Daneroka tik no Merunam: The Godkiller's Lament

Chapter 1: A Jar-ring Outburst and Eerily Easy Politics'

Rats ran through the trees and brush, guided by the moon's light, leaving the forest and soon arriving at the edge of the small town, all of them unnaturally silent as they spread throughout the buildings.

They all had grey fur, blood red eyes and tails coated in spiked quills, and showed eerie intelligence as they moved, heading their master's order. After reaching the town square, they dispersed once more, spreading out in a circle as they entered homes and shops, looking at everything, looking for information.

One, having found what appeared to be a gingerbread house, stopped to relay a message, confusion evident over the link to both its brethren and its master.

Dwelling architecture not recognized. It cocked its head and relayed its opinion. Data indicates three option's of function: Bakery, celebratory-supply shop, or witches house...Third option deemed irrelevant, due to location. Awaiting order's.

The message was relayed through its brethren, a few of which stopped and face the general direction the message came from with the rodent equivalent to a deadpan expression, and squeaks of disbelief, and soon reached the mind behind them all.

Standing on a branch high in an ancient oak, sat 'Reginald', eyes closed, hands held together as though in prayer and legs slightly bent, his transparent skin giving a nearly perfect view of the blur's that were his eyes.

Upon receiving the message, he smirked and whispered a small poem, unheard by anything save his own mind, and sent his reply.

Three Eighty-eight, I will assume control and search the area.

Initiating mental absorption... In the town, the rodent collapsed into a pile of dust-like particles, before reforming into a small creature resembling a cross between an ant and a weasel. Absorption complete, shutting down A.I protocol three.

Instantly, the new drone stood on its cylindrical legs and scurried to a window and filtered it's body through a small crack were the window was set in its frame, forming on the other side, and glancing around with curiosity at the rather colorful décor of the shop it now found itself in. Rubbing its front legs together, it moved fast, climbing over a glass display case filled with everything from caramel apples to fruitcake, and moving into what it assumed would be the kitchen, and found it to indeed be the source of the cakes and confections in the display case.

It moved to a set of cabinets, and opened them, finding nothing but pots and pans, and what looked to a-

An alligator? The creature stared at the unmoving reptile, which blinked its right eye before opening its mouth. The creature slowly closed the cabinets, and turned around. I was not expecting that, and I have no idea what a bakery need's a carnivorous reptile for...

It shook it's head and continued its search, finding nothing remotely worth further thought...though the alligator was nagging at 'Reginald's' actual mind, but the portion in the drone couldn't care less, in all honesty. It moved back into the shop, and noted a flight of stairs leading to the second floor, and made its way to the base.

With a short jump, it landed on the first step, causing the wooden surface to give a sharp creak. The drone, frozen as it listened for any movement, ran through a series of escape routes in its mind, and abruptly decided, in hindsight, that it wasn't worth being found to go exploring a bakery of all things.

In the forest, a certain E.T. smacked his face with enough force to send a cloud of dust flying out the back of his skull.

As it turned and crawled off the steps, a message was relayed by the drones as a whole, stating that the necessary information had, to a degree, collected and that the return protocol had been enacted. Nodding to itself, the 'Reginald' drone moved to the door, only to be cut off by a pink blur with a smaller blue blur at eye level appearing in front of it without a sound. The drone backpedaled, and managed to focus on the much larger entity, which turned out to be a pink pony with blue eyes, and an eerily large smile.

"Gotcha'."

The drone moved like lightning as it turned to run, only to get caught in a mason jar, which was promptly sealed with an airtight cap by the pink pony. Glancing at the jar, it moved to filter through the seal as it had done with the window, only to find that there was no gap.

What the?! It squirmed, throwing itself into the jar's glass wall's only to bounce off of them. How is a glass jar holding me?!

"Because it's a single stretched molecule, silly." The pink pony had a smile on her face, and stared at the dumbfounded drone. "I mean, why would I let you go, you seem like you need help but." She shrugged before speaking again. "I think Twilight should meet you!" Her smile faded as she looked thoughtful. "Or is it Princess Sparkle..."

She shrugged and then put the jar behind her back, causing the world to go black for a short time as the drones' connection to 'Reginald' wavered, then flair bright as the pony appeared in a circular room, made entirely out of oak wood, and filled from floor to ceiling with books, scrolls, and what looked like a birds nest, but filled with burning coals rather than some form of litter, and had a round wooden table with a bust of a unicorn, more horse like then the ones 'Reginald' had observed so far, sitting in the center on a raised area.

Well, fuck...

After waking a lavender, winged unicorn (whose name was apparently Twilight Sparkle or something), the pink one started babbling away as the mare went into overdrive.

First she'd ran up the stairs she'd came down in the first place, and dragged what looked like a kid-friendly Licher Hound-'Reginald' shuddered a little at the thought, as those demonic rodent's had proven time and time again that size does not matter in a fight-that complained until being promised  basket of gems, and was called 'Spike

After that, she'd proceeded to dictate no less than six rather long winded letter’s to the obviously disgruntled reptile. Said letters' were then burned to ash as Spike blew gout of emerald fire into the bundle of scrolls, and the ash in turn flew out of a nearby window before splitting into five streams. Twilight lifted the jar and held it in front of her, before her eyes suddenly went wide.

"Uhm, Pinkie, why are there no air holes?!"

"Because he doesn't breath."

"How do you know that?"

"I dunno...I just do!"

Ignoring the one called Pinkie, Twilight gulped a little and muttered 'I hope you're right about that' before setting the jar down gently, and pulling a book, titled 'Invertebrates of Equestria and the Surrounding nations' off the shelves and flipping through the entries at a fairly fast clip.

"Hey," The drone turned in the jar and looked at Pinkie, "what's your name, anyway?"

'Reginald' debated letting the drone die, but deemed it a waste of material. And a rather excellent conversationalist. He was about to alter the drone so it could speak, but was interrupted by someone knocking on the door, and a sudden burst of light.

After the light faded, he found two larger versions of Twilight, whom were noted in the information obtained by the other drones to be the immortal rulers' of the equine races, Princesses Celestia and Luna, barring a few notable exceptions, and four other ponies, coming colors such as orange and blue.

As for the other's, all female, he had no information on, and simply finished his edit of the drone and coughed loudly, attracting the attention of everyone in the room.

"Ms.? I believe you asked me a question a few moments ago, correct?"

While the others, royals included, jaws dropped, the pink mare bounced over and nodded, still smiling.

"Yep!" she picked up the jar and held it close to her face, "I asked what your name was, and then the Princesses teleported here, and then Rainbow, Applejack, Rarit-"

"Can you please let me answer the question then?"

"Sorry," She put the jar down and her constant grin turned a little sheepish, “go ahead."

"Thank you, and good night to you all," The drone faced the royal sisters, as the data collected had addressed them, and continued, "My name is 'Reginald' Thorn" The drone made air quotes with its front legs, "Former Captain of the Multi-Dimensional Universal Militia Star Ship, Golden Cumulus, and commanding officer of the unit native to it."

"You expect us to believe that something as small as you," The rainbow manned, blue coated mare, apparently a Pegasus judging from the wings, "is a soldier."

"Yes," The drone shuddered again, and pointed a leg at Spike, "After all, there are creature that look almost exactly like him, the same size as well, that can maul a creature nearly twelve times their size with only one of their kind, and suffer no injuries."

She blinked, and then looked at the reptile who shrugged.

"And we've never heard of those because...?"

"Their home world is three thousand years older than yours and their not native to this universe." The drone shrugged, mimicking Pinkies motions to a T. "They are called 'Licher Hound's'. Their closest relative on this planet would probably be a squirrel."

The Pegasus was about to speak again, but 'Reginald cut her off with the sharp crack of his head hitting the jar, causing her to rear back and up.

"Before you go on, I would like to make a request to the rulers standing less than a yard away from me, if I may?"

Celestia and Luna nodded at the drone, which stood up and gave a small bow in thanks.

"Thank you." It dropped back to the bottom of the jar. "And I’m well aware that you won't agree to the first request, at least not yet, but I digress."

"First, I'd like to be let out of the jar, since this isn't my entire body, and I don't particularly like it when pieces of me get separated for long periods of time."

"And you were right to assume that we would refuse," Celestia said, keeping an even tone, "But that may change depending on later events."

"Very well, on to number two." The drone turned it's grub like head, and addressed the group as a whole, "I would like to know your names, seeing as you know mine, and no" He face the blue Pegasus and glared at her as she shut her mouth with an audible click of teeth connecting, "that is my real name."

"Tis' a fair request," Luna motioned with a hoof to rest of the group, "And one that can easily be fulfilled."

Taking the cue, Pinkie shot forward and took a deep breath, then started on a small rant, none of which the drone, nor the rest of 'Reginald', could understand, and stopped with a grin on her face, and a hopeful smile.

"...I didn't understand a word you just said, Pinkie, but I did know your name already."

"What?!" She gasped then charged up to the jar and whispered, "Are you a mind reader?"

"No, I just heard you and Twilight." He faced the Sisters yet again, "And I know your name’s from a book."

"A book?" Twilight's ear's swiveled to face the drone, and her eyes gleamed, "What's the title? Do I have a copy? Do you know if I have a copy? Is-"

"It's on the third shelf up, three spines in, right behind you."

"Wait," she spun and pulled said book off the shelf, and winced as dust fell off the cover, "How did you read it?"

"The entire purpose of me sending part's of myself here tonight was to gather basic information about your kind so I could better blend in and observe." The drone collapsed into dust before reforming as a carbon copy of 'Reginald's' current form, minus the lantern and making Twilight drop the book as she realized what the 'dust' was, "I made the mistake of going into Pinkies home."

"Wait just ah darn minute," the orange pony, wearing a Stetson, stepped forward, "You mean there were more of yah here?!"

"Yes, though they were disguised as small mouse like creatures." He shrugged, his face remaining as void of emotion as when it was disguised. "The only reason this one looked different was because I too full control and moved it the same way as a puppeteer does his art; I pulled strings."

"So this is an important part of yah?"

"No, I could let it die at any point; I just don't like the feeling that comes with killing a part of my own mind, Ms...?"

"Mah name’s Applejack."

"Ms. Applejack, I have no ill will towards you and your kind, so the tension you're feeling is unnecessary."

"That has yet to be determined, unfortunately, we have reasons to suspect that you have harmed, or have aided those who have harmed me and my sister's subject." Celestia walked forward and  lowered her head, looking mini-'Reginald' in the eyes', a smile forming as 'Reginald' felt his nonexistent heart grow warm. "But you do not seem to be the type that would harm an innocent, even in war."

'Reginald' nodded, and held his hands out to his side's as he stood up, allowing a sad smile to grace his features.

"Unfortunately, I have made mistakes in war, so you are only partially right, Princess." He sighed and shook his head, the smile fading. "I have killed those that could be called innocent. But those incidents were often out of my control, or unavoidable, in the literal sense of the words."

Celestial nodded, a knowing look on her face, and returned to her previous position by Luna’s side. 'Reginald looked at her, and gave a bow, understanding just what had happened.

"You used magic, to tell if I was lying, didn't you?"

Neither Princess responded, though the other six glanced between them and 'Reginald' curiously.

"Yes, though I suppose that it would fair to say I was within my right as a ruler to do so."

"I never said you weren't." 'Reginald' shrugged again, and motioned to the others again. "I would like to learn the rest of your names, since it seems we can't stay on topic."

The White unicorn stepped up.

"I am Rarity." She looked 'Reginald over with an apprehensive expression. "I would like to ask, why are you wearing grey?" She tapped her chin as she noticed that his red skin was actually muscle underneath. "Though I must say, it does fit the...interesting look you have."

"Thank you, though this wasn't grey originally." He motioned to the coat's material, lifting a corner to show the uniform grey. "I don't remember clearly, but it was less bland shade of orange or brown...I think..."

"Would you allow me to make a new one?" She seemed lost in thought, "I mean, the design is rather interesting, though the design could use a little flair..."

"I will have to turn down your offer, as the coat is a part of me, regardless of my actual form. But thank you, regardless."

Next up was the blue Pegasus, who had a rather sour look on her face.

"And you, my chromatic mare, are the one Pinkie called 'Rainbow' earlier, I presume?"

"Yeah, that's me, Rainbow Dash" She did a overtly fast flip and landed with her wings closed and a smug look, and continued in a prideful tone, "the fastest flyer in Equestria, and don't you forget it!"

'Reginald' just stared at her for a bit before putting a hand over his face for a few seconds, and huffed.

"And why would I care about you gloating?"

Rainbow's face showed shock and a small hint of indignation, then she snorted and charged up to the jar, almost knocking it from the table.

"What?!"

"I said, 'Why should I care about you gloating?" He looked at her, slight irritation, more at having to explain than anything else, in his eyes. "What have you done with said speed and skill?" He held up a hand to stop her from answering immediately, and continued his own train of thought, the other's shocked at the sudden change in his demeanor to the point where they couldn't react, "From the way you seemed proud when you said that, I’d assume you are an athlete, correct?" She nodded. "Have you entered any competitions?" She nodded. "Have you done anything to teach or aid others, without being praised?" She nodded yes, to which 'Reginald' shook his head. "Outside of being an Element of Harmony, and not to protect the obviously fearful mare behind Twilight, as the book described you?" She opened her mouth to say yes, but stopped when she thought about it. "That is my point. Remember that there is always someone or something that can do better then you, even if they choose not to."

"But-"

"I understand why you said it." He shook his head. "It's the amount of pride and boastful tone that bothers me."

"And why's that?"

"Because it's people like you that put me where I am today, in a sense, and I would kill them for that if they weren't dead already, and had not been warriors or soldiers in any sense of the word's."

She winced and backed away, his tone having turned to disgust and anger as he'd spoke. 'Reginald' saw the looks on the Ponies faces and took a deep breath, calming himself.

Why am I acting with emotion? He shook his head mentally. I haven't listened to them and now I’m snapping at someone who obviously hasn't done anything but be proud of skill they actually have...Damn this worlds laws...

"Sorry, that kind of thing is a..." He sighed and held out his right hand and made a vague gesture, "...sore topic for me, regardless of the person. I ask that you don't take it to personally, I haven't had much contact with anything other than myself for a rather long time, so my some of my social skills may have...decayed."

"It's okay..." Rainbow said, regaining her composure. "but, what did you mean by 'people like me'?"

"...Skill and talent don't mean much were I’m from, not unless they could be applied to combat, and I was one of the few who had no real skill at harming others." He sat down and crossed his legs, ignoring the grinding sound of the greaves' scrapping against each other. "I had no interest in the petty disputes' my people constantly put themselves in, so I put the skill's I had to other uses'." He laughed, the sound cold and desolate, "I paid for that for most of my life, despite the fact that most of the weapons and tools they used were made by me and a small group of others."

"Oh..." Then something occurred to her. "Wait, you made weapons?"

"I was a toymaker, for the most part, but I was skilled with crafting and building pretty much anything that could be built, except for buildings and the like..." He shook his head again, remembering the one time he had tried to build a house. "I felt bad for the material, more than myself, even though I had to sleep under a bridge that night."

"So you weren't always a soldier?"

"No, I got dragged into a conflict much more...destructive then the wars my people had, and I more or less turned into the one thing I truly hate." He waved a hand, and sighed, "But that does lead me to the reason I am here for. If you want to speak to me, the actual me, bring this jar to a clearing, thirty yards into the forest from her," He pointed at the butter yellow mare still cowering behind Twilight, "home, I will meet you there tomorrow night, and explain myself, rather than talk about myself."

"What about-"

"This part of me can sleep for now; just don't open the jar until you get to the clearing."

At that, 'Reginald' let the drone collapse into a pile of dust, ignoring the response from his little audience, and left it like that, before head butting the tree he was in hard enough to shatter the trunk.

"What in Alturians' name is making this place so...easy to deal with?" He head butted the tree again. "They shouldn't have trusted me so easily, and that outburst...What is it with this universe...?"

Sighing, he leapt from the branch and hit the ground thirty feat down with enough force to crack the dry soil like ice and began walking to the clearing.

He had some renovating to do, and anything he made had to be done right.(1)