The Factions of Equestria

The next day...

Luke was laying in bed, staring at the ceiling. He hadn't slept all night, he was thinking too much. He and Twilight had been friends for months, and they were really close. They talked at least once a day, and he enjoyed her company. However, he couldn't get the fact that he loved her off his mind. He had strong feelings toward the lavender mare, but her dating Jack, along with rules nine and ten, were the only things stopping him. He didn't want to keep any secrets from her. When the sun was up, and the clock hit ten AM...he knew what he had to do.

That's it. I can't take it anymore. If I don't tell her today, I'll live with this secret on my chest. She's a good friend, I shouldn't have any secrets between us. When she comes today, I'm gonna tell her exactly how I feel about her.

Luke sighed, and got up from his bed. With the new water system, he took a shower. He then brushed his teeth and hair, and put on his executive uniform. He looked at himself in the mirror. The man in it stared through him. Luke realized that he had changed. He wasn't the puny little factory worker anymore, he was now the big strong quasi-military executive. He stepped away from the mirror and secured his pistol in his holster, and then strapped his favorite pump-shotgun onto his back. After that, he sat in the reclining chair he usually sat in when Twilight visited. For hours, he sat there contemplating what he would say to Twilight. I'm just gonna be straight forward about it. He thought.

When the clock struck 1:00 PM, Twilight arrived.

"Hi, Luke!" Twilight said, smiling.

"Oh, hey Twi." Luke said, barely smiling.

"What's wrong?" She asked as she sat in the chair across from him.

Jack snuck into the building, and was right outside the door...listening in on them.

"Well, I...have something I've got to get off my chest."

"Oh? What is it?"

"The thing is...I'm not sure if I should tell you."

"Why not?"

"..."

"Luke...you can tell me. Can't you trust me? Don't you?"

"I do...but..." Luke sighs, "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course!" Twilight said, looking concerned.

"Okay..."

There was a long pause. Seconds turned to minutes. Luke sat there, wondering what to say.

Come on, Luke. BE A MAN!

"Twilight, I love you!" Luke said, abruptly.

Before she could react, the door flew right off its hinges.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Jack screamed, red-faced and standing in the doorway.

Luke's eyes widened. Instantly, his fight or flight instincts kicked in.

"Nope!" Luke yelled as he jumped right out of his window, smashing through the glass and falling two stories down onto the grass.

The sound of glass shattering caused all the PAP members to stop what they were doing, and notice Luke laying on his side in the grass. Luke groaned and looked up at the window, and heard Jack yelling at Twilight...and then he peeked down at Luke from the window. He pulled out the large revolver that he always carried, but dropped it by accident. Michael caught it, and stood right where he was, watching the events unfold.

"I just KNEW you were trying to steal MY mare!" Jack said, waving his fists and stomping in a fit of rage.

"I just wanted to tell her how I feel! Just because she likes talking to me more than you, doesn't make me a waifu-stealer!"

The crowd gasped. Nobody had ever talked to Jack that way before, and the one who did was his most trusted member.

"Not to mention, you don't deserve her! You just want to use her for your own personal gain! You don't really love her! Twilight's a sweet, caring mare with a heart bigger than anyone I've ever met! She wanted you to be happy! And you just want to be known as "Prince Jack" and shit like that! Please, the only thing you'll be is a ROYAL PAIN! And your plans to make me into your own little "super soldier"! Yeah, that's right! I've read your little book! You think you're on top! You aren't! This business isn't about the protection of ponies! This is about your own personal gain!" Luke then turns to the other members, who were all watching him, "Everyone, look at what he does! How he used to treat you all! And what about him breaking his own rules! We aren't allowed to be in love with ponies, and yet...he dates one! Don't you all want to be with the mare or stallion of your dreams?!"

A long silence hovered in the area for thirty seconds.

"Yes! I do!" A constable spoke up and stepped forward, "I always wanted to win the heart of Roseluck!"

Another member spoke up. She was a citizen, "I always wanted to date Braeburn!" She yelled.

"Traitors!" Jack screamed at the top of his lungs, "You're all gonna be arrested for this! Guards!"

Nobody dared to move. Nobody spoke. The constables simply stared at Luke...then back at Jack.

"I trusted you, Luke. I gave you the executive position, and this is how you repay me?!" Jack yelled.

"I'm not your executive anymore." Luke said dryly, "I'm leaving."

"How?"

"Like this."

Just like that, Luke simply stood up...and walked out of the complex. The gates opened for him, and he went outside for the first time in a long time. Not looking back, he went along a dirt road...heading to Ponyville. He then realized that he did it...he told Twilight how he felt...and now he was free from his clutches. However, he was alone.

Or...was he..?

"Yo, Luke." A familiar voice said from behind him.

He looked back, and saw Michael. Behind Michael, were ten more PAP members. They were walking with him.

"We're with you, Luke." One said.

"Yeah. Jack is an asshole. You're a better leader." Another mentioned.

Luke smiled. "Thanks, guys. Well...what are we gonna do now? We have no place to live or operate."

Michael made a creepy smile, "I've got an idea..." He said, grimly.

In Ponyville...

The residents of Ponyville watched in awe as Luke and his fellow rebels were marching through the streets. They were facing straight forward, and heading to the PAP trading complex. Once they arrived, Luke looked at Michael...and Michael nodded.

"Attention, traders!" Luke yelled, cupping his hands over his mouth.

The chief of the elites came out and greeted Luke, "Executive Luke! What can I do for you?"

"Jack has sent us," Luke lied. "And he wanted me to tell you that I am now in charge of this area. You may leave."

"Really? I thought he said that only the elites could wor-"

"Are you questioning your executive officer?" Michael asked, stepping forward.

"N-no! Not at all! I'll get everyone to pack their bags and get moving really soon!"

The chief of the complex re-entered the trading building. Luke smirked.

"Nice." Michael said.

"Yeah." Luke responded, grinning.

"Oh, and Luke? You got lucky. The gun that Jack dropped was a .500 magnum! If he shot you, that would've been really bad."

"Damn! I got lucky."

"Yeah."

"And you know what? Keep it."

"Why?"

"Well, my executive will need it."

"H-huh?"

"This is the birth of a new clan. I will need someone I can trust...and I can trust you, bro."

"Thanks, Luke. Means a lot."

"No problem."

After their little chat, the chief along with twenty other PAP elites marched out of the building, backpacks in tow.

"Okay, guys! Everyone go in and secure this place!" Luke said.

"Yes sir!" Everyone yelled as they entered the trading complex.

The complex had an interesting design. They even had three floors underground. Mainly their vaults containing money and supplies. Awesome! Luke thought. Now that we have captured this base along with its supplies, Jack will weaken. Just as a little extra "fuck you" to jack. The living quarters were good, but Luke checked out the chief's bedroom. It was on the top floor, and it was the best. There was a wooden nightstand with two lamps on it, a walk-in closet that had a mirror in it, a door that lead to a small balcony hanging outside, and to top it off...a king-sized bed with two fluffy pillows, and three comfy sheets on top. Bedding fit for royalty.

After everyone got comfy, Luke went to an intercom and spoke into it.

"Attention, everyone. Please head to the lobby for announcements." he said, before heading into the lobby himself.

When he entered, he was surprised to see that everyone already got in a line...awaiting his announcement.

"Wow, you are all fast." Luke said with a smile.

"Awaiting your instruction, commander Luke." One member said.

"Right! Okay. Listen..." Luke thought for a moment, wondering what to say, "Okay. Today, I will prove to you all that things will be better. For rules: they are all common knowledge. All of Jack's rules apply...except for nine and ten!"

The members smiled and whispered amongst themselves.

"And!" Luke started, "It is 8:14 PM. If your mares/stallions of your dreams are awake...I will give you until 9:00 PM to go find and meet them! By 9:15 PM, I want everyone to go to bed. And just because I like you, I'm gonna give you all the day off tomorrow to explore town and socialize with everypony!"

The members cheered loudly, until one stepped forward.

"Wait!" One said, "What are we now gonna be called?"

"Our clan name?" Luke asked.

"Yeah. What's our initials?"

"I already have that planned..."

"Oh?"

"Yes! From this day forward, our symbol color will be green! And we will simply be known as the Equestrian Defenders! We will become Equestria's TRUE protectors!"

"Yes!" The ED members cheered.

"We are the ED Clan!" Luke yelled, a fist in the air.

"Hoo ha!" The members cheered loudly, moving their fists in the air.

"Now, go meet some ponies!"

Without saying anything more, the ED members rushed out the building. Luke smiled. He did what Jack failed to do: Let his members be happy.

Forty-five minutes later...

The ED members returned. Some were saying that they made friends, and other have said that they even managed to score dates!

"Thanks to you, I will be going for coffee with Roseluck tomorrow!" One member said to Luke.

Luke again smiled at what he accomplished. He truly felt like he did something right...and while he was heading back to his room, he already heard snoring. The guys are all worn out. I would be, too if I was excited for part of the day.

He entered his room, and hung up his trench coat and hat on the coatrack. He looked in the mirror, and the man on the other side was truly happy looking. Luke stood there, admiring the small items on the nightstand when he head something step into the room. He turned around, and saw Twilight standing in his room in front of the balcony door. She was looking at him, and he was staring back.

"H-hi." Luke said, nervously.

"Hello, Luke." Twilight said, equally nervous, "M-may I have a seat?"

"Y-yeah..."

Luke sat down on his bed, and Twilight sat next to him. They looked around the room, awkwardly as silence yet again took over the area. Suddenly, Twilight broke it.

"Those things you said, earlier," She started, "Were they true?"

Luke looked at her, "Yes," He started, "Not just Jack wanting to use me and you...but...I truly do admire you. You have a heart of gold, and a kind soul. You brightened up my day whenever you visited, and you cured my depression. When I saw you kiss Jack months ago, I fell into a deep depression. I trained to melt it away...and you coming to only talk to me made my day worth waking up for."

"That...is...so sweet..."

"I had to tell you eventually...I didn't want any secrets betwe-"

Luke's sentence was stopped by Twilight's lips colliding with his. He gasped, but didn't pull away. The kiss only lasted for about three seconds before Twilight finally pulled away. This time, Luke couldn't hold it in. He squealed a little, and looked at her.

"W-wow..." Luke said, shaking a little.

"Luke...you treated me better than any other man or stallion on the world. Jack would yell at me, once shoved me. You...I could talk to you. Your face always lit up when I came, and that gave me a warm feeling inside. I felt like you actually appreciated me. I thought I loved Jack...but secretly inside...I just...never knew that I truly had feelings for yo-"

It was Luke's turn to interrupt her with a kiss. He closed his eyes, and passionately kissed her. Their lips parted and their tongues wrestled in each other's mouths. Luke continued to kiss her as he combed his hand through her soft, purple mane. When they released, they were panting...and a little shocked.

"Well...I did it..." Twilight said, panting.

"I finally kissed the mare of my dreams...my life is complete..." Luke said, smiling.

"What should we do now?"

"Well, it's getting late. This bed is big enough for two, it's rather comfy...and you're not a bad kisser..."

"Are you asking me to spend the night with you, making out?!"

"Hm..." Luke said, placing a hand on his chin and exaggerating a thinking pose, "Yes, I believe I-"

Luke was interrupted by Twilight kissing him again, and just as he fell back onto the bed, she flicked the lamp off.