Thank Faust the fighting was over. Hestaria was more than just tiered of these bugs; she was more than ready to cause their extinction just so she wouldn't have to fight them anymore. These useless insects were just making her life a living hell and nothing else. And no matter how many she killed, no matter how many fives she raided, there were always more to take their place. Hestaria quickly found Ephi. She saw the darker red streak trickling down his left foreleg.

She ripped his armor off and dragged him over to a medic. He was busy fixing more serious injuries to really do anything so he tossed her some gaze and told her what to do. She forced him to sit still long enough to treat what could be a possible infection and wrapping his shoulder. Nexus came walking down the main street where they were all setting up. The ship floated over the two story building as the villagers started to come out and marvel at what they were seeing.

The reporter translated for Nexus as best he could to them. Hestaria wasn't surprised to see that the villagers were zebras. Hestaria had spent enough time in Canterlot to catch up on some reading. What surprised her was that Ephi was surprised. Nexus walked over to her and Ephi just as he tried to get up again. She forced him to sit back down and continued bandaging his shoulder.

"Well," Nexus started. "their water supply is poisoned as it is and it'll take a day or two to to purify the river water and around four months for the wells to be pure again. Mostly seeing how we can't purify the well. Not unless you want to dig up the well."

"So what are we going to do about it?" Ephi asked.

"We can give them the tools to do it but nothing more."

"What!?" Ephi shouted in anger.

"I'm sorry Ephi. But there isn't much we can do about it. We have our mission and a ticking clock before Firebrand catches up with us. If they catch us before we get Sombra then Sombra's going to get a VERY rude awakening when he sees what Sombra has for him."

"Then let him get he wants. These people need our help."

"Ephi, hold still." Hestaria told him as she finished bandaging his left shoulder.

"Listen Lieutenant Ephialtes, I really want to stay back and help them, but we can't. We have a lot of things to do before we can think about being humanitarian."

"Humanitarian? These people aren't going to last as scared as they are. We have to leave troops here to make sure the changelings don't attack again. This just isn't humanitarian, this is common decency! Help thy fellow pony and that bull shit." Ephi said standing up.

"Ephi."

"Lieutenant, I would suggest you follow my orders. We're not leaving any troops here. Now prepare to leave."

"No, I'm staying here to keep an eye on these people and help them purify their water faster."

"No you're not."

"You're behind me right?" Ephi said looking back to Hestaria.

"Uh-"

"Don't answer that Lieutenant. Ephilates, you are not staying here. That's an order."

"You choose your troops based on their ability to act on their own and to know when their heart is important than orders. This is that time, Captain. Hestaria and I are staying here."

Hestaria was stunned. She had never heard Ephi talk to Nexus like that. In fact, she'd never heard Ephi talk that way at all. He was usually calm and nice, now he was stern and demanding. He and Nexus stared down one another for what seemed like forever. Hestaria wouldn't be surprised if the ground around them turned to glass from the heat being thrown from one to the other. Nexus groaned he knew Ephi had a point; he encouraged ponies to act against orders if they can do something else to help the betterment of the ponies around them and their fellow troops.

"Fine. Stay behind. Just know that if you stay here, there's less grantee of a ride back."

"And why's that?" Hestaria asked even though she was being roped into this.

"Because there's a reason you two are my lieutenants. It's not because you're good fighters, it's because I trust you. That's why you're in my close circle of officers. Everypony out here is afraid of persecution but you two. You know we're not here to go against Celestia; we're here to fight for Equestria. I taught you to question your orders before you follow them. I can't stop from doing this, but just know this. When things go wrong when we find Sombra, there is no backup plan if you stay behind." Nexus spread his mechanical wings and launched himself into the air, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

"Why'd you drag me into this?" Hestaria asked.

"Like you'd let me try and keep a village going on my own."

"Point taken, but why me?"

If it was at all possible, Ephi started to blush. "It's because I really don't want to be without you."

"Y-you don't?"

"Of coerce! I love you." Ephialtes quickly put a hoof over his mouth from that last part.

Hestaria was left breathless. He'd said it so many times before, but that was after extensive time in bed and not sleeping. He'd never said it unprovoked before. Now she was the one blushing like a little filly.

"You do?"

"Well, yeah. You're my best friend."

"Best friend?"

"Relationships aren't just sex Stari." Ephi said his face redder than usual. "You're like the sister I never had, and the friend I always wanted."

"Now's as good a time as any." Ephialtes thought to himself. "You're what brings out the best in me."

"Ephi, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying-" "Oh Faust help me if I choke now!" "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Ephi, if you're saying what I think you're saying-"

"I am. Hestaria, when we get home, will you marry me?"

"Oh my God…"