10 (Twilight Sparkle)

Dear Shining Armor,

It's your little sister Twilight! How are you?

It's been a crazy couple weeks, huh? I imagine since you're in the royal guard and all, things must be especially stressful for you, what with the Princess having to leave. Are you doing ok?

I wanted you to know that I'm safe and sound and living with good friends. We've taken on a task just like yours: to protect the realm of Equestria! We want to prove to everypony that "double-marks" are nothing to be afraid of…and of course, we want to keep everypony safe.

We had our first mission outside the training center today. We X-Ponies (that's our group name, after our leader "X") heard there was trouble in the nearby town of Se-saddle, so we flew there in our new pony jet and looked around. All the residents were hiding in their homes, and nopony would talk to us, so we weren't sure what to do. "Mag-neat-o" (sorry, I have to use code names for everypony else) said that the townsfolk were being unfriendly because of our second-marks, but I wasn't so sure. Even though there were no signs of trouble, the town felt wrong to me…like all the life had gone out of it.

Then "Nightcrawler's" sixth sense started tingling. We felt the ground shake and "Sprite" and Mag-neat-o took to the skies to see what was going on. A second after they did, the strangest thing stomped over a hill into view. It looked like a pony, but it was made out of steel and was taller than any building.

"DESTROY," it said, in a low robotic voice, and it galloped right toward us, crushing apple carts and park benches as it did so. A set of rocket launchers protruded from its side and began firing. We dove out of the way as the missiles hit the ground. From the under-belly of the beast, a gun emerged and started firing lasers.

"Panic!" yelled Nightcrawler, but I ordered everyone to stay still. I'm kind of the group leader, when X isn't around. Per my directions, we split up, so each of us could tackle a different part of the robot. "Wolverine" jumped on the front right leg and began using his claws to tear out cords and wires, while Mag-neat-o twisted the metal in the other leg so badly that the mechanical knees could no longer bend. I think she could have ended the fight all by herself, but a rocket exploded close by her and she was knocked cold.

I wasn't sure how my power would be able to help, so I just tried to avoid explosions and sent what I was seeing to "Cyclops" telepathically. We work best as a team, you see, and I knew that after Mag-neat-o went down, Cyclops had the best chance of saving us. Sure enough, she came up with a pretty brilliant plan. She thought-spoke it to me, and I mentally passed it on Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler's job was to do what comes naturally to her: be distracting.

"Hey!" she shouted, appearing right in front of the mega-ponies metal face, which was as big as a bus. "How's it going? My name's (and of course she forgot to use her code name)! Do you want to be friends? Cause if you do, I gotta tell you that our friendship is contingent on you not shooting missiles at my other friends. Our friendship needs boundaries, don't you think, Chomper? Is it alright if I call you Chomper?"

The mega-pony stretched out his neck and snapped his steam-shovel teeth at Nightcrawler, but she teleported out of harm's way with a giggle. "Down here, Chomper!" The mega-pony kept biting at Nightcrawler as she flicked down, down, closer to the ground, until it eventually put its huge cranium next to the bush where Cyclops was hiding. And, boy, Cyclops really let loose.

A powerful blast of light burst of our her visor, brighter than even the one that crashed the school. The laser knocked the robot's head clean off and it (the head) rolled and rolled, knocking over trees and stop signs. The rest of the mega-pony came crashing to the ground; I guess, just like with real ponies, the brain is in the noggin.

We're all back together at our base now, recovering from our scratches. I thought I'd take this time to warn you about these monsters, since they may be more of them and the Royal Guard is trying to protect citizens just like we are! You have your work cut out for you, but we're here to help!

I hope you are doing well.

Love,

Twilight Sparkle

Dear Twily,

I'm so happy you wrote me! These are dangerous times and the more I can protect you, the happier I'll be.

I'm afraid I have to straighten a few things out for you. First of all, the Royal Guard won't have to fight the "monsters" you describe: we built them! I know they seem menacing, but they're just designed to keep the peace and make sure the citizens stay safe and orderly. I'm sure your intentions were good, but by destroying the SENTINEL (Standard Equine Neo-Transport Involving Nuclear Electricity Lasers), you actually made Se-saddle more vulnerable to terrorists and saboteurs. But all is not lost, for Ponyville is producing three SENTINELs per week. Next time you encounter one, surrender and they'll take you to me.

I also have to shatter some illusions you have about Princess Celestia. "X" is the Princess, isn't it? I can't think of another you would follow so blindly. Well, you should know that the Princess is no saint. When she was in command, she used her freak powers to blind those around her. She can bend minds to her will, and she ruled as a tyrant. We just didn't realize it because we were brainwashed. When I discovered the truth about her second mark, I forced her out of power and am now ruling Canterlot in her place.

If you and your friends are with her, I have no doubt she is manipulating you. Get out while you can. Come to Canterlot or Ponyville, and I will keep you safe. If you really are a double-mark (and I have doubts about that; the Princess may have implanted that idea in your mind), I will take you to a doctor who can remove it. I'll be honest: it's not an easy process, but you always succeed in anything you try. I have no doubt in your ability to put this unfortunate phase behind you.

I hope to see you soon. Where are you? If you can't escape, I can come and get you. Please let me know.

Your Big Brother Best Friend Forever,

General Shining Armor