Author's Notes:

To anyone not paying attention I have changed the rating from Teen to Mature. The original reason I did this was for the views! and while I did do a pretty decent job at keeping to that teen rating, with what I planned to do next, it was going to get risky. Trying to stay to that rating while also writing what I wanted to write would be near impossible. So we have gone full mature now. I do hope you enjoy!

I groaned and winced when I finally came to. I wasn't sure how long I had been out for, but I bet my suit was working on overtime to repair any and all injuries I may have had. Not going to lie, I was hurting, but not as bad as before. Rubbing my face with my right hand I winced a second time when I opened my eyes, the light was a bit too much for my sensitive eyes. I’m not sure how long I was out for, but it was a little while. Gingerly opening my eyes, it was clear that I was missing my helmet. As I sat up to adjust myself while gingerly opening my eyes, I felt something tug against the back of my left hand. Glancing down, I could see a tube sticking out of the back of my ungloved, left hand. Following the tube, it ended at a bag hanging off an I.V. stand next to the bed. Taking a second, I examined the room I was now in.

It was a hospital room.

And I was on a bed that was a bit too small for a dude like me. I shouldn’t have to explain what a hospital room looks like, you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Bland enough said. The only other key differences were that my helmet, glove and what appeared to be a holo-pad sat on a table next to the bed. Reaching over I tapped the top. Its screen activated and flickered before an image of Ordis appeared.

“Excalibur!” he cheered.

“Hey Ordis,” I groaned as I moved my attention towards the needle in my arm. Pulling the tape off with a wince, that shit is nearly bullet proof and impossible to get off, I pulled the needle out next and tied it off. “How long have I been out for?”

“Three days, Excalibur.”

I groaned again. Was getting sick of this repeating trend I seemed to be getting into. “Thanks, Ordis,” I said unenthusiastically. “Sorry to worry you.”

“It’s okay, Excalibur,” he replied, sounding rather hurt. It was amazing how a mere A.I. could have such human like emotions. But he was still my friend regardless, machine or not.

“I’ll be out here soon, Ordis,” I informed him. “Where’s everyone else?”

“Still in the hospital with you,” he told me.

“Thanks.”

With that, the image faded while I reached over and grabbed my glove. Once it was attached I slipped my helmet on next and attached the holo-pad to my hip. Standing up, I was a little uneasy on my feet, but I kept my balance. Just as I was about to walk out of the room a little card caught my eye on the table opposite of where my stuff was. Stepping over, I picked it up and examined the front. It was a crude little drawing of a stick figure human wearing my helmet surrounded by six stick figure ponies -color coordinated- and one stick figure dragon while the human was lying on an equally crudely drawn bed.

Opening it, it read ‘Get well soon!’ followed by the signatures of Twilight, Spike, Rainbow, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy. Each varying in penmanship. I smiled though, been a long time since I got something like that. Transferring it into a storage device, I decided that would frame it for later. With my mood improved slightly, I headed for the door and stepped out of the room. Glancing down the hall, I headed off in a random direction. I made it a few meters before I heard a gasp and hooves clattering against the tile floor. A second later a snow-white mare with pink hair and a little nurses cap ran around in front of me.

“Sir!” she addressed me, rearing up and placing her front hooves against my stomach, forcing me to stop. “Sir please! You are not fit to leave yet!”

I stared down at her, unmoving. “I’m fine.” Grabbing onto her hooves, I pulled her off me and stepped around her. But she continued to follow, voicing her concerns. The little nurse continued to plead with me to return to my room and rest while I continued to try and convince her I was fine. Following the signs that lead towards the lobby I made it there in minutes, all the while the little nurse continued to plead, even pulling a doctor into it.

“Look, I said I’m fine!” Rather fed up with everything I finally turned to face the pair, holding up my hand like a knife. Both continued to stare up at me, the brown stallion in a white lab coat looked at me with a look of concern while the mare, stared up at me annoyed with her nose scrunched up cutely. “Look, I need to focus on something else. Just keep tabs on-”

“WHERE IS HE!?”

The whole building practically shook from the yell.

“TELL ME!?”

Judging by the amount of heat that started to flood into the halls, I knew this would end horribly if I didn’t intervene immediately. Heading in the direction of the shouting, I jogged my way down the hall, the nurse and doctor following. Probably the only reason this place wasn’t burned to the ground was the fact that this was a hospital. Coming to a door that was clearly radiating heat, I grasped the handle and opened the door, releasing the contained heat into the halls, causing the two ponies with me to gag and step back.

Inside the room, Ember loomed over a little mare in the corner. Said mare was crying as she begged for mercy. “EMBER!” I shouted as loud as I could. “Leave the cute little nurse alone…” She adjusted her head slightly at the sound of my voice before she turned her head fully. Her deep red eyes landed on me before she turned around fully, the wisps of flames extinguishing as she started to relax.

Holding out my arms slightly, Ember took the invitation and ran towards me, crashing into me and immediately wrapping both arms around me and resting her head under my chin. Completing the hug, myself, I watched the other nurse on the opposite end of the room. Nodding my head towards the door, the mare shot off as nothing more than a blur right out the door. Leaning back, Ember held onto my arms as she stared into my helmet. Reaching up, she gingerly pulled my helmet off and let it fall to the floor as tears welled up in the corner of her eyes. Reaching up, I gently cupped her chin and turned her head.

She closed her eyes and simply let me do my thing. Examining the shaved right side of her head, her hair was flopped over the opposite way, covering the left side of her head. “You changed your hair.” Leaning back, I examined her armor too. It was now jet black with orange highlights and a few new additions. “Armor too.”

She opened her eyes, causing me to release her chin as she looked at me with a stern gaze. “So? Am I not allowed to?”

I smiled lightly. Typical. “I liked the ponytail.”

“It was getting old.”

“You didn't look like a raging lesbian with it.”

Ember rolled her eyes and pushed past me without a word. Grabbing her helmet from a nearby table she slipped it over her head as she walked out the door. I groaned. Of course, she gets angry again. Grabbing my helmet off the floor I followed her lead and walked out of the room. She was fiddling with a data-pad for a few seconds before her weapons appeared, closing the screen and putting the projector away. Stepping up, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. She didn't say anything, but also didn't push me away. Weaseling my hand down her back, I gripped the handle of the weapon on her right hip. With a swift pull I pulled the dagger off her hip before spinning away and a few steps in front of her. Ember glanced down at her hip before she shouted her protest.

“Hey!”

“I see you still have that dagger I built you for your birthday,” I said as I held the black, white, and red blade in my hand. It still had the words ‘The Dagger of Truth’ in Ostron engraved into the blade. I made the thing out of spare parts in Cetus a few years ago. I tested it and made it battle proven for Hok to guild before I gave it to Ember. I see that it at least mattered enough to her to keep. I have a Zaw myself. Hok always says that his blades need a name. Well, I was lazy and uncreative, and offhand named my staff ‘The Staff of Destiny’.

And probably convinced the entire Tenno community that it was part of a rare and unique set of long-lost blades.

Even though I made it out of a bunch of spare parts from a grumpy blacksmith!

As we left the hospital I, spun the blade and threw it in the air, letting it spin a few times before I gave her back her dagger. “So now what?” Ember asked as she fiddled with the weapons positioning. She had it a certain way and it needed to stay like that!

I gave her a glance as we kept walking. “I need to check on a few things and see how we can help.”

“We?”

“Yes Ember, ‘we’!” I stated firmly. “We tore more than our fair share of real estate apart. So, I’m going to do the right thing and help. So, will you, and Serenity, and Drax.”

“Why do I have to?” Ember countered as she crossed her arms indignantly.

“Oh, don’t start!” I started myself, stepping in front of her.

“And why not!?” she shouted back, her armor starting to smolder. “Huh? Why shouldn’t I say something? Why don’t I have the right to say anything!?”

I groaned and rolled my eyes. “Ember! What is wrong with you!?” I shouted at my little sister. “Look around you! Everything doesn't revolve around you!”

“Because it revolves around you doesn't it!?”

“Bullshit young lady!”

“Don’t you ‘young lady’ me!” she continued to shout, pressing her finger against my chest. “But what about you!? What about you leaving us high and dry!?”

“I crashed dammit!” I explained with a shout. “I have no control when the ship can’t fly!”

“Then fix it!”

“I did!”

“Then why don’t we leave!?”

“You want to know why!? You want to know fucking why!?” I grabbed her forcefully around the arm and dragged her along as she shouted at me to release her, but I refused. I continued to drag her as she continued to act like a pathetic child. Walking down through the streets of Ponyville with a purpose, rounding one last corner a pushed her forward in front of me. Down the street, ponies from all around town were working on various projects. Some worked on reframing damaged buildings while others were clearing debris. I could see Applejack leading a group as they started to repair a random building.

“Look around you, Ember!” I shouted at her, holding out my arm towards the destruction we had caused. “We are not the only ones in the universe! How many people have to suffer for you to get that through your THICK SKULL!?” She continued to stare at the destruction for several seconds while I hoped that maybe, just maybe, that I had gotten my point across.

Slowly, she turned around to face me before she removed her helmet. As she lifted her head she stared me down with tears rolling down her face as she scowled at me. I knew it, I just knew that she was more angry and sad at me. With a scowl, she stepped towards me and shoved her helmet against my chest while shouting ‘fuck you’ before walking away.

I was speechless.

Guess I really did it this time.

I stared down at the helmet in my hands. Thinking quickly, I turned around to call out to my sister but was only greeted with an empty street. With a depressed sigh, I let my arms go limp, still holding her helmet in my right hand. Deciding to go and do my part, I just headed towards the gathered work force of ponies while also ignoring all the stares directed my way.

“Hey Applejack,” I said, greeting the orange mare that stood next to a slightly older, grey haired mare. “How can I help?”

She stared up at me with a look of concern but didn’t say anything about the incident she just bared witness to. “We need help with multiple buildin’s, Town Hall sure took a lick from yur fight,” she stared down at the torn up main street. The large ditch that Ordis and I had dug with the back of Tirek’s head was all to evident. You didn’t have to look hard, shit, if you didn’t pay attention, your forehead would answer that statement. Looking down it, I could see multiple stallions and a few mares either covered in dirt, holding shovels or working carts full of dirt. Those not filling the ditch were moving debris around it and vice versa. “We’ll take whatever yah kin offer Sugarcube.”

I could tell by her tone that she wasn’t too happy about everything. Surveying the damage, I ran everything I could do in my head. “I’ll have Ordis reteriform the street.” Turning, I faced towards what was left of Town Hall. The carousel style building was half standing while the other half was nothing, but a pile of debris surrounded by mud and gravel torn up ground that Ordis must have done when he pulled himself free. “I’ll get specters to start cleaning the debris and rebuilding anything you need.”

With that, I got everything going. A handful of freshly spawned Specters started to get to work rebuilding damaged buildings while Ordis and the Liset hovered over the street, a bright blue beam extending down from the ship, slowly reforming the damaged street, lastly, I had some extractors collecting debris and depositing it in areas set aside and out of the way. As we worked, I continued to think about my sister.

“Excalibur?” Lifting my head, I turned to face towards the country pony looking up at me with a concerned look. “Can we talk?”

I blinked at her before turning and looking around. Seeing as that I was not inherently needed at the time being, I agreed. “Sure.” Taking the shovel that I had been holding, I stuck it in the dirt and followed the mare. “What’s up?”

“Are you alright with yur sister?” she asked as soon as we were far enough away from anyone else. “I saw whut happened.” As we entered a local park and headed down towards a nearby lake, I couldn't help but wonder as to what Applejack wanted. As soon as we were close enough, she sat down in the grass and gestured for me to do the same, so I did. “Wanna talk about it?”

I sighed as I stared down at the lake. As I explained to her how low of a fuse Ember has and how we have had more and more arguments tend to rise between the two of us. It had been a recurring occurrence in recent times. No matter what I do or what I say, I just could not get to her. It felt like it was all about her and only her. The more I talked and explained, Applejack simply just nodded her head every once and awhile. After who knows how long, I finished my talk.

“I… just don’t know what to do,” I admitted, picking up a stone and skipping it across the water.

Applejack and I watched as the stone danced across the water before finally sinking into the blue surface. “Do you still have her helmet?” Applejack requested after a little while. Confused, I grabbed it from a storage device and held it in my hand. Wrapping her mouth around the horn, she took it from my grip and stood up. Surprising me, she started walking away without a word.

“Where are you going?” I asked, standing up myself.

“Tah find yur sister!” she said around the object in her mouth.

O...kay?

I let that settle for a second. Perhaps that was what Ember needed to hear. A second opinion that wasn’t me. Something else came to mind as well “Hey Applejack? Where’s Twilight!?” I shouted.

“The castle!”

“What castle!?” I yelled back in confusion. The nearest castle was in Canterlot. I don’t know why Twilight would be there of all places. Applejack simply pointed her left foreleg in a random direction before she left the park and went out of sight. Following the direction of the gesture, I had to do a double take of the gigantic crystalline structure looming over the streets of Ponyville.

Ember sniffled as she sat on a lone hill on this strange little planet. She was filled with multiple emotions ranging from anger to sadness. Her armor smoldered as wisps of smoke blew in the light breeze from her armor. The grass underneath her was yellow and burned, it would not grow back to its luscious green color for some time to come. She kinda wished that wasn’t a thing, her armor and powers often reflected around her mood.

“Ember?” she heard a very muffled and country sounding voice say behind her. Turning around She was surprised to one of these ponies standing not too far away spitting on her helmet. “The woman growled, leaned over and swiped her helmet from the animal’s mouth. Channeling her energy, she burned off the excess spit with a glare as her iconic flame ignited atop the center.

Applejack rubbed her chin, glaring at the woman before she lowered her hoof back to the ground. “Can ah talk with yah?”

Ember continued to glare at the mare before she slipped her helmet of her head. “Get lost,” Ember all but ordered. Applejack stared at the woman with a bemused expression and a pursed upper lip. Leaning back, Applejack lifted her rear nice and high and planted it firmly against the ground and crossing her forelegs. Ember adjusted her head slightly upon hearing the soft part of something hitting the ground before turning around and facing the mare. Applejack started up like her mother used to do when she was in trouble, refusing to budge.

Standing up, she loomed over the significantly smaller mare, igniting a ball of flames in her right palm. Applejack just stared at the burning ball of flame before she shifted only her gaze up towards the Warframe’s helmet.

“Ah ain’t scared.”

“You should be!”

“You’re lyin.”

“You want to bet?” Ember threatened.

Applejack slowly lowered her legs back to the ground. “Ember, ah have a brother, a little sister too. Ah’ve been threatened befer. Ah’ve stared down and witnessed death more than ah’d ever prefer tah admit… yur brothers worried about you.”

Ember didn’t say anything for some time before the ball of flame in her hand dissipated into nothing more that heat waves in the wind. Ember turned around with a huff, crossing her arms. She suddenly felt very self-conscious for some reason. “You don't know what it's like to lose everything…”

Applejack looked towards the ground as she formulated her response. She could have said so much, but she chose the simplest answer to egg my sister on just enough.

“Try me?”

I stared at what was left of Twilight's home. The remnants of the Golden Oaks Library were still smoldering, even after three days. While most of the debris from the explosion had been cleaned up at some point, but there was still enough in the immediate area. Stepping through where the front door would have been, the scorched floor moaned and creaked under my feet, wisps of soot taking to the wind.

My head told me that this was meant to be, my heart told me I was responsible.

Taking a deep breath, I sighed. I wasn't proud, nor was I depressed or even regretful… it was just… a sigh. Surveying the damage, I tried to see if there was anything worth salvaging. The whole upper floor was missing and what remained of the main floor was scorched beyond repair. What few bookshelves and books were burned beyond recognition. What was left of a table was broken in half and a smoldering husk. Taking a step forward to see if I could even remotely find something salvageable, I felt my foot slip slightly.

Glancing down, I stared at my blackened boot before bending over and moving my foot. Gingerly, I grasped the singed corner of a slip of paper. Pulling it free and shaking the ash from it, I held up a singed picture of Twilight and her friends. Turning it over, I barely made out a date and the words, ‘First Week In Ponyville!’

I stared at the photo for some time before I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around, I lowered my arm as I watched as Spike approached with tears in his eyes. His smaller claws started to black over from the soot, leaving distinct claw marks in his wake.

“Spike, you okay bud?” I asked, dropping to a knee as he approached.

The little drake sniffled and wiped eye face with the back of his arm before shaking his head. Waving him over, I placed my hand on his shoulder and the picture on my knee. Grabbing a clean hand rag from a storage device, I offered it to him. Taking it, he wiped his eyes before blowing his nose. I gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze as I waited for him to calm down.

He sniffled a few more times before nodding his head, silently telling me he was alright. “So… w-what now?”

Grabbing the picture, I stood up. “I intend to give Celestia a piece of my mind. And teach Discord a lesson.”

Spike started to shake nervously as he gripped the handkerchief tighter. “A-Are you going to kill him.”

I took a deep breath, intentionally refusing to respond at first. “Spike look around you,” I started, gesturing towards the debris field surrounding us. “This whole mess could have been prevented if I had done this myself and if Celestia had chosen me deal with this. I could have dealt with Tirek when he was a much smaller threat. He even manipulated Discord just as I had anticipated… Reformation doesn't always work Spike. Especially when it is forced. I never trusted him, Celestia put too much faith in him.” I held up the picture and examined it again. I could have stopped this, but I placed too much faith in that contract than the safety of others. It was a miracle that no one was even killed other than Tirek.

“You're a smart kid Spike, between you, me, Celestia and Discord, which of us took the worst hit here?” I asked, holding out the picture towards him. Taking it, he examined the remaining face. “Wounds will heal with time, Celestia will continue to rule so long as the outcome was satisfactory, Discord received a slap on the wrist as far as I know. But you… not only did you and the girls had to suffer being Tirek's prisoner.” Dropping to my knee again, I removed my helmet and set it on the floor next to me, I wrapped my arm around his smaller frame. “You lost everything.” Turning my head, I faced the smaller drake as he turned to look up at me. “Do you really think that's fair?”

He whimpered sorrowfully as his face contorted into a very miserable and saddened one. “N-No! But does anypony need to d-die over it?”

I let that linger as I stood up.

“...That's not you're call to make.”

Deciding to leave it at that, I left the boy behind. As I left, I passed Rarity as she stood in what remained of the doorway, a concerned look on her face as she watched Spike, tears in the corners of her eyes, begging to be released. I didn’t say anything as I passed by her, just choosing to turn and step past her. Spike was going to need every bit of support he could get.

Heading back into the street I surveyed what little I could see. I wasn’t needed for the repair of the street and most of the buildings that were damaged, were closed off and being worked on. Gathering a report from the specters indicated that they were getting close to finishing the superstructure of Town Hall and were almost ready to start with placing the roof. We were going to need the ship for that. Placing my hands on my hips, I was unsure of what to do next.

“Excalibur?” Turning around, I was greeted by the sight of both Serenity and Drax approaching. Good to see them finally up and moving. We were all pretty hurt when everything was said and done. I was about to say something before she continued. “We have a problem.”

That caused some concern to linger. “What is it?” She simply waved me along to follow. “Lead the way then.” Following in step with them, I was really starting to not like this. “What is it that is of such concern?”

“Celestia came to the hospital,” she started to inform me. Fuck… the last thing I wanted to do was deal with her. With how badly she screwed us in this endeavor, a simple ‘I’m sorry’ would not suffice. “She wanted us to find you and our latest partner.”

“Best leave Ember alone,” I added. “She’s in a sour mood right now and this would only aggravate it further. But what does Little Miss Perfect want?” I made sure to say that in a very displeasing tone.

“Not sure,” Drax answered. “She wants us together.”

I groaned in disgust. “Let’s get this over with…”

Following the pair along, we walked for a few minutes before we started heading towards the latest addition of the city. Next to the new castle, I could see two alicorns and one snake in the grass. I’m sure Discord could feel my glare as we approached. He wilted further and further as we got closer. Drax and Serenity must have done the same. The closer we got the more their heads turned. Stopping not too far away, I crossed my arms indignantly while Celestia, Luna and Discord turned to face us, the latter of the three finding the ground much more interesting.

“Well… you got me here,” I stated, venom dripping from my voice. I wanted to make sure that they knew my stance on the outcome. Both of them turned their heads to look up at Discord expectantly. The Screw Up turned his head to look down at them before he sighed defeatedly. Stepping forward he came up to all three of us and opened his yellow eyes to look at me.

“...I’m sorry,” he weakly apologized. He continued to stand there with that sad expression as he waited for me to say something. I preferred to let him suffer from my silence.

“I won’t take anything less than your death, Discord.” His eyes went wide as he reeled back in shock. “As far as I am concerned, you no longer deserve to live you pathetic sack of shit.”

“Excalibur!” Celestia shouted as she stepped forward with a frown. “I assured Discord that he would receive proper forgiveness!”

“You thought wrong shithead!” I shouted, leaning to the side to see past Discord. “This backstabbing waste of space was the cause of this whole mess!” I stated, holding my hand out towards the one person that started this whole thing. “If you had done exactly what I said this whole thing could have been avoided!”

“I did what was best for this nation! And it worked out thank you very much!” She countered pridefully.

“HA!” I made sure to make that laugh as demeaning and sarcastic as possible. “Look around you you fucking narcissistic, self centered asshole! Look at what you caused. Look at what you did! This city and your precious capital are in ruins! Twilight and Spike lost EVERYTHING! Your people that you are supposed to be protecting were tormented as Tirek steamrolled his way through the countryside!” Pushing past Discord, I held my hand out towards him again as emphasis. “You… trusted him and he failed you! He had his chance, and he threw it all away for false promised and delusions of grandeur!” Turning around, I grabbed Discord by the beard and pulled him down, pressing his nose against my helmet as he closed his eyes in fear. “For that, you deserve nothing but death…”

“RELEASE HIM!” Turning around, Celestia’s eyes were burning with rage as waves of heat emanated from her form as I stared her down, testing her patients further. Releasing Discord from my grip, I held up both hands, palms open. Celestia seemed to calm down, but not a whole lot. “I am severely disappointed in you! I hope your friends don’t think the same way!”

“I do,” Serenity added before turning her attention towards Discord with a hatful glare. “He betrayed out trust. That is the only proper course of action!” Serenity finished firmly, her energy claws flaring as she clenched her fist.

“To death!” Drax stated with a hate filled growl.

Celestia started as us with wide eyes, a slack jaw and a look of horror before she closed her mouth and her look of horror morphed into a look of hatred. “I’m disgusted… at all of you!”

“Say’s the bitch that did absolutely nothing to stop Tirek… or the plethora of other problems in recent years,” I said to Serenity and Drax while holding out a hand towards the mare. I also made sure to say that loud enough for her to hear. Drax snorted while Serenity laughed.

By now, the Princess was shaking with rage. “Discord!” Said person winced upon hearing his name but turned around to face the mare. “We’re leaving! Forgiveness or not, you will stay under my supervision!” She turned abruptly and started to walk away. “Come, Luna, we’re going!” she ordered as she passed her very concerned little sister. Luna gave us one last look of concern herself before she reluctantly followed. “You will not lay a hoof or anything against my subject lest you wish to suffer my wrath! Unless you want to terminate your contract!”

My teeth clenched as I watched they began to leave. Serenity turned towards me, then toward the departing group, then back to me. “We’re just let them leave!?”

My fists clench. “No, we’re not!” Reaching up, I pulled my sword from my back and channeled my energy into the blade as I lifted the weapon over my head and with a powerful grunt...

And I threw it with everything I had!

The blade sailed straight and true towards its target. Metal and flesh connected as it sliced through the target like nothing. Both Celestia and Luna gasped as my Skana sailed right between them. Discord on the other hand blinked in surprise. Looking down at the ground, he stared at his severed left arm before he held up the stub that remained. He blinked at it once before he screamed out in agony, grabbing onto his arm. He continued to scream out and panic as his brain processed what he had just suffered. I imagine the pain was unimaginable. I don’t give a fuck anymore! He dies! Grabbing Discord by the shoulder, I plunged my blade through his back and out of his chest. He gagged and coughed violently as he was forced to stare at the tip of the weapon protruding from his chest. Bone broke, and more blood spilled from the open wound as I twisted the blade. Pulling the blade from his abdomen Discord screamed out in agony even more while blood splattered against the ground as I pulled the weapon away.

“Hold them!” I ordered, referring to Celestia and Luna as my weapon continued dripping blood from its pointed tip. Drax roared before he dodged a bright yellow magic attack. Dropping to all fours he shot off, tackling a surprised Celestia. Serenity screamed out as she activated her Hysteria and ran towards Luna. The darker mare waved her hooves and shouted frantically, but when that failed she held her hooves over her head and closed her eyes, expecting an impact. But when it never came, she cautiously moved her hooves to the side in order to be able to open one of her eyes. Serenity loomed over her but didn’t move.

Kicking Discord square in the back, he fell forward, landing on his stomach. He started to beg and pleaded for mercy as he attempted to crawl away. Holding my sword over my head, I channeled more energy into the blade and stabbed Discord through his tail, pinning him in place. Standing up, I lifted my leg over my head and smashed my heel against the hilt, driving the blade deeper into the ground, assuring that Discord would not be able to move no matter what. Nearby, Celestia’s jaw cracked loudly as her teeth smashed together. Holding her by the horn and using his body as a weight, Drax held the mare down. Stepping past Discord, I silenced his begging by kicking him in the jaw as I stepped past him.

Celestia grunted and struggled ordering Drax to release her. Stepping up towards her, I pulled my pistol from my hip before squatting in front of her. “You’re going to listen and you’re going to listen good,” I told the growling and glaring mare. She struggled and grunted further as she attempted to push the heavier dragon off her, but it was all in vain. Drax was simply too large. Turning the pistol around in my hand, I held it by the barrel, pointing the grip towards her. “You’re going to take this gun… and shoot Discord in the head.”

I was going to make sure she did the damned thing she should have done from the start!

Celestia grunted and struggled further, but yet again, it did nothing. With her wings pinned and horn blocked, her magic was useless. “You will pay for this!” the mare shouted defiantly. Yeah, like hell I will.

“You can try,” I replied, but continued like I did previously. “Take the gun and shoot Discord.”

“I won’t!”

“You will…”

“YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!” she shouted very loudly as she flailed her hooves wildly. It was very similar to that of a whining little sibling that you would sit on. “THIS IS IT! I AM TERMINATING YOUR CONTRACT! I WANT YOU OUT OF MY SIGHT! I WANT YOU OUT OF MY COUNTRY! AND I WANT YOU OFF MY PLANET!”

I dropped my head and shook it. If she wasn’t going to have it, neither would I. Swapping positioning on the pistol, I held it by the grip and pointed it at her head. Her rage turned to immediate horror as she stared down the barrel of the weapon. “It’s you or him. Choose!” I was done, she can have her pathetic planet, but she won’t rule over it. “If he lives you die. Now choose.” She clenched her jaw firmly as she growled angrily.

“No!”

“Three…”

“No!”

“I’m not joking, Celestia. Two…”

“You will rot in Tartarus for this!”

“O-”

“WAIT!” Luna shouted as she dove in front of me and in between Celestia and myself. Tears rolled down her face as she held up both hooves. “Wait… wait… wait…” I continued to hold the weapon as Luna stared at me with a determined look. Slowly, I lowered the pistol.

“Ten seconds.”

Luna closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she gathered her bearings before opening them. “Do as you please from this point on, we will not stop you,” she shakily explained, looking back towards her sister. “I promise thee that I will take over Discord’s punishment from here on out. And he will be punished, you have thine word!”

I narrowed my eyes ever so slightly, searching for any form of dishonesty. But I found none. “Alright…” I said reluctantly, standing up and holstering my pistol. “I'll hold you to that.”

Luna let out a sigh of relief. “I will personally see to everything. I promise.” I didn't bother to say anything, just stare and wait. “I believe having him help clean up Canterlot and a loss of his magic for some time will suffice.”

“...let’s go,” I said, referring to Drax and Serenity. Turning around, I started walking away. Serenity's ability faded with a gust of wind while Drax growled angrily, pushing Celestia further against the ground as he released her. Discord begged for further mercy the closer I got. I didn't say anything as I pulled my blade free from his tail, continuing to walk as though he wasn’t there. Shaking the blade, I cleaned the blood from its edge before placing it on my back. Serenity huffed angrily as she deactivated her ability while Drax stepped up, planting his foot against the side of Discord's head, pressing his face into the ground. “Drax!” The dragon growled both in annoyance and anger before walking away and following me.

Behind us, Luna helped her annoyed sister to her hooves before performing immediate medical attention to Discord’s wounds. I ignored them, only noting that Discord did indeed bleed. Void Energy has some strange effects to on living beings. In this case, Discords ability of self-regeneration.

“Now what?” Serenity questioned as her and Drax fell into step with me.

“Take a few days to relax, you both earned it,” I answered. “I'm going to concentrate on fixing up what remains of the Liset. Once the town is repaired, we might as well get the hell out of here. We've overstayed our welcome…”

Princess Luna watched from her seat with a serious look of concern as she watched her sister pace back and forth, muttering angrily. It had been hours since everything had happened. Discord was checked in into the Castle Infirmary and was currently in stable condition but was heavily medicated. Doctors struggled horrendously to try and fix the draconequus. Being the Spirit of Chaos seemed to be taken a little too seriously in his case. Celestia was a whole ‘nother issue. The mare was angry, to be put bluntly.

“Sister?” Luna asked timidly.

The mare simply turned around and continued to curse under her breath.

“Tia?” Yet another failed attempt. “Celestia?” Luna tried a little louder, but to no avail. “Tia!”

“WHAT!?” Celestia turned with a shout, her wings flaring. Luna blinked back in surprise but held firm.

“Sister please, calm down,” Luna requested, hoping that her calm demeanor would transfer towards her sister. It didn't.

“CALM… CALM… YOU WANT ME TO BE CALM!?” Celestia roared, causing the room to shake, making Luna question or not if she was that bad when she talked loudly. “HOW CAN I BE CALM AFTER WHAT HE DID!? HOW CAN I BE CALM WHEN HE ATTACKED DISCORD!? HOW CAN I BE CALM WHEN- GAH!”

Celestia yelped when her butt was magically lifted high into the air before being firmly planted against the ground painfully. A rope appeared around her body before snapping around her barrel and closing her wings. The mare questioned what was happening but was truly silenced when a zipper appeared in the corner of her mouth and forcefully zipped it shut. Lastly, Luna pressed her nose against her sisters and shouted as loud as she could in the mare’s face.

“I SAID SHUT UP!!!”

Celestia's ears pinned against her head while her mane blew back violently before the sheer amount of force caused her to topple head over tail, crashing against a chair and shattering a desk. The mare laid against the floor as she waited for the room to stop spinning while Luna approached with a deep scowl. Lifting her hoof, she stepped on her sisters’ tail like one would a pedal assist garbage can, causing the mare to sit up straight.

“Now you are going to listen, and you are going to listen good, am I clear?” Luna said in a much calmer tone. Celestia wilted under her sister’s glare, but ultimately nodded. “Good!” the darker mare stated firmly, sitting in front of her sister and crossing her forelegs. “Now, here is the issue, one I cannot be any more blunt about… you are too lenient.” Celestia furrowed her brow in confusion, causing Luna to sigh, but continue anyway. “Excalibur was right.”

“Mhm mmm, mhmm, mph,” Celestia mumbled into the zipper. Rolling her eyes, Luna reached forward and unzipped the zipper.

“But-”

“No!” Luna cutoff, zipping the zipper shut, holding her hoof pointedly at her sister. “Here is what I am going to do. Firstly, I am reinstating Excalibur's contract and it will be solely under my authority. End of conversation! Without his help who knows what would have come of us. Secondly, he's right. You have been to lenient and in some cases, naive. You got lucky, to put it bluntly. Not every situation will end like they have, ‘tis only a matter of time before it doesn't. Lastly and while I'm at it, I am going to change up the courts too. I'm sick of ponies coming to me for the pettiest of things.” Luna’s aggressive expression changed to one of concern. “From here on out I am putting my hoof down! You play the diplomat and I will play the enforcer. Like we did in the olden days… From here on out I am taking control until we can come to a compromise. Am I clear?”

“Mhmm mph mmmm hmmm?” Celestia mutter into the zipper yet again.

Luna sighed and rolled her eyes, gripping the zipper with her hoof, but hesitated. “The second you say something I do not like I am zipping you up again!” With that, she unzipped the zipper.

“Ah! Thank you, Luna…” Celestia thanked softly while Luna released her hoof from the zipper. Celestia sighed before she spoke, “Perhaps I have not thought things through in certain cases-”

“A lot of cases!” Luna interjected, much to her sister’s annoyance.

“Anyway!” Celestia firmly stated, changing the subject. “Perhaps it's time for a compromise.”

“Good!”

*VRRRT!*

“Mhmm!” Celestia did her best to protest as her eyes went wide, but the zipper kept her silent as she glared at her sister. Taking it a step further, Luna used her magic to make a rather large and heavy lock appear on the zipper. Locking it in place with a very audible *click*. Celestia mumbled her protests even louder as her eyes went wide a second time. Releasing it from her magical grasp, Luna watched with a giggle as her sister yelped loudly as the heavy object caused the mare to fall sideways, pinning her to the floor due to the locks extensive weight.

“I also may or may not have taken this opportunity to play a prank on you,” Luna giggled as she held up a lone key in her hoof. Engulfing it in her magical aura, the key disappeared with a *pop*. “The key is somewhere in the castle. Best of luck!” Luna waved as she stood up and headed for the door. She had a letter to send.

Celestia shouted and cursed as loudly as she could at her sister, but it held little weight as she continued to mumble incoherently. Her shouts of anger soon turned into weakened pleas as her gaze moved to the lock. Placing her hooves firmly on the floor, she used her earth pony strength to stand up straight. She hummed her victory proudly… before she stumbled sideways and crashed into a fully loaded bookshelf, burying her completely.

A sad whimper emanated from the pile of books and broken wood.

I stood in the Liset as it sat next to the Castle. I had yet to go in after everything was said and done. The main road was fixed, and Town Hall was A-Framed. It was getting late and everyone called it a day. I was going to go and check on Twilight since I was yet to see her before I heard the soft paddle and gentle scrapes of claw on metal. Turning around, Spike wandered up the cockpit ramp with a scroll in his claws. He was still looking pretty down, but her was better than he looked earlier in the day.

“I have a letter for you,” he said softly, holding out the wrapped scroll.

I wonder who it could be from. “Thanks Bud,” I thanked, taking the scroll and unwrapping it. It simply explained how Luna wanted to reinstate everything and apologized for everything and promised to change several issues she had bared witness to during her current ruling time. At the bottom she asked if I would be willing to accept working for her under her supervision. I thought about it for a second, but ultimately agreed. She's a good girl and I trust her. Sighing the line for acceptance, I added a note simply saying ‘Don't screw it up’ before I rolled the scroll back up and offered it back to Spike. “Sent it back please.”

He stared at it for a second but took it anyway. Turning around, he took a deep breath before burning it into green smoke. Dropping to his height, I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You okay Bud?”

He shook his head weakly. “Yeah… as best as I can at least.” He turned his head towards me, I could see the distress in his eyes, he was at war internally. I hurt for him, I really did. “I'm still sad about home… but at least the castles nice, heh,” he laughed weakly. “The room I choose has a fish tank… just… no fish...” His fins wilted at that last part.

Lifting my hand, I rubbed my chin in thought. “Follow me,” I said, standing up and heading down the ramp. Heading towards the Foundry, I worked the interface for a second before the arm started working. Turning around I pulled a storage device off my hip and set it on the floor. Pulling up what I wanted, I tapped the screen and held out my hand. Nearby, Spike watched on in curious wonder, still holding both hands close to his chest. As the object began to take shape it started to wiggle in the magnetic field. Spike yelped once it was fully formed while I grabbed the little bugger by the tail. It wiggled and fought to break free, but I held firm.

“What is that?” Spike questioned as he stepped forward to get a closer look.

“A Synathid Orokin drone,” I explained. “A servofish custodial drone.” Holding it out, I turned around and grabbed the bowl of gems I had waiting for me in the foundry. Lowering my arm, I offered them to Spike as a little morale booster. He looked at them hesitantly, but a little shake of the bowl was enough for him to take the it.

“What are these?”

“Eidolon and Orb Vallis gems,” I answered. “Thought you might like them.” Gently reaching in, he took one from the top of the multicolored pile and bit into it. Smiling, he chewed on it happily. “Come on. Show me your room.”

Leading the way, we headed towards the castle and through the large wooden doors. Not going to lie, the place was huge. Everything was made of some kind of crystal, but I was unsure of what. Halls and corridors went every which way leading to who knows where. But I had plenty of time to explore later. Following the dragon as he chewed on his snack happily, he led me up a few flights of stairs before opening a random door. Inside, there was a little bed with a blanket on the floor and a lamp, nothing more. Leading me over, he pointed towards the aquarium in the wall. It was filled with water and nothing more.

Stepping up, I found the opening to access the tank and held up the servofish, dropping it in. It swam away as fast as it could before calming down and settling into its new home. It paddled along gently while Spike stood there with his face pressed against the glass.

“There,” I said, closing the access lid and wiping my hands. “Better off there than with me. Nice thing is too, you'll never have to clean the tank ever again.”

“Really?” Spike questioned as he looked up at me.

“These little guys are designed to monitor any changes in the water. He'll clean it accordingly as he sees fit.”

“Huh. Neat!” We continued to watch the white and gold metallic fish for a little while. It didn't do much other than flutter about, occasionally cycling water through its filters. “Hey Excalibur?” Spike asked after some time, causing me to look down at him expectantly. “Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were having a sleepover at Applejack’s place and I wanted to go. Can I?”

I nodded. “Sure thing, Bud. I'll tell Twilight. You want someone to walk you there? It is getting late.” He nodded reluctantly, prompting me to get on comms. “Hey Serenity, you nearby?”

“Yeah. What’s up?”

“You be willing to walk Spike to Sweet Apple,” I requested. “He's going to hang out with the C.M.C.”

“Sure!”

“We're at the castle. Meet him at the front door.”

“On it. Be there in three.”

“Copy,” I looked down at him. “She'll meet you at the door. That alright?” He nodded with a hum of acceptance. Following him out the room. I asked him where Twilight was. Pointing down the hall and telling me which room, I said my goodbye. Removing my helmet and placing it in storage, I entered the room in question. I knew Twilight was in here from the distinct muffled sobs. In the center of one of the far walls was a fancy bed. On it was a large quivering lump. She was hidden under the sheets and surrounded by pillows. Walking up the bed I sat down and placed my hand on her side, rubbing it reassuringly. A silent tell that I was here and safe.

Alive…

The covers moved around as Twilight poked her head out. She was mess yet again. Eyes bloodshot, hair unkempt, fur matted. She sniffled out a loud sob before gingerly crawling out from the blankets. I waited patiently as she hobbled over and into my lap, grasping onto me as tightly as she could, sobbing into the crook of my neck. Wrapping both arms around her tightly, she continued to mumble the words ‘I thought I lost you…’ repeatedly.

Eventually, she fell asleep in my grasp from exhaustion. Exchanging my armor for some softer clothing, I had crawled under the blankets with Twilight in my grasp. She held on tightly with her head resting in the center of my chest, snoring softly. I continued to lay there staring at the ceiling long after the sun had gone down.

“Excalibur?” Tilting my head down, Twilight looked up at me with a concerned expression as her head continued to rest against my chest.

“Hey Sweet Girl,” I said softly with a smile, running my hand across her cheek lovingly. Twilight closed her eyes and hummed approvingly. Even with it matted, her fur was still soft as silk. “You okay?” Twilight slowly opened her eyes as tears welled up in the corners. Her lower lip quivered, causing my eyes to go wide. “Hey hey hey! None of that! I’m here! I’m not going anywhere soon! I promise!”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep!” Twilight shouted at me as she went back into her sobbing fit. I just decided to stay silent as she continued to cry, tears rolling down her cheeks, dropping onto my chest, wetting my shirt, but I ignored it.

“...Okay,” I eventually said. “What do you want me to say?”

Her lower lip quivered as she choked another sob. “...What are we?” she asked. “What are we? Are we a couple? Are we just friends… what are we?” Relaxing, I cautiously raised both arms and wrapped them around her back and pulled her up a little bit closer to my face. Maybe I should stop skirting around this anymore.

“What do you want to be?”

Twilight took a shaky breath before she finally answered. “I-I want to be a couple… at least once! N-No war, no royalty, just us. Together. As a couple.”

“Is that what you truly want, Twilight?” I asked one last time, brining my face closer to hers, I could feel her hot breath against my face, her lips so close I could kiss her.

“Could… could we make love…? Please?” Twilight almost begged. “I want to love you… I want to feel you.” I answered her pleas by pulling forward all the way, pressing my lips firmly, lovingly against hers. She breathed heavily through her nose as our tongues intertwined. Without breaking the kiss, I started to turn her over so that she was laying on her back. She moaned approvingly as her wings flared. I could feel my erection all too well. I was painfully hard, and I intended to stuff my mare with every inch.

“AH! Mhmmph!” she moaned loudly, biting her lower lip as I nibbled her neck, gingerly biting the skin with my sharper canines. With a flash of light, the clothing I was wearing disappeared, leaving me completely bare.

Working my way up her neck, peppering it with gentle kisses, I kissed my way up her cheek and towards her soft ears. Capturing part of the lower part of her ear in my teeth, chewing it softly, causing her to moan even more. All it did was further fuel my desire towards her. “Let's skip the foreplay and go straight to the sex,” I breathed lustfully into her ear. Twilight gasped loudly, it wasn't a suggestion, it was an order. “Spread your legs…”

Twilight slowly spread her legs as I got into position. Lowering my hips, I groaned when the tip of my cock prodded at her dripping entrance. Twilight gasped loudly at the sensation. I didn’t realize how much I craved for a woman’s touch. I had to feel her! Pushing my hips forward, I groaned at the wonderful warm and wet sensation engulfed the head of my dick. Twilight was shaking excitedly the further I pushed in. that was it, I couldn't take it anymore! Wrapping one arm around her back and placing the other on her flank, I pulled her as close to me as I could and drove my hips home, hitting myself into Twilight’s perfectly tight pussy. Twilight screamed into the night as I started thrusting...

After a long night of passion, I laid in the well-used and probably ruined bed with Twilight lovingly in my grasp. Been a thousand years since I had the opportunity empty my balls like that. Plenty of positions and lots of screaming from Twilight and I was more than delighted. The mare in question moaned tiredly as she started to move as she lay directly on top of me. She moaned some more and nuzzled further into my chest before her eyes fluttered open. Smiling, she sighed pleasantly.

Returning hers with one of my own, I rubbed her ear lovingly, causing her to moan even more as she tried to bury her face deep into my chest. Continuing to rub her ear as she relaxed against my form, I stared out the nearby window. It was morning, and a very nice day out. Maybe it would be a good day to just relax and be human for once.

“We should probably get up,” I suggested, attempting to sit up, but Twilight didn’t move.

“I don’t wanna…” she mumbled into my chest, deciding to go limp and use her full weight to try and get me to lie back down. Rolling my eyes, I smiled at her laziness. “Not unless you give me some motivation?”

Yeah, like sex.

“I guess we could take an hour,” I strongly hinted with a suggestive smirk.

Twilight smiled lustfully before she pushed up her upper half with her front hooves pressed against my chest. “Hold on, I want to try something!” Before I could protest her horn ignited, closing her eyes she shot a beam of lavender magic at me. It engulfed my form and made my skin crawl. The less than harmful beam made my vision dance with bright white dots. On top of me, I felt a distinct lack of fur and something warm and soft against both of my legs. Looking up, I was greeted with the human version of Twilight from when we went through the portal. The now human woman stared at her hands as she sat a top of me. “It worked!” she cheered.

Her skin was immaculate and facial features smooth. But that wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention. Her long purple locks of hair spilled down her shoulders and across her perfect, tear shaped breasts. Her dark purple nipples were as hard as diamonds in the cooler room. Reaching up, I gently grasped her breast, teasing her sensitive nipples with the tips of my fingers. Pinching the hard nub between my fingers, Twilight moaned lewdly, pressing her chest forward into my hand. Sitting up, she froze before moaning even louder and she started to grind her hips against my crotch. I quickly came to full mast thanks to her ministrations. I groaned myself, throwing my head back against the pillow.

Pressing her pussy harder against my now full erection. I felt her lower lips part, engulfing the bottom side of my penis. Gyrating her hips, she rubbed herself up and down my length aggressively. Her juices started to leak around my length, reducing the amount of friction between us while also lubing me up in preparation for what I planned to do next!

Sitting up, I wrapped both arms around Twilight as she yelped, followed by very girlish squealing as I spun her around and threw her on the bed, kissing her passionately. “Or maybe we could take two?”

She panted huskily as loomed over her gorgeous form. She’s perfect no matter the form, but this was completely okay. “Make me scream!” She shouted, begging for me to ravish her the only way I could. Pushing myself back as fast as I could and throwing the sheet to the side, I grabbed onto both of her ankles and pulled her legs apart. I didn’t even need assistance, I just eyeballed and went to town.

Two hours of fun later.

Exiting the castle, a now normal alicorn Twilight, and me armored up save for my helmet, she held my hand with her wing as we headed out into the streets of Ponyville. With more pep in our step, a certain mare with a slight, funny looking limp, we went to survey the construction of the town. I could hear drills and saws running in the distance. Rounding the corner that lead to the main street, I whistled my approval, Ordis did one hell of a job fixing the street. The local residents seemed to like it too. Ponies wandered to and fro around the makeshift market while colts and fillies ran in and out of stalls as they played. As we entered the market area, ponies of all kind smiled and waved happily at us. It was clear that they were glad to see us up and moving.

Not too long after, we ran into her friends and my sister. I was surprised to see her of all people talking to them. As soon as they saw us, the girls shouted Twilight’s name. Releasing her wing, all of them ran up and hugged her. For me, Ember wandered up and hugged me.

“Sorry, about yesterday,” she apologized while I hugged her back before releasing her.

“It's fine,” I dismissed, holding her by her biceps. “Guess someone finally talked some sense into you?”

Stepping back and out of my grasp, she placed her hands on her hips, cocking them to the side. “Enough that I needed to hear.” That snorted a laugh from me as I looked towards a certain orange mare, who gave me a wink. Alright, it was good enough I guess. Turning my attention towards Twilight, all her friends and her were gossiping.

“Hey Twilight?” Rainbow asked over everyone else, causing them to look at her. “What’s with the limp?” The mare in question went beat red before she wilted under her blue friends questioning gaze. Twilight attempted to come up with a response but did nothing but stumbled over her words.

Ember didn’t hesitate to turn her head towards me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her looking at me. I glanced down at her but had to do a double take. “What?”

Ember grained and grabbed the front of her helmet with her hand, shaking it. “I can’t believe you.”

“What?”

By now, all of Twilight’s friends were watching us intently, the little purple princess herself was doing her best to hide her blazing red face with her mane, finding the ground exceptionally interesting. “You two has sex, didn’t you?” Ember said loud enough for everyone in the immediate area to hear as she lifted her head and removed her hand, but still holding it in front of her face

“And your point is?” I questioned further, leaning in slightly. “I mean, what exactly do you want me to say? Yes, we had sex, are you happy?” I didn’t exactly have a problem with it. It was just something that I clearly wasn’t going to go singing to the heavens about. I may not care about a lot of things, but I still have some standards. Preaching about the fucking you and your girl just did both the night before and not an hour prior generally wasn’t something you do in front of your sister and your girls’ friends.

Everyone’s reactions were very mixed. All of them gasped loudly, but after that it was all over the map. Applejack and Fluttershy went beat red, Pinkie seemed rather happy while Rainbow cheered her praise and Rarity seemed rather excited as well. Twilight on the other hand was beat red all the way up to the tips of her ears and all the way down her chest.

“Alright Twi!” Rainbow praised. “You finally lost your virginity! That’s my girl!” she finished while elbowing the mare in the side, causing Twilight to lean away in embarrassment. I just found it cute.

“Twilight!” Rarity shouted, grabbing the embarrassed mare by her cheeks, pressing her nose against Twilights. “You have to tell me everything!” Twilight yelped as Rarity dragged her along with her blue magic as she headed towards her home. “I want to know every little detail, shape, feel, positions, how long does he last! You must simply tell me everything!” I heard Rarity saying as the embarrassed princess in her grasp simply let herself be dragged along.

Everyone else turned towards me with tinted cheeks while I turned towards my sister with a disappointed look. “You happy now?”