Author's Notes:

Wow... that's all I can say. I thought this would be shorter and i had contemplated taking the first like 2000 words and adding them to the previous chapter... would not have been a bad idea. But here it is as promised.

All's considering the date I would like each of you to take time to just remember those lost on this fateful day 15 years ago... May those rest in peace and may they never be forgotten...

Rounding the last corner, I followed the directions Rarity gave me to her place. It was a simple two story building packed tight with the rest on the block. It looked very similar to pony Rarity’s place back in Ponyville, except it was square and surrounded by many more buildings. Opening the door, the sound of a jingling bell above alerted everyone inside, causing them to look up from whatever they were doing. Stepping inside I saw each of the girls stand up from various chairs. While the five humans of Twilight friends started to form in a group, I glanced at Serenity, who was leaning against a table with her arms crossed. My attention soon moved to Twilight who wore a forlorn expression.

I stopped, “What did I do this time?”

All the girls just looked to Twilight. Even Spike, who sat at her feet, looked up at her with a nervous expression.

“Excalibur…” Twilight said, a hint of nervousness evident, “We have to tell them…”

I knew all too well what she was talking about.

I chuckled while attempting to speak, “… Twilight… I know you’re a smart girl… but that is the stupidest idea you have ever had!”

“They have a right to know!” she shot back while holding an arm out.

“They have no right whatsoever!” I yelled while taking an agressive step forward.

She stood stock still while lowering her head and sticking her lower lip out slightly.

“…I’m telling them!”

I sighed and looked to the side, “… fine… but you cannot hold me accountable for what I may do!”

Silence filled the air. Everyone watched silently as the tension slowly rose.

“Darlings?” Rarity asked, nervously, “May I ask what is going on? What is so important that we need to know?”

I glanced at Twilight, “They know about the gym?”

“They know,” Twilight answered with a nod. I didn’t reply further. Taking a deep breath Twilight prepared herself to speak the truth.

“You're from an alternate world and you're a pony princess there and the crown actually has a magical element embedded in it that helps power up other magical elements and without it they don't work anymore, and you need them all to help protect your magical world, and if you don't get the crown tonight, you'll be stuck in this world and you won't be able to get back for like a really, really long time!”

Twilight's jaw dropped, Spikes jaw dropped, Serenity’s jaw dropped, my head fell forward while I stared wide eyed at the pink and bubbly girl as she wore the biggest and happiest smile in the world. The rest of the gang just looked at her like she was crazy.

...

Okay she is, but this was a different kind of crazy.

I slowly looked at Twilight while she did the same to me.

“… I have no idea how to respond to that…”

“Yeeeeahhhh… I’m pretty sure that’s not the reason why.”

“Actually, Rainbow,” I said, grabbing all their attentions, “Pinkie couldn’t be any farther from the truth.”

Rainbow huffed, “Yeah… and I can fly!”

“Where we’re from, you do,” Serenity said.

The rainbow haired girl raised an eyebrow. I sighed again.

“Look, girls,” I started, “There is more to this universe then you will ever know.” Everyone but Pinkie looked at me like I had two heads. I rolled my eyes, “Spike?”

“Why are you-”

Applejack was cut off by the small dog, “Actually he’s telling the truth.”

“He can talk!!!” Rarity gasped, loudly too.

“Yeah!” Spike replied proudly, “Back where I’m from I’m not even a dog! I’m a ferocious fire breathing dragon!” he finished with a smug yet shit faced grin, while crossing one paw in front of the other.

I rolled my eyes, “You’re two feet tall and spit a four-inch flame… Drax was more intimidating then you… and he threw a car at me…” I said the last part quietly. All of the girl’s eyes slowly rose to look at me. I walked over to a nearby table and placed a storage device on it and tapped the top. “Magic, aliens, time travel… it all exists.” I looked up from the device.

They slowly looked at Twilight.

“So… you’re a princess?” Rarity asked slowly, her eye twitching.

“You’re a pony?” Applejack added.

“You’re from another world?” Fluttershy finished.

Twilight gulped while looking to the side with a nervous expression on her face.

“Uh-huh,” she answered with a nod.

“That… is … awesome!” Rainbow added while smiling wide and holding her arms out wide.

They swarmed around her like buzzards on a gut pile. They were asking so many questions that I couldn’t make out a single word. While they prodded her I looked at my teammate. We shared a ‘that went better than expected’ glance before focusing back on the group.

“Wait!”

Everyone stopped talking and looked at Rainbow.

“If you’re a princess,” she turned to face Serenity and I. She lifted a hand and pointed at the two of us, “Does that make you two a prince and princess too?”

I chuckled, “Actually… we’re not related by anyway shape or form.” Looking to the side at my helmet that slowly spun clockwise in the devices gravitational field. I grabbed it by the horn and tossed it at Rainbow. It hit her in the chest where she fumbled with it for a second before catching it. The girls stood around her in awe. “Look familiar?”

They quickly looked up at me.

“I… bu… you… car… tank!”

They watched in awe, eyes glued to my partners and my torso as our clothes slowly dissolved into orange flakes while our suits started to take their places. After a few seconds Serenity and I stood there in our armor. Once our suits were regenerated our weapons appeared from their devices.

I chuckled lightly, “You look surprised?” All five slowly nodded their heads, dumbfounded. “Girls… in the last few months I have brutally murdered just about each and every theory there is to the universe,” I said while walking up to Rainbow. Placing a hand on my helmet I looked Rainbow in the eye before taking it.

“So, what are you?” Fluttershy asked.

“We’re an advanced race of genetically modified super humans,” I answered while slipping my helmet over my head, “The suits were designed to fight it what is now called the Old War.” I turned to face the girls, “Anyway, I’m one hundred percent human and so is my ‘sister’… anyway, long story short, we’re guardians to the Origin System, or our home solar system. We’re basically an intergalactic police force.”

“So… the dragon?”

“A Chroma class warframe.”

“Warframe?” Applejack repeated.

“The suit,” I replied with a gesture. “This is your planet in two hundred years.”

“Two hundred years!” they all screamed in unison.

I nodded.

“So… how old are you then?” Rarity asked, “You don’t look a day over eighteen!”

“Because I was nineteen when I dawned the suit. But as I sit right now, I’m a thousand and nineteen… certain things with the war caused… certain side effects.”

“Wow…” Rainbow said, while slumping forward, “So… when you slapped the tank shell?”

“Didn’t feel a thing!” Serenity replied, most defiantly tooting her own horn. i rolled my eyes playfully.

“She is better than any tank could ever be,” I replied, “Forged in the labs of the Zanuka project… unfortunately for her, her powers came at the cost of her well being.”

“Meaning?”

“She was an experiment… Rainbow,” I explained. The mention of experiment caused my teammate to look at the floor, “They abused her like no human ever should…” I looked at her while she raised her head. “Buts she’s safe…” I looked at the girls, “That’s all that matters.”

Silence filled the air as the five teens slowly soaked in the information. After several seconds of them looking back and forth at us some one replied.

“So… why are you here?”

“Exactly as Pinkie said so, Rainbow. Twilight's crown isn’t just some rock that can be replaced. It is part of a set of magical elements. When activated together they can cause immense power. But unfortunately their downfall is their reliance on each other,” I explained. “My job was to protect Twilight while we also searched for the crown and the person who stole it.”

“And who took it?”

“Sunset Shimmer.”

All of the girls gasped.

“I knew she was up to something!” Rainbow accused, “Why… I’m gonna go down to the school and teach that ungrateful bitch a lesson!” as she started to head to the door. I stopped her by grabbing her arm. She looked up at me confused and slightly shocked.

“Rainbow, we don’t know if the Sunset at your school is the Sunset we are after,” I released her arm. “You and the other four have an alternate counterpart in our universe whereas Serenity, Twilight, and myself have a counterpart here… we don’t know if the girl you know is the girl we need.” Rainbow looked at the floor while I turned to face the girls. “The main objective here is to get the crown, Sunset is secondary.”

“How do you intend to get it?” Fluttershy asked while holding out a hand.

“That’s what brings us here…” I looked at Twilight, “Twilight, with the gym in ruins we only have one real option.”

“I am not going to let you run in there and shoot up the place!” she quickly retorted.

“Then you better have a plan, because we have less than ten hours to get the crown!”

Twilight looked to the floor while holding a finger to her chin. After a few seconds she had an ‘Aha!’ face while pointing to the ceiling.

“I got it! Come on, I know what to do!” She said with determination while heading for the door. Following close behind Serenity and I walked while our suits dematerialized and our regular clothes took their places. As Twilight stepped out the door closed behind her. Placing my hand on the nob I stopped.

“Girls…” I glanced over my shoulder, “Everything you heard just now never happened. You are to keep your mouths shut… understood?”

Rainbow huffed and crossed her arms, “Pft! What are you going to do? Shoot us?”

“Don’t tempt me.”

Rainbow’s, along with the girl’s expressions changed to worry as they looked at each other while I walked out the door.

The eight of us stood in the doorway of the destroyed gym. It was just as bad as we expected. Tables were flipped with dented and bent legs, debris covered the floor. It was an all-around mess. And Twilight wanted to clean it all up.

“If only I had some sort of 'party cannon' that could decorate the place super-fast!” Pinkie said while holding up her hands and extending them out for a second while she examined the room.

“The pony version of you does,” Serenity said while walking into the room and to a nearby table.

“Awesome…” Dash said slowly, awestruck.

Following my teammate, I walked up to a broken table. Grabbing the bent leg, I used my almost superhuman strength to straighten it. “Might as well get this started,” I said while lifting the table and placing it back on all fours.

Getting to work, Twilight quickly found a few brooms and started sweeping the floor while Serenity and I moved the heavy stuff such as tables and chairs. Moving large objects out of the way the girls came in behind and cleared the floor with their brooms. A few minutes in while we were working a passing student peeked their head in. Piling up the used streamers and popped balloons the girls quickly bagged them up and tossed them in nearby trash cans.

Once the floor was clean the girls started moving toward other objects. Twilight – and her infinite wisdom- decided to grab a table. Wasn’t hard to tell that she has no upper body mass whatsoever. Catching my attention, I lowered my table to the floor, but before I could move a foot two boys walked up and lifted the table. Moving like snails they started walking as AJ walked by carrying a single table under her arm. Chuckling and shaking my head I went back to work.

Pretty soon -and with the help of other students- the floor was clean and tables were moved or repaired. Once that was done, Pinkie and Rarity started to redecorate the rafters. Tossing streamers and laughing, their antics soon caught the attentions of a few more. It was something out of a movie as we worked. Because soon we had students all around redecorating, repairing, and all around working on the gym. Over the course of probably an hour the place was just like new.

It’s amazing what you can do when you can get people to come together.

Standing on the stage the girls stood in a proud line with each of their hands on their shoulders. Smiling I turned to Serenity and gave her a crisp high five. As the cleanup came to a close Principal Celestia and Vice Principal got on the stage. Clapping her hands loudly Celestia grabbed the attention of the students in the gym.

“God job everyone for repairing the gym!” she praised, “Because of this the dance is back on for tonight!”

The students cheered and talked amongst themselves before Celestia spoke again.

“Now get out of here and get ready!” she said sternly, “But don’t forget to cast your vote for who you want to see as princess tonight.”

Walking to the door, Vice Principal Luna held a ballot box while students grabbed small slips of paper from her sister and cast their votes.

“You got my vote, Twilight,” a student said.

“Mine too!”

“Mine too!”

After several minutes the line finally died down enough for the girls and I to cast our votes. Wasn’t really hard who we were going to choose. With the girls talking away like chickens in the hen house, we left the school and headed back to Rarity’s place to get set.

“That went better than expected!” I said while walking into Rarity’s shop. Opening my holo-feed, I continued in a little ways while the girls filed in behind me.

“It’s amazing what you can do when you can get people together to follow a common goal,” Rarity replied. I smiled and went back to my feed. “Anyway, girls? You know what this means?” Rarity asked, obviously slightly excited. The rest of the gang just smiled and nodded. “Makeover!”

Smiling excitedly, all six of them- and yes six- Serenity wasn’t overly thrilled- headed separate ways to find what they wanted to wear. While they went on about their business I soon found what I was looking for. Closing the feed and grabbing a storage device I headed for a nearby changing room. A few minutes later I walked out in a black suit with a white shirt and dark red tie. I was amazed I actually remember how to tie the damn thing. Because I hadn’t worn a monkey suit in centuries. I hated dressing up. Anyway, while I adjusted my collar the girls glanced at me.

Applejack let out an impressive whistle, “Hot dang! You look gud in that there suit!”

I glanced at the farm girl, “I dabble.”

Quickly, Rarity walked over and started to examining it closely. “Precise stitching, no overhang, clearly handmade… where did you get such a fine suit?”

“You, of course.” I smirked.

“But… I know I don’t have anything is your size!”

Twilight, who stood behind her, rolled her eyes, “He’s talking about the you in my universe. She made it for him shortly after we ‘landed’ in Ponyville.” She said while using air quotes around the word landed.

Rarity let out a long drawn “Ohhhhhh!”

“You look good by the way,” Twilight complimented.

“Yeah well,” I said before heading toward the door, “Frankly, I hate dressing up.”

Once I reached the door, Rainbow pipped up.

“Hey! Where are you going?”

“Getting my ride ready?” I said while continuing forward and out the door. Once I reached the street I placed a storage device on the ground. Tapping the thing I stepped back as my ride for the night started to materialize. Hearing the door behind me open, the girls stood nearby and watched in awe as it materialized. Several seconds passed before it was fully formed. Grabbing the device from the ground I slipped it into a pocket before climbing on and getting it ready.

“Let’s see if I still remember how to start this thing,” I said while trying to rack my brain for the answer. It came to me rather quickly actually. Roaring to to life, I sat down on the seat and grabbed the handlebars. “Just like I remember,” I said to myself with a small smile. Glancing up at the girls I said, “I best be off. Don’t want to be late for my date.”

“DATE!?!”

I smirked at them, “Sorry, but someone beat you to the punch.”

Before they could castrate me, I worked the throttle and headed down the street. Rolling along I admired the scenery that was Earth. I won’t lie that this life style/culture was growing on me. The country wasn’t run by seven rulers… or as they preferred to be called…

Executioners.

Seven killers that decided your fate. Seven killers that fell to their creation. That is a story for a later time. It was nice that I could just do whatever I wanted. To be with my own kind that didn’t want me dead. But alas… they are not my kind. Riding along with nothing but the rumble of the engine I was slowly reminded of my life before the war. And in all honesty, I was happy. No fighting, no death, just me and my ride.

It wasn’t long before I pulled up in front of Derpy’s place. Stopping on front of the simple two story house I killed the engine and stepped off. Walking up to the door I stopped. Taking a quick look over of my tux I adjusted my cuffs before rolling my head and shoulders.

“Nock’em dead.”

Reaching a hand up I knocked three times. On the other side of the door I heard muffled yelling followed by the sound of footsteps on a hard wood floor. Shortly after that I heard the lock to the door click before it opened. Putting on a welcoming smile I greeted the blond haired girl. Smiling ear to ear she lunged forward and grabbed me in a welcoming hug.

“You came!”

“Well… I’m a man of my word!” I forced out through the rapid loss of air in my lungs. Releasing me, Derpy stepped back and smiled while I wiped my suit free of any wrinkles. She looked down to the ground while she rubbed one arm. She was sporting a mad blush too. “You look nice by the way.”

Giving her a quick look over. She was wearing a simple green dress that matched her skirt from earlier today. She had on a pair of knee high socks and her hair was done in a simple ponytail. I smiled back at her.

“I feel like I over dressed,” I said while giving myself a look over before I looked back up at her, “But I think you look a lot better than me.”

That sentence made her blush only intensify.

“T-T-Thank y-you!”

Silence filled the air for a few seconds.

“So are you going to invite me in or…?”

She perked up for a second. “Oh! Please, make yourself at home! I need to finish up quickly!” she said while grabbing me by an arm and dragging me inside. Closing the door behind me she said, “My fathers’ in the living room.”

I looked around the house, “And that would be?”

Walking past me she escorted me into a simple living room. It contained a couch, a television, a few chairs, a coffee table, and various pictures of Derpy and what I assumed was her father and mother. There, right on the couch reading the paper was a man with grey skin, brown hair, and he wore a plain pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt.

“Dad!” Derpy said happily. The sound of his daughter’s voice caused the elder to lower his paper and look me square in the eye. I could tell by the way he looked at me he was a man that didn’t take shit from anyone. I was going to like this guy. “This is my date I’ve been telling you so much about!”

“Ah!” he closed the paper and placed it next to him on the couch. The removal of the obstruction also revealed a large barrel revolver strapped to his waist. Derpy also happen to take notice of this.

“DAAAAAAAD!” she whined, “You promised not to scare him!”

I placed a reassuring hand on the young girl’s shoulder, “Its fine. Guns never scared me.” Lowering my arm, I walked over to the man and stuck a hand out, “Names, Excalibur.”

“Boomstick,” he replied while taking my hand and shaking it.

I nodded while we seemed to fight over grip strength. I won’t lie that the man had a good grip. I could tell I was beating him by the way his right eye twitched ever so slightly. Raising the corner of my mouth slightly I knew I had beaten him. My site soon fell to the revolver.

“That a 44 mag or a 45 long?” I asked while I pointed to the gun.

“Got a good eye kid,” he leaned to the side to look at his daughter, “Don’t worry honey, he’s in good hands. You go and finish up.” Smiling, the young girl nodded before leaving the living room and out of site. “Please. Take a seat,” her father said while gesturing toward an open chair. Walking over I took a seat while the man took his place back on the couch. Interlocking his fingers, he rested his mouth on them while he studied me like a book. The only way I knew that’s what he was doing was because his eyes were moving ever so slightly.

“Look, son-”

“If I do anything to your daughter in anyway shape or form you are going to hunt me down like an animal and either ‘A’, beat me like a pulp, ‘B’, castrate me or if I get her pregnant, do both before forcing me to propose and make sure I care for the child. Please, sir, save me the ‘I’ll kill you if you do this’ speech.” He just stared at me expressionless. I could tell he knew I was right. “I’ll just cut to the chase and say that I am happy and more than welcome to take you daughter tonight… I promise that I have no intentions of harming her in anyway shape or form.”

He didn’t say anything and just watched me for several minutes. Ignoring the glare, I studied the room. As I glanced around the walls my eyes fell on a particular picture. It was Boom dressed up in a military uniform standing next to a woman in a wedding dress. She had light blue skin, blond and yellow eyes. That got me thinking as to why I hadn’t seen her mother.

“Were you in the military?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Ten years,” he answered while lowering his hands from his mouth.

“What branch?”

“Army. Delta Force to be exact.”

I nodded and pursed my lower lip out, “Thank you for your service,” I glanced at the picture again, “I’m guessing the young woman next to you is your wife?”

“That is,” he replied. I swore I noticed a slight hind of sadness in his words, “Her name was-is, Blueberry. Blueberry Muffin… she.” He bit his lower lip, “She passed away from cancer when Derpy was three.”

I blinked, “… I need to learn to shut my mouth.”

The sad part is it was true.

“It’s fine,” he dismissed, “Death happens.”

I clicked my tongue, “Yep.”

“Okay! I’m ready!” I female voice said from the outside of the room. Catching both our attentions we rose from our seats and headed to the base of the stairs. Waiting for a moment Derpy appeared. Won’t lie, she looked good. She was in a pair of matching green heels to her dress. Her hair was perfect, and she had a slight amount of makeup. Light blush and a little mascara. Slowly she started walking down the stairs. Making it about halfway she slipped. I was off in a flash. Catching her in my arms she looked around, probably expecting to be on the floor at the bottom of the stairs instead of my arms.

“You okay?” I asked, concerned.

“Y-Yeah…” she replied with a blush.

Helping her to her feet I escorted her down the stairs and to the door where I opened it like a gentleman and stood to the side to allow her through first. Following close behind I stepped out while her father stood in the door way.

“Derpy!” he called, “Be back by 10!”

I looked at the father, “Come on man! She’s not a little girl anymore. Let her have some fun!”

“Nope! She has a curfew and I intend- holy, is that a ’34 VLD!”

I glanced at my bike, “Yeah. It’s a Harley Davidson ’34 VLD.”

“Wow… it’s in perfect condition,” he said while walking over to it.

Good to know that Harley and the Davidson's are a well-known name here.

“Actually, it’s a reproduction.”

He looked at me in disbelief, “No!”

“Well… sort of,” I replied. “Was working with a friend of mine one summer. When winter came he was having financial problems and couldn’t pay me, so he offered to build this bike. So we spent a cold winter with nothing but a small heater and three layers of clothing working on it in his garage.”

Actually I found a blueprint in an old warehouse and had Ordis reconstruct the thing years ago because I thought it looked like a pretty cool ride to have. Glad I did it too because it is a bitchin ride! Even got a sidecar to boot!

“Nice!” he said, impressed with a small half smile.

I walked past him, “Yeah, well...” I said while escorting my date into the sidecar. Once she was in a climbed on and turned the key. Placing my foot on the starting pedal I stood up on it to kick start it.

“Wait!” Both of us looked at the elder.

“She is not-”

I kicked started it, causing the engine to roar.

“There’s a helmet in the side car!” I yelled over the engine as we rolled away.

Pulling up in the parking lot of the school I parked my ride and helped Derpy out of the side car.

“That was so much fun!” she said excitedly while she stepped out. Giving my arm she gladly took it and held me close while I escorted her to the front door. Just as we reached the bottom of the stairs I heard my name being called. Turning, I caught the girls walking up dressed up in their respective dresses.

“Hi, Derpy!” they said in unison.

“Hi girls,” she replied with a wave.

Realization hit them all like a runaway truck.

“Wait!” Dash said, “Is Derpy, your date?”

“Yep!” I replied truthfully while escorting her inside, “And if you say anything I’m going to punch you so hard, your arm with be dead for a month!” I said the last sentence quietly so only they could hear me. After making it to the gym the music blared as the DJ worked her magic at the booth. Looking at Derpy, I shrugged while walking into the gym and taking a place on the dance floor. For about an hour we danced the night away. Most of the songs were fast paced and the words were barley discernible. But the occasional slow song was thrown in. Many-a-time I was dragged off by one of the girls to dance. At some point Flash took the stage with his band to play a few songs.

When the hour came to an end, Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna took the stage while Flash left. Addressing the crowd, she expressed how proud she was for how the student body came together to rebuild the damage to the gym. Grabbing an envelope from her sister she opened it.

“Twilight Sparkle!” she said the winner of the formal aloud.

The crowd cheered while I clapped lightly. Walking up onto the stage she took her place in front of Celestia. Opening a chest that Luna had grabbed from nearby she opened it to reveal the crown. And my observation confirmed that it was the Element we were after. Smiling, Celestia took the crown and placed it on her head. Turning to face the crowd she smiled and waved.

“Twilight! Help!”

“Spike!?” we both screamed in unison.

Over the crowd I could see the small dog in the hands of the two lackeys that Sunset used. Quickly one of them threw a hand over his muzzle and silenced him before they left the room.

“They got Spike!” Twilight frantically yelled before jumping off the stage and heading for the door with the rest of the girls following her.

For me... well that was the last straw. My anger had boiled over. Because I reached into my coat and drew my gun while yelling, “That’s it!” I raised the gun to the ceiling and pulled the trigger.

BANG!

“Sunset dies!” the crowd immediately dove to the floor as the explosion of the gun filled the room. Many screamed while others covered their ears. Running for the door I stripped my jacket and activated the device that stored my armor. Soon my suit had replaced my tux as I ran down the halls of the school. As my helmet came together and my HUD cam online I saw a little lotus flower close behind me.

“Serenity, you got me?”

“Yeah!” she replied over the radio, “Plan?”

We rounded a corner, “Get Twilight through the portal and grab Spike!”

“And Sunset?”

“Shoot her for all I care!”

Rounding one last corner we came to the entrance of the school. Outside I could see the girls running around as the crowd was tossed around like football. It went from Rainbow to Applejack, then to Fluttershy and Rarity and so on. I didn’t even care about opening the door because I bashed through it with my shoulder, causing it to shatter into several large pieces that shattered further onto the ground. Jumping from the top step to the bottom I timed it perfectly to catch the crown, spin and point my pistol in the face of the shorter green kid.

Immediately he threw his hands up. That action alone caused the chase to shop. Behind me Serenity held her Tigris high at the other boy while the girls soon filled in behind me.

“Twilight,” I said while holding the crown over my left shoulder. When she took it I lowered my free arm. “Portal. Now!”

“But…”

“Get your purple ass through there or I’m throwing you through!” I yelled over my shoulder. I wasn’t going to risk her safety any further. Grabbing Spike, she waited for me. With one fluid and swift hit, my left fist connected with the right side of the boy’s face. He fell to the ground unconscious. “Serenity!”

The crack of a wood stock on a jaw caused the girls to wince as the other young man fell to the ground. Turning, I faced Sunset, who gulped nervously. Taking up positions in front of and behind Twilight we slowly approached the girl. Stepping to the side with Sunset in front of me, Twilight gave one last apprehensive look at her friends before she stepped through with Serenity close behind.

“Knees. Now!”

Sunset slowly kneeled down in front of me. Walking around her I grabbed her in an arm lock and placed my gun in the crook of her back. The lack of movement and pressure caused the young girl to wince in agony. I stopped just on front of the portal, I could feel several pairs of eyes watching me. I looked over my shoulder at the girls, but it was what I saw past them.

The whole school was watching.

“Anyone that follows will be considered a threat and will be shot on site!” I warned. My last glance fell on the girls, who slowly looked to the ground is sadness. Looking back, I order Sunset through. Stepping through I saw Twilight crying with her friends and the princess’. Serenity stood nearby with her gun still at the ready and Drax standing with his hunch back. But there was one thing I didn’t take into consideration.

Sunset is a unicorn.

Before I knew it I was lifted into the air and thrown toward the gathered group of mares. Ducking, they avoided me, but I didn’t miss the stack of boxes stacked behind them. Raising her weapon Serenity took aim, but was picked up in Sunset magic and pushed backwards into a separate stack of boxes. A swipe of claws just missed the unicorn as she ducked to avoid a slash from the dragon fame. Dodging to the side she lifted a leg and bucked him in the chest, causing him to stumble back. With an evilly victorious smile she looked Twilight before teleporting over to her. Grabbing the crown of the young princess’ head she shoved her before teleporting back to the portal, where she slipped back through.

“Excalibur!”

“I know, I know!” I shot back while pushing a crate off of me, “The one thing I didn’t take into consideration!” standing up I took my rifle off my back and ordered both Tenno to me. Rushing through the portal we came out guns ready.

And just in time to watch Sunset place the crown on her head.

The jewel in the crown started to glow a sick black before her eyes shot open, glowing white. Everyone, including the still gathered crowd of students watched in horror. The dark magic that she had created engulfed around her in the form of a massive vortex that shot straight into the sky. It was so powerful that it even caused the clouds to turn dark. Once the light faded, Sunset no longer looked like a teenage girl. She was a at least seven or either feet tall and was red like a demon. Her skin was bright red, her dress looked like fire along with her hair, he teeth were sharpened to the point of daggers and her eyes were as black as night. I was just about to give the order to open fire when a body fell out between Drax and I.

She rose to her feet; wobbly might I add.

“Sunset!” she called catching the attention of the demon girl, “Stop this at once!”

Sunset growled, “Go to Hell, Celestia!”

Her hands charged with her dark magic. The shot aimed right for the princess. Both Serenity and Drax rolled out of the way as I tackled Celestia to the ground. The ground behind us exploded in a flash of light as the magic impacted, creating a small crater. Immediately my other two teammates opened fire, giving me the cover to pick up Celestia.

“Get your fat white ass in the portal!” I yelled while standing up and grabbing Celestia by the white dress she was wearing, “And stay there!” I finished while chucking her back through. On the other side Celestia fell flat on her face with her ‘fat’ rear high in the air. With a shocked and saddened expression, looked at the shocked mares in front of her.

“I’m not fat… am I?”

On the other side I grabbed my rifle and opened fire. But my rounds did little as they seemed to impact on an invisible shield. Releasing another magic blast, the ground exploded behind me as I rolled closer to the demon. Continuing my volley, I distracted Sunset while Serenity took the opportunity to attack. Holstering her Tigris, she turned and ran full force toward the building. Using the void energy in the suit she ran straight up the wall before vaulting off toward Sunset. Reaching back as far as she could, Serenity’s clenched fist connected with the back of Sunsets head.

The massive force of the hit caused Sunset to crash into the ground, creating yet another small crater. As Sunset rose with a hand to her head, she opened her eyes and ducked just as my sword swiped over her head. Coming back with a vertical slash to the left she used her new wings to jump to her feet. Each time I brought the sword down or to the side she would step out of the way. Stepping out of the way myself, Drax took my place by rolling forward. Using his hands as spring he kicked Sunset it the jaw with both feet. The demon girl flew back and crashed on the concrete steps.

“You will pay for that!”

Serenity let out her war cry as her Hysteria ability took over. She charged like a rabid animal. Sunset released each and every spell she knew. Only for them to harmlessly impact of the energy field that covered Serenity’s armor. When the Tenno was to close, Sunset threw a fist. Only to have it get caught in Serenity’s massive clawed fist. With a low grunt, she grabbed Sunset by the collar of her dress and spun, throwing Sunset high into the third floor of the school. The impact sent glass, wood and other debris flying. Before Sunset could recover we were in the hole.

She blasted attack after attack, only for us to dodge them via a jump or a duck. Grabbing a nearby desk, I flipped it in the air before jumping up and kicking it with both feet. Crashing and shattering on Sunsets chest, causing her to crash through the door behind her. Rushing through, the dragon charged on all fours. Clamping her claws around his helmet, she lifted him high before bashing him head first through the floor.

As Serenity leapt over the newly made hole, she was out for blood. But Sunset grabbed her in her magic and forced her backwards causing her to fly out a nearby window. Before Sunset could focus on me I was on her. Wrapping my arms around her waist I ran full force down the hall. I don’t know how far I dragged her, but when we came to the wall we crashed into the lockers at full force, causing them to conform around Sunset. Before she could recover I pulled her from them, pushed her down one of the halls in the junction, and finished with a round house kick to her chest. As she stumbled back she regained her footing and held both her hands to her sides, each one with the glow of her dark magic.

“When I take over Equestria, you will- WHAT THE!?”

She was cut off as the floor beneath exploded as a pair of white hands grabbed her and dragged her down by her ankles. Through the newly made hole I could hear growling and roaring before a loud and audible *smack* of a fist hitting a jaw bone filled the air. Not a second later Sunset came flying back through the hole where she crashed into the ceiling, shattering the light and crashing to the ground. Just as she stood up I used the nearby wall as a launch pad and threw a fist at her. The impact on her face caused her to fall back further. Crossing my hands in an ‘X’ motion in front of my face I opened my Venka and held them to my sides.

“Give it up Sunset!”

“Never!” she shot back, “I won’t give up until the crown is- SHIT!”

She was cut off as she was pulled back off her feet. She covered several feet in several seconds before she was grabbed by the back of the neck by Serenity, who held her before I heard a guttural growl. Serenity dropped Sunset just before she was tackled by Drax and dragged away. I ran up to Serenity as the grunting and growling of the dragon and demon girl fought somewhere in the school. A few seconds later one of the walls in the hall where Drax dragged off Sunset, exploded as the pair crashed through the wall, sending lockers, books, paper and other debris flying.

Lifting her up by her abdomen, Drax spun around and hurled Sunset at Serenity and I. We didn’t even think twice as we each raised a respected fist and clothes lined the demon. Sunset curled around our clenched fists as the lower part of her body kicked up, causing her to hit the floor with the back of her head. Drax walked up as Sunset started to raise to one knee. A lone trail of blood escaped her nose.

“You will pay for that!”

“Kill her…”

Serenity let out her war cry while at the same time, Drax roared like the animal he is. They charged as I walked forward. Each of them worked in tandem as they hacked and slashed at the girl. Drax swiped in every direction with the claws on his suit to my left while Serenity took the right. Both of them would use the wall as a launch point for their attacks. When Serenity attacked, Drax jumped off the wall with claws raised. He would attack, Sunset would stumble while he rolled.

As they fought I walked, matching Sunset step for step. Pretty soon the hall came to its end. The railing to the entry of the school, brought the attack to a halt. Sunset leaned against the rail, beaten and bruised. Wiping her mouth with her arm she glared at me while my teammates stood next to me.

“Give up, Sunset.”

“Screw… you!” she spat.

Seconds passed as she glared at me. Taking a deep breath, she stood up straight and faced me. Drax and Serenity looked back and forth between the two of us as we started each other down. I didn’t say a word, because my actions spoke volumes. With one fluid motion I lifted my right leg to my chest and kicked Sunset right in the gut. Her body conformed around my boot as she fell back over the railing. The crack of a body on a hard floor graced our ears a few seconds later. Along with the gasps and screams of multiple young men and women. Placing my hand on the rail, I vaulted it and landed on the floor below, Serenity and Drax not far behind.

There in front of me sat Sunset as she slowly rose to her feet. Behind her were all the students attending the dance. Walking up I grabbed Sunset by an arm while Drax grabbed her by the other as we dragged her through the crowd, out the door, and onto the front lawn of the school. After we were a good distance out, I stripped Sunset of her crown and the two of us tossed her to the ground.

“Are you going to give up now, Sunset?” I asked.

She propped herself up on her arms, “N-Not until Equestria… is mine!” she spat, some blood splattering the ground at my feet. I walked up to her and grabbed her by the neck and lifted her to my helmet.

“That wasn’t a question. It was an order!”

She smirked, “You fool.”

Before I could react I was lifted into the air and thrown like a rag-doll. I flew through the air like a bullet, where I collided with the Wondercolt statue and bouncing off the solid concrete to the ground. Just as Serenity and Drax attacked, they were levitated back into the air and thrown toward the school, where they crashed through the wall above the doors, they crash landed on the floor with a single roll. Neither of them moved. Sunset gave a victorious smirk as she stood up and walked over to the crown I had dropped. Placing it back on her head she headed for the school.

“Sunset Shimmer!”

“Dammit Twi,” I muttered as I propped myself up on my elbows.

Sunset turned to face the young girl.

“Well, well, WELL!!!” the last word in the sentence Sunset emphasized with a growl, her hair flaring. “Look at this? You think you’re so brave facing moi?” Sunset said confidently while holding a hand to her chest and putting the other on her hip.

“I won’t let you win Sunset!” Twilight said firmly, “You cannot win!”

“And what are you going to do, huh?” Sunset question sarcastically, “I defeated your friends! And you. Have. No. MAGIC!”

“She has us!” Dash said firmly, while holding a thumb to her chest. The girls next to her agreed firmly while taking a step up to Twilight.

“And… me!” I said while looking up from the ground.

“And, us!” Drax and Serenity said from the school. Drax had a hand on the door frame for support as a student held Serenity up.

Pushing myself off the ground I limped my way over to the girls as they watched me. Reaching up, I cupped my left hand around my right and drew forth my Exalted Blade. Holding it at my side I stood in front of the girls. Sunset turned around to see Drax helping Serenity over. As soon as them made it over the stood next to me. Drawing one of her Tonfas, she held it in her right hand while Drax drew his Silvia and held it with his free hand.

I took a deep breath, “You’re going to have to kill us, Sunset! Because we fight for the freedom of others! Not the enslavement of the innocent!” As best as we could, we took up defensive stances with our blades at the ready.

“Fine…” she opened a hand with a dark ball of black energy in it. Reaching back, she threw it. Behind us the girls hugged around Twilight as we held our blades firm.

Impact.

As the shot formed around us I expected something, anything. Once the light faded I noticed how we all seemed to be surrounded by some sort of aura.

“Why are we glowing?” Serenity asked, confused.

“Because,” Twilight said while looking at her hands. She closed them and pointed at Sunset. “The magic contained in my Element was able to unite with those that helped create it!” the crown on Sunsets head started to glow as a pink aura shot from the stone. Connecting with the girls they started to lift into the air.

“This is our chance!” I grabbed a health pack from my back, opened it and shoved the needle into Serenity's shoulder. Tossing the canister, I looked at Sunset, who was holding her head in agony. “Make it count!”

Bullet jumping high I raised a fist high. Sunset gasped as the energy in my suit was focused hard into the hit. The massive amount of force made a subsonic boom as my fist connected with the side of Sunsets head. Crashing with enough force to create a small crater, Sunset laid on the ground as I landed. The three of us walked up as Twilight spoke behind us.

“Together with the crown they create a power beyond anything you could imagine! But it is a power you don’t have the ability to control! The crown maybe upon your head Sunset Shimmer! But you cannot wield it! Because you do not possess the most important magic of all! The magic of friendship!” Twilight said proudly while grabbing Rarity’s and Dashes hands.

“She had to say it…” I said under my breath.

Floating up they formed a giant heart as the magic within them focused into a two strand beam made out of -yep, you guessed it- a rainbow. Well there was only one logical thing to say at the time. I turned to face Sunset as the beam shot skyward. Our eyes locked.

“Taste the rainbow, motherfucker!”

Connecting, Sunset screamed. Whether it be pain, fear or anger. As it engulfed her I could see her silhouette in the center. Slowly she started to change back to her human form. The wings separated from her shoulders and disappeared into dust. Her arms and legs shrank as she went back to her shorter form. Her hair fell flat and her skin turned back to its regular color. Once it was all said and done, she was just a beaten teen in a massive smoking crater. Walking to the edge, the girls, myself, Drax, Serenity and all the students looked down at her. Jumping into the crater I walked up to Sunset. Lifting her head, she saw my feet before her head rose completely to face me. I could see the shame, regret, and fear as tears streamed down her face. I held my Exalted Blade up and pointed it at her face.

“I-I-I’m sorry!”

“That won’t cut it!”

Bending over I grabbed her by the back of her shirt and lifted her into the air, tossing her up and out of the crater. She screamed the entirety of the few seconds. Up above, Drax and Serenity caught her by her arms before forcing her to her knees.

“Please!” Sunset begged, “I’m sorry!” Sheathing my ethereal sword, I walked up and grabbed Sunsets arm making sure to apply much more pressure this time. Lifting her to her feet and shoving my pistol to the back of her head while my teammates stood next to her with their guns at the ready.

“Walk!”

“Please! Please, please, PLEASE!!!” she continued to beg.

“Can it!” I ordered while lifting up on her arm, causing her to scream in pain. Walking her over to Twilight -who was just standing up- we stood in front of her. “Sunset Shimmer, for your acts against the Equestrian crown, you are hereby under arrest for treason and attempted murder of a member of the crown. You will face an Equestrian court for your crimes. Even if by whatever reason you get pardoned you will in turn face a Tenno court. Of which your sentence will be death. No matter what happens… you die!”

“Wait, wait, wait! Ple-he-he-he-heeeeeease!” She begged again while squirming in my arms. A slight lift up stopped her.

“Excalibur…” Twilight said softly, “Let her go.”

“WHAT!?!” My team, myself and Sunset yelled in unison.

“I think she’s learned her lesson,” Twilight added before grabbing Sunset by her free arm. The girl in question watched on, shocked. “Sunset… the magic of friendship isn’t only in Equestria,” she turned to the girls… of which I just realized they had long pony tails, pony ears, and Dash and Fluttershy had wings. “But here too. You can seek it out!” she said enthusiastically. “Or forever be alone…” she said in a more darker tone. Her pony ears falling flat. “The choice is yours…”

“I still think she deserves something harsher.”

“Excalibur, do you always have to be so dark?”

“For what happened tonight, Twilight? Yes, I do.”

“But,” Sunset said while taking a step, I pulled her back to me, “All I have ever done is drive people apart… I don’t know the first thing about friendship…”

“I think they can teach you,” Twilight said while standing to the side and holding a hand toward her friends.

Pretty soon all eyes fell on me. Glancing around at all the students my decision came at a hard one. I let go of Sunsets wrist. Taking a step, she rubbed her wrist while she looked at me with a shocked expression. i holstered my pistol.

“It’s for the one and only fact that I trust Twilight,” I stated. “When I get a chance, I will be back Sunset. And if those girls behind you say anything bad about you… the last thing you will ever see will be my sword protruding from your chest!” I said the last word through clenched teeth. “That’s your one and only warning!”

“Those are my girls! Woo-hoo!” Spike said enthusiastically before standing up on his back legs and clapping his front paws.

“Woah!” one student said, “Did that dog just talk!?”

The dog in question just sat there with an eyebrow raised, “Seriously? The talking dog is the weird part about all of this?”

“You’re telling me,” I replied with a deadpanned tone.

Rarity was soon to walk over and snatch him up before she started to scratch him behind his ears.

“I believe this… belongs to you,” Celestia said while holding up Twilight's crown. Turning Twilight and I faced the principal as Drax and Serenity took their spots on Twilight's right. “A true princess in any world leads, not by forcing others to bow before her… but by inspiring others to stand with her.” Twilight took a knee while holding her hands to her chest and laying her ears flat. Placing the crown on her head Celestia continued, “We have all seen that you are capable of just that. I hope you see it too?” Celestia took a knee and placed a hand on Twilight's, allowing them to look eye to eye. “Princess Twilight.”

Twilight glanced to the side before looking back at the Principle, “I do!”

Raising, both stood up as the crowd cheered, causing twilight to flinch for a moment before she smiled back. As the crowd quieted down all eyes fell on us. Serenity, Drax and I stepped in front of Twilight, drawing my Skana, Drax pulled his Silvia free while Serenity drew her right Tonfa. Spinning my sword, I held it reverse before taking a step forward while lifting my blade high. Both my teammates followed my lead as we shoved our blades deep into the earth’s surface. Lowing hour heads, we paid our respects in full.

“You’re a good girl Twilight,” I said before raising my head, “And you’re just as good of a leader too.” Pulling our blades free we rose to our feet. Placing mine back I said, “Don’t you ever forget that!” Twilight smiled before she lunched forward and hugged me. Hugging her back for a second I released her while she hugged Serenity and shook Drax's hand.

I turned to Celestia and removed my helmet, “Told you I was closer than you though,” I said while placing my helmet in a storage device. I looked her square in the eyes. Her shocked expression said everything. “Sorry for being so forceful.”

“… It’s okay,” she said before swallowing and shaking her head. She crossed her arms, “But you should know better than to treat your elders like that young man!” she scolded while turning slightly to the side.

I snorted out a laugh before I broke down into a chuckling fit. Celestia turned to face me with a confused expression. “You have no room to talk!” I said between laughing fits while pointing a finger at her. After several more seconds of laughter I regained my composure. I cleared my throat, “Celestia… I may look like a teenager,” I looked her square in the eyes, “Celestia… in my universe I was born in the year 2175. It’s the year 3194... you do the math?”

Celestia’s jaw slowly opened with the rest of the student body.

“S-So, that means you’re…?”

“I am one thousand and nineteen years of age, young lady,” I finished with a smirk. Celestia slowly moved her jaw up and down in an attempt to form a sentence, only to get nothing. “Anyway,” I turned to Twilight, “It’s time to go.”

Twilight looked to the ground with a saddened expression before she faced her friends, who wore the same saddened look.

“Can we stay? For a little longer?”

I opened the holo-feed in my palm. The clock read 9:30. We still had a couple of hours before the portal closed. God knows all of us needed to unwind.

“Two hours,” I closed the feed and looked at Twilight's overly happy expression, “That’s all we got.”

Everyone cheered.

The music played as the DJ worked her magic at the booth. The girls were off doing their own thing while Serenity and Drax had headed back to Equestria for their own R&R. I also made sure they took our arch-gear. Standing on the side lines with my arms crossed I watched Twilight dance the night away like a maniac.

“Hey?”

I turned my head at the voice.

“Sup, Flash?”

“Nothing,” he leaned against the wall next to me. My attention soon went back to Twilight. Silence went between us before he spoke again. “So…” I looked at him, “This is our future?”

I looked back at Twilight who had moved to a different dance position, “Yep.”

He nodded as silence graced us once again.

“So are you and Twilight like… dating?” he asked while looking at me.

I smiled and chuckled lightly while dropping my head for a second, “No.”

“But would you tap that?”

Didn’t take a rocket scientist to know what he meant. Just like every other teen, he couldn’t keep his mind out of the gutter.

“Probably,” I replied honestly, “You?”

“Yes!”

I nodded while resisting the urge to just kick him right in the nuts.

“That does beg the question though,” I looked him right in the eye, “How much are you into horses?”

He lurched forward and covered his mouth with both hands. “W-What!?”

He didn’t need to know the fact that Twilight is a small, cute little alicorn that only vaguely resembles a horse. They rarely act like horses, they have an entire political system, personally they are very closely related to humans. But like I said, he didn’t need to know. He continued to stand there doubled over in an attempt not to puke.

“If you’re going to puke, don’t do it on my armor. Blood is hard enough to get off,” I said while slapping him on the back. I heard him scuffle off and the doors to the gym open and close as he headed for the bathroom. Working my way through the crowd I grabbed his band mates and ushered them on stage.

I don’t think Flash would mind if I borrowed his guitar.

Nodding to the DJ, she got the hint and started to fade the music out. Taking up their respected positions, my band mates tuned their instruments while I put the guitar over my shoulder and addressed the crowd.

“I think it’s time to play some real music!” I said over the mic.

Tossing two holo disks, they attached to the instruments of the band members fiddling with my holo feed in my hand I pulled up what I intended to play. Over the next hour I played various songs from ZZ Top, Survivor, Journey, and others. As I played and sung to the crowd, they all danced to the beat. I personally believe that was the best part of the dance was me shredding that guitar. But just as fast as it started…

The night was over.

I dropped Derpy off at home at the correct time. Even gave to a kiss on the lips and told her how she was the first and only person on the planet to kiss a hero, much to her joy. Twilight was going to kill me if she ever found out. Parting ways, I made my way back to the school. Where the last hour I ended up dancing the night away with the girls.

Twilight mostly though.

As our time came to an end, Twilight stood nearby while giving her friends hugs and goodbyes while I stood next to Sunset.

“Remember what I told you, Sunset,” I said before turning to look at her. “Because if I hear that you fucked up,” my hand shot up and around her neck. She gagged as I lifter her off the ground and looked her straight in the eyes, “I… will… kill…you! Got it!?” She nodded as best as she could as her hands wrapped around my wrist. Dropping her, she landed on her feet as her hands went straight for her neck. Walking over Twilight broke her embrace with Fluttershy.

“Time to go.”

Twilight sighed and looked to the side, “I know…”

“Goodbye girls,” she said, saddened, “Until next time.”

“Will we ever see you again?” Pinkie asked, saddened.

“… I don’t know…”

Giving one last group hug they slowly broke apart, Twilight dragging her hands across her friends before she walked away, head hung low. Upon reaching the portal, she gave one last glance before stepping through. Following close behind I glanced back at the girls. All of them gave one last, tiny smile and waved. Smiling back, I gave a two fingered salute before stepping through.

Coming out the other side, I saw Twilight hugging her friends, along with Luna, Celestia and Cadence. Standing there for a second I heard a loud thud as the mirror wobbled forward slightly. Nearby, Pinkie fell to the floor holding her head.

“Owechie!”

She quickly brushed it off and went back to the massive group hug. Letting out a relieved sigh, I left the room and headed down the halls for my room. Pretty soon I ran into a particular orange stallion.

“Sir,” he addressed, “Prince Shining-”

“Telling him to go shove it up his ass!” I retorted, frustrated, cutting the stallion off and walking past him, “I’ve had a long three days.”