“What,” I muttered, in utter and complete confusion.

“He didn't even do anything! Heck, the only creatures he killed were animals,” Twilight exclaimed.

“That's bullshit!” Rainbow Dash shouted, the pegasus actually going so far as to stomp up to Celestia and glare at her with wide, hate-filled eyes. “The boss nearly gave his life to protect us and if he hadn't been there Furious Flare would still be out there, eating babies or whatever.”

“He put you all in harm’s way, and with his near-death has caused our planet to be irrevocably damned,” Celestia growled back. “Even now his horrid green kin run roughshod over our nation! Entire forests are being felled. Towns menaced, and ponies displaced.”

“How in Equestria can Ghuzrod be found guilty of their crimes? That's not how the law works, I should know! I studied it!” Twilight interrupted.

I frowned, and stood back, stroking my chin and attempting to think of some diplomatic way out of this. While I tried to come up with a plan of some kind, both Twilight and Rainbow Dash crowded around Celestia and argued with her.

“He spawned them! He is why they are here,” Celestia retorted. “I am not arguing that he bears the weight of all the laws they broke, but actions have consequences, his more than most.”

“Dat is fair,” I rumbled.

“What? Boss, you can't say that!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“I knew dis was a possibility but ta 'ecute me so quickly iz foolish," I retorted. “Ya poniez aren't tough enough ta handle dis. Best ta let me reign im 'n an' get im on yer side. Specially since 'der's worse den orks kom'n.”

“Lies,” Celestia dismissed. “And even if they weren't I would be a fool to release you just so you can gather an army large enough to conquer the planet.”

“I don't know about da whole planet. But given time, probably," I muttered absently.

“Uh, boss. I don't think you are helping your case much,” Twilight added.

“Look, Celestia. I understand why ya feel 'da way ya do. If yer let me go I kould gatha an army large enough ta wipe every single nation off da map. I have da strength ta krush a pony wit' two fingaz an' I kould probably fight yer entire guard an' win," I began.

“Maybe let Twilight do the talking,” Rainbow Dash offered.

“I’m goin somewhere wit dis,” I retorted, stepping forward and looking down at Celestia. “I kould do all dose fings but it's not enough 'dat I kould do dose fings. Look at ma actions until now. I kould have left yer poniez ta die. I kould have refused ta save Rainbow Dash. I kould have ignored da dreats loom'n ova yer planet but dat ain't 'oo I am.”

“Ghuzrod is a hero, Celestia,” Twilight pressed. “He saved all of our lives. Multiple times even.”

“Yeah, don't you pin medals on heroes and not kill them?” Rainbow Dash added.

“He is no hero, he is an ork,” Celestia growled. “My mother warned me that should the veil be lifted we would be beset on all sides by enemies great and terrible. She told me that some would come with honeyed words while others wouldn't even bother to speak. Either way, it would be my duty to defend my ponies from all outsiders no matter what they may or may not say and I intend on doing my duty no matter the cost.”

“Know'n wot all iz out 'der I kant say I blame ya but please jus listen ta dis wun last fing," I offered.

“I will grant you that much but make it quick. I have a war council to attend,” Celestia countered.

“Roight, time to come all clean-like,” I began, clearing my throat. “I used ta be a 'umie from a different reality. A god fing 'dat made dis place, Equestria, grabbed me. 'e charged me wit' protect'n you lot from whats kom'n. An’ trust me, 'der iz a lot kom'n. Necrons at least, an if I had ta guess jus about every otha major galactic faction iz gonna showz up at wun point or annuver.”

“Yer need me. An' if yer toss me aside den yer'll be go'n up against da worst da galaxy ‘as ta offa all on yer lonesome,” I declared, leaning in close and jabbing a finger into my chest.

There was a pause where me, Twilight and Rainbow Dash all stared at the silent Celestia sitting before us. Then, she spoke.

“That is a chance I must take,” Celestia stated solemnly.

“What!”

“That's ridiculous!”

“Hol on,” I interrupted. “'n ‘dat kase I got wun last fing ta say ta ya."

“I have heard enough, guards!” Celestia shouted.

I growled, and lurched forward, grabbing Celestia by the throat, and the horn, cutting off her magic as well as her oxygen.

“I swore ta protect ya. Even if it means I have ta protect ya from yourself," I spat. “Now tell ‘im ta wait outside so we kan have a chat jus ya an’ me."

Celestia’s wide eyes flicked back to the open doors where her baffled guards stood there, too confused to move. I could tell she was weighing her odds, and trying to figure out how best to escape this situation while regaining the upper hand. I tightened my grip ever so slightly, reassuring her that if she so much as thought about attacking me I’d snap her neck like a twig.

“Go,” Celestia ordered, pointing back the way the guards came.

“Go wif ‘em,” I added, jerking my head towards Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

“Are you sure boss?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I’m sure,” I replied.

The two mares exchanged a glance before leaving me alone with Celestia. The doors closed with a dull boom, ushering in a quiet so complete I could hear Celestia’s breathing.

“So,” I began. “Do ya still dream uv sunflowers, little light?"

“What… what did you just say?”

“Do you still dream of sunflowers, Little Light?” I stated, painstakingly enunciating each and every word to ensure I didn't get misunderstood.

There was a long moment of quiet, where Celestia stared off into space. Then her eyes snapped back to me and she touched my arm.

“You can let go of me,” she whispered.

I gently placed her back down before releasing my hold on both her throat, as well as her horn. Contrary to my most paranoid of thoughts, she did not in fact, blast me with magic or order her guards back in.

“Then you met her?” Celestia whispered. “You met my mother.”

“I met someth'n. I don't know how I'd even describe it. But I met something," I murmured with a shrug.

“Did… did she say anything else?” Celestia pressed.

“Dey said someth'n about how dere powa iz fad'n an’ dat I was 'da last champion dey kould summon," I answered. “I talked ta im only breifly before kom'n ere an' den for a bit longa when I died.”

“That's… interesting,” Celestia muttered. “This changes things.”

“I assume ya aren't gunna try an kill me?" I asked.

“No, we are past that,” Celestia dismissed, waving a hoof in the air.

“Gud. Oh an sorry about da whole grabb'n ya fing. If it makes ya feel any betta I wasn't plann'n on actually hurt'n ya," I offered.

“I apologize as well,” Celestia replied, releasing a long sigh. “I will have to discuss things with my ministers, as well as my sister but once I do we will have to speak again.”

“Ya gotta let me go out 'der, an' gatha ‘da Boyz. A strong warboss will keep im from runn'n rampant an’ yer are gunna need all ‘da muscle yer kan get for whats koming," I stated in as firmly a tone as I could muster.

“I understand,” Celestia stated, her voice heavy and sad.

Her tone carried a firmness to it, and though she didn't say it out loud I knew she was telling me to leave her. Which I did, walking over to the door, and pulling it open to find a horde of eager ponies staring up at me. Like a pack of children that had been caught trying to eavesdrop, they stumbled back, nearly tripping over one another.

“Ghuzrod and his companions may stay in Twilight's old room. See to it that they are fed, watered, and have whatever they need,” Celestia ordered, her voice carrying easily across the large room.

“Y-yes your majesty!” The nervous guard captain declared.

In no time we were walking the halls of Canterlot Castle proper, having entered the main area through a side entrance. The small army of royal guards had broken into two groups, one that walked in front of me while the other followed close behind. In the center, me, Rainbow Dash and Twilight strode, the two mares slightly nervous while I was more bored than anything.

Normally I’d be fangirling over all the cool little details like old paintings, busts of creatures long dead, and other such small things. I didn't have the headspace to make note of any such thing, however, as my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't help but mull over Celestia and I’s little interaction and consider if I had been in the wrong. My thoughts were interrupted by Rainbow Dash bumping into my side, and shooting me a wide grin.

“Hey boss,” she remarked, still smiling. “I guess the other half of your name makes sense now.”

“Sunrekka? Oh, ha! Das funny,” I murmured.

“I still think we could have avoided this entire debacle but I’m glad to see you didn't kill one another,” Twilight added, frowning.

“I’ll tell ya all about it once we get ta yer place,” I offered.

“Oh, that’s right we're going to… oh no,” Twilight murmured.

“What? You leave you’re underwear out or something?” Rainbow Dash offered.

“No I-”

“We're here,” interrupted the guard captain, throwing open the door.

I looked in to find that Twilight's old room resembled a typical teenage girl’s circa late nineties. The walls were covered with pictures of ponies, most of whom seemed to be part of a group called InSink. They even had frosted tips, overly bright clothes, and kinda looked like N Sync, only for some reason there was also a nautical theme to the group though which was-

“Weird,” I murmured.

“Wait, you liked these weirdos! Stars and sun Twilight I knew you were cringe but this is on a whole nother level!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“I haven't been back here in years. I didn't think Celestia kept everything,” Twilight hissed.

I noted that the guard captain had left after we entered, the door being closed firmly behind us. I brushed aside her sudden disappearance and plunked down in a bean bag chair that would have been enormous for a pony but was perfectly sized for me. Once seated, I looked out the nearby window, and let my mind wander while behind me Rainbow Dash continued to tease poor Twilight.

“Wait you even have every single one of their records and the pogs! The pogs Twilight!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“I am aware!” Twilight yelled back, her horns sparking angrily.

“I bet you were the president of their fan club,” Rainbow Dash pressed.

“N-no!”

“You totally were!” Rainbow Dash retorted, erupting in a fit of giggles.

“I wasn't allowed to listen to anything else,” Twilight hissed. “My mother even went so far as to throw out the family radio after they started playing rock and roll.”

I ignored them and continued to peer out the window, noting that I could see the school from up here. Though we weren't quite at the highest point of the tower, we were a fair few flights of stairs up from the ground floor. The view was beautiful, though for some reason my gaze kept getting pulled down to Celestia’s little training ground for gifted youngsters. I couldn't help but notice that the area was unusually absent of activity and that nearly every shade had been drawn in the facility’s many windows.

“Odd,” I muttered.

“Ghuzrod!” Twilight whined. “Make Rainbow Dash stop.”

“Oi,” I bellowed. “Quit bother'n da poor git. It aint ‘er fault she liked hunky stallions. Not everyone likes girls 'da way ya do.”

“I do not!” Rainbow Dash shouted, her face turning bright red.

“Now's not 'da time ta whine. Sit down, an’ let me tell ya wot happened," I ordered. “An while we're at it we best discuss what's gonna happen next 'cos we got a lot ta do."

“Right, good thinking boss,” Twilight offered.

“What she said,” Rainbow Dash added.

I cleared my throat and launched into a lengthy repetition of the events that occurred while they were in the other room. I then answered their questions, and together we started to plan out our next moves. Somewhere along the lines, a rather terrified staff member delivered us some food. It was mostly washed and sliced fruit and some side salads, but there was also a fish fillet which I devoured with gusto.

“Oh wow, that is so cool,” Rainbow Dash gushed. “I wanna get one of my legs replaced by a giant claw.”

“But you have a perfectly functional limb right now,” Twilight retorted.

“Yeah but think about it Twi. I could have a giant claw right now,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Tell her boss. Tell her that klaws are cool!”

“They are,” I admitted. “But I fink I'd ratha have a regular ol metal hand. I'd hate ta go ta scratch ma butt an' forget ta use ma otha hand.”

“Oh yeah. I didn't even think about that,” Rainbow Dash muttered.

“This is the dumbest conversation I’ve had in a long time,” Twilight added quite dryly.

“H-hey!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

I was about to interrupt when Twilight's horns sparked a little brighter than usual. A moment later the door to her room opened to reveal the same guard captain as before. She seemed a bit more frazzled than earlier, and it was obvious even at a glance that she had yet to go on a break despite it having been hours since we last saw her.

“The princess is ready for you,” she proclaimed.

“Roight, les’ go,” I rumbled.

I stood up and after giving the school in the distance one final glance, followed after the royal guard. This time we didn't have an enormous cadre of soldiers serving as our entourage, rather there were only a select few of them. They looked the same as the rest but I could tell that these lot were more powerful than the rank and file we had been exposed to so far.

Celestia’s trust only went so far it seemed.

This time we were guided not down to the secret back entrance and instead were allowed entrance into a proper meeting hall. Here there were no thrones, only a dozen or so chairs most of whom were unoccupied. Luna and Celestia were at the moment, the only ones seated, though I spotted the royal secretary standing in the shadows, eying me carefully.

“Take a seat Ghuzrod, Twilight, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia offered, gesturing to the open seats across from her and Luna.

“Thanks,” I murmured.

I was about to pull out one of the chairs when I noticed that one of them was a bit more well-reinforced than the others. Sure it was still kinda short, but it didn't seem like it would fall apart under my weight so I chose that one. Sure enough, I was basically kissing my knees, but the chair didn't even groan when I sat down.

“We’re gonna need to find a bigger chair next time,” Rainbow Dash remarked.

“I have one on order,” the secretary remarked, tapping her clipboard in emphasis.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“Now then. Let us get right down to it then,” Celestia began, nodding to the guard captain.

The doors behind us closed with a resounding thud, and just like that, we were alone once more with the princess. I took a moment to inspect the two mares seated across from us, seeing what, if anything I could gather from their attitudes.

Celestia was clearly still deep in thought. Sure she was present, and had on her face a stern expression, but her gaze was slightly distant. Luna, on the other hand, appeared as though she was trying to strangle me with her eyes and was barely resisting the urge to do so with her hooves. Her shoulders were tense, she stared a constant stream of daggers at me, and every once and a while I could see a small spark shoot from the tip of her horn.

“Though resources are limited at the moment my sister and I are fully in support of your plan,” Celestia declared.

“Jus like dat?” I asked, slightly baffled by the sudden about-face.

“After much soul searching I’ve chosen to believe your tale,” Celestia declared, her tone making it clear that she wasn't altogether happy with this decision even though she had been the one to make it. “It is rather fantastical, but it is the only explanation given what you knew.”

Luna snorted irritably, clearly unconvinced.

“Dat’s good,” I remarked.

“Again, there is little in the way of aid we can offer you though you need only ask and we will give what we can,” Celestia concluded.

“You made the right decision Celestia,” Twilight announced.

“Yeah. I would have hated to have to fight you but I totally woulda,” Rainbow Dash proclaimed in a flippant manner.

“Then you would have lost and you would have died like a dog,” Luna retorted.

“Pfft nah. I could take like, eight, maybe nine royal guards,” Rainbow Dash dismissed.

“I don't think this is a competition, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight interrupted.

“‘Dat doesn't matta anymore," I declared. “We gotta focus on mov'n forward. Togetha."

“Well said fair Ghuzrod,” Celestia agreed.

“Hardly. The dullard barely managed to spit it out,” Luna countered.

“Luna,” Celestia began, her tone rising as if she were disciplining a child who had begun to test her patience. “We talked about this. I know you may not like it but Ghuzrod here is an ally. An important one.”

“He is a fool, and a charlatan,” Luna spat. “Nothing more.”

“We really can't afford to be squabbling like this. There are much greater foes out there, waiting for us,” Twilight exclaimed.

“What you wanna fight too? After you heard what happened last time?” Rainbow Dash challenged.

“Luna,” Celestia hissed. “This is no time to butt heads. You are still weakened from the loss of the stars. If you were to fight-”

“I would win,” Luna finished, standing up from her chair and stalking around the table. “Just because the creature has fought a demon-possessed pony does not mean he is up to the task at hand.”

“I'z not gunna fight ya," I retorted. “We got bigga fish ta fry."

“I would not sully my hands with your brutish blood anyway,” Luna shot back. “No, what I intend to do is to watch you, to observe you, and when you reveal your true colors, to end you.”

“What, so like you’re just gonna hang around and watch us save the world?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“No. I will aid you should the need arise but for the most part, I will simply observe you and wait until the mask drops,” Luna proclaimed.

“and how 'actly do ya intend on watch'n me, hmmm?” I pressed. “Aren't ya a princess wit' fings ta do."

“Simple,” Luna began. “I will plant a tantabus within your mind. Allowing me to see all you do.”

“Luna,” Celestia hissed. “We talked about this. That is a gross overreach of your power and a terrible invasion of his privacy.”

“That does seem a bit extreme,” Twilight added.

“Just admit you're a voyuer so we can move on to more important matters,” Rainbow Dash chided.

“I am no freak, and I care not for this creature’s lack of privacy. If it truly has nothing to fear then it will-”

“I accept,” I interrupted.

“Huh?” Twilight spat, blinking in confusion.

“Good,” Luna began, the alicorn quickly recovering from the shock that came with my agreement. “Lower your head and close your eyes.”

I did as she requested, kneeling down before the alicorn. I could tell from just a glance that Celestia was both annoyed as well as relieved that I had assented to Luna’s demand. The princess had probably hoped this would happen but didn't wish to be the one to make such a brash ultimatum. She likely opposed this on moral grounds but regardless of the why, here we were.

“Empty your mind, and think of nothing save for the vast empty blackness of the void between stars,” Luna ordered.

I did as she was asked, waiting with my head bowed and my mind empty as Luna used her magic. Just as I was about to ask what the hold-up was, I felt it. A presence crawling behind my eyes and wriggling its way deep into my grey matter. Before I knew it there was something else hiding in the depths of my mind, looking out my eyes, and hearing through my ears.

“Dat’s weird,” I muttered.

“It is not a pleasant experience for us either,” Luna added.

“Right, so is dat it?” I asked, rising back to my full height and staring down at Luna.

“That is all from myself. Celestia?” Luna offered.

Celestia was about to open her mouth, likely to make some half-hearted apology given the look on her face when the door burst open.

“Orks have invaded Celestia’s School For Gifted Unicorns!” Proclaimed the now visibly frazzled guard captain. “They’ve taken captives but have yet to make any demands.”

“So that's what I was feeling,” whispered Twilight.

“Well, creature. It seems as though your first mission has presented itself,” Luna exclaimed. “Go out there and prove me right. Show everyone what a mindless beast you are.”

“Watch your mouth. Princess or not I will not hesitate to smack that smug look right off your face,” Rainbow Dash spat back.

“Rainbow Dash, contain yourself,” Twilight whispered.

“Kome on girls. Yer heard 'da princess," I began, rising from my seat. “Let's go prove ‘dat we're more den jus a pretty face."

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