CHAPTER ONE: WAR

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Year: 2947 AD / 59 AGB
Location: Somewhere in the vicinity of the dwarf star, Epsilon Eridani...
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One may find it a bad idea to form friendships in war, as eventually, one will have to watch a friend die. Lieutenant Commander Daniel Tarian failed spectacularly in heeding this advice when he changed sides from the ruthless Faction to the United Terran Fleet. It was not long after he defected that he met Adra, and his life would never be the same.

Intelligence reports indicated that the Faction had begun using a terrifying new weapon. The United Terran Fleet spy who discovered it reported his findings at a mission brief. Daniel, Adra, and several ace pilots listened intently. Also in attendance was Admiral Richard Emrys, the officer in command of the Deus ex Machina, the Dragon-class starship that was their home.

“Simply put, this weapon is capable of using a very advanced form of hypnosis to literally edit the base code of one’s mind. The engineers I’ve given the data to have been able to work out that eye contact with a diffuse beam is required, and once made it overwrites very specific parts of the target’s mind. They lose their personality and loyalty to anything they previously held dear, retaining all of their combat training and any vital intel, and become mindless super soldiers at the absolute command of the Faction.”

“Can it be reversed?” Daniel asked.

“Once it’s done, there’s nothing left. It can’t be reversed without a complex lobotomy that would almost definitely kill the individual,” he said morosely.

Always eloquent, Adra added, “What kind of sick bastards are these guys? They don’t want honest followers; they want expendable pawns.”

One of the other aces asked the question that all were thinking. “Is there any way to tell when someone has been exposed to this weapon?”

“Not right away, the diffuse beam is invisible to the naked eye and we can’t test for exposure. However, it is designed so that it does not take effect until the subject sees a familiar face speak a very specific set of key words. The face has to be one they’d seen before exposure. When it activates the subject exhibits a noticeable red glow in their pupils, possibly residual radiation, and immediately changes their behavior to match the…ah…Faction’s wishes.”

“So these sleepers activate at an unknown word, and tear their way through the United Fleet until they can get back to the Faction and report everything they know?” Adra asked.

“That’s correct. A sleeper will also activate if they realize they’ve been rewritten and attempt to commit suicide in order to avoid being activated. Once they’ve given away all the information they can, they’re usually sent on a suicide mission against us anyway,” the spy added, eliciting sounds of disgust from those listening.

Their revulsion apparent, he finished. “Just a few hours ago, long-range sensors picked up a poorly defended Faction research vessel within fighter range. It will likely contain information regarding this technology.”

Admiral Emrys stood. “I trust you can all gather the basic details of your upcoming mission,” he said calmly in his antiquated Texas accent. The Admiral was a soft-spoken man, but when he stood to speak, none would interrupt. He was a first lieutenant just before the civil war began, and had extensive experience dealing with the Faction. “You are to, as stealthily as possible, approach the Faction research vessel. You will likely encounter space fighter resistance, but should not encounter anything else. Once aboard, you will attempt to commandeer the ship, and bring it back to us. If that is not possible, obtain as much intel as you can on the design of this weapon, and destroy the ship.”

All stood. “Yes Admiral!”

“Fighter bay in 6 hours, dismissed. Lieutenant Commander Tarian, Adra, a moment please.”

When all others had left, Daniel and Adra stayed behind to hear what the admiral had to say.

“I know you two have become very close in the years since Daniel’s defection. I need both of your skills on this mission, but it is a dangerous one. One or both of you may not come back yourselves, if you come back at all. If either of you decide that it’s been enough after this mission, I will support you. You’ve both made outstanding contributions to the United Fleet, and deserve to be happy together. I lost my love on a dangerous mission; I don’t want to see that happen to you two.”

Daniel was taken aback; the admiral was suggesting they retire despite the dire state of the war.

“With all due respect sir, I don’t think that will be nece-” Daniel was cut off by Adra.

“Permission to speak freely, admiral?” she asked.

“Please do,” he nodded to her.

“Bullshit.” She looked him sternly in the eye and leaned down onto the table before him. “I’m sorry you lost your love on a mission, but that you would suggest we leave like cowards before it happens to us is just stupid. We both knew what we were signing up for, we both know the risks.”

Daniel smiled. She had concisely said what he was having trouble articulating. Admiral Emrys looked at them both, and smiled back. “I’m glad to have soldiers like you aboard. Fighter bay in 6 hours. Dismissed.”

They saluted the admiral, and left to prepare for the mission.

---

Chrysalis held her focus in the scrying spell just long enough to catch a glimpse of what she was looking for. As soon as she had what she wanted, she broke the spell. It was exhausting, painful, and demanded one’s complete focus, but the potential rewards were great.

Since her complete failure at Canterlot, most of her changelings had simply abandoned their queen to fend for themselves. There were a few loyal ones, but she couldn’t hope to feed them with her limited resources. It was time to try a new plan of action.

The changeling queen lay down to rest after spending hours scrying. She doubted even they could perform such magic. Then again, she doubted those cursed alicorn sisters had the backbone to even attempt the spell given what it required. But what was one life in the grand scheme?

Most of the needed sacrifices were willing, her changelings were ready and eager to lay down their lives in her service. Though their numbers were dwindling. More than once she had been forced to find a lone diamond dog somewhere in the caves to act as a...volunteer.

Sure, the spell could be successfully performed without a live sacrifice, but there was not a living being known to have done so in over a thousand years, and she did not have that kind of time. The shortcut was necessary, and the losses were acceptable.

Chrysalis grinned to herself at what she had found. The day would soon come when she would no longer need to seek out volunteers, willing or unwilling.

“My queen?” The voice came from the entrance to her private chambers, if the small section of cavern she had cordoned off for herself could be called as such.

“Enter.” She did not turn to look, she knew who it was.

Her most loyal subject, the only one she confided in, her second-in-command as it were, entered with a deep and respectful bow, despite her not even looking to see it.

“My queen, this one would like to know. Did my queen find anything of interest in her scrying?”

“I most certainly did, my changeling. What has piqued your curiosity?”

“This one apologizes for his inquisitiveness, but surely the time is near?”

“Yes, the time is near when we will no longer need to hide in these caves. In Canterlot, my plan was careless. I relied too heavily on strength in numbers. Now I do not have numbers on my side, but I saw something that may make numbers entirely unnecessary.”

“Would my queen grace this one’s ears with that information?” her confidant asked respectfully.

She closed her eyes and answered, “A visitor from far away, one strong of mind but malleable of will. He will come soon, and when he does, we must make him an offer he can’t refuse, and bend his will to ours.”

“If he does refuse?”

Chrysalis almost lashed out at his sudden lack of courtesy, but held her temper, “Then we will simply torture him until he gives in.”

---

All eight of the ace pilots selected for the mission had extensive advanced hand-to-hand combat training. Daniel, a strategist second in trust and skill only to the Admiral himself, would lead the mission and command the pilots both in space and aboard the Faction research vessel.

Seven Wolf-class space fighters screamed out of the fighter bay, followed by one Rhino-class heavy gunship. It was just as fast as the fighters, but not nearly as nimble in the hands of an average pilot. Adra was not an average pilot.

Daniel flew co-pilot in the two-seater Rhino, and would command the attack as well as operate the guns in the event they were needed. He and Adra had trained extensively for scenarios like this; it was the closest they could get to a date.

“Attack wing, formation alpha. Position for jump to coordinates of Faction research vessel.” He commanded over the com channel.

Looking over to Adra for a boost in confidence, he was about to ask if she felt ready when she said, “Let’s kick some Faction ass.” She gave him a cocky but warm smile that made his heart pound. He had long since realized he was in love with her, and intended to tell her as much when they returned from the mission. Marriage customs had changed drastically out of necessity. Couples in the United Fleet skipped the bureaucracy of matrimony and simply declared their love to one another.

The com channel crackled with seven human voices, “Wolf 2 in position…Wolf 5 in position…Wolf 1 in position…Wolf 4 in position…Wolf 7 in position…Wolf 3 in position…Wolf 6 in position…”

He smiled back at Adra, and touched the transmit button. “Attack wing, jump in 3 seconds, let’s kick some Faction ass.”

They held each other’s hands as the counter started. Smirking, she said, “That was my line, jerk.”

The attack wing and the Rhino streaked off to infinity.

---

Having found what she was looking for, Chrysalis began focusing all of her effort on this one possible answer to her problems.

Scrying was one thing, but attempting to glimpse the future was another thing entirely. It required a living sacrifice just like the scrying spell, but infinitely more focus.

She trained her mind’s eye carefully on the creature she had found, and imagined herself pushing on time. After several hours of failures, she finally made it work.

Anguish, she sensed anguish and despair ahead for the creature. When it came to their world she would need to watch it carefully, and lie to it with even greater care. She saw that it was far more intelligent than any of her changelings, and would easily see through most of the lies she could construct.

Somehow, it had to be fooled. As she learned more about it, the less likely it seemed that it would serve her willingly.

“My queen, this one begs your attention.” This time it was not her confidant, but another loyalist all the same.

She stood and turned to face the changeling. “Speak.”

“This one and some of his fellow changelings have discovered a volunteer for you. A diamond dog.”

“Excellent. You may leave,” she said, turning away in dismissal.

“My...my queen, there is more,” he said hesitantly.

“That is?”

“The diamond dog, it spoke of a...retaliation, of sorts. They know their brethren are disappearing in these caves, they plan on searching in force.”

“Let them come, it will only mean more food for us. Now leave me.”

Her subject bowed, and left.

---

They dropped out of the jump just 60 kilometers from the research vessel, and right into the center of a large formation of Faction drones: fast and deadly robotic fighters that were cheap to produce in swarms and hard to shake. They were completely unshielded and made for excellent target practice.

Before the enemy had a chance to react, Adra broadsided the Rhino to expose all its guns. Daniel shouted over the channel, “Wolves 1 through 3, attack pattern omega! Don’t give them any room to breathe! Wolves 4 through 6, pattern epsilon! Be ready to back up 1, 2, and 3! Wolf 7, draw some of them off but don’t get yourself killed!”

The guns were charged, the Wolves were on the attack, and Adra nodded to him, indicating she was ready for him to open up on the enemy fighters.

They caught the enemy very much off guard and had eliminated more than half of their defense wing before any of them broke formation. The Rhino mercilessly tore through fighter after fighter as Adra put it through maneuvers far beyond its normal operation.

Within minutes, the Wolves had devoured the rest, with only one fighter, Wolf 4, sustaining damage. The Faction vessel was left defenseless.

“Attack wing, form up. The Rhino will bring down their defense shields. We will then all dock in the starboard side bay.” Daniel commanded.

The Wolves in position again, Daniel got a good look at the damage on Wolf 4. It had been hit in a non-critical area. It would still fly, jump, and could even enter a planet’s atmosphere, but it would not be able to land intact.

“Pilot, please position us to attack their shield generator.” He said to Adra, in a stuck-up, official sounding manner.

“Blow it out your ass, sir.” Adra replied with a sarcastic grin, as she brought the Rhino to broadside against the Faction ship. Her fierce and slightly overconfident attitude was one of the things he adored about her.

One blast from the main cannon was all it took to bring down the shields, and then a single directed EMP blast to stun the vessel’s suspiciously inactive jump generator. They would need it intact if they were to capture the ship.

The eight Terran spacecraft docked without issue, and thus immediately began the infiltration portion of the mission. Faction research vessels typically did not carry conventional soldiers, but were often armed with attack androids: mechanical human hybrids that were near impossible to defeat by the average human. That was why such highly skilled warriors were needed in combination with an ace tactician.

The nine members of the attack force regrouped inside the ship, where Daniel split them up into three groups. “Irwin, Carter, and Fenris, head to the engine room and set charges on the main reactor. Do not activate them unless given the order, set the counter for 2 minutes. Genevie and Xiao, go to the main research hub and secure whatever you can in the event we fail to commandeer this ship. If I give the order, you return to the Fleet without the rest of us, is that clear?”

“Yes sir.” They replied without delay.

“Adra, Hunter, and Tasha, you’re with me, we’re going to the bridge to take this ship.”

“Yes sir.”

“Good, let’s move out.” He ordered, as each team went their separate ways.

Stealthily moving through the corridors, they expected to find attack androids at nearly every turn, but were always both disappointed and relieved. No one said it, but they were all thinking it. The mission was going far too smoothly.

No Faction ship was ever left uninhabited and defended only by fighter drones; perhaps there had been some accident on board. Their questions were answered when they saw a hatch that was sealed from the other side with a flashing red warning light active.

The red light on the hatch indicated only one thing, that portion of the ship had vented its atmosphere and was now in hard vacuum. These corridors could no longer be assumed to be completely safe from the untempered radiation of space, and possibly even decompression. They proceeded with extreme caution, though something still did not add up.

Reaching the hatch to the bridge and finding a blue light on, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief. Adra touched the button to open the hatch, and their relief was interrupted by a strange sensation. It was as if someone had briefly lit a match inside their heads, and then immediately put it out. All four reached for their temples in response.

“You all just feel that too?” Adra asked.

“Probably just some radiation from the exposed parts of the ship, we’ll get it treated when we regroup with the Fleet.” Daniel assumed.

The bridge was not empty. The entire research team along with the operations crew lay dead, and it was completely unclear what had killed them. There were no wounds, only a shattered, but now resealed viewport; though it shouldn’t have been open long enough for the entire crew to asphyxiate, it all seemed very off.

Ignoring the corpses, Adra immediately sat down at the controls. “Let’s get the hell back to the Fleet. I don’t want to die like these unlucky bastards.”

The attack androids had been there, but no one was alive to activate them. Daniel activated his com channel, “This is Lieutenant Commander Tarian, this ship is ours. We’re returning to the Fleet immediately.”

The EMP stun on the jump generator finally wore off, and they set a course for United Fleet space.

---

“What exactly are your peers planning?”

“Uhh...heh heh, we ain’t plannin’ nothin’, just a little searchin’ is all.” the diamond dog said nervously.

“Do not attempt to fool me, your life is already forfeit for trespassing within my cavern. Your death can be quick, or arduous. The choice is yours. I only require information.”

“Hey! We was here first! We been minin’ these here caves for-”

“SILENCE!”

The diamond dog fearfully shut its mouth.

“I’ll only ask once more, what is being planned?”

“Th-they don’t tell me nothin’ good, I don’t know what’s gonna happen. All’s I know is that somethin’ big’s gonna happen with all the diamond dogs in this mountain...please don’t kill me, I’ll never come back, I swear!”

“No, no you won’t.”

Chrysalis focused her horn on the life force of the diamond dog restrained before her, and began pulling on it. While that was normally a changeling’s only other way of feeding than through love, it was also very useful for complex spells. This one was strong, which bode well for her next scrying. She would last longer before needing another volunteer.

---

United Fleet engineers found little of use on board the captured ship, save for a functional prototype of what had been deemed, “the rewrite device.”

All fighters used on the mission were in the fighter bay for maintenance, Wolf 4 did suffer landing skid damage and seemed to have an issue in its descent engines fuel supply, but since there were currently no planets to land on, those repairs were put off for more important ones. All who had participated in the mission were subject to radiation testing, and, much to Lieutenant Commander Tarian’s relief, all came up clean.

It was two days before Daniel had a chance to get a moment with Adra. Every time he saw her, his heart pounded at the thought of what he wanted to say but couldn't get a minute to.

They had finally sat down to lunch, and in Daniel’s hesitation, he started talking about their recent mission.

“I still feel on edge about it, it was way too easy. There should have been more fighter resistance and more resistance on board.”

Adra replied confidently, “You saw how well we surprised those suckers; if I was flying a Wolf I would’ve had them taken care of in ten seconds flat. And you saw the bodies…it’s obvious what happened.”

“Bad way to go, asphyxiation…” he said thoughtfully.

“Honestly, if they could think up a weapon like the rewrite device, I say they deserve it. I’d rather die painfully than become one of their pawns against my will.”

The conversation continued. It took a turn for the innocuous when Adra suggested that she teach Daniel some advanced hand-to-hand combat and Daniel accused her of merely wanting a legitimate reason to strike a ranking officer. With a sarcastic laugh, she smacked him gently on the head.

“Court-martial me.” She smirked.

They ate in the commissary, talking and laughing for an hour before Daniel worked up the nerve to say what he’d intended to say.

“Adra, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while.”

“Ah crap, here comes the serious stuff, and I was enjoying this conversation too.”

There was no way to tell her other than by being blunt. “I love you, Adra.”

She began to grin, but the smile froze on her lips. She dropped the morsel of food she was holding as a blank look took her face, and her head dropped forward.

“…Adra? Everything okay?” he asked, concernedly.

She looked back up. Daniel would remember this moment for the rest of his life, no matter how hard he tried to forget.

Adra held the same blank look, but her eyes blazed red.

---

“My queen, this one begs audience,” a welcome voice echoed into her chambers.

“You may enter,” she replied.

“This one wishes to know the status of what my queen found. If there is anything this one may do to assist or prepare...”

She grinned inwardly. Her previous scrying had lasted hours longer than usual, thanks to the strength of the diamond dog’s life force.

“There is. Keep the next two diamond dogs you find as prisoners. Have them build a cell somewhere out of the way, perhaps a storage room. When they are done, have them brought before me. I may have use for them other than as a source of energy.”

“My queen, this one apologizes for his boldness and begs leniency, but is scrying not a double-edged sword?”

Were he any other changeling, Chrysalis would have him beaten for his insolence, but he’d brought up an interesting point.

“Do elaborate,” she said, holding back her anger, his counsel had been useful in the past, she decided to listen.

“If my queen glimpses the future and prepares for it, does she not change its outcome? Perhaps it is dangerous to assume the creature will bend to your will even after torture.”

Her anger rose. “You lack faith in your queen’s abilities. Is that it, my changeling?”

“N-no my queen! Of course not, this one has the utmost faith-”

“Then do not speak of such things again. These spells are beyond your comprehension...and do not make the mistake of doubting me again.”

As he turned to leave in fear, Chrysalis silently considered what he’d said. Somehow, he had stumbled upon her greatest concern for the success of her plans.

---

The red-eyed Adra reached across the table, and grabbed Daniel by the neck. She bore no expression of anger, vengeance, sorrow, or pain. Only a blank look accompanied by hideously red eyes.

The person that once was Adra flipped the table aside, sending the civilians and few soldiers in the commissary into a panic for the door. She lifted him up into the air by his neck, slowly crushing the life from his windpipe.

“Lieutenant Commander Daniel Tarian, this body is now property of the Faction. You have betrayed the Faction and will be punished.” She said in a cold, soulless voice.

A tear ran down his cheek as he remembered her words from just a few minutes earlier, “…I’d rather die painfully than become one of their pawns against my will.”

Through his damaged and constricted throat, Daniel barely managed to croak out, “I love you…Adra, and I’m so sorry...for this…”

She was just a soldier, and was not permitted to carry a weapon outside a mission. He was an officer, and was required to have a sidearm at all times.

Her grip released and the red glow in her eyes faded as the bullet tore through her heart.

They both collapsed to the floor. Her face was still expressionless, but her eyes were once again the leaf green he had fallen in love with. She had no pulse and was not breathing.

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He kissed her, and closed her eyes. “Goodbye,” he said tearfully just as a horrifying realization washed over him.

The blue light at the bridge of the Faction ship; as she touched the control panel, they had all been staring straight at it and all suddenly felt the same strange pain in their heads. He had been rewritten too, and was a sleeper.

As the med crew rushed in, he jumped up and shouted, “Don’t let me see your faces! Don’t say anything to me!”

“…but sir!”

He shoved the doctor aside, and ran. His love had been taken from him; she hadn’t even died as herself. The Adra he loved had been erased. Washed out permanently to become a disposable pawn of the Faction. He could never look upon the face of anyone he knew again, lest he be…activated.

He ran through the ship, shoving people aside left and right. There was only one place he could go, only one way to stop himself from ever activating. He found Hunter along his route, he was about to warn him when Hunter looked back at him. There was a noose hanging from his neck. His eyes glowed red as he made to attack. Hunter must have realized it as well and accidentally activated himself by trying to end his own life.

Daniel kicked open the hatch into the fighter bay and sealed it shut behind him, the mindless thing that once was Hunter now trying to force it open.

Only one fighter was not out on a shakedown flight. Daniel sprinted for Wolf 4, the only system on board already repaired being its automated shields, and climbed in. Starting up the engines, he was met by a familiar voice.

“Lieutenant commander Tarian! This is Admiral Emrys, just what in the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

“I can’t stay here, Admiral,” he replied, flipping switches and preparing Wolf 4 for takeoff.

“I know how you’re feeling, you just lost Adra, I saw the security footage. But-”

“You don’t understand, Admiral! I’ve been rewritten, too…I just haven’t been activated yet. You have to let me go or I’m a threat to everyone here. As soon as I leave the bay, I’m going to prepare a jump. Have tactical target me in the split second my auto-shields are down before I jump and kill me before I kill any of you. There’s nothing left for me to live for anyway.”

There was a long pause.

“…understood. You have my word. I’m sorry it had to end like this.”

“I’m sorry too, Admiral.”

Wolf 4 took another several minutes to power up. In that time, he received another signal from the Admiral.

“Admiral, I’ve made up my mind, you can’t stop me.”

“That’s not it, son. We’ve just received word; that mission was a trap. The Faction initiated hundreds of them at the same time. Approximately 96% of the United Fleet has fallen by sleeper units within their ranks.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

Before the Admiral could reply, he saw his answer. A massive fleet of Faction capital ships dropped out of a jump in front of the open fighter bay doors. This was their final attack; the Faction intended to wipe out the United Fleet once and for all with their rewrite device.

“Admiral, don’t shoot at me when my auto-shields go down for the jump. I’ll activate Wolf 4’s self-destruct at that moment. The blast should be strong enough to damage most of their fleet. They don’t seem to have launched their own fighters yet, so a single fighter should be able to slip through their large-scale defenses fairly easily.”

Several seconds of silence were followed by Admiral Emrys’s reply: “It’s been an honor serving with you, Lieutenant Commander Tarian. Godspeed.”

He took this as confirmation, and shut down his com channel. Daniel waited for the right moment, and pushed forward on the throttle. He commanded the flight computer to arm the self-destruct, and activate it the very next second the auto-shields were down.

Daniel gunned the throttle the instant he left the bay. Though he was mentally prepared to be dodging a hail of defense turret fire, none came. It didn't seem right for them to simply ignore a fighter as capable as the Wolf-class. He took it as sheer luck, and made a mad dash to the center of the enemy fleet. As soon as he was in position, he stabbed the onscreen button to begin a jump charge. Once the charge began, a jump was inevitable, and could not be aborted.

It began counting down from five seconds as the charge built. With his last seconds, he pictured Adra’s face, and opened his eyes to see the counter reach zero.

---

“My queen, this one brings...gifts.”

Still angered at him from several hours previously, Chrysalis had to steady herself to address her confidant without scaring him off.

“What manner of gifts?” she asked flatly.

A chain clinked, Chrysalis turned to see two diamond dogs, one much larger and more muscular than the other. They were chained at all paws, flanked by several changelings, and shivering in fear.

“You know what must be done, explain to them what they are to do, and be sure they know what awaits them should they fail.”

---

It seemed Wolf 4’s landing skids were not the only system to have been damaged in battle. The jump initiated successfully much to Daniel’s shock and anger.

Just as he braced himself for the overload of Wolf 4’s miniaturized fusion reactor, the heads up display flashed the warning, “Self-destruct system failure: Overload not possible.”

He was now in an unplanned jump with no target. The jump would continue until the reactor died.

Burying his anger for the moment, Daniel thought of a way he could salvage the situation. He could not simply crash the fighter intentionally; it had safeguards against that, and that would count as a direct suicide attempt and probably activate him. Perhaps he could make it down to the surface of a planet and find a way to safely end his own life there. He was determined not to let the Faction take his mind, but the longer he stayed alive, the longer it remained a possibility.

Then again… he thought, realizing that if he escaped far enough from Faction territory, he would never see a familiar face again, and it didn’t matter if he was able to end his own life. He could deprive himself of human contact forever…but was that preferable? Could he even live his life without Adra, much less no humans ever again? No, that wasn’t a question. She wouldn’t want him to just give up. If there was a possibility of living without risk of being rewritten, he had to take it.

Daniel concluded that he would make his decision when he found a planet. He set the Wolf’s bioscribe to use the very first sentient life form the computer observed on the new planet. The bioscribe was a very advanced piece of technology designed to create the ultimate disguise for studying a planet’s indigenous life. It merely needed to observe a living specimen, and would completely change the user’s biology to match the species. This eliminated the need for enviro-suits, and could only be reversed by the same bioscribe device within 48 hours of the initial transformation; after which the change became permanent, and the users mind adapted permanently to the new body. The disguise could not be pulled off forcibly like a mask. There was no mask to remove. Having the body of a native would give him an easier time of doing whatever he decided to do without attracting unwanted attention.

It took several hours to program the bioscribe to work automatically without his intervention. Daniel knew the landing would be rough and he may not be conscious to operate it himself. It was then that he realized that his jump had gone on far longer than it should have, and the reactor was nearly depleted. Most jumps lasted a few minutes; he had been going for nearly eight hours.

As if on cue, the computer alerted him of the reactor’s depleted status, and dropped him out of the jump. Daniel felt the confirmation of his reactor’s depletion in the gentle thunk that was the reactor capsule being jettisoned. He checked his distance from Faction and United Fleet territory, and his jaw dropped in shock. He was on the complete opposite side of the galaxy.

Impossible, no reactor under normal operation could sustain a jump of that velocity for so long…except maybe a reactor that was just about to overload…

The self-destruct system worked, but not as designed. The jump generator funneled the excess energy from the system to propel him far beyond the reach of any human starship.

A warning appeared on his heads-up display; there was a habitable planet less than three days distant by sub-lightspeed propulsion. It would be a long trip, and he had no provisions on board, but it was worth a shot.

When his nav-computer told him the planet was being orbited by its parent star, rather than the other way around, he shut down the astrometric sensors. Nonsense readings would not help him here.

Powering up the sub-light engines, he directed himself towards the planet, and accelerated.

---

“You summoned this one, my queen?”

“Yes, my most loyal changeling, I did. I trust the diamond dogs have finished constructing the cell?”

“They have. Though they required more...encouragement than expected.”

“Do they still live?”

“They do.”

“Then promise them riches in exchange for their service as jailors. When we’re done with them, we’ll simply discard them or consume them. Whatever is more convenient. The day is very near.”
---

CHAPTER TWO: SURVIVAL

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---

Daniel had just barely enough fuel left on board to enter a low orbit around the planet after three days on cruise. As Wolf 4 slowly starved, so did he. His last meal was back in the commissary with Adra, and that was days ago. He wondered if the Deus ex Machina remained in United Fleet hands, or if the Faction had won.

He rolled the craft over so that he could look upon the surface. A cursory glance revealed a world lush and green, shockingly like Earth before the Great Burning. Initial scans revealed a small village near the edge of a dense forest. Surrounding the forest were open fields, perfect for what may be a very rough landing. With the forest nearby, he could immediately find a place to hide, provided he survived the landing.

He reactivated his astrometric sensors. Perhaps there would be no more nonsense readings. Nevertheless, they still insisted the ridiculous idea that this system’s star orbited its planet. Even worse, the Moon’s orbit should not have been possible by any known laws of planetary motion. He ignored those, and focused on setting landing coordinates on the surface.

Daniel waited until his selected landing area was on the night side of the planet, and used the last of his remaining sub-light fuel for the atmospheric entry burn. Systems indicated that the heat shields were intact, and only the port side landing skids suffered serious damage that was never repaired. Something was wrong with the fuel lines that fed the port side landing engines, but it was too late to do anything about it.

Daniel had never entered a planet’s atmosphere before. He found the experience both fascinating and absolutely terrifying. Wolf 4 was engulfed in blazing yellow plasma for several minutes. A brief glance at the main display indicated that hull temperature was peaking at over 1,500 Kelvin. He immediately regretted looking at that data and shut off the display.

Gradually, the searing plasma faded, and Daniel felt the wings catch the wind. In response to the detection of an atmosphere, the bioscribe armed itself, ready to scan the first sentient life form it encountered.

Still supersonic, he deployed the airbrakes, slowing the craft through the transonic barrier and emitting a loud sonic boom just as he passed over the settlement he had previously seen from orbit.

Probably not the best way to enter without being noticed… he imagined Adra telling him.

Completely beneath his notice at this point, the high pitched beep from the computer went unacknowledged. Daniel never knew that the bioscribe had found and scanned something...or someone.

As he approached his selected landing zone, he decided it was time to deploy the landing skids and hope for the best. He would rather try to land on broken skids than attempt a belly landing of a space fighter. Daniel closed his eyes, and pulled the lever.

---

It was not often that Rainbow Dash flew at night. She was a pegasus who relished her sleep, and the day’s weather duties had been tiring. However, tonight of all nights, she tossed and turned, unable to find sleep until her impatience got the better of her.

The colorful mare decided to clear her head with a flight in the cool, crisp air of the night. She walked to the window of her lofty house made entirely of clouds, and took a deep breath of the night air before leaping out of the window.

Her wings carried her over town, where she flew in wide, lazy arcs, just enjoying the feel of the breeze in her mane.

It wasn’t long before a bright light that looked like a meteor caught her eye. It came streaking down from the heavens, and it appeared to be heading in her general direction. Rainbow Dash was straining her eyes to get a good look at it when it suddenly emitted a thunderous crack the likes of which had only ever been heard when she herself performed a Sonic Rainboom.

Whatever it was, it was fast. She had to get a closer look at what may be the only thing to match her for speed in living memory.

As the object dimmed from its previous glow, it began to grow in apparent size, and assumed a defined shape. To her eyes, it looked vaguely like a metal dragonfly that flew tail first. However little the cyan pegasus knew about it, she was smart enough to tell it was some sort of flying machine. The only creatures who built flying machines, however, were those that were themselves flightless.

She flew up alongside it, now that it was going slower than the speed of sound. With her closer vantage point, she could see a clear glass canopy on top. She flew closer to the object, and looked inside. What she saw nearly shocked her out of the sky.

Inside was a creature unlike any she’d ever seen before. It wore a dark grey and gold military uniform, and looked forward at the controls of its machine and out the front of the cockpit with an intense focus, not even noticing that Equestria’s fastest flyer was right alongside it. Still in shock that she was looking at what was most likely a living alien from another world, she failed to notice the small cylinder that extended from the top of the craft, and shined a dim red light at her for several seconds.

Rainbow Dash was about to knock a hoof on the glass to get its attention when it did something unexpected. Its facial expression went from one of intense focus to one of desperation and fear.

It reached down to its side, closed its eyes, and pulled hard. Rainbow Dash barely had a chance to get out of the way before a hideous metallic grinding noise emanated from the machine, followed immediately by a blast of heat and a bright yellow ball of flame.

The machine began tumbling chaotically, quite obviously out of control and critically damaged. She wanted to help, but she could only watch in horror as the pilot’s face contorted in his desperate attempts to control the machine. Every time she tried to approach to either steady it with her hooves, or break open the glass and pull out the pilot, the heat forced her back. It was far too hot to approach from any angle.

The pegasus kept trying until the ground rushed up sooner than expected. Rainbow Dash realized that whether she helped or not at this point, that machine was going to crash, and hard.

Fighting back the anger at herself that she couldn't help a fellow flyer in distress, particularly one as fast as her, she did the only thing she could.

Before flying away, she uttered, “I’m sorry...” and pulled up at the last second, only to see the flames suddenly go out, and the flying machine plow into the ground with a sickening crunch, likely killing whatever was inside.

Briefly at a loss of what to do, Rainbow Dash spotted her oldest friend down on the ground...right near the crash site. It was then that she knew all wasn't lost. If the creature survived the crash, who better to help it than her, the Element of Loyalty, and the one pegasus who knew strange creatures like no other.

---

Wolf 4 shuddered violently as the damaged skids entered the wind-stream and locked into position, except for the port side skid. It caught on an internal fuel line and unleashed a spray of chemical fuel meant to power the landing engines. The spray ignited against the still-searing hull, fire quickly reached the fuel reserves and caused a violent explosion. The fighter was engulfed in flames. None of the control mechanisms or aerosurfaces on the port side of the craft were responding.

Wolf 4 careened out of control over the darkened alien landscape until Daniel managed to get it somewhat back in check. Alarms screamed and the cockpit slowly filled with smoke. He was still moving towards his intended landing spot, but the spacecraft was yawing hard to the left and coming in much too steep and fast. Pulling up on the stick did nothing.

He punched the emergency airbrakes, which did not respond. In desperation, he deployed the drag parachute, which was quickly incinerated. As a last resort, he yanked on the eject handle, which also failed. Just now realizing it was on fire, the fighter's main computer activated the fire suppressors, but too late. The damage was done.

Daniel saw the ground rushing towards him despite his efforts to reduce his descent angle, and braced for impact. As Wolf 4 slammed into the hard ground, he was thrown forward, his head smashing into the windscreen and cracking the glass, which left a painful gash. His starved body was thrown forward violently in the harness, cracking one of his ribs.

The impact at least left him mercifully unconscious for the usually extremely painful conversion process by the bioscribe.

The craft slid across the landscape, digging a trench as it went. It caught on a solid underground object and flipped over several times, finally rolling to a stop in a cloud of heavy dirt. It stopped moments before plowing into one of the natives, who had been literally paralyzed in fear. Wolf 4 came to rest on its top side; the cockpit suspended a meter above the dirt trench. The nose of the fighter was resting on the dirt, and its wide v-shaped upper wings were propping up the aft section, thus pointing the dual plasma cannons at the ground.

The witness to his landing caught just a glimpse of the pilot inside the now transparent canopy. Through the smoky air inside, she managed to see a strange creature, one she’d never seen before. Her talent with animals never failing, she could sense its pain. It was a pain that transcended mere physical injury, though the creature certainly did not lack for that.

She could sense anguish, a sort of desperate hopelessness. She recognized those as the feelings of a creature badly hurt with no one to turn to, and then and there she resolved to wait for it to come out, and help it however she could. It was then that a brilliant flash came from inside the canopy, and the battered face of the alien creature inside was alien no longer.

---

Daniel awoke several hours later. Everything hurt. His eyes were clouded with the blood that had dripped into them from the open wound on his head, he was experiencing red-out from being suspended upside down in the crashed fighter, and his lungs burned from smoke inhalation. Breathing was difficult; he had definitely cracked a rib.

The sun had risen on this world, but he could not see out of the cockpit canopy. It was cracked all over and fogged out from the smoke. His body felt as though it was crammed into a harness not designed for it, which could only mean one thing.

The bioscribe…it worked!

He had been trained to use the bioscribe, and thus accepted his new body immediately. He tried to undo the harness, but found that he had no fingers; instead he had a set of hooves. He hit the emergency release for the harness and in his disorientation from the crash he had forgotten he would drop right out of the seat.

The harness retracted, pulling off his tattered uniform with it. Daniel’s head struck the canopy hard, completely shattering the damaged glass, and introducing a fresh hell of pain as he was dumped unceremoniously into the dirt beneath the cockpit.

He groaned and opened his eyes to a complete shock.

So much for subtle disguise...

A large group of natives had gathered to see the strange alien spacecraft that had just crash landed on their world. They all seemed to resemble horses with larger heads to accommodate their sentient brains, but were closer in size to ponies. Both species were lost to Earth 59 years ago during the Great Burning, but he remembered reading about them. Daniel observed that some of the ponies had single horns on their heads, others had wings, and still others had neither.

They were all staring at him. Some wore expressions of pure curiosity, most looked afraid, but all looked downright distrustful of him.

Daniel felt out his new form. He could feel a set of wings at his sides. The bioscribe must have found one of the winged ponies first. He could tell his coat was a slightly lighter shade of the dark grey of the officer’s uniform he wore moments earlier, and if he had a mirror, he would have seen that his mane and tail were similar to the gold trim of his uniform with a streak of fiery orange. Yet his eyes remained the same icy-blue he’d had since birth.

Confident he could stand in his new form, he decided to attempt first contact.

He shakily stood on his new hooves, and began speaking. “Hello. I mean you no harm. My name is…”

Daniel was interrupted by a deep metallic groaning from above him.

You are an idiot… he could hear Adra saying. She would have been right. The entire time, he was standing directly under a crashed spacecraft. Its v-shaped top wings began to give way, and would have left him just enough time to dodge…if he was uninjured.

As he tried to move out of the way of the collapsing space fighter, one of the main cannons broke loose and smashed him on the back of the head. It tossed him forward, mercifully away from the crash of the rest of the fighter, and discharged a shot into the ground which did nothing but make a lot of noise and scare off the crowd.

He was on the ground several meters from the wrecked fighter, and didn’t want to move, as staying down on the ground was so much easier than trying to stand in his condition. As his vision began to blur and grey out, he saw two of the winged ponies float down before him. They somehow hadn’t been scared off by the cannon.

He weakly reached out in desperate appeal before he blacked out completely.

---

Through his injured stupor, the pegasus was dimly aware of few things.

He felt his battered body being picked up by something strong, but gentle.

He felt a sudden wind over his coat.

As consciousness gradually slipped in and out of his grasp, he felt something tending to his wounds.

Soon however, fatigue, hunger, and injury got the better of him. He only managed to catch a few bits of conversation as his head swam towards the darkness.

There were two voices, one very quiet, but very calm. The other sounded brash and panicked.

The quiet voice was the one he heard first, “...he’s made it through the worst of it, there’s not much more we can do for him now other than just letting him rest.”

The brash voice responded, “Are you sure? I...I mean, there must be something more I can do.” It sounded more worried with each word.

“Rainbow Dash, you carried him all the way here yourself, and you helped me treat his injuries. The only thing I think you can do to help him now is something I can’t do.”

“Name it!”

“You saw how everypony looked at him when he fell out of that machine.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout a thing, Fluttershy. I know exactly what you want me to do and I’m on it!”

He felt a gentle touch on his foreleg, and the brash voice quieted down and spoke comfortingly.

“Hang in there, I don’t know how to heal you, that’s Fluttershy’s job. But I’m gonna make sure nopony wants to hurt you.”

And he felt himself slipping from the waking world once again.

---

I’m…alive. Why does everything hurt so much?

He opened his eyes and found himself in a soft bed. He tried to sit up, but the effort caused pain to shoot through his whole body. Now out of breath, he began coughing violently, which hurt even more.

Someone came running up a set of stairs and rushed to his bedside. His eyesight was blurred, but he could see a yellow pegasus approach him. She seemed vaguely familiar.

“Oh dear...um, try to breathe slowly,” she said quietly.

He followed the advice, and slowed his breathing. His vision began clearing.

“That’s better, isn’t it? Um…try to rest, you’re badly hurt, but my friend and I treated you…i-if that’s alright. My name is Fluttershy, can you tell me your name…um, please?”

“My name is...” he stopped abruptly as his mind searched for something that didn’t seem to be there.

“My name is...I think...I don’t know. I can’t remember.”

“Oh, um…oh my. You might have amnesia,” she said pensively, bringing a hoof to her chin in thought.

She noticed the frightened look he had at the word ‘amnesia,’ and changed her demeanor.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe here. I’m going to help you,” she reassured him.

“What do I look like?”

“Oh, um, you’re not so bad, only a bad concussion and a broken rib, and it looks like you haven’t eaten in a few days. Of course you have a few cuts and bruises, but you’ll be better in no time at all. Your amnesia might take some time to heal though…i-if that’s okay.”

She misunderstood the question.

“Do you have a mirror? I…I can’t remember my own face.”

Fluttershy briefly debated allowing him to look in a mirror, for fear that he might realize the face that would look back is not his original one. However, she then realized that he probably didn’t remember his original face, so seeing his new one would do no harm.

“Oh my…I’m sorry, I’ll be right back.”

She came back a moment later carrying a small mirror in her teeth.

“Please try not to be scared, your injuries only look really bad,” she said gently, and held up the mirror.

The face that looked back at him was thin and gaunt. He was battered, and had bandages across his forehead. Some blood had soaked through the bandages. She said it looked worse than it was, but that didn’t help. The face that looked back at him looked so brutalized that it had to be a wonder he was still alive. There was so much blood on his head.

Oh no…is my skull cracked? Am I going to...die?

A panic began to set in, his heart began pounding and he started hyperventilating as he came to terms with thoughts of whatever near death experience he had apparently just survived.

“Wh- what happened to me?!” he frantically asked, his panic deepening as the room began to spin around him, and he couldn’t help but imagine a crack running along his skull, the bones held together only by skin and bandages.

Through the panic, he felt her yellow hoof touch him on the shoulder, and she looked down at him with a gentle and understanding smile. His frenzied eyes looked up into hers. He felt immediately tranquilized, as if everything would be alright as long as she was there.

“Shhh. It’s okay. You’ll be okay.” She said in a soothing voice, and he felt his panic melt away as she began stroking his mane.

In seconds, she brought him from abject panic to serenity. He had an unusual feeling of implicit trust for this mare. He couldn’t explain it, but everything about her presence reassured him that he would be alright.

“You need your rest to heal, but I’ll be right here, so don’t be scared.”

“Fluttershy…” he asked recalling her name from moments earlier, “what did this to me?”

Her internal debate as to whether he should know yet how he came to be injured was thankfully ended by a knock at the door.

“Oh, please excuse me for a moment.”

Fluttershy ran downstairs and answered the door. He listened in on the conversation.

“Oh hello Twilight, what brings you here?”

“Hi Fluttershy, did you happen to see that thing that landed over in the fields last night?” a new voice asked.

“I did see it, and I heard it too. At first, I thought Rainbow Dash was practicing her Sonic Rainbooms at night, but she isn’t that inconsiderate. It looked more like a shooting star.”

“Did you happen to see what came out of it this morning? Ponies around town are saying that they saw a strange dark grey pegasus stallion come out who they’ve never seen before, and that they all ran off when his machine, whatever it is, shot something powerful at the ground. I’m worried that this stranger could be a potential threat, and that we might need to resort to using the Elements to deal with that threat.”

She was silent for a moment until Twilight asked, “Is he here?” with a suspicious tone.

“Oh Twilight! He’s really badly hurt, and he doesn’t remember anything. Please don’t take him away, he needs my help! He won’t hurt us, I can tell!” Fluttershy pleaded.

“May I come in and see?” she asked impatiently, not waiting for a response and coming in anyway. This was bad. In his condition, he couldn’t face any inquisition, and even if he did have his memories, those Elements didn’t sound like something to be taken lightly. The panic began to return.

He heard the two of them coming up the stairs. The first one up was who he assumed to be Twilight. She was a unicorn rather than a pegasus like Fluttershy. Her horn was glowing menacingly and her eyes were narrowed aggressively. It was obvious she didn’t trust him; then again, what reason did she have to trust him? He didn’t even know if he was trustworthy.

He guessed she could probably tear him apart with whatever power was making that horn glow, especially considering he could barely move as it was. He braced for whatever cruel torment she was about to unleash as his heart pounded in his ears.

She approached him cautiously and looked him dead in the eyes.

Her expression softened, and her horn stopped glowing. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anypony with such fear in their eyes.”

His panic ebbed, giving way to a hint of confusion, “Huh?” he mumbled.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle, can you tell me yours?” she asked gently.

“I don’t know. I can’t remember it…are you going to hurt me?”

“Oh no, of course not. Not now. I was only worried from what I heard of you and what I saw of your machine that you had come here to hurt us, but now that I see how afraid you are…” she trailed off.

“What machine?” he asked.

“You don’t even remember that much? This could be bad. The entire town has assumed that whatever came here in that machine is evil and here to cause harm.”

Fluttershy voiced her concerns, “But Twilight, how could they all jump to conclusions so quickly?”

“I don’t know Fluttershy, but it looks like I have some work to do.”

“I already asked Rainbow Dash to go around town to try and stop everypony from being afraid of him.” she replied.

“That’s good, but Rainbow Dash isn’t exactly the most tactful mare. Keep him here, and do what you can for his injuries. I’ll try and keep the townsponies calm and see what I can do to stop any angry mobs from forming.” At that, she turned and left.

---

I knew it wouldn’t work…why didn’t I tell him?

Admiral Richard Emrys felt as though he had betrayed one of his finest officers and few close friends as he watched Wolf 4 bolt off on an overloading reactor. Where he would end up, none could predict. But he couldn’t bear to let Daniel kill himself.

The massive Faction fleet did not move to attack, it simply held position.

“Admiral, why aren’t they attacking us?” the helmsman asked.

“I don’t know…but I have a bad feeling about this.”

The communications officer spoke up, “Sir, I’ve got an incoming audio channel from the lead ship.”

“Open it.”

An older sounding man with a soft voice and a Texas accent spoke. “It's been 44 years, brother.”

The moment he had been dreading for nearly half a century finally upon him, Admiral Richard replied, “...Silas?!”

“This is Admiral Silas Emrys of the Faction attack cruiser Judgement. I must say Richard, I'm pleased to find you still alive.”

“You have destroyed almost the entire United Fleet with the exception of the Deus ex Machina and her escort, you have come in force to surround my ship, and you forcibly subvert members of my crew and tell me you’re pleased to find me alive?” he said skeptically with just a hint of impatience.

“You insult me, Richard. But you’re quite right; though that Dragon-class starship is more than a match for any one of mine, against our numbers you’re hopelessly outgunned.”

“Then why wait? Why not destroy the one obstacle to the ultimate Faction victory now, instead of delaying by talking with a dead man?”

“I am insulted again to hear that my own older brother thinks I would kill him for a victory. I don’t consider it a victory for the Faction, no, for humanity, if I must kill my own brother to attain it.”

Admiral Richard was confused, “What are you saying?”

“I have lead the Faction in martial law for almost 20 years; you are the only remaining Admiral alive within the United Terran Fleet. That makes us the de facto leaders. I did not come here to kill you and wipe out the rest of my opposition; I came to negotiate a peace.”

Admiral Richard’s soldiers would see his fury for the first time in their lives. There was no yelling, there was no fire, only a cold rage that burned in his trembling voice.

“You talk peace, but do you have any idea of the horrors you’ve caused today? You must have murdered thousands of honest Terran soldiers by forcibly turning their closest friends against them. My best strategist and my own friend just flew off alone in a space fighter hoping that his self-destruct would kill him before he turned because of your damned rewrite device. He watched the woman he loved turn into one of your red-eyed pawns just before she tried to strangle him, he was forced to take her life with his own sidearm. And now you talk peace?”

There were several moments of silence.

“It is…truly regrettable that such things came to pass, but desperate times call for desperate measures. We have to end this conflict, brother. Take a look at your population counts. Humanity is dying, we need a home. Even if you account for casualties in battle, both our numbers are dwindling just from sickness and depression induced suicides alone; people are losing the will to live, Richard. We cannot survive like this. My lab coats are telling me that by current trends, humanity won’t last another 44 years. I’m here for peace. You can choose to fight me, but I’d much rather end this war with my older brother at my side than in a casket.”

“The United Fleet has stood against the Faction for 44 years for a reason. We fight you because you are deluded enough to think you have the right to conquer inhabited planets just so that humanity can survive. If you want to end this war without having to kill me and destroy my fleet, then you’d better have a damn good offer to make.”

“Think about our past, Richard. Times change, so do people.”

The seasoned admiral sat down in the command chair to think on what Silas had said.

When he was just 5 years old, Richard watched his mother die bringing Silas screaming into the world. Eleven years before the Earth was destroyed, he held his newborn brother and tried to keep him calm and safe. Their father died shortly after in the war that led to the Great Burning, so they were on their own until they reached enlistment age for the Fleet.

Neither of them ever wanted to join the military, but they were left with little choice. Richard waited 5 years so they could enlist together; they trained together, fought together, and watched good men die together. It wasn’t until they had a difference of opinion shortly after the civil war began that they went their separate ways.

All those years ago, Richard told his younger brother, “One day, Silas…one day we’ll meet again. I only hope it’s not under a banner of war.”

And now, the child he held and cared for, the child he grew up alongside; Silas had come back. What were his intentions?

Admiral Richard broke the silence with an enigmatic question that only his brother would understand, “Silas, what banner do you fly today?”

“Today, Richard, I only hope you believe me when I say it’s a banner of peace.”

He motioned for the com officer to mute the transmission channel, and then ordered him to broadcast to all of the remaining United Fleet.

“This is Admiral Richard Emrys, acting leader of the United Terran Fleet. Admiral Silas Emrys of the Faction has offered us peace. While I would normally reject this offer due to their questionable methods, I know my brother. He comes to us in an earnest desire to end the war, and, regrettably, refusing the offer would likely mean all of our deaths. They come to us not just in peace, but in overwhelming force. We are left with little choice. Peace or not, the Faction has won. The United Fleet has fallen. I will go to the Faction flagship Judgement to personally discuss the terms of our surrender. You’ve all fought honorably; I only hope we get to keep our honor after the treaty is signed.”

He nodded to the com officer, who reopened the channel.

“I too wish to fly a banner of peace, Silas. I suppose you want me to come aboard the Judgement to discuss the terms of our surrender?”

“No. I will come to the Deus ex Machina, and we will discuss the terms of our alliance. Some of the Faction’s methods have been…regrettable. I wish to change how we do business; perhaps we can both make sacrifices and meet in the middle.”

Admiral Richard did not know what to think. No matter what advanced weaponry he had, even the rewrite device could not turn something like this into a trap. The faces the two admirals remembered of one another no longer existed, they had aged 44 years. Silas would not place his life into United Fleet hands unless he truly wanted peace. For the first time since the start of the civil war, Richard Emrys felt a glimmer of hope.

---

CHAPTER THREE: GRIEF

View Online

---

Twilight Sparkle burst into Fluttershy’s cottage.

“Where is he? I need to ask him something!” she panted.

“Oh, hello Twilight. He’s upstairs resting. I was just getting him some fresh bandages.”

Without waiting for the timid yellow pegasus to lead her upstairs, Twilight ran up herself.

“Your machine!” she pointed at him accusingly with her hoof.

He was confused; he still did not know the purpose of the machine they said was his.

“What about it?” he asked. It had been several days since he woke up. His injuries were healing well, and he was healthily recovering from starvation. His amnesia however, had not improved.

“How much do you remember?” she asked frantically.

“Still nothing, why?”

She looked deflated. “I was studying your machine, and it spoke. I hoped you could tell me what the words meant.”

“If that is actually my machine, maybe its words will trigger a memory. What did it say?”

“That’s…that’s a good idea. Well, it was really fuzzy and distorted, so the only words I could hear were, ‘…the Faction has won. The United Fleet has fallen…’”

It did trigger a memory. He lay still and silent for several tense moments before Twilight asked, “Are you okay?”

“…red eyes…” he whispered, looking into nothingness.

“Red eyes? What does that mean? Did you remember something?” she asked hesitantly.

Suddenly, it looked like the stallion was desperately trying to repress something. His eyes clenched tightly shut, and he was holding onto his face with his hooves as he writhed in apparent agony.

Twilight frantically called for Fluttershy, who quickly flew upstairs.

Completely unsure of what to do, Fluttershy put a hoof on his shoulder to steady him, and he immediately locked eyes with her. He had a look of abject desperation in his eyes, as if he was fighting something within himself. Frightened into action, she gave him the Stare.

His world was once again spinning, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not fight the vision of angry red eyes staring at him. They were everywhere in an otherwise dark realm, hundreds of pairs of glowing red eyes.

There was a beautiful face too, he could not tell any details of her, but her eyes were red, and it somehow made him furious. It felt like something was trying to explode out of the depths of his forgotten mind. He tried to fight it, but it was so much stronger. He was desperate for something to help him, anything to lean on to stop this horrible force from overcoming him.

Only when Fluttershy got his attention with a gentle touch, only when he looked up into her teal eyes did he feel that unknowable malevolence within retreat. Her face was once again gentle and reassuring, but her eyes looked…commanding. His entire body locked up. He didn’t fight it, whatever it was that was trying to conquer his mind was also forced back down. He allowed whatever spell this was to do as it would, knowing he was not strong enough to fight the red eyes for long. He could relax again. Her commanding stare softened to one of sadness.

Fluttershy was unusually perceptive. “Twilight, I think there’s something horrible hiding in his mind.”

---

Hours passed. The negotiations went on. The two brothers met as equals for the first time in 44 years. The Faction Fleet held position surrounding the Deus ex Machina and her escort cruisers. It made the crew uneasy.

The Judgement was positioned bow to bow with the United Terran Fleet’s current flagship. It made for an imposing display. The Judgement was an Arbiter-class attack cruiser. It was smaller, slower, and older than most of the ships used by the United Fleet, but it could take and deliver a serious beating, and looked it. Where the Dragon-class excelled in armament, speed, size, and living conditions, the Arbiter-class excelled in being able to be hit by just about anything and simply shrug it off; it was physically designed to look intimidating. The Dragon-class was physically designed for functionality, and had a much more elegant look.

The attack cruiser had two bridges, command and tactical. Command oversaw all operations except weapons, for which there was a dedicated tactical bridge. The two twin bridges were stationed apart on the ship in such a way that they resembled two angry, savage eyes staring down anything before them.

It was quite a metaphor for the negotiations taking place. Brutish power face to face with measured force. The com officer was visibly relieved when he received the order from the conference room to open a visual channel to the entire United Terran Fleet, as well as the entire Faction fleet.

Admirals Richard and Silas appeared side by side on screen, both in the full dress uniforms of their respective sides.

“This is Admiral Richard Emrys of the United Terran Fleet ship, the Deus ex Machina. I stand today beside my long lost younger brother, Admiral Silas Emrys, who commands all of the Faction, and its flagship, the Judgement. After lengthy negotiations, we have reached a peace agreement.”

Admiral Silas continued, “Our peace treaty stipulates that all hostilities between the Faction and the United Terran Fleet will cease. The two organizations are henceforth dissolved, and now form one unified group which we will refer to as the human race. The Faction will no longer seize inhabited planets from species that may evolve intelligence, in exchange; my older brother has agreed to allow us to keep our hold on the three planets we garrisoned in that manner. I would call this a great victory for both sides, but that would imply duplicity where none exists. We are all part of humanity. This civil war ends now.”

Admiral Richard took over again. “Mass colonization will begin on the three planets now in possession of the human race effective immediately. Both fleets will be integrated as one, and will continue to explore in search of uninhabited worlds to colonize and harvest for resources. As of this moment, the war is over.”

The video channel closed. There was absolute dead silence on the bridge of the Deus ex Machina.

---

After the incident back at Fluttershy’s home, the three of them had decided it would be a good idea to bring the stranger out to his machine, where they may be able to get more information on his past, and possibly help him fight whatever it was that was hiding deep within his mind.

When they reached it, he noticed an unusual looking sparrow perched atop the machine. It regarded him with unnatural looking eyes, and watched him suspiciously.

Either something’s off about that bird or even the wildlife here doesn’t trust me...

When the stallion looked into the part of the machine that seemed to be designed for something to sit inside, the torn garments of clothing hanging from the straps caught his eye. He extricated them and held them up.

“Those don’t look like they’re shaped for any pony I’ve ever met…or even any creature I’ve ever seen for that matter.” Fluttershy observed.

“You’re right. And it kind of looks like…” Twilight paused, “It kind of looks like a military uniform.”

She stepped closer and observed the insignia on one of the shiny metal pins that adorned it.

“This pin, it says, ‘United Fleet Strategy Division.’ And earlier, it sounded like the machine said, ‘…the Faction has won, the United Fleet has fallen…’, but who’s the Faction?” Twilight mused.

He answered in a somber tone, “I don’t know, or maybe I don’t remember. But I think there was a war, and I think we lost.”

“I…I’m so sorry.” Twilight said in a sad voice. “Is any of this bringing back any of your memories?”

“Only very vague images. Nothing I can really assign meaning to, but now I know there’s a lot I’m missing. This was definitely my uniform, and if that’s true, I wasn’t always a pony.”

“If it’s a military uniform, won’t there be a nameplate on it?” Twilight asked hopefully.

He examined the front of the uniform, “It either never had one, or it’s missing.”

The sparrow continued to watch him. He was about to shoo it away when the machine’s sound system crackled to life again, grabbing their attention. It was barely audible, but scattered, individual words were discernible through the static as the signal came in and out irregularly.

“…Deus ex Machina…lost…” the voice was vaguely familiar. A different voice continued, it seemed to have taken over the transmission, “…United Terran Fleet…dissolved…the Faction will...seize inhabited planets…great victory…war ends now…”

The two mares looked to the stranger, who stared at the machine with a devastated expression.

“I remember…” he said quietly, as he touched the console of the machine, bringing up an image on the damaged display, the text was scrambled, but the image was clear enough. It was a creature they’d never seen before; it was wearing the very uniform he held.

“This is- was me. I was…I was a master strategist for the United Terran Fleet. The Faction, they were the enemy. And the Deus ex Machina, that was my ship.”

“Your ship? Like a sailing ship? Were you the captain?” Twilight inquired.

“It was a sailing ship in a sense. But I wasn’t the captain.”

“If that’s so, and your machine just said all that, then that means…” Fluttershy’s voice trailed off as the mares put two and two together, realizing what had apparently happened.

Twilight finished for her in a sad voice. “It means his ship was lost, and his side did lose the war. What were you fighting over?”

“I think we were both fighting to find a new home for our race. The Faction was willing to kill for one, we weren’t willing to let them.”

“A new home… What happened to your old one?” the unicorn asked.

“I can’t remember, I knew it once. It was something horrible, and it was our fault.” He hesitated briefly, “I’m sorry, I think I need a moment.” He climbed out of the machine, and Twilight happened to notice the tears in his eyes as he began to walk away. She and Fluttershy caught up to him.

“I think that’s enough for today, why don’t you go back with Fluttershy and rest up? Tomorrow, we’ll come back and move this thing to a safer place so we can learn more from it. Then maybe I’ll introduce you to some more ponies if you’re feeling ready. From what we’ve learned, it looks like you may be staying for a while, and you could use a few friends.”

Through his sadness, he smiled and said, “Maybe I’ll remember my name by then.”

Twilight Sparkle walked with them to about halfway, and then turned back for town, leaving the two of them to walk with each other.

“I don’t know how to fly yet, but you have wings. Why don’t you fly?” he asked her.

“Oh, um, I actually don’t very much like flying. I’d love to teach you how, but I believe my friend Rainbow Dash would be much more suited for that.”

“Why is that?”

“Her special talent is flight, so she’s a much better flyer than most pegasi. Um…don’t tell her I said that though. It would go straight to her head.” Fluttershy quietly explained.

Her description of Rainbow Dash brought forth a memory of a woman he once knew, she was very talented with flight, and compliments went straight to her head as well. The yellow pegasus picked up on it.

“Um…did you remember something?”

“Your description of this Rainbow Dash, it reminded me of someone I knew. Someone who was taken from me.”

Not wanting to get into another sad conversation, he changed the subject.

“You said her special talent is flight, do you have a special talent?”

Fluttershy’s eyes lit up, “Oh yes! Animals are my special talent. Didn’t you see my…oh right, you probably don’t know about those.”

Confused, he asked, “Know about what?”

She turned and showed him her flank as they walked. It bore a mark that resembled three butterflies.

“Every pony, when they discover what their special talent is, gets a mark that naturally appears on their flank to represent what they’re really good at.”

He tried to look at his own flank, but only ended up hurting his still healing rib. Wincing at the pain, he asked, “Do I have one?”

“Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t even looked yet.” She went around to his flank and looked, “You do have one, though I’ve never seen one like this before.”

“What does it look like?”

“It’s two crossed swords behind an open book. I wonder what that means your talent is…”

He thought for a second, and recalled what he had remembered earlier: “Well, I was a master strategist in the war, a rather good one too. Maybe that’s what that represents. Skill at tactics.”

Fluttershy looked scared for a moment and stopped walking, “So it’s true then…you were a soldier. Your job was…killing?”

“I was a soldier, but that means my job was protecting. Protecting the defenseless from the ruthless,” he said.

She looked down at the ground sadly. “You have killed before though…”

“I still don’t remember much, but what I do remember is that the place I come from is a very cruel place. Yes. I have killed before, but I killed only to protect, and I hated it every time.”

“I see,” she said quietly.

By the time they returned to Fluttershy’s cottage, it was well after sunset, and he was having a very hard time walking. His broken rib had started acting up, and Fluttershy had to support him for the last few minutes of the walk back.

Because of the pain he was in, Fluttershy insisted on bringing her bed into the guest room where he was staying. She didn’t seem like the type to frequently insist on anything, but she voiced her concerns clearly.

“If you wake up late at night, and something hurts really badly, or you can’t breathe, or if anything is wrong at all, I want to be right here to lend a hoof.” She seemed to have lost a lot of her shyness when she was around him.

“Fluttershy, I haven’t thanked you for everything you’ve done. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such kindness before.”

Her yellow face blushed, “Oh…um, you don’t have to thank me, I like being able to help, i-if you don’t mind.”

“Still. Thank you.”

She blushed again, and said, “Um, maybe when you wake up, you’ll remember your name.”

The room darkened and the two of them settled down to sleep. I hope that’s the only thing I’ll remember...

---

His hopes were crushed. When he went to sleep, he was immediately plunged into a sea of nightmares. After recalling so much from his past in one day, things came back to haunt him.

His nightmares were vague, and mostly without form. Much of it was just a feeling of horror, of hopeless tragedy. The feeling of one he loved being stolen from him. He was utterly consumed in the nightmares until he was shaken awake. His night adjusted eyes opened to look up into the face of the pegasus who had been healing his injuries.

She looked sorrowful. “You lost someone you loved, didn’t you?”

“How did you know?” He wondered why she had woken him up just to ask this.

“You were talking in your sleep. I could tell that whatever you were dreaming of, it wasn’t a nice memory.”

“What did I say?”

“You kept on saying the same thing, ‘I love you Adra, and I’m so sorry for this…’ You said it over and over again,” she touched his cheek gently with her hoof as if to wipe away tears, “and you were crying. You were crying a lot.”
He noticed how wet his eyes and cheeks felt, and the memories came flooding back.

“I...no...A-Adra...” He remembered Adra, he remembered that he loved her more than anything else, and he remembered that she had somehow been taken from him and could never be returned. The memories came back in force and washed over him like the surge of water from a broken dam.

He was glad that Fluttershy had elected to stay with him. He shuddered and heaved in sadness as the gentle yellow pegasus sat down beside him, and held onto him, stroking his mane as she did when he panicked after first seeing himself in the mirror.

“She was really important to you...” Fluttershy mused quietly.

“I loved her. She was the reason I kept going every day. She made everything worth it and I can’t even remember how I lost her. I would’ve done anything to protect her, so where did I go so wrong? How did I fail so badly that I let her die?!” he sobbed.

She looked to him with moist eyes, “You’re not a soldier.”

“What?”

With a sad smile, she said, “You’re not a soldier. You’re a knight, and I think you’re hurt worse on the inside than you are on the outside. But don’t worry, I can heal that too,” she said gently. Everything about her was kind, soft, and caring. He buried himself in her tender embrace and let the sadness flow.

Fluttershy didn’t let go until the stallion had quite literally cried himself to sleep. She suspected he might have pent up sadness, but it seemed that he hadn’t even been given the chance to mourn for those he lost. Satisfied with this first step at helping him heal, she returned to her bed and thought to herself, I’m going to find every one of his wounds, inside and out, and I’m going to heal them all.

---

By the time morning had arrived, he had woken twice again to nightmares, each time he had her help in getting through them. He felt unusually well-rested considering how many nightmares he’d had, which was good considering today was to be the day they moved his machine to a safer location.

They arrived at the crash site shortly after sunrise to find Twilight waiting with two new ponies he’d yet to meet. One was an orange colored pony with a blonde mane and a Stetson, the other a very large crimson one hitched up to a cart.

As they approached, Twilight was just finishing her explanation to the two new ponies of everything they’d learned thus far. They also spotted a crow circling low overhead, and when it met eyes with him, he could have sworn it too had an off putting glare.

“Mornin’ Fluttershy! Mornin’, uh, what did ya say yer name was?” the orange mare asked him.

“I…actually haven’t remembered my name yet. You are...?”

“Name’s Applejack, and ya gotta have somethin’ we can call ya, ‘least until ya remember yer name. Anythin’ come ta mind?”

“I have no idea,” he replied.

“Um…how about... Knight Sky?” Fluttershy timidly suggested.

“Come again, sugarcube?” Applejack asked with confusion.

“He was a knight in a great war before he came here, and he fell from the sky at night, so I thought of Knight Sky…i-if you don’t mind,” she quietly explained.

“I like it,” Twilight said.

“I can call ya that,” Applejack agreed.

The big crimson stallion hitched to the cart simply said, “Eeyup.”

“Alright, I guess until I remember my old name you can all call me Knight Sky.”

“Knight Sky, you’ve just met Applejack. That stallion is her brother, Big Macintosh. He’s probably the only one in town strong enough to pull your machine,” Twilight introduced.

“Pleased to meet you both. But I have to ask, first, how are we going to get it onto the cart, and second, where are we going to take it?” Knight Sky asked.

“Applejack agreed to let us put it in one of the storage sheds on her farm; it’ll be safe from the weather there, and from prying eyes. We’ll be able to study it safely. And as for how we’re going to get it onto the cart…” With a smirk, she pointed her horn at a broken piece of the metal wing lying in the dirt, and her horn began to glow.

Immediately reminded of his first encounter with the unicorn, Knight Sky flinched, but was shocked to see the section of wing become immersed in a similar glow, and levitated on its own into the cart.

“Nothing to be afraid of, just levitation,” Twilight assured him.

“How…how are you doing that?” Knight Sky was dumbstruck.

“Haven’t you ever seen magic before?” She said it so casually it was as if magic was as commonplace as electricity. His confused expression gave her the answer she expected.

With a chuckle, she said, “Every unicorn is able to use magic to manipulate objects, and with extensive study, they can use it for far more advanced spells.”

Lacking the energy to demand more of an explanation, Knight Sky accepted it and moved on. Twilight did all the lifting, and the rest of them worked to find a way to best fit all of the pieces of the machine into the cart. It was much lighter than they expected, and wasn’t all that large to begin with.

By late afternoon, they had loaded about half of the shattered machine onto the cart. It was then that Knight Sky finally remembered just what the machine was. Evoking looks of confusion from everyone there while loading the section that bore a wolf insignia, he suddenly said, “…Wolf-class advanced multirole space superiority fighter…”

Noticing their confusion, he explained himself. “It just came back to me what this thing is. It’s a fighter craft, designed to be fast and nimble, and to engage other fighters in air and space combat.”

“Now hold on just an apple-buckin’ minute, yer sayin’ this here pile of scrap metal can fly?” Applejack demanded.

“Well, it used to be able to fly, yes. But not just fly, it was able to fly in space from planet to planet at speeds faster than light itself.”

“That’s incredible…the technology to travel faster than light…I can’t imagine how much power that must take!” Twilight said, astonished.

“Um, it sounds like something Rainbow Dash would like to hear about,” Fluttershy mentioned.

Before he could ask about her, Twilight interjected. “Maybe we should finish loading first, it’s getting close to sunset.”

They continued loading, and no matter how they arranged it, they could not find a way to fit one of the plasma cannons on the cart. Too cumbersome to carry, they decided to leave it and come back later to retrieve it.

The trip to the storage shed was a short one. After less than an hour, the wrecked fighter was unloaded from the cart and safely in the shed. It may not have been fair to call it a storage shed, the structure was large enough to fit several fighters. The extra space meant they would have plenty of room to work.

“Applejack, Big Macintosh, thank you so much for your help and letting us use your shed for this thing. Maybe once I get all of my memories back I’ll think of a way to thank you properly.”

“It ain’t a problem, Knight Sky. We’re jus’ happy to help is all,” she replied, Big Macintosh nodding with a simple, “Eeyup.”

“I’m going to catalogue everything we have here, do you and Fluttershy think you’ll be okay getting that last piece?” Twilight asked, opening up a notebook with her levitation.

“I think we’ll be alright. Fluttershy?” Knight Sky looked over to her. She seemed a bit nervous, but agreed nonetheless, “Oh um, yes. We’ll be fine.”

The two of them walked out into the night to find a clear dark sky with a bright moon overhead.

“Is your rib alright? You did a lot of walking today,” she asked, eyeing the bruise that remained of his cracked rib.

He looked back to the area where Fluttershy was looking, “It’s still a little sore, but you really did a great job healing my injuries. I think in another day or so I’ll be fine.”

“What will you do when you’re healed?” she asked, once again making eye contact, though there was a hint of nervousness in her gaze.

He looked up to the starry sky and sighed, “I thought about that. I considered trying to fix up that ship today, and maybe return to my own society. But it’s clear that it’s far beyond any possible repair, and after hearing those messages about the war, I don’t think there’s anything for me to go back to. Not to mention, you know better than most what I lost, what I ran from.”

“I can’t imagine anypony wanting to go back to that,” she paused before continuing, nervously hiding behind her mane to conceal a faint blush, “I-if you want to you can stay with me for a while even after you’re healed, u-unless you want to find your own home that is…that’s okay too but, please consider my offer... i-if you don’t mind.”

Knight Sky couldn’t help but chuckle at her obvious discomfort. If flirting on this planet was anything like it was in his previous society, she was just as bad at it as he was. “I just may take you up on that, thank you.”

They walked another several minutes in silence until they reached the detached plasma cannon. The same crow from earlier was perched atop it, its strange eyes watching their every step. When they approached it, it looked up from them and frantically flew away as if terrified of something, the sky suddenly darkened. Clouds obscured the bright full moon, and for several seconds they were blind in the night.

“Fluttershy, did you hear something?” Knight Sky asked, but when he turned to look to her, she was gone. In her place stood a large pegasus stallion with draconic eyes and batlike wings. He wore dark purple armor and an intensely hostile expression.

“Alien, you have been determined by her majesty Princess Luna to be a threat to this country. You will be taken into custody and questioned. You have this one chance to come quietly. Comply, or we will use force.”

Knight Sky looked around at the word “we” and noticed a number of other guards holding their distance, but ready to strike. Very much against his will, memories returned in a vivid flashback.

It was the third Faction conquest. With the numbers they had at their disposal, most Faction commanders considered soldiers expendable. There was little use for a master strategist, and he was relegated to monitoring the supply chain between the bombardment fleet and the planet.

He was doing his job in the command center when a roar of cheers came from another part of the room. He looked to see the feed from a ground soldier’s helmet camera up on the screen. He watched for a moment as the soldier approached a cave, and leaped inside. There were several natives within; they looked like reptilian monkeys, small primates with scales and claws, and clear potential for bipedal evolution.

It was not their bodies that caught his eyes, but the looks of sheer terror on their alien faces as the soldier laughed maniacally, stowed his railgun assault rifle, and brought out his combat knife.

The soldier grabbed one of the smaller, younger ones, and opened its throat over what must have been its parent, eliciting a cheer from those watching. He froze at the brutality of it all, and could not look away as the soldier on the ground committed similar atrocious acts with the remaining creatures in the cave. The apparent delight the soldier’s bloodlust brought to the crew on board was nauseating, almost as much as the bloodlust itself. It was there that he made his decision.

The memory flashed forward several weeks. He had just defected from the Faction, but had not yet made it to United Terran Fleet space. He was discovered, and pursued relentlessly from planet to planet by Faction special forces. Every time he stopped to recharge the jump generator on the small fighter he’d stolen, he could feel them closing in, breathing down his neck, ready to spill his blood. And he kept running.

He snapped himself out of it to realize the guard was now shouting at him, “Comply now! Or we will use force!”

He hesitated for a second before the guard took a swing at his head with a heavy cudgel. His old training kicked in, and he ducked, rolled, and kicked the cudgel out of the guard’s grip. An instant later, all of the guards were in motion, making to attack and subdue him before he escaped. He knew he still could not run fast enough to get away from the winged guards, but they were weighted down with heavy plate armor, and he was completely unencumbered.

It’s time to see what these wings can do, he thought, and pushed hard off the ground.

His flight was very clumsy at first, but it quickly became as natural as walking. Knight Sky was just about to celebrate his first flight when he looked back and saw the guards rapidly approaching from behind.

Of course they’re trained to fly in armor…that was stupid.

Knight Sky looked ahead to see a forest in view, and dove towards it. Though they were trained to carry the weight of their armor, they could not violate physics and would be subject to Newton’s unforgiving laws when they tried to maneuver.

He flew down below the canopy of the trees as they gained on him; he counted ten guards total before he entered the forest. Knight Sky wove in and out of the trees, surprising himself with his nimble flying.

Not bad… He heard Adra in his head for the first time since being struck with amnesia.

Hearing her voice again gave him a second wind, and he flew up above the canopy. He looked back to find that his strategy was working, only three guards remained following him, four could be seen flying away in a clumsy jerking motion that clearly meant they had collided with a tree. Three more must have been injured on the forest floor.

Knight Sky felt a pang of guilt at having injured these guards, but did not have the time to consider it. He dove back into the canopy just as the three remaining guards caught up.

He heard a crash behind him, and then the rough voice of a guard, “Her majesty’s coming, she wants us to fall back!”

That couldn’t be good, though his only option was to keep flying. The moon had come out again, and he had slightly better visibility, so he flew until exhaustion.

Winded from his flight, he set down on the leafy forest floor to rest, only to experience a fierce stabbing pain in his rib. Perhaps he’d pushed himself a bit too hard. He clutched his side in pain, collapsed to the ground, and passed out.

CHAPTER FOUR: FIRE

View Online

---

It was a few hours before he woke up again, and it was still the dead of night. Knight Sky awoke to the sound of a savage growl. He bolted himself upright, much to his body’s protest. His rib stabbed him with pain, and he clutched it again. He looked up to see a hideous creature standing before him.

It was some sort of chimera; a huge lion with bat wings and a scorpion’s tail. He didn’t fight off the armored guards, he ran from them and outsmarted them. He was within striking distance of this chimera. If he had more time and distance, maybe he could have found a way to outsmart it and run from it too.

He was still having a hard time moving from his injuries, and the chimera had already reared back and raised its front claws to strike. Knight Sky closed his eyes and braced for his end, thinking once again of Adra, thankful he’d remembered her in time for his death.

A sickening crack echoed through the air, and Knight Sky felt a searing pain slice across his face. Blood oozing into his right eye, he opened his left eye to see the chimera lying dead on the ground, its neck snapped, and a claw having delivered a glancing swipe to his face as it fell. He was just about to wonder what killed it when he looked up and saw his answer.

It was a pony, a much larger pony than any he’d previously met. Her eyes looked down upon him with an imperious glare. She had broad wings which were spread wide, as well as a long, sharp horn. Her mane and tail were a dark blue aurora that sparkled like the night sky, and her coat was a very deep midnight blue. About her neck was a black metallic torc that bore a moon crest. The horn glowed slightly, as did the twisted neck of the chimera.

In his condition, he barely escaped the guards and could not have fought off the chimera. This pony’s very presence radiated power. He knew just from seeing her that even if he was in perfect shape, she could swat him aside with ease. Now, with a stabbing pain in his side, one eye blinded with blood, and the throbbing laceration over his face, he felt the same fear he did when he lay helpless during his first encounter with Twilight Sparkle.

Knight Sky, both from fear and sudden blood loss, collapsed to the ground. He did not pass out, but he may as well have: all the fight had left him before so powerful a being. With his one good eye, he looked up at her. She slowly walked towards him with her intimidating gaze fixed upon him.

He began, “…please, don’t kill-”

She interrupted him, “Silence.” There was no fury in her voice, only a commanding tone that he dared not argue with.

“You are the alien who has somehow taken the form of a pegasus, is this correct?”

“Yes…that’s correct.”

“We are one of the princesses who preside over this land; many of our subjects are very suspicious of you, they feel you have come to bring evil to our peaceful land. Are they correct?”

He was offended at this, and summoned some strength to defend himself, shakily standing up as he said, “Absolutely not.”

“Do you deny that your people are capable of bringing great harm to us? Believe us when we say that we have observed humanity, and we do not like what we have seen.”

That struck deep. However she knew he was originally a human, and however she managed to glimpse humanity, she could not have seen anything good. He remembered the senseless bloodshed of the third Faction conquest, the apparent glee it brought to other members of the Faction...

“I can see that the memories cause you pain.” Her tone was a bit less harsh, and her glare less intimidating, perhaps even a bit sympathetic.

He replied, “My race is a violent race…I don’t deny it. I remember very little since crash-landing on your planet, but I know there were those of us who would do anything to protect what mattered to us.” He paused and sighed heavily with closed eyes, hoping that his next statement would not spell his end. “If you don’t believe I’m worthy of remaining here for even a moment longer, then please, send me away. I don’t want to bring the horrors of my race to your world.”

She stepped closer. “Lower your head.”

He looked at her with his sad, and now confused, eye.

“Lower your head; I will enter your dreams and search your memories. You seem to regret the bloody ways of your race, but I will determine for myself what your true character is.”

Knight Sky obeyed, her horn touched his head, and he immediately fell asleep.

---

When he awoke, Knight Sky felt no more pain in his ribs. He could see out of both eyes, and felt no wound on his face. He looked around to find himself back in the bed at Fluttershy’s cottage. It was still night time.

Knight Sky looked around to his other side. He found the midnight blue mare standing over him, and his fear returned. Panicked, he let out a raspy yelp from his dry throat, and pushed himself back, falling off the edge of the bed. Frowning, and feeling slightly hurt, she enveloped him in a dark blue aura and levitated him gently back onto the bed.

“Please, be still. There is nothing to fear, I will not harm you,” she assured him. “I am Princess Luna, guardian of the night. Do you remember me from our encounter in the forest?”

“I…yes. I remember you.”

She walked over to a nearby cushion and seated herself before continuing. “As the Princess of the Night, I have the power to enter dreams. That is why I sent you into a deep sleep. Once you had crossed the borders of wakefulness, I looked into your mind and saw your memories, many of which have not yet returned to you. I expected to find a violent human who killed for pleasure.”

“Is that what you found?” Knight Sky asked fearfully.

She closed her eyes as if to hide sadness. “I found the memories of one who has seen much evil, has suffered greatly, and has even killed. But I can see that every time you killed, it was the most painful experience of your life, and you regretted it every time. There are those of your race who would kill to conquer; you killed to stop them. You have much anguish ahead of you, for I found as yet unrecovered memories that I do not wish to see again. There will be more suffering in your future as you remember who you were, but you will do it here with the friends you’ve made. It is my judgment that you be allowed to remain here.”

Knight Sky was overwhelmed. He did not know what to ask first, so he settled on the most pressing question he could think of: “Adra…I don’t remember how I lost her.”

A hint of a tear formed in Luna’s eye. “Are you…certain you want to know just yet? It is quite possibly the most painful memory I found in all of your consciousness.”

“I have to know, I’ve had this suspicion for a while…did I kill her?”

Luna let a tear fall. “You loved her deeply. You could not stand to let her suffer as she was.”

He fell backwards onto the bed, and lay on his back, softly crying. “I did it then. I loved her and I was the one who ended her life.”

A silver-clad hoof touched his shoulder, “You were the one who freed her from the greatest torment imaginable. Knight Sky, there is something you must know.”

He looked over to Luna. No longer did she look imposing; she looked almost fearful.

“I found something else in your mind; it was not a traumatic memory, but something much worse. A beast dwells within your consciousness. It bides its time and waits for the right moment; it wants to devour your mind, your memories, your personality, your entire awareness, until only it remains. A similar beast is what took Adra from you. Given what you had at your disposal, ending her suffering was the only way to help her. You could not have stopped it, and there was nothing else you could have done for her.”

He looked questioningly at her. “If there is no way to stop it, then why let me live here?”

“There is a way.” Luna sighed heavily; she appeared to have been dreading this part of the conversation. “I’ve seen beasts like this one before hidden deep within innocent minds. The only way to defeat it is for me to help you destroy it. First, you must allow it to consume your mind. Only then is it exposed enough to destroy. You will regain your full awareness, and the beast will be forever vanquished, but you must draw it out of hiding. That may be more pain than you can bear.”

He paused for a moment. In order to defeat the beast that had been trying to overtake him, he had to first succumb to it. He wondered what the pain would be like; if it would be fear, panic, anger, or something unknowable as of yet. With all the questions spinning around his head, one surfaced that demanded attention first: “Where’s Fluttershy?”

Luna began, “I know she was able to stop it before, but when the beast reaches full power, she won’t-”

“Where is Fluttershy?!” he insisted.

Shocked at his sudden outburst, Luna quickly realized what he meant, and nodded understandingly. Her horn glowed for a split second.

“What did you do?” he asked.

“I summoned the guards who are currently protecting her. They will be here momentarily.”

As soon as she finished, the door to the cottage opened and the clatter of armor entered the home.

Two pegasus guards entered, whom he recognized as part of the group that had attempted to subdue him just hours earlier. They were escorting Fluttershy, who he’d never seen more afraid. However, the moment she saw Knight Sky, she lit up and flew straight over to his side. Before he could speak, he was smothered in a wash of yellow and pink.

“I was so worried! The guards showed up out of nowhere and they took me and said you were dangerous! They said you came to hurt us and you’d be put in a dungeon! It was all so confusing and…” her voice trailed off.

He stroked her mane much like she had done for him in his moments of terror. “There’s nothing to worry about now,” he lied.

After a moment of their embrace, Luna smiled and said, “While you slept, I informed Fluttershy of…well, most of what has transpired. She was indeed very concerned for you.”

“Thank you,” he said to Luna.

“Please, withhold your gratitude. There is still much she must be informed of.”

Luna explained to Fluttershy everything she found within Knight Sky’s mind, including the slumbering beast within, and how it must be destroyed. As Luna began, Fluttershy appeared nervous of what was coming, but as the explanation continued, her expression set into one of determination, and she finally said, “I won’t let this happen unless I can be there for him.”

“Are you certain, Fluttershy? For several minutes, he will lose himself entirely. He may say things that hurt, and may do horrible things. Though his body will live, his mind will be killed. It is up to me to ensure it is returned. Your presence is not required, and the ordeal may be painful for you as well.” Luna asked her.

“I-I’m certain. If that’s alright.”

Luna nodded and looked back to Knight Sky. “The final key to freeing the beast is your original name. Discover it, relearn it, and tell it to no one but me, and then we will free your beast that we may destroy it, and return your mind to you. It is essential that I am the only one alive who knows your original name.”

---

It took a week of trial and error, but Twilight and Knight Sky managed to bring the main flight computer on the crashed space fighter back to life. The idea was Twilight’s, and it truly did credit to her intellect. She had been the one to deduce that there had to be some sort of data processing machine on-board to assist with interstellar navigation. The hope was that it would contain flight records which may include his original name and lots of other useful data.

Knight Sky noticed that every time they worked on the fighter, a different suspicious-looking creature seemed to be watching. Today, it was a rat. If he didn’t have more pressing concerns, it would have merited his full attention.

“Twilight, has anyone ever told you that you’re an absolute genius?” Knight Sky asked her. Truthfully, if given time, he would likely have remembered the existence of the computer, and how to operate it. However, after a mere few minutes sitting in the cockpit, Twilight simply figured it out.

She blushed at the compliment. “Oh, stop it, Knight Sky. It’s just simple logic.”

“Give yourself some credit, you figured out the central operations of an alien spacecraft after only a few minutes of looking at it,” he insisted, putting an encouraging hoof on her shoulder.

She simply shrugged, “Thanks, but let’s try to focus here. Besides, save some compliments for Fluttershy.”

Knight Sky’s enthusiasm turned to slight embarrassment. Fearing the answer, he asked, “What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say she’s far more trusting of you than she is of most stallions,” Twilight said with a knowing grin.

He had his suspicions on Fluttershy’s feelings for him, but wasn’t sure how to respond. He used to be human, but now he was a pegasus in body and was rapidly becoming so in mind. Knight Sky had just rediscovered the wounds he had sustained in losing Adra, and they were still healing. Everything he could remember of her only brought his mind back to losing her, and so many more terrible memories, that merely thinking about her had become painful.

Meanwhile, thinking of Fluttershy seemed to have an almost therapeutic effect. Truth be told, he was becoming very fond of her; perhaps if he survived the ordeal he now faced, he could find happiness after all.

Stammering, he said, “L-let’s just try to find some flight records.”

“Sure thing,” Twilight chuckled, moving her focus back to their project.

Searching through the digital archives of the fighter’s onboard computer, they came across a technical readout of its mothership.

“That’s...that was my ship, that’s a schematic of the Deus ex Machina.” he told her.

“Incredible, alien starship engineering right here. I have to take this down.” She eagerly began writing down notes when something caught Knight Sky’s eye. It was the inventory of standard weaponry carried by a Dragon-class starship.

He opened up the weapons inventory and read it off, “16 hull mounted heavy plasma cannons, 32 defense turrets, 4 directed EMP generators, and two bow-mounted ballistic projectile launchers each supplied with 140 kinetic projectiles, 75 incendiary projectiles, and 15 thermonuclear warheads...”

He was about to continue the list when the words ‘thermonuclear warheads’ stuck in his mind.

“Please continue, I was- Knight Sky, are you alright?” Twilight asked, concern in her voice.

He was staring off into nothingness and responding with only a look of horror. A memory had returned to him.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight questioned.

“I just remembered what we did to our home planet.”

---

[soundtrack]

Knight Sky and Twilight Sparkle sat in her library. As soon as she realized the gravity of what the stallion had just remembered, she used her magic to teleport both of them straight there.

“Are you ready to tell me what happened?” she asked insistently.

“No, and you’re not ready to hear it. This world is too beautiful and peaceful to know what we did, to comprehend the unforgivable crimes my race has committed,” he replied, turning for the door.

“But how can we hope to avoid the mistakes of your race if we don’t even know them?!” Twilight retorted, cutting him off before he could leave.

Shocked at the inescapable logic of her statement, Knight Sky stopped in his tracks and said, “A brilliant mind like yours could have ended the war in a week. Alright, I’ll tell you. You have to promise me that you will be very careful who this gets to.”

“Don’t worry, you can trust me with this.” she assured him.

With a heavy sigh, he began. “59 years ago, my home planet was locked in a war than had been raging for years.”

“The last real war we had in Equestria was almost 1,500 years ago...” Twilight mused sadly, before realizing she had once again cut him off and forced herself to be silent.

Briefly doubting if he should be telling her this, he continued, “We now call it the War of the Great Burning. Our world was made up of nearly three hundred different nations, alliances were fragile at best, and hatred reigned supreme.”

Knight Sky paused when he heard the scratching of a quill. Twilight had begun taking notes.

After a bit of hesitation, he continued. “There was a super-weapon developed on our planet, Earth, over a thousand years ago. It’s a bomb so powerful that just one of them can blow away an entire city in a single shot. The first one ever used in war vaporized more than half of the target city and ended more than a hundred thousand lives within minutes.”

Twilight already looked horrified at the idea of a weapon like that.

He decided not to tell her the rest of what had happened in that war. “Believe me, when you compare it to what some of the other nations were doing, it’s almost merciful... almost.”

She buried her horror and continued writing.

He sighed and looked out the nearby window. “In that war long ago, only one nation was armed with that weapon. By the time of the Great Burning, the weapon was held by nearly all of the three hundred or so nations on Earth. It had also evolved by hundreds of years, and was that much more devastating.”

The violet unicorn looked to be on the verge of tears from the sheer shock that something like this could actually be real, but he pushed on. She was right, the best way to prevent such tragedies from repeating themselves was to learn about them, however hard it was to hear.

In his distaste at the memory, Knight Sky became more descriptive than he’d intended. “No one really knows who used the first one, or the last one. There was nothing left to find out. Once one nation used the bomb, it became a frenzy. Within weeks, the planet was dead. Complete nuclear holocaust. Before the war, Earth looked shockingly similar to your beautiful world: green fields, clear blue skies, teeming with life. Now, the Earth is a dead hunk of charred rock with a toxic ocean, an unbreathable atmosphere hot enough to melt lead, and a hazy sky the color of blood.”

Twilight’s horror had descended into despair, she was crying. Perhaps he had been a bit too vivid in his description of the Great Burning. He went over to comfort her, but she pushed him away fiercely.

“H-how...how could you do that to your planet? Your own world?!” she shouted suddenly, in a wash of fury and tears.

He had never been blamed for the Great Burning, his parents weren’t even born yet when it happened, but it stung.

“Maybe I was right about you the first time I saw you. I shouldn’t have helped you, Fluttershy shouldn’t have helped you... you’re just a monster,” she sobbed.

It was like a dagger to the heart, “I...”

“Just get out. Leave. I don’t care where you go.”

---

It was sunset. Knight Sky wandered through the slowly darkening streets. Ponies gave him suspicious sideways glances and kept their distance, but otherwise did not disturb him.

He walked aimlessly, not caring where his hooves carried him. Twilight was right, humans had turned into monsters by the time of the Great Burning. Perhaps they deserved their fate.

His hooves eventually carried him to the edge of the Everfree Forest. Night was falling, but he continued onward, deep into the forest, no longer caring if he lived or died. Twilight’s words continued to ring through his head.

She’s right, I’m a monster, just like every other human... I’m no better than that Faction soldier...

He wandered deep into the forest for hours without caring where he went. It was well after midnight when Knight Sky collapsed from hunger and fatigue.

His dreams were vivid and horrific. He watched humanity tear itself apart and destroy its own planet. He watched again, and again, and again...until he felt a familiar presence.

At first, he feared it, but then it reassured him, and he remembered who it was. The presence watched his dreams with him and comforted him. It tried to get him to wake, to remember that not all was lost and that there was hope.

Knight Sky awoke some time later to the sounds of shouts and the clatter of armor.

“Your majesty! We’ve found him!” a gruff voice called out.

He weakly opened an eye to find it was still night, standing over him were two Lunar Guards. Coincidentally, one of them was the guard that had attempted to subdue him with a cudgel in their previous encounter.

Noticing the movement below, the guard set his draconic eyes onto Knight Sky, who then closed his own eyes and braced for the vengeance he was too weak, and now too apathetic to fight.

The guard must have caught on. “Don’t be afraid,” he said.

Knight Sky said nothing, the guard continued. “Don’t be afraid, we’re here to help you.”

A more familiar voice greeted them, “Excellent work, Sergeant Iron Feather, form up the Night Guard outside of Fluttershy’s residence.”

The armored pegasi took flight and left the two of them alone.

“I...had hoped to be present when you found that memory,” she said with a tone of slight disappointment.

“Why?” he asked weakly.

Luna looked away momentarily. “I believe I could have helped to make it less traumatic.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I see...” Luna replied. “I did not believe the recall of that memory would be so damaging. Perhaps we should continue this conversation in Fluttershy’s home.”

“She should never have to see a monster like me again. Just leave me here to die, it’s for the best.”

“I grow impatient,” Luna said, and before he could form a response, he opened his eyes to see her horn flash; an instant later, they were both in Fluttershy’s cottage.

---

“Is my race really worth saving? What if we do to the new worlds we colonize what we did to Earth? Do we even deserve to survive?”

Knight Sky had been teleported straight from where he lay in the forest to a seat at a table in the main room of the cottage. Luna sat across from him, and had fully informed Fluttershy, who took the news shockingly well. She was simply offering comfort to the stallion, her wing draped over his back as he slumped forward in his seat, leaning heavily on the table. He consoled himself in the warmth of her body up against his own after shivering on the cold ground of the forest for hours.

“I speak from personal experience when I say that all beings deserve a second chance. It is true that your forbears committed unforgivable crimes, but members of your race age far quicker than members of ours, of which you are now a part, I might add. The generation responsible for those crimes is likely entirely gone,” the alicorn assured him.

“But what if we... they make the same mistakes again? What if billions die again because someone, somewhere, did not heed history’s lesson?”

“Have faith, Knight Sky. Your race was intelligent enough to develop faster-than-light travel. I believe they will learn. Do not assume the worst of anyone, or anything.”

After a pensive moment, he said, “I have a request.”

Luna nodded, “Being?”

“I’d like the chance to apologize to Twilight Sparkle. She was the first to know what happened as soon as I remembered it. She took the news...poorly.”

“I will ask her to come here personally. Please wait for me, I shall return soon.” Luna dissolved into a twinkling dark blue mist, and ghosted out the window off in the direction of Ponyville.

---

Luna arrived at Twilight’s library and residence to find her in a restless sleep. Her dreams were chaotic and filled with remorse of harshly spoken words. This gave the Princess of the Night a better idea of what had happened. She suspected something had gone awry; though she didn’t expect her sister’s prized student to be at fault, it now appeared that way.

The alicorn reached out to the dreams of the sleeping mare.

“Twilight Sparkle,” she whispered into her mind, “it is I, Luna. You must awaken. There is much we have to discuss.”

Luna gave her a moment to wake before entering the library through a window and rematerializing in the main room. A sleep-bedraggled Twilight walked down the stairs to meet her.

Luna nodded politely to the librarian. “Good evening Twilight Sparkle, I apologize for interrupting your rest.”

Twilight shook the sleep from her mind to properly address her. “Not at all, Princess. What brings you here at this hour?”

“Something unfortunate has happened, and I must speak with you.” Luna gave Twilight a weighted look.

Moments later, the two of them sat down, steaming tea in front of them.

After a brief moment, Luna sipped her tea and finally said, “I’ve come here seeking information, Twilight.”

Twilight looked around as if to gesture to the multitude of old tomes that filled her shelves, “Well, this is a library, I’ve got plenty of that here. What happened?”

“The information I seek lies not in a book; rather, it is within you. I believe you may have an idea as to why some of my Lunar Guard and I just found Knight Sky alone in the Everfree Forest asking for death,” she said with just a hint of impatience in her tone.

A pained look flashed over Twilight’s features and was quickly replaced by one of shame as her ears flattened to her head.

“I’m sorry, I think that might be my fault.”

Luna simply nodded. “There are some facts you must be made aware of. Members of his race, called humans, live far shorter lives than ponies. 59 years ago, when his race destroyed its own planet, it is more than likely that his parents were not even born yet. He had nothing to do with the destruction, and he did not choose his current situation.”

“So...I blamed him for something he had absolutely nothing to do with?” her look of shame deepened.

Luna softened her demeanor, noticing that Twilight recognized her mistake. “You are correct. I have looked into Knight Sky’s mind and I have seen his memories. In his former life, though he was fighting a war, he was doing so to save lives, not end them. He is truly good at heart, and has suffered greatly. Fluttershy has referred to him as a knight; that may be so, but knight or not, he is a broken soldier. You must be more careful of what you say to him. Please be aware, much of what I am about to tell you includes memories even he has not yet recovered.”

Luna told her everything she had seen in Knight Sky’s mind, including his defection from the Faction and why he did it, life onboard the Deus ex Machina and in the civil war that gripped the human race, his romance with Adra, and what he was inevitably forced to do when she was rewritten. Through it all, Twilight listened intently, not quite knowing what to make of it just yet.

“I...I had no idea he’d suffered so much.” she said sadly.

“And he has only recovered about half of those memories. He will suffer them again when they return to him. Whether we like it or not, he has come to us from afar and is now one of us. We must treat him as such.”

“I’m so sorry, Princess, I’ve made a huge mistake. Is there anything I can do to fix it?” Twilight asked.

“I am not the one to whom you should be apologizing. Though I accept it, none are infallible. I recommend that you use the powers you’ve learned so much about in your time here in Ponyville.”

“What powers would those be?” she asked, sounding hopeful.

Luna smiled. “I believe it is high time for Knight Sky to have friends.”

---

Luna rejoined Knight Sky and Fluttershy in the cottage. Before either of them could speak, she stepped aside to reveal a very apologetic-looking Twilight.

She hesitated until Luna spoke up. “Twilight Sparkle, I believe there is something you intended to say to Knight Sky.”

Knight Sky looked up from the table where he had his head down to see who had arrived. Twilight flinched at the miserable look he wore.

“Knight Sky...words fail me completely...” the magnitude of what she’d done dawning on her, Twilight began to lose her composure, “I said some horrible things. I had no idea what you’ve been through, and I jumped to conclusions. After what I said, I shouldn’t be asking this, but can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

“Can you imagine what it’s like, Twilight?” he asked in a quiet voice.

She hesitated. “Imagine what what’s like?”

“To be forced to put to death someone you love. To tell them you love them, and beg forgiveness as you put a bullet through their heart.”

Twilight could only stand in tears as Knight Sky went on. “Ever since I remembered that, I’ve wished I could forget it again. Every time I think about it, I try to convince myself that there was no other way, that I was freeing her from torment beyond imagining. As I remember more and more of my former life, the days get harder and harder, and I...” now he too was in tears. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this. How can I be expected to even want to continue living when there’s so much I don’t even want to remember about my life?”

Twilight looked as though she were about to say that she had no idea how, until she suddenly walked around to Knight Sky’s side opposite from Fluttershy, who still had her wing draped over his back. Twilight put a foreleg over him and tried to comfort him as well, and said, “You’ll be able to live on because you’ll have lots of friends to help you through it no matter what. I’ll make sure of that.”

He looked at her sadly, and she only returned a genuine smile.

“I promise you right here and now, you’ll never have to stand alone again. Not if I can help it.”

After a moment of the two mares just helping him through his despair, Knight Sky finally spoke. “I forgive you, Twilight. You made a mistake and I forgive you for it.”

Satisfied, Luna smiled and said, “I must return to Canterlot, royal duties call. I shall inform my sister of Equestria’s new citizen.”

After another hour or so, Twilight left the cottage, asking both he and Fluttershy to come to her library in the afternoon the next day, rather than meet her at the storage shed at sunrise. Why she said this, he couldn’t be sure, but he wasn’t going to argue.

After an emotional roller coaster of a day and half of a night, the two pegasi were beyond exhausted. They headed upstairs to the guest room as soon as Twilight left.

As Knight Sky walked to the guest bed, Fluttershy spoke up, “Um...Knight Sky, I know you’ve been through a lot, and I know how much it helps to have somepony close by in times like this, so I was wondering...um...would you maybe want to, um, share a bed, i-if that’s okay?” she asked, blushing.

He couldn’t help but smile, and think, I guess Twilight wasn’t joking...

Just as he thought that, Adra’s voice surfaced in his subconscious, “Go for it, lover-boy; you need her and she needs you.”

He smiled at the mare, and simply nodded his agreement.

For the first time in weeks, Knight Sky slept utterly without nightmares.

---

Though Knight Sky had forgiven her, she had a hard time forgiving herself for what she had inadvertently done to him. She couldn’t stop herself from imagining the poor stallion lying on the forest floor asking Luna to kill him. Twilight shuddered at the very thought.

That’s my fault...I have to make it up to him somehow.

She didn’t leave Fluttershy’s home until she had thought of a way. As soon as she did, however, she insisted he visit her the next day. A certain pink mare would have her work cut out for her, but she’d succeeded with harder tasks than this.
As she walked, she formed a mental checklist for her plan to succeed. Guess I’d better start by cleaning up the library tonight...

CHAPTER FIVE: FRIENDS

View Online

---

“Is there something you know that I don’t?” he asked Fluttershy, who had a suspicious look about her ever since they came into town that morning.

“Oh, um...no.” The truth was quite the contrary. This was Knight Sky’s first time in town during the day, and Fluttershy immediately noticed a conspicuous lack of the one mare who exuberantly welcomed every new resident. In fact, she noted a conspicuous absence of many of her friends, but decided not to tell him. If her suspicions were correct, telling him would ruin the surprise.

They arrived at the library at the appointed time to find it looking as though it were closed for the day.

“Are you sure this is the library she meant?” Knight Sky asked, looking at the locked door.

“Yes, um, I’m sure. Try opening the door, i-if you don’t mind.”

Despite the apparent lock, at a simple push the door swung open to reveal a number of ponies inside. The library was festively decorated, and everyone inside immediately shouted, “Surprise!”

“Wh-what is this?” Knight Sky looked even more confused.

“It’s a party! For you! Your official Welcome-to-Equestria party!” a bright pink mare with a mane like pink cotton exclaimed directly to his face.

“Huh...so this is what a party is?”

Everyone in the room stopped, the pink mare’s curly mane flattened to become completely straight, and she went from over-the-top excited to depressed in a second.

“Y-you’ve never been to a party?” she asked dejectedly.

“Where I come from we didn’t really have much time for parties, even if we did there wasn’t really anything to celebrate. I read about parties though, they sounded fun,” he explained, not realizing just how much he’d upset her.

As quickly as she’d deflated, she exploded again, “Of course they are! And this one’s for you!” She shoved a large cupcake into his mouth, which he would have gagged on if it weren’t the single most delicious thing he’d ever tasted, especially as compared to the standard issue synthetic meals he’d eaten for most of his life. He was about to speak through his sudden mouthful of food when Twilight pulled him away from the crazy party mare.

“Don’t mind her, that’s Pinkie Pie. She can be a little eccentric at times, but no one throws better parties.”

“Is this why you called me here? Just for a party?” he asked, looking around slightly confused.

Twilight chuckled, “Weren’t you listening? It’s your party. We just wanted you to feel welcome, and I...I felt really bad about how I acted.”

“I already forgave you, you didn’t have to do this.” he replied, looking back to Twilight.

“I wanted to. And besides, it’s been all doom and gloom and uncovering horrible memories for the past few weeks you’ve spent on our planet, I thought it would be good to lighten the mood a little for you. You’re about to make some really good friends, trust me. Now go have some fun!”

Knight Sky smiled and rejoined the party. Even in his youth onboard a Faction drifter colony, life had been harsh. It only became harder when he was forced to join the Faction military fleet at 14 years old. His entire life since then had been military service for one side or the other. He’d never truly known a time when he could simply let loose and enjoy himself, not until that party.

Even just for a few hours, it felt as though all his worries and fears were lifted from his shoulders. He laughed and joked with others like he’d never been able to, ate sweet foods, played games, and forgot what lay in store for him.

He allowed himself to be introduced to everypony there. It seemed as though half the town had somehow crammed itself into the library to meet him. He met a mint green unicorn named Lyra Heartstrings, who, on finding out where he was from, simply said, “I knew it!” and asked him a barrage of questions about the human race, many of which he declined to answer. Though he had no problem answering the unusual amount of questions she had about hands.

Twilight introduced him to her friend Rarity, another unicorn, who kindly offered to repair his old uniform free of charge. Not that he’d be able to wear it again, but it was the thought that counted. It was then that he met Rainbow Dash.

Her personality was incredibly familiar, Knight Sky almost felt as though he’d met her before. However, there was something off about her. She regarded him with what almost seemed like regret, as if she’d met him before, and somehow failed him in a moment of need. Detecting a sensitive subject, he decided to ignore it for the time being. The party proceeded on well into the evening, and many guests slowly began to leave. It was just after nightfall when only he and six others remained at the party.

Rainbow Dash was relating a story to them of the first time she met Twilight. Knight Sky was laughing right along with them until she said, “...and then I told her, ‘Hey, I can clear the sky in ten seconds flat!’”

Knight Sky froze up immediately. His face went blank, and Fluttershy instantly knew what was happening.

She jumped in front of him and gave him the Stare.

“Fluttershy, what are you-” Twilight began, but suddenly realized what was going on when she saw how familiar it was. She shouted, “Everypony upstairs! Party’s over!” The five of them ran upstairs and waited.

Fluttershy simply continued her Stare, and Knight Sky’s face remained blank, though his eyes were frantic and his breathing fast and irregular.

In a calm voice, she said, “I know it hurts, but you have to fight it. You’re not ready to defeat your beast just yet. You have to be strong, you have to be a knight.”

The five who were upstairs simply watched as a mental battle raged. It only looked as though the two of them were just sitting there perfectly still, but Fluttershy’s Stare was what gave away that something important was happening.

Despite her usual calm, cool, and collected attitude, Rainbow Dash looked the most horrified of all of them.

After several tense moments, Knight Sky’s face regained its expression, he blinked several times, and said, “Fluttershy...I can’t...” and he passed out.

Twilight came down and levitated the unconscious stallion onto a cushion, as the other four came down as well.

“Uh, Twi, ya wanna let us in on what the hay jus’ happened?” Applejack asked.

“I agree, that was quite frightening. You two, however, seemed to know exactly what to do.” Rarity added.

Twilight looked over to the yellow pegasus, who’d just released her Stare. “Fluttershy, we have to tell them.”

She nodded in agreement, “Um...there’s a lot more to Knight Sky than what we’ve already told you.”

“We’re trusting you with some very sensitive information that we came to know first only through coincidence. You have to keep this amongst yourselves.” Twilight added.

They shared everything they knew about Knight Sky, everything they’d learned of his past: the human race, the war he’d just come from and lost, the circumstances surrounding Adra’s death, the rewrite device, the beast hiding in his consciousness, everything that had happened since Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash found him beside his wrecked space fighter, everything.

“And so, Princess Luna’s recommendation was that I help him make some friends. She said that while it may be true that he was a knight in the war, he’s a broken soldier now and needs to be treated like any one of us.”

Twilight’s friends sat in stunned silence at everything they’d just been told, and some of them looked to the grey pegasus stallion still passed out on the cushion. None of them had ever heard of such a cruel existence.

“Um, he may have come from a really horrible place, but he’s truly good at heart. Please be his friends, i-if you don’t mind.” Fluttershy added.

“Guys...there’s something you need to know.” Rainbow Dash said.

Applejack was the first to react, “Ya got some kinda confession ta make, Rainbow?”

“Ugh...ow.” Knight Sky moaned, drawing sudden looks from the six mares who were shocked to hear him awake.

“Knight Sky! Are you okay?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, I’m alright, that one just left me with a bad headache,” he replied, rubbing his head.

Twilight closed her eyes and sent a beam of purple energy from her horn to Knight Sky’s forehead.

“Better?” she asked with a sly grin.

Rubbing his head in disbelief, he said, “Uhh, yeah. Thanks.” Knight Sky looked around at the mares in the room, some of them still looking frightened, “I want to apologize for what you just saw. It’s...kind of hard to explain...”

“Ain’t no need. Twi here jus’ told us everything.” Applejack replied.

With a sad look, he said, “I see. Then I’m sorry you had to hear all that.” He stood and began walking to the door. “I should probably go.”

In one flap of her wings, Rainbow Dash propelled herself across the room, and blocked the exit.

“Just where do you think you’re going?” she asked with a smirk.

“Whatever your past, you’re here now, and you aren’t leaving just yet.” Rarity added.

“That’s right, you’ve got friends. You don’t have to face your past alone.” Twilight said.

Knight Sky was surprised at this sudden turn of events, “I have friends?” he said awkwardly.

Rainbow Dash replied, “Of course, what do you think we’re all doing here? We’re your friends, and I don’t care what you think you want, we’re not letting you go on alone.”

He was overwhelmed, not being accustomed to this sort of kindness. “I...I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s nothing you have to say,” Fluttershy said with a smile, “Yes, you have a horrible past, and nopony can blame you for running from it. But you don’t have to run from it anymore, not when you have us to help you.” She paused and went to comfort the stallion, who was tearing up, as did Twilight. Soon, the rest followed suit. “You have all of us to help you now.”

---

They spent the rest of the evening talking about their respective cultures. Knight Sky answered what he could about humanity before the Great Burning, and in turn, the ponies shared plenty on their own society.

“I been wonderin’ this fer a while, Knight Sky. If yer from another planet, why do ya’ll look jus’ like one of us? If I didn’t know from Twilight, I don’t think I’da looked twice.” Applejack asked.

It was true, the bioscribe had done a spectacular job with the transformation. He fit in perfectly as far as appearances were concerned. He even had an appropriate mark on his flank.

“It’s funny you ask that, because I just recently remembered why.” That grabbed everyone’s attention. “My race developed a piece of technology called the bioscribe. It’s not a weapon, it’s a very advanced tool. When programmed correctly, it scans the first sentient life form it encounters, and completely changes the biology of the user to match the race of that individual. In this case, the first sentient being to come near my fighter was a pegasus, so that’s what I was transformed into.”

Twilight put a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “I see... So, if I were the first one to approach your fighter instead, you would be a unicorn?”

“That’s correct. We use it to study life on other worlds without the need for enviro-suits, and so the natives never even know we were there.”

“Is it permanent? Or can you turn back any time into...whatever it is you were?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Usually it’s completely reversible, you just have to do it within a few days. Otherwise, your mind adapts to the new body, and it becomes permanent. Because of damage it suffered in the crash landing, the bioscribe on my fighter was completely destroyed. Transforming me into a pegasus overloaded most of its circuits. I can never again resume my human form.”

Seeing their sad looks, he hastily explained, “I’m completely fine with that, though. At the very least, this body is far more resilient than my human one was, and the ability to fly was extremely useful once already. Not to mention, I look way better like this than I did as a human,” he smirked.

All of them except for Rainbow Dash seemed placated with the explanation.

Ever the honest mare, Applejack reminded Rainbow Dash of what she said earlier, “Hey Rainbow, ya said there was somethin’ ya wanted ta get off yer chest?”

With a sigh, the normally brash pegasus spoke as if ashamed of herself. “Fluttershy wasn’t the first to see him.”

She noticed the looks of confusion around her, and continued. “When his fighter was in the air, flying down to the fields from wherever it came from, I was out flying too. I flew right alongside it for a while.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Twilight asked her friend.

“Because it’s my fault he crashed,” she admitted, looking at the floor.

“What?! How?” the unicorn demanded.

“As he was coming down, I was gonna tap on the glass to get his attention, I saw how fast he was and I kinda wanted to race him. But when I got up close, his fighter burst into flame and...well...I wanted to save him, but it was too hot to get close enough.”

Rainbow Dash blinked back some tears and addressed Knight Sky, “I wasn’t fast enough to save you from crashing, it’s my fault you can never go back to being a human. And it’s my fault you had that crash and almost died.”

She choked back another sob, “So I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I failed you before I even met you. I never leave my friends hangin’, and the first thing I did was let you come within an inch of your life.”

Before she could continue, Knight Sky held up a hoof and said, “Stop right there.”

She stopped and sniffed back some tears, as he continued. “You don’t have to apologize. In fact, I’m glad you didn’t try anything. Those fighters get very hot at higher speeds, you could have been incinerated. Then I would never have met you, and the first thing I did on this world would have been murdering one of its inhabitants. Please don’t blame yourself for my situation. Like I said, I actually really like being a pegasus over being human. If there’s any race my bioscribe could have left me stuck as, I’m really glad it’s this one.”

“So...you’re not mad?” she asked.

Knight Sky got up, walked over to Rainbow Dash, and much to her surprise, wrapped a foreleg around her in a thankful embrace, “Of course not. I can already tell you’re going to be a very good friend. Just don’t hold yourself responsible for things beyond your control. It’s a lesson I’m still learning too.”

Not used to showing weakness in front of her friends, Rainbow Dash hesitated before returning the embrace. When she did, her attitude noticeably improved.

With a relieved sigh, she said, “Thanks, Knight Sky. I’m glad you’re okay.”

After a brief silence, Twilight asked, “I guess humans don’t have wings then?”

“No, but back when we still had a planet we built plenty of machines to do our flying for us.”

With a cocky demeanor that seemed eerily familiar, Rainbow Dash asked, “So how do you like flying the real way, without any machines?”

“Well, to be honest I didn’t really have a chance to appreciate it at the time. I was just trying not to get caught.”

“Tryin’ not ta what now?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, I guess Twilight left that part out,” he said with an awkward laugh. Knight Sky filled them in on his first encounter with Princess Luna, starting with when he and Fluttershy went to retrieve the plasma cannon.

“You outflew how many Lunar Guards?!” Rainbow Dash asked when the explanation was finished, somehow looking both shocked and slightly jealous.

“Ahh, I’m not sure I’d say I outflew them. In an open sky they would have caught me in seconds, but I was a master strategist in the war. All I had to do was use my surroundings to my advantage,” he explained with a hint of pride.

“Not to mention, though I was no ace pilot, I did have extensive training on a number of space fighters much like the one that brought me here, so the basic principles of flight and aerial maneuvering still apply.”

Her cockiness back in force, Rainbow Dash asked, “So that’s why you landed it here so gracefully?”

He smiled almost knowingly and said, “You remind me of someone I lost. You would have liked her.” He spent a few seconds deep in thought before snapping back, “And while my landing was a bit rough, it’s only because that fighter was in bad shape before I even got here. You should see what those things can do when they’re not smashed to pieces.”

Rainbow Dash was unimpressed, “Yeah? How fast?”

“Are you familiar with the speed of sound?”

“Of course! I happen to be the only pegasus who can break it,” she said with obvious pride.

“Try seven times that speed.”

Rainbow Dash’s jaw hit the floor, “But...I...you...f-fast...?” she stammered, much to the laughter of the other ponies in the room.

“And when it’s in space and fully powered, try many thousands of times the speed of light itself.”

The blue pegasus merely blinked dumbly at the thought of speeds she could barely imagine, provoking more laughter. When she recovered, she decided to poke some fun of her own.

“So, Knight Sky,” she drifted over with a smirk and put a foreleg around Fluttershy, “Fluttershy here tells me you two have gotten pretty close.” the yellow mare’s face turned a bright red, and Knight Sky simply stammered an awkward response, “She, uhh, I...”

It was refreshing to laugh again, and even to be laughed at a bit since it was all in good fun. The casual banter went on well into the evening. Eventually, of course, they started tiring. Knight Sky decided it would be a good time to leave when Fluttershy began nodding off.

“I just want to thank all of you. You can’t imagine how much it means to know I don’t have to do this alone. I never really had many friends before...just fellow soldiers. If you make friends in war, sooner or later you have to watch a friend die, and it’s not an easy thing to do.”

“Knight Sky, you don’t have to think like that anymore. We’re all your friends now, and this is your new home. Maybe we don’t have ships that can sail between the stars, and maybe we don’t have machines that can fly seven times the speed of sound, but none of us are going anywhere anytime soon. We’ll always be here for you no matter what,” Twilight explained with a smile.

“Yeah! I never leave a friend hangin’. And when you feel like really learning how to fly, you know who to talk to. I’m sure Rarity, Pinkie, and Applejack would have something to say too...if they were awake.” Rainbow Dash gestured to where the three mares lay asleep.

Rarity was daintily lounged on a cushion, Applejack casually leaned against a chair with her Stetson down over her eyes, and Pinkie Pie’s head was submerged within a large bowl of punch. Somehow, she was able to breathe just fine in her sleep despite the liquid, as evidenced by the slow rising and falling of her body, and the snores that were somehow emanating from the punch bowl through bubbles.

---

Fluttershy and Knight Sky said their goodnights, and stepped out of the library into the silent town. Its streets were lit only by the occasional gas lantern, which became more and more sparse as they left the village proper.

The pair enjoyed a serene night-time walk through town to her cottage. He had been staring at the stars above for several minutes when Fluttershy drew his attention.

“Um, Knight Sky, if you don’t mind my asking, why are you looking at the stars so much?”

It was a hard question, and he explained it as best he could. “Because of the life I lived as a human, this is actually the first time I’ve ever seen the stars from a planet, and they’re just...beautiful.”

He looked back at Fluttershy, who, before turning away quickly, looking slightly embarrassed, seemed to be looking at him in a certain way.

“Is it true? Did you say something to Rainbow Dash?” he asked gently.

“I-I’m sorry, I hope you’re not mad. I just...wanted her advice.”

“Please don’t be sorry. I just want to know, is it true, do you really feel that way about me? Please be honest.”

She hesitated. “At first, I just felt compassion for you, like I would with anything badly injured and nopony to turn to. But when I saw how badly you were hurt on the inside as well as the outside, and then how much you trusted me...” her voice trailed off, but she continued. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have put you in that position, especially after everything you lost.”

“Don’t be sorry.” he said, and she looked at him in confusion, but his smile was all the explanation she needed.

After another few moments of walking in blissful silence, Knight Sky spoke again.

“I feel like I owe you a bit of an explanation.” he said in a much more serious tone.

Fluttershy wore a worried expression as she looked at him. “The reason I had that...incident back at the party...Rainbow Dash reminded me of someone, the person I loved. Her name was Adra and her personality was just like Rainbow Dash’s. Talking to her just brought back a flood of memories of my old life.”

“And that’s what caused you to, um, have that problem?” Fluttershy asked, as if unsure how to phrase it.

He sighed as if the weight of the world bore down on him, “It was like I was drowning. No matter what I did, I had to force my mind to stay afloat, like something was dragging me down. It was much stronger than the last time that happened. If you hadn’t used your Stare, I don’t think... Listen, this beast in my mind is getting stronger by the day. I can feel it. I just want you to know something.”

“Know what?”

A look of anguish came to his previously calm face, “If it...if it takes my mind before Luna is able to help me defeat it, if I get rewritten, don’t be a hero. My mind will be gone. Don’t try to save me, just protect yourself and protect your friends. Please, don’t let me hurt anyone. Just do whatever you have to do to stop me, even if that means you have to ki-”

He failed to notice that Fluttershy was crying until she put a hoof to his mouth to stop him talking. “Stop it! Just stop! That won’t happen! I’ll save you no matter what, and they’re your friends too!” She paused and choked back her tears. “I care about you, I don’t want you to die. I’ve stood up to a dragon to protect my friends, I’ll protect you from the monster hiding in your mind.”

Her words reached deep down into his heart, and he looked into her eyes that were wet with tears and fraught with concern. He saw the stars reflected in those big pools of teal, and it reminded him suddenly of something that all Wolf-class fighters were equipped with. Something he desperately hoped was intact.

“Come with me,” he said, gesturing Fluttershy to follow him, as he took off into the air.

They flew to the shed where the wrecked fighter was being stored, and he went to the underside of the fighter. After working at a dented access door for several minutes with a crowbar, it finally gave, revealing an armored metal box inside. Knight Sky extricated it carefully, and held it in his forehooves.

“Follow me.” he said again.

“Um, Knight Sky, what is that?” she asked, deeply confused as to just what he had in mind.

He cryptically answered, “It’s a surprise.”

They flew again to a dark hill just outside of town. The stars were magnificent. Knight Sky began opening the box as he explained.

“Those fighters are all equipped with some basic supplies in case the pilot should become stranded on a planet.”

The lid of the box slowly opened on loaded springs.

“This box is equipped with a transmitter, useless because of how far away we are from humanity; a first aid kit; a flare gun; some other things completely useless to me now...and this.” He extracted a long metal tube with some strange devices attached. He laid it on the ground and touched a button on one of the devices with his hoof, bringing the object to life. The tube extended from itself, and propped itself up on three metal legs. A tray of lenses emerged.

“It’s a telescope: a simple refractor telescope, intended to aid the pilot in figuring out his position in the galaxy should his navigation and guidance systems be destroyed or rendered otherwise unusable.”

“Do you need to find out how far away you are?” Fluttershy asked, staring at the device.

“No, but this sky is just too beautiful. And I want to share one of the few things my race did right. We may have made some horrific weapons, but we also perfected the science of making incredible telescopes. By some old laws of optics, the lenses and prisms in this telescope shouldn’t even work, but the proof...” he inserted an eyepiece lens, pointed the tube at a particularly inviting cluster of stars, and took a quick look, “...is in the eyepiece.” he then gestured for Fluttershy to have a look.

“Oh...oh my goodness. How beautiful...I’ve never seen stars like this.”

Knight Sky smiled proudly. He had shown Fluttershy something other than the horrors his race had created. He brought something beautiful into her life, and the smile she wore looking into that telescope warmed his heart.

She looked back to him and caught him smiling stupidly at her. Ever bashful, she looked away with a rather fierce blush.

“Oh, um, would you like to look? It’s, um, quite beautiful.”

He caught himself, and was about to stumble awkwardly over his words when he heard a familiar voice in his head. “Just kiss her already...” Adra’s voice said from deep within his mind. Smiling inwardly, he decided she was right. Knight Sky walked closer to Fluttershy, until he was close enough for her to turn back to him and find his face inches from hers.

Though she was surprised, she did not flinch like he expected her to. Instead, she closed her eyes, and Knight Sky moved closer until their lips met in a soft kiss. He felt his wings flaring out and wasn’t sure what that meant, but he assumed it was normal when Fluttershy’s did the same.

They simply lingered in the kiss for a long moment, knowing only each other, until they finally pulled apart and stared into each others eyes. It didn’t escape his notice that she seemed sad for some reason.

“What’s wrong?” he asked gently.

She started. “I know we have to get rid of that beast in your mind, but I also know it’s going to be really dangerous,” she paused again and took a deep breath, clearly trying not to cry again, “and I really don’t want you to die.”

He wrapped his forelegs around her in an embrace and reassured her. “If it were just me, your fears would be completely justified, but Luna will be helping me fight it. And now I have something to fight for, to come back to, something I’m not willing to lose.”

Their eyes locked, and they kissed again. When Knight Sky’s eyes opened again, he and Fluttershy were lying side by side on the cool evening grass. She had dozed off in his embrace, and was resting placidly beside him. He was on his back, looking up at the stars above when he saw an ethereal blue mist stream overhead.

The Princess of the Night materialized beside him, and on noticing the sleeping Fluttershy, stopped her words and spoke in a whisper.

“Twilight Sparkle sent a letter informing me that today was successful. I desired to see for myself, and I see that was unnecessary.” She smiled down at him as he carefully detached himself from the sleeping mare to address the princess.

Knight Sky briefly searched for something to say, and with a smile, settled on, “Words fail me. I’ve never known such genuine friendship.”

Luna closed her eyes for a moment, “She dreams of you.”

“Are they good dreams?” he asked.

Luna chuckled quietly. “One could say as much,” she looked over to Fluttershy, whose wings were flaring out again, “though beneath the surface, she fears for you greatly. She fears to lose you.”

Seeming eager to change the subject, Luna walked over to the telescope. “This is a telescope, is it not?”

“Yes, it is. One of human design, actually. It’s one of the few things my race did right. I recovered it from my wrecked fighter.”

Luna looked into the eyepiece. “Impressive, a device this small should not be able to magnify so well, though I am curious. Why have you recovered this device?”

“In my entire life, I have never seen a true starry sky. I spent most of my time onboard mostly windowless starships, and when out in a fighter, the cockpit blurs out background stars so the pilot can focus instead on his target alone. This is the first planet I’ve ever actually been on.”

With a sad smile, Luna asked, “What do you think of the night sky for which you have been named?”

He looked back to the cosmos, “I never imagined anything could be so beautiful, so peaceful and serene. I would forego sleep every night just to take in this beauty.”

“It pleases me greatly that you adore it thusly,” Luna said proudly.

Thinking about her tone, Knight Sky asked, “Your power as the guardian of the night isn’t just the ability to enter dreams, is it?”

“I am responsible for the tapestry above you. I lower and raise the moon every night and day, and give the peace of the night to Equestria. My sister Celestia is responsible for the Sun.”

“You are an artist, and this,” he gestured to the skies above, “is a masterpiece.”

“Your appreciation of my work is immensely gratifying, but perhaps you should be a bit more quiet in your enthusiasm.” She gestured to Fluttershy, who was now stirring from her slumber.

Embarrassed, Knight Sky put a hoof over his mouth. “You say she fears for me...I don’t want her to know how much I fear that I won’t come back.”

“You fear to lose her as well. I will not say there is nothing to be afraid of, because there is. I will say that with somepony to love, your fear of losing them can either drive you into despair, or give you strength you never thought possible.”

“I see,” he said with a frown, looking at the ground.

Luna lifted his chin with her hoof and said, “You will not fight it alone. With true friends at your side, fear can only make you stronger. I will be with you as well.”

“Thank you,” was all he could muster in response.

Fluttershy had now risen from her slumber. Shocked to see Luna, she nervously stammered, “Oh, um, P-Princess Luna, hello.”

“Good evening, Fluttershy. I believe you will sleep better in your own home, perhaps there is somepony nearby who would be gentlecoltly enough to escort you.”

With a laugh, Knight Sky walked over to Fluttershy’s side. “Thank you, Luna. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”

Luna smiled warmly, and vanished again into blue mist. Knight Sky touched the button on the telescope again to cause it to pack itself up, closed its armored case, and turned to Fluttershy.

“Shall we go?”

The two pegasi once again shared a bed. They slept in a mutual embrace, only waking once.

Knight Sky’s nightmare was nothing like he’d ever experienced. It was not a resurfacing relic of his past, it was a true nightmare. In it, he’d been rewritten, and his hijacked body said and did horrible things while he was helpless but to watch from within.

He awoke screaming just as his rewritten self used a ragged knife to open the throat of a dreamed version of the yellow pegasus who awoke beside him, and without a word knew exactly what had happened. She did all she could to calm him. His nightmares had never been bloodier or more terrifying, and he never felt more relieved to see her than he did when he awoke that night.

I’m not letting that happen in reality, not when I have her to come back to. The beast within is on borrowed time...

CHAPTER SIX: WRATH

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---

Knight Sky awoke at dawn to find Fluttershy peacefully asleep beside him, one of her wings still spread protectively over him and the other folded neatly at her side. After the previous night’s horrors, though he felt restless himself, he decided not to wake her.

He carefully and stealthily removed himself from her embrace and got to his hooves, looking back at the sleeping mare with a smile on his face and a warmth in his heart that he hadn’t felt since before Adra’s death. It felt like a lifetime ago that he was a human, when in reality, it only added up to about two months.

Beckoned by the smells of nature from outside, the cool dawn breeze from the slightly open window, and the golden rays of the sun peeking over the horizon, Knight Sky’s attention was drawn outside. It was then that he spotted a rather large and ugly-looking bird staring back at him with a strangely harsh glare. It stared him down, and then disappeared back into the forest.

Too many small creatures had been watching him that way, and Knight Sky wanted answers. He decided to follow it, since a sunrise walk would be nice anyway.

As dangerous as he was told the Everfree Forest was, it seemed peaceful enough on the outskirts. Knight Sky stuck to the treeline, and began walking.

The scenic beauty was beyond his wildest dreams. Life on a starship rarely featured tall, strong trees, deep blue skies, and golden sunrises. However, what struck him most were the smells.

He’d spent his entire life breathing the filtered and sterilized air of starships and space fighters, and despite getting used to it, they always had a similarly unpleasant tinge to them. There was nothing unpleasant or artificial about the smells here. The scent of rich soil and healthy grass wet from morning dew filled him with energy.

He drew the scents deep into his lungs, and savored them. The air was invigorating. Not in the way that the oxygen-surplused air of a starship energized one, but in a different way that he couldn’t describe. He lost himself in the aromas, walking at a brisk trot along the treeline.

He walked for what he estimated to be nearly a half hour when a strangely familiar voice called to him from within the trees.

“Hey, Knight Sky!”

“What? Who’s there?” He knew the voice, but she was not even supposed to be awake at this hour or anywhere near the forest for that matter.

The voice called out again. “I think I’ve found something you’ll want to see!”

“What?” Now he definitely recognized the voice, he had to investigate.

Knight Sky pushed his way past a bush, and after a minute of weaving around the trees and thick undergrowth he came face-to-face with Twilight, though something about her facial expression seemed off.

“What did you find?”

“Heh heh, you’ll see. Follow me,” she said with just the slightest hint of...malice?

His guard up, Knight Sky followed. Every time the unicorn looked back to make sure he was following, he could have sworn he saw the faintest flash of green in her normally violet eyes as she led him deeper into the forest. It put him on edge. Something didn’t feel right about this.

When they reached a small clearing with no view of the sky, she stopped.

“So...where is it, whatever you say you’ve found?” he asked with with skepticism in his voice.

“It’s right where you’re standing.” she said with a menacing look.

“Twilight, is something wrong?”

“Not anymore it isn’t,” a wicked grin spread across her features.

soundtrack

Her horn flashed bright green and encircled them both in a ring of green fire.

“Twilight, what the hell is this?!”

She laughed cruelly. “Oh, silly me. You can’t escape anyway, so there’s no more need for this ridiculous disguise.”

At that, a green point of light formed on her horn and blazed to sudden brightness. Knight Sky had to avert his gaze lest he be blinded, but when he turned back to look again, in Twilight’s place stood a large, black creature with insect-like wings, a jagged horn, and legs filled with holes. It stared down at him with cruel eyes.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” it said in a voice very different from Twilight’s. “I am Chrysalis, queen of the Changelings, and I offer you some information in exchange for your help.”

Initially recoiling at the sight of this creature, Knight Sky regained his composure, deciding to give a fair chance to a being of whom he had no prior knowledge. “What do you need my help with, and what kind of information are you offering?”

She grinned smugly. “Information that will lead to your salvation. I have been watching you; rather, my changelings have. You are not of this world, and within your mind lies a sleeping beast that threatens to devour it.”

“...how, how could you know all this?” he stood in utter disbelief.

“My changelings are able to assume the shape of any pony, bird, fish, insect, or otherwise and remain in perfect disguise as long as they need to in order to obtain necessary information. I would expect one shapeshifter to recognize another, but I suppose I was wrong.”

Responding to his look of shock, Chrysalis continued, “Oh yes, I know about your bioscribe. Rather impressive bit of technology, but flawed. Now, for my proposition.”

“I’m listening...” he said with narrowed eyes, very suspicious of this alleged queen.

“As a powerful changeling, I possess the power to grant you your original human form, and as a powerful mage, I can unlock your name from the memories you hold, return your memories to you, and help you rid yourself of the demon within.”

He thought to himself, This seems too good to be true...

“No kidding, do it.” Adra’s voice urged.

I don’t trust this creature. He thought back, surprised at the first instance of Adra’s memory giving him what sounded like definitively bad advice.

His mind silent, he flatly asked the burning question. “What’s the catch?”

“I see you don’t like to beat around the bush, as it were. You see, several months ago, I went to the capital of this fair nation as an emissary of my own. My changelings are starving, and I sought help from the supposedly benevolent rulers of this land. After insulting me and mocking my pleas, they had their thrice-damned Royal Guard chase me out of the city, murdering scores of my helpless changelings as we fled. There are precious few of us left.”

“So you want me to somehow help you find food for your subjects?” he asked skeptically.

“No, all you must do is lead an attack on Ponyville.”

Knight Sky nearly choked. “W-what?! No! Why would I do that?”

She began walking a slow, predatory circle around him. “They have been lying to you all along about your precious little war, but I’ll save that bit of information for after you help me. I know you’re a strategist, and I’ll need one if I’m going to use the few changelings I have left to take Ponyville. If we succeed, my subjects will be fed, and I will grant you your human form, all of your memories, a certain important bit of news regarding your war, and vanquish the beast in your mind for you.”

Knight Sky knew a false promise when he heard one, and after all his friends in Ponyville had done for him, he would be damned if he let them come to harm, much less brought them to harm himself. It was on this line of thought that he let slip some very rash words.

“I’ll tell you what. You can take your offer, and shove it up your ass.”

As he took flight to leave Chrysalis behind, he suddenly felt himself caught in an icy grip. He looked down to see Chrysalis’ horn glowing, along with his own body, her face twisted into a sadistic grin.

“I had hoped you would at least put up some fight. I do need you alive, but now I get to do this!” Her eyes flashed, and a beam of green light shot from her horn to his body.

It felt like he was thrown into a burning furnace. The pain was unlike any he’d ever known. He grunted in agony as he felt his dark grey coat singe away to reveal his skin, which began to sizzle and crack away to expose the muscle and sinew beneath. The pain now too great to stop himself from giving her the satisfaction of his agony, he screamed a piercing cry.

Just when he felt like his bones were charring to dust, she released him and dropped him to the forest floor.

“...you...you bitch...” he grunted as he found himself too weak to stand.

“Ahhh, I enjoyed that. I hope you did too. You look like you could use a rest. My offer still stands, perhaps you should sleep on it.”

As she said it, he already felt his world spinning into blackness as Chrysalis’ shrill laugh faded from his reality.

---

Still half asleep, Fluttershy tried to tighten her wing around the stallion she thought still laid beside her. On finding nothing there, her eyes snapped open.

“Knight Sky? Where are you?” she asked to the empty room.

The sun was just barely over the horizon, and she looked around the house to find only herself and her animals. She began to worry. It had taken some persuasion, but she had managed to convince him to tell her his nightmare.

As a result, she feared that he would wander off in despair, which was part of why she held him so persistently throughout the night. That, and she couldn’t stand to see him in such pain and her touch seemed to soothe him, much to her own contentment.

She ran outside and checked the immediate area around the house, finding it vacant, her worry turned to fear. It wasn’t until Fluttershy heard the sound that her fears turned to utter panic.

“EEEEAAAAAAAGGHHHHH!!!!!”

A piercing cry came from the direction of the Everfree forest, and Fluttershy took to the air. She recognized the voice immediately, and a million thoughts raced through her mind as she flew.

Her panic led her to tears as she desperately looked down on the Everfree, not seeing a trace of the stallion in question. She hardly even noticed one of her best friends attending to early morning weather duties.

When she caught sight of her friend in distress, Rainbow Dash immediately told the other weather pegasi, “Take over for me! I’ll make it up to ya!” and raced to go help her friend.

“Fluttershy! What happened?!” she shouted to her sobbing friend as they flew side-by-side.

Fluttershy responded in a frantic voice, “He’s gone! I can’t find him! I heard him scream, and he’s probably hurt! Oh Celestia, how could I let this happen?!”

“Fluttershy, get ahold of yourself!” The sky blue pegasus grabbed her hysterical friend and flew her to the ground so she could speak calmly, “Now take a breath and tell me who’s missing.”

Fluttershy did as she was told, “I woke up this morning, and Knight Sky was nowhere to be found. When I looked outside, all I heard was him screaming somewhere in the forest, but it wasn’t a scream of fear. He sounded like he was really hurt! Something’s definitely caught him and hurt him badly, we have to help him!”

“Okay, you fly straight to Twilight and get her to organize a search. I’ll mobilize the weather pegasi and have them do a flyover of the whole forest. Don’t worry, if he’s down there at all, we’ll find the guy!”

Fluttershy choked again on her tears, “Whatever happened is my fault. If I was awake when he woke up, he wouldn’t-”

Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Stop that! Now’s not the time to blame yourself! I know your feelings about him are very strong, but the best way you can help him is to keep your head and tell Twilight as quickly as you can!”

Her friend was right, it was time to be brave. Fluttershy steeled her nerve and said, “Right. I’ll go get her, be careful! And thank you.”

Rainbow Dash smiled, “What’re friends for? Like I always say, I never leave a friend hangin’! Now let’s go!”

The two pegasi launched themselves into the air in opposite directions.

---

Twilight Sparkle awoke in her library to a frantic knocking on her door.

“Ugh...it’s too early for shenanigans...” she said as she groggily rolled out of bed and walked downstairs.

The knocking persisted, “I’m coming, I’m coming.”

The sleepy unicorn opened the door only to be pushed back inside by Fluttershy, whose face betrayed only one thing: extreme urgency.

“Fluttershy? Is everything-”

“No Twilight, everything’s not okay. I need you to organize a search party immediately!”

“Did somepony say ‘party?!’” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, somehow emerging from one of the inkpots on a desk in the main room of the library.

Twilight curtly said, “Not now, Pinkie.”

Turning their attention back to one another, Twilight asked Fluttershy, “What happened? Who’s missing?”

She took a deep breath, and explained, “When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t find Knight Sky anywhere. I went outside to look for him and heard a scream from the Everfree Forest. It was definitely him screaming, and it was definitely the sound of somepony in immense physical pain. Can you get everypony organized for an emergency search?”

Without hesitation, Twilight replied, “Absolutely. Pinkie, I need your help with this.”

Despite her goofiness a moment earlier, the pink party mare snapped a stern salute and dove back into the inkpot.

“Fluttershy, I can tell you want to go look for him yourself. Go ahead, just...be careful.” Twilight put a concerned hoof on her friend’s shoulder.

“I will. Twilight, thank you. Rainbow Dash and all of the weather pegasi are already flying over the whole forest, so I’ll be safe if I help them.”

Within an hour, Twilight had rallied about half the town to come help look for the missing pegasus. The other half were either too young or old to be sent on the search; wanted to participate but couldn’t; or, disturbingly, still thought Knight Sky a threat and elected to leave him to his fate.

---

Knight Sky awoke within a large, dimly lit stone cavern. He sat up to find himself in little to no pain, contrasting the manner in which he’d fallen unconscious.

He blinked a few times to adjust his eyes to the dark, and looked around. He was in a small corner that had been barred off to act as a makeshift cell.

He stepped to the bars to look around the cavern. There were flaming torches on the walls, and old mining equipment scattered throughout the room. Clearly this area was some sort of storage area for a mine. On the wall was what looked like a map of the cavern. There was even a very sizeable stockpile of dynamite.

If I can get out of this cell, there are plenty of tools I can use...

“Hey, you!” an ugly voice called. Knight Sky looked toward the sound to see it came from one of two creatures, one very large, the other a bit smaller. They had long, thick arms, short, spiked tails, and their faces looked like they were some sort of mutated canine animal.

“You’re awake, huh? Guess I better go tell queen Chrysie.” he turned around before the other grabbed him.

“No! I wanna tell her! You always get all the glory.”

The two squabbled for several minutes, eventually deciding to take a nap and decide later.

Seriously? These are my jailors?

He continued to think things through carefully. Still, I shouldn’t underestimate them, they seem to be working for Chrysalis. If I get out of here, I’ll need to head straight to town to warn them. Chrysalis may be somewhere in here, so however I get out, it’ll have to be stealthy. Anyone I see could be her or a changeling.

Knight Sky turned his flank to the bars, and gathered his strength, he had to prepare to subdue the dog-like creatures guarding his cell. Though combined they seemed to have the intelligence of a rock, they looked incredibly strong.

With a stiff kick, his hoof rang loudly against the metal bars.

“HEY! Quiet down!” One of them was awake now.

With another kick against the bars, the other stirred.

“What’s all that racket?” the smaller one groaned.

His counterpart growled, “It’s that stupid pony. I can’t believe we gotta watch him ‘stead of lookin’ for gems! I just wanna go in there and beat ‘im to a pulp for makin’ us have to sit around here all day.”

He grinned. Time to manipulate their dumb little minds...

“You two don’t look so tough,” he called back to them.

“Oh yeah? Ya wanna mess with me? I’m the strongest diamond dog in these here caves!” the larger one asked.

“I don’t think it’ll be a fair fight, it’s not all about strength. You need a brain too, something you clearly lack,” he taunted back at the diamond dog.

“What?! That’s it!” the large one shouted, grabbing his keys and a large spiked mace.

“Queen Chrysie said you had to be alive, she didn’t say nothin’ about you bein’ in one piece!” The diamond dog unlocked the cell door, and threw it open. He stomped towards Knight Sky, and raised his mace high over his head. Knight Sky braced himself for a counter.

Just like that little incident with the Lunar Guard...

As the mace came down, Knight Sky dodged into a roll, and while inverted, kicked the mace out of the diamond dog’s paw. He caught it in air with his teeth, and followed through with his motion.

The rather slow moving diamond dog had just long enough to realize that strength really wasn’t everything. Knight Sky was far too fast for him. In what looked like one movement, he dodged the mace, disarmed him, caught the mace, and brought it around in a hard swing.

The smaller diamond dog watched in horror as his fellow jailor’s head was quite literally smashed to pieces between a mace and the wall of the jail cell.

Knight Sky spat out the mace, and turned to glare at the other jailor. One look was all it took. The smaller one whimpered and ran off, tail between its legs.

I don’t have much time before he tells someone who can think. Better make this quick...

The dark grey pegasus trotted over to the stockpile of dynamite. Nearby was a long spool of fuse which was labelled with detailed instructions. It seemed that once lit, the flame would propagate very quickly along the fuse at hundreds of feet per second.

This will at least work as an effective guide rope, should I get lost. And it’ll make a good last resort should it come to that...

He tied the loose end to the fuse of a large bundle of dynamite, which would set off the rest of what must have been more than five tons of mining explosives, and took with him an igniter.

After a quick study of the map, Knight Sky had a good idea of where the only exit was, and an equally good idea of how to get there. The only problem was that the only possible route went straight past a room labeled “Changelings Only.” That could only mean it was some sort of planning room, probably for the attack on Ponyville.

Knight Sky took a deep breath, and set off, spooling out the fuse as he went.

---

“Twi! Hey, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash called from above.

“What is it? Did you find something?”

She had broken the volunteers for the search into groups of two so they could safely cover more ground. Each group was followed by a pegasus. Twilight herself searched alone, with Rainbow Dash flying overhead beneath the tree canopy and sticking close to act as her eyes while she scanned for signs of offense-oriented magic.

“Yeah! I thought I saw something just a little further ahead from your current position!” she shouted.

“Go and wait there! I’ll come meet you.”

The pegasus flew down to a spot in the trees a short distance away. Twilight headed straight there.

“What did you-” she gasped. Rainbow Dash was standing forlornly over what she’d found.

It was a tuft of gold and orange hair, clearly the same color as Knight Sky’s mane. There were a few drops of blood over it and next to it on the ground.

Rainbow Dash looked up from it on the verge of tears as Twilight charged her horn and scanned for any magic that was recently used in the area.

“Twilight...please tell me he’s not-”

“No. Whatever did that to him, it wasn’t deadly. It was an incendiary hex, meant to cause the sensation of being burned alive without actually killing the individual. That means he was tortured to incapacitation, and taken somewhere else.”

“W-who could do that to anypony?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I don’t know, but I’ve felt this magic before, and if I’m right, we may be in for a lot of trouble soon.”

Their thoughts were interrupted by a distinct rumbling in the ground, and the sounds of distant thunder coming from the direction of a nearby mountain.

The sounds intensified, and Twilight used her magic to amplify her voice.

“EVERYPONY OUT OF THE FOREST, NOW!”

Simultaneously, the multitude of weather pegasi flying overhead and searching from the skies swooped down and grabbed one of their flightless fellow citizens. Some grabbed two, and whisked them out of the forest. A large number came running out of the trees. Twilight watched from the air as Rainbow Dash carried her to safety as well.

She only hoped none were left in the forest, for if what she suspected was true, anyone in there was now in serious danger.

---

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Knight Sky kept to the shadows and followed his memory of the map as best he could, only getting turned around once. He did encounter his former jailor at one point, but on sight the creature once again fled in fear. After what felt like only an hour of searching, he came to the last stretch of the cave before the exit. He could smell the outside air cutting through the stale stench of the underground, and saw reflections of sunlight streaming in.

The spool of quick-fuse was reaching its end. He didn’t really need it anymore, but kept a hold on it just the same.

Knight Sky rounded a corner, and in plain view was a heavy door, exactly where the “changelings only” room was supposed to be.

Time for a little recon...

Still keeping to the shadows, and helped greatly by his dark grey coat, the pegasus crept up to the door and put an ear to it.

He could hear Chrysalis speaking, “..and even if he doesn’t help us, we’ve since imprisoned enough diamond dogs to raise a small army. I’ll consume them and use magic to spawn just enough changelings for our initial strike. The attack on Ponyville will go ahead as planned tomorrow at dawn, and any one of you who gets in my way will share the fate of the ponies. I assure you, it won’t be a pleasant one.”

A different voice asked, “Your majesty, this one will serve you to the death if needed, and apologizes for his curiosity, but what is your plan for after you take Ponyville?”

“Your loyalty is refreshing, my changeling. My intention is for us to consume every last one of the residents, with the exception of the six Element Bearers. We will multiply using our new food source. I will then hold the six of them as hostages, and their cries of agony will reach the ears of their Princesses. I intend to bring the alicorn sisters here alone. When they arrive, we will ambush them. I don’t care how many have to die, I WILL see their heads on a spike. Once that is finished, nothing stands between us and all of Equestria. We will never again go hungry, my changelings.”

Knight Sky almost gagged at the sinister nature of this attack plan. It reminded him all too much of the minimal regard for life held by the Faction. Then and there, he knew he was fighting for the right side. He looked down at the spool of fuse, and then up again at the cave exit. He was debating resorting to that when the door opened, and he found himself face to face with a creature that looked like a smaller version of Chrysalis.

Without waiting for it to react, he threw a hoof into its face, stunning it, and giving him a chance to sprint for the exit.

After a moment, it regained itself enough to shout, “My queen! The prisoner has escaped!”

“Stop him! Ponyville must not be warned!”

Knight Sky heard the sound of hollow hooves chasing after him, and flapped his wings, boosting himself to the cave exit, and turning to face his pursuers who stopped in horror when they saw what he was holding.

In one hoof, Knight Sky held the end of the fuse; in the other, the igniter.

“You will not harm my friends. Not while I draw breath.”

He struck the igniter against the fuse, and the flame darted away. The changelings chased after it, clearly not realizing just how hopeless such a pursuit was.

Knight Sky flapped his wings again, and landed on a flat rocky outcrop a short distance from the cave entrance as the ground began to shake.

---

Fluttershy and her friends pushed to the front of the crowd, fearing the worst for their friend. They realized the shaking was coming from a nearby mountain and all congregated before it, hoping they wouldn’t be forced to fight or run from whatever malevolence emerged.

Just when they thought their fears would be confirmed, Rainbow Dash caught sight of something.

“There! In front of the cave! There he is!” she pointed with a hoof to a dark grey shape moving among the grey rocks.

soundtrack

He was hard to see until a deafening explosion emerged from the mouth of the cavern along with a massive ball of blazing yellow flame and a billowing cloud of black smoke. They could then see Knight Sky silhouetted against the fireball.

His eyes were narrowed in anger and he wore a look of fierce, grim determination, not even looking back to the inferno that raged behind him as he made his way over to them.

No sooner had he gotten close to the group than Fluttershy swooped down and grabbed him in a tight embrace. His expression softened to one of relief, and he nuzzled her affectionately.

Twilight approached the two of them. “Knight Sky, are you okay?!”

He looked sternly at Twilight. “I’m fine, but you’re not.”

“What?” she asked with confusion.

“Ponyville is in grave danger. Is there a Royal Guard detachment stationed here in town?” He looked around as if searching for any sign of authority.

She thought for a second and answered, “Well, yes, but they’re only here to keep the peace...what’s-”

“Take me there, I need to speak with them immediately,” he snapped.

---

“I don’t understand, how could you know in advance about an attack like this?”

The chief of the Royal Guard detachment for the town looked confused when Knight Sky explained everything he heard from Chrysalis inside the cavern.

“As I have already said, you’d be surprised what you hear when your enemy thinks you’re locked up or dead. I may not look it, but trust me, I’ve seen a lot of combat. I know strategy. Although I destroyed her base of operations, we cannot assume Chrysalis to be dead or even defeated. Our best bet is to conclude that she could attack at any time. She mentioned dawn as the time of the attack, but given her circumstances, we should prepare ourselves starting now.”

The guard eyed him carefully, and relented. “Then what do you suggest?”

“How many Royal Guard soldiers are in this town?” he asked curtly.

The guard looked over at a roster and answered, “Not many in a town as quiet as this one. We have five earth ponies, three pegasi, and a unicorn on duty this week.”

“That isn’t much to work with, but I’ve lead attacks with smaller forces. What about your princesses? Could they be contacted for reinforcements?”

“You’ll need a dragon to get word to them in time,” the guard sighed.

Twilight Sparkle, who had lead him to the guard post, chimed in. “That won’t be a problem, I’ll go get a letter off right now! What should I say?”

Knight Sky thought for a moment and said, “Tell them we need all the force that can be spared. Strategy is essential here, but power in numbers is not to be taken lightly. Chrysalis may have a larger force than we expect.”

She nodded and galloped off to her library, presumably to write and send the letter.

The chief guard looked back to Knight Sky and inquired, “Do you have a strategy in case the changelings arrive before our reinforcements?"

“I don’t know much of their attack, though I do know that one of their primary goals is the capture of all six Element Bearers alive. They intend to use them as bait to lure the princesses here alone so Chrysalis can dispatch them herself. They won’t expect them to come in force.”

The chief responded, “In that case, we should make protecting the Element Bearers our highest priority.”

“No. That’s exactly what she’ll expect. She won’t, however, expect to find them on the front lines,” Knight Sky explained with a knowing grin.

---

Her duties at court finished for the day, Celestia went to join her sister on the palace balcony to perform her other responsibilities.

She reached out to her sun, gave it the required nudge with her magic, and it slipped below the horizon just as Luna closed her eyes and pulled forth her moon.

Another focused burst of magic from Luna, and the sky was filled with a tapestry of points of light. The stars welcomed the land for another night.

“Beautiful as always, sister,” Celestia remarked.

Luna grinned proudly just as a letter materialized before them.

Celestia took hold of it with her magic and unfurled it before the two of them, carefully reading the hastily written script.

Princesses,

Your aid is required immediately. Changeling swarm to attack Ponyville at dawn, Knight Sky organizing defense strategy. We will be overwhelmed without an army.

-Twilight Sparkle

The two sisters looked at one another and each gave a determined nod.

Celestia stepped to the edge of the balcony and breathed deep. It wasn’t often that she used the Voice.

“ROYAL GUARD! TO ARMS!”

---

CHAPTER SEVEN: BLOOD

View Online

---

Ponyville was not built to be easily defensible. The town sprawled lazily across the fields, and was not laid out in a strategically advantageous manner. Roads had a tendency to take the scenic route, and many buildings were constructed with appearance in mind rather than durability; to be expected of a peaceful countryside town, but nonetheless a disadvantage.

Knight Sky had taken command of the defense preparations. All ponies unfit to fight, which included the young, the old, and the sick, were confined to their homes, which were then fortified. The Weather Brigade was ordered to patrol the dark skies and keep them clear, reporting anything out of the ordinary.

The response from the Princesses had been prompt. The Royal Guard had been called to arms, and an army of reinforcements could be expected by dawn to join the defense.

By his orders, the Element Bearers were gathered in the town square for a briefing on their duties during the attack.

“You’re putting us on the front lines? I’m just as eager to defend the town as anypony else, but surely the most battle trained guards would be better suited there,” Twilight asked, sounding a bit shocked.

“There’s a very good reason for it. I’m about to share with you the rest of Chrysalis’ plan. She wants to capture you six alive, consume the rest of the town, and raise an army. She’ll use you as bait to get the Princesses here alone. They’ll then use an ambush to attempt to assassinate the Princesses and remove their one obstacle from feeding on all of Equestria. It is absolutely essential that not a single one of you allow yourselves to be taken captive.”

“Why the hay would we let ourselves be captured?” Rainbow Dash asked. Knight Sky did not relish what he was about to tell them.

He sighed before continuing, “You don’t realize what you may be forced to do to avoid capture. I’m putting you on the front lines because if they want to take you alive, they’ll hold back in their fighting, and not move in for the kill, which is something that you will have to do.”

Several hooves were raised to mouths in shock, and he received many frightened looks.

“Allow me to explain. Their desire to take you all alive is their greatest weakness right now. If we exploit that weakness by having you six kill any changeling that comes near you with intent to capture, that’s one less changeling that Equestria has to worry about. You slowly chip down their forces one by one. They won’t kill you, but they won’t hesitate to kill anypony else.”

They were completely unconvinced, so he got a little more personal.

“You know that I’m telling the truth when I say I know how hard it is to take a life. You’ll remember it for the rest of your days, and it won’t be a good memory, but you have to think about the other citizens here. Chrysalis herself said that she doesn’t care how many have to die, as long as she sees the Princesses beheaded. Is that something you wouldn’t kill to stop?”

That got their attention.

“If you’re willing to do absolutely anything to protect your fellow citizens and your Princesses, then you will be asked to kill. I need to know if you’re all in this one hundred percent. You must show absolutely no quarter against an enemy intent on consuming your friends and destroying your nation. I can tell that you’re all capable of far more than your appearance may bely. Any one of you who has a problem with killing to protect those you love, step forward right now.”

None of them stepped forward; in fact, Rarity suddenly jumped and looked as though she had just remembered something very important.

She ran back to her shop, shouting, “Just one moment, I’ll be right back!”

Not more than thirty seconds later, she came trotting back carrying a small box in her magical grasp.

“Rarity, what is that?” he asked.

“Well, I do believe I said I’d repair your uniform, but seeing how we learned you’re unable to ever resume your human form, I had another idea.”

She levitated the box over to Knight Sky.

“I meant to give you this gift after we took care of that nasty business inside your mind, but now seems every bit as fitting.”

He regarded her with a confused stare.

“Well go on, open it!” she insisted.

Knight Sky pulled at the tie on the box with his teeth. Inside was a neatly folded bundle of dark grey cloth.

Holding it up, it became very clear what it was. The garment was a perfect replica of his United Terran Fleet dress uniform that he’d worn as a human when he landed on this world, except made for the form of a pegasus. It even had all of his pins and medals taken straight from his old one. The gold trim was in all the right places, and somehow, it worked perfectly.

“Rarity, this is a beautiful gift, and I can’t thank you enough for it, but do you really think I should be wearing this when we’re about to go into combat?”

In a radical break from her usual attitude, she replied, “Well when else should one wear their military uniform?”

They all looked at her in utter shock, to which she replied, “Oh pish posh. Surely a fashionista such as myself can have a sense of practicality!”

Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, looking at the uniform gave him a boost in confidence.

“I’ll be right back.” he said, with a grin.

After not more than a minute inside the nearby town hall, Knight Sky emerged. He descended the front stairs to his waiting friends, looking confident and resplendent in the grey and gold of the United Terran Fleet.

He felt every bit as confident as he looked, and it wasn’t until Twilight directed his attention down to a shiny gold rectangular plate above his medals and service pins that his heart swelled with pride.

That gold plate was inscribed with none other than the name he’d assumed here, yet it also bore the rank that his service pins indicated.

He read it aloud, “Lieutenant Commander Knight Sky...Right, let’s get down to business!”

The six Element Bearers snapped to attention and awaited instructions.

“Twilight, as I understand, you’re a powerful mage. I want you performing both an offensive and defensive role: shield your friends from attack, and eliminate anything hostile that comes near you.”

“Yes, sir! And they’re your friends too!” she replied.

“Pinkie, I’ve been told you have a ‘party’ cannon at your disposal. Don’t load it with confetti. I trust you know what to load it with instead?”

She did a little bounce and said, “Of course! Cupcakes!”

He gave her a brief glare, which she laughed at and added, “Pfft, I know what to load it with.” She reached into Twilight’s ear and somehow pulled out a bag of walnut-sized heavy iron spheres, much to the unicorn’s displeasure. “I keep artillery stashed all over Equestria in case of cannon emergencies!”

“Close enough. Applejack, you’re probably the toughest here. Use your lasso, bring down their flyers, and when you have them on the ground, show no mercy.”

“Darn tootin’!” she answered, with a tip of her Stetson.

“Rarity, do you know what flechettes are?”

She thought for a moment before asking, “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard that term, why?”

“I’ve heard you’re able to easily manipulate hundreds of small objects at once with your magic. Just how many sharp pins and sewing needles do you have?”

She understood immediately, “I suppose I can part with a few to rough up our attackers...oh, who am I kidding? I’ll turn them to mush!” she enthusiastically pumped her hoof with an almost fierce grin.

“Rainbow Dash, you said you can break the sound barrier. I’ll need you to do that as often as possible as close as possible to their swarm of flyers. The shockwave will stun them out of the sky.”

“Ha! That’s gonna be fun. Let’s kick some changeling flank!”

Knight Sky briefly winced at the familiarity of this statement before turning to Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy, your Stare will be useful. Only freeze the large ones, freeze them when you’re safe, and when someone else is nearby to dispatch them...and don’t get hurt. Yours is the only power that is not explicitly attack oriented. Be careful.”

“I’ve stood up to worse than changelings. I’m not afraid, but they should be.”

Knight Sky was taken aback by her sudden ferocity, but could not help but smile.

“You all know what to do then, at dawn, we’ll fight, and we’ll win. We stand between Equestria and destruction. I almost pity Chrysalis...almost.”

Their confident grins were all he needed.

---

“Your Majesty! I came as quickly as I could,” the stallion panted.

Celestia did not turn from the balcony. “Captain Shining Armor. Is your sword sharp?”

“My sword is always sharp, Your Majesty. I assume then that this is not a drill?”

She turned to face her Captain. “This is no drill. Here, this arrived from Ponyville not an hour ago.”

He took the letter, and his eyes widened in shock as he read it.

“My...my sister sent this.”

“I believe you’ll want to be on the front lines. Is that correct?”

The stallion looked up from the letter with a stern glare, “There’s no place I’d rather be, there is something I must ask however. I’ve read the report on this Knight Sky, was he not referred to as a broken soldier? Why would a broken soldier be organizing the defense strategy? Furthermore, I’ve checked the rosters and there are no records of anypony by that name in the Royal Guard.”

Luna explained, “You did not read the full report, only what was released to the entire Royal Guard. Knight Sky may not be quite as broken as we think.”

Celestia added, “Come, we will inform you more fully on the way to the barracks. I have sent word to Cloudsdale, they will be sending as many pegasi as can be spared to pull the chariots that will carry our army to Ponyville. I must be sure that the army is ready to depart, and the sight of their Princesses at inspection will speed the process.”

As they walked down to the barracks, Celestia began, “You found no records of Knight Sky in the Equestrian Royal Armies because he was never in our army. In fact, until recently, he wasn’t even a citizen of this world.”

They filled Shining Armor in on everything they’d learned of Knight Sky and humanity since he arrived. The stallion remained stoic throughout, but it was clear to the alicorns that some of the news troubled him.

“You trust this...human-turned-pegasus enough for him to orchestrate a full-scale defense of Ponyville?” he finally asked.

Luna vouched for him, “I have seen his mind, and he is an exceptionally capable tactician. Far superior to any I’ve met in our own Royal Guard.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I see... For the time being, he is no threat. I have determined for myself that he is very pure of heart, and holds a very high regard for all life. Nevertheless, he knows what it is to take a life to prevent the slaughter of the innocent. He is not without scars. He has seen more combat in his short life than the entire Equestrian military has in the past five centuries,” the Moon Princess elaborated.

“What is it you mean by, ‘For the time being?’” Shining Armor asked.

“When he remembers his name, there is something that must be done. It will not be pleasant, but if he is to live, and I intend to see that he does, then when the time comes, we must be willing to do all it takes to win that battle. That, however, is a concern for another day.” Luna finished as they arrived at the barracks.

Celestia had previously heard nothing of what her sister had just told Shining Armor, but before she could inquire what all of that had meant, the captain opened the doors to reveal a scene of controlled chaos within. Hundreds of earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi were donning armor and lining up to report to the armory.

“Inspection!” Shining Armor bellowed.

The companies all snapped to attention and lined up down the center of the barracks. He opened the doors wider to reveal the Princesses, causing a few of the closer soldiers to tense up a bit further.

The two alicorns slowly walked down the line, joining the captain in inspection.

Celestia was the first to speak, “How many of you lost friends or family in the last changeling attack? Step forward.”

Nearly half of the soldiers present stepped forward.

She looked to a group of them, “Do you want retribution?”

The entire barracks chanted as one. “Yes, Your Majesty!”

“It awaits us in Ponyville,” she said tersely.

Shining Armor asked, “‘Us,’ Your Majesty?”

“I’ve a score to settle with Chrysalis. I will not ask your wife to join us, for she is to reign while we are away from the throne,” Celestia spoke in a grim voice.

The Captain asked hesitantly, “Your Majesty...what do you intend?”

“Captain, get my armor.”

---

The fiery-maned pegasus landed gracefully before the solar Princess who was donning battle armor on her balcony and snapped a salute.

“Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts, reporting as ordered!”

“At ease, Spitfire. I know the Wonderbolts have never actually been called into action for true combat, but I trust you’re all ready?”

“Absolutely, Your Highness.” she replied without a second of hesitation.

“Good. Our army departs in a half hour. Each Wonderbolt is to lead a wave of chariots that will be carrying the flightless members of our army. The pegasi will act as our air guard and protect the chariots en route in case Chrysalis anticipates our attack. Captain Shining Armor will brief you fully, report to him in the armory.”

The pegasus departed for the armory, and Celestia donned her helm, tying up her mane as she did so. Luna came to her side on the balcony, now also clad in armor, and carrying a large spiked star mace in her magical grasp.

“Sister, why do you hesitate? The time has come.” Luna asked.

With trepidation in her voice, Celestia answered, “Because when I raise my Sun, I will be initiating the attack on Ponyville.”

“It must be done. Do not make me do it for you,” Luna said sternly.

Celestia looked at her sister, self-doubt etched over her features. Luna returned an intense glare.

“Now is not the time for flagging will, sister. The Equestrian Army has not been mustered in over a thousand years, and a mighty enemy bears down upon the heart of our nation. By raising the Sun, yes, you will be giving the enemy their signal to attack, but you will also be giving the light of hope to those who fight for those they love. You look fearsome in your armor, but your will must match that ferocity. I believe it does. I believe in you, sister.”

As her doubts melted away, Celestia smiled at her sister and closed her eyes. She pulled her Sun forth as Luna gave her Moon a nudge to the horizon.

With confident nods to one another, the armored alicorns took wing to the waiting legions.

---

As small as the Royal Guard detachment in Ponyville was, the armory was fairly limited. Only the guards themselves, plus a few of the most physically adept ponies in town were armed. Knight Sky took a sharp spear for himself. He was never the close quarters combat master that Adra was, but he did have significant training.

“You know you can’t win this. You should have taken her offer.” Adra’s voice said to him.

I don’t know what’s happened to you, but I have friends to protect now. So be silent... He replied mentally.

They stood in a line behind a makeshift barricade protecting the only open entrance to the town, the six Element bearers, Knight Sky, as well as the five earth ponies of the local Royal Guard, and their chief, who eyed Knight Sky’s uniform suspiciously.

“Knight Sky, what exactly are you wearing?” the guard asked.

“You are looking at the dress uniform of an officer of the United Terran Fleet. I don’t expect you to have heard of it,” he replied flatly.

“I haven’t, but I hope its officers are as formidable as their uniforms appear,” he replied, derisive doubt obvious in his voice.

Knight Sky paused a moment before asking, “What’s your name?”

“Sergeant Steel Gear, Head of the Ponyville Royal Guard,” he replied proudly.

“Steel Gear, have you ever taken a life?” Knight Sky asked, without looking away from the edge of the forest where they expected the changelings to emerge.

“What?! No! Absolutely not!”

Knight Sky snorted derisively and jumped up onto the barricade.

He addressed all of them, those holding the barricade, and the citizens behind it ready to aid. “When the Sun rises, you will face an enemy that intends to consume you. They want to consume you that they may raise an army against your Princesses and your nation. They will show no mercy. I know the very idea of killing is almost unheard of here, but you will have to do things today that you will not forget. Do not take it lightly, for killing is the worst thing you will ever do, but to save hundreds of thousands of innocent lives from a vicious enemy intent on conquest, it is what must be done! Today, you face a choice: kill, or be killed and allow others to be killed. If that very idea disgusts you, lay down your arms and leave. There is no shame. But if you are ready to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you love, then steel yourselves, find your valor, and show no quarter!”

As he finished, the Sun peeked over the horizon and glinted off of Knight Sky’s golden nameplate on his uniform. He turned out from the town to face the swarm, and as promised, there appeared a cloud of black creatures flying from within the forest and heading straight for them.

It was far smaller than he’d expected, perhaps twenty or thirty changelings. Suspiciously, however, Chrysalis herself was nowhere to be found. There was no time to wonder.

Knight Sky shouted, “Rainbow Dash, go!”

With a fierce grin, the blue pegasus darted up high into the sky. She shrank to no more than a point, almost indistinguishable if not for her prismatic mane and tail, and suddenly darted back down, straight for the swarm of changelings.

Knight Sky watched her and the changelings as she sped toward them, leaving a rainbow contrail, and they sped towards the town with hungry jaws agape.

His eyes darted between them, and just when it looked like the swarm would reach the town, a deafening crack split the air, and a colorful shockwave exploded from the swarm.

Stunned and badly injured changelings rained down upon the town, and were regarded with confusion by the ponies that had volunteered to defend the town.

Knight Sky did not let them hesitate, “Now!”

Shaken from their confusion, they remembered what he’d told them, and just as one snapped at a nearby earth pony, a spear burst through its neck, and was yanked back by Knight Sky.

At that, they all erupted and laid waste to the stunned and injured changelings that were slowly coming to.

Within minutes, the twenty or thirty stunned changelings became twenty or thirty bloodied corpses. One of the townsponies shouted, “We did it! We’re safe!”

“No! You’re not safe, and this certainly isn’t over.” Knight Sky retorted. “Everyone hold your lines! That was just the opening strike. Rainbow Dash, they may not fall for that trick again, but be ready.”

“I was born ready, Knight Sky!” she replied with a cocky grin.

He was about to reply when one of the ponies came up behind him with a spearhead in hoof.

There was a shower of sharp pins all around him, and Knight Sky turned around to see the barely recognizable bloody form of one of the local residents turn back into a now dead changeling.

“Good catch, Rarity. You all see why we must show no mercy now. Don’t be afraid. Think of your family, think of your friends. You are here to protect them.”

Just as he finished a second wave of changelings came from the forest. This one was similarly sized, but flying in two separate groups.

“Rainbow Dash, you know what to do.”

---

Celestia’s Sun had been up for nearly a half hour, and the town fought off wave after wave of changelings with surprising ease. Their black corpses slowly began to build up behind the walls.

After the fourth wave, Knight Sky said with the hint of a confident grin, “I can see why Chrysalis wanted a strategist, she doesn’t seem to have a clue what she’s doing.”

Just as he said it, Steel Gear motioned for him to look back to the forest. To Knight Sky’s horror, a massive swarm, far larger than any of the previous waves, rose from the forest. This time, however, Chrysalis herself led them.

She belted in an unnaturally loud voice, “Feast, my changelings! Feast!”

The swarm descended upon the town, leaving Chrysalis completely unprotected; Knight Sky got a crazy thought in his head.

As he was about to act on it, the bloodbath began. Shouts of battle, and the clang of teeth against what little armor could be found dominated the air. Here and there, ponies were struck with a green slime that glued them to the ground, immobilizing some of his fighters.

Twilight was casting spells faster than any rapidfire plasma cannon he’d seen, and changelings exploded in a shower of entrails left and right.

Rainbow Dash flew nimbly through the air, relying on her speed to deliver hard physical blows to changelings with her bare hooves.

Pinkie Pie pointed her cannon at a large group of changelings rushing the barrier, and opened fire. There was little left of them, and the pink mare vanished underneath the barrier, somehow emerging from the barrel of the cannon seconds later with another bag of iron projectiles in hoof.

Applejack’s lasso was a force to be reckoned with, for every changeling it found was dragged out of the air and bucked in the head. Her orange hooves were stained green with changeling blood.

There were clouds of sharp metal pins flying in all directions under Rarity’s control as changeling after changeling dissolved out of the air in a mist of green blood.

The time for strategy was over, and the fighting had begun. The number of insect-like changeling corpses steadily grew, and yet it seemed that they just kept coming. The ponies that fought to defend the town were doing so valiantly, but they could not be expected to do so all day long. Wounds and weariness would begin to take their toll if reinforcements did not arrive soon.

He took a breath to look over to the Element Bearers. It appeared the changelings were indeed intent on capturing them rather than killing them, exactly as planned. There was, however, one problem, as he could not see Fluttershy.

He began to worry as he looked around and did not find her, until he looked to Chrysalis.

Fluttershy had Chrysalis locked in the Stare, and the changeling queen was in the midst of charging her horn, clearly preparing a spell against the pegasus.

Knight Sky’s blood ran cold, and then boiled as he realized what he had to do. He spread his wings and charged, shouting, “Don’t you dare!”

He reached Fluttershy and shoved her out of the way just as a torrent of bright green magic emerged from Chrysalis’ jagged horn, missing them both.

“Get back behind the barrier now!” he shouted, putting himself between her and the changeling queen.

“I-I’m sorry! She was-”

“Now!”

He heard flapping behind him, and Chrysalis regarded him with cruel, cold eyes.

“You could have had everything you wanted. Why did you have to be a fool and fight me?!”

“You actually think you know me...you think you know what I want. What makes you think I ever wanted my human form back? What delusion are you under to think I want my old memories so badly?!”

“You’re a human.You are vain, greedy creatures all. I know what you want, and I will take it from you!”

Before he had a chance to react, she charged her horn and unleashed a pulse directly past him, he could only watch in horror as it struck the pegasus who, despite his direct orders, refused to leave his side.

Knight Sky caught her an instant before she hit the ground, noticing that her chest glowed a hideous green where the curse hit her.

“What were you doing?! I told you to leave!” he said, the tears welling up.

“S-she was going to kill you...I had to give her the Stare...had to stop her...it doesn’t hurt anymore...I’m okay, Knight Sky... I won’t leave you...” Fluttershy whispered back.

“No...not again! Don’t die!” he screamed.

Rainbow Dash heard the shouts, and bolted from her position to Knight Sky’s side.

“Dash! Get her to safety! Don’t let her fall asleep! Fluttershy, you’re going to live. That’s an order you’re going to obey...I have business to take care of here.” he said menacingly.

“I’m on it! Hang in there, Fluttershy. Don’t worry, I gotcha.” the colorful pegasus took off, carrying Fluttershy in the direction of the hospital.

---

As Ponyville came into view, Celestia became aware of mumblings of her soldiers behind her. She was about to have Shining Armor bring them to attention to silence it when she saw the reason for their hushed speech.

Away from the battle in town, there was a confrontation occurring just beyond a hastily built barricade. She could easily recognize Chrysalis down on the ground. Confronting her was a single pegasus clad in a dark grey and gold garment that matched his coat and mane, and armed only with a spear.

Celestia cast a quick telescopic spell on her own eyes and got a good look at him from far away. It became clear that he wore a uniform of some kind, and on that uniform was a nameplate that she strained her eyes to read. Once she read it however, she made a decisive move, and used the Voice once more.

“SOLDIERS OF EQUESTRIA! FINISH THE BATTLE WITHIN THE TOWN! WE WILL CONFRONT CHRYSALIS!”

---

Knight Sky turned back to the changeling queen.

“My my, how disgustingly touching. I told you I know what you want. Of course I won’t kill her...yet.” she licked her fangs sickeningly, “How pathetic it is that you left your own people behind and exiled yourself here only to find bloodshed following you wherever you go,” she said condescendingly.

“I...will kill you where you stand.” he growled.

Her expression changed immediately from cool condescension to intense hostility, “Oh, will you now?! Do you not know who you address?! Your death will be long and drawn out, and when I finish with you, I will torture her first! Her screams will be the music that brings forth the downfall of this country!”

“Do you not know who you address, you disgusting, worthless little insect?!”

It was clear from her shocked glare that she’d never been spoken down to before, but he didn’t give her a chance to reply.

“I am Lieutenant Commander Daniel Tarian of the United Terran Fleet! And I won’t stand for the murder of the innocent! You signed your own death warrant when you set hoof in this town, and you chose your own executioner when you hurt her!”

Without giving her a chance to block, he charged forth, propelled by his grey wings and a burning rage unlike any he’d ever known. It almost felt like this creature was the very embodiment of all the hatred that resulted in the Great Burning, and represented the bloodlust of the Faction itself. An entire life’s worth of righteous anger pushed him to attack a creature he wouldn’t otherwise have the strength or skill to stand a chance against.

He thrust his spear forth and it struck her hard in the shoulder.

“Aaggh! You’ll pay for that!” she screamed, and reached out to him with her magic in an attempt to grab him.

He nimbly dodged her first grab, and the second. Knight Sky bolted up into the air, dodging her grabs and striking her with his spear. She blocked every hit, but he avoided every one of her attacks. His wings were tired, and his forelegs were sore, but his adrenaline had taken over and he struck her relentlessly, eluding and attacking without pause.

They were both nearly a hundred meters over the battle when his spear struck home on her opposite shoulder, opening another wound. Just as he saw her green blood spill forth, however, her hoof came down on his spear, shattering it to pieces. In his shock, he was too slow to dodge her next attack. She held him tight in a magical grasp.

“You fool! Did you honestly think you could beat me?”

He glared at her fiercely, but it did little to hold off the pain. Contrary to the torture she’d inflicted upon him previously, Knight Sky suddenly felt himself plunged into icy water. His breath was cut off, and his wings pulled back unnaturally and twisted hard. The pain was unimaginable. He tried desperately to scream, but his mouth was forced shut.

“Do not bother begging for death, for I will not grant you that mercy so quickly. Your agony is far too delicious.”

Just when he could swear his wings were about to be torn off, the pain vanished. Just as his lungs burned for air, he was able to breathe again, and his wings relaxed. He felt himself suspended in a different magical grasp. This one was not cold and hateful; it was much warmer, and he felt his wounds healing. He opened his eyes to see who he could only assume to be Princess Celestia. Her sister flew alongside her. Soaring down from behind her and headed straight for the battle in town were hundreds of soldiers, the promised reinforcements whose presence would turn the tide of the battle.

Luna held him in a protective shield of magic, as Celestia unleashed a furious attack against Chrysalis. Knight Sky then felt incredibly glad to have chosen the right side.

Celestia bore down upon the changeling queen like an oppressive desert sun, looking glorious and intimidating in her gilded armor. Her narrowed eyes betrayed a fierce desire to protect her subjects, and what almost looked like a ravenous hunger for vengeance.

Chrysalis, on the other hand, quickly realized she was suddenly completely out of her league. Her eyes were frantic as Celestia’s golden beam forced back her defensive spell.

She cried, “Not this! No!”

Celestia’s beam connected with the jagged black horn, which gave a hideously shrill cracking sound, and shattered.
Luna carried him to the ground as her older sister forcibly held down the incapacitated Chrysalis. The massive army descended upon the battle, and changelings began fleeing immediately, though none were allowed to escape alive.

When they reached the ground, Luna released him and asked, “Knight Sky, are you alright?”

He staggered briefly and caught himself, “I’m okay, a bit lightheaded, but alive. Fluttershy is wounded.”

Luna nodded, “We brought medics among our reinforcements, they will most likely be attending her soon.”

He allowed himself a moment’s relief, “Good. And Princess...”

“Yes?”

He hesitated a moment before answering, “I’ve remembered my name,”

“That can wait until this battle is won. My sister desires to speak with you.”

Luna turned and brandished a spiked star mace with her magic and galloped into the battle, her silver armor glinting in the sunlight.

Knight Sky returned to Celestia’s side, and they both stood facing the unconscious changeling queen, now released from the solar princess’s grip.

“You are Knight Sky?” she asked tersely, without removing her gaze from the black figure on the ground.

“Yes I am.”

“It was foolish to attack her on your own. She is very powerful, and very cruel. That you managed to inflict any wounds on her at all is nothing short of a miracle. Had we arrived any later, your life would have been forfeit.”

“I thought I could buy time for the reinforcements to arrive by stalling her, and then when she hurt Fluttershy, she awoke a rage within me that I was hard pressed to control.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Do you love Fluttershy?”

He was shocked by her question, but answered honestly, “Yes. Yes I do.”

“Then we must see to it that you survive. It now appears that we both have a score to settle with this one.”

Celestia spread her wings aggressively as Chrysalis came to, moaning in pain.

“...you.” She groaned as she began dragging herself towards the two of them. Knight Sky noticed her sharp, dismembered horn on the ground beside him, and he stealthily took it with his wing.

“No further, changeling. You have committed unforgivable crimes and will answer for them.”

“I swear...I’ll kill you...” she said as she limped towards Celestia. Knight Sky noticed green light gathering behind the stump of her horn, as did Celestia.

“You must realize if you try that, you’ll die.” Celestia said.

“If I die...if I die, I’m taking you with me!”

“No, you’re not!” Knight Sky shouted.

Chrysalis barely had time to form a look of fear. No sooner had she heard that shout that she turned to see an enraged Knight Sky charging toward her in midair, wielding her own sharpened horn.

The horn connected with her throat just as the tempest of magic spilled forth.

---

It all happened too quickly for Celestia to stop it. In the storm of hostile magic, it wasn’t exactly clear what had happened, but in chaotic spells like that, chaotic things tend to happen.

Chrysalis lay dead, her head still attached to her body by little more than a few tendons, and her skull split wide open where the base of her horn once was.

Knight Sky was on the ground before her, his uniform was torn and stained with her blood, and his own. Worried for his survival, Celestia knelt down beside him.

“Knight Sky, can you hear me?” He did not respond. The black jagged horn was impaled through the foreleg that previously held it. Dark grey shreds of his uniform and white chunks of shattered bone clung to its tip. His body sparked and twitched from the torrent of hostile magic he was just subjected to, and the pool of crimson blood he lay in rapidly grew ever larger as his shallow breathing grew weaker.

Celestia picked him up with her magic and looked around. Not a single changeling remained alive. Her army had stood victorious for several minutes already, though they did not cheer. They all witnessed what had just happened. They watched a pegasus sacrifice himself to stop Chrysalis and save the life of their leader.

Instead of cheering, they merely stood at attention and saluted as Celestia strode past, carrying the heavily bleeding and unconscious soldier to the hospital.

---

CHAPTER EIGHT: LIFE

View Online

---

The world was a blurry wash of color. Sounds were muffled, sensations nonexistent. It was impossible to determine which way was up. Things slowly became clearer as he remembered the last thing he saw before blacking out...

Slitted eyes that were full of sudden realization and fear, time slowing down, and a sudden flash of blinding light. The pain from that light was so far beyond anything he’d ever experienced, he was positive it would have killed him had it not stopped abruptly. He never got the chance to see why it stopped, for as soon as it did, his world swirled into blackness.

The blackness began to fade as consciousness returned. Before long, he could once again pick out individual words with his hearing. He heard things like, “massive trauma”, “severe blood loss”, and “near lethal curse.”

Knight Sky awoke fully to the sounds of frantic voices and the clatter of small metallic tools. He was dimly aware of a dull ache in his foreleg.

He opened his eyes, and a sense of relief washed over him so strongly that he nearly fainted.

The face that he opened his eyes to, not inches from his own, was none other than Fluttershy’s. However, instead of relieved, she looked fearful.

“F-Fluttershy. You’re okay.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she forced a smile, “Yes. I’m fine.”

He grimaced as the dull ache in his foreleg sharpened to a horrid scraping stab of pain.

“Ow...what are they-” He was turning to look at his foreleg when Fluttershy grabbed his head with both hooves, forced him back around to look at her, and put up a wing to block his view.

“Don’t look. You’re really badly wounded, Knight Sky. They can’t numb you for this because of how much blood you lost, so this is really going to hurt a lot, but I’m here for you.”

Knight Sky’s gaze darted about the room and came to rest upon the dark grey and gold uniform that hung on a wall hook. There was a new medal pinned to it, and the garment was stained with green changeling blood and his own red blood. At that sight he suddenly remembered what exactly had happened.

I...I killed Chrysalis with her own horn, and it went through my leg...

Sensing his realization, Fluttershy said, “If you ever want to walk again, you have to be as still as possible.”

As he opened his mouth to ask her another question, he heard a voice behind where her wing blocked his view, “Now!”

There was a sudden tug in his leg, and he became aware of the excruciating pain. It felt like his leg was being ripped open and dragged through rock salt. He let out a shriek at the unexpected pain that almost gave the medics pause, but they had a job to do.

Fluttershy threw her own forelegs around his face as he screamed, burying his pained cries in soft pink mane.

She ran a hoof through his bloodstained gold mane.

“Shh, shhh. It’s okay, you’ll be okay.” she assured him tearfully.

“...agh...it hurts so much...they’re killing me...” he groaned into her mane as the pulling stopped for a moment.

He heard the doctor’s voice again, “Good, now cut the horn right here.”

Knight Sky heard the scraping of a hacksaw, and there was an odd vibration that resonated through his bones as they tried for several minutes to cut the horn.

“It’s no use doctor! There’s still magic in the horn and it’s resisting the cut!”

“Ah hay...hang in there buddy, looks like we’re gonna have to do this the hard way. Please keep him steady, Ms. Fluttershy.”

She lifted her head and locked eyes with him, her nose barely an inch from his own, “I’m really sorry for this, Knight Sky.”

She gave him the Stare, and once again, his body locked up. Millions of thoughts raced through his mind as the pain returned, and he was completely unable to even wince in response.

All he could do was tear up as his pained eyes were bored into by the Stare, but he then calmed his mind, realizing that she was offering it as a tool for him to steady himself. With some focus, it worked. For several minutes of painful tugging, he kept perfectly still, relying on the strength of Fluttershy’s Stare to keep himself stable.

“Almost got it! Nurse, be ready to stop the bleeding!”

The pain increased exponentially, breaking his focus for a split second, but that was all it took. He let out another scream, and Fluttershy grabbed his face again. This time, she didn’t give him the Stare. She pressed her lips to his, effectively silencing his screaming.

“Got it! Nurse, do it now! Well done, Ms. Flu-...um...Fluttershy... you can stop now.”

They ignored the doctor, and kissed for another long moment while the nurse went to work stopping the bleeding and sterilizing the wound.

When they stopped, almost all the pain had faded, and Knight Sky felt extremely tired.

“So all I have to do...to get a kiss like that...” he mumbled sleepily as his eyes began closing on their own, “...is sustain severe bodily injury? Worth it...” and he passed out.

---

Celestia walked into the room later that night to find Fluttershy beside Knight Sky’s bed. The two of them were asleep, the mare having laid her head down on the pillow beside his battered face. Barely perceptible snores escaped her lips.

Still clad in her armor after hours of seeing to the wounded, she gave the sleeping mare a gentle nudge with her magic, stirring her from her sleep. Shocked at her visitor, Fluttershy gave a quiet gasp and shied back a little.

Celestia levitated her helm off, set it aside, and gave Fluttershy the kindest, gentlest smile she could muster, which seemed to calm the pegasus. “How is he?” she finally asked.

Fluttershy looked over to the sleeping Knight Sky and back to her Princess. “The doctors say he was moments from bleeding to death. They couldn’t give him anesthetics to get the horn out of his leg because of how much blood he lost, and they couldn’t cut it, so they had to just pull it out. It was very painful for him.”

The alicorn looked down sympathetically at the stallion who’d just come within an inch of his life in an effort to save countless others, including her.

Luna couldn’t have been more correct when she said he’s pure of heart...

“Would that I could use a spell to heal him completely right now...but his body absorbed so much magic energy from Chrysalis’ final attack that it would probably kill him. His full recovery, while a certainty now, is going to be long and arduous. Will you stay-”

“Of course I’ll be here for him. I’ll be at his side for every second of his recovery. He saved my life, and everypony else’s,” the shy pegasus interrupted her Princess in another rare moment of assertiveness.

Celestia smiled. “I am glad to hear that. He’s going to need you.”

The speaking in the room must have disturbed him, because Knight Sky began to stir.

“Ugh...what’s...why do I feel so weak? It’s so cold in here...” he began shivering.

Fluttershy stepped aside to allow the princess to speak, “It’s good to see you awake, Knight Sky.”

“You...you’re Celestia,” as the realization washed over him, he suddenly looked very worried and asked in rapid succession, “How many wounded? Did we lose any-” his questions were interrupted by a fit of coughing that took hold for several seconds, and left him completely winded.

“Shh, be still. Ease your breathing,” Celestia hushed him in a calming voice. “There were no deaths, thanks to your strategy and Chrysalis’ utter lack of one. The other wounded only sustained relatively minor injuries. The changelings were loath to waste food, so they did not fight for the kill. They did not count on the entire town coming out to resist them, nor did they expect an army to come in at a critical moment. Yours is the only very serious injury.”

Knight Sky immediately relaxed, “I see. That’s good to hear. When can I assist with recovery operations?”

Fluttershy looked to Celestia to deliver the news. She nodded and walked over to his bedside, giving him the kindest look she could manage despite the severity of his battle wounds.

“Knight Sky, you were nearly killed. You lost a lot of blood, not to mention you had a jagged changeling horn impaled through your leg, the bones of which are completely shattered. You shouldn’t be worrying about the town’s recovery so much as your own.”

“I’m sure if I just get a few hours of sleep-” he was interrupted by the Princess.

“No. I can’t allow that. You don’t seem to grasp just how close you came to death. For now, consider it a Royal Edict. I forbid you from assisting with recovery operations,” she said sternly. Knight Sky did not respond, only looked disappointed and continued shivering.

Celestia looked over to the corner of the room, where spare bedding supplies were stacked. She levitated the extra blanket over the bed, unfolded it in midair, and laid it over Knight Sky with her magic.

“Fluttershy, with the amount of blood he’s lost, it’s essential that you keep him as warm as possible until he makes a full recovery. Knight Sky, I understand that as a soldier, your primary focus is often the next mission. And in a town full of wounded, you feel useless just sitting around. Do I have the right of it?”

He saw no reason to say otherwise, the alicorn had read him like a book, “...yes.”

“Then as of this moment, consider it your mission is to attain a full recovery from the wounds you suffered in battle.”

Knight Sky snorted his frustration, but nonetheless accepted that it would be best for him to just focus on healing for the time being. He realized that in his weakened state, he would most likely only get in the way.

“I understand. I guess being unable to walk on my own would limit my usefulness,” he conceded.

Celestia smiled and continued, “I still have my doubts about your intelligence given that you directly attacked a being as powerful as Chrysalis,” she snickered and took on a more serious demeanor, “but there is not a pony in this world or any other who can doubt your valor. Captain?” she called out the door.

After a moment, a large, white unicorn stallion with a bandaged forehead and slight limp strode in, “You must be Knight Sky, well met. I am Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard for Her Majesty.”

A captain...he outranks me.

Knight Sky brought a shaky hoof up in salute.

“Lieutenant Commander Knight Sky of the starship Deus ex Machina, United Terran Fleet,” he grunted.

The unicorn returned the salute, but said, “At ease, there’s no need for you to salute me in your condition,” he levitated up a parchment and began reading.

“For voluntarily coming to the defense of Ponyville against a powerful enemy, devising a brilliant defense strategy that resulted in the utter ruin of the attacking forces and not a single life lost on our side, and for showing valor and bravery beyond comparison in almost singlehoofedly fighting off none other than the Queen of the Changelings herself, the pegasus known as Knight Sky is hereby awarded Equestria’s highest military honor; the Medal of Sun and Moon.”

He gestured towards the new medal pinned to the bloodstained uniform, “I have taken the liberty of pinning it to your uniform myself. I assumed those other medals are also service distinctions from...whatever military you came from.”

“You assumed correctly, and had Princess Celestia not come to my aid against Chrysalis, I’d be dead. I can’t claim to have fought her off even with help.”

Celestia retorted swiftly, “Had you not distracted her and attacked her when you did, she would have surprised me with that final blast of magic and quite possibly overwhelmed me. You did more than you know.”

Knight Sky sighed and accepted it, “Thank you for that honor. I see you’re wounded as well, are you alright?”

“Just a scratch, I should regain full use of my horn in a few weeks, and I only pulled a tendon in my leg. It happened when I came to my sister’s aid.”

“Who’s your sister?”

“I believe you’re well acquainted with her, her name is Twilight Sparkle. While I see the strategic sense in putting her on the front lines, I must say I had my own personal bias against it.”

Knight Sky’s eyes widened in shock, “M-my apologies...I was only-”

“No need to apologize, your strategy worked perfectly, and all six of the Element Bearers are unharmed. They are extremely formidable fighters in their own right, and you used their strengths to the best possible advantage. That brings me to my next order of business.” He folded up the previous parchment, and brought out a second one.

“In recognition of your obvious talents, you are offered the chance to take up a position in the Royal Guard as a master strategist and teacher of strategy. Our military suffers from a sad lack of talent in that area, and one Sergeant Steel Gear had the idea of establishing a small academy here in Ponyville for Royal Guard officers to learn from you.” He closed the parchment, “I’ve read the official report on you. Since there is no way for you to return to your previous society, and apparently no reason to even consider it, a paying job here will give you a chance at a normal life. It will give you stability, something you sorely need, and rightfully deserve.”

Before he could answer, a doctor and nurse barged in pulling a tray of medical supplies, “What he needs right now is a blood transfusion, much more so than a paying job. Please pardon me, Your Majesty, but I need room to work.”

“Of course, Doctor. Knight Sky, you don’t have to decide right now. I will remain here for several days to oversee the recovery effort, along with Captain Shining Armor and a large detachment of the Equestrian Army,” Celestia responded.

Shining Armor continued, “Rest for now. You’ve more than earned it. I look forward to working with you if that is your choice.” The captain saluted, which Knight Sky returned, and the two visitors left.

The doctor looked to Fluttershy, “Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you-” he stopped when Knight Sky tapped him with a hoof.

“I wouldn’t ask her to leave if I were you,” he said.

The physician looked back to Fluttershy, who was now fiercely glaring at him, barely a step below the Stare.

“R-right...I guess she can stay.” he said nervously, and set to work preparing Knight Sky to receive blood.

---

A voice came to him from the darkness, “I didn’t think you’d survive that.”

All he could see was an infinite black void.

He’d never heard a voice quite like this one. What’s happened to you? I remembered you, but you were...different.

The blackness that stretched ad infinitum was broken by a point of red light.

“Something wonderful happened to me. I won’t tell you now, but you’ll find out soon enough.”

Slowly, the red point of light grew. It began to diverge into two separate points.

What do you mean? How soon?

The two red points swelled in size and brightness, it gradually became clear what they were.

“Your body is useless to me until it heals.”

The red eyes expanded and swallowed everything he could see.

Knight Sky awoke gasping for air in a cold sweat. He opened his eyes to the dark and silent hospital room. He looked around frantically, but the room was empty.

“...help.” he called out, or tried to. His throat was dry and constricted. He couldn’t do much more than whisper.

“Please...I need help.”

“Do not be afraid.” A warm voice reached him.

It seemed to be coming from the open window, through which a gentle breeze flowed. He craned his neck to get a better look outside.

“Do not be afraid.” The warm voice repeated. He knew that voice, but saw no one on the street below. Only the sleeping town and the dark and starry skies.

“Do not be afraid.” The voice seemed to be coming from above. He directed his gaze skyward, and saw only...the Moon.

---

Knight Sky opened his eyes to the blazing light of dawn, still shivering underneath the blanket. As his vision cleared, he became aware of soft pink hair draped over his face.

He then realized that one side of his body was far warmer than the other. He looked to that side to find Fluttershy softly snoring beside him, huddled close. She was sharing her body heat to try and keep him warm, and her wing was once again spread over his blood-drained body.

It was reminiscent of the morning he was taken prisoner, only this time, he did not stealthily remove himself from her embrace. Instead he took comfort in it and settled into the warmth of the mare at his side. He found it hard to believe that morning was a mere two days ago.

She opened her eyes just the slightest amount, and as the hint of a smile formed on her face, her wing tightened around him.

“You’re not going anywhere this time,” she whispered.

He smiled back, but was taken by a fresh tremor of shivering.

She frowned, “You need another blanket...and probably more blood.”

To his dismay, she pulled back her wing and got out of the bed. He suddenly felt much colder.

“I’ll be right back with the doctor.”

Knight Sky continued shivering, and brought the foreleg that had been impaled to his face. It was bandaged up and kept rigid by a splint. He did not care to imagine what it looked like beneath the bandages.

“It’s best if you try not to think about what’s under there. I’ve treated some nasty battle wounds, but yours takes the cake as far as messiness is concerned,” a red unicorn stallion, in what looked like a dressed-down version of the Royal Guard uniforms, said on his way in, followed by Fluttershy.

“Morning. Name’s Dr. Blood Dancer. I’m the chief field medic for the Equestrian Army detachment that’s staying here for the recovery operations. I must apologize for how I was forced to remove that horn from your leg. It was that or lose it,” he said bluntly.

Fluttershy walked over to the bedside with another blanket and draped it over him. His shivering went down a bit, and she left the room again.

“Thank you.” Knight Sky finally said.

“Come again?” the medic asked.

“You saved my life, thank you.”

“It’s my job, please don’t thank me. And you saved mine, along with countless others when you went up against Chrysalis. I saw that, ya know. Princess was right, damned stupid thing to do, but gods, that was brave. Incredibly brave. You earned that medal.” He gestured to the Medal of Sun and Moon pinned to his damaged uniform.

Rather unexpectedly, Knight Sky snickered in amusement, “Maybe I’m a little lightheaded from the blood-loss, but what kind of a name is Blood Dancer?”

The medic sighed and shook his head, “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked that question...” he paused briefly to glare at the slightly delirious Knight Sky before continuing, “It’s more of a nickname I earned on the battlefield, and it’s a long story. My real name is a bit of a mouthful and frankly, there are more important things at hoof right now.”

He glanced down at the chart and continued, “Fluttershy tells me you were shivering for most of the night, which only means you need more blood. Unfortunately, you have a rare blood type, and we’re having a hard time locating donors.”

“Are there no willing donors?” he asked.

Blood Dancer wasted no time in explaining, “Oh there are plenty of willing donors. Everypony who escaped the battle unwounded lined up in force at the station we set up to accept donations. They’re all eager to help, and when word got out that the stallion who led the defense and stood up to Chrysalis nearly bled to death, we were literally overwhelmed with donors.”

He walked over and placed Knight Sky’s chart on a table before continuing.

“Fluttershy was the first to volunteer, but as I said, your blood type is very rare and hers is not a match. We’ve only located one pony so far who is. For now we’re taking the most we can without risking her health.”

Fluttershy returned with yet another blanket, and added that one to the pile on top of him. He finally felt only a little bit cold. She then climbed up onto the bed and laid down beside him. The addition of her body heat chased away the last vestiges of cold, and for the first time in nearly a day, he actually felt warm.

“She’s doing exactly the right thing in trying to keep you warm. Just make sure you control any urges, you don’t have enough blood yet to avoid passing out in such scenarios.”

The yellow pegasus blushed red, as did Knight Sky when he realized what the physician was referring to, bringing on a strange lightheadedness.

Blood Dancer was barely able to contain his laughter. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about, stop being embarrassed, you don’t have enough blood to sustain a blush!”

Fluttershy was about to scold the medic for his insensitivity when Knight Sky began laughing too.

Soon, they were all enjoying a hearty laugh. It was a refreshing change of pace.

When the laughter died down, Blood Dancer wiped his eyes and said, “Ha. I’m hilarious. I’ll keep you posted on the blood situation, but just rest and keep warm for now. I’ll let a nurse know that you two could use some breakfast.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Fluttershy replied as the medic left the room.

She looked back to Knight Sky and brushed some strands of golden mane out of his eye.

“You don’t have to do this, you must have better things to do than sit around here all day.” Knight Sky said at length.

“I already promised the Princess that I’d be here for every second of your recovery. You just stood up to the Queen of the Changelings herself to protect everypony else, it’s time to let yourself be helped. Celestia said you’re going to need me, so I’m not leaving.” She smiled as she huddled closer to him, and spread her wing back over his battered pegasus body.

He laid his head back down and breathed deep, content to just revel in the secure comfort of her embrace for the time being.

“Since it can’t be you, do you have any idea who my donor is?” he asked.

“I do know who it is, you’re not supposed to know, but I have a feeling she doesn’t care about those rules.”

Knight Sky thought for half a second and asked, “Is it Rainbow Dash?”

“Good guess.” The cool, confident voice came from the doorway as she walked into the room and seated herself beside the bed.

“Looks like you didn’t need my advice after all, huh, Flutters? Got him in bed already.” she taunted playfully.

Failing to hide her own smile, Fluttershy said, “Rainbow Dash, we’re not supposed to make him blush, he doesn’t have enough blood yet.”

At that, Knight Sky’s gaze went down to Rainbow Dash’s foreleg. There was a small white bandage wrapped around it, coincidentally in the same place that he had been impaled on his own leg.

Rainbow Dash noticed where he was looking, “Yep, that’s my blood running through your veins right now.” she said proudly.

“You’d have more than what I already gave ya, but they won’t let me donate any more for now. Something about the danger of excessive blood loss. Eggheads...” she waved a hoof dismissively.

“Thank you, thank you so much for this,” he said, taking her off guard with the sincerity of his tone.

“H-hey, what are friends for anyway?”

“No. Don’t make light of this. If it weren’t for you, I’d be long dead.”

Her concern shined through. "Wait, what do you mean by that?”

“I guess they didn’t tell you. You’re the only one they’ve found with the same blood type as me. You’re the one keeping me alive right now. I owe my life to you.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Knight Sky. I finally got a chance to save you.”

Knight Sky took a moment to think about what she was referring to, and then recalled.

“I already forgave you for that. There was nothing you could have done to help me without putting yourself in grave danger.”

“Yeah you did, but I couldn’t really forgive myself. Now, I can,” she said, looking very relieved.

Before the conversation could continue, a nurse came in wheeling a cart with trays of food.

“Ms. Dash, shouldn’t you be in your room? We took a lot of blood from you, and you shouldn’t be walking around,” the nurse asked.

“I’ll be fine,” she said with another dismissive wave of her hoof. “Besides, my friend in here is just barely alive. You really think I’m gonna just sit around and not check on him?”

The nurse gave an exasperated sigh, “Why am I arguing about friends with the Element of Loyalty? Well, since you’re here, I may as well just leave all three of your meals. Your room was my next stop anyway. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got patients waiting.”

As the nurse left, the three shared a laugh and dug into their food.

---

Celestia stood upon a cloud a few hundred meters above Ponyville. She wanted to get a good view of the overall damage of the town, and this seemed like the optimal place to do it.

Looking down below, she could see soldiers milling about, escorting the injured to the hospital and medical tents, assisting the uninjured in the rebuilding of the damaged structures, and collecting the multitude of changeling corpses for burial.

“The recovery effort goes well, sister.” Luna had flown up and joined her on the cloud.

“It does...” she said, without much enthusiasm.

“What ails you, sister?” Luna asked, concern evident in her voice. “I had thought to find you overjoyed that there were no deaths and damage only to buildings. Ponyville should be fully restored within the week. It will be cause for celebration.”

After a moment of thought, Celestia looked to the horizon and answered, “We came too close to the brink of disaster, Luna. While what Knight Sky did in helping our defense and learning of the attack ahead of time was valiant, it made me realize something. What if he hadn’t been there to help us? What if he never came to us in the first place?”

“But he was, and he did. That is all that matters.”

“My point is, Luna, it fell upon him to come to the defense of our subjects. That should not happen. Chrysalis is no longer a threat to Equestria, but I believe we have become too complacent.”

“Is that not why you authorized the establishment of a military academy here in Ponyville? In time, sister, that academy will greatly add to the strength of the Equestrian Army. Perhaps not in numbers, but you saw what Knight Sky was able to do with just nine Royal Guard and half a town’s worth of completely untrained ponies.”

Celestia made to argue the point further, but relented. Her sister had the right of it. She heaved a heavy sigh, and said, “You’re right...I suppose that leaves us in his debt.”

“Indeed it does, more so than can be settled with a medal and a job.”

“What would you suggest, Luna?”

It was Luna’s turn to be nervous, “I...have been withholding information from you regarding Knight Sky. His battle is far from over.”

The Moon Princess then informed her sister of what she’d found within Knight Sky’s mind. The slumbering beast that, against all her hopes, was getting stronger.

“Is that why you asked me not to use a healing spell?”

“Yes, and my fears were confirmed by one of his dreams. While I detest saying this, his severe injuries have bought us a significant amount of time. It would be best if his recovery were prolonged. If, say, an overly ambitious doctor were to attempt a healing spell on him, I suspect his mind would be lost the moment he reached a full recovery. It has evolved, and will simply take his mind when it wishes.”

“After all he’s done for us, it would be a crime for us to allow that to happen,” Celestia thought aloud.

“Indeed it would, sister. Indeed it would...” Luna looked out to the mountains where Canterlot awaited their return, until her older sister spoke up.

“I will post guards outside Knight Sky’s hospital room. None will enter or leave without my permission.”

After a moment's consideration, Luna replied, “Just know that I intend to see that he wins this battle. It is the very least we can do for him. Ponyville would lay in ruin were he not here to assist.”

Unbidden, images came to mind of her prized student in the captivity of the changelings...or worse. Celestia shuddered at these thoughts.

“Are you alright, sister?” Luna asked.

“Yes...but I think I’d like to check up on Twilight Sparkle. Can you handle oversight of the recovery for a while?”

Luna saw the heavy weight on her sister’s mind, and knew precisely what bothered her without even asking. She gave a warm smile and simply said, “Of course. Please tell Twilight I send my greetings.”

The white alicorn nuzzled her sister gratefully, and with a beat of her mighty wings, she flew to the town below.

---

CHAPTER NINE: REVELATION

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---

The Solar Princess found her student in the midst of the town, talking to a contingent of soldiers and writing things down on a notepad. She landed behind Twilight, so that only the soldiers saw her at first. They briefly looked shocked, and then dropped into a bow.

“Huh? What’s going on?” the unicorn asked before turning around.

“Greetings Twilight, I see you’re doing what you can to help. Please rise, soldiers.”

The soldiers stood to attention as Twilight wheeled around and brightened at the sight of her mentor.

“Oh, Princess! Yes, I’ve been taking detailed notes on all of the buildings that were impacted and the extent of the damages. I hope that’s enough.”

“Certainly; however, I’d like to speak with you in private. Would you come with me to the library? Soldiers, you may resume your duties.”

They saluted, and walked off in different directions. Twilight began following her to the library.

When they arrived and shut the door, Twilight asked, “What’s wrong, Princess?”

Her previously confident and authoritative expression melted into one of intense relief.

“Um...are you alright, Princess?”

She sat herself down on a nearby cushion, “In a way, I am...but please, come sit with me.”

Twilight walked over and joined Celestia on an adjacent cushion.

She gathered her nerve and began. “My sister and I may have acted decisively in stopping this attack, but I can’t tell you how worried I was for your safety.” The alicorn paused before she finished her thought, “I’ve taught you and cared about you for so many years. I’ve watched you grow from an eager foal into a brilliant young mare. I know you have your own loving family, and it may seem selfish of me, but I almost feel like I can consider you my own.”

At length, Twilight replied, “I don’t think it’s selfish, Princess.”

Celestia sat silently in thought for a moment before continuing.

“It’s...fortunate that Knight Sky was able to hold off Chrysalis long enough for me to arrive. Had he fallen in battle before then, it’s likely she would have joined the fight within Ponyville and taken you and your friends hostage. I don’t like to think about what might have happened to you had that come to pass...” Celestia closed her eyes, and a single tear came forth.

She felt a hoof on her shoulder, and looked down into Twilight’s sad face. Celestia could hold back no longer, she took her student into a relieved hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, Twilight,” she said tearfully.

After a moment, Celestia collected herself. She released her student and looked kindly at her.

“I wouldn’t have let her take me without a fight, Princess,” Twilight began with a smile. “Knight Sky gave us all some excellent advice just before the battle. It’s thanks to him that we didn’t have to fight Chrysalis.”

“Yes, yes it is. As such, Luna has just filled me in, and I’m sure you as well know of the battle he has yet to fight within himself. What I’m about to ask you may be difficult to accept, but it is necessary. As indebted as we are to him, my sister and I have agreed to do all in our power to help him. You and the other five Element bearers must be present when the time comes. In the event we are unsuccessful, I’ll need you six ready with the Elements. I have no intention of failing, but it is better to be cautious.”

“Princess, please don’t let it come to that,” Twilight began. “He’s only been here for a short time, but he’s a good friend, and I think we’d all be devastated if we lost him, Fluttershy especially.”

“Yes, he did tell me that he loves her. We must save him for her, too.”

After a brief pause, Twilight asked, “When will it be time?”

“Very soon, Twilight. Before the time comes, I will gather the Element Bearers and you will be told what must be done. Until that time, however, Knight Sky must not be made aware of any of this. You may visit him if you wish, but any information on what we plan to do could help the beast to prepare itself.”

---

The two Admirals Emrys stood side by side on the bridge of the Deus ex Machina. The word had been sent out to all surviving ships of both the Faction and United Fleet. They were to rendezvous in orbit around the dead Earth, and prepare to depart as one for humanity’s new home.

After the Deus ex Machina, the first ship to arrive was, to Richard’s shock, another Dragon-class, but it bore the Faction insignia, and had part of its aft stabilizers ripped off and replaced.

“Silas, would you care to explain that?” he asked.

“Several weeks ago we captured that one in a skirmish near Proxima Centauri. She was badly damaged, but salvageable, so we repurposed her.”

Richard turned to face his younger brother, “What did you do to that ship?”

“Most of the weapons were inoperable, but her life support systems were in perfect working order and a ship that size is hard to come by. We disarmed her completely and made up the weight by refitting her with living quarters. She’s a colonization ship now. We even renamed her,” he explained.

Shocked that the Faction would refit a Dragon-class warship to be a colonization vessel, a very non-tactical decision given the advanced weaponry typically carried by that class, Richard asked, “What’s her new name?”

“We’ve called her the Toothless.”

At that, a few other ships flashed into view, followed by several more. Within minutes, hundreds of ships orbited the burned world. Most of them were Faction vessels, though there were a few United Fleet ships, most of those were heavily damaged.

It made Richard uneasy to see so many of what he very recently considered enemy ships. That did not escape his brother’s notice.

“You still don’t trust me, Richard.”

“You’ll have to forgive my mistrust, Silas. We’ve been at each other’s throats since we were young men. When you get this old, it’s hard to change your opinions of someone, especially if you’ve spent your entire adult life fighting them. The past is a very persistent thing.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the com officer, “Pardon me, Admirals, but I’ve received the ready signal from the fleet. Every ship is ready to depart on your command.”

They looked to the massive fleet assembled, the multitude of humans ready to start again, eager to begin anew, and then looked to one another.

Silas spoke first, “To the future then?” he smiled and offered a hand.

Richard looked back to his brother. There was no deceit in those eyes, only sincerity. He smiled, and grasped Silas’ hand.

“To the future.”

“Would you care to do the honors, Richard?”

The old Admiral nodded, and looked to the com officer, who opened a fleet-wide channel, and gave him a thumbs up to indicate that his very next words would be heard by every single ship.

In a clear voice, he declared, “All vessels, this is Admiral Richard Emrys. Let’s go home.”

---

“You have friends now.”

The voice came to him from the darkest recesses of his mind.

He responded to it, Yes, I do.

“They cannot save you.”

He felt the hint of anger. They will not have to. I will not let you win.

Out of the depths, he felt what almost seemed like condescension, “You are a fool. I have already won.”

---

Knight Sky awoke to find that though his dream felt like mere minutes, he’d slept the entire night through. However, he couldn’t shake the haunting feeling that there was something more to his dreams than one might think. Every time he awoke, he felt as though he’d just come from a dangerous place. It was as though he’d been speaking with something...or someone. Someone who was very dangerous.

A knock on the door brought him out of his musings, and in walked Twilight Sparkle and Applejack. Neither of them were injured, but both looked rather fatigued. Nevertheless, he was happy to see them, and felt a weak, but wide grin spread across his features.

My friends are here. They care about me... he thought to himself, and to whatever else could listen.

Twilight chuckled, “You look awfully glad to see us. Has Fluttershy been that bad company?”

“I guess I’m just happy to finally have friends,” he explained, eliciting sincere smiles from the tired mares. “How has the town’s recovery been progressing?”

“Long hours, hard work. Nothin’ I ain’t used to, but there’s a lot left ta do ‘round town. All them dead changelin’s gotta be buried, buildin’s gotta be fixed up, and ta make it worse, we keep findin’ ponies hidin’ their injuries. They overwork themselves and have ta be carried back ta the medics. Not ta mention, that there barricade ya’ll had us put up fer the fight’s been a pain in the flank ta get rid of.” Applejack explained.

“Well, that was the idea. It stopped a lot of changelings, didn’t it?” he asked.

“Didn’t mean it like that, sugarcube,” she answered with a kind smile.

“And how about your recovery? How are you feeling, Knight Sky?” Twilight inquired.

He sighed in response, “I still need help keeping warm, but it’s not as bad as it was. I feel really weak, and my foreleg took a beating. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk for a while. Fluttershy has been a great help, though.” He gestured to the still dozing mare, whose wing remained spread over his body. “She’s helping me stay warm, keeping me calm, and hasn’t left my side since they brought me here. I don’t think I’d be able to do this without her.”

He looked over to her as best he could in his weakened state. Apparently, something in his expression spoke volumes, and his two visitors chuckled lightly.

“What is it?” he asked.

Twilight replied, “Oh nothing, just the way you looked at her...” She grinned, “I’m really glad you two found each other. I just never would’ve expected our gentle Fluttershy to end up with a battle-hardened soldier.”

“Her gentle nature...I think it’s exactly what I need to really heal, but she’s stronger than she seems. She stood up to Chrysalis before I did. She just didn’t get hurt because I shoved her out of the way and challenged the queen myself. I wasn’t originally sure about it, I thought it could possibly buy us some time for the reinforcements to arrive, but...I was afraid. Then, when I saw Fluttershy holding Chrysalis in the Stare, it wasn’t just fear of her getting hurt that made me do it. I found the courage I needed when I looked to Fluttershy and saw someone who would do anything to protect her friends,” he explained.

Applejack looked amused, “She ever tell ya ‘bout the time she hollered a full-grown dragon into submission? That mare may be a mite shy ‘round other ponies, but she’s got fire in her. If’n ya’ll ever wake that fire ya best just start runnin’.”

A brief silence followed before Knight Sky remembered his dream. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to keep you here, but there’s something I need to talk about, and who better to ask than those who care about me?”

“Don’t worry about keeping us, Knight Sky. You’re our friend, and we want to make sure you’re okay just as much as we want to help restore the town. Now, what’s bothering you?” Twilight said, as she and Applejack took a seat beside the bed.

He sighed heavily, and began, “I’ve been having these...dreams. In them, there’s usually nothing to see, but I feel like I’m talking to something in them. And it answers me. I have full conversations with it, and every time it seems more sure of itself, more certain that before it, I am powerless. It’s definitely malevolent, and I think it’s the rewrite program...the beast, that’s hiding in my mind. I think it somehow evolved. Maybe it was the amnesia, maybe it was me changing species, I don’t know...but something happened to it, and I’m having a hard time remembering certain things now. Rather, I’m having a hard time remembering certain things in a certain way.”

Twilight curiously cocked her head, though her worry was evident, “What kind of things?”

He gazed at Twilight with a pained look in his eye, “Adra...I really have to dig now to find a good memory of her, and it hurts. It hurts that I’m losing my hold on the one bright spot I had in my life before coming here.”

“Maybe y’all oughta talk ta Princess Luna ‘bout this. I’d love ta help, but I reckon this is a mite far from anythin’ I can do.”

“Luna already watches over me every night. She’s been monitoring my dreams every time I sleep. She knows everything that’s going on, and I think there are things that I’m not being told,” he answered with just a hint of frustration.

Twilight was conflicted. She couldn’t tell him anything, Celestia had warned her that anything he knows, the beast knows, but she couldn’t just leave him feeling like this.

She silently contemplated, He already knows something’s up, which means that the beast knows too. I guess it can’t hurt to confirm that...

“Knight Sky,” she began gently, “yes. It’s true, you’re not being told everything. But please, just trust me on this, there’s a very good reason for it.”

The hurt in his eyes was still evident, so she continued, “I’m your friend, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you get out of this okay. Everypony is cheering you on: the entire town, the Army, the Princesses, all of your friends. We’re not going to let you get taken away from us, and we’re not going to let you get hurt again. We care about you, and we all feel like we owe you our lives for how you helped protect us. So please, don’t be afraid. Trust us to save you.”

Through her entire brief speech, Knight Sky was holding back tears, but as she finished, he could hold back no longer. Everything that had happened, his entire life up to that point; all the horror, the heartbreak, the fear; everything came back in a rush of bad memories. The path ahead was forked; in one direction lay his end, and immeasurable pain for all those who had come to care about him. In the other direction lay a new beginning, and perhaps even happiness. Before such a massive crossroads, one at which he wasn’t sure he had the power of choice, he broke down completely.

Seeing the friend they’d come to know and love so upset, it was all the two mares could do to hold their own tears and be strong for him, at least until the sound of his pained tears awoke the yellow pegasus beside him.

There was nothing she could say, so she simply grasped his uninjured hoof with her own to let him know she was there.

Through his tears, he finally managed, “You’re all such amazing friends. All of you, every pony that I’ve met here. I would never, ever want to hurt any of you. I’ve risked my life once to protect you, and I’m willing to do it again.”

“Whaddya mean by that, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“I mean,” he cleared his throat and steadied himself. When he opened his eyes again, they were full of resolve, “I want you to promise me something.”

“Go ahead, what is it?” Fluttershy said.

“No matter what happens, don’t blame yourselves for the outcome,” he started.

“Knight Sky, what are you saying...?” Twilight said hesitantly.

“I know you’re going to do all you can, you’re going to do your best to save me, and I have faith that you’re going to try your hardest. But if your best isn’t good enough, if this thing takes my mind, I want you to promise me that you’ll-”

“We’re not going to kill you, Knight Sky!” Fluttershy yelled.

“I’ll already be dead!” he growled, as angry tears came back. “Promise me that if you can’t save me, you won’t let me hurt a single one of you! If I die, I want to know that I didn’t leave that kind of legacy.” His voice quieted down, and he spoke shakily, “My life is already on the line here...don’t let me risk any of yours.”

“But...” Twilight wanted to object, but she couldn’t find the words.

“Promise me,” he repeated.

The three mares looked to one another as if looking for an answer, until Fluttershy set the example.

“...I promise.”

Twilight and Applejack looked to her, and she gave them a nod. They realized just how rare it was for Fluttershy to take charge of anything, so there was no other choice.

“I promise, Knight Sky.” Twilight added.

Applejack finished, “An’ I promise too.”

After a brief pause, he closed his eyes in relief, “Thank you, my friends.”

“Would you like us to talk about this with Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie? You’re only allowed so many visitors at once, so they were going to come a bit later.” Twilight offered.

“Please, please do, if you don’t mind.”

---

“He wants us to do what?!” Rainbow Dash shouted,

The five of them had gathered in the main lobby of Twilight’s library. Fluttershy remained in Knight Sky’s hospital room.

“Please don’t make me say it a second time, Rainbow...even thinking about something like that hurts.” Twilight answered.

Applejack added, “I know this ain’t a pleasant thing ta talk about, but we all gotta agree on this before we do anything.”

“Have you spoken to Her Majesty about this?” Rarity inquired.

“Not yet, I want us all to be unanimous one way or another first. Knight Sky made us promise that we’d do it, and as much as I disagree with it, as much as I hate the thought of taking a life, it was his personal request, and I think we owe it to him to let him be sure that he won’t hurt anypony, no matter the outcome.” Twilight explained, not just to Rarity, but to the rest of them as well.

None of them replied, so she continued, “I think the reason he’s asking us to do it specifically is because we’re his friends and I don’t think he trusts anypony else to carry out this request, and I don’t think he wants it to be done by anypony else.” She paused for a moment as a thought occurred, “But keep in mind, there’s a fair chance we won’t even have to do it. We just have to make sure that we don’t let him lose, and we won’t have to do anything of the sort. Applejack, Fluttershy, and I are already agreed. Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow, do you agree...agree to do whatever it takes to make sure we don’t have to carry out his final request?”

Applejack looked shocked, but realized what her friend was saying, and nodded to the three mares who’d yet to agree.

“I would do anything for a friend, you can count me in, Twilight.” Rarity offered, stepping forward.

Pinkie Pie stepped forward next, “And me too!”

They all looked to the blue pegasus, whose anguish was plain.

Rainbow Dash’s inner conflict was strong. She was the Element of Loyalty, and killing a friend is the last thing she’d ever consider doing. She’d sooner have her wings clipped and go flightless for life. Then again, what if losing the battle would mean unending torture for Knight Sky? Is it better to simply end that kind of suffering? She went back and forth in her head until she reached the only natural conclusion for an individual such as her.

“I won’t agree to this, because we’re not gonna have to do it. I don’t care what anypony says, I’m not letting a friend die. Knight Sky’s gonna win this. He’s gonna win it because I’m gonna fight beside him, and I never lose.”

Rainbow Dash stepped forward.

They all knew her well enough to know that she’d agreed in her own way, a way that even the Element of Loyalty could accept.

---

Celestia walked through the streets of Ponyville, observing the town awaken around her. It was just stirring for the day, as she had very recently finished raising the Sun. In the dim light of early dawn, she could see that most of the damage to buildings had been repaired, and nearly all of the changeling corpses had been found and disposed of. There was still work to be done, but a special request had been made to the weather team, and very little would be attempted over the next two days.

The clouds were already being collected, and the sky was rapidly becoming overcast. Despite it being off-schedule for such an event, it was determined that a heavy thunderstorm would be needed to wash away the excess dust, debris, and entrails from the battle. The storm was not scheduled to commence until shortly before midnight; however, once it began it was intended to last at least a full twenty-four hours. That left some time for the Equestrian Army engineering specialists to get a good look around and truly assess the remaining extent of the damage.

The Solar Princess would not be joining them, though. She had planned a meeting between herself, her sister, and Captain Shining Armor to discuss the fate of a certain dark grey pegasus.

When all were gathered in the local Royal Guard office, Shining Armor shut the door behind them.

Luna was the first to speak, “I still find it unbelievable that this is even a discussion.”

“Unbelievable or not, Your Majesty, Knight Sky could represent a significant threat, should this be unsuccessful. We have to consider that this may be an unwinnable battle,” Shining Armor replied.

“What would you have me do, Captain? End his life now and call it a mercy? Have the Element Bearers encase him in stone? I am certain they would approve of such a decision,” Luna replied in an acidic tone. It was rare for her to truly lose her temper, but the idea put forth was just enough to push her past the limits of her patience.

“Sister, be still,” Celestia quieted her with a stern tone. “I do not relish this line of thought either, but the facts remain. As Shining Armor pointed out to me yesterday, though Knight Sky in his right mind is a brilliant and trustworthy individual with much to offer and a proven character, the possibility still exists that all that could be lost. As unpleasant as it is to consider, he is in the end second to our subjects.”

Luna stomped a hoof, “And why should he not be considered one of them?!”

Her outburst shocked them, but grabbed their attention. She did not give them a chance to reply, though, and continued. “Have you two forgotten that this stallion, this newcomer to our society, fought and nearly died for us?! Sister, I am ashamed of you. He directly saved your life, nearly sacrificing himself in the process. At least attempt to see this from his point of view. He found himself in a strange place with no memories and no friends, and until everypony saw him confront Chrysalis directly, nearly half of this town distrusted him completely and yet he still risked life and limb to protect them!”

Shining Armor replied hesitantly, “With all due respect, Your Majesty, I-”

“You what, Captain?! What is it that you’d like to say? You yourself awarded him the Medal of Sun and Moon. Do you remember what you said as he lay bleeding, before a blood donor had been found? When all of the doctors and medics believed he was about to die, do you remember what you said of him?” Luna shot back.

“I...I don’t believe I do, Your Majesty.” he answered nervously.

Luna glared venomously at him and reiterated, “As you pinned that medal to his bloodied and tattered uniform, as his breathing grew ever fainter, you looked at him and you said, ‘Would that I could be so brave as you, soldier.’ And now, you bring forth the idea to simply end his life because there is a chance he may lose his battle and put the safety of others at risk?! You were right, Captain. You are not as brave as him, not nearly.”

Celestia stopped her, “Luna!” She waited a moment before continuing, “I admire your passion, but we must think of the safety of all our subjects here, not just the newest one, however valiant he may be.”

Luna would have none of it. “My dear sister, I have been cut off from society for a millenium. Before I was consumed by something almost exactly like what Knight Sky faces now, before I became Nightmare Moon, I would never consider it, not in ten thousand years. I would never consider killing an innocent just to avoid a bit of risk, not when there is a chance to save that life. If this is what our society has come to after a thousand years, if we can now so easily execute one of our own who has proven himself beyond measure rather than stop at nothing to help him, then consider this my farewell. I want no part in a society such as that. I was given a second chance. He deserves one as well.”

Celestia was shocked. She looked into her sister’s eyes, which were firm, unyielding, and desperate. That was when the Solar Princess read deeper into her sister’s expression and realized what she truly meant.

“Luna...why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, as she felt tears welling up.

The midnight blue alicorn softened her glare, “I...I was afraid of what might happen.”

Shining Armor looked between the two with confusion and waited for them to continue.

“So all this time, you knew. How? How did this happen? Please explain it to me, sister, I want to understand.”

Luna heaved a sigh, and her wings twitched nervously. “Ever since I was cleansed of Nightmare Moon, she’s remained as a malevolent echo in my mind. I could hear her from time to time, urging me to do...evil things. It was only when I went to learn of Knight Sky for myself that something changed. After I first looked into his mind, I noticed that her voice was gone. I could not find her if I searched for her. It wasn’t long before I realized what had happened. She’d used that opportunity to escape my mind because she knew she couldn’t conquer me a second time. She found the beast that already existed in Knight Sky’s mind and latched onto it. She consumed it and used it to grow strong again.”

“But you’ve been keeping watch on his dreams every night. Wouldn’t she use that as a chance to get back into your mind and take control again?” Shining Armor inquired.

Luna shook her head, her starry mane rippling as she did so. “No, I have been using a strict one-way connection to his mind ever since. It severely limits the extent to which I can interact with his dreams, but I can still watch safely.”

Celestia then asked finally, “So the entity threatening to take Knight Sky’s mind is...”

“...Nightmare Moon reborn,” Luna finished for her.

“It’s settled then. Shining Armor, I appreciate your concern for the nation as a whole, and I admire your vigilance; however, I believe my sister is correct. Knight Sky deserves a fair chance, no matter the risk.” Celestia declared.

“I understand, Your Majesty. As a matter of fact, I believe I’ve had a change of heart. Princess Luna,” he looked over to the Lunar Princess. “I’d like to apologize for my suggestion. I was not fully aware of the condition of Knight Sky’s mind, and it was my understanding he may have been manipulated somehow by the changeling queen while her captive and was already a lost cause. I thought it was only a matter of time. Had I known the true nature of the situation, I would not have suggested what I did.”

Celestia added, “And in that case, I’d like to apologize as well, for I shared Captain Shining Armor’s belief. I wish you’d been more forthcoming, sister. You should never feel afraid to say anything to me.”

It looked as though the weight of the world had been lifted from Luna’s shoulders. She sighed again and said, “I accept your apologies. Now, shall we discuss how we’re going to save our friend?”

Celestia answered, “I will speak with Twilight Sparkle today. I want to be sure all of the Elements are prepared to assist us in this.”

---

CHAPTER TEN: ARRIVAL

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---

The two Royal Guards followed their Princess closely. They had been told they were being given a special assignment, but the details of it didn’t make sense. It almost seemed as though Her Majesty didn’t want the injured stallion’s recovery to go as swiftly as possible. Nevertheless, orders were orders, and neither of the guards that were posted outside the hospital room questioned them.

Once the soldiers had assumed their positions on either side of the door, and had been briefed in full, Celestia let herself into the room for a second visit.

Knight Sky was asleep, and Fluttershy remained on the bed beside him, her wing spread over his shivering body, and her hoof slowly and gently stroking his golden mane.

When she noticed the Princess, she made a move to get up, but Celestia held up a hoof. “Please, don’t stand. I only came to see how he was doing.”

As Fluttershy turned to nudge him awake, the alicorn stepped closer and said, “Let him rest. There’s no need to wake him.”

She nodded and replied, “He’s in a lot of pain because of his leg, and all that magic Chrysalis used on him hasn’t been making it any easier. The doctors are refusing to let Rainbow Dash donate any more blood for at least a day; they’re worried she’ll hurt herself, but she’s only worried about keeping him alive.”

“I wish I could say we’ve found a second donor, but I’ve already spoken to Blood Dancer. Rainbow Dash is the only resident of Ponyville with the proper blood type, and none of the soldiers currently staying here are a match either. Nevertheless, that is not the foremost danger at the moment,” Celestia explained.

“I know, his mind...”

The Solar Princess finished for her, “...could be lost to us any moment. Though we believe the beast won’t make its move until his body is fully recovered, Twilight Sparkle has made me aware of a certain...request of his. Are all six Element Bearers truly in agreement on this?”

“Yes. But we only agreed to it because we know we won’t have to do it.”

Celestia needed to tell her the final detail, but could not speak it aloud without the risk of him hearing it, and thus, the beast hearing it. She did not want to ask Fluttershy to leave his side either, so she nudged the yellow pegasus with her magic to get eye contact.

When Fluttershy looked at her, she mouthed the words, “Tomorrow at sunset.”

Her teal eyes widened just a bit in understanding, and she nodded.

Celestia turned and left, and as the door closed with a sharp snap, Knight Sky stirred from his sleep.

“Huh...? Who was here?” he asked sleepily.

“Princess Celestia wanted to see how you were doing. She just left,” Fluttershy answered.

“Agh, I slept through her whole visit?” he asked with a look of mild frustration.

Fluttershy gently patted his uninjured hoof. “It’s okay, she told me not to wake you. You don’t need to worry about that,” she quietly assured him.

Their eyes were drawn to the window by a flash of lightning and a soft rumble of thunder.

“Fluttershy, what is that?”

She looked at him, quite confused, until she remembered that he’d probably never even seen a storm before.

“That’s a thunderstorm, Knight Sky,” she replied.

“I’ve don’t remember ever reading about anything like that...can you tell me about it?”

She looked down into his icy blue eyes. They had such weight behind them. They were eyes that had seen the horrors of war, had fallen in love, and had seen tragedy beyond measure. Those eyes had seen evil, true evil, and yet there was nothing in them but sincerity.

She once again gently brushed a disheveled strand from his golden mane out of his eyes and began, “A thunderstorm is...um...” she struggled for a moment to find the words to describe something she’d known for all her life, “Well, there’s usually lots of rain and wind, and bright flashes of electricity from the sky that make really loud noises called thunder. Some ponies find them a little scary, but the rain is very good for growth and renewal.”

Knight Sky thought for a moment, “I imagine all that rain will wash away the blood from the battle.”

Another flash of lightning and rumbling of thunder added itself to the conversation, and slowly, they began to hear rain pattering against the glass.

Fluttershy looked out the window. The streets were illuminated only by the gas lamps, and in their glare she could see individual raindrops.

She sat deep in thought, wondering if this first storm would be the last that Knight Sky ever experienced. He had until tomorrow at sunset before his fate would be decided, and he didn’t even know.

“Fluttershy, what’s wrong?” he asked her. She looked back down to him from the window and noticed his eyes were full of worry.

She didn’t understand the question at first. “Huh?”

She then felt a tear drip from her cheek, and had her answer.

Fluttershy didn’t like lying, but in this case, the truth could kill, so she swallowed her discomfort. “Nothing’s wrong, I’m just worried for you. That’s all.”

She ignored his questioning stare, nuzzled him affectionately as another crack of thunder rumbled through the building, and did her best to hide her fears that this may be their last night together.

---

“They’re hiding something from you...”

The voice was back.

Yes, they are. And in doing so, hiding it from you.

He heard what almost seemed like a snort of derision from it. But within that was the first echo of doubt he’d heard from the beast.

“It doesn’t matter, for soon, I will take what is mine.”

For the first time, it was his turn to feel unafraid.

No, you will not.

It responded in kind, “I will. Before me, you are nothing.”

No, you are nothing. You are a scrap of memory, and memories can be forgotten.

If memories could growl in frustration, that is what Knight Sky heard.

---

The skies were steel grey and completely overcast, hiding the sun from view. Rain lashed down in heavy sheets and made the cobble streets slick and shiny.

Runoff from the town carried blood and dust alike away from homes and buildings. Every half minute or so, bright bolts of lightning smote the sky and ripped the air with a deafening crack of thunder.

It was well past noon, and six Element Bearers were convened in a basement room at Ponyville Medical. With them were Celestia and Luna, and a small contingent of Royal Guards commanded by none other than Captain Shining Armor.

Celestia addressed them all, “I trust you know the reason we’re here.”

She levitated up an ornate chest, and opened it, exposing the Elements of Harmony.

“Tonight at sunset, we are going to use what we’ve learned to drag the beast hiding in Knight Sky’s mind out prematurely.
We know that it is biding its time and can take his mind whenever it wishes, but my sister has learned that it can be forced out of hiding using his original name in a process I do not completely understand. Are there any questions?”

Fluttershy timidly asked, “Um...yes, Your Majesty. I was just wondering, um...why are there so many guards here?”

“You six have already agreed upon what may have to be done if we fail today. They are simply here as insurance. Along with the Elements.”

Rainbow Dash interjected, “With all due respect, Your Majesty, we’re wasting their time. Knight Sky’s gonna win this.”

Celestia looked to the blue pegasus, expecting to find her usual overly confident smirk, but instead saw nothing of the sort; with the life of a friend on the line, Rainbow Dash was all business.

She responded with a slight smile, “I appreciate your confidence, Rainbow Dash. Nevertheless, it is better to be cautious. Luna?”

Luna stepped forward to speak. “When the time comes tonight, I will use my powers to enter Knight Sky’s mind. There, I will do all I can to help him defeat his beast. I believe you should all know what I’ve deduced about it. This beast is Nightmare Moon reborn.”

All those in the room who had not known gasped in shock, and before any of them could speak again, Luna continued.

“Do you six remember the spell you used against her?”

She received frightened nods in response from the six Element Bearers, and Twilight asked, “Princess, I don’t understand. How is that possible? We destroyed Nightmare Moon.”

“Memories hold more power than you know, Twilight Sparkle. She lived on as a memory deep within my mind, and regained much of her power when she left my mind and merged with the beast already residing within Knight Sky’s. When we are finished however, if we do this correctly, she will not survive, not even as a memory.”

The unicorn nodded, satisfied for the moment. Celestia picked up the conversation again, “As of this moment, Knight Sky should be receiving a blood transfusion. When it is complete, he’ll be strong enough for us to do what must be done, but still too weak for Nightmare Moon to want to make her move. If we succeed...”

Luna interrupted her older sister, “When we succeed, sister.”

Celestia cleared her throat, “Correct, when we succeed in freeing Knight Sky, I’m going to need you, his closest friends, to be there for him. Being freed from Nightmare Moon was a very jarring experience for my sister, a thousand year-old alicorn. There is a possibility that the shock will overwhelm him. Will you be up to such a task?”

Fluttershy was the first to answer: “Of course we will.”

Despite her typical shy and timid demeanor, there was definite firmness in her voice.

The other five chimed in their agreement.

“Very well. Fluttershy, please return to him. When the transfusion is complete, the doctors upstairs will move him down here. You must keep him calm, and in the dark as it were, until he enters this room.” Celestia ordered.

“I understand.” Fluttershy replied, and she turned to leave.

---

Knight Sky awoke to a booming crash of thunder and his eyes snapped open to reveal Fluttershy coming back into the room from the hall. As well, he observed a nurse at his bedside administering a blood transfusion; the warm blood flowing into his veins was a strange sensation to say the least.

The nightmare was unsettling, but for the first time, it seemed the beast wasn’t entirely confident in itself. That in turn gave him some confidence.

Fluttershy hovered up onto his bed, and assumed her position beside him, with one of her yellow wings spread over him.

“How did you sleep?” she asked.

“It could have been worse. I didn’t expect to be able to sleep through this storm, but I’ve actually been finding the sound of the rain to be almost soothing.”

“That’s good, how does your leg feel?” she looked down to his bandaged and braced leg.

“It hurts pretty badly, but I guess that’s to be expected. Where did you just come from?” he asked her quizzically.

For a brief moment, Fluttershy almost revealed exactly where she was, but caught herself in time, and recovered swiftly, “I was just speaking with one of the doctors. He said you might be moved today since you’re not critical anymore.”

“Oh,” he looked thoughtfully to the window, where rain still splashed forcefully against the glass. “I suppose that makes sense.”

They sat for some time in silence, listening to the sounds of rain and thunder from outside, until the nurse finished up his transfusion, and left the two pegasi alone.

They spent the next few hours in casual conversation; all the while, Fluttershy waited for the doctors to come and move him downstairs. Though it weighed heavy on her mind, she was determined to keep his mind off of everything having to do with it.

Just before the time came, Fluttershy looked to the clock and saw that the hour of sunset was near.

That was when he said it, “If I make it through this, I think I’m going to do it. I think I’m going to take the captain’s offer, and teach strategy here. I want to build a life for myself here, and how better to do that than by helping to protect the citizens of this world?”

“What made you decide that you want to build a life here?” Fluttershy asked, one eye on the door.

Through his grey coat, she could see him blushing. She gave him her full attention.

“It’s because I...” he started.

“Yes?” she pressed, giving him a curious look.

The door burst open and Blood Dancer entered exuberantly, followed by a nurse. Fluttershy knew it was time, and hopped off the bed.

“Ah, hello, my favorite science experiment! I’ve come to move you to another room, Knight Sky. You don’t need critical care anymore, so off we go!”

The pair began wheeling his bed out the door.

“What? Where am I being moved?” he asked, surprised at the abruptness of it all.

“Where else? Non-critical care, my friend!” the doctor chimed.

He gave Fluttershy a helpless glance, and she trotted to keep up as the bed was rolled down corridor after corridor.

“Umm, doctor, I think we passed non-critical care already.” Knight Sky mentioned as they rounded a corner, long after they passed the corresponding sign on the wall.

“Oh, this hospital is so confusing. Almost a week here and I still haven’t gotten used to it! Not to worry!”

They rounded several corners, and Blood Dancer even magically levitated the bed, with Knight Sky in it, down a flight of stairs.

Before long, they reached a set of doors down in the basement, and Fluttershy spoke up.

“Doctor, please hold on a moment.”

Rather unexpectedly, Blood Dancer stopped, and stood aside at a respectful distance, as did the nurse. All this put Knight Sky at significant unease.

“Fluttershy, what’s going on?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

“Before you were moved, Knight Sky, you were about to say something, what was it?” she asked.

He blushed again, “Oh that. Well...I was going to say why I wanted to start a new life here...”

“And?”

He hesitated, and Fluttershy responded by grasping his uninjured hoof in her own, at which he simply let out a sigh, and spoke normally.

“I decided that I want to build a life here because...because I love you.”

The anxiety was plain in his eyes, Fluttershy simply grinned sincerely. She alleviated his anxiety by giving him a light peck on the forehead and saying, “I know you do. Now lets get you into your new room.”

She wheeled him into the room herself, smiling on the outside, and terrified on the inside that though Knight Sky was going into this room, he would not come out.

---

“What is this? What’s going on?”

Knight Sky looked about the room deep in confusion. Crowded into a rather large and atypical looking hospital room were the two alicorn sisters, the six ponies he’d learned to call his friends since arriving on this new planet, Captain Shining Armor, and four Royal Guards armed to the teeth with blades and spears.

Luna answered him, “It’s time, Knight Sky.”

It took him just a brief moment to determine what she meant, and his eyes widened in realization and fear. “No...I’m not ready for this. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have prepared myself. I’m not ready for another fight...not yet.”

“And that is precisely why we can wait no longer. You were not told because while telling you would have given you time to prepare, it would also have given the beast time to prepare. You are too weak right now for it to have any use for your body, but we can delay no further. The time is now,” Luna explained.

She then levitated what looked like six pieces of ornate jewelry out of a large chest. One for each of his six friends.

“What are those?” he asked nervously.

Twilight replied, “These are the Elements of Harmony. And we six are the Element Bearers. They are the most powerful magical items in existence, and can only be used by us six.”

“Why do you have them here?” he asked nervously.

“Because you made us promise not to let you hurt anypony if something went wrong today. That’s why we have the Elements, and that’s why there are guards here. But don't worry, we won't have to resort to that,"

Knight Sky looked to Luna, “What’s going to happen to me?”

“You will sleep, and you will fight. And I will see to it that it is you who wakes up, and not the beast. Knight Sky, do you still remember your original name?” the midnight blue alicorn asked.

“Yes, I remembered it during the battle. Why?”

“Element Bearers, prepare yourselves. Knight Sky, you will recall a face from your past as a human, the most prominent one you can remember. You will then speak your original name aloud. I will put you into a deep sleep, and we will fight alongside one another,” Luna explained.

The Element Bearers took up positions encircling the bed, and the four guards prepared their weapons.

“Stop.” Knight Sky said weakly, “Please, just stop for a moment...”

“We have precious little time to act, Knight Sky,” Luna retorted.

Fluttershy spoke for him, “Princess, can’t you see that he’s terrified?”

He sat up against the pain of his injuries, and took a few shaky breaths before saying, “Before we start...before I take this leap of faith that I might not come back from, I just want to say something.” He addressed the six Element Bearers, “Before I came here, I only ever had two friends. I had to see one destroyed before my very eyes, and listen to another say goodbye to me for the last time when I left on what I thought would be a suicide mission, and instead ended up here. After that, I swore to never make another friend, for I couldn’t stand the thought of going through that pain again.”

He looked around to see the kind faces around him, “But now I see that, despite that pain, having friends like you is worth it. You’ve shown me kindness that I could never have imagined, you’ve been loyal to me even when everypony else feared me, you generously welcomed me into your society without asking anything in return, you honestly wanted to be my friends despite the crimes my kind have committed, and you helped me do something I never thought I’d be able to do in my entire life: smile and laugh. Even if this doesn’t work, if this is goodbye, I just want to say thank you for letting me experience that. It’s a privilege that no human has had in nearly sixty years.”

“And thank you for being our friend, Knight Sky,” Twilight Sparkle began, “but now, it’s time for us to work a little magic.”

Rainbow Dash gave a confident grin and added, “We’re with ya to the end, buddy!”

“When this business is all taken care of, I do believe I owe you a few repairs on your uniform.” Rarity chimed in with a kind smile.

“And ya better work up an appetite, ‘cause tomorrow y’all are gettin’ another visit...Apple family style!” Applejack added with a tip of her Stetson.

“Aaaaand a party!!!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, conjuring a cloud of confetti from nowhere.

Fluttershy stepped forward, and whispered in his ear a few words that made his heart pound in his chest. He smiled at her, and then looked back to Luna.

“I’m ready.”

She stepped up to the bedside.

“Lay back, close your eyes, and picture the most prominent face you can remember from before you arrived here.”

He obeyed, “Alright, now what?”

“Now we free you. Speak your original name,” she commanded.

“I am Lieutenant Commander Daniel Tarian.”

Something snapped in his mind. His entire body tensed up, and he let out a bloodcurdling scream as Luna lowered her glowing horn to his forehead.

---

CHAPTER ELEVEN: REDEMPTION

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---

It was like he was falling.

Daniel saw only blackness, but he felt himself falling. Red points of light began rushing past his field of view, and it looked like he was falling fast.

He had gotten so accustomed to living as a pegasus that he felt out for his wings and tried to spread them against the fall, only to feel none there.

He looked down at his...hands? Daniel was shocked to find himself back in his human body. He had just enough time to realize he was in the full ceremonial dress uniform of the United Terran Fleet before the fall stopped abruptly.

He looked around. He was back in the docking bay of the Faction research vessel, only there were no Wolf fighters, and no Rhino-class gunship. Nor were there any of his fellow soldiers, only a dark blue twinkling mist which he recognized immediately.

“Luna?” he asked to it.

The mist instantly formed itself into the more familiar alicorn, who stood before his human form just tall enough to meet him eye to eye.

“Do not be afraid. We are within your mind right now, Knight Sky. Or would you prefer Daniel?”

He looked down to his gilded nameplate, it read his original name.

“Daniel is fine for now. What exactly is happening?”

“Your mind currently belongs neither to you nor to the beast. This, Daniel, is the battleground. This must be a place of significance to you, am I correct?”

He looked around thoughtfully, “Yes...it is. This is where it all went wrong.” He paused in reminiscence, “How do we find it, and how are we supposed to we fight it?”

“This battleground is taken from your memories, so you should know exactly where we can find it. As for how we will fight it...” She gestured to the ceremonial saber that hung at his waist, “Any weapon will do.”

Only those officers who had completed advanced strategy training wore ceremonial sabers on their uniforms. He drew the saber to find that instead of a blunted steel blade, it was razor sharp.

“We were only taught swordsmanship as a means of learning strategy, I never dreamed I’d have to use it in combat.” He sheathed the sword somewhat clumsily, “My skills are a bit rusty. I haven’t so much as held a sword since training, and that was years ago.”

“Courage is more important than fighting skill here. Do you know where to go, Daniel?”

He looked to the corridor, “I know exactly where we need to go.”

She walked beside him, and put a wing up against his back, “Then lead the way. I will be right behind you.”

Daniel smiled to hide the crippling fear that boiled within him, and began the trek through the long and winding corridors of the research vessel.

---

To Celestia, Shining Armor, the four guards, and all six Element Bearers, it looked as though the Lunar Princess was in a trance, with her glowing horn just barely touching Knight Sky’s forehead.

“Princess,” Twilight began. “What exactly is happening right now?”

“My sister is far more powerful than many believe, Twilight,” she answered, never taking her eyes off the two.

“What do you mean by that?” Twilight asked hesitantly.

Celestia looked to her student, “I have absolutely no idea what exactly is happening. Luna is currently using spells that are far, far beyond my comprehension. I suppose you could say that while I possess much more brute strength as far as magic is concerned, my sister is capable of extraordinarily complicated spellcasting. She is the only pony in recorded history to have such incredible finesse.”

Twilight cocked her head in wonder, “Wait, really?”

“You seem surprised, my student.” Celestia gave a half smile that brimmed with obvious pride for her younger sister.

“No, it’s just...I always assumed you were more powerful, and I think pretty much everypony else shares that view,” she explained.

Celestia opened her mouth to speak again, though as she did, the gentle blue glow around Luna’s horn flashed red, and she jerked her head back, yanking herself out of the spell with a cry of pain.

---

soundtrack

The human and alicorn duo rounded a corner, past a familiar hatch with a blinking red warning light. Before long, they came to the hatch that led to the bridge of the ship, and just as before, there was a cool, blue light on the door.

Not wanting to take any chances at all, Daniel looked away from the light before reaching for the control pad.

“You should look away from the light. Trust me on this one,” he said to the princess.

She did as he suggested, and with eyes averted, he opened the door.

When he turned back around to look into the bridge, it was exactly as he remembered it, only there were no bodies, just one being inside. It was seated in the captain’s chair, and facing the viewports.

He stepped inside, Luna following closely behind.

“It’s you isn’t it?” he asked to the thing sitting in the captain’s seat.

It didn’t turn to answer, but spoke in a multitude of voices, “Me? We think it would now be more accurate to say ‘us.’ But yes. We were Rewrite Program 67422.28 Alpha. That was a long time ago, before you lost your memories.”

“What do you mean you ‘were?’” he asked, his hand on the grip of his saber.

“What a wonderful thing that was. Your amnesia gave us a veritable feast, but few of your memories were appetizing, only her.”

Fearing the answer, he asked, “Who?”

“The girl. Adra. Your memories of her were strong, and they made us so much stronger. For a time, we were Adra. And for a time, her memory almost overpowered us. It used us to speak to you, but that didn’t last long.”

“Didn’t last long? What are you talking about?” he pressed.

“We were imprisoned for a thousand years, we escaped that prison, only to be imprisoned again as a mere afterthought. But when our last victim connected her mind to your own, we saw what you called, ‘the beast,’ and my, was it fulfilling to consume. We are stronger now than we have ever been, if only you hadn’t been gravely injured, we would have taken over as soon as the changeling was dealt with.”

“And now what? You’re still not ready or you would have already taken hold.”

“Your companion is not welcome here.” it said angrily, and rose from its seat. “We think this form will be the most suitable for us to finish this. You regret losing her the most, so you will be powerless against her.”

Daniel staggered back, Luna caught him with a wing, “No...you can’t be...Adra?!”

It turned to face him, and that was when he finally laid eyes on it, standing before him was Adra, only her eyes were a bright red.

“We said...your companion is not welcome here!” it’s eyes blazed bright, and Luna gave a cry of pain.

“Luna!” Daniel shouted.

She grunted back, “I will await you! Do not be afraid!” and disappeared from the battleground.

“What did you do? She’s my friend!” he demanded.

“Oh she’ll be fine, we merely removed her from this place. We will deal with her after we are done with you.”

The red-eyed Adra approached...

---

“Luna! What’s happened, are you alright?!” Celestia asked concernedly, holding her sister up.

“I am fine, Celestia. However...” she got to her hooves and looked at Knight Sky, his body now twitching and jerking erratically, much to the horror of his friends. They looked on, mortified as Knight Sky twitched like one who had been struck by lightning.

“...Nightmare Moon has expelled me from the battle. I could try to force my way back in, but that would likely end in catastrophe for us all. I am afraid Knight Sky is on his own.”

In their conversation, they failed to notice the moisture gathering in Fluttershy’s teal eyes until she ran from the room in tears.

Celestia looked to her sister, “You stay here and watch over Knight Sky. I will find her.”

Fluttershy had no destination, only to get as far from that hospital room as possible. She didn’t know what to do, so she just ran. She ran through the rain in the pitch black night until she slipped in the wet grass and fell into a puddle, too miserable to get up, she simply laid there and sobbed as her tears mingled with the rain.

She cried for what felt like hours until the rain seemed to stop; though she could still hear the storm raging around her, she no longer felt the cold raindrops. She felt a warmth on her coat as though the sun were shining down on her.

Fluttershy opened her eyes to see none other than Princess Celestia standing over her, giving her a kind smile, and shielding her from the rain with a massive white wing.

“All is not lost, Fluttershy,” Celestia said gently.

The sorrowful pegasus sniffed back her tears and asked in a weak voice, “...what?”

“My sister has helped him all she could, but you are capable of more than you know.”

“B-but what can I do? I can’t use magic, I can’t go into his dreams, I can’t even fight. What good am I to him now?”

Celestia gestured to the Element around her neck, “Without you, Fluttershy, that Element of Harmony is merely an object, cold and dead. But when near the holder of the Element of Kindness, its wielder is capable of powers most ponies can only dream of.”

“So I...I can help?” she asked, just a hint of hope in her voice.

Celestia nodded, “Knight Sky’s battle is far from over, but you can turn the tide for him. When an Element Holder must fight to protect one they love, they truly become a force to be reckoned with.”

“You really think I can do it?” she asked, slowly getting to her hooves.

“No. I know you can do it. And I know that before you, the beast in his mind is powerless. Nightmare Moon is fueled by bitterness and misery. Love and kindness are to those what fire is to ice.”

That was all she needed to hear. The flame deep within the timid pegasus had awoken, and she would stop at nothing to save the one she cared about. Fluttershy stood, wiped the mane out of her face, and looked to her princess with a determined spark in her eye.

“Knight Sky needs you Fluttershy, go fight for him.” Celestia said.

Fluttershy gave the princess a confident grin, and galloped back to the hospital.

---

Already bruised and battered, Daniel took yet another blow that sent him sliding across to the other side of the bridge.

Completely unscathed, it followed him calmly, and prepared to strike again.

“You spoke to us so confidently in your dreams. Where is your confidence now? You told us we were nothing but a scrap of memory to be forgotten. You are the one who will be erased.”

He covered his face, “I...I killed you once, I can’t do that again. I’m sorry, Adra. It looks like I have to lose this one.”

He heard that same snort of derision, only this time it was not tinged with even the slightest doubt.

“You humans, you are so weak. You are weak, yet you are filled with anger, bitterness, resentment. It makes us so much stronger.”

It struck him hard once again, this time sending him through the air, only to collide painfully against the captain’s seat at the center of the bridge.

As it approached him for another blow, the entire battleground seemed to shudder. A large crack spread across the floor, and it felt as though the ship had tilted over to the side. The whole environment was suddenly sloped.

Doubt briefly flashed across its cold, soulless features. At the same time, Daniel heard a whisper in his ear as if from nowhere.

He heard Fluttershy’s voice, “You can do it, Knight Sky...”

As the echo of her whisper faded, he heard the beast cry out in pain. He looked up to see it stagger and fall to its knees.

“Wha...what is this?!” it spat hatefully.

Daniel felt pride well up within himself as he remembered what he had been told about Fluttershy.

He stood despite the pain and answered, “This is what happens when you wake her fire. I’d run if I were you.”

It looked at him hatefully, “You can’t be serious...that little wretch?! We can’t be beaten by her filth!”

As he limped towards the beast, he drew his sword. “Her name...” Daniel sliced as hard as he could, “...is Fluttershy!”

It held up an arm to block and screamed as the blade met its forearm. An attack which would normally have severed the hand simply caused it to vanish as a strange dark purple glow flowed from the wound. The beast grabbed the stump of its wrist as it shrieked in agony, and then seemed to snicker in amused confidence.

“You won’t kill us...we are your beloved Adra. You said it yourself...”

As it spoke, the image it had projected onto itself of Adra flickered, revealing a face beneath. The face seemed to be an evil-looking black alicorn with sharp fangs, but it quickly reverted back to just the red-eyed Adra.

“No, I could never kill her a second time, but you...you are not Adra. You are a monster who dares invoke her image,” Daniel tensed for another strike at the beast.

“You’re right, we are not Adra. But we are everything you remember of her. Kill us if you dare, but you won’t even have the memories to cherish. Go ahead. Do it.”

He hesitated for a split second, long enough for the beast to continue, “We knew it. Weak to the core.”

It got to its feet against what looked like significant strain, and collapsed again as the world around them shook violently.

“Agh! No, dammit no!” it shrieked and grasped at its face with its one good hand as the image flickered again. When it pulled its hand away, half its face seemed to have gone from that of Adra to that of the monster he saw beneath. It was definitely some sort of demonic alicorn, and the two faces merged irregularly.

“You call me weak, yet which one of us is on the ground?” Daniel asked rhetorically as he limped around behind it to deliver a final blow and impale it through the back.

In an instant, the beast turned and lunged forth with a hand outstretched to his face, and Fluttershy whispered again in his ear, “Go, Knight Sky, I’ll be waiting for you!”

That was all he needed, he grinned in defiance and thrust the saber forward, straight through the beast’s chest. At the same time however, its hand clawed at the right side of his face and a searing pain shot through his eye.

The image of a red-eyed Adra grimacing in anger and pain faded to nothing before him, and he collapsed from the beating.

-The Next Day-

“Any change? Has he even stirred?” Blood Dancer asked solemnly, a radical departure from his usual exuberant self.

“No, Doctor. He’s still in a coma.” Fluttershy answered.

She looked down on the stallion, and recalled what had happened.

By the time she’d returned to the room in the basement, Knight Sky was twitching violently, and bruises were somehow forming all over his body. Despite her friends’ warnings, she walked directly to his bedside, and her Element began to glow.

Its soft pink light spread over both their bodies, and she saw everything that was happening. She watched Daniel Tarian allow himself to be beaten by the beast, and she knew that he couldn’t bring himself to destroy it. That was when she intervened.

She followed Celestia’s advice, and her powers of kindness melted the icy malice that fed Nightmare Moon. In one move, she brought the beast to its knees.

When he struck the final blow, Fluttershy fell out of the spell in time to see a large gash open on the stallion’s face where the beast had struck him.

Luna checked his mind and found no trace of Nightmare Moon, though his mind was also dormant. There was no telling what had truly happened, at least until he woke up.

To be certain it had not simply jumped ship, Luna searched for it in Fluttershy’s mind and her own, only to come up empty. That meant it was either gone for good, or had succeeded in conquering Knight Sky’s mind, and would show itself when he woke.

---

Hours turned to days as Knight Sky’s shattered leg began to heal, his bruises disappeared, his blood returned, and the gash on his face faded to a large scar. All the while, he remained comatose. Visitor after visitor came to wish him well.

All of his friends, the Element Bearers, visited. Both Princesses whom he had fought alongside, many of the soldiers who watched him defy the changeling queen, citizens of the town he had inspired with courage, scores of visitors came to see him, but it was over a week before he finally stirred.

The window was open, and the sun shone brightly into the room through a clear, deep blue sky. The rays of the sun fell across his scarred face and brought him forth from the darkness.

Knight Sky cracked an eyelid only to be temporarily blinded by the sun’s brightness in a now unusually sensitive eye. As soon as he moved, however, Fluttershy reacted.

She nudged him with her wing and whispered into his ear, “Knight Sky, can you hear me?”

He whispered back weakly, “I...I think so. Am I alive?”

She could not hold back the tears of joy. She wrapped a wing and foreleg about him in a gentle but strong embrace, and let it all out.

If he had the energy, he would have cried tears of joy as well. Instead, he just smiled a weak but relieved smile, and consoled himself in Fluttershy’s embrace.

“It’s over...it’s done.”

---

The door opened quietly and Fluttershy stood in the entrance, “Alright, you can all come in now. But keep in mind that he just woke up from a week-long coma. Try to be sensitive of that.”

With a deep frown, Pinkie rolled her large party cannon, now loaded with confetti and streamers, down the hall before coming back.

The five mares Knight Sky had befriended in his time here joined the yellow pegasus in the hospital room. Only a few hours since rejoining the waking world, he forced himself upright to greet them.

“I’m glad you could all make it, it’s good to see my friends again. For a while I thought that might have been goodbye.”

Rainbow Dash was the first to reply, she walked up to the bed and gently nudged his shoulder with a hoof, “I knew you’d make it, welcome back.”

Grateful she’d taken care to nudge the opposite shoulder from his shattered leg, he grinned, “Thanks, Rainbow Dash. Maybe when I’m all healed up you can give me some flying lessons. Do you think you could do that?”

She smirked at him, “Knight Sky, when I’m done with you, you’re never gonna want to walk anywhere again. Of course I’ll teach you.”

Twilight interjected, “Not so fast. I did a little research, and he’s technically considered a refugee from a foreign...country, I guess. Knight Sky should fill out citizenship papers first. That’s more important.”

“Wow, I’m happy to see you too, Twilight,” he remarked sarcastically.

Realizing her mistake, Twilight backpedaled. “Oh, I was only joking, well, mostly joking. In any case, I’m really glad you’re okay,” she finished with a genuine smile.

“Oh this is awful, just awful!”

“You okay over there, Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked the unicorn, who seemed to be mortified.

“This...this is simply a travesty! All my hard work!” she lamented. “Knight Sky, your uniform...it’s...it’s utterly ruined!”

Everypony breathed a collective sigh of relief that Rarity’s dramatic outburst was over something small. “Ya had me worried fer a bit, Rare. Glad it’s nothin’ serious,” Applejack remarked.

“Nothing...serious?! No, I cannot allow this to go unfinished. Knight Sky, I’m recreating your uniform again and I won’t take no for an answer!” she insisted.

Knight Sky couldn’t help but chuckle at how all their concerns for the present were so minimal. It was a nice change from the hell that had been the last several weeks.

He looked past Rainbow Dash to see Pinkie Pie pouting in a corner. A vast departure from her usual hyperactive self, he called to her, “Pinkie, what’s wrong?”

She crossed her forelegs, “Fluttershy doesn’t want me to use my party cannon. I just wanted to make everypony happy since you’re okay and everything!”

He looked to Fluttershy, “I wouldn’t mind it.”

That was all the encouragement she needed, Pinkie burst into a huge grin and somehow slipped out under the door, returning seconds later, party cannon in tow. Before anypony could get a word in, she fired. The room was instantly covered in festive decorations.

Pinkie Pie lived up to her promise. Though it was somewhat subdued, taking place in a hospital, the party lasted until well after midnight.

---

It wasn’t until the morning after the party that he began to notice the gaps in his memory.

“So what do you remember?” Fluttershy asked of him, once he’d told her about them.

“I remember fighting some kind of battle within myself, but I can’t remember who the enemy was, only that it was tormenting me the entire time I’ve been on this world. And there’s something else,” he trailed off.

“What is it?” she insisted.

Knight Sky gazed off wistfully, “A name, there’s nothing I can remember about it. No face to go with it, no memory of any individual, nothing attached to it at all. Just...a name and the feeling it brings.”

She looked at him questioningly, wondering whether it was his name or something else. “And what name is that?”

He turned to face her, “Adra. Something about the name Adra is sticking out in my mind. Whenever I think of that name it makes me feel almost...happy. Like I’m remembering something really good from my past.”

Fluttershy debated telling him why that name stuck out in his mind, but her inner conflict was cut short when there was a knock at the door.

“Knight Sky. It’s good to see you alive and well again.”

In walked none other than Princess Luna, with Captain Shining Armor accompanying her.

“It’s good to be alive and well, Princess,” he replied.

She smiled. “Considering that it’s you that awoke from the coma and nothing else, I can safely say that you’re in the clear.”

“As in the clear as I can be for the moment. Apparently, I got most of my blood back while I was comatose, but this leg’s going to take a while to heal,” he gestured with a humble half-smile to his braced and bandaged foreleg. “I’m glad you two came to visit. There’s something I’d like to ask you, Your Majesty, and something I’d like to say to you as well, Captain.”

Luna stepped closer, “Certainly, what would you like to ask?”

“When we first met, you told me you’d glimpsed humanity. Do you remember?”

The Princess thought for a moment and recalled, “Ah, yes I do. Why do you ask?”

“I hope this isn’t too much to ask, but...would you be able to take another look? The messages I received made it sound like my ship was lost, as was the war. But it’s been bothering me ever since. I feel like I might have missed something.”

She smiled and answered, “I suppose I could take another look for you,” her smile faded, “but I should warn you. You may not like what you hear.”

Knight Sky nodded, “I understand. Whatever the answer, I have to know for sure if humanity is on the right path, or it’ll haunt me forever.”

“I understand. It may take some time, but I will do my best to find your answers.”

Relieved, Knight Sky replied, “Thank you, Princess Luna. I appreciate it.”

soundtrack

“I believe you also had something you wanted to say to Shining Armor?” Luna reminded him.

Knight Sky forced himself upright to say it, “Yes, yes I did. Captain, when last we met, you made me an offer regarding my future here in Equestria. I have an answer for you.”

“I’m all ears, Knight Sky,” the unicorn stepped a bit closer.

He took a deep breath, “I’ll take your offer, and join the Royal Guard. I’ll teach strategy at an academy here, and do what I can to make your world just a bit safer,” he said confidently.

Shining Armor grinned, “That’s excellent news, Knight Sky. In that case, I think I’ll have to promote you so you can officially be considered an instructor.”

“You want to promote me? I was never a lieutenant commander in your military, are you sure that’ll work?” Knight Sky asked with a bit of skepticism.

He laughed lightly in response, “I’m certain that won’t be a problem. I’ll have to see about getting you fitted for a uniform before I return to Canterlot. Welcome to the Royal Guard, Commander Knight Sky.”

The white unicorn gave him a salute, which he returned with his uninjured hoof.

“I can’t wait to start, sir.”

As harrowing an ordeal as Knight Sky had just been through, as many horrors as he’d faced, by all other accounts, he should have been a broken stallion. But that was not what Luna saw when she looked down to this still injured, yet very whole stallion. Instead, she saw one who was ready and eager to begin a new chapter in his life, to see what tomorrow had in store for him, and to say it made her happy to see would have been a massive understatement.

THE END

EPILOGUE

View Online

---
Year: 2948 AD / 60 AGB
Location: Unknown...
---

“I’ve faced off against Chrysalis and Nightmare Moon both, and this is what makes me nervous?” Knight Sky remarked as he donned his freshly polished Royal Guard helm.

Fluttershy brushed a smudge off the helm with her wing and reassured him, “Don’t be nervous, I think you’ll do just fine.”

The newly minted Royal Guard Commander sighed heavily and said, “You’re right, as always. I’m ready for this.”

He walked to the door of the small home, his armored hooves clanking on the wooden floorboard. He’d never flown in armor before, and that alone made him anxious. Knight Sky pushed open the door and was met with searing brightness in his right eye.

He turned away from the sunlight with the eye closed, “Fluttershy, do you see my patch anywhere?”

“Right here,” she retrieved the eyepatch and brought it to him. “You shouldn’t forget this, it’s dangerous to use that eye in the sunlight. Remember what Blood Dancer said about it.”

As he put the patch on with Fluttershy’s help, Knight Sky recalled, “Didn’t he say something about hard-boiled eggs?”

The mare put a hoof to her mouth in embarrassment, “Oh, um...that wasn’t really what I was referring to, but-”

Knight Sky simply silenced her with his own lips. When they separated he added, “Thanks for worrying about me, Fluttershy.”

She tried and failed to hide her blush, but had composed herself enough by the time he turned back to the door to say one thing, “Adra would be proud, Daniel.”

“You’ve never even met her and yet you remember her better than I do,” he mused aloud. “It’s okay, I trust you. Your word is all I need to know it’d be true.”

Knight Sky spread his wings, and took flight.

---

soundtrack

“Have you heard anything about our instructor?” the unicorn Lieutenant asked of his classmates at the newly-opened Ponyville Academy for Military Strategy.

“I’ve only heard that he’s a tactical genius and that he’s not from around here,” a pegasus soldier replied.

All told, the first class numbered only about forty Royal Guard officers who had been deemed of high enough aptitude to be trained as strategists, it was expected to grow with time.

“Ah, great...I hope he’s not from Stalliongrad, I can never understand those accents,” the unicorn complained.

“If half the things I’ve heard about him are true, then I don’t care where he’s from or what he sounds like, I want to learn all I can,” a third soldier chimed in.

Before anypony else could speak again, the door opened and the entire class fell silent. In walked a grey pegasus clad in the traditional Royal Guard armor, but what caught their eye was not the slew of foreign service pins, nor the distinct limp and large scar on his foreleg, nor even the eyepatch he wore over one of his eyes.

What caught their notice the most was the medal that they could all recognize anywhere.

One soldier whispered, “No one told me our instructor would be a Sun and Moon recipient...”

The whispered reply came swiftly, “Quiet down, I wanna hear this!”

Once he reached the podium at the front and center of the room, he looked over his students, and began. “Strategy,” he paused dramatically, “...is a more powerful weapon than anything you’ve ever seen.”

Many soldiers began taking notes as he continued, “When honed correctly, your mind can be sharper than any sword, tougher than the strongest armor, swifter than the lightest arrow...and deadlier than any weapon you can imagine.”

He motioned for a unicorn assistant to begin writing on the board from a prepared set of notes. The unicorn levitated the chalk and wrote out a three word phrase, which their instructor began elaborating on.

“Where I come from, a little under two and a half thousand years ago, there was a battle that will be remembered forever. A few hundred stood against more than a million. They held their ground for weeks until a traitor undid them. But they used strategy and superb individual fighting skill to make numbers count for nothing. Train your mind correctly, and you can do the same.”

The unicorn Lieutenant in the front raised a hoof, and was gestured to. “Sir, if I may ask, where exactly are you from?”

“Where I am from is nothing you need to worry about. What matters is who I am and what I have done. That is what defines me, not my place of origin,” he replied cryptically.

The stallion who asked the question nervously continued, “With all due respect, sir, would you mind telling us a little about that? I feel there’s a great deal we could learn from it.”

He simply nodded and continued. “As for what I have done, I was born in war, as were my parents, and their parents. I grew up in war, I killed in war, I turned my cloak in war, I fell in love in war, I lost my love in war, and more than once, I nearly died in war. War is the worst thing civilization has ever conceived, and yet to maintain peace for the innocent, it is unfortunately necessary. I have fended off armies with little more than nine trained soldiers, a few rusty weapons, and half a town of untrained and frightened civilians. As for who I am...”

He took off his helm and rested it on the podium, “When I first arrived here, I was no one. Then, I remembered that I was Lieutenant Commander Daniel Tarian, master strategist on board the Deus ex Machina, one of the lead flagships of the United Terran Fleet. Now, I am Commander Knight Sky, master strategist in Her Majesty’s Royal Guard, and teacher of strategy at this academy.”

As he spoke, jaws began to drop as the students slowly began to realize just who their instructor was.

Another student raised a hoof, and was called upon. “Sir, I have two questions. First, where were you awarded the Medal of Sun and Moon? And second, those words on the board, what exactly do you mean by them?”

Commander Knight Sky looked to the board and answered, “I was awarded this medal for orchestrating the defense strategy against the Second Changeling Insurrection several months ago, and for challenging and defeating the changeling Queen. As for these words, they refer to the concept that before the mind of a master strategist, there is no strength in numbers. I want you all to memorize these words, ingrain them into your minds, and never forget them. They will be your guide as a strategist, and will dictate your every move in battle. Recite them now. Read these words aloud.”

He looked back to the class of soldiers eager to learn. They stood to attention, and recited the words as one, “Mind over might.”

---

Mind Over Might

by SilentSky

CHAPTER ONE: WAR

CHAPTER TWO: SURVIVAL

CHAPTER THREE: GRIEF

CHAPTER FOUR: FIRE

CHAPTER FIVE: FRIENDS

CHAPTER SIX: WRATH

CHAPTER SEVEN: BLOOD

CHAPTER EIGHT: LIFE

CHAPTER NINE: REVELATION

CHAPTER TEN: ARRIVAL

CHAPTER ELEVEN: REDEMPTION

EPILOGUE