The Factions of Equestria

The next day...

Celestia brought the sun up, and the new day came. A brand-new day for the PAP, FTP, and the ED clan. When there's a new day, new events and surprises were to come. Especially surprises. The first surprise came from a question from in the minds of everypony in Ponyville: Where is Twilight?

That brings us to the ED trading building. Inside Luke's room, mainly. The second the alarm clock went off, Luke grabbed his 1911 pistol, and used it to smash the clock into pieces. He dropped the pistol, and opened his eyes.

"Good morning to you too, clock." Luke mused at the broken timepiece.

He attempted to lift his arm, but felt weight on it. Looking over, he was face-to-face with a peacefully sleeping Twilight. Her mane was quite a mess, her wing's feathers were pointing in many places. Luke suddenly remembered what happened, and why he was where he was.

"Oh yeah..." Luke held in a laugh, recalling the memories of last night...

He looked at himself. His blue shirt was gone, and his simple white t-shirt was wrinkly. He wore only one sock, and his hair looked like a porcupine straight out of the dryer. Damn, I'm a mess.

Outside the room...

Michael and the rest of the elements made a search party amongst themselves. They searched all of Ponyville for her, but still no sign.

"I hope she is okay." Michael said.

"I hope she wasn't captured by the FTP..." Fluttershy shuddered, remembering their first attack...

"I doubt the FTP took her."

Michael approached the door, and have it a knock.

"Luke!" Michael yelled, "You in there? We gotta talk to you!"

Only a few seconds passed when Luke opened the door and peeked out at them.

"Can I help you?" Luke asked, a grin that SCREAMED "douchebag".

"We're looking for Twilight," Applejack said, "Have you seen her?"

"Actually-"

"Was she captured?" Fluttershy asked frantically.

"No, but-"

"Was she just up all night with royal business?" Rarity tilted her head and asked.

Oh yeah, there definitely was some "business". Luke chuckled lightly at his thought.

"Do you find Twilight missing amusing? Why I oughta-" Rainbow dash started.

"Luke? What's going on out there?" Twilight got up and appeared in the doorway behind Luke.

The second everyone looked at Twilight, they all stared. Twilight's eyes widened, she yanked Luke back in, and slammed the door. Michael grinned, Fluttershy stood there with a gaping mouth, Rarity lightly giggled, Pinkie had no reaction, Applejack seemed to be holding back her laughter, and Rainbow bluntly let her laugh out.

"Holy crap!" Rainbow said through her laughs, using one of the many phrases she learned from humans.

"Well, looks like Luke finally got the 'rodeo' he always wanted." Michael said dryly.

The room went quiet, before everyone began laughing.

A few minutes later, Luke and Twilight exited the room. Twilight's mane and feathers back to normal, and Luke's full executive uniform on. He glared at Michael and the rest of the elements, his arms crossed. A few seconds later, they look notice and stopped.

"Heh...hey, Luke!" Michael said, sheepishly smiling.

"..." Luke continues to stare at him.

"Um....look at that! You finally got Twilight! Look at you!"

"I'll tar and feather you later," Luke said, grimly, "but for now, I have some organizing to do. Are you willing to spare any time?"

"I got a few minutes, sure."

"If we want to OFFICIALLY be an independent clan, we must show our independence."

"How are we gonna do that?"

"Come to the lobby, we can talk about it downstairs."

Luke, Michael, Twilight, and the rest of the elements went downstairs into the lobby. The lobby was a clean room, with marble tiles and cushioned benches. Luke dragged a bench across from another and sat down. Twilight sat right next to him, and Michael along with the rest of the Mane Six sat across from him.

"Okay," Luke started, "To start, we should change our colors. I mean, these uniforms are CLEARLY symbols of Jack's clan."

"What do you recommend?" Michael asked.

"I say we simply change our uniform colors to green. We could possibly dip our blue uniforms in yellow dye and-"

"Wait!" Rarity chimed in, "Let me help you make uniforms for your group! I can make some that are far better than your old ones!"

"Really? That would take a lot of time and wor-"

"Please, do not finish that sentence! For rescuing Twilight from her abusive ex-boyfriend, it would be no trouble for me to make you all new uniforms!"

"Well, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Rarity."

"What about the base itself? There are banners draped outside with "PAP" initials on them." Michael asked.

"We simply take them off, and replace them with "ED" banners."

"Sounds reasonable. What about our relationship with Jack's clan?"

Luke furrowed his eyebrows and looked at the ground at the mention of Jack. Twilight responded to this by affectionately nuzzling his cheek. His eyebrows went back to normal, and he regained his happy mood. "Jack doesn't exist to us. We won't talk about, or interact with his clan, unless we absolutely have to. Simple as that." He said.

"Alright."

"Anyways, that's all for now. We can make this base officially ours tomorrow. For now, everyone's having fun and talking to everypony. You should too, Mike."

"Well, I dunno. I mean, what about my duties?"

"Relax, bro. Today's a day of celebration. Now, you go out there and make some friends! Your commander orders you." Luke smirked.

"Heh heh. Okay, okay. I'll see ya later, then."

Michael left the building and left Luke in the lobby with the elements. The room was quiet, until Pinkie broke the silence.

"Ooh! I just realized! We should totally have a 'Welcome to Ponyville, ED Clan" party at Sugarcube Corner later! Oh no...if I want it to be tonight, I gotta get started now! Sorry to leave, but I gotta go!" Pinkie said frantically.

"No problem. Have fu-" Luke couldn't even finish his sentence before Pinkie zipped out of the building.

"I hafta go back to the farm. It's gonna be a busy day today. After all, yall gotta eat. Right?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, but don't stress yourself. This base has enough food to last a while. But I appreciate the gesture.

Applejack smiled and left the complex.

"I suppose I must be going, too. I have to start working on your uniforms!" Rarity said, cheerfully.

"Wouldn't you need to like...measure us, or something?" Luke asked.

"No need, I am good at measuring one's form in my head. I think human form will be an exciting challenge for me!"

With that said, Rarity left the complex as well.

"Fluttershy and I have to go. She needs my help chasing a lost pet. A parrot, or something." Rainbow said, simply.

"Don't get yourself killed." Luke said.

Dash and Fluttershy left the building, leaving Luke and Twilight alone.

Luke sat there on the bench with Twilight, occasionally looking around. Twilight then places a hoof on his hand, which he gently holds. They turn to each other, and look in their eyes. Luke stared into her big, purple eyes. Twilight stared into his shining, blue eyes. After a minute of gazing, Twilight broke the silence.

"You did it." Twilight said.

"Did what?" Luke asked, "Finally win the heart of the mare I love?"

"Hehe~. That, and finally becoming independent. You're the leader of an army, Lukie!"

"I don't really want to think of it as an army. I want to think of this group as...a task force. People who help those in need. Not just making money, but making a difference in this world."

"Aww, you're so sweet."

Twilight kissed Luke on the cheek, and he put an arm around her. They then faced each other and shared a long, passionate kiss. Luke ran his hand through her mane, and rubbed her back. Twilight finally released the kiss, and looked into his eyes.

"So, what do you plan on doing now?" Twilight asked.

"For now, we relax. I'm sure Pinkie will host that party tonight, huh?" Luke asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Mhm. You won't wanna miss one of Pinkie's parties!"

"Oh, I'll make sure to go!"

"So...what now?"

"I dunno," Luke's stomach grumbled, causing him to blush a little, "Actually, wanna go get some breakfast? I'm famished."

"Sure. That sounds great!"

With that said, the two left the building and went out to eat.

The two arrived at Sugarcube Corner, and Twilight was confused that the door was closed. In fact, locked.

"Strange," Twilight said, "The doors are almost never locked during the day."

"Let me try." Luke said as he knocked on the door.

The door creaked open, and Pinkie poked her head out.

"Hello, Luke! Hey, Twilight! What's up?" she asked.

"Oh, sorry for bothering you. We were coming for some breakfast...but I can see that you're busy..." Twilight began saying, before she was interrupted by her pink friend.

"Oh, you're not bothering me! Don't worry! What would you like?"

"I would really like some pancakes."

"I don't need much, but I would really like a chocolate muffin." Luke said.

"Coming right up!" Pinkie said before pulling her head back in, and popping out with a small pastry box. "Here ya go!"

"Thank you!" Luke said, "How much do I owe you?"

"Just six bits, please."

"Here, take ten." Luke said, handing her the money, "Because you're such a friendly pony." Luke said with a smile.

"Thanks, Luke! I'd hate to cut our conversation short, but I have to get back to work! Oh, um...your symbol color is green, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You'll see! See ya tonight!"

Pinkie Pie then closed the door, and busy noises could be heard from inside. Luke and Twilight headed to Twilight's castle. When they arrived, Luke was shocked to see how large it was.

"Wow...it's...much larger than I thought..." Luke said, truly amazed.

"Come on in!" Twilight said, opening the door and going inside.

Luke followed her down the long halls. The castle was truly mystical. It was MUCH bigger looking on the inside than it looked on the outside. The hall was long, and they could hear their own hoof, and footsteps, clinking against the floor. Eventually, they reached the dining room. Twilight sat down, and Luke sat next to her. Luke opened the box, and a sweet smell emerged.

"Oh, man..." Luke said as he pulled his chocolate muffin out from the box and licked his lips.

"Pinkie makes some of the most delicious treats." Twilight said as she levitated a pancake and took a bite.

"I know. In fact, a lot of my members know that."

"What do you mean?" Twilight said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well...how can I put this..." Luke thought for a moment, "Well, let's just say...humans in my world had a way of seeing your adventures. We know a lot of things about Equestria, and those who fight for ponies respect it."

"So...what about the FTP?"

"The FTP are just the opposite. They have little to no knowledge of Equestria. In my world, they HATED humans who admired this world."

"That's horrible! Why would they do such a thing?"

"Who knows? They all had their reasons. In my world, ponies were appreciated by young girls. Therefore, most people thought ponies were just little girl things. So when there were grown men who liked ponies, some chose to hate them."

"So, the FTP are expressing that hate with acts of terrorism?!"

"Pretty much. It's sad, really. They are willing to risk their lives to kill ponies and all humans who love them."

"Well...with you as captain of your ED clan, I know you will protect us from the FTP."

"For ponies, anything."

They continued eating their breakfast, and then Twilight asks Luke something that he wasn't too prepared for.

"Are there ponies in your world?" Twilight asked.

Luke nearly choked on his muffin. The answer to this question may disturb Twilight...but he knew that she was going to figure it out sometime, "Well, yeah...but," He started, "They don't talk, fly, or use magic."

"Oh? Well, are they intelligent?"

"Not highly. They're just tiny horses. Not too smart, seen at zoos and farms...and to be honest, they kinda smell."

"Oh..."

"HOWEVER, they're nothing like you or the ponies of Equestria!"

Twilight smiled and they finished their breakfast. After that, they went back to Luke's complex and to his room. They sat on the bed and talked about various things for hours. HOURS. Talking turned to cuddling, and cuddling turned to kissing. By this time, the sun was going down. Luke released the kiss and looked at Twilight, who looked back at him. Before they could continue, Michael burst into the room.

"Luke! Pinkie's party has star-" Michael said, before trailing off and looking at what he interrupted, "O-oh my..."

"N-nothing happened!" Luke said as his face turned a deep crimson.

"Anyways, ahem...Pinkie's party is at Sugarcube corner! They're all wondering where you two are! You coming or what?"

"Yeah. Heh..."

They exited the complex and headed for Sugarcube Corner, which had music blaring from it. There were green lights coming out of the doors and windows.

"You'll love this." Michael said with a grin.

"I don't like the combination of that creepy smile and what you just said." Luke said, raising an eyebrow.

The door opened, and Pinkie emerged.

"Hi, guys! Glad you could make it!" She said, a huge smile plastered on her face.

"Hi, Pinkie." Twilight said.

"Come on in!"

The three entered Sugarcube Corner, and noticed that it was unbelievably crowded. Ponies and ED members alike were chatting and talking...and an ED member and Roseluck were seen making out in the corner. There were tables laden with sweets of all types, like candy and cakes. There were green and black streamers and balloons that decorated the room, representing Luke's clan.

Luke and his clan had a BLAST. They had fun stuffing their faces with pastries, joking amongst themselves, dancing with their marefriends, and making poor attempts to dance with their marefriends  (*cough couch* Luke *cough cough*). The party lasted until 1:00 AM.

When it was over, everyone was tired. Those who weren't tired were already passed out outside. Most ED members went back to base, and Luke was one of them. However, he needed help getting home...as he injured his leg while on the dance floor.

"I can't believe you attempted to dance like that!" Twilight said, trying to hold back her laughter.

"I was just trying to impress you..." Luke said, embarrassed.

"Dude, you looked like a spider on a hotplate!" Michael said, causing nearby ED members to laugh their heads off...some falling and rolling on the ground from laughter.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up."

Luke was helped up the stairs and into his bed.

"Thanks, Twi." Luke said, smiling.

"Your welcome, Lukie." she replied, returning the smile.

"Hey...wanna share the bed with me? I mean, I could use somepony to snuggle up to me."

"You know that I can't say no to you, Luke"

With that, Twilight climbed in bed with him, kissed him on the lips, and they fell asleep in their loving embrace.