Chapters A Strange New World By
DarkHeart the MagicEater
Editing and Proofreading By
xZeroSoulx
My name is Sartir and I am a Kirin. I make my home atop of the Snowy Mountains, it is a beautiful place. Snow capped mountains surround a lush green valley with a beautiful, crystal clear, blue lake in the middle. As I stand vigil on the cliff that overlooks the valley I feel a great sense of pride and happiness knowing I am one of the few that guard this peaceful place from the threat we all face. The Hunters, a vicious lot that attack us for no reason; carving up our corpses to make their clothes and weapons. We do not know where they come from or why they hunt us. All we know is that if we don’t fight, we will all surely die.
It was mid day as I was standing atop the mountain I guarded. I slowly eat some grass I dug up from the snow as a frigid wind sweeps over the mountain top. The last few days have been quiet deathly so, and I have not seen any hunters since I killed one not but three weeks back. His body long since picked clean by those annoying Giaprey and buried by the never ending falling snow. The winds begin to die and I lift my head to feel the gentle breeze now blowing by. As I slowly take in a breath I smell them. Hunters, and they were coming my way fast. I readied myself for battle as three of them came into the area I’m in.
The first two drew their weapons and charge at me screaming. One was a lancer as far as I could tell from his weapon. He held a long spear and a shield in his hands as he rushed for me. Quickly I flicked my horn toward the sky and called down lightning from the clouds above and knocked the hunter to the side. As he fell another male jumped over him and tried to slash me with his twin blades. I jumped back just in time to avoid a lethal hit to my front leg. I flicked my horn toward the sky and called lightning down on me. The lightning ran throughout my body and acted as a shield and a weapon to hurt the hunters.
I lowered my horn and charged at the blade user. Right as I was about to hit him; he rolled out of the way. Seeing as I missed; I continued my charge running right for the lancer as I saw him drinking something. Right as I tackled him I was hit in the side with a shell that exploded as soon as it hit me. Sending both the hunter and myself flying a few yards away. I cried out in pain as I stood back up. Even with my lightning shield I still took most of the damage from the shell and explosion. I looked to my left shoulder and saw my scales were badly burnt and I was bleeding. She must have used a dragon fire shell. I turned to see a female gunner loading another shell into her gun.
I rose onto my hind legs and smashed my front hooves into the ground and sent a trail of lightning flying right at the gunner. When the trail was halfway to the gunner the lancer jumped in front of it with his shield raised. He took the hit and was pushed back a bit but quickly rolled to the side. Once he was out of the way the gunner fired at me again and I side stepped the shell only to be slashed in my right side by the blade user. The lightning shield threw him away once he hit me but his blades still cut me. The cuts were not terribly deep thanks to my scaly hide but they were long and was bleeding.
Outraged I showed a bit more of my draconic side and roared to the heavens. The Hunters fell to their knees and covered their ears at the sound of my voice. As they were getting to their feet I built up a lot of power in my horn; rising up and slamming my hooves into the ground again lightning began to randomly hit the ground all over. The lightning managed to hit the blade user and the gunner throwing them a few yards away. The lancer was charging at me again just barely missing the lightning. I built up power in my horn and called down several bolt of lightning around me to make a cage. The lancer tried to stop in time but fail. His weapons were thrown up a bit after he hit the lightning cage and I took this golden opportunity to charge him again knocking him to the ground. I rose up to stomp on him as he lay there and was shot in the gut by another exploding shell.
As I was thrown into the air by the explosion; I managed to land on my hooves and slide to a stop. What I did not see was the shock trap they put right in the path of where I would go. As soon as I landed on it the trap shot a odd colored lightning into me. The lightning stunned me and held me where I stood. I looked up to see the lancer and the blade user placing big barriles by me. I tried my hardest to free myself out of fear for I know what those barriles did. If hit they would explode and with four very large ones near me I knew I would be knocked out. Then the Hunters would finish me off at their leisure.
Try as I might I could not get free from the grip of the shock trap. I looked up to glare at the Hunters only to see the lancer and blade user running away. Once they were a safe distance away the gunner took aim and fired. Just then everything seemed to slow down around me as my life flashed before my eyes. In that small instance I let a smile creep onto my muzzle for I lived a good, long life. I just looked up into the now beautiful night sky and smiled as the moon shined its light down upon me and I waited for the end.
The shell hit one of the barriles and mode it explode. Said explosion cause the other three to detonate as well, creating one massive explosion. Once they exploded I was thrown from the trap and heading right for a ice wall that acted like a mirror. I knew I would surely die once hit it but the strangest thing happened. Instead of hitting a solid slab of ice; I went into it. Once I was inside it looked like a rainbow of colors swirled around me. At one end I could see a light and at the other end the explosion followed soon after.
I continued to move toward the light. As I did my whole body began to feel weird as if it were changing. Once I made it through the light I was thrown into a wall. Then the explosion followed soon after. I heard a scream and what sounded like a sheet of ice shattering. Then nothing, nothing at all. I looked around to see I was in some strange cave. All the walls were lined with something I did not recognize. The last thing I saw before I blacked out was a small purple and green baby dragon running over to me. He looked like he was shouting but I could not hear him.
Equestria earlier that same day.
Celestia’s beautiful sun was just starting to rise over the sleepy little town of Ponyville. The sun’s rays hit the bedroom window of one Twilight Sparkle. The rays crept through the little gap of the drawn curtains and landed on her closed eyes stirring her from her slumber. She tossed and turned trying to go back to sleep because she had been up late studying. Though try as she might she just couldn’t get back to sleep.
She slowly got out a bed and stretched out her tired body. Once she was truly awake she could smell the most wonderful food. She looked over to a basket the lay at the foot of her bed and saw that is was empty. She slowly made her way out of her room and down the stairs to the kitchen. Where she found her number one assistant hard at work making breakfast. “Good morning Spike! Breakfast smells delicious!” She made her way to the table and took a seat.
“Good morning Twi and thanks. It should be ready in just a few minutes.”
“So what are you making today Spike?”
“Eggs, hay bacon with french toast!”
“That sound wonderful Spike.” Soon after he finished making the hay bacon and walked over to the table. He sat down both the plates, took his seat and began eating. They sat there and ate their meal in silence. Once they were done they set the dishes in the sink and Spike started to wash them. Twilight walked back into the library and pulled the same book she was studying last night out so she could finish it.
Spike soon finished the dishes and joined Twilight in reading. He had just got his claws on the three newest Power Ponies comics and couldn’t wait to crack them open. After a several hours Spike finished his comics, put them away and stretched out. Right as he was about to say something there as a knock at the door.
Without so much as looking up Twilight asked, “Spike will you get the door please? I’m just about finished with this book.”
“Sure thing Twi!” He walked over and opened the door to see a delivery pony standing there. He was next to a big package. It was a foot of two taller than Big Mac and just as wide. The funny thing was that it was oval shaped with a big round base.
“Ah delivery for Princess Twilight Sparkle?” The pony questionably look down at Spike.
“Hey Twi there’s a delivery pony here with something for you and it’s big!”
She quickly put down the book and rushed over. “Oh, yay! It’s finally here!” She quickly signed for the package, gave the pony the bag of bits and pulled the package inside. She gave a quick “Thank you!” before shutting the door. The delivery pony stood there very confused for a minute before he counted the bits and look to the paperwork to see if it was the right amount. Satisfied that everything was in order he left down the road with his wagon, whistling a happy tune.
Twilight set the package down in the middle of the floor and quickly ripped the ripped off. There stood a big mirror with a beautiful oak stand and dark polish finish. “Oh, wow. It looks even better than I thought it would.” She looked over the mirror very carefully to see if it was damaged during transport. Luckily there was nothing wrong with it.
Spike was looking at himself in the mirror then turned to Twilight. “Hey Twi, why did you order a new mirror? Is there something wrong with the one we have in our room?”
She smiled down at him. “No Spike there is nothing wrong with the mirror in our room. this mirror is for an experiment I'm going to do today.”
“What kind of experiment? Is it going to be dangerous?” He looked at her questionably.
“Well I don’t know if it will be dangerous or not Spike, but I will be prepared if it is. The girls will be here with their Elements of Harmony. Plus Celestia and Luna are sending some Royal Guards over just in case things go bad.”
“Okay, it’s good to know at least you’re prepared but what is the experiment?”
“Do you remember the mirror that took us to that different dimension?”
“Of course I do. We had so much fun there and made new friends. You even helped Sunset Shimmer see the error of her ways and got her to make friends.”
“Well with all the studying I’ve been doing these past few days I’m going to try to make a mirror like that one but to a different dimension. That’s why I needs this mirror. From what I have learned the spell to make the mirror a dimensional portal can only be done on a full moon night. Like tonight will be but because I don’t have the slightest clue what dimension it will connect us too. I asked Celestia and Luna to send some guards and for the girls to be here too.”
“Wow Twilight you really thought is through, but are you sure you’re ready to do this?”
“Yes Spike I’m sure. Now would you like to go get the girls with me?” She looked out the window and saw the sun was going down. She then looked to the clock on the wall. “The guards should be here by the time we get back and if you like we can get a treat from Sugarcube Corner on our way back.”
Spike eyes went wide at the thought of a treat from Sugarcube Corner. “Really Twilight?”
“Of course we can Spike!” She just smiled at him as he hopped onto her back. She then walked out the door into the cool breeze running throughout Ponyville to go get her friends.
With Spike sitting between her wings Twilight quickly trotted down the streets of Ponyville to fetch her friends so she could begin her experiment. “Okay Spike first we will go get Rarity and Fluttershy. They should be finishing up with their spa day together any minute now.”
Spikes eyes went all dreamy at the mention of seeing his fair Rarity. “Well lets hurry then Twi we shouldn’t keep them waiting!”
“Okay Spike. Okay.” Twilight giggled a little as she picked up the pace. “After we get them then we’ll go to Sweet Apple Acres to get Applejack and Rainbow Dash.”
“Why is Dash at Sweet Apple Acres? I thought she would be at home in bed by now or on a random cloud napping.”
“Applejack asked her for a light show over the apple orchard tonight since it’s not going to rain for another week or so.”
“OH, okay. Hey look it’s Rarity and Fluttershy!” Spike was waving to them from Twilights back as they were coming out of the spa.
“Why hello darlings it’s so good to see you both.” Rarity had a beautiful smile on her muzzle.
Fluttershy looked really relaxed for once. “Hello Twilight! Hello Spike!”
“Hi girls! Are you both ready for tonight?”
“Of course Twilight. I may have been busy this week with all the orders I got but I would never let you down. I’m your friend and I’ll be there whenever you need me.”
“Tanks Rarity!”
“Oh...um...are you sure you're ready for this Twilight? I mean what if something goes wrong and you get hurt?”
“It’s going to be okay Fluttershy. I’ve been studying this for a few days now and I’m confident I can do this and get it right. And if something does go wrong I’ll have you girls there with me and some Royal Guards just in case.”
“Alright Twilight if you think you can do this then I believe you.”
“Thanks Fluttershy. Well lets get going we still got to get the rest of the girls.” It was a long but quick walk to Sweet Apple Acres. As they neared the Apple Family home they could see Rainbow setting up the last of the cloud for the light rain Applejack asked for.
“Howdy yall!” Applejack waved with a bright smile on her muzzle. “We’ll be ready ta go here in a minute. Dash is just bout finished with them clouds.” As if on cue the rain started to lightly fall over the orchard.
“Hey Twi, am all done and ready to go. AH, where is pinkie?”
“We haven’t got her yet. Twi said we could get something from Sugarcube Corner before we headed home so we saved Pinkie for last!” Spike was wide eyed and licking his lips.
Applejack just put a hoof over her stomach and smiled. “That sounds mighty fine right bout now. Want anything Rd my treat for helpin out with the farm.”
“Oh, ya! Thanks Aj!”
“Well if everypony is ready we better get moving.” Twilight looked over her shoulder to see the sun was almost gone now. “It’s almost time to make the portal.” And with that they were off. As they walked down they well use dirt road they talked about their day and any plans they had for the next few days.
Before they knew it they were in front of Sugarcube Corner. As soon as they walked in right there behind the counter was Pinkie Pie with a bright smile. “Hey everypony what are you doing here?”
Spike jumped off Twilights back and rushed the counter. “We came to get you and a treat.”
“Oh, you guys are so lucky. We were just about to close. So what can Pinkie get for you today?”
“I’ll have a sapphire cupcake please!” Spike was drooling at this point.
Twilight just shook her head. “I’ll have a strawberry muffin please Pinkie.”
Pinkie ducked behind the counter and pulled out the two snacks. “That will be 3 bits please.” Spike scarfed down him treat in one bite not bothering to remove the paper cup.
“Howdy Pinkie. I’d like two apple fritters and Dash wants one of them rainbow cupcakes.”
“Here you go and that will be 4 bits please.” Both Twilight and Applejack hoofed over the bits before digging into their treats. “Rarity, Fluttershy anything for you girls?”
“No thank you darling I’m quite all right.”
“Oh...um…I’ll have a small bag of peanut butter, caramel bonbons. If that ok?”
“Okie dokie lokie! That will be 2 bits please.”
Fluttershy hoofed over the bits then set her bag on her back as they all walked out the door. The walk to the library was past with idle chit chat. Once they were close enough to see it there just outside the door was two chariots with four bat pony guards. Just getting off the chariots were two earth pony and two unicorn guards. Once that were all at the library the guards saluted. “By order of Princesses Celestia and Luna at the request of Princess Twilight Sparkle we have arrived to aid you in your experiment. We are to remain at your side till such time you deem it safe enough, and we are no longer needed.” They continued to stay still and look ahead.
“At ease and thank you for coming. Please come in.” Twilight walked past the guards and opened the library. The girls walked in soon followed by the guards. Twilight lit up her horn and took the Elements out from under their glass cover and gave them to their respective barer. “Okay everypony the moon is at the optimal point to cast the spell. Be ready for anything.”
“Yes Princess!” all the guards took aggressive stances between Twilight and the mirror.
Rainbow Dash just smirked . “Don’t worry Twi, we got your back!”
Twilight shakingly took a step forward, lit her horn with magic and began her spell. Then Twilight began to think too much about what might happen and what could go wrong. Her magic die down and she was beginning to breath heavily. Then she looked down as she felt a clawed hand gently touch her leg. “Go ahead Twilight we are all here for you.” Spike smiled up at her.
She looked back and all her friends smiled at her and gave a small nod. With renewed confidence Twilight began once again. After her magic enveloped the mirror, moon light came in through the window and hit the mirror. The light danced and rippled across the surface of the mirror making it look like water. Wind began to pick up in the library and then there was a bright flash. Everypony covered their eyes and when they recovered looked to the mirror.
“Well that should have done it.” Twilight looked back to her friends. “The spell was simple enough but I still don’t know if it worked.”
“Maybe somepony should go touch it. You know see if it does what the other mirror did.” Rainbow Dash then looked down to Spike.
“Why are you looking at me?”
Dash just smiled. “Because out of everypony here you're the toughest Spike. I mean come on dude, your scales let you swim in lava.”
“Ya and your point is.” Spike just folded his arms.
Rarity leaned down and looked him in the eyes. “Come now Spike won’t you be a dear and see if Twilights spell worked for us, please?”
Spike huffed and looked to the mirror then the girls. All had pleading looks on their muzzles. “Okay I’ll do it.” Spike slowly walked over to the mirror and touched it. Just like when they saw the first mirror the glass rippled like water. “Well it worked. You definitely made a portal to some where Twi.” Spike now had his whole hand in the portal waving it around.
“Good so now we know it worked. We still need to be care full we have no idea where that portal made lead us.” Twilight was mentally going over the option she now had.
“So Twilight what are we going to do now. I mean we ain’t just gonna jump in there and hope for the best right.”
“No Applejack we aren’t. I made a tool I hope can go through the portal and let us look on the other side. That way we can see what it’s like over there and to make sure it is safe.” Twilight held some strange looking thing in her magic.
All of a sudden Spike jumped away from the portal. “Twilight i just heard something from the portal it sounded like an explosion.”
She turned to Spike a look of concern on her muzzle. “Are you sure about that Spike?’
“Yes Twilight. I’m telling you I heard a…..” Spike was cut short as something came flying out of the mirror really fast and was thrown against the opposite wall right over his head.
Everypony could hear something now. “Guards shield spell now!” Twilight and the two unicorns quickly threw up a shield spell. Just as they got it up a big explosion ripped out of the mirror. Fluttershy screamed as she jumped behind Dash. Spike through up his arms to cover his eyes as the explosion washed over him and he was thrown to the ground. The mirror then shattered, falling to the ground and splitting into many pieces.
Spike got to his feet and looked to what came out of the mirror in was a unicorn, all be it an odd looking one. Then he saw the wounds and a small pool of blood forming on the floor. “Twilight it’s bleeding we got to do something!” The unicorn looked to Spike as he ran to it but it’s head dropped to the floor before he got there. He began to look over the unicorn.
Twilight could not see and just for a minute she could not hear. She quickly used a spell to remove the dust and smoke thrown into the air by the explosion. She looked to see her and the unicorn guards shield spells held. She coughed as she looked to see it everypony was okay.
The she saw Spike next to the thing that came out of the mirror. Spike turned to look at her with a scared look in his eyes.“Twilight it’s hurt bad, real bad.”
Twilight and the girls rushed over to the unconscious form that lay in front of Spike, while the guards tried to make sure they were all ok. Twilight looked over the unicorn and could tell the explosion hit it hard. It was covered head to hoof in burns, had a bad gash on its left shoulder and one big gash running down its stomach. There was a lot of blood on the floor and it was barely breathing. Twilight gently put a hoof on Spike’s shoulder. “Spike it’s going to be okay. Now I need you to run to the bathroom and get all the wrappings we have.”
Spike quickly got to his feet and bolted up the stairs. Fluttershy was gently feeling the unicorns side with her hoof. “Twilight he has three broken ribs and his front shoulder is dislocated from where he hit the wall.”
“It’s a stallion! Are you sure about that sugarcube?”
“Oh yes. When I was looking at the wound on his stomach I saw……”
“Thank you Fluttershy at least we know something about this pony.”
“I don’t think he is a pony Twilight look.” Fluttershy rubbed off some of the blast burns to reveal white scales.
“Thats odd but does not matter now.” Twilight turned to the unicorn guards. “Do either of you know any healing magic to help with this?”
“No Princess, we are trained in battle and defensive arts.”
“I see. I’ll have to talk to Celestia about that.” She turned to the bat pony guards. “I need one of you to fly to the hospital and let them know we will be bringing him. Tell them what the wounds look like and what Fluttershy told us. The rest of you make a stretcher I got brooms and spare blankets in the closet over there.”
“Yes Princess.” With that one of the bat ponies took off out the door and the other got to work.
Spike came running down the stairs with all the rappings they had. “Sorry it took so long Twilight. I couldn't find them since you rearranged the bathroom.”
“That’s ok Spike.” Twilight took the wrappings in her magic and gave them to Fluttershy. “I need you to wrap the wounds Fluttershy it’s a long way to the hospital. I don’t want him losing any more blood or for the wounds to get worse as we move him.”
“Okay Twilight I’ll do it. I need his body lifted up a bit so I can get the rap under him.”
Twilight lit her horn with magic and tried to lift him but couldn’t. “What….what’s going on. I can’t lift him but the only thing that is resistant to magic is dragons.” Then something clicked in Twilight’s brain. “You two help me lift him and put enough power in it so we can move him. Just be gentle and don’t move him to high.” Twilight and the two guards worked together and got the stallion off the ground.
Fluttershy quickly set to work on getting him wrapped up. “Twilight he has two cuts on the right side of his body.”
“Thank you for telling me Fluttershy. Anything we find out will help the doctors save him.”
Just as Fluttershy finished the two earth pony guards came over with a makeshift stretcher hooked up to them. “We are ready to begin transport anytime Princess.”
“Good! Okay you two we need to move him to the stretcher now. Applejack, Rainbow as we lift him, I need you girls to get under him and help move him to the stretcher. He is heavy.”
“Sure thing Twi.”
“No problem.” After a few minutes of fighting they finally got him on the stretcher and then the group rushed out the door at full gallop to the hospital.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Inside the hospital the scene that was unfolding would have made Discord giddy, utter chaos. Doctors and nurses ran left and right trying to get everything ready. “Is the emergency room ready?” the head doctor shouted.
“Yes Doctor. Everything is ready. The I.V. is in place, we have a blood test standing by to find out his type. The diamond tipped needles are prepped if we need them. We have staff waiting by the door with the gurney to take the patient from the Princess on arrival.” Nurse Redheart was looking over a clipboard.
“Okay everypony listen up. We have an unknown patient in route. This is what we know, he was caught in an explosion. We do not know the full extent of the external or internal injuries. He has broken bones, lacerations on his left shoulder and stomach. Anymore information will be given to us by the Princess on arrival. I want two other doctors in the E.R. with me and two nurses. Once the blood test tells us his type I want two bags brought down right away.”
The head doctor and two others along with a nurse went into the E.R. Nurse Redheart walked over to the front door. Just then two Royal Guards burst through the door with the patient on a stretcher. Soon followed by Twilight and her friends. Then some more guards. “Get him on the gurney now!”
Two unicorn nurses rushed over and got ready to move him. “Wait!” Twilight was trying to catch her breath. “He is magic resistant you will need more ponies to move him.”
“You heard the Princess get moving!” more unicorns rushed over to move the patient. “Is there anything else you can tell use Princess?”
“He has two cuts on his right side. Other than that and what the guard told you when he got here we have not learned anything important.” Twilight was running next to Nurse Redheart and the gurney.
Once they got to the E.R. Nurse Redheart stopped in front of Twilight. “Princess thank you for everything you have done but now you need to let us to our job. Go back to the waiting room with the others.”
Twilight was pacing back and forth in the waiting room. Spike had fallen a sleep in one of the chairs. After about ten minutes a unicorn ran into the E.R. with two bags of what looked like blood. After thirty more minutes the girls all were about to head home and Fluttershy was taking Spike with her at the request of Twilight. Just as the girls were leaving they stopped and looked back at Twilight. “Don’t worry girls I’ll go home once I know he is fine and will let you know how things went first thing in the morning.” They all gave happy nods and went on their way.
After another forty minutes the light to the E.R. went off and the head doctor came out. Just behind him the strange stallion was being moved to a room. “Hello Princess. First off I want to thank you and your friends. Had it not been for your quick thinking the patient would have been lost. He is stable but not doing well. He lost a lot of blood and was badly damaged. He will be here for a few days. The bone brakes are not serious and will heal quickly. I have no clue when he will wake.”
“Thank you Doctor. I will be leaving these two here to keep an eye on him.” Twilight gestured to the earth pony guards and one bat pony guard. “We do not know where he came from or if he is hostile. They will help restrain him if need be since he is resistant to magic. Plus their armor has been enhanced to deal with magic. He looks like a unicorn so I wanted to be prepared. If you need to contact me give the message to the bat pony guard and he will relay it to me.”
“Thank you Princess! If anything changes you will be the first to know.”
“I’ll be taking my leave now. I have something I need to look into.” With that Twilight and the guards not posted to the hospital left for the library. When they got there a note had been put on the door from Fluttershy saying she put Spike to bed and went home. before opening the door Twilight turned to the guards. “You four may got back to Canterlot inform Celestia and Luna of all that happened here.”
“Yes Princess!” They saluted and got ready for departure.
The last bat pony guard looked to Twilight. “And what of me Princess?”
“You will be staying here. If I need to send something to the Hospital I’ll need you to do it. That and I don’t think you would want to try to take that chariot all the way to Canterlot on your own.”
“No I would not.”
“Good. Now there is a guest bedroom just across from mine and Spike’s go get some rest if I need you I will call.”
“Yes Princess.”
The guard went straight to the room as ordered and Twilight began to pull books from the wall and look over them. “Where is it? I know I had that book around here somewhere.” She looked at book after book but could not find the one she wanted. Exhausted and frustrated she went to bed leaving a big mess on the main floor.
The next morning she went and told the girls what the doctor had said. Then she and Spike looked through the books again but still could not find the one she wanted. “Spike send a letter to the Crystal Kingdom Library and ask them to send a copy of the book ‘Pony Half Breeds’ please.”
“Sure thing Twi but why do you need that book?” Spike wrote the letter and sent it away.
“I think I might know what our strange new stallion is but I wanted to be sure.” After a while the book popped out of Spikes fire. “I’m going to my room to study. Please let me know if anything comes from the hospital or the Princesses. Oh and will you clean this place up?” Twilight went to her room to read in peace. Spike sighed and began to clean the mess.
After flipping through the book Twilight found the passage she had been looking for. As she often did when going over something important she began to read aloud. “Kirn the offspring of a pony and a dragon. Most Kirin will look like a pony but will show dominate traits from the dragon. Examples would be scaly hide, fangs and dragon talons. Most Kirin have a horn to help them better control the dragon and pony magic within themselves. It is very rare to see a Kirin with wings or to see one without a horn.” Twilight rubbed her chin trying to recall what she could of the stallion.
“Well he does fit the description well enough.” Twilight turned the page and began to read again. “Kirin are very powerful creatures. Their magic is drawn mostly from the dragon side as draconic magic is more powerful than pony magic. If the pony parent of the Kirin was a unicorn then the Kirin will be able to use pony magic as well.”
“Does that mean if his mother or father was a unicorn he can do stuff like you Twilight?”
She looked up from the book only to be startled by the fact Spike had snuck right up to the side of the bed without her knowing. “Yes Spike it does. It also says here the the magic a Kirin can control will be almost equal to the magic its parents could control. On top of that if the dragon was a elemental type like water or earth the draconic magic in the Kirin will show that trait as well.”
“So you think he might be a Kirin? Is it just because he has scales?”
“Yes and no. When I was holding him in my magic I could feel the same kind of magic in him that I feel when I hold you.”
“Oh okay I guess that make sense.”
“Well lets see what else we can learn shall we. Would you like to stay and listen?” Spikes only answer was climbing onto the bed and sitting beside her. “Kirin are proud and conscious creatures. They will not easily trust anypony that is not family and will attack anything they see as a threat. If you show a Kirin respect and that you mean no harm they will not act with ill will. The most unique thing about Kirins is that they can sense when a family member is near by. Very little more is known about Kirins do to the hatred of being a halfbreed. Most Kirin don’t make it to adulthood do to illness, being kill by either ponies or dragons. It is very rare for the breeding parents to even conceive the foal to begin with so seeing one is very rare.”
“Is that it Twi?”
“Yes Spike it is and it’s very sad. Why would anypony want to kill something so beautiful just for being a halfbreed?”
“Would you like to write to the Princesses to see what they think?”
“Not just yet Spike I want to know more about him first. If I feel he is here to do harm I will talk to the Princesses and see what they think should be done. For now lets just wait and see if he recovers from everything that has happened.”
It was two day before Twilight got a message from the hospital. The bat pony guards that were stationed there showed up that morning and handed her a note from Nurse Redheart.
Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,
I am happy to inform you that the patient is doing well and his wounds are healing nicely. Today when the nurse went into his room to change his wrapping he was moving and mumbling about his father in his sleep. Also the wounds are healing faster than expected. Upon changing the wrappings the nurse found that his wounds were fully closed and that should not happen for a few more days.
Regards,
Nurse Redheart
The rest of that day and the one that followed were very uneventful for Twilight and the gang. All but for a big commotion caused by the Cutie Mark Crusaders while trying to get a potion making Cutie Mark.
On the fourth day Twilight was happily reading on the libraries balcony, humming to herself as she did so. Then all a sudden there as a bright flash and the sound of thunder. Twilight new from what Rainbow Dash had told her the thunderstorm was not to be for at least another three days. Even so there was yet another flash and the sound of thunder. She looked up from her book to see storm clouds forming over the area where the hospital was.
“What the hay is going on over there?” Twilight quickly took to the air and was heading for the hospital when the bat pony guard found her.
“Princess we need you now the stallion woke not too long ago. When the nurse tried to talk to him and get him to lay back down, he refused and tried to force his way out of the room. When the guards tried to restrain him a bolt of lightning ripped through the roof and separated them and he took an aggressive stance.” A much larger bolt of lightning ripped into the hospital. “They must still be fighting with him.”
“We need to hurry before something really bad happens! Lets get going!” Twilight and the guard quickly entered the hospital. The guard led her to where the stallions room was only to see one of the guards thrown out the door and hit the adjacent wall, cracking it. “Whats going on? Speak to me!” Twilight began to heal him with a spell she learned the day before.
“He is using some sort of lightning magic. Even with the enchanted armor we still feel the full effect of his spells. He…” the guard coughed very hard “He is strong and well trained in combat. Please be careful Princess.”
Twilight quickly stepped through the door to see the stallion in an aggressive stance while facing the remaining guard. The roof had been blown clean off and the room was wrecked. “Stand down and let me be I do not wish to hurt another creature! I only wish to leave this strange place!”
Twilight looked at the stallion in awe. His mane and tail stood on end as if sensing the guards hostility. His body was covered in lightning. It danced and sparked across his rippling muscles. He was well toned from years of fighting and stood an inch or two smaller than Big Mac. His gleaming red eyes looked to the guard in confusion but bore a slight hint of hostility. Carefully watching, never moving them from their target.
As Twilight walked into the room she calmed herself and cleared her throat. “Guard that is enough. We do not need to damage the hospital any further.”
“Princess please, it’s too dangerous in here you need to leave!” The guard never took his eyes off the stallion. The stallion ever so slightly looked to see who the guard was talking to and saw yet another strange pony. Taking notice of this the guard jumped at the stallion only to be stopped by Twilight’s magic.
“I said enough! Now you will leave this room and let me talk to this stallion in peace. Is that understood?” Twilight flared her wings in anger.
“Yes Princess!” Twilight set the guard down and he left the room. He and the other guards watched from the doorway ready to act if needed.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
It was odd to see the strange pony that was attacking me to suddenly stop in the air. Stranger still was that I could tell the one that stopped him was the one he called Princess. She had this odd power about her, coming from her horn. She was lean but not overly thin. What was very strange about her was that she had wings and was purple. Once she sat the pony on the ground he left and stood by the opening in the wall with two more. They watched me and I could feel their anger toward me. Yet all I could feel from this Princess was a calming aura.
I slowly stood up from my stance and looked at her very confused. “Are you going to attack me as well?”
“No I only wish to talk. Would that be all right?”
“Yes I sense no ill will from you but not here I wish to go outside this place.” I let my lightning shield fade from me.
“Very well, will you follow me please?” I gave my answer with a simple nod. She slowly turned and walked out the door and the ponies that stood there slowly back up. I followed her through the strange place and saw many more of these odd ponies. We came to an area where I could see outside but it looked like something was in the way. The purple pony put her hoof to the obstruction and moved it aside. As she did I felt a nice warm breeze wash over me and I followed her out. My storm clouds were gone now.
It was not like anyplace I had ever seen. There were dozens of the strange colorful ponies going about their day. Tall and odd structures were all over the place. I felt the breeze wash over me again and smelled the air. It was calm and peaceful but did not smell like home. “Where am I? This is not the valley of the mountains I call home. Nore is this the forest hills or the jungle I have been to.”
“This is Ponyville a small town in the Kingdom of Equestria. I am Princess Twilight Sparkle and I am sorry to inform you this is not your world. I made a portal to your world hoping to find and see new places. Once I made the partal you came through it followed by an explosion. The portal was destroyed and I cannot make another one for three years. Once I get the chance I can but there is no guarantee that it will be to your world. I am truly sorry.”
Twilight looked truly saddened by what she did to me but I could not be mad at her for it. “Thank you.” I looked to her and smiled.
She looked up shocked by what I said. “What…why would you thank me I took you from your home and now you can’t go back.”
“Yes that is true and it saddens me greatly that I can’t go home. That I will never see my father again but if not for your actions I would surely be dead right now. So again I thank you Twilight Sparkle, you saved my life.”
She had a look that was torn between being happy and stunned by my words. I could not help but laugh. “What is your name might I ask?”
“I am called Sartir. That was the name I was given by my father.”
“I am sorry for saying but that sounds a bit odd.”
I just smile at her. “That is quite alright Twilight sounds like an odd name to me as well.” We both shared a laugh but was cut short as my stomach rumbled. “I am sorry but I am rather hungry.”
“That’s all right. Would you like to join me for lunch I’m sure Spike has made something by now.”
“I see no harm in that but I may not be able to eat your food for some time. I will give it a try nun the less.” She slowly started to walk down the well used path and I followed. As we walked I noticed I was getting rather odd looks from the ponies we passed by. Behind us the ones that attacked me followed, watching me. I was cautious of them but gave them no reason to act. Even though I knew I was being followed by the guards but I could not shake the feeling that something else had it’s eyes on me.
We soon came to the foot of a huge tree. “Why are we at a tree and what is wrong with it?”
Twilight just giggled at me. “This is where I live the inside of the tree was made into a library.”
“What is a library?”
“It is a place where ponies can get books to read and learn from.”
“I see it is a place of knowledge. Though I have not heard of a book before.”
“A book is a collection of writings that tell you a story or about something.” She pushed open part of the tree and went in.
I followed and soon found myself in the room I saw when I first got here. The colorful things that line the walls must be these books. Twilight walked through another opening in the tree but I stayed to look around some more. As I looked around I heard Twilight talking to somepony this voice however sounded a bit more familiar.
Twilight walked back out and looked to me. “Would you please come in here? This is where we eat and I would like you to meet Spike.”
I followed her into a very odd room. There were all manner of things here I had never seen before. Frankly it was a bit unnerving but there next to Twilight stood a young purple and green dragonling. It warmed my heart to see one of my own kin but I knew this could not be this area’s guardian. The little dragon smiled and waved to me. “Hi my name is Spike. It’s nice to meet you.”
I walked over and smiled brightly at him as I rubbed his head. “It is nice to meet you too little brother. I am Sartir but where is the valley guardian? I would very much like to meet your mother or father.”
They both looked at me with confused and concerned looks. Spike poked me in the leg. “Why did you call me little brother and why would you think there was another dragon here?”
“Oh I am sorry! I forgot I was not home there for a minute. You see where I am from all dragons and dragon half breeds consider each other family. As for the other thing...a dragonling such as yourself would never be allowed away from either your mother’s or father’s territory till you could fend for yourself and had a territory of your own. Where I am from dragons are the strongest and we guard the others from the threat that plagues our lands. Those with a territory they guard are called guardians.”
“Oh well I don’t know who my parents are. Twilight hatched me and has cared for me since then. Also dragons here aren’t like where you’re from. Most are greedy monsters that only care for themselves.”
“I...I see that is grave news indeed and I am sorry for bringing up your past.”
“Don’t be. I love it here with Twilight and the gang and wouldn’t have it any other way. Now lets eat I am starving.” Twilight and Spike sat down on some odd looking pieces of wood. Which were placed around another. On the bigger one there were three things with leaves in it and some other things I did not recognize.
I tried to sit as they were but could not so I took the thing holding the food and moved it to the floor. They looked at me as I did so. Soon I put my muzzle into the thing and began to eat the food they gave me. It was just like some of the things I ate at home just put together. There were sweet tomatoes, carrots, green onions and lettuce. I smiled as I chewed my food and they still just watched me. “This is very good. I have had these before but never together like this. Thank you for the food and I am sorry but I cannot sit like you are.”
Twilight and Spike giggled at me. “It’s called a salad. It’s ok it will take you some time to do some of the things we do. Just be yourself and what is most comfortable for you.”
“Ya salads are good but I like mine with a ruby on top.”
“Ruby what’s that and how come you aren’t eating any meat? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“A ruby is a type of gem. Dragons here in Equestria collect and eat them. Also dragons can eat plants or meat but since I live with ponies I chose to eat only plants.”
“I see that is a little odd but this is a different world so I shouldn’t be too surprised about it.” We continued to eat our meal in relative silence. Once we were done I watch as they cleaned the things we ate off of. Once they were done they turned and looked to me.
“So Sartir I got to go let my friends know you are okay and out of the hospital. Would you like to come and meet them?”
“That would be nice. I don’t much like being in these odd dwellings and some more fresh air would do me some good. Plus I could look around and get to know the area while we are at it.”
“Okay if you would please follow me? Spike are you coming?” Spike quickly ran over and climbed on to Twilights back. Then Twilight went out the opening in the room from before and I followed her out. Followed closely by those others that attacked me.
I walked out of the library with Twilight and Spike begin closely followed by her guards. As we walked down the road I saw a lush green field with a small stream and a bridge going over it. I saw plenty ponies and foals playing together and having fun. I looked up into the sky and could see pegasi I believe was what Twilight called them working to set coulds about here and there. That was one thing I felt I would never get used to, ponies controlling the weather. Twilight told me the strange dwellings were called buildings and we followed them to one where her friend lived.
When we got there I saw the door had been smashed open. I quickly stepped in front of Twilight to make her stop. The guards did not like this and moved to flank me. “Hold I mean her no harm. I stopped her because something is wrong, look!” I point to the door and a shrill scream comes from inside. I rush into the building closely followed by the guards then Twilight and Spike to see a dog beast standing over her friend Rarity. It was big, gray and was holding a large bag on its back.
Rarity was holding a heart shaped stone in her hooves as the dog tried to take it. “Pretty pony will give me the gem now!”
“I already gave you all my other gems let this one be!”
“No! That one is rare and you will give it now!”
“Not on your life you ruffian! This is a very precious gift and I will not let you have it!”
“Give it to me now pony or I will hurt you!”
“Never!” The dog raised his paw and swung at her with his claws. I acted on pure instinct rushing to save her as I have done with some many others. I took my horn and rammed it into the dogs legs causing it to yell out in pain. I was just a little too late how ever because as he swung at me blood spattered onto the floor when he missed. I looked to Rarity to see she was not breathing and had deep claw marks on her chest.
The hair on my body stood as my rage grew knowing I was not fast enough to save her. I took my fangs and dug them deep into the dogs other leg and threw him out the nearest window. I spat out the chunk of his leg I took as I threw him. Twilight rushed over to and began using magic on her. “Rarity! Is she going to be ok Twilight!” Spike looked like he was going to break down.
“Quiet Spike I need to focus!”
The guards stood between Twilight and the rest of the house. “There could be other Diamond Dogs Princess please be careful.”
I leaped out the shattered window to see the Diamond Dog trying his hardest to get away with the bag. He would not get far with those damaged legs but I wanted him to suffer. I jumped as high as I could and came down on his back with a bone crushing crunch. He dropped the bag and howled in pain. Other ponies begin to gather to see what is going on.
Even in so much pain it still tried to drag himself away. “You think after killing an innocent I would let you flee. You coward! You attacked a mare in greed and rage for gems. Slaying her and you don’t show a bit of remorse. All you do is try to cling to your wretched life. Well here let me end your suffering.” My eyes begin to glow as the dog looked to me in sheer terror. The clouds the pegasi put into the sky turn dark and begin to gather above me as my anger grows even more.
“Die!” I tried to smash his skull but he rolled out of the way. “Be still you cur!” As I call out five pillars of lightning strike the dog in all four of his legs and pin him as the fifth tor into his back.
The Diamond Dog cried out and coughed up blood. “I did not mean to kill the pretty pony! Please I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!”
A dark and evil laugh escaped my muzzle. “Begging for your life will not save you. An innocent has been slain and blood must be met with blood.” The storm grows wider and darker. The winds begin to howl and blow.
“No stop this Sartir! Rarity is fine she will live!”
“I saw her Twilight she was not breathing. How can she be alive?”
“Because I saved her with my magic. She was hurt but not dead. Now please stop this.”
I look to her over my shoulder as the dog howls in pain. “Why should I? Filth like him should not be allowed to live, to act again! He should be made an example of so other know not to make the same mistake!”
“He should stand trial for his crimes and be judged by others to seal his fate that is what we do here. We do not kill for no reason. Rarity lives so let him or do you wish to be seen as the bad guy here?” Twilight motions to all the ponies standing before us. As I look at them I see fear in their eyes. The ponies who waved and smiled to me now cower at my gaze!
“Fine I will not finish this dog myself…” I turn and slowly begin to walk toward the field we past relier “but if he is not looked after he will die of his wounds. I can be happy knowing this filth will never walk again!” I continued to walk away, the storm still growing as I do.
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Twilight was now standing over the Diamond Dog and saw what Sartir said was true. All the wounds were bad and bleeding but none as worse as the hole through the dogs lower spine. One of the guards came out to Twilights side. “princess what would you have us do?”
“Get Rarity to the Hospital she needs a doctor my magic will only help keep her alive for so long. Im going to teleport there with him he needs immediate medical attention if he is to live to stand trial.” In a bright flash of light Twilight was gone and the guards quickly got Rarity to the hospital. After some surgery Rarity was fine but would be in the hospital for a while. She had three broken ribs. One of which pierced and collapsed her lung. Along with the claw marks the Diamond Dog left her. The Diamond Dog die after six hours of intense surgery.
Twilight was just finishing talking to the Doctor and was about to go tell her friends what happened when they all burst through the hospital doors. “What’s going on Sugarcude? Rainbow saw some guards carrying Rarity into the hospital!”
“Ya whats up Twi!”
“Calm down Rainbow everything is going to be ok. Thanks to Sartir and me Rarity got here in time and the Doctors saved her. She will be here for a while but she’s all right.”
“But what happened to her?” Rainbow was really starting to get pissed off.
“She was attacked by a Diamond Dog.”
“Oh my…..can we go see her?” Fluttershy was very worried and almost to the point of tears.
“Yes she’s in room one fourteen, but you need to be quiet she’s sleeping and really needs her rest.”
Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie walked to Rarity’s room but Rainbow stayed with Twilight. “Where is he Twilight! Oh just wait till I get my hooves on him. Princess Celestia better lock him up for forever for this.”
“That won’t be happening Rainbow.”
“What! Why not?”
“He’s dead Sartir killed him.”
“Wow! I know the dog hurt Rarity but did he really need to die. I got to ask though who is this Sartir guy?”
“You know the unicorn that came through the portal. Well he got out of the hospital earlier today. I wanted to let you all know he was ok and asked if he wanted to meet you all. He saw Rarity’s house was broken into and rushed in. If not for him I don’t think Rarity would be alive right now. Sartir was going to kill the Diamond Dog but I talked him out of it. The diamond Dog died here from the wounds he was given.”
Just then another pegasus burst through the Hospital doors. “Rainbow Dash thank goodness i found you we need your help now!”
“Hold on now Cloudchaser. Slow down and tell me what’s going on.”
“Something really strange is going on with those storm clouds! No matter how fast we buck them they just keep growing back and getting bigger! It’s getting bad out there! It’s Starting to rain and the winds are picking up! Plus we have to be careful because of all the lightning!”
“It’s Sartir he can make storm clouds so he can use some kind of lightning magic. The storm started when we was going after the Diamond Dog.”
“Well then we need to find him! That storm is only getting worse!”
“We will find him Cloudchaser. I believe I saw him heading to the park, we should start there.” They walked out the doors and took to the sky. It didn’t take long for the three fliers to find Sartir. He was sitting out on the bridge that covered the small stream seeming to be deep in thought.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
As I sat on the bridge I thought of all I could have done to make sure she did not get hurt and there was nothing we were just too late. The more I thought about it the angrier I became and the angrier I became the more fierce the storm got. I knew it would not work but I stuck to my old habits. I lifted my head toward the sky feeling the rain and wind wash over me and listen for my father. It was in storms like these I could hear him speak to me, guiding me and giving me wisdom. All I heard was the storm raging around me and for the first time since I woke in this strange land I truly felt alone.
It was the beating of wings and hearing my name being called that tore me from my thoughts. I looked around to see Twilight and two pegasi coming toward me. They quickly landed in front of me Twilight looking very concerned. “Sartir are you alright!” she had to yell to be heard over the raging winds.
“No I am angry at myself for not being able to keep your friend safe! I am sorry!”
“Is that why the storm is like this?”
“Yes!”
“Then could you please calm down this storm is getting really bad!” I looked to see a pale purple pegasus with a two toned white and light blue mane and tail walking up next to Twilight.
“Why should I? I failed and a inocent was hurt because I was not fast enough? Why should I not be angry?”
“Because if not for you she would not even be alive right now! Can’t you be happy with that facts that she still lives even though she got beat up a little!” Hovering just above us was a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail.
What they said made sense. Because I acted when I did Rarity was alive and now because of my anger the storm was getting to the point where it could really hurt somepony. I gathered all my anger and pulled all the lightning I could to me. Twilight and her friends jumped back and looked to me in awe as the lightning struck me. Then I let loose a massive bolt back into the sky blowing a huge hole into the storm clouds and with that bolt I let my rage go to. Just as my father showed me when I would get angry as a colt. The storm died down almost instantly.
“Wow! That was so awesome! How could you control that storm?”
“I would like to know as well. I’ve seen a lot of magic but never any like this.”
“I do not know what magic is but I can control storms because of who my father is. He is an ancient storm dragon called the White Fatalis and the only dragon to control the red lightning. I am but one of many children he raised and past his gifts onto.”
“Wow Sartir that is amazing if you would could you tell me more about your world and the creatures that live there?”
“Some other time Twilight I wish to be alone for now. I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble. I will try to not let it happen again.”
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Twilight, Rainbow and Cloudchaser watched as Sartir walked away. “Hey captain he was hot don’t you think?”
“What…. Cloudchaser you do you got the hots for a stallion you just met?”
“Wha…..No! I was just saying he looks good!” Cloudchaser looked away as a deep blush spread across her muzzle.
“Ya right you totally got the hots for Sartir!”
“I….but….Ah!” Cloudchaser flew off as Rainbow gave chase leaving Twilight to think.
“I believe it’s time for me to tell the Princess of this incident.” With that Twilight trotted home and wrote the Princess a letter but could not send it do to Spike being asleep and it was getting late. Twilight walked out to go find Sartir and found him asleep next to the Library. Knowing he was used to this because he said they did not have houses where he is from decided to leave him be.
Twilight woke the next morning to a very delicious smell. Trotting down the stairs and into the kitchen she found Spike finishing the last of the blueberry pancakes he was making and setting them on the table. “Good morning Spike! Breakfast smells wonderful as always!” she pronounced in a chipper tone as she took a seat and started to eat her stack of pancakes. Twilight looked around the kitchen as she stuffed her mouth full and did not see Sartir any where. “Spike where is Sartir?”
“He’s outside looking for something to eat. I invited him in this morning and asked him to try a pancake. He didn’t much care for them.” he stated between mouthfulls of food. “He said he was sorry and did not mean me any offence. Then left while mumbling about finding the wild onions he smelled yesterday.”
Soon they were done eating and washed the dishes. Twilight then pulled out the scroll he had written the night before and Spike sent it on its way. “Okay Spike we should go find Sartir make sure he’s not getting into any trouble.”
Just as Twilight opened the door Spike coughed up a scroll from the Princesses and began to read it allowed.
Dear Twilight,
I am sorry to hear that there has been another Diamond Dog attack. It is sad that the Dog died and at the hoofs of our new visitor Sartir. Relations with the Diamond Dog clans are strenuous as is. I will send a letter to the Council of Seven and see if this was one of their Dogs. Though I feel he was from the rogue pack the Council warned us of. If this is the case they will take action on Sartir but from what you told me, he will be able to fend for himself. I would like you to look after him until we can find a way to send him home and for you to teach him of our ways. I would also like for you to find him something to do around town. I doubt somepony like Sartir will feel comfortable living with you once he learns we get everything we need with money. I ask this not only to help you but to help him. Sartir is a trained and proven warrior from what the guards that you sent back last night have told me. Somepony such as this will grow restless soon if not doing something physical.
Your friend and fellow Princess,
Celestia
Twilight took the letter and looked it over again. “Well the Princess does have a point. What do you think Sartir could do in town Spike?”
“Well we don’t have any guards here or police since Ponyville is a pretty quiet town but we have been getting attacked by those rogue Diamond Dogs a lot more lately. I think having him be the town guardian would be good but we would need Mayor Mare’s and the town Council's permission to give him that job. Oh, we could take him to Sweet Apple Acres. Aj and Big Mac could use the help and with how strong Sartir is I bet he would be great at apple bucking.”
“That is a great idea Spike! Once we find him we should take him over there and I’ll talk to the Mayor and Town Council about making him the town Guardian.”
“Ya thats good and all but first we got to find him.”
Twilight thought for a moment and then trotted out the door. She looked over to Spike with a smile. “I think I know where he is, coming Spike?” Spike quickly ran over and climbed on to Twilights back. It was a short walk to the bridge in the park in the cool summers breeze. There laying on the grass next to the water was Sartir chewing away at a wild onion. His muzzle was facing the wind as he ate. Letting the breeze blow back his mane as he basked in the warm sunlight.
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As I sat on the ground eating I could here somepony walking toward me. Once they were close enough I could smell old books and my kin. “Hello Twilight, Spike. How are you?”
“Ah….but….how did you know we were the ones walking up to you?”
I looked up to see Twilight had a funny yet confused face. “You Twilight are the only pony that smells of old book and Spike smells like a dragon. Plus I saw you coming.” I smile to her as she blushes. “So what do I owe the pleasure. You must have something important to tell me judging by the look on your face you had on the way over here.”
“Um, yes. You see the Princess asked that I look after you till we can help you get home and to teach you of our world. I also would like to try to teach you some spells to see if you can use pony magic.” She slowly sat down beside me as I pick another onion. “The first thing I would like to teach you is that we get the things we need with money.” She then pulled out some strange looking rock. “This is a bit we earn these by doing a job. I run the Library. Spike helps me and well everypony he can.”
“I see. Well I will need to find a job as it were. I would not feel right living with you and not doing something to help out. Though there is not much I can do.”
“We already thought of that.” Spike smiled proudly.
“How so?”
“Well I thought we could make you the town Guardian, but to do so we need the Mayors and the Town Council's permission to do so.” She look a bit sadden by this. “I will talk to them to see if it can be done though.”
“So I said we should take you to Sweet Apple Acres. You haven’t met Aj and her family and they could always use some help. Plus it’s real physical stuff too so you will get to stay in shape.” Spike was just staring at me.
“Well I do like the sound of that.” I stand and look down to them. “So shall we be going then. If I am to work with these ponies I would like to meet them soon.”
Twilight waited till Spike was on her back before she stood. “Sure and I can tell you more about how we do things on the way.”
We soon found ourselves outside a white fence and all though it did not take long to get to Sweet Apple Acres, it felt like forever. Twilight explained to me as fast as she could how her world works. Most of it was easy to understand, like how you work to earn bits and you use them to get what you need. All though I fail to see why such hard workers have to give up more of their hard earned bits for these taxes than those that make way too much. It seems that the more bits you have the more power you have. Though nopony has more power than the Princesses regardless of how many bits they hold.
As I followed Twilight and Spike I began to hear the sound of something hitting wood. We soon came to a group of trees where three ponies were hard at work. The two oldest were bucking the tree and knocking all the fruit down from their branches. The fruit landed in buckets the youngest was placing under them. If this was the kind of work I would be doing then I was going to like it.
The three stopped their work and looked to us. “Howdy ya’ll!”
“Hi Applejack!” Twilight and Spike said in unison as Spikie got off Twilights back.
“What are ya’ll doing here this time of day and a who might you be partner?”
“I am Sartir. It is a pleasure to meet you all.” I bow to show them honor. “As to why we are here, I need to earn bits to help out Twilight. I would not feel right living with her knowing I’m not helping to get what we need. Spike said you could use some help here on your farm and thought we should come see if I could work for you. Plus just from watching you three I can see I’m really going to like working here if you allow me to.”
“Well you seem like a nice enough fellow and you did save Rarity’s life. What do ya think Big Mac?”
“Well we could use some help though we won’t be able to pay him much with all the things we need to fix or replace around here. Plus he said he liked the work we do and he looks fit enough to do it fer a unicorn.”
I just let out a laugh at the two.
“What’s so funny?” Applejack looked a bit miffed with me.
“I’m sorry I don’t mean to be rude but I’m not a unicorn.”
“But ya got a horn like one.” I looked down to see the youngest giving me a very confused look.
“Yes I do but that is to help me control my power you see little one I am a Kirin.”
“Yer a what now?” Now it was Applejack’s and Big Mac’s turn to be confused.
“A Kirin is the offspring of a pony and dragon.” Twilight said proudly.
Applejack and Big Mac looked a bit concerned while the little one looked excited. “That’s so cool!” She shrilled. It was so loud I had to cover my ears. “Wait till the girls and the kids at school hear I met a kirin. They are going to be so jealous. Oh, can I go now sis I got to get to school?”
“Sure thing Applebloom. Ya’ll go have fun now and don’t get inta too much trouble.”
“Okay! See ya’ll later!” She was gone before she even finished her sentence.
“So what is yer power any how? No offence but we don’t need ya spouting out flames around here.” Big Mac looked a bit too serious for my liking.
“That quite all right. I don’t breath fire. I summon storms and control the lightning within them.”
“Well now, that’s a might scary thing ya can do there partner. Well as long as ya do what we ask and don’t mind the small pay, I don’t see why ya can’t work here on the farm.” Applejack help up a hoof and I shook it with glee.
“As long as the pay is enough to help Twilight out I’m ok with it.” I smile to the mare while her brother looks at me questionably.
“I got a question fer ya. Besides controlin lightnin what else did ya get from your dragon side of the family?”
“I got thick scales to protect me and I’m a lot stronger than your average pony. Why do you ask?”
“How strong are we talkin about?”
“I could break your trees if I wanted to but you don’t have to worry, I can control me strength.”
“That’s good to hear. We don’t need to be losing any of our trees.”
“So what do you need me to do?”
“Well besides a few small things here on the farm that Big Mac has to do taday and taking the cart to market we are done for the day. If ya come here tomorrow a bit after sunrise ya can start work then.”
“Okay then I guess I’ll go look around town then.” I give another bow. “Thank you for this chance and I’ll see you later.”
“Bye Applejack Big Mac see you around.” Twilight and Spike waved as we walked toward town.
“Ya’ll take care now ya hear!” Applejack yelled as she and Big Mac waved.
Twilight explained some more about her world to me and again the walk to the edge of town felt like it took forever. Once we got there she said she needed to go to a meeting and left me with Spike. “So Spike would you like to walk around town with me?”
“No thanks, I’m going to go see Rarity again.”
“Okay be careful.”I smile to the little guy and I fell for the little guy I really do. He must really love her for him to stay with her all night and now go back to see her. I look up to the sky wondering what my father and few sibling I’ve met are doing right now. Shaking my head of those sad thoughts I begin to walk into town.
As I walk through town I looked around as the other ponies went about their day. Some are selling food and other goods in the market. While others are tending to their gardens. The pegasi seem busy putting a few clouds here and there. As I walked I smiled and noded at those that waved to me. I soon found myself outside a small red building where a lot of colts and fillies have gathered. I guess this is the school Applebloom spoke of.
As I started to walk away from the school I stopped at the sound of somepony calling my name. I turned around to find Applebloom, two more fillies and an old mare walking toward me. “Hi Sartir. What are ya doing way over here fer?”
“I was just walking around town and found myself here. Is this the school you spoke of?”
“Ya it is. Oh, hey I want you to meet my two best friends. This here is Scootaloo,” She pointed a hoof toward the orange pegasus with the purple mane and tail. “and this here is Sweetie Belle .” She was now pointing at a white unicorn with a two tone pink and purple mane and tail.
I gave a polite bow “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Are you the one that helped save my sister?”
“Yes I am.”
The filly ran up and hugged my fore leg. “Thank you so much. You saved Rarity’s life, thank you!”
“Think nothing of it little one, it is what I use to do.” I am saddened by the fact that I am no longer a guardian.
“Um excuse me but are you ok?”
I looked up to see the mare that was with the little ones had a look of concern on her muzzle. “Ah, yes I am fine. Just a bit homesick is all.”
“I see that does tend to happen when you live your whole life somewhere and then move all of a sudden. Oh, I’m Miss Cheerilee. I’m the schoolteacher here.”
“Nice to meet you I am Sartir.”
“We know. Appleblooms been talking about you since she came to school. She told us you are a…. kirin is that right?”
“Yes I am a Lightning Kirin to be exact.”
All of a sudden there was a loud ringing from the school. “Well it was nice to meet you but it’s time for class now.”
“Good bye!” I watched as all the colts and fillies went into the building before walking off.
As I continued to walk through town I came up to the City Building where Twilight said the Mayor and Town Council would be. Just as I walked by I heard Twilight calling to me. I looked up to see her hanging out a window on the second floor.
“Sartir I’m glad you were walking by I was just about to go looking for you. Would you please come to the meeting room here on the second floor?”
“I’m on my way Twilight.” I walked inside and up to the second floor where there was only one door. As I approach I could hear a few ponies inside speaking to eachother.
As I walked in Twilight looked to me and smiled. “Everypony this is Sartir, the pony I was telling you about.”
I gave a short bow. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“Well he is a bigin fer a unicorn and so well mannered ta boot. Do ya really think he can do this by himself Twilight?”
“He is a Kirin Granny Smith and yes I do. As I said he is strong and brave he is perfect for the job. Oh, ah Sartir this is Mayor Mare,” He pointed to a tan earth pony with a two tone silver mane and tail. “Granny Smith,” This was the older green pony with the white mane and tail that spoke before. “and Filthy Rich.” This stallion was brown with a slicked back black mane and matching tail.
I looked to them all making sure to show I am strong but showing them the respect they deserve. “These are the members of the Town Council?”
“Why yes dear we three” Mayor Mare waved her hoof from her to Granny Smith then Filthy Rich “made up the town Council but since Twilight became a Princess and still lives here in Ponyville we insisted she join the council. Oh, and may I be the first here to say welcome to Ponyville.”
“Thank you but I must ask why was I asked to come here?”
Filthy coughed to get my attention. “Well you see my good fellow. Twilight her has asked us to make you our Town Guardian. Seeing as we have yet to set a police force to stop the attacks and Twilight here has no guard of her own to stop the attacks. She also told us this is what you used to do where you used to live and told us of how you saved the Element of Generosities life. I will be the first to say I would not want to be on your bad side. As it stands we first wish to see how well you work guarding ponies and keeping order. This will be but a few things you would be doing as the Town Guardian.”
“And how will I be doing this?”
“Well ya see there are some college ponies coming here from Canterlot to go inta the Everfree Forest. They are here to study some of the plants in them woods but there are dangers in them woods. So we need ta keep them safe, that’s where ya come in. Ifin you do a good job we will let ya be the Town Guardian fer a time to see how everypony likes the idea. After a while we will ask the town ifin they want ya ta stay on the job or get the boot.”
“I see. I would love to take you up on this opportunity but I have promised to help the Apple family on their farm to earn bits.”
“oh don’t ya worry bout that. I’ll let my kin know yer doin something for the Council here and ya can come work for us when ya get back. We will be paying you for keepin these youngins safe but anything that happens ta them comes out of yer pay. Also ifin we do make ya the Town Guardian ya will be getting a nice pay and ya can still do other work on the side. Plus anypony you go work fer will be told that ya can leave as needed ifin it deals with keepin the peace.”
“Thank you so much you truly do not know what this means to me. I will not let you down.”
“Good then this meeting is adjourned.” Twilight slammed a hoof on the table and everypony got up to leave. “Sartir if you would come with me.”
I followed her closely “Yes Twilight what is it?”
“Tomorrow you will need to be by the woods near the bridge you seem to like so much. There you will meet a friend of mine her name is Zecora. She is a Zebra that talks in rhyme. You will wait for the others to show up and tell them of your job. As Zecora leads them through the forest be on guard. There are many dangers in those woods and they will do all they can to kill and eat you all.”
“I promise you Twilight nothing will harm your friend or these young ponies while I am there.”
“I know Sartir and I trust you. Also before the meeting started I got a letter from the Princess. She has learned that the Diamond Dog you killed was part of the rogue group that has been attacking ponies on the road and Ponyville. They will not take kindly to the slaying of their own so they will come after you.”
“Thank you for the news Twilight. I will be sure to dispatch them should they try anything or should I just disable them and try to bring them in.”
“By order of Princess Celestia and myself you are hereby given permission to kill anything that may bring harm to yourself or the ponies under your care while inside the Everfree forest. Should you be made Town Guardian that same right will apply to all of Ponyville. Also since you have not met Zecora or the others on this trip before, you are to tell them to make a report on how you did to turn into the Council.”
I give her a deep bow to hide my grin “Thank you Twilight I will do as you say.”
Before I even realized it I found myself at the park. I layed down and nibbled at the grass as I watched the colts and fillies play with their parents. As I layed there some of the other ponies took notice of me and came over for a chat. It was not long before I had a group of little ones settled around me listening to tells of my life before I came to Equestria. Even some of their parents stayed to listen. They were a fantastic audience, gasping, smiling and laughing at all the right parts. They cried as I told them sadder things, and some screamed when I described the attacks I fended off to safeguard the valley.
As I was nearing the end of my third story I looked to see the sun was starting to set. I looked to see some of the parents had returned to gather their little ones. Soon my story came to an end. “Ok little ones that is it for now. Time for all the good little fillies and colts to head home.” The little ones gave protest and begged for one more. Their parents told them it was time to go and that they could listen to more stories another day. I told the little ones of my job the next day and promised them more stories once I had returned. Everypony thanked me and began to go their own ways.
I walked over to the stream and got a drink as I heard two ponies walking up behind me. “I’m sorry but there will be no more stories today.”
“That’s too bad I’d love to hear another.”
“Oh ya that last story was so awesome!”
I turned around to see the two pegasi I met when Twilight came to calm me down. “Ah hello again you two. So you liked the tales of my life. What part did you like the most…..hm. I don’t believe we have ever been properly introduced.”
“Oh I’m sorry I am Cloudchaser.” this mare had been blushing quite a bit since we started talking.
“And I’m Rainbow Dash! Fastest flier in all Equestria! I like the part where you and your siblings along with your father teamed up to beat your evil uncle and his kids. that was way cool.”
Cloudchaser scuffs a hoof on the ground blushing more. “I liked where you saved that mother Anteka and her foal from that avalanch.”
I smiled brightly at them both. “Thank you, both stories are ones I like a lot myself and are fond memories. As it stands it is late and I must be going. I have guard duty tomorrow for some ponies going into the Everfree forest.”
Cloudchaser grew a bit concerned by my remark. “Why are you going into that horrible place?”
“The Town Council asked me to as a test. To see how well I’ll lead others and to see how well I can keep them safe. If I do then they will think about appointing me the Town Guardian. Now I am sorry ladies but I must go rest. See you some other time.” With that I headed to the Library and fell asleep outside yet again.
