So. As it turns out these ponies will go to lengths I didn't think they were capable of. X wasn't missing. He was taken, by the girls, and was tied up in Twilight's basement. He also had a bunch of science equipment strapped to him. Twilight was trying to figure out our connection to the World Stone's through science if she couldn't use magic. 'Why didn't she just magically scan us?' I ponder.

X was freed, apologies were made and the fire of friendship was reignited. That went smoothly, I'm proud of the fact that I'm the one that fixed things for a change.

We were debating about going after Twilight or not until a series of panicked knocks sounded from the door. It was hastily opened, courtesy of Rarity's magic, to reveal a disheveled Twilight.

"Root are attacking Ponyville!" She screeched. Most of the girls looked ready to fight but were shot down by both X and I.

"You aren't fighters. You aren't trained or experienced. I admire your will to protect your fellow ponies but I'd rather you stay behind. It's better our friends are safe than added as casualties" X's voice was firm and I quickly followed by voicing my agreement. I turn to the door to follow X out but look back to them and say to them. "As bad as this sounds, I'd rather strangers die than those close to me. But hopefully it won't come to that." I left shortly after.

Galloping down the streets, following X's trail because I couldn't see him through all the screaming ponies. After a bit of running I started to see very tiny plumes of pink dust above a couple homes, my sharp eyes just barely seeing it.

Digging my hooves in the dirt and pivoting on my heel I manage to turn a sharp corner and not lose much speed. Nice.

The first thing I see as I round the corner is the detachment of 36, 18 of each flavor, Guards preparing to face down a mass of Root devils spewing out from the forest, roughly 30 from what I can count, maybe a spec less. What greatly confuses me is the sudden absence of Luna, and Celestia holding back Scrapper and X from joining the fight.

Running up to her I shout "Celestia! What are you doing?!" I am immediately torn from my gallop and placed next to my Brothers by her magic.

"I must prove to my little ponies that the Royal Guard can protect them. Please let them show this to them." She states more than asks. At their Princess's words all the ponies calm and watch the tight formation of Guards match forward, spears at the ready, eager to prove their worth.

But little do they know. The eyes of us Remnants spy the bane of small areas and tight formations.

A Rot Wart. The Root's suicide bombers. Three of them.
This won't be pretty.

The sound of their continuous squealing heralding their charge, promising the Guards demise. The Guards unknowingly still marching forward into their early retirement from this mortal coil. I had to at least let Celestia know.

"Uh... Your Highness? They don't want to march into those! Like break formation now or die don't want to march into those!" I yelled out to her making everypony present, including the Guards, know of my given advice. I was dismissed with a hoof wave. "If my Guards cannot handle these Root than I will pass all military command over to my sister and provide you with your own battalion of Guards. Regardless of the outcome I was going to ask you to take command, but that may no longer be necessary." I guess Twilight wasn't the only one upset at us ripping into the Guards. 'Oh no' The remnants thoughts chimed together, despite being unaware of that fact.

The sight before me made me cringe.

Despite my warning they kept marching, likely ignoring me and letting emotions cloud their judgement. It was fatal mistake.

Before the battle even truly begun the Rot Warts blew up in the Guards faces, instantly wiping almost half of them out, leaving about 22 Guards, now out of formation anyway, against the still 30 devils' fast approach.

The Guards' losses weren't missed either if the collective gasp and the flood of nervousness was any indication. Even Celestia got worried.

The devils collide with the still recovering Guards, meeting them with wild swings of both the axe and dagger they wield, the armor, as I thought it would, was ineffective in actual protection. Only making them slower with it's weight. Before the Guards recover enough to attack they lost 5 more, leaving 17 left.

Now with the Guards actually joining the fight the Root were being damaged, but not killed. One devil reared up with both weapons and stuck a Guard horizontally with all it's might, the armor didn't protect him. He lost his head.

At the sight of this the magic restricting us vanished and a teary-eyed Celestia told us to "Help... Save my Guards!" She hollered, getting another gasp from the crowd. We didn't even dignify her with a response. We simply went to work.

While trotting over we decided to show up the Guards, Celestia mainly, so X would hang back and use his Pistol, Scrapper gave all his Hoof Gun ammo to X, who lacked a melee weapon. All 105 of it. Normally we can't carry that much on our own but since X won't be really moving it shouldn't trouble him much.

So as Scrap and I, Hammer and Sword in hoof respectively, charged X already started raining fire upon the Root. Firing precisely between the Guards and into the Root.

Wither charging into one, making it stumble, I slashed a weakened devil beside it and then spun while jumping to give the other a mighty overhead swing, killing both. Sidestepping a thrown axe I then decapitate the offending devil while then tensing my body I turn and bring my sword around myself to put extra power into a cut that was aimed at a devil that was next to the one I just killed, almost cutting it in half.

I look to where I assume Scrapper would be, a bullet whizzing just past my face and into a devil, and he is in the process of turning two devils into toothpicks. Something he does very well.

This process was repeated for a while. Slash, smash, bang, dodge, repeat.
The song of our home.

A Guard fell, a couple devils followed him, two Guards fell. The Root were almost gone.

I am brought back from my stray thoughts by the appearance of something that irked me greatly.

A Hunter.

The hulking mass of wood was slowly leaving the thick brush of the forest, it's twin swords crossed in front of it as always. As the devils were cleaned up, the remaining 14 Guards saw me not celebrating with them. They soon saw it too.

Under the effects of adrenaline from their victory, the idiots attempted to charge forward and I held my blade up to the side and they heeded my unspoken command. Not wanting to repeat the tragedy of when they did that last time.

X taking the helm again "Scrapper, Hunter. You know what to do" he calls, readying the remaining shots of his pistol.

Scrapper and I silently march forward, fanning out and taking a different side of the Hunter. No ammo, this could be bad.

It's gaze follows Scrapper, despite it's blindness, it follows him perfectly.

When he enters the striking zone, it doesn't hesitate. Immediately attempting to maim him with a flurry of fast strikes. Scrapper has little trouble evading the wild attempts on his life as I chop into it's back. X begins unloading onto the Hunter as soon as it's swords dropped, it's hurt bad now. Changing it's mind it quickly turns and swings at me. I was not prepared for this and narrowly avoid it's attempt at collecting my scalp. Scrapper takes this opportunity during the lull of attacks to smash his hammer into it's side heavily, twice.

It raises it's swords to it's chest in a cross again and blocks the four bullets from X as he ceases, holding fire due to the swords in place. Deciding to top up X ejects the magazine from his Repeater Pistol, 'seeing' this the Hunter drops it's swords to it's sides and trails them behind it as it sprints towards X's position on the edge of town, in front of some shocked Guards.

X in all his glory, fumbles at the sight of this, dropping the fresh mag on the ground and he quickly leans down, picking it up. He gets/smashes it in and finishes the Hunter 35 metres away from where it SHOULD be laying. I'll never let him forget that fumble but I won't put him down over it, it was unexpected after all.

We push past the stunned Guards and reenter the town. Everypony focuses on us, the Princess and the girls included. 'I would say something about leaving the treebrary but since the Princess is there I guess I'll let it slide' I thought to myself. They look the least surprised in this wide street, I look past them and see Town Hall in the distance.

"Guards did a splendid job Princess," X states sourly. "But next time, leave the Root slaying to the experts, that was an unnecessary loss of live."

"All the more reason to leave everything military to Luna" Celestia agrees, obviously sad at the loss of life. "She is much more attuned to the way we both had used to run Equestria but that had been one thousand years ago." I blanch at the number. 'Are they that old? Should probably avoid making any oldie jokes then'

"Warrior Princess?" X muses.

"Warrior Princess." The non-warrior Princess confirms. "We must speak in the library come, girls I want you to hear this too" They follow after a short look of confusion between them.

We trot in silence, the masses still watching in stunned silence with a mix of rising fear. Silly ponies, we defend them and they fear us for it? Guess they're quite jumpy. I'll need to remember that.

We arrive at the library and Celestia tells the girls that Twilight will remain in Ponyville, taking up the role of the town librarian and then turns to us.

"X you will remain here in the library with Twilight, I noticed you happen to get along well enough. Scrapper you will go with Applejack to Sweet Apple Acres, I believe the apple family needs an extra pair of hooves with harvest coming around soon." AJ seems shocked at the Princess's apparent knowledge of her family farm. "Hunter I believe?" I nod. "I do not know where you could stay but maybe-" She's cut of by Rainbow.

"He could come to my place! It's this awesome cloud house that I put together myself!" She exclaims with excitement permeating her features.

"While that is a kind offer Rainbow Dash, I don't believe Hunter could be accommodated at your cloud home, his not being a Pegasus" She tries to let her down gently, but Dash looks greatly disappointed.

"Actually Princess," I speak up, gaining everyponies attention. "I do have wings, they're just... different." I reveal my insectiod wings, gaining a gasp from everypony, even my Brothers since they weren't expecting my bold reveal.

Before the Princess could say something I am tackled by a purple blur of curiosity, leaving me on my stomach. Then I feel a lance of sharp pain as my left wing is nearly torn from my side, this earned a grunt of pain and surprise from me. I look over my withers to see Twilight roughly pulling the sensitive membrane from my body, examining it at an unnatural angle.

Before she could go any further she is pulled near violently off of me by Scrapper, X pulling her hooves off of my abused wing and then they stand protectively over me.

Twilight is shocked by this fast transition from looking at my wing to being thrown across the room. But she isn't as shocked as the Princess and her friends, them having clearly heard my pain and every winged creature in the room understood why. Wings, regardless of what they're made of, shouldn't be bent like that.

"Twilight!" The Princess called.

"Yes Princess?" She asked, oblivious to rising anger in the room. Directed at her.

"You have studied the anatomy of creatures with wings. Correct?" The Princess asks her, her motherly voice betraying the anger swelling within her.

"I have but I've never seen wings like that before!" Twilight exclaims with childlike excitement whilst starting at my wings, ignoring the angry stares directed at her.

"Then you are aware of how you pulled his wing, without his permission and how much pain it must have cause him when you BENT it!" I would have flinched from Celestia raising her voice but I was too busy passing out.

I slowly wake up from my surprise nap and open my eyes to observe my surroundings. I quickly shut them from the blinding light and turn over with a groan, only to regret it as pain flashes through my left wing. 'Right... forgot about that'

I turn onto my right side instead, sleep is a lost cause as I'm awake now so I open my eyes again. I'm greeted by an almost pure white room, I'd think I was dead but the window at the side of the room was filled with the orange afternoon sky. The throbbing pain in my wing kindly reminded me of my still living body.

I look at my now damaged wing and only see a white bandage. Great guess I won't be going to Rainbow's anytime soon. I sigh as I was actually looking forward to that. I could go to the World Stone but I don't necessarily need my wings to fight against any Root but I would like to heal naturally for a change. No Stone, no bloodwart, nothing. I actually wonder if my body even remembers how to repair itself. That's a funny thought. I take note of how I'm laying on a cloud couch.

I look around and see a note on a nearby nightstand, I pick it up assuming it's for me, it was.

'Hunter, Your wing was sprained by Twilight and the Doctors that examined you estimated it may take a week to fully heal. They wished to remove your clothing to give a more accurate estimation but your friends, Scrapper and X, were quite... firm about you remaining clothed. Said something about it not being time yet, I would like to know this secret of yours. If only to help make your integration into Equestria a lot smoother. Twilight was quite upset when she learned she harmed you and is very sorry, forgiving her is entirely your choice. Scrapper, X and Rainbow Dash have airlifted you to Rainbow Dash's cloud home where you will remain until your wing is healed and your home in Ponyville is constructed. It may take three months to fully finish and furnish. Scrapper and X have already finalized the plan so you don't have to worry about that. Princess Luna will arrive tomorrow to discuss a job position at Rainbow Dash's home with your friends. Until next time Hunter.
Sincerely Princess Celestia'

'Huh' is all I could think after taking it all in.

The near silent opening of a cloud door gains my attention. I put a plan together, a plan to welcome my housemate back. Not in a nice way.

I check my Repeater Pistol finding it full, satisfied I put it back on my flank.

Now normally I'm not one for pranks but... I have a housemate to scare the crap out of.

I crouch down low next to the open doorway to the... looking around I deduce this is the living room. 'Why's it upstairs?' I decide I'll ask after.

The cyan Pegasus turns the corner and looks to the couch I was atop of earlier, looking confusedly at it's lack of occupant. I take this opportunity to raise my Pistol behind her head, not too close as to not damage her hearing and aiming out a window as to not damage anything. I pull the trigger.

Her ears immediately pin with a shriek of surprise from the rainbow-maned creature. I burst out laughing at her expense as she lays on the ground rubbing her ears.

"What the hay was that for!" She whines while looking at me angrily, still rubbing her ears.

After calming down from my laughing fit I wait for her hearing to cone back.

"Seriously what was that for dude!" She repeats this time not rubbing her ears.

"Don't take it too seriously. Just took an opportunity to welcome my friend back into her home." I say acting like a smartass but secretly terrified of mentioning anything further than 'friend' to her.

"Don't start a prank war you can't finish..." She trails off but I felt like I had to shut her down with some facts.

"As fun as that would probably be Luna is in charge of all things military. With this in mind I'd hazard a guess and say she'll come with a proposal to my Brothers and I in regards to the Root problem," I say in monotone which sours by the end. "I honestly did this little prank because I forgot what having fun really was. I won't prank you in your house again because it's a place to relax, I probably won't even prank you until all the Root are gone if that's possible." I end with a sigh. Surprisingly offence fills the air.

"You know I told the Princess I'd keep you at my house but after that I'm not so sure anymore." She says with a mix of emotions bubbling under the surface. The most noteworthy ones being: A small amount of anger and some disappointment, I'm having a hard time deciding whether it's from the challenge she missed out on or if it's something else. I'll never truly know.

Feeling brave I ask the brash mare before me "Not so sure about what exactly?"

"If we'd get along as good as I'd hoped... I mean I thought you liked to have fun and-" She starts all sad like but stops with a glare when I start abruptly laughing.

"You silly mare! I DO love to have fun! I was just saying that, if Luna comes to me with what I think she will then I'll just be tired most of the time." I was just finishing my laughing as I started, but she doesn't relent her glare and, to my surprise, she starts getting angry.

"So now you think you can laugh at me?!? Do you think I'm stupid now?!?" I would have answered along the lines of 'No' but before I can even think of a response she lunges and punches me in the face.

Knocking my gas mask off.

Before I even register the fact that it's gone I hear a gasp and look to Rainbow with my agape jaw, accidentally flashing my sharp teeth and fangs.

Next thing I know I'm being tackled and forced onto the ground with an alarming set of things attacking my senses.

Betrayal. Anger.

Dazed from the overwhelming sensations wreaking havoc on my mind I look up at her. She's scowling at me. 'This isn't good'

"What are you?!? Some kind of freak?!?" She yells into my face provoking some ringing in my ears. Despite that something in me dies upon the word 'freak' leaving her lips.

I like to think I'm level headed but that hit too close to home. Eyes narrowing along with a building scowl her face waivers slightly. Time to change that.

I grab the scruff of fur on her chest as I pull my head back and as her head comes down, not ready for the pull, I surge my head towards hers giving her a VERY painful headbutt. Yelping she falls off me and looks at me surprised but that grew when she saw my foreleg on a collision course with her head.

I don't say anything as I stare angrily at her unconscious form.

As I turn around to pick up my bag my head is swimming with thoughts and feelings alike. 'I've never been yelled at by somepony I held so close before. It hurts. Why does it hurt so much? Why do I feel bad? She came at me! I was looking forward to spending time with her too...'

As I traverse down some stairs and exit her home I don't even register how I'm going to get down safely. I just jump. I've done more dangerous stunts before.

That didn't stop me from crashing hard as hell though.

I may have broken a rib or something like that since breathing became a chore all of a sudden but I don't worry about it I just march into the forest that borders Ponyville.

'I wonder how they'll react when they find out.' Thinking of my Brothers as I trot into the dark forest.

"What do you mean 'I don't know where he is'?!?" Was screeched aloud among the now populated cloud house.

"Some things went down and he just left!" A now black-eyed Rainbow Dash bellowed back to the lavender unicorn.

Of course after she woke up Hunter was nowhere to be found. Realizing she scared him away she flew around the countryside before she had to give up or her wings would have given out.

Her friends, Hunter's squad was with Luna at Town Hall, came to retrieve said Remnant with a chariot being pulled by several Royal Guards. Needless to say they were upset when the injured Pegasus told them he wasn't here.

While she was getting chewed out by her friends she had to wonder why she blew up at him like she did. It worried her when she couldn't even give herself an excuse.

"Yah mean to tell us that Hunter up and left because of sum arguement?" The farmpony asked her, less than amused.

"I don't know what you want me to say! 'He's actually just outside and this is a prank'? I don't know where he is!" Rainbow answered the farmpony. She didn't know where he was. Despite the fact he hit her, twice, Then stormed off upset Rainbow too. She surprised herself when she didn't blame him, probably the reason he wore that weird thing on his face all the time, stop ponies like her trying to hurt or question him for existing.

"This is getting nowhere," Twilight groaned. "Well come on we have a killer to track down." Twilight returned to the chariot with her friends, leaving Rainbow alone.

For the first time in a while. Rainbow didn't move for a long time, not napping either. She just sat there contemplating what went wrong. She didn't like to admit to faults but there wasn't really anything else she could do but blame herself. Called him a freak just because he was different.

The door on her cloud home suddenly burst open, she doesn't look up. This isn't her! Why is she feeling like this? It's just a stallion! But she can't bring herself to act.

"Hey Rainbow Dash." The voice of a stallion called, one she knew. One that suddenly made her want to hide and not be found, but she still couldn't bring herself to move.

She heard him move up the stairs and a growing fear made it's way up her throat.

X turned the corner and regarded the very upset mare. "You might not want to talk to me or even want me here. But that doesn't change the fact that I found Hunter in this 'Everfree forest' and couldn't help but notice his cheer was gone, and his gas mask was too," X's voice wasn't cold but it certainly wasn't friendly. "So you saw what he was, unveiled his deepest secret and evidently freaked out. Your black eye shows me you pushed him too far, maybe said the wrong thing."

Rainbow only wilted as he went on, this only made her feel worse.

"Now I'm sure you know that, as his Brother, I'm pissed and I'm sure Scrapper wants to rip your head off. But I'm not going to touch you," He informed her. "It doesn't matter what I think, only he can say what happens to you but I will tell you something. He was quite fond of you Rainbow, he might not admit it anytime soon but I know he is. I believe you are too, you were pretty excited to have him stay with you." He then gave her a choice. His tone firm.

"He's at the World Stone, do what you will. The balls in your court now. But it's likely the only shot you'll get." X left after he was done, not wanting to linger in her presence.

Rainbow didn't move for some time after that but when she did she took to the skies, flying to the Everfree.

I sat in the dirt staring at the World Stone. I wanted to leave so badly but I didn't want to go. I wish I had my mask on tighter, wouldn't be in this mess then. I'm not sure what I expected when it came off, it's usually the same reaction, instant rejection.

*Sigh*

I guess I could hang around a bit more, X and Scrapper seem to like it here. I'll stay if they want me to. I won't abandon my Brothers over a little heartbreak.

I didn't see the cyan mare peek through the bushes.

Author's Note

May seem rushed or poorly paced but this is I only just popped my fic cherry so we'll get there.
I'm getting to the adventure don't have an aneurysm.