The dungeons deep under the castle of Canterlot were hardly considered a vacation spot. There are many empty cells, a couple of belligerent drunks, and a few actually dangerous beings in the cells directly under the castle. Despite its lack of attraction, it was technically open to the public. This feature was normally only used to visit the inmates, and there had even been a piece done in the Canterlot papers about how kind it was to allow anypony to enter the dungeon even to offer simple company to the inmates. There wasn't a piece done about the single locked door in the depths of the dungeon.

Two smooth pieces of marble hooked together almost seamlessly, with a dark emblem painted upon it. A horned skull that resembled a dragon, with a red banner behind it. Surrounding it were runes and glyphs so old there were only a few creatures in the world to know what they all meant. A lone guard posted beside it had a single job. If anything on the door changed, get the princess. For as long as any of the guards could remember it was a boring and dull post. The pay was high, and it was a good way to get noticed for promotion, but the pure will you needed to have to do the job well enough for a recommendation dissuaded many. After all, it was one of the few jobs that meant you served directly under Celestia.

The buck currently on duty was unaware that this was the last shift of his position. In fact, he was more preoccupied with a small fly buzzing on the wall. He watched it buzz around the ceiling, flickering his horn to keep a small shield up around the door. One of the major rules was keeping all living things off the wall itself, including bugs. He watched the erratic flight pattern of the bug as it repeatedly bumped into his shield. He held a bored expression until the emblem on the door changed. He moved to the skull before his eyes began to widen. His shield fell as his horn began to glow brightly. In a flash of light, he was gone. Leaving an empty corridor. The glowing eyes of the skull overpowering the nearby torches. They went out, and a creak began to echo through the corridor.

***

Princess Celestia enjoyed the little things. A hot cup of tea, a calm evening, the beauty of her sister's moon. All things that were plentiful, as well as being things that her schedule normally didn't allow her to enjoy. Today was a rare exception to the rule, where she had time to enjoy two simple pleasures. One was tea, brewed by her own horn to her exacting specifications. The second was a relaxing couple of hours with Twilight Sparkle. She took a calm sip from her cup as she happily grinned to herself. "So how has Ponyville been? Is Starlight doing well?"

Twilight nodded her own tea cooling on the table. "Yes, she talked me into supporting her decision to found her own school in Manehatten, so she's been packing and getting everything ready."

Celestia nodded. "Yes, of course. I believe there's a pegasus who had recently come by about looking to fund a new school in that area. Would you like me to have Raven send you the details?"

Twilight nodded excitedly. "Oh, yes! Starlight was having some issues with zoning and funding. Another pair of hooves trying to piece it together would probably help." Twilight's tea had cooled enough for her taste, and she took a small sip. "In unrelated news. Sunset said she might drop by for a visit, she wanted to help Starlight."

Celestia's grin expanded a bit. "Oh how wonderful, I know after all that happened she-"

Her thoughts were interrupted as the door to the private tearoom burst open, a harried guard galloping in wide-eyed and terrified. "Princess, the door! The door in the dungeons! It's-it's glowing!"

Celestia's teacup fell, cracking on the ground as tea marred the white marble floor. Twilight looked between the guard and Celestia, but before she could speak the senior princess moved to the guard. "How long ago, and what precisely glowed?"

The guard gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he worked his mouth. "About ten minutes ago, and it was the eyes themselves."

The eye's of the Solar Princess shrunk to pinpricks. "The eyes you say? If that's the case..."

She raised a hoof to her chin before all three of the ponies in the tea room heard a shout, followed by singing. "His eyes the closed, and last breath spoke, he had seen all to be seen. A life, once full, now an empty vase, read the blossoms on his early grave. Walk away me boy, walk away me boy, and by morning we'll be free." A single shout came from the other side of the door, followed by a thump. "Wipe the golden tear, from your mother dear, and raise what's left of the flag for me." The door was kicked open as both the guard and Princess Twilight stared at the creature in front of them. It was encased in dull metal, with olive drab fatigues under it. On its shoulder was the sigil from the door, marked in stark red and white. But that wasn't what captured their attention. No, it was its head. Malformed and metal, the helmet sitting upon the creature's shoulders was alien. No snout protruding, and no ears to be seen. In fact, the only feature that really stood out was a glowing visor in a T shape slashed across where eyes would be. It emitted a soft blue light, casting a shadow directly under the visor. The creature spread its arms wide. "Ah, The mighty Princess Sunbutt! It's been too long!"

Celestia grimaced at the creatures jovial tone, but the creature paid it no mind. Instead, turning to look at the second princess in the room. "And by the last snake in Ireland! Is that little Twilight I see before me?!" Both Celestia and Twilight opened their mouths, confused at how the creature knew that, not that he paid them any mind. He tapped his fist to the side of his helmet. "I do believe it is! Well then, guess I should be all gentleman-like for a few." He waved at her, his helmet tilting in greeting, but paused at a voice only he could hear. "What? No, we don't need that!"

All three ponies watched as the creature held a hand to the side of his helmet. Twilight leaned over to Celestia. "Princess, what is that?"

Princess Celestia bit her lip, trying to find words as the creature began whispering to lightly to be heard through his helmet. After a moment she sighed. "That is a creature with a more bloody and violent history than most mortal foes I have faced. Play along, we must ferret out his plans as quickly as possible."

Twilight nodded as the creature shouted again. "NO! I need you ready to go about thirty seconds ago! Focus all your energy on the arcane systems first, everything else is secondary. But..." The creature rubbed the back of his head, shuffling from foot to foot. "It is good to hear from you. Stay safe, alright chica?" There was another moment of silence before the creature nodded, turning back to the ponies. "Sorry about that, you know how friends can be sometimes Twilight." He cleared his throat, standing tall and proud. "As I was saying, I am the mercenary king." He tilted his head to the side. "Call me Micro." He moved past the ponies, heading to a nearby window and looking out it with his hands propped up on the sill. "And I am unbelievably tired. Whatever whammy you hit me with Celestia, it really should be more restful with how long it knocked me out."

Celestia trotted up beside him, looking out of the window at the gardens. "Yes, but necessary. You had been allied with the Minotaurs, you were winning the war for them on your own. I had hoped it would be a peaceful passing for you instead of..."

Micro chuckled. "Instead of waking up in your castle a few millennia and change later?" She didn't respond as Micro scanned the gardens. He pointed a finger at an empty square of grass on a hill outside. "Right there, if I had passed I think that would be a good place for my burial. Open sky, clean air, everything a man wants. Though as is I could probably only stand it for about two minutes."

Celestia looked at the hill and agreed. The way that the hill laid bare was beautiful, and the view was probably beautiful, not that she frequented that area of the gardens. She let out a sigh. "Micro, I'm sure you know I can't let you leave. You killed hundreds in the war, and unless I know exactly what you're doing you are far too dangerous to be left unattended."

There was a moment of silence as they continued to look over the garden. Micro let our his own sigh, reaching up to grab either side of his helmet. It hissed, being pulled free with a few small spurts of steam. With it removed a mask with glowing bulbs was free. He reached the back of his head with his right hand, unzipping it before dropping the hood over his armor. No words passed as Celestia got the first look at Micro's face she had ever been able to get. It was far younger looking than she thought. No wrinkles or lines marred his face, his short hair a dirty blonde. His eyes were a dark brown, and held the cocky glint of youth as he put the helmet on the windowsill and pulled the locks. With a pull, the window was opened, and as a gentle breeze came through the room Micro nodded. "Yeah, coulda guessed that. But you know I'll have to at least try to run, right?"

Celestia shook her head. "You don't have to. You could simply stay here. We would treat you fairly, and you could earn your freedom like a prisoner is supposed to."

Micro smiled, tapping his fist on his helmet. "Now Sunbutt, you know I never stick around one place too long." He put the hood back on. With a flip, the helmet found its home over his skull a small hiss escaping as it settled on his head. "Besides, my rides nearly here." At that line, chaos began to break out. Micro turned behind him and began sprinting at the door. With three flashes of horns, three shields appeared in front of the open passageway, causing the pilot to run in place at the front of the wall. As the guard went to tackle him down, the body disintegrated into odd-looking light and left the room empty. Celestia cursed as a voice called out from the window. "THEN THE ROSARY BEADS COUNT THEM ONE TWO THREE, FALL APART AS THEY HIT THE FLOOR!"

Celestia and Twilight both turned to the window sill and saw Micro soaring through the air, rushing the hill as the small pack at the base of his spine sent a small jet of flame forward. Twilight dived after him, taking to the air as he rolled into the dirt from his brief flight. The guard and Celestia stared as the two descended, a staredown starting at the base of the hill Micro had pointed to earlier. The guard turned to Celestia. "Princess, what should I do?'

Princess Celestia bit her lip, causing the guard to wince. "I honestly don't know."

***

Pov: Micro

My helmet was the only thing hiding my grin as I landed on the soft turf of the Canterlot gardens. I was free! Sure I barely remembered anything from my imprisonment, and it felt like less than a week, but I was free! I drank the air like it was cheap booze, letting the filters in my helmet key off while I tasted sweet fresh air. I glanced to the top of the hill, a timer counting down at the crest and smiled as soft wingbeats came from behind me. With an extravagant turn, I faced my mystery intruder, resting my hand on the hilt of the only true weapon I had on me. My trusty little data-knife. Twilight Sparkle stood before me in all her pony glory. Wings on her back and fire in her eyes.

Well, maybe more confusion than fire, but I knew her story. Fighting the evils of this world with her wits and her friends. Granted her kill count was nowhere near as high as mine, but she was a good girl to the core. I only had a passing relationship with good, that being that I was close enough to it as to not to be considered evil. I tilted my head at her as she watched me silently. After a few seconds, I groaned. "Look, the whole scary staredown thing is so far from my speed it's not even funny. What'cha want?"

Twilight's curiosity fell, replaced with the fire I wanted. "Princess Celestia was very clear. You're not allowed to leave the castle." Her eyes narrowed as her horn charged, and I laughed.

She didn't falter as I did so, even politely waiting as I held out a finger when I doubled over. I didn't bother standing up. "Oh, that's a good one princess, but Celestia and you can't stop me, besides, I haven't been home in forever, I need to stop by." I rested a hand on a pouch at my chest, tapping my fingers. "Make sure the squatters aren't taking my stuff, clean out my fridge, that kinda thing."

Twilight's eyes remained narrow, and her stance evened out, spreading her weight evenly in case of a sudden strike. "Just because you're tough doesn't mean you could stop me if I had to restrain you."

I nodded. "That's a very true statement princess, I might not be able to stop you," A crack sounded above us, and I pointed a thumb behind me. "But she can."

Her mouth opened but was unable to speak before a rush of wind began to drown out all noise. My helmet canceled it out and a muted crash sounded from behind me. I spread my arms wide as clanks and whirrs came from the construct behind me. "Please, Princess, allow me to introduce my best friend. Just as I am Micro, this is Macro."

A calm lady-like voice sounded behind me. "Tactical systems online, shield systems online. Titan M4C-R0 online. A pleasure to see you again pilot."

I turned around, looking to see my beautiful baby. A Vanguard-class titan, with the Marauder markings, scratched off, replaced with the beautiful Apex Predator skull. I spread my arms wide. "Macro, baby! I've missed you. Everything quiet on the western front?"

Her optics tilted slightly, lowering the 40mm tracker cannon in her hands. "All has been quiet for the past century. There has been a lone pony poking around our perimeter, but she was scared off by a malfunctioning turret three days, two hours, and seventeen minutes ago."

I turned to Twilight, smiling wide. "See Twi? I don't think you want to mess with me and Macro here, but if you really want to I won't say no."

The young Princesses eyes flickered between me and my titan, before her horn's glow redoubled. "I can't let you leave, you have committed crimes against Equestria and have to answer for them."

I sighed, I may be heartless, but there was some part of me that could remember Twilight, and I didn't want to be the one to pull the trigger on her. I let my helmet fall into my chest. "Oh little Twily, I bet brother dearest is so proud." She raised an eyebrow as used my left hand to reach to my knife. "A gift for you then." I drew the knife, flipping it over. "I know how much of a scholar you are, so I will tell you my own private philosophy. I've held it since I joined the Apex Predators a lifetime ago, or longer now, I suppose. It has been heard in years past by every foe that fought me one on one." I held the knife out to her, shaking the handle slightly. Her magic gripped the handle, pulling the blade free from my grasp. I squatted low, my right hand still on my chest pouch. "It goes like this. You kill me, you're better. I kill you, I'm better. Which leaves the obvious question unanswered." I quirked my head. "Are you better than me, Twilight Sparkle?"

The silence stretched as Twilight's eyes fell on my mask, tripping into the rookie mistake I laid out for her. I pulled the pin on the arc grenade in my chest pouch, rolling it towards her. The soft noise of metal on grass drowned out by a ping from Macro. I shook my head, clicking my tongue a few times. "Nope, not yet Twily, maybe next time." She opened her mouth as a mass of lightning exploded underneath her, cutting off the glow from her horn as my knife fell back into my hand.

I stood up, shaking my head. "It's a shame, I really wanted to give you this more peacefully." With a shrug, I began digging into a hip pouch. "You know, I've heard a lot of your stories. Sombra, Nightmare Moon, Changelings. Amazing how much trouble one young mare can solve." I found what I was looking for, pulling out the small card with my logo on it. I dropped it on Twilight's forehead. "If you ever need my help girly, then you just rip that card. You've earned my respect, use it when you need it." The second set of wings sounding in the distance warned me it was time to go. I turned around, running up to Macro. "RO, CATCH ME!"

I jumped forward, my thruster kicking in as Ro's arm shot out, wrapping me in massive fingers before pulling me into her cockpit. Her voice came through my helmets speakers. "Arcane transport system online, we must reach high ground to initiate Titanfall."

I flicked a few switches, keying my neural link and turning all the various cameras on. "Yeah yeah, we're on a damn mountain Ro, get me a drop point!" The radar came online before a red ping came from it. There was a tense second of nothing before a yellow circle appeared. I let out a whoop of joy. "Ro, you are one beautiful bitch. Let's get the hell out of here!" With the neural link activated her movements became mine. I felt the servos and engines as if they were my own organs, and the ground under my feet squashing as it was compacted from my 40-ton nightmare running.

Ro was spot on, the edge of the gardens having a large drop off on the other side of a wall. I began messing with a switchboard, trying to ready a VTOL launch, only for a shower of sparks to spray in my helmet. As they subsided Ro's voice came through my earpiece. "Pilot, most systems are offline from long-term low power mode. I'm afraid that besides the basics the only capabilities currently online are my primary weapon and shields."

I cursed, firing a round at the castle walls. The appreciable hole couldn't hope to fit a titan, but as I tensed my arms Ro's arms followed. With a leap forward we crashed through the wall. The open sky was below us, and for a moment I simply enjoyed the view. At least until several error messages began appearing. Ro's voice chimed up again. "Mike, I am prepping an arcane drop, coordinates set at Apex HQ, are you sure this is wise when we are so close to our final mission objective?"

I sighed as purple lights began to flash, each warning being dismissed one by one. "Nah, war's over Ro, no use burning the capital to the ground if we ain't getting paid." The warnings faded, and the purple lights went up to eleven, blinding me. It faded with a crash.

Ro spoke up before I could wash the purple out of my vision. "Welcome home pilot. It's been waiting for you." The cockpit opened before I could look through the screen to see what became of my house, dull light seeping through my vision as I began stepping out. My old home had not aged well as I had hoped. The sleek wooden walls that had once made my beautiful open area that me and 'Ro shared had rotted and splintered from age, with the two human-sized doors nearly falling off the hinges. I grimaced as I kicked through the withered husk of the armory door. My vision instantly became obscured by dust as the door disintegrated. "Jesus, I know I was gone for a while, but I didn't expect this much shit." I looked over the dilapidated room. The racks were full of my old tools, all worn and broken from the long stretch of time they had lain abandoned. I raised an eyebrow at the treasure trove of equipment rendered useless by the ravages of time. With a scoff, I picked up my old G7 and tried to work the action. It jammed less than an inch from it's resting position. With a grunt, I placed it back in its slot. "Ro, does anything work in here!?"

I made my way out as Ro's soothing voice echoed through the room. "Yes, you're room has remained as you left it. One of the unicorns we employed placed a spell on it, however, his haste to leave meant could not stay to do the same for the rest of our HQ."

I grunted, heading across the open area and heading to my old bedroom. I opened the door and was pleasantly surprised when it didn't collapse as soon as I put some weight on it. I opened it up to find my old bedroom in perfect order. The two fabricators sitting in the corner, and my old bed still sitting half-made in the corner. I ripped off my helmet with a happy smile. "Hell yeah." I began unhooking myself from my pilot rig, thrusters, and holsters clanking as they fell to the wooden floor. As I began stripping out of my bodysuit I called out to Ro. "Hey, wake me in a few hours!! I'm gonna sleep in my bed for the first time in centuries."

I heard what sounded like an exasperated sigh run through a tin can wire. "Pilot, I would appreciate if first, you could do a perimeter check of all the areas I cannot reach of the base. Despite our best efforts, I am still larger than the side rooms and entrances allow. I have been unable to properly secure them."

I rolled my eyes, finishing my strip before heading to my chest of drawers at the foot of my bed. With a flourish, I recovered my Pajama's and began throwing them on. "Look, if they lasted this long I'm sure they'll survive for another few hours." I paused as I glanced to the hologram projectors that attached to my wrists, currently laying in a heap at the top of my clothes. I scooped them up and placed them on over my bare skin, you only need to be caught with your pants down once. I heard a clank from outside but ignored it as I flopped into my bed. After so long from home, nothing felt sweeter.

Author's Note

Hullo, this is my return to writing gift from a newly married man. Hopefully, I'll have a chapter of every story out by this time next week!