Garret paced everywhere inside his cell. He was well-rested, yet his body ached and was still slightly stiff as the last bits of the poison were still burning away. Finally, he stopped and looked outside the window. The sun shined brightly in the sky, and the citizens of Canterlot happily came about their daily business, reminding him of the peace humanity used to have before the Covenant War. Someday... we’ll have that again, he told himself. Someday...

The captain’s voice echoed behind the human. “After all this time, finally, we’ve got you. I have to give you credit for keeping it up for a long time, you insane son of a buck.”

Captain Galea, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia stood on the opposite sides of his cell, staring at him like he was their prey.

“As a UNSC jarhead, I’ll take those as a compliments,” Garrett answered back.

The captain rolled his eyes. “You humans have strange senses of humor.”

“It’s a marine thing,” Garrett laughed insultingly.

“Captain, please leave us,” said Celestia to Galea.

“Will do, your highness,” replied Galea before leaving.

“Wow, what a kiss ass,” Garrett said, shaking his head after the unicorn closed the door.

“Enough jokes, Garrett,” hissed Luna, temper beginning to rise. “Tell us what we want to know.”

“My name is Garrett S. Archer of the Eighth ODST Battalion. Lieutenant. UNSC Marine Corps. Serial Number-- ”

“We already know that,” interrupted Celestia.

“Then I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything else,” said Garrett as he sat down on his bunk. “Even if you try to force the answers out of me, I’m not going to spit a single word. We had a deal. I’ve done my part of it by going with you peacefully. Now it’s your turn, what did you do with Rainbow Dash?”

“We will not lay a single hoof on her,” said Luna. “We just want you.”

“You better.”

“Why do you care so much about her?” asked Celestia.

“That’s for me to know, and you to find out.”

“You really enjoy toying with us, do you not?” said Luna as she shook her head slowly in disapproval.

“Yes and no.”

“Let’s start with the basics,” said Celestia. “Why are you here, and what do you want?”

“Last thing I remembered was receiving an order to meet up with my battalion. Before I knew it, I found myself being interrogated by ponies. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“But why did you have to threaten us at our first encounter?” asked Celestia.

“Sorry, you’re not the one who had an alien ship shoot you after waving and saying hello,” Garrett said, irritated. “I don’t care what you tell me. The earlier I get off this rock and regroup with the UNSC, the better. At least there I’m not having to deal with situations like this, and I all I have to do is point, shoot, and be honored as a hero.”

“Equestria has also faced dark times, and, with diplomacy and peaceful means, we have managed our way through them,” said Luna.

“And stop thinking about yourself and your war, Garrett,” said Celestia. “You are not the only one who’s been through difficulties where violence was found.”

Garrett took full notice of her first comment, and his voice was rising. “Myself? Myself? I’m just talking about myself? Listen to me very carefully, princess. Do you think I enjoyed in watching planets burn on video? Did I love hearing more news about families crying over their destroyed homes? Did I take pleasure in seeing marines give their blood to defend the places they held dear, only to have it burned down and have the ashes fall like snow?”

Luna and Celestia noticed a pain that was going through him, but it was difficult to see because of the anger present in his face.

“Garrett,” Celestia said, worried, “I did not mean that-”

“Spare me the lecture,” Garrett growled. “You don’t know what humanity’s been through, and you don’t know how it feels like to see a Covenant ship glass New Alexandria on screen, killing numbers of innocent, helpless people in the blink of an eye. Did we do anything? The closest battle group from another deployment was 48 hours away, so all we could have done was watch the news and back up a graveyard-” He raised his hand to cover his mouth, but he stopped halfway through. “Crap... I said all of that out loud, didn’t I?”

Garrett’s question did not need an answer. The three of them stood silent, looking at each other with lost words.

“Please, sister, this is only getting worse,” Luna pleaded to Celestia.

The two alicorns left the human and allotted themselves time to plan their next approach. Garrett, on the other hand, kept quiet in his cell, feeling guilty that he talked about the war in a way he never meant to say.

“Ordinarily, I would have given you hay, just like any other prisoner, but a certain pegasus saw to it that I give you this.” Captain Galea floated over Garrett’s lunch of steamed vegetables, fresh from the kitchen. The tray floated passed the door and landed with the soft clank of metal on the ground.

Garrett picked it up, smiled inside, and sat on his bunk as he ate his first ever cooked food in a long time. Thanks, Dash.

“I’m surprised you actually eat vegetables,” commented the captain.

“Hell, this is five stars compared to the stuff I was trained to eat.”

“Oh? Then what were you trained to eat?”

“You don’t want to know. Period.” Garrett forced a laugh. “I’m even amazed that it’s you who’s still entertaining me. I figured that your commanding officer would have wanted to talk to me instead.”

“I am in the highest rank of the guard, human. The ponies higher than my position would be the princesses.”

“Right, and I’m the heir to the throne.”

The captain felt his anger quickly reach to a boil inside him. He moved even closer to the steel bars separating him and Garrett as he growled, “You think you can just crash into Equestria, challenge me and the royal guards, threaten the princesses, and just taunt me?” It was his turn to force a laugh. “I’ve fought dragons, hydras, ursas, and many other monsters that make you look like a tiny mouse.”

Garrett dropped his fork on his meal, set it aside, and shot the captain a very nasty look that can challenge a cockatrice. “You think you’ve dealt with serious crap?” He stood up straight, taking full advantage of his superior height. As he moved closer to Galea, he allowed his temper to feed him as he continued, “Listen up and listen good, dirtbag, I’m fighting an alien armada so powerful and ruthless that they can turn this place into molten glass in a matter of seconds. They talk as if hunting my race is a sport, they shoot and kill without mercy, and they willingly display our bodies as trophies. Worst of all, they have split-lipped freaks that make you look like you could win a beauty pageant.”

He was so close to the captain that the only things dividing them were the steel bars. “I would have grabbed you by the shiny collar on your armor, asshole, if you stood a little bit taller. We don’t fight under the same flags, and as far as my war is concerned, your life means nothing to me.”

“Now, human, you’re speaking my language.”

“Good. Now shut up, leave me alone, and let me eat in peace.”

The captain turned and paced out of sight. Garrett could not help but flip him a middle finger as he left. Somehow, he felt satisfied on how he handled the conversation. Maybe it’s just the way I told him about the war. One way or another, he’s definitely a kiss ass.

The moon and sun finished their dance of colors after they exchanged places. Residents began turning off their lights, and the crickets chirped harmoniously to their rhythm. The door of Garrett’s cell swung open as Rainbow Dash entered his cell. “You alright?” she asked, still bearing a look of regret and worry.

“I’m fine. Your princesses and captain of the guard came and had a talk with me. I wasn’t in the mood to have a chat with them, especially with the captain. Gotta give your princesses credit for not having my head served to them on a silver platter... yet. Anyway, my real concern is your state. You defended and helped me, and by doing so, you defied your leaders.”

“I’m alright. They didn’t hurt me or anything if that’s what your thinking. They told me they weren’t going to hang you. Besides, they’re my friends. I trust them, and they trust me.”

“It’s either your princesses are saving me for something worse, or they still have a bit of mercy left in them. Either way, thanks for standing by my side,” he smiled. “Next time, follow an order.”

“Brought you a little gift to make up for it,” said Rainbow Dash as she revealed a small box she hid under her wings. She tossed it over to his hands.

“Thanks,” He said after he opened the box. He placed on his dog tags and kept his relics of home, smiling as he knew he had all that he needed.

Celestia, Luna, and the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony sat behind the one-way mirror and watched the human and pegasus talk to each other.

“We are playing a dangerous game, sister,” said Luna.

“I know,” Celestia sighed, “but it may be the only way to get him talking without hostility.”

“I just hope she can convince him to trust us,” said Luna, “but after all we did to him and after all he did to us, it is almost impossible to even start one.”

“Don’t worry, your highness,” Applejack assured. “We can trust her t’ah get him started somewhere.”

“One thing I want to know is if he likes cupcakes!” squeaked Pinkie Pie.

“Ooh, I hope that ruffian won’t do anything to Rainbow Dash,” murmured Rarity. “If he does, however, he will pay.”

Twilight kept silent as she had a quill and papers, ready to take down every single detail of Garrett’s conversation.

Rainbow Dash leaned against the wall and watched Garrett look at his pictures as if he was holding the key to humanity’s victory against the Covenant. “Garrett, you’re a really awesome guy. You’re hardcore and tough with a good side. Why did you join the ODSTs?”

Garrett sat down and kept his items. “I graduated army college with flying colors and got into the coast guard. Claire and I settled down for a moment, and I did some additional studying while on the job, which, by the way, helped me a lot later on for the real deal. It was only when my parents died when I truly understood the weight of the war and signed up for ODSTs.

I’ve trained so hard back at the center. I poured out my blood, sweat, and tears to get those flying colors. I wanted to protect my teammates-- my friends, making sure that none of them get hurt. And what happened? Day one, fifteen people... gone, and two of them took the pain that was meant for me. In hindsight, it’s two people... for one life... One single life out of billions who could have easily replaced me.”

Rainbow Dash looked at Garrett in worry, aware that he may be going too far. “Garrett, stop talking like that-”

“This war has destroyed the life where we thought humanity could live safely among the stars. It destroyed the life where we could be playing and laughing under the sun and adoring the stars at night, knowing that we’re safe from threats. I’m fighting to get that reality back as much as I can... if I can. I would do anything just to see that again, but what could I do? I’m just one small man.”

Rainbow Dash’s thoughts were shouting inside, Come on, Rainbow Dash! This isn’t hanging out for you or for him! Think of something! “But out of the billions of humans out there, you are the one and only Garrett Archer. You’ll never be replaced.”

“Yeah, and neither will the planets the Covenant glassed and the people who died in this war.”

Garrett kept his head down. “I was one of the oldest in the group because I completed army college and took the extra courses. Me and Dante both took officer’s school. Somehow, I was the one who got more attention. It was as if I was their role model, and they would have followed me to the gates of hell.

All of them looked up to me like I was some sort of war hero. Through our training, we forged new families together. Those bonds were so strong that we marched straight to a group of zealots, in the full knowledge that we would die together, fighting.” His voice was breaking apart. “It’s really interesting that... It’s funny because... Excuse me for a moment.”

He walked to the window, and his breathing became slow and steady. He rested his head against the steel bars which overlooked Canterlot, face hardened in deep thought, then he returned back into a seating position on the edge of the bed, still facing the window. “They were good people... like a family away from my family. Brothers and sisters fighting side by side. Brothers and sisters marching together. Brothers and sisters...‘til the very end.”

The princesses and the six heroines of Equestria felt those sentence hit hard on them, and they all were feeling sorry for him. Rainbow Dash stood up and looked at him, face flowing with pity. “Garrett... I’m really sorry...”

Garrett nodded. “I... Just give me some time.”

Rainbow Dash nodded back and left him. She looked back at him as she was at the door, face buried with emotions.

Fluttershy, on the other hoof, had other plans. She passed through the doors, entered the cell, and went passed Rainbow Dash. “Garrett?”

Turning his head, Garrett found the yellow pegasus looking at him, eyes filled care and love instead of the usual hate and anger the others usually gave him. “I said leave me alone,” he grumbled.

“Garrett, I don’t want to hurt you. I want to help you.”

“Tell that to your princesses and the captain,” He said as he looked away.

“Please, listen to me,” she pleaded in her soft, angelic voice as she came to his side. “I take care of animals. I love and care for each and every one of them, and I want to share that kindness to you.”

“I want nothing of what you have... except for isolation.”

Disobeying his request, Fluttershy took a seat beside Garrett. “Please, talk about it. It’ll make me understand you more, and it’ll make you know yourself more.”

“Garrett, talk to her. I trust her, and she really wants to help,” Rainbow Dash said before leaving him and Fluttershy alone.

Sensing the truth in her voice, Garrett gave in. Really, Archer? he thought to himself. You’re that desperate for home?

Yes, damn it. I am.

“I’m surrounded by a million faces, I’m getting a hell of a lot of attention, and I’m getting one of the hardest things in life, kindness and compassion in an instant, from a yellow pony, yet it’s still not what I want.”

“Then what do you want?” asked Fluttershy.

“I just want to go home.”

The statement took a hit on everypony, making them fall even more silent than thought possible.

“I would send letters, but most of them are a line or two that go along the lines of ‘I’m fine. Hope everything’s okay back there.’ My words are cold and flat, and Sarah and Claire deserve more than that.”

As Fluttershy was about to make a move, Garrett cut her off by talking again.

“If you’re about to ask why I joined the corps, it’s also because I want to make sure that my wife can be safe and my child can grow up safe. I... I haven’t talked to them in person for...” His voice shook a bit. “...I lost count. I thought that intentionally forgetting how many years I haven’t talked to them without a screen in between wouldn’t make it hurt as much as counting. If I needed anything from back home, Claire would have sent it to me by mail. An average training course for an ODST takes a long time, and I enrolled on majority if not all of them to be one of the best. Turns out, even the best have breaking points. I’ve never been so alone my entire life.” He gave a single, short sob, but he quickly sucked it up. “Damn it... why am I being soft at a time like this? Am I really this desperate?”

Fluttershy shushed him gently. “It’s alright. We all have those feelings locked inside.”

“And another thing, why are you being nice to me? You know I caused a lot of harm. I figured you would at least gotten payback.”

“I’m not like that.”

“Still, why are you here? If I had a dangerous alien in a cell, I would have left it alone and let the others handle it for me.”

“In my eyes, you’re not dangerous. You’re scared, Garret. You’re alone, you miss home, and you’re sad. You need friends,” she placed her hoof on his hand as she said, “and I want to be one of those friends because I want to do what I can to heal the wounds of your heart.”

Garrett at first winced as her hoof came in contact, but he accepted it and saw a small smile appear on her face. Taking it another step further, he placed the same hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder, grasping gently as well. “You’re the first pony I’ve met who isn’t trying to harm me. You remind me Claire so much. You’re loving, caring, understanding, and forgiving... just like her... Thank you for talking to me and bringing me at least a small piece of home. You’re right. This... really helped a lot.”

“I hope we get to talk again soon.” Fluttershy smiled, satisfied that she got him on his good side. She left the room, leaving behind Garrett, who had a weak smile on his face and a spark of hope in his soul.

Luna felt her emotions form mixed results inside her. Despite everything he did, part of her wanted to go to his side and whisper that everything will turn out fine. “I... I do not know what to do with him anymore. His words have touched me, and they came from his heart. He spoke the truth, and no amount lies could have been made with such emotion.”

Celestia sighed, also confused with her emotions. When she heard about Garrett’s family, she remembered how lonely she felt when Nightmare Moon was imprisoned, leaving her alone and without the sister she cared for. “How about this, I cast the same spell to look inside his mind to our mirrors, and if something happens, at least we’ll know about it. Okay?”

“Alright, sister. Come, let us go to bed. Perhaps tomorrow we... we can think of something.”

The next day, nopony dared to utter a single word to him. Garrett may have supressed his emotions, but it was easily exposed that he was still hurt deep inside, and when that happened, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash would be there to talk and comfort him.

Celestia, Luna, and the other bearers, finally including Rainbow Dash, scanned through Garrett’s files on his data drive. This time, however, the screen was labeled differently.

WELCOME, GARRETT ARCHER
HELMET SYNCHRONIZATION COMPLETE
ONE NEW AUDIO LOG
PASSWORDS HAVE BEEN LIFTED ON FOLDER A

Celestia pressed on the first file that had its password lifted. At once it the screen opened into an audio message, and the timeline showed that it was during Garrett’s return to Canterlot Castle. The speakers whispered the passing air and flapping wings of the pegasai as he was being flown back in his escort. Failure and defeat were all too present in his tone.

“Sarah, Claire, if you receive this... I just... I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I’ve been captured, and I’m being flown in to who knows what kind of sentence I’m getting. I don’t know if I’ll be executed or tortured to beyond being saved. Daddy may not be going home. I’m sorry. This is one promise he can’t keep.”

“I just wanted to tell you, Sarah, that I was just trying to protect you. I love you and I would have done anything to make sure you’re safe. Please, I want you to understand that your happiness and safety are what kept me going. Daddy’s always happy when you’re happy... that was the only thing he dreamed of. ‘Nothing gold can stay.’ I know you’re still too young to understand this, but later on, you’ll realise that you saw everything like it’s a new adventure. You always see everything as something new to learn from, and you’re always excited to jump in. That’s gold. Keep it that way. It’s the best way daddy knows you’re happy.

Claire... I just wanted you and Sarah to be safe. I... I don’t know what to say. Words can’t describe how I truly feel. The years that I have spent with you were the best of my life, and if I had a choice to live a time of my life over and over again for the rest of my life, that time would have been the years I spent with you and my parents. Don’t feel sad. You know me, and you said that I would never leave your heart. Don’t be burdened by me. If you want to truly remember me, I want you to live the values we live by everyday, and I want you to pass those to Sarah like you’re her guide. Teach her everything.”

The captain’s voice growled through the speakers with flame. “We’re here, human. Get over here!”

Garrett’s last words were the barely audible whispers of a man who was going to say his final sentence before execution. “Goodbye... Daddy loves both of you very much.”

AUDIO LOG COMPLETED

A cold breeze blew through the windows, and Celestia closed them and the blinds as the blanket of the night covered Equestria. No matter how many times she tried to clear her mind, Garrett’s message to his family seized to leave her thoughts. Garrett, what am I suppose to do with you know? After she lied down in bed and covered herself with blankets, she took one last peek of his dreams through her mirror.

In his mind, Garrett was back at his camp after the flying serpent incident, and he was watching Rainbow Dash hold herself together as the cold temperature took control of her body. It showed the discovery of the lost lighter, to the sacrifice of the insulation of his armor, and to the point where he shared his body heat.

“You’re even colder than I am,” Rainbow Dash said.

“N-not c-complaining,” Garret said in between chatters. “Sh-shut up and s-stay warm.”

“Why are you being nice to me?”

“R-returning the favor. G-go to s-sleep. Th-that’s an o-order.”

The cold breeze was blowing even harder against the window, and Celestia remembered that Garrett’s room was facing the direction of the wind. She knew that the blanket the guards provided him gave next to no insulation. It’s your duty as a princess to help anyone, she told herself, and anyone includes him.

With that in mind, Celestia got out of bed and left her room. Right outside her door was Luna, who was also going to the direction of Garrett’s cell, and her face showed that she had the same intention. They both gave nods to each other before going down the hallway.

When they reached Garrett’s cell, they saw him shaking uncontrollably as the cold was encasing his body, making him stiffen and curl up in an attempt to stay warm, but the two princesses knew that his attempts were futile. Celestia and Luna cast their spell, weaving a blanket of magic that glowed orange. They covered the human with it, and almost immediately he stopped shaking, loosened up, and relaxed.

“That spell ought to keep him warm until the morning,” Luna whispered to Celestia, satisfied. They both went down the hallway, leaving Garrett alone.

“Thank you,” he said to them right before they closed the door of the hallway. Fluttershy’s voice echoed in Garrett’s head saying, “You need friends.”

“All right, I’ll give it a shot,” he murmured to himself.

After dawn, Celestia, Luna, and the others insisted that Garrett be allowed to get some fresh air in the gardens. After being searched numerous times, and after being stripped down to his casual UNSC clothes, he was finally shown the door. Opening it wide, the immediate rush of fresh air filled his lungs and somehow made him relax. He walked around the gardens and looked at the various fountains and plants which the keepers maintain year-round. To make sure that he did not try anything, twenty guards, Celestia, Luna, and the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony accompanied him. Showing no interest at all in even thinking of escaping, he just sat on a bench that lay next to a pond.

Celestia moved to his side. “Garrett, you’ve seen and experienced so much. You’ve been fighting in a bloody war, you’ve been captured twice and tortured on the first, and you haven’t seen your family in years. From what I know, many would have already lost themselves to great extents. How are you able to keep yourself together?”

Garrett was silent for a minute, staring at the pond. “You are who you choose to be,” he finally said as he turned to her with a face that showed zero hostility. He then turned back to the pond and watched a white lotus float by. “Some cultures use the lotus to represent purity because it stays clean above water. I guess they’re right. No matter how much things have happened, a man’s soul will never change. Its beauty will stay pure and unaffected. No matter how much things I’ve been through, the most important thing to know is that I should not let that change who I truly am. If it were to change me, I would try to make sure that it would be for the better.”

“Beautiful and very poetic,” Rarity commented.

“Thanks.”

“So how do you humans party?!” Pinkie Pie half-yelled.

Garrett turned to her and raised an eyebrow. “Say what?”

“How do you party?!” Pinkie Pie repeated, emphasizing every phrase with a jump. “You know! Cake, music, streamers, balloon, and-- ooh! Cupcakes!”

“Small group of friends, nice and calm music in the background, and a nice view of the city,” replied Garrett.

“That sounds boring!” the pink pony squeaked, still bouncing about. “Where’s the fun stuff like confetti?!”

“There are people, like me, who prefer less... loud occasions. I admit, it’s fun every now and then to go to a party and dance to the music provided by the DJ, accompanied by laser lights and glow sticks.”

“Ooh! Do they give cupcakes there?!”

“...Why cupcakes?” Garrett asked back.

Pinkie Pie gasped. “Because cupcakes are sweet and tasty! You can make a cupcake made of your craziest ideas, and it’ll still be good!”

“So? Me and my friends have done crazy things with pizza a long time ago.”

“Ooh, tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!”

“The crust was made with chocolate chips and stuffed with dark chocolate. Instead of tomato sauce, we used peanut butter and chocolate spread. We replaced cheese with marshmallows and macadamia nuts. Did I mention the pizza was sixteen inches?”

“We should try that!” the pink pony squeaked, mouth watering just by thinking of it.

“You still didn’t answer my question, though,” Garrett said. “Why put cupcakes in the kind of party I was talking about?”

Celestia smirked. “Why not?”

Garrett turned to her, and he opened his mouth to say something, but he found no words to use.

“...Well played,” he said as he clapped his hands.

“You ODSTs fellers must be the best. Reckon’ y’all take on them aliens head-on and buck ‘em straight to the moon!” Applejack said.

Garrett looked back at her with a smirk of pride and a face of shame. “No... ODSTs aren’t the best. There are these select group of soldiers called Spartans. They’re highly trained, ready to snap a neck with one hand, and their bodies have been modified so much that their bones are virtually indestructible. Their reflexes are twice-- thrice as fast as mine. They’re so strong they can tear off my arm clean off the socket with all their limbs tied together. Their armor is so high-tec that it weighs a ton, and they carry it around like a feather. Perfect soldiers, right?”

They all nodded, and some guards moving closer, filled with a sudden interest.

Garrett kept all of his attention at the lake as he continued, “That’s the problem. Us ODSTs hate being beaten. We hate being outdone. We... don’t exactly agree with spartans, but in the field, we put our differences aside and work well enough to make twice as much noise and fireworks. Some officers back at Command also despised the spartans, so they decided to make bold decisions with the budget. As far as I go, I’m fine with all of it. All I care about is winning the war.”

“So... how come you did not join the spartans?” asked Rarity.

“Only a select few get chosen. Plus, I’ve seen pictures of augmentation process. If you survive, you’re Superman. If your body fails to adapt...” Garrett shivered just by thinking of it. “The results aren’t pretty.”

Twilight was taking down notes of the entire conversation, obviously indulged by the information Garrett was providing. “Can you tell us more about your race?” she asked, dipping her quill with ink.

“Where do you want me to start?” he asked, eyes fixed on the swans bathing in the water.

“How many humans are there?”

“I honestly have no idea. We’ve had roughly twenty billion casualties in the Covenant war so far.”

Everypony gasped.

“The advantage of colonizing other planets.” Garrett picked up a stone and flung it, making it skip across the pond. “Ten skips... not bad.”

Celestia floated a rock with her magic and also made it skip as well, smiling in satisfaction as it fell with a loud plop. Silence quickly covered the area, and she discovered that Garrett was looking at her, eyes fixed her and on Twilight’s floating quill.

“Never go the chance to ask you about that...”

“You can’t do magic?” Twilight asked as she had the quill ready for the answer.

“No. We rely on technology to do things such as making artificial gravity in deep space. We only fake that there’s magic by using cheap illusions and tricks.”

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. “I thought I told you we do magic here in Equestria.”

“Half of the time I thought you were lying to me, and the other half, I wasn’t really listening,” replied Garrett. “Tell me the basics of your ‘magic’. I’m all ears.”

“...Controlling the sun and moon, changing the weather, changing mice to horses, breaking the sound barrier and making rainbows with those wings, and more crap I can’t understand. Hell, and I thought the Covenant loved screwing with human minds.”

“Wait, if you can’t understand magic, then who controls your sun and moon?” asked Twilight.

“No one does. Gravity does the work for us. In my race’s reality, animals take care of themselves in the wild, plants grow on their own, biological life can’t break the sound barrier, and the weather operates on its own will.”

"Like the Everfree Forest," mumbled Applejack.

“Pretty much.”

“What do you think of the image you made of yourself here in Equestria?” asked Twilight. “You’ve been thought of as a ruthless, merciless killing machine.”

“I don’t care what you say about me. In the front line, all I care about is the safety and welfare of my men and humanity. If there’s someone who’s considered a threat to my mission and my soldiers, I would gladly pump him full of lead. You can call me whatever you want, but I have a wife and child to look after, and they’re both waiting for me back home, waiting for the father that’s been gone for years...”

A guard finally broke out, “I’m amazed you aren’t even trying to escape.”

“Why should I? I’m being fed, I’ve got a place to sleep, I’m protected by walls, I’m not being tortured... so far, and you’re all doing your part of the deal. Looks like you’re being soft on your prisoner. Besides, what’s the point of escaping? My ship’s a wreck, and I can’t do anything that can get me home.”

Twilight’s quill stopped the moment he said prisoner. “You’re not our prisoner,” she said.

“Then what am I?”

The silence offered no form of help.

Garrett sighed. “I’ve had enough fresh air for the day. I’ll be back in my cell if you need me.”

The days turned to weeks, and the weeks turned to two. The human never tried any attempts of escape. The princesses and the six heroines of Equestria never returned to his ship, fearing that the may find more disturbing files. During those two weeks, whenever they tried talking to Garrett, even with the bribery of Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes and the encouragement of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, he somehow managed to slip away and cut off each conversation. That left them unable to get any information out of him. Amidst all that time, he never revealed his emotions about the war and home again, keeping up his “hardcore soldier” attitude.

Garrett was in his armor being pinned by two jackals in a land of scorched earth. Three elites were standing in front of him. Through his eyes, they each deserved a bullet or two to the head. He yelled at the top of his voice, “Come on! Fight me! Hit me! I’m not afraid of you!”

“Silence, human!” said the first one.

“Like hell I will!”

The alien punched him in the face.

Wait a minute, that didn’t hurt, so that means I’m dreaming. “Is that all you got?!” he taunted.

The second elite spoke out, “He will not stay quiet, but I know what will.” The alien walked past Garrett and away from his sight.

The sound of another struggling human, male, echoed behind Garrett. The same elite came back into his view, but with a very familiar looking naval officer in its grasps, and the appearance made his face lose color. “Colonel Stanford!”

The elite brought out a plasma pistol and aimed it right at the colonel’s head. “Talk, human! Or you’re white-dressed master will become my next meal!”

Garrett spotted the colonel slowly shake his head and mouth out, “No.” As ordered, he kept his mouth shut.

“No words? Very well.” The sangheili shot the colonel, and his lifeless body fell on to the scorched earth.

“No!”

The aliens tossed the body to a pile of carcasses which, to Garrett’s horror, were composed of Johnny, Dante, Jenny, Ashley, and the rest of his close ODSTs with similar scorch marks on the back of their heads.

“Wake up! Wake up!” shouted Luna as she shook her sister awake in her bedroom in the middle of the night.

“Why? What’s happening?” asked Celestia, still slightly drowsy.

“Look!” Luna held up a mirror with her magic.

The mirror again showed the alien bringing another human, a female.

Garrett felt his stomach make a violent turn and his spine send a shock so strong the hairs on the back of his neck stood straight. “CLAIRE! NO!” This is just a dream! This is just a dream! This is just a dream! She’s still safe! It’s just a dream!

The alien forced his wife to her knees.

“No! Don’t hurt her! Shoot me instead!”

“Too late, human!”

The alien pointed its weapon to his wife’s head.

“I love you, Garrett!”

The elite fired.

Celestia and Luna felt cold shocks shoot up through their spines like lightning as they were already dashing towards Garrett’s cell.

Garrett’s rage made him howl and fight so hard that he slipped free of the jackals’ grasps. He quickly reached for the needler on one of the jackal’s waist and shot both of them in the head. After quickly recovering the second needler of the other jackal, he aimed both of them at the trio of executioners. His anger made him squeeze the triggers so hard that it was a miracle that they stayed intact, and the elites screamed in agony as the spikes made their way to them, but they were quickly muffled as they exploded into a pink cloud.

Luna and Celestia finally reached his cell. Garrett was covered in sweat and he was breathing irregularly. They both shook him awake with their magic.

“Garrett! Wake up! Wake up!” they yelled.

Garrett finally opened his eyes. He quickly stood up and raised his fists up in the air, ready to fight whatever was out there. “Come on! Who’s next?! Bring it!” The fires of rage were all too present in his tone.

“Calm down,” said Celestia, backing off slightly, “You were having a dream, and you looked like you were having trouble.”

Realizing that he was back in reality, Garrett allowed his rage to simmer down. He slowly lowered his fists, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and took a seat.

“Are you alright?” asked Luna

The human kept quiet. He stared at the floor with his elbows on his knees and muttered, “Claire... Stanford...”

While he was not looking, Celestia conjured a glass of water and offered it to Garrett. “Would you like to talk about it? If you’re uncomfortable, I understand.”

Garrett shook his head after he finished the glass. “I’ve had a lot of nightmares before. I’m not new to these. Just give me a moment.”

They nodded and watched him stay quiet, pondering over his dream. After a while, he finally asked, “How did you know I was having a nightmare, anyway? I’m sure you couldn’t have heard me from your towers.”

“We cast a spell on a mirror to see into your dreams, so we can tell if something is wrong,” replied Luna.

“In my race’s perspective, we call that being a... never mind,” Garrett replied. “The dream, though... it felt... real.”

“All dreams feel real,” replied Celestia. “It’s only when we wake up that we realize that it was all in our head.”

“Yeah... all in our head. Thanks for getting me out of it, by the way. Sorry for disturbing you at this time, ma’am.”

Celestia and Luna nodded before making their way out, leaving Garrett behind, who was as silent as the night. Before they split up to reach respective bedrooms, they both came to a halt.

“Sister,” Luna said, “there was something I sensed about Garrett’s dream that was... unnatural.”

“I know. I sensed it, too. There was a strange strand of magic in there, and it could only be done by...”

Luna completed the sentence for her before going away, “...Nightmare Moon.”

Celestia did not go back to sleep. The soft and luxurious bed offered no comfort to her. She spent the remaining time before sunrise staring straight at the window which overlooked Canterlot, waiting for time to pass by and pondering over the strange magic and Garrett’s last sentence. That was the first time he ever called me ma’am.

Light seeped in to the office as the mayor of Ponyville continued doing her daily routine. Stacks upon stacks of paperwork were waiting on her desk, demanding her attention. The only sounds in her office were the sounds of a wall clock and her quill writing on papers. Another day... another pile of papers, she thought to herself, yawning. After she finished reading a report on how Pinkie Pie was keeping a low profile ever since the date Garrett got captured, she decided to have a break and went outside for fresh air.

At once, she seized the chance to abandon the paperwork, proceeded through the doors, and found a gathering crowd in surrounding a carriage which had a strange object strapped to the back. Captain Galea and several other commanders of the royal guard already took positions in creating a perimeter.

As the door swung open, everypony tried to raise their necks to see the passengers exit. After Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity stepped out, they started greeting their Ponyville friends with smiles and giggles. However, before any conversation was about to begin, the six ponies stepped aside, allowing another figure to exit the carriage. Everypony gasped and started backing away as Garrett stood outside, wearing only his casual black pants, black ODST shirt, and black boots combination. He surveyed the area without any sign of hostility. The Ponyville residents, however, were the complete opposite.

“It’s him!”

“It’s the alien!”

“He stole from my shop!”

“Why isn’t he in chains?!”

“Lock him away! Let him rot in a cell!”

“Or to the moon for a thousand years!”

Big Macintosh walked out of the crowd and stood in the way between Applejack and Garrett. “Go away,” he growled as he was getting himself ready to attack the human in an instant.

Garrett sighed and looked at Twilight, face bearing nothing but disappointment and shame. “I told you they’d hate me.” He made his way to the rear of the carriage, released the straps, and placed down a strange object with four massive wheels.

“Garrett, what are you doing?” asked Rarity.

“Leaving,” he said coolly. “I’m going back to my cell since I’ve got nothing better to do. Besides, if they want me to be behind bars, fine. At least there I have the luxury of talking to your princesses, which I admit I’m starting to look forward to.”

“But you can not simply leave! We have so much we want to show you!”

“Garrett, I know things aren’t turning out so well, but you’ve gotta believe us that Ponyville is full some of the nicest ponies I’ve ever met,” said Twilight.

Garrett’s voice was filled with dead enthusiasm. “Right, if this is your idea of the town being nice, then I don’t want to find out what being hostile is.”

“Garrett, please,” begged Fluttershy.

“Come on! I’ll start a party just for you!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

“And I want to show you some of my tricks!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

“An’ I wanna bring you t’ah Sweet Apple Acres f’er some apple pie!” added Applejack, who was about to get closer to Garrett, only to be stopped by Big Macintosh, who shook his head as their eyes met.

Garrett made sure that everypony was listening to him. “Look, if they want an alien in their midst to leave them alone, so be it. The least I could do for this place is to give them something humanity can’t have.” He mounted the vehicle and hit the ignition, making it growl and show off its horsepower.

The one time the princesses allowed him to get one thing that wasn’t a weapon from his ship, it had to be something fast, Captain Galea thought to himself.

“Feels good being on a mongoose again,” Garrett said, smiling to himself as he revved up the vehicle. He directed his attention towards the road, which was blocked by the town folk. He cleared his throat. “Well? Aren’t you going to make way for the alien to get his ass in gear?”

With that, the residences happily opened the road, showing off the path heading to Canterlot. “Don’t go back to Canterlot,” said Garrett to his six acquaintances. “I don’t want to make your day even worse.” After finishing his sentence, the trooper drove off.

Galea turned to two of the pegasi commanders, which were a mare and a stallion. “Commander Turbulence, Commander Downburst, make sure he doesn’t cause any trouble.”

The two commanders nodded. Turbulence, the mare, was the first to take off, followed by Downburst.

“Oh, Garrett,” Flutttershy murmured, “please forgive them.”

“Whaddaya suppose we do now?” asked Applejack. “He ain’t gonna take a step into Ponyville f’er the rest of his life.”

Twilight felt a fire of hope ignite inside her. “I have an idea.”

“A party for him?!” asked Pinkie Pie.

“No.”

“A new range of clothes for him?” asked Rarity.

“No.”

“Front row seats to the Wonderbolts, with him getting autographs?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“NO!”

Garrett and Celestia were walking and talking together as they passed through the hallways of Canterlot Castle. The sunlight shined through the window and reflected off the marble walls and floors, lighting up the entire place.

“Garrett,” said Celestia, “we’ve been talking mostly about your war and violence. I do not want to know you as a soldier, but as an individual.”

“Alright, then where do you want me to start?”

“Perhaps tell us something about your forms of entertainment,” She suggested.

“Jogging early in the morning with my pet dog Viktor. Usually we do it along the coastline so we get to watch the peaceful, quiet night turn into the beautiful day. On a regular winter day, Sarah would usually be in the daycare center, and Claire would be home, dead tired after looking after her. On that kind of day, I sat on the couch in front of the fireplace with a good book in my hand. Viktor would usually be sleeping on my lap, and Claire usually naps on the same couch and almost always rests her head on my shoulder as I read.”

“You have simple tastes,” said Celestia, smiling as she tried to imagine the scene.

“Though the nice silence gets interrupted every now and then by Viktor’s snoring,” Garrett chuckled. “He’s only a puppy, though, so it gets really cute, and when Sarah naps, her snore is cuter than Viktor’s.”

“That must be something you look forward to.”

“I sure do. By the way, where’s Luna? Usually she’s always with you every time we talked.”

“She’s in the library.”

“No kidding,” he said as he stopped in front the door of the princesses’ private library, the door creaking open. “Is she still here?” he said as he stuck his head inside.

“Last time I recall, yes.” Garrett was suppressing laughs like a moron. “Is there something wrong?” asked Celestia, raising an eyebrow. The trooper motioned Celestia to also stick her head inside. After doing so, the sun princess heard the unmistakable sound of snoring and saw the sight of Luna sleeping like a student bored to tears in a classroom, head cushioned in a pillow of books.

“Wow, that’s a cute one,” Garrett whispered, grinning stupidly. Celestia giggled, also trying to prevent waking up her sister.

“She had a busy night last night, and it would be rude to wake her up,” she said, closing the door with her magic. However, it was probably the loudest sound she ever heard as the mechanism clicked. The sound of Luna giving a quick snort came next, followed by her hooves approaching the door.

“Is somepony there?” she asked.

Garrett and Celestia started to pace away from the library. They were too late, however, and the white, marble doors swung open, revealing an alicorn curious of the situation.

“I have to admit, you were pretty adorable,” Garrett said with a sinister grin.

“W-what?” Luna stuttered in shock.

Garrett chuckled and replied, “You were snoring inside the library.”

Celestia giggled. “Yes, and it was quite of a cute one.”

“S-stop it!” Luna stuttered again, blushing. “I do not snore!”

“You’re blushing, that means you do!” Garrett said with a laugh.

“You have no evidence that I snore!” Luna answered back.

“If you do that spell thing where you look into my mind, I can show you,” Garrett insisted, giving a nod to Celestia.

“Never!” yelled Luna.

The passing guards nearby broke out in laughter, and Garrett and Celestia joined in, savoring the first friendly laugh they ever had with each other and leaving Luna giving an adorable pout.