"Hey guys, found something!" Sipes's voice attracted the attention of everyone in the room. As Gates, Trevor, and Adams crowded around their teammate, Sipes pulled a yellowed sheet of paper out of a journal of theories on humanity.

"What is it?" Gates asked as he looked over Sipes's shoulder.

"Probably the most accurate description of a human I've seen before, done by a non-human." Sipes mused. "I mean, the stuff I'm seeing here could be from some college textbook, it's that good. Who the hell wrote this?"

"One sec." Gates said, pulling the journal's cover into view. "Hmm, author's name is Bishop Down, lives in Canterlot, renowned paleontologist and historian in the field of mythical races. That's all there is."

"Odd." Twilight said. "That name sounds familiar, though I can't tell why. Anyway..."

As Twilight and the CMC turned to the wall-mounted clock, they gasped.

"It's almost seven!" Twilight yelped. "Great, we lost track of time!"

"Yeah, we need to head home! We've got school tomorrow!" Applebloom added. "Granny's gonna kill me if I miss class!"

"Go." Gates said. "Just keep our research quiet, okay? Don't mention this to anyone."

"You got it!" the three fillies replied as they headed out. Twilight sat back in her chair, sighing from exhaustion.

"Well, I guess we'll pick this up in the morning?" she asked.

"Sure thing." Gates replied. "I take it you're all hungry and tired, so let's get some rest, Ghosts."

"No shit." Trevor deadpanned. "I can't remember the last time I've eaten today."

"Well, let's fix that." Twilight said. "Follow me."

As the Ghosts gathered their equipment and followed Twilight to the dining room, they sat down as Twilight began to rummage through the pantry.

"I know human and Equestrian diets are different, but similar in some ways, so...eggs okay?" she asked.

"That'd be fine, thanks." Gates said as Twilight began cooking, the stove flaring to life. Eventually, the men took their fill, and were escorted upstairs to a guest room.

"Okay, so it's not much, but it's all I have right now." Twilight said. "I'll get you some spare linens."

"Much obliged." Trevor said as he sat down, setting his M110 Marksman's Rifle to the side. "Geez, what a long day."

"No shit." Adams said, tossing Gates an energy bar from his rucksack. "I mean, first the UN gets bombed, and now we're chasing terrorists in a world full of ponies? Yeah, long day fits the bill."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Gates said as he stowed and unloaded their weapons. "We've got ground to make up tomorrow, and we're still on mission. Let's stay focused, guys. We don't know what could happen tomorrow."

"Hear, hear." Sipes replied. Twilight then returned with a stack of blankets and sheets, and once four rudimentary beds were set up, the Ghosts were soon asleep.

====

As the Ghosts slept, Gates tossed and turned, revisiting one of his more unpleasant memories as a nightmare. As he furrowed his eyes, he could remember what happened like it was yesterday.

It was in the winter of Gates's first year in high school. He had just moved to a new home, and that meant a new school. As Gates approached the school doors, a voice called out.

"Hey, you!"

Gates had turned to see a boy older than he approach, and cross his arms.

"What do you think you're doing?" the boy asked.

"Going to school, why?" Gates had replied. "I don't know you."

"You'd better." the boy said. "I'm the boss around here. You want to stay alive, you stay out of my way. We clear?"

"Crystal." Gates had said, starting to walk away.

Then, the boy shoved Gates to the ground, laughing. Gates got back up, his jeans soaked with snow and water. Then, there was a blur, an exchanging of blows, and soon the next thing Gates saw was himself bleeding on the ground, a bruise on his left forehead. As Gates watched the principal and vice-principal help him inside, Gates shook his head as the memory began to fade.

"You are one of Princess Twilight's guests, are you not?"

Gates turned to see another alicorn with a midnight blue coat appear and stand next to him.

"Yep." Gates said. "I take it you're one of the rulers of Equestria?"

"Indeed. I am Princess Luna, Mistress of the Night." she said. "I also tread the dreamscape, where I watch over those who sleep."

"Hmm." Gates said. "Why me?"

"Because I saw what you witnessed just now." Luna said. "What happened to you?"

"That was the day I realized I had to become stronger." Gates said. "The other kid ended up getting suspended because he was a known troublemaker, but it didn't matter to me. After that, things just...changed. When I got home that day, my dad told me that it wasn't my fault, that I had to become stronger and face my foes head on."

Gates gave a sigh and a wistful smile.

"I took that advice to heart." he said. "I started working out, exercising, whole nine yards. When I was nineteen, I joined up like my dad did. Joined the US Army, then the Rangers, and then Ghost Recon. But whenever I go somewhere new, this happens."

"Is that a problem?" Luna asked.

"No." Gates replied. "I look back on that few minutes, and I see my old self and who I am now. It compels me to do better, go farther than I ever could. It's one of my...habits, I guess you could say."

Luna chuckled and smiled at him.

"You certainly are an odd one, Captain Gates." she said. "I suppose coming to meet you in person is a possibility?"

"We're in Ponyville, so come on down." Gates said. "My team and I are ready."

"Then I will bid you goodnight, Captain." Luna said, fading away. "Blessings on you."

As the dream faded, Gates slept undisturbed for the remainder of the night, a small smile on his face.

Author's Note

Update!

Next time - Mitchell makes the call to El Sueno, and Celestia + Luna meet the Ghosts.