> Haylo: Sky Torn Asunder
>  by Avalanche56
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> They Dropped...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter-1 They Dropped…
August 4th 2552
UNSC_AVALANCHE
Aboard the Corvette class UNSC_AVALANCHE sat a squad of marines currently engaged in a friendly game of poker. This seemingly unimportant game between a squad was rudely interrupted by blaring klaxons alerting the crew of the UNSC_AVALANCHE that they were about to face action, but alas for the klaxons were not nearly the loudest of noises at the time. No, for over the already deafening noise a lone man was yelling at the top of his lungs.
“LETS GO HELLIJUMPERS!!! GET YOUR ASSES TO THE ARMORY AND GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!!!”
No more than 5 seconds passed before a 5 man squad of ODST ran to the armory to get prepared all of whom were responding with shouts of “YES SIR” and one distinct voice replying with, “Awww, c’mon LT can I nap for five more minutes?” before joining his squad and avoiding a punch to the face from the grizzled veteran who served as the commanding officer of the ODST’s squad.
The LT simply shook his head and made to place his helmet on his head before noticing the stunned group of marines sitting there at an impromptu poker table looking at him.
“Am I going to have to raise my voice again or can I trust you gentlemen to get your asses moving to wherever you should be?”
To which the marines simply replied to with nods and then promptly getting up and running out of the room as fast as their legs could carry as far away from the crazy man as possible.
“Much better.” Lieutenant Graves muttered to himself, “Whelp I should probably get up to the briefing room before they beat me there.” The LT said to no one in particular and thus he began his journey.
- - - - - - -
“Anyone else think the LT’s got a stick up his ass?” asked Cpl. J. Smith as the squad of ODSTs began to get ready for action.
“Stow the shit Cpl. we got more important things to worry about right now.” Was the gracious response he earned from the team’s designated sharpshooter.
“Hey lay of the kid, Ramirez, he’s just nervous cuz he’s a rookie.” Quipped their friendly neighborhood demolitions expert who went by the name of Elton.
“I remember when you were a rookie, Elton, I patched you up real nice after you got nervous with a box of IEDs. Heh-eh, good times.” Came the voice of the team’s medic Lukas Wohlfkrieg carrying a slight yet obvious German accent.
“I didn’t get nervous I got shot in the ass by some stupid grunt cuz you guys were busy looting some damn hogs instead of watching my ass.”
“And what a beautiful hands on lesson of the application of biofoam to stop the loss of another humans internal organs that ended up to be.” Lukas replied with a smirk also drawing laughter from the rest of the squad.
“Yeah yeah whatever man.” Came the quiet mutterings of Elton.
“Now that you ladies are done bickering can we get a move on the briefing room before the boss chews our asses for being late?” was the less than amused response elicited from Ramirez.
And thus the great debate was ended and the squad made their way to the aforementioned briefing room.
- - - - - - -
As each member of the squad filed into the room the LT noted each man’s armor and nodded to the wearer respectfully. The first in was Cpl. J. Smith, he was wearing the standard ODST armor with a black on black paintjob and the usual sky blue visor. The next squad mate to strut into the room with a huge grin was Elton, the squad demolitions expert, he wore an EOD variant of the ODST armor with a grenade bandolier on the chest plate, his armor was colored black with a secondary color of yellow along with the normal sky blue visor. Once Elton got his fat ego through the door he was followed by the only female member of their squad, Mariah Renolds, she was easily the tallest member of the squad standing at an impressive 6’9”, being the squads designated heavy weapons expert. Mariah wore the Standard issue ODST armor with several modifications allowing her to carry some extra ammo and a paintjob of black with a secondary of crimson. The self-acclaimed crack shot sniper, Ramirez, was the next to waltz on in, he also wore the standard issue ODST armor along with an attached VISR upgrade on his helmet for extended zoom, his armor was colored black with a blue secondary. Just like in a combat situation the last one to enter was the team medic, Lukas Wohlfkrieg, he wore an ODST armor variant specifically designed for a combat medic allowing him to carry extra meds and up to two canisters of biofoam. When the squad lined up he stood out like a sore thumb, while the rest of the squad had a color scheme of black with a secondary specific to their roles Lukas was a bright white with a crimson secondary, almost looking like a doctor in a blood stained lab coat.
Once the squad had filed in and taken their seats the LT, who was wearing the standard ODST armor along with a tac pad and a black with white secondary paintjob began his briefing.
“Now that you’re all seated and quiet,” the LT shot Elton a quick glare before continuing, “we can get started on the mission brief.” 
The LT proceeded to activate the monitor via the tac pad located on his left wrist before motioning to the aerial picture of a covenant corvette hovering over the city of Quezon on the planet Reach.
“As you all already know we are currently in orbit above the city of Quezon awaiting our next orders, and we have received them.” The LT paused to make sure everyone was paying attention.
“Well don’t leave us hanging man, spill the beans, what’s the plan?” came the impatient reply from Elton.
“Very well, we along with two more squads of ODSTs from neighboring ships will be dropping in ON the corvette.”
“You’re joking right? He’s joking right?” came the question from a skeptical Ramirez.
“No, I’m not joking. We will be deploying onto the corvette in a tight formation and proceed to gain entry through a large gap caused by an anti-air barrage.” The LT zoomed in on a hull breach on the starboard side of the corvette and continued the briefing, “We will enter, we will kill every damned squid head and gas breather we see, and we will steal the ship. Any questions?”
“Uh yeah,” started Cpl. Smith, “a few actually, for one: aren’t the damn things shields up? And for two: why are we not just blowing the damn thing up?”
“Well you see Cpl, no the corvettes shields are not up due to an energy overload that fried their shield generators, and for your second brilliant inquiry, when was the last time we had a chance to steal a covenant corvette? Their technology is far more advanced than our own and ONI is jumping at any chance they have to snag some new toys. That answer everything pretty boy?” was the lengthy response earned from the LT by the Cpl’s efforts.
“Uhhh…. Yea – I mean – Y-yes sir, thank you for the clarification sir.”
Lukas couldn’t help but chuckle at the overwhelmed rookie.
“Mhm… glad we got that out of the way, now get a move on, Hellijumpers, get in your eggs we drop in five.” The LT made to turn before stopping himself and looking at Elton, “And for god sakes Elton don’t forget your Jetpack this time, you’re not just any ODST you’re a Bullfrog, and that goes for the rest of you as well.”
“SIR, YES SIR!!!” was the reply from the squad of Bullfrogs as the stood up and began making their way to the hanger and their designated pods.
- - - - - - -
True to his Word the LT had gotten them all loaded up within three minutes. Lukas sat in his pod doing one last equipment check before the call was made. Making sure he had everything he mumbled the list to himself and patted each piece of equipment in turn.
“M7S caseless submachine gun, check. Smith&Wesson .44 magnum revolver, check. 7.9in combat knife, check. Flashbang grenade, check. Two fragmentation grenades, check and check. Two canisters of biofoam, check and check. Anesthetics, check. Adrenaline stims, check. Medical tape, check. Jetpack, check.” 
Although an ODST wouldn’t normally carry an old time Smith&Wesson revolver, any soldier is allowed to carry whatever they prove to be efficient with into combat and Lukas was no exception to that rule.
Just as Lukas finished his routine equipment check the voice of the LT crackled to life on the helmet radio, “Alright ladies now that you got all your make up on we can finally go have a night out on the town.”
After the squad replied with a resonating “HOORAH!!!” The LT got a smile on his face and continued on. “We are nearing objective drop zone, maintain a tight formation and try not to miss, Lukas, you get the lights.”
“Roger that sir, as always.” Came the reply from the teams medic who was long used to being the last one down to make sure the area was mildly secured so the medic wouldn’t be the first one hit.
No more than thirty seconds afterwards, a green light began to blink in one of the screens of the drop pods and a 30 second count down began.
20 seconds.
10 seconds.
5 seconds
“Brace for launch.” Were the final words spoken by the LT before drop.

> ...And Thus The Sky Was Torn Asunder
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter-2 …And Thus The Sky Was Torn Asunder
August 4th 2552
UNSC_AVALANCHE, Quezon, Reach
As always during a drop, Lukas watched his squad mates go, although they went only seconds before he himself dropped it still evoked a feeling of nervous dread. What if he didn’t get down there fast enough to save a life? What if someone died because he wasn’t there to cover them? These thoughts were quickly pushed to the back of Lukas’ mind as the countdown reached zero and the pod was released.
Lukas watched in anticipation as the first of the pods impacted the Covenant Corvette’s hull, not too long after impact the doors of his fellow ODST’s launched off. Lukas let off a sigh of relief to see that his squad made it and with only moments before impact he was sure that he would soon join them.
But alas poor Lukas for Murphy had other plans, for if something can go wrong it will and something was definitely going wrong.
Five seconds before the impact of his own pod, Lukas could only watch in horror as the Corvette’s energy shields flickered to life, for the poor souls of the ODSTs still on the outside of the ship life met a quick and harsh end as they were promptly decapitated be the hard energy shield materializing inside of them at about neck level. He could do nothing but fear for his life as the small covenant ship prepared to engage in a slip space jump.
It took the covenant ship all but three seconds to perform all this and within those last two seconds it fired up its engines to full tilt and made it halfway through the portal before Lukas’ pod simply bounced off of the ship and into the void.
- - - - - - -
Darkness, it was the first thing he thought of and it was the first thing he saw, did I die? Lukas thought to himself.
“No, if I was dead my head wouldn’t be pounding like a woodpecker on a walnut tree.” He grumbled to himself, “Huh, so this is what slip space looks like.” Lukas observed a swirling mass of dark purples, blues, and complete and utter emptiness.
“Well fuck.”
“Might as well make sure-“ He was interrupted by a blinding flash and then unconsciousness.
- - - - - - -
Lukas soon awoke to a very familiar feeling. Why does it feel like I’m falling? All his questions were answered when he opened his eyes to see the hatch of his SOEIV, more specifically, the clouds he was rapidly approaching.
“Oh shit.” Was all he could say before his pod burst through the clouds and towards a very large and foreboding forest.
But that wasn’t the destination chosen for him by gravity, no the world decided to fuck him sideways and threw him right into a bog.
Lukas’ pod didn’t take lightly to this treatment it was going through, it decided to show its displeasure with the current state of the world by giving Lukas a big, fat middle finger and refusing to deploy its drag chute and only firing one of the break rockets. This, of course, causing the SOEIV to tumble out of control and impact the muddy water at an awkward angle promptly throwing Lukas back into the realm of unconsciousness.
- - - - - - -
“What the hay was that!?” was all Rainbow Dash could shout. She had just finished practicing her latest trick when there was a bright flash, a loud boom, and what looked like the very fabric of the sky being torn apart and opening enough to let a black object through before closing with an audible snap.
Rainbow Dash watched in open mouthed confusion and shock as said object continued to barrel through the atmosphere. She kept her eyes trained on the object and attempted to discern where it would land.
“Phew, looks like it’ll miss Ponyville, and impact somewhere in the Everfree…” She let out a sigh of relief before looking back at the object and observing its trajectory one more time.
And then it hit her, not literally but something clicked in her brain.
“THAT THING IS GONNA HIT MY CLOUD HOUSE!!!” Rainbow Dash shouted, after a small moment of observation she was certain she could minimize the damage by moving it if she got there in time.
By nearly causing a sonic rainboom, Rainbow Dash was able to reach her house before the object, she quickly set to the task of pushing her house out of the way of said other worldly projectile.
Moments before it smashed through half her house, the object let out a burst of flames that caused its course to change and only completely destroy her bedroom as opposed to half her cloud mansion.
“Awwww, pony feathers, now I have to fix that, and I was gonna nap and everything.” Rainbow Dash grumbled to herself before noticing the space rock smash into Froggy Bottom Bog before sinking to the bottom after a short while at the surface.
But while it may have only been at the surface for 10 seconds or so, she could still make out the angular look of the rock.
“That’s way to symmetrical to be a rock, but what else could it be?” Rainbow contemplated this before resolving to investigate the strange object’s impact site.
“Oh, I wonder if its aliens, the look on Twilight's face would be priceless!” The prismatic mare exclaimed in excitement. “Sure do hope they’re friendly… and if they’re not then I’ll just have to kick their flanks, yeah!”
As Rainbow Dash neared the crash site of the strange object she noticed it was completely submerged in the muddy water and there was no way she was going to be able to get to it or get it out.
“Hmph! Now I’m gonna have to get egghead to lift it out and that could take FOREVER.” Rainbow Dash said with a sigh.
And then something happened, she wasn’t sure what it was but there was definitely something occurring.
- - - - - - -
“Great, its fucking dark again.” Was all Lukas managed to mumble to himself as he awoke for the second time that day in his SOEIV. That was before the distinct feeling of being upside down hit him.
“Gah! Where am I anyways!?” he exclaimed as he nearly hit his head on the pods ceiling only being stopped thanks to the harness keeping him strapped in.
As he began to remember the events that led to his unfortunate arrival at the bottom of a bog or swamp he groaned in despair. “Well at least I’m no worse for wear, if a little shaken up.” The disgruntled medic assessed of himself. 
“Should probably get out of here before I suffocate.” He quickly glanced around at his limited surroundings, “and before I get extremely claustrophobic.”
He promptly unlatched himself from his seat and fell to the ceiling while exclaiming, “ouch.” After quickly righting himself in the pod he began to gather all his gear. While he still had most of his medical supplies and his handy-dandy jetpack strapped on, he did need to retrieve his M7S caseless submachine gun from the side of the seat.
Once properly equipped for the impending journey he checked his HUD to see that he had about ten more minutes of life giving air left in his suits reserves.
“Huh, I hope the atmosphere of where ever I am is breathable to humans… yeah that would suck.” With that final self confidence boost he made to eject the SOEIV hatch via the emergency micro explosives. With a nice bang the hatch shoot open…and then stopped after two feet due to the viscous mud-water. “Nothing ventured… nothing gained.”
And with that he stepped into the unknown.

> Movement
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter-3 Movement
August 4th 2552
Froggy Bottom Bog, Equestria
Rainbow Dash sat at the edge of the bog staring intently at where she was sure the object had sunken. She had seen the surface of the bog ripple and then let out a large air bubble, and now she felt as though something was going to happen, she felt her neck skin crawl in nervousness and anticipation of the unknown.
“Ohhhhhh, the anticipation is killing me.” She said to no one in particular.
And just as Rainbow Dash turned and prepared to fly off and go get Twilight to help lift that strangely symmetrical ‘thing’ out of the bog she heard what sounded like faint splashing in the mud.
All the hair on her back was standing at attention when she slowly turned back around to see… nothing it looked like the mud was a little bit pushed around but there were no distinguishable prints or marks that would show something was there.
And then there, not 10 feet from her she saw something, ‘movement’ she thought. Now determined that there was indeed something there deep in the mud she decided to stand her ground and confront it.
- - - - - - -
Lukas was, understandably, getting somewhat claustrophobic. ‘This is a little more difficult than I anticipated, I can barely fucking move in this stuff.’ He thought to himself that maybe he was nearing the edge of the bog.
“Oh yeah, definitely getting closer, I can feel the slope now.”
After about two more minutes of intense pushing forward, Lukas could feel the load of mud on his body get noticeably lighter. ‘Feels like I’m close, good thing too, only got four more minutes of life support in here.’
As he worked his way through the mud he could have sworn that he saw a small white blip on his motion sensors appear if only for a second, but he brushed it off as ‘this recycled air is messing with my brain.’
Lukas felt the weight of the mud leaving his shoulders as he slowly pulled himself, belly side down, onto the shore. ‘I’ll just rest here a sec, getting really tired.’ After a moment of respite he redoubled his efforts and managed to drag himself to solid ground.
Whether Lukas knew it or not there was a stunned Rainbow Dash standing not four feet from where he lay.
Slowly rolling on his back, Lukas noticed that he was blind, ‘no, not blind, I just can’t see a damned thing through all this mud on my visor.’ He thought to himself that maybe he should wipe it off and see what alien landscape lay before him.
Bringing his right hand up to his face he began to wipe and scrape as much of the mud off of his face as possible, still blissfully ignorant of the rainbow colored Pegasus a few feet away.
‘This is the best its gonna get huh, well I’ll have to find a clean stream and wash my armor later on then.’ Now with a goal and the sudden realization that he wasn’t dying due to a poisonous atmosphere he began to get up. Not halfway through his ascent to standing up he noticed something colorful, really colorful.
“WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?” he yelled in surprise as he spotted the stunned Rainbow Dash looking at him in utter fear as he fell back down to a sitting position.
“Oh shit, you fucking scared me you little colorful horse, shouldn’t you be on some greener pastures instead of a swamp?” Lukas inquired more to himself than the horse as he bent towards it to pet its strangely colorful mane.
Of course he was even more surprised when Rainbow Dash took to the air maintaining an altitude of well out of his reach.
“Well no shit…” he whistled to himself, “it can fucking fly, next I’m gonna get into a political debate with a potato.” And with that he started to cautiously move away in order to find a nice big river or at least a large puddle to clean up in.
“What the buck is that?” Rainbow Dash asked herself in a hushed tone after jumping into the air to avoid the creature’s touch. Of course since she had practically whispered that to herself she nearly died of a heart attack when the creature spun around and glared at her with its one big blue eye.
“You can talk…?” it inquired with a hesitant tone and a subtle preparation to bolt in the opposite direction depending on the Pegasus’ next move.
“Y-yeah.” Was all Rainbow could stutter as she slowly began to come back down to the ground a considerable distance from the creature.
“Well then that changes thi- HOLY SHIT WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT THING!?” It yelled once again in fear as it threw an arm up and pointed at something behind Rainbow Dash.
“Huh?” Was the only response she could come up with before she felt it, and it hurt.
Behind Rainbow Dash stood a manticore, a manticore that was retracting its stinger from Rainbow’s back. ‘Everything is going all weird, and… and I’m passing out aren’t I?’ Rainbow’s thought question was soon answered by the feeling of the ground coming up to meet her face.
“Don’t worry I’ll save you horsey!” Lukas declared as he whipped out his M7S submachine gun and unloaded all of five shoots into the beast’s face before it jammed up from all the mud.
“Son of a bitch!” he exclaimed as he dropped his M7S and pulled out his trusty .44 magnum revolver. With one clean, and loud as hell, shoot he collapsed the manticore’s face into delicious brain pudding.
“Hell yeah… oh wait the horse.” He said to himself as he bent over to pickup his jammed M7S and afterwards walking over to the wounded horse, its collapsed and shivering form lying in the mud.
Without a second thought Lukas scooped up the colorful horse and started walking, determined to find some clean water to both wash his armor and to clean the horse’s wound before bandaging it.
- - - - - - -
After about five minutes of walking Lukas began to hear the sound of a small stream flowing just past a few trees, without a moment of hesitation he set his course to get to the stream as fast as possible.
Upon getting to the stream, Lukas gently set down the restless pony, having determined it was too small to be a simple horse, and took about 2 minutes washing any mud from his armor before turning his attention to the small curled up form of the Pegasus.
‘Might as well get started on you.’ He thought to himself as he picked up the pony and carried he over to the stream where he gently began to wash the mud from its body, but more importantly its wound. “Oh its not that bad, some medical tape should keep you nice and alive.” Lukas said to himself as he began to bandage up the area afflicted by the attack. ‘If that was poisonous then I’ll just have to keep her here with me until she recovers, its all up to you know little pony.’ He thought to himself. Since he lacked medical expertise in the field of pony anatomy and giant lion scorpion bat poison he could only hope for the best.
After securing the Pegasus to a nearby tree to prevent it from fleeing upon waking up, he dedicated the location of his soon to be camp to memory and walked into the forest to gather wood and maybe a small dinner.
Not before long, Lukas had gathered whatever materials he needed to make a fire and even managed to catch a squirrel for dinner. He returned to the little base camp he had set up next to the stream and began to light the fire, after about five minutes of failure trying to light the fire he decided to use a more… unorthodox method.
He quickly unstrapped his jet pack, aimed it at the fire and let of the lowest amount of thrust possible, along with the success of lighting the fire, this also caused Lukas to fall on his back with a ‘thump.’
Shrugging off the fall, he began to slowly gut and skin the squirrel, it wasn’t much but it was dinner.
As the sun was going down, Lukas decided the squirrel was cooked well enough. He set to retrieving it from the little stick it had been attached to which was keeping it above the fire. Not too long afterwards he noticed that squirrels really didn’t have much meat on them as he finished before he was even mildly satisfied.
“Guess I’m gonna have to deal with my rations – oh you’re waking up?” he asked the half conscious Rainbow Dash that was slowly regaining her senses.
“Huh - wha - where – why – why am I tied up?” She asked, not having noticed the ODST medic sitting by the fire watching her.
“Well I restrained you so you wouldn’t hurt yourself… or me, not that you could but I take whatever precautions I can.” Lukas simply stated with a smile and a small wave.
And that’s when Rainbow Dash noticed the white and red monster sitting before her with the remains of an eaten squirrel casually lying by its feet. Strange new creature and carnivorous was all Rainbow Dash could gather in that quick glance, so naturally, she was a little afraid of the big hungry creature. And she reacted as such.
“AHHHH!!! DON’T EAT ME!!! PLEASE, I – I – I Don’t want to DIEEEEEE!” Rainbow Dash pleaded for her life for she truly believed she was doomed.
“What?” was Lukas’ surprised response, “Why would I eat you? That’s crazy talk, and stop squirming, you’re just gonna open the wound and hurt yourself and that’s the last thing we want.”
“S-so you aren’t going to eat me?” Rainbow inquired, “And what do you mean ‘open the wound’?”
“No, I’m not going to eat you.” Lukas stated with a straight face, “And you got stabbed by some giant weird lion scorpion bat and then passed out in the mud. I think I did a good enough job of patching you up all things considered.” He said with a sincere smile.
It was then that she noticed the pain in her flank right above the cutie mark which was, luckily, unscathed. Just as Rainbow Dash examined her bandages she thought of something.
“Hey, if a manticore did this then where did it go? What happened?” she asked with an expression of innocence on her face.
“Oh that’s what those are called?” Lukas asked before continuing, “Well its simply really, I killed it after you passed out, and I must say, you were rather adorable while I carried you here.”
“Y-you killed it? But h-how?” Rainbow Dash asked suddenly more and more afraid of this strange being even if it said it wouldn’t eat her and even after it did patch her up.
“Oh it was easy, really. Its face imploded after one .44 magnum round to the forehead, wouldn’t be the first time my little friend here saved my life.” As he said this he patted the revolver holstered on the right of his hip.
“What is that thing?” Rainbow Dash asked with an audible gulp at just how powerful something had to be in order to put down a manticore.
“It’s a gun, Smith&Wesson .44 Magnum revolver with a six inch barrel to be exact.” Lukas stated matter of factly.
“What’s a gun?” the colorful Pegasus asked now clearly confused.
“Uhhhh, well does you species have cannons?” Lukas asked now certain that these ponies were not very advanced in technology if at all.
“Um… Yeah, yeah I think there are some in Canterlot, though I haven’t ever seen them be used, why?”
“Ok, a gun is basically a smaller more advanced version of a cannon, that’s all you really need to know.” Lukas explained getting a little impatient with the Pegasus. “That’s enough about that, but what I really want to know is where the hell I am, and what are you exactly? You look like a Pegasus, but where I’m from those are fictional, so do explain.”
Sensing the slight irritation in the voice of… the whatever it is, Rainbow Dash decided to keep her answer short and save any bragging for later. “Ok, as to where we are, this is Equestria, more specifically, the Everfree forest. And I’m a pony, a Pegasus pony.”
After an awkward silence of about five minutes, Rainbow Dash had already become bored and decided to try to find out more about this creature that had her tied to a tree.
“So what are you? And what’s your name, if you don’t mind me asking?” She asked a bit sheepishly.
“Ah, where are my manners?” Lukas took a moment to compose himself before continuing, “I am a human, and I am Sergeant Lukas Wohlfkrieg. And may I ask what your name is my prismatic little friend?”
“I’m Rainbow Dash! Best flyer in all of Equestria!” Rainbow Dash claimed with a confident smirk. “Hey, where are you from anyways?”
“A very boastful claim Rainbow Dash.” After a short pause Lukas came up with an idea of sorts, “I have a proposition for you, let us exchange information and I’ll untie you, though I would like some company tonight, this forest seems rather boring… Oh, and I’m from a place called Bavaria, Germany on a planet called Earth.” Lukas spoke with a smile maintaining eye contact the entire time.
“So you are from a different planet after all…” Rainbow Dash said more to herself than Lukas. After a short internal debate on whether or not she should agree to his information exchange she shrugged and said, “What the hay, why not, ok I’ll trade information with you… but I get to ask first.”
“By all means, go right ahead.” Lukas made a gesture with his hand as if saying ‘ask away.’
“Ok, first off, where is this Earth? I’ve never heard of it, and answer honestly!” The Pegasus demanded.
“Classified.”
“Classified? What do you mean classified?” Rainbow asked with a hint of confusion in her voice.
“Its simple. I’m not allowed to tell anyone where my home planet is, and if I do, it is considered treason and then I get the death penalty.” After a quick laugh at the grumbling pegasus’ expense, Lukas began to ask a question of his own, “So you see, I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’m stranded here on this planet for god knows how long and I need a place to live, I doubt you live in these woods seeing as how you almost died today, so where do you live, or at least where is the nearest settlement where I can get some shelter?” Lukas voiced his concern for his living arrangement, or lack thereof.
“Well I live in a cloud house, which you smashed through on your way down in that thing, and Ponyville is the nearest town, its just to the west.” Rainbow Dash responded to Lukas’ question although she had no idea where he would stay, much less what the residents of Ponyville would think of an alien simply walking into town.
“Oh, sorry about your hou – WAIT YOU LIVE IN A CLOUD!? WHAT THE FUCK!?” Lukas asked rather surprised and confused at the house made of clouds idea.
“Um, yeah, I do.” She said a little taken aback by the humans outburst, after calming herself she thought of something, “I think that counts as your question, my turn now.” She said with a smug grin.
“Touché little pony, touché indeed.” Lukas admitted.
“So uh, when are you going to untie me?” Rainbow asked with a pleading look on her face.
“Oh right, well um, I’ll untie you once you promise not to leave, you’re hurt and I don’t want a patient of mine getting killed because I let them do something stupid like fly away in the middle of the night.” Lukas stated as his medic instincts began to take over.
“Fine, I’ll stay with you for the night… But only because you completely destroyed my bedroom.” Rainbow Dash conceded defeat with a yawn, “and only cuz I’m so tired already.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Lukas said with a smile as he began to untie the restless pony.
“Mmmmm… that feels much better.” Rainbow let out a sigh of relief as she arched her back like a cat and stretched her wings, giving them a few experimental flaps before settling back down on the grass, somewhat closer to the warmth of the fire.
“Heh-eh, that was kinda adorable.” Lukas said with a laugh.
“H – Hey, I’m NOT adorable!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed a bit flustered and a bit redder than normal.
“Whatever you say, Rainbow Dash, but I digress, I recommend we get some shut eye before morning makes its approach.” Lukas said before a yawn managed to manifest in the ODST’s throat.
“Fine... I’m not adorable…” Rainbow Dash mumbled to herself before dozing off to sleep a little closer to the human than she thought.
After a little contemplation on whether or not he should keep watch or not Lukas decided that the fire should be enough of a deterrent, but still slipped on his helmet as a safe measure throughout the night. “Sweet dreams you little gay pride horse.” Lukas mumbled into the confines of his helmet where no sound could escape from unless he decided otherwise, and with that he drifted off into sleep.

> Into Light
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter-4 Into Light
August 5th 2552
Everfree forest, Equestria
As Lukas awoke from a dreamless slumber he noticed something odd, “I gotta stop waking up to complete darkness like this,” he mused to himself.
After a moment of trying to remove his helmet he discovered that it wasn’t in fact dark, it was just something lying on his face.
“No, not something, someone.”
After quickly activating the external speaker he decided Rainbow Dash had slept enough.
“Yo, Rainbow Dash! Wake up, I’m getting claustrophobic!” Lukas practically yelled into the stomach of what he assumed was the prismatic mare he had helped last night.
“Huh, five more minutes.” she mumbled in a half conscious voice.
“That’s a negative ghost rider.” And with that he promptly sat up, simultaneously catapulting Rainbow Dash across the smoldering embers of the camp fire and right into the shallow stream, the ice cold, shallow stream that is.
“AAAAHHHHHH!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a jump, “cold cold cold cold cold.”
“Heh-eh, now that you’re awake, there are a few things we need to do.” Lukas laughed as he removed his helmet. “First of I’m gonna have ask you to not sleep on my face next time.”
“Hmph, whatever, you totally deserved that for calling me adorable.” Rainbow said while crossing her front legs in defiance.
“Still not over that? Ok, well I need to replace your bandages and examine the wound regardless.” Lukas said with a dismissive wave at the Pegasus’ displeasure at being called adorable.
“Yeah, fine just get it over with so that we can go to Ponyville, knowing my friends they’re probably freaking out at me being missing.” Replied Rainbow Dash as she imagined Twilight overreacting and assembling a search party.
And with that Lukas set to removing the old bandages and inspecting the wound, he paused his examination as he looked at the odd cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt coming down from it.
“Hey Rainbow Dash, I was wonder, what is this mark on your flank?” Lukas asked as he began to reapply bandages.
“Huh? My cutie mark? Everypony gets one when-“ and that’s when Rainbow was interrupted by Lukas breaking out into laughter
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA… cutie mark… that’s the least manliest thing I’ve ever heard!” Lukas continued his fit of laughter as he fell onto his back.
“Hey, stop it! Everypony gets them eventually.” Rainbow Dash said as she glared at Lukas laughing on the floor, and then she noticed the small emblem on Lukas’ chest, “Hey Lukas, what is that picture on your chest?” She asked as she pointed to his chest.
“That, my little friend, is the insignia of the UNSC.” He said referring to the eagle perched on a globe with a dash of pride in his voice.
“What’s that? The UNSC I mean.” Rainbow Dash asked curiously.
“The United Nations Space Command, it’s the military I am a part of, but that’s a story for another time.” Lukas spoke like a mother to a child getting ready for bed.
“Ooooookay, anyway, can we get going already? It’s gonna take all day to get there with you walking so slow and I’m tired of waiting.” Rainbow Dash spoke with a look of boredom clearly plastered in her face.
“Yeah you’re good, just try not to run too much. And as for how long it’s gonna take… I don’t think it will take all day.” As Lukas spoke a smile grew on his face.
“Meh, I don’t even know how fast you walk, it was just a guess.” Rainbow said with a shrug, “oh, and I was wondering if you had a nickname or something cuz Lukas is kinda lame, no offense.”
“Well some of my friends used to call me Wolf because of my last name, but I haven’t been called that in years.” Lukas said as he reminisced over years long past.
“It’s settled then, I’m gonna call you Wolf, and you can call me Dash or just Rainbow, the whole ‘Rainbow Dash’ makes me feel old.” She said with a determined smile. “Now lets go.”
“As you wish.” And with that Lukas replaced his helmet and activated his jetpack and, with a wave, he launched himself off of the ground and into the light of the morning sun.
Rainbow Dash just kinda sat there with a very confused expression on her face as she stared at where Lukas had been standing as she tried to piece together what just happened.

> Behold a Pale Horse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter-5 Behold A Pale Horse
August 5th 2552
Everfree forest, Equestria
As he breached the canopy of the Everfree forest, Lukas soon spotted a small town to the west, ‘that must be Ponyville, Rainbow Dash did say it was to the west.’
Back on the ground Rainbow Dash was slowly recovering from the shock of watching Lukas rocket off into the sky without warning, after picking her jaw off of the ground she decided to stop sitting around and start following him.
Rainbow Dash quickly took off and found Lukas hovering 20 feet above the canopy, ‘how is he doing that? He doesn’t have wings…’
Rainbow Dash was pulled out of her internal inquiry by the sound of a voice, Lukas’ voice to be exact.
“Well speak of the devil, look who finally decided to show up, and here I was thinking you were the fastest flyer in Equestria.” Lukas spoke in a mocking tone while there was undoubtedly a smile under his visor, Rainbow couldn’t see it.
“Hmph, I’ll show you that I am the fastest flyer in Equestria before the end of today,” she paused for dramatic effect, “by challenging you to a race!”
“A race eh? Well, what are the rules to you challenge?” Lukas asked after contemplating the idea of a little friendly competition.
“Simple, the first one to Ponyville library wins, that would be the big tree in the center of town.” She gestured with a hoof towards Ponyville.
“Ok, but you have to take it easy, we both know you’re far from fully healed.” Lukas said in a tone that bid no argument.
“Fine, I’ll go easy on you, but I have to warn you, I’ve outrun wolves before.” She said with a confident smirk.
“Let me remind you none of those wolves were from another planet.” Lukas said with an equally confident smirk.
“Yeah yeah, anyways, READY!SET!GO!”  and with that Rainbow took an early lead, but Lukas had the wonder of space age technology to aid him in this endeavor.
After about 30 seconds of flying Rainbow Dash decided to look over her should to see how Lukas was doing. He was doing fine, a little too good actually.
“SURPRISE MUTHA FUCKA!” He yelled as he barreled past her at speeds more impressive than those of most other pegasi.
Dash wasn’t just another pegasi though, and she wasn’t about to let some guy beat her in a race, the sky was her domain!
Rainbow Dash redoubled her efforts and actually started trying to fly instead of lazily flapping her wings. For the next three minutes, Rainbow Dash and Lukas flew neck and neck, both where confident in their chance for winning.
As they neared the outskirts of Ponyville Rainbow started to pull ahead of Lukas with considerable speed. This of course only served to boost her ego even more now that she was going to beat a space alien in a race!
‘Oh look she’s pretty fast,’ Lukas contemplated this statement in his head before laughing at himself, did she really think that he was gonna let some horse with wings win a race? That would be a bad first impressions for his race on this planet.
After giving himself all the more reason to win this race he decided to go all out, ‘who cares if I win, as long as I don’t lose I’m content with life.’
And with that bit of sagely advice he activated his jetpack’s afterburners, these jetpacks were surprisingly powerful, enough even to lift a SPARTAN-II several hundred feet before slowing down. Lukas weighed as much as a feather when compared to the half-ton SPARTANs and he flew accordingly.
- - - - - - -
Today was a special day in Ponyville, not so much for all the inhabitants of the as for a certain lavender colored unicorn. Today was the anniversary of the beginning of her tutelage under Princess Celestia.
Aforementioned Princess planned to enjoy the day with her prized pupil Twilight Sparkle, she had arrived about an hour ago and they had spent the time enjoying each other’s company in the warm embrace of the sun.
As the two magical beings sat outside on large plush pillows talking about days past over a cup of tea, they noticed something rather odd, Rainbow Dash, the friendly neighborhood weather team captain and speed enthusiast, was flying through the air relatively fast.
This wouldn’t have been such an odd sight if it hadn’t been for the bandages wrapped around her flank and for the fact that she was being chased by a large white and red thing, a large white and red thing that had no wings to fly with, but was still flying and was gaining on Rainbow Dash with considerable speed.
And if that wasn’t the icing on the cake then it must have been the fact that they were headed straight towards the Golden Oaks Library, which Celestia and Twilight bot sat in front of.
After completing a double team spit take, Celestia and Twilight both looked at one another in shock, Celestia being the first to recover quickly ordered her Royal Guard escort which included Shining Armor and some generic Royal Guard Pegasus to help Rainbow Dash and incapacitate the creature chasing her.
“Guards!” the princess called out in an authoritative manner, “Apprehend that creature!”
Normally Princess Celestia Maintained a calm demeanor, and while that was still true on the outside, she was rather bummed out on the inside that such an odd thing would happen on the day of the year that she most looked forward to.
“Yes Princess,” the guards said with a salute before turning to face whatever danger lay ahead.
Turns out that danger lay about 10 feet ahead.
And it was doing anything but laying.
It was, in fact,  moving at such a speed that the captain of the Royal Guard barely had enough time to throw up a shield, which the living projectile smashed right through.
- - - - - - -
“I HAVE MADE A BAD DECISION!!!” Lukas screamed in fear as a shield wall was erected before him, only to be smashed away by his head.
It slowed him a considerable amount and also served to knock him senseless, he tumbled a few yards, his jetpack having stopped after his first roll on the ground.
When he stopped, he lay on his back and could make out the face of a large white horse looking down at him in anger and confusion.
Before slipping into the familiar realm of unconsciousness  he spoke a single sentence, “behold, a pale horse, and the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him."

> This is our Land
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter-6 This is our Land
August 6th 2552
Canterlot, Equestria
Yesterday was odd for the captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, it started out like any other day and even after going to Ponyville with Princess Celestia to meet up with his little sister Twilight Sparkle it had seemed rather mundane. It continued to remain uneventful until Rainbow Dash appeared being chased by some unknown creature, which quickly overtook her, and nearly crashed into the Golden Oaks Library, were it not for Shining Armor’s hastily erected shield it most likely would have crashed through the wall of the library.
And now, well now the creature was securely locked up in the Canterlot dungeons, and what shocked the Captain and everypony else there almost as much as the appearance of the creature was Rainbow Dash’s reaction.
Rainbow Dash seemed to be more concerned for the wellbeing of the unconscious creature than for the concerns of her friends, she ignored questions as to what had happened to her and refused medical attention. The only request she had was to simply stay with “Lukas,” yeah apparently it was male and it had a name, and Rainbow was genuinely concerned for him.
Shining Armor shook his head as he thought about the previous day, the way Rainbow had acted was completely out of character for her, none the less her request was granted to her by Princess Celestia and she was given a guest room to stay in at the castle that night.
The Royal Guard captain’s thoughts were soon interrupted by the rapid sounds of hoof steps on the marble floor and the sound of panting coming from the guard.
“Captian Shining Armor, sir.” The guard took a deep breath, he seemed tired as if he had just run a marathon, “the creature in the dungeons, its waking up sir.”
“Thank you, you may return to your post,” Shining responded now prepared to deal with this creature.
The guard, in turn, gave a salute before trotting back the way he came and just as Shining Armor was about to make his way towards the dungeon a nearby door slammed open to reveal Rainbow Dash.
“Did he say that Lukas was waking up?” Rainbow asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.
“Yes, I suppose he did… and I suppose you want to tag along?” Shining responded hesitantly knowing the answer already and fearing how the Princess would react to her presence.
“YES! LETS GO!” and with that Rainbow Dash stayed true to her name and dashed her way towards the dungeon.
Shining Armor took off after her but in a much slower jog, he knew the Princess would already be on her way to the dungeon herself and he didn’t want anything to happen without him being there.
- - - - - - -
Lukas awoke with an audible groan and a loud pop from his neck, he felt sore, he didn’t remember why, he also felt the fact that he was still in his suit.
“Oh yeah, I’m in a wonderful fucking fairyland of ponies and mythical creatures,” he groaned again as he sat up in what he assumed to be a jail cell, “looks like I did something wrong… ah now I remember, I almost crashed into a bunch of ponies, it probably doesn’t help that I’m an alien.”
A few moments passed as Lukas sat up and assessed his surroundings and equipment, nothing looked to be missing or broken so that was nice, he spent a few more minutes clearing his head before he heard the sound of a badly oiled door creaking open and then closing.
Lukas had sat himself on the ground in front of a small wood table having deemed the stool no match for his mighty bottom, and then he waited.
He turned his head to see a white pony with a blue mane opening his cell before stepping inside and closing the door behind him, with magic no less.
‘This looks like an interrogation, hell, it feels like an interrogation,’ Lukas thought to himself as he prepared to engage the response that was drilled into his head at basic.
“Might as well get this started,” the white pony said with a glance at the wall as he positioned himself across the table from Lukas.
‘Must be a one way mirror-wall thing, there are others watching,’ Lukas contemplated this before mentally shrugging and reminding himself that it doesn’t matter who is watching him.
“Ok, I am Captain of the Royal Guard Shining Armor and you will answer my questions today,” Shining Armor said as he began to get into the groove of being an interrogator.
“First off, what are you?” he begun not realizing the hornet nest he had just kicked.
“SERGEANT LUKAS WOHLFKRIEG, UNSC ODST DESIGNATION 68451-56186-LW!” Lukas rattled off without missing a heartbeat.
Shining Armor was clearly startled by this outburst and even more confused, he took a moment to compose himself before continuing.
“Alright then, where are you from?”
“SERGEANT LUKAS WOHLFKRIEG, UNSC ODST DESIGNATION 68451-56186-LW!”
“No, that’s not what I asked but thank you for clarifying,” Shining Armor said with a deadpan expression, “how about you tell me what you are doing here in Equestria.”
By this time Lukas had already gotten bored with this pony so he decided to see who was watching, he activated his VISR and turned to look at the wall, only he wasn’t looking at the wall he was looking through the illusion and at the faces of Rainbow Dash and a much larger white horse with wings and a horn.
After observing their rather confused expressions he concluded he could make this interesting… and possibly hilarious.
Shining Armor and Princess Celestia watched in confusion as the creature, Lukas, casually reached his hand through the fake wall and began petting Rainbow’s mane.
“Damn you ponies are cute,” he mumbled just loud enough for them to hear him.
“How… how did you know there was an illusion there?” Shining Armor asked genuinely confused at the behavior of Lukas.
“And I’m not cute,” Rainbow Dash said defiantly.
Lukas responded in the most cryptic way he could, “I know many things.”
“What do you mean by that?” Shining Armor asked again not liking the way this creature was acting.
“I have approximate knowledge on almost anything,” Lukas said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“I don’t know how to respond to that but you still haven’t answered my questions.”
“Ok this is getting ridiculous,” Rainbow groaned as if it had been going on for hours, she turned to Celestia, “can I just talk to him?”
“Well I don’t see why not, he clearly knows we are here, with that Rainbow Dash hopped through the fake wall and stood on the table.
“Sup?” Lukas said as Rainbow appeared through the wall.
“Not much, just wanna talk,” she said as she dropped down from the table and sat down next to Lukas on the floor in front of the table.
“So why are you sitting on the floor any ways? There was a stool in here, right?” she looked at Lukas with those large magenta eyes.
“Yeah there was, still is actually, but there is no way in hell that thing is gonna hold me up.”
“What? Why? You can’t weigh that much,” Shining Armor said in disbelief.
“Well right now I weigh about two hundred or something pounds.”
“Right now? Do you expect to go on a diet or something?” Shining Armor asked again?
“The answer is in your name Captain Armor,” Lukas replied with a smug grin that the ponies couldn’t see due to his visor.
“Armor? You’re wearing armor?”
“Bravo!” Lukas exclaimed as he clapped in applause, “and actually, yes, I might have to go on a diet here now that I think about it.”
“And why is that?” this time it was Celestia’s turn to ask, she had dispelled the illusion and was now simply standing there behind the part of the wall that was about hip high on a human.
Instead of answering Lukas simply stood up, easily matching the height of Celestia, removed his helmet and flashed Celestia the most tooth filled smile as possible.
As Lukas proudly showed them his sharp and clean teeth, not to mention the rest of his face and head, they quickly noticed what he was referring to and nearly recoiled in fear of being bitten, all except for Rainbow Dash who had seen the remains of a squirrel he had eaten.
“Yeah, yeah, don’t get too full of yourself there big boy, why don’t you tell the Princess and Captain how you almost crashed into them… and for that matter how did you manage to even fly? You clearly don’t have wings,” Rainbow asked Lukas something that had been bothering her a little.
“I’ll tell, or show, you later, its story time now!” Lukas said as he clapped his hands together and settled himself back down comfortably against the wall.
Celestia decided she should cut in at this point, “That sounds wonderful, but wouldn’t you rather move to a more…” she paused as she searched for the right phrase, “a less dull setting.”
“Lead on,” Lukas said with a gesture of his hands.
One confusing as hell walk through identical corridors later, Lukas found himself and the other ponies in a room that looked like it was designed to host a tea party more than anything.
“Do we get tea too?” Lukas asked in the most sarcastic manner he could manage.
“Yes, it should be hear any moment” Celestia responded with a warm smile.
“ok then let us begin,” the amused ODST said as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation of his epic tale.
After receiving nods from all the ponies present he began his tale.
“By means of which I cannot reveal to you, I accidently ended up here, on this planet I mean, upon arrival I crashed in a bog and blacked out.”
“You also crashed through my house,” Rainbow Dash interjected with a scowl.
“Yes that too, when I crawled out of said bog I saw a very colorful pony, naturally I went to pet it’s mane. Sadly Rainbow Dash was too afraid of me and she flew out of reach.”
“Wait, you crash landed, nearly died in a bog, saw a creature you have never seen before, and your first instinct was to pet it?” Shining Armor asked in disbelief.
“Well yeah, she didn’t try to kill me or anything,” Lukas said with a roll of his eyes, “of course all was not well for Rainbow Dash cuz she then got stabbed in the ass by a manticore,” he chuckled as he remembered this, “and then she totally fainted, real funny.”
“It was not funny!” Rainbow said in annoyance, “and it still hurts a lot.”
“Well yeah, you got like a two inch deep hole in the side of you, honestly I’m amazed you’re standing, let alone not showing the pain.”
“Yeah, well, I’m awesome like that.”
“Clearly. Anyway, I then killed the manticore and saved Rainbow’s napping butt,” Lukas paused, obviously proud of himself for defeating such a horrible monster.
“How?” asked Shining Armor.
“How what?” countered Lukas.
“How did you kill a manticore? All you had on you was that knife and it is not nearly big enough to kill a manticore, though I must admit it is rather large in comparison to our standard issue knives,” Shining Armor was clearly confused and Princess Celestia was also showing signs of skepticism.
“I’ll show you later,” Lukas said with another dismissive wave of his hand.
As Lukas described what happened in the Everfree forest that day Rainbow Dash decided to clear up certain things like how she was totally not scared or anything. Once Lukas began on the start of the next morning Rainbow once again interrupted the story.
“You still haven’t told us how you were able to fly.”
“Calm down I’m getting to that part,” Lukas responded as he mussed up her mane, an action he had grown quite fond of.
“Yes, do go on,” Celestia was also interested as to the means of flight this human possessed.
“Anyway, that morning Rainbow was pretty excited to get back to Ponyville, but she said it would take forever because I had to walk,” Lukas paused as a smile grew on his face, “little did she know that I have in my possession a jetpack, which allowed me to fly and surprise Rainbow Dash with.”
“Hey, I wasn’t surprised at all! I was just making sure… that my bandages wouldn’t fall off, yeah that’s it!” the flustered Pegasus said.
“Uh-huh,” Lukas said unconvinced, “well, I promptly challenged Rainbow Dash to a race to Ponyville, and before you go saying ‘but Lukas, Rainbow Dash is the fastest flyer in Equestria,’ yeah, trust me, I know, she said that a lot, but I warned her about her injury and advised that she go easy on my sorry Bullfrog ass.”
“Ok, that makes sense, not really, but sure, now explain how this ‘jetpack’ works, I’m amazed by something allowing flight without wings,” Celestia said now completely amazed by this being.
“I’ll show you in the courtyard in a bit,” Lukas paused, “assuming I’m allowed to go?”
“Yes, you’ll need to fill out some paper work but that should take no more than a few moments.”
“Alright, awesome, gonna live in a world of magical ponies now, god I need a beer so bad, anyway, any questions? Hmm? No? Ok, awesome,” just as Lukas was getting up, Shining Armor spoke up.
“Actually, I have a few.”
“Awwww, ok shoot,” Lukas sighed as he sat back down on the decorative pillows that had been brought in earlier.
“First off, why did you yell at me earlier in the dungeon cell?” Shining Armor asked, looking a little hurt.
“Protocol,” Lukas simply replied with a shrug, “that’s the only information I am supposed to give in an interrogation, or else.”
“Or else what?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Exactly.”
“Ok then, secondly, you said you were a ‘Bullfrog’ just now in your recap of past events, what is that? Obviously you aren’t a frog so it means something else,” Shining Armor continued his questions disregarding the odd response from Lukas about Rainbow’s question.
“A ‘Bullfrog’ is a soldier, like myself, that uses a jetpack to get around, the animal bullfrog is used because normally we only use our jetpacks for making jumps that would be too large for us normally, also it allows for more maneuverability in combat, very useful,” Lukas concluded with a knowing nod.
“That actually leads into my next question, you say you are a soldier, from what military? And it sounds like you have combat experience, I’d like you to tell me more,” Shining Armor commanded more than asked, he didn’t want this human to cause trouble, even if he seems nice he might do something stupid, especially if he does get that beer he was talking about.
“I am part of the United Nations Space Command, the UNSC, more specifically I am an ODST or Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, even though we hate to admit it we are the second best of the best, but I digress, I was part of a squad that was dubbed ‘The Wolfpack’ by some of the marines for our pack like fighting style,” Lukas smiled at fond memories of his squaddies, “I was the squad medic, it was my job to keep people alive, even if I was at greater risk of death myself.”
“A noble role to play on a battlefield, but what battlefield would that be? If you don’t mind me asking,” inquired Celestia.
“That would be the battlefield in the fight for survival.”
“Many battles are fought for survival,” Shining Armor threw in his two bits.
The sharp blue eyes of the ODST pierced right through the ignorant soul of the Royal Guard Captain causing Shining Armor to physically recoil.
“This fight is not for the survival of any human,” Lukas snapped with venom thick in his voice, “it is for the preservation of a species, the human species.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t know,” Shining Armor said trying to fix what he had broken.
“I know you didn’t, and I hope you never have to face the horror of such a fight, millions died in the first years of the war and it is far from over.”
“MILLIONS!?” What kind of enemy are you facing?” Celestia burst out at this unimaginably loss of life.
“A cold, heartless, genocidal, fanatical, and technologically advanced Covenant of several alien species that wants nothing more that the destruction of the human race, ‘your destruction is the will of the gods, and we, are their instrument’,” he finished his sentence with a quote from the covenant.
“Well, that was dark and depressing,” Rainbow sighed trying to lighten the tension.
“Yeah, sorry about that,” Lukas thought for a moment, “anyways, how about I show you guys some of my stuff?”
“Yes, that sounds nice,” Celestia said with a nod, “come, the courtyard should suffice for your demonstration.”
With that they all filled out of the room, Shining Armor mumbling another apology to Lukas which was quickly accepted, they then agreed to never talk about it again.
- - - - - - -
SURPRISE MOTHER FUCKERS, anyways just wanted to throw in a quick AN because I know half of you will not read the actual one, as of tomorrow, I’m going to Germany because stuff, so I won’t be able to get another chapter out for atleast two weeks, I apologize for your sadness and for how long it took to get this chapter out, I felt like SpongeBob writing his essay.
Thanks for reading this, carry on.
- - - - - - -
As the small group arrived at the courtyard Lukas glanced around as he did a quick stretch, still a bit sore from the floor of the dungeon cell, he noticed that it was a very well kept assortment of flowers and small bushes on the inside courtyard of the castle.
He found a nice rock to sit on, even though there was a bench to sit on he didn’t trust it, where he lead everyone, or everypony, to gather around.
“Alright kiddies let’s get started, I hope you’re all paying attention cause I’m only explaining it once,” Lukas said as he unclasped the jetpack on his back and set it on his thighs.
“I’ll have you know I’m not a child anymore, I’m quite old,” Celestia said with a smirk.
“Yes, but it would be oh so rude of me to ask the age of a lady,” Lukas said in turn.
“Stop stalling and get going already! I’m getting sleepy just sitting here,” Rainbow Dash sigh to emphasize her point.
“Hold your horses Rainbow,” Lukas paused, “holy shit I just realized.”
“What? Is something wrong?” Shining Armor asked looking around for some hint of danger.
“No everything is fine, I just realized I can now make so many horse puns,” Lukas could barely contain the maniacal laughter that was birthed from the realization of this newfound power, ok maybe he was going a little overboard, but hey, he was in a land of magical, techno colored, talking horses, he was entitled to a little crazy.
“Now that that is out of the way can we get started?” Rainbow asked less than amused.
“Yeah sure, ok, so this wonderful piece of technology is the in-atmosphere personal jetpack, it is used primarily for increased mobility in combat and other dangerous situations. It is the defining part of a Bullfrogs load out, and also the most fun part,” the jetpack totting ODST patted the jetpack to emphasize his point.
“How does it work? I mean what powers it? Everything needs a source of power even magic related things do,” Shining Armor finished his little magic fun fact and looked at the jetpack in question.
“Water.”
“Really? That’s it?” Shining Armor was skeptical that something could allow flight with only water.
“That’s impossible! Didn’t you say you lit the fire with that thing? How can that be if it uses water?” Rainbow asked proud of her intuitive question.
“Ok, not water, but hydrogen, you know, science or whatever, screw that though, I only need to know how to fix people not machines, if you want the specifics ask an egghead,” Lukas said with an expression easily read as ‘whatever man, fuck you.’
“Quite, well can you show us it in use? I’d very much like to see,” Celestia was getting rather excited, a shame Luna is asleep, she will have to meet this human at another time.
“Yeah, why not should be fine,” and with that he slipped on his helmet and slapped on his jetpack, making sure it was securely fastened he checked all of the rest of his gear as well, wouldn’t want something to drop and hit someone, or explode someone all over the wall.
“Here goes,” and with a slight hum the jetpack jumped to life, striking a pose he yelled, “TO INFINITY AND BEYOND BITCHES.”
And then he was up.
And then there was a distinct yell of, “OH SHIT!”
And then he was down.
“Lukas are you alright?” Rainbow asked a bit worried again.
“Yeah I’m good,” Lukas said with a grunt as he pushed the Pegasus guard that had tackled him off of him, “Hey Shining Armor, you didn’t tell your little guards that I was doing this.”
“No, I suppose I didn’t,” Shining thought out loud for a moment, “probably would have been a good idea, huh?”
“Yeah no shit, well no avoiding this now that it’s happened,” Lukas said with a sigh.
“Avoiding what? If I may ask?” Celestia asked a little in the dark about the strange habits of Lukas.
“I mean dammit Shining, I’m tired, sore, and lost.”
“I don’t understand, what is happening?” Rainbow whispered to Celestia.
“I don’t know either.”
“And now I’m gonna challenge your pushover guards to a duel just to prove that I’m awesome,” Lukas said with a shake of his head.
“Wait, what?” Shining Asked now completely confused by the strange man’s actions.
“You heard me,” he said to Shining Armor, “and this hug happy Pegasus is gonna be my first victim,” he made his point by cracking his fingers and neck.
“I accept your challenge, no one is gonna beat my guards, I have full confidence in their abilities,” Shining Armor said trying to not show weakness.
“Awesome, now you will finally be able to assess how much of a danger I am to the ponies of this land like how you’ve been doing since we had our nice talk in the dungeons,” Lukas said with an excited clap of his hands.
“How did you know?” Shining Armor asked.
“Dude that’s like, your job.”
“Oh, yeah that kinda gave it away then, very well, what are your terms?” Shining Armor looked a bit embarrassed but quickly got back on track.
“I get to make terms? Meh, swords or whatever sounds cool.”
Shining Armor turned to the guard Pegasus that had picked himself off of the ground and had ben glaring daggers at the human the entire time, “Go get this prepared, gather the best of the guards.”
With a salute the ever vigilante guard took off into the air to get the duel ready.
“What just happened?”
“Well exactly what you just saw happened,” Lukas said to the Princess.
“Yes, and who authorized this duel?”
“Only THE captain of YOUR Royal Guards, you picking up what I’m putting down?” Lukas emphasized certain descriptive words to get his point across.
“What?”
“Human expression.”
“Oh.”
“So how about in the meantime, while your guards prepare I show you the rest of my stuff?” Lukas asked trying to get out of this mini-interrogation by Celestia.
“That sounds lovely,” Celestia said with a smile.
“It does indeed, but we should probably move somewhere more open,” Lukas advised.
“Why is that?”
“Some of my things are not safe to use in highly populated areas,” Lukas said in the nicest tome possible.
“Very well, the guard training area should suffice for your demonstration,” Celestia was admittedly a little apprehensive about letting Lukas walk around with weapons and decided to talk to him about it later, perhaps tonight at dinner.
- - - - - - -
As they made their way towards the Royal Guard training grounds Lukas noticed something very odd.
“Yo Rainbow Dash, you’ve been real quiet, almost forgot you were there, you ok?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah I’m fine, just thinking,” responded Rainbow Dash who had clearly been in deep thought.
“Well don’t think too hard now,” he said as he patted her prismatic mane, “wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself after all.”
Their banter was interrupted by a small laugh escaping through the royal lips of Celestia.
“Hey, it’s not funny!” Rainbow claimed with great vigor.
“Oh no it’s not that,” she said as another giggle escaped, “it’s just that you two have formed such a strong bond in such a short time.”
“Yeah, I noticed it too,” Lukas said as the surprised ponies turned to face him.
“What do you mean you ‘noticed it’?” Rainbow Dash inquired a bit skeptical.
“I may act stupid, but remember I’m a doctor, well kinda, I had to be able to assess troops to make sure they were mentally prepared for duty, and that meant psychology,” Lukas explained his source of knowledge to the ponies present, “and that means that I can read you like a book, Rainbow Dash.”
“No way! Prove it then if you’re so confident in your abilities.”
“Hmmm, let’s see. Ok, you act cool on the outside but you hide your true emotions inside that shell, you try to be the best there is so that people see a big hero but really it is a ruse to hide your smaller actions that may compromise your tough act. You are often unsure of yourself but you act to keep up appearances, you are a lot of things, some very admirable some not to be mentioned in public, but most of all, you are undyingly loyal, and no matter how much your image would be ruined you would do anything to help a friend, even refuse medical attention and ignore others for the sake of the individual you care about,” Lukas finished his psychological assessment by smiling a sad smile at the Pegasus in question, “I’m not sure whether I should feel bad for you or to be jealous.”
“Y-you, figured all that out in two days?” the stunned Pegasus stammered in shock at how easily she had been read.
“Oh my, that was quite intense,” Celestia said.
“Damn, we need more ponies like you,” Shining chimed in.
“Hey Rainbow,” Lukas said trying to get her attention.
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t,” he said with a big goofy grin.
“You didn’t what?” she asked.
“I didn’t figure that out in two days.”
“Then when did you?” Rainbow was once again confused by his actions.
“I found that out a minute ago, when you confirmed my suspicions,” Lukas now had the Cheshire cat of all smiles plastered on his face.
“Huh? What? Oh you – ah ponyfeathers!” she said with a stomp of her hoof.
“Hey cheer up sport, it is time for a demonstration!”
“Of what?” Rainbow asked.
“Remember that manticore?”
“Yeah, the one that hurt me, the one you killed.”
“I’m gonna show you how I did it.”
“Awesome!” Rainbow said, cheering up nearly instantly.
“Hey Shining, get me a Royal Guard helmet.”
“Yeah, sure here,” Shining Armor tossed Lukas an old Royal Guard helmet from the rack nearby.
“Thanks mate, you know this place looks awful similar to a football field, you guys play any sports out here?” Lukas asked as he propped the helmet up on the tip of a spear implanted in the ground about forty feet away, “gather all the guards behind me, I don’t want to hurt any of them.”
“Er… ok? But I doubt you will,” nonetheless he set to calling all his guards from the field to attention behind Lukas before quickly briefing them on what was about to happen, not that he actually knew, just that it would be dangerous.
“Ok here goes,” Lukas said as he reached for his revolver, “Oh actually, Rainbow, put this on your head.”
“Why? Will it even fit?” she asked as she caught the ODST’s helmet and slipped it over her head, it seemed to fit good enough, just a little loose, “hey what is all this stuff I see?”
“That’s the HUD, don’t worry about it.”
“Ok.”
“Now ladies and gentlemen, the main event, cover your ears, cause this shit gets loud.”
A few guards decided to not heed his warning and brave whatever storm was about to come.
With a glance at the stalwart guards Lukas shrugged and drew his revolver, aimed at the helmet, and pulled the trigger.
- - - - - - -
About thirty minutes later, Shining Armor finally returned from the infirmary to the lounging ODST and Pegasus, Princess Celestia having left to attend some royal duties, Lukas and Rainbow noticed him coming and more importantly noticed the less than happy expression he wore.
“You ok, Shining?” asked Lukas.
“Yes, I have good news actually, those guards will regain full functionality of their ears in due time, I’m just a little disappointed that they would be so reckless and not heed your warning,” Shining Armor explained his disappointment to the medic in a thoughtful tone.
“By the way, how come you didn’t start bleeding profusely from your ears once you fired, I didn’t see you covering your ears,” Rainbow inquired.
“Rainbow, it is literally my job to be around things like that all day, plus pony ears are more sensitive to loud noise than my own, that’s why I let you borrow my helmet,” Lukas explained to Rainbow Dash as if he was talking to a child.
“Thanks for that by the way.”
“Yeah, no problem, but it looks like the duel will have to wait, I’m assuming the ponies picked to challenge me were the same ones that didn’t cover their ears.”
“Yeah, how did you know?” asked Shining Armor.
“Pride makes you do stupid things,” Lukas said as he nudged Rainbow with an elbow.
“Meh.” She replied
“Anyway, I’m really hungry,” Lukas emphasized his point with a pat of his belly, “what’s for grub?”

> Dinner with the Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter-7 Dinner with the Moon
August 6th 2552
Canterlot, Equestria

The Sun was hanging low in the sky by the time Lukas' demonstration was completed and the Royal Guard training fields were now all but empty, the only exception being a white and red armored biped and a sky blue pegasus sitting in the light of the fading Sun. They didn't talk much, not because they had nothing to say, but because one of them had too much to say and no clue how to say it. The silence was finally interrupted when the Sun was half way below the horizon.

"You know, despite the war and everything I had always wondered if there were aliens that didn't want to kill me and everyone I cared about," Lukas spoke softly, "I never even considered that I would call anything other than a human a friend."

Rainbow Dash blinked in confusion before responding, "and I always imagined aliens sucking out brains through tiny straws, but you aren't half bad yourself."

A tiny chuckle escaped the human's lips, "right back at you," a moment of silence before he continued, "you think we're gonna have dinner sometime soon?"

"Can't you think of anything other than food for a sec?"

"Nah, not really, gotta stay focused on something or else I might lose it."

Just then, before Rainbow could respond a guard approached them, bandages wrapped around his ears, he spoke in a manner as if he couldn't properly hear himself. "Captain Armor sent me to inform you that you have been invited to dine with the Princess this evening, dinner will be served in ten minutes."

With that he about faced and wandered off to do guard things.

"Finally some food," the famished ODST hopped too his feet and turned to Rainbow, "you coming?"

"Yeah, let's get going." They walked for maybe five minutes through the halls of Canterlot Castle, all of which still looked identical to Lukas.

"You have no idea where we are do you?"

Lukas stopped dead in his tracks, squinted and looked around. "... No, but that bust looks familiar."

"Alright c'mon, I'll lead the way, or else we'll be late for dinner." Rainbow led the disgruntled soldier through the identical hallways as if they were clearly marked with neon lights and giant arrows. Lukas paced after her, examining the walls for any sign or indicator that she was using to navigate.

- - - - - - -

The Sun had been lowered and the Moon had been raised, the table was set and four of the six expected participants of tonight's dinner were already seated. At one end of the table sat the Princess of the Sun, opposite of her sat her sister, Princess Luna. Their respective guard captains sat to each rulers right, Captain Shining Armor by Celestia and the Captain of the Night guard, Starlit Sword, sat by Luna.

"I just don't understand how you could let it wander unguarded for so long, Armor," began Starlit, "a creature as armed and dangerous as that should be kept under lock and key."

"You worry too much, he's been with an element bearer all day, no one better to watch him."

"Exactly my point, if it can supposedly kill a manticore with such ease do you really think we should let one of the most important mares in Equestria go unsupervised with such a dangerous creature? You must be losing your touch, imagine if it was your sister alone with this 'alien' all day."

Armor squirmed in his seat, but before he could retort Celestia cut in. "This wasn't a decision my Captain made, I judged this 'creature,' as you call him, to be trustworthy."

Luna spoke up for the first time, "Surely you jest, this 'Lukas' has only been known to you for merely a day, not even you, dearest sister, can so accurately judge a character in so little time."

"Do remember that the same mare you are so concerned about right now vouches for this human's trustworthiness. You would be hard pressed to find a more loyal mare than our beloved Rainbow Dash, she would not so easily trust some-" Just then the doors to the room began to open and in walked the remaining two participants of the evening's dinner.

"Some what? Princess?" asked the most interesting, and only man to walk into the room.

All eyes had turned to him as he spoke and yet no one responded.

Rainbow was the one to break the awkward silence, "so uh, dinner, amirite?"

"Yes quite, ahem." Celestia cleared her throat, that felt very dry all of a sudden. "Allow me to introduce you to my sister, Princess Luna and her guard captain, Starlit Sword." She turned to Luna while gesturing to Lukas and Rainbow, "This is Lukas and I'm sure you remember Rainbow Dash." Lukas acknowledged the introduction with a small nod to both Luna and Starlit.

"Hey Princess Luna, how's it hanging?" was the pegasus' casual response.

"Quite well, I'm coping very well thanks to you and your friends, and Tia says I've made 'great progress' with my modern Equestrian. Although I still fail to see the point in talking like a peasant." Luna responded, "no offense, of course."

"Well I'm clearly out of the loop." remarked Lukas as he looked at the gathered ponies.

"Never mind that, it's a topic for another time." Celestia began, "please, take a seat, let's begin."

With that Lukas placed his helm down on the table and took a seat near Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash took a seat across from him. Like clockwork, waiters appeared and set the table with all due diligence.

The Captain of the night guard couldn't help but examine Lukas, paying close attention to his armor and the awkward way he sat at a table clearly designed for ponies. The way his back was ramrod straight, and how his sharp blue eyes seemed to take in every detail at once. In short, the human looked ready to jump into action at the drop of a hat, and the Captain was sure this creature would show no mercy if it came down to it.

"Is there something on my face?" asked Lukas, suddenly focusing on Starlit. "You should know, its rude to stare."

"What? No, I meant no offense. I was simply... inspecting your armor." Stammered the Night Captain, ears folded down.

"And?" Pressed the ODST, "what did you deduce from your, hmph, 'inspection?" Lukas' lips began to curve upwards, ever so slightly.

"Well, to be honest, your armor, it seems very, how should I put this? Bright." Spoke the Captain. "And unless you are trying to blind someone, what's the point?"

"Ah, yeah, I guess that's a fair point." Lukas ceded the point before continuing. "The color of my armor doesn't matter though, not in the conflict humanity is a part of."

Luna, who had been observing the conversation up until now, decided to interject before her Captain could continue. "And why, pray tell, is that?"

Shining shuddered in his seat remembering how heated the Man had become the last time his species' war was mentioned.

"When the enemy, the Covenant, wants you dead, there is no color that can save you, not even becoming invisible will save you." Lukas began, adopting a cold, hard tone. "No matter how well you think you are hidden, they know where you are, I don't know if it's their advanced tech that lets them know, or if it's their sense of smell that can pick up on your sweat from 20 meters away. The Covenant, especially their Elites are creatures made to hunt, they tower above you with their terrifying mandibles and can cleave a marine in half with a single swipe of their blades." Lukas' gaze softened, "no amount of bio-foam is going to save you from that."

"Listen, never mind about all that stuff, let's get this dinner rolling." Rainbow said in an attempt to salvage the conversation. "I mean, you've been whining about food all day, dude."

"Right, of course, let's try to avoid topics not suited for the dinner table, sorry." And like that harmony was restored, and just in time as the waiters started bringing out food for the assembled ponies and human.

Salads, pastas, and oddly enough, an omelet for both Luna and her Captain were brought out and placed on the table. Celestia and Luna took their first bites in almost perfect sync and with that, dinner truly began.

"So," started Lukas between bites of what was some kind of pasta that looked edible to humans, "what's up with breakfast at dinner." Gesturing with a fork at Luna's end of the table.

"Well, for my sister and Starlit, this is the start of the day. At twilight, the guard changes from Day to Night and Luna assumes control." Celestia took another bite before continuing. "However, I should make it clear we share equal power during all hours and when important enough matters arise we come to a decision together."

"Indeed, We keep watch over the night and ensure the safety of Equestria. We also hold an open court, although not many ponies seek our council in the later hours of the night."

"C'mon now, there must have been some ponies that have sought you out, and I'm sure you totally helped them out Princess." Rainbow Dash said, face still stuffed with food.

"Yes, I admit the number of ponies seeking council has been steadily increasing, thestrals especially come seek me out. It's all quite rewarding."

"Thestrals?" asked the Human, unfamiliar with the term.

"Like my good Captain, Starlit Sword here." Luna gestured to the night pony by her side. "She has been a loyal companion since my return."

"Oh, I see." Lukas paused, "I should probably learn more about the many different races that live here." He said to no one in particular.

"I'm sure our archives have many books that can help you."

Dinner, or for some, breakfast, continued for a while longer. Little more was said until everyone had finished their meals, the table was cleared in the same professional fashion that the waiters seemed to always exude. Shining Armor and Starlit Sword had excused themselves to ensure that the change of the guard had gone smoothly.

"So," Lukas looked around at the remaining ponies, "what happens now? To me, I mean?"

The two Princess exchanged a glance before Celestia responded. "We have come to a decision, you will remain in Canterlot Castle for the time being-" 

"That's not fair! He hasn't done anything wrong!" Rainbow jumped out of her seat and hovered there.

"I assure you, Rainbow Dash, he will be treated as an esteemed guest, but until we can trust him one hundred percent, we simply can't allow an unknown to wander free." Luna calmly yet firmly stated.

"This is totally not cool Princess." Rainbow folded her arms.

Before anypony could get a word in Lukas spoke up, "Sounds good to me."

"See, it's totally la-" Rainbow blinked, "wait, what? How are you okay with this?"

"I mean, to be honest, I'd say as long as I'm not naked, strapped down to a cold steel table, and missing some organs it's a pretty damn good deal in terms of first contact." Lukas casually said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Your Princesses owe me nothing and yet they are allowing me to walk around their seat of power, armed to the teeth, and all I have to do is prove I'm trustworthy. Seems like a sweet deal to me."

Rainbow was stumped, she landed on the marble floor with a 'clack' of her hooves and looked down contemplatively.

After a quick glance at the prismatic mare Celestia began, "yes, it will hopefully be a temporary arrangement and afterwards you can do as you please, within the boundaries of the law, of course."

- - - - - - -

Not long after a guard was summoned to guide Lukas to the chambers he would be staying in for the foreseeable future, Rainbow Dash would stay that night in an adjacent room and leave by chariot in the next morning.

"I still don't think it's fair."

"Will you give it a rest, I'm sure I'll be out of here soon," Lukas thought for a sec, "give me a week, two weeks tops and they'll be fine with me getting out."

Finally Rainbow Dash did give it a rest, and not longer after went to get some rest. Lukas decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to get some rest himself and set to stripping his gear and neatly piling it up next to the extremely soft looking bed. After a quick once over in the bathroom, Lukas, now in just his skivvies, went to bed.

- - - - - - -

The next morning, Rainbow awoke at dawn, something she rarely ever did. After her morning routine, which wasn't much she crept out of her room, only to be surprised by the guard standing outside the next door over, Lukas' room. One of the guard's ears was rotated towards the door he was guarding and he seemed to be listening intently for some sound.

"What are you doing out here, dude?" Rainbow asked the lone guard.

"Quiet, do you hear that?" He responded.

Rainbow slowly pressed her ear to the door and sure enough heard a distinct click every few seconds. "What is that?" she whispered to the random guard.

"No idea, but it started almost half an hour ago and has been going steady." he whispered back.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be all silent and stuff anyways? what gives?" Rainbow asked, suddenly curious.

"Yeah, but I'm off duty, my shift doesn't start for another thirty minutes."

"Well I'm gonna go in there and check out whats making that noise." Rainbow asserted.

"You sure? I heard it was a special guest in this room, should we really disturb them?"

"Trust me, this guy is my buddy, what could go wrong?" and with that she pushed open the door.

Lukas sat, shirtless and covered in a sheen of sweat, at the edge of his bed, feet firmly planted on the ground, elbows on his knees, and six inches of cold steel pressed hard to a temple. Every few seconds he would pull the trigger, 'click,' another few seconds another 'click.'

Rainbow had stopped as soon as she was half way through the door. "Uhhh, yo Lukas, you good dude?"

The soldier finally took notice of the ponies in his doorway. "Y- Yeah... ahem." He cleared his throat, "Yes, I'm good, give me a minute I'll be right out.

"Errr, okay... whatever you say." Rainbow stepped back into the hallway not quite sure what she had just seen.

Rainbow and the guard stood in awkward silence as they heard the sounds of Lukas making himself ready for the day, after quick shower and once he had strapped on his armor he was ready. It took five minutes for Lukas to finally emerge, fully armored and helmet held under one arm, he looked much more presentable.

"What were you doing in there?" Rainbow asked, "you looked pretty freaked out."

"Just... Remembering I'm not crazy" Lukas eventually replied before taking note of the guard, "who's your friend?"

Rainbow shrugged, then turned to the guard.

"Oh, you can call me Ardent," the guard continued, "aren't you the reason all those guards' ears got messed up?"

"Ha, you heard about that? Yeah that was me." Lukas thought for a second, "hey, Ardent, you mind showing me to where I can get some breakfast?"

"Of course, the kitchens should already have some food prepared, follow me."

Ardent led the Human and pegasus duo to the kitchens while asking some basic questions about Lukas, such as what he did and where he was from, he got the same answers that Lukas provided to Shining Armor the previous day.

"So you're a soldier? You should totally come to the training field today after my shift! The other guards would love that." Ardent enthused, "besides, what better way to make friends and gain trust then by sweating alongside them?"

"You know," started Rainbow, "he makes a good point, get involved with the guards and the Princesses will trust you in no time!"

"I'll give it a shot for sure, but I should probably clear things with your Captain before I start messing around with your training time." Lukas waved the topic away and continued, "but more importantly, what do they serve for breakfast here?"

- - - - - - -

After a quick breakfast, mostly oatmeal, Lukas and Rainbow sought out Shining Armor. Ardent had reported to his post after leading the two to the kitchens and giving vague directions on where to find the Captain. Eventually they found both Shining and Celestia in the throne room discussing some matter concerning troop movements, but the conversation died long before Lukas could catch onto what was being said.

"Good morning, Lukas, Rainbow Dash." Celestia greeted with a bright smile.

"Morning," Lukas said with a wave.

"Hey Princess, about that chariot back to Ponyville," Rainbow started, "I should probably get back soon, I still need to patch up my house." She shot Lukas a quick glance.

"Oh yeah, sorry about that, still can't believe you live in a cloud."

"Of course, we can have a chariot ready within the half hour." The Princess replied.

With the wave of a hoof, a guard at the side of the room saluted and ran off to ready a chariot for Rainbow Dash. "I must admit, I'm a tad bit surprised that you aren't just flying back to Ponyville under your own power."

"I've got this feeling that I'll have a long day of work and answering questions ahead of me," Rainbow shrugged, "might as well get all the rest I can."

- - - - - - -

Not long after, a chariot had been readied and Lukas had seen Rainbow off with little more than a wave and a few kind words. Once she was off, Lukas turned to Shining Armor. "Hey, you mind showing me to the Archives, I'd like to get some reading done."

"Sure thing," Shining agreed with a nod, "I'm headed that way myself, walk with me."

As they walked through the halls Lukas tapped away at his Tac-Pad with the occasional glance up to make sure he stayed on track.

"What are you doing with that thing?" asked the Captain curiously, head cocked at a slight angle.

"I doubt I'm going to memorize these halls anytime soon, so I'm trying to get this damn thing to auto-map for me, but I need to spend more time wandering around for it to get its bearings." Lukas stated without looking up.

"That thing can make maps? Sounds like some of our surveying tools, but they aren't nearly accurate enough for interiors."

"The fact you guys have anything like this surprises me," Lukas took a break from trying to figure out the tac-pad and looked at Armor. "By the way, while I have this chance to ask you, do you mind if I show up to the guard training grounds this afternoon?"

"I don't see why not. What brought this about though, if you don't mind my asking?"

"One of your guards, Ardent, I think, thought it would be a good idea for me to get involved with the guard. You know, make some friends."

"Well it sounds like a great idea to me, I'll send Ardent to get you when his shift ends."

"Thanks, Armor."

The Captain acknowledged with a nod before stopping in front of an ornate door with guards on either side. "The Canterlot Archives are just through here, you'll have access to the public section."

"Thanks again."

With that, Lukas walked on in while Shining Armor continued on to his office. Inside the Archives, the human sought out books on the different species that inhabited Equestria and the surrounding lands, he spent the rest of the morning familiarizing himself with the basic anatomies of ponies, griffon, and deer.

The existence of griffons threw Lukas for a loop, this entire planet was a joke on human mythology and it bothered the medic to no end. In the end, he couldn't afford to think about it too hard, he had to keep moving forward until he was mentally prepared to deal with the realization that he was probably trapped on this planet with no hope of rescue. 

And so the hours ticked on by.