The Broken and Lost

The episode with the castle was over and the hooded man moved on. He now heads to the town of Ponyville again to see if he can find someone. It had been about 12 minutes since he first started to head back. No one was in sight, he started to grow tired, and he was in the middle of no where.

Should have found a place to sleep before starting this... He thought as he stopped his walking. He examined his area and it seemed like there was no settlements were to be found. Instead of risking himself to bump into unwanted attention, he simply decided to spend the night on the cold bed that was the grass. Not the most comfortable of rests, but what can you do in a world that's out to get you?

He thought hard about everything that had occurred today. The break-in...The two swords...The unicorn stallion...and most importantly, this person he wanted to meet. The man knew that this was going fine for him, but he put more of a bounty on his head for what he had done. He felt bad for what he had done, however he needed to do it for his plan of survival.

He looks up at the moon in the night sky as he lays down on the grass. "Don't worry..." He spoke out loud. "If you're still alive...I'm coming." He then fell into a deep sleep.

-6 Hours Later-

The hooded figure is awakened by the sound of wings flapping and the wind blowing in his face. He sat up at the thought of being seen in the open and looked around for the source of the sound.

"I wonder if this has anything to do with that thing I found in Ponyville yesterday." He heard a voice say above him. He looks up to see a carriage flying high in the air in his general direction. He couldn't get a clear look of it's passengers, nor did he desire to. All he wanted was to stay out of sight. The downside to this was that there was no hiding spots to be seen.

Let's hope is on my side today. He thought as the carriage was approaching. It seemed like no one was noticing his presence, which relieved him. He began his walk back on the road where no one was to be seen on ground. The carriage had flown out of his sight.

"What's that thing?" He heard voice behind him, causing the figure to flinch. Thankfully, this flinch also saved his life. He somehow managed to camouflage himself with the environment. "We're being watched... I can tell." With that note he sped off to ensure his escape.

He felt a sense of worry grow over him. He had been seen and now has an even larger target on his head. He knows that whoever spotted him would tell it's friends.

Nonetheless, he continued his was back to Ponyville.

• Earlier Elsewhere -

The mind within Alex had been going crazy. He was constantly thinking in his sleep, which caused him to toss and turn. His rest didn't feel like a rest at all. It felt like another one of those wolfs had been caught on him and would not stop the biting.

"Can't.....Stop.....Running..." He utters as the scene changes.

(Song)

The area around the boy was completely blank. He only hears the voices lingering inside his head.

Fucker!

Useless Bitch!

What a pussy...

The 16 year old just runs endlessly as the words, hoping that they will leave him alone.

"Why?... Why do you all do this?!" He yells out loud as he continues his decent. It seemed like an never-ending trek as the scene never seemed to change. The voices getting louder and felt closer as he kept going. He felt to much pain to shed tears. Instead he felt angry. The rage constantly building inside him after each step he takes.

He messes up his footing at one point and falls on his face. The name-calling suddenly turns into laughs. His misfortune only caused things to worsen by the second. "WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT FROM ME?!" He yells as he looks up with bloodshot red eyes. He expected to get a reply, but instead he got silence. Even the laughing had stopped.

This represented his life in a nutshell. Everyone's gone again... He thought in his loneliness. Not a sound was heard. Just the deep breaths the boy was taking. "What I would do..." He began as he got up from his fall. "...Just to know what having a friend is like." He lowers his head in sadness.

"SURPRISE!" A voice calls out behind the boy. When he looks back, he is met with...

"Bwah!" He is surprised as he is suddenly embraced by a pink colored pony. She carried a joyful expression as she hugged Alex.

The boy didn't know how to react. "Uh..." He felt his heart warm for the first time in a while. He was actually enjoying the moment. Is this what having a friend feels like? He wondered to himself?

"Hey! Wake up!" A voice echoed out, causing the boy to look up. Then the scene grew really bright, blinding Alex.

(Song End)

He expected after that heartwarming scene to wake up peacefully, but instead someone was waking him up. His eyes burst open as his thought returned to reality. He quickly gets up and spots a person behind him wearing an all black coat.

"Who are you?" The boys asks the mysterious figure, expecting to get an answer.

The hooded man simply shakes his head and says, "I will reveal myself in due time. For now, I am here to bring you a message."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Message? What are you talking about?" He questioned.

Nonetheless, the man simply began his message. "Me and you are the only humans on this world." He began, "I have come here to warn you about the dangers that await you in the near future. You will need to defend yourself, which is why you need a weapon. Thankfully, I already have that covered. What I really need to tell you is that we have a target on our heads. We're on the run. These ponies may seem like any everyday ponies back on Earth, but they carry a powerful force once they work as a group." He comes closer to the boy. "If we work together, we will be able to survive. Neither of us can make it through this without each other's help. I have learned that this area is controlled by some sort of royalty."

"How did you find out?" Alex asked.

"I went to their home, at the castle." He points towards the mountains. "That is where I got this for you." He pulls out a silver longsword and hands it to the boy. He examines the blade as the hooded man continues. "This is just the base of what you will be fighting with." He hands him a chain with a star attached to it. "Connect the blade with it and you see the effects."

Alex then takes the chain and connects it to the bottom of the blade, causing it to glow a bright blue aura. "Excellent." The man says, "You have successfully improved your sword's capabilities."

"What does the chain actually do?" The boy asks.

"It makes the blade indestructible and contains more power than the average longsword." The man points to the star. "You see that?" He asks the boy. Alex gives him a nod. "That key chain is what gives the sword that power. There are many more types of these that you will have to discover on your own."

Key chains... Why does this seem so familiar? Alex wonders in his head. Nonetheless, he looks at the man. "Thank you for this. I won't forget it. Is there anything else I should know?"

"These ponies may be sending their forces after us." The man replies, "Just be sure you're ready for anything."

He begins to take a couple steps back. "Before I go, I must ensure that your progress with your blade grows. You must chose a so called, Path to Victory."

Alex wasn't sure about this, but he allowed him to continue. "I'm listening, go ahead."

"Is it battle that strives you to keep going? The intense rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins as you strike your foe down. If you wish to be better physically, the Path of the Warrior is your destiny."

"Do you wish to learn the secrets of the energy around you? The ability of magic of each element at your command. Both offensive and defensive magic at your side. If you see yourself fond of this, then the Path of the Sentinel is your destiny."

"Or does technicality suit you? The ability to plan and think at the speed of sound. You will also gain access to a variety of abilities that will help support you when things look bad. If you would enjoy this, then the Path of the Guardian is your destiny."

"Now...Which path do you think would best suit you?"

Warrior Path

• Sentinel Path -

Guardian Path

Alex thought hard about his choices then came to a decision. "I wish to learn more about the art of magic, the Path of the Sentinel."

"Are you sure?" The man asks. "Once your path is set, there is no going back."

Choose the Path of the Sentinel?

Yes - No

"I am sure." Alex confirmed. "I want to take the Path of the Sentinel."

"Very well..." The man said. He raised his arms up and conducted them in electricity. He then directed the electricity at the boy and it shocked him. While there was no pain to be felt, his body shook insanely. Once it was all over, the man looked at the boy hard.

"The beings within these woods will prove to be good practice targets." He then began to walk away. "As long you continue to wield that blade, we will be forever connected. Farewell, hero. We will meet again in due time." He then ran away, leaving Alex wondering what he should do next.

I guess I should start looking for necessities to stay alive. One water bottle isn't gonna keep me alive forever. He looked at the exit of the clearing, then back at his sword. I should probably test out this sword. He then sped of into the darkness of the woods.

Obtained! - Newborn's Crest

The key chain you started out with. It well balanced in both Strength and Magic.

Obtained! - Blizzard Element

Shoot icy crystals at your enemies. Cost: 10 MP