> The AGE of Equestria
>  by Alter Sol
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> AGE of Arrival
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

These solo missions are hell on my body. That fucking warden loves seeing us AGE in cuffs. AGE. What a glorified acronym. Just because we are Adaptive God Eaters, hence said acronym, does not mean we should be treated like this. Then again, with how close we are to the Aragami compared to other God Eaters, I can't blame these people for being so scared. We even had to let our bodies go through the method of autophagy for preservation. These scientists. Why not say its this and this instead of giving it a confusing word.  It makes it.... I need to focus on the mission. Crescent Soul is getting restless, meaning an Aragami, or a group of them, is nearby. Crescent lets me know how strong, or how many, the Aragami is and that's by the intensity of its 'song' , which also helps track it to some degree. The Ashlands are home to Aragami that would make Fenrir, Cradle and a few others lose their shit if they saw what they can do. These Aramagi have taken a method we've been using and turned it against us. Our arcs grant us, and themselves, a small boost in power when they eat a piece of the target, what we call Burst. Now the Aragami have taken this not and made it worse as their Burst no anly makes them stronger, it changes their fighting approach altogether, making them a headache. We AGE have had to find ways around this with little to no success. One AGE used the Arc to Burst, then ate some himself with little extra benefit. One AGE bit off some of a Burst Aragami and got stronger but his cells went haywire for a few moments. One other performed autophagy, self-eating, by refusing all food for some time, which did help but not enough. The Aragami may have us in a corner, but any beast in a corner will bare its teeth for protection.

Crescent was humming, signaling me of strong Aragami before it got loud as five high class Aragami came in out of nowhere. Assessing the foes, I dove at the Zeus to evade the attack as four other attacks killed it. Three others ate the cells and achieved Burst before looking at me. I flinch at their gaze and ran, faster than I knew I could. The more female formed and bird like beast were hot on my ass while I tried to outrun them. If I had Longinus or Pandora and Hades that would be different, but these were still fast Aragami, and one of them didn't have Burst. My life drew near it's end and I could almost feel it before a pulse filled my heart and, without thinking, I drove my foot into the ground and turned back. The blade transitioned into Ax mode as I swung the blade as hard as I could as the air was blasted toward them and charged with electricity. This gave me time to escape but not before the other two cut me off.

What followed next was confusing. Whatever I had awakened, the fight was making it more responsive as I was effectively dancing around their attacks, but the area was becoming more unhinged as it looked like water before we were falling. As we fell, I took the ax mode and split a Ra in half and took the core before my god arc did something strange, even for an arc. Every oracle cell in the Ra was absorbed by Crescent and it upgraded slightly as the blade looked repaired. The next was the Habakiri and its cells effectively cleaned the blade. The next was the Anubis and its cells seemingly repaired the actual blade. The final target was an off shoot of the Hannabal and its cells made the entire weapon look professionally forged. Looked where I could only assume was down, I was exiting this strange tunnel and ended up in a frozen area.

Before I could process where I was, a bolt of light nearly hit me and a womanly figure covered in black fur, wearing a fancy cape, gave me a predatory grin. "So you wish to cross fangs with me Aragami." She looked confused before her interest returned when I lifted Crescent above my head. "Then let's see who dominates the food chain." Her grin grew as we clashed. Whatever she was using had force but no bite as the best it was doing was pushing me. She was getting visibly angry before I felt a rush. Swinging Crescent, the air was charged with the Divine attribute as it knocked her off kilter. Jumping into the air, Crescent turned into the Ax mode, ready to lop the figures head off before I was falling again. The next time I hit the ground was in the middle of a fight with multiple figures that looked like the woman from earlier and some bug like creatures with a bigger one approaching me. "I don't know what is happening, but I'm getting sick of this." Crescent changed to Range mode, arming the ammo of the Assault Gun before I clicked the trigger, sending bullets sky ward and hitting many of the targets before the larger bug charged me. I brought the shield up just as her fist came down and she made contact before hearing screams of pain.

"Aren't you special." He grin became predatory, much like the other woman's. "You'll make a fine addition to my army." I switch to melee mode and slammed the blade down, creating a heavy uplift of wind before charging and falling yet again. I landed and heard a yell.

"Who dares?" Me and the voice made eye contact. "A straggler?" It looked confused. "No matter." It opened its mouth and breathed in as I flipped the shield out, thinking it would attack. "What?" I heard it again and nothing. "What is this? All things should have magic, so why can't I take yours?" Another skirmish for me ensued and, like last time, I was pulled out before I could deliver the finishing blow. The same thing repeated for a weird creature that snapped its fingers to do shit then a pair of brothers, I think, who were ripping trees out of the ground before I demolished the machine before getting transported to a world with a nightscape.

"Okay! Are we done yet?!" I scream at the sky.

"Who goes?" An aged, womanly voice called. What stepped out was yet another woman, only this one wore blue armor, has pitch black fur and teal eyes that resemble a calm feline. She looked me over and inspected me with a curious look. "You resemble a pony for the most part." Excuse me, what? "But you lack may of the features. No fur, no snout nor hooves. Your weapon is also strange, yet most interesting." She looked me over again. Finally a calm place. "What are you creature? Everything about you strikes me with interest, yet I know not why."

I looked her in the eye and stopped her. "Forgive the physical contact but I am having a beyond weird day." She looked done with me already. "First I'm looking for the target Aragami I'm supposed to engage and find myself fighting an Anubis, a Ra, a Habakiri, then a Hannabal and find myself free falling into Gods know what before landing here, where ever or when ever here is." As I spoke she became more curious. "My only theory is that the crashing powers from the Aragami and myself from our Oracle cells opened a rift in space-time, but never has a God Arc of any generation shown the ability to fully assimilate Oracle cells even to repair itself." She looked interest, yet lost as I talked aloud. "I could replicate the effect, but without knowing where I may fall next, it's like a roll of the dice." I stood there in thought. "I'll stay here for now." I look at her and she looked star struck. "Hello?"

"Come with me to the castle traveler of worlds, we have much to discuss." I wanted to outright say 'no' but who am I to refuse any lady of a request laid out in such a pleasant fashion. That begs the question. Should I find a way to the correct time-line, if there is one, or should I stay? Following the woman closely, I saw what state this world's timeline was in. Vegetation was still abundant, meaning the solar eclipse is artificial and moving to allow other places the light they need to grow crops. Whatever the cause or reason, the air felt musky before I looked up. I was so deep in thought, only following the woman's movements I didn't see where we were heading and the bed and her posture didn't help any. "Take the night as yours traveler and rut me." My reaction was obvious as she shook her hips before I was falling again. "WTB?!" She's mad now. Before long, I saw two girls and a boy, all of which were close to my age, falling with me before the weight shifted to a gentle descent as all three of us landed on a table.

The two girls stared at me before a pair of doors, fancy ones at that, opened, and behind them were five other girls. We all stared at each other before something hit me in the back, forcing me off the table. I look up and see the lavender girl with her horn glowing and a scared expression aimed at me. "Stay back!" I looked confused. "I don't know how you got here human, but you will not harm anyone." All of the other girls, and the boy, looked struck with fear before two others joined her, taking up a defensive stance as another bolt hit me. I stood back up and armed Crescent. "That's not possible." The girl said. That was a paralysis and sleep spell. You should be out cold." The others rushed me, fast. "AJ, Rainbow stop!" I brought the shield out as they struck it, barely moving me. I guess the energy blast has more bit than I thought, just no effect. What mattered now, however, was the fact that these girls were scared of me. I could fight them until their out of steam and then talk or just beat them down and end it.
> Confusion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wanting to set a better example than the girls that charged me, I kept the shield up as the sherbet orange and cyan girls waled on the oracle steel and soon I heard groans of pain. I drop the shield and come eye to eye with a pair of blue orbs. She had an assertive air to her as she remained close to me with her even look. She held her expression before my right arm was overcome with spike pain as I screamed, punching the ground with my already hurting hand as the orange girl took the chance to knock me out.


===***===


The girls looked at their intruder with mixed expressions. AJ and Rainbow were not happy it just dropped in, Rarity was struck by its fashion sense, Pinkie was being Pinkie, Fluttershy was confused and afraid of why it didn't buckle under her stare and Twilight was confused it came into the timeline the same way she was returning. "So any idea who or better yet what is that thing?" AJ asked no one in particular.

"It looks like a hairless Minotaur." Fluttershy looked it over carefully. "But what's with these?" She gestured to the armlets as Rarity inspected them before they looked together. "Cuffs?"

Rarity attempted to pull them apart before AJ and Rainbow got in on trying to part them before giving up. Soon Twilight tried as well and they still didn't give. "Whatever these ghastly things are, they are made with their purpose in mind."

"Well this means he must be a prisoner." RD said factually before looking at Twilight confused. "You do have a dungeon right?" Twilight smiled sheepishly before the others remembered why this castle was built. "So where are we going to put it?"

"Can't we put him in a bed. At least for now if that's alright." Fluttershy pipped up.

"Fluttershy dear, this creature just appeared out of no where." Rarity reasoned.

"Yes, but he never struck at us no did he, or have you forgot the misunderstanding with Harry." She smirked at the last bit as the others begrudgingly agreed. Relocating him to his room was easy but the weapon was another matter as it was massive and heavy. One of them went to pick it up only for Pinkie and Fluttershy to stop them. This blade felt... wrong and that touching it would bring something bad. They soon just teleported the blade but with its tremendous weight, the teleportation transmission failed causing it to travel short distances before they finally got it to the room and left it in the middle of the floor. What caught them of guard was when it started to hum, the gears and sliders changing it into a massive ax as it continued to hum. Twilight and the others left it for later as the blade turned even further in their absence.

In the throne room, the girls were deliberating Twilight's decision, flat out arguing with her about going so easy on the girl. Twilight tried to say it didn't happen when, in some realities, in which they may not remember and don't want to remember, it did, stating that her actions could have and would have been the end of Equestria as they knew it and that she needed to be punished for her actions, otherwise the torment she experienced meant nothing at all. She finally caved as Starlight was called in. The girls explained that for her actions, she would be put on a probation of their choice and any arguing would make it worse. Her probation including work at each of the girls' jobs, minus Twilight, and to report to Celestia ever week for her probation monitor and any short cutting will land her in solitary for the next day at max. Starlight resisted arguing for her own sake and was sent to one of the castle rooms.

The girls took the time to address the matter of their other guest. "So what was the screaming about?" RD asked the round table.

"It was in great pain, pain from itself, within, like venom or poison." Fluttershy said, her worry for animals coming up before Pinkie came in.

"Calm down Flutters, he's okay. The animal is okay." She hugged and pet her timid friend. "He's sleeping and dreaming so he will be just fine." The butter yellow pegasus calmed as Pinkie gave a thumbs up and returned to her seat.

"But that weapon was most grotesque." Rarity spoke up. "Was it just my imagination or did those cords look... (gulp) alive?"

"We all noticed that Rarity, and it's possible the weapon was made so heavy because it was made that way." Twilight said, finally coming out of her funk. "It was a strange weapon, for sure, but until we know what it is, no touching it. Something about it feels... wrong. Thanks for stopping us." She looked at the party and vet ponies. "For now we shall monitor the creatures health. I need to write a letter to Celestia."

As the girls went to check on the creature, Twilight wrote a letter to Celestia.

Dear Princess Celestia,
I have been on a strange day today as Starlight returned and used a spell devised by Starswirl the Bearded and went back to a certain point in time and altered the timeline. Nopony remembers the timelines, which sparks a few theories. Anyways, she was stopped by me and punished for her actions by my friends, saying that regardless of if they remember the timeline or not, she still tampered with the events of time and likely altered time itself through this. This brings me to the second part of this letter.

During the return trip back to our point in time, Starlight and I encountered a creature that fell into our timeline with us. We don't know what it is and neither party knows how it got here through the time stream. With no dungeons, it is being kept in one of the bedrooms until further notice from the gear it holds and carries. I await your reply or arrival on this matter to discuss further detail.

Your fellow princess and student,
Twilight Sparkle.

P.S. I know you would make this plan ahead of time, but please get Princess Luna and Princess Cadence in on this. I don't think I can get a letter to them in the timely manner required.

Giving the letter to Spike, the dragon breathed his green flame and sent the letter of to Celestia. "I'll guard the 'guest' for the night." Spike stated, going to the creatures room. He opens the door to see that the massive weapon changed into a huge sword. The blade resembled obsidian glass while an ornament resembled the eye of a beast with its deep purple color and the handle looked like gold. Shaking his head and taking a seat, Spike kept his eye on the creature as long as he could before his exhaustion was getting the better of him. The young drake stayed up as long as he could before passing out. The whole night he mumbled blissfully in his sleep as he relaxed into something warm. When Celestia's sun hit his eyes, he woke to that pleasant warmth before seeing he was in the arms of the creature. "AAAAHHHHHHH!!!" His cries echoed as the girls rushed in to see the creature holding Spike as the drake was scared to move. The others tried to mover the creatures arms but its strength was to immense.

"no" It mumbled quietly as the others dulled their efforts to listen. "Not... teddy..." The girls paused for a brief moment to process what the creature had just said. They were like that for a few moments before Fluttershy had a pleased expression, even poking the creature's cheek to emphasize the cute expression it was making, cute to Fluttershy anyway. The girls looked around for the weapon before Rarity found it. It had gone from a massive ax-like weapon to a huge, black sword. They looked the weapon over and Twilight went to touch it before Pinkie pulled all of them away, showing uncharacteristic levels of strength that Big Mac would beg to have.

"Pinkie! What was that for?!" Twilight yelled in demanding as the Pinkie mare stared at the blade in great fear, eyes shrunken to pin heads and a pale complexion as she almost growled at the blade before Twilight freed her and her other friends.

"What gives Pinks? You just freaked out over a sword." Rainbow looked skeptical, even AJ questioned her pink friend.

"That sword is evil. It hungers..." She paused in fear, shaking at just looking at the jewel.

"What does it hunger for?" Twilight asked, ready to act on the weapon.

"Everything." The pink mare's cryptic answer and rush out of the room made the girls question if she was joking or serious, concerning all of them greatly.

They looked back at the creature, flinching as he started to wake. "Hmm?" He looked to see the girls and down at Spike before gaining full awareness and releasing the drake with both parties blushing as the creature sat up to see the girls then his sword. "Heavy... Moon?" They looked confused at the words, almost like it was a name. He got close and backed away, breaking the restrictions and taking a defensive stance. "Great, so the cells went for that."

"Hey!" He turned to see a cyan fist as it connected with his face, only for nothing to happen as it felt soft, but the girl's knuckles instantly protested. "Ouch." She squeaked. She pulled back, trying to hide her pain as Rarity tended to her rainbow maned friend.

The girls were on edge at anything he would try, a stale mate that would have lasted forever if there wasn't a knock on the castle door. Twilight left the room, leaving the others with the creature. The stalemate resumed again before he convulsed, holding his arm, screaming in pain again as he held his arm with mixed care, trying desperately to ease his pain. His screams echoed across the castle before Twilight came through the door with Celestia in tow. The sun princess looked upon the writhing creature and smirked. "Are you okay... human?" The others froze at the word. Human, as in a savage a bloodthirsty killer to Equestria. The human continued to cradle its right arm before Celestia grabbed the shoulder, causing the human to strike her with its left arm, sending her through crystal walls and out the other side of the castle as the human writhed in agony before passing out from shock.

When he woke up, the human was in a proper dungeon with stone walls and iron bars. On the other side was six, visibly miffed females and one, very beat up woman. "Haven't let go of your savagery have you human?"

He sat up with a confused look. "What are you on about?" He rubbed his head and looked around. "Where is this?" He looked around more. "Are you aragami? This doesn't look like the Ashlands." He looked around, confused as the girls were just as confused.

"Are you trying to confuse us human?" Celestia asked dangerously.

"Lady don't test me. I have been through some weird shit today fighting a bug lady, a centaur, and before coming here I'm about to be laid by a woman who said she'd help me." He looked like he just figured something out. "Come to think of it she looked like your body type only with black fur and exotic eyes. Celestia looked like she wanted to yell before Twilight stepped in.

"I'll vouch those timelines princess. It's likely that how he got here is similar to how we got back." Twilight spoke up.

"Leave it to humans to dabble in things they know little about." Celestia coldly stated, staring at the human.

"Like we had a choice?" He spoke up.

"Silence human!" Bellowed Celestia. "I will not have a creature such as you back talk me."

"Seems to me someone should have." The humans eyes opened in alarm as he broke his restraints and rushed his cell in a hurry. "My god arc, where is it?" She looked insulted. "NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO ACT HIGH A MIGHTY WOMAN!" His load volume caught the princes by surprise. "That weapon is now the Devouring Apocalypse in a blade. Anyone wielding it has the chance of becoming the Singularity or devoured by the sword."

Celestia's rage flared again. "Humanity has made another weapon."

"We had no choice, it was either become the thing we fear or die belly up and we are to stubborn for the latter." His words fell on deaf ears before something burst through the door down the hall.

"What the-" The human's screams were heard again as they turned to see his arm glowing. "What's your problem?" Rainbow asked annoyed.

"The blade... subdue it." Celestia looked and saw the guard was, indeed, holding a blade and fired sleep spells directly at it. They had little effect as the guard charged at them. The human stuck his hand out and grabbed the blade with his right arm, increasing the pain before he blacked out again.

With new evidence the human was truthful of, the blade was kept in a separate cell away from him as the group left. Minutes later, another woman came to the cell, Princess Luna. The night Alicorn looked at the humans face and saw pain written across it. Its arm had suffered great trauma and the sword was the most likely cause. She dared not know what relation he and the sword have but from what was said and told it was almost, if not entirely, parasitic and the human was the host. The humans face was freshly dried of tears from the pain he must've endured but beyond that he was fine. She left him a tray of food and sat outside of the bars. The voice of the sword called to its host as she could hear it clearly before silencing it with a mental assualt of command, something she retained as Nightmare Moon. She may never forget what she did but she'd deal with it as needed. The human woke up to the smell of fresh food and dragged himself over before it was gently moved to him by a blue aura. He looked up to see Luna. "Do not fret child, for I am not like mine sister." He lifted the lid to see a fresh bowl of pasta. "Please eat. You must be hungry." The human ate, taking the fork and digging in, shedding a few tears from the taste. It wasn't bad, just overwhelming; his situation, his change, the location change, the food and the residents. His mind had time to go over all of it. "What ales you child?" She asked gently.

He looked up, tears fresh and anew with a confused expression. "Everything."
> Greetings and Beatings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna had observed the humans behavior and found it to be normal with the situation it was presented with. The human was in a new world, after going through other timelines of this new world, faced with new being, changed to completely different locations three to four times and was now going through a crisis of its own identity because of the sword. Removing the sword from the humans mental equation would do little as she's already had to fend off its attempts at speaking with the child THREE TIMES, which showed it annoying persistence to accomplish a dark goal. The pain in its-his right arm added with what her sister did to him was not amusing. He could've handled it better if he wasn't in that much pain so dear sister had that punch coming. Speaking of, the impact may have been exaggerated had Luna not seen the damage mentioned. This child launched Celestia through crystal wall that the box had likely reinforced for security and it took herself and Celestia strength augmentation and positive feedback spells to weaken one wall before it would cave and with natural regeneration, the walls would exhaust the invasion before the invasion would start. With the facts presented, and with the fact the human was not holding his blade when the punch was thrown, he was either changed by a great power or the blade is feeding it to him in a remote way. She would investigate this further, but for now she had a job as a princess. Opening the cell and retrieving both the human and the tray, she led the human out of the dungeons. "What are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"No one who struck out because of pain should be in the dungeons. Mine sister over stepped her boundaries, and as such are null and void." She looked at the shackles and he pulled them back. "A containment device?"

"For me. And for good reason. They are not hers." Luna nodded.

"You need not be scared and I will defend you if you defend yourself. A princess mine sister may be, but I will remind her that is all she is." They left the dungeons as the two posted guards spot the human. On reflex, he grappled and incapacitated the first guard and put the other in a head lock. "I would like to advice both parties that fighting each other would be one-sided, release the guard." The human did so as the guard smirk.

"She is right you know." The guard smirked mistakenly.

"One-sided for the guard." The guard looked to the night princess in confusion. "This child has more strength in his thumb than you individual guard have in your whole body. Fighting him would be very ill advised." The conscious solar guard's mouth hung open before Luna closed it. "Take the unconscious guard to the medical wing as a precaution. I shall take the human to my sister." The guard reluctantly obey as Luna escorted the child to the throne room, leading through halls and doorways as guards saw the child. Said human was looking down and paces behind the princess, reminiscent of his time in the ashlands before Luna used her magic to push him to her side and brought his chin up, even unfurling her wing to keep him from falling behind. Luna felt that as a princess, she must help her subjects find confidence in themselves so that they can feel like giants standing tall. They reach the throne room, with Celestia sitting at the other end.

"LUNA! What are you doing?" The sun princess flared threateningly.

"Giving the prisoner his due process." Luna said calmly.

"He is a human! He doesn't deserve due process!" Celestia charged a spell only for Luna to summon a book.

"Article four, section 6, all prisoner, regardless of nationality or race, must be processed by both princesses with all facts presented. Any tampering will disclose the case as bias, regardless of the culprit and deem the process a miss trial, thus allowing the prosecuted to go free." The lunar alicorn closed the book with a thud. "Are you going to tarnish our own rule book sister?" Celestia gritted her teeth before relaxing as Luna took her seat. The two princesses went back and forth with the closed court trial and Celestia's word was proven biased from an exaggerated and tunnel vision examination of the facts, more or less allowing the human to go free. "Would the prosecuted please state thy name for the record."

He paused for a brief moment before stating his real name. "Allen Nevermore." The sun princess wanted to call that name a lie but the truth spells detected no such thing as the human, Allen, was dismissed by Luna.

"I wish you would show development sister." Celestia hissed in disappointment.

"Development you wish for me to show." She left her see. "We wielded the elements once dear sister and honesty is one of its requirements. Any less would have doomed us." She left the room and went to catch up with the human finding him a distance away from the doors as Luna took his hand. "Shall we, sir Nevermore?" Luna liked his surname as it sounded very formal yet dark, possessing a nice ring to her ears yet she was certain it was dark far many more reasons. "What a peculiar name though. Where is it from?"

"It was a name taken on by my 5th great grand father who read the works of an Edgar Allen Poe, who wrote dark literature that explored and possibly explained the inner darkness and suppressed madness of the human mind and consciousness, with one of his most famous works, The Raven, explaining it very well as the raven was the Nevermore of the story, an avian of madness and guilt." Luna was shocked and in awe that such an author was so proficient in human understanding he devoted his life, instead, to dark writings.

"Was his work any good beyond the raven?" Luan asked with a filly's smile.

"Indeed, he wrote a number of dark poems and twisted short stories, marking him as one of history's darkest literate writers." He Luna's smile and thought it best to stop before he heard her squee. "Excuse you?"

"I'm sorry. It's just that I have been to our hidden library, which contains some dark text, and I was getting bored of it but to know a human made literature so dark it may give me nightmares." She giggled at the imagination and calmed herself. "Excuse me. I just get giddy when dark writing is mention." Allen smiled at her words. "Much better than the raunchy sex novels my sister reads." The human stopped holding a smile. "Oh yes. She says 'it's for mature audiences' when any young mare with dirty escapades can write such 'works of mature scandal' after a night of romping with a drunk 'stud muffin' from a bar." Allen died from the truthful yet dry joke as Luna smirked, her plan having succeeded and saw the said human holding himself to try and calm his joy. "My brand of humor may not be loved, but I'm glad someone enjoys it."

"It's funny, hehe, because it sounds and likely is true. Humor doesn't have to just be puns and slapstick, though they are a rib tickle from laughter, as it can range across many things." Allen said finally catching his breath. "So where am I headed. I doubt you have a room for me."

"We have several guest rooms open that you may use and maids more than willing to accommodate the necessities, but don't let my sister think you're doing something uncouth." The night princess said accepting before turning dry.

"What is her deal anyway?" The God Eater asked.

"I would like to be rude, but she is family... to hell with it, she may as well have a constant period with humanity for what they committed but I wish she would fix it." He smiled sadly at her words and looked down.

"It gets irritating huh?" He asked.

"You have no idea." She said sourly.

"I envy you and her." She looked at the human, confused. "You and Celestia get on each other's asses, and you do fight, but you likely have each others' best interest at heart." He took her hand, tears coming from his eyes. "Promise me something." She looked concerned at his words, ready for anything. "Promise me that, no matter what, you will not kill your sister." Except that. "I understand families fight. Parents and children have killed each other for one reason or another, siblings too, but if you two fight to the death, everyone will feel the aftermath, no matter what." Luna was skeptical as this human had no siblings. "AGE, or Adaptive God Eaters, are few and far between as we are closer to Aragami than the normal eater, so we treat each other like family but I haven't connected with anyone enough to consider them a sibling. I may sound like a naive child making you take this promise, but I just don't want others to suffer greatly in one form or another." Luna smiled, almost in pride, as she hugged the human again and led him to one of the guest bedrooms just as a maid, a pegasus maid, was coming out and freaked out when the princess and the human approached.

"Ah, Honey Dew. Finished cleaning?" Luna's words were far more tender compared to before.

"Y-es princess the room is c-lean. Why is a... um..." She was incredibly timid, but not shy, as she was looking the princess in the eyes.

"This human shall be staying in this room for his visit. Would it be too much trouble to tend to him during his stay?" Allen was looking at Luna in question at the Alicorn's request to the maid.

"Of course not your highness I just didn't want to offend him or you as humanity has had a bad rep, but that is in part to their skewed history but I'm not-" Luna placed a hand on the mare's mouth.

"Calm yourself, just tend to the human as a guest." The maid nodded and led Allen inside.

The room was sizable, able to accommodate two or even three people comfortably. The bed in the middle was a queen size for such an occasion with a desk on one end of the room. It had a door leading to an overhang outside, looking over much of the city he was in. "Where is this miss?"

The maid flinched before seeing his curious look. "Oh. Well you are in Canterlot, capital of Equestria." She looked him over as he turned to the city. 'Poor child. He must be no older than fifteen and here I am scared of him with Celestia heckling him for almost nothing.' The young human stepped outside and almost seemed to relax when she caught a wiff of him before blushing. 'Is he wearing colone?! But he's so young! Then again I know little of humans, as most ponies do.' She then saw the human smell his pits before...

"Good gods! How long was I out!" She flinched in surprise. "I smell like a swamp." His face held an expression of disgust before looking to the maid. "Where's the wash room?" The maid led him to one of the bathrooms before he kept her out and closed the door, stripping down and going to the shower behind a second door. The maid, still caught on the boys scent walked in and looked at the clothes in want. She hesitantly picked up one of his fabrics and smelled it. The scent arousing her as she started rubbing herself. Her hand went to work as she was caught in sinful bliss as she imagined the young male taking her from behind, treating her like a woman and telling her everything she'd ever want to hear for love and lust as she moved fabric away and lay the smelliest article of clothing on her muzzle as he hands worked her body, going up, down, in and out of her erogenous zones as she was close to climaxing. "What the..." She gasped as her eyes opened and the act she was caught in, the embarrassment and arousal caused her to cum but after she came down, she started to cry. "Honey Dew?"

"I'm so ashamed of myself!" She baled. "I masturbated to your clothes, did my deed in public and got caught and worst of all..." She resumed crying before a pair of arms wrap around her and she saw it was a clean Allen.

"No one should be ashamed of their body." He pulled back and looked her in the eye. "Dare I say you have the mature body of a mother." The pegasus blushed as her wings came down fully as the lewd moment turned sweet, before the door burst open to Celestia, who saw a half naked human and a 'vulnerable' maid.

"You human filth!" Celestia reered her fist as did Allen, but before the latter began to throw his strike, Celestia stopped short as Honey got in the way. "What are you-"

"You will not lay a hand on him!" She spot sternly, much to Celestia's anger.

"He was over top you! Are you brainwashed?!" She demanded angrily.

"No!" Honey screamed as she stood. "I... I was... doing something... very indecent with his fabric and he comforted me." She looked up, brave for one of the few times in her life. "If you strike him for being supportive them you don't support me" Celestia flinched and left the room, throwing an internal tantrum before Honey collapsed before she and Allen shared a laugh about it later in his room with fresh clothes. "So... promise not to tell anyone okay?"

"I cross my Arc and hope to fly." He promised, putting a hand over his heart. The maid left with a smile before Allen rubbed his arm. It was like a mild itch that can be rubbed away and Allen was fearing the worst with this sensation. Putting his fears on the back burner for now, he got under the covers and went to bed, hearing the faint whispers of his God Arc. 

"͟Ḑ́̕e͞͡v̴̛o̸͞͝u̷r ͠a̧͟͝l͘ļ͡͞.͟.̨.̶"̷
> Painful Ties
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allen woke from his slumber with a dull pain in his right arm. He rubbed it as if it were numb to calm the nerves. His pain faded as he got out of bed, looking around the room he was in to find that he wasn't dreaming like he thought he was. He was on a plush bed with full sheets in a cool room instead of the hot cell with a hard bench. The air was fragrant as well, carrying the smell of rose and honey. He got out of bed and felt his arm, noting it wasn't in pain or even a dull tingle. Looking around the place allowed his memory to flow again. "It wasn't a dream." He remembered the fiasco with Honey Dew and blushed mildly. 'She was cute though.' The door was hit three times before he walked to it and opened the door as Honey Dew almost feel in. "Huh? Honey Dew." She looked back with more embarrassment than fear.

"Uh... g-good morning sir." She set the tray she was holding on the night stand and opened the lid to a well cooked assortment of breakfast foods consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage patties, crescent rolls and a tall pitcher of orange juice. "Your breakfast is ready." Allen looked at her with confusion. "Sir, is something the matter?" He shook his head.

"This is all just new to me. Being Ms. Luna's personal guest shouldn't be met with any special treatment." She blushed at his words.

"Oh no, this is just standard accommodation for all our guests at the castle." She was fidgeting as he stood there before finally taking the tray and started eating in peace, all the while Honey remained in a nervous posture before Allen poured some of his drink and offered it. "Huh? You, wish to be served?"

He shock his head, swallowing his food. "You likely have enough to deal with. Think of me as your resting hours at work." She looked shocked before fidgeting even more.

"You're offering a drink but none of the guests offered anything before but you're a special guest so you're similar to royalty and royalty must be served yet royalty is serving me-yipe!" During her rant, Allen had set his food down and pat her head before petting her, attempting to calm her down. "S-sir...?" He continued to pet her as she relaxed, even gaining a smile as she relaxed and her tail swished moderately. The door had opened to reveal princess Luna and she blushed before shaking it off. "Princess!" Honey backed away in embarrassment and straightened herself as best she could.

"Worry not." The alicorn spoke up. "I imagine our guest knows little of our culture so give him some room in those matters." The pegasus laughed nervously as she was holding her hand against her. "Sir Allen, I come to inform you that you shall be stationed in a home of your choice but I wish to know what city."

"Do you have a map of this nation and its neighbors?" Luna nodded and held out a scroll of considerable size as Allen saw the contents. It was the nations of the world he came to and in great detail but with no city detail, as expected. Looking over the map he saw many good choices but doubted the sun princess would let him go far, leaving him with one sour choice and one bittersweet option. "I request a map of 'Ponyville' and 'Canterlot'." Luna had looked through the scrolls and found the two that were requested. Canterlot was rather size able while Ponyville was a bit small. "What's the housing economy here like?"

Luna blushed and hung her head. "I didn't bring those papers." She quickly left and came back with another parchment and it had the highest and lowest housing averages.

"These will do." Luna was surprised at his sudden choice. "But there is a problem." The mares looked at him as he blushed. "I'm in need of a job." The girls giggled before Luna walked up.

"Well Celestia wouldn't consider you, but I will consider you for my guard if you wish to join." He looked at the alicorn and she smiled before the two shook hands to work out a deal. "For now, relax and consider your options of housing. I'll get your papers ready for the guard but I would like to ask you about the sword." Allen stepped back before remembering the changes to the blade.

"Keep it where it is and under heavy surveillance. Any changes to it and your personal are to be addressed and accounted for immediately." She looked baffled before nodding as she headed off. He sat back down as Honey stood. He then sat on the bed and pat a spot next to him as Honey sat next to the Singularity, almost nervous. He relaxed on her shoulder before the doors suddenly burst open to three ponies that rushed the singularity before he grabbed two by the head and threw them to the floor and kicked the last one square in the face. Another one got in his face before something yanked him into the wall before he forced himself out of the hold as a female yelped in surprise.

"HALT!" He looked to the door to see princess Luna with a livid expression. "Who or what said you could attack my guest!" The others, including a pink mare who had a cannon started talking over each other before Luna stomped the ground, sending a shockwave out from the epicenter with such force the six mares were sufficiently silenced. "Now, one at a time!"

"Princess Celestia informed us that the human was loose." Twilight quickly answered, hoping to get a spell going.

"And you thought it wise to attack my guest unprovoked?" Luna's harsh question left the younger alicorn a bit scared.

"What do you expect Luna?" A male voice came from everywhere and nowhere. "You're sister was always bad with grudges, or have you forgotten?" In a flash of light, a small assortment of animals fused to one being appeared, all with a charismatic smirk on his face. Allen suddenly attacked the new arrival and said arrival was dodging with ease. "Oh dear. Luna, me thinks you might have a potential captain." The being smiled, almost having fun before snapping his talons and blinding the human for a brief moment before he was at it again. "Can't be affected by my magic." He took a hit and retreated. "Oh my... ah. But he can sure affect me. Ouch."

"What is wrong with you?!" The butter yellow pegasus got in his face before being pulled away.

"Oh worry nothing of it Fluttershy. Though he did attack me, it was because our powers are similar and something he fights against." The creature set the young mare down and dodged a swipe from the God Eater. "Besides, I'm having the time of my life." The chaotic god laughed like a child as the Singularity tried to strike him. "He might put up a better fight than Celly."

"Princess Celestia doesn't need to fight Discord." The purple one spoke up defensively.

'Oh Twily, you think Celestia only attacks cake?" Pinkie chuckled at the mild pun. "I have lived for as long as she has dear bookworm and I have seen her fight in wars for her own betterment." The girls, save Luna, gasped. "Now this one," The human threw a punch that was blocked easily, "this human not only knows how to fight but he can straight up fight."

"Hold still Aragami!" He threw a punch before being held in place by a lavender field. "Again?!"

"Calm down young man." The other male said with a relaxing gesture.

"Discord, you should know humans don't calm down." The purple alicorn spoke.

"I won't calm down until the Araga-"

"QUIET!" Everything stopped as Honey just screamed. "The only reason he's violent is because he was attacked out of no where and perceived your friend as a threat or even his primary target! If you're going to sit there and say you've never gotten in any violent fights then you stuck up whores are giving yourselves too much credit!" Everyone, even Allen was shocked at Honey's sudden burst of assertiveness and use of foul language as she stared down the six ponies and sun alicorn with a burning air about her. When she calmed down she blushed from embarrassment and Allen stood up looking at her in wonder. "I haven't spent that much time with him, but he is a sweet-" She was cut off as Allen screamed, holding his arm as his nose ran with blood and snot and tears poured from his eyes from the agony he was going through. "Allen!" She was stopped by the orange pony as the others tried to keep Discord and Luna away only for the two to force their way to his side.

"What's wrong with him, and dears gods why is he loud!?" Discord asked in frustration of the nose.

"It matters not." She looked and noticed the bindings on his wrists. "We need to take his bindings and modify them to his right arm." Discord saw what Luna meant as the two removed his binders and his scream intensified before Celestia came in to see the writhing human. The night alicorn and god of chaos quickly altered the binders into armor for his entire arm as the flesh grafted and bound to his limb as he went quiet, twitching every so often from his nerves feeling the backlash and shock of the amount of pain it could not process. "Heavens."

"I have so many questions, but they can wait." Discord stood as he saw Celestia before taking on an even expression. "How strange that even with the cries of one so young, your expression is so cold."

"Young humans are raised for war Discord. He'll kill my little ponies and even you with no remorse." Celestia's cold words made the god angry.

"Right, like you would ever know remorse." He looked back to Fluttershy with a crestfallen expression. "I'll need to take a rain check for the tea time Fluttershy. We've missed humanities steps to this state somewhere. TTFN." He smiled before vanishing in a reverse flash of light.

The girls looked to the human and found Honey already cradling him after throwing AJ off her. One of the girls was ready to pull the two away before Luna had gotten in the way and Celestia was getting irritated. This rise in tension was met with a strong, exterior urge off aggressive hunger as the girls looked around before Luna looked down. As soon as it started, the outward weight faded as the girls could feel their air returning. Honey held the Singularity close as if he were family in need of protection. Celestia snorted before leaving the room, stomping in fact and the other girls looked back at the human before leaving with mixed conclusions.

Honey later set Allen on the bed and closed his eyes as Luna was leaving. When the alicorn was out of the room her lips went toward the young god eater before Luna called out and Honey backed off immediately. "Inform sir Allen to report to the lunar guard barracks as soon as possible and please escort him if needed." Honey simply nodded rapid to the princesses confusion before leaving with a realized smirk, much to the maid's embarrassment as she gave chase but the scent of vanilla and honey lingered on Allen as a content smile came to his face.

Honey had lost Luna and was on her way home when the six ponies from earlier, who everyone knows as the elements of harmony, confronted her a second time. They asked questions in rapid fire before she'd had enough of the white noise. "QUIET!" They flinched as she took a calming breath. "Good grief you girls are pushy."

"We're worried he's put you under something or has something on you." Twilight said.

Honey blushed in anger and embarrassment. "He's already seen my business and would like us both to not talk about it so I advise you to do the same thanks!" Twilight's ears rung as the other girls blushed a bit at what Honey implied. "Honestly. He's not laid a hand on me so you can drop any questions about that."

"What about that sword he has?" Rainbow got in her face. "Are you trying to get it back to him? Are you a spy for the humans?"

"He's the first and only human I've met in my life! Now leave me alone!" The pegasus maid flew off, pumping her wings harder than she knew she could as she was able to out race Rainbow Dash for a short time before the princess of friendship appeared in front of her.

"We need to know what you know so far." She stated to the maid.

"I don't know anything about him other than he's a human or more than that so leave me alone!" The maid tried to fly off again before Rainbow and Rarity along with AJ and Twilight cut off her route with Pinkie trying to comfort their shy friend.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!" The now angered Luna descended onto the scene. "You will harass my maid no further Ms. Sparkle."

"But princess-"

"Silence!" The night alicorn interrupted the bookworm. "She knows to little for yours or my sisters efforts and that human is my responsibility so his punishment, if any, falls to me." She looked to Honey and left her on her way while the night alicorn held the others in place before sending them off to the train. "If you wish to speak of friendship, you must be unbiased to others and theirs past until further notice of their present." Twilight felt stung with those words but she also took it as a little advice with Luna hoping the young alicorn will understand the advice. 'I just hope I did not word that wrong.'
> Ultimatum
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allen had slept through the remaining day and all of the night, his mind recalling his memories of the Ashlands and it’s unique and powerful Aragami. He had seen such Aragami like the Hannibal and the Ogretail but the Anubis and Ra are much more powerful, having understood that cannibalizing the cells of its kin, the Ashland Aragami are able to become more powerful for a short duration of time. He was no longer any different as he could feel his Oracle Cells devour at his right arm, wearing it away with a numbed pain from the exposure. If he didn’t find any Aragami soon he will die and Celestia is just too opposed to him to humor his need to feed the cells. Luna did report something of concern about the blade. It had mass growing around it and Allen requested seeing it. Now he was face to face with something he dare not begin to question. “So it was steadily growing?”

“Yes sir.” A guard of Luna’s command answer respectfully. “The mass has devour every tool we’ve used to keep it at bay or broken off from the surprising resistant flesh.”

“Not surprising.” The guard looked confused while Celestia, who was present for a number of obvious and personal reasons, looked insulted. “Unless a material of equal or greater constitution clashes with the target, the said target will remain intact. A simple rule of physics and material study.”

“Are you saying we’re weak, human?” Celestia asked with snide aggression.

“Calm yourself mare. I’m merely stating the facts.” Celestia looked appalled the human had spoken to her in such a manner. “There are no materials on this world, known or not, that can break this flesh if it chooses to harden as the bonding is much more stable and more reactively inert than the likes of any steel or titanium based alloy you could possibly devise.” He flinched when his arm received a shock from his nerves.

“So what are we to do with it?” Luna asked, almost curious yet still afraid.

“Leave it to me.” Before either princess could stop or question him, he plunged his arm into the mass, the black flesh flood through the openings in his armor as his cells were being fed after the long starvation and the swords voice freshly restored. Celestia was upset but that was drowned by Allen’s rage. “Damn that sword!” The white alicorn flinched at the humans foul language with a mildly offended look. “This damn thing has me in an ultimatum, either symbiotically feed from it’s infinitely producing mass and stave the devouring apocalypse or starve out and let the end begin.”

“Do you expect me to believe this conveniently fabricated distressed human?” Luna looked insulted for the human.

“Believe what you wish woman but I know my choices.” He gripped his head instead of his arm, the fresh mass having strengthened the mental connection back to maximum. “And I’m not going to die, nor am I prepared to die just yet.”

“Pity.” The white alicorn left as she felt a sense of stalemate of her options.

“How did this come to pass?” Luna looked to the God Eater with concern.

“To explain that, I’ll have to explain Oracle cells.” He answered in a studious tone. “From what books and records I retrieved, the Oracle Cells were found in an oil deposit, likely sitting there for hundreds of thousands of years. When the cells were mined, they became active and a small group of scientists studied them, soon finding them as a viable, alternate fuel source for humanity. That all changed in short days as the cells broke containment and infested the world.” Luna was intrigued, yet scared at what these cells could do. “Every possible vetor was affected as the cells devoured living creatures, taking on their genetic or material functions to create Aragami. Years pass and the fight was a stagnated battle for survival. Do you know why?” Luna and even heard guards shook their heads. “A coined term called the singularity, a type of central being that can trigger the Devouring Apocalypse if correct conditions are met and these varied slightly from one to the next as only three, perhaps four, were documented. The first was an Aragami with human shape, he next was a human infected by a plague type Oracle Cell, next was an entire environment and now me as me weapon is the Devouring Apocalypse itself and my death will likely let it free.”

“So how do you stop it?” Luna asked but Allen gave a straightforward answered that scared them.

“You don’t.” Everything halted. “The devouring apocalypse will happen but there is a way to save your people.” Luna was relieved at the recent news and breathed a sigh of that relief. “That said, I don’t know when I’ll expire, or turn if my cells get out of control.” Luna looked up.

“What does thou mean. Surely you are not imply that you could turn into this ‘Aragami’ are you?”

“The cells use the information or even data they’ve gathered from their feasts to make Aragami, hell that sword and the God Arcs from home are Aragami. Regardless of what form they take, the Oracle cells form a colony organism when enough are present and take control and those cells are inside me.” Luna was afraid but she understood Allens condition which is likely why he had those bands. “I am the closest thing to the Devouring Apocalypse and AGE can get, but with some good fortune the conversion may not happen for a while, thankfully, since you modified my armlets to form this full gauntlet to inhibit the cells further than previous designs.” He said looked at the gauntlet before looking back to her. “Thank you.” The alicorn smiled sweetly at the human. “Now… about that military job you offered.”

Luna lived up to her word granting Allen the rights and papers need to join her ranks. There was push back from her sister but the entire Lunar Guard signed a petition to allow him in and Luna kept an eye on her sister to prevent tampering. Now Allen was in the guard and he was pissed. “This is seriously the best you have?”

“Young man, you list-”

“Shut it! I have faced monsters many times my size and had the courage to confront them and the strength or resourcefulness to defeat them but you weak sauces don’t have a chance in Helheim against anything in this world if I’ve studied your beasts correctly.” Luna walked in and his angered attention shifted to her as she flinched. “I get you’re not God Eaters but 100 guard to take down a cyclopes?! You weak sauce bitch! Do you even lift?!” She understood his frustration and anger, even sensing concern enough to not take his words as an insult. The guard spoke up against his words before she stopped them.

“Be silent men he has a fair point.” The guard and even Allen looked confused. “We cannot keep abiding by laws that are faulty to our job so we must make some changes to better our efforts.” Luna looked over to her captain and issued the order. “Increase the training regimen to CQC, weapons training and mock fighting on top of conditioning and strength building. I want all of you to be beyond top shape for when something comes up.” The guard replied with a collective ‘Yes Ma’am’ and the captain issued the training but there were a few known problems.

“Human,” the captain called, clearly embarrassed, “do you know of any… effective conditioning methods?”

Allen thought for a bit and recalled on of humanity’s most necessary biological parts, the skeleton. “We need to condition the muscles, yes, but we must also condition our bones.” They looked surprised but there was a problem. “We need roughly 100 maybe 200 landscaping flags and adhesive in the form of electrical tape.”

“Why so many flags?” A guard asked.

“You’ll see but while we get those in order, we need to do endurance and conditioning, starting with cardio.” The captained breathed a relieved sigh as the troops ran laps around the designated field. Allen did more laps of his own accord from the fact his body could operate for longer so it took longer to wear him out. He soon had wore himself out by doing his laps at an increased pace and for a greater distance than what’s called for. After runs was full body flexing to get the muscles active and blood going along with stretches for blood circulation. After warm-ups were the CQC training, instructed by Allen as he’s been in the military life since a young age and has picked up multiple combat skills out of necessity. Mock fights were held off until bone conditioning could be held but Allen spoke up. “I have one condition. We’ll have the lunar guard in groups since bone conditioning is meant to wear out the bones, let them heal and then repeat, all while letting them adapt but they will get weak with this so group one goes first with their sets, group two the day after, then group three- you get the point..” They nodded as he held a finger up. “One thing, do not get into fights no earlier than two days after iron bone training or you will have a bad day. Dismissed.” They nodded and headed to the mess hall for some grub while Allen waited until another guard came in with the landscape flags in the hundreds.

The guards came back and saw Allen waiting with the flags and tape. The guards helped him get the flags off the robs and followed the instruction of a tight handle at one end and loosely bond rods at the opposite end. This was explained in that the rods should disperse for proper shock transfer for the bone conditioning and a hard contact would break the bones, which should be avoided as they want to wear down and thus condition the bones for better density. Group one was the first as instructed as the others did muscle conditioning with fist push ups and endurance reps.

Dusk feel upon the land and the oracle cells were keeping the God Eater too active and restless. He left the castle with a hoodie on and went from roof to roof in hopes of burning of some stamina before noticing the tell tale lights of a night club. He went to see if he could enter freely but there was a bouncer so it may be a strip club. Getting a look from the roof he was enjoying the view as the girls were dancing with very little on. He soon got his fill of the sight and ran more rooftop with growing frustration from lack of sleeping.

"AHH!" He heard a scream that was close to his location and jumped two rooftops before descending to see Honey Dew in the grip of some unsavory males.

They turned to see him and laughed, thinking it was a colt. "Release her." They stopped when the voice was closer to a grown stallion yet still young but they pulled a knife while Honey gasped.

"Allen don't." One of the thugs bum rushed the God Eater before the knife came down. Honey screamed before the goon choked. "What?"

"Want some advice?" Allen mocked him greatly. "Never fight beings that eat gods." The goon had his head smashed into the ground as the pavement gave before Allen looked up and threw the bent knife to Honey's holder and knocked him in the head, causing the desired reflex as he let go and Honey ran. One other goon tried to grab for her before his hand was crushed by a suddenly appearing Allen and the rest of the arm was next. He screamed before the remaining thug rushed to Allen only to get hit upside the chin, effectively breaking his teeth and getting knocked out before the limp arm thug was stared down. "You have one of two real options. Take yourself and you associates to Celestia and turn yourselves in or get on your knees and beg and maybe I'll listen."

"You dirty bucking son of a-" The thug was punched hard in the face and sent into the wall as Honey witnessed the fight.

"Allen?" He looked to her, his expression calmed after the conflict settled. “Why are you out at night?” She asked still wound up.

“I felt too restless to sleep so I went out for a night run and I’m still wound up.” He started to head off before looking back at her. Those thugs ruined her clothes so he took the thugs' clothes that weren't ruined and dressed her before walking her home. When she opened the door he turned away before she grabbed his hand. "Honey?"

"Would you stay?" He looked a bit confused as her blush could be seen but with what happened, Allen figured best if he stayed. "If you can’t sleep… then we can… cuddle?” He saw her innocent intentions as the two got ready for bed. Before he could take the couch, she took his hand and led him to her room. Reluctantly, he climbed into bed with her and hugged her close, pressing his nose to her neck. The scent of her coat was soothing his mind as the fragrance of warm milk and honey eased his mind as he was coming to a rest before falling asleep.
> Embers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia was not very happy and it helped a little as many nobles saw her face, caved under the wrong impression and left that same day. Celestia, herself, was more in thought about the human after a recent report of three of her subjects being defeated in a brutal manner, a human manner. Alongside this and the sword in the dungeons, Celestia was certain the human was a threat and was only playing innocent and playing dumb to drop her defenses and then subjugate or kill her then do who knows what to Luna and enslave or kill her subjects. She would not let that happen and she’ll thwart the human until he expires or gives up.

Later on after the day court, she went to find the human and did not see him in his room before Honey came in, wondering nothing of the missing human. “Miss Dew, have you seen the human?”

“Yes, he was with me last night. We both came in early this morNING!” The alicorn was inspected the pegasus in compromising places as Honey dropped her skirt to the floor with a blush. “Princess, that was very rude! Why did you do that?” Her demanding tone was reasonable given what the princess was doing to the maid but the sun alicorn’s alert state took it the wrong way.

“If he has done anything to you then you must not be afraid. He is a human but he is not all powerful.” Celestia knows how wrong she is in every regard. Honey looked almost insulted for herself and a little for Allen as she witnessed preemptive strikes and offers of mercy. If anything, Honey wasn’t afraid of Allen but curious and the fact Celestia would assume otherwise was - regardless of intention - a very rude insult.

“I am not afraid of Allen so when I need to strike him for inappropriate manners I will but you need to worry about the stallions that tried to take advantage of me.” Celestia reared back with confusion and mild distress as the human did in fact hurt her subjects but it was for defending a helpless mare, but his methods were brutal yet the injuries were Luna’s punishment standards for hostage scenarios. Celestia tried to find the loop in the human’s intentions before giving up, having failed to come to a conclusive answer of his intention for intervention which forced her to leave the room without a suitable answer for her before she walked to the Lunar guard. She saw a group of Luna’s guard were firmly tapping their bodies with metal rods and the rest were doing push ups, shifting to squats and crunches, all in quick succession with ten reps or more but no more than twenty.

The lunar guard saw her come in and she went up to Allen. “You couldn’t just get the guard to handle the situation?” One of them was ready to say something when she spoke up again. “You are a new recruit, so you should have gotten an official officer.”

“He is an official officer, dear sister.” A stern voice called as everyone turn to see princess Luna. “Trying to undermine his efforts with our law when it should be unbiased to all races. Oh wait…” Luna was calling out all of Celestia’s shortcomings with what she was trying against Allen, causing the white Alicorn to scowl a little before leaving the room having been soundly defeated by her sister. “My sister may be a princess young human but you are part of my guard so disregard her foolhardy attempts to keep you down.” Her advice brought a smile to his face. “Unless you hear an order from me or the higher ranked guards, do your job and protect Equestria’s citizens.” He salute and the guard got back to their training before letting off for lunch.

Allen headed off to the dungeons to resonate with the blade he had renamed Adra Fang and understand it better in some way. As it turns out, the weapon is, in truth, just a blade formed Aragami, much like Shio was an Aragami with a human body, and wants the host/singularity to die so that it can activate without Allen stopping it, even subconsciously. As long as he lived, the part of his mind that fears Adra would hold it from releasing itself upon the world and endanger the inhabitants of Equestria. As he was inside the mental space, Celestia saw him sit down, close his eyes for a few seconds then get back up, forcing her to teleport out of there. He saw the flash of light but didn’t question it as he went back after absorbing some mass and the voice in his head became less pestering and annoying.

The guard had finished their exercises and Allen was getting measurements for a custom made sword that was double edged and made to his specifications. Celestia of course was fighting Luna’s decision. “Can you not see the danger he possesses dear sister. This is a human with great power and you are giving him a blade?”

“All of my guard, as the with yours, are to be armed and ready on their shifts of patrol or duty.” She said factually before looking back to her. “If you are asking me to go back on that law for a single race then I must apply it to all other races, ponies included, to be fair.”

“Why should you be fair to a human for what they’ve done?” Celestia was infurating Luna now.

“WHY SHOULD YOU BE FAIR TO ME AFTER WHAT I COMMITTED?!” Luna’s words stung deep as Celestia stepped back in shock. “I threaten Equestria’s health potentially, wanted to overthrow you out of spite and jealousy. I got over my past because I’m learning to deal with my past and learn from it. So if you forgave me then you’ll give Allen a fair chance.” Her words were stern like a mother or mature sister. “So if we’re done here, leave!” Celestia looked defeated as she left and the tailor took the measurements and a drawing out of sight as Allen stepped out.

“Another fight dear Luna?” She nodded. Allen figured no words would help her heal so he opted on hugging her. This caught her off guard for a moment before she hugged him back, accepting the gesture for its worth before she walked off. After the ordeal, he left for his round of patrol, sword at his waist, knife on each leg and clothes prepped for appearance.

He left the castle and walked the city of Canterlot for some fifty minutes to an hour and nothing of great significance was occurring until he heard a yell for aid. Using the rooftops to more than cut the distance, he saw a few ponies armed with knives and daggers with one having a sword. “Don’t make this hard for yourself kid. Just give us what we want.” The kid in question was a young pony, but the face and dress coupled with his lack of social norms would make profiling difficult but that would wait, a kid was on death’s door unless he stepped in.

While the kid was afraid for his life, a blade came from out of view and knocked the knife of one of the thugs out of his hand, distracting the muggers long enough for three actions to occur. The first was that Allen appeared and knocked the knives out of the thugs’ hands, they were each brutally beaten but not killed and were bound to the nearby wall with staple bars. When the actions were complete, a gust of air rushed out when physics caught up to the god eater and the young foal registering what happened. The young pony got up, still afraid as it was now at the mercy of a human. “Are you okay?” The child looked around and back to the human with shock. “If your are unharmed, then I suggest you leave the alley, find your parents.” They got up and bowed slightly before leaving into the open where other ponies then saw the god eater as fire lept from my arm and the would-be muggers were waking up before seeing the human. “You shit heads are in for a world of hurt for this.”

Later on after a severe beating and their possessions reclaimed and the money’s worth sent to the child’s residence as compensation, the muggers were sent packing before Allen screamed out from a massive headache. The other guard checked him and confirmed it was a migraine but had no way of determining the source, save for the sword. When the guards checked, the frequency it was emitting was equal to a scream. The two soon were grunting in pain before Allen’s eyes opened and looked to the direction of the Everfree forest. The guard with Allen were almost confused before he took off, a rush of wind passing everything as he sped by, even startling Honey dew for a moment as he made his way to the dungeon, confusing the guard as he glared at the sword. “I know you felt that.” The sword audibly hummed as he ripped the bars open and grabbed the blade with his left hand, saving the strain on the gauntlet as he propped it on his back and sped of, dodging Celestia when she got the word. Mistaking the intention with a bad intention of harming the Tree of Harmony, she sent a letter to Twilight to gather her friends and quickly relocate to the tree.

As Allen sped by at speeds that would exceed many of Earth’s land transportation, Rainbow was already racing next to him as she tried to knowing him off course only to miss him. Repeated attempts yielded the same result as the others prepared for his arrival. Fluttershy had gathered the toughest animals to at least frighten the human, against her charging, but he wasn’t phased as he simply jumped overhead and continued to race on past the other ponies, reaching the tree as it seemed fine but something in the air was foul.

He looked around, a sharp look in his eyes as he scanned around him, trying to find the source of the trees head splitting call. Looking at the tree a second time after initial confirmation, he noticed something big. The tree was emitting a very familiar power similar to Adra Fang. “That tree…” He approached it and the gems in it glowed brighter as he drew closer. “... a helix tree?”

“That’s the Tree of Harmony you monster.” A brash voice lashed as he ducked under a kick aimed for his head. “We won’t let you destroy.”

“Hmph. Like that tree could ever be destroyed.” She looked confused as did the others and he gave it another look.” Now I see. Some Oracle cells must’ve fallen here. But how? Unless….” The others looked confused or concerned as he looked… almost horrified. “I’m… in the future?”

“Oh don’t try to play god buster.” The cyan pegasus accused.

“I eat gods feather brain and gods are how I got here.” She looked confused.

“But how is that possible?” Twilight asked in confusion and bewilderment. “You don’t have any magic!”

“Think woman, what possibilities are likely to happen when great forces converge and conflict in a single area?” She looked to ponder the question. “Elemental of force based combustion, destructive outward forces or space-time distortion. I was caught in the later but with ever timeline I fell into and tried to fight, I was sent to another until I was sent here to this timeline, though the means of how I was time jumping, aside from the fight with Aragami that got the ball rolling, are still unknown.”

Twilight shot up in realization. “The map!” Everyone looked confused at her otherwise sudden outburst. “When Starlight tampered with the map to go back in time, Spike and I followed suit to stop her and failed, sending us to different times of an alternate present-future. It’s likely that the map saw the inconsistency of his presence in relation to ours in the correct timeline and corrected it by sending him through each until meeting up with us, where his chronolink with time was stabilized.” He looked shocked and looked at the tree.

“And how was this map born?” He asked in fear as he came to the correct conclusion.

“The tree of harmo-” Everyone had put it together.

“This isn’t an alternate universe or timeline. This is the future, the future of my home world.” The girls looked shocked and the cyan one was angered greatly. “No wonder my head felt so much pain, this tree… is a young Helix tree.” He got in the face, the sudden attempt leaving him unprepared and knocking him off his feet.

“You expect us to believe that line of horse apples, human?!” Rainbow screamed in anger.

“Believe what you want, but this is too great a shock. This is earth and that means the devour apocalypse has already occured.” He was hit two more times with no retaliation but Rainbow’s hands and hooves ached from how tough his skin was on its own. Not even a change in the skin color or a scuff of discoloration. “But I want know… why you hate humans so much. We’ve not done a thing to you.”

“Like flank you haven’t!”

“Rainbow!” Fluttershy screamed, aghast at her friends foul use of language and the accusation. “He is not like the rest of the humans in any capacity.”

“Come on Flutters, humans only care about sex and destruction. There’s no reasoning with them.” Rainbow countered from what she read. Applejack hadn’t spoken up as both sides were telling the truth they knew, making her judgement of which side to take difficult.

Pinkie wasn’t smiling as much, waiting for a chance to defuse their temper and do her job of bringing bright smiles to gloomy frowny faces.

Rarity and Fluttershy took the human’s side as years, centuries even, have past since humanities last visit and were willing to give this human a chance to prove his difference and his innocence.

Twilight was taking the princess’ side having read up everything on humanity and was prepared to fight this human to protect her friends.

As things stood, the alliance to Allen was two to two with two undecided parties. He stood to his feet as the alicon and racer pegasus took a defensive stance before one of the gems fired off red flames as it shined bright. This was the red gem depicting Loyalty as it and Allen were enveloped in a pure red blaze. The flames radiadted from emotion and ideals as Allen stood his ground against the two aggressors before him. Rainbow charged and circled him, attempting to put out the flames but the persisted at the same intensity and brightness while Rainbow was losing stamina from the heat. She backed away before Twilight fired a spell meant to encase the human in ice. It encased him but the flames not only protected him, with a flew of his power, the flames intensified, shattering the ice from the sudden change in temperature and expansion. The duo went for freezing the air as Rainbow generated a tornado and Twilight fired the same spell as the cold air dispurced, dropping the temperature rapidly as moisture fell from the cold and ice began to form. He looked to the others and his aggressors and found them struggling while they saw his flames weren’t being crippled. With another flex, now sustained, the flames were countering the cold as the two differences in temperature were making strong winds, and the circulation was making tornado generation possibly before he let up the heat. The girls saw this and figured he was getting worn out. They were wrong. Rainbow got in close and backed away from the flame as the intensity was no lower than when he first got it. Before the girls could do much else, the flames condensate to his hands as the added pressure lifts him off the ground and he flies away. Rainbow gives chase, as does Twilight, and the mares pursue him over the forest as the others chase after them on foot. (I would say ‘on hoof’ if it didn’t sound weird to say aloud) The racing pegasus and younger Alicorn grab his hands and were both dragged for a brief moment before he stopped using the flames outright and the three crashed in the nearby town.

The landing spooked a few animals and startled the children. Allen stood to his feet as ponies ran from the site and a brushed Twilight and Rainbow Dash stood up getting into a defensive stance. “Not here.” The two started throwing punches, kicks and magic. “Hey…” He was dodging them, trying to ease the embers of conflict. “Enough…!” His voice was rising as a shock wave rippled close by.

“What is going on here?!” When the dust settled and calm achieved, the figure and form of Princess Celestia is seen. “What is the meaning of this, human?”

“No fighting here.” She stomped up to him and grabbed the collar of his shirt before feeling a grip that forced her to release him. “I said no fighting here.” He forced her hand away. “I will not fight where the innocent are harmed, but I shall not be loyal at the expense of my happiness.” The other girls got there yet he did not speak to them when they saw Celestia. It wasn’t needed as Fluttershy stepped up, standing between them.

“What is the meaning of this Fluttershy?” Celestia was almost outraged but mostly afraid as the pegasus vet was close enough to the human that she was practically vulnerable. “Get away from it Fluttershy.” The pegasus just closed her eyes and waited for something to happen before Fluttershy was moved by a lavender aura.

“Did he move?” She asked calmly.

“Fluttershy,” Twilight started, “I did not want to risk-”

“Did. He. Move?” She repeated her question, a bit annoyed that her friend was trying to dodge it.

“Well… well no but-”

“No.” The timid yet savage pegasus cut her friend off. “No buts. He did not move. You grabbed me first and moved me from the spot.”

Before Twilight could reason with her friend a flash of yellow magic was trailing/pushing a human body into the ground as it made a sizable trench. The human arose from the trench with not a scratch or scuff on him.Ponies were scared of what he would do but he did not retaliate against the princess. “No fighting here. Too many bystanders. Too many homes.” Celestia grit her teeth before second figure landed. It was Luna and she was not happy as she stared down her sister..

“I am tending to my room and my maids when I hear word of Allen being attacked by the elements of harmony without provocation. This ends now dear sister.” Luna grabbed hold of Allen and teleported themselves to the castle. “The nerve of that mare! Her grudge against humanity should have waned from the centuries that had passed since the visit of the last humans!” The night alicorn had calmed down before looked to Allen, who regained his previous personality.

“Perhaps something occured from the human’s visit, or she considers me alone a greater threat, and withstanding her previous display of power will no doubt hurt what good standing I had.” The human reason intelligently.

“No, it will not. Equestria will get the whole truth, not a glittered story.” Luna left the room as Allen replaced his Arc back to the dungeon. Making way to his room, he lie down after an emotionally taxing day and bound the doors before heading off to sleep, the embers of devotion to his morals still burning brightly in his heart.
> Transfer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning had come again and Adra was strangely quiet today. That either meant feeding time or it was thinking. In any case, Allen left the bed and looked at his gauntlet and saw the tell tale signs of wear on it from how hard it is struggling to bind itself to his arm. Quickly leaving, he left the room, bumping into Honey on the way out. “Oh, sir Nevermore.”

“Don’t call me sir Honey Dew, and before you tell me to call you Honey-”

“I get it. The lack of context would confuse or disturb others.” They shared a smile as the metal on his arm rattled. “Is something wrong?” She asked with concern.

“I’m headed to Luna to procure items for a special project I’ve had on my mind for some time.” He answered seriously before smiling again. “Care to join me?” She blushed and nodded before looking to see his room was clean and the two headed right for Luna.

Trekking through the castle, they came to the Night wing of the castle and asked the guards for Luna. Carrying much respect for him, the guard escorted him to her chambers and found her in cute, moon pajamas. “Luna.” She turned with a wide eye look then smiled before the gauntlet clattered again. “I wish this were a social visit but that will have to wait.” Nodding her head, she, Allen and her best engineers collaborate on a project for a new pair of gauntlets, both of which utilizing the designs of the God Eaters, Blood Eaters and AGE. The standard God Eater armlet was developed and the Blood Eater seal was made for the port while the armlets design was expanded into a gauntlet. Adding plate sections over the same mass Allen has in his system, the whole design was a restrictor by intended design to hold Allen’s abilities to a point with the gauntlet extensions acting as level three restrictors, the Blood Seal and AGE mags act as level two restrictors and the base armlets are level one restrictors. After the plates and Armlets were in place, the Blood Eater seal and AGE mags were attached after the armlets, the former of which causing immense and unexplainable pain as Allen screamed while the plating was attached. Luna almost intervene before she heard no more screaming and saw the God Eater kneel up.

“Allen, are you well?” Luna asked in concern.

“Yeah, just need some down time to recover.” He answered, short of breath.

“Why did you want these seals?” A scientist asked, seeing his oracle signal was dropped by the seal.

“I heard… stories... of how the... Blood Eaters... connected with their weapons…. with their minds.” He answered taking breathes as he spoke. “I’ll achieve the same... in time… need…” He fell flat on his face as he blacked out.

The guards and medics rushed in and confirmed he was merely unconscious. As they moved him back to his room, Allen slept soundly as Honey stayed behind. “He is reckless and often headstrong, but those are qualities of fine warriors, hardened fighters and caring husbands.” Honey blushed while Luna smirked and the princess left soon after as Honey blushed, going over the thought of Allen as her husband.

Luna had one of her captains spread the word that Allen would be out of training for sometime. The message was delivered and Celestia caught wind of it. Going down to the dungeon, she saw the sword as it opened its ‘eye’ and she frowned. “What are you planning beast?”

“I am planning nothing mare. The boy did this to himself as a means of containment.” It replied dryly.

“Why would he do this to himself?” She pushed aggressively.

“To contain a power he acquired, and obtain a power of a force older and stronger than he.” It answered in a cryptic manner as it closed its eye.

“What force?” She asked seriously. “Answer me!” She demanded the sword in aggression but got nothing in return as she stormed out. “How would a force older than him be stronger if they were older?” She asked no one in particular. “An older generation would have less means of power but this older force had more power of their time. GAHG!” She was frustrated with that blade’s cryptic answer and needed to know more, but the only other means for said answer was out cold.

With few options, she found and pulled Honey off to the side. “Ah! Princess?” Her muzzle was covered before she could speak another word.

“I need to know why the human is out cold. For all we know, it could be faking its condition to-” Celestia’s hand was knocked away before Honey walked off.

“I heard him scream princess and he was not faking anything.” Celestia followed close behind and Honey almost knew what the white alicorn wanted to know. “His gauntlets were giving out for a reason only he knows, so Luna and her science team helped him create gauntlets of his own devisement for the express purpose of keeping his cells under control.”

“But what if they fail, or what if his cells grow out of control or what-”

“What if the sky turns red and our muzzles fall off?” Honey interrupted.

“That can happen?!” Honey would not be the only one face palming.

“Princess, he’s taking every possible precaution to ensure our safety, so if you have any questions, you’ll need to wait for him to wake up and no sooner. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m not getting paid being lazy.” Honey’s tone was almost motherly as she chewed Celestia a new flank and the aforementioned princess went back to her study to write a letter to her student.

Dear Twilight

Or should I be more formal with you being a princess? Anyway, the human has undergone a change-

“You should just allow him to prove himself.” Celestia jumped out of her seat as she was suddenly met with Luna’s voice with no warning. “If your going to despise the human than it should come with legitimate reason why you hate him without associating him with the rest of his kind, that we met hundreds of years ago.”

“Why would you ask such a thing?” Celestia countered.

“Unwarranted hate will spread and fester in our kingdom sister, and neither of us want that. Think on it.” Luna left the room as Celestia tore up the letter and started writing a new one.

Princess Twilight

I have a favor and task to ask of you. The human recently changed his restrictors from an event from which either of us may not be able to understand fully, but that means he has been weakened greatly. Because of the recent news, I’ve decided him safe enough to live in ponyville under your watch with your friends.

If it tries anything aggressive, please inform me as soon as possible and hold it until I arrive.

Your teacher and friend,
Celestia.

She sent the letter via magic as she had a guard go to collect Allen for the transfer.

While she waited, she contemplated if this was the right decision. Her student and friends can take care of themselves but what would she send him there for. It can’t be just because as that would raise questions from the human that did not feel like answering and not many of her maid or guard are from Ponyville and they can take care of themselves. It comes down to assigning him to an Element of Harmony that is most likely to take him in, have space to accommodate him and keep an eye on him. Twilight was out since sending him to her would be bias and found out, Rainbow Dash is another bad option as she lives in a cloud and she dare not send him to Pinkie Pie, leaving Applejack and Rarity as Fluttershy would be too timid or too accept and would defend him from Celestia.

Before she could be set on either mare, the guard had returned with the human in tow. “What needed to be said that your guard pulled me from training?”

“I have decided to send you to a town where you can prove to me and Equestria that you are not a monster.” Celestia answer with grace and maturity.

“Isn’t your sister a princess as well or is it the fact you do not see her as such for something that wasn’t entirely her fault.” Allen retorted with sass knowing exactly what happened between them.

“I did not summon you in here for my health human.” The sun princess threatened, her voice lower than normal to indicate her aggression. “I summoned you here for the purpose of informing you of your relocation.”

“Why the sudden change of mind? Your sister?” Celestia was silent as she did not want to admit her sister had a hand in her decision. “Being silent only confirms my words as you want to say you came up with the idea but don’t want to lie in fear of breaking your sisters heart or worse, her trust.” Celestia looked down almost in shame but mostly in agitation. “As for conditions, my only request is the sword remain here.” The guard and Celestia looked surprised. “The Devouring Arc has the potential to make new, or worse, more singularities to trigger the devouring apocalypse, something I’d like to keep contained and as such must be treated as a living and dangerous creature with any interaction with said creature being strictly prohibited, no acceptions.”

Celestia was more than compliant with the request internally as it would make Twilight’s assignment a little easier. “Then that makes this better to bare as you will be staying with the Apple family in Ponyville. Though I will advice you that they may put you to work.”

“Anything is better than the ashlands.” Celestia was again happy at what she thought was subjugation. “Though I wonder how much I’ll be paid, if anything. Questions for later.” Celestia smiled and wrote a note for the Elements and passed it to him.

“That note is for my student in Ponyville. She is to be the first one who receives it upon your arrival.” He nodded and left the room to find Honey Dew, thankfully spotting her in the hall near the entrance.

“Honey Dew.” She turned around and smiled before hugging him. “I need to tell you that Celestia has sent me off to Ponyville.” The pegasus looked crestfallen, feeling sad from the news.

“I’m not leaving because of you. I can still visit I’m sure, though I’ll need a form of transport to make the distance.” She smiled, knowing that his ingenuity would aid him in that answer. “I must be off. Take care of yourself.” She nodded as he kissed her on the cheek, causing her to blush before he left, leaving a warmth in her heart.

As he walked, he could still hear the Arc but now a new, calm voice accompanied the savage voice of the arc. It served to quell the savage voice and gave the AGE some peace and quiet for some time during the train ride to Ponyville but the walk through Canterlot was a different story as nobles talked sass about how they could remove the human from existence and ‘deal’ with it however they need. ‘They can try.’ Allen’s thoughts sneered as he never liked the richer classes rubbing their bits in everyone’s face.

Making his way onto the train, he sat close to the door, looking outside the window as the train pulled out. He noticed that this world had technology but it was still in the form of simpler machines. As the train made its way to the town over, Allen was deep in thought about what happened when the red flames burned over him, incarnate of the blaze attribute if left unfiltered. The heat should’ve burned everything, but it almost seemed to warm the life of nearby life unless charged with intention to kill. As he was in though, ponies stay from the seats, save for a filly who approached him, much to her mother’s fear as she was soon too close the mother dare not move. “Sir?” He turned to the young girl. “Are you okay?”

“Just in thought little one.” He turned back as he started to sing a lullaby in notes more than with lyrics. He repeated it to himself but the filly grew tired, climbing into the seat as her eyes fluttered closed and she fell asleep. Ponies were terrified at what may happen next before she grabbed his arm and snuggled it. Either it went unnoticed or her paid no mind to her as she snuggled his arm. The ponies would be scared shitless if this didn’t look like a filly loving on her dad for affection, which is just precious. The train whistled as he saw the town, looking back to the filly as he waved for the ponies and the mother came along, waking the filly as she let him go, allowing him to leave the train but the filly had a sad expression. Before leaving earshot, he repeated the lullaby, bringing a smile to the child’s face.

After leaving the train, he wandered the town trying to find the receiver to the letter he was carrying when something tackled into him. “HUMAN!” Instead of a scream of fear and terror, it was a cry of excitement and joy. “You are a human and you have accessories! What are they?! Are they in fashion?! I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!” She wasn’t the only one. Allen had some questions of his own but those would have to wait as he poked her muzzled and she went quiet instantly.

“I know you have questions, but I need to find a certain party of interest to deliver this letter.” He held up the letter and the mint pony recognized the seal.

“Follow me.” The pony led the way as Allen followed behind her, taking in the sights as other ponies avoided him and kept the children from coming too close. He felt he was outcasted from day one and while it hurt, he took refuge in the fact that some ponies like his company and prefer it as much as the company of other ponies.

The pony stopped in front of a castle that was made to look like a giant crystal, or a crystal formation made into a castle. Whatever the reason, the resident party of interest was in the castle and the letter was going to them. He thanked the pony and entered the building, or structure, and was greeted with a seemingly empty palace before hearing muffled speech coming from within. Walking the hallways around, finding the muffled voice was easy as each hallway, every step, he drew closer and the voices got louder.

“But why would the princess send him here?” A brash voice called. “If a dungeon can’t hold him than why not send him to the moon?”

“Because that’s reserved for criminals of war, and Luna was strict about that, so the letter stated.” A voice of knowledge replied.

“I just hope he’s not mad about this.” A timid voice called before the doors opened and the same voice jumped with an “Eep!” before turning to the human. “Oh, you startled us.”

The cyan girl charged him when her tackle connected, nothing happened, not even budging as he just held up a rolled parchment which was taken be a lavender aura. As the cyan girl tried to topple the human, only for him to readjust for each lock hold, the lavender girl read the letter over and over before the same aura pulled the cyan girl off him. The party of six argued for a few moments in a civil dispute before they turned to him with the pink one screaming “Welcome to Ponyville!”
> Relaxing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cyan girl was almost fuming from being held away from the human while the girls were discussing about the arrangements described in the letter. “What is the princess thinking? My home? Why not Rarity?” The country pony fumed. “You seem to like him well enough.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” The fashionista sneered with a scowl. “I sympathize with the human but I don’t like him. He’s the first human in what I understand as centuries, so why judge him in the same light as the humans before him?”

“Because they don’t change. They enjoy killing and mutilation like a sport.” The book worm protested, not knowing she described an aragami like the Arda Nova before looking at the God Eater. “Which reminds me that I have question concerning your race and world now.”

“In ruins.” They were thrown by his sudden words. “Our world is in ruins, our kind near death from a discovery better left buried.”

“So humanity does enjoy destroying itself.” Twilight smirked thinking she was right.

“Aragami.” The girls let a collective ’huh?’ “At one point, our numbers were in the billions, but now we are fewer than one-hundred thousand after the Aragami got loose, and brought hell to our world, our life, our home”.

“Don’t try putting your pain on us.” Twilight said defensively.

“Would you prefer I lie to make you feel good about yourself?” The girls flinched at that level of honesty, even Applejack flinched at how honest the human was. It was an almost painful contrast to how she was told from stories that humans lied to get ahead of others and put them down once they were done. “We were stupid and weak. We had to force our evolution to survive, a cruel fate for our preservation.”

Fluttershy’s nature surfaced as she hugged the human. The others didn’t stop her as animals were her responsibility but they were worried as humans were said to be manipulative and sadistic. She never forgot about her animals’ diets, such as the bears and otters. Nature was cruel but not unforgiving. “Was it really that bad?” The timid mare asked in a tone she normally used for her animals.

“It was do or die and humanity has a habit of find a way to say ‘do’ out of stubborness.” The girls understood that a bit themselves, having gone into dangerous situations and never stopping until it’s done. They didn’t want to admit it, but his race did teach them a lesson in perseverance.

Twilight spoke up thinking he was trying to undermine the ponies. “We’ve solved our problems without violence several times.”

“Someone get the princess the Nobel Peace prize for being a coward.” He mocked with a sharp look of anger.

“What did you say?!” Rainbow Dash asked livid at the hidden insult. “We can win wars without fighting unlike you humans.”

“A problem doesn’t go away just because it’s not a problem. You either deal with the problem correctly or it will keep resurfacing over and over. Humans had the same issue of not properly dealing with issues that plagued it. Reason, politicians and bureaucrats wanting nothing but money.” The girls were silent yet again as he just bashed his own kind, specifically his officials of his race, with a scowl. “Energy crysis, global warming, fair economic business - all of it could be solved if they weren’t so pig headed and money blind, but they couldn’t have that. They needed humanity to have constant problems so they could make a profit, then the aragami came and many of our existing problems were traded for a new, worse problem.” They could not believe what they were hearing. “Our own military and congress scrutinized their common man, prioritizing profit while the rest of us have to scrape by in a hell on Earth. Our only survival rests on God Eaters like me.” Fluttershy pat his head as he was getting emotional, coming to tears as he was shaking, likely remembering what he had been through. “So forgive me if your scrutinizing of my presence is making me angry princess.” Twilight flinched before he got up, easing out of Fluttershy’s grip and leaving.

“What’s his deal?” The chromatic pegasus asked in obliviousness.

“His deal darling is that, by his words, humanity has gone through a cycle of his kind in power abusing their position thinking it’ll help them when it’s really hurting everyone.” Rarity said with reason and sass, trying to make a stern point that pony kind is scrutinizing one human for the actions of his races majority from the past. “I’m going to find him and try to ease his stress.”

“Just be careful Rarity.” Twilight requested, still having the intention of tailing her friend to act on a moment’s notice. Twilight followed the fashion mare through the whole castle, growing as impatient as her as the two found neither hide nor hair of their human guest. The search was deemed futile as Twilight went to her room while Rarity kept searching.

Meanwhile, Allen was atop the castle, on an edge of it that supported his weight as he just closed his eyes, to imagine the things that could help his home, from machines the size of houses to warships as strong as mountains. He felt that if humanity left the fighting to the machines then it might’ve made a difference. Humanity would be weak, but they could take pride they were still alive and willing to fight, but they had to act fast and the God Arc and God Eater were the best they could manage on short notice.

He often wondered what being a pilot was like, flying over the land in a helicopter or fighter jet as the adrenaline would be like a shot of espresso. He could almost feel the g-forces thinking about being a pilot for a fighter jet or a mobile suit like an Armored Core, feeling the machine’s speed as he blazed through the battlefield. He read about those machines and did think they were clunky tanks at first but they made up for it by using booster for increased speed for fast combat, like a shojun on horseback or something. What made them appealing was there controls being the same from one machine to the next, allowing the oneness with the machine and no weapon or loadout making it feel different. The legs were more like horseback and the weapons, if they weren’t like swords, were like bows and arrows and the torso is like shogun armor with the paints signifying rank and status. He would like a life like that, but because humanity want to solve its existing problems this was the best he got.

He looked up and saw pegasi moving clouds around but not bunching them together like one may see from a storm. A cloudy day must be to offset the heat of a clear day, while still allowing sunlight for the plant life. He was seen by the pegasi and they flew off once they were set up. He wasn’t upset they wouldn’t speak with him though this isolation and undue anger was depressing and he wanted to feel better but nothing came to mind, so he opted on taking a nap. Setting himself to keep from falling off, he closed his eyes, rest his head on his hands as he relaxed into a comfortable sleep while the girls were still trying to find the God Eater.

Fluttershy was checking open spaces while Applejack was checking rooms with Rainbow. Rarity checked outside while Pinkie and Twilight checked in town and didn’t find him. Fluttershy checked the top of the castle and found him sleeping on the room, secured in a firm and safe position, eyes closed with a peaceful expression. She almost went in to boop his nose for a reaction before acting against it and just rest next to him before Twilight saw Fluttershy and flew up to her, finding the human in the process. Without provocation, she teleported Allen, Fluttershy and herself to the castle interior, startling Fluttershy as the human now lay flat, his hands supporting his head before turning to his side, still sleeping.

“What was he doing up there?” Twilight asked quietly to not wake the human.

“I think he wanted to be away from us to let his emotions settle before dealing with us a second time.” Fluttershy reasoned as she, herself, has to take a moment from the crowd of ponies to ease her mind before going back into the fray to handle the crowd. The others came into the room and she got in between them and the human. Rainbow got primed to rush when Fluttershy squinted her eyes, annoyed, and stomped her hoof, making an outward shock that startled and stopped Rainbow and Applejack before they decided to do anything. “Before you say anything, he’s in a new place with no way of knowing who to trust and who to avoid and everypony is on his ‘avoid’ list. You two have ponies you want to avoid too, right?” Her assertive statement and saucy delivery made the mares back up as she softened into her usual attitude and they looked at him before Rarity started to levitate him and carry him to an empty room.

As Allen slept, his mind was drifting with the dream of being a pilot, not of jets but the Armored Core, racing with a friend as the feet of the Japanese mech skated across the ground, using what skills he knew in the dream to get ahead before losing the race. He wasn’t mad, just happy to feel the machine’s speed before going off to a mountain area and sit atop the machine feeling the breeze. It was a world he wanted for his home. The dream then turned into a nightmarish scene as he was back in the AC, but it was made and themed as a God Arc as he fought Aragami much bigger and more powerful than what he was used to. Before long he was seeing beams from off the side before Luna turned up. Seeing something out of place woke the reality part of his mind, granting him access and power to clear the dream back to the mountain.

“You managed to control you dream rather quickly” She commented, impressed towards Allen’s control. “Was that part of the dream a nightmare?” She was curious about human dreams as she had not seen them in so long, forgetting that humans had nightmares when they were stressed, upset or ate something that doesn’t agree with them.

“Not that last part. My dream was to be a pilot, not a warrior like I am now.” He looked to the Armored Core, White Glint, with hope and joy. “I wanted to be as free as a bird, flying among the heavens as their clouds flowed around my armour suit and the stars of night gleam across the metal plates during night.” Luna was almost inspired by his words of how fast the machine likely was. “I almost wouldn’t mind if our God Arcs took this form, at least then, we could still be human, in some way at least.”

“What is it?” Luna asked in wonder as she looked around the AC. It looked like something Celestia would use given the white color.

“It’s called an Armored Core, but home would likely call it a God Arc Soldier. ACs were developed to compete with world powers but the first generation were slow and linear while late fourth and early fifth gen focused on speed and maneuverability. The later fourth gen machines were almost perfect while the fifth gens suffered a few complications, mainly due to their size, or lack thereof compared to the last generation.” Luna was almost shocked at how powerful an ‘AC’ could be, but this one had no weapons to speak of. “These machines were used for war, but they could’ve been used for sports like racing, recreational fighting, shooting contests and more. Humans fight for many reasons, some with actual cause and risk.”

“What of the aragami?” She asked.

“They were an unforeseen variable.” He replied with sadness.

Luna felt sad for the human, feeling his pains of isolation and homesickness. She had nothing to give him to cheer him up, but an idea came to her head. Using her magic, she made an AC that resembled a unicorn as it walked up, prompting confusion from the human. “Want to race?” The human smiled with glee at the alicorn’s question as the two raced at high speed across a bridge in space. Allen put a little flare in the race as music played around them in perfect resolution. The two held their own Grand Prix before the dream ended.

Allen woke up and, like most times, he could hear the God Arc. That meant he was running low on mass and the sword was going to pester him hardcore until he ate. A good dream ruined by a bad morning, just like a rude roommate.
> Peace
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was mid-day in Ponyville when the train from Canterlot had arrived with Twilight waiting just outside, looking very irritated. “Where were you?”

“I recall the letter you received stating I would need to return to Canterlot periodically to fill up on Oracle Cells.” Allen stated factually, almost cold to drive the point home that he doesn’t need his hand to be held though Twilight did not flinch.

“We need to be with you at all times when you leave and you must inform us of when you leave.” The purple alicorn demanded in a pestering tone as Allen shot her an icy glare that made her step back in a panic.

“Remember that my world operates differently compared to yours. I don’t worship or even respect gods. I kill or devour the gods of my world.” He began walking off to look around the town as ponies avoided him like a plague. He didn’t mind so much as this was going to be the norm, just like home, though he hoped it’d be different.

He made important details of the more extravagant buildings that were made to draw attraction for business and made with simplicity of recognition in mind. As he was walking, he bumped into someone. “Oh sorry.” They both got a look at each other. Starlight, the pony of trouble, recognised the human from a passing text but not the history. “Are you new here?”

“In every sense of the question, I am.” He answer both cryptic and straight as Starlight looked shocked. “You were one of the girls I encountered, but we never exchanged pleasantries. Allen Nevermore.” He held out his hand to which Starlight shook with a smile.

“Starlight Glimmer. I’m sorry I can’t talk long. I’m running errands for Pinkie Pie and Applejack.” She said with a mixed smiled.

“You’re in deep with them huh?” He asked with a manner of understanding as Allen, without any reason from Celestia, is hated by the day Alicorn. The visit for Arda Fang still irritates him enough he could go back and slap her for her out of line remark. Honey Dew was able to calm his anger after the encounter but needed to return the next day for training, patrols and any business the guard had. Overall his schedule was clockwork and having new people in it was a good randomizer.

“Yeah. I messed with time and they’re punishing me. They don’t remember the other timelines though I did still commit a crime.” Starlight showed shame and embarrassment to her actions before collecting her thoughts. “Sorry I need to go.” She ran off as Allen continued taking in landmarks and walked into a Carousel themed building. “Hello?”

“Just a moment.~” A voice sang from the back before coming out. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique where everything is stitched, trim and chic.” She got a look at her guest and lit up. “Allen, it’s good to see you. Did you need an outfit?”

“Likewise and yes, I’ll need two to be accurate as I’m not sure if the Lunar Military provides a formal ceremonial suit.” Rarity’s eyes went to the size of dinner plates as she got the tape measurer.

“Head to the back and I’ll take your measurements.” He followed the request and stripped down knowing she’d need tight measurements. “You said you needed another suit. What kind?”

“Never said it was a suit. The second outfit will need to be something more durable but getting my measurements here will save the trouble of the taylor and smith in Canterlot.” Rarity’s eyes sparkled at the idea of Allen in a suit of armor from Luna. After his measurement were taken and a copy was made by Rarity, he left the shop to let her tend to her work.

Allen continued walking the town aimlessly for no more than another minute before a letter, in the form of a crane, landed in his hand and unfolded.

Sir Nevermore,
I am writing to you on behalf of the Lunar Guard, as our Princess Luna has not provided you any manner of armor, though for fair reason, we are willing to commission a blacksmith to forge your armor and a more suitable sword if you desire.

Please describe the details on the back of this letter and erase any portion of the seal when finished to send the letter back to us so we can share it with the blacksmith and get him started.

Your brother in arms,
Midnight Raider

Allen gave the letter and seal many look overs before ripping it up. He would rather do things the hard and safe way in case his design goes to Celestia instead of the promised blacksmith. He wrote out the details of the sword he would like, informing that the material may be exotic to Equestria and therefor may need to be imported or a blacksmith of a different country commissioned for the weapon. The armor was another story as he wasn’t sure to ask for a full suit or partial plating. Taking the letter and burning it with Blaze, Allen looked around for parchment for the details of the weapon. Unfortunately, no one was willing to sell anything because he was human, to which he noted was dangerous to ponies, which - and because of Celestia - was bias.

Frustrated, he headed back to the castle in Ponyville and looked around the rooms for a terminal before remembering, again, no technology. Finding some parchment though, he started to write the materials the weapon in question was to be made of; magnesium, silicon, titanium and platinum. This mix would benefit tough strength and make it closest to be as pure metal a sword can possibly be, allowing for minimal upkeep with maximum cutting power.

The armor had simpler ingredients but no less challenging. The armor plates would protect the chest, back, groin, radius and shins with durable cloth to protect the muscle and soft tissue of the body. The metals for the plates are as follows: Iron, tungsten and chromium. The cloth would need to be custom made by desire alone. After finishing the list, Allen dried the ink and folded the parchment into an envelope, waxed the crest and stamped it with a blank to press the letter shut. After the letter was made he wanted a seal of his own and looked over the seals in use. Twilight walked in and saw him looking over the scrolls and books in a diligent manner. “What are you doing here?” She spoke with a flat tone.

“I’m wanting to see what letter stamps are in use so I can make my own.” Twilight was surprised the human wanted to make his own stamp. “To do this, I need to know what is already in use.” A stamp book was passed to him as he looked over every stamp in use. Most had a tribal rotation to them that was natural but nothing geometric. He then used a small thought and started to draw geometric shapes until it formed something the confused Twilight when she saw it. I resembled a closed fist under what appeared to be an outlined or shadow crown as the horns were geometriclly pronounced like the closed fist. She then walked him through how to make the stamp by heating the parchment as it rested firmly on a blank stamp and the ink saturate into the wood then carve the image as desired.

After carving the stamp and redoing the seal, it looked like his own work from start to finish. He smiled at his handy work and looked enlightened, relaxed even as he just breathed calmly. “I have my own stamp.”

“Have you always wanted your own stamp?” Twilight asked curiously about the human’s interest of culture.

“I saw ‘officials’ with their own stamp mark and felt it helps people know who is writing to them.” Allen handed the books and scrolls back to Twilight and walked out of the castle. Being a guard for Luna was a job, which paid bits that Allen could use for anything he needed. Feeling it necessary, he purchased a ticket to Canterlot to deliver the letter and see Honey Dew, a proper visit than the other day.

Waiting for the train was boring unless one had a way to pass the time, so Allen started clapping his hands, legs and the boards and sang.

On the way
To tomorrow
She knows where exactly to go
On the way
To the night
She has all her goals in sight
Her blade in hand and her sight on victory
She will bring a peaceful future for all to see
Her shield up high and ready on this day
She has gone on her way
On the way
On the way
She has every peaceful day
On the way
On the way
She has her family to whom she pray.

As he sang waiting for the train, he was drawing a crown with his upbeat tune and lyrical nonsense as it wasn’t meant to have a meaning, it was meant for fun and entertainment, even the kids started dancing, matching a drum-like beat to his, creating a musical harmony. They let him sing and they keep in rhythm. Soon the train came in and he stopped as the passing kids left with smiles and families boarding the train smiled with him. He had improved humanities image and kids were stilling drumming and humming the beat as he sang the same lyrical nonsense the whole ride to Canterlot.

He closed his eyes to take a brief nap as it would still be a while before making the capital. Along the way he felt a mild disturbance down wind of him in the tailing cars. Getting up to check the problem as a guard, he opened the door to see a grey maned unicorn towering a young pegasus. “I dare you to say that again!”

“I called you sir as instructed by-”

“Silence!” The unicorn struck the younger pegasus before looking to the human. “A human? Beast, what are you doing on a train bound for the prestigious Pony capital!”

“Problem.” Allen said flatly with authority, catching the car off.

“What?” The unicorn asked in angered disbeleif.

“What is the problem. I need details or I’ll have to detain you for disturbing the peace as a Guard of Luna’s ranks.” The unicorn’s nose flared, clearly in plain aggression and aimed hostility. “You disturb the peace and I shall calm this anger.”

Flame began to rise from Allen as his body glowed with a radiant light. “Then by the authority of the Lunar guard, for disturbing the peace, assaulting a fellow citizen, a citizen of Equestria and basic aggression toward an officer, I place you under arrest.” The unicorn flew into a fury as he fired magic at the AGE that almost appeared to dissolve like water as it neared him before Allen charged forward, lowing his stance before rising, thrusting his palm upward into the unicorn’s chin, effectively knocking him out before he grabbed some rope to cuff him for a time.

The pegasus came up and bowed over. “Thank you, but you didn’t have to do that, please don’t hurt me.”

“Nonsense.” Allen replied calmly. “I’m not going to hurt you. I was just doing my job as a Lunar Guard, granted I now have paperwork, but peace comes first.” The pegasus shook Allen’s hand, losing most of his fear of the AGE before the train arrived at the station. Slinging the outcold unicorn over his shoulder, Allen started transporting the unicorn assailant and the pegasus to a guard station.

“Uuuuhhhhhhhhh….” The solar guard were shocked and concerned that the AGE was carrying a unicorn over his shoulder who was still out cold. “Sir, you do realize you-”

“Did my job. Also favoritism is destructive just fyi.” Allen set down the unicorn and turned to the pegasus. “If this goes to court, find me in the castle or send a letter to the castle or Ponyville.” Allen was off just as the unicorn was waking up before the pompous noble started yelling.

Allen walked the streets and, like before, he was given stink eye glares from the residents save for the progressively accepting. He never like places where the ‘privileged’ could gather to talk about money like it’s a contest rather than solve problems they can easily solve. He wouldn’t dwell on that, he had someone to see.

Going to her house, which he recalled the path to from memory, he knocked on the door and it opened to the maid in loose pajamas and the type of bed head that a girl would keep if she’s told it looks good. That was before she got flustered and hid behind a separate to straighten herself up. “Allen! What are you doing here?!”

“Can’t a guy visit a friend without needing a reason? Besides I needed to be here for something important.” Allen’s reasoning calmed the pegasus greatly.

“What’s so important you had to come all the way to my house?” Honey asked with dusted blush on her face.

“Well visit you for one and confirm with Luna or this Midnight Raider about the blacksmith they commissioned.” Allen showed the sealed letter and she saw his seal.

“A human hand and claws?” She looked at Allen with surprised expression. “You made your own seal?” Allen blushed this time, even looking bashful which convinced Honey of something. “You made this to feel cool?” Allen’s blush exploded with a puff of steam before Honey laughed. “You are such a dork.” Her laugh was sweet and sincere as Allen barked.

“Sh-shut up.” Honey reduced herself to a chuckle before laughing again, having to take deep breaths to stop herself. “It’s not funny.” He pouted, cutely to Honey before she started messing with his cheeks and the AGE left soon after as Honey laughed again.

Making his way into the castle and to the barracks, he quickly spotted the night alicorn and pulled her to the side. “Princess, I wish to confirm something.”

“Go ahead.” She advised calmly.

“Did you or a Midnight Raider send a letter concerning a blacksmith?” Allen asked with caution as he held up the letter with his seal. Luna looked alarmed before regaining her composure and looking around. Taking the letter, she bowed and was on her way as he joined his guard in a few rounds of conditioning and training. After training with his guard, he went back to Honey’s house to hang out with her. He did wonder if Twilight set up the letter or Celestia.
> Aggression
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allen stayed in town until the weapon and armor was finished, which was a mildly bad move as Lunar had to send a letter to Twilight to immediately defuse her anger and/or anxiety which only prompted her and her friends to come to Canterlot. “I feel like a criminal schmuck even when I’ve committed nothing wrong.”

“You’re a human.” Twilight stated sharply without care. “All you know is violence.”

“Says the group that attacked me when all I did was raise my shield and sword in caution.” Allen’s words would have yielded a fight had Luna not intervened.

“Allen is correct Twilight. Undue hostility should not be our way, yet it is acceptable if it’s towards humans which is, and I do mean this, bias. Combine that with the fact that he is my guard, elements or no, assaulting him at any point is grounds for arrest.” The group flinched at the thought of prison and backed away. “And no, my sister will not be allowed to bail you. You are citizens first, champions second and being princess doesn’t save you.” Now they felt their world get locked as attacking the human was wrong no matter what and humans are monsters that needed to be dealt with but seeing him train with Luna’s guard made him look well mannered. He was looking over the others that were tapping their arms with metal wire rods and spotting the ones that were struggling to get their weights up for toning. Twilight was now the only one at this point thinking it was still an act so that he can steal something or kill the princesses.

At that point, an earth pony of grey walked in and towards Allen. The two talked as Allen looked crestfallen before perking up again and nodding his head, following the pony out. “All of you keep training.” The guard replied politely as required as Luna took the Element Bearers to the Blacksmith’s workshop where they saw an assortment of weapons, but two stood out along with an assortment of cloth and armor.

“As you will find Allen, the two blades were sharpened to a mirror finish while the bulk of the blade retains a grit finish less than 1000 for stealth.” Allen held up the blades and waved them around softly before setting them back. “Also, as stated, we could not employ the tough fabric as requested without sacrificing movement until a passing traveler left us with this design idea of having the armor under a tough cloak or loose fit fabric. So we kept the armor while redoing the outfit. I may even employ this with Luna’s entire guard.” Allen looked it over before looking back as Luna pulled the girls out for Allen to change.

“Princess Luna why did-” Twilight was stopped with a finger.

“Unless you wish to see his anatomy you will give Allen privacy to change.” The girls blushed, understandably, as they waited outside the shop for Allen to see what he’d look like. When the door opened, it appeared as though no one came out. A snap was heard behind the girls as they jumped out of their skin and turned to see a covered figure with face paint hiding what of their fur color would be seen and goggles to hide their eyes. “Impressive display Allen.” Everyone present looked at Luna hoping she’d grown a second head.
There is more knowledge.
Often found in strange places.
Than found close to home.

Now Allen was being looked at like he’d grown a second head as he just spoke what sounded like a poem out of nowhere before laughing. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help but divulge into some level of Japanese after seeing this.”

“Don’t you mean Neigh-”

“No. Stop it. Stop right there.” Allen cut Twilight off looking a bit irritated. “I know this world has pony pun names for earth towns and countries but please no. Let me have my good moment before you ruin it. Again.” His irritated expression combined with his flat tone was evident he did not want anything to do with correction right now.

“I take it you like the armor?” Luna asked with a proud face.

“Like it? LIKE IT?!” The girls got a bit defensive with his loud tone. “I FUCKING LOVE IT!” And cue the confusion. “I did always wonder what it was like to be a Ninjistu Arts acolyte rising to make his own clan as a Grand Master. I mean those guys have the smarts, the skill, the tools and even the babes.” The girls looked beyond dumbfounded as Luna just laughed. In short, Allen was acting like a dork. He soon realised what he did and thanked he wore his mask though the girls chuckled a little at his dorkiness. “Anyway, this outfit and armour are not only suitable, they are prefered. Thank you princess.” He bowed to her, keeping his eyes trained on the girls in the event off an attacks.

“We are happy the garb, plate and blade are to your satisfaction.” Luna thanked her guard before a thought occurred to her. “Should I promote you or move you to my special operators?” The girls look almost scared before she waved her hand. “If that’s your reaction I guess no if I want to keep my friends.”

“It’s fine Luna.” The party looked his way. “I’ll work my way to Spec Ops before becoming a captain or commander.” He took off the cowl, goggles and paint. “Now I have a friend to visit.” He began walking out as Luna held the girls with her magic as they looked at her.

“Old habit or not, I may as well be a helicopter mom or sister because of my sister and you six- er… nevermind.” She blushed, releasing her magic as five of the six giggled.

Elsewhere in Canterlot, Allen had approached Honey’s house and knocked on the door. She answered it and instead of relaxed clothing, she was in soft jeans and a sweater. She looked cuter than if she were in her maid outfit which caused Allen to stare. “Um…” Her voice and actions snapped Allen back to reality. After the quick succession of events, the AGE could finally take his day at his pace, starting with Honey.

“So how was your new gear?” Honey asked the AGE as she was prepping some drinks, a cup of tea for Allen and a cup of juice for herself.

“Comfortable, which would have been different if the letter I received was sent back to the sender with details.” He responded with mild irritation so as to not miscommunicate his aimed party.

“Celestia?” She already had a clear idea of who may have sent the letter if not sensed his suspicion.

“Not sure. The way it was sent and the seal were both off but she may have played a hand to keep herself out of it enough to assume the role of the victim, which is why I came to deliver a letter myself.” She set the tea in front of him as he sipped it, relaxing at the flavor. “But all is not terrible, as I got to train with my guard, visit Luna for the new set and get to visit you until I head back to my deployed town.”

Honey smiled at Allen’s optimism as he was able to make out what little good there was to make any bad day okay. “So what else will you do?”

“Well, a ninja set of armor and clothes must be complemented with the art of Silence, the very word Ninja translates to.” His answer sparked some interest as she leaned forward. “To clear the water, Ninjutsu is not an art by nature, more of a method by execution. Acolytes, warriors, masters and grand masters must erase themselves from the world and stay in the shadows, manipulate the enemy, environment and the tools used to remain unseen and lethal. They must never fight directly if they can help it and any ninja that is discovered is a dead ninja.”

“Isn’t that cruel though?” Honey asked, almost shocked or even offended that ninja were treated so harshly.

“Ninja were considered to be social outcasts and so they have to do everything on their own as individuals and collectives or clans. Running from your clan makes you a risk to your clan and your knowledge makes you a target by twisted parties.” His explanation was making humans sound… more interesting than good or evil. “Ninja, like I said, did everything for themselves and each other, like a family. They made medicine, forged weapons and tools, trained in agility, made techniques and more. Very rarely did ninja kill and they had their honor as humans to think about, as opposed to samurai, who killed even family for their master unless they went rogue, or Ronin.” Allen’s eyes widened breathly. “Now that I think of it, AGE, Blood Eaters and God Eaters are ninja by right too, since we have to hunt Aragami for materials for our military and weapons and to secure food for our bases and towns. Huh.” Honey was shocked he was happy about it but happy herself as he has honor in himself. “We were Samurai and Ninja, Ronin and Rogue, serving a people before serving a lord. No matter what, we were human.”

“Well, I think you made the right choice. What else of ninja do you know of.” Honey asked, hoping to help him in Luna’s guard and perhaps prove to Celestia that humans can be good on their merits alone.

“Well I do know they are not above anything and even they know that, using poisons and what would be considered cruel tactics to complete their job, but you also have to consider they were made into outcasts, many times against their will, and have to use the cruelest tactics, if required, to complete the job without getting caught or killed. The kicker? They were made outcasts by their own political leaders because the leader had a twisted reason, because the leader felt like it or from poverty, which was common if the said leader became unreasonably demanding.” Honey could not believe power like that was abused before thinking between Luna and Celestia and thinking about how she was treated for being different from others.

“To be honest,” Allen looked at Honey as she spoke, “I’d sooner by an outcast helping my town rather than a faceless person among a perpetual collective. We help our community and our community helps us. Not much difference and yet we are different as people.” Honey’s words raised Allen’s mood as she knew what she was saying. An individual helps the collective, or community, because they know what the community needs and what is required of them because they are also part of the same community, individuals with a common goal to help others. “I think that’s part of why I became a maid, to help our guests feel comfortable, and you’re my best guest Allen.” She kissed the AGE’s forehead as he blushed.

“What the what?” Honey just giggled as she went into the kitchen.

“Lunch? I’m making salad stir fry.” Allen looked grossed out. “I take the vegetables and fry until soft then add the lettuce and spinach to the mix until soft and serve with cheeses and dressing.” The AGE looked intrigued before nodded his head. “It’ll be a bit so go ahead and patrol while I get it ready.” He nodded again and left her home to patrol some of Canterlot, starting around the castle. The sword was being calm and protocol has not been broken, mostly in thanks to Luna. She was in charge of the details and her guard were the only ones allowed near the thing so a once around in the garden would be okay, close to the sword should anything unexpected happen and any visits to refill from it would need to be treated like clockwork, no questions on protocol and no stalling.

After his quick once around in the garden, he relocated to the southern district which had a small fight that he quickly took care of, though he was a bit concerned about the victim. The victim was a young girl, about thirteen years of age but she injuries were visibly minor, a bruise on her cheek and a black eye but nothing serious beyond that. The questions helped him understand and angered him.

“Lieutenant.” The cold tone Allen had stopped the unicorn cold. “Leave their boss here and take the rest to Luna.” The unicorn was ready to argue until a look at the AGE’s sharp anger was enough to send him packing with the order quarry as the human approached the pony in question, and earth equine.

“What, think that just because you’re in Luna’s guard you’re above the nob-”

“Silence.” Allen’s sudden appearance in the Earth equine’s face combined with a sharp demand kill what the pony was going to say. Without any windup or recoil, the pony was sent into the sky, caught by his hoof and slammed into the concrete, the double impact knocking him out cold without causing too fatal of an injury. “He’ll live.” He carried the pony to the medical wing himself before Luna got word of why Allen attacked. With the facts considered and the punishment carried, the equine’s mouth was not going to be the same, this would be the only thing he’d receive as proper punishment.

Walking home was a nice leisure as Allen had time to contemplate his next course of action for the day before heading into the night. Opening the door he smelled burnt food. “Honey?” He called her first name in worry and rushed into the kitchen and saw a detail of struggle and insult. Food was on the ground and likely spoiled, knives were missing or bent with blood on the floor and walls but not much to indicate a dead body but one thing stood out that made Allen so made he would never wear his armlets again. On the wall, in perfect english was a message.

If you want your monkey loving dick bitch, meet us in the garden for a surprise.

Allen’s agner was being tested on minute after the next and his armlets were keeping him restrained, cuffed so he wouldn’t hurt anyone but now he wants to bring more than pain. He was going to bring humility and despair to this city’s cruel thinking. “Release Asgard, Olympus and Naraka.” The bands unlatched entirely and he left the pieces as they reformed into the bands on the floor. His right arm flared up with intense pain as he screamed, the appendage growing mass, gaining size as it seemed to change. The black ooze seeped over, turning his five digit hand into a large, three digit armored claw that held a savage mouth at the shoulder as he forced his cells to complete the conversion. His pain began to settle as his arm now completed its form, with skin of Mother Black, teeth of Crusher White and claws of Horizon Gold. Standing to his full stature, his expression was twisted with cruel malice as he snuck into the armoury keeping his current gear and made off with it with a claymore in his left hands grip.

In the garden, Honey Dew was whimpering. The stallions and mares of the group had her in a dire situation. Her body was being suspended on a crucible underground as she could hear voices above her. She struggled against her restraints but she lacked the strength to bend them enough to escape. She continued to struggle, thinking of what would happen to her as she began to cry, beg to whatever entity would hear her to send Allen her way. She begged and pleaded for her savior to rescue her, remembering how he accepted her, even for her condition. Honey looked at herself every day, thinking that nature was playing a cruel joke making her body like it was, fertile in every sense of the word with neither a mare nor stallion to accept her until Allen had come along. Her fear was still present yet his eyes held no anger or disgust but curiosity and interest with consideration to not ask her the obvious question and made her feel comfortable with her body, now those fears have returned with only prayers to protect her as she waited for her knight in black or for death. “And now mares and gentlecolts, a display the likes of which may never be seen again.” Her restriction was raised as everyone saw her, her fear and embarrassment. “How about this folks, isn’t she just hideous.”

“Ew, is that a penis.” A mare had mocked.

“Oh dear Celestia I can see a vagina too.” A stallion commented in disgust.

“Yes everypony. This mare has a fully functional anatomy of male and female with the greatest fertility in all of Equestria.” Honey tried to cover herself but her bindings. “But word has it her human interest is coming for her. Shall we have some fun until her ‘knight’ arrives.”

“NO!” Honey screamed as she tried to escape. The sound of an animal could be heard as she screamed and struggled while the twisted onlookers had eyes wide open before a crushing presence could be felt, like judging eyes were staring down on ponies from behind. Before long the sounds of screaming ponies and suffering beasts could be heard. The sounds slowly faded and were replaced with clanking metal, rhythmically sounding as the source drew closer with each time the source was heard. Honey couldn’t see behind her and her dread was making her shake and cry.

“The human has arrived folks and it seems he’s armed. Ooohhhh” The nobility laughed with the announcer as an animal was released. The appearance was that of a mix between a chicken and a snake. “How will he fair against the cockatrice?” The mythical beast spotted Allen and immediately charged at him, eyes humming with power as it attempted to turn the AGE to stone. With one switch motion, everyone only saw the chicken being thrown to the wall and Allen’s right arm was extended. He then walked forward to Honey as she finally saw him. He was in some gear she wasn’t familiar with but his arm had turned into something grotesque as he was covered in a violet aura, like a divine punisher come to smite the wicked. With a fluid motion she was cut from her restraints, his armor aura phased as she fell into his arms. The armor aura on his arm became more solid as he raised his sword, the same aura covering the blade before beams were fired from it. Everyone was hit by the beams as their bodies were destroyed into chunks or burst into blood and viscera. His anger that night was like a divine bringer of judgement as he walked out of the structure, carrying Honey like a princess as she cried her eyes out the whole way home.
> Decisions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allen was able to set Honey to bed after she’d cried her eyes out. Covering her with a cloak to hide her dignity and preserve her decency was far from the only thing he set to do. He’d carried her the whole way home, his arm still turned as an expression of rage and grief was still hardened on his face. Everyone and everything avoided him as they say the human’s arm, twisted into a malicious form as the mouth audibly growled when near someone it senses twisted and biased from and even Allen stared down everyone as he carried the pegasus back to her home. Once there she was cleaned off, wings preened thanks to his claws and precise dexterity and dressed in her sleeping clothes. After laying her in her bed, he waited outside as he tried his best to restrain his arm to a more dormant state and reapply the bands but after one was placed, it overloaded immediately from the Oracle surge.

Allen was upset that what happened recent occured like it did. Honey was kidnapped, his arm transformed, his body incapable of being restrained and he killed citizens of Equestria. Princess Luna may understand the level of his hate, but princess Celestia will only see this as human savagery and try to make it out as that plain and simple, win the court or his punishment into her favor to make a point and be rid of the AGE. He hoped Luna could find the remains in the secluded location and conclude it as an illegal gathering of unethical sport but he would have to wait for that.

Before dawn, there was a knock at the door and outside were Solar and Lunar guard alike. He opened the door and the top brass of both walked in before the Solar Captain was the first to bow. “Human, by name of Allen the AGE, I am Captain Naos Starshield and I an here to extend my thanks and my apologizes.” Allen was beyond words before the Lunar Captain spoke up.

“I am Captain Lagoon Nebula of the Lunar guard. My brother in arms speaks true of what you, which is the reason we are here. You have been ushered by both Princesses for the mass murder committed in the grounds and a debrief as you and Honey Dew are the only ones to come from the site and Honey Dew to witness what happened at the site before her rescue.” Lagoon was depressed at what he had to do but Allen didn’t put up much of a fight as he simply walked with the Solar guard after instructing the Lunar guard to stay with Honey at all times to prevent witness tampering and to escort her to the castle once she awakens.

And so, Allen walked in the very middle of his escort as Canterlot’s residence watched with bated breath as the human was being led to the castle. When he got there, the doors open as an extra audience was revealed, a pink Alicorn, the six ponies in addition to Luna and Celestia and Twilight Glimmer, likely as an unbiased or sympathetic third party to act as a lawyer.

“Do you not know peace human?” Celestia was the first speak, of course it was out of hatred.

“So keep the without violence. That sounds like a stubborn pacifist. Friends can be made without conflict but peace can only be kept with authority.” Allen received a glared from Celestia which was immediately overpowered with the hard glare from last night as his memory of Honey’s harsh and otherwise unfair treatment sparked anger and honesty of his actions as anything less than an honest officer would not work where he was.

“Sister, save your words for the courtroom.” Luna inquired as the girls were lead into the courtroom to prepare while Allen was left out from the proceedings and testimonies to be made, biased mostly of course. They would also likely disregard Honey because of what she is and how she’s treated, unless Luna had something plenty to say.

While he waited, he briefed the Solar guard about why casualties were so high from the night he rescued Honey and that he was ignorant of who was directly involved and who was a mere bystander if at all so his attack was indiscriminate on purpose. Regardless of the present fact, there was also the fact that there were dangerous animals in the area and he had no way of knowing if they were a threat except through memory from his word so some were kill while others were incapacitated temporarily.

Before much longer, the doors opposite of the courtroom opened as Honey ran in and hugged Allen. Not a word was said between the two as he hugged the pegasus with his unchanged arm, taking comfort in her safety and relaxing from the smell of warm honey milk. The two stayed in each other’s embrace before they felt safe and assured that nothing would happen to the other. “Do you know what’s going to happen?” Honey’s words held a trembling tone of uncertainty.

“You’ll likely be a witness to my ‘crime’ as I’m the defendant to my case. Not sure if that’s true since this will be my first court proceeding, period.” Allen’s answer gained a fearing reaction from the Solar Guard who have slowly come to respect the AGE but a large majority still despise him solely for being human. “My only hope of stating out of the dungeon, at best, is if Celestia’s bias stays out of the courtroom and none of the jury is bought off or bias as well. All law should be upheld as stated, not changed on a whim to suit the party in question.” The doors opened as Honey and Allen were collected for the proceeding.

“This court is now in session. The case, Allen the human vs…” Celestia, who started the trial, looked to Luna who whispered in her ear. “Correction, Allen vs Canterlot is now in session.”

“Would sir Allen please stand before the royalty.” Luna spoke up as Allen stood on the mark section of floor. “Sir Allen, reports say that you gathered armor and weapons from the barraks, as stated by Solar and Lunar guard. Do you have anything to say in your defense or anything to add?”

“No Miss Luna. The reports are correct though I was to add, for the record, that the basic armor and standard broadsword were used for the rescue of Honey Dew, one of the castle’s maids if it hasn’t been stated.” Allen answered and added to clarify what may have been missed or dismissed.

“The weapon was not reported though we do thank you for being honest.” Luna responded professionally.

“Princess,” a noble spoke up, “are we truly giving this savage due process for killing our own?”

Twilight was next to speak up. “Ponies abducted a maid of the pony race and, by reports, a human retrieved her. Reports stated his right arm, as presently seen and speculated, changed from extreme emotions of anger, but mostly from honor and duty as a guard. If anything, the party involved would be put on trial for slave handling if they were still present so do not speak unless you have something to add.” Celestia was stoic, but Allen’s trained senses picked up some twitching in her back though the reason is unknown. “Sir Allen, do you recall her injuries?”

“Nothing that I noticed in detail or immediately. My first and only concern was to return her home and tend to her wounds, of were there were only two bruises.” Allen answered from his knowledge in fact.

“That confirms the doctors report we received as it is part of the case.” Twilight confirmed.

“And even if it weren’t presented, he is telling the truth.” The farm pony, Applejack, also confirmed. She hadn’t seen the AGE much and was scared seeing the arm, as were the others, but seeing his calm and focused expression assured her otherwise.

“Are you taking sides?” A noble asked.

“She’s not taking sides duke Gold Range.” A blonde unicorn answered. “As the element of Honesty, selected for her upbringing and code, lying would go against her very nature.”

“Thanks for the clarity nephew.” Celestia finally spoke, though only to praise a pony, even if it were under the circumstance of protect a human in the process.

“Let’s resume. Honey had reported that she was mocked for her body. Care to confirm this or elaborate for the record?” Cadence, a pink alicorn along with the other three present, asked with a professional and motherly air.

Allen looked to Honey, who nodded as this would need to be addressed. “While her condition is likely rare as it gets, Honey is what would be called a hermaphrodite. To put simply, a female with male parts, though her case goes a step further as her body has the properties necessary for fully functional male and female reproduction organs.” The court’s judges, jury and the present element of harmony were shocked about this revolation. “Even before the kidnapping, she was subject to hazing at worst, treated almost no differently than a human would be treated under common scrutiny.” The court looked to Applejack, who confirmed he was telling what he knew to be the truth.

“This court shall adjourn for a brief recess. Next session will exclude the elements of harmony as all facts have been documented.” The court cleared out as Honey met with Allen and hugged him, planting her face on his chest. The recess, as Celestia said, was brief and proceedings have begun. “With the facts considered and present, how do the jury find Allen?”

One unicorn stood. “Forgive me princess, but the jury is in a stalemate of his judgement, even with the facts presented.”

“Could you come to a decision with more time?” Celestia asked, almost hopeful of an answer she did not receive.

“There is no possibility of that. Half of us chose guilty for he did commit murder while the other chose ‘Not Guilty’ as his crime was the lesser of two evils and fell under night authority. For this reason, we are in a stalemate.” The unicorn sat back down as Luna spoke up.

“As it stands, with the evidence and the jury in conflict and as the crime falls under my rule I will leave the vote of Mistrial or guilty to myself, Celestia, Twilight and Cadence. This court is adjourned.” The court, like last time, cleared out, leaving the for princesses in the room with Allen as Honey stood outside waiting for him to walk out, cleared of any crime he was marked with. Within the courtroom, the princesses were divided as well, Twilight and Celestia v Luna and Cadence. It was a back and forth before he started walking out. “Sir Allen?”

“I’m done putting up with this. If she wants me in a dungeon fine and I know Honey Dew will fight it.” He pointed at Celestia with her claw. “But if you erase her for being empathetic towards me, I’ll erase you.” He left the courtroom, passing Honey on the way. “They were deadlocked so I’m heading down to the dungeons to contemplate something.”

“She’s still being hateful and vindictive?!” The pegasus screamed.

“Be that as it may, she has a grudge that I can’t settle and won’t fight. If you wish to visit me, Luna won’t stop you, I know that much. Besides, that blade is still very persistent.” Allen walked down to the dungeons, all the while sharing a few stories of his days with the AGE before reaching the stone halls. The two departed each other there as he walked into a cell, parallel to the Arda Fang and sat down.

“Y̳͎o͇̣͔̱u͠ ̝̺͟h̨͉̳̹̪̞̝ͅa̝̭v̮͖e͖͍̖͉̝ ̦͚͍̜̤̦b̷ee͎͓͎n̰͖͈ ̸̫̙͈d̹̝̥̣è͕̼̣̤̥f̫͓̰̪̲e̲͉̩̟̭̤a̡ṯe̴̬̗͖͕͙̲ḑ̥͎̜̹͎ͅ?” Arda asked smugly.

“Defeat is only if I admit it to my enemy. I, as cowardly as you’ll mock me for, retreated to satisfy that party.” Allen back talked coldly.

S̩̰̫͍͢o̷̯͇̞ ̺͙̪̤̳y̮̝̭̱̣͘o̸̰̫̜u͝ ͚̟̦r͏̲a͇͎͇̫͓̖͡n̴̯͓͙͇̘̰ ̟̥̺͔̮̩f̺̣͇͞r̨̭̲͔̪̣̳o̡͕̻m͙͔̰͕͔̖͡ ̳̣a͙ ̞̹̱͍̳w͈͕̤̰̩͢o̺̻͢m̘a̤̠͕̫͖͓͓n̩͎͡?҉ There it went being smug again.

“Says the sword that needs a host to finish what it set out to do when I’m the only human left, oil spill.”

The black mass slammed against the barrier. “D̡͖̭̖̆͐͋̅̍ͅͅỌ͔̺̼̠͌̀̒͌͑̆Ǹ̞͎̒̅̈'̧ͨ̔T̼̞̭͌̋ͩ ̤̺̄̈́̃͋Ẹ̛̑ͧ̈V͈͔̲̥͔̫̗̍̑ͯ̄̿̍E̪͉͓̰͇̦̬̒̒ͥ̅ͫ̂̌Ṟ͡ ̷R̗̺͗͒EF̾E̙̥͚̱̖̱̙ͯ̍͐́͗͟R̴̟͍̈ͯ̒ͯ͑̊ ͙̝̮͔̦̜ͧ͐̉ͩͩT̼̝̘͙͛̆ͮͧ̏͌O͎͢ ̼̖̞͓͉U̷̔ͫͮ̊ͩ̉̀S̤͖ ̧̩̭̪̘̼ͤ̒̑̿̾̔̇Áͣͤ҉̩͈̫̝S̫̅͑ͧ ̙͎̞͍͚͙̪T͓̞̺̼̺ͧ̃̉ͨͩ͗̓͝Ḣ̨͕̝ͪ̊͂A̮̜̲̽T̩̬̄̀̆̚̕ ̤̘͔̰̰̯ͬ̇̊ͧ̆ͧA҉̼͔̳Ġ̞͝A̜̘̦͈̞̤͇ͬ̏̒ͯ̎̀I͚̬̳͙̤ͫ̔̐̋ͤ͢ͅN̡̝̫̪̄̊̊ͣͬ ͈̥̹̹̗̹̜̇ͯ̈́̉̌ͪ̚͢I̢͕̮̥ͥ̿̿͋̿F͇̾̽̿ͥͨ̀ ͤ̂Yͥ́O̤̣͕̦̯̊ͧ̓̍U̠̓͗̌̾ͨ ̸̱ͩͣ̾ͧ͂͂͆W̡͇̻̅̔ͩ̚I̲̖̣̥̺ͫ̎ͬ͒S̳ͥ̐͛̑H̟̤̹̲̬͙͓̏̅̒ͥ̕ ͩͦ̈͐҉̼T̰͍̣̭̊Ǒ̫͔̥̭̗̰̀ͪ͘ ̷͉̖͙̯͊̃͋̔L̗͎̩̗̜͝I̥̅̊̈ͤ͐̊ͤV̾͌͐̏͑ͨ́̚E̕!͈̙͉̱̪̲͊ ̯͋ͮ̏̇ͦ̋̌W̥̭̹̝̯͜Ḙ̺͖̫̎̑ ̲̝̲͓̗͐͛ͯÃ̛̫̼̣̹̞͛̾Ṙ̉́̐͒͊͠Eͥ̎͛̍͒̇͏͎͎̼̝̞̜͎ ̘̻̳̪͓͔ͫ̉͡Ṅͮ͌̃͒O̯͗͊ͩ̚T̠̫͇̲̩̱ͮ̐̉͒̅̕ ̓ͣ̿̐ͨ̊͆Ỏ̮̲̘I͇̟͔̖̰̪̥̋͂ͫ̄̒̀L̰̭̜̦ͭ̋ͯ ͉͚̠̣͖̼̂̄̑ͪ͌F̱̞͔̺̩̮̲O͙͎͓͕̪̳R̥̣̮̘ͩ̓̕ͅ ̪͍͎̦̞͓̲ͩͤ̾͒̃ͤY͚͇͈̲̍̏̆̔̈͡O̢̥͛ͫU̥̳̱̟͍̫̗R̘̼̬͓͑ͅ ̪̓ͮ̋ͤͫP͎̩̱͂̆͊Ṟ̡͕̼̞̆͐ͅI̝ͭM̧̖͈I̴̿ͪ̓T̖̖̝̗̲̖̹I̧̯͔̭̠͗ͮ̔ͣ͗͑͋V̠̖̳̪͈̱̻̾ͦͦ̄̿̐͟Ë̘̫̯̦͕̘̹ ̨ͯͪͩR̳̯̙̜̘ͪ͛̄̔͐͌A̶̟̝̗̦͙͋̈ͥ̿̈́̑Ċ̞͉͛̌ͭ̄ͬͅE̮͎̤ͬ́̎͠!̰̠̰̦͖͎͕͊ͫ̓̔̅ͨ ͎ͦͭͦ̕W̧ͫ͌ͪ̒E̋͆͐̅̈́̈́ ̪͉ͣ͊ͨ̏ͅÀR͚͈ͅE̍̃̆͛̽́̔ ̜͖̬͎͈̽̐G̬͈͚ͫͬͧ͞O̷̯D̟̝ͫ̎ͣ̑͗̌̐S͓̪͇͌̏ͥ̇̈ ̳̟̼̙̯̥̪̊̀͑̿̚̚F̢̗͇̜̤̹̱̱ͣŖ̻O̰͆̏̅̈ͥͫ͘M̙͎ͣ̊ͬ̎ͮͮ̚͡ ̦̍̂ͪH̏ͥ̌ͭE̹͇A͙̺͉̼͑̈̌͜V̮̤̣̩̻̫̎̐͆̏̆͘Ę̜̪̟̯̍͌Ň̘̝͚͕̤̦̼̂͂͛ ̢̭̤ͩͬ͌̆͛̆Ẩ͇̱̯̬͎̮ͫ͘N̤̯͈͎̬̟͌̋͑̑̅̓ͣD̯͚̤̄͒̾ ͔͛D͇͌͘Ḛ̢̩͍̼͇̠͌̈́ͪͨ͆M̗̘̟̥̂̐Ǒͨ͗ͤ͏͓̬̱̬͕Nͮ͒͌͏͇S̥̊͒̂́͠ ̧̭̺̗̹̓F̗̜͇̮̫͍̯͋̃̍̏ͫ͛̕R͔͎͓͗ͭO̕M̓͟ ͣ͒̑͋̓̓H̳̓ͯ͋̐ͦ̿͠E̥̺̞̖̘̙̩̅ͫ̆̋ͪĻ͉̭̯̱L̠͎̽̎͊̐̓̓̕ͅ!̦͍̠͎̖͙̐ͦ͘”

“It seems I touched a nerve or do you lack that too?”

It retreated slowly with obvious malice. “S̨o̵on͝ ҉hu͜m͞an.̨ S̷oon҉.̧” The sword was silent after that as Allen contemplated his options for a means to seal the sword and himself or kill them both. The only thing that could accomplish the task was the tree of harmony, but without leaving Honey with a proper farewell it would feel like abandonment. There was only one thing that could potentially prevent the devouring apocalypse, save Equestria and spare its people, the Tree.
> Conviction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allen now sits in the dungeon of Canterlot, his arm changed but not as much as before. More correctly, it wasn’t a beast mouth from chest to shoulder but more of a naturally armored limb as the flesh was red and black in a ribbed pattern with gold plating at the right peck, shoulder blade and shoulder, with the same plating on the forearm. The AGE and blade went back and forth with a conversation that was primarily about their ‘higher calling’ in life and Allen was debunking it, stating that finding the oracle cells was a mistake on top of being a genuine accident to which the blade tried to debunk stating that humanities curiosity is what made the oracle cells get so strong in the first place. The argument was further back and forth with one trying to beat the other but the blade was eventually successful. “Are you certain erasing me will bring peace. The tree is oracle cells as well, so who or what is to stop it should it ever decide to strike down the ponies?” Allen was stopped in his tracks as he had no way to counter a question like that. It wasn’t so much a leading question as it was a genuine query, asking Allen directly about the tree itself. Defeated, he remained silent as he went back to looking at his arm. He wanted to know everything about this world, about the tree and about the ponies but so long as the cycle of Singularity and Devouring continue, this world would suffer the same fate as his own. None of the ponies here could stop aragami the size of buildings, much less ones with enough power to level one. He wanted to avoid the situation he was faced with as there is a clear difference between martyr and victim but with everything he knows, the power he did recieve and the lack of inhibitors, it was only a matter of time before the blade became too strong to hold at bay or even kill. “Oh, someone is getting worried for something.”

“Oh hush.” Allen retorted quickly and firmly as he didn’t want to leave the castle just yet. He had someone important to confess to in every way. Not wanting to wait, he broke his and the sword’s cells and grabbed the blade with his mutated arm. “Are you finally giving in?” “I’m not going to let humanity’s mistake be Equestria’s to deal with.” “Do you even know what to do?” “Cannibalize the cells of Singularity and Devour Apocalypse with a third party.” The blade immediately started to inflict pain on Allen as it had figured the AGE’s plans from those words alone. It hurt to carry the sword as it was actively trying to escape it’s holders grip, a feat that would have been possible had Allen not used his mutate arm to clasp around the blade akin to a handle lock.

Walking out, the guards saw Allen and assumed he would attack from the sword’s output though their weapons had no effect, denting and breaking off as the AGE’s skin seemed to pale. Walking the halls, he saw the one pony he’d come to appreciate, maybe even love, but his circumstance would not allow for a happy matrimony nor a healthy or even happy family. Their genetics were too different for one, and even with magic in play to make up for it, the children would have bodies of aragami, putting Honey Dew at risk to carry even one child. Almost like he had earphones in, a sound could be heard faintly, telling of his few happy days, his little time here, how his life could have been different if he were more human than aragami. Coming up to the wing he intended to find, he bumped into the mare he sought.

“Allen? But why-” Honey was cut off by his finger.

“Please listen Honey, I need to go.” He could feel his heart tense as he said that, could almost feel hers’ too. “My life style, my genetics… we could be happily wed, but given Celestia’s hatred, my nature, and the lifestyle you have already, neither of us would be happy. I’m not doing this out of spite or hate, but rather out of your care and safety. Maybe if I were less aragami, I’d be a better choice, more humble or even more caring, but as it stands… I’m a trigger to something far worse than me.” His heart couldn’t take it as he stole a kiss from the fare maid and started to retreat with pain in his eyes. “Goodbye, honey.” He ran the other way, far faster and swifter than he knew he could, but the way to the tree would be fraught with guards, the six elements and even Celestia.

“YOU WILL NOT STOP ME YOU HEAR! THE DEVOURING APOCALYPSE SHALL PROCEED AS INTENDED-” Allen struck the gem on the blade, temporarily ceasing it’s incessant rambling as the AGE’s current focus turned to the hall and into the main fouyer, where Solar guard were lined wall to wall.

“Halt human in the name of-” Allen shoved past them, beating the main door down and to the outside as he turned to the direction of the Everfree. More guards from the pegasus race tailed him. Close behind and weapons ready, they took potshots at the AGE with none of the blades breaking through his skin. A battalion, in response, was station further down his path, armed with heavy lances that need the aid of unicorns to lift. Upon sight, they held firm as Allen swung the blade around, sending multiple elements enhanced with wind to the blockade as the blast weakened the defence for the God Eater to punch through without hurting anyone.

Further down, blockade after blockade fell with no casualties, but letters were sent from each to Celestia as her unicorns brought more and more of her forces closer to the Tree of Harmony. Soon enough, all of Celestia’s guard were atop the cliff overlooking the tree’s cave entrance. Allen had made it to the cliff, stopping short of the army of armor clad guards. “There is no point going further human. Go back to your cell and I will ensure a minimal sentence.”

“Of life I imagine.” Celestia’s nostrils flared as she snorted, steam coming out. “I told you the risk and you plan to wait, not me. I’m taking the initiative. Slander and smear my name all you want but leave Honey out of it, or I promise that your life will be hell from beyond my grave.” He aimed his blade to her. “Now stand aside Celestia. I have to do this.”

“What you have to do is-” The mare was interrupted as, like before, Allen swung the blade as a wall of different elements washed over her and her guards. Casting a canceling spell, she banished the effect but briefly lost the human finding him enter the cave and teleporting in, closer to the tree. Inside she saw him thrashing against the ground and wall, slowly making progress to the tree of harmony. Restraining him against the wall, she then jabbed her sword outward, targeting his chest before a deep blue aura surrounded the blade. “What are you doing Luna!?”

“Preventing another mistake.” The two sisters began fighting like their time when Luna became Nightmare Moon and as Celestia focused on Luna, the restraints fell as guards surrounded the cave entrance before the thestral showed up, occupying them as well. Allen was now holding his right arm in pain as it lost its mutated form, the blade trying to escape his grip. The trigger was still in play as Allen dying would start the end of the world, but it know what Allen was attempting and didn’t want to take the chance. Before Allen could crawl halfway through the cave, the six mares that wielded the elements, and their extra, Starlight Glimmer, stood in his way.

“You’re not going any further human!” Rainbow shouted.

“You were lying from the very start weren’t you?!” Applejack seethed.

“Wanting to take the trees power or destroy it to be stronger shows us your greed.”

“You never wanted to be our friend did you?” Twilight pestered.

“SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU JUST SHUT UP!” His enhanced physiology allowed his scream to be head across the now present battlefield. “YOU THINK I’VE TURNED TAIL FOR POWER? I HAVE TOO MUCH POWER, POWER I WANT TO EXTINGUISH!”

“Then why break out of prison and attack they guards?” Rainbow questioned still miffed.

“So I can end this perpetual cycle.” The girls didn’t budge. “Time and again since it started making plans to revert Earth to a state of lifelessness, the Oracle cells have made singularities to bring the end of the world. For once, there is something that could end this, but I need to end it in a specific way or this damn blade will have its way one day.”

“And why should we trust you?” Celestia question with anger, ready to strike.

“BECAUSE PRETENDING NOTHING IS WRONG IS THE SAME AS LYING!” Those words struck everyone hard. “I can’t pretend nothing is wrong when my death will mean the end. That will only spread misery from my dishonesty and I can’t live with myself like that. I have the chance to save this world. I have no humans to save or a home to return to. I have someone to care for but our differences won’t make are future bright, so I have to return to darkness!”

“We can fight the aragami if that happens.” Celestia said proudly.

“NO YOU CAN’T! NO ONE CAN! eVEN NUCLEAR BOMBS HAD NO AFFECT AND THESE CELLS ARE AS TOUGH AS ANY FICTIONAL METAL! IT TAKES AN ARAGAMI TO KILL ANOTHER ARAGAMI, THAT IS WHY GOD EATERS WERE MADE IN THE FIRST PLACE! I TOLD YOU THIS!” The six were conflicted like the first time. “I’m giving my life and this sword to that tree and ending this cycle!” Allen gripped his arm tight, picking himself up with renewed vigor as the sword tried to make him drop it, all the while, he could almost hear a sad song before Twilight, Starlight and Rarity, like before helped him along. The blade was still heavy and Starlight was not faring any better than her friends. Celestia tried to get in, only to be stopped by Luna. Hoisting him to the tree, they pushed the blade to his chest as it ripped through him like paper. The tree was not so easy to enter, as his vitals started to drop. After he flatlined, flesh burst forth from the blade, pushing the girls aside and forming serpentine shapes and bodies as heads and mouths were formed biting and killing the guard with Celestia and Luna only narrowly dodging the fangs.

The girls looked back and saw his face. He wasn’t smiling or angered. He looked content, having accepted his fate. The girls looked outside and saw the ensuing chaos. Speaking of, Discord was nowhere to be seen, though given how strong Allen was alone, these things may just have innate resistance to chaotic magic through strength alone. Guards were dropping and the princesses landed in the cave before they actively bickered, the conversation having no understanding as the girls watched helplessly. Without their elements, they can’t stave off or seal the beasts and with Allen dead, killing them was out of the question. It seem hopeless before the girls heard a mare’s straining. Turning back, they say Honey Dew trying to lift the blade. “It’s no use Honey Dew. He’s gone.” Fluttershy said.

“I know, I’m trying to help him... finish his mission.” She continued. “He’s right. Given how we are, our children would suffer. A miserable or hazing life would be all that awaited them. He wasn’t thinking just of my happiness, but of children he’ll never have, children he always thought of. I may not be his, but I’m not leaving his life over something like this.” She tried even more, pushing as her hooves had no traction, before the seven mares put in their effort. Luna was quick to join, using her strength and magic to help lift the blade while Celestia seethed as her sister sided with the humans a second time. Their results were better yielded as the tree glowed with the blade stabbed through. The mass that had been spilling out to Equestria was being sucked back in, all the while, the blade, which was silent until now, was forced back in and screaming in defiance as it and Allen were swallowed by the tree. Day broke over Equestria as Honey sat at the base of the tree. Placing her hand to it, it glowed where her hand rested but faded when she pulled away. Looking defeated, the girls came to her aid, helping her out of the cave as the Sisters went back to Canterlot, sour at each other for the same source but a different reason.

Within the cave however a symbol was made, resembling a fierce wolf.