My name is Walter Barnes, a lot of things have happened since I moved here to Equestria. I came to this country with feelings of desolation, the first few folks I met upon my arrival faced a rather abrasive and defensive side of myself that I’m not too proud of. Storm is the first friend I made, she did some digging through my files and as I said before, I got quite defensive with her, however she dug through the bullshit and pulled me out of my shell. I have her and that goofy little marefriend of hers to thank for warming me up, showing me a different side of ponies compared to all the propaganda the Legion shoved down my throat.

My sister and I got separated from one another during our travels, her name is Jessica Barnes; climbed through the ranks of the Legion where she started her career at thirteen, by the time she was twenty she had reached special forces. She retired shortly after I was discharged from the Legion, having long since served her required time in the armed forces. It was our separation that made me feel alone as I did on my first day in Equestria, thankfully I had good friends to comfort me in Jessica’s absence.

I stayed in Canterlot for a while with Storm, after leaving her custody I was sent to Ponyville where I met three of the six mares that I was to live with: Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. All in that order. Dash was the first one to introduce herself, a normal heighted fairly athletic pegasus mare with a questionably ‘natural’ set of rainbow colored hair. She gives off a very ‘Chad-ette’ vibe, where although she is quite prideful in her physical accomplishments she is quite chill and loyal to her friends. Her and I often work out together, although I must admit she is the more physically gifted between the two of us. Her metabolism, stamina, durability, and athletics are beyond anything that I’m capable of. And to top it all off, this chick only has to work out like one or two times a week to keep her figure. I have to work out five times a week just to maintain my musculature, which I have been lacking on since I arrived.

I’m a big sucker for comfort food.

Dash doesn’t seem to mind though, she teases me about how the chub that I’ve been putting on looks cute on me, which gives me all the more motivation to work out harder. I don’t want to be cute, I want to be handsome.

I am handsome.

At least I hope I am…

Pinkie Pie is the next mare on my list of grandiose first impressions. Pinkamena Diane Pie, as I’ve went on to figure out, is one of the most bizarre and inconceivably hyperactive ponies that I’ve ever come across, and I thought Sweetie Belle and her friends were energetic, Pink’s antics makes those three look like old men falling asleep during a game of cards. As soon as she learned of my arrival, she ran at impossible speeds and tackled me so hard that my fucking shoes flew off. My shoes. Flew off. Like some sort of cartoon. This five foot party enthusiast has made me question whether or not the laws of physics, or reality for the matter, even apply to her. Despite her immense reserve of energy and silly antics, she isn’t as physically fit as Rainbow Dash or Applejack, she holds a more curvy physique. Not chubby like I’ve gotten, but she’s got thickness where it matters most.

As spring approaches, I desperately keep my fast approaching birthday under wraps. I’ve never really wanted any big or fancy birthdays, not since I was very little. I learned to enjoy the simpler things since we lived on a ranch and couldn’t afford extravagant birthday parties. Dad and Jessica always had ways to make them amazing still, even with our limitations at the time. Call me dull but I just don’t like extravagant parties, thankfully work usually keeps Pink busy enough for me to avoid the subject.

It’s gonna take a while before I can fully grasp the reality of this new life I’m leading. It almost seems so surreal, after so many years… After all that I’ve seen and done during my tours in the Legion. Despite how hard things seemed over in the Griffon Kingdom, I always had my family, and even then it was very little. Now, my family feels even smaller with my father not being here. Jessica is here, she’s starting fresh just like I am, her presence comforts me in the absence of our father but I still can’t help but fear for him.

My encounter with Vick at that night club all those days ago really stuck to the back of my mind. I knew the whole Illuminati thing was rather… Odd, but based on my experience with griffons it isn’t too far fetched in my eyes for a society to reject people they deem a pest. Not like I planned on living off welfare in the first place, thus brings me to my recent objective: get a job.

Here’s a problem with getting a job though, the majority of my work experience entails fucking around while growing up on my father’s ranch, and four years of obscured military experience. I say obscured because about three years into my career I received a brain injury that kinda made it hard to remember the past two years. Building a resume was gonna be harder than I anticipated.

The lack of results stacked on top of my growing frustration. Currently, I’m seated at the kitchen table, drinking a blend of assorted vegetables and lime juice, scowling hotly at the blank resume sheet I have laid before me. I am painfully aware of how ponies feel about humans like me, can’t exactly say that I served as a soldier for a bloodthirsty military force on a resume now can I? Unless if I were applying to ISIS or some shit. Quite oblivious to my surroundings, I am suddenly brought out of my brooding by a familiar voice sneaking up behind me. I turn around as I’m met with the sight of Applejack making her way into the kitchen.

“Howdy cowpoke, ‘ya look about as happy as a badger that’s been hogtied.” Applejack remarks, grabbing a towel from a drawer near the kitchen sink, wiping the sweat from her face. Applejack must have just gotten back from a jog. She wears thigh-high denim shorts with running shoes and a black tank top. After wiping her face down she turns to me, leaning against the counter behind her. “What’s up?”

“Finding work, or at least building a decent resume to help me get some work.” I replied, tapping my index finger firmly on my painfully scarce resume.

“Didn’t you have work before you moved to Equestria?” she asked, leaning forward and giving a brief thoughtful glance to the empty sheet before turning to face me.

“Eh… Mostly military. Aside from that I worked on my dad’s ranch, but that was mostly just so we could provide for ourselves rather than profit. Can’t exactly jot down military or else I’ll be thought of as some mental case. And I don’t think goofing off on my dad’s ranch can be considered decent working experience.” I explained as I leaned my face on my hand.

“Ah, ‘ya worked on a ranch?” Applejack inquired, perking a brow. “Well, if it’s experience ‘yer lookin’ for, I do believe I might have a proposition for ‘ya.” she explains as she pulls up a seat across from me.

“Oh? What’s that?” I asked curiously, perking up a bit.

“If ‘ya don’t mind physical labor, I could let you work weekends, Friday through Sunday on my family’s farm. ‘Course if we need ‘ya durin’ the week I could give ‘ya a call.” Applejack proposed as she rests her elbows on the table, folding her hands together and resting her chin on top of them.

“Oh… Well shit, yeah!” I say, perking up brightly, a smile spreading across my face. “That would be a big help!”

“Glad to see some enthusiasm.” Applejack grins, seeming pleased with my display of excitement. “I’m headin’ to my family’s farm tomorrow morning, if ya’d like to come with.”

“Oh, sure thing! I better go do some shopping, I’ll need to get some work clothes before tomorrow.” I say as I stood up, chugging down the rest of my ‘health smoothie’, Applejack’s expression cringing at the sight.

“Isn’t that stuff nasty?” Applejack asked, glancing up at me.

“Shit yeah.” I respond, tossing my cup in the drainer after rinsing it out.

“Doin’ anything before shoppin’?” Applejack asked, watching me as I move around the kitchen.

“Uh, yeah actually. I offered Fluttershy to help with some volunteer work later this evening. She mentioned something about a community center called Riley’s Lounge that needed extra hands for the day.” I explained.

“Riley’s Lounge? That one place ran by the big fella with the funky shirts and loads of chest hair?” Applejack asked, causing me to pause and give her a stare of confusion.

“Say what now?”

“Ah, ‘ya haven’t met Riley yet. You’ll know him when you see him.” Applejack says with a chuckle, moving away from the table. “I’m gonna go get cleaned up. See ‘ya in the mornin’ cowpoke.” Applejack says as she walks off and up the stairs.

I gave a nod to her, grabbing my wallet and phone off the kitchen counter, tucking them in my pocket before heading out the front door.

Ashfall snorts himself awake, the sound of his charge closing the door to his home stirring him from the light nap he had. After seeing that blonde man at the club last night, Ashfall’s spidey-senses went off the charts. He got all sorts of bad vibes from that man, and so he decided it would be best to give it a night and see if any unwelcome parties disturbed the nest while the birds were asleep. To his boredom, not much happened last night, aside from Walter stepping out onto the front porch to smoke every now and then.

“Captain Ashfall Venture, Thursday February fourth. It’s two in the afternoon and Baby Huey just left the barn. Gonna follow on foot, doesn’t seem to be heading too far. Person of suspicion didn’t make a show last night, nor did anything out of the ordinary occur so I guess things are calm for now. Gonna keep an eye out for the shithead, might cause trouble in the future.” Ashfall speaks into a recorder, clicking it off and tucking it into his pants before climbing out of the car.

Before going anywhere, he checks his concealed holster hidden beneath his shirt. His sidearm is tucked neatly within the holster on his hip, along with a few extra mags resting Inside the inner pockets of his jacket. Once he had his facilities about him, Ashfall makes his way onward, following just outside the peripheral of his charge, whom of which was still slowly driving him stir-crazy with questions that either had none or too vague of answers.

The Diarchs have their eyes glued to this kid like shit on velcro. They put him in a house filled with some of the most powerful ponies Equestria has to offer, they try to keep information disclosed from even his guardian, Ashfall, even though they apparently don’t know that much either.

Ashfall has a few hunches, yes, but he’s still far from knowing everything about the situation surrounding this kid. This didn’t sit easy with the seasoned veteran, not one bit. Ever since he first met Franklin, all those years back when he was some pretty boy with anger problems. Ashfall knew one thing when he met the Fury of the RAF, that nothing good ever came from him. He can be the nicest man on the planet, but trouble always seemed to find its way into making things difficult for Franklin. It’s what took his arm. It’s what stripped him of all that he’s fought to earn.

As far as Ashfall knew, it could’ve been what took Fury’s wife. But that ain’t his business, what is though is that whatever trouble that seems to be brewing, Walter Barnes is the center of it all. Celestia knows that, Luna knows that, hell even Twilight Sparkle knows it.

Do the other elements know? Is Walter hiding anything? That heathen of a sister he has must know something. She’s probably my only lead without getting any unwanted attention from the Crown… Shitfire. Ashfall mulled to himself, none too pleased by the thought of having any social interaction with that woman. Given his circumstances however, he is met with no other choice.

He would do this later, for now, he must shadow his charge… One which sometimes he feels as though he is protecting the world from him, rather than him from the world.

“Walter!” Fluttershy calls out, a warm smile touching her lips as I approach the community center. She was out front talking with some other volunteers when I arrived, most of the volunteers being older folks.

“Hey Fluttershy, sorry if I’m late, I kinda got lost on my way here.” I say with a small smile of my own, a warm feeling rousing in my stomach as Fluttershy steps over to me.

“Oh it’s alright, Mr. Reynolds is bringing the truck around now. Me and the others were just talking until he got back.” Fluttershy says, gently taking my arm and leading me over to the group of volunteers, who seemed to greet me rather normally aside from the average gawking or hushed whispers I’ve been getting.

I stood there by Fluttershy, not talking much, keeping to myself while she conversed with the other volunteers. Mostly older folks, ponies who’ve lived in the community longer than most of the influx of youth that followed in the wake of modernization. I liked older folks, they always hold so many good stories, just like my dad and grandpa. I always keep it best to heart that I listen rather than talk, nothing ever good usually comes out of my awkward mouth anyways. My nervous ramblings at the Gala are evidence enough of that.

Soon enough the sound of a diesel engine falls on my ears, I turn to see a large box truck pulling up into the parking lot. A rental from the looks of all the advertising splattered against the paneling. The truck turns and backs in toward the entrance, taking it slow until the engine cuts off. Stepping out the driver’s side of the truck, well, probably one of the stranger men I’ve seen in my days.

He’s a tall dude, I’d say his chin would reach the tip of my nose, probably eighty or so pounds heavier, maybe more. His hair is a shaggy mess, reaching far past the middle of his back. His facial features are ridiculously masculine, his jawline looks harder than steel, and sharp enough to cut through granite like construction paper. A thick bristly goatee dawns his face, his mustache just as thick and combed to be curled at each of the tips.

Now I know what Applejack meant by the funky shirts, this guy wore a bright red Hawaiian shirt with white flower patterns spread across it. Under that he had a white tank top, which failed to contain the rain forest that is his chest hair and monstrous pectorals that compliment the rest of his hulking frame. Knee-high tan khaki cargo shorts, sandals, and lastly a cowboy hat sitting firmly on top of his huge cranium.

This man is by all means bigger than I am. Sure, I’ve packed on pounds since I got here to Equestria, but this man has far more thickness to his frame. The best way to describe how this guy looks, is that if being a dad was a video game, he’d have a level one-hundred dad-bod that expresses just how strong and manly he is while also showing that his diet and workout routine isn’t exactly as frequent as it should. He’s like Andre the Giant, he didn’t really need to work out, he’s so fuckin’ huge that he’s just naturally stupidly strong and bulky.

“Howdy!” the man I assume to be Mr. Reynolds calls out, offering a big smile underneath that groomed squirrel tail he calls a mustache. Reynolds approaches us and gives a wave, greeting the other volunteers while I kinda just avoided socializing off in the far corner. I just came here to help out with Fluttershy. I didn’t feel like getting too friendly with anybody else.

“I’m afraid we haven’t met before, the name’s Riley Reynolds. Call me by my first name or last, whichever fits your fancy.” Reynolds greets with a southern drawl that could rival Applejack’s, introducing himself as he extends his large hand to my own equally meteoric paw.

“...Call me Walter, it’s nice to meet you.” I reply in a somewhat dry tone, not putting a lot of emotion into my voice as I shook his hand. I didn’t really sound like a dick or anything, I just sounded tired, mellow, not a whole lot of oomph put into my words as this man does.

As Reynolds shakes my hand, he gives pause, his bright expression faltering for just a scant moment as soon as his hand touched mine. His firm grip softens, shaking my hand idly as he looks down at me, as if trying to look into my eyes. I didn’t really give him the chance to for long, glancing away to avoid eye contact.

“Walter… Ah, Fluttershy has told me a bit about you.” Reynolds says, causing Fluttershy to smile a bit sheepishly my way as I give her a brief glance. I don’t mind too much really. “Sie haben unter der roten Flagge gedient?” Reynolds asks, speaking in fluent german, one of the few common languages spoken throughout human settlements up north.

“Ich habe es getan, bevor sie sich gegen die Krone gewendet haben. Wir müssen kein Deutsch, ich ziehe Englisch vor.” I responded, giving him a rather surprised stare. Given his accent, I figured he came from the areas back west near Appleloosa.

“Ah, my apologies then. We should hang out later on, let’s get this truck unloaded first.” Reynolds says, smiling as he went to unlock the back door of the box truck. I pay glance to Fluttershy once more, who gave me a rather surprised look herself.

“I didn’t know you were bilingual?” Fluttershy says as we walk toward the truck.

“Up north in the Kingdoms, humans speak a total of four different languages. My dad says it’s like that because griffons are far too damn nosy and paranoid to keep their beaks out of other people’s business. Small victories and all that, y’know?” I explained as Fluttershy gave a chuckle and a smile.

The next hour and a half is spent unloading boxes and crates filled with supplies and equipment. For a community center, I expected low-grade ‘back-of-the-fridge’ supplies that most ‘charitable donors’ provide. All of this stuff was pristine, brand new. Food, medicine, clothes, various other living necessities. As we unload the supplies into the center, I learn more and more about this place.

This community center isn’t like the one used to host the gala. That one seems to be more ‘reserved’ for a certain kind of folk. This place is a more modern building compared to the remodeled mansion the other one was.It’s very clean, sterile looking, gives off a very safe atmosphere. There’s an infirmary, living quarters, entertainment rooms, kitchens, showers, gyms, hell even a large field out back for hosting home-brew sports games for anybody who felt like it. Needless to say it’s not what I expected from a community center. People live here, not just ponies, but humans too. Many different people from many different backgrounds.

I kept quiet as we finished unpacking the rest of the supplies. It was the food that we finished last, packing in non perishables, snacks, ingredients for future suppers,and more. As I unpacked, I noticed a small little thestral filly staring at me from behind the doorway that leads into the kitchen. I paid no mind to her at first, but eventually I figured ignoring her at this point would be rather rude. An idea came to mind. I grabbed a package of pop tarts from one of the many boxes of snacks I loaded up into the pantry, kneeling down and offering a smile as I held it out.

“Hungry, little one?” I asked, speaking in a soft spoken tone. She doesn’t speak in response, she just slowly nods her head. “Would you like some pop tarts?” I added on, holding out the fruity pastry for several moments until the thestral girl would slowly step her way into the kitchen, cautiously approaching me.

Very carefully, she plucks the pop tarts from my grasp. I give no resistance and let the packaged treat slide out of my hand. She tears at the wrapper for a few moments before breaking of small pieces of the pastry, tossing it in her fanged mouth while a gradual smile grew on her face.

“T-Thank you, m-mis-m̛̮̤̻̝̦̜͗̾i̹s͚̫̘̮̮̈́ͮͯ͞t̏ê̥̑̅ͫ͋͢ȓ̮̯͈̪̩̘̱͒͛͑ͣ̔ͮ”

Her soft and tender voice suddenly just becomes a distant echo to my ears. As I stare down at her, my surroundings feel as though they are struggling to change while her words distort and shift in various pitches and tones. My memory casts back to a memory I am all too familiar with. A memory of one of my first few deployments far north of the Forsaken Forest.

M̲̫̺̠͙͍͎͋ͭḭ̰̙ͩ̔ͫͩ̉s̮̠̣̦̙̳̞̑t̑̌̿҉̺ȩr͍̭̱͎͋,̮̯͛̊̓ͫ̔ ͖͖͒͐̿́Pͧͫ̃l̥̰͓̹͙̻̒ē͓͚̲̗̣̈́̿ͪ͊ā̌́͒ș̯̹͓̳͍ͩ͛̅̒ͤe̟̖̰̥̰̣̒̄.͆̓̃̽̊̈͗.͝.͉͉̞͎̺̘̟̏̓

Just a little girl, no older than eight. Dressed in tattered rags, hiding behind her older siblings who looked just as starved and bruised as she was. She was scared, they all were scared. I was strong, I could protect them, I wanted to protect them. They were not our targets, they were not there by choice. I took some chocolate and candy from my pack and gave it to them. I told them that it was okay. I told them I would protect them.

P̸̹̰̖͙̖ͩ̌͛ͤͯͮĺ̮͓̩̦ͬͭ̃ͨe͇̫͌ͧ̾ͬȁ̳̥̹̜̟͔͍͆̏̒s̢̼̬̜ͨ͆ͦͭͨ̋͋ę͖̖̣̜͖.̢̭̩̻̠̺̈́̈́̌̈́̉ͩ̌ͅͅ.͇͎̗̰͓͈͐̓ͧ̈ͭ̓ͅ.͚̥̺͋͐͛ͯͦ̾

I held her bloodied corpse in my arms. I tried so hard to bring her back. I used all my medical supplies trying to bring them all back. It was… It was too late. I failed them. I failed them.

Ĥ̛̺̺̥͎̖͊͐̓ẹ̣̗͍̤̘̰̌ͭ̍͌͐ͯͨ́l̦͈̺̑p̅ͮ͜ ̡̮̥̪͇̥̖̒̽ͪm̘̬͉̺̱̹̪̔̀̍ͩe͚.̡̠̲̯ͬ͛͑͑̍

“Tabitha, there you are. Come, your mother is looking for you. It’s time for your studies back at your room.” Reynolds called out, as the small thestral filly glanced back at him with a smile and a nod. The filly smiled back up at me, waving goodbye before walking away, stepping out of the kitchen while Reynolds made his way over to me, offering a hand since I was still kneeling on the ground.

I stared up at him silently for a few moments, trying my best to stow my feelings before grasping his hand. Again, he visibly winces, as if he stepped on a small shard of glass he wasn’t aware of. Almost like he could physically feel what I felt emotionally. He pulls me up without much strain, placing his hand on my shoulder once I was back on my feet.

“We didn’t get to talk much earlier. Would you like to talk while I set up tonight’s cookout?” Reynolds offered, his eyes looking at me with concern and warmth.

“...Yeah, sure.”

“Howdy, long time no call. How’s it been good sir?” Reynolds speaks up, answering his cell phone after it rang for a few moments in his pocket.

“Hey, Riley, it’s me. I’ve been good. You?” Ashfall replies, scratching his chin, watching Walter converse with Fluttershy across the street in front of Riley’s Lounge while he spoke on his phone.

“I’ve been good. Been catching every fastball you send my way. Been keeping me plenty busy for quite some time.” Reynolds chuckles, pulling up to a stop light while leaning against the steering wheel a bit.

“A kid named Walter Barnes is gonna be stopping by your community center. Mind doing me a favor and watching him for a while? I have some business I need to attend to and I can’t do it while watching him. I know he’s gonna be plenty safe with you.” Ashfall says, facing away from the center, staring at Walter out of the corner of his eye.

“Walter, Walter, Walter… Hmm. Ah! I remember that name, it’s the young man little Fluttershy is crushing on! No problem, I don’t mind watching out for him while you’re gone. I’ll try to keep him occupied for a bit. Mind if I ask what the occasion for?” Reynolds asked as he pulled forward in the truck once the light turned green.

“...Hnn… I gotta make a social call.”