Duncan awoke from the couch he was sleeping on. He had refused to return home that night, Twilight took pity on him and let him sleep at the library. Which he greatly appreciated. He was use to sleeping on couches in the past, and this one was really nice. As he stirred and summoned forth the energy to move he noticed a faint smell.

Pancakes!

He could really get use to this, making his way up the stairs to the kitchen he found Spike standing by the stove, "Morning."

"Sup, breakfast will be ready in a moment, surprised you're up so early, Twilight won't be up for another..." The young drake was cut off by a pop and flash as said unicorn appeared. He mane was frazzled and unbrushed with bags under her eyes. She kept rubbing her horn sleepily.

"Morning Princess, sleep well?" Duncan joked, or at least so Spike thought.

"Displaced...there is nothing...Princesses haven't sent anything...Need coffee." She let her head rest on the edge of the table as Spike placed a dark brew before her, Duncan shifted getting away from the smell.

"She'll be awake in about five more minutes, she was researching late last night," Spike went back to the stove, "So how many do you want?"

"Three, I'm ravenous, thanks to Morning Glory and her friend I didn't get much of lunch or dinner yesterday," He shivered at the memory of sounds coming from his house.

"So I'll be with the squad most of the day it seems, what about you two?" Duncan rolled a pancake from the plate placed before him and dipped it into some syrup. It was really good, he dug into it wolfing down several more bites.

"More magical research, may headup AJ's place and help with raising the barn." Spike placed a plate before Twilight he used her magic to cut it and start eating, the caffeine starting to work.

"Sounds good, also do you guys have a book on Equestrian military? I will likely need some help getting use to things." He may have had some experience, but different world, likely it wouldn't all carry though. Like uniforms, that was going to be interesting to see what they do.

"Sure, we have a copy of the training guide, as well as a copy of "Fillies' Guide to the Military," He sat down at the table with his own pancakes digging in. He had a bowl full of gems he munched on.

They continued to make small talk though breakfast, Twilight finally woke up, after realizing that she still had a guest she teleported out of the room with a blush. Causing the two males to laugh.

Reading as he walked Duncan began going over the "Fillie's Guide to the Military" he began to notice some strange similarities, and striking contrasts.

"The Equestrian Military was formed following the fall of Discord. It was quickly divided to two primary branches under the rule of the Princesses. The ground based branch, the Army, and the sea based branch, the Navy. It was quickly decided that both branches would sport even counts of the three tribes. Thus the Army and the Navy have their own air forces and unique special strike teams..." The book continued on in more detail. Duncan was surprised by the next paragraph.

"After much debate it was agreed that, unlike many other nations, everypony would be identified by the same ranking system, regardless branch, therefore even the highest rank in the army, was called "Admiral" and lowest rank was "Recruit"..." Duncan mused this overThat is weird, I mean makes it easy on me, but I wonder why they would do that, there is no precedence in this world.

As Duncan arrives at muster he notices a new pony that sticks out from the rest, in addition the Company is speaking in hushed tones, very different from the confidant tone from the day before. The pony that he noticed is a navy blue pegasus, he looked much older than the rest of the ponies, with a very weathered glare as he surveyed the field. His mane was a dark green with teal tips, matching his tail both were cropped very short.

Noticing the human the pony walked over. He stood before Duncan who got the instinct to come to attention and make a thousand yard stare. The pony refused to speak as he circled Duncan like a hawk looking for weakness. Finally he spoke his voice deep and scratchy, “You are weak, you have no muscle, you walk without control, and you lack discipline. However you're not the worst recruit I’ve ever had, so I guess we will see what we can do with you. I really don’t feel like figuring out the standard BS of how a biped will perform military customs from a quadruped society. So I’m assigning Petty Officer Boom De-yada as your sponsor, he will teach you what you need to know. Otherwise stay out of my way unless I decide that I need you.”

With that the pony walked away leaving Duncan gritting his teeth and taking deep breaths. He really hated stuck up people… or ponies like this. Realizing that there was no longer a reason to stand at attention he walked over to formation and stood in the back row, something he figured made sense being the tallest one there.

After muster and cleaning quarters Duncan was approached by a red earth pony with black hair, it was a mess, but cut really short, most likely to reduce effort for whatever regulations ponies had. His cutie mark was unsettling and strange, a music note over a mushroom cloud.

"So Duncan, I'm Petty Officer Third Class Boom De-yada. Our Demolitions specialist, I was ‘asked’ by our friendly Chief to show you the ropes around here, also I was wondering, every Wednesday we have Karaoke night at the local pub, care to get a drink and show us how well you sing?" He had a deep kinda gruff voice, but it was sincere and fun, he spoke with a big smile the entire time. His tail twitching every time he mentioned Karaoke or singing.

"I don't sing but I'll come for a drink, Morning Glory gave me a bag of bits for supplies, after yesterday I'll Need a drink." He emphasised his point, shuttering again at the memories of what his cursed imagination created for him after Mistress and Avarice left making those sounds.

“Its ok I’m not much of a singer either, name’s Spear Head by the way, medic, and was newest squad member till you showed up. Good to have you on the team, about time Twisted was put in his place,” The brown coat unicorn with the silver mane, that was longer but well kept spoke up approaching the pair.

“Sense we didn’t get the chance yesterday thanks to somepony’s duel causing problems,” The white coat mare with light blue mane pulled up into a bun walked over with an amused look, “Name’s Petty Officer Third Class Snow Drop, our team’s best fighter. Speaking of fighting we should go hit the pits for some practice.”

After a day of drills were Duncan began to understand pony combat, it focused a lot on their agility thanks to the four hooves providing balance, and direct force, spears were used mostly as an easy way to dispatch weak enemies. Duncan wandered around with Boom De-yada most of the day getting introduced to the guard force of Ponyville. It was nice sense Boom did most of the talking letting Duncan do his best to blend into the background. That is until a stamped called the guard to action.

Dozens of poofy pink maned ponies bounded through town chanting, "Fun! Fun!" Twilight was chasing them with the other elements.

"We should help," Duncan said looking at the squad who had appeared around the pair. Nodding all of the ponies began running around town to catch the wayward Pinkie clones.

A mare with golden fur teleported to the front of the group, “Alright Wolf Squad, events like this are why we are in Ponyville, begin collecting the clones, bring them to one area, I’ll use a flare spell over where the other elements want them, use non-lethal force, we DO NOT want any accidents. Recruit Duncan stick with Boom he’ll show you what to do, listen to him, GO!”

“Yes, Petty Officer!” Steel Will teleported again in search of the elements, knowing that if one was involved so would the others. The rest of the guards began running after the swarm. Duncan stayed close to the earth pony, happy for his new body letting him run with the stallion. A thought struck him, the Pinkie Pie swarm episode, “Hey Boom De-yada, lets start corralling them in Town Hall, it will be the best place for them, I think there is an amphitheater we can use.”

“Sounds good, let's get the first one,” Boom jumped over some barrels to land on a cart, he then leapt onto the back of a clone who lacked the true strength to continue bouncing. Boom held her in an arm dragging her two the building at the center of town.

Duncan pulled out his sword and summoned the Dash, he scooped a pink pony under each arm running past Boom, dropping them in the main room before running again, he managed to get ten clones before his magic energy failed him and he fell flat on his face from the exhaustion.

A very annoyed Twilight appeared with Steel Will, Steel Will quickly charged her horn launching a spell into the air that burned for about a minute, as she did that Twilight spoke, “Ok anypony want to help Spike? We have some painting to do.”

Later at the bar...

"Let the bombs drop, let the bombs drop..." Boom De-yada sang, he was surprisingly really good at singing, his vocal range had let him sing from Baritone, to Alto. The rest of the squad was there as well, Snow Drop was really good, Spear Head, did one or two songs, he was... ok...ish...

After drinking till late night Duncan found himself walking back up on Twilight's couch. He blinked preparing for the inevitable headache.... only it never came.

Sweet no hangover, I'm surprised those ponies really knew how to drink.

There was the familiar smell of pancakes. Getting up he made his way upstairs with a sense of deja vu, to the kitchen he found Spike standing by the stove, "Morning."

"Sup, breakfast will be ready in a moment, surprised you're up so early, Twilight won't be up for another..." The young drake was cut off by a pop and flash as said unicorn appeared. He mane was frazzled and unbrushed with bags under her eyes. She kept rubbing her horn sleepily.

“...Morning is she always like this?” Duncan asked slightly confused.

Twilight blinked at him a few times, “Sleep… Pinkie Pie… you...here why?”

"She'll be awake in about five more minutes, she was researching late last night," Spike went back to the stove, "So how many do you want?"

“Uh just two is fine,” This was way too weird, but magical pony land, maybe its so routine that Spike has started to state everything like a broken record. Duncan reached into his pocket looking for the books he check out the day before, figured that some reading could help him relax. They weren’t in his pockets, he reached searching deep, finding his cellphone, the board, some ink pots and quills, but no books.

“Hey Spike remember when you checked out those books to me yesterday?” Duncan rubbed the back of his head, he hoped they were just at the bar.

“No I don’t but it was late when you and Twilight got in, what books were they?” Spike asked sitting down with a bowl of gems and his own stack of pancakes. Meanwhile Twilight was eyeing her coffee cup, not quite sure why it seemed wrong.

“A training manual for the military and a Foal’s guide or something like that,” He answered, he took a bite of his pancakes, they were fantastic just like the day before. Spike got up really quick and checked the front room.

“Must have forgotten to give them to you, although I don’t remember you asking, here are our only copies, I’ll get them checked out properly after breakfast.” Spike went back to eating his food. Duncan looked at the two books in his hands, they were the same books from the day before.

Walking out the library he began reading again about the country’s military, it was divided into two branches, the Solar and the Lunar, each under the command of a princess, with different Ideals. The Solar branch was a terrifying force of pure strength and numbers. They were considered the most intimidating force on the planet. The Lunar branch however tended to work from the shadows, their information network could get and move data from coast to coast in less than a day...

Duncan noticed Pinkie along the road speaking with Rainbow Dash, he waved to her and called a hello as they passed, “Morning, how are you two today?”

“Good it's still as fun the fourth time around, see you later Duncan, also try the clock tower its funny!” Pinkie kept bouncing as Rainbow and Duncan shared a confused look.

“Ya, its Pinkie, so I’ll be going, later,” With that Rainbow bolted after Pinkie.

Arriving at muster he found the chief was there again, he was eyeing the formation the same way today,Must be habit for him.

Noticing the human the pony walked over. He stood before Duncan who got the instinct to come to attention and make a thousand yard stare, once again. The pony refused to speak as he circled Duncan like a hawk looking for weakness. Finally he spoke his voice deep and scratchy, “You are weak, you have no muscle, you walk without control, and you lack discipline. However you're not the worst recruit I’ve ever had, so I guess we will see what we can do with you. I really don’t feel like figuring out the standard BS of how a biped will perform military customs from a quadruped society. So I’m assigning Petty Officer Boom De-yada as your sponsor, he will teach you what you need to know. Otherwise stay out of my way unless I decide that I need you.”

“Chief didn’t you say that yesterday, Chief?” Duncan asked both confused and irritated.

“I was in my rack throwing up daisies all day, how do you propose I saw you yesterday much less spoke with you? I don’t know what your game is but get the buck in formation and DO NOT talk to me again unless I ORDER you too.” With that the old stallion returned to the front keeping an eye on the human.

Oh no, that was way stronger than just a normal deja vu, The Time Duncan moved to the same place he was yesterday remaining quite as muster was taken and the daily passdown given.

Just like the previous day after cleaning quarters Boom De-yada approached him, "So Duncan, I'm Petty Officer Third Class Boom De-yada. Our Demolitions specialist, I was ‘asked’ by our friendly Chief to show you the ropes around here, boy was he mad, also I was wondering, every Wednesday we have Karaoke night at the local pub, care to get a drink and show us how well you sing?"

"I don't sing but I'll come for a drink, Morning Glory gave me some bits for supplies, after what happened I'll Need another drink." He emphasised his point, shuttering again at the memories of what his cursed imagination created for him after Mistress and Avarice left making those sounds, which were followed by a Pinkie… Pie… stampede…. Damnit

“Its ok I’m not much of a singer ither, name’s Spear Head by the way, medic, and was newest squad member till you showed up. Good to have you on the team, about time Twisted was put in his place,” The brown coat unicorn with the silver mane, that was longer but well kept spoke up approaching the pair.

“Sense we didn’t get the chance yesterday thanks to somepony’s duel causing problems,” The white coat mare with light blue mane pulled up into a bun walked over with an amused look, “Name’s Petty Officer Third Class Snow Drop, our team’s best fighter. Speaking of fighting we should go hit the pits for some practice.”

Duncan played along, using the repeat of introductions to try and actually remember more than Boom De-yada and Snow Drop. He was really bad with remembering names. He stayed on alert waiting for the trigger that he could use to get some help, Time was a two pony job.

Dozens of poofy pink maned ponies bounded through town chanting, "Fun! Fun!" Twilight was chasing them with the other elements. She looked extra angry, Duncan was able to hear her call, “Why again!?”

She remembered, Of course she remembered, Time only has limited effect on people with high magic potential, there are probably dozens of ponies that remember yesterday. She is my best option then.

“We should help, I’m going to go coordinate with Twilight about the plans, be right back.” Duncan used the Dash to catch up with Twilight in a matter of moments. Boom tried to say something but was stopped as Steel Will teleported in to order the rest of the squadron.

“Twilight, I know whats going on,” Duncan managed to catch up with the mare. He released the magic on the card coming to a stop. She stopped chasing to look at him, her eyes narrowed.

“What did you do?”

“Uh, I didn’t really do anything, but I remember the time loop as well, its one of the cards. We need to deal with the Pinkies. Then we need to stop the card before midnight,” He drew on his reserve of confidence knowing that he need to be brave and make sure this happened right.

“I swear those cards, thats two days in a row. Ok we deal with the Pinkies then we deal with this card, get them all to the town hall again, and have Spike start painting.” She turned to see Steel Will teleport in requesting information. Duncan was about to run off when Steel stopped him.

“Attention Recruit. I’ll make this brief, we are a squad, a team, I don’t give two flanks about who is your commanding officer when you are a part of my squad you WILL behave like it. Now get to work collecting those Clones, Move out!” Steel Will teleported again to coordinate with the rest of the team, she fired the flare spell into the air again.

Duncan used the time to help Spike paint the wall after collecting a few Pinkie Pies. He found on to be particularly helpful. She picked up the brush and started to paint the wall provided blue.

“Why are you helping?”

“Its what friends do, and after the fourth time it must get boring.” She then bounced away to play with the other Pinkie Pies in the room. Duncan realized something at that moment, Pinkie Pie is really, really, scary.

Several hours later….

“Pinkie it’s ok you did it, you’re the real one,” The girls were all hugging Pinkie Pie, except Twilight who was still confused as hell. All she knew was that doing this twice in a row was exhausting and boring.

“I know, I’m getting really good at this, watching the paint dry is almost like watching a war, the slow moving bits giving up their water before cementing their place. Anyways I’ll talk to you girls later sense Twilight remembers the lesson this time.” Pinkie gave each of her very confused friends a hug before running off.

“What the hey is she talking about Twi’?” Apple Jack asked cocking her head at the unicorn.

“Actually I think I can answer that,” Duncan interjected, “see in that book of cards, well to clarify each of those cards are sentient spells, thoughts, wills and desires of their own. In this case the problem is The Time.”

“The time, what do you mean, it’s only about five o’clock?” Rainbow Dash asked floating near the the displaced human. She was going to return to sunbathing but really wanted to know more about this magic card bit, after all that dash card let him move pretty fast.

“No, The Time, with a capital ‘T’ it’s desire is to not see the next day, so it rewinds us again, and again, to live the same day. Those with high levels of magic become immune to the effects and start remembering the reset. Being a displaced I have a high amount, and Twilight being the element of magic, we have already realized that we have done this at least twice before.

“To stop it we need to find it and lay a trap, if we are lucky then we can prevent this from happening yet again.” Duncan finally stopped rambling to let the information sink in. Rarity was the first to speak, raising a question that nopony really wanted answered.

“So when Pinkie said four times….” She raised her eyebrow taking a step back.

“My answer will be its Pinkie and I really don’t think I want to know.” Duncan crossed his arms, thanking the gods that the mare was on the side of good. He then proceeded to jump nearly six feet in the air when he felt something brush against his back. As he jumped he spun to see his Squad at the door to the room. Said head that brushed him belonged to a golden unicorn.

“Recruit, I hope you are telling the truth, and I think the squad needs to sit down with you and your keeper. Information like this is a must for us to be able to fight back against whatever is loose on Ponyville.” She stood tall and proud as the other ponies filed in behind her, each standing at attention.

“It is Petty Officer, and I believe you are right, despite some of my background, I’m not really use to being a part of a squad like this. I’ll answer any question you may have, although first I suggest we capture The TIme, so that our lives can move forward.” He snapped to attention the moment he realized who it was that had entered the room, Rainbow Dash failed to repress a snigger at seeing the giant human being commanded by a small pony.

“What can we expect of this card’s responses to combat?” She asked first nodding to the rest of the squad who relaxed visibly and began making themselves comfy around the group. She also nodded to Duncan that he could relax.

“Sense it can control time it will stop, or reverse most anything we throw at it. However it is still limited to what it can see. So it being blindsided, or running into a trap, will weaken it. Also we have to find it, the card likes to find the largest time keeping device and hide around it. Apparently clocks generate a magic field that it likes.” He recalled all the information he really could about the card. He sat with his arms on his knees, bringing himself down to eye level of the rest of the room.

“That would be the Ponyville Tower, its located near the edge of town on a hill so it can be seen from anywhere in Ponyville.” Spear Head was the one to speak up, he blushed a little as the eyes fell on him.

“Good, too bad we can’t just blow up the tower, although that would be awesome.”

“Boom.” Steel Will cut him off before he could continue the half-joke.

“Alright lets plan,” Twilight made a huge pile of paper, with pots of ink, appear out of no where, Spike took it in stride picking up the first piece of paper and a quill.

Hours later

“Are we really sure this is a good idea? I mean we don’t really know much about these creatures. Just because he said that this Time Card doesn’t attack people doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true, after what happened to Twisted…” Snow Drop trailed off as she followed her Squad Leader. They were currently climbing stairs to the top of Ponyville Tower. It was well into the night and Luna had already risen the moon.

“Good idea or not, I really don’t want to risk ponies getting stuck in a timeloop, after all imagine you had to relive the same day, over and over and over again. It would drive you mad. Besides he comes recommended by the princesses directly.” Steel Will responded her eyes flicking back and forth checking for anything that may strike them.

“Up ahead, look,” Snow Drop pointed as they crested the top of the stairs. Sitting on the top of a large cog in the complex peace of machine work was a cloaked figure holding an hourglass. The hands holding the beautifully carved glass was bony and wrinkly, like that of an old man. The description continued to hold true as it had a long white beard and wrinkly face. Its ears were very long, as apposed to Duncan’s stubby ones.

“Strange it kinda looks like Duncan, wonder about the ears. Maybe his will grow longer.” Snow Drop mused as she laid crouched behind a few turning cogs, it appeared the creature hadn't noticed them yet.

“Quite, we need to wait for the signal so we can catch it.” Steel motioned the other mare to continue as she slipped around behind from the other direction.

After several minutes they heard what sounded like a timber wolf howling at Luna’s moon. In a flash Snow Drop charged forward at the cloaked figure throwing her spear as she went. The Card’s hand glowed with its hourglass she started to panic as she was frozen mid jump. Her spear was similarly floating, the world around them turning a grey and yellow haze.

Another spear flew out from behind some cogs, The Time’s hand glowed again as it stopped and started to reverse the flying spear, only to have Steel Will drop from above, The Time chose this as an indicator that it should move. It made for the window, as it flew into it lightning began arching through it, causing it to smolder a little bit, and start floating towards the ground, just outside the window a dozen odofu, paper talismen, were plastered.

“Alright just like the show, that was almost too easy,” Duncan prepared to take a running jump to capture the card. As he ran up the wall he failed to notice a black shadow over take Time’s form. In a blast of dark energy he was blown from the tower landing roughly on the ground below.

“This is bad, that wasn’t normal,” Duncan called out to the rest of his team, Spear Head was already healing the minor damage from the fall. Only for the area around Duncan and him to turn gray and yellow, time rewound and Duncan was returned to the air, time resumed and he fell again.

Then time rewound again, and again Duncan was thrown to the ground. Snow Drop tried to drop from above only to be blasted by darkness and fell to the ground with a sickening crunch, her wing poking out at an odd angle.

A shadow started to form behind the time, darker than even Luna’s night, a jagged mouth began to speak, “The Shadows will control time, you ponies should bow before the truth.”

It began rewinding time and running it forward again causing Duncan and Snow Drop to keep reliving their injuries.

“Damnit, I must not lose,” Duncan managed to start moving while in the time lock he was about to draw his sword and cast, when there was an extremely brilliant flash and bang. The flash left everypony blinded. Blinking several time to try and clear his vision, Duncan saw the form of Time fall to the ground, standing over it was a grinning red stallion.

“Let the bodies hit the floor, mwahahahah” Boom Deyada sang, his flash bang blasting the shadows from behind. He grinned walking over to Duncan, now that he was speaking in a regular voice Duncan could no longer hear him over the ringing in his ears.

Regaining his balance and vision slowly he stumbled past the talking pony drawing his sword he yelled, so he could hear himself, “Time Card, I command you to return to your power confine, Time Card!” His sword shined and a magic circle appeared under Duncan, it floated up shrinking around the collapsed form, sealing its power. The light engulfed the spell turning it into a card. It floated before him, reaching into his pocket he pulled out a bright pink quill that he had no idea he had gotten, he scribbled his name on the card and put it in his pocket.

The ringing in everypony’s ears finally started to dissipate as Spear Head cast a healing spell on them all, however Snow Drop’s wing was still broken.

“Ok Twilight, it’s safe you can bring everypony out.” Steel Will called into the darkness around them. Slowly one by one the elements stepped into the light.

“See Rainbow I told you the equestrian military could handle it themselves, Now can we all go to sleep, it's been a very long two days.” Twilight’s mane was a mess with strands sticking up and sticks stuck in it from hiding in the bushes, AJ worked her jaw having held Rainbow back most of the fight.

“Fine, made your point, We can talk more some other time, later,” Rainbow flew off for her cloud house leaving a rainbow trail behind her. Each of the others muttered their own good-nights, yawning and leaving.

Twilight stayed behind to speak with the guard, “Thank you all for taking care of this, its quite impressive to see you all work with such coordination and teamwork. I think I will include some of this in my next letter to the princess. Duncan, feel free to sleep over again, I would like to speak with you more about your book and the magic contained within.

“Of course, and to thank you, all of you, back on my world I’ve never had peo..ponies come together without passing blame, I know I’m to blame, but none of you did anything to target that, so thank you.” Duncan smiled a small honest smile, offering a perfect salute.

“Its what a squad does, sense the formation of the equestrian military it has been ingrained not to pass the blame and focus on a solution, not to say there won’t be punishment but we can deal with that later,” Steel Will uncharacteristically smiled, it was a good day and her team had done very well, “now then off to bed, we have muster at oh seven hundred tomorrow.”

She then teleported away.

Author's Notes:

Woot 3 cards down and .... to many to go^-^

I wonder how our lone wolf will mesh with a team of ponies.

Also my editor seems to be out, so I may have to go back and make changes and fixes when he gets a hold of it^-^