Legends Awaken

I'll try to not bore you with the events over the next week, only a handful of things happened. Must of it was not paying much attention to the two sisters as they tried to catch me up so I could try and fit in. Which I don't think would make much of a difference.

As far as I know, and the sisters, I asked, I'm the only one of my kind. That managed to strike a nerve and cause some unpleasant thoughts. So I didn't think my knowledge on some random names and places was going to be as much of a problem as my mere presents.

I was also told that I would be moving to a location to better fulfill my assignment from the crown but nothing specific, oh joy.

Other then not listening and learning I spent my time with pen and paper drawing and writing. I drew plans for things I wanted or wanted to see could be done. I wrote of questions that I wanted to answer on my own and not be feed an answer.

On the topic of food it hadn't gotten any better, still a lot of plants and grains with no meat. It was getting annoying, I’d have to work on that myself.

I had also noticed that I felt weak whenever I was awake and more when moving. I was told it was from being in a magical frozen state for so long and my muscles had also atrophied. It was going to take some time to over come both.

The next day after leaving the medical ward and moving into my temporary room I had I large trunk, a foot locker, delivered to it. I couldn't open it as it was magically sealed and since I didn't know what was in it I wasn't going to bust it open.

I wasn't able to open it until after sunset and after that night's lesson. Luna stopped in and dispelled her seal. As I sat on my chair and Luna on the bed I looked through it.

Luna had a small smile on her face the whole time as if she was waiting for something. On top was a brand new set of my combat armor, one that hadn't seen any horrors.

I picked it up and ran my hand over the cold metal with a sad smile at what it stood for, hoping in vain it would never change. On the right shoulder I noticed the seal of the two sisters engraved into the metal and then lightly painted to avoid drawing to much attention to it. On the left I saw six gems arranged in a hexagon with a gem at each point painted in the same matter as the right.

Beneath the chest piece were the greaves, gauntlets, thigh pieces, a tactical web and a helmet all uniform in color, flat midnight black. I pulled them all out and set them on the floor with the chest piece.

Next where three sets of combat uniforms. Black cargo pants, black combat boots, black long sleeve shirts, black fingertip less gloves, and finally a black wool sweater for colder weather. I wasn't prepared for what was under the sweater.

Under it was a small plushie of Sucky the Sectiod. I was in shock when I saw it and took a minute to gently touch it and pick it up. When I did I felt a sad smile spread on my face that made me feel better. While I ran my thumbs over its large eyes I spoke to Luna

"I can't believe you actually remembered this little guy. It feels like millennium since I first gave you one of these little guy," I told her as I looked up at her with her large happy smile.

"Aye, it has been a great deal of time since you gave us our first Sucky," Luna replied pointing at the plushie I was holding. "He has helped us many a time get through rough times. Now we hope he shall help us again."

"Is that a you us or us us," I asked teasing her as I placed him on my lap. Luna's face showed some annoyance but was still happy at my jab.

"It would be an us us, you cretin," she retorted with a smile as I went back into the foot locker. All that was left were some socks, boxers, a shower kit, shaving kit, and boot polishing kit. I started putting everything back in the locker before starting some small talk with Luna.

The next morning I had a squad of royal guard show up to my room with a large ruck sack and weapons case. They had me sign the paper work for them before they escorted them into the room. I took the ruck sack and put it on top of the foot locker at the foot if the bed and I tossed the case on the bed before dismissing the guard.

I sat on my chair and stared at all three items for the rest of the day in anger, despair and hopelessness knowing what they all stood for.

After that nothing big happened with the sisters or the guard. Although I did have some fun by myself wondering the castle.

On one evening while I was slowing moving through a open hallway over a garden I saw a pink, I think, alicorn looking around nervously trying, and failing, to hide in the shadow of a pillar. I moved to behind a support and surveyed the garden and waited.

After several minutes I saw movement from behind the alicorn. I saw shadows darken and slowly move closer. After I minute a white unicorn moved into the open and looked around. I didn't believe it but it took a minute for it to found the alicorn and move towards it. At this point I had a idea what has happening and moved with the shadows and left them be.

The night after I took a stroll through a statue garden were I tried, and failed, to put names to the stone faces. After giving up on that I thought about trying to make it through a hedge maze but realized I’d get angry and frustrated and probably find a way to burn it down .

Most of my free time was spent in my room trying to regain some of my strength while continuing to write and draw.

On the fifth day I was told I would be transferred to my post on the morning of my seventh day out if the medical ward. It seems Celestia wanted me to spend my last day of recovery to be some where near post.

On the sixth day around noon I opened the foot truck and pulled out a uniform set. I peeled if the cheap and rough bland khaki fabric I was wearing since my release and tossed it against the wall.

I spend a minute staring at the uniform with the past etched into my flesh knowing what the clothing on the bed stood for. I didn't want the past to happen again and knew putting it on I could act to prevent that from happening. That didn't make the extremely weird feelings in the depth of my mind from going away.

I dressed myself starting with the pants then my socks and boots before lacing and blousing them, next was the T-shirt. I stopped and moved to look at myself in a full mirror.

I looked a lot like I was getting ready to spend a normal day at my apartment on the weekend in my old life. I still hadn't tried to tame my hair, head or facial, in anyway to manage it and looked completely unprofessional.

I narrowed my eyes at that and thought. I wasn't really a part of any military, so was it unprofessional? I shook my head before staring at the armor and did so for about half an hour.

It felt like I was completely paralyzed by the sight of it but that couldn't be it. I’d wore sets like it for so long that I’d started to feel more comfortable when wearing it. I then noticed my right hand was rubbing my chest and my left was opening and closing. Just upset about having to work again I told myself.

I then stated to put the armor on bottom to top to keep it easy since I was alone and in no rush. After making sure each piece was on in a manner to avoid excess movement and some comfort I moved on the the next. The hardest piece was the chest plates.

It took some effort to get it above my head with the armor plates still in their slots and a cast on one arm. After I got in on I moved my hands to tighten the straps. Soon after that I realized I didn't feel so nervous or jumpy. I took a deep breath and felt my chest stop against the plates and let it out with a sense of calm.

I didn't put the gauntlets on since I still had a cast on the left and one couldn't put in on. Putting just the right on would annoy my subconscious to its ends. I also left the helmet and tactical webbing off since I wasn't going to be needed them in my room at the royal castle.

I still wasn't ready to open the weapons case so I decided I would later. I spent a few minutes walking around feeling the armor move and where I needed some adjustments, which I made as needed. When I was satisfied I again stopped in front of the mirror and looked at myself.

I looked like one of the troopers from one of my favorite games in my old life. I appeared to be a member of X-Com. I knew however I wasn't, I’d just used them as a template for the armor design. I knew the fabrics and metals I was wearing were no where near as high tech as those from the game.

Here though, I guessed they would be the bleeding edge of the technology Equestria and the royal sisters had to offer me, built with the details and ideas I had given them so long ago.

I soon turned and leaned against the wall before slumping down. I put my elbows up on my knees and put my head on my arms. I suddenly felt drained and weak and it wasn't from putting on my armor, it felt more mental.

I guess the finality of what I was getting myself back into was setting in. I let a long breath I was holding in. I was trying to prepare myself for the horrors I might see again and was failing.

The weight of my thoughts must of caught up with me because the next thing I knew I woke to a pounding in the door, it scared me more then I thought.

I snapped awake and my right hand jumped to where I would keep a side arm on my leg. When I felt it was missing I realized what was going on and stopped. I stood up pushing myself off the wall and went to answer the door.

When I answered it the guard got a look at me and took a step back. I narrowed my eyes in confusion, which I guess he took as anger and took another step back.

"Well, what is it," I asked as I looked down on him. The guard seemed more offset by my tone.

"T-t-the princesses w-wish to ta-talk with you in their din-dining room s-sir," the solar guard finally got out. I looked down on him for

a second before stepping out if my room and closing the door. The guard stared up at me waiting to do something.

I don't think he knew I didn't know where I was needed. I lifted my hand and nodded down at him as I spoke, "you'll have to lead the way. I don't know where to go."

"R-right, fellow me s-sir," he answered before turning around and leading me through the castle. After several minutes we arrived at the dining room.

The guard made the motion to knock but I got to the doors first. I simply threw them open and walked in like I owned the place with a shit eating grin.

The sisters were startled by my actions and just stared at me as I walked over to them. When I got to within a few feet of the table I stopped and stood at parade rest.

"Lord of all creation granting mere mortals his time," I sounded off with a smile still on my face. Luna had a smile on her face while Celestia seemed a bit upset as she waved the guard away.

"It appears that you are still in high spirits Hunter. I hope it stays that way. Please have a sit," she asked me as she brought over a sack of files with her golden magic. As I did Luna spoke up.

"We see that you have donned the armor we had crafted for you. We were worried that it would not fit but it seemed we were wrong."

"It's a little loose but I understand that's because of my little nap. I'll fill it out after I put the lost weight back on," I answered as I tried to get comfortable, "I also saw and felt a few changes in it when I inspected and put it on. Is it a new mark," I asked as I reached for the tea.

"Indeed it is. What you have is the first mark seven Defender H mod armor, next generation prototype. My guard currently wears the mark six and Luna's wears mark five before you ask," Celestia replied as she slid the stack of folders to me.

I raised an eyebrow over the number difference as I drained the tea pot. The stack looked like it was a half dozen folders.

"These folders contain all the information we thought relevant to the mission given to you. We recommend reading them before we leave," Luna told me as I spread them out, which turned out to be seven.

"I'll have plenty of time I got like fourteen hours before that happens," I returned as I grabbed two apples. I saw that the sisters were confused.

"I'm sorry Hunter but you have only two hours left. It's just after sunrise not set," Celestia informed me. Now it was my turn to be confused. Had I really slept that long in this armor against that wall and not realized it? The sisters saw it too.

"Are you well friend, you appear to be upset? Is it due to your loss of time," Luna asked.

"What? Oh, yeah. I guess I am, but I'll get over it. Guess I'll have to go do some quick packing and gear check before I start on these," I told them as I lifted the folders in one hand and my apples in the other.

"I'll see you ladies in about a hour and a half then, until then take it easy," I told them as I stood up before leaving to head back to my room.

"Please wait, I wish to join you," Celestia called out to me and so I did. She excused herself and walked over to me side before we continued on. As we walked away from the door she spoke first.

"I wish to thank you for actually taking up this job. I had thought you would have turned it down given our past experiences."

I paused a second, "you mean that was an option open to me," I asked as I threw my hands up in a purposely over dramatic motion, "now i find out."

For the first time I could remember I actually saw her smile.

"Even if I had known, I don't think I could have turned down the request. I've been during this kind of work for longer then I care to remember and sadly I've gotten pretty fucking good at it, even without comparing to others." I returned sadly with a weak half frown.

"It is sad that statement is true and the royal family is largely responsible for it.  You should have learned that times have changed greatly since you were last with us," she offered me, which I shrugged at, as I thought of a great quote.

"War..., war never changes," I told her flatly as I looked at her. "When, not if, war returns to the lands you, your sister and I know what's going to happen. I will do my best to stop those horrors from returning." Celestia looked down cast at my words knowing the dark truth behind them.

"I know, and we will all try to stop it from returning. Which is one reason I've asked you to take this work from the crown. I believe it will go a long way to do that," I was informed as we continued to walk.

"This is where we must part ways for now, I shall in brief you as we fly to where you will be posted. Also Luna will be joining us to help explain and answer questions that are bound to come up." Celestia told me as we stopped and before walking down another hallway.

I gave a small wave with the folders before continuing my own walk. When I got back to my soon to be former room I tossed the folders on the chair along with the apples.

I then grabbed the weapons case and tossed it on the bed. I snapped open the four latches and stopped myself before I opened it. I rolled my shoulders and gave the top a lift to peer in.

Inside where my main tools of my job. A  collapsed assault rifle, a pistol, combat knife, and long sword in sheath. In the spaces in between where magazines with rounds in them.

I first took out the sword and feed the strap under the front side of my body armor and leaving the sword outside the back of it with the grip above my left shoulder. I didn't bother to check it since I really didn't know much about its craftsmanship, only that the sisters had never failed in getting the best blades they could.

Next was the combat knife which I gave a looked at before tossing it in the case realizing I needed to put the tactical vest on, which was a quick affair. With it on I put the knife grip down over my right pectoral, so I could use either hand to grasp it.

After the blades I took the pistol out for its inspection. I started by breaking it down to its base components to inspect. Everything seemed to be in order but some of the engravings seemed a bit off from my memory which weren't really wrong. It looked as they had been improved slightly. I’d have to ask to verify. After reassembling the weapon I slide a magazine into the grip and let the slide forward. I placed the weapon in the holster on the outside of my right thigh.

I repeated the process with the rifle but took longer to give it a closer inspection as it was my primary tool. After it's reassembly I held it in my right hand as I drew the tactical sling from the case which had been under the weapon. I quickly rigged and adjusted the sling and let it hang from my side.

I took a deep breath and looked down at the ammo filled magazines with ambivalence. I grabbed two for the pistol and put them on my left hip. Next I took two rifle magazines and put them in the slots on the left of my left thigh. The last two rifle magazines went into the holder next to the pistol magazines.

Finally, I ensured that both weapons had no magazines in, slides back, and chambers empty before grabbing the last mags for them. First I let the slide go forward on the pistol before putting the magazine in and restoring the pistol. I then repeated the process with the rifle.

After closing the case I walked back to the mirror and show a horror show waiting to happen. I no longer looked like a man, I looked like monster born from madness, which was closer to the truth. I was frightened how comfortable I was with that thought.

Some of the slots on the tact vest were empty but didn't need to have mags since I wasn't heading into actually combat, plus I didn't have any more. I then saw the rack sack in the mirror.

I walked over to it and placed it on the bed on top of the weapons case. Inside was a field medical kit, food and water for three days, a line of rope, rope sinks, face mask and foul weather goggles. I took a glance at the foot locker and figured I could cram it all it side the rack sack.

After some time and effort I succeeded in my goal of getting everything in the rack sack except the face mask, goggles and helmet, although it looked like it could burst at any second. I latched the first two to the outside of the rack sack. Now I didn't have to carry anything with me.

With the packing done I tossed it on my back and adjusted the shoulder and waist straps to get it comfortable and be able to reach all my weapons and ammo.

I turned back to the chair and picked up an apple in my left hand and quickly ate it before I started on the other. As I chewed my first bite I reached for the stack of folders to read while I ate.

However before I could I heard a loud gasp from behind me. As I turned I placed my right hand on my rifle and held the apple in the other. What I saw I knew shouldn't have amused me as much as it did.

I saw four Pegasus royal guards, half solar and lunar, trying not to bolt from me with looks of fear in their eyes. The funny thought about dropping the apple and raising the rifle to scare them... No, that would terrify them and would not help me in any way.

"How may I help you gentleme..., gentlecolts," I asked as levelly as possible to avoid freaking them out any more. After several seconds a fifth guard walk up. He stumbled briefly before catching himself when he caught my appearance.

"They are here to escort you to your transport. I am here to look at what the princesses have been hiding and talking about," he informed my with a small hint of smugness.

"If that is true what makes you think you should be doing this? They must have a reason, Mr.," I inquired with a narrowing of my eyes.

"It's Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor and you will address me as so creature," he returned with anger and venom.

"I can already tell I'm not going to like you. I've got an idea

why you got a problem with me. It's that you think you and or your guard should be doing what I'm about to. But let me tell you the princesses must have a reason for selecting me. You have a problem take it up with them, I just listen to what the voices tell me," I informed him with increasing anger and hostility I as walked over to the group and towered of them all.

Did I forget to mention that at an even six foot tall I average twice the height of the average pony? Shining is close to I guess four and a half. I've used that fact to help end some situations before they got worse.

It seemed to work this time as well as he gave a snort and turn to leave with the guard several steps behind. I took a couple more bites of the apple and stuffed my checks before tossing the apple and going back in to grab my helmet.

I soon fell in behind the four guards and walked in silence, well near. All my gear and armor were bouncing and making noise. I noticed the big offender was my rifle bouncing of my chest. I put the helmet on and used the now free hand to grasp the rifle.

I was now carrying it at the ready position with the barrel pointing down and to the left.

After a minute we ran into a group of ponies that did freak out. Some turned and ran while others froze as I moved with the guards. One unicorn that I saw us stopped just as his head popped around a turn and froze at the sight of me. It looked like it gave a silence scream of horror as he back pedal and disappeared. This happened a couple more times before we reached our destination.

In looked like a chariot pool. I saw several in stalls, some in the open being worked on, and some being, I think, readied for use. I then saw a group walking over.

It was four more guards, again half and half, with the sun and moon princesses.  The guards seemed spooked like the others while the two sister didn't really seem to notice.

"It would seem we have found the source of all the ruckus dear sister," Luna stated as she walked over.

"In my defense I didn't think everyone would freak out. All I've done was walk from my room to here with these guards," I stated in my defense as I moved my left hand and arm around.

"I understand and I should have told you not to don all of that before coming here. I thought you would have enough sense to carry everything, not wear it," Celestia said as she moved over to a rather large and covered chariot.

I moved over to her and gave it a look over after giving a shrug.

"Why such a large transport?"

"It was planned to be carrying the three of us and your trunk and case. Now it's just the three of us," Celestia informed me. I gave a shrug and turn to face the guard.

"What about all of them," I asked with a gesture towards the guards.

"They will not all be joining us. No need to make the upcoming situation any worse."

"That's true I guess," I gave her with a small roll of my eyes.

"We'll let us board so that we can begin our journey," Luna interjected as she climbed into the chariot. I was soon behind her.

As I climbed in I smacked my helmet into the overhead and had it slip off.

"God damn it," I said to no one in particular as a hopped down and picked it up before jumping back in, this time ducking. I moved to sit across from Luna but had to take the ruck sack off first.

I tossed it next to me and sat as Celestia moved to sit down next to her sister. After she settled in a guard come around.

"Everything will be ready in a minute princesses," a gruff voice from a lunar guard informed us. It looked like he was going to say something else but was interrupted.

"Your majesty I must ask you to reconsider one last time before you leave with, him," Shining asked cutting off the night guard that looked upset but kept quite.

"I will not, Captain. We have discussed this and will not be changing our minds," Celestia told him firm and oddly warm voice. While she did I gave Shining a single finger salute that left him confused but I think the lunar guard got the idea from the smirk he wore.

After that Shining left with the guard a second behind him. As I tried to get comfortable the chariot gave a sudden jerk and started moving.

"So how long is this little trip of our going to take," I asked as I put my helmet back on.

"An hour," Celestia informed me. "I think we should go over the cover story one more time to make sure everypony is on the same page."

I gave a half hearted shrug and Luna gave a simple nod. Celestia rolled her eyes.

"You haven't been awake a full week and already you are becoming a bad influence again," she flatly stated and started talking before I could reply.

"We have decided that you where around before the two of us decided to unite all the rival factions. Also that you helped bring on that decision through means that WILL be left vague," she calmly recited except the one emphasis.

"Yes, also that we knew each other and were and still close friends," Luna added. "In addition, you where a key player in the banishment of one of the greatest threats to move through Equestria."

At that I shifted uncomfortably and looked out the back of the chariot. There was also a awkward moment of silence before she went on.

"The reason that you disappeared was that in your final battle with it you were grievously wounded and had to be placed in a magical coma to heal," she added before she shifted uncomfortably.

"Later, Luna was influenced by it and fell into darkness. Under a dark influence she attempted to find where you had banished it, to join. To do this she needed to wake you," Celestia added to the story before she finally shifted uncomfortably.

"However before she could I was able to banish her. What I didn't know was this was part of the dark ones plan. After Luna's return still under the dark influence, which had grown in banishment, she had the power and magics needed to awake you and retrieve the information," she added as she shifted her wings at the end.

"Finally, before we could take revenge we were defeated by outside elements. After your awakening you felt we where in great peril and rushed to aid us. This is when you made your appearance know to us," Luna finished using her wing to point at herself and sister.

I gave a nod before I put my elbows on my knees and my chin on interwoven fingers.

"Not a truth, not a lie," I sighed out. At that both sisters gave an uncomfortable shift of the wings and body before the chariot feel into silence.

The silence continued for the reminder of the trip until we noticed the chariot began to descend.

"We are nearing our meeting place. Which also happens to be where you will be staying," Celestia informed me as I rolled my shoulders.

"We are not excepting any problems, as we have given the group a warning you will be arriving," Luna added shortly before the chariot landed.

It was a little rougher then I excepted and had to throw my left hand against the ceiling to steady myself, causing some pain. After we finally stopped it took a moment before two guards came around to the back.

"Everything looks secure your majesty. Only those that are suppose to be here are," the gruff voice of the lunar guard informed us. With that Celestia took a deep breath and let it out slowly before disembarking. A couple seconds later Luna did the same leaving me alone.

I was told earlier to wait for the guard to tell me to leave the chariot. After several minutes of hearing muted voices and Luna's royal voice with nothing being clear enough to hear, except Luna, I was still waiting. It seemed Luna hadn't and wouldn't be saying much other then some greetings.

The lunar guard was soon nodding his head for me to get out of the chariot. I leaned over and walked to the exit hunched over. When I got there I hopped out and stood to my full height as a brought my rifle to the ready position.

As I looked around I was confused when I didn't see anyone. The guard gave a half smirk before tilting his head towards the front of the chariot.

I gave him a small nod as I walked by him headed to where the group was. When I finished walking to the side of the chariot I saw the two sisters standing in front if a small group.

As I neared I heard whispers that grew louder as I neared. When I got close the sisters stepped aside.

Everyone was shocked and surprised at what they saw.

The two sisters at the groups reaction and the group at finally getting at good look at me.

One of them had a look of confusion and some kind of wanting in her eyes. Another seemed to be measuring me up as to challenge. The third was bouncing up and down in near uncontrolled joy. Next, was a pair of eyes that showed fear but where being meticulous in their measure of me. After that I caught a quick glance of caring and soft eyes barely covering terror before hiding themselves. Finally I saw eyes of determination that wouldn't hide from me.

I was shocked at the actions but not nearly as nearly as much as who they were on.

I was completely shocked to be looking at the lights and faces of those that awoke me.