Smoked filled the air, fires burned across the city and the sounds of the pegasi crashing into the ground was clear as crystal for miles. Screams projected across the battle zone as civilians were destroyed under the feet, or rather hooves of my new army! This day I shall win. This day is mine! Mystic walked up to my side, he was wearing battle armour that I specially developed for him.

"Wonderful isn't it?" I asked, sniffing the air. The smell of cordite filled the air. I didn't trust my infected army with high powered laser weapons so I just gave them old rifles used on Earth.

"Soon the world will know your name my lord!" Mystic said.

"I wonder how Project Machina is doing?

"My lord?"

"You know, the automatic defences put up by Lucas". Suddenly a dart pierced my neck. I picked it off.

"What in the world?" A flurry of darts soon followed, striking me in the neck several times. I dropped to the floor. I was forced to turn back into Lucas! Mystic soon fled, hoping not be detected by Lucas as the second commander.

I picked myself up. What on Equus happened? I just went to the toilet and...mother of God. Canterlot was in ruins. However no time to soak in the scenery as several infected began to swarm me. Well, fuck. My legs began to work faster than they ever had done before.

"DEL!" I shouted, trying to avoid smashing into trees.

"Yes sir?" DEL responded, sounding like nothing is happening.

"Activate Project Machina! Canterlot is under attack, initiate emergency protocols!"

"Right away sir. Do you want me to take command?"

"Yes, I need to defend the princesses!"

"Sending transport pod to your location sir".

"If you weren't a stationary computer I could kiss you right now!" I heard several hoofsteps thunder down the hill. Time to be creative! I got some vines and tied them to a tree then tied the other side to a grenade. I predicted where they will be and placed it down there. I hid in some bushes and waited. Come on you sons of bitches! One unlucky victim snagged the wire. Click...time to get the hell out of here! I ran away and the pod soon came for me. The infected screamed at it but the grenade soon exploded, turning them into confetti. I jumped in the pod and soon plotting a course for Canterlot Castle.

The pod hovered up into the air and sped to the castle.

"Attention, message incoming".

"On screen,"The two princesses soon came up, dressed in battle armour, shit armour if I may say so.

"Lucas! Where have you been, we have tried to contact you since the attack on the gala!" Celestia asked urgently, turning once in a while to lookout for infected I presume.

"Well I woke up in the bloody command camp so I don't think I had time for a cup of tea and a chat!"

"Lucas, where are you right now?"

"About 50 feet above the castle," I set down on the roof and jumped out. I took my trusty Lee Enfield with me and ran downstairs. I then met Celestia and Luna in the throne room.

"Lucas!" Luna shouted, running towards me and hugging me.

"Glad you are safe, now what are we up against?" I asked, looking at the screen Celestia had conjured, "Interesting, good tactic. Not good enough". I grinned.

"OK DEL, time to shine!"

"Yes sir, Sentinels deploying in 3...2...1," DEL counted and soon a much louder crash was heard. Large metal ponies with several armaments attached soon littered the streets.

"Incoming transmission from unknown source," The PAD informed me.

"On screen," A text message came up. It read.

Dear Lucas.

I am the only one who knows of Project Sol, Project Rebirth and the schematics for the PAD other than you and Mystic. I even have one attached, same as you. It seems you are in a bit of a pickle. No worries, I hope this support can help you in your plight. Expect assistance soon, you will need it. Oh and good luck with Luna.

Signed, Your new friend.

"What the actual fuck?" I asked myself. Who was this guy, and how does he know about all this. He seems friendly and will not cause harm, and we need allies in this time of need.

"Sir several air units are inbound Canterlot," DEL reported.

"What, can you get a feed?"

"Yes sir, connecting..." A feed of...no. It can't be! three fighter/bomber units flew into Canterlot and began to bombard the enemy controlled areas. The guards soon began pushing back. I could only smile as victory was beginning to seem within reach. Sentinels butchered through the infected. We still suffered heavy losses though. Even though we had advanced technology and weapons, we weren't invincible.

"New message from Custom Name, The Infected Alliance". Well well, a surrender.

"On screen," A small video message soon played. A shadowy figure in a hood guarded by 2 infected in the background.

"I am the commander of the Infected forces assaulting Canterlot. You may be winning at this moment, but you will lose. For we are Pestilence's chosen and you are all heretics! Today you shall all die a heretic's death!" Soon as the message ended the sky filled with green. Oh shit.

"DEL seal off Canterlot sectors twenty to twenty nine using shields! Seal off the other sectors, separate them from twenty to twenty nine!

"Lucas! What is the meaning of this!" Celestia shouted, running from her balcony to me.

"The other sectors are doomed, the infected have used what I could only describe as a spore super-weapon. Those already affected are beyond saving. I am sorry Celestia but it is either one third of Canterlot or all of Canterlot. Your choice". I could see she didn't like it one bit. I saw tears form but soon she stood strong.

"Go ahead," She said quietly, soon going back to the balcony.

"Continue with the sealing DEL".

I walked out to the balcony and saw the force field generators activate. A gigantic bubble of energy soon enveloped the castle. Soon my PAD bleeped once more, a message from my new friend.

Lucas,

Well done, you did the best choice. Even I knew that the battle would of been a swift victory for them, no matter how much we try. I will stay in touch. I will help you once more and my force will have to return home. Good luck.

Signed, Your New Friend.

"Man of mystery, you interest me so much." Soon the three aircraft bombarded the command centre. Infected began to retreat, the guards pushed forwards. Sentinels began to slaughter infected. Infected slaughtered guards. This soon stopped as the infected began to thin out. Things were looking up for us now. Me and Luna looked out to the ruined city. Day began to dawn once more. The light shone upon the ruined city.

"Luna," I said. She then looked up at me.

"I am joining the Rangers. I want to take out this commander. He has taken too many lives, for this, he needs to pay!"

"No Lucas! I do not want you to leave! You can't leave!"

"Why not Luna? Why not! You have seen the blood spilled today for yourself! This commander cannot life no more! He must pay in blood for the foals orphaned, the mares and stallions widowed or having their children ripped from their own hooves!"

"I need you! We need you!" She shouted, she began to sob.

"We?" I asked.

"Oh buck," she whispered.

"Luna if there is something I need to know, tell me!" I shouted, still worked up.

"Please, let us go inside and rest. We have had too much on our hooves. I will tell you later today," She trotted inside. I looked at the balcony once more and saw Sentinels mercilessly exterminating the infected like flies.

1 Hour after the main wave of forces the commander finally announced a retreat. Thanks to him not using radios and literately shouting retreat. I walked inside and sat down. Suddenly the Mane 6 burst into the door.

"Lucas!" Twilight shouted, running up to me.

"Twilight, you are OK!"

"Luckily the infected were staved off by that force field in Ponyville you set up. We couldn't leave though until you powered it down".

"Y'all must be hungry. How about I bake us some apple goods?" Applejack asked. Everypony nodded in reply, including me. The other 4 accompanied Applejack which left me with Twilight.

"Twilight, I need to ask you do something". She looked at me in confusion. I picked my rifle and handed it to her, "I will be teaching you how to use these soon. I know you wanted to know how to". She smiled at me in glee.

"Thank you Lucas!"

"For the past few weeks theories have come up that I am the infected leader. I just transform into him from time to time," Twilight looked at me in shock, "If the time comes that I or rather this creature goes out of control. I want you to shoot me".

"What?" Twilight asked in disbelief.

"You heard correctly. Please do it when it happens, for Luna's sake, for Equestria." It took her several minutes to figure out what I just said. Soon she came up with an answer.

"OK," She squeaked.

"Thank you," I hugged her, "I know this is hard".

It was soon dinner, the Mane 6, The Princesses and I had gathered round the table. A deafening silence was present in the room. I could almost hear somepony's blinking. We soon finished our meals and I walked outside. I heard Luna follow me. I leaned on the balcony and overlooked the city. It was a wreck.

"Lucas," I turned around. I saw Luna in the same state as the city itself.

"Luna, what is wrong?" I asked in serious concern. What is going on!"

"I won't let you join the Rangers. It is too dangerous," I frowned.

"For crying out loud! Why! You are not telling me why! Why Luna! WHY!" I shouted at the top of my voice, my voice thundered across the desolate streets.

"Lucas..." She sobbed.

"I am so sorry Luna, but I need to know," I hugged her she then looked at me, eye to eye.

"I..." She hesitated," I... I am...."

"You are what? Sick? Injured?" I asked, trying to get the answer out.

"I am pregnant," She finally said, so quietly I could just about hear it.

"You...you...you are..." I stammered. I soon fainted before I finished my sentence.