Blazblue:Beyond the Boundary

Chapters

Prolog-Lets End With the Beginning
Chapter One-Awakening of the Edge
Chapter Two-The Pony in the Red Coat
Chapter Three-Mares...
Chapter Four-Awakening of the Edge...Again
Chapter Five-Red at the Hospital

Prolog-Lets End With the Beginning

She watched as the events unfolded below her, an almost regretful look residing within there blood red eyes. The same red eyes followed the broken and beaten body of the one she had known as the Bloodedge, falling steadily to the earth below. A steady flow of red and black flowed out of him, almost as if it were trying to escape the fate that had be-failed the one it used to resided within.

She watched as the beast that had plagued the poor pitiful throughout his life died within him, leaveing only its vessel to soon share its same fate.

She watched as the man fell to his death, the very blade that had fell many of the men who stood in the Bloodedge’s way, protruding from his very body. The blade’s handel held tight by the man in the red coat, as if not wanting to let if go.

She watched as his lips moved, uttering words that only she could understand at the time. Words so filled with regret...So filled with sorrow...Yet, so filled with the hope for a future that he will never see, that even she, a girl with a heart as cold as ice, could not help but close her eyes and look away from him.

“And so…” The little girl in the black dress spoke, her golden yellow hair flowing gently within the breeze of the nighttime sky, “Ends the tale of the Grim Reaper...The Bloodedge.” She paused for a long while before opening her eyes slowly. "Ragna..."

The girl, who had watched over him since he was born, turned her back to the man falling to his death not wanting to see the outcome of what was to be. Rather it was for her own well being, or to let the Bloodedge have his one string of dignity he had left, she did not know.

“I surely hope you find your peace in death’s embrace.” The little girl mused in a sympathetic tone.

Before she could get too far, a wave of intense magic caused the girl to turn around with a start. The energy was so greatly focused, its core centering upon the poor soul falling to his death. The was energy unlike any the little girl in the black dress had felt before in all her years of living upon this mortal infested world.

“This power...What is it?” She hissed, Her hand shielding the radiant light from her ruby red eyes.

The magic did not last long, as it had fulfilled its mission. The man...the Bloodedge...who had been in her sight mere moments ago, was nowhere to be seen. Gone was the energy, as well as the the man who it so desperately wanted.

The little girl frowned. “What manner of trickery is this?”

“Oh...but I thought you would be happy to know that your little boyfriend will be alive and well.” Said a coy voice, resounding around her.

The girl’s eyes widened before a scowl crossed her features. “You...What are you doing here? How did you even get here?”

The bodiless voice laughed. “Oh, I’ve been watching for quite some time my little dear. Building my...influence within this world little by little. The chaos helped more than I ever imagined too...heh...you humans are so...well...Chaotic since I really can’t find a better word.”

“You know what he has inside of him don’t you?!” She almost yelled. “You, of all others, know how dangerous it is!”

“Well…” The voice mused thoughtfully. “That I do, little princess, and it is why I’m doing what I am doing.”

“Explain yourself.”

The voice tisked. “Now where would the fun be in that. A little bit of chaos here and there justifies the means in the end. You, of all of us, should know that.”

The girl closed her eyes. “I could just kill myself…”

“You can...but know know if he dies now, something bigger will come. Something that will stop at nothing obtain a power such as the one he wields.” The voice said in a tone steeped in mystery.

The girl in the black dress eyes opened slowly. “So...he has returned?”

“I’m not quite sure, but as old Sunbutt herself would say ‘Leave nothing to chance’.”

“Does she know?”

There was silence before a small chuckle could be heard disappearing into nothingness. “Now wheres the fun in that? I not her after all. Like I said, a little chaos is good now and then, is it not?”

Chapter One-Awakening of the Edge

“Fewh...Ah think that that should just about do it.”

There was a soft creak of rust against metal as Applebloom turned the faucet off, stopping the flow of water pouring into the bucket before it overflowed. The little filly, with practiced ease, placed the bucket upon her back, balancing it precariously as she made her way away from the barn. Every now and then, sun yellow filly would feel drops of water splash onto her back, making the little mare shiver slightly. It was at times like this that she believed a horn would have been good right about now. Still, an ‘Earth ponies hard work is the most honest’ her big sister would say.

Applebloom smiled at the saying before her gaze shifted upwards. She could see, as she neared it, a little house perched within a oddly shaped apple tree. A sigh of relief, finally being able to near her destination. She knocked upon the door after making her way up the ramp, her voice booming with her thick country accent as she called out:

“Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle! ah’m back! And ah got the water!”

There was a pregnant pause before a voice, rather boyish is tone, rang from the tree house in response.

“Whats the password?”

Applebloom deadpanned. She placed a hoof under her chin in deep thought before answering as best she could. “Icecream and maple syrup taste better than Ah expected.”

Another pause before a orange furred and magenta maned filly stuck her head out the window beside the door.

“That was last weeks password Applebloom! Whats this weeks?” The new filly would say.

“Aw! Comeon Scootaloo! Why do we have ta have a new password every week!?” Applebloom shouted, glaring up at Scootaloo.

“Because,” The orange said looking away in a huff. “Its our secret club! And a secret club has to have a secret password every week! Just like in my spy comics!”

“Will you two shut up!” Another voice half squeaked, half yelled from further inside the home. “Somepony is hurt and you two are arguing about a stupid password!”

“Its not stupid Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo defended. “Its awesome! Besides, what if shes not really Applebloom but a changeling! Or a spy! Or a spying changeling!!”

“Who gonna spy on us?!” Sweetie Belle yelled. “Somepony is hurt Scootaloo! Just let her in already!”

Scootaloo huffed before pulling head back through the window. There was a reluctant turn of the lock before the door to the treehouse opened with a resounding squeak, allowing Applebloom access inside.

Now that Applebloom was within the little treehouse, she would shoot a glare at Scootaloo before gently sliding the bucket of water off her back, allowing Sweetie Belle access to the contents within. Sweetie dipped the rag she held in her hooves within the bucket, letting it soak up as much water as it could muster before pulling away and ringing any access out. She would then quickly make her way to the other side of the room, where upon a bed of hay, their charge would be laying.

Though most of the stallion’s body was covered in the cloth that he wore; his grayish, platinum like fur was not lost upon the fillies. As was his white and wild spiky mane that sat upon the top of his head. But most noticeable to the three of them, was the long ruby red jacket the pony was doned in, its intricate design a marvel to the little mares. Never had they seen clothing quite like his. Even Sweetie, whose sister was quite the fashionista, believed that nothing quite like it was seen in all of Equestria.

The stallion breathed steadily as he laid upon the treehouse floor, his chest rising and falling every few seconds.

“Hows his fever looking Sweetie?” Applebloom asked as she watched the little white filly dab the rag upon his forehead. The stallion shifted his body slightly in response to the little mares actions, but did little else.

“Too bad we couldn’t get that wicked looking sword here as well.” Scootaloo lamented. “That thing looked freakin sweet!”

“Yeah…” Applebloom mused, though she didn’t sound nearly as impressed as Scootaloo. “You really think it belongs to him?”

“How can it not!” Scootaloo said with almost a squeak within her voice. “I bet hes some super awesome super hero! I mean look at his getup!” She pulled at his sleeve, obviously in awe.

“I think his health is a bit more important than rather or not he's a silly super hero.” Sweetie interjected. “Maybe we should get somepony to take him to the hospital. I mean he doesn’t seem to be-”

Sweetie Belle yelped as she instantly fell upon her rump. Dropping the wet rag, she scooted away from the stallion as fast as she could. To her surprise, the stallion had opened one piercing emerald eye and shifted his head to face her as she pushed herself against the wall on the far side.

Applebloom and Scootaloo both joined their friend as well, all three staring in awe and fear as the stallion did little else but stare at the little three little mares as they quivered in fear. Some time had passed for the four ponies, each one staring at one another in complete silence.

And then the stallion spoke.

“What the hell…”

HIs words seemed to release the floodgate, Sweetie Belle being the most adventures at the time, quickly made her way toward the stallion. The little white filly half spoken/half squeaked, her voice making the stallions ears fold back in response. “Y-You're awake!” Picking up the wet rag soon after and placing it upon the stallions head, she would ask. “How are you doing? You're not hurt anywhere are you?”

The stallion blinked up at the filly before shaking his head weakly. “No...Not really.” He said, rubbing a hoof against his throat. “I do wanna know why the hell am I sleeping here though, and why there are...ah...three beastkins around me...”

Sweetie raised an eyebrow. “Beastkins? Whats a beastkin?”

“There...ah…Umm…” He placed a hoof to his head. “I don’t remember…”

“Well...we're not a beastkin anyway. We're ponies” Sweetie looked towards the other two fillies making their way beside him, both just as wary as she was. “We found you, not too far away from here out in the apple filed, hunched over some type large weapon. You looked really out of it so we brought you here, into our clubhouse.”

“You carried me?” He asked, a bit of disbelief within his tone. “I find that hard to believe, even if three of you did so.”

Applebloom spoke next, her country accent a bit more tolerable to him and his poor sensitive ears. “Nope. Y’all may have been barely conscience but y’all were still able to be walked here with our little help. You were really heavy though.”

“I see...” He said looking away.

Scootaloo pushed her snout towards the older ponies glaring at him as well as poking his chest. “Ok! now that you're awake, I’ve got a few questions for you. First things first; are you a super hero?”

The gray stallion blinked at the orange filly before looking to the other two with a raised eyebrow. “What the hell is she going on about anyway?”

Applebloom quickly swatted her friend away with a wave of her tail. “Don’t mind her. Shes been reading too many Daring Do books lately.”

“Hey!” Scootaloo cried in anger

The stallion closed his eye before opening it once again. “Well...In any case, I guess i should thank you...Uh”

“I’m Sweetie Belle!”

“Applebloom!”

“You can call me Scootaloo!”

“And we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

Sweetie Belle made her way to the forefront. “Whats your name?”

After the stallion had recovered from the sudden attack on his eardrums, he began to answer. “My name is...is…” He paused as he pressed a hoof to his forehead. “Its...ah…”

A worried frown came onto all three fillies features as they leaned in a little towards him. “Whats wrong?” All three asked, each on the edge of their seats.

“Its...Ragna…” He finally relented his left hoof pressing against his had. “Yeah...Ragna…”

Scootaloo repeated the name. “Rrrrraagnaaaa...Thats an odd name.”

“I think its nice!” Sweetie Belle mused, shooting a glare towards Scootaloo. She repeated the name over and over, rolling the R sound with her tongue as she did so. Sweetie giggled. “Its really nice to meet you.”

“Yeah! Its nice to meet you Mr. Ragna.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Ragna interrupted. “Just Ragna is fine. None of that Mr. stuff. Makes me feel weird putting Mr. on there.”

Applebloom nodded. “Will do M-I mean Ragna!”

Ragna sighed before slowly sitting up, helped by the three fillies. His eyes fell to his body and limbs, slowly flexing each part. “So...you ah...You said that you're a pony? Am I a pony too?”

All three fillies looked between each other with confused faces before looking back at Ragna. “M-Ragna…” Applebloom began. “Don’t y’all know that y’all are a pony?”

Ragna looked at his left forehoof, staring intently at it. “I...I didn’t know. I don’t remember much of anything right now.”

Sweetie Belle gasped. “Oh my goodness! Do you think you have amnesia?”

“Well considering I don’t remember being a pony...I can guess thats a pretty good bet.” Ragna responded. “Hell...All I can remember is my name right now.”

Ragna closed his eyes for a moment, gather his thoughts as best he could. “I...Don’t remember…”

“Do you at least remember about air and water? Do you remember how to breath?” Sweetie asked.

“Don’t think I would be able to talk to you if I didn’t know how to breath kid…” He said, shifting to stand up on his four hooves. He began to wobble a bit but soon found his footing. He slowly began to take one step forward at a time as he tested his balance. “I think I know how to walk too...Geez this feels weird though...and...I can’t really feel my right arm...or open my right eye for that matter.”

“Well...what about your family?” Applebloom inquired as she trotted around with him. “Do ya remember them at least?”

“Can’t even remember if I had any…” Ragna said stopping as he went to sit back on his hunches. He lifted his right hoof, rubbing the covering that wrapped around it.

“Not even your home...or your friends?” Scootaloo asked, her ears drooping a little.

Ragna responded no once again before looking out the window. “I just don’t know…”

“Hey!” Sweetie gasped. “Lets take him to Ponyville!!”

“Ponyville?” Ragna asked, looking towards the little filly with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh! Yeah! Its a big town!” Applebloom agreed. “Lots ‘O ponies pass that way to get to Canterlot! Maybe one of them might know who he is!”

“You really think so?” Ragna inquired, getting up on his two four hooves.

“Its worth a shot.” Scootaloo mused. “We might even get our cutie marks by helping you!”

Ragna decided to ignore the fact that they were trying to get some cutie named Mark for the moment. “Well...It beats just sitting around doing nothing.”

“Sweet!” Scootaloo cheered. “Then follow us! We can get your wicked weapon and lead you back to the town no problem!”

“And maybe find out who you are!” Sweetie Belle added.

“Well what are we waiting for!?” Applebloom yelled.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Helpers! YAY!” The three fillies screamed before dashing out of the tree house.

“H-Hey! Wait for me!” Ragna called out after them. “Geez...I wonder if I made the right choice on this one…”

The crater within the applegrove was quiet for quite some time, nary a soul to be found besides the occasional fruit bat flying about. The peace was soon disrupted as several Iron clad unicorn stallions appeared with a flash of light, as well as a few of the same armored colored stallions flying from the sky.

And then there was Luna.

Her midnight dark fur and star flowing mane bellowing in the gentle blow of the wind as she landed gracefully among her guards. Her gaze fell to the crater noticing a lack of any object. “Captain.” A black stallion made his way beside her, saluting. “There seems to be nothing within.”

“Yes ma'am! I see that ma’am!”

“In that case...Whatever it was that was brought here is running about.” Luna turned to face the stallion. “Send you stallions out and search the area. We must find him before trouble arises! Anything with this much amount of Discords magic can only spell trouble for the citizens of Equestria!”

Chapter Two-The Pony in the Red Coat

It was a sunny day in Ponyville.

The birds were chirping happily and the bees where buzzing faithfully as the many ponies of different shapes, sizes and ages went about their daily routine. Some obtained food and other items at the market. Others were catching up with old and new friends.

And then there was Ragna.

The red coated pony shifted his head from side to side, his emerald eye darting left and right as he began to notice something that many of the ponies that he past seemed to tense at times.

“Hey Applebloom.” He spoke up, an uncertain tone of voice being conveyed as he did so.

“Yeah M-Ah mean Ragna?” The little filly responded as she looked up from the map of Ponyville she and her two friends had grabbed from their clubhouse wall. Ragna, having caught a glace of it earlier on, could clearly tell that it was completely hoof drawn, more than likely by his supposed tour guides. Such a map to him, as it would anyone, had instilled little confidence that they were going in the right direction.

Though, right now, being led the wrong way wasn’t his immediate concern at the moment.

“This may sound crazy to you…but I think a lot of ponies are staring at us.” He finally relented; shifting his one eye gaze back to the three little mares.

Applebloom and the other two fillies all popped up from their self-made map, the three of them noticing more than a few concerned and frightful looks being thrown their way.

Actually, now that Applebloom had time to process it…

“Actually Mr. Ragna, I think they’re all looking at you.” She corrected with a slight frown.

“Yeah…I figured.” He sighed with an exasperated tone, both by the revelation of being the center of attention and by being called Mr. again. “The question is why? I’m a pony like all of you right?”

“O’ coarse y’all are.” Applebloom reassured him. “Ah think that you may be getting all the attention cause O’ your clothes.”

“And your huge sword!” Scootaloo added.

Ragna raised an eyebrow before scanning the area. Sure enough, aside from a few ponies here and there, many of the ponies were wearing nothing at all. “Well…I can see that clothes aren’t really worn,” Ragna deducted. “But are weapons all that rare here?”

Scootaloo tapped a hoof to her chin, conveying deep thought. “Well, besides the royal guard, I don’t think many other ponies use weapons or carry them.” she answered. “And I don’t think any of the royal guards have weapons quite like yours.”

“Wonderful…” The red clothed stallion droned, one hoof adjusting the blade upon his back to a more comfortable position. Not only was he the center of attention, but now he was dangerous. Why did he have a sword like that anyway? Was he a fighter? A killer? Was he somehow part of this royal guard these girls were talking about? He couldn’t help but scoff at the last Ideal, shooting it down compleatly.

Me? Military? I may not have any memories of who I was, but I know for damn sure I’d never joining any military.

He was pulled from his thoughts as one of the fillies next to him cheered happily.

“Oh! Hey! There’s Sugar Cube Corner!” Sweetie squeaked, pointing to the oddest building Ragna had ever seen constructed. To be fair though, he doesn’t remember any other buildings past the ones he seen in Ponyville. Still, a building constructed to look like a gingerbread house has to be rare in any town, anywhere.

“And why are we here again? I thought we were going to the Train-station soon.” Ragna said as he followed the little fillies into the establishment.

“We are.” Sweetie said as she ran to the counter of sweet smelling confections behind the glass casing making the little mare smile with glee.

“But before you came and exploded near our clubhouse, we were going to come here and get one of Pinkie’s free cupcakes.” Applebloom mused, following her friends lead.

“Besides,” Scootaloo said nudging him a bit with her foreleg. “You have to be hungry right? Can’t go traveling on an empty stomach, right?”

He was about to respond with a rebuttal when his belly decided to defy its master will power, a loud gurgling noise emanating from his stomach. He frowned and looked away from the smug smile that Scootaloo bore. “Fine…” He chuckled and smiled. “And who am I to pass up a free meal anyway?”

There was a noise from the back before a pleasantly plump female mare made her way to the front of the store, candy blue fur and cupcake pink mane. “I swear…that mare…” She grumbled gently to herself before notice three familiar customers and one very, very unique one. “Oh…Oh my…Hello dearies and…Um…I don’t think I had to pleasure of meeting you…”

“No surprise there.” He commented. “Just…well…Popped into town not too long ago.”

“Yeah! We’re showing him around Ponyville so that we can find his memory!” Sweetie said with a bright smile, her response causing the stallion to flinch.

“H-Hey…No need to…” he began to say before he was cut off.

“We found him knocked out in the apple orchard.” Applebloom clarified when the older mare gave them all a confused look. “He lost and memory and we were helping him find out who he was…or is it is?”

He sighed, exasperated by the little fillies slightly. “Now hang on…I didn’t…”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s is or was! We’re gonna help him and get our memory savors Cutie Marks!” Scootaloo announced before adding. “And his sword is wicked cool!”

Ragna just gave a deadpanned expression from behind the three fillies, his eyebrow twitching ever so slightly.

“Oh…I-I see.” The older mare finally said with a unsure smile. “Well, it’s nice to meet you Mr. Ragna. And I am sorry you lost your memory” She said, getting a cringe from him for some reason. “My name is Mrs. Cake. I and my husband own Sugar Cube Corner.”

“Hey! Hey! Where’s Pinkie Mrs. Cake?” Scootaloo cut in. “It’s Cupcake Saturday ya know.”

Mrs. Cake blinked before answering, “Oh yes…well I’m sorry to say that she’s not in right now dearie.” She said in an apologetic tone. All three fillies’ ears drooped at that information. Ragna could see the mare smiling slyly. “But…” The fillies perked up. “For you three, I believe I can whip something up.”

The fillies cheered before clapping hooves with each other joyfully. Ragna himself just shook his head at the display. “Does this Pinkie always give away your supplies? Seems pretty bad for business if you ask me.”

Mrs. Cake gave the stallion an impassive look. “Pinkie usually bakes the cupcakes with supplies she buys herself.” Mrs. Cake said. “So, really, she’s rather helping us then anything.” She turned to the fillies again. “You three go over to that table while I get your snacks ready ok?” The girls nodded before dashing to the table in question that sat a ways away from the counter. Ragna contemplated on making his way to the table as well but was stopped as Mrs. Cake softly called out to him. “Could you stay here for a moment Mr. Ragna

“Oh…Well sure.” Ragna said making his way back to the counter. “And just Ragna, okay? Makes me feel old when you put Mr. on my name.”

As the mare worked and kept her eyes on the three fillies, she addressed the red coated stallion. “So you really lost your memory?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well…Yeah. Besides my name and a few other things I don’t really know too much.” He answered.

“And those three fillies you met want to help you?” She inquired further.

“Yeah.” He said with a sigh. “They are a bit of a pain, but I doubt I would have known where to go or what to do if they didn’t help a little.”

“I see…” She said softly. “You know, those three little fillies are like daughters to me Ragna, and two are friends with two very powerful mares within Ponyville. If something were happen to them…” She warned, leaving the statement to hang in the air.

Ragna raised an eyebrow before his one good eye widened. “Woah, woah, woah! Why do you instantly think that I would do something weird with three little girls?!”

“Forgive me if I don’t readily trust a stallion that would surround himself around little fillies.”

“They were the first ponies a saw when I woke up!” He rebottled. “They helped me and I at least owe them for looking after me. I can at least humor them and let them show me around a bit. After that, I leave on the first train out of here. No point in staying someplace I’m not wanted.”

Mrs. Cake gave a relieved, yet regretful sigh. "I am sorry dear. I'm sure you are a nice pony and all. And the girls really do seem to have taken a shining to you and all..."

“Hey, no. I get it. Random older male seen in the company of little females would make anyone think that, not that, that’s a good thing...” He said in an exasperated tone.

“Carrying a sword with you doesn’t help your case none either Dearie.” Mrs. Cake added, pointing a hoof at the blade upon his back.

“Yeah, though I doubt I even remember how to use it.” He said as he gazed at the blade, its intricate design forcing a feeling of both nostalgia and fear into him. “I mean, don’t even know if it’s really mine or not. All the girls said, was that it was practically in my hands when they found me.”

“Hands?” Mrs. Cake asked with a raised eyebrow.

He went to confirm what he said before looking down at his limbs. “Well…Hooves.” When she nodded he continued. “I can understand what you’re saying though. Might be the reason I’ve gotten so many odd stares when I came into town.”

“Ponyville looks after their own.” Mrs. Cake mused.

Ragna just smiled. “Heh, In any case, maybe I can save myself and maybe a few others any headaches if you tell me where the train station is from here. I’ll be out of your hair and the children will be out of mine.”

Mrs. Cake smiled gently. “Well…that is certainly an idea. And…Really, I don’t mean to acuse you fo anything Ragna. You seem like a nice enough pony and all…”

Ragna waved a hoof in front of his face. “Don’t worry about it. Saves me from having them follow me wherever I go.” He looked back at the three before shaking his head. Being alone somehow doesn’t feel all that new to me anyway…

“What will you say to them?” Mrs. Cake inquired with a tilt of her head. “And, for that matter where will you go?”

“I’ll think of something.” He said with a wave of his hoof. “And as to where…well…Doesn’t really matter does it?”

“Well…” She smiled and filled a bag full of muffins. “Take this. As an apology from me…And all of Ponyville.”

He took the bag within one of his hooves. “Heh…Thanks. If they taste twice as good as they look and smell I might come back one day.”

“Then I’ll have a muffin hot and ready for you when you do.” Mrs. Cake responded, smiling softly.

After taking the directions she give him to heart, he made his way to the exit, bag of muffins clinging tight to his chest. He didn’t get too far when the three fillies all called out to him.

“Mr. Ragna! Where are you going? I thought we were supposed to take you to the Train station.” Applebloom asked.

He stood at the door way for a moment before speaking over his shoulder. “Change in plans, kiddo. Going at it alone.”

“What?!” Scootaloo gasped. “You’re ditching us?!”

He turned back to face the door. “Hey, appreciate the help and all but its better this way in the long run.”

“Totally uncool!” Scootaloo whined, folding her hooves about her chest. “The most interesting thing happens to fall at our door step and he goes and leaves us behind.” She puffed up a bit of her mane that fell in front of her eyes before ending with, “Jerk.”

Ragna sighed annoyingly before pushing the door open. “Yeah well…Life can be a letdown sometimes Kid.” He said before pausing. He looked back, his normally sharp green eye softening. “But…Ya know…thanks for helping me. Doubt I could have gotten this are without ya.” He said before making his way out the door.

Sweetie Belle sighed woefully as the door closed behind him, accompanied by the ringing of the stores bell. “Aw pony feathers. I thought we were gonna have an adventure and everything…”

“Yeah…” Applebloom agreed. “And see all kinds of amazing places and ponies. Maybe even another griffin.”

Scootaloo pouted as she watched the red dressed figure make his way further from the building. “Well who needs him?! If he wants to ditch us fine by me.” She fussed a bit too strongly.

Mrs. Cake placed each of their cupcakes in front of them as she neared the trio. “You dears were thinking that you would be pulled into some sort of fantasy adventure or something?”

“Well, no…but it could happen?” Sweetie Belle lamented. “I mean how many ponies do you know who lost their memory?”

“Yeah! And he was dark and mysterious. Like Bat-mane!” Applebloom agreed.

“Bat-mane would have taken in a sidekick.” Scootaloo growled, still very much upset.

“I doubt any of your sisters would have allowed you to go.” Mrs. Cake said with a chuckle. “For that matter, I don’t think he cares too much for company.”

“Yeah…” Applebloom said before sighing deeply. “But…well…we could have seen him off at least. I mean…It must be scary to wake up with nothing but the clothes on your back.”

Scootaloo huffed before placing her head on the table sighing audibly. Just as quickly as she had laid her head down, she had suddenly lifted it back up, raising an eyebrow. “Wait…what’s he doing?”

The rest of the girls trailed their gaze to the gray stallion just as he began to look around uneasily. It wasn’t long before his gaze shifted to the right just as a cyan colored blur rammed into him, tackling Ragna to the ground with extreme prejudice.

“Oh shoot…was that…” Applebloom suggested.

“It couldn’t be anypony else…” Sweetie Belle agreed.

“Come on! We have to see this!!” Scootaloo said, already making her way to the door.

Mrs. Cake gulped as she gave chase to the three fillies. “Girls! Wait!”

Chapter Three-Mares...

It continued to be a beautiful day in Ponyville, the morning sun shining brightly upon its inhabiting. Everypony within the town was having nothing less than a wonderful day.

Well, that is, everypony save for a certain red coated stallion.

Ragna’s eyes swirled as he began to come into full awareness again, the force of whatever hit him pushing the stallion down heavily into the dirt. He couldn’t help but groan out in both pain and frustration. The pain from whatever it was that just tackled him. The frustration directed towards the situation he tried so hard to wrap his head around.

“What the hell? What’s going on?”

“Ah, Ha! Got ya!” A near boyish voice would sound out, causing his ears to fold back in defiance. “Told you I could take him down easy!”

“Rainbow! Will you just-!! Augh! Just be careful, okay! We don’t know what he’s capable of or why Discord’s magic is around him!” Another voice sounded this one a great deal more feminine.

The first voice, now identified as Rainbow, Scoffed. “Please! I can handle anything that Discord dishes out. Besides, this guy was totally a pushover!”

Ragna’s eye focused on the one over him. Cyan fur meeting his vision as he did so, the soft sent of feminine shampoo accompanying the sight. “P-Push over…” He growled in an unsteady voice. “You blindsided me while I was walking down the street ya bitch!”

Rainbow gave a start before glaring down at the stallion below her. “So you’re awake huh? Made of tougher stuff then I first expected then. Still, you were defeated all the same by the awesome Rainbow Dash in the end.” She paused. “And who the hey are you calling a bitch you foalnapper!?”

“Foalnapper?!” Ragna’s eye twitched, his forehoof testing the weight of the mare’s own. “What the hell is your deal!?” He asked, trying and failing to keep his voice leveled. “I didn’t foalnapped anyone?!”

“Shut it! I don’t know what Discord is planning but we aren’t taking any chances.” Rainbow snapped.

“Discord?” Ragna asked with a raised eyebrow. The hell is a Discord?

“Rainbow! Get out of the way!” Said the feminine voice again. The cyan mare looked back before jumping off of Ragna. Before the stallion could even begin to move a purple aura covered every inch of his body, lifting him up effortlessly, and locking him in the air.

“H-Hey!?” The red coated stallion cried out, struggling to free himself from the encasement. “The actual hell is going on?!”

“There…I think I got him.” The second voice sighed with release. Ragna’s eye shot to a lavender mare with a glowing horn moving closer to him, her wings fluttering in slight strain. “There’s still chaos magic residue around him though.”

Before Ragna could get another word in edge wise, an orange mare wearing a hat pushed her way in front, a fierce glare accompanying her already angry aura. She stood on her hind hooves and grabbed the stallion by his collar, pulling him closer as she did so.

“Where is she?! What did y’all do with ma lil’ sister and those other fillies?!” She all but yelled in his face.

“Hey! Calm down lady!” Ragna said, struggling within the grasp of the magic. “And you’re sister? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with us you ruffian!” A white mare said as she trotted in place beside Applejack, her curls bouncing with each movement she made. “Now where are the fillies?’

“Ruffian?” Ragna scoffed as the two mares stared him down, the accent of the white mare for some reason pissing him off more then he thought it should. “I’m not the one attack others in the street without giving a damn good reason.”

“Applejack. Rarity. Calm down…” The purple mare said softly, placing a hoof upon the orange mares back. She turned to face Ragna, the stallion staring intently at her horn, his eyes squinting as he did so. The action caused the purple mare to shift uncomfortably before looking looked away.

“I’ll clam down when he tells us what he’s down with the three fillies!” Applejack retorted, breaking the stallion from his dazed state.

“Three fillies?” Ragna asked before recognition blindsided him. “Wait? You don’t mean…Damn it to hell…”

“Applejack!”

The orange mare’s head nearly twisted off, as did the white mare, when both heard a strikingly familiarly accidental voice call out from behind them. The other mares that had confronted Ragna all gazed upon the three little fillies running up towards the gathering.

Applejack let the stallion go before rushing towards the little yellow filly and her friends.

“Applebloom!” The orange mare cried out, flinging herself from the stallion towards the little yellow filly “Ah was so-” She cut herself off as two of the fillies ran past bot her and Rarity and darted over towards the still floating stallion, Scootaloo opting to stand near the side of the cyan mare named Rainbow.

“Ragna!” Applebloom said latching on to his trying to pull him down. “Don’t worry partner! I’ll get ya down!”

“Ow! Hey! Come on that hurts kid! Geez!” The stallion complained, unable to pull his leg away.

Sweetie turned towards the older mares frowning. “What are you thinking? Attack our friend Ragna in the street?”

Rarity blinked before asking. “Wait…Your friend?”

The sound of clopping hooves alerting everypony to the sweets maker, Mrs. Cake, as she quickly made her way to the little gathering. She huffed and puffed before, taking a moment to catch her breath before saying gasping. “Girls (Huff) I (Puff) Oh dear Celestia (Gasped).”

“Mrs. Cake!” Said a bubbly voice beside Ragna, startling the stallion. He looked to his side, finding the reality of all things pink bouncing her way towards the larger mare. “You’re just in time! I have to ask if I can throw the party in Sugar Cube Corner!”

“A party?” The lavender mare questioned with a deadpanned look.

“That’s right Twilight! A party!” The pink mare cheered happily.

“Ah…” Applejack said raising an eyebrow. “Pinkie this isn’t the time for parties.”

“Silly! Every time is the best time for parties!” She dashed over to the gray stallion, her muzzle pressing hard into his in a very uncomfortable way. “Oh! By the way! I never introduced myself! Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! And any friend of my friends is a friend to me! And since everypony is my friend then that means you’re already my friend!”

“What?!” Was Ragna’s only response to everything that the hyperactive mare had said, his eye twitching ever so slightly.

Before Ragna could ever fathom is he was sane after listening to the sugar hyped mare in front of him a loud crack of thunder and a flash of lightning sounded above them. Every pony that had gathered together to watching the spectacle that was going on, all filched and went into a bow of submission. The only ones who didn’t were Twilight and the other five, along with two of the fillies, both running behind the stallion as he continued to float in Twilight’s hold, peeking out from behind his legs.

Ragna raised an eyebrow towards the incoming figures. While the guards did seem imposing, it was the creature leading them that made Ragna pause. She was, for a fact, the biggest pony he had seen thus far, her star like mane and tail flowing endlessly behind her. The midnight pony landed a few feet from the group. As soon as she did, the lavender mare ran up to her.

One fricken thing after another…The stallion thought bitterly

“P-Princess Luna! What are you doing here?”

The taller pony gave a glace over to the smaller one. “We came to see to this matter personally Princess Sparkle.”

“But…Princess Celestia didn’t say you were…” Twilight fell silent as Luna shot her a dark glare, making her cower somewhat.

“We do not need our sister’s permission to defend Equestria Princess Sparkle.” Luna slowly made her way to the still trapped Ragna, the stallion glaring darkly at the princess with his one good eye. “You…Your aura…it is covered with the magic of Discord. Are we to assume that thee are the one that emerged from the crater at yond Apple Establishment?”

“Listen…” Ragna said as he struggled against the magic that held him. “I don’t know what your game, and frankly, I don’t give a flying fuck. I don’t know what’s going on! I don’t know who I am! And I sure as hell don’t know who the this Discord is!” He lowered his head as he kept his eye on Luna. “Now stick that up your arse, shove it, and let me go.”

“Woah…” Was the only word spoken, Scootaloo being the one to break the silence that followed after Ragna’s rant.

Luna’s eyes had widened by degrees as she stared at the stallion for a very long time.

And then she snapped.

The sure force of power the Ragna felt caused the stallion to rethink the few life choices he made in his short time in this world…well…as far as he could remember anyway. He saw Luna’s eyes turn pure with ethereal energy before simultaneously breaking Twilight’s hold and gripping the stallion with her own horn. He was sure that he felt himself flung at speeds he could not even imagine, felling his body lurch over in response to the extreme velocity. There was only one word the stallion to think of as his world became nothing but a blur.

Shit…

And then everything went black as he felt his body slam into something hard.

Chapter Four-Awakening of the Edge...Again

The warmth of the sun shone brightly upon my face and the rustling of the tree beside me played like that of a gentle violin as the leaves shifted in the wind. The fur that wasn’t covered by my jacket played along with the swaying grass below, tickling me somewhat. Something warm and soft underneath my head shifted slightly as I looked towards the left, the place where I had carved theirs and mine name upon sitting clearly in front of me. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t recall their names, nor could I see them clearly upon the wooden canvas. My hoof slowly reached out towards the carving, wanting to grasp at the marking; needing to know just who the three names etched upon it was. My hoof was stopped by something gripping it gently however, keeping me from my prize.

“Ragna…you’re awake…”

The voice was soft and beautiful, familiar yet different to me for some reason. I say nothing as I allow her grasp to tighten. She expected an answer. I nod my head at the question.

“That’s good. I was really worried about you, you know? I almost thought you had died.” A hand gently caressed the fur upon my cheek. “…Though I knew that someone as thickheaded as you would never allow that. What were you doing so high in the tree anyway?”

My head shifted towards my right, a plump delicious apple sitting not too far from where it had fallen when I had tumbled out of the tree.

She had noticed my gaze move from her to the apple, though I had suspected she already knew beforehand, “You nearly killed yourself…Just for one Apple, huh….”

My eye shifted to the side as I turned my head to look away from her. Such an action only caused the soft voice to giggle gently.

“He wanted another one didn’t he?”

I stayed silent as I closed my eye.

“Always the rock aren’t you Ragna…taking the world on your shoulders even if you don’t want to.”

I opened my mouth, my lips moving but no words coming out.

“I know Ragna…” The voice said, ignoring what I intended to say, if I had really said anything at all. “I should be resting. But I had to make sure you weren’t getting into trouble. The sister says I’m at least strong enough to get some fresh air now and then.”

I raise my eyes, to look at the one that was speaking to me, her face masked by the light of the sun behind her. I open my mouth to speak, once again, nothing coming out just like last time. She did however press something into my chest, the feeling of warmth filling my heart with contentment as I looked upon her featureless face.

“You mean the world to us Ragna…Don’t ever lose that heart ok?” She said softly.

I sigh before moving my lips again.

“Just for a while…rest ok…”

With another sigh, I concede, my eyes closing as the heat of the afternoon sun shown upon the two of us.

And then the pain hit, my body seething with a blazing fire as the pain reached my chest. I looked up to see a wicked smile upon the hidden face of the one above me.

“Rest forever…My little Ragna…Ahha…hahahahahha!!”

Ragna yelped as he flung himself upwards, the stallion instantly clutching his chest with his hoof. It was an act he regretted as he felt an erupt pain coming from where he had put his hoof. After a moment to recollect him, the stallion slowly looked down towards the rest of his body. He found that the lower half and chest was wrapped in bandages, as well as most of his right hoof.

It was then that he noticed an oddity about one of his appendages.

His left hoof, which had been wrapped in black bandages and clothing prior, caused his eyes to widen by degrees. The entirety of his left foreleg was a hard metal alloy shaped to look like that a pony’s hoof. There were joints where his leg would bend, even close to the ankle. As weird as it was to see that his right leg wasn’t his own, he then noticed a peculiar jewel within the underside of his hoof. It was a dull red in color, and, no matter which way he turned it, there was no shine to the lifeless gem.

“What the heck is this?”

A sound to his left caused the stallion’s ears to perk before quickly looking over towards the door. A yellow glow emanated from the knob; the only warning he was given before the door gently slung open. His eyes beheld a pony unlike any other he had seen…at least excluding the midnight one. Her fur was the purest white he had ever seen and her mane and tail flowed within an non-existent wind. Her horn glowed with the same ethereal yellow as the door’s knob and her wings seemed to twitch in worry. Upon seeing the bed ridden stallion, her eyes would widen before signing with relief. She looked behind herself before fully making her way within the room, closing the door behind her.

Ragna tensed as she neared, his one green eye following every inch of her movements. Her gentle smile was repaid with an impassive frown as she sat next to the bed. Both were quiet as they studied each other. When the larger pony tilted her head to the side slightly, the stallion would flinch, his hoof reaching behind him instinctively, only to be covered in a yellow aura.

“I am sorry Ragna, but as I am assuring you are aware, your body had taken quite a bit of damage. It is best that you rest, we do not want you hurting yourself needlessly.” She paused for a moment. “But the fact that you are still alive says something about your endurance I must say…”

“How do you know my name?” The stallion growled his brow furrowing.

“Well…” She began as she tilted her head. “I could say that I read your mind and shifted though your memories with but a single flick of my horn...” Ragna’s eyes widened by degrees, his body locking up; She could see into his memories just like that? The mare, however, gave a gentle giggle. “But I felt that asking the three young fillies was, by far, the better option.”

“Oh yeah...those three…” Ragna groaned, though for some reason, he visibly relaxed. He didn’t know why, but the thought of someone messing with his mind mad him a bit too angry. “Damn kids…getting me into this mess…”

“And,” The mare mused with a smile. “Effectively got you out of it as well. Without their word of insurance, I’m sure my sister would have done a bit more harm than just throwing you a couple dozen feet...in less than a second.”

“So that psychopath is your sister?” The stallion asked.

The mare frowned, aware that he met hers with one of his own. “I would ask you not to call her such things. She was just looking out for her subjects. She holds little trust to Discord and anything magically linked him. And you, my little pony, had been reeking of his magic before you came here.”

“Yeah…Well I would love to have a few words with that Discord bastard myself.” Ragna coyly said, his back slumping against the head of the bed. “If he really is the cause of all of this then I want to know damn well why.”

“So, I take it you really do not know him, do you?” The white mare asked.

“It’s what I’ve been trying to fucking say lady.” Ragna retorted with an annoyed growl.

“Then,” The white mare bowed her head gently. “Please accept mine, Princess Celestia of Equestria’s, apology on behalf of my sister and my subjects.”

Ragna’s eye widened at her action, before looking away, grumbling a “Whatever…” in response to her kindness. His eye scanned the room he was within. It was a simple place with mint green wallpaper. A single table sat on the right side of his bed. Occupying the left was, Medical equipment sat, a few wires running from the computer to his left arm.

“It’s true about what I said,” Celestia spoke, breaking the silence they both had fallen into. “You are quite durable. Most ponies, be them earth ponies or not, would be more worse off than just a few bruised rips. And your right foreleg…It is most…Interesting to say the least.”

“Yeah well,” Ragna said as he shot his green eye to the mare. “I doubt most ponies find themselves in a smoldering creator in the middle of an apple field found by three over active girls.” He lifted his right foreleg. “As for this…Don’t really know myself.”

“To be expected I suppose.” Celestia quipped. “Amnesia works that way.”

Ragna slowly shifted to his left, letting his hooves dangle from edge of the bed. “Not that it was nice talking to you or anything, but I’m getting the hell out of here.”

“What?” Celestia asked with a questioning smile. “So soon? We only just met.”

“Don’t care. “ He said, giving her a deadpanned look.

“Oh dear…Well…I had hoped it did not have to come to this but if I must take drastic measures…”

Celestia lifted her hoof and gave his ribs a tap. It was a gentle touch, but one that made every fiber of his body retch in pain, every curse word in his book being exclaimed as he fell back onto the bed. He gripped his rips as best he could, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Hmm…I don’t think you’re going anywhere for a while my little pony.” A magic glow emanated from her horn, gently glowing upon the stop she had touched. Instantly, the pain began to subside until it was just a throbbing annoyance to the stallion.

Ragna glared up at the mare from his prone position. “Crazy bitch…what the hell was that for?”

“Just showing that for now, you can’t go anywhere.” She tilted her head “Besides…where would you go? It’s not like you know where you are or where you are going.”

Ragna opened his mouth before closing it again. So the hell what…It’s my damn life isn’t it? But the longer he thought about it, the more he hated the fact that she was right. He didn’t have anywhere to go.

“I see you finally caught on. With no place in mind for you to go you have no choice but to stay in one spot and recover for now.” Celestia said softly before looking away. “Plus there is the manor of how you came to be here in Equestria. Being who I am, I cannot just simply allow you to roam as you wished, even if I didn’t see you as a potential threat.”

“So I’m your prisoner?” The stallion asked, growling near the end.

“Not at all.” The mare said with a wink. “You are able to move freely within the castle, albeit with somepony watching your every step.”

“Don’t know why, but that pisses me off just a little bit more then you think it would…”

“Oh don’t be that way Ragna. Think of it as a personal escort. And I already have the pony in mind, you might like her.” Before Ragna could even come up with a sassy retort, a knock would sound upon the door, causing the mare’s ears to flick at attention. “Ah…Seems you have a few visitors.” She said in a motherly tone. The stallion raised an eyebrow before he noticed the door open, two fillies slipping into the room soon after. Ragna tensed as the familiar trio sighted the stallion, their eyes reaching maximum height.

“Ragna!” screamed Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle simultaneously, all three fillies running full speed at the stallion.

“Wait! NONONONONONONONO!!” He yelled as he tried to back away in vain. But it was no use as the trio of fillies jumped up towards the stallion, forelegs opened wide. He raised both his hooves in a vain attempt to stop the duo, and awaited the pain he was more than likely going to experience.

A little mint green filly stared wide eyed at the being before her. Despite the injuries he had suffered he still stood strong, his sword clutched tightly as he readied for what was to come. Even though his back was to her, she could clearly make out a pure white mane on top of his head, shimmering even in the dead of night.

The sound of growling would force her to turn her gaze to the pack of Temberwolves inching their way closer to her and the one that seemed to be protecting her. The mint green filly flinched she saw the lead wolf jump towards them, snarling as it did so. The being in front of her shifted the blade back but not before turning his head, the tell, tell glow of read within in right eye.

*CHOOCHOO*

Lyra flailed her breathing fast and heavy as she was forced awake by the train’s whistle. She placed a hoof on her chest, remembering the dream she had just had. She reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a notebook. Opening it, she flipped to the page she had been looking for. On the page was the being from her dream, his back facing towards her as he did in the dream. She flipped through the note book to the last few pages. Upon one was a pony, one that wore a big coat as well as carried a giant sword upon his back.

She flipped back to the one from her dream, noting the weapon he too carried. “It has to be him…I’m sure of it…I don’t know why…but It can’t not be him.” She said softly before turning her gaze to the passing landscape. “I found you Bloodedge…”

Chapter Five-Red at the Hospital

“Cloud-16?”

“What the hell!! How the hell do you even play this game anyway?!” The gray stallion complained as he stared at the colorful board game that the fillies had brought with them. It was set up where each opponent was staring at different ends with a wall standing between the two, which in this case was Sweetie Belle and himself. The girl’s had helped him place the pieces on the board and preceded to try and help him understand the inner workings of the little foal’s game. “And how the hell do you keep hitting my pieces?”

“Don’t know.” Sweetie mused as she placed a peg in the spot she had called out prior. “Just lucky I guess.” Sweetie paused for a moment before saying. “Oh, and Applebloom?”

“Already on it Sweetie.” The little yellow filly replied as she bopped the stallion on the nose, causing him to yelp in surprise, “Ragna, mind your language.”

The stallion rubbed the spot the little filly had hit, glaring at her before looking back at his side of the board. He really hated the princess for tell these fricken girls to hit him every time he said a “Naughty Word”. She is most definitely going to pay for this one…

Scootaloo snickered as she watched the proceedings all the while taking the piece that Sweetie had most utterly destroyed off the board. “Ya know, I wouldn’t have taken ya for someone who shrugged off getting thrown into a building like its nothing, with you whining the way you are.”

“I’m not whining kid.” Ragna, for his part, rolled his eyes. “And that crazy bi-Ow! I didn’t even say it yet!”

“You were going ta.” Applebloom countered as she gave the stallion a smug smile.

“Anyway,” Ragna growled. “That crazy…Mare…Took me by surprise. Plus I had just woken up after crash landing in a smoldering crater.” The stallion huffed as he looked away. “Wasn’t exactly at my A-Game when she got the jump on me.” He paused to look down with a frown. “Cloud-1…”

“Miss.”

“Damnit!”

*Smack!*

“Ow!”

“Still, you came out of that pile of rubble like it was nothing at all.” Applebloom mused as she looked between both of the player’s boards. “Though you looked like ya was about to collapse soon as ya did.”

“Still! It was fricken awesome!” Scootaloo cheered as she jumped up and down on the bed, causing the stallion to near lose his balance. She stopped as she looked away, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. “Not as awesome as Rainbow Dash mind you, but definitely up in the top 50% of awesome things I’ve seen.”

“What kind of person says top 50%?" Ragna asked.

“We’re learning about math and whatnot in Miss Cheerilee’s class. Scoot’s just looking for reasons to use some new words she’s found.” Applebloom snickered only to get a face full of a rather plump pillow for her troubles.

“We really was worried about you though mister Ragna.” Sweetie Belle reassured with a smile. “Plus you don’t have to leave Ponyville anytime soon while you’re recovering! Aren’t you happy about that?”

The stallion rolled his eyes before grunting in response. “Yeah yeah…” Ragna’s gaze fell to the window that was beside him, his emerald eye glancing over the landscape of the city of Canterlot. “Guess I have no choice anyway.”

“Something wrong Ragna?” Sweetie asked, tilting her head.

“Naw…” The stallion answered. “Just a feeling of nostalgia.”

All three girls looked to the stallion with tilted heads.

“Ugh. Nothing. Never mind.” Ragna said with a roll of his eyes. He gazed back down on his side of the board. “Sky-13.”

“Miss.”

“Sonnavabit-“

*WHAP!*

“How can you be so calm about him sister?!”

The white alicorn of the sun barely flinched at the loud tone of her younger sister’s voice, the mare instead taking a delicate sip of the cup of espresso that was within her magic’s grip; her sister ranting and raving in front of her. She always loved a good espresso in the morning. Steamy hot and sweet to the taste, just the way she liked it. She had always chosen chocolate powder as an additive for her coffee of choice, but today shen had decided to go wild and add in vanilla flavor. It was a rather bold and tasty choice, she had to admit.

“Tia!”

Celestia looked up to the scowling face of her little sister, the goddess of the sun giving her a gentle smile. “Yes, sister dearest?” She had forgotten how adorable her little sister could be when she had her cheeks puffed out in anger.

“Have you not been listening to me?!” Luna asked with a sharp edge to her voice, her body shaking in uncontrollable rage. “I asked what were you thinking?! Letting that…that…Lout of a pony run free the way you are!”

Celestia blinked before taking another sip, murring in gentle pleasure. “Whatever do you mean dear sister?”

“You know exactly what I mean sister!” Luna practically yelled. “That stallion must be contained! Both him and Discord!”

“You know that Discord is on vacation right now sister.” Celestia reprimanded.

“But his aura was all over the stallion’s body!”

“Be that as it may, the stallion himself, while…colorful in both demeanor and language…Has not, in fact, done anything wrong to warrant such treatment from a princess. He is just as much as a victim as anypony else in his position, especially with the fact that his memory is gone.” Celestia placed her cup of expresso down before using her magic to pick up a small plate of cake and a fork. Gently, she forked a small chuck of the moist chocolate cake with her utensil before sticking it into her mouth, moaning in pleasure at the sweet taste each she took gave her.

“W-Well…Yes, but still,” Her sister stammered. “If Discord is behind this then-“

“He will explain himself once he returns from his vacation sister.” Celestia answered, cutting the mare off. “Besides, we have no way for us to track him ourselves, so all we can do is keep watch over the stallion and continue our lives as normally.”

“Yes, and by watch you mean letting one mare do so instead of a battalion of stallions under lock and key in the Canterlot cells?” Said the Mare of the Moon in a sarcastic tone.

“Why yes.” Celestia said with a smile. “I believe I made the most hilarious choice if I do say so myself.”

Luna looked towards her sister with a raised eyebrow. “What was that sister?”

“The most sensible choice if I do say so myself.” The alicorn of the Sun repeated without missing a beat.

“Why do you say that Tia?” Luna asked with a raised eyebrow.

“She is one of my leading explorers into the world of the unknown.” Celestia said sipping her tear once again. “When it comes to the world of the strang, I could think of no other mare better suited to the task than to find out what the stallion may or may not know.” She gave her sister a gentle smile. “I do think you for your concern though dear sister.”

Luna glared at her sister before huffing indignantly and turning towards the door. “Whatever. I tire and will retire to my room to sleep until night court.” With a glow of her magic she opened her sister’s study’s door and made her exit. Before she left however the dark alicorn turned her head back, addressing Celestia as she did so. “I will be watching the stallion closely dear sister.” The door slammed shut after Luna, leaving her sister to her cake.

With her sister’s words ringing in her ears, Celestia took a gentle sip of her sweet drink before setting it down and looking towards the closed door. “You may come in Miss Heartstrings.”

There was hesitation before the door slowly creaked open revealing the face of a mint green mare with a white and mint green mane, her expression one of hesitation. “U-Um. I’m here Princess.” She called out, smiling awkwardly. “Um…I didn’t hear anything if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I would never think that Lyra.” Celestia said with a knowing smile. The princess gestured to a chair on the opposite side of herself. “Come. Have a seat.”

The mare gave a short bow before sat within the chair. She cooed softly, the cushions feeling wonderful to her flanks. “It’s really good to see you again Celestia. Oh wow! This is comfy!”

“Thank you.” Celestia smiled. “Had those chairs imported from Saddle Arabia. You’re familiar with that land I take it?”

“Been there once or twice with Daring Do.” Lyra mused with a smile and a shrug. “Made a few friends. Made a lot more enemies. Overall it was fun.”

“Good. Glad you can take pleasure with your work.” Celestia giggled softly at that for a few moments before calming down. “Hehe…I’m sure that it’s an amazing story. But for now let’s get down to business.” The princess of the Equestria took on a more serious tone. “I trust you know why you’re here.”

Lyra nodded as she pulled out a folder. “The being in red…but…” Upon opening the folder, a picture of Ragna along with a bunch of medical data could be seen. “From what this says, the one that was found was a pony. Not at all like the being that was seen ten years ago.”

Celestia nodded. “Be that as it may, I’m sure you recognize that jacket the pony is wearing I assume.”

Lyra nodded slowly, looking down at the pic in her hooves. “I do. How can I not?”

“It is because of that reason that I called you here Miss Heartstrings. Your research into the mysterious being that had appeared that day makes you vital into finding out who this stallion from the stars is.” Celestia said softly. “I need you to find out all that you can about him, any information possible is needed.”

Lyra nodded before looking away and biting her bottom lip. With a sigh she looked towards her ruler. “Do you…Do you think that he is the one that being mentioned?”

“I’m not sure. But what I do know is he is the most important pony in Equestria.” Celestia answered. “Do make sure you keep an eye on him.” At Lyra’s nod the princess moved to slip from her seat. “Then shall we go and see how he’s doing?” The princess of the sun made her way to open the door, but not before looking back to Lyra. “Oh! There’s one more thing…”

Ragna watched, from his room’s window, the retreating forms of Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, two of the three Cutie Mark Crusaders, along with five of those crazy six mares he had met before back in Ponyville. He looked to his side to see the last of the Crusaders pressing her face to the window, waving her hoof slowly at her friends.

“There they go.” Scootaloo said with a somber tone. The orange colored filly hopped from the window seal before making her way over to the bed that the gray stallion laid upon. “Guess it's just us three.”

“Yeah…” Ragna looked over to his side where a familiar narrow eyed rainbow maned pony stood. “Joy.”

“You’re just mad cause I kicked your sorry flank to the curb.” Rainbow taunted as she smirked.

“You F-Urk…” He paused as he looked toward the orange filly who raised a hoof up. “You...Decked me when I wasn’t looking.” He said with a growl. “Face me head on and I’ll show you just how much of a difference between us there is.”

“Yeah yeah.” Rainbow dismissed, much to the gray stallion’s annoyance. The cyan pony ignored him, as she turned to face the orange filly. “Hey kiddo, you sure you didn’t want to go with the rest of the girls? I can take you right quick to the station.”

“Naw.” Scootaloo said with a shake of her head. “Its cool Rainbow. I was told that my big sis was on her way here anyway so I’ll just go home with her.”

“Oh...Her.” Rainbow said with a discreet roll of her eyes. “So she’s coming back is she?”

“Yep!” Scootaloo cheered before looking over towards Ragna with a big smile. “Oh! You can meet her before we go! I bet she’ll love to meet you!”

Ragna raised an eyebrow before looking away. “Yeah well, if it’s anything like the way I’ve been greeted before in the past few days, I highly doubt I’ll enjoy it very much.”

Scootaloo was about to say something but the door to the room opening caused the little filly, as well as the rest within the room to turn their heads towards the noise. Standing within the doorway, was a mint green mare, whose mane was done up in the the colors of white and a darker shade of green. THe mare’s amber eyes gazed around the room. FIrst dismissing Rainbow Dash’s glare, then meeting Scootaloo’s gaze with a bright smile.

When the newcomers own gaze met Ragna’s, the mare sucked in an intake of breath, widening her eyes by degrees at the sight of him. Frankly, when Ragna saw this, he couldn’t help but shiver as a cold sense of foreboding washed over him.

The hell is her problem?

No pony said a word for quite some time, the silence only broken by the voice of the little filly. “Ragna, I would like you to meet my adopted big sister, Lyra.”

Ragna slowly raised a hoof, giving the mare a short wave. “Uh...Hey…”

“YOUR REAL!”

The stallion barely had enough time to say two words as the mare practically flew towards the him at what he believed to be lower than two hundred miles per hour.

“HOLY SH-!”

*THRUMP!!*