Book 1 The wolf and the magic

Chapter 8: Tears of Life and Tears of Death

I awoke the next day, the sun was now only rising which meant it was quite early. My eye sight was still blurry, but I could at least see to an extent. I swung my legs off the bed and stood up; I stumbled a bit before I got my feet under me.

"Damn, I guess cheating death and being out for a week and a-half really messes with you" I stood up straight and cracked my neck with a loud pop. "Now then, where is my stuff....?"  I looked around and say what was left of my armor on the table along with my sword and pistol.

I walked over to the table in the corner and looked over what was left. "Got top part of the chest piece....The boots...The visor, good to have....Oh, the gauntlets survived, I don't see the gloves...Damn. Well, not much but it is something." I looked under the table and found a large rectangular green box. There was a note on top of it; it read.

'Dunmore, this case can hold what is left of your armor. When you have time, we will have our blacksmiths work on making you a type of hybrid armor with what's left of you armor and whatever they come up with. Sincerely, Princess Celestia'

I put the note on the table and lifted up the large case. It had two latches on the side and a combination lock. "Nifty, this will work well....Wait...what's the damn combination?" I looked on the bottom of the case and there was another note. 'By the way, the combination is 6-14-20.'  I put in the combo and popped the latches, and the inside was coated with a spongy like material like what you would find in any military weapon or armor case to keep the item safe.

I carefully placed the parts of armor in the case, and safely secured it. I looked at the clock at saw it was now 6:00am. "Maybe I should see if I could leave. Knowing that it's a hospital, they'll want to do some last minute checks or something."

I looked over to the dresser to find my NWUs sitting there; I quickly put them on and tightened my boots on. I put my pistol on my belt and my sword on my back. I grabbed the case and held it by two handles on either end. "Damn, a bit heavy. But, it is a challenge I shall accept." I hefted it up and pushed the door open and entered the hallway.

I heard a voice calling my name and looked in the direction of it, my vision still being a bit blurry, I could barely see who it was. "Eh, what's wrong?"

The pony got closer and I could see it was a nurse. "What's wrong?! You're up before you should be! Now I ask you, please get back in the room." Her tone was a mix of annoyance and kindness.

I set the case down and let out a sigh. "I feel fine, I wish to go now. I know it's your job to make sure a patient is a-okay before they leave, but I am fine." I could tell my words barley did anything to convince her.

"At least let me give you an once-over to make sure you're all good to go. You cheated death, and not many do that without being injured one way or another." Her tone turned to worry. "You're lucky that they got you here as quick ass they did, you were in bad condition with all the burns, cuts, gashes, and broken bones. But, we noticed you were healing at a quick pace, our healing magic helped, but something about you, saved you"

I entered the room at sat on the bed and let the nurse look me over. "I do not know what could have allowed me to heal so fast, maybe those powers I have. The powers seemed to amplify once I got into this world. So basically, no idea how I'm cheating death. Maybe death just hates me so much, it won't let me die." I gave a small laugh and the nurse just stared at me like I was crazy.

"Well, you seem fine. Your strange humor is intact, are you naturally this strange?"The nurse put away the tools she was using.

I got back up and grabbed the case outside the door. "I'm only this strange when I choose to be, or when I think a little strange humor might be good. But, you know anywhere I could get some food?" My stomach growled loudly as if on is on cue.

"We have a cafeteria on the ground floor, they have some meat for any griffon or dragon patients we might have. Just ask them to make it, we also have salads and stuff like that." The nurse was still writing down some notes

"Thanks, I will be going now." I grabbed the case and headed for the cafeteria on the ground floor. I noticed I was being stared at by doctors, nurses, and patients. I must have been the strangest thing they ever saw.

I got to the cafeteria and noticed, like other hospitals, you had to pay for the food. I did not have a single bit on me. "Well, shit. Guess I'll just head out then, the others said they were at the hotel across the street." I was whispering to myself and anyone who heard me just looked at me like I was insane.

I left the hospital and headed over to the hotel, I check my Omni-Tool for the time and it was currently 7:30AM. "They should be up by now." I headed into the hotel and walked over to the counter. The inside was your typical hotel, nothing too fancy and nothing too cheap. The floor had a red carpet and there was a lounge area with a few couches and bookcases, the lights are your normal light fixtures you would normally see, and it just felt very home-like. I knock on the counter to grab the attention of the greeter. "Hello? I need to find my friends so we can leave."

The greeter turned around and almost fell out of his chair; he had a dark red coat and bright yellow hair. "Oh my, you startled me. Not used to seeing anything like you. Sorry about that, what did you need?"

I raised an eyebrow and laughed a bit . "I know the feeling, where I'm from there was countless different species. But, I need to know where my friends are.  If they are still here, can you tell me which room?"

He pulled out a large book and looked through it. "Who are your friends? I must know if I am to find their room number."  He gave a kind smile and I noticed he was a unicorn when a pencil started levitating.

"Okay, there is: Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, a few guard ponies, and 3 griffons." What I said shocked him.

"Oh! I know their room numbers by heart; they told me to tell you if you got here before they left so you could find the, the rooms are: room 110, room 111, room112, room 113, and room 114." He waved around his pencil as he told me the room numbers.

I took note of the numbers and turned to leave. "Thanks for the help, have a good day." He said the same thing and he turned back to what he was doing.

I walked up the stairs to the 100 hall and went to the first room, room 110, the numbers where a shiny brass and had engravings of what looked like western towns, Canterlot, and other places.

I knocked on the door and heard it unlock shortly after. A guard pony opened the door, to be specific, it was Sergeant Sandbags. "Hello there Sandbags, can you tell which room has who in it?"

Sandbags walked into the hallway and pointed the room he was just in and room 111. "These rooms have us guard ponies in them" He pointed to Room 112, and 113. "And those have the Princess in room 112 and Ms.Sparkle in 113. Room 114 has the 3 griffons in it, don't wake them, bad idea."

I took note of the griffons and decided to go to room 114's door. "Thanks Sergeant, go back to sleep if you wish" I walked up to the door and knocked. "Hello? Anyone awake in there?"  I heard a mumbling and something fell over and a thud. I let out a sigh and a small laugh. "You okay in there?" My question was answered when the door opened.

Twilight stood there, mane a mess and eyes half-closed. "Yes...? What is-" She looked up to se me standing there instead of a hotel employee. Her eyes shot open and she smiled. "Dunmore! You're up and about already? Are you sure you're okay?"

I was about to answer before being whacked upside the head with a book. "Don't you EVER do something like that again, what you did was risky and you could of..." Her words cut them selves off.  "You could have died" Her expression turned to worry and sadness.

I crouched down to eye level. "Twilight, I'm fine. I've cheated death once again and survived when I shouldn't have survived. I personally thought I died really, glad I didn't. I have all of my friends; I can't just leave that soon." What I said seemed to cheer her up a bit.

She wiped her eyes for any tears and regained her composition "Sorry, I was just worried I would loose a friend. You know how it is, right?"

The question stabbed at my past. "Yes, I do how it is. I have lost friends in the past, and I regret being not able to do anything for them. But, they would have wanted me to keep going, and do what I do best, kick some ass and keep others safe."  My words gave Twilight a new perspective on my mind-set and view on things.

"Right, that thing called self-sacrifice is what you're all about." She let out a laugh and gave a smile.

I stood back up. "Well we should get ready to leave, I'll go wake up the others, pack up what you got and meet me in the lounge." I walked over to room 112 and before I knocked, the door swung open.

"Hello Dunmore, it's good to see you up and about. Don't be surprised that I'm up, got to raise the sun and all." the princess walked out of the room and closed the door, she had a small suitcase with her, of course it had an image of the sun on it.

"Well, I shall wake the others and tell them to meet me in the lounge when ready." I went over to the griffon room and cautiously knocked on the door.

"Go away; we're still sleeping in here." It was Gilda, bit of an attitude on that one.

I thought for a second and decided to use what my drill instructor taught me. I slammed the door open and stomped in. "WAKE UP YOU FEATHER BRAINED IDIOTS!" I tipped over a bed and the griffon spilled onto the floor and the others scrambled up and gave me a death stare.

They were awake, works every time. "I want your stuff packed and ready to go in 20 minutes! Get to work!" I left the room as 2 of the griffons scrambled to pack their stuff.

Gilda laughed a bit at me, not in a joking manner, more like I'm laughing with you. "Now you're a dweab I can respect."

I closed the door and went to the lounge and waited for the others, I pulled out some books to read and just worked on a replacer for my thermal clips.   "Maybe replace the ammo with some sort of magic thing......I wonder....." I sat there for 20 minutes till everyone got downstairs and was ready to go.

Twilight snapped me out of my train of thought. "Dunmore!! We're ready to go, come on; the train will be at the station soon. We can stop by the bakery for some food on our way there."

We left for the train station and we stopped by the bakery, Celestia paid for everything, because I had no bits. "Hey, if I had bits, I would have paid for it. I guess I owe you some bits now?" I bit a large chunk out of the honey bread.

"No need, you did save this town and maybe of all of Equestria, if that was the only Lunar Republic...What did you call it?" Celestia looked to me for the answer.

"A husk factory and knowing them, that won't be the only one."  I finished off my bread and pulled out another one, we were hungry so why not buy more then a few.

Twilight took this opportunity to pop into the conversation. "Well, let's hope that's one of few and not many. Seeing one pony turned into a Husk is bad enough, but seeing an army of them, would be worst then any nightmare." The others agreed and I stayed silent. "Something wrong Dunmore?"

I turned my head to the right to face Twilight. "I have seen armies of those things, not a pleasant view. Terrifying screams and howls fingers that are sharp like a sword and the look of a fellow soldier. I never want those things to become an army here, we must make sure to stop this Lunar Republic." Twilight got her answer.

"Right, sorry if I brought up painful memories." Twilight looked down.

"It is fine." She looked up at me, I had a grin. "We must not think to hard on the past, but we must think hard on the present and the future." They others looked at me as we walked. "What, Too cliché?" We all started laughing.

---Few moments later---

We had reached the train station and the train was already there. We got aboard and took our seats. I and Twilight sat next to each other; well Celestia sat across form us. The train started up, and started it journey to Canterlot.

Celestia decided to break the silence. "Dunmore, I wish to know why you would throw your life into danger, no matter the danger, for others."

I unsheathed my sword and ran my hand across it. "Self-Sacrifice, a good trait to have. I will risk my life for others because I feel the need to do it. I might not know the person I save, but if I save some one from death, they can continue to live on their lives. I don't do it to look heroic or to seem honorable; I do it because it's the right thing to do." My words gave them a good look at how I think and how I fight.

Twilight was not so awe stuck because I talked to her about this already, but Celestia was quite impressed and gave a large smile. "Well spoken Wolfgang, you are truly a soldier fit to be a commander of others. You would risk you life for a civilian or fellow soldier without hesitation. I wonder how many mares will flock to you on hearts and hooves day...."

I had to take a moment o process what Celestia just said. "What?!" Me and Twilight both said in unison due to us both being surprised that Celestia would say that. Celestia got a good laugh out of it.

"I'm joking, calm down. Or am I?"  Celestia managed to make me take a double take at what she said.

I face-palmed and Twilight face-hoofed, we were still shocked Celestia would say that. I was the first to break the preverbal ice. "Really? I know you might be joking, but, really? I mean....Wow....Now that I think about it....I have noticed some mares staring more then others.  I really hope they're just doing the 'what is that thing' stare."  Now Twilight was shocked at what I said.

"You can't be serious....I know love has no bounds, but....What non-insane mare would go for you?"  Twilight raised an eyebrow.

I was going to use the oldest comeback ever. "Jealous that other mares are looking at me Twilight?"  What I said, made Twilight whack me upside the head with another book.

"I-I am not! D-Dunmore, what would m-make you s-say that!?" she became flustered.

I let out a laugh. "What you said, made you sound jealous" she hit me with another book. "Can you stop hitting me with books!?" She hit me again.

"When you stop being so down right strange and weird!" She hit me with another book.

"Oh come on, I may be a bit strange, but I'm not that strange!" She hit me with another book. "Stop that damn it!"  She went to hit me with another one but I took it and threw it across the train.

"Hey, I liked that book!" She brought it back with her magic and cleaned it off.

"Well maybe, you shouldn't hit me with it!" We could hear Celestia's laugh get louder and louder.

We both turned to her. "What's so funny?"

She took a moment to gather her self and catch her breath. "You two are fighting like a married couple."

My eyes went wide and my jaw dropped. I was speechless and Twilight was shocked more then ever.

Celestia laughed again. "I'm joking, I'm joking, don't worry. Love has no bounds anyways."

The last part must have broken Twilight. I waved my hand in front of her and nothing happened. "Nice, you broke her, now what?"

Celestia thought for a moment. "I have an idea" she leaned forward." Twilight, the books are all running and flying away!"

Twilight snapped out of her trance of shock. "What!? where!? I must retrieve them!" She stopped and looked around for a moment. "Don't do that again. Why would you say that tin the first place?"

Celestia laughed, again. "Because, it was funny, that's why. Come on Twilight, laugh now and then."

I took a moment and slowly laughed. "I'm friends with one of the strangest Princesses I have ever met"

The train ride continued on to Canterlot took it's time and we arrived safely at our destination. We made our way to the castle, where a griffon ambassador would meet us and discus the current situation.

We entered the newly rebuilt throne room, looked exactly the same as before, took a left down a hallway and then took the tenth door on the right.  The ambassador and two griffon guards where already there.

Celestia took a seat; I stood to her right and Twilight to her left. "Thank you for coming ambassador Titan, we have three of the griffons that went missing. They are being check over by our medical staff." What Celestia said pleased the ambassador greatly.

"Thank you Princess Celestia, we owe you for bringing our soldiers back and getting rid of that facility." The ambassador was an old griffon, lots of gray feathers, but still looks like a tough one to fight.

"Well ambassador, it is not I you should thank. It is Commander Wolfgang here." She motioned to her right.

"Well then, thank you Commander, I am surprised that you have some one of another species in your military."  The ambassador laughed.

I spoke before Celestia could . "Lets just say I'm a special case, and for saving your soldiers and getting rid of the facility, it just my job."

The ambassador let out a loud wholesome laugh. " 'Just my job' He says, oh Celestia you have got quite the exquisite Commander here. I respect him greatly; he doesn't care for praise, which is what all soldiers should be like if you ask me." He laughed again as he put some folders away.

Celestia did the same with  the folders that belonged to her. "Now, the three soldiers should be waiting for you, this meeting is done unless you need anything else."

The griffon got up and put some folders in a bag. "Nothing else, thank you again." With that, he left and so did we.

Celestia told us she had some work to take care of and took leave. I and Twilight walked to the entrance of the gardens where the others were waiting. "I'm going to have to tell her. This is the part of my job that I despise, having to tell others that loved ones or friends are dead. But, the thing is, I killed him to end his suffering." I walked forward towards the center and Twilight fallowed me.

We entered the center area where everyone was at. They noticed me and Scootaloo came running up. "Dunmore! Did you find my dad!?" She was way too happy to see me.

I crouched down and removed my cover. "Your father is...Um..." I was on the verge of tears. "He is......" I couldn't say it; I didn't want to say it.

"What? Where is he? What happened?......" It only took a few seconds for her to figure it out. "No.....No.....No you're lying...." She was breaking down into tears.

"Scootaloo....I'm sorry, but what happened there.....he wanted to be dead....He was changed. It wasn't him anymore....." The world came crashing down around her.

She fell to the ground in tears and I could see it, she felt alone. "I'm alone, my family is gone......"

I stood up and ran in some direction, just away from this. I ran far into the gardens till I got to a solid wall of the castle. "Damn it! Why dose it always have to happen like this!?" I threw a rage fueled punch at the wall. "Every fucking time! I try, I do, but....It's never enough....." I hit the wall a few more times in anger, leaving many cracks and small craters. I could hear someone behind me, I tuned to see you it was and it was Twilight. "What do you want?" I slumped up against the wall and slid down till I was sitting against it.

Twilight slowly walked towards me, cautiously, just in case. "Dunmore, are you okay?" Her voice was low and carried worry. "I mean, you had to tell her anyway, the truth was inevitable. I don't know how you feel right now, but, we need to get back to the others."

I ran my hands through my hair; it managed to grow a small bit while I have been here. "I don't know.......Why did it have to happen like this? If we where just faster.....Maybe, just maybe, we could have done something."

Twilight sat next to me. "Dunmore, he was there longer then you have been in this world. You couldn't have done anything; you saved him from that torture, being that...Thing."

I looked to Twilight. "Yes, but, maybe there was some way to turn him back.......Or just something else.....I have told too many people that they have lost someone. I....Don't know what to do; normally I would just go back into a mission and just forget about it."

Twilight got up and started to walk off but stopped and looked at me. "Come on, you can help her get settled with Rainbow, she's not alone because of us.  We might not be blood related, but we're like a family to her now. So come on, I bet Rainbow will let you be the crazy uncle or something."

I got up, walked to Twilight, and gave her a quick hug. "I think that helped a bit, thanks. Let's get going, we got someone who needs our help."

We both walked back to the others and I could see Scootaloo smiling and still crying. But not tears of death, but tears of life. A new life with a big family, we're her family now. Not by blood, but by bond.

Scootaloo was on Rainbow's back and held onto her neck as they flew around. When they saw me, they landed and walked up to me. "Hey Dunmore, are you okay?" Scootaloo's attitude went from sad to happy while I was gone.

"I am fine, but most importantly, are you okay? I mean, the experience of what has happened will have its long-term effects."  We all took a moment of silence and looked around, before bursting into laughter.

"Come on, let's get back to Ponyville. We got work to do; we got to get Scootaloo settled in Rainbow Dash's home, I got to make an ammo replacement for my guns using some sort of magic, and many other things." I pulled out some tags. "Here Scootaloo, these were you dads, I think he would want you to have them."

She took the tags and looked at them. "Thanks Dunmore, I will use these to remember him. Promise you'll stop the ponies that are doing this."

I gave her a confident smile. "I promise that I will stop them, in this life or the next. They will not escape my wrath." We left the gardens. "Come on the train should be here soon. Gather what ever you need to gather and meet me there."

-----A few moments later----

We all meet at the train station and got aboard the train to Ponyville.  It would be good to be home after what has happened. I wonder what the Doctors up to, probably on those crazy adventures he told me about.

The train ride was smooth and I shared old war stories, it doesn't matter if there classified, I'm no longer in that universe. I'm somewhere new, somewhere better.

On the train, I noticed a hooded-pony at the far end of the car. "Twilight, far end of train car, hooded pony, Unicorn, and has a hidden knife.  Don't directly look at him; just take note of his presence."

Twilight did what I said. "Why do you think he's here? Will he cause any trouble?"

I pulled out my pistol. "No, they may want us dead, but there not stupid like the others. This one has a faint tattoo on his neck, a snake around the moon. Must be the elite or something; keep an idea of his position. If he dose, then the guards hidden around the train will bring him down before I could get a shot off."  Three of the five train cars have at least 5 guards each.

"Rainbow, keep an eye on Scootaloo, I have no idea how many of these guys there are." Rainbow tightened her grip on Scootaloo, who was sleeping at the moment.

I notified the others and they each kept a look out. There was one guard on the train who was in his armor, just to make him seem like the only one on board. "You, keep an eye on that hooded-pony. He may do something, do not approach him, and just keep an eye on him. He his looking at us now so I'm going to ask you when the train will get to Ponyville." The guard nodded and got out a watch.

We ceased whispering. "The train will arrive soon sir, is that all?"

"Yes, thank you, you can go back to your duty." The guard walked off and the hooded-pony went back to staring out the window.

I sat back and whispered in Twilights ear. "This could get ugly at any moment, be ready with some defense magic" She nodded din agreement.

Rarity nudged my shoulder. "Dunmore, will he do anything? I hope he doesn't, because we don't need any civilians getting injured. Red is not in style at this moment anyway."

I gave a low laugh at Rarity's joke. "No, he won't, like I said. He is one of the smart ones, not some grunt." Rarity went back to talking to Applejack about something.

We all kept on guard and kept note of the hooded-pony. This train ride was getting tense, I am hoping blood will not have to be spilled on the train, but if it must, it will be done.

The train arrived at the station and I noticed the hooded-pony walk off into some alley-way. Going to have to keep my eyes out for anymore trouble, and make sure no one gets hurt.

We went to Rainbow Dash's house to help Scootaloo get settled in and get some things organized.   We worked till the sun went down, the room wasn't finished, but Rainbow was kind enough to let Scootaloo use her bed and she would sleep on the couch. We all left and went to our perspective homes for the night and we would finish the work tomorrow.

I am going to have to do a lot of research on this Lunar Republic, see how they work and I also need to create a magic replacer for thermal clips because I'm running really low on ammo. I would have to do this all tomorrow, a lot of work, but it will be damn worth it.

I stayed up a bit later to work on what was left of my armor, the chest piece was mostly there and some other part where here, but what mattered was the Kuwasshi visor. I would finish up what work I could do tomorrow, for now, I needed to get some rest.