Legends Awaken

Future Hunter was hating past Hunter, that guy's a dick.

I woke up stiff, sore, with a headache and yelling at the light coming in through the window, I would have done a sailor proud.

I turned my head to face the other way but it did nothing to lessen the light. The pounding I was hearing was just making me angry.

Once again it was inside and outside my head and I needed to stop it.

“Stop being so loud light! You're not helping!” All that did was make the pain worse and I think made me hear laughter.

After several minutes I was still trying to force my eyes to preform the impossible and stop the light.

Soon I let a groan of hate and discontent loose as I pushed myself up to my hands and knees. Lifting my head I faced the window and and gave the raising sun a stare that matched my groan.

My next action was to give it a single finger salute, “I truly hate and despise mornings and you sun,” I said out loud with a harsh dry voice pushing and pulling myself to my feet.

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes grumbling with one hand as I felt around the desk for the bottle of cider.

With bottle in left hand I took the keys from the door before opening and walking through, that didn't work out as planned.

My eyes were still seeing mostly bright white blobs and I found myself walking into one. This wasn't as odd as it should have been.

“I see you finally got tired of waiting on me, how freaked out are the girls,” the words were dry and harsh as I blinked and shielded my eyes trying to get them to adjust closing the door with my left hand.

“Yes I have, it's been an hour since, and I quote, 'boring flank does her job,' must you be so course? As for the girls they are concerned and a little freighted,” was the warm motherly tone of Celestia.

A groan slipped from my throat as I opened the barn doors and found a sky full of sun.

“I hate your flank so much right now mare,” I informed Celestia with a tone of loathing as I held the cider bottle up to help shield my eyes. It didn't do anything to lessen the pain in my head.

“So you have told me on many occasions Hunter and I presume will many more,” she returned with a grin and playful tone.

“Oh, good, more things to look forward to hating. You here by yourself or is Luna nearby,” I asked her as we arrived at the water barrel. As I took the cup and starting drinking she answered.

“I'm here alone, well with guards, Luna knows what happened last night but she is not overly concerned. The three of us all know this could have been much worse and you were fortunate to walk away with relative light injuries. The elements however are a different story,” her tone growing with worry and concern as she spoke.

“Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash are handling it the best, seeing it as necessary protecting Applejack's sister for their own reasons. Rarity and Pinkie are taken back by what you did and think you could have scared them away but seem to understand why you acted like you did, Rarity more of the two. Finally, Fluttershy is the worst. She hasn't really dealt with death and violence like we have and thinks that a peaceful and non violent method stood have been employed. What truly scared her was your cold and detached approach to the wolves' death and your declaration to found the forth. I don't believe she understands how you see and deal with death and violence,” Celestia explained with a somber tone as I had several cups of water and processed what I was being told.

After she finished we both paused for a second before taken a deep breath and letting it out.

“Must you hunt it down? Can you not find another way to deal with this? It would help her view of you,” she asked as I rolled my shoulders with pain coming from my injuries. Pausing to think about my answer I remained silent.

I really didn't have to go hunt down the large wolf but doing so would make me feel better. Having Fluttershy not terrified of me would go a long way and my own gratification would only last a short time and more then likely harm my standings with the others. On the other hand I'm a huge fan of vengeance, however it wouldn't be so fulfilling against a woodland critter.

Starting with a dramatic groan and a tossing my hands in the air I answered.

“Fine, I won't go looking for the damn thing, but I'm keeping the corpses. Knowledge is power after all,” I ended with a mischievous grin.

“Thank you, as for the dead I've already sent them to Canterlot,” she replied holding a hoof up to stop me from talking to explain further.

“To be honest you don't have, the facilities or means to find your answers. On the other hoof, I do and I will forward you a complete and unedited copy of the findings, and the majority of any bits that come from this,” she laid out hoping to placate me.

I narrowed my eyes and thought about it and saw the truth in her words. I gave a nod.

“Yeah, that'll work.”

“Excellent, now that the matter at hoof is finished I believe you have several ponies waiting to talk with you,” was the warm caring voice with a wave of a hoof at the Apple home.

Following the hoof I saw several faces looking out at Celestia and me. Letting out a sigh I waved to call the girls over.

As they made their way over I saw Celestia had been right about how they were responding to what had happened last night.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight were in front of the group with Pinkie and Rarity in center with Fluttershy bringing up the rear with her wings and ears flattened. Spike was behind the group carrying a box. Rainbow was the first to start talking.

“That, was, awesome! You fought down three Timber Wolves and walked away! I would have loved to see you fight them! I bet you could have taken the forth, if it hadn't tuck tail and ran,” she told me as she flew around me looking me over excitedly.

“Well, that makes one of us. I’d rather of fought zero then three and the forth looked like it was Big Mac's size, so noo thank you,” was my reply as I waved my hand around at her like she was a fly.

“Yeah, but what you did was still pretty cool! And you did it for a filly you had just meet!”

“One can looked at it from that angle I guess,” was my confused reply as I rubbed the back of my neck.

“Ah never gotta chance ta thank you right and proper last night. I don't think the family could have takin' another lose, thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Applejack started to tell me as she took her hat off and held it against her chest. “Maybe ya ain't so bad,” she ended putting her hat back on.

Now I could have gone full apathetic ass and not cared but I had to think long term. I'd acted more out of self preservation but her family and her didn't need to know that.

“Thanks Applejack, it means a lot to hear that. I'm not used to hearing thanks all that often,” was my reply with a smile showing warmth lacking in my eyes.

“Darling, are you drinking already this morning? My word, you've just woken up and you must be feeling dreadful from last night,” Rarity asked pointing at the bottle with concern in her voice and face.

I tilted my head in confusion as a tilted the bottle and gave it a look.

“Oh, I haven't been drinking, just have it to pour what's left in the other one in here. Don't want to waste anything since I think I lost the cap to the bottle from last night. Also, I am hurting from the bottle, and this one isn't helping,” came her answers as I jerked my head and the bottle towards Celestia.

The girls seemed a bit shocked I was somehow blaming their ruler of the day for my state.

“Hopefully after a couple weeks, maybe months my tolerance for alcohol will be back where it needs be, for medical reasons of course,”  I could hear Celestia's eyes roll as I gave a warm smile and small chuckle.

“Yes, medical reasons,” Rarity response came lacking any sort of belief and full of skepticism with a raised eyebrow.

“Wait, what? You drink alcohol for medical reasons? Why? What are they,” Twilight start asking prepping to go into full inquisition mode seemingly not picking up the tone Rarity had used. I quickly gave a look of empathy to Spike.

“Yeaah, I drink for medical reasons, and they're general under the category of bad,” was the reason I gave her with a painful shrug and out turning of my hands and forearms.

That got a frustrated moan out of her as her ears flattened.

Pinkie bound to the front of the group for her turn.

“Are you sure you're OK? I mean those mean Timber Wolves did sink their teeth into you, like you were a desert,” was her concerned voice and face.

“Yeah, I'm good to go, I've had worse but I'll probably be moving a little slower for the next couple days.”

“Okay dokie, but get better soon quickly!”

Before one of the other girls could talk with me I took a few steps forward to stand in front of Fluttershy with a serious face and I cleared my throat before talking to her.

“I don't want to put this off or act like what happened never did. I did what I did to ensure Applebloom's and my own survival. Overall I acted with restraint and took their lives quickly and with as little pain as possible,” I started with before pausing.

“I'm not a pony, I don't think and react like one. I'm not sorry for what happened and more then likely events like his well happen again. I'll try to restrain myself but I make no promises,” I added before I lowered myself to a knee to continue closer to her level.

“I have and more then likely will lose myself to the rush and sick thrill of battle, it's part of me now. I can promise to keep the darkness that has grown in me locked deep inside so you'll never see it,” I added talking more to Fluttershy at first but at the end I looked over all the girls.

“I think that's enough of downer thoughts for now, but do you understand why I did those things last night,” I asked standing back up. I got a small weak yes and nod from her as she kicked

with a hoof at the dirt after a minute.

“It was your second day on the job and your already causing problems for my little ponies,” Celestia spoke up with a mild tone and shake of her head walking to my side.

“First off it wasn't my second day,” I started with by holding up two fingers, “it was my first,” I dropped the index finger I was holding up as I turned my head to look at her, evil grin on my face.

She gave a flat unamused look at me before putting devilish grin on.

“Well, since you're in such high sprites and feeling well, you will not be needing a little magically healing,” I was told with a little smugness in her voice thinking she had won.

“That's cool, it'll give Twilight and Rarity a chance to practice their healing magic on me,” I retorted with a easy smooth tone and single shoulder shrug pointing at the two unicorns.

Celestia returned with a flat state before turning to Twilight.

“My student, take care of Hunter and please do your best to keep him out of trouble along with you and your friends. Sadly, I most return to Canterlot and continue my royal duties. Until I see you again I look forward to your next letter on friendship,” Celestia explained to Twilight with that warm motherly tone she always seems to have before her and the elements said their goodbyes.

“Now that the Princess is gone we can get some food in ya before we start the day,” Applejack spoke up pointing at the box Spike had brought, who had been quite the entire time again.

At this time Spike uncovered what was under the box, breakfast. I saw pancakes with syrup and butter, fresh apples, oranges, coffee,  toast with butter, and oatmeal. To me it was a normal sized breakfast but I'm guessing to the girls it was a feast, I don't know, to reward me for last night.

“Awesome! Spike, would you kindly hand me that,” I asked with a small smirk on my face looking forward to a real sized meal.

“Eh, yeah! Not a problem, here you go,” Spike replied lifted the tray up for me.

“Thanks little dude, now let's all head over to the porch to sit and chat while I stuff my face,” I told the group as I walked to said porch.

After sitting down on the steps and putting the tray on my lap I started with the coffee. That was when I discovered the coffee and the meal had gone cold. A small frown appeared on my face as I put the cup back down.

“What's wrong you don't like the coffee? I thought I got everything right! I used almost no sugar when I helped Applejack,” Pinkie asked as she looked over the meal with some disappointment.

“Oh, it's just cold, the sugar is fine. Don't worry about anything, it's my fault for sleeping in,” was my reply to restore her happiness.

“I knew I nailed!”

I was soon devouring the meal in front of me stopping to ask questions now and then.

“So you girls got any plans for today?”

They all responded with varies ways of no and explaining they took the day off to be with me.

“Then all of you would be able to help me take care of something, if possible that is,” I asked a minute later after finishing an orange.

More replies of varies way to say yes.

Another minute passed as I finished my pancakes.

“Is where I ah, woke up nearby?” Twilight was the one to answer.

“Yes it is, it's in the ruins of the the Castle of Nightmare Moon inside the Everfree Forest,” she told me with some concern in her voice.

“How far is it from here, within walking distance? Or further out,” I asked before washing down the oatmeal with some coffee.

I saw Twilight look at the other girls worried, about what I couldn't. Say.

“I would say close to two hours, but that was with several interruptions,” she told me rubbing the back of her head.

After the toast was gone with the apple I spoke up again.

“Would you girls kindly take me there? I want to see what's left,” I asked placing the tray next to me on the porch and wiping my month with the back of my hand as the girls whispered among themselves.

“Darling why would you want to go back to that dreadful place,” Rarity asked.

“Before I finally had to rest to recovery from my last battle I was able to seal and store items that were of professional and personal value that I’d like to try and recover,” was the half lie, half truth I told to Rarity and the others.

“I'm not expected much survived the passage of time, all I think I'm going to get is peace of mind. I'll never know unless I check it out.” My answer seemed to appease everyone, for the moment at least.

“Uhm, well, I can understand that, I would want something to help ease me into a new world. It must me awful not to have anything to remind you of your past,” Rarity told me with a toss of her mane.

“Yeah! You wants to be sad and glum! You've got to smile,” Pinkie added with gusto and bounce.

“Shucks, it the least I could do for ya after last night,” Applejack added in as Spike quietly took the empty tray into the house.

“When would you want to leave,” Twilight asked.

“Maybe he next half hour or so. I need to get a couple things done before we leave. Nothing major,” I responded looking around the porch for my missing cider bottle.

“Alright, you going to need a hoof with anything before we head out,” Rainbow asked floating nearby waving a hoof.

“No, no..., actually, yeah. I'll need help putting my armor on before we head out. That can wait until we're about to leave. Meet up back in, what fourtyish ? That enough for everyone to get ready,” I asked as I stood up and beat some of the dirt and dust off of me.

The girls gave nods and yeses before heading out to do what they needed to get ready. As for me I looked around for a minute looking for my cider bottle but soon gave up before heading back to my room.

I set the cider bottle I did have on the desk as I pulled out the chair.  Soon my head was resting in my hands as I rubbed my temples trying to get my headache to go away. After a minute it was apparent that it wasn't helping and I’d forgot to ask Rarity or Twilight to help it with magic.

I let out a long drawn out breath as I leaned back and stared at he ceiling for a minute trying to think of something to pass the time.

After sitting up I turned to look at my small book collection. Pulling off a book that I thought might have some info on the forest I sat it on the desk and flipped through the pages looking for anything on the forest.

All my search turned up was that it was home to a variety of creatures and mystery. Not much seemed to be known about the forest since most ponies avoided it. The only information I could find that was a little useful was that located inside of it were the castles of the Two Sisters being the first and Nightmare Moon being the second.

I guessed that I would be heading to one of these to places with the girls on my little trip. A groan of frustration emerged as I rubbed my eyes.

I didn't like walking into this situation with near complete ignorance on what I could be faces. I’d have to relay on what I could get from the girls.

After that realization I got up and pulled out the foot locker with all my weapon and armor kits along with grabbing my rack sack.

It ended up having everything opened up before being shaking violently upside to make sure nothing was left inside afterward. After verifying it was empty I put a day's worth of food and water in and closed it back up.

I took my time putting the armor on saving the chest piece for last waiting for a magical assist. The weapons kit was up next with only the sword and rifle being left off laying on the cot.

I tested moving with the armor I had on to see how it interacted with my injuries. The pain wasn't to much of a problem but it would be wise not to push myself to hard to avoid aggravating them.

Felling comfortable I left the armor, weapons and rack sack and made my way back to the barn's roof.

After sitting I looked into the sky searching for the Moon, knowing I wouldn't see it during the day like the one I remember from before.

After that I looked over the horizon and felt calmer. Looking out to the direction of the Everfree Frost I narrowed my eyes trying to see anything but failed to do so.

My mind soon went blank and a thousand yard stare appeared as I simply waited for time to run out.

The next thing I could recall was a voice that was hushed and muffled and a out of focus blue hoof waving in my face.

With a hard blink and shake of my head everything came back into focus.

“Equestria to Hunter! Can you hear me,” Rainbow was almost yelling at me with her voice getting clearer as she spoke.

“Yeah, yeah I'm good, what's going on,” I asked with some confusion.

“I've been trying to get your attention for almost five minutes! You were really out of it. You sure you're ok,” Rainbow explained to me with a spectacle look and tone.

“Yeah, just lost in my thoughts.”

“Most of been some pretty deep thoughts to get so lost.”

“No not really, really just nothing,” I replied standing up.

“Well hurry up, we're going to leave late of you don't start moving.”

“Alright alright I'll get the last of my stuff,” I told her with a wave of my hand as I walked to the edge of the roof.

Like before I landed with a thud and rattle but unlike before my leg told me I was a dumb ass. I hopped a few times before walking back into my room.

After walking out and locking the door I saw the girls waiting by the porch with Spike. Walking over I had the rack sack over a shoulder, armor in one hand and weapons in the other.

“About ready, just need some help again with the chest armor again ladies,” I told the group dropping the weapons to the ground with a clank and rattle.

Soon the armor was encased in magic and lifted up to drop down over raised arms. After it settled I tightened it up the best I could with the injuries.

“Can you really put that thing on without any help,” Rainbow Dash asked not believing I was able to do so as I tightened

up.

“Yeah, but since I got back I've broken a wrist, had a cast, and nearly been a chew toy. All which limit my range of motion and strength. If I ever get a chance to heal up I can take care of it,” I answered as I picked up the weapons and put them on, with a little difficulty from the sword.

Taking a deep breath and quickly letting it out I declared myself ready to start the trip to the Castle of Nightmare Moon.

Walking to the middle of the group I slowed my pace to stay in place.

After several minutes of walking in silence I broke it by asking what had happened the last time they headed into the forest. Before that happened Twilight gave some enlightening background information.

I received a crash course in the history of Nightmare Moon and what she had done a thousand years ago. It was a turn of events I had a hard time believing. Both that it had happened and the way it had happened.

By the time Twilight had finished with had happened a millennia ago we had reached the edge of the Everfree Forest.

“Lets stop for a minute I need to do a few things,” I interrupted as Twilight prepared to cover more recent events.

The group stopped and faced me to see what I was doing, which was arming up.

I took the pistol out and put a magazine in before quickly racking it back and letting go before securing it. Next was the rifle which I held in my right hand up against the shoulder, level with the ground. Grabbing a full mag I slapped it against the chest plate before slamming it into he rifle. Using my left palm I slapped the bolt release giving me a satisfying metal on metal clank.

I felt the smile on my face as I looked up and saw the girls and Spike look at me with confusion, worry and fear. My eyes narrowed before I spoke.

“What's wrong?”

“What was all that,” Spike managed to ask first.

“Being prepared. After last night I'm not taking any chances, I'm not a fan of being a chew toy. All goes well I won't have to use'em,” was my answer, which I saw didn't seem to do the job as I lower the rifle.

“What I believe Spike was asking was, what do you just do and what were they and their purpose,” Twilight asked with a hoof wave.

I pondered on how I should answer for a second.

“I made my weapons combat ready by loading them with a ranged projectile,” I answered as vaguely as I could not wanting to give away anything that might cause Twilight to want to experiment.

“The purpose was to provide a ranged means of defense and before anyone ask I'm not going to expand on my answers. They could be used for ill purposes,” I added handing up my non firing hand I added causing a bit more confusion.

“I do believe you ladies were leading me to the Castle of Nightmare Moon while Twilight brought me up to speed on recent events,” I added cutting any further discussion of the topic short.

Soon enough we were walking again with Twilight explaining what had happened in the hours leading up to my awakening.

I didn't have too much trouble added her time line of events up with mine, although hers was more detailed.

I'm not sure how it happened but by the time we had reached the castle she had covered all the events with the others added to the story from their point of view.

After catching sight of the castle I was taken back by its shape. I had excepted to see a castle build like Canterlot or maybe an old Disney movie. While the castle still had those qualities I saw, darker? More human elements?

It looked like someone had started to build a normal equine castle then in mid construction started added more militaristic features. While the gentle craves and arches of equine construction were still at the core, I easily saw the hard straight lines at the edges for practical military use.

After looking closer the whole area looked as if it had been gradually. The center was warm, friendly and full of unused space, but ever so slowly as it moved out it took the cold, harsh and spartan built look. The change was slow and gradually and not quick and precise.

To me it appeared to reflect the gradually change in the mindset of the commissioner, one I felt too much in common with.

I'm still not really sure how to describe what I saw emotional. Pride was present, remorse and sadness were there too and so was fear and confusion.

I tried to get the feelings off my mind with questions.

“Hey, Twilight. You know why the construction style changed? Also why does it looks like the outer layers' damage is different in nature then the inner core,” I inquired pointing again with my non firing hand at the castle.

“Well no pony really knows why it slowly changed, there are only guesses and theories. The only ponies that might know for certain are the Princesses. The damage to the outer layers was caused by the siege and assault on the castle by Princess Celestia and her forces, the inner castle was simply caused by time and neglect,” was her scholarly tone and reply.

The answers raised new questions in my mind and an eyebrow on my face. I’d have to ask about that later after some research.

“Interesting,” was the simply return.

“Now that we're here can we head inside, this place is kind of creepy,” Rainbow Dash asked flying a little ahead of the group.

“I don't see why not but I except to stop every once and awhile to look at something. Remember this is the first time I've seen any of this,” I replied starting to walk again.

As we walked I changed my posture from relaxed to carrying myself and rifle at the ready for any surprises.

As we walked by the outer wall I saw the damaged appeared to be caused by magic and physical hits to it, overall it looked surprisingly well other then the main gate being ripped from the hinges.

“I got to say the ponies that built this built it to last,” Applejack said looking over the walls.

“I've got to agree it looks like this place could have taken a lot more damage then it did and still keep going,” I added moving my upper body and rifle as one.

“Yes, but it's still a horrible reminder of darker and bitter times among ponies. More so for the Princesses, it would be best if it was all forgotten I say,” Rarity chimed in. As she did I got a fleeting feel of being watched.

“Those that forget the past are doomed to repeat it,” I responded  as I turned my eyes to look at the holes and rubble near the peaks of the castle's center.

With a squint of my eyes I thought I saw shadows moving but they disappeared with the ravens.

I stopped and brought the rifle to bear to look closer at where the ravens had fled.

Although I had only iron sights the act helped my focus closer on the area. Looking into the spire I only saw rubble and solid static shadow but I still had the feeling I had missed something.

“Anyone else got the feeling we're being watch,” I asked lowering the rifle.

“I'm always watching things!” Pinkie blurted out with a grin.

“It just the drab atmosphere dear, no pony has any reason to be here,” Rarity told me attempting to sooth my paranoia.

“That's true,” I offered weakly starting to walk again. After a few minutes we reached an inner court yard where I decided to drop my rack sack with a soft thud.

“How 'bout a fifteen minute break? I'm getting a little tired and thirsty,” I asked digging the water container out of the sack before sitting down and leaning against a low wall with a little difficulty.

The girls agreed and either sat or lied down and took out water or drinks of their own.

“How much longer until we reach the room where I popped out of?”

“Five minutes, give or take.”

“Really? If that's the case I'm going to scout around and check it out,” I let the girls know as I stood up.

“Do you have too? It's scary here,” was the quite request from Fluttershy. I stopped and look at her and quickly looked over the group.

None of them seemed completely comfortable being here, so I decided to stay.

“No not really, guess I'm just a little excited to see what we find,” came my reply scratching at my wounded shoulder.

“Hey, Twilight I don't remember you explaining how the elements ended up here. I do remember you saying they were at the Castle of the Two Sisters,” I inquired pointed in a random direction for both.

“Well, I guess it was Nightmare Moon who took them and brought them here in an attempt to revive you for the information she wanted,” she cautiously explain looking over the castle.

“I believe she thought she could use the elements herself to awake you and be gone before anypony could stop her.”

“Could she do that? Use the elements I mean?”

“It may have been possible. Princess Luna was able to wield some of the elements by herself, just like Princess Celestia, but all? I don't think so. Her plan may have been to use any elements she could to partial wake you then finish the process through other means,” Twilight explained and theorized was she stood up and walked to stand next to me.

“Yeah, but could she have, even use just a few of the elements? I mean it was Princess Luna that used the elements, not Nightmare Moon,” Applejack asked a good point which I had no information on.

“Again I can only guess but I would think so, in the end it was Princess Luna trying to use them even if she was under a dark influence,” Twilight offered to the group.

“Well, that could have been bad for my health. Good thing you girls were able to stop her in time,” I finished the conversation with as I hoped on top of a low wall to sit.

“Hunter what are you looking for exactly in these ruins if I my ask,” Rarity inquired as I took a sip of water.

“Well for the most part just some personal items. Maybe some trinkets, a piece or two of jewelry, some clothes would be great, any surviving writings, and some small paintings. Professional, I want to make sure none of my tools of my trade were taken, see if any of my odd armor survived, some text, and more important some items I arrived here

with,” I rattled off bouncing my feet off the wall I was on.

“Darling, I don't think any of those would have lasted this long without any care. I do hope you don't have your hopes to high,” Rarity explained to me with a worried look.

“Yeah, I know. I do think one or two of them might have, I put them through some rough times and activities and they were still going strong before I was put under. It would be nice to have a reminder or two of the good times from before to make things just a little bit easier for me,” I added hopping off the wall and walking back into the group and putting my water away.

“Why do you need reminders of the good times? What's wrong with the memories, they not good enough,” Pinkie asked with some confusion.

“Eh, sometimes yes, sometimes no. I'm fuzzy on memories at times for different lengths. Seeing or smelling something can be a great help remembering, plus I'm sure up starting to run out of space up here,” I explained ending with tapping my head.

After that I lied down and just watched the clouds pass by and asked Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy what they were like. They tried to explain but failed with no way to reference for me.

Soon after we called the break and packed up before headed into the castle's interior.

The majority of the halls were bare of any thing save rubble, wither from time or looters I couldn't say. However, as we approached what I assumed was the main chamber I noticed changes walking to the closed rusting and decaying iron doors.

The first was an dark tingle running in defined patterns just under my skin that felt distantly recognizable, while on the surface I felt the temperature drop. Then there was a dark mirthless chuckle I couldn't tell the source of or thought I heard. I was still able to shrug them off mentally but I was still uncomfortable.

The walls had tatters of banners of events past that seemed unpleasant and of battle and glory, I kept a snort to myself. There were discarded sets of armor and weapons lining the ground, oddly no bones of their owners. The walls themselves were damaged from both might and magic, I brought the rifle back to my shoulder.

The biggest change was in the girls and Spike. The girls had handled together behind me close to my legs with ears and tails low with wings tight against their barrels looking around nervously and fearfully. Spike was tightly hugging Twilight as he rode on her back. All looked like they would jump and flee at any second.

“There's nothing to worry about ladies, I'm the biggest, meanest, and nastiest thing to ever walk these halls,” I told them boastfully to calm them, but to me I thought it to be true. It work a little but not enough for my liking.

“Ha, I doubt that. Nightmare Moon took on Princess Celestia and fought her to a stand still,” Rainbow countered with a small ruffle of her wings.

“That's right Nightmare Moon was finally defeated with the Elements of Harmony in the past and recently. I don think you could take on either and win,” Twilight added looking me over. “I don't think you would be able to defeat any alicorn...,” she started to add but was interrupted.

There was a loud crack followed by a crash and crumbling of stone accompanied by a flash of sickly and malcontent reddish purple light from the throne room we were heading to. The girls jumped with a yelp and bolted to hide as a group behind a statue missing its head but with wings against a wall.

I sprinted to the wall next to the ruined remains of the iron doors to the chamber. I slammed into the wall and slide down to a crouching position and took the rifle off safe, with my injuries coming alive.

I signaled to the girls to stay in place while I investigated using my left hand to do so. Looking back I don't think they wonder stood any of it.

I took a deep breath before slowly spinning into the entrance still crouched and raising the rifle to fire if needed. I slowly pushed the iron door to the left causing a heavy creaking and groaning noise to use it as cover.

With rifle and body moving as one I searched the room with heart pounding. After the initial search turned up nothing I stood up and slowly entered the room to search in greater detail.

I saw something drawn on the floor with a pile of rubble in the center of it in the room in front of me and center to the throne but disregarded it for the moment.

Half a dozen columns lie before the drawing which could mean six hiding spots. Before I moved deeper in I searched again for more spots to be careful of and only saw the raised area of the throne and the space behind it.

I slowly moved to the right keeping the columns if front of me to reduce the chance of surprise and try to found what made the noise. I crept closer to them and with each step I felt my heart beat harder and harder.

When I got within a few feet of the first column I surged to the left side to try and take anyone by surprise.

Empty, I quickly scanned the others before moving to the column to the left and repeated the process.

I repeated this process with he other four columns and found nothing hiding. All that was left was the throne and what could be behind.

Taking slow measured steps I approached the throne before taking a slicing movement to look behind. Almost empty.

There was another pile of rubble in front of a hole in the wall leading into a long dark hallway.

I let out a long deep sigh of relief when I saw the lack of tracks in the dust around the rubble leading into the hallway. I took a deep gasp in surprise and some fear when I turned and saw what was engraved into the back of the throne.

There are two ways to defeat darkness

Through the light, to burn it away

Through the darkness, to engulf in a greater

The light will bring hope

The darkness will bring despair

The light can bring false hope

The darkness can bring enlightenment

Beware the light which can dwindle and die

Beware the darkness which can consume and grow

Both will bring power, both will bring weakness

The brightest light can create the deepest darkness

The deepest darkness can create the brightest light

How will you defeat the darkness within

I knew these words. I knew them form when I had penned them to the sisters before I exiled myself into sleep. I broke out it a cold sweet.

I think I just got a better handle on what had happened to Luna.

I stumbled out to the front of the throne and sat down upon it. I let the rifle slip from my hands as a rested my face in them.

I was drained mentally and physically from the events of the last day an a half. First from the Timber Wolves and then the thought I might have been the cause of Luna's madness.

I looked up with my arms resting on my knees as I looked at what was on the floor in front of me. As I looked closer I saw it was drawn with red ink.

There was a square with circles drawn at each point aligned so one corner pointed a the throne with something in them. Inside the square was a circle written in something I couldn't read with more writing lines every forty five degrees I guessed reaching into the center.

What was in the center I couldn't tell since it was covered in rubble which after looking up I saw had come from the roof.

Letting out a long sigh a stood up and readied the rifle to my shoulder as I walked down the steps.

“Room's clear,” I shouted back to the hallway with my left hand to my month.

Several seconds later the group cautiously entered the room looking for threats and me. They slowly made their way to me as I crouched next to one of the corner circles.

I had picked up a maroon feather from near a pile of black dust to examine it. It didn't look like any bird feather I had seen before but was familiar. With a look of confusion on my face I lowered it and turned to look at the pile closet to the throne.

A few feathers of different colors were drifting scattered about around the multicolored and black and white pile of ash. All that did was feed my confusion. I then turned to look at the pile across from me.

This one was a pile of only of multicolored dust, again only confusion was what I received.

With a groan of frustration I turned to look at the pile opposite of the throne pile and saw a pile of white dust. Just behind the pile were the girls and Spike.

They all seemed a bit more relaxed and a little confused at what was in front of them and what had happened.

I was confused only a second more before I realized what was around me, the girls had brought me the answer.

I felt disbelieve, horror and revulsion at what I realized.

There wasn't red ink or piles of dust or bird feathers around me, there were parts of ponies.