“So you apparently know what’s going to happen in the next few days, am I right?” I ask when we leave the orchard.

“Yeah.”

“And you want to see it happen first hand?”

“Yup.”

“Are you going to just watch, or fuck everything up?”

“Just watch, and what do you mean by that?”

“You know if you intervene it could have… undesired effects?”

“Oh, I’m perfectly aware of that.”

“Good.”

“Yeah, it wouldn’t be greatest thing to change the future huh?”

“My thoughts exactly.” We’ve been walking through the town for a while, and we’re near the train station.

“Ey Ember!” I heard a familiar voice call out. I turn to where the voice came from.

“Hey Vinyl! What’s up?”

“Who’s that?” She points a hoof at Golden. I let him introduce himself.

“I’m Golden Streak, it nice to finally meet you, Vinyl.”

“Uh… how do you know me?”

“Ember’s told me about you and some of the ponies around here. You’re a Dj, right?” I roll my eyes and walk over to the station. I approach one of the windows and ring the little bell that sits on the table. A pony walks in front, who goes wide eyed at my presence.

“Good evening, can I have one ticket to Appleloosa please?”

“Uh... r-right away sir.” The stallion steps away from the window and comes back shortly with a golden-looking ticket in his magical grip. “Th-that will be four bits, please.” I snap my fingers and four bits bit appear in my hand. You think I carry around off my money? That’s a few tons of gold, not even I can carry that much weight. Anyway, once the bits collect in my hand I drop them onto the counter. And the ticket floats to me, I grab it and the stallion takes the bits.

“Thank you.” I offer a small smile. He smiles back, although a bit unsurely.

“Thank you sir, have a good evening.”

“You too… Gusty.” There was a little name tag on the shirt he was wearing. He full name being Gusty Cupcake. Kinda weird his last name is cupcake and he’s not a baker. Maybe he has two jobs? Eh…

“Thank you sir.” He returns the smile, with a notable confidence in his tone. I give him my signature wave, which is just me putting two fingers to my forehead and taking them off, almost like a salute, but casual.

“Hey Golden, got ya the ticket, here.” I hand him the ticket when I’m close enough.

“Thanks.” Him and Vinyl are still talking, something about EDM or some shit. I decided to head back home since I didn’t really have anything to do.

The walk home was pretty peaceful, though some of the ponies still ask me questions from time to time. But they’re more out of curiosity than fear. Definitely better than them staring at me in fear. Though, it was gun to mess with like that. The looks of pure fear and terror…

Anyway, I make it home and head to my room, but before I can even open the door to my room a knock comes from the front door. I sigh, walk over to the door, and open it.

It’s the same two fucking changelings from before, with two more behind them. I can tell because they look like someone kicked their ass.

“State your business here, or die.” I don’t take kindly to people who try and fuck with me. I form my warhammer and stand it next to me. “Now.” One of the changelings nudges the one to my left.

“Um… we, wanted to apologize, forearlier...”

“Earlier..?” I put a finger to my chin. “Oh yeah! The two fucks that decided to bust my door down and attack me!” I grin widely. “So that’s you came for? Just to apologize?” One of the two in the back step up.

“No, we also need to know of you have seen another changeling around here. Have you?”

“I honestly haven’t any other you guys around here besides you four.”

“Thank you. Also, have you notified any of the ponies around here?”

“No, why would I need to?”

“No reason, just asking, thank you for your time...”

“The names Ember.”

“Right thank you for your time Ember. Oh, and one more thing, the queen sent her apologies as well.” He reaches to some area at his side and pulls out some weird spikey statue, and hands it to me. “A gift.”

“For what?”

“For not killing these two, and for not telling the ponies of our presence.”

“No problem.” The changelings walk away and I go to my room. *Fuck I need a nap.* As soon as I enter my room I walk over and flop onto my bed, clocking out before my head meets the pillow.

We’ve been stuck in this god forsaken fax hole for god knows how long, the enemy will let the fuck up, I look around me, every living thing in the area is riddled with bullet holes. I wonder how the trees are still standing. The only thing you can hear is gunfire. Then a momentary ceasefire.

“Move move move!” One of my comrades shout before running out into the open.

“No you idiot!” The rest of us shout, but it was too late. They started firing again, and we all watch in horror as Rocky is gunned down, blood, mashed guts and bits of bone fly in numerous directions.

“Goddamnit! No one go out there! No matter what!”

“Yes sir.” A few of us nod. The few of us at either edge of the hole put our rifles out and shoot at them randomly. Screaming from the other side tells us we shot some of them. Then I run out of ammo.

“I need more ammo!” Danny tosses me a magazine. In one motion I replace the old one and continue to fire. But a bullet from completely shatters my right hand. “Gah!” I fall on my back, clutching my soon-to-be nub. “Fuck!” A few seconds go by and Robert comes into view with bandages in hand. Without anything being said I hold out my hand. Which is really a few fingers holding on by strings of skin and muscle.

“Fucking shit.” He says and he grabs a needle of morphine, I hate needles. “This’ll only hurt for a second.”

“You and I both know that’s bullshit.” I chuckle. “I wanted to be left-handed anyway.” Rob chuckles. I get up when he’s done covering my arm and grab my gun with my left.

“What do you think you're doing?”

“I said I always wanted to be left-handed.” I prop the gun up on a rock and aim it back at the enemy. “Might as well learn now-” A bullet hits me square in the chest. Time slows to a crawl. I look over to everyone else, they’re looking at me. *Gee, I wonder wonder why they are*

“That’s enough of that.” A new voice comes from nowhere. And the entire setting I’m in completely shatters like glass, but no sound is made. What’s left is me standing a black, endless void.

“Evening Ember.” I turn around and Luna is standing a few yards away.

“Evening Luna. You were napping too?”

“No, I usually sleep during the day. I am Princess of the Night. And as such I need to guard the night from evil beings.”

“I see. And since we’re in my dream.” I snap my fingers and the void is filled with stars and galaxies. I love outer space.

“You really like the stars don’t you?” Luna asks, a small smile on her face.

“I do, it’s beautiful to look at.”

“Indeed.” We stay in silence, and we stare at the masterpiece that is the cosmos. Eventually my mind wanders, without me realizing it, I think about home. Back on Earth.

“You want to go back home, don’t you?” Luna asks.

“God no. I just wonder if my own race has done to earth.” It’s a genuine thought I get sometimes. Sometimes I wonder if they destroyed the planet, or if another war has started, or even if they finally found peace amongst each other.

“Then why do your thought’s go to your home planet?”

“Sometimes I wonder what’s happened back home.”

“Why would you care? From what I’ve seen you like it here better than your homeworld.”

“Because I was born there. I may be on a world filled with sunshine and rainbows, but I still do care about Earth. I was born there, raised, there, made friends, lost friends. Things like that. I just wish I didn’t hate it so much.”

“Hate what exactly?”

“The evil and corruption. There are some kind hearted people, but I did get the luxury of meeting them, it’s always been me against everyone else.”

“You did say there were many of your kind, correct?”

“Yes.”

“How can such… corruption happen?”

“People who know how to manipulate the weak-minded. And money, lets not forget wealth.” I laugh. “And the worst kind of influence, power.” I grin widely. “The more power one person has, the more they’re mind warps. And very rarely there is someone who balances power and moral.”

“It’s a game of power versus moral isn’t it?”

“Couldn’t of said it better myself.”

“...”

“How can somepony, someone, grow in a world like that, and come to a new world… like you?” She asks.

“Eh I just happened to be born from parents that were just like me. They saw the same things I did, and did not want me like that.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Yeah.”

“Wait, you said ‘were’. Does that mean..?”

“Yeah, my mom passed because of natural causes. And my dad died from a brain tumor.”

“Oh...” She goes silent.

“Yeah, at least they got to live full lives.”

“That’s good.”

“Yes… You mind if I change the subject.”

“Please.”

“Alright. You saw my dream right?”

“Yes..?”

“You saw how I managed to keep at it even with my hand gone?” She nods. “How do ponies compare to humans? I’m talking about the ones in the guard.”

“You humans are certainly more resilient than the royal guard.”

“Really?”

“Yes, though, each set of armor the guards receive are enchanted so they heal from any injury in a few seconds. From what I see you humans don’t have that kind of magic.”

“Humans don’t have magic.” That statement made her eyes turn into dinner plates.

“T-tis a lie! Surely humans do use some sort of magic?”

“No, not really. We rely on technology. Like ponies rely on magic. Even before that time we had tech that would help us get back body parts, and heal from almost any injury.”

“... R-really?” I nod. “Dear maker...”

“What?”

“To think a being from a world full of that kind of technology, sent to a land where the latest technological advancement is artificial lighting.”

“That’s not entirely true, ponies do have… speakers, music players, heart monitors...” Yeah that didn’t help.

“That doesn’t help Ember.”

“I thought I would. Anyway, back to the guard, how do you think I would fare against a few of your guards?”

“Oh, if you had those weapons with you, they would blessed if they live.”

“I mean hand-to-hand combat.”

“Hand, to hand?”

“Fighting in an old-fashioned brawl.”

“Ah, I don’t know, the guards are trained by the very best combat specialists Equestria has. You would need to actually need to fight them to find out.” I smirk.

“Do you want to find out?” She smirks back at me.

“I would like to see that.”

“Shall we find out then?”

“I will send a private carriage for you tonight. My cannot cannot know of this, she would most likely punish both of us.”

“Why would she? All of this is in the pursuit of knowledge and entertainment.”

“I suppose, we should still keep this private, understood?” I nod.

“Crystal clear.”

“It set then, you will fight against the best of our guards tonight.”

“Looking forward to it.” We shake hoof to hand.

Fuck I can’t wait for tonight. It’s gonna be so much FUN. God I feel like a kid again. When I woke up I went back into town, just to walk around for a bit more. I saw Golden just before he went of to Appleloosa with Aj, Applebloom and her friends. Meaning he’ll gone for a couple days, I think. Which also means that my and Luna’s antics will not be seen by other people watching this show, I hope. Anyway, I spent the rest of the day walking around the town, i've even started offering to do little jobs here and there for some ponies. Gotta make money besides my monthly pension. I don’t want to become a lazy asshole.

Anyway, when it started to get late, I headed back home. And just before the carriage arrived too. The ponies, or thestrals as they like to call themselves. Pretty cool name for bat-ponies, arrived about a minute after I got home. A loud knock comes from my door. I walk over and open the door, and two of these thestrals are standing in front of me. And for a split second, both of their eyes widen and return to normal.

“Are you Ember the human?” One of them asks. It’s kinda funny how they look like twins, dark grey fur, deep, navy blue bat-like wings and tail. The helmet they wear conceals their mane. Speaking of garments, the armor they wear is badass. The helmet looks like it has a fin instead of the fur, and the chest plate has an eye on the center and flares at each side, and the part the rest on the back is a light, pale blue. And the eyes… they look fucking awesome with the slit for a pupil.

“Yes, I am. Are you the ponies that are supposed to take me to Canterlot Castle?” I ask sarcastically.

“Yes, we are. Are you ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Then follow us.” They turn around and fly.

*Those two don’t like sarcasm.* I think and take off with them.

“So, is there a specific word for your kind?” I ask.

“We call ourselves thestrals.”

“Ah, cool name. Better than… bat-ponies.”

“Agreed.”

“Also, anything else I should know that might make an ass if I didn’t know about?”

“We do not drink blood, we do not burn in sunlight, and we do not come from a race of blood suckers.”

“Good to know.”

“We are here.” We land at some part of the enormous castle, I assume it’s the barracks. As guards are walking around.

“Cool, night guards right?”

“You are correct.”

“You guys look much more... fierce than the day guard.”

“Ch’, thank you.” I didn’t know whether to take that is an insult, or an agreement. Or whatever else that may mean. The two night guards in front of me lead me into the massive building, which is separated from the castle for some reason. A couple of long hallways later I’m lead a highschool-sized stadium, with a basketball court-sized stage in the center, it’s almost like a boxing ring. And it’s filled with ponies, most of them thestrals, as ponies here and there are from the day guard. I guess word spreads quickly, I just hope Celestia didn’t hear about this, if Luna is right about fearing that happening. I see Luna standing a few yards away from the doors we just came in through.

“Ember you made it. Are you ready?” The two thestrals that lead me here go stand at each side of Luna.

“Depends on what your definition of ready is.” I smirk. She grins back.

“Are you ready to fight one of my most elite combat specialist the night guard has to offer.”

“Ready as I’ll ever be. And just one?”

“What?”

“I kinda feel a little insulted Luna.” I say with a broad grin. “You know what I’m capable even without magic, at least put me up against four or five.” The two ponies standing by Luna stand shocked. Mouths agape and eyes wide.

“Fine. I’ll send three more.” She grins at me.

“That’s more like it. Thank you.”

“If that is all, then please step onto the stage.” With an excited smile, Luna waves a hoof to the stage, from what I see there’s already five thestrals standing at the opposite end. They haven’t even seen me yet.

*They’re gonna get one hell-of-a surprise.* I nod to Luna and begin to maintain a straight, blank face while I walk up to the elevated platform. I didn’t see any stairs, so I thought I’d make an entrance. The entire stadium grew silent as I got closer.

“Is that what they’re supposed to fight night?” I hear some ponies ask.

“It’s apparently a human, and he’s supposed to be really good at close combat.”

“He doesn’t look so strong to me.”

“Twenty bits says he’ll lose in ten seconds.”

“You’re on!” I;m really the underdog in this fight. Huh…

When I’m close enough to the ring I jump into the air with a single flap of my wings, and land with a loud boom, my wings close as I stand up. I stare at the pony across the platform, who looks to be a little surprised. Then Luna gently land at the center, followed by three thestrals, two of them unicorns, I don’t know how the fuck that’s a thing. The three new ponies join the one across from me.

*What?* I ask myself in confusion.

“The rules for this event are simple, if rendered unconscious or you ask for mercy, you are out for the rest of the match.And you are to not use lethal force. Last team standing is declared the victor. Any questions?”

“FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!” The crowd began to chat.

“Just one. Are we allowed to use magic?”

“Yes, but no stun or lethal spells. Is that all?” I nod. “BEGIN!” Luna exclaimed and she backed away. I remained still while the ponies across from me too defensive stances. They take the first move. They split to two teams of two and flank me from both sides. That’s when I move.

I dive over them and turn around, before they can react I grab two of them from the tail and throw them behind me. The two left turned around and tried to lunge at me. Before that can happen I grab one of them by the neck and slam his jaw onto my knee. I feel the bone cracking, with that one out I move to the next one. He looks at something behind me. I spin around on my heels only to be tackled by the two I threw. We roll around a bit, both of them landing solid blows across my body. When I started to feel bones crack I heave them off of me. But a hoof to my fore arm snapped it in half.

“GAH!” I stagger backwards and clutch my arm.

“We got ‘em!” One unicorn shouted. Fuck me I need to learn names… All four of them stand in front of me, smug looks on their faces.

“Not exactly...” I wheeze out. With shear will power I adjust my arm so it’s straight again. Cause an unimaginable amount of pain. But the pain soon subsides and the bones completely heal. *Oh that’s a relief.* I shake off the last needles of pain and look to the three ponies before me. With a mad grin I take advantage of their stunned stupor. I lurch forward and kick a the one on the far left right under the armor. Sending him sliding across the floor. I then grab the one in the middle by the throat with my left and throw a punch with my balled up fist. Feeling the ribs snap. I punch a few more times until a pony latched onto my back, and started attacking my wings.

“Fuck!” I try and grab the pony on me, but it manages to avoid my grip. Then I feel some bones on my wings snap. I let out an almost feral growl, I then jump and land on my back.

“Argh!” It screams, I immediately stand back up. The broken bones already healing and setting back in place. I turn around a look at the pony who attacking me from behind. And SHE was quickly recovering.

“You’ll pay!” I fucking kick the absolute fuck out of her. More bones break and I automatically go for the others. Landing hail makers and jabs all in rapid succession. I don’t know how many bones I’ve broken, but it’s enough to render them immobile in a small pile of flesh. The crowd cheers madly at my victory.

“Hoo fuck that was a good fight.” I look to the crowd. I proud smile plastered on my face. “Too bad it’s over so soon.”

“Who… said… it was… over?” A feminine voice heaves out. I turn back around, and the mangled bodies of the bat-ponies are reforming, their smashed in faces popping back into place, their broken legs fixing straight. In a matter of minutes they’re back to normal.

“Oh now it’s fair fight!” A clap. “Ready for an all-nighter?”

“Heh, you think you can last all night?” I chuckle and snap my fingers. And my eyes turn red.

“Sure," I say nonchalantly. "just don’t get me angry.”