Author's Note

People were not pleased with the way I decided to portray the canon characters. I did this intentionally, but it clearly did NOT work the way I had intended it to. I will be ending the charade soon, but the plan was originally to justify hostility with the slaughter of innocents along the Badlands, Manehattan, and Ponyville. These are only days old, and from the same new species that Grayson and Elliot are a part of. The specifics, violence, and severity of the attacks is currently unannounced, but it is not a far shot to believe that the same new species who is attacking all over Equestria would send spies or agents to create havoc internally. So far, they have done little to justify their actions aside from kill who was attacking them. Luna, however, understands the motives of these two. She is curious, and urges her sister to cease any aggression. However, Grayson IS a bit bitchy with ego, which is shown early in the story, which brings the need to re-assert power over him. He, as far as this story is concerned, is a prisoner. He is, however, being treated specially, as he holds a weapon that could prevent every war for the next several centuries. They also hold a common enemy now, which proves use to them as assistance in a far more developed wartime community. Without their help, changelings would absolutely grind the guard into strips. I'll try to clarify soon, and I'm sorry for not taking a wiser decision here. From this point forth, I will try to provide more realistic, and optimistic approaches on the personality types of the canon characters. I will also exaggerate Grayson's ego (don't fret, he's not going to be an asshole for very long).

Planning Point

I peered out the window, and we were, in fact, off of the ground. It caught be by surprise, it was dead quiet. No engines, no vibration. Only the swaying and creaking of the carriage.

"How is this carriage in flight?" I asked, tapping on the window which, to my surprise, was made of plastic instead of glass.

"Horse-drawn flight." Twilight murmured.

'That's not illegal here? How does that work?'

"Horse drawn? Who's the horse?" I tried to move my head to where I could see in front of us. I couldn't.

"The guard assigned to post around the carriage." Celestia explained.

'There was... two. No, four. Two near the front door, two near the carriage door. Posted.'

"I'm not trying to come off as rude, but you two don't look very light. I'm not very light. Elliot's bag of rocks isn't very light. How can those guys carry all of us without screaming up there?" I tried to piece it together myself as I spoke.

"Originally, we would be very heavy. But the carriage is enchanted. Magic is pulled into it, and cast in the direction we are moving in. The same way wings work." Luna replied.

"So it takes whatever direction they pull, and pull in that direction alongside them? And magic, that's some form of electricity?" I crossed my arms and sat upright to listen.

"Precisely. And, no. Magic is not electricity. It is much more powerful. Granted, it does carry electric charge. That is how offensive spells typically work. Direct energy can create ionized particles which can cause radiation poisoning. Or it can be used to heat the air, or react molecules, anything you know how to cast, really." Celestia explained. "However, spells take a long time to perfect, as they require very precise concentration to cast."

"So, you could essentially microwave someone to death? Just, completely change the charges on their skin all at once?" I briefly imagined heads exploding from microwaves.

"Not quite, but I think you understand the meaning. Offensive spells are strictly prohibited." Twilight explained.

'It's the gun law of lasers. I should ask if they have Liberals.'

"Do you guys have liberal parties?"

"Do we have what?" Luna asked.

"Nothin'."

I leaned back and closed my eyes. The carriage slowly rocked back and forth, which was very soothing. I passed out after several minutes.

The air was dusty, completely thick. A sandstorm had just crossed over Baghdad several hours ago, and we lacked any form of protection from the harsh air afterwards. We had been inserted just south of an occupied village. The sun was hot, yet the air was only slightly warm. The Humvee whirred, dirt and rocks crunched under its beastly tires.

"Hey Grayson!" Someone smacked my helmet.

"What's up, Patrick?"

"I got a laugher for you. What do you call three MEC soldiers at camp Valiance?"

"What's that?"

The ground was blurry, my ears were ringing. The world spun around me at the speed of light. It felt like my heart was in my mouth. The Humvee was rumbling, shaking to the chassis. But I was hardly aware. Slowly, the world lightened from gray, I gradually could see figures in the dark. There was a loud sound in my ears, like the music of chaos.

I didn't know what to think, or what was happening. I felt like an infant, trapped in a Ford Focus in the summer's wrath.

"Elliot... Elliot! Patrick!"

There was a lurch, a loud 'THUMP' complemented by a jolt that sent my brains into my heels.

My veins filled with adrenaline, the windows shone so bright my eyes burned from the power. I snapped my head around and felt for a rifle, which I couldn't find.

The carriage was empty, Twilight was gazing inside curiously.

"Are you alright?" She asked, turning her head.

"What's happening?" I ignored her question.

"We just landed, it scared you awake. The guard can be a little, sudden on drops." She explained, moving to the side and gesturing for me to exit.

I closed my eyes and rocked my head back, taking a deep breath. The adrenaline went to waste, and my heart slowed back down. The sweat on my skin froze. I got up and moved for the door.

The sisters were waiting outside. The moment I dismounted, they looked away from me and began moving towar-

'Holy PARKINSONS this place is gigantic.'

They moved for the bridge, which covered a large moat that seemed to dip so low it graced eternity itself. We were on a mountain, judging by the clouds being so low overhead. On a small point nearby, which lead to an enormous walled city. It stood upright, seemingly shielded from the troubles of the world.

"My god." I murmured, slowly taking my first short steps forward.

Twilight giggled.

"It's really amazing. There's so much to see inside. This is Canterlot. It's the capital. You can't see it from here, but we're heading for the palace. It's up a little higher on the mountain." Twilight slowed down to my left to match my pace.

"So you are trusting me in there? What happened to calling me an ignorant asshole?" I looked down at her, hesitant to turn my gaze from the massive stone walls.

"You are an ignorant asshole. But you're the only thing that can save us now." She looked straight ahead.

"You're really passive-aggressive, and it's really concerning." I warned.

She walked ahead, next to the others, away from me.

There was a loud clopping sound, accompanied by a creaking. I lowered my gaze. We were now on the bridge. I could see inside the walls. There were enormous buildings, and so many civilians around the crowd. It looked like a canvas dotted with every color you could possible imagine. Plus four.

'I left Elliot's stuff in the carriage.' I thought to myself.

'Wait, no, I didn't. It was right there at my feet. I would have tripped over it.'

"Now they're taking his stuff, too." I whispered to myself.

'Any my rifle's gone.'

Twilight slowed back down, stepping beside me once more. We were almost inside the gates. Ahead, I saw citizens bowing greatly far ahead.

'It IS a dictatorship.'

"I really don't want to be against you." She offered.

"Really, this is not the time to try and tie ends. I'm here to do whatever I need to do to get back home. Then, I'm gone." I cautioned.

She sighed.

"That's not what I'm talking about. I just don't want to fight with you anymore. Neither does Celestia, Luna, nor any of my friends. We really do care about getting you back home. You just can be, overpowering. Even when you don't try to be." She pleaded.

"Overpowering is how you make it places. Nobody makes the big leagues without stepping on some heads to get there. It's survival of the fittest." I reminded her.

"Maybe it's not, maybe you just need a new perspective." She explained.

"My perspective right now is that we're facing MEC threat, and these changeling creatures. Both of which outnumber or out-gun you by a bubonic difference." I stated.

Finally, we passed the gates. The town was THRIVING with life. Ponies crossed the streets in the hundreds. There were buildings of all sizes, colors, and shapes. A sight nearly impossible to explain. It was such a beautiful melting pot variety of art. Townsfolk bowed to the royalty. Also in my direction, which made me feel special.

Several guard were also on patrol. They snapped to attention beside doors and larger buildings.

'I wonder if there's any political corruption. There has to be.'

"I hope you're ready. We'll brief you on the expectations, and, from there, the team will be yours. You can ask us for any resources necessary to training. But, do be resource cautious." She explained.

"Yeah, it's just not going to feel right without Elliot here to help." I suddenly realized my heart was dipped into my chest. I felt like a one-winged eagle.

"That's who you're doing this for. Remember that. True friends will do anything to protect each other." She sounded like she was trying to cheer me up.

"We're not just friends." I looked down.

"Oh! I didn't realize you two were. Close." She sounded guilty.

"I meant brothers-Jesus. What the hell, really?" My mood lightened as I looked at her bluntly.

"Oh THAT'S what you meant. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to jump to conclusions." She apologized, looking to the side. "I mean, it doesn't bother me if you are, I just didn't think-"

"Enough. We're brothers. I don't walk that side of the road. Not brothers as in family, either." I predicted the next conclusion she'd draw. "I mean that him saving my life, and vice-versa has built a brotherly bond that you can't sever. With him gone, in such high stakes, I guess I just hadn't realize how screwed we are." I looked at my hands. They were dirty, and my muscles were sore.

"We aren't! We have you! And you know what you're doing! You can help us! I've seen what you're capable of. It's a grim skill set, but it's one that can aid us now, when we need you most. Without you, Elliot would be doomed. But you can offer all we need." She smiled at me. It didn't cheer me up much, but it helped.

I didn't think before I acted. They just reminded me so much of tall puppies. I reached down and scratched her head as I turned away. She didn't seem to have any reaction to the gesture.

At some point, the others had moved light-years ahead of us. I picked up my pace to close the gap. Twilight practically had to run to keep up.

'I guess it's time to do or die. Probably die, but it's better to die trying. Better stay alive, Elliot. Wherever you are.'