An overcast sky roiled overhead, gloomy and threatening rain. The sun had just crested over the horizon, lending its glow to drive away the dark of night. A weak, gray glow filtered through the clouds, but failed to shed much light on the foreboding wood.The large trees sheltered from view whatever may have made the vast tract of timberland their home. The strange calls of those unknown inhabitants echoed through the dark boughs as their makers woke for the new day. A nip blew on the weak wind, strangely cold for this time of year. Under the sound of wind was the creaking of old trees shivering; the forest's groans carried on the breeze, a ghostly, haunting wail.

Beads of dew collected on the slanted roof of the small house tucked near the vast, trackless forest. Jaze stared out from the door at the thick, gray clouds, a steaming mug enfolded in his gleaming, metal left hand. His other hand was tucked under his arm to ward off the chill. At least the robotic digits didn't mind the chill. The wind was easily cutting through his loose, gray shirt, and stole away what little warmth he could shiver up. The weather was still out of control as recovery continued in the ruined sky-city of Cloudsdale. There was still so much to be cleaned up before anyone could live, or even work there again. And until then, everyone would have to live with the unpredictable weather. At least the cold, bitter rain that had plagued the area for the past two days had finally stopped. He already missed the usual, balmy climate the ponies had kept their planet.

He brought the mug to his lips for a quick sip of the delicious, hot, dark drink it contained. The warm, nutty, sweet coffee slid down his throat and left a soothing warmth in his stomach. His thoughts turned back to Cloudsdale, and the reports he had heard. So many hurt or worse, so many left without a home to go back to, even if it were only for the time being. The war had done so much damage, and there was so much to do.

At least he knew he would be able to count on the equine inhabitants of Gaia. The first, non-human race that had been encountered in the long foray into space had been a hostile race of artificial-constructs, the Cye, bent on no less than the destruction of humanity. He had been in the thick of that fight, until a chance encounter over a potential colony world ended up with his spacecraft crashed into the forest ahead of him. Unfortunately, he had been discovered and the new world set upon by a large force of the metal beings. Not even three days ago had Jaze recovered after having fought deep into a massive station that served as a sort of headquarters and flagship for the human who was somehow commanding the Cye, Carn.

Jaze's fist tightened against the mug at the thought of that fiend. It had been he that orchestrated the entire assault against humanity in the first place. The insane man thought to pass judgment on the whole human race, and consign everyone to extinction. But the joint efforts of human and pony soldiers had driven back the hordes of androids until he and Trixie managed to plant a bomb deep in the heart of the Cye station, annihilating it and breaking the Cye's attack in the process.

The hazy, almost dream-like run to the safety of his friends' fighters flickered through his mind. If it hadn't been for Trixie, he never would have made it back. He smiled and felt a warm glow suffuse through him at the thought of the azure unicorn. She had kept him going during the worst times. They had met in the same forest he crashed in, the Everfree. She had become one of his best friends, and was now something more. Her love was a balm for the horrors that seemed to pile up as the conflict had raged on. When it was over, at least on this planet, he had expected to be torn away from the beautiful world and the mare he had come to love and made to finish the fight.

His long time friend and current leader of the remaining human forces Admiral Gaston had arranged for Jaze to stay behind. He was to oversee the recovery of any technology or materials that could be used to discover anything more about the vicious android race, as well as assist the ponies in clearing the aftermath. A small, token force of the best and brightest of the human armed services, the StarSide Marines, had been left to establish a more permanent base of operations, as well as quartet of ships to sift through and collect the debris clustered over the planet.

It was going to be a daunting task, Jaze was sure. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of derelict starcraft ranging from small fighters to enormous carriers. Not to mention the millions of defunct robots littering the fields of battle. This world had seen some of the most gruesome fighting, but it would recover. It may take them years to fully scour the remnants of war from the area surrounding the small town of Ponyville. But at least when it was over, some peace might return to the wonderful planet he found himself on.

Peace. The idea of it made him pause. Most of his life had been consumed by some conflict or another. It would be strange to finally settle down. His smile grew a little wider. He already had a family it seemed. He and Trixie had taken in a young pegasus filly orphaned in the fall of Cloudsdale, Zephyr. She had been nothing but sweet since coming to live with them. She seemed to have adapted fairly well to her new surroundings, though she still had trouble with nights. She was plagued by nightmares from her ruined home, and slept cuddled between he and Trixie to feel safe. To be honest, Jaze didn't mind a bit. In the short time he had known her, that little filly had wormed into his heart with ease. She never failed to make him smile with her innocent ways.

A nearly silent yawn from behind him drew Jaze from his reverie. It took a moment for him to realize that, as he had stared, many of the clouds had wandered elsewhere to cause problems. The sun's light had begun to shine in earnest, and already it was getting warmer. He turned away from the brightening day to see Trixie standing in the door to their kitchen. A steaming mug much like his levitated in a lavender field of light just before her face, the same glow encasing her horn. Her silver-laced white mane was still a mess from crawling out bed. The violet pools of her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, despite the apparent tiredness. The unicorn smiled broadly and waved her hoof toward the couch. Jaze hardly spared a glance toward the furniture before returning the smile and strode unhurriedly toward it.

He reached the couch ahead of the azure mare and sank into its comfortable embrace. The well-used cushions formed around his body and gave just the right support as the whole thing creaked slightly. He couldn't help but relax into the seat, though he worried he might fall asleep again. The area next to him sank as Trixie curled up beside him. She pressed against his side, careful not to let her coffee tip along with her. The warmth of her body seeped through his shirt as she nestled against him. His arm instinctually wrapped around her shoulders and hugged her close; his hand gently rubbed along the soft fur of her foreleg, while the other, black-gloved hand held the slightly-cooled mug.

“Good morning beautiful.” Jaze purred as he gave a brief squeeze, “How did you sleep?”

Trixie groaned loudly as she stretched across the couch. “Not very well I am afraid. Zephyr kicked me awake several times.”

He frowned and looked down at the top of the mare's head.“Should we make her start sleeping in her own bed? You're going to need your rest; we’re gonna have a lot of work ahead of us.”

The unicorn turned to look up at him, a wide beautiful smile gracing her features. She reached up to let her lips graze his cheeks in a tender kiss. A tingle ran from the brief contact all the way down to his legs. The soft, short fur on her lips against his bare skin was one of the most amazing things he had ever felt. It may as well have been a bolt of lighting hitting him; his muscles no longer wanted to work. Everything quivered, and he might have fallen over had she not been so tightly pressed against him. Any thoughts he may have had melted away, lost to the sweet feeling of her love.

“Don't worry about it.” she murmured in a silky purr that melted his heart. “It's just as nice to have her cuddle up against us at night. Perhaps it's better than a decent night's sleep.”

“I uh... I guess.” he managed to reply; his lips were feeling strangely numb. “But don't you think she might need to anyway? She can't sleep with us forever, right?”

“After everything that poor filly's been through, I think she deserves it for a little while longer at least. It's not so bad, really.”

“You're right of course.” A sudden yawn racked him, and rolled his shoulders in a quick stretch. His gaze flicked behind him to the doorway before coming to rest on the pony laying against him once more. “Where is she? Still asleep?”

“Yes. The poor sweetie is exhausted. There has been a lot going on recently, just let her sleep for at least a little while longer.”

Jaze let his lips curl into a tight grin. His tone dropped conspiratorially low, almost inaudible unless Trixie leaned even closer. “Of course, because I want to be alone with the most beautiful creature I've ever seen.”

She rolled her eyes, though a touch of crimson colored her cheeks beneath her azure fur. “Oh stop it.”

“No I mean it!” he insisted playfully. His fingers ran through the strands of her mane, brushing them this way and that. “Your amazing, silvery-white mane is so gorgeous and soft.” His hand slid down out of her hair and onto her neck, gently massaging the muscles under her fur. “And then there's your coat. It's such a beautiful blue.”

His fingers trailed back up her neck, stopping at her jawline. He felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold run through her body, but she made no move to stop him. His thumb gently grazed just below her eye as a gentle laugh rolled from his lips. “And your eyes. Oh god your eyes. Violet is not a color you see in human eyes, at least not naturally.”

“J-Jaze!” she stammered. The red patch had spread across the bridge of her nose, darkening with each word he said. “Th-that is quite enough! I am not as...”

His fingers under her chin brought her head up slightly, silencing her. She turned even redder as he stared into the deep, violet pools sparkling with the sunlight. He leaned a little lower, brushing her lips with his in a gentle kiss. He heard a small noise escape the mare that was lost against him. There was no space for breath between them, and he didn't need it. This time, she lost all control as she slumped against him. His hand under her chin moved slowly up to caress her face.

He pulled away, earning a small, annoyed groan from the pony. A chuckle racked him, his voice staying low as he murmured, “And you have such kissable lips.”

Trixie exclaimed, though still whispering, “Stop it! You should not just have your way with a defenseless mare you brute.”

His smile broadened. “Oh come on, you liked it.”

“Th-that changes nothing!” she cried, “It is not gentlecoltly!”

“Never said I was a gentleman.” Jaze teased.

Her hoof thudded against his chest hard enough to drive a small grunt from his throat. Though her mouth was a thin, serious line, her eyes betrayed her with the mirth sparkling within them. “Well, you should be!”

He set his cup on the nearby table, and wrapped both his arms loosely around her neck. One hand raised to the side of her head, pulling it against him. She didn't fight the embrace, and turned her body a little to slide a hoof between the small of his back and the sofa. A few strands of her mane tickled his chin slightly, but he refused to move to bat it away. A bit of hair was light price to pay for the honor of holding the beautiful mare against him.

“I'll try to clean up my act.” he promised, giving her a brief squeeze.

“Good.” Trixie muttered.

“But I can't promise anything.” She looked up at him, frowning at his smirk. The frown flattered almost before it could finish forming, and soon she was smiling along with him. Her head dropped back against his chest as her eyes closed.

He fell silent, just drinking in being here with the mare at his side. Her head lay against his chest, and he could feel each of her breaths filtering through his shirt. Just being able to hold her made his heart flutter. It almost didn't feel real, but he couldn't deny the warmth of her against him, or the softness of her fur against his bare arm. He never would have hoped to have gotten to a moment like this, where he could just be with the one he loved. His heart ached with how much he loved the pony he held in his arms, He could stay like this forever, and from the way Trixie snuggled against him, she must have felt the same. He let his eyes slide closed, enjoying feeling her chest stirring with every breath she took.

No sooner had his eyes shut then did a loud, urgent knock ring out from the door. Trixie jumped away from him with blinding speed Jaze almost couldn't follow, landing across the couch from him. He could understand her reaction; she must not have wanted anyone to see them together just yet. And he couldn't blame her; there was no telling how they might react. The last thing he wanted was to cause any trouble, for either of them.

Another smart rap at the door prompted him to rise, yelling crossly, “Hold on a second, I'm coming!” Whoever it was had better be important; this was cutting into his quality time.

He yanked open the door, his face set in a deep scowl. On the doorstep stood a white pegasus pony in the golden armor of the Equestrian Royal Guard with his hoof raised high for another knock. Underneath his gilded helm, Jaze could see sweat pouring from his forehead. His blue eyes widened at the sight of the much taller human standing before him, and his floating hoof snapped up into a sharp salute.

“Kn-Knight-General Ar-Armand, sir!” the guard called in a shaky, oddly high-pitched voice, “I b-be called Silver Tongue, and I-I-I be here to deliver a message from the Princesses to you.”

The guard fell silent, staring up at him. For a brief time, Jaze had managed to forget that he'd been inducted into the Royal Guard, and been given command during the Cye invasion. His title, as it had been explained to him, was mostly a formality, as the co-rulers of Equestria had wanted to have both sets of defenders under one command, but only a Royal Guard could be allowed to assume command of the ponies' warriors. So Princesses Celestia and Luna had made inducted him into the Guard; the very first human to be a part of it. He couldn't help a small, inward smile at that thought; he was more than proud to have fought beside the talented soldiers of the Guard.

Jaze raised an eyebrow at the Guard, grumbling, “So then, what's the message?”

“Ri-right!” the pegasus stallion nearly yelled, his entire face flushing a bright red.

He cleared his throat loudly, and tried to speak in deeper, more official tones, though his voice cracked back to its higher register with every other syllable. “Th-the Pr-Princesses of S-S-Sun and M-Moon, Day and N-Night, urgentl-ly request an audience with y-you to di-discuss the future of E-Eque-questria, and s-some sm-small ma-matters besides.”

Silver's shoulders relaxed, like he had dropped a heavy weight, and he continued with a relieved tone, “Th-that's the m-message. My team and I-I are to be es-escorting you to C-C-Canterlot.”

Jaze looked beyond the Guardspony to see a large, golden chariot-like vehicle pulled by two more, stark white Royal Guard pegasi. A snarl rose in his throat, though he managed to keep it from coming out in it's entirety. The resulting half growl, half groan made Silver Tongue flinch slightly. Of course he would be summoned now, he couldn't help but think. Everything had been too peaceful, too wonderful, for it to have lasted. His hand balled into an angry fist, the nails digging into his palm. Why did all the problems seem to land right in his lap?

He raked his black-gloved hand through his hair, scratching the back of his head in one motion. Returning his gaze to the Guardspony, he grumbled, “Give me awhile, I need to get ready.”

Without waiting for a response, Jaze slammed the door in the stallion's face. His scowl deepened. The Princesses knew full well where he was, and what he would be doing. They wouldn't have summoned him so suddenly and urgently if there wasn't something important on their minds. His thoughts scattered in every direction, conjuring images of disaster after disaster with each more terrible than the last. And what other small matters would they want to discuss? Nothing came directly to his mind, though a small weight settled into the pit of his stomach. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

He turned away from his spinning thoughts and the door to face Trixie. Her head was turned downward, her eyes hidden from his view. But even from here, he could see the frown on her face and the slump in her shoulders. His heart ached to see her like that, but he couldn't ignore whatever was going on. As much as he may not like it, he had duties to perform. He was being counted on by more beings than he cared to think about; he couldn't just let them down.

Jaze sighed, feeling his shoulders droop. With long, hurried strides he retook his spot next to the mare on the couch, wrapping his arm around her shoulders once again. She didn't lean into his embrace, though she didn't pull away either. Her body was still as wood, almost as if she weren't even breathing. He felt even worse than he had before, but she had to have known this would happen sooner or later.

“You are going then, are you not?” she asked in a hushed, flat voice.

“Yeah.” he replied, his voice cracking a bit, “What choice do I have?”

“Of course, what choice do you have?” Trixie hissed.

He pulled away, staring down at the top of her head. “Come on, Trixie, please. Don't be like that. I can't just...”

“I know!” she cried harshly. Through their thin contact, he could feel her whole body shaking, but he wasn't sure if she were nearer to screaming or crying. Maybe both. The unicorn paused for a moment, and took a deep breath before continuing in a softer tone. “I know. I just... It... We’ve only just gotten to spend a little time together, as something like a family, and it's already over. And now I feel like the mess we just went through is starting again, even if you don’t have to fight.”

“It was never really over.” he remarked dryly.

Trixie's face turned up towards his, tears glimmering on the rims of her eyes. Her voice was thick and cracking, enough that it made his own tears threaten to flow as she asked, “What do you mean it’s not over?”

Jaze swallowed past the lump that had abruptly formed in his throat, and replied. “There is still a war going on out there. We broke the spine of the Cye forces here, but they're still scattered across dozens, if not hundreds of worlds. Including Earth. And until we've eradicated their kind from the galaxy, we can't stop. They might attempt another uprising, while we're still recovering. A lot of good people, and ponies, died to give us this chance. We can't waste it.”

He paused, taking a deep breath. Memories of his friends, Vincent, Shelby, and Dmitri, rolled over him. Vincent and Shelby he had known for almost as long as he'd been a soldier, and Dmitri he'd only known for a few short weeks. The three of them had left with the rest of the human fleet to retake Earth after it had fallen to a massive Cye invasion. Part of him, Jaze had to admit, yearned to be there with them to regain control of the beautiful planet. Though he had been born elsewhere, Earth felt like home. Many people felt that way towards the birthplace of humanity.

“And I've still got friends out there. I'd feel terrible if I was sitting here, being happy with you while they're out there fighting. I can't leave you, but at least I can make sure that Equestria gets back on her feet.”

“I know, but...” The pony sighed, and whispered, “I just wish that we could have a little time together before you run off to save the world.”

Jaze put a smile on his face and gave the mare an encouraging, one armed hug. With a cheerful tone, he assured,“Well at least I'm here in Equestria, right? And the base isn't far away, it's just on the other side of town. It's not like I'm going to the moon or anything. You can always come visit. ”

“But, I wouldn't want to get in the way.” muttered the mare.

“I'll always find time for you, I promise. And after we've got Equestria cleaned again, then we'll have all the time in the world.”

Trixie sighed, and looked up to him with a smile. “You are right. I would not want to sit here with you while there is so much to be done either.”

She stood up from the couch and walked around towards the kitchen doorway, calling, “You had better get ready, those Guards are still waiting for you. Not to mention the Princesses.”