the side, watching with silent concern. "So, that's the reason you've been crashing through my window so often? Why didn't you say anything?" Twilight was deeply confused about Rainbow and her own feelings.

Before she could answer, a deep, booming voice came from downstairs. "HOLY FLYING FUCK! TALKING PONIES?" She bolted out of the room and looked downstairs to find Henry and three humans. One of which was responsible for the yelling.

Henry spotted her and looked over his shoulder at the humans. "Guys, stay down here and talk to them." He leaned in and whispered something indiscernible, and continued talking. "I've got something else to do." He walked the stairs, leaving the others to find places on the floor or furniture, and spoke to her.

"How's it going, Dash? Not very well, I assume?"

"What?" She remembered she'd been crying, and still was. Wiping her eyes, she said, "No, not really. Do you want to sit in with us?"

"That's what I was planning on. Let's go talk." They left and went to resume the conversation.

Captain took a seat on the couch next to Roberts while Frenzy McKenzie took a hesitant seat on the floor. The young Private understood very much about speaking with gestures, so he was a sort of interpreter for the mute. Looking questioningly to the ponies, he flattened out his palm face up and acted like he was writing. "He wants to know if you have something he can write on."

The white unicorn spoke first. "I don't believe Applejack does, but I do at home. If you don't mind me retrieving it."

Captain held up his hand, palm facing her, and shook his head. Roberts spoke for him again. "It's no trouble. He can just talk through me."

The pink one was next. "Ha, silly! Why don't you just use your mouth like you're supposed to?"

"He can't. He's a mute."

The yellow pegasus spoke, very quietly. "That's just terrible! Were you born like that?"

Captain simply nodded, looking downward sadly. He'd always been a bit sensitive about it, being made fun of when he was younger.

"How about we introduce ourselves?" McKenzie spoke for the first time. "Gunnery Sergeant Darren McKenzie. We call the mute over there Captain, and that's his rank. Right there is Private Alexander Roberts." Captain nodded in greeting and Roberts held up his hand in a short wave. "I assume you've already made acquaintances with Sergeant Major Henry Jones?"

The unicorn nodded. "Yes, we have. Saving somepony's life usually makes one another become closer," she said with a bit of sarcasm. "I'm Rarity, this," she gestured to the pink one, "is Pinkie Pie, and she is- where did Fluttershy go?" The group looked around and found no sign of the yellow pony.

Captain "talked to Roberts, who repeated his message. "He thinks he saw her go outside, if you want to look there first.

"You may be right, Captain. Pinkie, be a dear and use your- uh, whatever you use, and go find her. If you have luck, would you please fetch some parchment and quills from the Boutique?"

Captain stopped her. He pulled out a normal pen from Earth that he'd had with him. "He has his own pen. He thanks you for the thought, though.

"Sure thing! After that I can go and get your party planned!" She disappeared into the kitchen and returned quickly, carrying saddlebags filled with paper. Dropping the bags on the ground beside Captain and Roberts, she used the front door to look for Fluttershy.

Captain, apparently happy to be able to communicate without the use of an interpreter, began using his favorite method of speech to talk to Roberts while McKenzie talked with Rarity. What do you make of all of this? I think the last meal we at was spiked with something and we've been in comas or very stretched out dreams.

"I don't know, seems pretty real to me. Wait, you can't feel pain if you're in a dream, right?"

Yes... McKenzie gave a sudden jerk and an angry grunt as Roberts backhanded him across the face.

"Ow! Shit, man, you're stronger than you look."

"Thanks." He turned to Captain again with a smart-ass expression, leaving the other soldier rubbing his face. "I hurt McKenzie, that mean's it's all real."

He gave a defeated huff.I guess you're right. He tapped Rarity on the shoulder.

"Hmm?" She turned to face him.

What is this place called?

"What do you mean?

This country. Are we even on Earth?

She sighed. "Well, yes and no. Twilight explained it and the way I understand it, Earth and Equestria are the same, just parallel universes. Different dimensions. Lots of sciencey stuff I don't understand at all."

I was never much of a scholar myself. Mostly take charge and barge in head on. Always thick-headed.

"Ah, yes. I was never much into schoolings and reading."

Just then, the group came downstairs, Henry and an orange pony came downstairs grinning happily. The other two glanced around nervously and avoided each other's eyes. The purple one, equipped with a horn and wings, said, "You must be the other humans. Henry has already us about you, but let me introduce us. I am Twilight Sparkle, the earth pony is Applejack, and..." She coughed nervously.

The cyan pegasus flew up to Captain and looked him in the eyes, staring at each other for moment. Assuming it was a staring contest (which it was) he held his gaze easily for upward of five minutes before the mare blinked. "Aw, crap! Heh, you won." She stuck out her hoof. "Rainbow Dash."

Captain shook it and wrote. I am "Captain," or so they call me.

She scoffed. "Why don't you use your mouth for speaking?"

Before he could answer, Rarity spoke. "Because he's the mute one."

She dropped to the ground and lowered her head. "Oh, sorry..." She trailed off.

"Well, I think we should be going our separate ways for now. Spike, come along." Twilight turned back to the group. "Are any of you interested in books?" she asked hopefully. She got no answer. Disappointed and slightly embarrassed at her odd question, she said, "Oh, okay. Well, bye!" The young dragon, having gone unnoticed by the humans, ran and held onto her leg before disappearing in a flash of light that smelled of something burning.

"Dear God, what's that smell?" McKenzie didn't like that smell, even though he loved explosions.

The only answer he received was a series of shrugs. He went back into his own thoughts.

Captain silently (as if he had a choice) studied the entities in the room. One orange pony, a cyan pegasus, and a white unicorn, all of which could talk, he could get used to. But being non-hostile, let alone friendly and hospitable? That was unbelievable. If he was going to have to live here, he would have to give it a hell of a shot.

Rainbow Dash sat off in a corner, thinking about everything that had just happened. Me and Twilight told each other how we felt, but I didn't get a clear answer. Yes or no? She didn't get far when she noticed a presence settle beside her. A hand patted her on the shoulder and she looked up to the concerned face of Henry.

"You alright, Dash?"

She lowered her head as tears began to come back. Trying to fight back tears, she choked out the words. "I... want to speak. Privately." Henry glanced around and noticed no one paying attention to them.

"Alright, just hold on." She heard him grunt as he stood, then she was picked up. She ignored the panic and let him carry her out behind the house. Sitting down, he let her lay her head on his lap as they talked. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I-I just d-don't know what to do. She told me how she felt, and I was happy, but I didn't get a clear answer."

"A clear answer to what?"

"Whether or not she wanted something between us."

Henry sighed loudly, then paused. "Rainbow, I don't know what to tell you. I've never been in the situation you are, so I can't give you confident advice." He waited, letting the words sink in. Combing his fingers through her mane comfortingly, he continued. "I want to say to just wait and give let her come to you, but that would tear you apart. If you need anything, I'm here."

Silent tears were steaming down her face. "Thank you, Henry. Really." Before she knew it, she'd fallen asleep.

Henry sighed to himself as Rainbow drifted off. Not wanting to disturb her, he sat unmoving and let her sleep. Not long after, Fluttershy came around the corner and sat next to him. Looking thoughtfully at the sleeping pegasus, she said, "She's done this before, you know. I let her sit on the couch next to me and let her cry, then sleep. It's always been peaceful around my home, and I don't mind the company. She's like a sister me, you're being like a brother to her. She's never known what it was like having a brother."

Henry looked over at her. "I never knew what it was like having a sister. The closest thing I've ever had to a family is Rocky and my squad, and I almost lost them. Thanks to you guys," he put a hand on her shoulder, though he noticed little discomfort, "I can have my friends and non-family. It's terrible growing up without either." He looked at the ground.

Fluttershy surprised him. She reached up and put her arm around him, hugging him. He returned it, his other hand still resting on Rainbow's head. "You are always welcome at my house. You can let yourself in anytime since you know where the key is."

The embrace ended and Fluttershy looked sadly at Rainbow. "Thank you, Fluttershy. I really appreciate it." He shifted his leg and Rainbow groaned, her voice cracking slightly. "I think I'll take you up on that offer." Putting his arms around Rainbow, making sure she was still asleep, he stood up and walked to Fluttershy's house. She followed beside him.

"So what are you going to do about your friends?"

"I- I don't know. I didn't think about that."

"Oh. Well, I'm sure AJ wouldn't mind them staying in the barn." She looked up at the sky, gauging the sun. "It's almost time for dinner, if you don't mind me going ahead and getting started."

He shook his head. "No, I don't mind." He watched her hover uncertainly in the air, then fly off in the direction of her house.

Much to his displeasure, Rainbow woke up. Groaning sleepily, she said, "Where are we? Where are we going?"

"Fluttershy said we were welcome anytime at her home, so I took her up on her offer. We're heading there now."

"Oh, okay. What time is it?"

"Don't know. She said it was almost dinnertime, so she went ahead to start cooking."

"Okay." She waited for minute, letting him walk in peace. "Thank you, a lot. You're the only one that I've ever gotten this personal with other than Fluttershy." She gave a hug as best she could from her position.

"It's really no problem. I'm happy to. Fluttershy said you didn't have a brother growing up, is that right?"

"Yeah?" She wasn't sure what he was talking about.

"And I've never had a real sister. Fluttershy suggested it, so what do you say?"

"Adopt each other as brother and sister?" She paused, thinking. "I'd love to. Brother and sister?"

"Brother and sister," he confirmed. He held her tight as he continued the walk to Fluttershy's home. By the time he got there, Rainbow was asleep again. Opening the door, he heard the sound of clanking coming from the kitchen. He set his newly adopted sister on the couch and walked in. "Fluttershy?"

She turned away from the sink, apparently just finishing. "Hello, Henry. Is there anything particular you want?"

"No, just whatever you have."

"Okay. Is Rainbow in the other room?" He answered with a nod. "Asleep?" He nodded again. "Then let's not disturb her. She can get something when she wakes up." They sat and ate, though Henry didn't have much of an appetite. They finished eating and Henry walked into the next room and found Rainbow still sleeping.

He picked her up. "Fluttershy, where's the guest room?"

"Up the stairs, second door on the left." He followed her directions and walked into the room. He put Dash down on the bed.

He sighed, looking at her. She was much different in this state. She changed when she was like this, and he hated change. He laid down on the floor next to the small bed and quickly found himself sleeping.

He found himself in an ethereal world of darkness and couldn't see anything. He searched the strange world surrounding him, deserting to a natural cliché. "Hello? Is anybody here?" he called.

A voice answered him from the darkness. "Yes, human. You are Henry, is that correct?"

"I'll tell you as soon as you tell me who you are!"

"Oh, I beg your pardon!" The deep voice was very deep and had a sarcastic tone to it. "I believe the 'darling' princesses have failed to introduce us." A figure appeared in front of him. It was humanoid, meeting him eye-to-eye, but it definitely wasn't human. It looked like a mother had given her toddler several sets of animal puzzles and let him go crazy. "I am Discord, the Spirit of Chaos! A draconequus, in case you haven't noticed."

"Yeah, sure. Now where the hell am I?"

The sarcasm continued. Discord put a hand - or claw - over where his heart would be and sounded offended. "Why, such language! Why must you swear while in the presence of an immortal!"

Luna's voice came from darkness. "Discord, stop antagonizing him! I would expect you to treat a guest with more respect."

Henry and Discord turned and looked at Luna while she approached. Simultaneously, they said, "Guest?"

"Yes, guest. This is your dream realm, Discord, so it is technically your own domain. That makes Henry and I your guests."

Grumbling, Discord wandered off to who knows where. Luna used her magic and teleported him in between her and the human. "Discord, Henry, I have news."

"By all means, Princess Lulu, enlighten us!" Discord couldn't drop the sarcasm.

"It seems the Changelings have returned, Discord, and are not after the love of ponies this time. They appear to want revenge." That shut him up. "Just moments ago, all of our teams investigating the Changeling sightings returned. They were teleported into the throne room, dead and horribly mutilated." She looked disgusted and appeared to be resisting the urge to vomit. "Some of them were literally turned inside-out, their hearts missing."

Even Discord looked sickened, even if slightly. "Couldn't Celestia track the teleportation spells and you two get rid of them or have those Elements of yours do it for you?"

"She couldn't. There was too much distortion for us, even with our combined power. That's why I came to you Discord. You have the power to track them down. We need you to find them and find out what they're up to."

Obviously mocking Henry, his form went up in smoke and Discord reappeared in a full set of woodland camouflage with human weapons, complete with grenades, and saluted. Before Luna could say anything, he'd disappeared and left them alone in the blackness. "Does he always do that?"

"You would think you'd get used to it, but he always comes up with something new," she said with an annoyed tone. She turned to look at him. "When you wake in the morning, you must gather the Elements and come to Canterlot immediately. Gather your human friends and weapons as well, we may require use of them."

"Anything you need, Princess."

"Please, just-" Anything else she was going to say was cut off as Henry was jerked away from the blackness of Discord's dreams.

He'd always been a light sleeper. It was no surprise he was woken up by a heavy warmth on top of him as searing pain ripped throughout his body. He yelled in pain, the thing on top of him jerked around. That didn't help.

The thing got off of him as he rolled up and wrapped his arms around his sides, groaning painfully. A voice spoke from the other side of his clenched eyes. "Oh no, Henry! I'm sorry!" Rainbow wrapped him in a gentle hug. "Dammit, I must have rolled off while I was sleeping."

He spoke through the pain. "I'll... be okay... in the morning. Just... go to... sleep."

"No, not going to happen." She lifted him, grunting against his weight, into the bed. "There. You sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the floor."

"No... bed..." He rolled on the side opposite of his broken ribs, leaving room at his back. "Don't... roll off... again. Won't be there... to break your fall."

She snorted as she climbed into the bed, their backs facing each other. "Haha, funny. If that keeps up, you'll have to go to the hospital. Your ribs are already broken enough." He only grunted in response, the pain receding slowly as he fell back into a deep sleep.

Change of Plans

Henry woke to a searing pain in his side and a strange heat at his back. He turned his head and found Rainbow laying there, facing the other direction, snoring and drooling onto a pillow. Getting up, he sighed and looked out the window. It was still a bit dark out, but the sun was coming up. The sky was a grayish color, some stars still dotting the sky. He decided to let Rainbow Dash sleep in for a bit longer and quietly walked out of the room.

He walked down the stairs to the living room and heard singing coming from outside. He went to the door to find it already unlocked, so he walked into the early morning chill. The singing was much clearer now, and the voice was soft but strong. He walked around the edge and found Fluttershy going around and feeding animals, singing all the while. The song wasn't familiar, probably something she made up to pass the time.

He stood to the side, watching her work. She continued singing the same song, so he'd decided to hum along to the rhythm. She apparently had heard him and the song stopped immediately. "Henry, what are you doing out of bed so early? Shouldn't you be asleep?"

He sighed, wishing the peaceful lack of speech could have lasted longer. "I usually wake up pretty early. Other than broken ribs, I'm back to my old self." He wished he'd had it in him to sleep in longer, but once he was up and around, there was no going back to sleep.

"Well, that's good." She looked around awkwardly at the work remaining to be done. There wasn't much left, and she wasn't sure what to do now that the human was up.

"Do you want help or should I go back inside?" He didn't want to keep her from going about her business. It was her own home after all.

"Well, I guess I could use a bit of help... to make it go by quicker."

He walked over and took the bag of feed from her. She motioned to the chicken coops and he made his way over to it. While emptying the sack, he noticed a distinct lack of singing or even humming. He looked back and saw her awkwardly looking around, not sure what to do. He held the sack in one hand and walked back over to her. "You okay Fluttershy? You were fine before I came out here."

She looked at him, seeming scared and sad at the same time. "I'm sorry, it's just I'm usually alone at this time in the morning. I normally sing when I'm alone, so... So I got nervous when you came out here and offered to help."

He was surprised. "Well, you don't have to be nervous around me." He dropped the sack. "I'm just gonna go inside so you can finish up." He turned to leave when he remembered something important. "Hey, you don't have a shower do you? Luna asked me to get the girls and all of us head up to Canterlot and I kinda want to be clean before I meet them formally for the first time."

"Oh, right!" She laughed nervously. "It's the door just to the left of the guest room."

"Thanks." Then he remembered he was still wearing his dirty and ripped military outfit from two nights ago. "Do you think Rarity can make me more clothes? I don't exactly want to go in this thing." He gestured to his outfit.

"Oh, I'm sure she can, but not on short notice like this. I can go to Applejack's and get the other one you were wearing."

"Yeah, sure. If you don't mind." He thanked her and went upstairs. He found the bathroom after retrieving his knife from his pack in the next room. After shaving his rough beard off, he quickly disrobed, unwrapped the bandages around his midsection, leaving the now unusable suit on the ground, and stepped in. He turned on the hot water and let it wash over him. It burned, but it was the first time he was washing in the last two months (he wasn't sure if the nurses at the hospital had actually washed him or just cleaned off the blood and dirt).

Not bothering to use shampoo or soap since he didn't want to smell flowery, he just scrubbed with his hands and the hot water. He could hear the guest room door open then close and knew Rainbow was probably wondering where he was. He got out, turning off the water, and grabbed a towel to dry himself off. When he was finished, he wrapped another one around his waist, grabbing his boots, and walked to the door. He eyed the large bruise on his side and grimaced at the large splotch of purple and yellow. As he reached for the handle, the door swung open and he saw Rainbow Dash.

Her eyes went wide in surprise as she saw him standing there. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine, Dash. I was just finishing." He tried not to make it awkward, but failed miserably. He looked around nervously as she just stood there.

"Sorry, I just didn't expect you to, you know..." Her eyes twitched in another direction as her forehooves tapped the ground awkwardly. She whispered, "Be naked." Her eyes drifted back to him and she saw the damage that the manticore had done to him, as well as the scars from previous battles and injuries, which were very numerous. "Wow. You humans can really take a beating, huh?"

It was getting awkward for him too. "Uh, yeah..." He looked past her and into the hallway. "Can I go now?"

"What?" She had been studying the unwanted mementos covering his person. "Oh, yeah. Sorry." Rainbow moved out of the way, letting him go past.

He heard the door shut as Rainbow went in behind him and he left. Going into the guest room, he sat on the bed, pondering what he was going to do without clothes. He couldn't wander around Ponyville looking for Rarity. He was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Henry, are you in there?" It was Fluttershy. He stood up, concealing himself the best to his ability at the moment.

"Yeah, I'm here."

"I have your clothes from Applejack's home. Do you want me to come in or leave them out here?"

"Just leave them there. All I have is a towel."

He could almost feel her cheeks burning a hole into the wooden door. "O-oh. Uh, a-alright. I-I'll just leave them here." He heard a thick cloth bag hit the ground as she quickly shuffled downstairs. Sure she was gone, opened the door and found a set of saddlebags there. He carried it inside the room and shut the door. He opened the compartments and found a set of casual clothes in one and a formal suit in the other. Rarity had apparently anticipated a visit to Canterlot.

He put on the casual set, which looked very much like he would have worn at a military base when he was not deployed. Twilight must have gone through my memories. Wait a minute... He thought about what she may have seen in his memories. Aw, shit. There's going to be lots of questions. Slipping on his boots instead of the shoes that were included with them, he carried the suit over his arm and his pistol belt around his waist. The gun wasn't much, but it was sentimental. He'd taken it to hell and back several times and it never once failed him, but instead saved his life quite a few of those times. One of which included the manticore attack.

He walked downstairs with the empty saddlebags over his shoulder and saw the two pegasi speaking in hushed voices. The stopped when they noticed him coming down the stairs. "Um, hello." Rainbow was still a bit nervous about the recent encounter. Fluttershy just looked around, never meeting eyes with him.

"Hey, you don't have to be nervous around me after that. I didn't do anything wrong."

"Dumbass, that's kind of hard to do. Twilight said that humans usually always wear clothes, and you weren't. I mean, come on, that was at least pretty awkward for you."

"Well, yeah you've got a point." He remembered something he'd meant to ask Fluttershy. "Wait a second. Fluttershy?" She looked in his direction, but didn't meet his eyes. "Why haven't I seen Rocky? Where is he?"

"Oh, um... Heh, about that-" she was interrupted by a knock at the door. Not sure what to think, she went to the door and opened it. Standing there was three embarrassed Cutie Mark Crusaders and a very pissed off German Shepard that was covered in soot, make-up, a pony-sized dress, and maple syrup.

Henry stood there at the stairs, shocked. "What the fuck did you do?!" The fillies just looked around, avoiding eye contact. He was about to ask again when Fluttershy took over.

Sighing, she said, "Girls, go and get him washed off and get rid of the dress. I doubt anypony would want to use it now."

All three answered, "Yes Fluttershy..." in unison, then walked around to the back of the house, pulling the dog along with them.

"I- uh, have they... Please tell me this hasn't happened before." Henry hoped none of the ponies around town had suffered the fate Rocky did.

"No, thank Celestia, You eventually get used to whatever they get into," Rainbow replied. She tapped a hoof against her chin, thinking, and said, "But this was the first time anything that involved syrup happened."

Henry fell back against the couch, slapping one hand over his face. "Oh God..." All it did for him was sending another wave of sharp pain through his body. He groaned loudly and put a hand over his ribs.

"You know, you really should get those ribs healed when we get to Canterlot. They're giving you a lot of trouble," Rainbow said, concerned.

"Yeah, let's just get there without me getting injured again, huh?" He groaned again, pushing against the couch and bringing himself to his feet. "Rainbow, go get the girls. Fluttershy, do you know where my other friends are?"

"I think AJ said they were sleeping in her barn."

"Well, that's goo-" He stopped, remembering that the cart with all of the guns he'd collected were in the barn. "Aw, shit." He quickly went out of the door after Rainbow and did his best to run to Sweet Apple Acres.

He got there and was relieved to see no bullet holes, craters, or fires. He heard loud cracks coming from across he orchard, which he assumed was Applejack and Big Mac harvesting apples. He opened the barn doors and saw the cart sitting in a far corner, almost unseen in the darkness of the barn. He saw his compatriots asleep in the corner closest to the door he'd opened and almost hit McKenzie in the head with said door.

It was barely sun-up, but he wanted to leave as soon as possible. After lighting a nearby lantern, he closed the barn door to muffle the noise, pulled his pistol from the holster, and fired a round into the ground. His friends jerked awake, Roberts frantically searching for a gun that wasn't there. So they didn't see the cart. Good. "Rise and shine, assholes!"

He returned the gun to its proper place as his friends stood up, rubbing their eyes. "Rude wake-up call, man. Not funny." McKenzie was never a morning person.

"Come on, wake up buttercup. We're leaving soon and I need you guys up and at 'em."

"And where are we going, Sergeant Major?" Roberts wasn't pleased with this morning's alarm.

"Up to Canterlot, the capital, to meet the princesses. You know, royalty?"

Captain raised an eyebrow, while the other two just looked shocked. McKenzie grumbled, "Only been here a day and already meeting the rulers of this place? We must be pretty special then, huh?"

"If by 'special' you mean the only four humans to ever be in Equestria, then yes we are special."

"Goddamn. When we leavin'?"

"Soon as you bums are ready and the girls get here." Henry walked out into the early morning light before he got a response. Rainbow was waiting there with the rest of the girls, except Applejack. "Hey, where's AJ?"

Twilight answered, "She's out in the orchard applebucking. She'll be done in a few minutes."

"Okay then." Before he could say anything else, he heard McKenzie talking.

"Dude, why didn't you tell us you had all these guns?"

"I'll tell you if you three get that cart out here."

"Fair enough." With little trouble, the other three humans pulled the cart out into the open. Before they could go through it, Twilight used her telekinesis to raise a rocket launcher out of the cart.

She suspended it in front of her, slowly rotating it as she studied it. "This is a strange one, Henry. What is it for?"

He grabbed it out of the air. "Uh, blowing stuff up. Why?"

"Nothing, just curious..." She wouldn't say anymore.

"Well, anyway. McKenzie, to answer your question, we'll have to get up to Canterlot with all of these. Luna and Celestia requested we all come and Luna said to bring these things. Twilight, I don't suppose you have a way to get these up there, do you?"

"Well, I can probably teleport them up there. I'll just need a bit to concentrate enough power to teleport the weapons and myself up to Canterlot. The rest of you can ride the train."

"Uh, the train?" Once again, McKenzie was confused about Equestria.

"Well, yeah. It's the fastest way to get around besides flying or teleporting. It will take a few hours to get to Canterlot, so I would get up to the station and get tickets if I were you guys." Henry nodded and looked at the other humans. They had stopped paying attention and were looking through the cart of weapons.

"You idiots stop going through the cart and grab your stuff. We'll be up there for a while." Captain looked back and nodded, receiving a response of "Yes, sir" from the other two. They walked into the barn and came out with the few belongings they still possessed.

Twilight said, "Alright, I'll take a bit of time to concentrate while the rest of you go get on the train. I'll meet you at the castle later."

Henry woke in his seat at the back of the car to a train whistle. "Ten minutes until we reach Canterlot," called the conductor. He sighed and looked out the window at the sun. He estimated it was about noon. There was a tap on the cushion beside him, and when he looked he saw Rainbow Dash, who still avoided eye contact.

"Mind if I sit? I want to talk."

"By all means." She climbed uncomfortably onto the seat across from him. "So, what is it?"

"I just wanted to know, um..." She couldn't find the right words, it seemed. "Is it dangerous, being a soldier? On Earth, I mean."

Henry was taken aback by the unexpected question. "Well, I uh, I would really rather not talk about my fighting back on Earth. It's something I'm not proud of."

"Oh, okay. Sorry." She looked out the window, at the passing scenery. After a pause, she said, "You know, I thought about joining the Royal Guard once." Rainbow looked at Henry and made forced eye contact. "Almost went through with it, too. Then, Twilight came the day of the Summer Sun Celebration a few years ago and..." She trailed off, looking out the window again. Without looking back, she added, "Didn't think I'd ever have a chance with her, but I couldn't bear the thought of leaving and never coming back. Know what I mean?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I know what you mean." He took a deep breath and sighed. "Rainbow, you should know..." She looked at him again, her expression telling him to continue. "I did have a few crushes back on Earth, in America. Didn't think I'd ever had a chance with any of them, so I enlisted. Six years of injuries and bullshit later, here I am." He sighed again. "Now I'll never know." He then noticed a very loud humming noise.

Looking out the window, he saw a pink, bubble-shaped force field encasing the entire city. A section of the shield opened enough to let the train through, then closed again. "Rainbow, what's going on?"

"Shield Shining Armor, Twilight's brother, put up keep Changelings out. Did the same thing during his and Cadence's wedding. Probably find him up at the castle soon as we get off the train." As soon as the she finished speaking, the train's brakes squealed as it came to a stop. "Our stop, ready to go?"

"Yeah, come on." He stood up and walked to the front of the car to exit, Rainbow Dash trailing behind. They got to the door to find Rarity trying to unload a very unnecessarily large amount of luggage.

"I apologize, it should only take a moment longer!" she called through the blocked doorway.

Henry huffed in annoyance and looked around. "Hold on, don't these windows open?"

"Yeah, why?" Rainbow responded.

He opened one of the windows facing the platform to find that it could accommodate his size, even if just barely. "Follow me." He leaned over and crawled through the window, having to push on the outside sill when his belt hung the inside. He hit the wood with thump and stood up, cringing at the lingering pain in his side. Rainbow followed suit, except catching herself with flight before hitting the ground. Henry closed the window and walked over to Rarity, who was still struggling.

"Rarity, get back."

"Why?"

"Just do it." She did as she was told and walked to the door. Bracing his left foot and hand against the door frame, he gripped the handle of a large suitcase. Making sure his grip was firm, he lurched his body back, pushing with his leg and arm, with a loud grunt. The suitcase came loose, reluctantly, and the entire pile collapsed out of the door. He stumbled out of the way before he got crushed.

Dropping the bag he'd pulled loose, he looked at the white unicorn. She repeatedly looked between him and the pile of luggage, a shocked expression on her face. Rainbow stood to the side, smirking at her. Rarity said, "How- how did- Sweet Celestia Henry, I had no idea you were that strong! I couldn't get that out using magic!" Smiling, she winked at him and said seductively, "I like that."

Henry then took on Rarity's original expression. She and Rainbow burst out laughing. "Don't worry, dear, I was only joking." Henry picked up a smaller bag and chucked it at her. She caught it with her magic, gathering up the rest of her bags, and said, "Henry, you mustn't make such a fuss over it. I was only taking revenge for that day of Nightmare Night."

"Yeah, I kind of deserved that, didn't I?"

"Ya sure as heck did, Henry." He turned and found Applejack and Fluttershy walking, and Pinkie Pie bouncing, up to the station. "Anyway, we went and spoke with the princesses and got your friends their own rooms. Y'all had best get up and pick your bedrooms out, though. We got a meetin' with Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Discord over dinner and we're gonna be stayin' awhile. Shinin' Armor stayed at the Crystal Empire to make his own shield against them Changelings while the princesses are taking shifts keeping thisn' up."

"How did you guys get up there so fast?" Henry said, motioning to the castle.

Applejack looked like her face turned slightly green. She stole a glance back at Pinkie Pie, who was still bouncing in place, and said, "I honestly don't have any clue, Henry. Somethin' to do with a bunch of 'quantum physics, pocket universe' bullhonkey. I'd tell you to ask her yourself, but your head might explode. Twilight couldn't even explain her. Besides, even for a human, you don't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed."

Henry let the comment blow over his head, but not without an annoyed scowl at the farmpony. She shrugged it off and said, "Well, y'all had best get up to the castle. Henry, just follow them two," she nodded at Rainbow and Rarity. "They know where it is."

He sighed, looking at the ground. "Alright, the sooner the better." They started walking as the other three parted ways to stroll around town. Rarity walked to his left, holding her luggage in mid-air well above her head, and Rainbow Dash hovered to his right. He noticed he was getting fearful and awestruck looks from the local ponies.

He walked faster to catch up with the pegasus, then when their heads were beside each other, he asked, "Hey Dash, what's with all the weird looks? Didn't they know I was coming?"

She looked at the townsponies, who were looking their way, then said, "Guess not. Wanna go faster so you can get away from them while Rarity window-shops?" She pointed a hoof at the white unicorn, where she stood at a dress shop, absent-mindedly staring into the window.

"Might as well. You mind Rarity?" The unicorn waved them on in response, not breaking her gaze from whatever she was looking at inside. Turning back to Rainbow, he asked, "You wanna go on ahead and meet up there or go with?"

"I think I'll stay behind with you. Keep you out of trouble," she answered sarcastically.

"Ha ha, very funny." They continued up the cobblestone street, leaving behind several of the shops and finding what was probably the residential district of the city. He looked around at the several young foals playing in front of houses and most stopped to stare at him before returning to their own games. "You don't happen to know any good bars or anything here, do you? I could really go for a drink."

"I might know a few. I bet all of us could go out sometime after the Changelings are dealt with."

"Sounds like a plan. Just so you know, McKenzie gets pretty crazy when he's drunk." He scratched his chin, remembering something that had happened to the four of them on a two day leave. "Relay this to the girls, but if he asks, God forbid, any of you if you want to see his other gun, say no."

"Why?" He cleared his throat loudly and gave her an awkward look. "What... Oh. Um, uh, heh heh, good to know."

"Yeah..." The rest of the walk consisted of awkward silence and the background noise of foals playing.

When they did get to the entrance to the castle, Henry was less than welcome. There was a guard standing there, wearing golden armor. "Halt, human!" the guard yelled, pointing his spear and measuring him up. "What is a member of your kind doing here?"

Before he could answer, Rainbow Dash stepped in. She came muzzle to muzzle with the guard, causing the earth pony twice her size to shrink back. "He is a person, and his name is Henry. If you've got a problem, take it to one of the princesses. I'm sure they would explain it simply enough for a numbnuts like you to understand."

The pony looked back at Henry, who shrugged, then back at Rainbow. "My deepest apologies, Element of Loyalty. I had no idea he was here on royal business."

She stepped back, then looked at Henry, who was trying his hardest not to laugh. She jerked her head in the direction of the gate, then they stepped through. When they were out of earshot of the guard at the gate, he laughed and asked, "So Dash, what was that whole 'Element of Loyalty' thing about?"

"Oh, uh, well..." Her face turned into what appeared to be an almost embarrassed expression. "Me and the girls may have more or less saved all of Equestria on a few different occasions.

"Holy shit. So you're all famous?" She nodded in response. Before any more questions could be asked, they reached the castle, where they were greeted by a very large, white alicorn, whose mane whipped around in wind that wasn't there, like Luna's.

"Ah, Rainbow Dash, I was just wondering where you were." She held a hoof out to Henry. "And you must be Henry." He took the hoof and shook it before she returned it to the ground. "As you may be able to tell, I am Princess Celestia, but please just call me Celestia when we are not at formal events.

"That's no problem at all." It must have been a little awkward for Celestia, speaking with a sapient non-native that was taller than her.

She turned, motioning for them to follow, and walked through the large ornate doors. As they walked through the large doorway, Henry looked around at the walls and ceiling, all of which were made up of marble, carpet, or precious metals. "Where did you get all of the materials for this place? Enough to make a simple room out of this would be almost impossible back on Earth."

"From the ground, of course," Celestia answered. "As for the great lacking of these materials on your planet, my only reasoning is it is because it is not another planet, but another dimension. Forgive me if anything I say may sound too cryptic; several thousand years of life will do that to you."

"Several thousand years? How is that possible?"

"That is a question I cannot answer, sadly. I do not know the whys or hows, it just simply that Luna, Cadence, Twilight, and I are alicorns. Alicorns are immortal, unless killed by some outside force."

"Well," Rainbow interrupted, "I'm going to go pick a room. You guys go ahead and keep talking." She started flying into another hallway, calling back, "If you see Twilight, send her my way."

Celestia looked at Henry questioningly. "Romantic development," was all he answered.

"Ah," she said, nodding. "I suspected it would come to that eventually. Cadence could always sense something between the two. Not that I disapprove, I am happy for them in fact, it's just that I am unsure as to how their friendship will play out should the relationship fail. I do not wish to ruin the use of the Elements, but I do not wish to ruin the possibility of their relationship."

"I understand, Celestia. I must ask, though, is same-sex relationships and whatnot common here, or just not hated?"

"Well, it is not very common, but not rare either. I do ask you, though, why would it be hated?"

"In my universe, religions make it where if two men or two women want to be in a romantic relationship, they are hated, hurt, or... murdered. Personally, I don't give a shit about any of it as long as it doesn't get shoved down my throat."

"Oh dear. Your world sounds very troubled."

"It is, trust me. I would know."

"And why would you know, may I ask?"

"I was a soldier. A war fighter." He quietly added, "A killer."

"Oh." There was a pause, the only sounds her hooves and his boots hitting the marble floor as they walked. "I apologize for anything I may have brought up."

"It's fine." It wasn't true though. She stepped up to another ornate door, which two unicorn guards wearing the same golden armor as the one outside were standing at either end. Either door opened outward, held in mismatching colored auras, revealing a throne room. It held a very large room, with a red carpet edged with a golden color trailing the middle of the room. At the end sat a golden throne, which sat upon a set of stairs and a lower and higher platform; the latter held the throne.

They walked to the end of throne room, where the other alicorn stood and met them at the bottom of the stairs. "Princess Cadence, this is Henry Jones. The one Twilight and her friends rescued from the Everfree."

Cadence bowed her head respectfully in greeting, and Henry did the same. "Hello Henry. I have heard very little about you, but I hope that changes shortly. Friendship is important here, after all."

"So I've heard. Where is Luna? And-" His next thought was interrupted by a oversize birthday cake appearing in the middle of the three and exploding, exposing the form of the draconequus. "Discord."

"Present and ready for action!" he yelled, saluting Henry. He slapped the bear paw away from Discord's heard gave him a dirty look. The mismatching creature literally deflated and reappeared next to Celestia. Folding the claw and arm across his chest, he huffed and said, "Party-pooper."

"This isn't the time for jokes, Discord. This is serious," Cadence said. "The threat of a Changeling invasion hangs over our heads, and their methods of takeover have changed to lethality. If we don't plan something, the lives of ponies, griffins, zebras, and even dragons hang in the balance."

Celestia took over. Shoving a hoof into his chest, she said, "And if this shield fails, or a counter-attack fails, who do you think will be facing the full force of the invasion, on the front lines? You, Luna, Cadence, the Elements, and I! If we fall, nothing would be enough to stop the Changelings!"

"Uh, Celestia?" Henry interrupted. She immediately stopped her outburst and faced him. "I have an idea, but we need everyone present."

"During tonight's dinner, we may discuss it. Until then, you may roam the castle and grounds so long as you do not harm my guards or servants, which I trust you will not. When you are out in the city, take care to take one of the girls, if not several or all of them."

"Will do, no problem. You have my word." He turned to leave, but stopped himself. "By the way, you don't happen to have any sort of healing magic, do you? Specifically the kind that heals broken ribs?"

Cadence answered, "Oh, yes. Twilight told me about the manticore attack in a letter last night. Just one moment, and hold still." He did as he was told as she lightly pressed the tip of her horn against the large bruise on his side. The was an odd tingling, then sudden relief as the bones instantly fused together. She noticed his expression and asked, "Better?"

"Much," was all he said as he sighed deeply.

"The bones have healed, but the bruise will be present for quite some time, mind you. Avoid attacks from wild animals more often, hmm?" She saw his annoyed expression and laughed. "It's alright, wild animal attacks cannot be helped. Just stay out of the Everfree where you can, most incidents only happen there."

"Yeah, I'll be sure to do that." He felt his side and found that the swelling had already gone down slightly. "Thanks, really. I don't know if I could have gone another day going about my business with broken ribs."

"It's no problem at all. I've healed plenty of injuries more severe than that from when Shiny came back from guard duty. Especially here in Canterlot." She paused as she looked for Celestia and Discord, neither of which were in the room. "If you go anywhere here in the city with the girls, especially at night, keep a close watch on them. There have been more very violent crimes here at night since the last Changeling invasion, and I fear that the count will rise with the threat of another."

"I'll do that. Anything to keep them safe from harm." After sharing another bow of the head, they parted ways.

He was halfway down the hallway to pick a bedroom when there was a pop and a flash of light directly in front of him. Twilight crashed onto the floor, but quickly stood up and looked around. "Oh, hi Henry. I may have miscalculated a bit on my teleportation."

"Obviously."

"Just so you know, I did teleport the cart into Luna's quarters." Her eyes went wide for a second, the returned to normal. "Just, hopefully not on top of her."

"Right... Anyway, Rainbow said to send you her way if I saw you, and I was just heading down to pick a room. Care to walk?"

"Oh, I might as well. Haven't had more than a moment of speech that didn't have something to do with a life or death situation. It'd be nice to just talk, wouldn't it?"

"I guess so. I'll let you lead the way, I don't have the slightest idea where to go. I was just going to wander around until I ran into one of the girls or found the right place."

They started walking, and Twilight immediately started the conversation. "So, what's it like on Earth?"

"Not much different than here. Only differences I've figured out is that it is less rich in valuable minerals and precious metals than here, our world is very much more technologically evolved than yours-"

"What kind of technology do you have?" Twilight interrupted.

"Ovens, computers, satellites, phones-"

"What are 'phones'?"

"Things that make communicating a hell of a lot easier than writing letters."

"Do you know how to make one?"

"I don't."

"Oh," she said, obviously disappointed. "Do you have carriages?"

"Some people do, but they aren't universally used anymore. We have cars, airplanes-"

"What are 'airplanes'?"

"Machines that let humans fly." Before she could ask anymore questions, a door flew open and hit Twilight in the face, knocking her back on her flank.

Henry tried not to laugh as she stood up rubbing her nose. Pinkie Pie's head popped out from behind the open door. "Ohmygosh! So sorry about that Twilight! I thought my Pinkie Sense was playing tricks on me again! OH, TWITCHY TAIL!" She looked around, as if expecting something to happen, but nothing did. "See? Something was supposed to fall and-" a cake fell from the ceiling and smothered her head in it. From no discernible source, Discord's laugh rang throughout the corridor. "Nevermind! See you guys later!" Her head flew back into the room and the door shut behind it.

"That was... interesting."

Twilight looked at him. "Hopefully you'll get used to it. We still haven't. Anyway, just pick a room. I'm going to find Rainbow."

"Alright, see all of you tonight." He walked down the hallway and picked the farthest one down on the left. Finding no one else inside, he went in and tested the bed. Deciding it would suit his needs for sleep, he laid down and immediately succumbed to the relaxing darkness.

"HEY DUMBASS, WAKE UP!" Henry woke up, as Rainbow Dash had yelled at him through the door, but fell off of the bed and into the floor.

"What is it, Dash?" he asked through the door.

"Time to go see the princesses and Discord, remember?"

He looked at the clock, which told him it was 7:00. "Shit. Alright, I'm coming." He stood up and walked out into the hallway, where Rainbow Dash and the rest of the girls were waiting. "I'm the only one that slept, wasn't I?" All six nodded. "Where are the others?"

Twilight said, "They're already waiting for us in the dining hall. We should get going." The others agreed and they set off down the hallway.

When they got to the door leading to the dining hall, they found Captain, McKenzie, and Roberts waiting with four guards. Twilight asked, "What's going on?"

A Lunar guard unicorn stepped up. "Princess Twilight, thank Celestia you're here. The Royal Sisters required the Elements' and the humans' help. We received this letter not long ago." He hovered a burnt-looking piece of parchment to Twilight, which she promptly took from him.

After a few moments of silence, she gasped and dropped the letter. "Not good. Oh, not good at all."

Applejack put a hoof on her shoulder. "Twi', what is it? What's wrong?"

She turned back to her friends and the humans. "Planning our move against the Changelings will have to wait. The Griffon Kingdom is in danger."

Seven hours ago...

A large, greying griffon stood his throne room with the alicorn princesses of Equestria. "How can you be sure we can trust the humans, Princesses? Do you not remember their kind in the past? All of the trouble they've caused, the lives they've taken?"

Celestia answered, "Emperor One-Eye, you know we can not forget those times. Luna and the recent generations of ponies and griffons being an exception, but everypony remembers the war with the humans as if it were just yesterday. We cannot trust them, but we must. Chrysalis would kill you the moment she knew you were coming and you know we cannot bring ourselves to kill our sister, however gone she may be."

"Then you do not understand how much trouble we are in." After a few moments of pause, the griffon Emperor spoke again. "You know there are five elder dragons?" The larger princess nodded. "Not anymore."

"...What do you mean?"

"Scouts found three of them dead about fifty kilometers north of here. Their insides were melted and their scales were scorched. Obviously the work of Changelings."

"Which ones were they?"

"Three of the lessers. Miasmador, Quitulias, and Caeronvar. Vusatunnell's location remains unkown."

"What of the Ancient? Nrrilinthas?"

"Still in the deepest pits of Tartarus, right where he belongs."

Before they could discuss anything further, a knock came from the large door at the end, which was the only entrance to the throne room. Luna swung the doors open, revealing another large griffon, who was panting and panicked. "Emperor! Princesses! It's the Changelings!"

"What is it, Lieutenant Bladewing?" the royal griffon asked.

"The invasion. It's begun."

Awake

Jones was laying in a bed, restrained and blindfolded. From what he could see behind the blindfold, which was not much, it looked like lit room with varying items. He had quickly taken to quietly talking to himself instead of thinking. "Door's probably behind me or to the side. How do I get out?"

Talking to himself, coming up with ways to escape that would probably never happen, he heard the open. Quickly shutting his mouth, a familiar voice said, "Been talking to yourself again, Henry? You really should stop doing that." He didn't respond.

"Still not talking to us, huh? If you did, all of this would be easier. Tell us some things, we might consider removing the restraints." Whoever it was turned and walked out, shutting the door.

"Who are these people, and what do they want? I need a way to get out, find some answers." Just as he was pondering different ways to acquire a weapon and escape, he felt strange sensation. His body began to tingle, starting from his head going down to his toes and returning to his head, like something was scanning him. He had felt this before, but this time was different. It was essentially the same, but painful instead of numbness.

His head began to hurt, starting at a dull ache then eventually becoming a pain similar to someone sticking a grenade in your ear and letting it go off. His chest was next. It was the same as his head, but it came in pulses instead of a gradual increase. His arms and legs did the same, and he began to spasm. Starting at a twitch, it quickly became a series of violent jerks. The bed was moving along with his movements, like it was on wheels. The door flew open.

"He's having a seizure! Somepony help me!" The voice was strangely feminine.

After a minute, his seizure stopped and through the blindfold, there was a blinding white light, then pitch darkness. He said out loud, "Is, th-this how I-I d-die?"

He felt his eyes jerk open, only to be met with what he recognized as a blindfold. The voice spoke again. "Quite the opposite, in fact Mr. Henry. You have been in a coma for the past few days, since Twilight Sparkle and her friends saved you and your dog. You just had a seizure while one of our unicorn nurses was scanning you for unusual activity, and apparently that's what you needed to wake up."

He was confused about many things. "Where am I?"

She responded quickly. "The hospital in Ponyville."

"Why am I blindfolded and restrained if this is a hospital? Is this a mental hospital?"

"No, this is a medical hospital. The 'blindfold' and restraints is because during the first night here, after Ms. Fluttershy began sleeping by your dog, you went crazy and tried to claw your eyes out. Apparently the sedatives we use on ponies when they have episodes like yours was too strong, and put you into a comatose state. The 'blindfold' is actually bandages to keep your eyes protected and the restraints are in case you had another episode."

"Who are you?"

"I am Nurse Redheart, the one who admitted you after Twilight and her friends brought you in."

"I think I remember them, but I don't remember you."

"You were unconscious when you were brought in, but woke up soon after being placed in a bed."

"Is Rocky alright?"

The nurse was confused. "Rocky? Oh! Your dog, yes he's perfectly fine. He's staying at Ms. Fluttershy's house for a while. What a strange wound he had though. We closed the wound and got the metal out, but he'll need to stay off of it for a few days." She paused for a minute. "May I ask you a few questions about where you're from?"

He considered it. "Get these bandages off of my eyes, then we'll talk."

"Yes, of course. Just a moment, you might feel a pinch." The was a slight sting in the side of his face as the nurse used a scalpel to cut the bandages loose. He could see again, though the quick increase in light blinded him. The clean white walls didn't help.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it's just a little bright."

"I apologize, Mr. Henry. If you would like to begin, may I ask you those questions?"

"Yeah, just a minute. Let me take everything in."

"Just say whenever you're ready."

He took a moment to look around the room. White walls, a lamp and stack of books sat on the table next to him. No windows, save for the small one in the door typical of hospitals. "Alright, go ahead."

"Thank you. Now, what are those strange things your dog- uh, Rocky, was hurt by?"

"You don't have guns?"

"What are 'guns'?"

I didn't think so. "Guns are weapons where I'm from - please don't ask how they work, really don't feel like trying to explain that to you now - that, when you squeeze the trigger, assuming you prepared it properly and it's in good condition, will fire small pieces of metal and seriously injure or kill someone or something when hit by the metal. It'd be easier just to show you if I had mine with me."

"Deadly weapons? Why would you have something like that? Are your people at war?"

"You know, I'm not totally sure how to answer that. On Earth, we're at war so often, it's hard to tell when one starts and when one stops."

"Oh. W-well, thank you for answering my questions." She was obviously startled. "I'll be leaving now. Would you like me to bring Twilight and her friends to see you?"

"I guess go ahead and bring them here, but I want to be left alone to think for a bit."

"Yes, I will do that. Goodbye!" She blurted out the words and quickly left.

Twilight was sitting quietly at her desk studying for whatever she felt necessary to study when a knock sounded at her door. "Spike, would you get that!?"

"Sure!" Now to the door. "Just a minute!"

She heard the door open and whoever was at the door start speaking to Spike. "Twilight, it's an orderly from the hospital! She needs you to come down there!"

Twilight saved her spot in the book and quickly went downstairs to find an unfamiliar nurse standing in the doorway, as if requesting permission to enter. "Why do you need me at the hospital?"

"Well, Mr. Henry had a seizure-"

Twilight cut her off. "He had a seizure?! Why didn't say so?!"

"Ms. Twilight, don't panic. He is out of his coma and doing well. Better than expected, actually."

"Well, that's good at least. Sorry for interrupting you."

"I suppose it's okay, since you apologized. I may have done the same thing if one of my friends were in his place."

"Well, I guess I should go then. Where are the others?"

"Probably already there or on their way."

"Okay, thank you." She turned to Spike, who was standing idly by the door. "Can you hold down the fort for a while?"

He saluted and sarcastically said, "Ma'am, yes ma'am!"

She rolled her eyes, got her saddlebags, and gathered some things inside of them, including some more books for Henry. You can never have too many books. She turned and teleported to right outside the hospital.

When she appeared, she had miscalculated and landed in a frightened yellow pegasus's lap inside the waiting room. "Eep! Twilight, what are you doing?!" Even her yelling voice was quiet.

Her face turned red, embarrassed. "Sorry, Fluttershy. I was in a hurry to get here and miscalculated my teleportation spell."

"It's okay. I'm actually still waiting on the others. You want to sit?"

"Yeah, thanks." She placed the saddlebags on the floor in front of her chair and sat. She heard claws clacking on the tile floor behind her. As she turned to investigate, a large, wet tongue slapped her face and slid upwards, then retreated back to the source. "Ahh! What the hay?!" She turned and saw Rocky balancing on three legs, the other held up to his chest in a sling.

"Uh, Fluttershy? Why is his leg in a sling?"

"Oh, it's just that I when I stayed with Henry that first night, my mind slipped to Rocky and I asked about him. Henry said that his leg had been broken and didn't heal correctly, so I broke it again made sure it would heal properly. He didn't enjoy it, though; I had to get Dash and AJ to hold him down."

"That was nice of you, Fluttershy. I'm sure Henry would appreciate what you did."

A voice came from behind them. "You can ask now. He said you could come in." They hadn't heard the nurse approach and she'd waited for them to finish their conversation. "If I see the rest of your friends, I'll send them back there."

"Thank you, nurse, please do. Let's go see how he's doing."

Henry was sitting upright in his bed, waiting for Twilight to come in, thinking about what he would say. As if on cue, two ponies walked in: Twilight and Fluttershy. He could tell the latter was nervous near him.

"Fluttershy, don't worry. I won't flip out again."

"Oh, um, okay." She changed the subject quickly. "I did something for Rocky while you were asleep."

"What'd you do?"

She called Rocky and he hobbled into the room. "I broke his leg again so that it could heal correctly. I thought I should help you with that, even though you aren't...uh, um- n-nevermind." She apparently didn't want to think about that night.

"You really didn't have to, but thanks. Really." She blushed and it was Twilight's turn to speak. He then noticed the saddlebags on her back.

"Henry, assuming you'll be in here for a few more days, I brought you some things."

He sat up straighter as she unloaded her bags. At first, he thought was just books, but what came next surprised him. It was his desert camo, though he really had no need of it, pistol holster, with the weapon inside, his boots, and the knife made of Manticore bone he'd found in the Everfree. Only then did he notice with slight embarrassment that he'd been dressed in fresh clothes. Where did these come from? Oh God, please let it not have been a mare that had to dress me.

Twilight answered, "Rarity made those, she got measurements while you were out, and it was the doctor that you originally spoke to."

He was shocked. "Were- were you reading my mind?"

She looked at the ground, looking guilty. "Yes, actually. I'm sorry."

Before he could answer, the door opened and revealed Rainbow Dash. "Hey, Henry. Took you long enough to wake up. I wish my naps lasted that long."

He leaned over, a bit painfully, to Twilight. "Please tell me she's not always like that."

"Well, she usually is unless you get her in a strange mood."

"Damn."

Dash spoke again. "So, I'm going to need a nickname for you. Every one of my friends have nicknames I call them by." She hovered over to him and whispered, "I've heard you mumbling to yourself when you were in that coma, and you kept calling yourself 'dumbass,' so that's what I'm going to call you."

"Uh... How about no? That's actually an insult where I come from."

"And some of the nicknames I have for friends are offensive to them, but it's all in good spirits. Yours is unique though."

"I don't mean to be rude to you guys, but why do you keep going on like I'm your friend? I don't mean anything, I just don't understand. You saved my life a few days ago and I've only spoken with two of you, and Fluttershy's was longest conversation I've had since I came here!" He'd accidentally raised his voice.

Twilight and Dash were shocked, but Fluttershy's eyes began getting watery. Oh shit. Please don't... Oh God, please don't let her- The dam burst and she began crying. Cry...

"Shit... I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything." He reached out to console her, but she jerked away. Dash pushed the two out the door and climbed on top of him, pressing her nose against his.

"Listen, buddy, I don't know what you've been through, but nopony, not even me, gets to make Fluttershy cry and just apologize like it was nothing. I don't care what you're thinking, but I'm giving you one chance to take that back." She backed up and began moving to the door. "If you know what's good for you, you'd better take it."

She opened the door and found the hallway empty. "What? Where'd they go?"

Jones was saddened by what just happened. He couldn't stand making Fluttershy cry once, let alone twice. "Just... please, leave. I want to be left alone for now."

She turned and could see his sadness. She walked back over to him and put an arm around his shoulders. "No, I'm not leaving. I don't do good with the mushy, emotional stuff, but I can sure as heck try." She turned and looked at him. "Now, tell me everything that happened."

Dash sat and listened while he told her about his time in the Everfree and his time in the Marines. He told her every detail and every emotion he went through. By the time he was finished, she'd pulled a chair up to the side and Rocky managed to climb onto the bed and rest his head on Henry's leg. He'd been silently crying for an hour now, and it was almost dark. She sat with him, trying to get a good look into his eyes.

She felt genuinely sorry for him. She didn't realize he'd been trying to get her attention. "Hey, Dash?" His voice was quiet.

"Huh? Sorry, I was just... Trying to take it in." There was a long pause. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"I was just wondering what you were going to do now."

"Well, I was just planning on resting up then trying to find a way home."

She couldn't believe what she heard. Voice raising slightly, she said, "What? You're serious? So it's just, 'Oh, hey, thanks for saving me and my dog's lives, I'm just going to leave and find a way back to my world!'? No, that's not flying with me, Dumbass."

"Well, what do you want me to do?"

"I thought you should stay a while, maybe think about staying for good?"

"You got a crush on me?"

"Hah! In your dreams, Dumbass." She leaned closer and lowered her voice even though it was just them and Rocky. "Hint: I swing for the other team."

"Oh... Well then..." Another pause. "Why would I want to stay here?"

"Get away from all that fighting back in your world. Other than the occasional crisis where the fate of Equestria hangs in the balance, it's a pretty peaceful world. Haven't had a war in over a thousand years."

"Wow. That... That is pretty tempting. I do want a break from all of the fighting and killing. I'll consider it. Thanks Dash. I like you better when you aren't an arrogant bitch."

"Woah, don't even go there, buddy! I am arrogant, I admit that, but I am not a bitch!"

"I was just kidding. We are friends, aren't we?" He was smiling again, tears gone.

"Smart ass..." She got up and walked to the door. "You humans have a horrible sense of humor."

"And you have a horrible ability to predict the future."

She was about to protest when the door flew open to reveal another nurse. "Ms. Dash? Where did she go?" Jones pointed to the door. The nurse pulled back the door to show a cross-eyed Rainbow Dash. "Oh my! I am terribly sorry, Ms. Dash, I had no idea you were there! I just came to tell you visiting hours were over."

Getting most of her vision normal, she said, "I was just leaving," and stumbled out the door leaving behind a laughing human, a sleeping dog, and a confused nurse.

Secrets, Riddles, and Ancient Magic

A/N: I know it took me a long time to get this one out, but whenever I have time I usually get writer's block or my internet won't work. I will try to update at regular times (no promises on that), but it will be much harder now that I have high school and football to worry about.

Henry, Twilight, and the others had been directed to the infirmary in the Royal Guard barracks, where a Griffon soldier was staying. According to the guard, the Griffon had been in the midst of the Changeling invasion and ordered by his Emperor and both Princesses to send word of the fighting.

Henry looked at his friends as they were about to turn a corner and said, "You guys go get ready, we're leaving in the morning. I'll catch you up later." They agreed and went their separate ways. "Twilight?" She looked up at him questioningly. "Do you know anything about this Griffon?"

"No I don't, unfortunately. All I know is what we've already been told. We can ask him more, assuming he's awake."

A nurse stopped them as they turned another corner. "I assume you're talking about Griffon Lieutenant Bladewing?" Twilight nodded. "Yes he is awake, but is not in good condition at the moment. A few days of rest and he should be back in fighting shape." She went on her way, telling them that the infirmary was three doors down.

They entered the room to reveal the Griffon Lieutenant, who was the white room's only occupant. He was a bit larger than the ponies, and had a strange grey tint on the feathers of his wings. He looked up and said, "Are you the Elements of Harmony?"

Twilight studied him uncertainly. "Yes, and this is Henry." she said, nodding towards him.

"Yes, your princesses mentioned the four humans being occupied here." He studied Henry and raised an eyebrow. "I take it you are a soldier where you come from?"

Henry did not try to hide his surprise. "How did you know?"

He grinned. "We Griffons have been taught how to tell a trained soldier from a recruit or citizen. It took several years, but I finally got to where it only takes a few seconds. Would you like to know how?"

"Maybe later. When the Changelings are dealt with."

"Ah, yes I forgot. I apologize." He looked at Twilight. "Also forgive me for not bowing, your highness, but I'm not currently in a position to do so."

"Oh, it's fine," she said, turning away to hide her reddening face. "I never liked all that formal stuff anyway."

The Lieutenant laughed. "Then I should have no reason to apologize, correct?" Twilight couldn't find a response. "No matter. It feels good to speak freely with a member of royalty without fear of being banished somewhere."

"Uh, yeah. So, the guards suggested we try to talk to you about getting some information about the Changelings."

"Oh, I got plenty for ya. Bastards stormed the throne room as if they'd just snuck past all of the exterior guards. Emperor One-Eye told me take that letter to Canterlot. I had to crash through a window to get out, but I fell into a burning building." He seemed to shudder and continue. "The fire was green though, which weirded me out. What scared me was that I couldn't put it out."

Henry nodded in understanding. "You had to keep flying while the fire burned you alive."

"Exactly." Bladewing shook his large head. "Don't know how I survived, but I did. That's something." He sighed. "Anyway, you know the rest of what happened."

Twilight turned towards the door. "Then we'll leave you to your rest."

The door shut behind them as they heard the Griffon shifting in his bed to sleep. Fluttershy said, "That's very odd. Green fire that couldn't be put out. Have you ever heard of that Twilight?"

They started for the throne room, where Cadence was probably waiting. "I did see it mentioned a few years ago in a book before I came to Ponyville. The book said it was a flame spell that could be bound to physical objects, like weapons, created by an ancient race that existed before Discord's original defeat."

Henry was interested now. "Have you seen anything about the 'ancient race' before?"

"I don't know what they were or what they looked like if that's what you mean. There's almost no history books describing them in detail and those that do say nothing other than that they were tool users and very intelligent for their time since coming into existence." She looked around to make sure they were going the right way. "Most books that have mentioned say that Discord had a hoof in their creation."

"Damn. If that's true, he could just recreate them, couldn't he?"

"I'd bet that he could, but I doubt he would. Not unless he had a good reason."

Applejack spoke up. "I dunno about y'all, but I'd wager that those things y'all are talkin' about would be useful against them Changelings. At least, if we have to..." She trailed off, not needing to finish.

"AJ..." Henry looked at her and she met his apologetic gaze. "There is no if. They are going to have to die." Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked at him with what looked like fear while the others looked at anything but him. "I hate to be so blunt, but it's the truth."

They stepped through the open door in the throne room to find Cadence pacing in a panic. "Cadence, what's wrong?" Twilight asked.

"I'm really worried about Celestia and Luna. From what Lieutenant Bladewing told us, it's been eight hours and we haven't heard from either of them."

"Come on," Henry said rolling his eyes. "What makes you think they're not alright?"

"They would've sent some kind of message by now!" Cadence screamed, making the guards by the door jump.

"Okay, okay." Henry sighed. "Me and the guys are going to go back to that castle where our enemies from Earth are holed up in the morning and going to take their equipment retake whatever they stole from us." He cleared his throat. "The only problem is we don't know how to get there without having to cut our way through the forest."

"I-I might, um, be able to show you the way," Fluttershy said from behind her mane. "I-if that's alright with you, I mean."

"No," Twilight said. "I wouldn't stand for it if you got hurt, Fluttershy. Any of you. I'll go."

"Twilight," Henry said assuringly. "She'll be well out of the line of fire, and if what Rainbow's said is true, we'll need her if we run into a manticore or something. Besides, you need to help Cadence put together a defense plan and a counter attack in case this place gets assaulted."

Twilight growled in a way Henry thought impossible of a pony. "Fine. We'll direct things here. But if we don't hear from you in two days, we're all coming down there."

Henry looked at her uncertainly. Something about seeing her angry chilled him to the bones. "Fair enough."

The next day, Henry and his squad stood at the entrance of the Everfree Forest with Fluttershy. "Alright. Before we go in, let me repeat the plan," Henry said, checking his rifle for the fifth time since leaving the train. "Me and McKenzie will be in front, Captain and Roberts at the back. Fluttershy, you'll be in the middle of us four, directing us down the correct paths. Should we come across wild animals or natives, you decide our course of action."

They all agreed on the plan, Fluttershy being the only one to whimper a response from behind a wave of hair. As they entered, he said, "Remember, Fluttershy. You are to stay away from the castle and hide in the bushes. No matter what you hear, do not come look for us. If we're not back in two hours, go find your zebra friend that you were talking about earlier."

She nodded, oblivious to the fact that she was trembling with fear. "W-what if they aren't there, and they took everything with them?"

"Then that's too bad. We'll head back to Canterlot and help prepare for an invasion."

"Y'know, Henry," McKenzie started. "I know you're technically the boss here, but if this goes to shit and they aren't there, why not go and try to find those other princesses?"

"That would mean all of us going and-" Henry grunted as he tripped over a thick tree root and fell face-first into the dirt. "Dammit." He got up, spitting dust from his mouth. "As I was saying, all of us would have to go and that would mean leaving only the one princess and the Royal Guard."

Roberts spoke up. "What about that 'Discord?' Shouldn't he be powerful enough?"

McKenzie replied, "From what I've heard, I doubt he'd stand a chance in serious combat."

"Shut up," Henry said quietly, motioning for them to get lower. They followed his command and looked around. The yellow pony in their company whimpered as the distant popping of gunfire sounded out. He aimed his rifle and scanned the area to his left. "All clear over here."

"Same here."

"Ditto."

Captain slapped the side of his rifle twice, meaning they were all clear. Henry stood up. "Alright let's keep mo-" He stumbled backwards as a bullet whizzed just past his ear. "Everyone down! In the bushes!"

They scattered out as assault rifle rounds peppered the dirt path they had just been on. Henry laid over Fluttershy as Roberts scrambled backwards into the bushes on the left side. McKenzie did the same as Captain took cover behind a large tree. The rounds stopped and the dust settled. "What do you think that was?" Roberts asked.

Henry got up, still crouching over the shaking pony. "First shot was a sniper, definitely. Fluttershy, how far from the castle are we?"

"W-w-we're a-about a quarter into the forest," she answered, very frightened.

Henry called out to their two other teammates. "You two still alive?"

"I'm green," McKenzie said. "Scared shitless by almost being killed again, but I'm good. Dunno about the captain, though." Two clunks sounded from a nearby tree. "Yeah, he's alright."

"I would tell you to get over here, but I don't want to risk whoever shot at us." He paused to think. "Keep moving in the direction of the path until you hit a split. If there's a tree, hit it three times and I'll answer with six. Repeat every two minutes until you get my answer. Got it?"

"Ten-four, loud and clear, boss. See you three later."

He heard the two begin moving their way through the bushes slowly. As they began to do the same, Roberts said quietly, "Henry, do you think they've got any kind of traps?"

"Don't know. They may not have had time to lay any land mines, and I doubt they'd have any kind of motion-sensing traps. No way to tell until someone blows up or gets shredded." Fluttershy whimpered at his last statement.

They continued in silence for another five minutes until Henry peeked out of the shrubs and saw that the path was splitting into two different directions. "Now we wait for McKenzie's signal." Another five minutes passed and he heard three clunks come from the other side, and hit the tree next to him six times in reply.

"That you, boss?" McKenzie's voice called out quietly.

"Yeah, we're all here. How about you?"

"We're good over here. What's the plan?"

"We have to find that sniper. Roberts, think you can find him?"

"If we were in a desert and I had some high ground, then yeah. Not here or now though."

"Shit. In that case, who's the fastest here?"

Henry looked across to see McKenzie looking at him like he was crazy. "Flutters there is definitely the fastest, she's got four legs and fucking wings. The question is, who's the dumbest?"

"I-I might have a-an idea that could work..." Fluttershy said. "I mean, if you don't mind."

"Damn right I want to hear it. McKenzie, hold there."

After a few minutes, the timid pony had explained her plan and Henry added a few details. "Fluttershy, you are a fucking genius. This really could work."

Roberts huffed. "Remember kiddies, it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for."

Henry rolled his eyes. "I'll give you guys five minutes to get back and I'll start the show. Remember, on the third signal, come and get me out."

About fifteen minutes later, they waited in the bushes just outside the castle, and they could see that the remaining humans inside were on alert. "Might not have been a good idea to let those three go, boss."

"A grown man drunk in the middle of pony world yelling in gibberish.' Sure." Henry rolled his eyes. "I think they're more worried about the gunshots and missing men."

McKenzie paused. "Good point."

Henry looked at the crumbling stone structure and noticed that a large part of the wall had been torn down. "Fluttershy, is that wall supposed to be like that?"

She looked and scrunched up her face in thought. "It-it wasn't like that the last time we were here a few months ago. Why?"

"Just looks odd, that's all." Henry shook his head to clear out any negative thoughts, then spoke again. "Remember, Fluttershy, no matter what you hear, stay put. I don't want to think about what you could see in there." She looked at him fearfully, but he looked away. "Just don't put yourself in danger. Please."

He stood up and looked back. "C'mon guys. We've got a job to do."

Twilight sat down beside the throne in which Cadence sat in a huff. "Is something wrong, Twilight?" she asked, concerned.

"Everything's wrong, Cadence!" She stood up quickly and began pacing. "We have a Changeling invasion on our doorstep, said invaders have begun using lethal tactics, four somewhat friendly creatures bred from war and death from another dimension with an unknown number of more that could be out to kill us, the two most powerful Alicorns in existence are missing and possibly dead!"

Twilight turned to face Cadence, the latter of which could clearly see tears flowing freely down the former's face. "And I am just so confused right now..." She slumped to the floor and began crying into her hooves. "I just don't know what to do!"

"Oh Twilight, I'm sure everypony is fine," Cadence said, standing to comfort her sister-in-law. "The moon and sun rose like they normally do. That has to mean Auntie Celestia and Luna are fine."

Twilight continued to sob as Discord appeared in the throne room. He seemed to be out of breath. "Hate to burst your bubble, but that was me."

"You mean you rose the moon and the sun?!" Cadence gave him a surprised but angry glare.

"And let me tell you..." He shook his and laughed, but not with his usual arrogance. "The sun sure takes a lot out of ya. That thing is freaking heavy."

Twilight stood up, wiping her face with a hoof. "Yes, I'm worried about the princesses, the citizens, and our friends, but more than anything..." She met eyes with Cadence, in way that seemed to dishearten Discord. "I'm just plain scared."

Henry ducked down behind a large pile of stone bricks and a burst of gunfire sounded. "Fuck!" They had drastically underestimated how many there were hiding out in the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. They had expected a few dozen at the most, but there were instead at least a hundred. "McKenzie, now would be a good time for some grenades!"

"I'm on it!" The group's pyro pulled a grenade from his belt, pulled the pin, and threw it blindly into the building. A few seconds of panicked yelling later, and explosion rocked the ground, sending bits of stone and body parts flying. He poked his head up to look at the destruction he had wrought, but quickly came back down and braced himself. "Shit! Heads down, secondaries!"

Henry braced as more violent explosions partially collapsed one corner of the castle ruins. "Celestia's probably gonna be pissed about that!" he yelled to no one in particular. There was a noticeable decrease in gunfire, which was replaced with more yelling and the roar of fire. Henry looked into the area McKenzie had thrown the grenade and found that several barrels of gasoline had exploded.

"Gasoline barrels!" he called out. "You think they've got vehicles here?"

"If they do," Roberts yelled back from somewhere around a corner, "I'd say it's best to avoid destroying them! We might could use them!"

Wait a minute... "Where the hell did Captain go?!"

"Dunno, man! How about we take care of these guys before we start thinking about what ifs?!"

"Dammit!" Another explosion, this time closer, rattled his bones and made cover his head with his hands.

Rainbow breathed heavily as she quickly maintained the weather in Ponyville. She'd flown from Canterlot after being woken up late and missing breakfast. "Damn it," she said, flinching at her growling stomach. "Gotta get something to eat."

She hovered and looked around the town. "Too hungry to go all the way back in time for lunch." She looked warily at the Golden Oak Library. "I wonder if Spike's home."

She flew down and knocked on the door. A few minutes later, a tired looking baby dragon opened the door with a yawn. "Oh, hey Dash. What's up?"

"Just came by to see if we could have a late breakfast. The girls are up in Canterlot still and I don't feel like flying all the way back up there on an empty stomach."

"Yeah, I still have some leftovers from last night." He yawned again and walked inside. "Come in if you want to. You know where everything is."

Rainbow entered and closed the wooden door. It felt odd and strangely lonely here with just Spike. I'll only be a few minutes, then back up to Canterlot. She walked into the kitchen and looked through the cabinets. She didn't find much other than a lot of empty ice cream cartons. "Spike?"

"Yeah?" he answered from the next room.

"Why are there so many empty cartons of ice cream?"

She could hear his small claw slap against his face. "Oh no..." He walked in and looked around. "I forgot about all of that."

"I'll make you a deal," she said smugly. "I won't tell Twilight about this as long as you can make me some food in five minutes."

He groaned, then looked around the room again. "Alright, fine. Just don't tell Twilight, please?"

"As long as you keep your end of the deal."

Henry hugged the wall as he ran down a hallway within the large library. Bullets whistled past him and implanted themselves into the ancient books, some of them irreplaceable originals. Twilight's gonna be pissed about those, probably. A bullet finally found its mark, tearing into his left knee cap. "GODDAMMIT!"

He fell to the ground and hit face-first for the second time that day, except this time his nose broke and began bleeding upon contacting the cold stone. He crawled up behind a wall as more bullets peppered the stone around him. He put his hands around the wound, crying out at the pain. "Shit. Shit shit shit shit!" He slammed a fist against one of the bookcases, knocking dust and some books loose.

No, I'm gonna be okay. It's just the knee. Need something to wrap it up. He looked down at his shirt. Sorry Rarity. He ripped the shirt apart and wrapped the strips tightly around the hole. Let's see if I can stand. He grabbed a shelf and pulled himself unsteadily onto his feet. "Just a bit of pressure and-" just as he began to take a step, his leg gave out. As he fell, he grabbed helplessly at some of the books still standing on a shelf.

But he didn't fall.

Instead, one of the books came out partially and a bookshelf moved slowly out of the way, revealing a hidden passage. Still gripping the fake book, he pulled himself up onto one leg. Let's see where this goes. He hopped along into the passage, putting a hand up for support. As he entered, the bookshelf moved back into place. Torches planted on the walls lit up in a magical light, allowing him to see.

He looked back one more time, listening to the approaching footsteps and unfamiliar voices. He turned around and continued down the hallway.

Luna felt... odd. It felt like she was asleep, but she knew she wasn't. Like when she entered someone else's dream. A strange mixture of relaxation and urgency, but something felt off. She knew she was awake, but she couldn't seem to open her eyes. She thought something was- there it was again! She was surrounded by something and whatever it was was moving! It kind felt like something had enveloped her body and was sucking the life out of her.

Hold on a moment... She realized where she was. She was in one of those pods made by the Changelings to hold prisoners, she knew from what her elder sister had told her when Chrysalis crashed Cadence's wedding. I've some magic still. I'll just blast- She stopped in mid-thought. This can't be...

She couldn't use her magic and she couldn't move. She was truly helpless. "Luna..." Her mind recoiled. It sounded like Celestia's voice had just spoke to her in her mind. "That's because I did."

"Sister?"

"Yes, Lulu. These pods cut off any use of magic and movement, but cannot block out telepathy."

A familiar voice broke through the blackness. "Thank you for the heads up," Chrysalis said.

Luna knew Chrysalis was preparing a spell to block out telepathic speaking, but Celestia spoke to her once more. "Do not show fear, sister. Be strong." There was another noise as the Changeling Queen's spell took effect.

Luna used scared truly scared of one thing, and one thing only. That fear was of losing a sister. Since that time over one thousand years ago, she had developed a new fear. A fear she had forgotten during her time spent as Nightmare Moon, and had only just resurfaced. She was scared of losing both.

Henry sat heavily in the oak wood chair that sat in the large stone room hidden underground. "What the hell is this?" He looked over the desk and found a small, leather bound book laying there. "Huh..." He picked up the book and looked at the cover. There was nothing on the cover other than a nasty looking scorch mark.

He put the book in his pocket, opting to read it later. He then looked around and found a trunk in the corner of the dim room. A note sat on the lid that read, in a very elegant handwriting, Use what you find inside. He opened it and his eyes widened at what he saw.

Armor. For a human. "What the fuck?" he said quietly. It was made of steel and bronze, and looked as if it had never been used. He went through the entire chest found several things that made him think it was no coincidence he'd found it.

A plain white undershirt, the steel and bronze armor, leggings and boots to match, bronze-plated gauntlets, chain mail to rest over the armor, and an oversized cloak to cover it all. He took a shot in the dark and tried it all on, and everything fit perfectly. "Now this is fucking weird," he said, his voice wavering slightly. He turned to leave the room and saw that two new items rest on the desk.

There was a bottle filled with a red liquid with a note that said simply, Drink. He did, though hesitantly, and the liquid had a strange but not unpleasant sourness to it. Almost instantly, the pain in his knee vanished. He removed the leg armor to find that only the blood from the gunshot wound was there. Other than that, all other remnants of it had vanished.

Next was a large piece of cloth covering something large. He removed it to find a large sword, but when he picked up the ancient weapon, he found that it was next to weightless. The blade was easily an inch thick, two inches wide, and five feet long, made up of an unknown black metal. Though large, the edges were razor thin. The hilt and guard was easily a foot long combined, and the was made out of a very sturdy wood. He turned the large sword upside down let the tip of the blade rest on the ground. It was almost as tall as he was.

"Now this is fucked up." He picked up the piece of paper that was under the sword and read it. This sword will never falter in battle and will never need to be sharpened. Command it as you would do your own body, and bloody its blade once more. "Here goes nothing." He couldn't exactly carry it out, despite how light it was. He did as the note said and commanded to get smaller.

It shrunk down to the size of a large dagger, about two feet in length. "Holy shit. It worked..." He noticed a convenient slot for it on the breastplate of the armor, sticking out of the chainmail, which he stored for the time being. He read the rest of the paper. One more gift for your endeavor. Check the right pocket. He did, and found a simple golden ring. Put it on and use it to teleport to any location of your choice, though it must a specific place.

He removed his right gauntlet and put the ring on his ring finger, then replaced the armor piece. Everything fit comfortably, like it was made for him and him only. "What the fuck does all of this mean?" he asked as if there was another person in the room with him. He shook his head and looked at the paper one more time. You are only a small piece of the puzzle, but even the smallest piece is needed to complete it. Time is your greatest ally, but even it will abandon you eventually.

He was about to use the ring to get out of the room, but before he could, he heard a voice. It sounded motherly, yet older than time itself. "Your coming here was no coincidence, human. You have a purpose in this world, but fate does not command you. Do what you think is right, but remember this: Everypony has their own fate, and their own destiny. It is up to you and you alone which to choose."

"Who are you? What do you want?" He did not want to be messed with at this point.

"Do not fret, human, you will find out eventually, trust me in that. I have been waiting for the one to come in this room, and here you are. I have only this chance to speak before I pass into eternal slumber, so I ask you of one favor. Take that book to Princesses Celestia and Luna. And..."The voice trailed off, and when she spoke again, she sounded like she was fighting back tears. "Tell my dear Crystal that I forgive her."

Before he could question what the final sentence meant, the room suddenly felt empty, as if the air had held substance. "I don't know what that means, but..." He felt of the ring on his finger and thought of a place. "I'll figure it out eventually." He disappeared from the room.

It was lunchtime in Canterlot, and Twilight Sparkle was leaving the throne room when she heard a voice yell, "Holy shit!" There was a clatter of armor and she turned around to see-

"Henry?"

He stood up, groaning. "That didn't go well..." He shook his head and blinked a couple of times. "Hey, Twilight." He reached into a pocket on the inside of a cloak he hadn't had this morning and threw a small book to her, which she caught with her magic. "Hold that for me." Before she could ask, he'd disappeared into thin air.

"Wha-what?" She stared blankly into the large vacant room. "Did that just happen?"

Henry landed face-first, now for the fourth time, on the ground. He stood up, disoriented, and faced a house that was made from a tree. "Is this Zecora's Hut? A tree?" He shook his head and knocked on the door.

The door opened and he found a surprised looking zebra. "What sort of creature are you, one that stands on not four legs but two?"

"No time for rhyming, are you Zecora?" She nodded. "Is Fluttershy here?"

"You did not answer my question." She eyed him suspiciously. "Are you running from apprehension?"

"No, I-" He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am not a fugitive. I'm making sure she's safe before I get back to help my friends!"

"I sense something amiss, so riddle me this: What would you do for a Klondike bar?"

Henry blinked. "...What?"

Suddenly, he felt water rush over his face. He noticed he was now laying on the ground. Sitting up, he saw Fluttershy looking him with concern, setting a bucket on the ground beside her. "A-are you okay, Henry?"

"I'm not sure, to be honest." He shook his head violently. "That was probably the weirdest thing that's happened so far."

"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"I'll tell you later, but right now, I need to get back to the castle. Preferably a way without breaking my nose in the process." He stood up, thinking back to what had just happened. He said to himself, "That had better have been a fucking hallucination."

Twilight sat down next to Rainbow Dash at the dining table in the Canterlot Palace for lunch, setting the book down next to her prepared plate. "What's that?" Rainbow asked.

"I don't know. There's no title, or if there was I can't find it because of the burn on the cover, and it's bound closed by some kind of ancient magic." Rainbow gave her a blank look. "Some kind of magic from a really long time ago is keeping me from opening and reading it."

"That's weird. How about you ask Discord?"

Twilight facehoofed. "Why didn't I think of that?" She looked up at the ceiling and waited. "Well?"

"That's some serious stuff, Miss Sparkle." Discord had suddenly appeared and was studying the book. "Haven't seen magic from this pony in a very long time." Discord appeared to be worried. "And I'm tens of thousands of years old. That's saying something." He hovered down to the floor and walked his back legs to them. "Where'd you get this?"

"That's the weird part. Henry appeared from thin air, literally, told me told 'hold onto it for him,' then disappeared again."

Discord carefully laid the book back where Twilight had put it. He looked sad, almost... mournful? "That is a very important book, Twilight Sparkle," he said solemnly. "I do not know its contents or exact purpose, but it is important nonetheless. Keep it safe. It is part of something bigger than all of us." He turned to leave, and stated simply, "Something much bigger."