Pony behind the skull

Rarity, Twilight, and Celestia watched as Fluttershy bandaged and stitched Emile’s wounds. He looked to be in bad condition, they had to drag him back to Fluttershy’s cottage. Fluttershy took a step back to admire her handy work. Twilight hesitantly took a step forward and looked and Emile. He was breathing heavily and sweating.

“Is it… he okay?” Rarity asked.

“He should be fine.” Fluttershy said. Twilight reached a hoof out and gentle placed it one his chest. She could feel his faint heartbeat. Emile wrenched, causing Twilight to jump back. The group watched as he twisted and turned violently. After a few minutes, he settled down. Then Celestia had an idea.

“Fluttershy, do you have a mirror that I may can barrow?” Celestia asked.

Fluttershy nodded and trotted of to a separate room and returned with a small hoof-mirror. Celestia levitated it up to eye level.

“Princess, I really don’t think this is the time to check your mane.” Twilight said.

“Twilight don’t be a so naïve. I’m using a spell to she his thoughts.” Celestia replied.

“You never Taught me a spell like that. And don’t you think that kinda invading his privacy?” Twilight inquired.

“I need to know if he friend or foe, I was hoping you’d can the direness of this question. You saw what he did to that other creature, you know what he’s capable of. If he were to be unleashed upon Equestria, who knows what destruction he could cause.” Celestia answered.

Twilight thought about it and nodded. Celestia horn lit up as she began to focus her energy. The mirror began to waver and warp. The mares gathered around and watched as Emile’s thoughts were broadcasted onto the reflective glass.

Planet: Onyx

Spartan training center: A Spartan group Alpha

Time: 5:00 AM Earth time

One month after the fall of Eridanus II

“A-239, what the fuck is that?” Shouted an instructor, snatching at the toy pony Emile had in his hand.

“It’s mine!” He said jumping back

“Give it here!” The instructor shouted extending his shock prod.

“NO. Fuck you!” Emile shouted making the other kids look at him some making fun of him, others admiring him, all but one a boy with jet black hair and blue eyes, with average white skin.

“I said no. it’s the only thing I have left of my Family, and my Sister!” Emile said

“I bet your sister was just some slut, now give it here!” the instructor said with a smirk.

“What did you say?” Emile asked

“I said your sister is a slut.” the instructor said, a smirk forming across his face.

“I WILL KILL YOU” Emile shouted, running at the instructor, but instead getting hit in the chest with the shock prod.

“Kid, you have a ways to go.” said the instructor bending down to snatch the toy.

“Hirk” grunted the instructor after Emile kicked him in the gut causing him to almost through up. Rolling up Emile glared

down at the instructor.

“No one is taking this from me. . .  Ever.” He said

A marine went to beat Emile only to have another kid kick him in the back of the knee causing him to fall forward and Emile to bring his small knee up into the marines face.

Emile and the other kid looked at one another.

“Thanks names Emile A-239.” He said

“Cooper A-326.”

“What a batch of ruffians.” Rarity stated as the memory faded.

The ponies weren’t sure how to react. They had never scene anyone treated so badly before. Fluttershy was silently weeping at how they treated him. Rarity had overdramatically fainted onto the floor, although nopony paid any attention to her. Twilight looked up at her mentor.

Her eyes begged Celestia to stop, but Celestia was unfazed and resumed viewing the thoughts of Emile. Another image began to show on the mirror.

Years later.

Planet Onyx

A 19 year old Emile stood at attention at his commanders desk in his armor.

“What are your orders, sir?” Emile said

“A-239, I have news on Operation: New Dawn” said Kurt, operator of the Spartan III program

“How did it go, sir?”

“Operation code name New Dawn was a failure. Despite the target being destroyed out of the 430 Spartans of alpha company, all have gone MIA.”

“All, sir?” Emile asked.

“Yes A-239, All of them.” Kurt said coldly. Emile hung his head, trying to hold back tears.

“I’m sorry for your loss, I know Spartan A-326 was in that operation and that he was your friend, but there are more pressing matters at hand. You are here by stationed on the planet of Arkadia. You leave in O-five-twenty.” He said

“Sir!” Emile said with a salute .

“Dismissed.”

Emile turned and walked out.

All the ponies were weeping now. Even Celestia was having trouble keeping her composure. Rarity had her arm around Fluttershy, trying to comfort her as best she could.

“Princess, I beg of you, please stop.” Twilight said trough her tear filled eyes. Celestia said nothing, did nothing. She kept

focusing on the glass. A loud sound filled the room and everypony covered their ears. A new memory appeared on the glass.

Sssshhhhhhink

Sssssshhhink

Ssssssssssssshhhhhhhhink

“All done.” Emile said to himself as he sheathed his kukri and looked at his newly carved helmet now with a skull on it.

“Not half bad if I do say so myself.”

He put the helmet on And reached into his pouch and pulled out the toy pony. His hand was almost as big as it now. He looked at it while he rode in a pelican. It was white with wings and a horn it had a multicolor mane.

“I’m sorry Sarah. I won’t let this happen to anyone else’s family. we haven’t talked is a while I’m a warrant officer now. But all of my friends are asleep now. I’m sure you have met them, Even Cooper. It’s alright, there fight is over now. I’m the last of Alpha, but I’ll keep fighting and.... “

“30 seconds, Spartan.” Said the pilot from the cockpit.

“Gotta go, talk to you later. Alpha now and Alpha forever.”

He held the toy to his chest and then stowed it away. He picked up his battle rifle and pulled the action back, chambering a round. He let out a breath as he stepped toward the bay door. The door lowered at the bay was flooded with light

Twilight jumped up and grabbed the mirror. She threw it to the floor and smashed it.

“Twilight…” Celestia said. Rarity and Fluttershy fell silent. Twilight took a few deep, anger filled breaths before collapsing to the floor. She began crying. Celestia leaned and picked Twilight up. Celestia held Twilight close and stroked her mane. Tears ran down Celestia’s cheek. She Whispered

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”