Legends Awaken

Not much happened over the next week. I spent the days working with the Apple family trying not to lose parts of my sanity to the repetitive and boring nature of the work. After I would crawl into my room and go through the items I had dragged out of the forest.

The biggest item, not in size, was the item I had taken and put back on my left forearm, which I might add still hurt like hell. For the moment it wasn't doing anything and wouldn't until it finished what ever it is it does.

At night I would go into Ponyville and try to get food and supplies I wanted and after try to get a decent nights sleep.

After the week had passed and of course on a day off a storm rolled through Ponyville leaving me stuck in my room where I read through some of my books and looked over others.

The few days after the storm had passed Granny Smith asked me to head into Ponyville with some bits to pay off some debts. After armoring up and putting sword and sidearm on I started to lazily walk to town.

As I neared the town I saw fireworks going off in the sky. My first thought was what kind of idiot uses fireworks in the day. My second thought was, fireworks!

I can't remember anyone not enjoying colorful, and non lethal, explosions. I picked up my pace and made a detour to where I thought they had come from.

I hesitated a minute when I realized that this would me the first time I would be in a large group of ponies by myself since I arrived in Ponyville. I swallowed my discomfort and kept walking.

I saw the crowd before I saw the source of the fireworks. It looked like a crowd had formed around a stage slash carriage. A single light blue unicorn with a hat and cape stood on stage on their back legs, which seemed to cause more fireworks.

By the time I made it to the stage the crowd was starting to disperse mumbling and talking among themselves. I was I bit bummed out, specifically I don't know.

“Excuse me ma'am did I miss the show and if so when is the next,” I asked looking at the stage.

“Yes, of course you did you fool. Why do you think the Great and Powerful Trixie is leaving the stage,” was her condescending tone without looking at me.

“As for the next show, it will be tomorrow. Until then leave, Trixie is tired from recent travels,” she finished before slamming her door shut. I gave a half frown as I turned to walk to my first stop.

I knocked on the door to the town hall and waited for a response. After a few minutes I knocked again and waited. This time someone opened the door.

“The door's open you can come in y...,” the pony started but trailed off.

“Yeah, I don't think I'll fit through the door, I'm a little big,” I told'em with a fake dumb smile. The pony rumbled off an apology before asking what I needed to do.

I explain I had been sent by Granny Smith to pay some debt of her's and was to pay here. He nodded excused himself before heading inside to retrieve the needed paperwork. After a few moments he returned.

He took the bits, counted out what he needed, and returned the rest to me. After that we said our goodbyes and I left.

My last stop was what looked like to a farm supply center. The scene from earlier played out again, expect the mare gave a small laugh when she realized what happened. We talked a for a moment before she had to return to her work and I headed off.

Stopping for a moment I thought about what to do next. I wasn't told what to do after making the payments, so I decided to head back to the farm and let Granny Smith know everything was done.

I saw her on a rocker when I finished the trip back. She was a little surprised I returned so quickly, which I told was do my stride. She seemed to accept it so I didn't add anything.

I was a little surprised when she let me go for the day but didn't question why. I thanked her and let her know I was heading back into town.

Before that I stopped in my room and took some of the bits I had gotten from Luna and my empty ruck. I waved goodbye to Granny as I walked back into Ponyville.

The first stop I made was at the café I ate at with Rarity to pick up some of the wine we had shared.

The waiter seemed a bit confused about that fact I wanted to purchase several bottles at once. After a few minutes he gave up and went to go get someone else. The mare that came out seemed to have a better grasp on what I wanted.

She did explain that it was a highly unusual request and asked that instead of coming back to purchase the wine to go to her supplier, she even gave me point of contact info.

After thanking her for everything I left and figured I could head to the library to kill some time before heading over to Rarity's.

I stopped when I realized Twilight would probably want to study like a lab monkey and Rarity would probably want to do something with fashion. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and got my answer.

The clanking from behind me was the answer, booze, well wine. Only problem was I didn't have a corkscrew. I narrowed my eyes as I thought about were to get one. One of the shops in town should have one.

I started walking towards the market when I passed Rarity's where I thought I heard something along the lines of panic. Giving a shrug I kept walking.

When I reached he market I stopped, took a knee and took a bottle out of my rucksack. After standing back up I started whistling a tone to myself, I may or may not have done a good job, that should have sounded like Terra in Black.

I stopped and talked or tried at several booths looking for my cork screw. I wasn't making any progress.

I stopped and sat on a bench too small for me and thought where to go next when I saw a pair of unicorns walk by.

I had a moment of brilliance, magic. I could just get a unicorn to open a bottle if I had to. With new determination I resumed my hunt for a corkscrew.

After another half hour I finally found a damn corkscrew. I paid the needed bits and left with a small chuckle of glee as I headed to find a spot to drink.

I passed by Trixie's and the library before reaching a bench near a small lake, well pool of water.

Popping the cork from a bottle I wore a grin and took a deep sniff of the lovely liquid. Taking a small sip I savored the taste. With a grin I turned the bottle up and soon felt the warmth of wine.

I sat there for almost two hours sipping from the bottle before anything happened and that was me getting out a second bottle. After a quarter of the second bottle was gone and I was feeling relaxed when I got a visitor.

Trixie spotted me and looked at me with confusion. She slowing made her way over to me.

“What kind of demon are you? And why do these simply rustic ponies allow you to roam,” she demanded from me theatrically. I took another sip before replying.

“One that should be offended but isn't 'cause of the wine and someone that isn't, I think. They let me roam because I kinda live and work around here with the crown's OK,” I informed her with a tone of boredom while swirling the wine.

She was unimpressed until I mentioned the crown that got here attention.

“Ha, the Great and Powerful Trixie doubts that a lowly creature such as you works, let alone knows the Princess. You simply need to be removed and the Great and Powerful Trixie shall do it,” I was told with bravado and confidence as she stood one her hind legs, which I replied in kind.

Standing slowing, for more then one reason, I was soon looking down at the pale blue mare. Even on her had legs she only reached about mid chest.

She quickly faltered and had all four hooves planted. With a grin I spoke down to her.

“What happened? I thought the Great and Powerful Trixie was going to remove me?”

“Yes, well, a plan must be thought out to deal with one such as you,” she retorted flipping her mane back with a hoof. While she spoke I sat back down.

“Well while you do that would you care to join me,” I asked pointing to the bench next to me before taking a sip. Trixie thought for several seconds before moving.

“Yes but only to make sure you do nothing to these simple ponies and keep a eye on you,” was her reply sitting next to me.

“How I quiver in fear,” I quipped with sarcasm.

“As you rightly should,” was the reply missing or not caring about the sarcasm. After a minute of silence she spoke up.

“You have a name demon,” was the question as I drank.

“Hunter.”

“Now Trixie knows how to refer to you once you are defeated,” was the confident reply.

“That has yet to be determined,” I returned offering the wine bottle. She eyed it with cation before conjuring up a magically glass.

“The great and powerful Trixie shall share a glass with you, so you may have the pleasure and privilege before your defeat,” I was told filling her glass.

“My, my. You are a confident one ain't you,” I told her with a warm dumb smile.

“Most certainly,” was the crisp reply before she took a sip. Her eyes showed surprise and enjoyment at the wine.

“Trixie is surprised by your choose of drink. It is a fine wine enjoyed by noble and well to do ponies. One would expect you to drink nothing but the cheapest and most foul of wine,” she added before taking another sip.

“Well, I can't take credit in the choice. Someone else introduced it to me, otherwise I would be drinking the cheapest and most foul of wine,” I let her know swirling the bottle again.

“Hm, Trixie is a little surprised that somepony else has sat down and shared such a wine with the likes of you. Perhaps you are telling a small bit of truth.”

“Well, if you really need proof I got some paperwork I can show you to ease your mind.” Trixie turned her head and narrowed her eyes as she thought.

“Very well, demon. Trixie shall give you reprieve until tomorrow night. Then you shall show these papers or be defeated by the Great and Powerful Trixie.” I raised an eyebrow before shrugging and taking another sip before I decided to get over dramatic.

I jumped to my feet and whirled around to face Trixie.

“Oh, Great and Powerful Trixie! This lowly and unworthy being doesn't deserve such benevolent treatment!” I then knelled before her and continued. “I will forever be unable to repay such a gesture from one such as you,” I finished before looking up at her with a stupid grin on my face.

Trixie started laughing and soon was clapping at my display.

“You have a sense for the dramatic don't you? Trixie enjoyed and appreciates your display. Have you been in performances in the past?”

“Nope, I've just been drinking and like to have a good time,” I gave her as I sat back down beside her.

“How about you, been doing it for some time?”

“Yes, for as long as Trixie can remember and helps serve a greater purpose,” she answered before sipping. I sensed a story there but didn't chase it instead taking another sip myself.

“Hm,” was all I gave while Trixie let her magically glass fade away.

“Now that I have shared a drink with you, you shall now help Trixie. If it is true you live here you shall be able to help Trixie acquire supplies, come now demon,” I told with a tone that offered no room for discussion as she got off the bench.

“Affirmative, moving out,” I gave her flatly with a stupid grin moving to stand beside her.

I ended up carrying what she bought as we walked through the market finishing as the sun and moon changed. While we walked we talked but it wasn't really about anything. It seemed she just wanted to talk with someone about anything.

I dropped off her supplies before saying good night and leaving. As I did she renewed her threats of my demise tomorrow if I didn't prove I wasn't a threat.

Halfway back to the farm I realized I hadn't gotten anything other then wine while in town, I let out a groan as I kept walking working on finishing the wine.

I woke up the next morning on the floor to pounding from two sources again. Grunting I pushed and pulled myself onto the cot as I let out noises to let whoever was outside my door I may or may not be alive.

The exterior noise soon stopped as I tapped the empty wine bottle with my boot around the floor. After a couple of minutes I took off most of my weapons leaving only the knife on my person.

When I made it outside the barn the sun was starting to appear above the horizon making me shield my eyes. I was soon giving the orb of brightness a two finger salute.

After I forced myself to complete my morning wake up exercise I saw Big Mac walking up to me. Not much was said but I gathered I would be helping him make some repairs to fences and house roof.

We finished just before our normal stopping time for lunch. Big Mac admitted he was surprised we had finished so quickly with what should have taken all day. I played it off again about the magic hands. He gave a chuckle and cut me loose for the rest of the day.

Again I asked no questions and just thanked him before headed to the water barrel. After several cups I headed into my room and pulled out the paperwork I had gotten from Celestia and put them between my forward armor plate and cloth in front of it to keep them dry from sweet.

I knew I didn't have to go prove to Trixie I was a threat , at all or until tonight, but I might catch her show since I had some free time now. Before leaving and locking the door I grabbed my bits.

I put a little speed into my walked as I headed into town not knowing if I had missed the show or was close to it. When I made it to Trixie's wagon I saw she had another crowd, which I took I hadn't missed the show. I stood in the back so I wouldn't get in the way of anyone else.

She was already on stage for her show. At first I wasn't to impressed but after she turned to the crowd and asked for competitors, well I enjoyed it, the ponies, not so much.

I saw Trixie tie Applejack up with her own rope which I chuckled at and toss Rainbow Dash aside after her own display of skill, which I thought beat Trixie's.

Trixie sent Rarity running and screaming after she found out she looked like a clown of crime, it really shouldn't have put such a smile on my face as she ran off.

I heard Spike try to couch Twilight to take on Trixie but wouldn't for what ever reason after hearing some of Trixie's tales.

Trixie then caught sight of me and her smug smile grew.

“Ah, the demon has returned. Have you come to battle the Great and Powerful Trixie with magic?”

“No, the only magic trick I know involves a pencil, desk, volunteer, and a reealy long talk with the crown,” I answered counting the items off on fingers. My response also seemed to cause a lot of murmurs through the crowd.

“So there is nothing that you can do that Trixie can not,” she exclaimed as she stood on her back legs causing my fireworks.

“I wouldn't say that. I have a power that no other species I've personally meet has. A power that can and has forever altered the world. One that no one here has,” I calmly informed as I walked up to the stage.

“A power that build and fell empires,” I added walking into the stage and beside Trixie.

“With this power we sought to bring the universe to its knees. Leave now or forever be in awe and fear,” I continued with a flat tone trying to conceal madness and joy.

“Behold the power I yield,” I added as I pulled my hand out of pocket slowly and dramatically brought it up to present the crowd. Everyone watched with baited breath as I unfurled my fingers.

With a mad crackle and head tilted back I showed them my power.

I made my thumb touch all my fingers.

After I stopped my mad laugh I looked out at the crowd for a response. After a second of dead silence I heard a scream of pure joy before everyone else joined in laughing and stomping.

With a broad smile I took a bow before turning my head to Trixie who I thought would be upset at my display. I was pleasantly surprised to see she found the whole thing agreeable.

“Thank you! Thank you!” I told the crowd before stepping off the stage. I then half turned and held my hands up to Trixie.

“Let's give it up for Trixie for the setup!” I yelled above the crowd and was rewarded with more applause. After the crowd silenced itself Trixie thanked them and asked for them to spread the word of Trixie. As some left they stopped by the stage and left bits while two small unicorn colts talked excitedly with her.

For me I made my way through the crowd and headed back to the bench I was at yesterday. I sat and looked at the pool for awhile waiting for Trixie but she never stopped by. Shrugging I stood and walked to the market to look around.

As I walked by the bakery I saw a unicorn tossing out some loafs of bread and sweets and with my attention split I almost had two unicorn colts smash into my legs but some fast leg work stopped it and them them dropping their drink.

I gave a shrug and decided to head to the bakery and grab something to eat. Conducting my business at the door I soon walked away with two fresh and hot loafs. I headed back to the bench to eat.

After finishing the first I left the second in the bag and put it in a cargo pocket. I also started to think I should have brought something to read while I waited.

I don't know specifically how long a sat there waiting could have been a hour or so or maybe ten minutes before Trixie showed.

“I see you are quietly awaiting your fate,” I heard Trixie snapping me out of my daze.

“Longer then you could would believe,” I returned shifting to look over at her.

“Trixie cares not the mere moments you have been here. Do you have the proof of what you claimed or will the Great and Powerful Trixie have to banish you,” was the boastful outburst. I let out a deep sigh as I pulled the paperwork out and held it out to her.

After looking at it for several seconds she started to walk closer as she took the papers in her magic and brought them to her.

Her pace slowed down as she read through them before stopping completely mouth a gasp.

“Tri, Trixie, is most surprised that you were telling the truth. All these seem legitimate and from the Princess. It seems that Trixie will not be banishing you today,” she gave I what I thought was her form of an apologize as she floating the papers back to me.

“Trixie wonders if it would have improved or harmed Trixie's reputation if forced to banish the likes of you,” she asked as she moved over to sit beside me. All I gave her was a apathetic shrug and smirk. We sat there for several minutes before I put the paper back where I pulled them from.

I let out another deep sigh before I stood up and turned to look at Trixie.

“Well, if you got nothing else I'm going to head out and find something to eat,” I told her before I started to leave. Before I made it a few steps Trixie asked me if I would like to share dinner with her so I may regale the Princess with tales of Trixie.

I was only mild suspicious of her intentions, she seemed to be the type who would have no problem using me to further her own goals.

I agreed and followed her back to her carriage thing.

We, and by that I mean Trixie mostly, talked about the shows and places she had been in the past as she prepared a simply meal. She served a simply salad and soup and I supplied the loaf of bread I had left. I had to sit outside during everything of course.

I had asked Trixie if I could have some water when I heard yelling coming near. To me it sounded like someone yelling out two names. Before I could figure out if I knew the voices two unicorn colts ran past me and started pounding on Trixie's door.

When she come out she reminded them that she didn't want to be disturbed and left alone.

The two colts tried to explained what was happening and my shoulders slacked as I resisted the urge to face palm. Because before they could explain I heard a roar come from the edge of town that belonged to a big ass starry transparently bear.

The thing was the size of the pony homes in town and didn't look happy, about as unhappy as its size. Did I mention I was looking a bear the size of a pony house?

At that moment I didn't remember having to deal with something this big before but I'll admit my memory was still a little fuzzy but this is all looking back.

I jumped up to my feet and reached for my rifle to find out I didn't have it. I then slide my hand to draw my sidearm again to find I had left it back at the Apple farm. I let out a groan as the bear roared again.

The two colts urged Trixie to defeat the bear as she had before as I moved to take the sword I had from my back. I let out a roar of anger and frustration myself once I realized all I had was the knife on my chest.

It was about then that Trixie, the colts, and myself yelled out and dashed away from Trixie's carriage seconds before it was crushed by an enormous paw. We ran for several seconds before we came to a stop in a small square.

I stood next to Trixie with both of us in front of the colts. With creepily calm voices they told Trixie to vanquish the bear after they had gone through the trouble to bring it into town.

Both Trixie and myself turned to looked at the two with disbelieve on our faces and my an urge to harm the two before the bear did.

The three of them had a small chat among themselves as I looked at the bear still in disbelieve. Their chat was stopped when the bear roared level with us coating us in warm wet breath.

“Damn dude you need a mint,” I slipped forgetting the situation I was in as Trixie reassured the colts and started to use her magic.

She drew out some rope and proceeded to bind the bear, well two of its toes I suppose they would be called with Trixie calming victory.

The bear simply lifted its paw and looked at Trixie's work with a look that carried a look of 'really, that's all you got,' surprisingly well.

The colts damn near out right demanded that Trixie stop goofing off and actually defeat the monstrous sized bear.

I grew a small ray of hope when I saw Trixie start to summon up storm clouds above are attempting eater.

I wasn't impressed with the results and one of the colts called it out as a dud and before Trixie could reply the bear roared again. We all screamed again and bolted forward underneath our attacker to escape.

We all ended up further in town and stopped and looked at the bear bite a roof as Twilight showed up.

“Hey, Twilight,” I created her calmly with a small wave.

She asked what was going on and the two colts informed her what they had done and waited. Trixie admitted that she couldn't and the two colts were upset.

Not about the idea they my soon be bear chow but that Trixie hadn't and couldn't defeat the bear. By the time she finished with her reply the bear had found us again.

It stood on its back legs and loomed over us with a looked I took as, 'oh, look snacks.'

“Hunter do something,” Twilight turned to me and asked. I looked at her then the bear and back to her before I replied.

“Like what? Make it angrier by poking it in the toes with my knife? Or perhaps choking it with my bones? Because that's all I got at the moment since I have no where near enough dakka to solve this problem,” I was my unamused tone that she gave a groan of frustration to. Again the beast roared at us as I looked down at Twilight and noticed Spike and most of the town had shown up.

After some urging from Spike Twilight stepped forward and took a stance to plant herself as she started to conjure up some magic spell.

A breeze soon began to blow through the town followed closely by a soothing tone that I could swear I saw the notes for float along with breeze. The breeze and what I thought I saw were notes drifted to the bear's ears and placated it for the moment.

Spike encouraged Twilight but I really was paying attention since I was staring at the growing field of magic around Twilight's horn. I didn't immediately see what it was for but I soon caught the sound of screeching metal followed by multiply moos from a distance before a big ass water tank floated into view.

The bear then started to fall over in the direction of Trixie causing me to act. I bolted over to grasp her and get her out of the way before she was turned into a pony pancake. The sudden weight caused by shoulder and arm to protest again in pain over the abuse.

After I put Trixie back down I turned and we both saw the massive creature was hovering in the air encased in magic. As we stared in awe we saw the water tank float to the bear's mouth and it start to drink.

Soon the beast was floating out of town back in the direction from which it had come. As it left my sight I turned to look at Twilight and saw a massive amount of magic coming off her horn as she concentrated with great difficulty.

As the magic left her she quickly sagged before the town folk started to cheer for her. Then she and some of the balls of light started taking about magic and blah, blah, blah. I don't know it seemed like a sappy moment was going to happen so I stopped paying attention.

I only started to pay attention again when I heard Trixie exclaim that the Ursa was a minor not a major an I also noticed that we were now surrounded by ponies. Twilight then told was it was just bitchy because two dumb asses had gone it woke it up, OK maybe not in those words though.

After that her and Trixie had a little spat, or at least Trixie did before she set off a smoke, ah, pellet and running off. Before Rainbow Dash could chase her done Twilight stopped her and turned her attention to the two dumb asses that caused all this. I took the chase to slip away without to much attention to chase down Trixie.

It took several moments of jogging to catch up to her. I found her leaning up against a tree trying to catch her breath.

“Hey, how's it going,” I asked walking up to her.

“Trixie has never been embarrassed so badly as just now,” came her weak and defeated voice.

“I'll have to take your word on that. Why did you leave in such a hurry? You left everything back in town, don't we need it,” I replied as I sat on the ground next to her and propped myself up.

“No, must of it is not required but it would be nice to have. Would you help Trixie to recover what can be,” she asked still breathing hard an I nodded in agreement.  I sat for a few minutes before standing back up and heading back into town.

I was a little surprised that no one had cleaned up the remains of Trixie's carriage. I lifted the scraps of wood and found the mess under them that was Trixie's possessions.

I found a large piece of fabric or cloth and laid it out next to the remains. I spent a half hour I guess picking through the wreckage finding items and pieces to salvage. When I finished I tied the fabric up and carried it over my shoulder back to Trixie.

When I got back and gave her the bundle she actually thanked me before looking through what I had brought back. As she looked through her look shifted from neutral to a happy sadness or upset.

After several minutes she tied everything back up before she stood and asked if there was anything she could do to repay me.

I sat and looked over at her as I thought of something that would benefit me. After the idea popped in my head I let a smile spread across my face as I stood up and walked over to stand in front of Trixie.

“How about a job?”