Stalker

Chapter 5

“Thank God,” the words left my mouth soon after my feet took me out of that damned forest. Sure just go in and guard it, make sure none of you home world pals are creepin around it will be fun. Yeah just do not tell me about the fucking manticores, the wood wolf things, the hydra which managed to find me again, and whatever else there is in the fucking place. Deep breaths man deep breaths. Okay, to Flutters now. The walk was relatively short, just about twenty minutes or so but it was enough time to let the bandage wrapped around my arm get soaked through with blood. I walked up to the front door hoping that she was in and I was not disappointed. She opened the door up, took a quick look at my battered clothing, the bloody bandage, and then turned green. The first couple of times it had made me quite worried about her but after noticing that it did not have any long term effects decided that it was nothing to worry about. Maybe it is because I am sentient that she cannot stand the blood. I took a couple of steps inside and instantly received a kick to the shin by her bastard of a rabbit Angel. I kept my lips shut but damn it was hard not to just shoot the little thing or to cuss it out.

“Can you fix me up again,” I ask my voice a bit strained from trying to keep it smooth. She gives me a small nod and we enter her kitchen where I sit down on one of the three chairs she has there.

“What happened,” she asked. Her voice was always welcome after spending hours on end in the forest, and honestly I don't know why she lives so close… well actually I do. Now how she cares for the animals like she does I will never know or understand unless she is secretly a crack-head.

“Well I got attacked by those wolves made out of timber, and then I fell down a ravine got attacked by them again, but managed to drive them off. I didn't even kill any of them, got lucky that I decided to have a flare on me today,” she seemed to perk up at that. Ever since she had the fit about the rabid manticores I had been trying to keep the killing down on the natural wildlife. She stitched up the cut on my arm, another thing I do not understand is how they are so nimble with their mouths (or how they can hold things with their hooves). I guess they would have to be since they do not have hands but come on. Soon enough the wound was properly closed and then I took my shirt off and let her get to the cuts and scrapes on my back while I took care of the ones on my chest and arms.

“Would you like to stay for dinner,” she asked.

“No, I need to get to Rarity’s boutique, I keep ruining my cloths. I swear she is going to get rich off me. I think I spent over three hundred bits this last month alone,” and that was true. Someone had broken into Twilights library one evening when I was out in the forest and stole all of my clothing. Why the hell a pony would steal my clothing I do not know and quite frankly I do not want to know. Since then I had to get Rarity to make me clothing which, while they were very nice and comfortable, they did not have much strength against, well anything in this world. I guess that is what you get when most of the inhabitants only wear clothing for special occasions. After a few more minutes of cleaning me up I left Flutters house and made my way to the boutique. The walk was nice and the air was clean and calm.

I reached her home and walked in and was about to turn right around when I saw Applejack inside. After my small outburst at Twilight’s home two and half months ago I had been trying to avoid her. What can I say, I am a vindictive bastard at heart and I do not easily forgive. They spotted me though so I decided to stay in the large room and waited for them to get done. They did but Applejack did not leave instead she walked over to me and I was about to tell her to fuck off but she beat me by talking first.

“Ah know ya don like me but can’t we at least call a truce,” she actually sounded slightly down.

“You still think me a liar,” I shoot back. Her look changes from being worried and hopeful to being hard. “I did not think so. I have things that have happened to me that you do not deserve to know and I know if we become “friends” then you will just hound me for information. So no, no truce.” She look at me and then left leaving me alone with Rarity, well her sister might be here. I think her name is Sweetiebell or something like that. Well any way she was not happy with me but then again that might be because I was covered in dirt and grim. “Would you rather I come back tomorrow or something?”

“Yes darling, I would,” after the third or fourth time of actually being in a conversation with her I decided that she was not as snotty as I pegged her to be. I give her a small nod and turn toward the door and leave. I looked at the watch on my wrist and saw that it was only a little bit after eight meaning that it would be another long night. I start my walk and soon enough I am home and even before I get to the bathroom I strip all of my belongings off. The water came out of the shower head hot and steamy, just the way I like it. It was relaxing just standing there letting the water work out some of the kinks in my neck and shoulders. Maybe I should go to that spa one day. I wash the sweat and grim off my body and then step out.

I pick up the discarded clothing and then throw them into the trash bin out in the back of my home. The Princesses did not disappoint when they had the construction crew building it for me. It was easily the biggest home in Ponyville and probably the fanciest, though I really I do not like the fancy lifestyle. I went into my bedroom and pulled out the last clothing that I had to my name and slipped them on, next I went into the kitchen and cooked up some pasta. They had really good pasta and tea here. I have no idea why but they do. Once dinner was done and the dishes cleaned and put away I went back into the bedroom and sat down on the end of the bed. Eventually I fell back and fell asleep.

The sun was streaming in through the window on the far wall of the bedroom and it landed across my face causing me to wake up. Getting up I stretch and feel my back and a few of my joints pop. I am not going to deal with the forest today, I will just go and get the backup squad to do it. With the thought of taking a break I go and leave my house and make my way to the small and somewhat hastily built barracks outside of Ponyville and then I knock on the door. A fairly tall pony opened the door and greeted me.

“Hey Short Sword, I hope you feel like dealing with the forest today,” I give him a big grin.

“You’re a bastard Richard,” I couldn't help it, I started laughing hard and he joined in. Besides the Princesses he was the only one who called me by my first name, and he was the only one who had picked up on my swearing. When the laughter subsided he went back inside, and I turned to go get new clothing. I arrived at Rarity’s place, and walked inside. She was the only one present.

“So, can I get new cloths now, please,” I ask making my voice slightly whiny.

“Of course darling, just give me second,” and with that she went back to working on whatever it was. After a few minutes she gave me her attention and within the hour I had three new pairs of pants and shirts.

“Thanks, when you get time can you make me about five bags with the strongest material you have,” I ask and she gave me a questioning look. “I want to walk around town, it is my day off so could I come back tomorrow and pick them up?”

“Sure,” Rarity still had a questioning look, but she decided not to push it. Alright now where do I want to go? Might as well see if Twilight got done with the books I let her borrow. No idea why I have so many, I guess it was because it was something to save from falling apart buildings, and something from the old world. I jogged through town, and got a few hellos from passing ponies, and before I knew it I was at the library. I push the door in, and give Spike a wave before continuing on into the kitchen where I saw Pinkie trying to shove a cupcake down Twilight’s throat.

“Hey Richie, how you doing,” cue dramatic gasp, “It’s your day off isn’t,” and that is where I stop listening. I like her I really do, it was refreshing from the sad faces I had been so long accustomed to. I think five minutes had passed before Twilight got Pinkie to be quite and to leave. I really should get to know Pinkie a bit better, maybe go to a party for once.

“I finished the books you let me borrow but why are they in such poor condition? I can fix them if you want me too,” Twilight looked a bit disgruntled, but I knew where she was coming from. She loves books, but to see so many in such rough condition must break her heart.

“You do realize that all of those are older than me by at least thirty years right. I found all of them in ruined houses that were falling apart. I am surprised that so many of them are still readable. You know what, how about you just keep them, I 'm not too much of a reader any way.” She gave me a grateful smile, and her horn glowed and the books on the table started to repair themselves. It was fascinating to watch.

“What happened to your arm,” she asked with a slightly interested look upon her face. I had started scratching around the cut on my arm which caused my shirt sleeve to rise up.

“Oh, some of your wood wolves started to chase me, and I ended up getting a little hurt. Flutters is a life saver, she really is. I just wish that she would not get so sick looking whenever I show up hurt.”

“Why don’t you go to the hospital and teach them about your anatomy?” This was a good question, and I had a shitty answer.

“I tried that, it doesn't work with them, they just want to assume that we have the same exact anatomy that everything is in the same spot. I guess that a lot of it is the same, but I don't want to go there in case I get hurt, and have them start rooting around in my guts. I would much rather have Flutters doing that.” I don't think she liked my reasons, why is she looking at me like that. “What?”

“Nothing,” I didn't like the way she said that, but I really didn't feel like pushing it. “Are you and Applejack getting along now?”

“No, I should probably give her a chance, but only if she stops acting like I lie about everything, and if she would forget about what happened in the forest. Rarity likes my business, but I think she is getting upset with me about how often I have come in to get new cloths. Pinkie is… well I guess we're good. I am good with you obviously, and then Flutters, well hell I am in her debt till I die so yeah. Then Rainbow Dash well, besides a few races where I have lost we don't really talk. I guess we are good too.” Once a week Twilight and I get together, and I tell her how I am doing, how my relationships are with all of them, and well general things.

“Well I guess that’s good but you really need to work on your differences with applejack.”

“Alright, when I get some time I will go and see if we cannot settle our problems with each other.” My answer seem to appease her so that was something. I give her a small wave and then I turned and left. What should I do today? I know, I am going to sleep all damn day, well either that or help Flutters out. Yeah, I will do that for a while then sleep for the rest of the day. I started heading out to her house and got there after about ten or so minutes of jogging. I could see her feeding a bunch of her outside animals and I walk over and she notices me. She gives a smile and I return it then proceed to get the food bags. I distribute the proper amount for the proper animals and soon enough we were done with the feeding.

“Thank you for helping me with my animals,” her voice was quiet like usual but I had gotten used to it.

“You know it is not a problem, just ask if you need anything,” I had said this a few times but she never did ask me for anything. This time was different.

“Actually one of my animal friends told me that it sounds like there is a wounded animal in the forest. They say that it fell into a hole. Could you go get it, if it isn’t too much of a problem that is?”

“Sure,” I give her a smile and then step outside of her cottage and I am greeted with a blue bird. It gave me a few chirps before heading into the forest and I follow. Soon enough I could hear an animalistic cry for help and then I trip and almost fell into the hole that the animal was in. My quick momentum made it so that when I fell I actually went over the hole instead of in it. I got to my feet and turn around and look. It was a baby deer, covered in mud and with a broken leg. This was going to be a pain in the ass. I reach down and grab its forelegs and pull and get an angry sound in return. I pulled hard and eventually I get it out. Now the really hard part. I quickly grab it around the middle and make sure that its legs were away from me and boy was I glad that I did because it started to kick like mad.

The return journey was not fun, but when I got back to the cottage and Flutters came out it calmed down right away. I stayed while she worked on the poor thing, and once that was done she gave me a hug. It caught me off guard but I returned it, got thanked, then I left and made my way back home. The watch that I had bought told me that it was half past four. I shook my head at how much time I had spent doing things. Opening the door to my home and going into the living room I was greeted with a surprise that was not needed.

“Well hello there Princess Luna and Celestia, how may I help you this fine, fine day,” I think they picked up on my attitude toward helping them. They hadn't done anything, but I was really wishing that I could just go to sleep.

“Hello Richard,” they said in turn. Then Celestia said, “We have a request for you.” They waited for my answer, but I didn't say anything so she continued. “We are having trouble with a neighboring kingdom, we would like you to help us settle the matter.” Luna gave her sister a look but she ignored it.

“We have fallen into a war, and we would like thee to fight for us. We think that thou could make them change their minds in pursuing this,” that was better. I am glad that Luna elaborated.

“No. Your wars are your problem, not mine,” Luna’s expression did not change however Celestia looked… angry that I refused to help. Too bad.

“Please, we think that thou could end this before it could get bad. We need you on this. They know about the Elements of Harmony, they will push for Ponyville first,” Luna’s expression did not change but her voice sure did, it was pleading.

“They will come here, and try to take them,” Celestia said.

“How about this Celestia, how about you use your magic instead of relying on your Elements of Harmony or me to do everything for you. They stopped her,” I point to Luna, “they stopped Discord, they stopped the uh, oh what was it called, the changeling attack, and last month Twilight got turned into an alicorn. Why the fuck are you coming to me for help. I am still planning on going home the second I get a chance.”

“We refuse because of the power we possess. It would not be right to engage in a battle with a species that can’t even use magic or fly. What kind of message would that send to the rest of the world,” Celestia was a definitely angry with me now.

“There was a thing before my planet became… sick. It was caller a proportional response. It meant that we would only attack another country as bad as they attacked us. That does not always work. It would not have worked with the enemy my country was fighting in our second world war. Hell we had to do so much to them before they decided to surrender and even then they did not want to. Personally I disagree with that response. I say hit them hard, so hard they cannot hit you back, I say send a message that it is a mistake to attack, and that way you ensure that you never will be,” my voice had risen louder and the guards in the room were getting a bit antsy.

“Will you please think about it,” Celestia asked only she sounded like she wanted to say something else.

“Please,” Luna said. I pointed at my door and they stood and left then I proceeded to my bedroom. After undressing I laid on top of the covers and stared at my ceiling. Did I really want to get into their politics and wars? No I do not. What is the difference really, between fighting here or at home, the home I belong in? None, war is war no matter what way you look at it and there are certain people built for that grisly task. Some can handle it better than others and sometimes it is the only thing they can do.

My fist slammed against Twilight’s, probably louder than needed but I was not in a good mood and I really wanted to get this done with. After a few minutes the door opened and a very sleepy Twilight stood in the door way.

“Why are you here so early, it’s still dark outside,” I pushed my way inside and went over to where she kept her writing stuff. After opening the ink well I began writing a letter to the benevolent leaders.

Dear Princesses

I will do one battle and that is it, if i do not make a big enough impression then oh well cause I will not help afterward. This one time I will help, just this once

RR

“Send this,” I said after rolling it up and putting a ribbon around it.

“Spike sends them, I can’t. I’ll send it when he wakes up,” her voice was still thick with sleep.

“Wake him up then. This needs to be sent right now,” my tone woke her up, and she went to do what I asked. God why do this to me? Why give me a conscious now? After all the shit I have done why do I care now? I shake the thoughts away as Spike and Twilight come down the stairs, and I hand the letter to him. He breaths fire onto it and I watch it dissolve into a green smoke that went up and out an open window.

“Will you now tell me what that was about,” Twilight asked slightly angry now. My tone most of entered her head by now.

“No,” and then Spike let out a belch that could rival some of my dead friends. A letter came out which he caught and was about to unfold when I snatched it out of his claws. I unfurled the letter, and quickly read what was written.

Dear Richard

We are glad to hear this, and a carriage will be dispatched to Ponyville shortly. It will take you out near our border, and there you should be able to convince our neighbor that it will be best if we do not egage in war. Please try to be diplomatic.

Sincerely Celestia.

“What is going on Roderik, why do you have your vest on and weapons,” damn she was persistent.

“Nothing you need to worry about my darling, and it is part of my job to have these on me,” calm down Richard. You are getting really agitated, and you're going to say somethin that will come back and bite you on the ass. “Thank you and I am sorry I got you out of bed Spike. I will buy you a gem to snack on when I get back.” I quickly leave before more questions could be answered and after about an hour of walking around aimlessly a carriage came down to meet me. I glance at the guards pulling it before I hop into the back of it.

It was an eight hour ride, and we had been going fast too, they actually ended up switching out the Pegasus team three or four times. We arrived at what was currently a battle field that was littered with bodies. The green fields soaked with blood. There were so many on both sides, thousands upon thousands. So much for Equestria being kind to everyone if they have an army this big. We land about half a mile behind the front line when the sound of cannons fill the air, this got me a bit worried. Horns that I couldn't see started blaring. The sounds of conflict stopped, and soon there was silence. Deciding that getting to the front lines was the best thing to do I ran there. When I broke past the ponies I was met with a ten foot gap between both parties and also awarded a good view of the enemy. They stood about, actually they were about as tall as I was and they were strikingly human in appearance. Fingers, and body structure however they had the face of a horse, if much flatter, and had hooves instead of feet. I look down the line and see what looks like a couple of important guys down that way. One was a pony the other… one of them. Moving toward them I soon arrived at the small meeting.

“I agree to have a formal one-to-one fight,” said the pony general. “Give me ten minutes to prepare.” With that he retreated back into his own lines and I followed.

“What is going on, why did the fighting stop,” I ask him, and looking around I think I now realize why there seems so few male ponies. The majority were part of the army.

“I’m about to fight their general to decide whether or not we lose this battle or win it,” he responded. Many red flags were sent up by his tone and answer

“Can you, uh, elaborate please?”

“We’re going to perform a one-to-one fight. Winner takes all. When he loses we win by default, and we take the rest as prisoners,” I like confidence. Hell it's needed to be a leader, but this was not confidence speaking, this was his ego.

“I think you are under estimating them.”

“Honestly I don’t know why you're here, you’re not needed,” and he totally disregarded my comment. Alright in that case I hope they will accept my plea for a one-to-one fight when he gets killed, the fucking idiot. “Now I must go and win this fight.” I follow him back around and see that a circle had been made about ten yards wide meaning that both sides had moved backwards. The horse man, who was well muscled and taller than I, stood there. Yeah, the general was a dead pony. They both strode forward and gave each other a quick bow before drawing their weapons. The horse man held an ax, not big one, but a small one handed ax. He had nothing in his other hand. The pony general held a sword that was about two feet long, perfect for his height I guess. The fight was over in two vicious moves, neither one of which was the ponies. The horse man made one bound and then kicked the general straight in the face causing blood to fly form his lips then the ax came down splitting the skull, and sending brain all over the place. It was fast and well done. Then the massive amounts of horse men started to move forward.

“Wait, I challenge you on a one-to-six fight. Your best fighters, and I'll give you a real fight." Why in the name of God did I ask for a one-to-six. But they stopped, and the horse man looked over at me. He walked forward till we were no more than a couple of feet away from each other.

“One-to-six huh. Why that,” he asked. His voice was deep, and actually pleasant with just a hint of an unidentifiable accent.

“I want to give them all a show,” was he not finding me being here odd, I obviously was not a pony.

“What are you, and why are you fighting for such a weak race,” there we go.

“I am a human, and I regretfully owe them a favor or two for saving me."

“Okay, I will grant you your death. I am Albus, leader of Equus. There are no rules in the fight. Everything is open to use, and in any manner that you wish. I will grant you… an hour to prepare.”

“I am Richard, from America, and thank you,” I was greeted with a strange look, but that was okay. He turned away, and walked into his army while I stayed by the circle when suddenly a lieutenant was at my back. I turn then very quietly gave him a few commands. He seemed to pale slightly, but nodded and then he went back. The general’s body was moved out of the way, and the rest of the hour passed.

The six horse men moved forward with Albus in the front. We bow and then I draw my knife and place it in my left hand. I turn so that the edge was facing them, and then it turned into a waiting game. After a minute or so the six spread themselves out, and while I was watching the one on the far left when the one on the far right moved forward. I have to admit, they were fast, and this would probably work under most circumstances, but this was not most circumstances. I quickly drew my revolver, and place one shot through the stallion’s breast-plate, and before the others had even known what was happening another five bullets left that same barrel dropping all of them. It really is easy to kill someone. Just a simple muscle movement with the right tool and you can cause untold damage. The six of them dropped to the ground within half a second of each other with blood gushing from the chest wounds.

“FIRE,” and then the sun was blacked out as thousands of arrows rained down on the stunned horse men, many did not get their shields up in time. This was followed by half the Pegasus force flying out and dropping whatever they could. Trees, heavy rocks, carts that were not needed any more, and they were followed by another group of Pegasus with red banners flying behind them. “FORWARD,” then we all rushed them, bodies slamming and it was a slaughter. It did not last another hour before the horse men surrendered. About a thousand were still alive out of the huge force, the amount of death almost unbelievable. Thousands lay dead and after I had yelled that first command only a few of the ponies died with the numbered of injured in the low hundreds. It really is remarkable what surprise can do, what arrows can do, what the grunts will listen too. It was many hours before I was back on the carriage to head to Canterlot to give my report. They would not like it, but we won and they would not be retaliating any time soon. I had let the survivors go free, they had no fight in them after witnessing what had just happened, literally their six best dead in less than a second then thousands in a little less than an hour. Devastating, yet so easy.

“Your bedroom is this way sir,” said the butler. The return journey had been a bit shorter, about seven hours instead of eight, and when I had arrived I was told that I would discuss what happened tomorrow. Now I was going to a room to sleep, and rest after that short lived battle. I am going to get so much shit I bet. Then again maybe it will not be too bad. After all I gave the remaing forces of the Equus’ medical supplies, food, and water. Maybe after I request to send money aid to the families of those that died it will put her in a better mood. I hope it will. I slip underneath the silk covers, and feel sleeps comforting embrace.