I find myself rolling on a wooden floor with something wrapped around my chest. In the brief moment I have to scan my surroundings I'm able to identify a number of bookshelves scattered around the room with a circular table positioned in the centre with a bust of a ponies head resting on the surface. I'm in the library? What's going on?

Before I realise what is going on, somebody shifts their position to rest on top of me. Spectre? As she glares down at me she forces her hooves down towards my face only for me to position my forearm in order to block the blow. Why can't I move? Despite trying to raise my hands to surrender I find my body acting on its own accord as I continue to block her jabs. Fuck... this must be a memory. But, I can't remember any of this.

As she tries to punch me once again I push forward and clamp my hand against her throat as I throw her off my body. From the force of the push, she impacts against a nearby bookshelf causing the books to rain down from overhead. Pushing myself to my feet I sprint towards her and deliver a kick to her gut causing her to scream as she gasps for air. I can't watch this.

As I repeatedly kick Spectre I feel something heavy impacting with the side of my chest causing me to fall to my knees, the blow is enough to empty all of the air from my lungs. As I kneel someone wraps their forehooves around my throat in an attempt to suffocate me, grasping onto the forelegs I push them forward and hook my chin down in order to protect my throat. Standing as quickly as I can I seem to just slump back, collapsing onto the individual who's keeping hold of me.

Following the sound of a sharp crack and agonising screams, I climb to my feet and look down at the individual who jumped on me. Looking to the floor I can see Shadow as she presses her hooves to her chest. Turning my gaze away I look to Spectre as she draws her sword and starts to pace around me, "I-I don't know what the buck has gotten into you! But nopony hurts my sister!" As she gallops towards me I don't seem to react until the last minute before drawing my sword and blocking her strike. As our blades scrape together I brush my hand across the enchantment to activate the magic contained within my sword.

Pushing her back I chop down with my sword which she attempts to block, despite her defence my sword is able to carve into hers embedding itself into the steel of her sword. With a flick of my wrist, I'm able to force the sword from her grip as it clatters to the floor. Before she can recover I raise my hand bringing my sword back before swinging it against her armour. She lets out a pained scream as the weapon slices through the steel breastplate, the smell of burning flesh quickly filling my nostrils.

Why!? Why the fuck am I seeing this!? I-I can't... please... make it stop! I watch as she frantically tries to place pressure on the wound, the smell becoming too much as it starts to quickly fill the room. Stepping up to her I grab hold of her around the head and drag her backwards as her hind legs kick in a desperate attempt to escape. Pulling her along the floor I stop alongside before the bookcase before slamming her head back causing her movements to cease. Once again I slam her head back as a resounding crack can be heard, as she remains motionless I throw her to the floor.

My stomachs churns violently as I seem to look at Spectre against the floor, blood pooling from the rear of her head onto the floor below. No more! I can't take this! Lifting my head I shift my focus to Shadow and rapidly approach her as she tries to crawl away, tears filling her eyes as I reach out to grab her.

My head pounds as my hearing gradually returns, the sound of muffled voices fill the air around me yet I'm unable to understand what they're saying. I find myself unable to move as an excruciating pain forces its way through my gut and chest, I have no idea how long I've been out for and I think it's safe to wager that the painkillers have finally worn off.

As I try to comprehend where I am, I can't help but rerun the images of the library in my head. It's true... I did kill her. I was hoping that they were somehow wrong, that I never did kill her, but I now know without a doubt that it was me. I'm supposed to keep my team safe, to ensure that they're protected under my command. But I'm the one who killed my team member and injured another three... I did that to my friends.

Slowly my eyes creak open as my hearing returns to me. The only thing I can see is a ceiling as I can make out Twilight's voice, "...Meadowbrook only had eight magical items, not nine. And I don't remember any of them being a staff."

"Well, it looks like you'll have plenty of time to try to think about it," Applejack replies to Twilight. As nobody else responds I hear a set of hoof steps beginning to pace around the room. After a few moments the pain in my chest becomes unbearable causing me to release a pained groan. As I groan the hoof steps quickly come to a stop. "John? He's wakin' up."

Tilting my head I look to Applejack as she steps over me, "T-this town can... go and fuck itself." Moaning I try to sit up only for the sharp pain to pierce my chest forcing me back to the floor as I release a loud yelp. Pressing my hands to my chest I look down my body to find the bandages exposed as I don't seem to have any clothes, thankfully someone took one of the crappy curtains down and used it to cover me up. Lifting the curtain I give a sigh of relief as I at least have been left in my boxers.

"Don't move. How's the pain?" Applejack as she sits alongside me.

Rocking my head back I smack it against the floor as I cover my face with my hands, "Shitty." I can't get that memory out of my head. As the images continue to flash in my head I can feel my heart rate accelerating as anger starts to build up within me.

From the corners of the room, a number of speakers are playing some sort of message, "...Choose equality as your special talent. Difference is frustration. To excel is to fail. Be your best by never being your best. Conformity will set you free. Accept your limitations, and happiness will follow. You're no better than your friends."

What the fuck is this place? Some shitty version of the gulag? Does she really think loudspeaker playing a constant message will influence us? I'm pretty sure that shit doesn't work, it's just annoying. Scanning the room there are pictures of the towns cutie marks plastered all over the walls on various posters, a few shelves and bookshelves are positioned against the walls containing a few books, Pinkie seems to be reading one which seems to only have the town's symbol on every page. A long trough of hay has been left to provide us with food, however I doubt I'd really be up for eating it.

Checking on the rest of the girls none of them seem to have any physical injuries, I guess stealing their cutie marks was enough to render them unable to fight back. Locking eyes with Crimson she no longer has her uniform or rifle as they've likely been confiscated. Groaning I roll onto my hands and knees and try to push myself up only for my knees to give out from the torturous pain in my chest. Fluttershy joins on the other side of me, "John, please stay down. You need to rest."

Slowly I lift my head, "I... I can't put up with those annoying messages. Someone help me up... please." The girls all glance to one another with concern before Applejack lowers her body, crawling underneath my armpit she pushes herself up acting as a car jack. Cautiously I rest my arm on her back as I eventually reach my feet, I'm forced to keep my hand pressed on the top of her back using her as some sort of crutch. With each small step, the pain only intensifies in my body causing my legs to shake violently.

Reaching the speaker I lean back against the wall to keep my upright, since the room isn't very large I'm easily able to reach up and touch the speaker. Stepping towards me, Twilight glances to my bandages, "Are you sure that's wise?"

Grabbing onto the rear compartment I try to twist it free, "Would you prefer peace and quiet or would you like to listen to that crazy cunts voice for hours on end?"

Sighing Twilight turns back, "When you put it like that-"

Unable to twist the compartment free I adopt the classical engineering technique of punching it, "-Come on you wanker!" After a few moments, the plastic casing cracks allowing me to tear it free. Dropping the case to the floor I quickly grab all of the wires which are exposed and tear them out. The speaker gives an ear piercing squeal before the audio finally cuts off. Dropping the wire to the floor I glance to the other corners which are all holding speakers, "Applejack... mind being my crutch for a little while longer?"

Moving back into position I'm able to use her as support as I work on the other three speakers. It doesn't take me too long to destroy the wiring effectively silencing the daft bitch. Wincing in pain I quickly slump back against the wall as I apply pressure to the bandages on by chest, peeling them away slightly I can see new bruising forming on my skin. Well... that ain't good.

Burying my head in my hands I close my eyes in an attempt to block the reoccurring images of me attacking Spectre. The sound of her skull cracking, the sight of Shadow looking at her sister in horror as the life drains from her. I can feel the frustration building in me as the images repetitively flash. I killed her, I stood up against Tirek and as a result, I'm the one who killed my friend. I attacked my best friends, Sunny and Chaser and killed Shadow's sister.

"John, is everything alright?" Rarity asks as the girls all gather around me.

"No. I'm trapped in a fucking room wearing nothing but my boxers, my chest feels as though it's on fire and we're being held captive by some fucking cow."

"Starlight's not a cow, she's a pony," Pinkie responds as she looks at me innocently.

Rubbing the bridge of my nose I let out a sigh, "...Thank you, Pinkie."

"John?" Twilight takes a seat alongside me. "What happened in the cave?"

Lifting my head I close my eyes, "I saw a memory... from when I was under Tirek's control. The memories seem to return when I come into contact with certain items... kind of like a trigger. Seeing my armour showed me how I got shot and... activating the rune made me relive how I... killed Spectre. I was hoping that somehow I didn't do it, but now I know without a doubt that I am the one who killed her."

"I can't imagine what it is like to see that, but that wasn't you. You can't blame yourself for what happened. You had no control over your actions, Tirek could have potentially manipulated anyponies mind to carry out those acts. You're not to blame."

"It doesn't make it any easier. I know that I killed her, I've got to carry that with me until the day I die." Resting my head back my eyes lock onto a picture on the far wall as the sun reflects from the glass onto my legs. "Can someone get me that picture." They all look to one another in confusion before Rainbow removes the picture from the wall and places it on the floor in front of me.

Leaning to the side I stretch in order to grab one of the books Pinkie was reading. Once I have the book I smash the spine against the centre of the glass shattering it into multiple pieces. Carefully digging through the shards I grab the largest one I can find and stash it between the elastic of my pants and my back.

"John... what are you going to do with that?"

"Use it as a weapon. You may not like it but playing nice won't get us out of here. I'm a soldier, it's time to act like one." Grabbing another shard I'm about to slide it to Crimson before I stop, "Can you even use this?" She shakes her head. "You'll have to improvise then. We're going to be here a while, once the door opens I'll get us out." I would try and kick it open but with my chest in absolute agony that it'll more than likely leave me unable to fight once we get outside.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I know how we can get out!" Twilight suddenly shouts out causing my eyes to shoot open. After some time I was able to get to sleep despite the cold air of the desert night constantly blowing through the opening in the wall. Slowly sitting up I let out a loud groan as I rest a hand on my chest, throughout the night I find myself in a considerable amount of pain which likely won't bode well when I try to fight.

Letting out a sigh, Rainbow lifts her head. "Forget it, Twilight. This door's not opening."

"And I'm afraid the windows are much too small for escape," Rarity adds.

"But there is a third way," Twilight announces.

"Of course!" Pinkie exclaims in excitement. "Eventually the wind and the weather will wear down the walls until they start to crumble! Then all we have to do is wait for a big enough hole to form and we can just walk out! It's the perfect plan!" As Pinkie finishes her daft idea her cutie mark seems to pulse, "I guess."

Am I seeing shit? Probably just from a shit nights sleep. Rubbing my eyes I sit up with my back against the wall, "That would take centuries, Pinkie." Forcing myself I use my hands against the wall to help me navigate towards the window.

"We don't actually have to escape," Twilight explains. "They'll just let us out when they think we've accepted their philosophy."

Scoffing I reach the window, "So... you're saying we should give over enthusiastic smiles which make us look like we're five seconds away from raping someone?" The girls all look at me in disgust as I shrug, "That's what they look like to me. Either that or I'm going to need a fur hat, drink lots of vodka and refer to you all as comrades." Turning my body away I position myself so I'm facing out the small opening which acts as a window. I've got to answer nature's call.

"But they're never gonna believe we switched over in just one night." Applejack states as everyone turns back to Twilight.

"There's one of us they might believe." Twilight points out as the room falls silent.

Turning my neck back I notice they're all looking at Fluttershy as I begin to relieve myself. "Oh. Me?" Fluttershy asks meekly.

Rainbow narrows her eyes, "You've been saying how great this place is since we got here."

Fluttershy's eyes suddenly widen as she realises what they're expecting of her. "But that's because everypony's so nice and their village is so pretty, and, and... Oh, you're right. They probably would believe me. I hate to lie to them. They've been so welcoming and friendly... aside from locking us in here and trying to brainwash us into abandoning the things that make us special... "

Everyone falls silent for a moment as I finish off my business. Tilting my head back I notice Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight averting their eyes as the rest look at me. Clearing her throat Applejack turns her head away, "John... are you..?"

"E-yup," I nod my head as I finish off.

"Really, John?" Rarity asks with disgust in her voice.

"Hey. I'm doing it out of sight so you don't have to see or hear me. I don't know what you girls were doing through the night but as a guy, I can go practically anywhere." Finishing off I make sure everything is away before turning back to the girls. "So... is this the final plan?"

Before Twilight can reply the door to the room opens up, the sudden change in the volume of light causes me to shield my eyes as Starlight walks in. "I trust you had a pleasant night? This way, please." As the girls begin to follow her outside, Applejack once again steps up to me to offer me some support. Adjusting the glass in the back of my boxers I lean down to pick up the leftover wiring from my previous vandalism and hobble outside.

Stopping in front of her and apparently the entire town I throw the wires to the floor, "Sorry, looks like I've given your engineer some more work. Oh wait... you won't have one since there are no talents in this town. Have fun fixing that without an electrician, cause I sure as hell ain't doing it."

Scowling slightly she quickly regains her composure as she looks back to the villagers, "We've come to ask if any of you are ready to join us. There are so many friends to be made once you realise you don't need your cutie marks or the talents that come with them."

Scoffing I adjust my position against Applejack, "Ich mag meine talente. Ein ingenieur zu sein der Deutsch sprechen kann hat seine vorteile."

"Not interested!" Rainbow shouts. "You may have them now, but we're going to get our cutie marks back! "

"Y'all don't understand, do ya?" Applejack states as she looks to Starlight. "You can't force nopony to be friends! It don't work like that!"

As a number of the villagers seem to plead for us to join them, Starlight holds up her hoof to the crowd. "It's all right, everypony. This is a perfectly normal part of the equalisation process for those who haven't... quite seen the light yet. We'll try again tomorrow once you've had a bit more time to consider our philosophy."

As she tilts her head to nod towards the two ponies positioned alongside the door, I push myself away from Applejack as I step up to Starlight. "Your philosophy?" Tracing my hand along my back I slowly grab hold of the glass shard. "Your philospohy is the biggest pile of shit I've ever heard. Do you want to know my true opinion about it?" Swinging my arm forward I slash the glass along Starlight's face as she quickly jumps back. As the crowd begin to gasp in fear at my display I bring my hand back down for another attack.

As my strike is about to reach her, Starlight's horn illuminates as her magical energy quickly grasps onto my hand freezing it in position. With a kinetic strike her magic assaults the side of my knee forcing it to give way as another jab strikes against my bruised chest. Using her magic to manipulate my position she raises my arm behind my back as I'm kept down on my knees, as my hand is kept around the glass she applies pressure causing the glass to cut into my palm.

Turning my head back I can only see that a few strands of hair had fallen to the floor along with the faintest scratch across her left cheek. Keeping me locked in position, Starlight looks to those behind her. "Do you see? This is what individual talents and perspectives does to everypony! He has resorted to violence instead of experiencing friendship! Those who have had their cutie marks and talents removed haven't resorted to his primitive methods!" Tightening her grip on my hand I release a pianed groan before her magic finally pries my hand open.

Using her magic she pushes me back into the room causing me to fall to the floor. Sitting back up I look to the door as the other girls quickly follow me back in, the only two which remain outside are Twilight and Fluttershy as they go through with the plan of Fluttershy 'volunteering' to join the community. Inspecting my palm I watch as leaks across my flesh and begins to drip onto the floor. Grasping onto the bandage around my waist I remove it and instead reapply it to my hand in order to keep pressure on the wound leaving my bruised chest exposed.

As Twilight steps in and the door closes, all the girls look at me. Shaking her head, Rainbow steps to the side. "I bet you were expecting that to go better? You hardly grazed her."

Slowly picking myself from the floor I move to the corner of the room and slide down to sit against the wall, "If I had a proper weapon it would have been a different story."

Crimson joins me in the corner and lifts my hand to inspect the wrapping, "Is it bad?"

"It's a cut," I state matter-of-factly. "I don't know. I'll have to get it checked out." Lifting my head I look to Twilight, "So what now?"

Twilight's gaze shifts back to the door, "Hopefully, Fluttershy will be able to find our cutie marks. Once we've got them back we should be able to escape. We can figure out a plan of action from there."

"I've got a plan. Get a message back to the Rangers and have them mobilise. We're the military, we can take care of this mess."

"Military action isn't always the solution." Twilight slowly turns her head back to me as she releases a sigh, "But... you may be right. If we can't help this town then at least we have a fallback plan."

Before I can reply the door suddenly opens as Party Favor walks into the room, "I'm sorry, everypony. I never wanted to leave the village. I love all of-" Before he can finish the door is instantly slammed shut on him. Leaning forward he slams his head against the door causing his horn to impact the wood. That looks like it would hurt like a bitch. "What was I thinking? I can't believe I even considered asking for my cutie mark back."

"Don't worry," Rainbow announces with a flap of her wings. "Fluttershy will have us out of here in no time."

"Didn't you see what just happened out there? Your friend has accepted our way. You will all accept our way. It's only a matter of time."

As he moves to the opposite corner from me, Rainbow rolls her eyes. "This guy's a barrel of laughs."

"Laughs don't come in barrels," Pinkie replies in a flat tone. "They come from inside you as your body's response to delight." Everyone looks at her wide-eyed as those words seem completely alien as she'd never respond with an answer like that.

Being the first to recover, Applejack turns her focus back to Twilight. "So what are we gonna do while Fluttershy's out there lookin' for our" -bringing her hoof to her mouth Applejack lowers the volume of her voice- "cutie marks?"

"We have to stay as positive as we can. If Party Favor sees how much we really do like each other, even though we're all different, maybe we can use him to spread our message to the rest of the village." As soon as Twilight announces her plan to everyone, they begin to quickly converge to the centre of the room and sit down to form a circle. No doubt the whole night will be nothing but talking about old stories. At least it'll take my mind off things for a while.

After a few hours of them sharing stories, I was finally able to drift off to sleep again. As I remain motionless in the dark I start to think back to some of the adventures they had together. It makes me realise that during my time here, I haven't exactly spent that much time with the girls. I've spent the occasional day with them around my training and duties, but I've never really just been with them like when I first arrived. Maybe I need to change that, get to know the girls better.

As my eyes finally creek open I breathe a sigh of relief when I recognise the familiar ceiling overhead, I'm in my old flat. That means Luna should be here. I can get her to send the Rangers, they'll bust us out. Sitting up I suddenly close my eyes as I expect a sharp pain to race through my body, much to my relief it seems that while I'm dreaming I don't have to worry about any injuries I sustained in the real world. Climbing off my bed I rush into my lounge look around. She isn't here. Where is she?

On queue, the front door to my flat opens showing Luna standing in the doorway. Quickly storming into the room the door slams shut behind her as she narrows her eyes, "What do you think you're doing!? I go to the hospital to visit you and the nurses tell me that you discharged yourself! I go to the barracks and they say that you're not there, but have instead left town! What are you playing at!?"

Blinking a few times I step up to her, "I left with the girls to protect them. I couldn't stay in bed with my thoughts, I was going mad."

"And you can't go running around fighting everypony! You're in no-"

"-Condition to do so. I know." Luna glares at me as I step around her. "Can we discuss how much of a dumbass I am later? Right now, I have bigger issues."

"Yes, you are a 'dumbass.'" Luna responds as she releases a heavy sigh. "What trouble have you gotten yourself into this time? Fighting Dragons? Somehow started a war?"

"How about, being captured by some delusional bitch who has a crazy philosophy which involves stealing everyone's cutie marks in order to create equality and harmony within her village?" Luna stares at me in a mixture of confusion and frustration.

Rubbing her muzzle she shakes her head, "How? How do you always seem to find yourself in some sort of dangerous situation?" After a few moments, she looks back to me, "Where are you?"

"I... don't know," I respond as I offer her a weak and innocent smile.

"You don't... You don't know!?" Luna shouts as I swear she's about to lose her temper. "How don't you know where you fucking are?"

Despite her trying to make me feel stupid by raising her voice, I can't help but grin as she once again swears. "We followed a map and it brought us here."

"Wait... us? Who's us?"

"Twilight and her friends."

Luna once again groans as she rubs her head, "You got them captured?"

"Hey, it wasn't me," I reply in an attempt to defend myself. "I followed their lead, me and Crimson acted as their escorts."

"Because that worked out so well," Luna states in a sarcastic tone. "What map did you follow?"

"That weird glowing map in that ugly castle in Ponyville, it will show you where we are. There is a train route leading here but we had to make the last of the journey on foot, that took us a few hours. Luna, I need you to inform the Rangers and have Venture mobilise a force to the town in order to rescue us."

"I'll inform him straight away. I'll have the Rangers in Ponyville make their way to you immediately, but it will take them a few hours to arrive. They likely won't get there until late morning or afternoon, so don't do anything brash in the mean time." Luna watches me as I slowly rub my knuckles. Releasing an exasperated sigh she narrows her eyes, "You already did something stupid, didn't you?"

"I may have... tried to cut their leader with a piece of glass. But that's the least of her worries, when I get my gun I'm gonna shoot her."

Groaning she rubs her muzzle, "Just... don't do anything stupid. Well, anything else stupid."

Grinning I step up to her, "I can't promise that. If I see an opportunity I'm gonna take it, but I'll try and hold off until the cavalry arrive." Pausing, I fold my arms as I look to Luna, "Why didn't you enter my dreams last night?"

"Do you expect me to enter your dreams every night? I have my own duties to attend to, watching over the ponies of Equestria as they sleep to aid them when needed. Also, I wanted to give you a couple of days peace in order to recover. Clearly, that was a mistake as you went out and got yourself into more trouble."

"So... I can't summon you whenever I'm dreaming in order to talk to you?"

Luna shakes her head, "It doesn't work like that. I can see when you're dreaming, but I won't be able to determine whether you're attempting to contact me. The only way for me to do that is to physically enter your dream." Taking a step away from me, I watch as Luna's horn illuminates shrouding our surroundings in a white light. "Don't do anything until the Rangers come."

The natural shine of the sun pierces my eyes as the door is thrown open waking me up from my slumber. Gradually sitting up I wait until Applejack steps up to me in order to act as my support once again. Gradually we all make our way outside where we find the entire town with Starlight and Fluttershy at the front.

Grinning, Starlight looks to us all, "I've got a good feeling about today! So, do any of you have anything you'd like to say? "The girls only reply with bitter glares, "Aw, pity. Well, let's try this again tomorrow, shall we? No new friends today, I'm afraid!"

As we all turn to head back inside, Fluttershy calls out. "Wait! I'd like to lock them in."

"Marvellous, Fluttershy. That's the spirit. Party Favor, will you join us, please?" As we head inside, Party Favor rushes past us whilst Fluttershy joins us inside.

"Fluttershy, did you find our cutie marks?" Twilight asks.

"Not exactly. No. Starlight has moved them into her home, they're upstairs in her room. But... she's been lying to the town. Her cutie mark is a fake, she uses makeup to cover up her real cutie mark."

We all glance to each other. Stepping forward I glance back to the bucket of water which has been sitting in the corner of the room throughout our capture. "We can turn the town against her. Cause her to focus elsewhere as the town retaliate. It will give the Rangers an opportunity to storm in. All we need to do is distract her as someone washes away the makeup to expose her."

Rarity turns to me in confusion, "What do you mean that the Rangers are coming? How do they even know we're here?"

"Luna came to me in my dream. I told her to send a message to Venture. Not only does the Rangers know we're here, but so does Luna. Help will be coming. We've just got to disrupt the town so they can storm in when they arrive. With the town against Starlight, they won't try to oppose the Ranger when they come. If we just wait for the Rangers, then the townsfolk may be at risk."

Nodding to me, Twilight moves towards the door. "Fluttershy, I need you try and wash her makeup away by throwing that bucket of water onto her."

"M-me?" Why me?"

"You've already gotten her guard down. You'll be able to get closer to her than any of us will."

Considering this for a moment, Fluttershy shakes her head. "Okay." As the two girls head to the door, Twilight waits out of sight as Fluttershy steps out. "Um, Starlight? I think we might have one more friend joining us today." As Fluttershy says this, Twilight follows her outside as the rest of us remain out of sight. Clicking my fingers I point to Crimson than the bucket of water, getting the hint she moves to the bucket and brings over to us by the door.

As Twilight goes about distracting Starlight, Fluttershy is able to move back inside where I lift the bucket and pass it to her. Cautiously, Fluttershy flies out the door as we continue to hear Starlight conversing with Twilight. "...A pony with a different cutie mark in our midst would destroy our entire philosophy. We are all equal here."

"Then how do you explain this!?" Fluttershy exclaims followed by the sound of splashing water. Upon hearing that we quickly move outside where I notice a rather dry looking Starlight alongside a puddle on the floor. Seriously!? You fucking missed.

"I knew you couldn't be trusted!" As she continues to glare towards Fluttershy, I notice a single line through Starlight's fake cutie mark which had been washed away by a droplet of water. Noticing the water, Party Favor moves over to dry it off with his cloak. "No! Get away!" Turning her body to the side she now shows her exposed cutie mark to the entire town who all gasp upon seeing it. "Wha... What are you looking at!? They're the problem, not me!"

"Are we fuck!" I shout out to her. "You're the one who bullshitted about equality, taking away their talents and cutie marks whilst leaving yours intact. You wanted complete control, the head of the state has all the power. They may be equal to one another but they're still pond scum compared to you. Now... you're going to see why the same system on Earth failed, everyone opened their eyes to the blatant lies."

" I... I had to," Starlight states in an attempt to defend herself from the angering mob around her. "How could I collect your cutie marks without my magic?"

"But the staff has all the magic we need?" One of the Pegasus mares calls out.

"The staff is a piece of wood I found in the desert." It's my magic that makes all this possible. You'd all still be living your miserable lives thinking you're better than everypony else if it weren't for my magical abilities. I brought you friendship! I brought you equality! I created harmony!"

Chuckling I step forward, "Bollocks! You just placed everyone in a position where they couldn't fight back or argue with you. You did nothing but push your philosophy against anyone you came across, without their cutie marks it didn't take long for them to give in. You created a fucking cult, not harmony."

Twilight joins me as she steps towards Starlight, "Everypony has unique talents and gifts, and when we share them with each other, that's how rea-"

"QUIET!" Starlight snaps her head towards us as she screams, a large vein almost popping on her neck. Holy shit... that's the perfect imitation of Corporal Henderson back at basic. He'd make the same face whenever we fucked up.

"You can't have a cutie mark, Starlight!" A Unicorn mare shouts out as the villagers begin to surround Starlight. "Either we're all equal, or none of us are!"

Letting out a single laugh I start to slowly clap, "It's the fall of the USSR all over again. Your system is fucked, they've seen through your bullshit equality." As Starlight backs up from the crowd her horn illuminates forcing a sphere of energy to materialise. The magical barrier is able to push us all back before she storms off towards her home and locks herself inside. As the rest of the town rush towards the cave to retrieve their marks, it leaves us with trying to force our way inside her house.

Jogging towards the house, I keep my hand pressed against my chest in an attempt to minimise the agonising pain shooting through my body. Reaching the front door I try to push on the handle only to find that she locked the door. As the girls join me I take a few steps back before charging my shoulder into the door, the impact sends a painful jolt through my body causing me to nearly fall back onto the floor. Groaning I look back to Applejack, "See if you can get this door open."

Nodding to me she begins to kick the back door with her hind legs, despite her efforts she's having little to no effect on the door. Hobbling around the building I try to look for another way inside, passing the side wall I can see that all of the windows are too small for me to climb through. Continuing around the rear my eyes lock on another door, moving towards it I reach out to it and test the handle which to my surprise allows the doors to open. Dumb bitch, you locked the front but not the back.

Cautiously creeping inside I tiptoe through the kitchen and rest my ear against an inner door, hearing nothing but Applejack thumping against the front door I open the door and enter the front room. I've got two options from here, either head upstairs or through the door on the right. I'm about to head upstairs before I seem to find myself being drawn to the other room, following that instinct I open the side door. Contained inside is a staircase leading down to a basement. Following the stairs down I find a number of candles illuminating what must be a storage facility, various items fill large shelves and crates making the room feel more like a warehouse.

Walking along one of the shelves I stop when I find all of my items laid out in front of me. Reaching for my normal clothes I stop when my eyes lock onto the MTP which had been removed from my field pack. Opting for my camouflage I quickly pull on the trouser and put on my shirt before retrieving my boots. Not bothering to zip up or close the shirt I quickly fit my utility belt which still has my sword and pistol attached along with grabbing Crimson's rifle. Before heading back upstairs, a sharp pain reminds me of the painkillers in my field pack.

Searching through the field pack I quickly down the usual phial of painkillers along with taking a set of tablets for good measure, I quickly find my heart rate increasing as I begin to feel energised. With my pain temporarily being numbed I reach for my phone and switch it on in order to chect the time, 11:51. I must have stayed asleep after Luna left my dream. If that's the case then the Rangers should be here at any minute.

Feeling the dose of drugs taking immediate effect I quickly move back upstairs, relieved to find that the pain I was previously feeling now only feels similar to that of a cramp. Reaching the front room again I can hear Applejack still hitting the door along with a regular and much weaker impact. Stepping up to the door I remove the bolt and pull the door open much to the girls surprise.

"John?" Rainbow asks in confusion. "How did you get inside?"

Stepping to the side I let them in as they quickly spread out, "The back door was unlocked." As Crimson approaches me, I throw the rifle to her which she attempts to catch only for her to fumble with it and drop it on the floor. "Really?" As she smiles sheepishly, a group of four ponies enter who I recognise as the villagers except now they have their original cutie marks back. Turning back to the others I run for the stairs, "She's got to be up here."

Reaching the outside of a room, I stop against the wall. Drawing my pistol I pull the slide to the rear loading a round into the chamber as Fluttershy peaks inside, "They're gone." Pushing the door open I take aim with my pistol to find an overturned bed which was once covering a staircase leading towards a tunnel. "They were right over there." Knowing where we've got to go next we all rush down the staircase and through a cave system which leads us away from the house.

As we approach the exit to the tunnel a number of shadows form around the exit. Suddenly four soldiers in Rangers uniforms raise their rifles but quickly lower them once they realise that it's me. Taking a step back one calls to the side, "Lieutenant!"

As we all exit the cave, Venture is standing alongside a squad of ten more rangers including Sure Strike, Colbalt, Silver and Matrix. "Captain, I see you ignored the Princesses advice about staying out of trouble."

Grinning I step up to him, "You know me." Looking back towards the town I can see squads of Rangers going building to building as they secure the town. "We need to find a Unicorn mare by the name of Starlight Glimmer. Pale pink coat, dark purple mane with highlights. As stupid as it sounds, she'll have the girl's cutie marks. It's vital we get a hold of them."

"Look!" Rainbow shouts out as she points towards a passage along the distant mountains. Grabbing the rifle from Crimson I lift the weapon and look down the optics. Further along the path, I can see Starlight running with a cart containing a number of glass jars. Is she holding the cutie marks in there?

"Ranger! On me!" As they quickly form up we move towards the path and position ourselves in a line. "Ready weapons!" The group of Rangers around me lift their rifles ready and take aim towards Starlight.

"John?" Twilight calls out. "What are you doing?"

"Taking action." Lifting my own rifle I line up the reticle of the scope on her Starlight's centre of mass as she runs. "Open fire!" As soon as the order is given, the Rangers begin to open fire. I watch as the first rounds impact the snow around her as she advances up the mountain, I can see from her expression that she has no idea of what is shooting at her. Steadying my scope I slowly exhale as I compress the trigger.

PHAT

The round falls behind her hitting the wooden cart instead. As I load another round into the chamber I look back to the cart to see a sudden light hurtling towards us. As it gets dangerously close I duck my head as it flies past me to impact with Crimson. She is instantly shrouded in a bright flash before her Cutie mark reappears on her flank much to her relief. I guess I managed to hit her jar with that shot. As she looks to me I throw her rifle back to her which she manages to catch with ease. Stepping forward she quickly takes aim and fires off a shot.

PHAT

Looking to Venture I take a hold of a set of binoculars around his neck and look towards Starlight. The round that Crimson fired was able to shatter the shaft which connected the cart to the harness around Starlights waist. I watch as rest of the jars fall below only for her to catch them last minute in her magic. Before Crimson can fire again, Starlight erects a barrier around herself in order to protect her and the remaining cutie marks.

Lifting my hand I point to Sure Strike, Matrix and another two Pegasi in the squad, "Get in the air! Don't lose sight of her! You are free to engage, weapons free!" As the four quickly take to the air and dart towards her, I point to the rest of the team, "Stick with me! Crimson, stay with the girls and keep an eye on them!" As she gives a crisp nod I start to sprint with the rest of the Rangers along the path which Starlight had taken as the girls try to follow, without their marks though they seem to lack the energy as they're all unable to keep up.

As we advance along the path I can hear distant gunshots further ahead, likely the Rangers trying to pierce her shield. Despite my discomfort, I keep pressing on. Without any armour or a rifle to way me down, I'm able to push ahead of the others as I try my hardest to catch up to the aerial team.

Reaching a succession of winding paths I look towards the mouth of a cave which sits at the base of the mountain, rushing straight towards it is Starlight as she tries to strike down the others with her magic. As she gets closer to the entrance I watch as Matrix flies overhead and seems to drop something on the snow above the cave.

BOOM

A small explosion escapes the snow causing it to fall loose, landing right on top of Starlight in the process. The moment she's burried in the snow I begin to sprint along the rest of the path to meet up with the others. As I run my eyes lock onto six glowing orbs as they fly around the edge of the mountain back towards the girls. We did it! We got the marks back. Now to deal with that bitch.

Climbing the last part of the path to reach her, my eyes widen as I see a wall of energy being forced towards me. Dropping to the floor I can feel the power of the magic as it just misses me. Glancing ahead I can see that she's trying again to attack the aerial team as they evade each of her attacks. Climbing to my feet I close the distance and draw my pistol.

PHAT PHAT PHAT

Starlight was able to generate a field to block my bullets in order to protect herself. Instead of retaliating she uses the magic to teleport the pile of snow and herself into the cave network where I can hear her hoof steps as she runs away. Rushing to the entrance of the cave I shout to the aerial team, "Search for exits! She can't escape!" Before they can acknowledge my order, I sprint into the dark caves and stop at a crossroad as I try to determine which way she went. Still hearing her hoof steps I take the left passage and follow it deeper into the cave.

After a minute of running around her hoof steps come to a stop as I enter a large section of the cave. Loose stalactites hang from the ceiling as a number of natural features form a makeshift maze around me. The only source of light is a crack in the roof of the cave which is reflecting a ray of sunlight off a pool of water. Cautiously stepping in I keep my pistol ready, "I know you're here, poppet!"

"You!" Starlight's voice echoes in the cave. "You ruined everything! You think that you can just come into my town and destroy everything I worked towards!? I gave those ponies true friendship and you've destroyed that!"

Swinging around a rock I move my pistol back and forth as I try to determine where she is. "You're a fucking nutter! You stuck them in a cult where they were forced to follow you! That's not friendship, that's manipulation! You can't force equality, harmony, peace, friendship or anything like that on the world! It always fails! Someone will also come along and fuck things up, and I'll keep coming along to mess up everything you try!" Hearing a succession of steps running to my left I quickly pivot towards them.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

As the sounds of the bullet casings hit the floor echoes I listen as the hooves continue to move. "You think this is over!? You and that Princess destroyed something of mine, so I'm going to destroy something of yours!"

"I've got you trapped in a cave with armed guards waiting for you to come out! You're not goin-" A pain shoots through my shoulder as a magical bolt collides with my body. Throwing me backwards the back of my head collides with the floor causing my ears to ring as the world seems to spin around me. Sitting up I take aim at an opening and return fire.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

With no more sounds coming from the cave I cautiously push myself to my feet and switch to a new position in the cave. Resting my back against a natural wall I move my shirt back to check my shoulder. The main fabric of the shirt along with the top layer of skin have been peeled away as blood starts to drain down my chest, I imagine I'd be in a lot more pain if I wasn't already on painkillers. Slowly kneeling down I pick up a heavy stone and throw it into an opening to my far right, as soon as it clatters on the floor I can hear a set of hooves moving in the opposite direction to my left. Kneeling down I wait until a figure fills my view.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT *CLICK

A pained scream breaks out through the cave followed by a rapid succession of hooves which rush away from me. Switching magazines I reload my pistol before moving to the source, looking to the floor I can see a sizable spray of blood on the floor followed by a trail leading away. Taking out my phone I activate a torch app which keeps the camera flash on constant to illuminate the area around me. Keeping the light focused on the blood trail I begin to follow it through the caves until it suddenly cuts off near a small opening.

Why the hell did it stop? Did she use her magic to heal herself or stop the bleeding? Turning off the torch I pocket my phone and squeeze through the opening of the rocks, I'm forced to move around in some uncomfortable positions in order to squeeze through. As I move deeper into the passage the sight of natural sunlight fills my view, moving as quickly as I can I rush towards the exit. Reaching the sunlight I grind to a halt when I notice hoof marks in the fresh snow, after only a few metres they seem to quickly vanish.

Swooping down, Matrix stops in front of me. "The buck happened to you?"

"Cunt got a lucky shot. She must have gone this way. Fly overhead and track her down. She's using magic so don't expect her to play fair, she's already covered up the blood trail and her hoof steps." Nodding to me Matrix takes to the air and starts to scan over the large valley overhead. Looking back to my shoulder, I wince as I pull the shirt back to examine the wound. Releasing a frustrated groan I step out into the ravine to help Matrix.

One way or another, I'm gonna find you.