The Escape of The Darkness

Dawn was breaking over the town of Ponyville, although the usual warmth and light were replaced with fear and sadness. Although there was only minor damage to structures, easily repairable within a week or two, the psychological toll was even worse. Ponies were huddled together, crying and surveying the damage to their homes, some looked like they were just hollow shells mindlessly shuffling about. The girls stood in the town square alongside the guard regiment sent to aid the besieged town. Several dozen coffins were nearby, the slaughtered Ponyville contingent, luckily the dogs fought to capture and not kill, otherwise it would have been a bloodbath.

The returning residents from the wedding were consoling their loved ones, with supportive smiles and calming words. The girls were disheveled, but for the most part okay. Royal repair crews had been dispatched and were due to arrive any second now. Pinkie was already planning a 'We're all okay!'. However, one major detail was overlooked.

"Where is Jackie?" Twilight said. The aforementioned savior of the town was still not back yet. The girls all shrugged, they had not seen hide nor hair of him since the *shudder* screaming had stopped.

"Y-you mean that large thing that k-killed those dogs?" Mayor Mare nervously asked from behind Twilight.

"Yes, he's a friend of ours" Twilight replied, "He also saved us from the change-"

Before she could finish, a scream rang out across the town. The girls rapidly turned their heads toward the source of the disturbance. Walking into town was the large form of one Jackie Estacado. Ponies were running inside and screaming, Lily was doing her usual horror spiel and in a few seconds, everypony besides the girls and the mayor was bolted inside their homes. Jackie stood there dumbstruck, before continuing on towards the small group.

"Well thats a nice hello"

Jackie walked over to the girls before stopping "Well, uh, hi" Jackie said.

The girls were extremely nervous, even more so after being forced to hear the death cries of hundreds of slaughtered dogs.

"H-hello J-jackie" Twilight said.

Jackie looked around the town before saying "I don't blame them for running" he said "Who are you by the way?" Jackie then asked to Mayor Mare.

"Uh, w-well my name is Mayor Mare, but you can call me Mayor for short" Mayor said nervously.

"Look, I'm not gonna hurt you, and I have no plans to do so later".

'THAT MAKES ONE OF US'.

'Shut up' Jackie thought back, "Believe me, if I actually wanted to kill any of you, you would all be dead in minutes, and wow that came out wrong" Jackie finished sheepishly.

Mayor Mare was shaking slightly but recollected herself, "Well thanks for being honest" she said, nervously laughing", "I will  arrange a town meeting to calm down the populace, oh and Jackie", she said, "Thank you for saving the town" she said smiling.

"I'm sure the honor was all his, right mister Estacado?" a heavenly voice called out. They all turned to see Celestia flanked by several guards. The girls bowed, but were not paid any attention, Celestia walked right up to Jackie.

"Jackie, you and I need to get back to Canterlot, we need to discuss some important business" Celestia said almost to cheerfully

Jackie could tell when someone was covering up worry with fake cheer so he agreed. He said bye to the girls and walked with Celestia towards a waiting carriage. Once inside, the sun princess dropped her act and looked towards Jackie.

"I need your help" she said despondently "The changelings are back, and they are angry"

"They are regrouping and are mobilizing a large force to invade Equestria on a larger scale".

"So what do you need me to do?" Jackie asked

"I have seen what you can do, the powers of this Darkness are like nothing I have ever seen before" Celestia replied "Jackie, if you would accept, I would like to contract your services"

"What, like a merc or something?" Jackie said

"Yes, I will provide you with a home , money, and other things in return, I do owe you that much after all." Celestia then looked hopefully towards Jackie.

Jackie thought for a moment, killing things and getting money for it was a pretty good deal in of itself "I'll do it" Jackie replied certainly. Celestia then got a relieved look on her face. "Thank you, we should arrive soon"

True to her word, they arrived at the landing pad that they had used last night. Celestia then led Jackie towards what looked like a few military barracks. Several hundred guards were in a yard, training furiously for some military operation. They all stood at attention when the princess walked into the yard, and it did not waver when Jackie came into view. The guard were lined up when the princess started speaking.

"Ponies of the Royal Guard, as you know, we face the threat of the changelings once more" Celestia said, "They have come in far greater numbers, but we have an advantage", Celestia then turned towards Jackie, "Jackie Estacado, as most of you know, saved us from the changelings once before, and has agreed to do so again" Celestia then finished with their deployment orders, they were to go under the command of Steel Rain, an experienced lieutenant, towards the southern badlands to face the swarm. They all saluted and marched into several transports.

Hours later...

Jackie sat next to the lieutenant, a brown pony with a blue mane and an arrow for a cutie mark, he finally spoke up. "So your this overpowered demon the guards have been yammering on about, eh?" Steel asked apprehensively.

"Demon,sorta no, overpowered, well maybe" Jackie said jokingly "I'm not complaining".

"Neither am I, you really slaughtered those bugs back there" Steel said "Really saved our flanks too".

"Yeah, but now I get to go full out, I've been able to just go fucking crazy lately, and its something I wanna test out".

Their conversation was interrupted by a holler from one of their guards. Outside the window was a landscape of black. The changelings had them outnumbered at least three to one by Jackie's best estimate. However, his attention was focused on a certain point within the swarm. A glowing horn and the unmistakable figure of queen Chrysalis. Jackie then sprouted a sick grin.

"I am a man of my word bug"