> The Legacy of Ouija Star Part I: The Silver Soul Family
>  by OuijaSilverstar
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> An Unrefusable Offer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1: An Unrefusable Offer


I sat there in my hospital bed, looking out the window. The sun was about to go down, which meant another night alone and shivering throughout. An IV was in my wrist so the symptoms weren't so intense. My name is Collin Stone. I'm just an 18-Year-Old young man who just graduated from High School. Sadly, I have terminal Leukemia that's scheduled to claim my life in less than a year. I'm too weak to walk for any longer than a few minutes, so I'm mostly bedridden in the hospital. 

My parents have been apart for 7 years now and I barely see my younger brother and sister since they live with my mother. My father was a U.S. Marine Officer who served for 21 years. During one of his tours in the Middle East, most of his platoon was killed in a terrorist bombing. He lost both his legs and spent the last 7 years in a wheelchair, yet he still serves, but is stuck with a desk job. Better than nothing. My life hasn't been the greatest, so I welcome death with open arms. In a sense, I'm knocking on Heaven's door. 

My hair is short and spiky, much like Sid Viscous' hair except that the tips of the spikes are white. My eyes, however are Heterochromeric. My left eye is green while my right is blue. My dad has Heterochromia as well, but his eye colors are swapped. Thankfully, my younger siblings don't have that. My eyesight is terrible and I have to wear small rounded glasses. They're black-rimmed with a red tint; something to go along with my usual wardrobe. 

I don't recall having many friends during my time in High School; I'm a Goth so, many people stayed away from be because of reasons. Maybe that reason is that I was only one of two Goths in a school in a very Conservative neighborhood and never heard a Marilyn Manson song in their life. That other Goth was a girl my age named Madelyn Archer. We met Freshman year and dated ever since, up until before Junior year ended when she committed suicide and I was blamed for it. The charges were dropped due to lack of evidence and the accusation was classified as discriminatory profiling. About a week later, that's when I was diagnosed with Leukemia with an estimated two years to live. Another gut punch to add to the list of bullshit I had to go through in my short life.

Strangely enough, to go with my interests that were questionable at best by others who weren't knowledgeable of Goths, I was drawn to a certain TV show. That show was My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I watched the series up until the recent season finale and I enjoyed every moment of it. It was the only thing keeping me from killing myself and the fans called "Bronies" were actually helpful and nice. I should've found them earlier since they are a group that accepts all, even someone like me. When I browsed the Fanfiction stories, I found deeper love for the show. I never found a group more devoted to their media than any other group; not even MM fans had the same level of devotion.

I wish a night like this came sooner than Maddi's suicide.

My iPhone vibrated on a nearby table. I reached over to see what it was and it was my dad. I swiped across to answer it and placed it to my ear. "Hello?" I asked.

"Hey Collin."

"Hi Dad."

"How are you doing?"

"Aside from being in an arranged marriage to death's daughter, I'm all right."

"Even on your deathbed, you're still cracking jokes. Sorry I couldn't visit you tonight; I just have too much paper work to do and they're working me overtime because of the recent bombing."

"Seems this world is going deeper into the rabbit hole of chaos."

"Tell me about it."

"Still get phantom pains?"

"Not anymore; it only took a few years, but damn, still pisses me off, though."

"They do have you leading in investigations. Good luck getting through all that paperwork."

"Thanks. I got to go; be sure to get some rest."

"Will do. Bye."

"...bye."

I shut off my phone and placed it back on the table next to me and turned to look at the moon. If there's one thing that always gave me comfort was the night sky. There was something about it that drawn me to it, but I just can't tell what it is. I then thought of Princess Luna, the alicorn princess of the night from MLP and my favorite character to say the least. The entire history to her in the show and her overall personality kind of reflects me in a way. The nurse that helps me around the hospital, got me a Luna plushie on my 18th birthday that was about a month ago. Even now as an adult, I still have a teddy bear, in a sense (Don't Judge). Just a little something to comfort me before I die. I looked up at the moon "Your world is so perfect and happy. I wish that I had the luxury of living there." I fell asleep shortly after.



A ghostly voice echoed through the room, waking me up. The strangest thing was that i wasn't in my room, but in a corridor, sitting down with my back against the wall. It seemed like a white light illuminated the entire thing and looking like a fog machine was on non-stop. The floor was white as well, but had black tribal markings with some red pentagrams in the empty spaces.

"Stone..." a distant female voice called out from the fog "Collin Stone..." What the hell was that!?

"Hello!?"

"You do not have much time; come forth to me, immediately!"

A dream; I can walk once more. Why am I dreaming of a demonic foggy corridor? I must have played too much Persona. Still, I am curious to see how deep this imaginative rabbit hole goes. I pushed myself to my feet and began running towards the source of the voice. What the hell is going on? Why am I in this godforsaken hallway? Is it a vision? Only one way to find out. I stopped at heavy-looking metal double doors. I pushed them open and walked into an open...room? 

"Collin Stone" the female-like voice shot through the fog. In the fog was a silhouette of what looked like a unicorn with wings.

"Who's there!?"

"Please, there is no time to explain."

"Why?"

"Thou have less than an hour to live before your cancer claims thine life."

"Who are you!? How do you know I have cancer!?"

"We art out of time, we will meet thou again soon."

The silhouette faded along with some of the fog ahead, giving a brief glimpse of a ladder at the end of the room. My heartrate started to accelerate as I sensed something from atop of where that ladder leads to...something. Whatever it was, it was growling and panting "I...HUNGER...I...NEED...SOULS!!!" the demonic voice boomed from above "GIVE...ME...YOURS!!!"

Of all the scenarios and all of the things that could be created in this realm, it had to be this. On pure instinct, I turned tail and ran from the room as far as I could. The farther I went, more and more blood I could see on the walls and speaking of which, the path becomes more narrow as I went on. I eventually stopped at a dead end...A DEAD END!? I can't get away...damn thing...am I going to die in my dream? I saw a silhouette leap towards me before everything faded to black.

(Stop Music)




I shot out of my sleep in a cold sweat. Breathing heavily, I recollected what the hell happened when I was asleep. The horse-like creature told me that she would meet me again before I die. Her voice was very familiar, though. I just can't put my finger on it, but it is definitely familiar. I heard sounds of hoofs clip-clopping down the hall towards the door of my room. The door slowly opened up and what came through was the same silhouette from the dream. Either this is dream within a dream or I'm tripping out on a heavy dosage of painkillers. I opened the blinds to the room to illuminate the figure to give me a clearer obervation. Holy mother of ass, it's Princess Fucking Luna!

"So, we finally meet Mr. Stone. I am the Princess of the Night and watcher of dreams, Princess Luna."

"Y-you know me?"

"Yes; I watched you wake many people from their long sleeps in the dream world, I'm impressed."

"Wait, those people and world I thought I made up to ease the pain to my cancer was really a connection of consciousness?"

"Those humans were real and that world was a collection and combination of you and your 'friends' memories."

"So that whole scenario with the whole tower and nightmares and the whole being killed in dream die in reality was true?"

"Every last detail. Since we can't influence any dreams outside of our dimension, we could only observe and your sacrifice was very chivalrous. Shame that you had to give up a year of the two that you had left to make it happen."

"So, I'm going to die in the hour? That explains everything being heavy."

"We assure you, this is no dream; you are in reality, talking to us."

I really am going to die. Well I was to begin with, cancer or no cancer, but in the passing hour? Damn, I didn't even write a friggin' Will. I really sacrificed my last year to live to wake those people up from their comas? This is nuts; the rabbit hole keeps going deeper and straight through China, by now.

"It's still crazy that I get to meet you, Luna."

"I'm sorry that your life has been cut short."

"I had cancer; I was going to die, anyways."

She looked over and noticed the plush next to me and blushed slightly. "O-oh. We see that you are fond of us; We're flattered."

"She kept me warm through the nights, those were the hardest without it. So I take it that you aren't just here to thank me in my love for your night and waking those people up?"

"Correct. Me and my sister watched you and your family for the past year. It's depressing to think that war and tragedy can break a family apart. Since you're about to die, what would be thine dying wish?"

"I wish...I wish to go with you to Equestria, but...I can't leave my family behind or what's left of it."

"It's okay, Stone. You'll be coming with us to Equestria."

"Why choose me? Out of all the people in the world who know about you, your sister and all of Equestria, yet you pick the Goth that's dying of Lukemia?"

"The compassion and social bonds you made with those people while in that dream world inspired us and our sister. We welcome you into our world. It took some time deciding and deep moral discussion between us and, we know that you are kind to your family and you tried to piece them back together. It tugs at our heartstrings, knowing that. We know that you would mean no harm to us in our world, but..."

"You and your sister have no idea what they might do if they were in Equestria? I can take care of that, if I didn't have the blood cancer."

"We understand the pain you are going through, at least not for being imprisoned in the moon for a millenia like we had."

"I just want them to bury the hatchet with one another, so we can go back to being a loving family like the good old days."

"Bruised hearts can still beat. You need to have them fix their issues themselves; have them talk it out. It's a corrupted world, you and your family live in and I feel deep empathy for thou."

"Don't really know the point of going to Equestria if I'm going to die seconds after."

"That's why the bodies of you and your family will be changed to...suit our world, more or less."

"So my family would be coming along? You are able to find them? Would my clothes change to my body type, then? Would I be able to bring my devices along?"

"Yes, yes, yes and yes."

"Cool, let me slip into my normal threads."

With the last of my strength, I managed to slowly removed the IV from my arm and waddled over to the drawers that kept my clothes in. I got dressed and sat down on the bed. While I was changing, Luna was looking the other way, blushing. I wore torn up black cargo pants with black worn-out steel-toed boots, a fishnet muscle shirt with a black leather jacket over it, a dog collar with a combo lock hanging from the center and my glasses. The princess of the night turned around to look at me and her expression turned into a mix of confusion and blush. Definitely the usual reaction I get from others, kind of annoying, seeing it for the few hundreth time. "Your wardrobe choices are...interesting" she commented "That's what you mean by Goth."

"Yeah...well...I'm ready to go."

"Okay, hold still."

Her horn glowed in a dark blue aura, consuming my entire body. My vision flashed to white and I blacked out, unaware of the the events that are about to unfold.
> Welcome to Equestria
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2: Welcome to Equestria


Darkness...slumber...hello my old friend (Damn, I sound like Ansem.) Is this what hell is like? Religion must be dead wrong. (Fucking puns.) I started to reawaken, only to hear voices ring my ears. 

"...Spike, if Princess Luna says that he saved the lives of many others, he is well sure to stay here in Equestria."

"I know, I know...he just looks weird."

"True, but I think that he's a real nice stallion underneath that intimidating look."

"I don't know...should we trust somepony that wears more eyeliner than Rarity? He looks like Marelyn Manson mixed with Sine Vision."

"Who did you even hear that from?"

"Vinyl Scratch once told me about them; she has a poster of them in her closet and..."

I kept my eyes closed and decided to break the argument "The beautiful ponies, the beautiful ponies...ooohhh!" I sang before having a spell of pain shooting through my head. My voice that came out of nowhere, made both of them jump in shock "Okay; dream over." I stood up for a split second before falling flat on my face, then it hit me; I'm in a different body. 'Don't worry, Stone; I already informed Twilight Sparkle and her assistant, Spike that you are from another world' Luna's voice echoed through my head 'You will have to think of a name since I never gave them your human one. Don't worry; you will be able to speak to me telepathically when you learn how to. I will speak to you later on matters of bringing the rest of your family here.' Almighty then, sounds like I'm at the mercy of Twilight and Spike; not a very bad fate if you're into librarians.

"Hello?" Twilight's voice knocked me out of my stupor "Oh, good; you're finally awake." I pushed myself to my hooves, getting a feel for my new limbs. "Sorry" I said sheepishly "I'm just adjusting to my new body."

"Oh, no; it's okay. It's not everyday we get somepony from another dimension."

"It's strange, too" Spike chimed in "Why would Luna bring somepony from a dimension that NONE of us even know about and bring them here?"

"Now Spike, you and I know well that if the princesses trust him, we should as well."

"What exactly did he do to be put in the body of a Unicorn and get sent here in a Manehattahn Minute?"

"Now I'm sure that this stallion here will tell us what happened, right Mr...?"

"Silversoul" the only name I could think of, flowed out of my mouth like water "My name is Liam Elliot Silversoul." 

Twilight raised an eyebrow, mouthing my name over "So Liam, can you tell us what happened that led to your arrival?"

"I thought Princess Luna was going to tell you the whole story."

"No, all she said was you were some kind of hero with a dying wish."

"Okay, to make a long story short, I was dying of Terminal Cancer for the past year, so I was in a hospital bed and drugged up to keep me asleep for most of the time. The long string of dreams I had, made me thought I was in some kind of different world. Some kind of catastrophe came down and i teamed up with other peo-er, ponies to stop it. After it was all said and done, I didn't realize the sacrifice I made to wake those ponies up would have me die long before I was expected to. In another dream, I found the great Princess and she gave me an offer I couldn't refuse, my dying wish was granted and...well, I'm here, talking to you two." I didn't want to mention the scary as hell shadowy demon that chased after me.

"The princess had good judgment, then" Twilight complimented, looking like her soon-to-be fears disappearing in the daytime light through the window (To the wall). I shrugged "All I did was sacrifice the rest of the life I had for my old body to wake those up from their comas."

"Still, you're willing to sacrifice yourself to save the lives of whom you never met in real life?"

I nodded in agreement and embarrassment "Well, when you put it that way, I do sound a little reckless." A random thought crossed my mind; my new appearance. Was it different or does it still retain a lot of my human features? A mirror never lies (Unless it's a carnival mirror, those things are complete assholes.) 

"Would you like something to drink?" She offered me. I nodded "Coffee" I replied and she gestured to the young drake, who went down the steps into the kitchen. I twitched; the random thought shooting through my head again. "By the way" I changed the subject "Do you have a mirror? I need to see if I look too vicious or not."

"It's in the bathroom, over there" she gestured towards a door across the area I woke up in. Being absolutely careful, I tip-hooved slowly over to the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror while trying to keep my balance. I turned on the light to take a closer look at my features. My hair is still the same, eyeliner, glasses, shirt, dog collar necklace with a combination lock hanging from the middle and my jacket as well. My fur color is a pale white that has a white to black gradient from the midpoint of my legs, down to my hooves which are a pitch black color (Wonder if that's hoof polish or my actual hoof color.) Although I was expecting to be as large as a regular stallion like Shining Armor, but I'm only about an inch taller than Twilight at best. Seems legit, though; I never really was a tall one to begin with back on Earth (Five feet, four inches, bitches.)

"Strange, huh?" Twilight joked, creeping up behind me.

"Yeah, Praise the moon" I said, nodding in agreement with a grin on my face. I felt an intense pressure on my back and it's annoying the crap out of me. "What's wrong" Twilight asked. "Can you get my jacket off, please?" I asked the concerned Unicorn "It feels like somepony stuffed a damn bird in there." Ignoring my profanity, her horn glowed her normal purple hue and my jacket slid off like an overweight squirrel on an angled power line.

*POMF!*

"Ahh! Much better" I sighed in relief. I looked over to Twilight, who now has wide eyes and her jaw practically hitting the floor. 

"What? Do I look that bad in a fishnet shirt?"

"Alicorn..." she mouthed.

"Yeah, what about it?"

She pointed to the mirror. I turned around to look at myself again, only to see two wings protruding from my back...and queue needle scratching sound. (I'M A FACKING ALICORN!?)

"Well...this day suddenly got more interesting" I commented "I knew she was going to give me a body, but why the body of an Alicorn!?"

"I'm sure the Princesses have a logical explanation to why you are an Alicorn, but for now, you need to hide your wings under your jacket."

"Gonna be hard to do if I experience random wing-stiffies" I joked. (It'll be like going through puberty again. Greaaat.)

Ignoring the tasteless joke, she used her horn to put my jacket on for me "What you can do is find the strongest muscles in your back and use them to fold back" she explained, pointing from the tips of my wings to my back "We're just going to have to keep them hidden for now."

"Good idea; don't want to start another riot." (Luna knows how many I've started.)

Spike came back up from downstairs with a trey of two cups of coffee on them. "Here you go, Twilight" Spike said, the cup being lifted out of his claws by Twilight's telekinesis. He then handed the cup to me, but I don't know how to make my horn glow. "Umm, Liam?" he asked "Aren't you going to get it?"

"New body; don't know jack about magic."

The violet unicorn caught on and placed her cup on a nearby table "Let me help you" she offered. She used her magic to lift the cup over to me, so I could take a sip. "How did you know I like my coffee black?"

The two looked at each other, then back to me "It...was a hunch" Spike sheepishly explained. (Oh, so just because I'm a Goth means I like my coffee black, eh? They are right, though.)

Spike burped up a letter and caught it with his claws. He opened the seal and unraveled the paper to read it. "It's to you" he handed me the paper which I began to read out loud, but after clearing my throat: 
"Dear Silversoul, we and art sister, Princess Celestia invites thou, Twlight and Spike to Canterlot for an urgent meeting. Come at once. It's best if we discuss face-to-face.
-Princess Luna.
P.S. The conductor knows that you three are coming to Canterlot, so he reserved a quiet section of the train for you three."

"Urgent meeting?" Twilight asked in confusion.

"Probably it's what Luna mentioned to me earlier telepathically, about the next step of bringing my family over here to Equestria."

"We should get moving, then. Spike!" She called out to the young dragon "Get me about a few dozen notepads and pens; I get a feeling that I'm going to need them."

He saluted to her and dashed back downstairs. We both followed him down into the main room. Books. Books everywhere. The moment we got to the door, he came back with a saddlebag full of what Twilight asked him to get. She slung it over her back and opened the door with her horn. "After you" I pointed a hoof at the door, making her smile "Thank you" she beamed.

Ponyville looked exactly like the show, but it seemed like it took much longer to get to the train station that what I saw in the show. It must be my perception of time and all that technical crap. When we arrived at the station, the pastel-colored train was there, steam hissing out of the bottom. We made our way over to the condoctor who was surveying the side of the train before departure. His uniform looked like that one conductor from The Polar Express except that his mane was slightly grayer. He noticed Twilight and trotted over to us "Oh, Miss Sparkle, Spike and the new stallion" he smiled "Right this way." He guided us to the car in front of the caboose. "Don't need to worry" he said, helping us onboard "Princess Celestia reserved the ride for you three; don't want to keep her waiting." He left the car and went back outside to survey the last of the train. 

(Empty Car. Sweeeet.) We went halfway down the isle and sat on one of the benches. Me and Twilight sat together while Spike sat across us, eyeballing me. 

"ALLLLL ABOARRRRD!!!!!" the conductor called out to the engineer, leaping back onto the train. The train jerked forward, slowly departing from the station. I've got this itching feeling that something crazy is about to happen, but I don't know when it will occur. Oh well, must be nothing.
> Train Hijack
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 3: Train Hijack


The train whistled as it roared down the tracks through miles of plains, feeling every bump along the way. I looked out the window with my left hoof propping my head up, observing the trees fly by. "So are you going to tell us about your whole discussion with Princess Luna?" Twilight's question knocked me out of my stupor and I turned to look at her curious eyes. Didn't think it would take her that long for her to ask a question like that.

"Well..." I began, thinking over my scenario "Part of my wish is to bring my family over here to Equestria, but, I will need to accompany Luna in order to do so, in case if anything goes south. Besides, I got to thank her for making this wish come true."

"I'm curious. I'd like to meet the rest of your family. Can you...tell me about them?"

Shit; I was hoping I could avoid this. I muscled past my hesitation and began to explain "My dad was in the Military for more than twenty years. He was an officer in the Marines."

"What are 'Marines'?" She looked at me with a mix of curiosity and confusion, holding a quill and paper close to her by her magic.

"They are a branch of our country's Military. Well, from the world I came from. They are the first ones on the front line and they undergo a very vigorous series of training sessions to become one. In one part of the world, we were at war with another country and my dad was the commanding officer of one of the Companies stationed there. He commanded about 190 troops and organized a series of missions there. He was never allowed to tell me what happened on those missions, though; I wouldn't want to know, to be honest. He was a great leader, until...a terrorist bombing took both his legs and killed almost all of his men."

Mentioning the tragedy made her gasp "I'm so sorry." She placed her hoof on my shoulder, looking into my  eyes. I nodded in agreement to her sympathy "Him and my mother broke up about a month later; I don't know what caused them to do so. My Mother took my younger brother and sister with her and moved across the country. I stayed with my dad since I was stricken with cancer at the time."

"What about your Mother?"

"She used to work for a bank, but ever since she moved, I haven't heard from her ever since. I don't even think she knew that I was stricken with cancer. Once we're reunited, we can bury the axe and start over."

"Can't expect things to work right away. Take a look at Luna on after she was banished to the moon while she was Nightmare Moon. It took them a thousand years and the use of the Elements of Harmony for them to patch things up."

"I know. Once they get a taste of what's here, they won't refuse staying here; I know it."




About half an hour passed until Twilight spoke again "It's been awhile since me and Spike have been to Canterlot. It's great to have a break from study every now and then."

"Long, boring trips are enough to break my sanity" I quipped. (God, I miss motorcycles.)

"It wouldn't be too boring if my friends were along for the ride. Pinkie Pie always finds a way of making anything fun." 

"At least I'll be able finally meet Princess Celestia and have the opportunity to talk to Luna." (I can marvel at her beauty with my new eyes.) 

I looked across from me and Twi to see a sleeping Spike on the seat, snoring. How can somepony sleep on a train is beyond me.

BOOOM

A magical explosion from the caboose made me and Twilight jump and the shockwave knocking the poor dragon onto the floor, waking him up on impact. "Oww! Five more minutes" he whined, rubbing his head and looking at the bent imprint on the metal frame. "What was that!?" Twilight gasped. I sat there, unfazed since I experienced something like this before, except it wasn't on a train; it was a skyscraper. I'm getting a serious case of Deja Vu right now, like I saw this in an Anime once. I'm going out on a limb and guessing what's going to happen next. (Three, Two, One...)

"We are the Ponies' Liberation Front!" A voice called out over the loudspeaker, garnering Twilight and Spike's attention "We have assumed control of this train! Follow our orders and you will not be harmed!" (Called it.)

"Ponies' Liberation Front?" Twilight repeated the radical group's name "It sounds like they ripped it off of somepony."

"I certainly never heard of them," Spike rolled his eyes at the situation. I sighed loudly out of annoyance, "Even this world has radicals. Jeez, it's like wherever I go, trouble follows."

"Aren't you going to do something?" Twilight asked me with a slight panicky, yet calm tone in her voice.

"Why should I have to?"

I paused for a moment, Twilight gave me a stern look and I realized what I said. My eyes shot open and I played the defensive card "Wait a minute! If I can handle a one hundred story tower and living buildings with cancer-covered demons, this will be like Disneyland to me!"

A duo of Unicorn thugs kicked the door open and trotted in. They both wore black, jewelry-covered military uniforms. (I definitely saw this scenario somewhere in an Anime; I just can't put my fin-er, hoof on it!) The stallion on the left is yellow-furred with short, grey hair. The one on the right had blue fur with medium-length blond hair.

"Alright" the grey-haired unicorn called out to us "You heard the announcement; this train in under control of the Western Unicorn Movement, now fork over the Bits and jewels!"

"Sounds like they changed their name after the announcement" Twilight pointed out.

"I just can't take any more of this" I whined. I noticed the lack of urgency in her voice "Hey, weren't you and Spike in a situation like this once?"

"Yeah; we were."

"Sounds like somepony put a curse on ya" I deadpanned.

"HEY! You with the pink highlight and Shorty!" the thug on the left shouted "Who said you two could speak? Just shut the buck up and fork over all your shit!"

Remember when I mentioned that I started a few riots? Yeah; majority of them started by someone calling me "Short." (Short man Syndrome. What are the odds?) The moment he called me 'Short', made my head twitch violently, causing me to crack my neck. I slowly turned my head to look at him "Who are you calling 'Shorty'!?" I growled through clenched teeth. 

"Yeah I called you 'Short'! Who the hay else is there? You cross-dressing SHORTY!"

Something inside me snapped and all I could see is red and all I can think of is hurting them. My wings sprang open from the inside of my jacket and rocketed myself towards the name-calling thug. My horn glowed a bright red, aiming towards the stallion's face. The concentrated blast form my horn, sent him crashing through the side of the train and slamming into a tree passing by.

The other stallion noticed my wings protruding from the inside of my jacket and pieced two and two together. "A-an Alicorn!?" he stuttered, readied his horn and brighten it with his magic. In a split-second, before he could fire, a purple bolt of magic struck him in the face, knocking him out instantly. I looked over to the unicorn and the beaming young dragon. "That was impressive, Liam!" he complimented my angry outburst. 

"Wow; I didn't think my tranquilizer spell would come to use until now" Twilight said.

I noticed a piece of paper sticking out of a pocket of the stallion's uniform. Interesting. I pulled it out to read it (Curiosity? I haz it.):

To all members of The Nightmare Society, the day is almost here. By the order of our fearless lord and rightful ruler, we must kill ponies and gather their souls in any way we please, but--

The rest of the note was missing due to most of the note being burnt off. (Dumbasses couldn't even dispose their secrets properly.) What the hell is this "Nightmare Society"? Whatever they are, they have some nerve hijacking a train to crash. I stared at the note, thinking of fire and the note lit up like a candle. I burnt the rest of the note with my newly found fire magic (Agi) and decided not to tell Twilight and Spike about this so called Society (Yet). Twilight walked down the isle with an expression of both curiosity and fear "Just who are these ponies anyway?" she asked me. I quickly thought of my next move and went over to Spike. 

"Spike, when we enter the car after the next one, do NOT follow us; don't want you getting hurt, understand?"

"But why do I have to stay behind?" Spike asked, disappointed.

"You're still too young," I explained to him, "I don't want to be the one responsible for your death if you don't do what I say and I can't trust you to do so. Just stay with the passengers once we liberated them and you'll be safe. Sound like a plan?"

"YES SIR!" Spike saluted me and followed me back to Twilight. 

"We got Forbidden Magic-wielding Cultists among us; so everypony watch your backs, okay?"

Both nodded and proceeded to follow me through the first door that was broken by the thugs.




We entered a passenger car filled with ponies who are all holding their hooves up. The thugs clad in black noticed us. It seems that these guys wore masks as well as having no tails. (How do they sleep at night, knowing they don't have tails?)

"HEY! YOU THREE! SIT THE BUCK DOWN!!!" he yelled, his horn glowing brightly "Unless you're trying to be a hero?"

I gestured my head at Twilight, silently telling her and Spike to get out of the isle. This whole moment I feel like I relived it before in a western game. (I know this world is kind of a Living Saturday Morning Cartoon, but COME ON!) Ah, hell; just go with it.

The thug shot out a bolt towards my head. Quickly reacting, I aimed the tip of my horn towards it. The bolt struck the tip and lit it up. My head went numb as the magic recoiled back off my horn towards the attacker. He leaped out of the way in time, but a terrorist behind him tried to do the same, but it was too late. The bolt struck the pony, causing him to convulse violently and collapse. The third one whom was the furthest away from me got wide-eyed and ran. 

"Nononono, buck that" he winced. The pony who dove from his own magic chased after him "HEY! Get back here!"

"You saw what he did to #102, I'm out!" the cowardly stallion jumped out of the window leaving a pissed off spook "GO ON! RUN!" he screamed into the distance "HAVE HERUREIZA WASTE YOU! SEE IF I CARE! You miserable coward."

As he was distracted, I took advantage of the situation. I concentrated on speed and it felt like time slowed down, causing me to run faster in normal time. It felt like three seconds went by, but in reality, half a second passed. I wrapped my forelegs around him, my right foreleg around his neck. I was curious who this "Herureiza" pony is and he must know something about it.

"Interesting info" I cooed evilly, my horn pointed at the side of his face, the tip lighting up "Care to tell me more?"

Distracted, I was back kicked in the gut, knocking the wind out of me. Gasping for breath, I lost grip and fell to to my stomach, in extreme pain. 'Liam, quick!' Luna's voice called out to me 'Concentrate your magic and use it to form a blade over your horn!' Heeding her words, in a flash, a thin black beam of magic appeared where my horn should be just in time when he swung his head down with a horn-blade of his own. I angled my head to block his attacks, waiting for him to lose his balance. Using the same speed spell I used to body the one spook in the previous car, I slid around him and slashed diagonally to the right. He screamed out in pain, the burnt laceration sizzled on the side of his body. The smell of burnt fur and flesh lingered in the air as he collapsed onto the floor, dead. 

I felt the mortification come from the ponies as well as from Twilight. 'Stone, what did you do!?' Luna screamed in thought-speak 'Why did you kill-'

'Listen to me, Luna; these ponies hijacked this train. They are going to intentionally derail the train to kill everypony on board so they could gather their souls unless I pacify them by any means necessary!'

I heard her gasp in shock I could sense her tears streaming down her face 'Why would they do this? To nice, innocent ponies?'

'That's what I would like to know, myself. I heard one of the spooks mention a pony by the name of Herureiza; I have a hunch he might be the mastermind behind this jacking.'

'Please, handle this situation well; I don't want any of our subjects getting hurt.'

'I'll keep the ponies safe. The spooks however, I can't guarantee their safety; I'll promise to utilize lethal tactics as a last resort.'

'Thank you; be safe.'

'I know; this ain't my first tango with terrorists.'

I turned around to the ponies in the seats who all have their hooves down. "Okay, everypony!" I called out to them "Please, do not make any noise. Stay here; that means you too, Spike!"

"Well if you're so special, what can you do?" one pony called out to me from the crowd, obviously skeptical of my plan. "Back where I came from, things like this were common" I half-lied "Ponies that were brave and stupid enough like me played hero and they were mostly successful. Before you say it, yes; I'm one of those crazy bastards, but now's not the time to debate; my main priority is to sneak to the engine and permanently stopping this train."

"That sounds far-fetched" a young colt called out "How will you be able to fight them?"

I sighed loudly. I had to show them why, but I might spook them. So much for keeping a secret. I used my telekinetic spell to fling off my jacket and exposed my two large wings. From being folded for so long, I stretched them out, joints popping. Before they could bow down to me, I held out a hoof, stopping them.

"Before you bow, don't," I implored them, "I am not royal, nor am I related to the Alicorn Sisters; I'm showing you this to prove I have the ability to tear these guys a new one."

"But HOW exactly?" one made asked, which was a logical question.

I raised a hoof, but slowly put it down since, honestly, I never had a plan when it came to compromised trains, especially if it's my first time.

"First, I need you, Twilight," I began, calling her over here, "I need you to do a scan spell of this train, can you do that?"

She shook her head, "I can't; the train is moving too fast for me to get an accurate reading."

"Damn; might as well do plan B."

"I'm afraid to ask, but what is plan B?" 

I cracked my neck, "We beat the piss out of them," I bluntly planned, "You take the cars in the middle and knock out the spooks."

"But what about you?"

I pointed my horn at the hinge of the service ladder and door and blasted it off. The ladder swung down and open, conveniently landing right beside me. 

"I'll train surf down the line until I see another open service door. Sound like a plan?"

Twilight suddenly twitched and went back to normal. 

"Yeah; it workswellofcourseitworkswhywouldn'tit? Assuming we don't die!"

"That is why I'll be up on the roof, making noise so they'll be drawn to me while you put them to sleep."

She calmed down, her mane went from messy to normal after her full understanding of the plan.

"Alright, everypony," I addressed the group, "Do not move anywhere else because Operation: Roof Fiddler has begun!"
> Operation: Roof Fiddler
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4: Operation: Roof Fiddler


After watching the door close behind Twilight, I turned to the ladder where I practically hopped up to the roof.

I spaced the gap between my legs so the wind wouldn't throw me off the top of the train. Sticking to the plan, I made my hoof steps as loud as possible to distract the spooks. 

"Wha!? Who's that!?" One of them asked, their voices were all heard through the roof, thanks to my horn acting like a directional microphone.

"An an annoying fly that needs to be swat," one pointed out, "FIRE!"

Bolts of magic shot up through the roof, missing me by inches until one grazed the side of my leg. Crying out in pain, I rolled down into the gap of the two cars, immediately checking my burn. The lower side of my hind leg was burnt and bleeding, but a fixable wound. I had to think of something like healing, medicine, magic, until the tip of my horn shot out a green ball of magic that stopped the bleeding, but didn't close the wound. Guess Dia doesn't work on closing wounds; I'll have to work on that. 

I looked at the spook through the window and stuck my tongue out at him before leaping back up to the roof of the car. The wind that blew on my sensitive flesh burned slightly, but it wasn't enough to hinder my movement. 

Leaping over to the other car, I saw the service door fly off towards me, nearly missing my face. Three spooks jump up from the opening up onto the roof, lighting their horns with their magic.

I fell on my stomach with all of my limbs sticking out in different directions, spinning myself on the smooth metal, tripping them over the edges.

I jumped over to the next car where I felt the whole car shake. (What the hell?) I thought to myself. I saw flames both break and shoot out of all the windows, following the spooks in the car. I then heard Twilight scoff, "That's no way to touch a mare!" 

Jesus, tap dancing, Christ! Twilight's got a temper worse than mine!

I leaped over one last car to where the opening was and looked down. (Nopony there,) I thought to myself, (This smells like a trap; better be careful.) I attempted to hang from the ledge, but a hoof slipped and I fell straight down onto a duffle bag, destroying the fabric.

Seeing her stomp through the threshold, I flipped myself up off the luggage and walked right over to her.

"Had a nice trip?" She quipped.

"Yeah; I should take another one next fall," I joked.

'How’s the situation so far?’ Luna asks with an anxious tone in her voice.

‘We still got the mayor’s cabin, then the engine.’

‘Are there any casualties?’

‘Not that I know of.’

‘Be careful; you only got half an hour before the train reaches the Canterlot station.’

‘Sounds like this will be a close one.’

‘Good luck, Liam.’

‘Right.’

“Was that Luna communicating with you?” Twilight asked.


“Yeah; how did you know?”

“I know that spell, too.”

“We got a half an hour before this train reaches the station. The train needs to come to a stop before then.”

“I’m surprised; this plan is going better than I expected.”

“We’re not out of the woods, yet.”

I used my horn to open the door to the Mayor’s cabin, only to be greeted by a group of a dozen thugs and one unmasked unicorn. He wore a jacket like mine. Only difference, he wore sunglasses with slicked back black hair and a red guitar on his back.

“We got guests, everypony,” he said, “They must be the ones who are cracking the skulls of my men. How else would they be when they waltz right into here and fit the description? Hell, it saves me the time to root you two out. Everything must be going Shaggy Solo’s way, today!”

I didn’t notice that my wings were out and he noticed them.

“Hey, wait a minute,” he said, “Your coltfriend’s an Alicorn!?”

“Yeah, and?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, and that means he’s royalty. Buuut, if you’re royalty and you’re not in the Society, that means we have to put both of you down, let’s rock!”

I let out a quick chuckle.

“If you think that I’m going to hold back, you’re sadly mistaken; I’m going to beat all of you so hard, your spine will shoot out of your ass when you sneeze.” (What is WRONG with me!?)

Twilight ran to the left of the cabin, while I ran to the right. Dodging green bolts of death, I ran up the side of the wall and kicked off the top. I focused on time again and slashed a couple of spooks while in the air maneuvering around bolts. Twilight was shielding herself from the spook’s magic and reflecting back at them, striking a few.

I landed in the middle of the group on my hind legs, using my forelegs to parry their horns and land a hoof in their muzzles. Blood and teeth flew as I carefully took down one at a time with Twilight keeping other spooks occupied.

One by one, each of them fell. Either through exhaustion or injury, they grew scared of me. I could feel it by the way they’re attacking me. They’re lucky that I didn’t decide to use my horn blade of them or their entrails will decorate the walls of the cabin.

I grabbed a hold of the last one and used my own head to beat his face in. I stopped when I saw blood seething through the mask and dripping onto the floor.

I let go of the unconscious spook and focused on Shaggy Solo. I cracked a crazy smile and slightly tilted my head and the unicorn, whom was in a cold sweat.

“How art thou?” I asked him in old English, “Thou globby bottle of stinking chip-oil, you eunuch jelly thou?”

He looked at me funny and I casually walked closer to him as he stepped back from me.

“You’re going to tell me who’s this Herureiza pony is, or I’ll take that guitar and whack you in the yarbles, if you have any.”

He didn’t say anything as he swung his guitar at me. I overpowered him and swung his own guitar at his face, breaking his guitar in half and shattering his glasses.

He fell onto the floor and I used my horn to pick him off the floor.

“Now,” I continued, “I’ll ask you this question again: Who is Herureiza?”

He looked at me with his one non-swollen eye and spat blood on my face. I half-cocked a smile as I slammed his face in the wall, leaving an imprint.

“I’m sorry, can you speak up? I can’t hear that well.”

“H-he’s our boss.”

“Where is he?”

“In your mother.”

I nodded at his obvious insult and slammed his head right into the imprint, making a much larger dent.

“Where is he, you greasy soomka?”

“On top of the engine…”

“What is this I hear about a Unicorn Supremacy and gathering souls? Care to explain? Or am I going to use your gulliver to pound in the rivets?”

He threw down a smoke bomb that clouded both mine and Twilight’s vision. When the smoke cleared, Shaggy Solo was gone and a door wide open instantly giving himself away.

“Hey! You didn’t answer my question! Get your ass back here!”

I dashed through the door with a quiet Twilight following suit.
> Stopping the Train
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5: Stopping the Train


We made it to the engine and I noticed the edge of Shaggy Solo’s jacket on the roof. I shushed Twilight and slowly creeped to the base of the ladder to hear the conversation. The other stallion sounded disappointed and suggested something to him, seemingly offending him. This caused the rockabilly unicorn to protest.

“But sir! There’s an Alicorn on board and he took out our men!”

I attempted to closely listen the other stallion, but the noise from the wheels turning and the wind blowing drowned him out.

“...what do you mean go with the plan?...jam the brakes?...no! I am not doing that! You can take your plan and shove it right up your-”

His defiance was cut short by the sound of a loud gunshot. I saw the unfortunate stallion make no noise as I saw him stumble and slip off the side of the train, looking away at the sound of his bones crunching on the ground. I turned to Twilight, who was trembling. 

“Liam, I’m not too sure about this; I’m scared.”

“Twilight, I need you here with me. If I can stop this train, I need your help.”

“Whatever magic he’s wielding, we need to sneak up on him.”

“He knows we’re here; we’ve got no choice but to face him. We’re going up that ladder at the signal.”

“Alright; I hope you know what you’re doing.”

I signaled her to follow me as I climbed up the ladder. At the other side was a white furred Stallion with a black slicked back mane, round sunglasses with twin heavy machine guns mounted on each side of him with a white harness. He bared the same fatigues as the other spooks, but his seemed a lighter shade of grey with red pauldrons and without sleeves for his forelegs. He turned to face us, grimacing at my appearance like he’s disappointed by my lack of supposedly royal presence.

“So, is this my monkey wrench? You have balls for standing up to somepony like me and my men. I expect no less from a royal Alicorn. My...employers kill for members like you.”

“You’re the big cheese, Herureiza, correct?”

He tensed up, a scowl grew across his face like I found out a damning secret.

“How do you know that name?”

“I have...ways of getting info.”

My nonchalant explanation garnered a quick laugh from the crime boss, making him smile with contentment.

“I have a proposition for you, Alicorn; I suggest you take it with utmost kindness.”

“And what, pray tell, is this so called offer?”

“Simple, you and your marefriend here come with me quietly to meet my employers and we won’t have to kill you.”

I snickered at his obvious offer towards me. It’s a ruse to execute me when I’m not looking. That’s mafia behavior. I wonder how a pony like him learned of something like that. Maybe he...no, that’s not possible; I’m the only one who came from Earth, right? Right? I need to stick to my guns and give him the middle finger, in a sense. I smiled and shook my head in disappointment.

“Well, at least I know what I can say to that offer; in fact, I got three words for ya.”

“Yeah? What?”

“Go fuck yourself.”

He stood there, motionless. His smile disappeared, his guns cocked, aiming at me and Twilight.

“Then I have no choice, but to kill you two as well. Keep Tartarus warm for me, race traitor!”

Twilight leapt in front of me, casting her shield spell around us, bullets ricocheting off the bouncy field. He blasted through the shield with a bolt of his own magic. The impact knocked us both off balance. I quickly regained my footing (strange that I am a pony now and I should say hoofing) and immediately retaliated with balls of fire shooting from my horn. He slid around the balls of fire punching the metal frame, acting like molotov cocktails. He shoots a few bolts of his own and struck me on random places on my body. Luckily, my jacket protected me, but the spots got singed by the heat. One grazed my chest, leaving a minor gash.

He noticed Twilight, where she had her leg stuck in the roof hatch and aimed his guns at her head. In an instant, I quickly thought of a spell for sabotaging machinery and incapacitating foes. Electricity engulfed his entire body, convulsing backwards from his own muscles spazzing out. I made a mental note of that spell under the name “Zio,” to remember how to cast it.

He quickly recovered and shot off a few bullets at me once more. I ran around him, the bullets missing me by inches. I slid to a stop, a single bullet grazing the side of my face. My horn blade lit up and threw down onto my foe in a downwards diagonal slash. The blade itself cut through one of Herureiza’s guns and slashed his left foreleg. He growled in frustration after realizing his gun is broken and lit up his horn in his own magical aura. I saw him wince in pain and jump back from my blade. He swung at me with his horn blade. At the last moment I blocked it using my horn, creating a magical discharge like two metal clamps on a car battery.

I managed to match him, blow by blow, each impact creating mini magical explosions that cut through the thick smoke. Whomever he is, he is good at fencing, but I have to focus on repelling his attacks. I lost my footing and slipped under him right before he shot his gun at me. Luckily, the bullets whizzed right over my head, missing me by a Dutch mile.

He jumped away from me, firing his gun at me without regard for his aim. I spun myself in a horizontal spiral, using my time slower spell. I spread my limbs out in different directions, watching the mass of bullets zip around me. I’m like Neo, except I have emotion and I’m a pony. I carefully positioned my legs and landed on my hoofs, time returned to normal. I also unconsciously used my magic to stop the bullets behind be and let them drop on the metal roof just to rub it in.

I saw him attempt to shoot his gun at me, but in an instant, I shot an ice spike into the gun barrel, causing the barrel and ejection port to break off in a fiery blast. The side of his stomach got burned by this and stumbled onto the roof floor. He groaned in pain and looked at me in anger. I sensed Twilight stirring from her unconsciousness stumble to her hooves, running towards me. She noticed the stallion at his knees, wiping the blood from his muzzle.

“Good job, Liam,” she complimented on my victory, “Now, let’s find out why he’s doing this.”

“You’re pretty good, kid,” he complimented me, “But that still won’t save all these souls; you’re too late!”

“Why? Why harm innocent ponies?” Twilight asked.

“A reason too complex for the likes of you.”

“Really? You’re at your last legs and you refuse to tell us? Please, surrender and we’ll promise you a hard labor sentence in prison at the least.”

He attempted to catch Twilight off guard by shooting one more bolt at her. It reflected off a shield spell, leaving a bewildered terrorist to give up.

“Damn you, Alicorn!”

“Looks like you’re starting to understand that we’re way out of your league!”

“Liam, calm yourself; it’s no use kicking him while he’s too weak to fight back.”

“TOO WEAK!? I still have enough strength to snap your neck while singing the Irish national anthem!”

!!! No...it’s not possible. I swear I heard him say something that hints him being from Earth. Who else brought him to Equestria? How is he part of this supremacy movement? I have to confront him about this.

“Can you run that by me again?”

He tensed up, acting like that slip of the tongue will be the death of him. The entrance of a tunnel quickly came up, which made Twilight tug at my jacket.

“Liam! Liam! That’s the last tunnel to Canterlot! We need to get off the roof, NOW!”

“NO!” I shouted, ripping myself away from her grasp, “This bastard is going to die, today!”

I felt my shift of gravity do a 180 degree turn as my body was enveloped in a purple aura, pull me quickly backwards from my target. He noticed the rapidly approaching tunnel and leapt off the train.

I was pulled under the canopy right as the train entered the tunnel. I immediately snapped at her for her choice for me.

“What the hell is wrong with you!?” I growled, “I could’ve ended it right there!”

Twilight smacked me hard with her hoof, sending me back to my senses. I spat blood and wiped the rest off with my sleeve.

“What the hell is wrong with YOU? You completely lost it! Equestria is nothing like your world; you can’t go around killing as you please!”

“NOTHING LIKE MY WORLD!? What the hell is going on here!? These unicorns want to kill ponies, gather their souls and I need to find out why they’re doing this, what for? Even if I have to stoop to their level!”

She said nothing, looking the other way.

“I understand that life is valued here, but when you got those who prey on the weak, willingly take the lives of others and use terror tactics to get what they want, ponies like me willfully take their lives to prevent them from hurting anypony again. I don’t expect you to accept my actions or support them, because for the past 8 years, I’ve done my own thing. I don’t care what you think of me. Why do you think I look like this, anyway?”

She slowly turned to look at me again, tears forming in her eyes. I thought for a minute, then came to a conclusion, if I want my family to reunite and bite the bullet of my family tearing itself apart, I need to play ball with the Princesses.

“Yes; I may have taken the law into my own hands and I may lose my head more than often, but these are times I do not hold myself back. You’re right about one thing, though. I’m leaving myself to the mercy of your Princesses from here on out, now.”

With that said, without looking, I slammed the base of my hoof down onto the brake, sending the whole train to grind to a halt. Sparks from the brakes lit up the dark tunnel illuminating our vision towards one another. We said nothing, but felt time slowing down, giving us time to our thoughts in case if we didn’t stop in time. My eyes lit up. I used one foreleg to pull Twilight in and the other to hold something onto.

Crashing through a gate, our speed decreased by half, but looked as if it couldn’t stop for another minute. We left the tunnel out into the capital city of Canterlot, but ignored its detail and frightened citizens on my focus on what’s ahead; all the more derailing.  In front of us across the way, I noticed an opening in between two buildings with nothing on the other side. A cliff. Out of fear for the worst, I used my horn on the engine to dampen its momentum. It didn’t seem to work since it was too heavy and too fast for me to help brake the train faster.

“Twilight! Help me, please!”

Her horn lit up as well, both grey and purple aura pushing against the front of the train. Eventually, the train slid to a stop with half of the engine hanging off the cliff.

“We...we’re alive,” Twilight gasped.

“Yep,” I simply said, laying down, exhausted, “Mission Accomplished.”
> A Royal Plan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6 - A Royal Plan


(Liam POV)

I slowly pushed myself to my hooves, still holding onto Twilight. She let go as soon as she got a good stance. We jumped off of the engine into soft green grass next to an ivory apartment building. Oh, static land, I missed you so much.

It wasn’t long before the Guard arrived at the scene with scores of them piling into each open door. We were approached by a high ranking Guard. He wore armor similar to a Roman Army Captain, but his was a purple color with a gold trim. His coat was white like mine with blue hooves, eyes and hair with varying tones of blue. Twilight noticed the soldier and immediately rushed towards him.

“TWILY!” he shouted.

“SHINY!” she shouted back. They pulled each other into a tight hug, crying over the recent incident.

“I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“What about you? I thought you were with Cadance on your honeymoon in Baltimare?”

“Duty calls; Celestia, herself brought me here the moment I found out you were on a runaway train. Luckily it stopped before the whole thing did the highest swan dive in Equestria’s history.”

“Well, I wasn’t the only one who stopped the train.”

“Really? Who?”

She gestured in my direction and a look of surprise grew over his face. He seemed overjoyed at the revelation.

“You were the pony that stopped the train?”

“Yes, sir,” I simply said, wiping my nose, lightly chuckling.

“Thank you,” he bowed, “Not only for saving the other ponies on board, but for saving my little sister as well.”

“Oh, so you’re Captain Shining Armor?”

“That’s correct. Captain of the Royal Guard. Mind if you accompany me and Twilight to the castle and tell me what happened?”

I nodded, following the Captain down the clean brick road. Twilight instead decided to go back to the train to get Spike. Poor dragon must be traumatized from this whole shitstorm. Many ponies in the town were fancily dressed and...wait, what? Oh, great; I’m in a town full of rich stuffy ponies. I can feel the negative judgment radiate off their intense stares at me. Bad enough that I used to get that back on Earth, but thankfully nopony threw holy water at me or told me how much I needed Jesus, but I digress. These may be just looking at my burnt jacket 

“What’s wrong, Mr…?”

“Silversoul, Liam Silversoul,” I said in a James Bond voice. Too bad my Sean Connery impersonation sucks.

“Liam, you seem tense, anything bothering you?”

“I should’ve known that I would be crashing into a town filled with rich flankholes.”

“Yeah; they seem to be judgmental if you aren’t rich, but they widely respect ponies from the Military, especially ponies that go out of their way to save multiple lives from certain doom.”

That reasurement worked, since my tense muscles started to loosen up and my heart started to slow down to its normal pace. I calmly sighed, feeling like an ass for assuming things.

“You seem a little young to lead a whole division.”

“Well, I enlisted when I was 17, so this is my 10th year.”

“How long were you Captain?”

“A year, got a boost of morale from the troops when me and my wife stopped an invasion a few days ago.”

“What the hell happened?”

“Well, I was going to marry Princess Cadance, Alicorn of Love.”

“Fitting. The sex life must be better than with a Succubus.”

“Anyways, these creatures, Changelings tried to take me away from my wife on our wedding. Our love ended up throwing them out of the kingdom. Speaking of events, how long were you here in Equestria?”

“Believe it or not, it’s my first day.”

“Hell of an introduction to the country. Where were you before Equestria?”

“I have folks in Griffonstone.”

“Really? I didn’t know there were ponies in Griffonstone.”

“You learn something new everyday, like finding out you’re Twilight’s older brother.”

“How did you meet Twily, anyways?”

I paused for a moment, thinking of a convincing story.

“I can’t remember how I got here, but I woke up in her home. She told me I had a nasty bump on my head. Since she’s Princess Celestia’s student, she figured that the Princesses can help me out with my memory loss.”

“Can you also tell me what happened on that train and why you’re jacked up to oblivion?”

“Okay,” I began my story, “It started out as a normal ride, and then the car behind us blew up, which shocked the flanks off us and there was an announcement on the train’s intercom. Those unicorns in combat fatigues or what’s left of them hijacked the train. Their leader and Lieutenant jumped ship before the train hit the tunnel. I got jacked up fighting both of them.”

“Good job. For the capture of those terrorists and saving those ponies, I think the princesses will give you a generous reward.”

“Wait, if we’re heading to the castle, where’s the hospital so I can get fixed up?”

“No need; they’ll understand. They could close those gashes with magic.”

“I know; I’m lucky to be alive, though.”





We came up to the castle gates where two gold-armored guards were stationed. The gates themselves were massive. Grey and dull-looking, but massive. The guards had lances to match as well, the flags of the kingdom’s crest blew in the light wind. I approached the doors, but they swung their lances in front of me, blocking my entry.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Shining Armor said, quickly intervening, “Cool it, men; he’s with me and the Princesses are expecting him.”

“Yes, sir.”

They returned their weapons to their stance and saluted their CO. The doors clicked and slowly creaked open.

I was deeply moved by the beauty of the castle’s interior, well at least the lobby, of course. The floor had a square diagonal checkerboard feel to it. A red carpet with yellow trim ran down through the center of the room with a yellow star in the middle with the traditional North, South, East and West directions. Looking onward, I spotted two glass pane windows atop the half-flight of stairs. The right looked to be a painting of the day sky where the pane next to it was the opposite; the night. Uncertain of direction, I turned to Shining Armor for support.

“Where’s the throne room?”

“Well, if you go up the stairs in front of us and take a right up those stairs, there, we’ll go in a straight line and we’ll see it in plain view.”

“Thanks.”

I trotted up the stairs, only to stop at the top and looked behind to see the Captain still standing there at the threshold.

“You ain’t coming along?” I asked, echoing across the open room.

“I’m waiting for Twily and Spike. Besides, it’s best not to keep the princesses waiting.”

“Thanks again for direction.”

The hall was surprisingly dark for it belonging to the Alicorn of the daytime, but I digress. She must’ve set that up as a means of me making a proper entrance. I wonder if she really is omnipotent. That would explain how she conveniently knew how and when Twilight would solve all those problems during the first 2 seasons of the show.

I emerged from the dark hallway to a bright long room, bordered on glass panes. As I walked down the center of the hall, looking at each one, bearing familiarity with each major event in the show. From Nightmare Moon and Discord’s defeats to Shining Armor and Princess Cadence’s love trumping an invasion of changelings.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I first laid my eyes on the Sun Princess, herself in the flesh. She sat there, looking at me, smiling. Luna was also beside her, smiling as well.

“You can step forward; I don’t bite,” she reassured me. ‘...hard.’ I heard her thought and blushed. Luna noticed my sudden shift in my stance and informed her sister.

“We think he heard thou thoughts, sister,” she reminded her of my thought-speech spell, “He possesses the same gifts and potentials we have.”

“I took notice. So, can you tell me why we have decided to make you an Alicorn...Liam Silversoul, was it?”

I put a hoof to my chin, pondering the thought, but came up with no answer.

“You know, I never really put any thought into it. Why have you done so? Maybe it had something to with the fact that I saved lives in the past and put an uneasy soul to rest?”

“That’s not the only reason,” Luna added, “Sister? Care to tell him?”

“I received a vision about the upcoming events that are about to unfold. After what happened half an hour ago, that has confirmed my suspicions on the matter. Can you give us a brief on what happened on the train when you were with my student?”

“To make a long story short, the terrorists are apart of a Unicorn Supremacy group led by a Stallion who calls himself, Herureiza or Hellraiser in Equestrian. Turns out that they are merely a branch of something darker.”

“And what might that be?”

“I don’t know the details. I snagged a letter of their orders on a piece of paper, but it was mostly burnt. The only thing I could make out was that they were ordered to kill everypony on the train and collect their souls as well as creating a crash to cover up their traces of sabotage.”

“Then my fears were right,” Celestia deadpanned, slumping deeper into her throne.

“Your guards could get more information off of the terrorists I didn’t kill, if they’re willing to spill the beans on their plans. I don’t think this scrap is enough to warrant damning evidence on who’s responsible for this whole mess, even though it seems that Herureiza’s the one pulling the strings, it’s a gut feeling to me that I think he’s only a level 2 goon; the real mastermind is out there, somewhere.”

“Either way, you stopped the terrorists, saved everypony on board, including my faithful student and her assistant. I’m more than thankful for what you have done so far.”

“This is not the only reason for my visit, though.”

“I know; preparations for bringing your family over here to Equestria.”

“I’m guessing I’m returning to Earth the same way Luna has found me?”

“Not quite,” Luna corrected me, “We simply found you by chance and have observed thou for a reasonable length of time. We needeth thou memories for thy journey to thou old dwelling.”

“I vaguely remember what my old home looks like, but I remember the street name. Is that good enough?”

“Yes; we can work with that.”

“The easy part is getting there; the hard part is convincing my old man to join us here.”

“We’ll never know until we try.”

“Okay, but I must warn you; my did is a little troubled.”

“We can subdue him if he should ever become violent towards you.”

I got close to Luna, looking her dead in the eyes.

“He never strikes his family.”

“Then it’s settled. We’re ready when thou art.”

I cracked my neck, preparing for the dimensional jump. Luna placed her horn on mine and lit her’s up. I done the same, letting her connect her magic with mine. The same tingling warmth flashed over my body when I was human, my vision flashing white and then...nothing.
> The Silver Soul Family Part I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7: The Silver Soul Family: Part I


The light faded and I fell flat on my face onto the cold dark road. I stood up and rubbed my muzzle in pain. I looked up to see Luna ease down onto the ground with her wings.

“Don’t bother trying to joke about my blunder; it will fall flat on its face,” I joked.

Luna lightly chuckled. I looked around my surroundings. I was back on Earth, no doubt, but nowhere near my old house. We appeared at a four-way intersection in the same development I grew up in. Luna grew curious but had a good way of hiding it. I could only sense her curiosity by secretly reading her mind.

‘So this is what Stone’s neighborhood looks like,’ she thought, ‘The colors and architecture are very depressing, though.’

“Now you know how I felt every time I laid eyes on this place.”

Luna jumped at my sudden display of empathy.

“We didn’t know thou can read our mind.”

“I’m getting the hang of this whole magic thing. It’s almost like I was born for it.”

“We should talk to Celestia about it, then,” She suggested, “When you convince your father to join us and return to Equestria, we can help you solve that mystery.”

“Until now, let’s find my dad. He should be at my old home.”

“Where is it?”

“We’re on Lunar Drive, so if I remember correctly, the number 666 should be on either one of the mailboxes and/or on the front door.”

“Okay; let’s go.”

We continued down the middle of the street. Thankfully in the middle of the night, there is practically no cars on the road and everyone must be already in bed, so they won’t see two colorful magical Alicorns prancing around in the middle of the street. As we went down the rows of look-alike houses, the address numbers decreased from the 1500’s down. We eventually made it to 666 and noticed a light protruding from one of the windows. We walked up to the door and stopped.

“Do you know an ‘unlocking the door’ spell?”

“Of course,” She said, beaming with joy over that knowledge, “Just stand back.”

“You’re not going to kick in the door, are you?”

“No; why would you think of a silly claim like that?”

Her horn lit up and pointed to the keyhole. The lock loudly clicked and the door opened with ease. I’m relieved she didn’t go for the loud Rambo approach or use her traditional Royal Canterlot Voice. I swear she would make a decent Dragonborn Cosplay.

I closed the door behind me, to keep suspicions at a minimum as I’m only here to get my dad to Equestria. I have some concerns, though. I wonder how a 21-year Marine Veteran with PTSD would react to a world filled with cutesy ponies. I would laugh if he would like it and accept it.

We made it to the room where it was the only lit place in the house. A middle-aged man in a military officer’s uniform, sleeping at his desk with the lamp still on. The desk itself was unorganized, the papers, pens, and folders were all over the place. I also noticed my obituary cut out from a newspaper at the corner. I levitated it to my level to read it:


Collin “Elliot” Stone
1997 - 2016

Collin Stone 18, passed away in his sleep at Charming Medical Center on November 14, 2016, in Charming, Pennsylvania a month shy of his 19th birthday. He was born on December 14th, 1997 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He moved to Charming when he was 11 following his parents' divorce. Stone enjoyed music, especially when it was from Marilyn Manson. He had a girlfriend named Madelyn Archer, who died of suicide a year prior to his death. He graduated from Charming High School months before his death.

Survivors include his father, Captain David Stone of the USMC, his mother, Aki Stone, his younger brother, Timothy Stone and his younger sister, Tiffany Stone.

He was preceded in death by his family. His cause of death was of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. He was expected to live for another year but tragically passed away early.

Funeral services will be held on November 16th.


My head sank low, looking away from the depressed Marine. Luna walked in and I handed the paper to her. She read the whole obituary, getting more depressed the more she read.

“You didn’t convert my body, did you?” I asked her, slightly upset.

“I tried to use your body, but it was too badly damaged.”

“So, you lied to me!?” I growled, inching closer to her, backing her into a corner. I sighed and turned my back when the thought of it left my mind, “There’s no use in arguing about it, now; it should be water under the bridge, but what about this body?”

“What art thou getting at?”

“Is this what my soul really is, or did you randomly select some random victim to have me possess and turn his appearance to my likeness?”

“What about the dreams you had when you were in the hospital?” Luna referenced my final months on my deathbed, “You were able to use magic in the Astral Plain as well, way before you gained an Alicorn body.”

I looked at her in astonishment. I never told her about my ability to go into the Astral Plane.

“How did you know about that?”

“Well, we were able to reach this world through the Astral Plane. We saw a separate reality that held your dreams and the people whom you saved held their dreams as well.”

“That’s how you were able to reach me in the first place. That means that Herureiza was able to cross over into Equis using the Astral Projection and Soul Manifestation. That’s how you were able to create a physical body made out of my interest in your world for me.”

“Yes, but to create a physical body for another reality except for your dream world reality, the projector must sacrifice his old one and create a new physical body to suit that world. So, those terrorists were able to cross over from your world into ours. Collin, you have a gift; do not abuse its potential. Promise me you will only use it to cross over your family and only your family.”

“I promise. Now, let’s go and wake this old bastard up. Go and hide, now.”

Luna hid around the doorway while I tip-hooved to his desk and pushed over a vase. I dove over into a dark part of the room before it crashed down onto the hardwood floor. He shot up from his alcohol-induced slumber and spun around in a 360-degree motion in his wheelchair, aiming his gun in all directions.

“Who’s there, you son of a bitch!?” he yelled out into the darkness, “I know you’re there you slimy, twinkle-toed cocksucker! You ain’t stealing my shit you-”

“Dad, calm down!” I called out to him from the darkness, practically scaring him half to death, “It’s just me, Elliot!”

He screamed in terror, pushing himself out from the room.

“Dad! Get a grip! I am not dead.”

“Yes, yes you are; I saw you at the morgue! You can’t be here if you’re dead!”

“I’m not; I just...inhabited another body.”

“I knew it! You always had a thing for that Satanic magic book!”

“It’s not the dark arts; it’s...it’s...oh, for fuck’s sake. Here; let me show you.”

I slowly walked out of the darkness, revealing myself in the light of the fireplace. He had an expression on his face that showed both fear and confusion.

“What the hell am I looking at? You look like one of those little horses from the show you watched at the hospital. This can’t be happening!”

“Oh, but it is.”

“No, it IS not! I. AM. DREAMING! You can’t tell me otherwise.”

“Then do that trick where you can dislocate your elbow and relocate it.”

He quietly nodded and jerked his wrist in a weird direction and angle, the only sound in the room was a quick pop of a joint.

“ASS! PISS! BITCH! FART! FUCK! BOB SAGET!” He screamed in pain, jerking his elbow back into place. A few moments passed and he screamed bloody murder again.

“THIS IS REAL!?”

“That’s what I tried to tell you,” I said, shaking my head. Dad moved closer to me back into the light of the room but still kept a distance from me.

“Collin?” he said my name, tears welling in his eyes, “Are you really alive?”

I smiled at the mentally drained veteran.

“I am; gave death the finger-uh, hoof.”

“You’ve gotten...shorter.”

I pulled his face close to mine, pointing another hoof at his chin.

“Just because I'm short don't mean I can’t kick your ass.”

“Relax; I just wanted to confirm it 100% that you’re my boy or colt.”

“Glad you hadn’t changed a bit, old man,” I complimented, smiling.

“Your mother and siblings are here in Pennsylvania from California.”

My ears shot up at the bombshell he dropped. Were they here to blame dad or really attend my funeral?

“Where are they?”

He looked at the fire, thinking.

“I believe, if I’m not mistaken, they’re in the Moonlight Hotel.”

I raised an eyebrow at his answer.

“Isn’t that a romantic hotel?”

“No; you must be thinking of Redmoon Hotel.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“You’re not thinking of going over there, are you?”

I stalled for a second. I had to tell him of my plan. I hope he goes through with this.

“Dad, there’s a reason why I look like this and how I’m back here on Earth talking to you.”

The smile on his face slowly disappeared and went to an expression of uneasiness.

“What are you getting at?”

“What if I told you there is a way to give you a fresh start; a second chance and being able to walk again?”

His eyes grew wide. I could hear the pace of his breathing pick up.

“Are you able?”

“Look at me, it’s obvious I don’t have cancer anymore. I think it would be best to show you what I mean. Luna?”

She entered the room with her wings folded and the light shined off her mane, making it look like she was wearing a layer of glitter.

“Who is this? Your marefriend?”

Both mine and Luna’s faces grew red.

“Nonononono!” I quickly corrected him, “We are friends and she’s the one who gave me my new body in the first place!”

“Allow me to introduce myself,” Luna said, spreading her wings, “I am Princess Luna: Co-Ruler of Equestria and Alicorn of the Night and the Dream World.”

“I can see why my son likes you,” he complimented, “Now, what kind of proposition is my colt, here talking about?”

“Collin was able to live a second life by giving up his old body and a new one manifested when he entered our world,” Luna explained, “All ailments, both physical and mental are alleviated upon semi-reincarnation.”

“So what you’re saying is, if I agree to have my soul put into a ponified version of myself, I would be able to walk again?”

Luna nodded, confirming his prediction. He beamed with joy.

“If I’m able to walk and be with my son again, sign me up!”

“Hold on, pops,” I halted his excitement, “There is a catch, though.”

“What kind of catch?”

“Mom, Tim and Tiff must come along for the ride.”

He sank deep into his chair, his excitement crushed like a cube of garbage.

“I don’t want to come along, then.”

I scoffed, slightly offended by him declining my offer.

“Dad, this is the only chance I’ll be able to offer this to you,” I persuaded him, “After that, I won’t be able to return to Earth again.”

He looked back at the fireplace and loudly sighed.

“Very well,” he deadpanned, “But don’t expect me to successfully patch things up with your mother.”

“Thank you, dad,” I said, pulling him into a hug with my forelegs. We broke the hug and noticed Luna’s horn glowing.

“Before we reunite with Mom and the others, you will be in Equestria in your new body, but you’ll be in a magically-induced coma. When we return with the rest of the family, I will reverse the spell, understand?”

“Sure, I’ve experienced weirder shit in Iraq, anyways.”

“When you do go to sleep, it may feel like a moment has passed, but really it will be just less than 10 hours.”

“It will take only that long to make me a new body?”

“Meh; magic bubble, magic babble. But in all seriousness, yes. You ready?”

“You’re talking to a 21-year-vet; I think I would be able to handle a little out-of-body life experience.”

“Eh, I would beg to differ.”

A white wispy light engulfed my dad in a bright haze. The light grew brighter and then, POP! The light was gone and all that was left was his .45 handgun on the seat of his wheelchair.

“Will Celestia know who he is?”

“Yes; she will place him in the medical wing of the castle until you return with the rest of your family.”

“Alright. Can you teleport us to the hotel? I don’t want to risk anyone spotting us.”

“Of course, just hold thine breath.”

I exhaled, bracing for the jump. A tingling sensation grew around my body and with a loud crackling pop, we stood in the lobby of the hotel. The interior design was moon-themed, piquing Luna’s interest in the room’s design.

“I know; beautiful, isn’t it?”

“We agree.”

“C’mon; let’s look for them.”

We walked up to the empty front desk. Thankfully, no one was in the lobby nor behind the desk. With a quick flap of my wings, I quietly bounded to the other side of the desk and powered on the computer next to the wall. After sitting through all the logos and company stings, the password screen came up.

‘Ah, shit,’ I exclaimed in my head.

“Anything wrong?” Luna asked, concerned.

“It's nothing; just a minor obstacle.”

I thought of computer code and password manipulation until the screen lit up in the color of my magic. The dots filled up the empty space of the text box and hit “Confirm.” After it went to the desktop screen, I thought of names, codes and transaction histories until the command prompt came up where it showed the list of names of the people who are staying in the hotel and the numbers of their rooms. I scrolled through the list, looking for anyone who held the last name “Stone.”

To my surprise, I found, “Aki Stone.” What surprised me, even more, was that she never went back to her maiden name, which perplexed me since my parents weren’t together for 7 years.

‘Alright; I found them.’

‘What room do they temporarily reside?’

‘Room 404.’

As we arrived on the 4th floor, we came across the door to room 404. The lock on the door was electronic, so I could easily trip out the magnetic reader for the card key by giving it a little shock. I tapped my horn on the receiver and gave it a little electricity. A puff of smoke spurted from the card slot and the ding sound echoed in the empty hall. The door clicked open, slowly shedding light on the sleeping mother and her two kids.

There they were, all nestled on two beds. My mother was of Asian descent whereas my father was of Irish descent. If I were any whiter, I would make Vanilla Ice look black. She had short ebony hair where my dad had blonde, almost gray hair. I got my dark hair color from my mom, obviously. My little brother and sister are fraternal twins, looking much like my mother.

All of a sudden, we both jumped at the loud beeping from the alarm clock on the nightstand. The woman stirred awake, tapping the snooze button on the clock, seizing its noise. She stretched her arms out and opened her eyes to see a cartoony pony in front of her. It took her a couple seconds before screaming and recoiling backward from me. My younger siblings shot up and frantically looked around the room.

“What’s the matter mom?” they asked in unison.

“There’s a horse-thing in the room!”

“Uh, correction; I’m a pony.”

My little sister then realized what I appeared to look like.

“Hey! He looks like one of those little ponies I was telling you about, mom!” She observed.

“Yeah, but he looks like a rejected villain,” my little brother bluntly said about my appearance.

I scoffed at his accidental insult.

“Really? Is that any way to talk to your older brother?”

They all jumped and held onto each other, not saying another word.

“Oh, for Luna’s sake! It’s me, Collin.”

“That’s impossible,” mom protested, “Collin died; you can’t be him.”

“It’s raining,” I said, pointing a hoof to the window. The rain was pelting against the roof of the hotel and the window, creating an interesting sound.

“I was hoping we wouldn’t get soaked at the funeral,” Tim complained, “Why does it rain here constantly!?”

Now was my chance. I had a saying back then, and it’s now to prove my identity to my long lost family. I took in a deep breath and deeply exhaled.

“It can’t rain all the time,” I reassured his concern.

Their eyes grew wider than Steve Carell on shrooms. Mom lets go of the twins and got out of her bed.

“Collin?” she said, inching closer to me.

I lightly smiled, tears formed in my eyes. She slumped down to my level, tears formed in her eyes as well.

“Mom?”

“You really ARE alive!”

She pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. It felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my sockets.

“M-mom,” I strained, “Choking; not breathing.”

She let go with a sheepish smile of embarrassment across her face.

“Sorry. How did you end up looking like a little girl’s toy?”

“That...is a long and strange story. You got any gum?”





After I was finished with my past events leading up to this moment, the rain stopped and the sun shone through the window. I left out the Unicorn Supremacist group and the soul gathering parts for fear of turning them off from joining me in Equestria.

“Wow,” Mom complimented, “Where is this Luna? Is she with you now?”

“We art right behind thou.”

They spun around to face the moon princess, who snuck behind them to observe their reactions to my story.

“Princess Luna!” Tiff exclaimed, rushing to hug her. She blushed and returned her hug.

“We art flattered by thy honor of our night.”

“Wait, how is this possible?” Mom asked, “If she’s a part of a TV show, how are you and her real?”

“Well,” I began, “Ever heard of the multiverse theory?”

“Yes.”

“Well, apply that to the Astral Plane and you get multiple realities of endless possibilities. You could get one where that world would be a TV show here, but there, it’s as real as our reality.”

“How did you get that body, then?”

I gestured at Luna and they turned to hear her explanation.

“We simply used our magic to extract their consciousness and build a body of their choice to suit the world they’ll take refuge in. It is then their soul will leave their old body and inhabit their new one and they will enter their world.”

“Well, how is Collin still a pony if he’s here on Earth?”

“Magic works in mysterious ways, but in all seriousness, his original body was too damaged, that was the main reason we gave him a new one.”

“But why choose him and not anyone else out of the 8 billion humans here on Earth?”

“Because he is one of few that hold a special gift of utilizing a grasp on otherworldly rules and powers.”

“Is that the only reason? Because I sense that you are keeping us in the dark.”

“Collin, your son, is a reincarnation of a lost soul we’ve been looking for for more than a millennium.”

“Wait a minute,” I interrupted Luna, “You never told me about that. Was that another reason you brought me to Equestria?”

“Yes; we deeply apologize for not telling you beforehand.”

“Water under the bridge. Anyways, my resurrection and return to Earth to see you three is not for the shits and giggles.”

“Watch it, Collin,” Mom scolded my use of language.

“Sorry. I’m here to make an offer to you three; a choice at a second chance, if you will.”

“What are you getting at?”

“I’m asking you to come with me.”

She gave me a look like she got hit over the head with a shovel.

“Excuse me?”

“This world is heading towards oblivion; I’m asking you to join me in my journey back to Equestria. You will be given bodies of your choosing, but it will have to fit into the world’s rules.”

“Is your father already in Equestria?”

“Yes.”

“Good; I want to be able to talk to him, catch up on things and all that.”

“Are you planning to make things up with dad? Considering all that happened over the course of 7 years?”

“If it means to give up my body and get a new one to claw my way to another world to bring my family back together, I will be going along with you.”

Both twins cheered in gleeful excitement.

“Just hold still and Luna will bring us there, ready?”

They nodded and closed their eyes. Luna’s horn lit up once more and surrounded us in the same sickly wispy white light.

POP! Home at last.
> The Silver Soul Family Part II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 8: The Silver Soul Family: Part II


We arrived back in Equestria safe and sound in an infirmary wing in the castle. I looked over at Luna and doubled over on my knees, dry heaving.

“We warned thou to hold thy breath.”

“Forgot...about that little...detail,” I gasped. Nausea passed and I pushed myself to my hooves. I noticed most of my family sleeping on beds, not transformed. It made me curious.

“Hey, why are they not transformed yet?”

“We’re waiting until they wake up,” Luna quelled my suspicions, “When they do, we’ll ask them for a form for them to transform into.”

“Where’s dad?”

“Asleep in the other wing; Celestia already asked him what form he’ll be taking. He’ll be the one with the green fur and black mane.”

“What species?”

“Pegasus.”

“Really? Didn’t expect that. I thought he was going to be a Dragon or a Griffion.”

“Go see him for yourself.”

I nodded and left the wing in search of where my Dad slept. I zoomed through the halls in a full gallop, the clopping of my hooves echoed in the empty corridor. For about five to ten minutes I roamed, unsure if I was going in the right direction.

‘Should’ve asked for a map,’ I thought, annoyed.

‘Are you lost, Stone?’

‘No...yes.’

‘From where thou art, take two lefts and then a right. Head straight until you hit a door at the end of the hall.’

‘Got it. Thank you for the directions.’

‘Anytime, Stone.’

I took the route laid out by Luna and made my way to the other end of the hall. I opened the door to see Celestia standing next to the bed where the army green pegasus rested.

“Will you do the honors, Stone?” she gestured towards the sleeping stallion. I nodded and used the spell to reverse the sleeping spell’s effects. He slowly came to, shutting his eyes painfully from the bright lights. He opened them again and looked at me with those same colored eyes from when he was human. He smiled at me, possibly from the fact that he has legs again.

He got out of the bed but fell flat on his face from attempting to stand on his hind legs. He shakily stood up and cracked his neck.

“Well, dad, how do you feel?”

The smile grew on his face to the point where he could rival the Jack Nicholson Joker. 

“I feel like the same way I was the day you were born,” he said before jumping backward out of a window, shattering the thick glass. I rushed to the open windowsill to see my dad already knowing how to use his wings. I scratched my head in confusion as he did all manners of tricks from the loop-de-loop to the aileron roll. I swear he could give Rainbow Dash a run for her money. He was obviously overjoyed as I heard him whooping and hollering as he flew by the open window.

“He seems grateful for his new gift,” Celestia pointed out.

“Obviously. Haven’t seen him this happy when he jumped his motorcycle over Bare-Ass Beach years ago.”

“What’s a motorcycle?”

“It’s like a bike, but it has a motor that spins the chain around to make it go faster than you can peddle.”

“Interesting,” was all she said.

“I’m just glad he can fend for himself one-hundred percent of the time again.”

He flew back in through the window and chuckled.

“You look as if you have had those things all your life.”

“Well, I had some practice in that dream world you once told me about.”

“Surprised to hear that; never thought you would actually try that.”

“Speaking of which, where’s everybody else?”

“They’re asleep in another medical wing,” I pointed outside the room, “They weren’t converted yet.”

Celestia cringed and had a worried look on her face. She stumbled a bit but caught herself on the edge of the empty bed. I rushed to help her back up and looked more closely at her face.

“Celestia, you alright?” I asked, “You seem a tad bit paler than usual.’

“I sense a disturbance is about to unfold. Where is Twilight?”

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight called out as she burst through the door with Spike on her back. She stopped as soon as she seen my dad.

“Liam, who’s this?”

“Oh, this is my dad,-”

“Uh,” he stalled.

‘Dad, do you have a name?’

‘How are you reading my thoughts?’

‘Don’t dodge the question; do you have a name?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then say it!’

“My name is, Mustang Silversoul.”

“Pleased to meet you,” she curtsied before letting Spike off her back. He looked at dad, then back to me, then back to him. He held a claw to his chin, thinking.

“You two have the same mane color and eye colors, are you Liam’s father?”

“Why yes I am, and you are?”

“Spike; Twilight’s assistant.”

‘And a Dragon,’ I mentally added to him.

‘Dragons exist in this world?’

'Yes.'

‘Kick ass!’

“Well, what now?”

“YOUR MAJESTY!” A guard stormed into the room, panting heavily and slightly stumbling from exhaustion. 

“What seems to be the problem, Sargeant?”

“Few members of the Guard just brought back a few bodies,” he gasped, “Few were burnt to a crisp and most of them had round wounds all over their bodies. We extracted brass cylinders from the wounds, but we haven’t figured out what kind of weapons killed them.”

Didn’t take long until the next problem reared its ugly head. I walked over to the Guard to gather information from him regarding my potential escaped target.

“Did any of you catch a glimpse of any potential suspects?”

“There was a small dragon,” he explained, “About four times the size of that little one, there. He wore some kind of armor and a large battle axe.”

“Tell me that ain’t it?”

“There was a stallion in a military uniform with black sunglasses accompanying him.”

“Herureiza.”

“That was the same pony we fought on the train,” Twilight reminded me.

“The same pony you let get away,” I growled.

“He was luring you into a trap!” she retorted, raising her voice at me. My anger quickly faded, knowing she was right.

“Yeah,” I agreed, “I’m reckless; sue me.”

“Uh, Liam?” Dad asked, “What the hell happened while you were here?”

I sighed in frustration as I retold my whole story uncut this time.





When I was done, all he did was a nod at me with a puzzling look.

“Liam, may I have a word with you?” Celestia pulled me to the less crowded area of the room to get my full attention.

“So, did you find anything out about the Kentucky Fried Guards?”

“Yes; their bodies were found next to the waterfall at the base of the mountain. I fear they might be making up for their failed mass murder attempt.”

“When can I and dad deploy?”

“I have been informed about his experience in this “Marine Corps,” just be sure you two come back safe and be sure to capture them without killing them.”

“Your Majesty, with all due respect but, why the hell would you want them alive?”

“I want them to be brought to justice and be held accountable for 26 accounts of First-Degree Capital Murder of Equestrian Royal Guards, Hijacking a train, 4 counts of attempted murder, Reckless Endangerment, Robbery, Grand Theft and High Treason.”

I thought over my two choices. Killing them would ensure they will not harm another soul and scatter the rest of the terrorists. Capturing them and holding a trial could leave Celestia and Luna vulnerable for a surprise attack, but if all goes well, their execution will set an example for the rest of them to turn themselves in or die to fight.

“However,” she went on, catching my attention once more, “If it should come to it, use lethal force as a last resort.”

“Understood.”

I walked past everypony and out the door, Twilight and the rest followed suit. The gang caught up to me in the hallway, wondering what Celestia told me.

“Liam, what’s going on?” Twilight wondered.

“Okay, turns out the rest of the ponies that were thrown off the train are regrouping at the base of the mountain to march back up to attack Canterlot.”

“Interesting, so what’s the plan?” Dad questioned with curiosity.

“We capture the two suspects, the rest will scatter. Dad, since you’re more skilled in flying than I am, I need you to provide me aerial support. We can contact with each other with a one-way Thought Speech Spell.”

“Reminds me of nano communications.”

Halfway to the castle gate, a muffled boom shook the castle, knocking everypony off balance except for me and Dad. We looked at each other and ran to the window to assess where the noise came from. Outside above the city were two pirate ships held up by massive balloons.

“Well, shit,” Dad nonchalantly observed.

“Change of plans. Dad, can you fight alongside the other Pegasi guards?”

He lightly chuckled and flared his wings.

“You even have to ask me?”

He leaped into the air and rocketed off through the window into the fray, shouting random profanity. Spike scratched his head in confusion.

“Don’t ask,” I insisted them, “He’s just excited to have his legs back.”

As we made it into the lobby, we noticed scores of Royal Guards racing through the main gate. Shining Armor was standing at the top of the staircase in full gear, observing every soldier leaving the castle. He noticed us and held his hoof out at us.

“Hey! You four need to get back into the throne room,” He commanded, “We’re under attack!”

“I ain’t backing away from this; I got unfinished business with a couple of these bastards.”

“Okay, but stay away from the front lines; leave that to us.”

I turned to Twilight, holding both her shoulders with my hooves.

“Twilight, you and Spike protect Celestia while I find Herureiza.”

“No; It’s too dangerous!”

“How many times have I done this?”

She fell silent and looked away, hesitant on supporting my plan.

“Okay,” she gave in, “Just don’t get too hot-headed.”

I gave her a quick peck on the cheek and followed the rest of the Guards in the lobby out into the urban chaos.