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Day 36

With the re-taking of Canterbury and New Saddle we have secured a hoof hold on the lower part of Equestria. Now we are working our way up north to Dappleshore. It's a good four days till we reach the town and during that time I had gotten to know more about those that under Luna's orders, were now part of of my strike force team. We would be sent in to secure certain areas and allow our troops to enter and capture the town. The more resistance we took out doing it, the less deaths there would be.

Starlight seems to have grown attached to me because she was always around me. The two of us became close friends, so much so that rumor spread that I was cheating on Tia but that was totally out of the question. No, the earth pony and I were more like brother and sister then anything.

Rainbow Dash seemed to be warming up to me as well. She was still her old self only less so then normal. She would always show off a new trick or stunt that she just came up with. It would not always work and would sometimes end up in her crashing into somepony or something. Still she took everything in stride.

We had stopped and made camp before nightfall. As usual I lowered the sun so that Luna could raise her moon. I am getting used to it by now. Once we rescue Tia she will be astounded to see me do that.

As I said before, Aurora is like Twilight only in a different body. She is very inquisitive about everything around her. Once she was told I could use magic she started to study up on humans and saw that we could not use any magic whatsoever. So then she started to delve into the thought that I might be a hybrid but I bore no cutie mark nor any features of a pony to start. Would it be funny when she is told that I am nothing of the sort. That I am able to use magic thanks to being here in Equestria, plus my past.

Haze and Misty have become what many think, my bodyguards. I can't blame them. The two of them seem to accompany me everywhere. I don't know if Luna ordered them to do so or not but I am thankful for the company. They would sometimes ask me questions like what were the princesses like when they were little? How old was I? Uh Alicorn years, not human. Honestly it was more Misty asking me the questions then Haze.

After the camp was set up and the sentries were placed on watch I was able to finally get back and talk to those I had not before. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Rainbow was with them but I worked with her so we saw each other all the time. No sooner then I approached them then I was tackled by Pinkie Pie. I swear, that pony can move like lightning when she wants to. I was down for nearly ten minutes, being cuddled by all of my friends before Luna thought she would join them.

Apparently Rainbow had told them what Luna and I did back in New Saddle. I am telling you there is no pony else I would rather have watching my back then Luna, but that was days ago. All my friends aside from Luna and Rainbow were asking me how I had been and when did I learn the spells I used during the re-taking of the port town.

Once I was let back up I began to tell them. The spells themselves were not too difficult but what amazed me is that Twilight, one of the most powerful unicorns I had known of was unable to do them. It was hard to believe but I think these battles were in someway returning the memories of spells I had lost.

Day 38

The road to Dappleshore lead us through open grasslands. It would give our enemy a perfect time to strike or set up defenses for our arrival were they to spot us. Luckily though Luna had taking the measure and sent out a scouting party to make sure that would not happen. When they returned with news that we were clear from being seen, we all breathed a sigh of relief. I would hate to be caught out in the open with these things.

Dappleshore was a small farming town which I did not understand, why bother with a town so small. I guess it didn't matter in the scheme of things. Greaves wanted Equestria for himself and figured we would not fight back, guess he was wrong on that one. News of the loses he had sustained I believe had to have reached his ears long before now. Luna and I, along with everypony else can just imagine the reaction he might well be giving. Still with such a thought came another. What if he hurt Tia in his rage just out of spite? Just the thought makes my blood boil but I know it is just a matter of time before he and I are face to face on the battlefield. He may know what I am and of my past but he knows nothing about what kind of creature I have become over those long years living among humankind.

Luna tells me that Stalliongrad was the largest city next to Canterlot. All other were either the size of Ponyville or smaller. This had me thinking, what was his motive? I guess he figured if he could cut off Stalliongrad from its supply routes then it would be easily taken. Then it was just a short trek to Canterlot. A lot good that did him, I figure he was not aware of Luna and I being there. Still it was of little concern, the faster we took back these two towns the faster we were to getting Tia back.

Goddesses I miss her warmth and smile. Tia brought me such joy that I thought was lost to my life back on earth. I still kick myself for not waking when she was taken but Luna's words still ring out in my head. I should not blame myself for things I can not have forseen.

Anyway its getting late now and I see Luna waiting for me at her tent. I see the looks I get from some of the stallions as they knew what it meant. Most were looks of jealousy, others of disgust. Probably thinking I am bedding both Tia and Luna and that was never the case. Anyway, I should go before it gets too late.

Tom closed up his book and closed up the inkwell and took his quill with him. He stood up and walked over to the larger tent where he and Luna slept then disappeared within. The two guards whom stood beside either side of the tent looked to him before saluting as I walked into the tent. Luna was removing her tiara and necklace, placing them on a stand similar to Tia's.

"So the journal was a good idea was it not?" Luna had asked as she soon stood before a mirror and used her magic on a brush and started to brush her starry mane.

"It's a good way to keep a record of my thoughts." He undid his belt and took his sword from it and hung it on a hook.

"We have questions dear brother, just what was it like in the human world?" Tom could understand her question. She had told him that humans once lived alongside them and were their friends until they became greedy and corrupted. So she and Celestia banished the race to parts unknown.

"It depends Luna. Humans, most of them are a barbaric race. It saddens me to say such a thing to the race of which I currently belong to but it is the truth. We kill each other over things so stupid. The most common thing is religious beliefs. I know that here in Equestria there is no such thing and look how harmonious it is. Then you have those that lose their minds, killers, rapists, thieves, anyone who believes that they are better then you has the potential to be any of the above."

"But that is not to say that there are not those with good hearts. Though with all the evil abound they are few and far between as I had told Tia. They are destroying the beauty of their world all for the sake of the masses and wealth. They take without a thought of giving back and that is the worst tragedy."

Tom had sat upon the bed and Luna walked over to him before kissing his cheek. "Thou are here with us now dear Lunar. No longer need that world concern thee. From thy thoughts alone it shows us that Tia and I were right in removing humans from this world. Their destructive nature is not something we wish upon our subjects, thou being one of them."

Tom smiled and returned her kiss and they each gave the other a hug. Luna then climbed into bed and snuggled herself under the blanket that lay upon the bed. Tom joined her and he removed his cloths and only wore his shirt and boxers.

It was late at night and something roused the human from his slumber. Cuddled up beside him was the smaller Alicorn princess. Since Tia was taken he had noticed that Luna was more stern and less cheerful then she used to be. It was understandable because he was the same way. Suddenly though a shifting shadow caught his eye and he moved from the bed fast, trying not to wake Luna in the process.

He moved to grab his sword and quickly drew it. The tip of the blade pointed towards the shadow. "Whatever manner of creature you are, you had best reveal thyself or taste my blade's sting." The darkend creature before him stood roughly and inch or so taller then Celestia. Reaching up with a hoof it removed the hood covering its head to show that it was a Unicorn but wait, unicorns aren't that tall and certainly unicorns don't have six smaller horns around the the larger one. The coat was a golden yellow, and the mane a shimmering silver. Her eyes were blue like deep pools. Tom had no idea whom it was that stood before him nor was he about to let this Alicorn, if that is what she was, anywhere near Luna. "State your business or be cut down."

"My business is with you my young stallion. You need not worry about Luna, I would never do her harm nor her sister." She smiled to the human and even in the light of the moon that bled through the tent's cloth casing he could see the glint of tears in her eyes. Tom lowered his sword and raised a brow.

"Who are you?"

The mare placed a hoof to her chest and looked down as she spoke. "For an age I watched as you grew into the stallion I had hoped you would one day become. I watched as you slew all manner of creature in your quest to bring peace and harmony to the world. I watched and wept the day you were taken from this world by that spear. I wanted to do something, had to do something but I was bound by an oath not to get involved. I can not put into words how it feels to watch somepony you care for be taken from you in an instant and be able to do nothing about it but watch. I am one of the four, well three now that watches over and governs this world. My name is Gaia."

She then slowly lifts her head to look upon the human. "My being here can not deter you from your destiny. You wish to rescue Celestia while at the same time protecting those whom you hold dear. I am sorry Lunar that I was not there for you like I should have been. When I found out you had been reborn into another body I began to frantically look for you. When at last I found you I could not believe the fates were so cruel as to place you among such a destructive kind. I thought surely your mind would be broke and your moral lost to the winds. Yet here you are standing before me. It's as though the fates are granting me a second chance."

"That still dose not explain why you are here in the middle of the night."

The mare took a deep breath before letting it out. "In all the time I had watched over you, wanting to hold you when you cried, wanting to laugh with you and be there for you when you needed me I could not. It pained me to leave you but at the time it was best that you, like Celestia and Luna not be pulled in to such a conflict. Lunar I am here to beg for your forgiveness. I know I do not deserve it but I ask it of you nonetheless."

Tom could not understand just what she was getting at. "Pretend I do not know just what it is you are talking about."

Again the mare took a deep breath before letting it out. "Lunar, my dear baby boy. I am your mother.

Tom then woke with a start. He nearly leapt from the bed in a cold sweat, panting softly. He felt Luna shift beside him and looked to her. "It was all a dream?" He slowly got out of the bed and walked over to the spot where in his dream he had the conversation with his "mother". How could that be though, and why now? Why not while he first arrived or back on earth if what she said was true. What he could remember of those that raised him was that they were both pegasi. His father was in royal guard while he was young, then they were both taken in a raid by Diamond Dogs.

"A dream it was, nothing more." His head looked back to the bed as Luna shifted once more before slowly sitting up. "Lunar, doth something vex thee?" Tom just shook his head and walked back beside the bed before sitting upon it. "It was just some weird dream." He looked over his shoulder before Luna sat beside him. "Pray tell would thou like to tell us?"

The human took a breath before letting it out. "What do you know about an Alicorn named Gaia?"

"The earth guardian? Well not much really. We and sister overheard our mother and father talking about such a pony. But exactly what was spoken we can not say. All we recall is that she controls and protects the very earth beneath our hooves."

"Sounds like a belief we have on earth. Gaia along with three others created our world but then were beaten and locked away by the children of one. There is another that says that she is the very essence or spirit of our planet." Luna looked to the human and nodded her head.

"T'is no wonder thy kind have so much conflict. Different ways of thinking without the ability to accept that which is not the same. But thou are not of their kind, least not anymore. Thou are one of us brave Lunar regardless of how thy look." She then nuzzled his cheek and smiled.

Tom was thankful for the gesture. It helped to put his mind at ease about what he had just seen. "Back on Earth I was not someone who felt that fighting was the best idea. I had always thought that is we could work out our differences without resorting to violence that maybe we could start to work towards a better future. I end up here and when I realized I could use magic I thought that maybe now I could make a difference because I had the power to make change, to be able to DO something to help better the world."

"Thou are dearest brother. Even if thou can not see it, thou are helping to make this world a better and safer place. Thou are protecting thy future subjects."

Tom then turned his head back to Luna. "What? Thou did ask for thy sister's hoof in marriage did thou not?" Tom nodded. "Then our statement stands."

"I guess it must seem odd though. A human, last of a kind that was part of this world marrying your sister." He chuckled softly. Luna however just shook her head.

"Regardless of your appearence you are Lunar Star, an Alicorn just like we and Tia. If any pony were to say otherwise we will throw them in the dungeon for heresy."

Tom laughed at her comment. "I don't think we would have to resort to such extremes but thank you Luna, I understand your way of seeing it."

Day 40

We are nearing the town of Dappleshore and...

Tom had stopped his writing once the town was in sight. Before their eyes the small town lay in ruins. Houses, fields, everything was razed to the ground. The human placed his book within his shoulder bag and continued to walk when every pony, even Luna had stopped and looked on in shock. Such devastation, bodies of ponies were littered upon the ground. Most were charred to the bone. He walked through the ash filled streets, looking from one side to the next, taking in all that he could.

"The beasts. They must have been told of our coming and thought to destroy the town rather then lose it." Twilight and the others trotted up beside him as their forces followed.

"Spread out, we want a full report of the damage. Try and find any survivors, if there are any to be found." Luna had shouted out orders to troops.

Tom pushed open a burned up door and walked inside. The home was in shambles, walls were burned to the point of them nearly collapsing. Everything was gone, destroyed by the inferno that took the town. Everything that is but a small purple dragon plush toy. It didn't stand out right away but a small ray of light shone through one of the many holes and seem to point to it. The human bent down and took the plushie from the ash covered floor and patted it till there was no more ash upon its plush body. He looked into its eyes before clutching it close to his chest.

He had soon emerged when the reports were coming in. "We are sorry your highness. The entire town has been burned to the ground. So far we have found no survivors, only corpses."

"Very well. Continue the search, leave nothing to chance." The pegasus soldier nodded his head then took to the sky.

The human continued through the streets, keeping an eye out for anything or any pony. The sound of flapping wings and a clopping of hooves caught his attention. "This is...insane."

"These ponies were only farmers and merchants. Not one of them ever had a moment of military training and even if they did, it was not enough." Tom looked over his shoulder to Rainbow Dash. "No pony, no matter how cruel deserves a fate like this. They knew we were coming, it's the only way."

A sudden figure ran passed Tom's eye and into an adjacent room. "Rainbow stay here." He rose up and slowly walked down a decrepid hall. Before even entering the room he heard soft whimpers and sobs coming from within. He peaked his head around the corner and there huddled up was earth pony foal. Her coat was a chocolate brown and her mane and tail the lightest of yellow. Her ear's pearked up as she heard him come into the dilapidated room.

The young filly quickly backed herself into a corner as Tom drew close. "No s-stay back. Please don't hurt me." Tom knelt before the little foal and placed a gentle hand to her head.

"You are safe now little one. You have my word that nopony will harm you." As he picked her up into his arms, she tried her best to squirm out of them but he held her close. "Please little one, be still." He was coming back down the hall when Twilight first spotted him with the foal in his arms.

"Everypony quick, Star's found a survivor." A group of ponies including Luna rushed over to the two of them. The little pony looked up to the human as she had stopped squirming and settled into his arms. Tom then dropped to a knee to allow the medics to look over the little pony.

"She seems to be none the worse for wear. Just a few bruises and scrapes." The medic told Luna before she stepped forward toward the foal still in the human's arms. "What is thy name child?"

"Chocolate Dreams, Princess."

Tom looked to Luna. "We can not leave her in a place like this and if they did this to Dappleshore, can you imagine what they might already be doing to Trottingham?" Luna nodded.

"Indeed we can. Everypony listen, we are not staying here. Gather up any supplies that survived and let us depart. Trottingham may well be suffering the same fate if we are not fast enough." She then looked to the human once more. "Sir Lunar, we are placing little Chocolate under your care till we reach Trottingham." The little foal looked up to Tom with wide eyes.

"You're Lunar Star? My mommy used to tell me stories about you."

"I am sure that they were all very good stories little one but we must be going. How about you tell me on the way?" The filly nodded as he set her down.