The Mark of Duty

Time passed quickly in the crude makeover of Earth I found myself on. I found work in the Shattered Shamrock. An Irish pub that had a fight club in the basement. I had been putting money aside for my next job since then. And Sunset and Alice stuck around. Well, Sunset did. Alice turned into a random houseguest. With her token in hand, I could call her whenever I wanted, but I refused to make one yet. I was waiting until after the first major event here. And with the approach of the Fall Formal, the time was nigh.

I woke up quickly, shifting in my bed. Looking outside I saw the sun high in the sky already, letting soft light filter in through the thin curtains put up for privacy's sake more than anything. I had taken some time off from the fighting ring, all in preparation for tonight. I rolled out of bed, grabbing my phone as I stood. A quick message from Sunset saying she had dinner plans tonight. Her way of saying not to wait up. As she delved deeper into her plans she got more distant. But she was family. A lost soul seeking solace beneath the great leaves of my tree. I put the phone down and began something that had been waiting far too long. Mission Prep.

I threw on my outfit from my first day, Armor and weapons included. I pulled Amberly from her resting place above my bed. I took her down for cleaning every day, but today would be the first time she left my house. I checked her scope, speaking in soft binary screeches as I centered it in front of my eyes. Everything seemed to be in order, and I smiled. I strapped her to my back and pulled the only addition I had made to my ensemble. A long brown cloak. It was tailored to make my bolter look more backpack-y, and secure enough to keep it covered while I rode. SImple changes for a massive traveler in another world. All that done, I had one last thing to do. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

It rang twice before I heard the click of a connecting call. "This is Captain Armor."

I smiled as I began speaking. "Thankfully it is, I was scared I had called the wrong number. Marx here."

I heard the groan. "Every time you call before five my day gets more complicated. So, what vigilante work do I get to try and paperwork away today?"

I held a hand to my chest in mock outrage. "I have never done vigilante work, I simply run into an inordinate amount of failed muggings." I dropped the hand, as well as the humor. "But today is serious. I'm calling in that marker from your wedding."

Another groan. "Fine, I owe you big time. What do you need?"

I had thought on this, I couldn't ask for a blackout on police operation near my area. However, I could request him for something. "Nothing horrible. I need you to be the officer on scene for the fall formal at Canterlot High. Tonights gonna get weird. Even for me."

There was a beat on the other side of the phone before a sigh escaped. "I can do that. How weird is it gonna be?"

I smiled again. "Magic and mayhem. There's already a plan in place, but a cop without some background might result in some unintentional casualties."

I heard his hesitation on the other side of the line, but after a moment there was an affirmative grunt from the line. "Fine, I'll pull some strings. I'll be there tonight, guessing you will too."

I nodded, despite the fact he couldn't see me. "Of course, but I won't be visible. Hopefully, you won't know I was there until I pick up Sunset." After that our call devolved into some minor small talk. Mostly about the local MMA group I had taken to coaching. They had a tendency to break bones more often than other groups, and I was proud. After a few minutes, I politely excused myself and grabbed my saddlebags from their resting spot by the door. I hoisted them onto my shoulder and began the walk to my bike. Today was going to be a long day.

The ride to a warehouse across from Canterlot High was short. And getting in took even less time. So it was only about two o clock when I reached the roof, plopping my saddlebags down next to the lip of the building. I drew out a few tools of my trade today. A few small snacks, for idle munching while I waited, a spare magazine for Amberly, and a set of binoculars. I had a view of the front of the school from here, and the lip was low enough that when I was laying down my arms easily went over it. The safety hazards of the eighties would greatly assist in my current mission. I had time to think about it, and I knew my plan now. All that was left to do was wait.

POV Shift - Third Person

Twilight Sparkle was proud of herself. She watched as the officer for the evening took Sunset into his patrol car, texting who she assumed was his boss. The girls began to excitedly chat about hosting a Slumber party, and as they planned Twilight smiled and walked to the statue. She wasn't planning on going back quite yet, but she could make sure nothing had messed with it. As she approached a deep cough sounded from behind it. "Not bad for a pretty pony princess."

She froze. While she hadn't exactly hidden her origins, she also hadn't blabbed about it to everypony around. And a voice she didn't recognize had just called out her past. She nervously shuffled. Giving herself a moment to clear her throat she spoke. "Uhm, hello?"

A laugh came from behind the statue. "Well, come on over here. You can stay in sight if you want, you just had quite the experience." She moved forward a bit and saw a monster. A man who could swallow any other human she'd seen today. And despite the fact he was a male, he carried himself... differently. Like a warrior who is constantly restraining himself. One who was so used to combat, that being around civilians was a test of will. However, when he saw her, he smiled. "Well, send me through the Warp without a Geller Field, if it isn't the youngest alicorn. Freshly minted and unsure of herself." He crouched in front of her, causing her to flinch. "I must admit, you are lucky."

Twilight looked to him, a mixture of fear and curiosity gracing her fair features. "H-how?"

He smiled down at her. "Well, the elements are a surprisingly random source of power." His smile widened at her back step. But he kept speaking. "Redemption was the only path that would have allowed you to live. If that girl had been petrified or banished..." His arm swept up and down his body in a rolling motion. That motion alone made Twilight note his outfit. Strange armor covered his chest, and a weapon that looked similar to a griffin crossbow rested across his back. She paled as he spoke again.

"But that is neither here nor there. I came to offer something the local bibliophile couldn't bear without."

Twilight stared at him before all the pieces clicked together. Her eyes widened, as she let out a single whispered word. "Duty."

He nodded. "Indeed, but you may call me Marx if you wish. It's much less awkward. But enough on that. I will offer you a deal. I am curious if you know what your own power does. If you would accompany me to my home, I will answer a few questions. He squatted down and picked up a helmet. It was of pure white, clashing with his dark tan attire. It's two glass panes were golden tinted, and a tree was inlaid over the left eye, in golden script, the letter Y was made to look scratched into the tree. He nodded to her. "I shall stay here for five minutes. Tell your friends what you will. But I will take you to their slumber party if you wish to follow me." He leaned against the solid side of the statue, and Twilight heard a whistled tune come from under the helmet.

She took about three seconds to think. The Princess had warned her about him. But all she had said was that he was a powerful warrior and that they had no idea what he would do if he saw her. She was willing to take a chance for his knowledge. The Princesses were notoriously tight-lipped about the Great War he was a part of, and the rumors surronding the creature behind Duty were hotly debated amongst scholars. She began trying to puzzle all the rumors together as she jogged back to her friends, now looking around until spotting her. Pinkie Pie waved as she approached. "We got it all set up. I know you have super-secret princess stuff to do, but I got the address and everything so as soon as your done you can just join all of us for the fun!"

Rainbow paused and looked a Pinkie. "Princess stuff? When did she say anything about that?"

Twilight stared at Pinkie, before a small giggle escaped her mouth. "She's right Dash. I have a quick errand to run, and I can meet you guys at the party in a bit."

Rainbow jumped up, using her wings to fly beside Twilight. "You sure you wanna go alone? We got your back if you need some backup." She threw a few flying punches, before getting a noogie from Applejack.

Twilight smiled. "No, this is a one mare job. I'll be back soon though."

The girls nodded and began to run off to the their various vehicles. Rainbow looked like she was about to say something, but a text on her phone distracted her. "Ah crap, I totally forgot to grab my stuff from the dojo the other day." She began running, waving to Twilight as she ran off. "Stay safe pony-girl. I'll be at the sleep-over."