It seemed to be a pretty average day for Princess Twilight Sparkle. The young lavender Alicorn was attending court since it was on her royal agenda

“Sorry Blueblood. Because almost everypony in the country will suddenly come knocking at my castle gates begging me to reform that law. So I must say no.” she said once the white and blonde colored unicorn noble finished his request.

“But your highness-”

“My final answer is No. You are free to leave.”  

Blueblood ‘harrumphed’ and stormed out of her castle.

“Are there any more sir?” she asked the guard to her right.

“No ma’am. He was the last.” he replied, as stoic as ever.

“Thank Celestia. I don’t know how much more of that prat I can take! How the hay is he Princess Celestia‘s ‘favorite’ nephew!?” she asked. “That last one was rhetorical so, don’t try to answer please.”

“Of course your highness. Shall I have your chariot ready to return you to Ponyville?” he offered.

“No thanks Captain Phalanx. I’m fine teleporting. Doesn’t attract as much attention.” she said with a wink. “OH! And by the way Captain, could you please cancel all of next weeks courts? I will be indisposed and unable to hold court.”

“Yes your highness.”

And with a flash of purple light, she was gone.

Moments later she reappeared right outside the diner ‘Dandelion Dining’, hoping she might see a few of her friends inside. And sure enough, in their booth at the corner, each of her friends was reading through the menu.

“Hey girls.” Twilight said cheerfully as she took her seat.

“Twilight!” they all jeered happily.

“We were just talking about AJ hosting a sleepover at her place tonight.” piped a curly maned pink mare.

“Yeah, the family’s off in Dodge Junction for the weekend. Business stuff” the country mare smiled. “Got the place all to Winona and Myself. And by the way Twi, this kinda sleep over, wont follow the guidelines of that ol’ book.” she said as she shot Rarity a knowing look, baffling the other three.

“How wont this follow the book exactly?” the young princess asked.

“Darling, how old are we?” chided the fashion designer.

“Varying from 22 to 26. Why?”

“Twi, what kind of alcohol do ya like?” Rainbow asked suddenly. “Simple as that.”

Startled, Twilight fumbled for words as she started to blush.

“It’s okay Twilight. I don’t drink much either.” Fluttershy assured resting a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder.

“I- I don’t know. I’ve never tried alcohol before.” admitted the young alicorn.

“Well, tonight should be fun then.” the bubbly pink mare chided, literally bouncing in her seat.

Just then, the waiter came by their table and took their orders.

“So Twilight darling, how was dusk court?” The fashion designer teased, guessing the outcome.

“I’ll tell you girls tonight.”

The evening went by peacefully as the six mares ate in peace, telling jokes, Rainbow and Pinkie occasionally flicking a pea(or several) at other patrons. Most went unnoticed.

Within the hour, each mare had finished her dinner and was now on their way to Sweet Apple Acres.

“So girls, yours days went…?” chided the purple pony princess.

“Well, darling, you know how life at the boutique is. Make dresses, clean up, clean up after Sweetie Belle, eat dinner, sleep, repeat. Tonight is meant to break our monotonous cycles of a life.” Rarity explained with a warm smile.

“Family left today so I’ve been rather bored. Till I got a laugh throwin apples at a nappin Rainbow. Hehe” chuckled the cowpony. Much to rainbows irritation she grumbled as all the other ponies began to giggle.

“Hey Twi, what about Spike?” Rainbow asked suddenly curious.

“Oh. He’s in Canterlot for the weekend. Prin- Celestia asked him for some help.” she answered.

Nodding in understanding, Rainbow mouthed an ‘ah’ as they then went there separate ways to pack their things for the night to come.

_____________________

23:00 Hours

Sweet Apple Acres

“I must be honest girls, with all we’ve been through, I’m surprised we haven’t been out drinking sooner. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, Sombra, we’ve been through a lot.” Twilight said gingerly as she was handed her mug of hard cider.

Rarity suddenly found herself thinking why they haven’t been drinking sooner as well as she sipped her wine. In the background the sun had set, and the moon had begun to rise.

“So Twi, how’s the whole princess thing?” Applejack asked with a smile.

“To be honest it could be better. Tonight’s dusk court, I had to listen to Blueblood’s bickering.” gagged Twilight. “I‘ll never understand how he‘s Celestia‘s favorite nephew. And why the hay does he want to be Equestria‘s wartime chancellor!?”

“Ugh. Twilight, dear, I am dreadfully sorry that you have to deal with that… ugh.” Shuddered Rarity in disgust. “Sorry dears but I cant seem to find a word to describe that detestable… beast!”

Suddenly, the sound of Winona’s barking suddenly sent shivers down Applejack’s spine. It wasn’t often Winona barked aggressively so this was something different.

Quickly galloping outside into the crisp night air, Applejack yelled “Winona!? What is it girl?”

The barking continued as she and her other friends went off to investigate what it was that seemed to get under Winona’s skin. Quickly finding tracks of what seemed to be something bipedal running off into the nearby EverFree Forest, she stopped.

“They went into the forest? I aint goin’ in there past sundown. Whatever they took, they can keep it. C’mon Winona.” AJ grumbled, hoping what was stolen wasn’t too valuable.

Very quickly upon entering the barn house that was Applejack’s home, Pinkie

Pie was the first to notice a small note on the table. Grabbing it in her magic aura, Twilight read aloud.

“My sincerest apologies for stealing some of your harvest. But we are in desperate need of food. If we cross paths in the near future, I swear on my life I’ll work(or pay) whatever I owe for the fruit that we’ve stolen.

Signed

Ghost”

“Strange. Who would like to be called ‘Ghost’?” whispered Fluttershy in her usual demure voice.

Suddenly caught in thought, Twilight chided “Now that I think about it, I thought it was just the alcohol, but I felt a small burst of magic coming from the EverFree… Meh. Anypony want to play Truth or Dare?”

“I’m in!” the other five mares shouted excitedly.

Twilight giggled holding a hoof to her mouth. “Okay. I’ll go first… mmm Rarity. Truth or Dare?”

“Truth dear.” the fashionista smiled.

Twilight looked on at the alabaster mare trying to think of a question. “Okay. What gender do you hope your first born foal is?”

Inhaling sharply through her clenched teeth, Rarity began to think. “Oh I don’t know honestly. I’ve never thought about it… Though… if I were to pick… Filly.” looking on to see if everypony was satisfied with her answer, she smiled. “Applejack. Truth or dare?”

The question caught the cowpony off guard. Usually Rarity asks flutter shy or pinkie. She has never jumped straight to Applejack since Twilight’s first sleepover incident several years earlier.

“Dare.” she said simply.

Giggling as an idea formulated in her mind, she said “I dare you, to let me style your mane.”

Applejack sighed, knowing she was defeated, and laid down gingerly in front of Rarity as her hat was levitated off, and watched as brushes and various other mane care items floated over.

Within moments, what Applejack thought would feel like torture, for some reason, felt relaxing. Rarity wasn’t tugging on knots in her mane with the brush. But was instead brushing gently, quietly humming a tune as she teased the knots and tangles loose.

The lack of movement from Applejack however stunned Rarity. “Darling, forgive me for pointing this out but it seems as though your enjoying this.”

“Yeah AJ, I never took you for the kind of mare who’d enjoy that.” Rainbow laughed.

“Watch it RD. Or I’ll make you sit model for her.” AJ glared with a sinister smile. “Pinkie, Truth or Dare?”

“Truth.” giggled the bubbly pink mare.

Thinking for a moment, Applejack tried to compose herself while Rarity brushed and combed her mane. “Tell us something about yourself we’ve never heard before.”

“I have Split Personality Disorder.”

Every pony in the room was up to a point, shocked.

Giggling calmly, Pinkie explained. “Yeah, you don’t wanna meet her. Well you already have but I was struggling for control then. Her name is Pinkamina. You can always tell its her in control when I’m depressed and my mane and tail are flat. just… don’t get us too angry…”

“I’m afraid to ask what’ll happen.” Twilight said nervously.

Taking a big gulp from her cider, Pinkie sighed as if ashamed. “Remember that stallion on Unicorn lane who tried to throw eggs at me?” she asked. The group nodded. “He’s still in the hospital. Intensive care ward. I don’t remember what happened since it was Pinkamina controlling my body, but Doctor Stable said he was traumatized. So much so they needed a shrink to get him out of the fetal position. He wouldn’t tell me anything else.”

The group all looked at each other. Somewhat taken aback by what their normally happy, party going friend had just told them. Fluttershy was the first to speak up.

“Wow… it seems we all have a burden of some kind then…”

“You have a split side too Fluttershy?” Pinkie asked after pouring herself some rum.

Fluttershy had hoped she wouldn’t be put into the spot light like that but it was too late. “Uhm… well no… but I was… uhm… I was abused as a foal.” she tried to whisper. But the dead silence in the house countered her quiet whisper.

Everypony in the room set down their glass, and dropped what they were doing as they all came in to hug the yellow Pegasus. Each uttering their own reassuring words.

____________________________

2 Days later, Sunday

13:30 Hours.

Golden Oaks Library

Ponyville, Equestria

Twilight Sparkle & Rainbow Dash reading together.

Rainbow Dash looked up from her Daring Do novel, barely past chapter 3 where Twilight was most certainly past Chapter 13. She sighed contently as she saw Twilight, laying there just a body length away, carefully flipping through the pages. Dash watched her eyes, ever so focused, scan the page. Twilight may not have been an athlete, but her form was definitely one that appealed to Rainbow. Then her wings. Those regal wings that only Royalty had.

It wasn’t long before Rainbow began to feel warm and flushed. It took a glance from Twilight to make Rainbow’s wings shoot up with a familiar ‘fwoof’ sound.

“You okay Rainbow? Your looking a little flushed.” Twilight asked with concern.

Just then, Rainbow noticed she was caught. “I-I-I’m fine. Just, uh, got excited about… the book. Yeah the book.”

Within moments however, the pair were interrupted by a knock on the door. Sighing, Twilight got up, completely unaware her friend was ogling her again.

Opening the door, she saw her guard captain. “Yes?” she asked as he gave a respectful bow.

“Your highness. We’ve investigated the forest in the direction you said you felt bursts of magic, and we’ve found something.” The guard spoke with his low, somewhat raspy voice.

“Take me to it. Whatever you’ve found must be documented.” She said sternly. “Sorry Rainbow. We’ll finish reading together soon.”

“No problem Twi. Actually… would you mind if I went with you?” She asked hopefully, rubbing a hoof behind her neck.

“I don’t see why not. As long as your careful and don’t do anything too rash.” Twilight explained.

“I wont leave your side!” Rainbow half shouted with a salute. And with that, they left.

Further into the forest, Twilight spoke. “So Captain, care to explain what it is you think you’ve found?”

“It appears to be a camp. We found what appeared to be tents, a campfire area, cooking facilities, the lot. But it also seems abandoned.” he explained.

“Nothing is ever as it seems. I’d keep your guard up.” warned Rainbow cryptically.

“Smart choice Rainbow.” Twilight praised with a grin.

Within an hour, the group came to what appeared to be a heavily used, but abandoned camp site.

Twilight broke the silence, examining what she had been shown. “Strange… who ever this was, it was a large group. The footprints also seem off. I’ve never seen tracks like this before.”

Rainbow however, couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched. Her head constantly swiveling, scanning for anything out of the ordinary. It was by pure chance she looked up into the trees and saw what appeared to be something, wearing a black mask with what also seemed to be a white skull painted on its face. In that split second however, it jumped down from the tree, completely pinning Rainbow to the ground. Held at her neck, a very sharp knife. Looking around she saw guards, also being pinned and held hostage by these clothed and mostly masked bipedal creatures. The remainder of the guard that wasn’t pinned formed a circle around Twilight, with spears raised.

No pony was hurt, in those first few seconds. Twilight then called out. “Rainbow! Are you okay!?” the fear in her voice evident.

“I’m fine! I’m just pinned to the ground with a knife held to my neck!” she shouted.

“If you hurt my friend I swear to Celestia I will hunt you to the edge of Equestria!” the young alicorn yelled.

The masked figure looked down at the polychromatic Pegasus, analyzing what it had just heard. It then held out a hand and motion for all it’s friends to lower their weapons, and release the guards. Rainbow quickly shot out and made a bee line for Twilight, as did the rest of her guard.

The figure that pinned Rainbow then threw its knife, point first into the dirt. And dropped all of the other objects that remained on it. Excluding its clothes and bag. Twilight, noticing this took it as a sign of submission. Looking around, she saw the remainder of the group doing the same thing. Catching a glimpse of one of the group that was un masked, its features suggested it was similar to that of a primate. With a mostly pushed in face, left mostly furless.

Stepping forward, Twilight called out, “Which of you is the leader?!”

After none had stepped forward, she was about to ask if they understood her when the masked creature who had pinned and threatened Rainbow stepped forward, with its hands raised.

“You’re the leader?” she asked somewhat angrily.

“I am.” It said simply.

“What is your name?” she asked.

“Ghost.”

“You were the one who left the note of apology to Applejack 2 nights ago weren’t you!?” Rainbow shot angrily.

Glancing over at the rainbow maned Pegasus, he simply said “Yes. I do apologize, but we’ve been through a lot. We just lost 3 to snake bites.” his somber tone betrayed his stoic stare.

“I’m sorry. What kind of snakes?” Twilight asked sincerely.

Sighing, Ghost chided “We didn’t see the snakes that bit them. All we heard was a blood curdling scream from each of them, and they’ve been in agony. Unable to speak or think coherently. We were digging their graves when our scouts saw your guards coming up the hill.”

“How long ago did they pass?” she asked again.

“3 hours ago. They were in agony all night long. I can take you too them. If you know the bite mark, maybe we can identify the snake that did it.” Ghost explained.

“Not until you take off that mask.” Rainbow growled aggressively.

“Calm yourself Rainbow. They don’t want to fight and neither do we. He’ll take off the mask when he’s ready. May I see the snake bites?”

Ghost nodded and escorted Twilight and Rainbow to what appeared to be a medical tent. “We tried all we could but nothing worked, and the snakes eluded us so an anti-venom was impossible.” he explained lifting the blanket over their feet showing only the bites on their ankles and not their contorted faces.

Twilight inhaled sharply through her teeth, recognizing the bites almost instantly. “Fire Vipers. Nasty creatures those snakes. And Anti-venom for those bites are really difficult to make. You need to distill it through clouds about 8 times before letting it cool on ice. Then you add a drop of rainbow-”

“Pardon my interruption but what your saying is… ludicrous to say the least.” Ghost said rubbing his temples.

“No it’s not. I’ve seen it done before. I was bitten by one when I was 9, right after enrolling in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I’ve been afraid of snakes ever since. It was so painful but I remember watching as the Princess’ doctors mixed up the anti-venom for me. She knew I’d enjoy seeing that.” she said with a slight chuckle.

“I never knew you were bitten by a Fire Viper, Twi. Well that explains your reaction to Pinkie’s  prank last year.” Rainbow said extending a wing to Twilight’s shoulder.

“Water under the bridge. But still. I’m sorry for your loss. If you come with me to Ponyville then we can probably get you situated, and you can explain why your hiding in such a dangerous forest?”

“Long story. If you have alcohol I’d gladly explain it.” Ghost then walked outside and shouted “Alright everybody! Lets wrap it up, lock and load, and saddle up! These kind folk have extended a kind ha- er, hoof(?) of hospitality towards us, and we are to treat them kindly and with respect. If I hear of one incident, I repeat, ONE incident, of you either bad mouthing, or attacking because they’re different or for any reason what so ever, I’ll personally see to it, aw fuck it. You already know the drill! MOVE OUT!”

The authority in Ghost’s tone towards the group radiated his leadership. Until, what seemed to be an older, but unmasked figure came up, pulling Ghost away, whispering something to him.  It wasn’t long before Ghost shooed him away.

“Who was that?” Twilight asked calmly.

“My father. You’ll have to forgive him. And pretty much everyone else. We’ve been through a lot, and lost almost everything. Trust of others is a difficult thing for us to find these days.” Ghost explained as he calmly took his mask off. Revealing pale skin, a nasty scar on his right cheek below the eye, flowing brown hair neatly kept in a ponytail, and bloodshot and sleep deprived eyes. “’Ghost’ isn’t my real name either. It’s just my callsign. A nickname as it were. My real name is Logan Mason.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mason.” Twilight said as she offered her hoof. Aiden took hold and shook. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is my friend Rainbow Dash.”

“Just Logan please. But when I’m on the clock, it’s Ghost. Okay?” he said eyeing the two mares.

Twilight just smiled and said “Of course.”

“Now if you two ladies will excuse me, I have graves to dig and funerals to hold.” he said walking towards where the holes had been started.

“Hang on! Twilight said. “Look. We can take them back to Ponyville. You can burry them in the town cemetery. Once we get caskets made for them of course.”

Logan thought for a moment, then smiled. “Let me go ask their families.”

_____________________________

15:45 Hours,

Ponyville Memorial Cemetery

Ponyville

Twilight Sparkle had arranged a funeral service

The group of humans watched in sorrow as three caskets of various sizes were lowered into the ground. Tears fell as children and family wept. Quietly, Logan broke the silence between them and their new allies. “It’s sad they died in pain.”

“Again, I’m sorry for your loss. If you had come to us sooner we could have helped them.” Twilight explained quietly. “I know some of you still don’t trust us but I promise you. You don’t have to worry about that ever again.”

“I wont hold you to any promise but one. The promise of peace.” Logan stated as the graves began to be filled. He watched as a mother knelt at the foot of the smallest grave and sobbed. “Where will we stay? We don’t exactly like the idea of camping anymore.”

“I had a construction team diverted temporarily to help build you some homes. They should be done very soon. Id give them about three days. Until then there’s a motel not far from town hall.” Twilight smiled, trying to help.

“How do you have such authority here? You like, mayor or something?” Logan asked.

“Nope. Twi here is Princess Celestia’s personal student, and- uh… what was your official title again Twi?” Rainbow chided.

“Princess of Friendship and Guardian of the EverFree.” Twilight said.

“Sounds to me like your ashamed of that title.” Logan said with a cheeky grin.

“No. Twi just has a bad habit of underselling herself.” Rainbow giggled, elbowing Twilight, who blushed furiously. she then summoned a scroll, quill and ink well with her magic and began to write.

Instantly Logan’s curiosity spiked. “How’d you do that?”

“Magic.” she said casually. “Just writing a letter to Princess Celestia. Letting her know of your existence.”

“Uhm… that may not be a good idea.” he spoke, the nervousness betraying his poker face again.

“Why not?” asked the young princess just before sending the letter.

Sighing, Logan explained “It was government officials who started the war back home. We’re not… shall we say… government friendly these days.”

Confused, Twilight sent the letter anyway, much to Logan’s dismay. Within moments however, a second scroll appeared.

“She’s fast.” Rainbow quipped.

“My dear Twilight” she read aloud. “I formally request you bring the leaders of this group to the castle for a meeting. Show them some of our hospitality so to speak.”

“Heh… we just buried one of the leaders, and my partner. but I’ll inform the rest.” Logan whispered as he walked off to two somber looking folk.

Off in the distance, Applejack watched as Twilight and Rainbow Dash spoke to one of these strange new creatures from the Everfree. Slowly she approached.

“Howdy Twilight. Whatcha all got goin’ on here?” she asked in her usual country accent. However just as the words left her mouth, another scroll appeared in front of Twilight, who read it silently.

“Hey AJ. Twi n me-”

“’Twilight and I’ Rainbow.” she corrected autonomously.

“Right. Twi n I were investigating that large burst of magic she felt from the Everfree, and we found this whole group of strange creature that walk on two legs. I think they called themselves ‘Hyoomans’”

“They’ve agreed. As long as we are still allowed a few small arms. And the word is ‘Human’ my polychromatic friend.” Logan chided suddenly appearing behind Applejack.

Jumping, AJ shouted “Whoa Nelly! Where in Equestria did y’all come from?!”

“That is of little matter. I couldn’t help but notice you got a second scroll ‘Princess’. what does this one say?” Logan chided, sounding skeptic about Twilight’s official title still.

“Oh, this one just said for My friends to join us at Canterlot Castle tonight.” she smiled waving it off. “AJ, would you mind getting the rest of the girls together? We’ll board that train at in 15 minutes.”

“I’ll go Twi. I’m faster.” Rainbow said, shooting off into the sky leaving a rainbow colored streak behind her.

“Dayum…” Logan giggled as he, his sister, and his father worked their way towards the train station with Twilight and Applejack in tow.

Within minutes however, the remaining 4 mares caught up with the small group at the train station. The group of nine were then seated in their first class car. Within moments of contact with the soft cushions on the seats, the 3 humans promptly fell asleep.

__________________________

16:22 Hours

Canterlot Train Station

Canterlot, Equestria

Princess Twilight and Friends arriving for dinner

with the Princesses.

Logan slowly awoke as a yellow hoof gently shook him awake. Slowly he began to hear a very faint, but sincere and gentle voice.

“I’m so sorry to wake you, but we’re in Canterlot.” said the shy Pegasus mare.

Logan gave a deep, thoughtful sigh, and replied “Thank you for waking me. Never got your name by the by.”

Caught off guard, she blushed and quickly stuttered “I’m Fluttershy.” she squeaked.

Logan offered a gentle smile holding out his hand. “Logan Mason. Pleasure.”

Upon leaving the train, Logan found the street of Canterlot similar to any other  metropolis. Given his young life was spent on a farm, spending time in town was often a rare privilege. Even here he felt out of place an extraordinarily paranoid. Like there was always a set of eyes watching him. Even more so now.

“Talk about stranger in a strange land…” his sister chided in awe.

“Aye.” Logan began his slow, methodical walk to the castle. Memories flooded back to the front of his mind. All of them, grim and dark. All the things he, as well as his own friends and family had to do.

Logan continued his trek down memory lane, even as they approached the throne room. His look seem glazed over, staring at seemingly nothing.

The look concerned every pony in the room. Fearful he may be planning something. One pony however, reached out.

“Uhm… Logan? You there?” Fluttershy asked gently nudging his shoulder trying to nock him out of his stupor.

Quickly shaking his head, Logan found himself in the Throne room of Canterlot Castle. Rather than bow, he found himself giving a salute.

“There is little need for that. This is an informal visit.” spoke the smaller blue alicorn. “I’ve seen that look in your eye before. Mostly from old ponies who have seen a great battle or war. Have you seen such?” she asked gently.

It didn’t get past Twilight or Celestia that Luna didn’t normally take the initiative like that. Normally it had been Celestia to offer a kind hoof.

“Done more than seen your highness.” he spoke cryptically. Luna however noticed the strong amount of pain in his words. Looking over to his family(or what was left of it) and saw a similar look. Like they had done similar things, but Logan’s was worst. Like he had done something that they didn’t know about.

Looking down, she saw a small set of little metal plates on a chain around his neck. Levitating them up, she read “Ghost. Logan Mason, O positive, California Militia? Pray tell, what do these mean?”

“Those are my dog tags. Ghost is my Callsign. My name is Logan Mason. My blood type is O Positive, and I’m a member of the Californian Militia.” he explained, still looking Luna in the eye.

“So you are given identification should you perish in combat?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Why was your ‘Callsign’ Ghost then? You seem very much alive to me.” she asked skeptically.

“Callsigns are given to you. They represent either something important you’ve done in battle or represent a part of your personality.” Chided Logan’s sister. “His… was very unique. He had an innate ability to get in, and out, alive, very quickly, and near silently, leaving little to no trace. Those who were aware of his presence… they didn’t last very long.”

All while explaining, Luna’s attention, as well as everypony else’s attention had been drawn to her.

“And what was your ‘Callsign’?” Luna asked, intrigued. Unbeknownst to all members in the throne room, even the castle guard, Logan had managed to gently walk up to Luna’s throne, and take a seat, trying to be playful without being mocking.

“My Callsign is ‘Guardian’. I’m sure you can figure out why.”

Suddenly, without even thinking, Logan found himself drawn outside. Towards the castle gardens. Looking out the window on his right, he saw a labyrinth. Naturally his soft touch when it came to his walking, allowed him to leave the throne room unnoticed by even the castle guard.

Within minutes however, he found himself lost. He wandered aimlessly, trying to find some way out to the gardens.

“Are you lost?” came a gentle voice behind him. Looking back, he saw a young alicorn. However older than Princess Twilight, this one seemed still quite young.

“Quite. You know how to get to the labyrinth?” he responded.

“Of course. Its down that hallway, about three doors, then you take the fourth door on your left” she smiled.

“Thank you.” he said walking off. Following the pink alicorn’s directions, he quickly found the labyrinth, and began to make his way to the center.

Within the hour, he found the center, and began to let his memories over take his mind.

~~~~~

Flashback

~~~~~

Screams permeated the air, the smell of blood, concrete dust, and burned cordite flooded his nose. Carefully, he aimed…

KABOOM…

    KABOOM!

Logan continued his actions well until he ran out of ammunition. Even so, he continued to pull the trigger, to no effect. Finally, the enemy turned tail and ran. Logan stood, watching as the dust settled, revealing a score of scattered bodies, blood stained the desert sands.

Taking his time, he walked down the hill to look for survivors. Coming up to one of the bloodied bodies, he rolled the cadaver over. Right in front of him, a pair of familiar eyes, while lifeless, stared in panic. Underneath her body lay another, younger body. A child, probably only 11 at best, shot, her face frozen in agony and fear.

~~~~~

Present

~~~~~

Logan felt a familiar warmth begin to roll down his cheeks, quickly being replaced by a cold sensation because of the breeze.

Soon enough, more and more recent memories began to rise to the surface. It wasn’t long before he soon wept openly, quietly asking “Why so many?”

______________

Meanwhile,

Canterlot Castle Throne Room,

Canterlot, Equestria

“Hey, anybody know where Logan went?” his father asked curiously.

This quickly got the group of ponies’ attention. However,  the noise of the throne room also got their attention.

“CADENCE!” Twilight shouted as she ran over to the pink alicorn.

“Sunshine, sunshine, Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” they sang in unison.

“Sorry we’re late princess.” said a white and blue unicorn stallion. “but we ran into somepony who was lost and asked for directions.”

“Did this somepony walk on two legs? Covered from head to hoof in clothes” Celestia asked.

“Yeah now that you mention it…”

“What did he ask directions for?” Luna chided.

“The Labyrinth. Why?” responded Cadence.

In that moment, Rainbow Dash and Twilight both ran as fast as their hooves could carry them(of course Rainbow was flying but keeping pace with Twilight). They soon found them selves flying towards the center of the labyrinth. In the middle, they found a small, shivering mass of green, black, and brown with a nervous looking Discord above it.

“Discord, what did you do?” Twilight asked sternly.

“I didn’t do anything!” the draconequus quickly defended. “I heard sniffling and sobbing out here and decided to see what was up. I tried everything to try and cheer him up but nothings worked.”

Looking down, they all saw his sister Savannah run up and pull him into a gentle embrace.

Everypony looked around in confusion.

“Flashbacks” she said simply