“Why?” Galea asked, staring at Garrett.

He remained silent, blinking at them.

“Garrett?” Downburst asked in a slightly louder tone.

“...You needed the push,” he replied. “It was the only way to get you moving.”

“You lied to us,” Galea growled, pinning his ears back. The look on his eyes told that he was holding back the urge to smack him.

Garrett lowered his head and nodded, accepting the blame. Then, he reached for his rucksack, revealing a small, dark tungsten shield way too small for him, the same size as the ones used by foals to accompany their costumes for Nightmare Night. It had cryptic-looking runes that glowed orange engraved on the center. Placing it on his chest, it secured itself to his armor with a loud click. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

Within a second, his colors faded away like a ghost, and he himself was gone.

“That son of a buck,” Galea grumbled.

A popping noise made everypony jump and turn, staring straight at the familiar armored figure with his back leaning against the wall of the train station.

“Bravo,” Discord said, clapping his hands with a mischievous smile. “Well done. I wonder how much it took for you to make a trick as grand as this. I mean, is this really how the princesses want to deal with the loss of our dear old friend? By lying to everypony that he’s still alive? Or even if he was miraculously brought back to life, why bring him out? We all know how dangerous he is. After all, if I did it once, I can do it again, no?”

“Shut up,” Galea growled.

“Isn’t it the most spectacular thing to see the true colors of an individual in desperation?” Discord continued.

“Laugh all you want,” Turbulence said, “but you’ve already failed. You can’t harm anypony in this town.”

“You mean the town is deserted?”

“That’s right,” Downburst said with a proud smirk.

Discord pointed back at the railroad tracks with his sword. “Doesn’t look like it,” he chuckled.

The three guards turned, and they felt their hooves freeze themselves to the floor. The train was back at the station, its passenger cars loaded with ponies full of fear and trying to break their way out.

With a snap of his fingers, Discord made the doors of the passenger cars swing open, releasing a wave of chaotic, panicking ponies. They ran screaming in all directions, trying to find a place to hide. Among the crowd, there were six figures that stepped forward.

A large grin formed on Discord’s face. “Why, Twilight, how nice of you to bring your friends along with you.”

“Stop fooling around, Discord!” Twilight shouted. She lowered her stance to attack, preparing herself. “If you think you can just get rid of us in a snap, you better think twice!”

Discord raised an eyebrow. He snapped his fingers, and a pink cloud appeared over Pinkie Pie. It began raining a brown fluid, soaking her with chocolate milk. Rarity nearly gagged at the sight of her mane being drenched in brown.

“Cotton candy!” Pinkie Pie cried, a grin popping up on her face. She jumped up and latched on to the cloud. It sped off into the distance, bringing her with it.

“Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow Dash shouted before taking off into a flight to chase her down.

Twilight slapped a hoof on her forehead and groaned. “We’ll still stop you!”

Discord made a glass materialize on his palm and another pink cloud appear above his head. He grabbed a handful of cotton candy and shoved it into his mouth, pouring himself a glass of chocolate milk while he was at it. Still leaning on the wall, he laughed. “With what? Fancy laser beams? This isn’t science fiction, my dear Sparkle. Two down, four more to go-”

A fist punched its way through the brick wall and seized Discord by the throat, cutting him off and making him choke. He dropped the glass, shattering it into bits.

The arm jerked back, forcing Discord through the bricks and into a dark room of the train station. The wall itself collapsed. As far as spectators could had told, a shadow was lifting him up by the throat and making him drag the tip of his sword along the floor. An orange glow came from whatever was the center part of it.

Discord raised his eyebrows, as if fighting to hide his surprise. “You’re suppose to be dead. Shouldn’t you be meeting other dead guys?”

“I just went on vacation. Don’t sound so disappointed. You make me cry.”

“Meh, I’ve seen better.”

With a powerful shove, Discord was sent flying through the wall. He skid to a halt in the dirt, groaning and blinking. The ponies around him were no longer panicking and screaming. Instead, they were staring at him with their jaws agape.

Garrett stepped forward. The glowing shield on his chest piece began emitting an orange dust. The material covered him all throughout, floating right off of his armor. Shapes and figures sculpted around his combat equipment, floating and being held in place by almost nothing. Once it was all finished, it looked like he had a second set of armor.

Smooth plates of translucent metals covered him. They were rounded and curved around his body, glowing with orange. A helmet formed around his head, complete with projections that protected parts of his neck.

Finally, a blade folded out of his right gauntlet, and an object which looked like the barrel of a high-caliber sniper rifle appeared on the other, his arms and weapons moving as one. All the new improvements on him still had the same glow, translucent like when Applejack had the unexpected aid of the windigo-like pony.

Twilight and the rest blinked, the speed of the situation taking its time to register to them. Rainbow Dash finally reappeared with Pinkie Pie.

“Garrett!” she cheered before all of them scrambled to him. Some already had tears forming in their eyes.

Before they reached him, Garrett pointed to the pink cloud of cotton candy Discord made in the station. Almost immediately, it burst into flames, as if he himself set fire to the rain. Everypony watching gasped in awe.

The six of them slowed down to a halt and backed off as they sensed the danger. Twilight and Rarity, however, sensed two presences of magic that they were not familiar with, and whatever they were, one was feeding Garrett with power and the other the desire to kill.

The cloud turned into a fireball, and Garrett summoned it to his side, aiming both his cannon and the flames straight at Discord. He smiled in anticipation.

During the span of the entire scene, he, however, did nothing. Instead, Discord looked at a pony witness to his side, far from the danger. “What the heck is with this guy?” he asked, pointing at Garrett with his thumb.

Almost immediately, Garrett released the flames, firing it all in one go.

Discord narrowly dodged it by rolling to the side. He stood back up, only to receive a bolt of energy from Garrett’s cannon that forced him back a few steps.

Before he could had reacted, Discord found Garrett charging right at him, his right arm cocked back with his weapon. He raised his own sword to deflect the attack. Their blades pressed against each other, but Discord overpowered him and pushed him back. Garrett stepped to the side and lifted his cannon, bringing the end of the barrel right under Discord’s jaw. He blasted another bolt of energy.

A sphere of light came out of the barrel and detonated right on Discord’s face. Sparks bursted from the area of contact. He grunted and almost lost his balance.

Wasting no time, Garrett thrust his blade forward, but Discord caught his arm and smashed his helmet with the butt of his sword. The two of them jumped back to give space.

Discord raised his sword and charged forward, Garrett holding his ground. He brought it down, only to have it blocked by the gauntlet.

Garrett raised his other hand, fired five shots at Discord, and pushed him back with a kick.

Clutching his chest, Discord wheezed and breathed heavily, falling down to a knee and using his sword for support. He looked at his own self to find out that he was burned in multiple places and smelled like smoke. He raised his head and found Garrett charging again, blade held back.

He lunged forward and sliced at Discord's chest.

On and on, they fought. Garrett was mostly on the offensive, moving fast and dodging much of the cheapshots Discord gave.

Finally, Discord brought the butt of his sword up and rammed it into the side of Garrett’s translucent helmet. He grunted and fell on all fours. Dazed, he was not able to get back up fast enough. Seizing the back of Garrett’s head, Discord gave a smile. “Knowing you, Garrett, you’d probably have some surprise left in your arsenal.”

Garrett gave a pained chuckle. “Unfortunately for you, yes.”

He brought his fists and showed them right in front of Discord’s face, who had his head tilting curiously. Garrett held his breath in and smiled. Then, he flipped both of his middle fingers, raising each hand in an insulting up-and-down motion. “Go to hell.”

Discord smirked raised his sword high. “Lights out, Garrett.”

A lightning bolt shot through the air and blew the blade right out of his palm. Discord yelped in surprise, closing his fist tight.

“Not today!” Luna shouted.

She and Celestia, in the company of countless numbers of guards, flew in and surrounded them. Garrett and Discord were encircled, storm clouds aimed right at them.

“Get every civilian out of here!” Luna ordered.

At once, every guard with them sprung into action, fanning out in an organized circle. Three, however, still stayed behind, unseen as they hid on a rooftop. They slid off and came to the ground, stealthily making their way closer.

Discord chuckled and switched to holding Garrett in a headlock. “Doesn’t this scene look all too familiar?” he asked Luna and Celestia.

They both growled in anger, knowing that the odds were not in their favor.

“My my, Luna, what happened to your face?” Discord taunted.

“I am perfectly fine!” she shouted back.

Discord chuckled. “Of course you are.”

“Sister, he is even more powerful than ever,” Luna murmured to Celestia’s ear.

“And I sense another presence,” Celestia added in a whisper.

Despite his air being constricted, Garrett shifted his attention to his three squadmates and caught their attention. He used a free hand to clench a fist, extended both his middle and index fingers and lifted his thumb up like he was giving an “okay” signal. Then, he jerked his hand in an upwards motion, as if shooting a pistol.

Luna took notice of Garrett’s actions and quickly switched her attention to the three.

Downburst glanced at Galea, confused. “...Sir?”

“Orders are orders,” he replied as he raised his crossbow.

Spreading their wings out, Downburst and Turbulence made small storm clouds surround their feathers, coursing with electricity. Garrett lowered his head slightly, and he acted like he was unconscious.

“Now!” Galea shouted.

Every cell in Luna’s body wanted to spring into action, but her mind was overwhelmed with what she just heard. She quickly lit up her horn with an aura of magic to protect them, yet she was too late to even cast a spell. The three bolts quickly pierced through the sky and struck Discord right at the head, missing Garrett’s by less than an inch. He fell onto his back.

All eyes were glued to the scene to the point where it was as if the aid was unnoticed. None wanted to take their focus off of the battle before them.

Forcing his cannon to the floor, Garrett made a bubble of energy expand to cover both him and Discord, separating them from any intervention.

Garrett’s blade on his right gauntlet folded back and formed into another cannon. Six cylinders from his new armor floated off and positioned themselves to his sides, three on each. Sculpting into barrels, they all aimed at Discord and opened fire at the same time, releasing bolts of energy with such quick succession it was like automatic fire from a gatling gun.

Everypony stared in awe as the firepower was enough to force Discord to the side of the bubble. Wave after wave of hits came, blasting him and leaving burned marks. Finally, Garrett stopped firing, and the floating barrels faded away.

With his back on the wall and himself dotted with countless black marks, Discord weakly lifted his head and smiled.

We need a new plan of attack, the windigo-like pony’s voice said in Garrett’s head.

I noticed, he replied.

The cannons on his gauntlets folded back and sprouted the blades again. Garrett charged forward and jammed both of them straight into Discord’s chest. The tips of the swords came out of the other side, leading to gasps from the spectators.

“Dead yet?” Garrett asked, only to receive an empty response.

Many onlookers cheered, but their voices were quickly cut off.

Somehow, Discord managed to bring up his hand and punch Garrett away, taking the blades away with him. The smile on his face was wider than ever. He cracked his neck, the holes and damage done to him regenerating.

The voices of cheering were replaced with sounds of gasps and yelps of fear.

“Get him out of there!” Celestia yelled, springing into action and barraging the shield with numerous spells.

Luna and the rest of the guards, including Galea, Turbulence, and Downburst, did the same, sending in attacks like a relentless typhoon, but no matter how much they tried, no scratch appeared on the bubble. Their heartbeats quickened, and they released another assault, desperation ever present with each passing moment.

Discord quickly seized Garrett by the shield on his armor and raised the butt of his sword, smashing him on the side of his head with a powerful blows, but the arcane helmet received most of the damage. The amount of force was strong enough to knock him off of his balance, so he was unable to to fight back. Nonetheless, the ponies cringed as they heard the loud thumps. Some wondered why he was not yet knocked out. Many began to show more obvious signs of fear once cracks started to form on Garrett’s translucent helmet.

A little help would be appreciated here, he said in his mind.

Discord brought the handle of his sword back, and the armor around Garrett suddenly faded away without receiving the blow. “Ahh, much better,” he said, changing his grip to Garrett’s throat.

Garrett’s eyes shot open wide. “That backstabbing--”

The grip on his neck tightened, making him choke.

Your knife! the windigo voice shouted. Use your knife!

Garrett quickly pulled out his knife. It was glowing with orange energy, and he stabbed Discord by the chestpiece, piercing through it like a piece of paper. He gasped in shock, releasing grip.

Taking it another step further, Garrett grabbed the handle of his knife and twisted it. Then, he pulled it in an upwards motion. But, instead of actually damaging Discord even more, the blade suddenly came off like he was hitting air.

A purple cloud seeped out in a ball, caught right at the tip of the knife. Discord yelled in agony, his armor disintegrating and his features fading back to normal. He collapsed to the floor with a groan.

Removing the blade, the mist floating above moulded into the form of Nightmare Moon. She fell to the earth as well, and she, too, was gasping rapidly.

Silence covered the area like a blanket. Every spectator had their jaw hanging, eyes wide open like marbles.

Garrett fell to his knees as he breathed heavily. The soul tapping spell costed him much of his own strength and willpower. Smiling, he looked at the crumpled figures of Discord and Nightmare Moon, who was shaking as she tried to stand back up.

Discord gave a groan. “Come on, Mooney, let’s get out of here. I’m not in the mood for fun anymore.”

It suddenly occurred to him that he could not move his limbs. Looking down, Discord found his body encased with an aura of dark violet. He turned to Nightmare Moon, whose horn was glowing. He glanced to his side and found out that Garrett was also trapped by her power. She lifted up the arcane sword and pointed it straight at his chest.

“...Mooney?” Discord asked, gulping as he felt the tip of the blade.

“I’ve had quite enough of your games,” Nightmare Moon said, pressing the sword ever so slightly more. “All you’ve been doing is nothing but waste precious time and resources.”

“But... I thought we were a team!” Discord protested, fear ever present. “I brought you back!”

“False, you and Chrysalis brought me back, and unlike you, she knows how to plan and execute. I admit, you were a very good asset. But, unfortunately, your usefulness to me has expired. However, before I retire you, I want to give you a helpful tip.”

Using her magic, she forced Discord to strike the exact same stance as the one he made when he was turned to stone for the second time. The sword glowed with an aura of magic. “Pose for the finale.”

With a loud gasp cut off by a choke, the blade sunk into Discord’s chest. The violet runes on the sword glowed ever more brightly, sucking up his power. Slowly, parts of his body turned to stone, starting with his foot. It traveled up his body in a wave, solidifying each part it passed.

Once the stone finally took full control of Discord, Nightmare Moon pulled the blade out of him, the magical runes glowing the brightest they ever did. She released her grip on him, and he fell to the ground, forever posed to scream in horror. The magic on the blade was transferring to her in the form of a wisp of smoke that inched to the tip of her horn.

“I can solidify myself without any help, thank you very much,” Garrett said, standing up and preparing his stance.

“I’m not interested in fighting you, Garrett,” Nightmare Moon said, facing him with a smile. “In fact, I’m actually inviting you for tea.”

Garrett’s throat suddenly tightened. He choked, gripping his neck. The tension was quickly released but replaced with a burning sensation from the back of his head. The mark began to illuminate, slowly changing the skin around into black, spreading outwards. Falling to his knees, he groaned in pain.

Your blade! the windigo’s voice shouted again. Purge the infection!

In desperation, Garrett grabbed hold of his knife and looked at the blade. It glowed brightly, just like when Luna attempted to save him. However, as he tried to point it to himself, another voice, rabid like an animal, was forcing him to dispose the blade.

No! it screamed. Embrace the power! Use it to defeat her!

Somehow, Garrett felt himself slowly returning the blade to its sheath.

Power is the only way! the voice shouted again.

Do not listen to it! the voice of Garrett’s father shouted. It is a weapon from your enemy!

Dad...?

You know what to do!

With whatever energy he had left, Garrett plunged the knife into his chest, screaming loudly as it ignored his armor. He pulled it it back out, and a black ball spewed out of him. It fell to the ground, rolling a short distance away before changing form. The shield on his chest fell off, blinking.

The dark sphere morphed into what appeared to be an ink-black changeling. It violently kicked and jerked on the ground like an insect, screeching and hissing. A small aura of blackness enveloped it. Its eyes were teal, and the wings were a deep shade of violet.

Quickly getting to his feet, Garrett readied his knife, his eyes fixed back on Nightmare Moon. She chuckled. “Oh, well done.”

Garrett gave a low growl, gripping his knife even more.

“Go ahead,” Nightmare Moon invited, floating her sword way off and opening her wings in welcome. “Hit me. Strike me down, and end all of your troubled. But, be sure you make your choice quick, Garrett.”

The shield surrounding them disappeared. “You don’t have much time.”

A loud, piercing cry of agony cut through the air.

Horrified, Celestia looked her side and found Luna crumpled on the ground, screaming and jerking violently. The vine on her side was illuminating brightly as the same blackness was finding its way around her, but even quicker.

Celestia lowered herself and gripped Luna with her forelegs. “Luna! Talk to me! What’s happening?!”

The dark magic quickly reached Luna’s face, making her eyes glow white. Two canines sprouted out from her jaw, and she let out a loud feral snarl that belonged to a mutated monster. She kicked violently, forcing Celestia away. Everypony around her moved back, fearful of being a victim.

“The clock is ticking, Garrett,” Nightmare Moon chuckled.

Gritting his teeth, Garrett tightened his grip on his knife. “Damn you,” he growled.

He dashed to his side, quickly approaching Luna. All eyes were on him, allowing an easy escape for Nightmare Moon. With a flash of her horn to temporarily blind everypony, she turned herself into a cloud of shadow and flew away slowly to watch.

Placing his hands on the sides of her head, Garrett grabbed hold of Luna and made her look straight at him. “Look at me!” he shouted.

Whatever Luna was hiss and snarled, smashing her forelegs into Garrett’s chestplate, which easily absorbed the blows like they were nothing. It was when she resorted to biting him did he let her go and step back.

The glowing aura formed around Garrett’s blade again.

Celestia felt her heart skip a beat.

“Garrett!” she screamed. She tried to reach for him, but she felt a pony wrap forelegs around her and hold her back. Looking down, she found Galea on her. Turbulence and Downburst joined him, taking up positions to stop her.

“I’m sorry, your highness,” Galea said, as if he was in pain, “but it’s for Princess Luna’s own good.”

With all the courage he could had mustered, Garrett grabbed hold of Luna again and forced her to the ground, pinning her down with her knee. She continued snarling and hissing as he raised his knife.

“Ma’am, if you’re in there...” Garrett said. He tightened his grip. “...Just know that I’m sorry.”

Swiftly, he plunged the blade down, stabbing Luna right at the base of her neck. She gave an ear-piercing screech, jerking violently and silencing out every other noise.

“Luna!” Celestia cried, fighting even harder to break free of the three guards’ grasp, but they still wrestled her down.

Garrett yanked the blade out. The blackness around Luna retracted, revealing her true form again. She was still screaming, this time with her own voice. The same dark creature came out, squirming on the ground.

The yelling stopped, and Luna’s head fell to the ground, unconscious.

Looking up, Garrett saw the cloud of Nightmare Moon take form back into her pony form. She flew off into the distance and disappeared from sight.

“Damn it!” he shouted.

Garrett drew his magnum from his holster and shot the two black creatures in the head. Then, he took off to chase Nightmare Moon in full sprint.

Before anypony could follow, the two changeling-like creatures twitched and began kicking. Soon, they were on their hooves again, looking straight at Celestia. The bullets went straight through their heads, leaving clear holes in their wake. Their mouths were hanging open, dripping and hungering for a feast of power. They leaped to the air.

“Get down!” Galea shouted. He let go of Celestia and jumped, catching one of the creatures. Turbulence did the same, seizing the other in mid-flight.

After falling to the ground with loud thuds, the dark monsters wrapped themselves around Turbulence and Galea. They turned themselves into black membranes, engulfing them like costumes. The two of the screamed in pain like they were set on fire. Hoping to help, Downburst scrambled forward, only to get forced back as the two violently kicked him away. Once half of their own selves were covered, they stopped panicking. Their muscles relaxed and they stood up, their eyes glowing teal.

Opening their jaws wide, they revealed their sharpened teeth at Celestia, dripping with saliva.

“C-Captain?” Donwburst gasped. “Turbulence?”

The two of them hissed, making their way towards Celestia. Out of nowhere, red chains of magic sprung out of the ground, wrapping around both Galea and Turbulence.

Before anypony could have reacted and offered help, a loud roar literally shook the ground beneath them.

The lights on Garrett’s arcane shield lit up to life, and out came the red windigo pony. It stood up on its hind legs and landed on the rune, leaving behind a deep dent. Switching its attention to the two dark creatures, it gave a low growl.

The same cannons Garrett used appeared next to it, floating in the air and pointing right at Turbulence and Galea.

“No!” Celestia begged. She attempted to grab hold of it with magic, but the windigo pushed her aside with a blast of power.

“Silence!” the windigo shouted.

Downburst leaped forward in an attempt to bring down the windigo, only to have chains of magic wrap around him, forcing him to the dirt. Celestia also attempted to cast a spell, but she was stopped as the same restraints grabbed hold of her, somehow preventing her from using her power.

The windigo’s full attention switched to the snared Galea and Turbulence. The cannons near its sides charged up, glowing even brighter. Powerful beams shot out, encasing both of them in a massive ball of light.

The light grew and grew, forcing everypony watching to close their eyes shut. When they came to, Downburst and Celestia found themselves free from the chains, and Turbulence, Galea, and the windigo pony were gone, replaced by massive scorch marks on the ground.

“Captain?” Downburst muttered, shaking. “Turbulence...?”

Shaking, he closed his eyes shut, and he let out a loud cry to the sky.

In a dark alleyway, Downburst smashed his hooves on a wooden box, breaking it to pieces. He growled and pounded his hooves on the floor, cursing with each blow. The anger inside was feeding every cell in his body and made him willing to fight Chrysalis himself. On and on, he brought his rage into anything he could reach, including abandoned stalls.

A hand seized his hoof. “Not exactly a healthy way to deal with your problems.”

Downburst turned, finding Garrett hiding in the shadows, his face easily showing that he was tired.

“I run off into the night to chase Nightmare Moon all the way to the edge of some forest, gain back my common sense, and limp my way back to town. The first thing I get from other guards is news of the disappearance of two soldiers and a third losing his sanity.”

“That’s easy for you to say!” Downburst shouted, puffing hot air out of his nostrils. Somehow a small part of him wanted to punch Garrett to let out some of his rage. “I’ve been through a lot with them! And your ‘friend’ just killed--”

“I know the story!" Garrett shouted. "They were infected, and that thing did what it thought was needed!”

“I’ll hunt it down and kill it!” Downburst shouted back. “I will personally walk through Nightmare Moon’s doorstep and make her pay! Heck, maybe I should go and train with the gryphon’s elite legion--”

Downburst was seized by the collar of his armor, cutting him off. “Pull yourself together!” Garrett shouted.

“You talk as if soldiers are always disposable, like nopony will care!” Downburst growled. “What about their families?! How do you expect them to bear the news that their own child is dead?! How do you think it would be for them to celebrate a birthday of somepony in a grave?!”

Garrett clenched his jaw, growling with fire growing in his eyes.

“And what about us?!” Downburst continued. “How do you think we’ll feel like writing letters to their loved ones and friends?! We’re still here and alive, living with the luxuries of a bed and other things like those while they have noth--”

“If you want to blame someone, you can blame it all on me!” Garrett finally shouted. “I was the one leading, and I am responsible for the fate of anyone under my command!”

Those words finally managed to make Downburst silent. Garrett dropped him.

“Your need for vengeance will only hurt you and those around you. Stepping up in the armed forces is a good thing, but revenge should never factor in into your choices. You joined the force to protect, serve, and fight for freedom, survival, and peace. You’re not in your uniform to get even with someone or some faction.”

Downburst was still quiet, the words digging their way into him as he stared at the ground.

“In short,” Garrett continued, taking a deep breath, “don’t turn yourself into me.”

He stood up and pulled out a small datapad. After gesturing the command, he lent it to Downburst. “When you figure it out, let us know. We need you.”

Turning around, Garrett started making his way out of the alleyway. “One more thing, you still have the option to quit my ragtag team. I never asked you to follow me, but hell, you did so anyway.”

Looking up, Downburst gave one last glance at Garrett.

“We’re waiting on you,” Garrett ended, leaving him. “I’ll be in the hospital if you’ll be looking for me.”

Alone and in the dark, Downburst lowered his head, the glow from the datapad lighting up his face. Silently, he tapped on the play button with his hoof.

Garrett’s voice came through the speaker. “This is the UNSC Humbling River--”

“Garrett,” said another voice.

“Dad...?”

“Hi, son.”

“Is there something wrong?”

There was a pained grunt.

“Dad?!” Garrett called out.

“Garrett... your mother and I were assigned to sabotage a Covenant base and steal their intel. Turns out, they had a very fast link. With a few tweaks to mask where the signal is going, we managed to establish a connection and do our job.” Garrett’s father coughed.

“Where’s mom?” Garrett asked, tension in his voice.

“I’m sorry, son.”

“No...” Sounds of sobbing followed. “Damn it! No!”

“They got me, too. I’ve locked myself inside the main reactor of the base. Just know that we’re proud of you. Stay mean and green, and look after your family.”

“Dad! Please!”

“Goodbye, son. We love you so much.”

There was a distinctive beep.

Garrett took a deep breath. “I love you, too.”

The signal was cut off into static, but among the noise, there was the sound of crying and cursing, and it went on and on.

“Damn the Covenant!”

“But why can’t I see her?” Celestia asked, fighting not to bash through the door and meet Luna.

“I’m sorry, your highness,” the doctor said. “But at this state, we need to be monitoring her literally every second, and the room is already crowded as it is with our own staff. We can’t afford to let anypony get in our way.”

Celestia was about to protest, but the doctor raised a hoof. “I’m sorry, princess, but when it comes to the health of everypony, including royalty...”

The doctor gulped, sweat forming on her brows.

“...I outrank you.”

Silence filled the room. Celestia lowered her head and closed her eyes tightly, a shadow forming on her face.

“Please understand, your highness,” the doctor pleaded. “It’s for your sister’s well-being.”

Celestia sighed, her eyes shut with the pain in her heart. “Very well. If it is all right, may I visit Garrett, then? Is he doing well?”

A small smile formed on the doctor’s face. “Surprisingly, the only things he needed were a small amount of our simplest healing potions, and plenty of rest. If you want, you can visit him. He’s in the last room down the hall, and I believe he has just taken his last needed dosage.”

“Thank you, doctor.” She made her way to Garrett’s door and knocked.

“Come in,” Garrett said.

Celestia entered, finding Garrett sitting on a hospital bed, a glass of whiskey complete with stones on one hand and its bottle on a table next to it. In a corner lay his armor in an unorganized pile. The look on his face was hard and in deep thought. Seeing him there, she had no idea what to feel for him. She almost forgot how he was before he died and came back to life, as if she was talking to a complete stranger again.

“Evening, ma’am,” Garrett greeted, taking the first sip of his drink. “I have to admit, this is finest whiskey I have ever tasted in my entire life.”

“It’s because that costs sixty thousand bits a bottle, and only twelve were known to be made.”

Garrett nearly choked, his eyebrows shooting up. “Wow, seriously? I might as well save this for the future.”

A moment of silence passed by in between them.

“I’m... sorry about what happened out there,” Garrett said, lowering his head. “The first time that SOB and I actually manage to do something together, he... just goes. Turbulence was an excellent soldier, good material for a leader.”

He took another sip. “First thing I do after I finish this glass is suit up and get my gear. After that, meet our old friend, Nightmare--”

“No, Garrett,” Celestia interrupted, raising a hoof. Her voice was serious and hard. She no longer saw a broken, shaken man. His battle had somehow cleansed him of his guilt, replaced with only anger fueling the will to fight on, and she knew kind words would not change his mind.

“Ma’am, with all due respect,” Garrett replied flatly, “the sooner I get out of here, the closer I am to Nightmare Moon, and the more I am nearer to stopping her.”

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to us?” Celestia blurted out. “We’re worried sick about you! You keep putting yourself on the line, thinking you’ll be a hero! But what about us?! How do you think we feel about seeing our own friend die in front of us, only to come back and never want to talk to us?! Do you know how it feels to put your own effort into saving someone, only to have him go to danger again and again and again?!”

“I have no choice!” Garrett barked back. “As long as she’s still alive, I won’t let anything get in the way! Nightmare Moon is a danger to us all!”

“Ask yourself, Garrett!” Celestia spat in return, her face red with rage. “Who are you?! And what do you want?!”

“Do you think I can be who I want to be at times of do or die?!” Garrett yelled, standing up. “This is a matter of war!”

“That’s all you ever talk about!” Celestia shouted. “But that war hasn’t found its way here! You’ve always had the chance to change your life for the better, but you never took it!”

“I grew up with the fear of having my own home found and destroyed the next day! At least you still have that luxury!” Garrett answered back.

“Whatever happened to your promise to Sarah to be a man who lives by the traits he teaches her?!” Celestia asked.

“There’s a time and place for everything!” Garrett replied. “And that kind of man is not needed at eras like this!”

Celestia hissed, gritting her teeth. “You know what?! With how you’ve been doing back alive, I sometimes think you’d be better off dead!”

She gasped and placed her hoof on her mouth, her eyes wide open and her blood running cold. She looked at Garrett, who was staring at her, the emotion on his face lost. He was slowly shaking his head as if he was looking at friend who had turned into a traitor. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched hard.

“Garrett...” Celestia whispered.

With a closed fist, Garrett smashed his glass against the ground, shattering pieces and splattering whiskey. He stormed to the door and passed by Celestia, intentionally bumping his shoulder into her.

“Garrett! Wait!” Celestia said in panic, her heart racing.

She reached for him with her hoof, but the moment she touched him, he violently shrugged it off.

“I didn’t mean--”

“Shut up!” Garrett roared at the top of lungs, smashing a hammerfist at the wall and leaving a massive hole. Celestia jumped back, retreating a few steps. He looked like he was between breaking down or exploding with rage. “Just shut up! Equestria can go to hell, for all I care!”

Right before he was able to gripped the knob, Garrett felt a coating of magic cover him, forcing him to stop.

“Let me go,” he growled.

“Please, Garrett,” Celestia pleaded, “listen to me.”

“Let me go!” He shouted.

Garrett was lifted off of his feet and was levitated to Celestia, growling and with his eyes focused to kill.

“All you’ve been doing is fighting and getting hurt. You’re not the only one receiving pain. Everyone around you is also being affected. Please, put down the gun for once, and take off the armor. Let go of all the hate and the soldier.”

“And turn myself into what?!” Garrett half-yelled.

“I just want you to be...” She closed her eyes as mist formed in them. “...To be human.”

Garrett froze, the word hitting him hard like a hammer. He was finally let go, and he sat on his bed, staring at the floor in silence as his muscles relaxed.

“So many lives have been stained,” Celestia continued. “Galea, Turbulence, Downburst, Luna, you, me... the list goes on. You were hurt and tortured. In whatever place your soul went to... I saw you being at peace. I wanted you to be happy again, to be with your family and stop fighting and getting hurt. Now that you’re back... Luna and I...”

She lowered her head, shaking. “Luna...”

Her words disappeared as tears slid down her face, her willpower shattering.

“Here,” Garrett said in a soft tone, gently bringing her over to him. “Come here.”

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and embraced her, and she did the same.

“I made her a promise... that I wouldn’t let her get harmed again. I wanted her to see the bright sides of life again, and now... look at her. She’s in the hospital right after Nightmare Moon, the sins of her past...”

She began crying. “I’m so sorry....”

Garrett looked down at Celestia, the image of her being a strong ruler to him disappeared. Instead, he saw his own self in her, broken and weeping over dark news. Somehow, he heard his own voice tell him, It’s your turn now.

“Shh,” he hushed, gently stroking her neck and slowly rocking her back and forth. “It’ll be all right. Don’t hold it down.”

On and on, he let Celestia cry herself out, allowing her to bury her nuzzle into him every now and then. She thought of how Garrett used his own hardened hands to hurt and kill other living beings, yet at that moment, they were soft and comforting and reminded her of how having a someone who cared next to her felt like. War changes everyone, she thought.

“Please, Garrett,” Celestia finally begged after getting a hold of herself. “Stop putting your life on the line for us. Let go of the weight on you, and start living again, at least for a while. And if you do find your family again, give them back what they have lost, the father who loves them.”

“All right.”

“Promise?”

Garrett looked down for a moment to think. “I promise.”

They were silent for a moment, Garrett periodically brushing her.

“What I said earlier...” Celestia said, “...I didn’t mean--”

“I understand,” Garrett cut in. “I know, it’s tough losing someone close to you. You try to hold on and remember them, but you eventually realize that they would have wanted you to move on, and you honor their memory when you do. When they come back, or at least when you get the chance to meet them again, you want to stay with them forever and promise to not let anything go wrong anymore, to never relive the pain of separation. Yet, when you see them get hurt... and die, probably, you’ll be more hurt. You know you just broke what you swore to them, and in short, you’d just get even more salt in the wound. Sometimes it’s better to just let go... probably something I should have learned a long time ago.”

Celestia heaved a deep sigh. “I’m over a thousand years old, I have seen both catastrophes and miracles appear, and yet...”

“You still need someone to lean on,” Garrett finished, giving her a tighter hug.

“Thank you,” Celestia said, letting go and standing back up. She wiped away the excess tears. “I better leave you to rest.”

Garrett nodded, and they both gave small smiles to each other.

Celestia then made her way through of the door and closed it behind her. Outside, she found six familiar ponies standing next to the entrance. Their silent faces easily expressed that they heard everything. Out of respect, they bowed before placing their get well gifts in front of the room and leaving.

“You sure about giving him one of your last barrels of cider?” Rainbow Dash whispered.

“Been savin’ that for somethin’ special, sugarcube,” Applejack replied. “Today’s special enough for mah standards.”

Luna breathed in, feeling life come back into her. Her eyes fluttered open. With a quick glance around, she found herself in a white hospital bed with sunlight flowing through the windows. Slowly, she got off and stood up, her legs shaking slightly. Putting all four hooves down to the floor, she stumbled and reached out to a table for support.

Her tongue felt dry, and her throat itched. She coughed and found a clear glass of water sitting on top of the table. Grabbing hold of it with magic, Luna lifted it up and drank it all in one go. She let out a deep sigh of relief, and her legs felt stable again.

A nurse opened the door and stepped inside. Her face lit up with glee. “Ah, princess! You’re awake!”

“She’s awake?!” a familiar voice echoed through the doorway. Princess Celestia literally hopped into the room, barely managing her excitement. She wasted no time and went to hugging Luna, threatening to break each her ribs. The nurse walked back, disappearing into the hallway with a smile.

“We were all so worried,” Celestia said, breaking up the hug.

Luna chuckled. “Sister, believe me when I say this, but what Twilight did to me was much more... intense.”

They both giggled, sat on the bed, and embraced each other again.

Outside in the hallway, one man stood past the doorway, staying out of sight, leaning against the wall, and eavesdropping the two princesses. A small, hopeful smile formed on Garrett’s face.

At least she’s all right now, Garrett thought to himself.

Jamming his fists into his pockets, he turned and started walking down the hall, allowing Celestia and Luna to sink into their conversation.

“Garrett...?” Luna called out.

He stopped.

“...Can... can you stay in here with us?”

There was a moment of silence. Garrett lowered his head and thought for a moment. “Sure,” he said with a smile, making sure that he was heard.

Turning around, he walked back, entered the room, and pulled up a chair.

Days had gone by after the night of the attack. The princesses volunteered themselves to stay in Ponyville for some time to help rebuild the damage, both physical and psychological. Several tents were erected around the town to accommodate the guards as part of their royal duty. Garrett kept a low profile and made the best of what was offered to him. Often, none saw him for the span of an entire day, but some managed to catch a glimpse of him walking by.

The moon shined brightly in the night sky. Downburst gave a low groan, grumbling as he folded a manila envelope closed. Candlelight illuminated his tent, much like everyone else’s.

“Downburst?” Luna asked, entering his domain. “I sense that you are not doing well.”

“Just getting tired of dealing with the paparazzi, your highness,” Downburst replied, holding up the envelope. “You know... making sure Garrett won’t be disturbed. You’ll be amazed with how addicted Photo Finish is to following him around. I had to confiscate a lot of photos, and I’m planning to burn them in a fire.”

Luna grabbed hold of the envelope with magic. “Go to sleep. You are tired and need rest. I shall handle the disposal of these photos.”

Downburst bowed. “Thank you, your highness.”

He stripped away his armor, sighing in deep relief as the weights slid off.

“I do not understand why you would need to be extreme and burn these,” Luna said, opening the envelope. “They are just photos, after all.”

“I wouldn’t recommend that, princess,” Downburst warned.

Ignoring it, Luna pulled out the photographs and inspected each one, spreading them all out in the air.

“Oh... my...” Luna drew up a hoof to her mouth.

Each photo was of Garrett. He was holding true to his word to relax. Some photos were of him enjoying a warm and humid hot spring with a towel spread out on top of a rock. Another group showed him enjoying the natural, cool shower of a waterfall, bathing himself, and a third set revealed him going out of a lake after a nice dip and swim. More photos were in the collection, almost each one keeping Luna’s cheeks in a shade red.

“You are right,” Luna finally answered with a gulp, stuffing the photos back into the envelope and hiding it under her wing. “It is better to not show these to the public eye.”

“Agreed, your highness” Downburst mumbled.

“Anyhow,” Luna said, turning around, “after I visit Twilight Sparkle, I shall see to it that I personally--”

She got cut off as she felt her head hit a solid mass outside with a loud “oomph!”

Luna was silent for a moment, puzzled. “I do not recall having a lamp post this close to your tent.”

“Err... that’s not a lamp post, your highness,” Downburst said.

Only then did she realize that whatever she hit was warm. Looking up, she found Garrett without his shirt on and his top half dripping wet, making him glisten in the moonlight. The blush on Luna’s face grew ever more present, and she stared at him, frozen.

“I’ll... I’ll just leave now,” Downburst said, sidestepping his way out of sight.

There was an awkward silence between Luna and Garrett.

“Someone stole my shirt and splashed me with a bucket of water,” Garrett said flatly.

He went to a nearby chest, opened it, and swiftly jammed his hand inside.

“Eep!” another voice squeaked.

Garrett jerked his arm out, holding Photo Finish, who had an ODST shirt dangling from her mouth. Almost as quick as a fast draw, she brought out her camera and snapped a photo.

After rolling his eyes, Garrett yanked the shirt out of her grasp, dropped Photo Finish, and walked away, leaving behind one mare blushing and another giggling like a little filly.

The pub was filled with off-duty guards, each savoring the few chances of freedom amidst their hectic schedule. Playing cards were being placed on tables, patrons were coming and going, and laughs filled the building. However, two officers, a human and a pegasus, sat next to the window in silence.

“I don’t blame you,” Downburst said, returning the datapad to Garrett. “None of us knew what was going to happen, and we each understood what we signed up for. They did their duty to protect her. You know the art of war well, and it is undeniable that there will be losses. I will mourn over them when the storm passes. But today, I’ll do what I can to carry on, and I’m awaiting your next order.”

“Drink, relax, and blow off some steam, soldier,” Garrett replied.

Downburst furrowed his brows. “Sir...?”

“You’ve been through a lot, and I can still see that you have many things going on your mind. Go easy for the moment.”

“If you’re insisting that I take a vacation, then I’m afraid I can’t. I’m still in the royal guard. But, I can agree on the drinking part.”

They both chuckled. A sudden flash made them blink, catching them off guard. Right outside was another photographer, camera aimed straight at Garrett.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m starting to miss the old days in the coast guard,” Garrett grumbled. He took a sip from his drink. “Do a few stocks in the morning, then report for duty. All I had to do was lean out of an aircraft, aim with a sniper rifle, and take out the target’s engines with a single shot. Then, head back to base, shake hands with my CO, and continue the rest of the day like nothing happened. After I get back home, spend some time with my family, do a few more stocks, and then go to bed. Sometimes I prefer being the unsung hero. Work your ass off to save everyone around you and become the silent guardian, you fight day and night without anyone knowing.”

“A knight in the dark and shadows,” Downburst said.

“Bingo.”

“Well, I respect that. I mean, having paparazzi follow you all the way to the hot springs isn’t exactly fun--” Downburst shut his mouth. “I mean... uhh--”

“At least you confiscated those photos from her,” Garrett said, a smile forming on the side of his lip.

“Err... how did you know?”

Garrett chuckled and took a sip. “I have my ways.”

He looked outside right on time to see Celestia fly by, land by the library, and enter.

“You think we should check the windows to see if they’re... you know,” Downburst suggested.

“Hmm... nah.”

“What?”

“I’m too much in a good mood to care. Just earlier I had a good massage. Even though they had no idea how to do their work on humans, they did it well anyway. Seemed like they had some pleasure in trying something new.”

Downburst heard a female voice behind him giggle softly. “Oh, I bet they did.”

He turned around and found a female night guard with her back turned against him. But, with the view he had, he managed to take a glimpse of a photograph lying on top of the table, and she was subtly sharing it with her other mare colleagues, who were obviously enjoying what they were seeing. All he managed to hear from their conversation were words such as “secret connections” and “Photo Finish.”

It occurred to Downburst that the mares were also discretely passing on photos, most of which murmuring words related to secret connections to Photo Finish. Some faked that they were putting a card down. Others ‘accidentally’ dropped a few that miraculously land under the next table.

Downburst faced Garrett again, his body tensing up.

“What’s the matter, soldier?” Garrett asked with a chuckle. “You look like you’re about to piss yourself.”

Downburst gulped. “Just thought I heard something.”

“Don’t mind it. It’s kind of normal if you’ve been to a battle. Your senses are still on alert. Right now, just sit back, detach from the world, and enjoy the drinks.”

“About that--”

“I know they’re sharing photos of me,” Garrett announced out loud. “And frankly, I don’t care. Back in the UNSC, majority of us were supposed to go to cryo-sleep naked, and the canopies were transparent most of the time. The eggheads back in the labs said something about covered skin generally reacting badly to the freezing process. Somehow, I’m not affected by it. Even so, during training, everyone’s suppose to ice themselves without a single stitch of clothing. Most of the time, there’d be an officer waiting for you right as you wake up to time your performance. Work too slowly, and you’ll be completely dependent on his or her mercy. Hell, I’ve heard stories of guys needing to do push ups and laps without wearing anything in the middle of winter.”

That managed to quickly silence whoever heard it. It was as if the pub suddenly froze. Even the bartender stopped, wide-eyed like everypony else. Somehow, the sound of photographs hitting the floor came to Downburst’s ears, and he saw Garrett having a smug smile. A grin formed on his face, threatening to break his head, and in perfect synchronization, both of them broke out in laughter.

“Good one!” Downburst managed to say amongst his laugh.

Garrett raised his pint. “To another victory done right here, right now!”

The two of them clinked glasses and drank merrily as much of the pub was still frozen in time.

Simple conversations filled the library as Luna had tea with Twilight and her friends. Much of the town was already fast asleep. Spike volunteered himself to serve them the drinks and food and wore a pink apron, as per Rarity’s request to make him look “cuter” for the princess.

“Sounds a lot like Garrett’s makin’ the best outta what over here,” Applejack said.

“Indeed,” Luna replied, sipping her tea. “Though, some guards are complaining that the photographers follow him around like wolves hunting prey, taking photos of almost everything he does. I am quite sure they enjoyed following him in the gym.”

They all chuckled, save for Rarity, who was grouchily mumbling inaudible words that ran along the lines of her popularity.

“Thank you for inviting me for tea,” Luna said, standing up. “I must go now, for it is my turn now to watch over Equestria as my sister rests.”

She spread her wings out and took off into the air, opening the top window with magic.

“Hey!” Pinkie Pie yelled. “Princess Luna left some pictures!”

Luna stopped herself in mid-flight. “Uh oh.”

When she turned, she found all six of them staring at the photos, wide-eyed and their faces blushing with red.

“I-I can explain!” Luna stuttered as she herself became scarlet.

“Uh-huh,” Rainbow Dash replied, nodding with her wings opening.

Spike popped his head through the kitchen door. “Hey, why’s everypony--”

“Spike! Look away!” Twilight screamed, shoving him back inside the kitchen and locking the door with magic.

Luna landed on the floor. “Whatever happens, do not tell my sister.”

“Don’t tell me about what?” Celestia asked, landing on the balcony library and entering. “If it’s something about Garrett, I think we all have the right to know and...”

She looked down and found the photos, and her cheeks became stained with sanguine. “...Oh,” she said.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, with his ear pressed hard against the door, Spike swore he heard low purrs and giggling. He swiftly pulled himself away.