After deciding what we were going to do I went to Celestia and Luna the next day and told them what we wanted. I could tell Celestia didn't like when I brought up the reasons for moving, but understood none the less. She sent a message to Twilight, who in true fashion replied in minutes, letting us know she'd help in whatever way she could. We decided we would spread the process out over the course of a week and got to work.

Of course Vinyl had to pass management of the club, though apparent she wasn't handing it over in name because she was adamant about starting another one down in Ponyville. Octavia had to give up her primary spot in the orchestra, which made her sad but the director told her she would always be welcome if she was able to return. Since I didn't have any permanent kind of job, I was the one to go down to Ponyville and get house and deeds in order.

The house that we got was closer to the outer edge of the town, so we had a nice sized yard out front that we would get use out of at some point. It had two stories and a basement, so I wasn't want for space. Vinyl took to it quickly, already deciding one room to be her dj room. Octavia had actually seemed a little nervous when she first saw the house. Apparently she had been avoiding living in a larger house because it reminded her of her family. Though when we brought up the fact we would have little ones running around she brightened up and actually picked the room for the nursery. AJ and Rainbow had helped with most of the transportation, while Fluttershy and Rarity helped with unpacking. Though we had to banish Rarity after she tried to fashionista our house. Twilight would have helped but with her duties as princess and keeping Pinkie Pie away while we were moving she was busy none stop. All together the move was probably as easy as it could get, though I had a little harder of a time.

Mizuki of course had to leave the warehouse in Canterlot, and Fir had to come with me. I put a paralysis rune on him and explained him to be a statue that I had been making in my spare time in the warehouse Luna had lent me, which allowed me to store him in the basement for the time being. A perk of being in Ponyville was being so close to the Everfree forest, because of my powers I spent some time in there building a small hidden fort just for Mizuki. Being each other's only ally that new the whole truth, we agreed that it was in both of our interests that we would be close enough to get to each other if something happened. I knew that the zebra Zecora lived out in the forest and that Fluttershy sometimes entered because of the needs of her animals, but I didn't feel overly worried for being found out because of the runes I used to cloak the shelter, which seemed to be undetectable by Equis magic.

This all occurred a month ago at this point. Lucky no war had broken out at this point, but tensions hadn't disappeared either. I had been in contact with Ryan and things were only getting harder because of increased in incidents without knowing who was causing them. Earth wasn't laying down on this either. Many nations were pushing for sending military to protect their citizens from the ponies and it made Celestia busy none stop trying to defuse the tension. If a war were to occur the human population would decrease to a fraction of its current number due to the fact that if the princesses want to prevent human military being allowed to enter Equis then she would have to deport any humans that had not received permanent citizenship. That's because those humans, like myself, would have already given up their citizenship on earth. There is no duel citizenship in Equis because of conflict of loyalty, which has been proven due to the humans inside Equis even calling for their militaries to come and protect them. I understand the paranoia, a place promoted as safe and harmonious being not completely true would be a shocker... if you were not a human that knew anything about how life isn't that simple. I mean come on it's ridiculous to think that Equis is safe from-BAM!

"Andrew we got to go to the town square now!" Vinyl came bursting into our room with Octavia, both clearly very startled.

I got up from the bed and hurried over to her, "Vi, what's the matter? What happened?"

"I-I don't know how to say it, so just come on and see it for yourself."

It didn't take us long until we arrived to see a crowd of people and ponies all gathered around a pole in the middle of town. One with a human head on it. Many were crying, foals and children had already been removed from the area, but most were in outright shock or anger. I didn't know who the person was but few deserve this. There was a sign on the pole with a message written in blood 'The PURGE begins'. We were apparently just in time for Twilight to be marching up to the pole, flanked by four guards. The sea of people and ponies parted to allow her through, she had a grim determination etched on her face, one that worried all.

Her horn lit up and removed the head herself, before giving it to a guard with a small coffin-like box. Next she did what I bet few thought she would, the pole erupted in energy and fire as she vaporized it completely in a fit of anger. I saw that there were some that were scared by the act of power, people and ponies alike. Though after she had recomposed herself she spoke to the crowd.

"Everyone, I apologize first as Twilight Sparkle, your friend. That anyone, human or pony, would have to witness such a terrible thing. Similar events have occurred in every major Equestrian city, and it is a tragedy. Next I apologize as a princess of Equestria, for we are now at war..."

She let her words wash over the crowd, most were shocked, some however knew this news was the exact reason the pole got erected... A declaration of war. Twilight wasn't done with her message yet though. "We know the name of our aggressors, for they sent messages to all the princesses detailing their objective. The call themselves 'Purge', and their goal is easy to surmise with their actions. They want humans removed from Equis entirely, either by forcing them back to earth or for those that 'refuse to leave' according to them, to be killed. Make no mistake, this is a declaration of war. There is no doubt among myself and the other princesses that these terrorist want nothing more than for humans to be made extinct."

She became somber before concluding, "Because of this, any humans that do not have permanent citizenship are being required to return to earth. Until such times that it is deemed safe for your return. I am sorry that these step are necessary, and I hope this will be dealt with swiftly. Until that time however, those who must leave must do so within one month."

With that Twilight was escorted out of the time square where people and ponies had began to murmur among themselves. Vinyl, Tavi, and I left to talk about it back at home, and it was a very quiet trip back. I was contemplating what I would personally do about this as we all sat down. Vinyl and Octavia were clearly in shock about what they had seen, as they curled as close to me as they could. I put my arms around them protectively and spoke as calmly as I could.

"It really happened..."

Vinyl shut her eyes and buried her muzzle into my neck, "Why did this have to happen? I thought all ponies were suppose to love harmony. So what drove somepony to do such a horrific thing?"

"I think that all sentient beings are like this Vinyl. Human's have done similar things for as long as they have been known to exist, I'd seen plenty of ponies, griffins, zebras, and any other race on Equis has those two sides to it. Ponies appear to have more of the harmonious side to it but that is only because the more chaotic side is kept to the underground, the drug dealers, thieves, gangs, and anything else isn't talked about. You keep it out of the light, which allowed it to grow until it became what we saw today. This evil isn't something the elements can deal with, because it isn't some dark magic that is at work here, it's just dark people." I explained.

Octavia laid her head on my shoulder before asking, "What does this mean for us? Are you going back to Earth? Are we going to have to be apart while this war happens? Will we be safe from this?"

"Tavi calm down you're going to just stress yourself out. No I'm not going back to Earth, I have nothing back there for me. Zoe would understand, even if the portals were going to close forever and I could never return, I'd stay here with you. As for what's going to happen, I think I'm going to make good on my word to Ryan... I'm joining the local guard."

My words shocked the girls, I wasn't really sure myself. Though I felt this was the best option I had, my magic would protect me even if some psycho unicorn would attempt to attack me. I couldn't just lock myself inside and pretend I couldn't do something about this, I just don't work that way. Though the girls were fairly apposed to the idea.

"No! Why would you even think about such a thing!?" Vinyl yelled at me.

"You'd be outmatched by just about any pony trying to attack you, and as a guard you'd be a prime target. Why would you put yourself in their sights like that?" Octavia pleaded to me.

I got off the couch and knelt in front of them, holding a hand each. "Girls you know I can't just sit back and wait for this to end. I have to ability to fight and I feel like I should. I will always protect you, though if I can protect others as well I am going to try and do so. So believe me when I tell you, I will always be here for you."

This seemed to put them more at ease. Though I could tell they still didn't agree with me putting myself in danger, they were not going to stop me. That was good enough for me as I stood up, still holding their hands. They nodded to me and let go, as if to say 'you can go'. I leaned down and gave each of them a kiss before I got ready to leave.

Once I was, I left for the guard station that was near the center of town. As I walked the ponies and people around were discussing quietly, I saw a few ponies threw me worried looks and even some more discussed looks. The town would no doubt be divided before long, now that this opinion was out in the open. Ponies that didn't like humans could now openly express it, because without proof they were connected to Purge they wouldn't have to worry. Even if they weren't part of Purge they might agree with the sentiment of removing humans from Equis.

I arrived at the guard station to find that it was very busy, ponies and humans trying to get answers out of the guards. No doubt they didn't have any to give being that they were likely just as much in the dark as anyone else. After pushing my way to the front I managed to get inside and ask for a meeting with the local captain. I was called back not long after and I met the pony in question.

He was an terran with a dark grey coat and a navy mane. His uniform was silver with gold accents denoting his rank, unlike the reverse that was used for the royal guard in Canterlot. He looked ragged from the commotion that no doubt had kept him busy from hours, though he seemed happy to see me.

"Ah Lieutenant, good to meet you. I'm Captain Iron Hide." He said with his hand extended out.

I shook it but I quickly tried to correct him, "I'm sorry I believe you have mistaken me for someone else, I came here to enroll in the guard. I have no previous experience."

"So you're exactly who I thought. I received this letter earlier today from Canterlot, detailing what to do if you decided to come here." He picked up the document in question and handed it to me to read.

"To Captain of the Ponyville Guard,

If a human by the name of Andrew Duron arrives at this guard station and requests to join these are your instructions:

He is to be appointed to the rank of Lieutenant, as his skills as appraised by myself are appropriate for the position.

If he suffers any discrimination or encounters any problems he feels need attention, he will report directly to me.

Finally, as a personal note. Do not underestimate this individuals abilities, he is more capable than is noticeable.

Signed, Ryan Brightstone. Major of the Equestrian Legion"

"You see that seal at the bottem?" Iron Hide asked. I nodded. "That is the royal seal of the Celestial Sisters, meaning this essentially came from them. So, being one to trust their judgement. Welcome to the guard, Lieutenant Duron." He said with a smirk.

I was certainly surprised. Ryan wasn't one to give preferential treatment, so either he believes I'm needed in this position or he needs someone he can trust in the higher ranks. If that's the case then so be it. I gave the captain a salute and said, "Happy to be here sir. How can I be of service?"

"Already ready to work, I like that." The stallion said, while shuffling some papers on the desk, "You aren't the only being applying to join the guard, I've received a dozen other requests in the last hour alone that need to be reviewed. Sit down and review a few for me. I want to see if you can be a good judge of character just from reading a piece of paper."

I was handed half the stack and spread them out so I could compare side by side. One human, two terrans, two pegasi, and one unicorn is what I had to look over. Skills of each were expected for their races, one pegasi had done exceedingly well in the physical, but that was the only noticeable difference. Then I started looking through records, and I noticed immediately the human had many strikes against him. Assaults, drug possession, and one count of rape. Though when I read through the account of the rape it raised a red flag with me.

The captain picked up on my change and asked, "So what did you find?"

"Well there is the one pegasus that I would recommend as a good candidate. The others are ok, but nothing unremarkable. Then there was the human candidate... His rap sheet would be quite troubling, if it wasn't fake." I stated adamantly.

"Oh really how do you know that?" The captain asked leaning forward to judge my response.

"His rape charge, even if he was acquitted on lack of evidence to convict, he wouldn't apply to be a guard with that on there. That's when I looked at the report, it says he assaulted his marefriend... terran marefriend. With the magical strength of terrans there is no possible situation where a human could rape one without the use of drugs which is not mentioned in the report. Which leads me to believe that either you put that in there to test me, or you have a guardsman that added this report to prevent the consideration of this man."

The stallion smiled, "It seems Major Brightstone wasn't wrong about you, even your intelligence is hard to judge by simple conversation. That conclusion is correct, we had a guard dismissed because of his preference for only ponies in the guard. With this newest development he has been put on a watch list to determine if he is a member of these terrorists. Seeing that you can't be fooled by such simple tricks I suggest you overlook our daily training that will be going on in the back courtyard shortly. I was about to be heading there when I was told of your arrival." He said as he stood and walked around the desk.

I got up and followed him to the courtyard where the guards had already started their afternoon regiment. There was a small flight course to challenge maneuverability of pegasi, a ranged sparring area for unicorns to practice their magic, weights and ropes favored to terrans, but nothing specifically for humans. Though with no special traits because of our race, that's understandable. I did see the few humans present mixed in with ponies around the sparring ring that was in the middle of the yard.

As we got close a sergeant noticed us and called out, "Officer present, atten-hut!"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and faced us and saluted. The captian returned the gesture and told them at ease, before he introduced me, "This is Lieutenant Duron, he just got here from Canterlot so I expect all of you to treat him with the proper respect. Now don't let us interrupt, get back to work!"

A quick salute and the drills continued like we weren't even there. I watched as one terran stallion continually took on humans in the sparring ring. It seemed like a challenge among the humans to see who could beat him first. As I watched I felt the urge to beat him myself, so after his latest victory I stepped forward.

"So the new Lieutenant wants to have a go? I should warn you I've never lost." The terran warned me.

I took off my shirt as it would only constrict my movements and tossed it to the side. I simply stepped forward into a fighting stance and put up my hands, "Well I hope you're open-minded, because you're about to have a new experience."

The stallion chuckled, "We'll see about that." Before stepping forward and put his fist up so he looked like he was a bull about to charge.

Maybe a bell was rung, or maybe not, I couldn't really tell. All I knew was he crossed the distant in a single lunge with a fist going straight to my face that would easily knock me out if it hit... if I was that slow. I stepped to my left and caught his fist with my right hand and twisted clockwise causing his balance to falter and allowed me to rotate his arm in a circle, which caused him to flip over himself. Much to his fellow guards amusement he came sliding out of the circle of people due to his momentum. He blinked trying to figure out what just happened, before getting up and stomping back to me and getting back into his fighting stance.

"Again." He simply said. I obliged but this time I stood up straight and just shifted my feet slightly with my right side facing him.

He rushed again but this time swung at the back of my head with his left hand. I moved towards him slightly causing the punch to miss my head and go over my shoulder. I grabbed his wrist with my right hand and his elbow with my left, and with his rushing momentum I flipped him over my back and slammed him into the dirt while landing on him because of the sacrificial throw. I got up and brushed off my pants before getting my shirt back and putting it on. The stallion groaned as he rolled to his side coughing and got helped up by some fellow guards, before shoving them off and called to me.

"Hey! I'm not done with you. This fight isn't over until one of us gives up, is that what you're doing?" He taunted.

I was honestly getting annoyed by this point, this guard wasn't ill-trained, but he didn't seem to know when he was outmatched. So as one last demonstration, just taunted him my waving him forward to come at me. He exhaled and yelled as he charged, though instead of throwing a punch when his was in striking distance, he swiftly turned around and was about to buck at me. As my friend Applejack taught me, a physically fit terran's buck was one of the most powerful forces not created by unicorn magic, and this idiot was aiming it at me. So I did the first thing I thought of, I dropped straight to the ground and slapped the ground to lessen the impact, with the buck missing me by a centimeter or so. With me on the ground I did a helicopter kick from the ground, think of the matrix movie, to get back up. The stallion was in surprise that I dodged as he turned to see my swift get up and backed off slightly to avoid getting kicked. Though when I was on my feet I immediately jumped into the air towards the stallion with a twist of my body and hit him in the face with a flying spin hook kick.

He crumpled to the ground as guards rushed to his side, he looked up at me as I told him off. "Don't ever think to use a buck against a fellow guard again!" I spoke with cold fury, "I don't care if you thought I could dodge it or you did it purposely because you thought I couldn't. I'm sure the captain agrees, if I was greatly harmed then you'd be locked up on assault immediately. The captain wasn't completely honest with you and I know why. It is true I recently came here from Canterlot. Though I have not been in the guard until today. I came here to apply today, but because of an order your captain received I was given the rank of Lieutenant immediately. If he had told you this none of you would ever respect my orders, and would often think you know better than I do. I was not privy to this order, I expected to be entering just on the level as any cadet here. Though I'm sure you can all tell by my skill, I can and will hold my own. So if you have a problem with me or my situation then you will bring it to me or the Captain. Is that understood!?" I yelled at the guards.

I heard, "Sir, yes sir!" but the ponies had been silent. The human guards had reacted immediately, even though most I could easily tell were several years older than me. Wanting them all to react I asked again, this time all the guards including the guard I just beat answered, "Yes, Lieutenant Duron, Sir!"

"Good. Now get back to work." I told them. They all saluted before returning to their training as I left the courtyard with the captain.

"Well, that went better than I expected." He said to me as we walked around the guardhouse.

"And what did you expect to happen?" I asked.

"Oh seeing that you were about to get bucked, I expected to be carrying you out in either a stretcher or a body bag. So I'm glad that didn't happen. I also got to see you hold your own against one of our better guards. Plus you seem to have earned the respect of your fellow guards, so I expect much less problems than if the fact of you being gifted your position was to come out another way. Also you'll need to have a uniform made, I assume you know Rarity?"

"I do, I'm a friend of the Elements."

"Good to know. Well then just tell her you need a uniform, tell her your rank, and she'll get it done. Also I have three other Lieutenants, each leading one of the platoons here. Since the portals opened the population of Ponyville has grown to about 1,200 in population. We have 86 current guards, though with the influx of applicants I expect that to grow to about 120. I'm going to add a squad to each current platoon, and then make a new platoon entirely. I'm telling you this because you are going to lead the new platoon." Iron Hide explained.

This caught me off guard, and I let him know, "Sir, why would you have me command a newly formed unit when I only just came here myself? Wouldn't make more sense to have me take over a preexisting platoon and a more experienced Lieutenant train new recruits?"

"That would be one option, but my men have been working together for years now. Even if they respect you as a whole, shoving you into a preexisting platoon would make you rely solely on the sergeants in your command to get things accomplished, and that is not practical. So instead you'll teach greenhorns how you want, and I'll get to see what results of it. You might end up having the best platoon here, or it could be the worst to the point I have to relieve you of duty and come and command it until I can appoint another Lieutenant. I'll just have to wait and see. Oh by the way we like to name our platoons, we have hydra, chimera, and manticore. What is yours going to be?"

A smile came to my face as I knew just what I wanted, "We'll be the timber wolves, sir."

He laughed, "That was quick. Fine, Lieutenant Duron you are now in command of the timber wolf platoon. You'll have your first members present in the barracks tomorrow morning. Now you're dismissed for today, go by Rarity's and get that uniform made and be here tomorrow by 0800 and you'll be on time. Go back home your family if you have one, I'm sure they are probably worried about you with this new development. Even if it did only happen today."

I gave him a salute which he returned and we parted ways. I did as he asked and when by Rarity's and when I told her about my joining the guard I could tell she was worried immediately. Though she didn't ask me why I chose to do this, she probably had a good guess but she kept it to herself. She took my measurements and said I could pick it up in the morning. After that I made a quick stop by Twilight's castle.

There were around twenty royal guards on loan from Canterlot scattered around the castle as I made my way to the throne room which is were I was told Twilight was. I walked in to see the mare in question with tear stains down her cheeks as she poured over a multitude of files in front of her. As I approached she looked up and tried to wipe her face of the stains.

"H-hey Andrew, a guard told me you were here. Sorry you saw me that way, I'm just overwhelmed right now."

I gave her a brief hug before we sat down. I saw the files she was looking over were all reports of humans that had either been murdered or were thought kidnapped. There were hundreds of names and faces scattered around, nothing really connecting them but their human status.

"Is this a project you took on, or one from Celestia?" I asked her.

"Both in a way. I was going to try to find information and make statistics of high danger areas, when the Princess asked me to do just that. Though the more I read, the more that horrifies me that anypony is capable of such terrible things." She grew solemn with her words, before looking up a me accusingly, "Also I just received a scroll from the guardhouse. What is this news that you are now a Lieutenant for the guard?"

"Well the rank is really because of Ryan, he apparently sent a letter approved by Celestia and Luna to make me a Lieutenant. I did go to apply but that scenario was not something I knew would happen." I defended myself.

"Likely story... And what possessed you to join in the first place?" Twilight continued her "interrogation".

"Twilight, we might not have spent great spans of time together, but I feel you still know my character. I'm not one to sit back and wait for fighting to be over. I'm one who will end it if it is within my power."

She looked down at all the files before her and spoke quietly, "I just don't want to see your name appear in front of me Andrew. You are a friend and I don't want to be the one to tell Vinyl if something were to happen to you. Just... be careful will you?"

"Aw Sparkles, I didn't know you cared." I teased her, she looked like she needed a laugh.

And crack a smile she did, "Heh, yeah don't let it get to your head. I just don't want to deal with your vengeful mares doing something that would make trouble for me."

"I'm pretty sure Vinyl is going to cause trouble for you just because she lives here now." I countered.

"I deal with Pinkie Pie on a daily basis. Vinyl can't compare in that respect."

I thought over her retort, "I concede on that point. If only because I don't want to summon said pony from talking about her too much, she scares me."

This got Twilight to laugh, "Yeah, you aren't the only one. Very few I can think of aren't afraid of her ability to just pop up wherever she wants."

"Enough about weird unexplainable powers for the moment. I'm sure Vinyl and Octavia are waiting on me. Be sure to reach out if you need something Sparkles. I'll do what I can to help."

We both got up and gave each other another hug before I left to return to my home.

When I got there Vinyl and Octavia hugged me and clung to me. I told them a what had happened and they were certainly surprised about the parts about my appointment to Lieutenant and that I would be leading a troop of my own. We stayed close all through the evening as I tried to comfort my marefriends and assure them that we were going to be safe.

As we went to bed and I lay there staring at the ceiling I called out to Bael and Korvin.

What is it you need, boy.

You know all that happened today. Are you saying there is nothing about it that concerns you?

We aren't affected by a petty squabble like this.

Well I'm affected by it, so by extension since you are a part of me, you are affected as well.

Do you really fear these bugs throwing stones at you from the shadows.

You possess power that rivals what the alicorns here can call upon. They should fear you, they would if you didn't hide what you can do.

Don't try to tempt me with such a weak desire. If I were to reveal my power at the current time, I would only allow for Purge to prove their point. That humans should be removed from Equis. I'm sure you realize that if that were to happen, our power would dissipate quickly.

That may be true. Though there will likely be a time if you fight this war, you will be forced to reveal your power. I would prepare for when that happens.

I considered Bael's words. He made a good point, it is unlikely that I will be able to keep my abilities hidden. Especially if I am forced into a fight were I have to use my power to survive, or protect another. I looked down at Vinyl and Octavia sleeping peacefully by my sides and thought about what I'd do if something were to happen to them. In which I knew, if they were taken or attacked, I would obliterate the ones responsible...and the streets would run red from their blood.

I shook my head. I didn't need to worry about this tonight. If something were to happen then it will be dealt with in that moment. For tonight I would just sleep, and get ready to meet my platoon in the morning.

Author's Note

Well I found the time to crank out another chapter. Not too bad, considering Destiny 2(PS4) and classes consume most of my life right now...

So I have to retract my statement from last time, in a way at least. The next chapter I am writing is one that is very important to me because it is in part the beginning of the climax stage. But seeing as I wasn't able to put the set up I need to make that chapter I need to make the next one in two parts.

I have about 7 or 8 chapters left guys, we're getting close to the end. And I'm so thankful for all the support everyone has given. I doubt I would have continued this story for over one and a half years if it wasn't for you folks, and your comments. So I hope to have at least part one done soon, it will be short since I am only using it as set up, but don't worry part two will be quite long and detailed.

That's all I have for you guys. Hope you liked the chapter, and that you'll read the next one.

Stay awesome everyone, Lyruil out.