Chapter 5: Change in the wind

Chapter Five: Change in the wind.

As i stepped off the train, i was greeted by familiar faces.

"Welcome back!" I was greeted by  Pinkie, Applejack, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Dash and Brian.

"Heyy, guys what are you all doing here?"

"Come on, we all knew where you were today"

"Yeppers, how did it go? How did it go?" Pinkie was just as energetic as allways...

"Oh my, what happened to you?" Rarity asked, pointing at my chest.

"What do you mean?" She levitated my shirt off to demonstrate, as my shirt was gone they gasped at the sight of the hole in my torso where my heart was supposed to be.

"What the hell?!" Brian couldn't belive his eyes, none of them could.

"Don't worry, i'm fine" I told them in quick response, and saw a purple aura surround me.

"Don't worry John, we'll fix you, it won't hurt." Twilight spoke up, Suddenly i felt pain like nothing before. I felt flesh, tendons, muscles, bones, and skin grow as slow and painful as possible... When it was over, i fell down to the ground.

"Oops...sorry, it looks like it DID hurt..." Twilight tried to apologize, i stood up, and grinned.

"I figured out something amazing while i was away."

"What is it?" Applejack asked, i pulled out the sword and held it to my wrist. Brian stepped closer, holding my hand with the sword still.

"John, don't be redicilous. We all know you would die from that." I looked at the mares, their eyes were in tears, Pinkie's hair deflated.

"Why are you doing this? Did we do something wrong? Is there a problem wth the princesses? I'm sure there's another way to solve it! Please don't do it!" Twilight ran up to me and embraced me. "Don't do it!" Then, a light blue aura surrounded her and pulled her away, along with Brian.

"I'm sure you know what you are doing,John. I do not approve of this, but it's your decision" Rairity said with wet eyes.

"Thanks..." I chuckled, they each turned their heads away from me, except Brian.

"Do whatever you want to John..." When i cut my wrist, it started bleeding as it is supposed to be then, when i reached the alteries, there was suddenly a fountain of blood gushing down onto the ground.

"Hey, i'm still fine, trust me"

"Hey, he stopped bleeding, he isn't dead!" Brian yelled to get their attention, when they looked over to me i just stood there with a hand that was barely held onto by a tendon. *Splat* Not anymore...

"Look, i'm sorry to scare all of you like this" *smack*

"You'd better be!" They all looked at me with a worried and a bit releaved face. They all came closer to see that it wasnt an illusion or some trick.

"Why did you do that?" Twilight asked.

"It's kind of a... uuuhmm... promise."

"What kind of demented promise is this?"

"I swear i will do everything to protect all of you here, you are my family. I will always be there when you need me, as you were there when i needed you." They all started to tear up yet again, but this time they were happy.

"But what about your hand?"

"Well, Brian. This is what i want you to withness..."

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

John closed his eyes, for a minute. When he opened them his eyes were completely black. His hand slowly started to grow back.

"What kind of ancient blessing is this?" Twilight commented in surprise, after his hand completely gerw back, his eyes slowly faded back to their original color.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

I stood there, with my hand better than ever. "By the way... i passed. I'll recieve payment weekly and all i have to do is patrol around town and keep an eye out for illegal or suspicious individuals"

"Here's a trick I have learned" Rarity replied, her horn began glowing again, she touched her horn agains my belt, another bag with a pistol sheath appeared there.

"Neat trick, Rarity" She blushed, it's easy to tell with her white coat. "Twilight, your brother told me to give this to you." I reached into one of the bags and took out an amulet.

"Oh, thanks John, he was supposed to give me this a week ago."

"Uhm, Twi... Do you mind if i pay you a visit tomorrow?"

"No, you are welcome at all times, when can i expect you?"

"About noon?"

"Sure thing" We went our ways to our homes, i noticed something moving in the bushes. "Shh... guys, i saw something in the bushes, don't move" We stood still for a few seconds and heard voices.

"We mean no harm, we are simply lost in the dark!"

"We will come out, but promise not to judge us for what we are!" I looked at the guys behind me.

"What do you think?"

"Your call" I unsheathed the sword.

"Fine! But come out slowly!" As i finished, i suddenly saw a pair of green and blue eyes in the dark, glowing.

"Changelings!" Apparently Dash wasn't pleased to see them.

"What now?" I looked at the figures in the dark, i had no idea what they were. God  wish i had a flashlight... Then, out of nowhere a beam of moonlight shined onto the figures. Thanks Luna...

"These things are evil, you have to kill them John" Dash tried to convince me.

"Please, we mean no trouble. It is true, we are changeligs, but the others cast us out because we didn't approve of the queen's behavior." They looked different, one of them had a horn and wings, the other had none of those.

"If both of you are changelings, why do you look different?"

"My name is Steadywork, i'm just a drone, a mere worker"

"What about your friend?"

"My name is Quicksteps, a soldier" I raised my sword up.

"What are you doing around here?"

"Like i said, we were exiled by the others for disobeying the queen" They were still standing in the moonlight.

"What did you find, Sergeant?" Asked an all too familiar voice from behind...

"These here say they were exiled due to disobeying their queen" Luna raised an eyebrow at them.

"I see, how should we proceed, what do you suggest, sergeant?"

"I propose they shall be taken prisoner for a week, and see if they resist. Should they stay calm, they will be released to the public, but only under observation. After a month, they can be accepted into the society"

"Very well, sergeant" I knew she only calls me Sergeant only in offical manners. Then, i saw one them start shaking violently. It began screamng in agony as it's body started to split into half veticaly.

"What is this?" I was confused...

"I knew it..." Luna replied, then another more distorted voice spoke up.

"Heheheheh.... I see you got yourself a new pet, Luna" That comment made it personal, but i sheathed my sword, knowing i'm not the one to handle such situations.

"Show yourself, Chrysalis!" The changeling was now torn in half, the same fate awaited the other one. A greenish black figure appeared in front of us, their queen.

"Here i am, Luna. Now, it is time to surrender!" I was waiting for the signal to lash out at that bitch.

"Guys, run. You have nothing to do here. I on the other hand have duties here" Luna turned around and looked at me.

"John, i have to warn you to be carefull, she's the queen of the changelings." Oh, i'll show her what change is...

"Leave at once, this is the final warning!" Her horn began glowing, i quickly pulled the pistol as well.

"Foolish little creature..."

"Close your eyes Sergeant!" Even with closed eyes i saw a blindig light, when it was gone i opened my eyes again, Luna was gone, in her place stood a bigger alicorn, with black coat, and snake like eyes It was probably Nightmare Moon...

"It is an honor to serve"

"Look what we have here... How come YOU aren't in your pathetic little house sleeping through the night?!"

"I'm a servant of the night, stars and the moon itself"

"Oh, looks like this is going to be interesting..." Chrysalis threw in, as she finished that sentence, she summoned a whole amy of chngelings.

"You? Servant? What possible way could YOU serve ME?!"

"Blood, loyalty and honor"

"Well then, we shall see about that" The nightmare let out a sharp whistle, soon after that i saw pairs of white glowing eyes all around us. For some reason my clothing was just like Rarity left it, and before i realized, i had the hoodie and vest back. The ones i left at the palace after Stormwing's... episode.

"Ah, i see you called your miserable pile of donkeys..." As i saw the eyes getting closer, the nightmare came to stand next to me. I reached for my sword, when i had the grip in hand the nightmare extended one of her wings into front of me.

"Stay your blade, my children have come to aid us" I let go, a dark figure suddenly appeared in front of us.

"Have you called for us, Mother?" As the figure finished the sentence, it's eyes turned toward me.

"Yes, Moonsinger, we have an intruder on our hooves." The nightmare replied, the figure's eyes were now scanning me, when it noticed my sword growled at me.

"How DARE you threaten our mother?!" The figure lunged at me, taking me down to the ground.

"You're mistaking. I'm not the enemy here!"

"Yeah, likely story..." Now the pairs of eyes were closing in around us, more specificaly me.

"He speaks the truth, he is an ally to us"Luna spoke up, the nightmare was gone.

"But, he has weapons and was right next to you!"

"And he was standing next to me because i let him, use your brain sometimes." Luna scolded her daughter, Moonsinger let me go, i stood up and grabbed my sword.

"How about asking first?"

"I'll keep an eye on you..." Luna turned towards me and said.

"John, i'm afraid i have to ask you. Please stay out of this fight untill i give you the signal."

"Sure, but... why?"

"With that, you would be insulting their honor..." I let go again.

"Okay, but if any of them come at me i'll cut them down" I didn't specify if i was talking about the changelings or her daughters... unavoidably attracting a paticular unicorn's attention...

"Is that so?" She leapt at me, i caught her and threw her to the ground, pushing the pistol to her face.

"I meant the changelings." I had no intention to kill her, and Luna knew it as well.

"Fine, let me go now" While they were preapirng for the fight i made my way to the forest, behind the changelings. The figres in the dark regrouped behind Luna, then i heard her voice in my head.

"When i signal you with a sharp whistle, you try to do your best to eliminate their queen" I suppose it was telepathy, i looked all over them, they each wore cloaks, some of them had horns, some had wings, Moonsinger stood next to Luna.

"Let's show them how dangerous the dark is!" She yelled as they charged towards the changelnigs. As the frontlnes met i saw a wave of body parts shoot up towrds the sky, pegasi, unicorn, changeling... It was the most brutal fight i ever withnessed... God have mercy on those souls... When the massacre died down, i saw Luna surrounded alone with only 4 of her children reamaining, she looked onto the top of the tree i was in, like she knew i was there, he probably did. She looked sad, i had a clear idea why... she whistled, as i reached for the pistol, i realized the bullets might not go though their scale armor so i pulled the sword and lunged at the queen. Now you'll get it you son of a bitch... While i was in the air, i realized i was in a birdlike position, arms spread in the air. It felt natural... when i was about to stab the bitch, i suddenly stopped mid air, and couldn't move.

"Hehehe... nice try, but you need more than that to defeat me!"

"You son of a... Let me go!"

"And who are you to command me?" As she finished, Luna shot a bolt of shadow magic, breaking the changeling queen's concentration. She looked over to the remaining group, shot a bolt of green magic back at them, actually it was more like a wide beam. Luna cast a spell shield around them along with one of her unicorn allies. But it didn't last long agains the non-stop bombardment. I fell to the ground, i got up and ran towards where the shield just was. They were all weakened by the beam's effect. At least the queen also ran out of energy for more.

"This isn't over yet... Now i'll finish this!" The changeling managed to spit out while breathing heavily.

"Bring it!" I heard Moonsinger call out, and charged at her, only to be thrown up, then slammed into the ground by magic. The other three luckily managed to catch her before the ground could.

"You three, take Moonsinger to safety, it's my time to fight." They hesitated, nobody likes to take orders from anybody, but there was no time to argue.

"Oh really? Let's see what's stronger! Your blade or mine!" Chrysalis charged at Luna, she tried to impale her with her horn... *Crunch* *splat* "What?!" Chrysalis asked in her surprise, she tried to pull out, but by then i already had her by the throat.

"You're... not... going... anywhere..."

"What?! How are you not dead yet?!" I heard a loud *CRACK* as i broke her horn off from her head, followed by a scream of agony.

"YOU MISERABLE PIECE OF SHIT! I'LL EAT YOU ALIVE!" I unsheathed my sword, my eyes turned completely black again.

"So be it!" As i finished the sentence, i saw 5 other figures around Chrysalis. They were wearing the same clothes as me... but in different colors. I couldn't see their faces, they had their hoods on.

"What in Euquestria is this?!" Chrysalis asked terrified. I looked at Luna, grinned and back to Chrysalis.

"Your worst nightmare..." The other 5 figures pulled out swords exactly looking like mine.

"You have no chance...even if you kill me now, many more will return" Chrysalis tried taunting me.

"Then the more fun i'll have enjoying their torment..." We all stood there, not bothering about her statement. The figures raised their blades and in unison we all said. "May the night last forever!" I came to my mind to impaling Chrysalis, so did the 5 other figures. My clothes were now covered in blood, green ish black blood. Her eyes closed, and fell to the ground with a loud thump.

"In death, no longer my enemy." I knelt down to close her eyes, giving even her the final rights, to my surprise, her eyes suddenly opened, at the same time i felt the horn she left in my stomach explode. It wasn't a pretty sight... my torso was blown off from my legs from the waist up.

I looked over to where Luna was, she was alive, but uncoscious. I crawled my way over to her, the sword was still in my hand, i just stabbed it into the gound.

"I... did... my... best..." I managed to spit out, i was still profusely bleeding. "It's...been an...honor....*cough*" Then, the darkness came again.

*2 days later*

I woke up with a groan. Where am i?  By the time i came to my senses, i was in some sort of cocoon, surrounded by some green ooze. The changelings must have taken me somewhere, what are they planning? It must have been them, i saw blurry figures that were black and had blue eyes. Through the cocoon i heard one of them speak.

"I don't care if he might die! If we succed he'll be my most destructive weapon ever! Those pathetic princesses will stand no chance!"

Wait... *My? Was Chrysalis still alive?*

"This one, will obey" The changeling responded to it's queen. I saw it's eyes turn towards me, they started glowing as i blacked out again.

*Unknown time later*

God knows how long i've been here now. My only hopes are that they succeed with whatever they meant to do with me, either leaving me dead for good, or releasing me.

"I belive we finished, it's done!" Said a familiar, yet different voice.

"It's time to test it!" Another voice replied. Great, let me out of here and i'll tear you apart scale by scale myself... I blacked out once again, waking up in a forest. Where the hell am i? I stood up, only to realize i had my legs back. What have they done to me? I saw a familiar looking lake nearby i went to take a drink from it, when i was about to drink i noticed my reflection. Let's see how cruel all the time has been... I drank, stood back up and began walking. After an hour or two i noticed a familiar clearing in front of me. Wait, isn't this where i first saw *Pinkie** and her... no, my friends?* I could hardly remember the way to the town, but after a bit more time spend walking i made it there. I was thinking about how long it must have been, if anyone would even remember me, or would i be still welcome, but then i noticed an all too familiar rainbow sweeping through right in front of me.

"Hey, Dash! It's me!" It was getting dark afterall, maybe she didn't see or hear me. I continued on the way, only to be stopped by a guard.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"Sergeant Joh..." I was cut short by the guard.

"Sir, seriously, identify yourself."

"I am, i'm Sergeant John Miller! Brother of Brian Miller!" He groaned at me.

"I guess we'll have to do it the hard way..." The guard surrounded his sword with a red aura, preparing for agression.

"Stay your blade, i bring words not steel"

"What kind?"

"I'm a messenger from the changelings, i was told to seek Priness Luna. She would be the one to appoint a meeting of our leaders to agree on a more peacefull future in between our species" He nodded.

"Follow me this way, but don't try anything funny" He warned me, as we walked through town, i noticed it got very, very dark. "Are you the one doing this?" The guard questioned me.

"No sir, a messenger has no need of magic"

"Well then, let's carry on." His horn began glowing, acting like a flashlight, as we continued on our way, i was thrown to the ground by a figure.

"Give me a reason not to kill you right here and now!" It took me some time for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, it was Luna. I was happy to see at least she was all right, yet also scared what would happen if i told her the truth but she didn't belive me.

"Because i'm one of the servants of the moon, the night, and the stars." She let me stand back up, a beam of moonlight focused around me.

"Show yourself!" I took off my hood.

"Here, do you remember me now, Luna?"

"Your face reminds me of somebody... i used to know."

"I saved you from being impaled by Chrysalis's horn" She gasped, tears formed around her eyes.

"John? Is that you?" I smiled, and slowly walked towards her. On the way the guard tried to stop me, she told him to let me pass with a nod.

"Yes, it is..."

"But... you are so different! What happened to you?" I chuckled.

"The changelings tried to make me into their weapon. How long was i away?" She hesitated to anwser.

"3 years..." The guard coughed, attracting our attention.

"My lady, he idntified himself as Sergeant John Miller, i didn't belive him due to him being assumed dead, It's my mistake" He informed the princess, and apologized to me.

"I'm sorry sir." He saluted, i put a hand onto his shoulder.

"It's all right, you did what you thought is the best."

"Thank you for your honesty, you may return to your designated guard post." Luna instructed him.

"Yes your highness" And walked off to where we came from.

"Sooo, did i miss something while i was gone?"

"Only a few birthdays, your... my... our friends were devastated, and somewhat proud by the news of you being assumed a martyr"

"Even back on earth i was considered hard to kill, it takes more to kill me than a few bugs." She smiled.

"We missed you, i'm glad you're here." I noticed her eyes still being in tears.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing... nothing..." I knew she was hiding something... but i shouldn't question my superiors.

"Hey, your call to tell me or not." She smiled.

"Sadly, your house has been occupied since then, for now you have to come with me to Canterlot." I nodded in response, her horn started glowing and seconds later we were at the gates of the palace.

"Well, that was quick" As we walked by the guards, they bowed down to her, and once again stopped me.

"He's comgin with me" I passed the guards, giving them a nod and putting the hood back on.

"So, did the changlings return after our little meeting with them?"

"They would've usually did by now, but something was holding them back, maybe it was being busy with you"

"Well, if they come back Chrysalis won't get away next time."

"John, i've been thinking about this while you were away."

"What is it?"

"What made you take the stab for me?"

"The same that made me save Fluttershy back then, i guess"

"And how about your relative immortality?"

"Back on earth i was subject to experiments, the goal was to make the perfect soldier. After they ended, the scientist told me i would stop aging at about 25 years of age"

"Scientists?" She asked.

"Oh, yes. On earth we don't have magic, so we have to rely on knowledge. We gain our knowledge from studying and experimenting. Scientists are who gain knowledge from experiments for others."

"Quite interesting, later i would love to hear more about it"

"And you surely will" I reassured her. As we got up the stairs she closed one of her wings around me, telling the guards she was aware and approved of my presence.

"Here we are!" She exclaimed. The doors opened, revealing a huge room with a balcony, after inspecting the doorway i noticed a huge moon shape carved above the doors, we walked into the room, then she spoke up. "Welcome to my own quarters, it should do for now, right?" I nodded. "Where do you want to sleep? The bed or the couch?" I hesitated with the anwser.

"The floor should be enough" I grinned as i said it, she chuckled in response.

"Tomorrow we'll share the great news of your return with our friends"

"Uhm, can i just get back to work tomorrow?"

"If you wish to, by the way i have a surprise for you. I'm sure you'll appreciate it"

"Great! Where is it?" She pointed under the couch. I knelt down to look for what she meant, i found a long tube in wrapping paper. I reached in to get it, i took it out and asked her. "Is this it?" I asked while pointing at the tube in my hand, she nodded with a grin. I shook the tube to hear what could be inside, no clue. I opened the tube and looked inside, i saw nothing. I reachd into it thinking the box might be oversized. As i searched around in the box something cut my finger, i turned the box upside down. Something bright and thin fell out with a lound clanking noise. Luna used her telekenisis to levitate it back to me, i took it and realized it was my old sword.

"The guards found it near me on the ground, they gave i to me to decide what should happen to it. I decided to keep it to remember the one who saved me, and proved his loyalty towards the stars of the night and the moon... I meant to keep it but now, i belive it belongs to your hands." The fact that she wanted something to remind her of me did feel good, but now i had things to do.

"Sure will, thanks for keeping this for yourse... me... us"

"Let's just sleep now, shall we?" She asked with a tired tone, followed by a yawn. As i laid my head to rest on the couch, we heard a loud banging on the door.

"Open up, by the orders of Princess Celestia!" Yelled a voice, most likely a guard through the door.

"John, get your sword ready and hide behind that curtain. It might get messy, if you fell like it's the time, strike." I nodded as i unsheathed the sword behind the curtain while she opened the door. "What's the meaning of this?" She asked the 4 guards who came in.

"Deepest apologies Princess Luna, we had reports of you being followed by an unknown and suspicious individual. We were sent to investigate, may we come in?"

"No, you can't! I'm alone here, and if you'd excuse i would prefer to sleep now..."

"Yes ma'am, thank you for your time" The guards promptly left, closing the doors behind them. She walked up to the curtain i was behind, and jabbed a hoof into it to get tell me it's safe to come out. I replied with a groan, and fell out from behind the curtain sidways. Yes, she basicly just punchd me in my man parts... Wwwhhhhyyyyy Luna, wwwwhhhyyy? She gave me a worried look.

"What's wrong?"

"You just... don't hit me there ever again will you?"  I managed to get back up, still in pain. *Sigh*How do you tell a priness she just hit you in the body part you use to reproduce? She went back to her bed, i stood behind the curatin.

"Uhm, will you sleep, John?"

"Yes, back on earth i used to stand guard for days, i learned to sleep while standing with eyes open" She thought i was joking, but she soon realized i could do so.

"Well then, good night John"

"Night Luna"

*Some time later*

"Are you sure this is the right room?" A deep voice asked.

"Of course it is, just look at her. All alone, no guards, almost too easy!" Another one replied. Who are they? Are they trying to... kill her?

"Now, where did you put the poison?"

"I think i dropped it in the doorway."

"I'll go get it, you check the balcony for guards or a way out." While they were talking they had their backs turned to me, i was next to the balcony door that was open, and slowly crept out to the balcony, and hid next to the doorway. I heard hoofsteps coming my way, i pulled the pistol.

"Hey, balcony's clear!" The figure walked towards the railing, and to my surprise it lit a cigarette. I slowly walked up behind the figure.*BAM* I knocked him unconscious. I dragged the body out of sight, the other figure yelled.

"What's taking so long?" I tried to mimic the other's voice.

"Uhm, nothing. I just stopped for a cigarette" The figure hesistated with the response, under that time i took the box of cigarettes for myself.

"Sure thing, but we have things to do!" As the other figure came out, i did the same to him as well, one of them was wearing a cloak, i tore it to shreds using the pieces to bind their hooves and mouths. I walked back to the curtain and went back to sleep, only to notice the sun come up behind me on the way inside. Morning *Celestia*, it's been a while I decided to look for any of the guards and inform them of the intruders. As i was walking around the corridors i saw a blue tail turn around the corner. I hurried to make my way after it, i caught up with the guard.

"Excuse me sir, i need your assis.." At this point the guard turned around.

"John? Is that you? Man, where have you been?"

"Ah, hey Armor. It's been a while indeed. Look, i need your help follow me." He noddd and we made our way back to Luna's quarters. By the time we got there a dozen of guards were there not knowing what happned. We walked up to them to ask what will happen next.

"Good job catching the last one captain" That sentence got the other's attention and once again i was surrounded by spears.

"Keep you spears guys, he's with us"

"Sir, we had reports of suspicious individuals and he..." I cut him off mid sentence.

"And they are in there lying on the ground for trying to poison the princess. And who's fault is that they got inside? YOURS!" I scolded the rookie. The crowd turned their faces toward him, they were disappointed.

"Yes, but how did you get in here then?!" He tried to save it, but then Luna walked out into the doorway, i stood there in silence, staring at Luna with a grin on my face.

"He has nothing to save himself with, kill the assas..." He was cut short by Luna.

"Silence! How dare you accuse the most honorable, loyal and responsive soldier in all of Equestria!?"

"Ho... honorable?" The rookie was frightened from what could happen to him at this point.

"He, saved many citizens and even me on an occasion. In the battle he saved me in, he disappeared for 3 years, he returned yesterday and i allowed him stay in my quarters, and this is how you pay your respect to a hero such as him!?"

"It was you who let him in?" The rest of the guards nodded along with Luna, Armor and myself.

"R... ight... i'm... i'm sorry sir." The rookie apologized to me.

"What's your name?"

"Flash Sentry, sir!"

"Flash, Armor and John may stay, the rest of you return to your guard posts"

"What's your designated task?" I questioned Flash.

"He stands the night guard on my baclony..." Luna replied instead.

"So you, leave your designated guard post, i come to replace you, and when i do your job better than you did, you try to get the other guards to kill me?!"

"John, take it easy. He's still a rookie" Armor calmed me.

"No captan, he's right. I made a mistake and that almost got the princess killed... I'm sorry princess." I knew she was mad at him, she nodded at him.

"On your way now, Flash" He left without a word.

"Well, it's great to know you're back John. Can i be of your service, princess?" Luna shook her head.

"I'll be leaving then, see you later John."

"See you around, Armor" I went and took a look at my equipment, my belt was missing. "Hey, uhm... did the guards not find my belt by chance?"

"I wish they did, i lost consciousness after you crawnled next to me with the sword. Coming to think of it, they didn't find your bottom half either"

"Maybe the changelings brought it with me, they might had put me back together"

"John, please come with me" I followed her back to her quarters, the doors shut behind us. "What would you do to these intruders?" At this point they were fully aware what was going on around them. I looked at the sword in my hand and replied.

"What i must..." I said with an inner grin, but frown outside.

"John, you're a soldier, how come you don't enjoy bloodshed?"

"I do... when it's deserved, but these would have no option to defend themselves, and in hand to hoof combat they would most likely try to escape" Her horn began glowing, forming a force field making escape impossible.

"Set them free, and do it as you wish" She gave me permisson to either kill them slowly and painfully or with a single snap of their neck basically. I untied both of them, as i expected they immediately tried to run, worhtlessly. "You have been deemed a traitor to the kingdom, your penalty is to fight for your lives. Your opponent will show you no mercy, you can not use wings or horns, as either does your opponent have them" Luna frightened them with the royal canterlot voice, i took off my hood, revealing my entirely black eyes, with red pupils. Afterwards i pulled up my sleeves, not willing to get them too bloody and cracked my knuckles.

"I haven't done this for a while... I hope i can still kill you fast enough" I was against a pagasus and an unicorn, to be honest i wouldn't mind if they used their abilities. "Come on, put your hooves up and get over it!" I taunted them some more. I looked over to Luna, and asked her if i could try a new trick. She nodded in response with a grin. "Heh, this is going to be fun" I said while i summoned only 4 of the figures, the figures managed to have the intruders held by all 4 hooves. I walked up to the unicorn and grabbed it's throat. "Hmm, so soft. How long do you think it would take to cut through?" I wanted to see how far Luna would let me go. The unicorn tried to swallow in fear, but couldn't.

"You dick! Let her go!" The pegasus spoke up.

"What's that? Now you talk?" I let go of the unicorn's throat only to go behind the pagasus and examine his wings.

"Say, how much could it hurt to have your feathers plucked one by one? Or maybe i should just tear them out of your spine?" I asked with an intended arrogant tone. The unicorn tried to focus on some sort of spell, but before she could've finished i broke one of the pegasus's legs, the following scream made the unicorn give up on the spell. I walked over to Luna and whispered into her ears. "You do know i'm a very successfull interrogator, right?" I walked over to the unicorn and asked. "Hmm, such a beautiful horn. I wonder how hard i need to hit it for it to break off... Or maybe i should just tear it out in one piece?" She must have imagined the pain it would bring, tears swelled up in her eyes.

"Hey, princess." I said to get Luna's attention.

"Hmm?" I turned my head over my shoulder and asked.

"Long and slow or just a quick snap'n'swipe?"

"Your call, Sergeant" I gave her a thumbs up and made my way back to the captives, as soon as i got there the peagasus spoke up.

"Hey, Sergeant! Why don't you go back and lick her craphole some more eh?" As soon as he finished the sentence a loud *SNAP* and *CRACK* echoed in the room, followed by the unicorn's scream.

"Were you saying?"

"You son of a bitch! Let her go!" He yelled, i guess they were close to eachother.

"What's wrong? Why do you care so much about what i do to her?"

"Because she's my daughter you hooflicking mother fucking sicko!"

"Is that so?" I asked the unicorn, staring into her eyes that were filled with tears from the pain, she nodded. I asked Luna to fully heal her, she wasn't sure why but she did. I also asked her for a sword which she happily made out of darkness. The figures let the unicorn go, she fell to the ground with a loud thump. I thew the sword over to her, she caught it. "Let me explain the rules... We'll have a sword duel, if you win i'll let you both go free. If i win, one of you will be forced to watch the other die. Simple enough?" She nodded, shaking in fear. She used telekenisis to throw the sword at me, i deflected it with mine. The sword hit the wall behind me and fell to the ground, i picked it up and flung it back to her. "Come on!"  She charged at me  with her horn glowing.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

The unicorn charged at John, her horn glowing. I was thinking about disabling it but what fun would that be for him?"

John simply stepped out of the way, grabbing the unicorn by the throat. He held the blade in his hand up to her throat and made his way towards the pegasus.

"I think i won" He informed our prisoners and let her go, falling to the ground yet again, then signaled the figures to let the pegasus go, they obeyed. "You have 5 minutes to decide who will die..." He was planning on either making the father watch his daughter die, or making her withness her father's death. I was shocked by how cruel his methods could be, he made his way over to me yet again, i was nearly disgusted by his presence for what i had just withnessed.

"Hey, Luna. What do you think the outcome will be?"

"Are you actually going to do it or are you just terrorizing them?"

"Hmmm, i haven't decided yet." He chuckled as he said it. We stood there, in silence waiting for their decision to be made, s short while after the unicorn came up to us.

"We have decided that my dad is the selected one" The unicorn informed us, John looked at me with an unsure face.

"They tried to kill you, we have to set an example..." He commanded 2 of the figures to hold the unicorn by her limbs and take her to the now to be executed pegasus, John looked into the pegasi's eyes and asked. "Any last words or wishes?"

"Keep your word and let her go free" The pegasus replied, John looked into the unicorn's eyes.

"Anything you want to tell him before..." He stopped mid sentence, we all knew what he meant. The unicorn nodded and the figures took her closer to her father.

"Goodbye daddy... i'll always remember you."

"And i'll always love you, goodbye, Trixie" While he said that sentence, i closed my eyes to stop tears from leaking. As soon as he finished the sentence a loud *SPLAT* echoed once again, this time leaving to scream behind. The unicorn had her azure coat and silver mane splattered with her father's blood... I knew John is the most loyal and disciplined and good hearted yet he did it on command... I could've stopped it... It would've been just a word... Yet i let it happen... But was it the right thing to do?

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

I was standing behind the pegasus, his throat slit and the unicorn was covered in his blood... I hoped Luna would tell me to stop, but she let it happen. I guess it was the right thing to do. I couldn't look into the unicorn's eyes...not after what i had just done, yet i turned to face her and said. "I'm sorry, it had to be this way. If you desire vengeance for this, so be it." I just stood there, watching her cry over her father's corpse... I felt guilt like nothing before... i was not proud of what i had just done. I sent away all the figures, they made their way slowly towards the crying unicorn. "Wha are you all doing?! Go away!!" I yelled at them, then i realized they were made of darkness... something Luna was excellent at controlling... I looked over to her and saw her eyes and horn glowing, tears flowing down her face. "Luna! What are you doing?!"

"I'm finishing what you started, John" I knew she shouldn't live with such a memory, but she didn't do anything to deserve the same fate. She only obeyed her father's will.

"Luna, i understand what you think and feel, but we have to let her go and live! It was her father's last will!" To that, her eyes stopped glowing and the figures disappeared. After that was over, i made my way over to the throne room, hoping to find Celestia. I put the hood back on, that was covered in blood of course... and sword in hand... i made perfect target for the guards, but before i left Luna spoke to me.

"John... I... I don't know how to tell you but..."

"What is it, Luna?"

"This was all a test..."

"WHAT?!"

"Celestia wanted to make sure you would always be loyal to us, no matter what the cost would be... and she told me she wanted this scene to play out every night you spend here..." I couldn't belive it... Celestia? She knew i would do anything to stay true to the kingdom...

"That means..." A tear made it's way down my face, she turned away knowing why it was there.

"Yes John, you are right... You did all of this for nothing..." I clenched my left hand into a fist so hard i heard bones shatter. I rushed over to the still crying unicorn and lifted her up from the ground.

"Come on, we have things to do!" She was struggling to get away at first, but she realized i meant no harm... not anymore... Luna stood in the doorway, wings spread.

"John, don't do this!"

"Oh, yes i will. Let's see how SHE passes MY test!" I replied, pushing her out of my way with one hand, i ran through the hallways, guards flying and running after me with each meter i ran, when i saw those doors i turned around and slammed them open with my back, in the throne room i saw Celestia with her back to me, talking to another alicorn and Armor.

"Stop him!" A guard yelled from behind, Celestia, along the other two turned their attention toward me with a blood covered unicorn in my left and, sword in the right. Celestia sent the guards away by lifting one of her wings, and looked at me.

"What the fuck is the meaning of this!?" I yelled at her.

"John, i'm afraid i have to ask you to change your tone..."

"Or what? You put me through another test making me kill Brian and Dash? Or are you going to send me to the moon as well?" I taunted her, knowing what she was capable of.

"Sergeant John Miller, I did not expect this outcome." Bullshit she didn't... bull fucking shit...

"You knew i would do this didn't you?" She stood there, eyes closed, no anwsers.

"YOU KNEW THIS DIDN'T YOU!?"

"John, i'm terribly sorry for putting you through this..."

"ME!?... You apologize to ME!? Do you know what SHE had to withness?" She shook her head. "I made her withness me slitting her father's throat in front of her eyes..." Her jaw dropped to the ground, gasping in shock, Armor and the alicorn next to him did the same. "YOU made ME brutally murder an innocent... in front of his daughter's eyes!" Tears made their way down her face, i put the unicorn down to the ground, Celestia's eyes and horn stopped glowing and looked down at her.

"I'm terribly sorry for what ha..." She was cut short, the unicorn didn't hesitate to smack Celestia, the ruler of the whole kingdon in the face. The unicorn turned around and asked me to point her to the exit, i told her to wait a minute and i'll go along.

"Celestia, i'm disappointed in you. You have lost one of your most faithfull followers... I hope you're happy, because from now i only accept orders from Luna herself!" I turned around, only to see the said alicorn.

"May i leave now, your highness?" She nodded, i took Trixie with me showing her the way out.

"So... Trixie, is it?" She nodded.

"Look, i'm terrib..." I was stopped by a hoof to my mouth.

"It's not your fault, you didn't know..."

"Can you forgive me?" She nodded with a grin.

"What about Cele...." At that point realized we both hate her...

"I'll get her for this someday..." She replied.

"Do you have any friends or relatives to go to?" She shook her head. At that moment, i saw another tear drop make it's way down. I stopped and spoke up.

"Trixie..." Her ears perked up and looked at me.

"Hm?"

"I swear, if it wasn't fo..." I realized there was no reason not to go back and kill Celestia right then and there... only one. She was Luna's sister afterall... And i ruined enough families for that day...

"Wasn't for what?" I grinned.

"Nevermind, sorry" As soon as we got out of the gates, the guards turned against us. "Keep your blades, we did no harm inside." They didn't belive me.

"Yeah, likely story friend..." I slaughtered all 5 of them, and tho i'm not proud of it, i looted their corpses and found enough money for 2 tickets back to Ponyville, a second later i figured i'll need another one of Luna's letters.

"Oh shit, Trixie stay here... not here ... nvm come with me, i need something from Luna" She sighed and came along, at the corridors i noticed there were only two kinds of guards. White coated and grey coated, logic told me the white coat ones were under

Celestia's command, at the end i found Luna yet again.

"Ah, back so soon, Sergeant?" I bowed down, so did Trixie.

"Your highness, i need a favor"

"That would be?"

"I would appreciate if you could use your magic to modify my equipment to clearly show my loyalty and servitude."

"If that's all your heart's desire, sure" Her horn began glowing, i closed my eyes and after a flash of light i opened my eyes, my clothes turned from blinding white to dark blue, and i had a cape with a black, crescent moon on it, i also found a belt and a silver medallion on my neck in the shape of anothe crescent moon.

"That medallion should give you access to literally anywhere, any room in any building but please, don't abuse such authority." She informed me.

"Talking about authoritiy umm, i noticed that the grey coated guards are mostly designated under your command, the white coat ones however only obey Celestia. Is there a difference in their behavior or anything i should know?" She nodded.

"I'll tell you all about it later"

"Thank you Luna"

"See you later, John" Trixie followed me outside, only to be comfronted by Flash and Armor.

"What in the name of Celestia is the meaning of this?!" Armor asked.

"What am i supposed to know about it?" I replied.

"From Luna's balcony Flash could've clearly seen what happened here" Trixie pointed out.

"What? I saw nothing!" He exclaimed.

"Well, one more thing you guys have to figure out, i have to escort Trixie back home."

"See you laterJohn" They said in unison.

"Later guys" We made our way to the train station only to find guards flooding the city. There was literally a guard on every corner and under every lamp post... yep, all white coat and golden armor... On our way to the ticket booth i noticed a mare crying over a stallion lying on the ground, i made my way over to her and knelt down.

"Greetings, what happaned?"

"Oh, you? What do YOU care?"

"Ma'am, i'm Princess Luna's personal bodyguard, you can trust me"

"Wait, Luna's? Not Celestia's?" She asked again to be sure, i showed her the medallion. "Oh, my bad sir, i thought you were one of Celestia's bootlickers..."

"No problemo, now what happened?"

"My husband, he didn't pick up a tin can when he was told to" What... the... fuck... Really? They beat him near death because he didn't pick up a fucking tin can?! I wonder if *Celestia** knows about this...*

"Anything remarkable about the guards who did this?"

"Not much, wait, he's the one who did it!" She pointed at a squad of 10 guards, all white coat...

"Wait here ma'am, Trixie, do you have a healing spell?" She nodded and began healing the stallion, i unsheathed my sword and made my way over to the squad. "Hey, guys. I need a few anwsers!"

"And just who ARE you to question us, professional soldiers?" The squad leader replied with an arrogant tone. I showed hm the medallion as well, he withdrew his blade. "What do you want?"

"Why did you beat that stallion up for not picking up the tin can?" They all laughed in response.

"Because we could... Now what? YOU will beat US up?" He taunted me... and right then and there, he just signed his death will. I growled at him, he charged at me but i countered it, ending up impaling him. At the sight of their leader the other ten begged me for forgiveness, but who was i to decide?

"Okay shitbuckets, line stand in line one by one." I ordered them.

"Okay douchebag, do you have a family?"

"Yes sir, a wife and a daughter"

"Go home, and be with them, tomorrow you'll report to Princess Luna and ask to be designated under her command instead"

"Yes sir" He started off on his way home, when he passed me by he tried to stab me in the back, but the blade broke before the armor did. I turned around, and with one quick swipe made a blood fountain out of him. I sheathed my sword, and looked back at the line and spoke to the next one.

"Family?"

"A wife, a son and a daughter"

"You go home and report tomorrow to Luna for the same reason the other guy"

"Yes sir, thank you sir" He gave me a small bag of money. After killing in total 4 of them sending 5 home and letting one run away i made my way back to the mare, stallion and Trixie.

"How is our friend doing?"

"He's in a bad shape, but he'll live"

"Oh thank you! Both of you! How can i repay the favor?" The mare must have been as thankfull as Pinkie was cheerfull..

"Oh, it's the least i can do... but i suppose my friend here could use some food and drinks"

"Sure thing, come along" She mare replied. As the mare went off on her way to home, i picked up the stallion as Trixie continued healing him on the way.

"So, what brings you, a royal bodyguard here, onto the streets?" Trixie and I swapped glances.

"She's my cousin... I'm here for a visit"

"Ah, no offense but your... species would make it a bit difficult wouldn't it?"

"Adopted cousin..." Trixie explained. I didn't like the fact that we were lying but i think she shouldn't know the truth this time. Soon we got to their home, she let us in and brought some coffee and cupcakes, we took some, drank the coffee thanked her and left. By the time we left the stallion was in a good enough condition to leave him at home. We continued on our way back to the station, on the way i saw many posters on the walls with the picture of Celestia with the text "OBEY" and pictures of Luna with the text "RESIST" What the hell is going on here?  I was wondering all the way to the station, to my surprise the enterance was guarded, but by grey coat guards, i just had to see how they react to the medallion... We walkd up to the doors, guards stopped us wings spread.

"I'm sorry sir, no enterance allowed today" One of them informed us. I showed him the medallion.

"Oh, in that case you two may enter. I'm glad to finally see a comrade sir" I put my left hand onto his shoulder.

"I known, by the way... do you have any information about the posters and Celestia's guards misbehaving?" He shook his head in response.

"I'm afraid i have no information, i'm sorry sir"

"Right, thanks anyway and... stay away from those white coat guys..."

"Sure will sir, have a nice day" We made our way to the ticket booth, yet again and got 2 tickets for the medallion. We got onto the train, it was empty, nopony else just us and the inspectors.

"Where is everypony?" Trixie asked what i was just thinking about...

"I don't know... but there's somethng going on with Celestia..." An inspector walked up to us.

"Hello sir, hello young lady, may i see your tickets?" I swapped glances with Trixie, she nodded.

"By the orders of Princess Luna i'm escorting The Great and Powerfull Trixie to her home in Ponyville, she was summoned to Canterlot to aid healing the wounded after a terrible accident" He nodded in response.

"All right, have a nice day you two"

"Stay safe sir" We replied in unison and he left.

"Sooo what will you do when we get there?"

"I don't know..." I was still feeling terrible, and i wanted to help her any way i can.

"Hey, Trixie"

"Hmm?"

"I was thinking... and came to a solution."

"That is?"

"I was wondering if... you would come and live with me" Her eyes shot up to me.

"Wha... what do you mean?"

"If i were to do it, would you let me adopt you?" She was only about 10 years old afterall...

"Well, that's.... very kind of you"

"Would you let me or would you not?" She nodded with a smile, during the train ride i asked her if she loved to learn new spells on even tricks, i guess she and Twilight will come along. The train suddenly stopped, a white coat soldier got up and the train went onwards on it's way.

"Good day sir" He greeted me as he walked by us, soon after we got off the train in Ponyville.

"So, which way?"

"Come right this way" I told her with a grin... I wonder how Brian will react to seeing me after all these years. As we walked down the roads Trixie pulled in my sleeves to get my attention.

"Hmm?" She pointed to the sides of the road... as we made our way stallions, mares, foals and fillies bowed down to us.. .or maybe just me i don't know. As i inspected the crowd around us i saw a white coated filly unicorn with pink and purple curled mane, i made my way over to her, she seemed familiar from somewhere... I looked around to make sure it was me who the bowed down to... there wasn't any royalty nearby so it must have been me.

"Thank you for your warm welcome citizens! Please be on your way now!" The crowd did so, but not before breaking out in a loud sheering, they kept saying something i couldn't make out clearly, but i think it was something like. Long live the assassin brotherhood! I knelt down to the filly, and asked her.

"Hey there, what's your name?"

"Oh, hi i'm Sweetie Belle , you must be the returning hero Rarity was talking about!"

"Rarity? You know her?"

"Of course i do, she's my big sister!"

"Ah, can you bring us to her?" She nodded in response and smiled. We made our way to Carousel Butique, nothing changed about it, as we entered we heard a bell ring above the door.

"Rarity! I brought an old friend!"

"The customer has to wait! Come help me with the important order right now!" Rarity's voice replied through a doorway.

"Shh, i'll go help her, thanks Sweetie Belle"

"Any time!" With that she left. Rarity turned around the corned with a tower of boxes and fabrics in her forehooves, she was walking on her hind legs... a bit surprising isn't it? I walked over to her,

"Here, let me help with these..."

"Oh, thank you my dear, my sister never bothers to help me and..." She replied, soon after stopping to realize it was me standing in front of her.

"Oh my, John! What happened to you? Where have you been for these 3 years?" I saw her eyes dart across me, probably examining my equipment, but i saw her eyes suddenly stop staring at my left knee... well... the edge of my sword was covered in blood, so were my clothes.

"Oh..."

"So, where do you want these?"

"Oh, right, be a dear and follow me" I followed her up the stairs to her workshop i saw many manequins and bluprints. So this is how she usually spends her nights...

"They should be fine right here" As she said it i put the boxes down, she levitated the fabric rolls over into a rack.

"Thank you John, it's getting dark outside... would you two like to spend the night here with us?"

"Yes, thanks Rarity"

"Oh, John... would you mind fetching Sweetie Belle back home?"

"Sure thing... where can i find her?"

"Either Sweet Apple Acres with her friends or at Golden Oak Library talking to Twilight" I nodded and made my way to the enterance.

"Trixie, would you mind helping Rarity while i'm gone? She said we can spend the night here with them."

"Sure thing... where is she?"

"She's upstairs in her workroom" She nodded and made her way towards the stairs, i left to look for the missing filly. Soon it got even darker and i noticed a cloaked figure with yellow glowing eyes... I knew it was suspicious and i had to investigate so i let out a sharp whistle attracting it's attention. I had a hand reaching back for the pistol, the other with a flashlight in it. The figure slowly made it's way towards me, i pointed my flashlight at it revealing another familiar face.

"Ah, John... you are something pleasant so see, but not who i expected here to be." I grinned as i heard it.

"Good to see you too, Zecora. Can you do me a favor?"

"I have many things to do, only later. I'll gladly help a friendly neighbour!"

"Do you have a brew or potion for seeing in the dark?" She scrambled around in her saddlebag, and threw me a vial of black liquid.

"This should aid you see in the dark... but it's effects will leave a mark" I drank it down, thanked her and we went on our ways, soon after i saw the library. I walked up to the front door and knocked, i heard a grownd followed by a yawn in reposnse, the door whipped open unavoidably throwing me into the rose bush.

"Who s there?" A voice called out carrying a candle.

"Ow..."

"Ooops...sorry Brian, what are you doing here at this time of the day?" I climbed out of the bush and stood into the doorway once agian.

"And why are you wearing these rags anyways?" Under his speech i inspected the figure in the candle's light... a baby dragon, purple scales green spines...

"Hey, is Twilight here?"

"Sure is..." He waved a claw telling me to follow him.

"Twilight! Brian's here to see you.... Don't ask why!" With that, he went upstairs to sleep. I was standing there, in the darkness... no light source what so ever... i was thinking about scaring or pranking Twilight, but realized she might do something unpleasant in response with her magic... so i decided to just stand still bloody sword in hand... hehe.

*Yawn* "Hang on Brian, i'm coming..." A second later i saw a candle levitate it's way into the room, followed by yet another old friend. She stopped on top of the stairs and focused her magic to light the torches in the room on the walls, suddenly the whole room was flooded in light.

"Hey Twilight, glad to see an old friend" She panicked, waving the candle around her head.

"Stay where you are!" I sheathed the sword and took a step towards her.

"Aren't you happy to see me?"

"I don't know who you are... so leave now!" Suddenly i was surrounded in her magic aura lifted into the air a rendered moveless.

"I told you to stop..." She levitated a torch near my cape.

"Hey now, are you sure making fire inside a tree is a good idea?" I asked, a second later the torch disappeared and i fell to the ground, got up and walked into front of her.

"What's wrong? Are you scared?" She was shaking in fear... i didn't mean to go that far... well, shit. I knelt down to eye level to her... i forgot about my new eye color however... I slowly raised my left hand up and took off my hood.

"John!" She yelled, while lunging at me for a hug, ending up with us rolling down the stairs... I guess she was happy i wasn't trying to kill her.

"Oh i'm so glad you're back!"

"Glad you're all right Twi, i'm looking for Rarity's lil sister, Sweetie Belle have you seen her?"

"No, i haven't, sorry John"

"Then i'm off looking for her... tomorrow i'll come back, i want to do some research..." She agreed immediately... who wouldn't be welcome to study in a library? I left and made my way to Sweet Apple Acres... when i was reaching to open the gate i was greeted by a big red stallion chucking a hatchet right into my hand.

"What brings you here stranger?" The stallion asked. I took the hatchet out and handed it back to him.

"Good aim friend, i'm here to see Applejack... i need her help, would you let me in?"

"NNooppe...."

"*Sigh*Look, buddy i came here to talk to her not to make you eat through your ass..." I taunted him.

"I'm sorry friend, you're not coming through here..." I unsheathed my sword.

"Still ain't scared..." He truly wasn't... i guess he was just looking out for his family...

"Look, did she mention one of her friends disappearing 3 years ago?"

"Yeep."

"What was his name?"

"Some John Miller, why?" I handed him my dog tag.

"What is this?"

"We use this in the army to identify the corpses..." He threw it back to me.

"So what you're saying is that you are the one who saved Princess Luna and returend?"

"Yes, i'm Sergeant John Miller, Princess Luna's personal bodyguard..."

"I still don't belive you know."

"Hey, why would i lie to you?" He stood there thinking, soon after he opened the gate.

"Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres John, i'm Big Macintosh, you can call me Big Mac if you will" He walked me to the doorway and let me in.

"Stay here i'll get her in a minute" And a second after Applejack walked in and greeted me.

"*yawn* John? Is that really you? Well i be damned what happened? Where have you been all this time?"

"Hey A.J, good to see you haven't changed one bit, sorry to wake you but i'm looking for Sweetie Belle"

"Ah, she must be playing in the treehouse with her friends, come on i'll show ya " She showed me to the treehouse where the fillies were playing.

"Thanks, I can handle it from here"

"John, welcome back to Ponyville... see you around partner!"

"Bet you will!" I made my way to the door and knocked.

"Shhh, Stay quiet Scootaloo!"

"Ow, get your horn out of my kidney Sweetie Belle!"

"Sorry Apple Bloom..." It must be them... I knocked on the door once again, a bit stronger, in response the lights went out.

"Come on Sweetie Belle... i'm here to take you home!"  I yelled, the weather was getting worse, a storm coming. I remembered i still had the cigarettes from the figure on the balcony... i scrambled around in my belt's bags and found a lighter... How did she know how to make one? Thanks, Luna.

*3 hours later*

*yawn* "Just... gotta... wait...here..."

*2 hours later*

snoring

*The following morning*

I woke up in a pile of hay the next morning... i have to admit it was comfortable tho. I made my way to the porch and knocked on the door.

"Morning partner, i see the girls had more patience than you did" A.J greeted me.

"Good morning A.J , where did they go?"

"Come on in, i'll tell ya all bout it..." I went in, took a seat and much to my surprise A.J gave me some coffee instead of her awesome cyder... i wasn't disappointed but that was a surprise.

"Thanks, any ideas who put me into the bale of hay?"

"Any time, i asked Big Mac to get you out of the rain and somewhere soft... i guess he found a place for you.." She chuckled, i grinned. I took a sip of my coffee, she put a plate onto the table. "Fritters?"

"Sure, thanks" We finished our breakfast, i thanked her and helped wash the dishes.

"Thanks for... yesterday"

"Any time John, see you around"

"See ya" I set off on my way back to Carousel Butique, hoping they weren't worried about me. I entered the store, what i saw warmed my heart... something for the first time in years... I saw 3 little fillies sleeping in sleeping bags, hugging Trixie, using her wizard hat as a pillow and cloak as a blanket, i guess they made quick friends. I carefully made my way to Rarity's workroom, the door was open and she wasn't there. I checked the kitchen, empty... suddenly i heard water running, i guess she was taking a shower... i made my way to the bathroom's door and knocked.

"Come in..." She replied.... I was shocked because usually... you know... females who are showering usually don't invite males in... but i guess since she had her beautiful white coat i couldn't see anything i wasn't meant to anyways. I opened the door, just enough to speak through.

"Psst, Rarity! It's me John, can i come in?"

"Sure!" I took a deep breath, and walked in closing the door behind, staring at the floor.

"What's wrong John?"

"You know, usually human females don't let us in like you did..."

"Oh, is that a good or a bad thing?"

"Well, usually letting others in while showering is a sign of trusting them"

"Why?"

"Because while you shower they could walk up and... stab you..." I cleared my throat at the end of the sentence.

"Right, is that all why they don't let you in?" I took a deep breath... inhale... exhale...

"Uhhh... how do i break it down to you... eerrgghh" She sunk her head under the water level of the bathtub she was in.

"You know how you ponies have body parts called coats and manes?" She nodded. "Like me, humans don't have coats... so if we take our clothes off you can see our body better... and just like you ponies, we humans have different body parts we use to reproduce, while showering these are visible to others nearby" She blushed after realizing what i just said.

"Oh my... I'm terribly sorry if it's embarrassing John..." I... had nothing to say at this point... Taking an explosive horn to my stomach and being considered dead for 2 years was no problem but this... heh, awkwaardd.

"It's all right, you didn't know" She was still blushing, she bent over the edge of the bathtub and put down the lid on the toilet, telling me to go and sit there... At first i hesitated... manners and all but i decided to take a seat next to her... we talked about our past, plans for the future and i anwsered a few safe to ask questions she might have had about earth as she baithed... what happened next, i can't belive it happened.

"Uhm... John?"

"Yes?"

"Would you... join me?" I felt my jaw hit the floor, many times... I have to admit it was very hot there so i took the boots, the hoodie and the vest off leaving the socks, pants and shirt on.

"Look, Rarity... No offense but how old exactly are you?"

"24... why?" I was about... 24 when i got there... then add the 3 years i missed... 27?!  Was i really getting that old? Then again, the experiment made sure my body stops aging at 25 years of age... I had no idea if accepting it would be illegal in itself... but i figured i should just... sit on the edge of the tub with my legs hanging.

"I'm 25" I replied.

"25? Oh my, you're telling me you were a soldier at the age of only 20 years?" I can't remember telling her i joined the army at that age. I nodded.

"Don't you find it dangerous or boring?"

"Boring? Sometimes... but most the time it's either exciting or terrifying"

"Back on Earth, did you enjoy it? The wars i mean..."

"I was lucky enough not to be involved in one... but once i was living in another country, Hungary I was sent there to keep the citizens at bay... their riots against the prime minister became too violent and tried setting us on fire... They were throwing glass bottles that set almost everything on fire when it broke, i was standing in the front line pushing them back from killing the government officals then, i saw that the person next to me picked up one from the ground and threw it back into the crowd..." Her face was both sad for what she heard, yet happy because i returned her trust and told her my past.

"Oh my, that's just terrible..." I knew she had enough... information... about what the human mind is capable of... but i continued.

"I saw the bottle fly in the air... landing in the corwd... the just the scream a female made from the bottle hitting her was terrible... when i heard the fire and many screams joined hers... That's not everything... the crowd wasn't just adults... elderly and children were in the crowds as well... just imagine the screams of agony coming from the very person standing in front of you, seeing their faces as they collapse dead at your feet... we were able to stop the riots but at the end... chldren, pregnant women... and even old people were lying on the streets dead, burned alive or trampled by the crowd..." While i was telling her the story i was staring at the floor, i looked up on her face... It was covered in tears... "Oh, im... sorry that must be hard to hear..."

"John..."

"Yes?"

"Please... forget those things that happened in the past... you can't do anything about them... They aren't your fault." I wiped her tears off and promised her to try and forget the terrors humanity can bring in it's wake. Before any of you would call me a waifu stealer... It was just seem to be the right thing to do... okay?

"Thank you John"

"For what?"

"Returning my trust" She grinned.

"It's natural"

"John, would be a dear and get that gown for me?" She asked, pointing at the rack on the wall.

"Sure thing" I got up and gave it to her. She stood up and got out of the tub... i turned away of course because... manners and got used to doing it. She got to the mirror, dried her mane, wrapped a towel around it and we got to the kitchen, not before me getting fully dressed again.

"Hey, John would you help with the breakfast for the girls?"

"Sure, what do you need?" She trew me a bag of 100b.

"Sugarcube Corner?" She nodded with a grin. I made my way to the streets once again... On the way i lit another cigarette, hoping it would help me forget the cramp in my left shoulder from the haystack. After a while i noticed the early waking ponies staring at me... Must be the medallion... I tucked it under my shirt and moved on. Sometime after that thought, i felt a pair of hooves reach around my neck, out of instinct reached behind for it's neck, crouched down and slammed the figure to the ground in front of me... A very, very familiar figure i might add.

"You learned a few new moves i see..." Said the cyan coated pegasus with polychromatic mane on the ground...

"He-Hey... Dash! Good to see you!"

"Hey, same here... i was away on flying training for 3 years!"

"Really now? I was on a vacation for 3 years as well!" I gave her a hug and went on our separate ways.

"Well, i have to get some cupcakes from Pinkie to return a favor from Rarity so... I'll catch up with you later!"

"John, before you go..." She put on the sunglasses i gave her all those years ago. "High five!" She yelled, while my palm hit her hoof... I guess she was today just as awesome as she was back then. I got to Sugarcube Corner... The memory of my first time there flashed through my mind... along with seeing Pinkie sad for the first time as well as the coma... After a second i shook my head to pull myself together, followed by knocking on the door.

"Come in!" I heard Pinkie's voice... I bet she had the party cannon loaded like last time i was here. I gave the door a strong pull, jumped in and rolled... routine manouver but i ended up pulling the pistol as well, part of the routine. I looked around, nobody inside... Where did she...? The next moment i was on the ground, Pinkie above me.

"John! Welcome baaaaaack!"

"Ow, good to see you again, Pinkie." I got up, dusted myself off and got to the point.

"Hey Pinkie, he must be your friend who disappeared..." Said a brown coated stallion behind the counter.

"Good to see you're still all right sir" Said a blue coated mare with pink mane next to him, i made my way to the counter.

"Greetings, my name is..." I was cut short by him.

"Sergeant John Miller... Everybody knows the hero who saved Princess Luna" He grinned. "I'm Mr.Cake... and this is my wife Mrs.Cake" I shook hands and hooves with him, and hugged his wife... he gave me a confused look... but i to make some sort of gesture.

"Honored to make an acquaintance" I replied.

"Well met John, what can i get you?" Mrs.Cake asked. I looked at the counter with the prices...

"5 Cupcakes please" She used a spoon with her mouth to put them into a paper bag and put it onto the counter.

"Here you go"

"Thank you, how much is it?" I asked... they laughed in response.

"Oh silly, it's for free! You are the first customer today! The first customer always get their order free!"I guess local economy was better than earth's global economy.

"Ah, i see... i have to go now, see you Pinkie, bye Mr and Mrs.Cake!" I put the hood back on and ran like never before... i got there in no time, and made my way to the kitchen.

"Ra... Rari.... Rarity i... got the... cupcakes... fuckin ell... let me just... catch my breath..."

"Hmm? Oh thanks John" I threw the bag she gave me on the table.

"I was the first today so it was for free" She threw the bag back to me.

"Oh dear, keep it for your troubles" She took them out and put them on a plate with 4 glasses of milk.

"One, two, three, four, fi...  wait, John sweetheart you bought one too many..."

"I don't think so, that one is for you, now if you'd excuse i have to pay Twilight a visit"

"Sure, thanks again John... i'm glad you're back" I waved bye and left... on the way there i saw a crowd standing in a circle around somethng, i decided to investigate. That's when i noticed i had another much bigger bag hanging on my left side, i gently pushed the ponies out of my way to see what the commotion was about... I saw a pool of blood on the ground, many in fact, small ones and a griffon with it's back to me, i went around with the crowd to see what the hell was going on, when i got a clear view of the scene i was shocked, what i saw made me climb onto top of a nearby building and inspect it better. Apparently Fluttershy was helping a duck family get throught the street when she ran into the griffon, who started yelling and lashing at her. I unsheathed my sword and jumped to do my job. I took a good look at Fluttershy, she was unconscious and she had deep cuts all over her body, wings, and even face... That was the final straw.

"What's your name, douchbag?" I asked the griffon pointing a sword at her throat.

"Gilda, not like you'll ever need to use it..." As she finished the sentence she turned her back to me, i sheathed my sword and reached into the bag... i found a shotgun.

"Gilda, you are under arrest in the name of Princess Luna!" I aimed the shotgun at her.

"Oh, so you think you're a big shot around?" I shot her wings making sure she's not getting away with those, she screamed like Fluttershy must have in pain, a while later she lunged at me.

"Big mistake" I told her, putting away the shotgun and leaving a deep cut in her side with my sword, it was badly bleeding and she was lying on the ground.

"Just who do you think you are?!" She asked furiously. I wanted to make her suffer like Fluttershy must have, i sheathed my sword and started floating mid air, surrounded by a dark cloud. I took off my hood revealing my black eyes with blood red pupils, then said on a deep, distorted voice. "I'M HEAVEN AND HELL, EVERYTHING YOU COULDN'T BE!"

"Wha... what are you going to do to me?"

"After i'm done with you... i'm gonna pick up the pieces, gonna burry them deep..." I spiced it up with a chuckle.It this point she was shaking in fear, i guess that was enough fun for me, i got back to the ground, the cloud dispersed and put my hood back on and chuckled.

"John! You went too far!" I heard a voice call out.

"Step right up if you have something to say!" I yelled into the crowd, seconds later Brian emerged fromt he wall of ponies in front of me.

"You went way too far... she didn't desere such punishment!" I cut him short by grabbing his throat and slamming him against a wall, holding him in the air against it.

"You saw everything that happened!?"

"Well..."

"YOU SAW THE WHOLE THNG?I!"

"Yes..."

"You saw the whole thing and you did nothing to help Fluttershy... that makes you just as much of a bad friend as much of a criminal is makes Gilda!" With that, i threw him to the ground.

"You're right... i'm sorry..." He managed to spit out, i helped him get up.

"I'm not the one you should apologize to, now go home and mind your own business, no offense" He nodded and we shook hands, patting me on the back.

"Welcome back, Brother." I made my way back to Fluttershy, by then she was conscious again, i knelt down and petted her head.

"Shh-shh... It's all right, you're safe now..." I told her, i reached for her and lifted her up from the ground, she didn't fight back. Afterwads i let out a sharp whistle, suddenly 2 of Luna's guards appeared with a wagon.

"Did you call for us Sergeant?" One of them asked while they saluted.

"Yes, take that griffon to prison for injuring this citizen out of fun... tomorrow i'll take the keys"

"Sir yes sir!" They threw her into the wagon.

"One more thing guys, tie her wings and legs together to prevent further struggle to escape." They nodded, i reached into the bag on my left and threw them a rope.

"What about her? Shouldn't we take her to a hospital sir?" The other guard asked, pointing at Fluttershy.

"I'll take care of her, you just take the prisoner to her cell." They nodded and took off into the skies towards Canterlot. The crowd was just as dense when i got here. "Anypony had a thing to say?" I shouted, no response. "Then be on your way now!" I yelled, the crowd dispersed. Where the hell is the hospital!? I rushed over to Twilight hoping she would have a spell to help her, i rushed throught he whole town to make it there in time, i knocked on the door but nobody anwsered.

"Come on! I have a seriously wounded here!"

"Hang on for a minute!" Twilight yelled through the door.

"Twi, it's important!"

"I told you to wait!" I had enough, put Fluttershy on the ground and busted the door's hinges off with the shotgun, what i saw shocked me.

"What?" Twilight asked, standing on a chair with a noose around her neck.

End of Chapter 5.