Call of Duty : Magic in Action

"Keep at Arm's Length"

Day 2 - (Day time)

Sgt. Gary "Roach" Sanderson

(M.I.A.)

Ponyville.

Roach and Ghost looked doubtfully at Twilight while they're walking on the road. The elite soldiers saw the six ponies and Spike whisper at each other. Twilight turned its head back at Roach and smiled before it turned its head back to Applejack and whispered something. Roach suspected of the six ponies' and Spike's behavior. He turned his head at Ghost. He ignored the suspect action of ponies and purple baby dragon. Roach guessed Ghost is planing something in his mind. The sergeant decided to ignore the ponies and the baby dragon and looked around along the road. Beside of life in the village, Roach couldn't see anything interesting beside his assumption that horned ponies have some kind of mental power. Some ponies whispered at each other when they saw the elite soldiers. Roach put his goggles back on while Ghost put out and worn his sunglasses.

"Well, this place isn't... the worst." Roach said.

"At least it's better than that favela. I can't see any trash on this road." Ghost said.

Twilight turned its head to Ghost. "That because we pony concern about our environment. We all keep the village clean together." Twilight said.

Applejack turned its head to Ghost. "Well, what's about you, big guys? Where are you from?" Applejack asked while Twilight turned its head back to the front.

"We come from UK." Ghost replied.

"Em... that's a weird city's name." Applejack said.

"It's not a city. It's a country." Ghost said.

Applejack narrowed its eye. "A country? You mean a western town like Appleloosa?" Applejack said.

"Long story short, UK means United Kingdom. It includes the people, a government from election, a monarch under the constitution and many bloody sophisticated political stuffs that nobody cares." Ghost said.

"Your country... seem... chaotic." Twilight said to Ghost.

"Yes, it is." Ghost said. "Speaking of my country. You said that you met humans before. Where did you meet 'em?"

"You see... I went through the Crystal Mirror inside my castle. Honestly, I never read anything about politics in that realm. Everything there aren't different from here. Only there has humans instead of ponies." Twilight said and nearly bumped to a cart.

"The Crystal Mirror?" Roach thought and made a mental note.

"We're here!" Pinkie Pie said.

They arrived at a place. Roach scanned on the building in the middle of the area, which is different from many buildings he saw along the road. The Sugarcube Corner looked alike a colossal gingerbread house. Pinkie Pie opened the door and leaded everyone, but pony guards, inside. The pony guards surrounded and secured the Sugarcube Corner while Ghost and Roach were ducking down and walking inside the gingerbread house with the six ponies and Spike. Inside the Sugarcube Corner showed it is a bakery. The ponies and Spike, but Pinkie Pie, sat at the same table. Pinkie stood beside Twilight and indicated Ghost and Roach to sit down. Spike put the flask and the cup on the table. Roach and Ghost sat down at the same table of ponies and baby dragon. The chairs were quite short for the elite soldiers as they had to put their knees a bit up to sit down.

"Would you like some sweets, mister Roach, mister Ghost?" Twilight said.

"I had enough." Ghost replied.

"Me, either." Roach said.

"Well... em... yeah! We just had a lunch, too, so, I think we should have a talk, right." Twilight said and laughed awkwardly. "Actually, we brought you here to treat you and hope you would forgive us about everything we had done wrong to you. I know it might not be a good start, but can you make allowance for us?"

Rainbow Dash was about to speak something, but Applejack held the cyan pony's mouth with its front hoof. Ghost and Roach considered the horned winked lavender pony. It smiled sheepishly and sweated. Roach slightly nodded and turned to face Ghost.

"I have no hard feeling." Ghost said.

"That's wonderful!" Twilight said and clapped its front hooves. "There is so many thing we have to talk about. I think we should start with - relationship problem?"

"Fashion?" Rarity suggested.

"Apple?" Applejack said and put its front hoof down.

"Racing!" Rainbow Dash said as its mouth was free.

"Hoofball?" Spike said.

"Animal?" Fluttershy suggested.

"Or party!" Pinkie pie said and brought a cannon out from its back. She shot confetti out from cannon and jumped up.

"Okay, okay, what do you want?" Ghost said as confetti fell upon him.

"Well, you know..." Twilight said.

"We want to help you because the map said so." Pinkie Pie said quickly and made the party cannon vanish within thin air.

"Yes, the map called us to our town. We guess it need us to help you two in some ways." Twilight said.

"You know what? I don't care about animal, fashion, party or anything that you said. What we need most is to get back to our country. If you can help us this way, then we have a deal." Ghost said.

Twilight looked blankly at Ghost. Its friends looked at each other. Rainbow Dash shrugged. Applejack shook its head. Fluttershy hid its face under the table and looked worriedly at Ghost and Roach. Rarity tilted its head. Pinkie Pie whispered to Twilight and it nodded slightly.

"I think we can't provide you your need." Twilight said.

"Why not?" Ghost asked.

"Well, I can show you the Crystal Mirror, but I think it might not be your world." Twilight said. "Most humans behind the Crystal Mirror have a different of skin color. They have big head, small body and thin limbs, but you guys are... different and I never heard about humans from other side can reach to Equestria."

"I think you met some kind of alien." Ghost said.

"Of course, they might be alien to you as they're unalike to you two." Twilight said. "I suggest you have to stay with us for awhile and wait for the train until tomorrow to Canterlot. I'm pretty confident that princess Celestia and princess Luna know how to help you two to your world."

Ghost stared at Twilight's eyes. "...Deal." Ghost said.

"That great. well, In exchange of our help, we need you to tell me the truth." Twilight said. Ghost and Roach nodded. "Ghost, Roach, can you promise me that you will tell us the truth?"

Ghost slightly moved on his chair. "It depend on your question." Ghost said.

"...Ghost, Roach." Twilight said. "What do you think if I want to be your friend."

"What!?" Twilight's friends said in the same time.

"Are you nuts, Twilight! That-" Rainbow Dash said before Applejack put its front hoof on the cyan pony's mouth.

"Twilight, I think that's... quite... impossible." Applejack said and smiled awkwardly.

"It's too early, right?" Rarity said.

"Yeah, that's extreme." Spike said

"I love to see you have a new friends, but I can't be friend to somepony who eats pony, right?" Pinkie Pie said and laughed anxiously.

"Eat pony!" Fluttershy said and held its mouth with its front hooves.

"Hold on there, we would never put anything like your through our throat." Ghost said. "And you aren't in our diet."

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief. Applejack and Rarity looked at Ghost's and Roach's bloodstains. Rarity clearly couldn't hold its bad feeling toward their tactical jacket and looked away from Ghost and Roach after it stared at their jacket for a second.

"So... why do you get that bloodstain?" Twilight said and pointed its front hoof at Ghost's chest.

"That's our blood. We've got it before we're here." Ghost said.

"Oh... my, are you injured?" Twilight asked.

"We're fine now." Ghost said.

"Well, so... back to the question." Twilight asked. "What do you think about become my friend?"

Ghost scratched his chin. "That's fine to me, I guess." Ghost said.

"I'm glad to hear that, Ghost. What's about you, Roach?" Twilight asked.

"I think it's okay." Roach said.

"So, what's about you guys? Can you all be their friends?" Twilight said.

"Your friends is mah friend, Twilight." Applejack said and smiled sheepishly.

"That... okay!" Pinkie Pie said and grinned. It darted its eyes around.

"Em... it's worth a try!" Rainbow Dash said and laughed awkwardly.

"I agree with you, Twilight... maybe..." Fluttershy said and hid half of its face under the table.

"Well, sure, daring!" Rarity said and sweated.

Twilight looked at both soldiers. The lavender pony smiled and slightly nodded. Its friends looked at each other before looked at Twilight. The ponies and the baby dragon stared at the elite soldiers. Roach assumed the ponies and the baby dragon wait for him and Ghost to speak something, but they decided to say nothing.

"Okay, can you give us a moment." Twilight said.

Roach raised his eyebrow as he saw Twilight motions its front hoof to call its friends. Twilight stepped down from its chair and leaded its friends away from Ghost and Roach while Spike took the flask and the cup and followed Twilight. Twilight and its friends entered another room. Roach heard they whisper at each other and Pinkie Pie seldom looked at Ghost and Roach behind a door. The sergeant stared at the door and tried to listen to their conversation. Unexpectedly, Roach heard a static noise in his comm.

["Ghost, talk to me. What's your situation?"] Archer said in the radio.

The sergeant looked around and watched at the door until he was sure that the ponies and baby dragon are still talking inside the room. Roach looked at Ghost and slightly nodded to him. Ghost crossed his arms and avoided to act suspicious.

["Archer, this is Ghost. A group of quadruped transferred us from the locked room to a giant gingerbread house."] Ghost whispered. ["We got some intels from them. These quadrupeds called 'emselves pony and this village called Ponyville. They gave us some kind of medicine that make us understand their language and eventually tested the medicine to prove that it's not a poison. Honestly, they're pretty... dense."]

["I think those "ponies" are trying to play games with you, Ghost. Be careful, don't let 'em fool you."] Archer warned.

["Don't worry, we know how to return to our land and we've aimed to escape from 'em. Roach and I will temporary follow their games and gather their intels for awhile."] Ghost whispered. ["Be advised, we're watched over by many ponies. You need to go silence during this time to cover your presence."]

["Roger that. We know you two can escape, Archer, out."] Archer said.

Ghost lowered his hand as the ponies and the baby dragon walked out of the room. Twilight walked toward the elite soldier's table while Twilight's friends and Spike, with the flask and the cup, walked out of the bakery. The lavender pony took a seat at the same table of elite soldiers and looked at Ghost and Roach.

"Sorry to take your time, Ghost, Roach, but we need to keep something secret to surprise you." Twilight said. "We planed to welcome you to Ponyville as you're new here. There is so many things to do and our hospitality should be enough to make a good introduce for you to Equestria."

"That sounds good, but can you make it short." Ghost said.

"This won't take time, Ghost. I promise you will satisfy what we're going to treat you." Twilight said.

Ghost narrowed his eyes. Twilight chuckled and stepped down from its chair. Roach and Ghost stood up. Twilight indicated the elite soldiers to follow it outside. When Ghost and Roach stepped on a doorstep, four horned pony guards followed and watched over them immediately.

"So much for hospitality." Roach thought.

"First, we will go to the Sweet Apple Acres." Twilight said. "The farm is this way."

Twilight leaded Ghost and Roach with pony guards followed them from behind. A young pony near a house was looking at the sergeant and stepping away from him. Ponies on the road made way for the group and stare at Ghost and Roach or whispered with other pony.

Ponies along the road had clearly showed no trust toward the elite soldiers. They had feared and loathed toward Roach and Ghost as they had walked past them. Roach didn't mind their feeling about him and Ghost since he had no interest in the colorful world and its comical ponies. After they walked for awhile, they arrived at an apple farm. Roach could see a red barn surrounds by fields, corrals and orchards. In front of the barn, there was four ponies and a dog with two pony guards standing there. Roach remembered the orange pony, but other three ponies and a dog. There were a big red pony, a aged green pony, a young yellow pony and a brown dog. They walked pass a white small arched entrance and approached to them.

"Howdy, everypony and everyhuman! Welcome y'all to our orchard." Applejack said. "Here is mah little sister, Applebloom."

Applebloom looked curiously at Ghost and Roach and tried to look something on their hip. Roach was firstly seeing the young pony that doesn't fear him and Ghost. Applebloom smiled widely at Roach, but he reacted nothing.

"And our beloved grandma, Granny Smith." Applejack introduced.

"Howdy, everyhumane." Granny Smith said shakily.

"And mah brother, Big McIntosh " Applejack introduced.

"E'yup" Bic McIntosh said. Roach couldn't read it facial expression.

"And this is mah dog, Winona." Applejack said. Winona barked and walked to put its paw on Roach's boot before ran back to stand beside Applejack. "Ah think we should get inside our house now. We prepared the most perfect cider for your visit."

Applejack leaded everyone inside its barn. When Applejack opened the door, Roach clearly saw it is actually a barn. There was hay-covered floor and haystacks everywhere, but everything was tidy. Roach noticed the barn has a low ceiling. Before Roach thought some pony are living like a livestock, Applejack opened another door in the barn and revealed a real house inside. They walked in a kitchen with farmhouse-style. Ghost and Roach had to duck down to go through the door. When they got in, Applejack, Granny Smith, Applebloom, Big Mag and Winona surrounded a table in the middle of the room. The pony guards walked in the room and stood behind Roach and Ghost. The elite soldiers saw a valuable bottle of cider on the table with two wooden beer cup. Roach touched his chin as he wondered how ponies can make an elegant drink. Applejack decanted the cider in the both cup with its front hooves. Roach quite amazed in the pony's ability to balance the bottle with no hand while no cider was spilled from the cup. Applejack put the bottle down and made way for Ghost and Roach before it turned at them.

"Ah know you're full now, but some cider would be fine, right?" Applejack said.

Ghost and Roach looked at Applejack and nodded slightly. They walked to the table. Roach and Ghost pulled his balaclava up and picked up a cup of cider. The sergeant sniffed the cider before he drank it while Ghost drank the cider after Roach. They put their cup down after they drank all the cider and pulled their balaclava down.

"So, what do you think?" Applejack said.

"Good, even it didn't taste like cider." Ghost said while Roach nodded.

"Well, can I ask you something?" Applejack said.

Ghost adjusted his headphones. "Go on." Ghost said.

"What's your name?" Applejack said.

"Ghost, why?" Ghost said.

"Good, then, where did you get the Element of Harmony." Applejack asked.

Ghost shook his head. "I don't know." Ghost said.

"Em... I meant, those round stone." Applejack said.

"I say again, I don't know!" Ghost said and smashed the table with his fist. "When I know that they're in his pocket, we're in the middle of goddamn forest!"

Ghost stopped for a second. Applejack looked at Ghost blankly and turned to whispered something to its sister. Applebloom whispered something and Applejack turned to face Ghost and smiled awkwardly at him as Applebloom carried the cups away and ran off.

"Sorry for asked you a weird question, Ghost. I'm sincerely sorry." Applejack said and laughed sheepishly. "As a apology, Mah sister will bring you another drink. I think you will certainly like it... I hope."

"Really, then can you tell me what's in that cider?" Ghost said coldly and pointed at the bottle of cider.

Applejack froze. It looked at Twilight and its family and darted its eyes around. It bit it lip and tried to look straight at Ghost's face.

"Well, you know. Some special... you see, ingredient that is...a secret... of our family!" Applejack said jerkily and sweated. Big McIntosh and Granny Smith nodded anxiously. The orange pony tried to smile, but it looked like it has a toothache.

"...oh, alright." Ghost said and slightly nodded. Roach narrowed his eyes as Applejack exhaled loudly. In the same time, Applebloom ran in the kitchen with two cup of clear liquid. The small pony stood between Ghost and Roach and moved its head to indicate them to pick the cup up. Ghost picked both cups up and placed it on the table. He look at Applejack. It swallowed and was anxious. Ghost sighed before he crouched down and tapped on Applebloom's head.

"I think I'll pass this drink." Ghost said and stood up. "Thank for the cider anyway. If you didn't mind, can we go now?"

"Oh, sure." Applejack said and wiped its sweats with its front leg. "Thank for visit our farm." Applejack waved its hoof and Winona barked at Roach and Ghost.

Roach and Ghost nodded. They turned to Twilight. It sweated as same as Applejack and indicated the elite soldiers to follow it. Twilight leaded Roach and Ghost outside the barn with pony guards followed and watched over them.

"Next, we will go to Fluttershy's Cottage" Twilight said and laughed awkwardly.

They met a few ponies along the way. Ponies had picnicked or rested or played on a grasslands. They reacted like ponies in the village as they saw Ghost and Roach. Most ponies avoided to look at the elite soldiers as they walked past. Fluttershy's Cottage wasn't too far from the Sweet Apple Acres as the group took a few minute to reach the cottage. Its roof was covered with grasses and the cottage had many birdhouses around. The group went across a small bridge and approached to the door flanking by two pony guards. Twilight knocked the door gently and Fluttershy opened the top half of the door from the inside.

"Oh, you come in time, Twilight. I had prepared a tea party for our... new friends." Fluttershy said timidly.

"That's so kind, Fluttershy. I think it's going to be great." Twilight said and simpered.

Fluttershy nodded and opened the lower half door. Twilight walked in the house while Ghost and Roach ducked down and went pass the door with pony guards. Inside the cottage, there was many birdhouses like the outside. The house was clean and tidy even there was many animals in there. On top of a short table in the middle of the room, it had a bowl of biscuits, a teapot and teacups prepare for the tea party that Roach has a terrible feeling toward it. Ghost and Roach stepped away as they saw a bear sitting on the floor with many animals around the table.

"Oh, don't worry, he's friendly, right mister bear?" Fluttershy said and turned to face the bear. It nodded slightly and thumbed-up at Roach and Ghost. The bear smiled at them, but its teeth didn't make Roach and Ghost feel better.

"Come on, you two are more dangerous than him. I think he's nervous more than you guys" Twilight said and smiled.

Roach narrowed his eyes before the sergeant and the lieutenant walked to sit on the floor beside the table while animals made way for them. Roach could feel the pony guards watch over and didn't keep their eyes off them. Twilight sat beside Roach and put its saddlebags beside it while Fluttershy sat beside Ghost. Fluttershy decanted the tea in teapot in each teacup and served a filled teacup for each elite soldiers. They doubted that the tea might mix with some kind of liquid. Roach and Ghost waited until Twilight, Fluttershy and other animals drank their tea before Ghost and Roach pulled their balaclava up and drank the tea.

"Ghost, Roach, there is so many things I love to talk about." Fluttershy said and smiled sheepishly. "I'm so glad that you're in our tea party. Well, what should we talk about? Would you like to talk about... life - em I mean, cooking!?"

Fluttershy sweated even the room wasn't hot. It didn't stop smile sheepishly. A white rabbit got on the table and wiped Fluttershy's face with a handkerchief. Birds around the table tweeted and animal, such as ducks, squirrels, a bear, rats, made a noise or indicated something to Fluttershy. The yellow pony looked at the animals and nodded before she turned to face Ghost and Roach.

"Well, what do you think? Or should we start with... your favorite suit?" Fluttershy said.

"No, that's not my interest." Ghost said and pulled his balaclava back. "If you don't mind, I will tell a story of my acquaintance."

Roach pulled his balaclava back. Ghost took his sunglasses off before put it on the table. Fluttershy, Twilight and animals stared at Ghost and waited for him to tell a story. The sergeant crossed his arm and listened to Ghost.

"When he was young in Manchester. He was raised by his cruel father, who is the worst living being in the world. His mother was weak and helpless, but kind." Ghost told.

"That's... not so awful..." Fluttershy commented.

"It's more than awful. It's literally a hell." Ghost said. "One day, his father brought a snake to his room with his brother. He feared that it's going to bite him and his father called him a coward when he knew his son fear the snake. He forced him to kiss that snake while his brother thought it's fun."

"Why his father had to do something like that? Fathers are suppose to be kind to their children" Twilight said.

Ghost chuckled. "I don't know. Maybe you should ask him later." Ghost said.

"But snakes aren't that bad. They won't bite anyone if they aren't harmed." Fluttershy said and sipped the tea from her teacup while it looked at the lieutenant.

"Oh, you should gave him that advice when he was in that situation." Ghost said and chuckled.

"Well, what happened next?" Twilight asked.

"There was a nightmare everyday when he was in that family. His father didn't act cruelly to him once when his father and that guy was in some sort of concert and his father killed a hooker with a syringe. His father encouraged him to laugh at the dead. Seriously, he acted like an idiot when he saw that corpse in a toilet stall."

"His family isn't... nice to him at all." Twilight said. "And he killed somepony!"

"What's huk-ker?" Fluttershy said.

"A working woman." Ghost said and waved his hand. "Well, there is no pleasant memory about his family. When he got older, he worked as a butcher at a grocery. Until Nine Eleven was happened, he decided to join the army."

"What's... bush-sher?" Twilight asked. "And what's Nine Eleven."

"A meat seller and a terrorist attack, respectively." Ghost said.

"Em... please continue." Twilight said.

"So, he was good enough to get in SAS. He met many good friends there." Ghost said. The sergeant nodded slightly. "To be honest, his life in SAS was better than his life in his family even it was tough. SAS trained him to be a real soldier until one day, he decided to go back home. Honestly, it's worse than his imagination. His brother was addicted to drug and his father cheated on his mother many time. It took him forever to make a new family out off that sick man. When his brother was married and his father had to stay in hospital, He went back to the army and was pulled out for a special op."

Ghost pulled his balaclava up and drank all the tea in his cup before pulled his balaclava back. Fluttershy, Twilight and animals eyed on Ghost and waited for him to tell his story while Fluttershy decanted another tea in Ghost's cup.

"His first mission was to take down a man called Zaragoza Drug Cartel. There was two team in this mission, but It didn't go smooth as another team was killed, but his commanding officer was safe and he didn't know that his officer betrays them and works for his enemy. His team was sabotaged at the first step in the mission and his teammate died as his parachute didn't work."

Every pony and animal, but pony guards, gasped. Ghost continued the story.

"The guy noticed that there is one more betrayer in his team as one of his teammates acted suspicious, but everyone was distracted. It was too late when they're falling into a trap. The guy shocked when he knew there is only one betrayer in his team and a suspicious teammate just tried to help them all. The guy had to fight his way back, but he and his teammates was captured before they could escape." Ghost said.

"...what did they do to him?" Twilight said worriedly.

"They tried everything to brainwash him back in Mexico. They forced him to fight with his teammate, trapped him with a scorpion in a small box, tried to break his mind and tortured him with unbearable or even told that they're going to kill him. But after all brainwashing process didn't work and his teammates had escaped. He was put in a coffin with his treacherous officer's rotting corpse and buried him alive." Ghost said.

Fluttershy, Twilight and Animal were terrified as Ghost said the man was buried alive.

"That's horrible... Why did they do that..." Fluttershy said sadly and cried. The white bunny got on the table and wiped its tear.

"But he's not give up." Ghost continued. Fluttershy, Twilight and animals eyed on him. "He used a lower jawbone of the corpse to break through the wooden coffin and dug up to the surface. He nearly passed out, but he made it. He walked on foot from Mexico to Texas. He pushed himself over his limit until he decided to wait for his dead, but a Texas ranger found him in time."

Twilight, Fluttershy and Animals had been sad before they smiled as they heard the man was safe by a ranger.

"He went back to the army to get in his service, but they didn't allow him to join since his mental state was terrible. He had to go back home and faced nightmare nearly every night. He decided to meet his escaped teammates to tell about his pain and hoped they can help him, but he found that his escaped teammates are working for enemy. He had to fight his former teammates, but he made a horrible mistake..." Ghost said.

"...What happened afterward..." Twilight asked.

"When he was fleeing from the fight, his former teammates killed most of his family in that night." Ghost said.

Twilight, Fluttershy, and animals froze. The bear accidentally dropped its empty teacup.

"When he saw what's at his house. There's no word can describe how he feel that day. He laughed and tried to kill himself, but he failed. He decided to visit his father in the same night at the hospital as he realized his father is the last his family's member. He tried to kill him, but he just left him to a hand of enemy at the end." Ghost said. "But that guy didn't let his traitorous teammates get away. He killed one of his former teammates while he was sleeping with his traitorous teammate's knife and brought another one to his home and killed him before he switched his tag with the corpse and set his house on fire. His plan was going smooth and nobody knew that it's him. The guy went back to Mexico and captured Roba's right-hand man with his skull-painted face. He tortured that right-hand man to interrogate him at the same brainwashing facility by stabbing with syringes at the right-hand man's face."

Fluttershy held its hooves on its mouth. Roach could see its sad big eyes clearly. Twilight nearly threw up as it heard how the guy tortured other man.

"After the guy knew the Roba's plan from the right-hand man. He got through the jungles of Chiapas and infiltrated a Roba's hideout by himself. He killed all Roba's patrols with his sniper rifle before he planted explosions all the entrances and a helicopter on the roof. He detonated the bombs and managed to find Roba in the compound. He finished Roba's man with his knife before he shot at Roba's head and successfully killed him. After the guy wiped out the hideout and completed his revenge, he left his past behind and vanished within a fog of war." Ghost said.

Twilight and animals looked blankly at Ghost. Fluttershy cried and wiped its tear out of its face.

"Why everypony had to killed each other. That's very very awful..." Fluttershy said and cried.

Twilight smiled awkwardly and knocked the table gently to call everyone's attention.

"Alright, that's quiet a... fascinate story." Twilight said. She looked worriedly at Fluttershy "So, what's about your story, Ghost?"

Ghost chuckled. "Why did you need to know my life? My teammate and I are just a recruit." Ghost said.

"Well... okay, then... what's about my story!? Would you like to hear a story of mine and my friends!" Twilight said.

Ghost rolled his eyes. "I would like to listen to your story, but I'm afraid that you may not have time." Ghost said and chuckled.

Twilight flicked their ears. It looked up and saw Rainbow Dash, with bandages around its body, standing over Roach's head. The cyan pony flied down and stood between Twilight and Roach. Rainbow Dash frowned and stared at Twilight.

"What are you doing, Twilight? You know right that a tea party is... em... take time?" Rainbow Dash said and looked worriedly at Fluttershy before it looked angrily at Ghost and Roach. "Hey, what did you do to her!"

"No, they didn't do anything wrong. I just... feel sorry for his acquaintance." Fluttershy said and smiled. Its face was covered in tear.

Fluttershy looked at Roach and Ghost with its tearful eyes. Rainbow Dash looked confusedly at Ghost and Roach before it smiled awkwardly. The cyan pony flied up and looked ungainly at Ghost and Roach.

"Em... Yeah! I know you guys like to do something awesome, right. Meet me at the running track outside of Ponyville. Don't be late, okay." Rainbow Dash said and smile sheepishly.

The cyan pony flied out of the cottage. Twilight walked to pat on Fluttershy's back.

"I'm alright, Twilight. You need to bring our new friends to Rainbow Dash now. Don't let her waiting for you." Fluttershy said.

"Well... I think we should go to meet Rainbow Dash... Fluttershy, thank for your tea party. We really had a great time together." Twilight said and smiled.

"Thank, Twilight. I'm happy to have you and our new friends here." Fluttershy said and waved her front hoof at Twilight, Ghost and Roach.

Twilight put its saddlebags back on while the lieutenant picked his sunglasses up and worn it. Twilight, Ghost and Roach stood up and walked to the door. Before Ghost walked out of the cottage, Roach saw Fluttershy fly to stand beside Ghost and put its front hoof on his hand. Ghost stopped walking and turned his face to Fluttershy.

"When you meet him, please tell him that I will be at his side." Fluttershy said.

Fluttershy warped its front legs around Ghost's waist. Ghost turned his head away from the yellow pony when Fluttershy put its front legs down. The lieutenant ducked down and walked out of the room with Roach. The pony guards followed them from behind while Twilight leaded them to the running track.

Roach and Ghost started to be used to ponies' reaction and less ponies were frightened when they saw Ghost and Roach. The running track wasn't too far from Fluttershy's cottage. Twilight, Ghost, Roach and pony guards arrived at the running track and saw Rainbow Dash, with bandages around its body, is warming up nearby. There was two pony guards watching over the cyan pony, which stops warming up when it saw Twilight with the group. It flied to stand in front of Twilight and look at Ghost's and Roach's face.

"Finally, you've arrived, humanes!" Rainbow Dash said.

"It's human." Ghost argued.

"Well, I know how to say that word. It's just a joke, okay?" Rainbow Dash said and tried to fake a laugh. "Alright, I didn't want to boast, but you know right that what's my best?" Rainbow Dash spread her wings and struck a confident pose.

"Em... bragging?" Ghost said and chuckled. Roach quietly laughed.

Rainbow Dash frowned and stopped posing. "No, I'm not! I'm the fastest pony and the best flyer in the Equestria!" Rainbow Dash argued. "I guess that you and your friends are the slowest humane in your town right, slowpokes?" Rainbow Dash stressed on the last word.

"You will see it." Ghost said.

"Good, I challenge you in this race!" Rainbow Dash said. "If I win this race, you two have to tell me your secret! And I warn you, Ghost, Roach. You will win... when I'm not in this competition."

"Interesting." Ghost said. "Then what if you lose... Rainbow Brag?"

Rainbow Dash was clearly angry toward Ghost. Its face turned red. "There is no way I will lose to you and your friend, so it doesn't matter!!"

"Fine, then." Ghost said and chuckled "Roach, get in the track."

"This one sounds fun." Roach said.

Ghost, Roach and Rainbow Dash got in their position on the running track at a starting line. Roach saw a opportunity to escape, until four horned pony guards flanked Ghost and Roach. The sergeant shook his head and crouched down in order to prepare himself to run in the track. He raised his eyebrow as he saw Rainbow Dash is standing in front of Ghost, who is in starting position. It stared mischievously and smirked at him.

"What's the matter?" Ghost said.

"I want to look at your face before you will be astonished by my speed." Rainbow Dash said and turned to face Twilight. "Twilight, can you be a referee?"

"Oh, sure." Twilight said.

Rainbow Dash flied and got in its track. Twilight walked to stood beside the running track and put its front hoof up. The cyan pony prepared itself in the race and scraped it front hoof on the ground.

"Since it's a hoof race, so no wing and no magic, okay." Twilight said.

"Ha! I need no wing to compete against these humanes." Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight shook its head. Roach narrowed his eyes and looked at the front. He was confident in his teammate's and his speed as they didn't have to carry many gears like before. Roach tapped on his neck and waited for the signal.

"Three... two... one..." Twilight counted down. "Go!"

Ghost and Roach darted and sprinted along the tracks with pony guards followed them. Roach had to admit in Rainbow Dash's speed as it ran further a bit ahead than Ghost even it was injured. Rainbow Dash was in the lead and followed by Ghost and Roach. Ghost was running a bit ahead Roach while pony guards kept their eyes on them. Rainbow Dash turned to face Ghost and Roach behind and smirked at them. Roach and Ghost ran faster as they were taunted and they slowly came close to the cyan pony. Ghost nearly ran past Rainbow Dash until it increased its speed to run further ahead. Ghost and Rainbow Dash were in the lead and followed by Roach. They were at the half of the track, but Ghost and Rainbow Dash still couldn't leave other in the dust. Roach couldn't come close to Ghost and Rainbow Dash, but he wasn't too faraway from them. The sergeant could see Rainbow Dash looks furiously at Ghost before it spread its wings.

"Hey! What are you doing!" Roach yelled.

"Rainbow Dash, stop!" Twilight yelled.

Rainbow Dash hesitated to use its wings, but a finish line was too close. Ghost took the change and sprinted to the finish. Rainbow Dash noticed Ghost is about to win. It filed up and darted toward the line. The cyan pony finished the race first. Ghost came in second in the next second. Roach came in third. Rainbow Dash's momentum took its forward and nearly became unstoppable. It pinned its hooves on on the ground to stop itself and nearly lost its balance. When Rainbow Dash managed to stop, it looked blankly at Twilight before it smiled awkwardly.

"Well... ah... Yeah! That what they get when they try to compete with me!" Rainbow Dash said and laughed sheepishly.

"No, Rainbow Dash, you know right that you're cheating." Twilight said and walked to Rainbow Dash.

"But- it's not fair! Their legs are longer than me!" Rainbow Dash argued and pointed its front hoof at Ghost's leg.

"Stop making an excuse!" Twilight said.

"It's alright." Ghost said.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight turned to Ghost. He walked to Rainbow Dash and looked at it. Roach followed Ghost with pony guards from behind. Ghost stood in front of Rainbow Dash and crouched down before he put his hand on its shoulder.

"Truthfully, I can't compete against you in this race if you're not injured." Ghost said. "So, as you said before. If you win, my teammate and I need to tell our secret. But you had cheated to win the race, so I think it's invalid."

Ghost's words caused Rainbow Dash feel ashamed. Roach could see it's written all over the cyan pony's face. Rainbow Dash sat down, It looked down and was sad. Twilight was unsettled by the situation and tapped on Rainbow Dash's back.

"You're right, Ghost. It's invalid." Rainbow Dash said and stood up. "I accept that I might be a little bit selfish this race... well, Twilight, I need to go now... See you all next time." Rainbow Dash said.

Rainbow Dash spread its wings and flied away while two guard followed it from behind. Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash before it turned to Ghost and Roach and indicated them to follow it. The pony guards followed Ghost and Roach closely while they walked away from the running track.

"Let's go to the Carousel Boutique." Twilight said. She looked anxious. "I think Rarity is waiting for us in there."

After they walked in the village. Twilight leaded Roach and Ghost to a fancy building, with colorful tents nearby. Roach scanned the building. The Carousel Boutique was girlish and luxurious more than other houses with thatched roofs. A front door was opened as it and Twilight's horn was covered in magenta auras. when the auras was gone. Twilight leaded everyone, but pony guards, inside. The pony guards surrounded and guarded the boutique. Ghost and Roach ducked down and walked inside the shop before the door was close. Inside the boutique was fancier than outside with curtains and pink wall. Roach looked himself at a mirror and saw himself like a cartoon character of himself. Ghost looked around and was about to sat on a platform near mirrors when Roach heard a pony is walking downstairs.

"No, not there!" Rarity yelled to Ghost before he could sit on the platform. The white pony went downstairs and approached to Ghost and Roach. Rarity dressed in fancy pony dress and hat. Its dress and hat had green tone camouflage and quite looked ridiculous for military purpose, but for stylishness.

"Well, em... welcome to my boutique, darling. I'm Rarity, a fashion designer of Ponyville." Rarity said.

"Nice to meet you, again." Ghost said lifelessly.

"Oh, sorry for asking this, but I think you really like your outfit, right?" Rarity said and pointed its front hoof at Ghost's jacket. "It has such a... em... durability!"

"Yes, it's made to be durable." Ghost said.

"I think there is some... tragedy on your clothes. Would you like to have your clothes cleaned?" Rarity said.

"Thank, but forget it." Ghost said.

"Ah... if you say so. I guess you really love your outfit..., so I didn't mind that." Rarity said and laughed awkwardly. "So, would you like to go to the cafe nearby. I think we have many things to talk about since we're friend... right?"

"Why we can't just talk in here?" Ghost asked.

"It's so standard to talk with new friends in your house. I'm more polite than that and would like to treat you right as our friends." Rarity said and slowly blinked. It smiled and flipped its purple curvy mane. Roach just noticed how long of the white pony's eyelashes is and felt a little awkward and gross.

"Alright... I'm in." Ghost said and nodded.

"That is greatly divine, darling!" Rarity said and smiled. "Twilight, Ghost, Roach. This way, please."

The front door was opened when the door and Rarity's horn was covered in light blue aura. Rarity walked out of the boutique with Twilight. Ghost and Roach moved to outside before they were tagged by pony guards. The door was closed after everyone left the shop.

Twilight, Rarity, Ghost, Roach and the pony guards arrived at a cafe. The tables outside were a big mushroom with a small flower vase on it and the seats were a pile of hay. Many ponies at the cafe looked anxiously at the group and tried to avoid to look straight at Ghost and Roach. Twilight and Rarity took their seat at the same table with Ghost and Roach while pony guards stood not too faraway and watched over them. Unfortunately, the hay seats were too short for the elite soldiers and they had to sit with their knees up. After they sat at the table, a pony waiter with glazed mane and tail walked to their table and whispered something to Rarity.

"Oh, don't worry, darling. They're harmless." Rarity said and simpered.

"And their our friends." Twilight said and put its hoof on Roach's arm.

The pony waiter looked doubtfully at Ghost and Roach. "Okay, I see." the pony waiter said. "Then, what's your order?"

"We would like some tea for our friends, and here is your extra." Rarity said. Its horn was covered in a blue aura and a pink jewel in a blue aura is floated out from its pocket on its dress. The pony waiter took the jewel and slightly nodded to Rarity and Twilight before it walked to deliver Rarity's order. Roach narrowed his eyes when he saw the auras was vanished.

"Hey, princess. Can I ask you something?" Roach asked and turned to face Twilight.

"What's the matter?" Twilight asked.

"I saw many time when your horn glowed and some objects will be levitated. Are every horned pony are some sort of psychic?" Roach asked.

"Well, pony with a horn are actually called unicorn, Roach. And we aren't a psychic, but we have a ability to harness a magic." Twilight said.

"...that's quite nonsense."Roach said and shook his head.

Rarity raised its eyebrow and narrow its eye. Twilight frowned and stared at Roach. The sergeant guessed the lavender pony is upset. Ponied nearby whispered at each other and looked at Ghost and Roach. They looked away and stopped whispering when Ghost looked at them.

"I know that human have no magic, but there is no need to say something that rude. Magic is rational!" Twilight argued.

"Show it, then." Roach said.

Twilight slightly smiled. Its horn and the vase were cover in magenta auras. The vase floated up and flied around Roach. The sergeant looked curiously at the vase and tried to grab it, but it always slipped out of his hand. The vase descended down and placed in the middle of the table before the auras vanished.

"This is called levitation spell." Twilight said. "It's a simple spell that every unicorn has to learn since their young age."

"Levitation spell" Roach thought and made a mental note. "Is that all you can do with your magic?" Roach asked.

"There is many spell that we can learn, such as blasting spell, dispel and transform spell." Twilight said and shot a laser beam on a daisy in the vast. It turned into red daisy when the beam touched on the flower. "There is so many spell that unicorn can learn. Many spell scrolls are contained in the library back in Canterlot. I used to use time-travel spell once and only made every going in vain."

Twilight chuckled. The pony waiter brought a teapot and four teacup on a tray. It placed the teapot on the table and placed each teacup in front of each pony and elite soldier. Rarity levitated the teapot and decanted the tea in each teacup. The white pony levitated its teacup as it was filled and sipped the tea while Ghost and Roach left the tea untouched.

"Well, speaking of which, I heard that you two come from Unite Kingdom. Is it a good place?" Rarity asked.

"It depends on people's feeling." Ghost said.

"Em... I mean, what do you think about your country?" Rarity asked.

Ghost pulled his balaclava up and grabbed his teacup. He stared on the tea and turned to face Rarity. "Sometime, I think my country is rotting, but sometime, I think it's my duty to protect my people in that rotting country, even it cost my life." Ghost said.

The lieutenant looked away and sipped the tea. Rarity smiled sheepishly and nodded slightly.

"I'm glad to hear that." Rarity said. "Well, what is your job, Ghost, Roach?"

"We're recruit." Ghost said.

"Em, what does recruit means?" Rarity asked. Ghost turned to face the white pony. "...did I ask you too much, darling?"

"No, it's fine." Ghost said. "Recruit means a untrained man who recently joins the armed force. They're soldier who lacks of discipline and strength."

Rarity sipped its tea. The white pony scanned on Ghost and Roach before she chuckled "Sorry, darling. But you two look strong and experienced. I can't see anything on you that match with undisciplined and weak."

Ghost chuckled and slightly raised his teacup up. "Thank for the compliment, pony." Ghost said.

"My name is Rarity, not pony." Rarity said.

"...Well, thank. Rarity." Ghost said and put his teacup down.

Rarity smiled satisfactorily and flipped its mane. The white pony moved its front hoof to indicate Twilight to move closer. The white pony whispered something to the lavender pony's ear after Twilight moved its head toward Rarity. Rarity smiled to Twilight and turned to face Ghost. The white pony lowered its upper light blue eyelids and slightly smiled at Ghost. Roach felt gross and shook his head as it looked like the white pony try to convince his teammate.

"Your and your friend's outfit are torn. What happened to you two last night?" Rarity asked gently.

Ghost tiled his head. "We're running away from a pack of living wooden wolves." Ghost said.

"Oh, of course! Your friend defeated it in the Everfree forest! Fluttershy's animals found his knife in the giant timberwolf's carcass. You and your friends are such a strong human!" Rarity said and clapped its front hooves.

"Thank." Ghost said.

"That's amazing. I must say it." Rarity said and lowered its front hoof. "So, can you tell me what did you do in the Everfree forest last night beside defeated timberwolf, human?"

"Sorry, miss. But I think you ask too much." Ghost said and pulled his balaclava down, but he stayed calm.

"Oh, come on, darling. There is no need to be nervous. You only need to answer me the question." Rarity said and blinked. "It's impossible that you didn't know why your friend had the Element of Harmony last night, right?" Rarity said.

"...we actually don't know anything about that..." Ghost said.

Rarity tilted its head and took of Ghost's sunglasses with its magic. It looked blankly at Ghost's eyes for awhile before it laughed awkwardly when Ghost put his the sunglasses back on. The white pony flipped its mane and stepped down from its hay seat. It adjusted its hat and turned at Twilight.

"Em... sorry, Twilight. I forgot that I have my pressing order from my customer. If you don't mind, I must beg my leave." Rarity said and clearly tried to fake a smile.

"What!?" Twilight exclaimed.

Roach turned his head to Rarity. "What's about the bill?" Roach asked.

"I already paid it when I ordered the tea. You can take another order from the cafe with no charge." Rarity said. "I must go now. I hope we meet again."

Rarity laughed gawky and made it way back home. Roach looked doubtfully at Rarity and adjusted his headphones. Ghost shook his head and turned his head to Twilight.

"Okay, Is that all?" Ghost asked.

"Don't be silly! There is still a party!"

Pinkie Pie came out from under the mushroom table with confetti blew out from its back. The pink pony sat on the empty seat and brought out party hats out of thin air and put each one on Ghost's and Roach's head.

"I threw a super duper party not too far from here just for you two! Let's go and get some party!" Pinkie Pie said and smiled widely.

The party hat fell down from Roach's and Ghost's head. The pink pony stepped down from the hay seat and indicated the group to follow it. The sergeant narrowed his eyes. Ghost and the Roach stood up and followed Pinkie Pie bounced on its hooves on its way to the party. Twilight and the pony guard followed the pink pony while they kept their eyes on the elite soldiers.

The group arrived at the party in a open area. There was many ponies in various colors are having fun. Some pony drank wine or ate sweet. Some ponies played with a pinata or some sort of childish games. The area was decorated with balloons, ribbons, garlands and streamer in olive and gray colors. There was a banner was written as "Super Happy New Friends Party!". Random winged ponies put a flower garlands on Ghost and Roach and blew steamers on them. Pinkie Pie rushed to Roach and pointed its front hoof with olive-colored balloon to the sergeant.

"Did you want a balloon!?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"No." Roach replied.

"Me, either." Ghost said.

Pinkie Pie released the balloon and quickly bought out a stick out of its mane. "Well... em... what's about hitting a pinata!?" Pinkie Pie asked. It grinned at Ghost and Roach.

"No." Ghost and Roach said.

Pinkie Pie smiled gawky. It threw the stick away and bought out a blindfold out of nowhere. "Pin-the-tail?"

Ghost shook their head. "Just leave me alone." Ghost said and walked to sit on a short chair with two pony guard flanked him. He took his flower garland off and put it on a table

Pinkie Pie looked worriedly at Ghost before it turned to Roach. "Hey, do you want to play with us." Pinkie Pie said and begged with its eyes. The pink pony pointed its front hoof with blindfold to Roach, but he shook his head and walked to sit on a short chair beside Ghost with pony guards followed him. Roach took his flower garland off and put it on Ghost's flower garland. Pinkie Pie lowered its head and put the blindfold on its head before it sadly walked away.

"Pinkie!" Twilight called and ran to the pink pony. They talked something between them and Twilight seldom looked back at Ghost and Roach. After Pinkie Pie nodded to Twilight, they walked back to Ghost and Roach. Twilight frowned and looked angrily at the elite soldiers.

"Pinkie do everything for this party just for you two, but why do you have to be so grumpy!" Twilight said.

"Sorry, but my teammate and I didn't demand any party." Ghost said.

"You said like that changeling's queen! Are you one of them!" Twilight said.

Roach knew Twilight tried to pick on them. Ghost shook his head and stood up. He stared at Twilight, but it didn't step back and stared at him hostilely. Ghost walked to pick the blindfold up from Pinkie's head and picked out his knife. He took of his sunglasses and put it in his pouch. The lieutenant looked at the pinata before he covered his eyes with blindfold and held the knife in his hands. Twilight and Pinkie Pie stared at Ghost. He raised his knife up while ponies started to stare at him silently. Ghost threw his knife at the pinata and broke it in one throw. Every pony was stunned at Ghost's performance before they clapped they front hooves. Ghost took off his blindfold and worn his sunglasses before he walked to pick his knife and returned to sit on his chair.

"I did what you want." Ghost said to Twilight.

Twilight frowned. Every pony continued to has fun in the party. Pinkie Pie stared at Ghost and Roach for awhile before it left the elite soldiers to play with other ponies in the party. Ghost and Roach didn't move out from their chair. They waited for a opportunity to escape while they looked around, but the pony guards didn't keep their eyes off them.

Roach and Ghost couldn't fin a opportunity to escape and had to follow Twilight after the party was over. The sun was set. The pony guards didn't let the elite soldiers out of sight since they had left from the storeroom. At the party, Twilight had told Ghost and Roach that it will bring them to its castle. They didn't take too much time to walking from the party to Twilight's house. Roach scanned at the outside of the castle. It looked like a crystal tree with a building on top of it.

"This is my castle." Twilight said. "It may look uncomfortable, but at least we can live in there."

Twilight opened the front door with its magic and leaded everyone inside the castle. Ghost and Roach hadn't to duck down to go pass the door this time since the door was high enough for them. The castle were made out of shiny blue crystal with decorations like many typical castles such as banners, antiques, carpets and luxury lanterns. The ceiling was high and the floor was clean and shiny. They went upstairs and walked through a hallway with doors along the way. Twilight stopped in front of one of the doors and opened it with magic. Twilight leaded everyone in. Roach looked around and assumed it was drawing room. Twilight levitated its saddlebags and put it on a table.

"Okay, I need you two to stay here." Twilight said. "I need to meet my friend in another room. Don't go anywhere, okay?"

"Your wish is my command, little princess." Ghost said.

Twilight raised it eyebrow. The lavender pony walked out of the room and ordered something to the guards. The door was closed by the pony guards and left Ghost and Roach inside the room. Roach was about to sit on a sofa when Ghost tapped on his shoulder.

"Roach, check the room." Ghost said.

Twilight walked into the throne room. Her friend was sitting on their throne and they were unhappy. Twilight stepped on her throne and looked at her friends. In the room, only Twilight's friend, that isn't sad, was Spike. He looked worriedly at Twilight's friends. It took some time for Twilight's friends to notice Twilight and they started to look at her and clearly tried to hide their feeling.

"Well, they're not... that bad." Applejack said.

"I wonder who is his acquaintance." Fluttershy said.

"They're too cool to be Shade Thieves, I guess." Rainbow Dash said.

"I can't see anything that can tell them as criminal" Rarity said.

"It's my first time to see somepony hit a pinata so accurately from a distance!" Pinkie Pie said.

"Oh, come on. Did you guy try to work on your plan? You guys supposed to find out that they relate to Shade Thieves or not and how did they get the Element of Harmony, remember?" Twilight said.

"But, if they're Shade Thieves. Why did they come back to our village, Twilight?" Rarity asked.

"Maybe they tried to use the Element on something under the village, who knows? We don't know their intention." Twilight said and flied up. She hovered above the map. "There is so many secrets in our realm. I know many of them, but few legends are connected to the Element of Harmony and most histories about the Element are obscure. Only the prophecy of Nightmare Moon is telling about the story of the Element of Harmony and I think those humans know something about the Element, but they don't want to tell us."

Twilight sighed. When she was about to return to her throne, Twilight saw that Spike is walking on the table and the princess noticed something on the map. Twilight hovered above the map and levitated the baby dragon away. She looked closer and noticed red dots in Ponyville. Twilight and her friends peered at the dots heading toward Twilight's castle before they gasped.

"What is that?" Twilight said.

Ghost and Roach had searched around the room, but they didn't found any way to escape. They had found a grandfather clock in the room and they had set the time in their watch to match the time in the grandfather clock. Roach had checked the glass window and found it couldn't be opened. They didn't give up easily. Ghost and Roach kept searching anything in the room that can aid their escape, but they found nothing that can help them. They stopped searching as they heard a helicopter is approaching and flied past the crystal building.

"A helo?" Ghost mumbled. The lieutenant and The sergeant waited until the helicopter was gone. When nothing was happening, Roach went to open the saddlebags and put out a book before he briefly looked inside it. Ghost eyed on saddlebags. He walked to open the bags and put out a case. Roach remembered it is contained with six gemstones inside. Ghost opened the case and looked on the gemstones. There was a magenta star-shaped gemstone, a red thunderbolt-sharped gemstone, a purple diamond-sharped gemstone, a light blue balloon-shaped gemstone, a pink butterfly-shaped gemstone and an orange apple-shaped gemstone. Ghost closed and touched on the case.

"Why these ponies want to know where we got these gems?" Ghost said.

Unexpectedly, windows in the room were breached. The time ran slowly as Ghost and Roach hid behind the sofa in quick respond while an unknown squad shot at them. Luckily, the sofa was tough enough to resist laser bolt from the enemies. Ghost and Roach put out their knife and prepared to fight. The time ran normally when the hostile squad stopped shooting and pony guards hurriedly opened the door and got in the room.

The firefight started in the room while Ghost and Roach stuck behind the sofa. When the elite soldiers heard hostile soldiers get closer to their cover. Ghost gave a hand signal to Roach before Ghost and Roach skillfully darted out and knifed their nearest soldier. For a moment, Roach's eyes widened as the hostile soldier wasn't a human, but something that made out off stone with red glowing eyes. The sergeant focused and concentrated on the enemy before he killed the inhuman thing with his knife. He used his victim as a cover and picked a handgun out from the corpse while Ghost picked a ACR from his victim. Roach and Ghost shot at other hostile soldiers and further ruined the room. Roach picked his victim's ACR up from the floor and used the sofa as a cover. The situation reached at the worst when the pony guards couldn't fight against the hostile squads and one of them was wounded and the elite soldiers nearly pinned down by suppressing fire.

"Roach, cut 'em down before they get closer!" Ghost said.

"Shite, what are they!?" Roach asked while he dodged another laser bolt.

"Possibly tangos! Just kill 'em all!" Ghost replied.

Roach shot at a hostile soldier's head. Its head was cracked before the hostile soldier fell down to the ground. Ghost precisely shot at hostile soldiers with his stolen ACR from behind his cover. During the firefight, Roach noticed the hostile squad is well trained and has highly accuracy. Ghost and Roach had to hide behind the sofa many time and had few change to fire back. The elite soldiers was hit, but they still could endure their pain. Unluckily, a grenade fell down beside Ghost. He quickly picked it up and tossed it back to the enemies. When the grenade exploded, pony guards had a change to fire back and Roach and Ghost had a small change to suppress at the enemies. Ghost raked two hostile soldiers while Roach cleared other enemies out of his visual. When the last hostile enemy collapsed, Ghost and Roach slowly came out from their broken cover and approached to corpses on the floor.

Ghost and Roach kept their eye on gun sight. Roach pushed a corpse with his foot. He and lowered his gun and checked the corpses. They had horse skull flag patches and pretty well armed. The dead hostile soldiers were all made out of stone, but worn a tactical outfit, that widely uses by well-armed black ops, and had red glowing eyes. Their face under their balaclava were creepy like a zombie. Roach and Ghost heard a group of ponies running to the room. They turned around and saw Twilight and its friends with Spike looking at them blankly.

"What the hay is happening!" Twilight said.

"Unidentified humanes were breaking through the windows and shot at us and them with their sticks, your highness." a guard reported.

"This is no stick." Ghost said and shot at the corpse's head. "This is a gun, or more specifically, a ACR."

"Is they're your enemy?" Twilight asked.

"Technically, yes." Ghost said.

Twilight nodded and walked to the case, that lies behind the ruined sofa, with Spike. The lavender pony levitated it up and checked inside the case. It exhaled as the gems was safe. Twilight closed the case and put it in saddlebag. The lavender pony put the saddlebags on its back before it turned around and checked the corpses. Twilight's friends looked worriedly at the lavender pony before Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed it and looked at each corpse. Ghost and Roach looked at Twilight for awhile before numerous pony guards rushed in and started to clean up the room. Ghost and Roach put their gun on their back. Ghost walked to sit on the ruined sofa while Roach walked to sit on a chair beside the sofa. When Twilight noticed Ghost and Roach are sitting on its furniture, it walked to stand beside Ghost and looked at his face.

"What are they? Why were they attacking you two?" Twilight asked.

"Well, who knows?" Ghost said.

Twilight's friends surrounded Ghost and Roach. They looked curiously at Roach and Ghost.

"These things are resembled to you two. Are they human, too?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"They look like them, but they're not human." Twilight said. "Human supposes to be fleshy, not stony. They resemble to Golem, but there is no two-legged Golem." Twilight turned to face the lieutenant. "Ghost, did you meet them before?"

"...Possibly..." Ghost said.

Twilight looked at the corpses and turned its head to Ghost. Fluttershy flied and touched on Ghost's arm. Pinkie Pie looked doubtfully at Ghost and Roach. Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at each other and looked at Ghost. Rarity used its magic to adjust Ghost's and Roach's jacket. Spike tapped on Roach's legs and stared to him.

"Hey, did you know anything about these Golems?" Spike said.

"They tried to kill us. That's all I know." Roach replied.

Spike frowned and looked away. Twilight walked closer to Roach and put its front hoof on his hand. It smiled and stared at him with its big eyes. Roach looked back at the lavender pony and sensed something from it. Unlike other animals, he felt its soul and feeling. He started to used to it and feel less irritated when he looked at its face. Truthfully, he didn't like anything here, but he could control himself to be in any environment.

"Are you hurt?" Twilight asked.

"No, I'm fine." Roach simply replied.

"Are you hungry?" Pinkie Pie asked to Ghost.

"No, I need no more sweet." Ghost said.

Twilight lowered its hoof and indicated its friends to leave the elite soldiers. The pony guard finished cleaning the room and started to moved the corpses out. When Twilight's friends were leaving the room, Twilight turned back and faced Ghost and Roach.

"I will find a room in my castle for you two this night." Twilight said. "Please follow me."

Ghost nodded before he indicated Roach to follow it. Twilight and its friends left the room with Roach and Ghost. This time, Twilight whispered something to a pony guard before it indicated other pony guards to leave Ghost and Roach and left two pony guards with them.

Twilight leaded Ghost and Roach to a bedroom. Ghost and Roach stepped in the room with Twilight and its friends while guards flanked the door outside the room. Pinkie Pie bounced to the bed and jumped on it before Twilight levitated it away.

"Here is your bedroom." Twilight said. "I know that I should bring you to a guest room, but I didn't know which room is it."

Twilight awkwardly laughed. Rarity cleared its throat and nudged on the lavender pony. Twilight turned to Rarity. The white pony shook its head before it pointed its front hoof at Ghost and Roach.

"You shouldn't let them sleep on guest's beds when they didn't take a bath!" Rarity said.

"Oh, em... well. we didn't have a bed that fit with your height either." Twilight said. "I'm sorry..."

"It's fine." Ghost said. "We can sleep anywhere."

Ghost walked to sit and leaned on the wall. Roach was doing the same beside the lieutenant. Roach and Ghost put their gun beside them. Twilight looked at Ghost before it levitated Ghost's gun, but the lieutenant quickly grabbed it in midair and locked the gun before he let Twilight levitates the gun. The lavender pony looked curiously at the gun and walked toward Ghost with the ACR.

"Are you using this stick as a weapon?" Twilight asked.

"It's called a gun, not a stick." Ghost said and took his gun. "Beside, our own guns is taken away by your guards. Can we take them back?"

Twilight tilted its head. It turned around and walked to the guards. It said something and a guard nodded and reported to its mic. Twilight walked back to Ghost. He looked at the lavender pony while he fiddled with his gun.

"I told the guards to bring your gun to my castle. They will be here soon." Twilight said before she yawned. "Well, I think it's time to sleep. Alright girls." Twilight turned to face its friends. "I think you need to go home now. See you all later."

"Goodbye, Twilight." Pinkie Pie said.

"I think Ah'm goin' to hit the hay. See y'all next time." Applejack said.

"See ya." Rainbow Dash said.

"Goodbye, darling." Rarity said.

"See you later." Fluttershy said.

Twilight's friends walked out of the room. Only Twilight and Spike stayed with Ghost and Roach. Spike got in his bed before Twilight levitated him up. The lavender pony frowned at the baby dragon while it smiled awkwardly.

"Okay, I'm going to take a bath." Spike said and left the room with Twilight.

When the door was closed. Ghost tapped on Roach's shoulder and stood up. Roach knew what did Ghost try to say and the lieutenant and the sergeant started to checked the room. Roach found a balcony outside of the room, but it was too height to jump or climb down. There was only one door in the room and it wasn't possible to go out of the room with no robe or undetected. After Ghost and Roach couldn't find anything that can help them, they returned to sit on their spot. Roach checked his rifle to pass the time while Ghost touched on his headphone and contacted to Archer.

["Archer, come in."] Ghost said in his radio.

["Ghost, What happened?"] Archer said.

["I've got a new plan."] Ghost said.

Twilight returned to her bedroom with Spike after they had taken a bath. She had her saddlebags on her back. Twilight hummed a song before she stopped when she saw no guard in front of her bedroom. Twilight and Spike hurriedly went in and looked around the room. They shocked as the humans is missing. Twilight searched around the room with Spike, but humans were nowhere to be found. Twilight ran to the balcony and looked around, but the two humans weren't there. Twilight was panic before she quickly turned to the door when she heard it is opened. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Ghost and Roach with their new gun walking in her bedroom with four unicorn royal guard watching over them. Twilight smiled and walked toward the humans with Spike.

"Ghost, Roach, where did you go?" Twilight said.

"We went to get our rifle outside." Ghost said.

"Guards can deliver them to you up there. Why did you need to wait for your gun at the front of my castle?" Twilight asked.

"They said that their weapon need to be in good condition and they advised us to let them check their... gun, - right? - outside of the castle for sake of your safety." a guard said.

"What will happen if they're in poor condition?" Twilight asked.

"They will explode, your highness." a guard said. "I apologized that I didn't ask you first, ma'am."

"Don't worry. You had done right." Twilight said and smiled to the lieutenant and the sergeant. "Ghost, Roach, you're so careful about us all. I appreciate in your thoughtful."

Ghost slightly nodded. Twilight couldn't read Ghost's and Roach's facial expression since the humans worn their mask. Ghost walked to Twilight. He crouched down and looked at Twilight. She smiled and tilted her head.

"What's the matter, Ghost?" Twilight asked.

"You are the princess, right?" Ghost asked.

"Yes, I am. Why were you asking me like that?" Twilight said. She simpered and moved her wings a bit.

"I have the truth to tell you." Ghost said.

Twilight nodded. "I'm listening." Twilight said.

"My princess." Ghost said "We've decided to join you to protect the gemstones."

Twilight widened her pupils. Spike jumped up in surprise and turned to face Twilight. Twilight smiled widely and stepped closer to Ghost and turned her head to Roach. He nodded slightly to her. Twilight turned to face Ghost and looked at his face with smile. She flapped her wings excitedly and flicked her ears.

"So, you know something about Shade Thieves and are going to tell me, right!?" Twilight said.

Ghost shook his head. "No, we don't know about 'em." Ghost said. Twilight was sad when her hope was collapsed. "But we know how to safe 'em from the thieves."

Twilight smiled and filled with enthusiasm again. "How?" Twilight said.

Ghost cleared his throat. "I need to call my teammates to help us." Ghost said. "And escort the gemstone-"

"To Canterlot!" Twilight said. "I have the same plan, too, but I didn't know that you have more friends."

"So, I would like to ask you a favour." Ghost said. "I need you to call my teammates here to help us, but you have to ensure that my teammates will not be captured and we need your trust, so we can work for you. I think you can do it, right?"

Twilight tilted her head. "Of course... but, why have you suddenly changed your mind? I thought you didn't like us at all." Twilight said.

"Well, because, you misunderstood us as the thieves and we had no choice but to go along with you. But now, I know I have to put out my pride away and work for you to gain our ticket to go back to our country. I know we can't return to our home by ourselves in your kingdom and we need your help to do so... I think you can understand." Ghost said and put his hand on Twilight's shoulder. "There is no time to lose, we must escort the gemstones to... Canterlot ASAP!"

Twilight was thinking before she slightly nodded. She still doubted about Ghost and Roach, but many things were made sense to her now. Ghost lowered his hand when Twilight turned to the guard and approached to them.

"Guard, from now on, Ghost and Roach are friends of mine and their friends is my friend." Twilight said. "They're no longer prisoners from now on, but the protector of the Element of Harmony. If I can trust them, so you can do so, right?"

The pony guards looked at each other for awhile and before they nodded to the princess.

"Your wish is my command." a guard replied. The pony guards bowed to Twilight and left the room.

Twilight turned to Ghost. "About escorting the Element of Harmony, I suggest that we should wait for the train tomorrow." Twilight said. Ghost looked at the princess for awhile before he slightly nodded. "Actually, I can escort the Element of Harmony by myself, but I'm afraid that it's too rude to visit the princess at night and I'm not sure about my safety. By the way, where is your friends?" Twilight asked.

"Well... this way." Ghost said.

Ghost and Roach walked out of the room. Twilight and Spike followed them and went through the hallway. They went downstairs and left the castle. The night outside was quietly and peaceful. There was two guard flanking and watching out the front door and four patrols around the castle. Ghost looked around and touched on his headphone.

"Squad, approaching the crystal building." Ghost said.

Twilight peered around in the village under the night and saw four humans come out from bushes or behind a house. Two of them worn a outfit resemble to Ghost and Roach, while other had a bush cover their body. Ghost's and Roach's friends used the gun similarly, but only their friends with a bush cover their body used a different kind of gun with longer stick and had a scope on their gun. Ghost's and Roach's friends walked to stand in front of Twilight. The princess simpered at them and waved her front hoof.

"Hello, everypony." Twilight greeted. "What's their name, Ghost?"

"Well, his name is Archer, Toad, Ozone and Scarecrow." Ghost said and pointed at his friends while he introduced them. "Alright, squad. This is... what's you name again?"

"Her name is Twilight Sparkle." Spike said and frowned. "You should know her name. She's the princess!"

"Okay, Its- I mean, her name is Twilight Sparkle, so... you know the drill, squad. Let's get inside." Ghost said.

Twilight and Spike leaded the way for the human squad. They entered the castle and walked upstairs before they went through the hallway. Twilight seldom looked back at the human squad to make sure they won't do anything wrong while they were following her. Even she trusted that they will not cause a problem, but she still couldn't fully trust them. Twilight recalled commander Strong Swift's words about Shade Thieves. The corpses seemed to match his description with their glowing eyes and had two legs, but she was unsure that Ghost and his friends have taken a part of Shade Thieves. After they walked through the hallway for awhile, they nearly went past Twilight's bedroom as Twilight was thinking about the Shade Thieves and didn't look at the way.

"Em... well, you can rest here." Twilight said and pointed to the bedroom's door. "Would you like something to eat, human?"

"No, we only wish to rest now." Ghost said.

The human squad went past two royal guard and got in the bedroom with Twilight and Spike. Ghost indicated his friend to sleep on the floor. They didn't seem to mind that they have to sleep on the cold crystal floor and start to sit down and put their gun beside them. Twilight walked to her bed and levitated the book and the case out of her saddlebags and placed them beside her bed. The princess could hear the Ghost and Roach talking about the castle or which area they will sleep on the floor. Twilight wished she has beds and new suits for the humans, but she couldn't help them this way. The princess walked to her desk and levitated a paper and quill out before she wrote a letter to princess Celestia.

"Dear princess Celestia, today I met six humans in Ponyville. They don't look friendly, but they help us find the Element of Harmony and a clue that will lead us to a real face of Shade Thieves. They triumphed over hostile two-legged Golems, that assault in my castle, and protected the Element of Harmony. They've requested to return to their country and they will protect the Element in exchange. There is so many things to do and I will go to visit you with them tomorrow. I hope they didn't hide anything from us. Your princess, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight wrote.

Twilight rolled her letter and tied with a ribbon. She motioned her front hoof to call Spike. He knew what he has to do and quickly went to her. Spike grabbed the letter and blew out a fire at the letter. It turned to cinder and disappeared within the air. Twilight noticed that humans are staring at her. She turned to face them and simpered.

"Why are you looking at me?" Twilight asked.

"Nothing." Ghost said.

The humans looked away and slept on the floor. Ghost, Archer and Scarecrow leaned on the wall while they were sleeping. Roach, Toad and Ozone lay on their back on the floor and slept. Twilight smiled slightly and levitated her saddlebags and put it on the table. Spike went to sleep on his basket as recently, Twilight requested Spike to sleep in her bedroom. Twilight went to her bed and got up on it. She put herself in a blanket and briefly looked at the humans. Twilight turned off a light with her telekinesis. She closed her eyes and peacefully rest on her bed.

After the light was turned off, Roach looked at Twilight with his eye opened. He waited until the lavender pony was in a deep sleep before he looked around to make us that there is no other pony looking at him and faked sleep.

["Task Force, she's sleeping."] Roach whispered in his radio.

["Good."] Archer whispered. ["This plan is going smooth than I expected."]

["We must appreciate in Ghost's acting skill."] Roach whispered.

["Her naivety helps us to fulfill our objective."] Ghost whispered. ["It can't be helped, but we need to use her."]

["Why do you have to call that pony "she" instead of "It", Ghost."] Roach asked.

["Because it's more convenient and that purple thing looks feminine as hell."] Ghost whispered.

["Are you sure that "she" will help us go back to Price?"] Archer asked.

["We should try."] Ghost whispered. ["They're native in this area, but we aren't. If there is somebody that can help us, it must be 'em."]

Archer turned his head. ["I see..."]

["Go back to sleep, squad."] Ghost whispered. ["There is many things we have to do tomorrow."]

Everybody stopped talking. They closed their eyes and rested on their spot. Roach checked his rifle with his eyes for the last time before he put his arm under his head and closed his eyes to sleep. He hoped the crystal house won't be attacked by other hostile squads while they were sleeping.

Far faraway, there was an unknown figure in a black cloak is moving through a forest in the night. The mysterious figure went through the woods and hurriedly went past bushes and trees. When the figure emerged from the forest. It saw something set at the edge of Equestria. At a cliff, there was many stony bipeds in a grim outfit and helmet with a weird stick patrolling or guarding a big cave that appear to be a hideout. Camouflage nets and sandbags were put together to make a makeshift camp. Weird vehicles were parking nearby and and weird things that similar to pedalcopters were landing on the cliff. The figure approached to the camp before two bipeds pointed their stick at the figure.

"Halt!" a biped said.

"Who are you?" another biped asked.

"Your boss's friend." the figure said. The voice was husky.

The biped stared at the figure before it reported back in its device. It let the figure in their camp after it received a message. The figure went through the camp and looked around. There was many creates, weird equipment and bipeds in similar outfit inside the camp. Every bipeds equipped with weird gears and stick. Some of them made way for the figure to walk to the cave. the bipeds that guarding the entrance let the figure go inside. The cave was also filled with crates, weird equipment and bipeds inside. There was many engines as well as unknown devices. When the figure nearly went to the deepest of the cave, a biped indicated him to get in a colossal cavern at the deepest of the cave.

The figure walked in and saw a titanic portal inside a cavern flanking by two black obelisks. There was a giant hole above the cavern that any airship can fit in from outside. The figure walked past many aircraft in the cavern and approached to a biped with a beret. It was flanking with two bipeds and standing beside a create.

"Well... you're here." the biped said lifelessly.

The figure took its hood off and revealed Itself. "I came here as you ask me." Discord said mischievously.

"Sent me the goods, and the deal shall be your." the biped said and motioned its hand.

Discord picked out a case from his cloak and handed it over to the biped. It snatched the case and opened it. The Element of Harmony reflected with the light from the portal and shone beautifully. The biped grinned and closed the case.

"I know you're the best deceiver that we can trust." the biped said.

"No need for compliment. I know what to do with my old friend." Discord said and chuckled.

The biped turned around and walked to a panel in front of the portal with other bipeds followed it. The case was placed on the panel and the biped stepped back. Discord peered at the panel. The case was opened by force and the Element of Harmony was floating in the air. The biped grinned more widely as the gemstones reacted to the portal. A purple gemstone were surrounded by other gemstones and shot the beam of light into the portal. The ground was shaking and the portal made a noise loudly. Every biped in the cavern looked at the portal and waited for something to happen. After they waited for awhile, the biped frowned as nothing is happened afterward. It turned to Discord and approached to him.

"What's the meaning of this!?" The biped said.

"Well, you know. A failure, right?" Discord said.

"But it supposed to be working!" The biped said.

"Oh, come on. Everypony can predict a fail prediction. You're not an exception." Discord said and played with his paw.

"But, we're not pony." The biped said and put out a short stick before it pointed the stick to Discord. "Sorry, even you're our boss' friend, but we can't let you leave this place."

Every biped pointed their stick at Discord. He frowned. Discord narrowed his eyes and looked at each biped. He looked at the biped with beret and laughed loudly.

"What you're gonna do about it? Even you kill me now, your lovely serpent will not come out from that portal!" Discord taunted. "Accept it, my dear. The prophecy was wrong! There is no way to reveal the lost one from eternal banishment!"

Every biped approached to Discord and every big stick were pointed at him. Discord showed no fear toward them and looked at the sky above. He closed his eye before a biped checked on the Element of Harmony.

"Sir, the gemstones are fake!" the biped, that checking the Element of Harmony, said.

"Say your prayer... Discord." the biped with beret said.

Every stick shot laser bolts at the same time to Discord. He tried to use his magic, but obelisks quickly shot a laser on him from their top. The beam hit on Discord right at his chest before his body was glowed red and his magic was quickly disable. Discord tried to use his magic again, but it gave the same result. He couldn't do anything, but waited for the laser bolts hit upon him.

"Fluttershy..." Discord mumbled. "I'm sorry."

Discord cried out in pain when he was shot by a thousand laser bolt under the cold night. The obelisks glowed dreadfully and numerous bipeds were raised from the ground and joined with the army of doom. At of the portal, an evil laugh could be heard after the bipeds ceased fire at the draconequus.