Entry One.
Why am I even bothering with this thing? I look ridiculous writing in this tiny journal with my massive claws, hunched over the table, face almost touching the page. But she asked me to do it, to document my past experiences, for some kind of therapy or something. I don’t understand how writing is supposed to help me get over my ‘issues’ but I must listen to my princess.
I am of two minds. Literally. Maybe. It’s hard to tell if I am truly two minds housed in one body, or simply the result of a sick and deluded mind. Regardless, I am both myself and not. The other, the one who originally owned this body, the one I awoke in when I first woke in this world, is ‘asleep’. Though I believe dormant would fit better.
I am, or at least I think I am, Matthew ‘Bob’ Mandel. Born and raised in the great state of California, USA, Earth. The ‘other guy’, who’s name I am using seeing as it fits in better around these parts, is Tatsurion the Unchained. Apparently he, I, we were born from the coupling of a dragon and quillspike, a type of giant bipedal porcupine thing. Yeah, its pretty crazy. Needless to say when I first woke up I had a hell of a time adjusting mentally.
When I first woke, surrounded by snow and ice, in a body most definitely not my own, I was terrified and alone. For the first few moments I had stumbled around blindly, terrified, confused and alone. And then I heard him, the echos of his thoughts in my, our, head. I found myself able to walk as the muscle memory of the other began to show.
I think thats the only thing that kept me alive. When I was unsure of how to move, of what to do to survive as I was forced to hunt penguins and seals, fighting off polar bears to keep my kills, it was the skills of the other that allowed me to win and thrive as instinct I never held as a human guided my claws. I soon became able to view his memories, something I took a guilty pleasure in doing whenever I was forced into a cave or forced still during a storm, it killed time and helped me learn more about my new form. But it also brought about a fair amount of concern from me as I slowly began to lose myself in his memories. They becoming more of a reality to me than my own as the matched my new reality closer than my own. I began to doubt my own past, how could I possibly been a human at any point in time?
After all I am a monster roughly the size of a full grown elephant, with large bat like wings and a thick tail, spines growing from my shoulders and claws. Nothing like a human.
Yet I have begun to accept the duality of myself, with the help of my dear friend Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Ah, Cadenza - or as she prefers to be called, Cadance- such a nice mare. I would most likely still be aimlessly roaming the frozen north if it wasn’t for her. The first time I meet her was by complete coincidence, I had been flying south for a few weeks. Just trying to find someplace that wasn’t completely covered in snow, and had come across a battle. Well, more like a slaughter.
Cadance had been ambushed by a group of black, bug like pony creatures, on her way to visit the Lunar Glacier, a glacier that sparkles like the stars in the night sky under the light of the full moon. The monsters had taken the group by surprise and had been able to bring down her escort and capture her within minutes. Luckily I had been flying over head and decided to help, using the element of surprise to drop down on the bugs and take them out easily. Well, to abridge a long and lengthy tale, I explained what I knew of myself to Cadance, explained I had no where to go and nothing to do, learned she was in fact a Princess, and so I was hired to be her bodyguard. Speaking of which, I must wrap this up, I have to escort her down to the train station. Her fiances kid sister and her friends will be arriving soon, and she promised to meet them when they arrive.
I don’t know why he can’t do it himself, I mean it is his sister, but Cadance just can’t seem to tell Shining Armour no. I honestly don’t know what she see’s in that guy, ever since he came back from his post in the Badlands he has acted like a total dick.
-Tatsurion the Unchained, guard of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza
In his personal chambers within the grand castle that all three princess of Equestria called home, the man in the body of a beast finished attaching his shoulder guard. For one whom’s profession offered pay equivalent to even the most well off businessman, the room of the bodyguard of the princess of love was sparse in its furnishings. A filled bookshelf, desk, and chest made up the entirety of its furnishings, the walls were bare, and a lone candle was the only source of light in the room. Not even a bed was found in the room, not for lack of space as the room itself was quite expensive, but do to the fact that it would be wasted on the rooms inhabitant, who preferred to sleep on the floor.
While he had only called the castle home for a short time, never staying in it for more than a week as Cadance had a habit of traveling, he had already gained a reputation amongst the nobles and staff. No one was to mess with Tatsurion the Unchained or his charge. It was not that he was overly violent or hostile- he would admit that his temper had lead to a bit more bruising than necessary, but it was within reason- it was just the fear he could instal within the much smaller equines when he would turn a rage filled eye on them when they had done something to him or the Princess. He figured this part of him came from Tatsurion’s personality.
But he also had another side that helped ease the tension with the ponies, and that was the gentleness he exhibited around animals. Whenever he was around animals, whether it be a spider or timber wolf, he was always more at ease and would find himself to act calmer and gentler with those around him. He contributed this to Matthew.
With a sigh he finished adjusting his armour, and turned expectantly towards the door.
--lb--
Tatsurions chambers are located at the base of one of the castles five towers, the one closest to the royal garden, and conveniently located down the hall from Cadances’ room. Said princess was currently making her way towards her bodyguards room. She had a spring in her step as she approached the room of her guard, and friend.
Ever since he saved her from those things in the frozen north she had considered the giant creature a friend, and she knew he thought the same of her, despite the fact he never openly admitted it. In fact, she considered him one of the ones closest to her, despite not knowing him for very long. It wasn’t just because he had rescued her once or twice- or every other saturday and rotating weekdays, as he would put it- but because despite his own issues he was always ready to listen to her when she had a doubt or insecurity. He never pushed her away when she felt the need to talk about her issues, no matter what time or the severity.
And considering the number of times she has woken him in the middle of the night to talk about her concerns for the wedding, thats saying something.
And in return he asked nothing of her, no matter how many favors she asked, no matter how many rescues he has performed, he never asks for anything. He hadn’t even asked for his job, and it seemed he never would ask for anything, and thats why she felt so close to him, and felt the need to help him. Because even though he acted all tough on the outside- except for the time he’s cooing over the animals in the garden, not that he would admit to it- she could see right pass the mask he put up to the fear and insecurity he felt within.
As a princess and his friend she felt it was her duty to help the one who had helped her so much without asking for anything.She knew he was still confused about who he really was, and she supposed him being some strange combination of two individuals would make that a very difficult issue, but she knew that he would never solve it the way he was going about it he would never resolve anything. He needed more than just talking to her, when she could get the big guy to talk, he needed friends. And hopefully her soon to be sister-in-law and her friends could help with that.
Or, at least help him lighten the hell up.
Reaching his door, she rapped on the door three times, on the third the massive barrier of oak and steel swung inwards, revealing the rooms massive inhabitant. “Ready to go, Bob?” She inquired of the much larger mammal.
“What do you think, Pinks?”
Entry two.
I am currently lying on the ground near the Canterlot train station, waiting for Twilight and her friends to arrive. Cadance read the schedule wrong, or so she claims, and we arrived two hours earlier than necessary. Personally, I think this is just her way of easing her anxiety by ensuring there is no way we could be late.
I don’t mind, it gives me some more time to work on this journal. I think it’s helping, if only that I can put words on paper. I must be quit the site to these ponies, clutching this tiny pen while writing in this equally small book, lying on the stations floor with a princess snoring away on my back.
This isn’t the first time she has done this, I swear she is part cat, and I don’t mind. Hell, I can only tell she’s up there because of the drool. What I do mind is that it’s like she’s gloating. Haha, I can take a nap and you can’t. Part of being a bodyguard I suppose.
I suppose I can share what I remember about my ‘human life’. Damn, I suppose it's a good thing this thing is personal or Pinks would give me a lecture on how I should be ‘accepting myself as I truly am, both the human and kaiju aspects’. And probably sock me for calling her Pinks again.
Let’s see, I was born on November 2nd, 1992 in a nest within the Quillspike territories a hospital in San Campion, California. My name, as I listed before was, is, Matthew Mandel. My parents are Ryan Mandel and Allia Jackson-Mandel. I lived in the same apartment complex for the first eighteen years of my life. My parents got a divorce when I was six, I stayed with my mom, never saw dad again. My life I feel was pretty average, which is to say I went to school, had a B average and graduated high-school on time. I was the treasurer for the hiking club though.
When I graduated I got a job working at a local Petco, I enjoyed being around the animals and helping people pick out new pets, and helping out the old ones. Unfortunately I did not go to college, something that bothers me now. I moved to an apartment closer to my job, a nice place on the second floor, coincidentally at the same time as my new neighbors the Pierce-Okamoto family. They were nice people, consisting of a woman named Janet, her son Raiden and her father in law Raiden. I love those inherited names.
As I lived alone, Janet would often ask me to come over for a meal or so, and my friendship with the family grew. Eventually it came to the point that they were like a second family. Janet was like a older sister, with all the cons to go with the pros. It’s none of her business who I date, I’m a grown man! Ray, the nickname by which the younger Raiden goes by, became sorta like a nephew, I guess. Not to sure thats how he thought of it, but I always watched out for the kid.
If Janet was my sister, and Ray my nephew, then Raiden was like a father. It was the subtle things, advice about how to stay ahead on my bills, dating advice, old man knew what he was talking about. Things like that. The old man always had a cup of tea and some advice ready for me.
The last thing I remember, before waking up in the frozen north, was driving back to my apartment from my mothers place. And thats it. No flash of light or near death experiences, just driving home.
Well, thats all for now. The train just arrived.
Matthew Mandel, the man within the beast.
The blaring horn of the approaching train announced the arrival of six very special individuals. They were not famous actors, or super models. They were not politicians or foreign dignitaries, and most would not look at them twice if they saw the walking down the way. No, they are not famous, but these six are very special, for they are the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. And they are who Cadance and Tatsurion were waiting for.
“Princess,” Tatsurion gently spoke in his rumbling voice to the slumbering alicorn on his back, “Twilight and her friends are here, it’s time to wake up.” The princess just continued to sleep on, ignoring her bodyguard. Sighing, Tatsurion tried again, this time reaching back to poke her gently. “Time to wake up Princess Cadance,” again she failed to wake up, and to make it worse she grabbed at his hand with her hoof, somehow latching on.
He tried several more times, each time losing a bit more composure and acting a bit less professional, not that anything about the situation was professional. Inwardly he knew why she was so tired, and felt bad about trying to wake her up. But he also knew that she would hate to not be awake to greet the young mare she already thought of as a younger sister. Mindful of the train which was already unloading, and the subsequent crowd, he went for his last resort wake up technique.
“Sorry Pinks, but you have left me no choice.” Very gently he picked the wielder of love off his back, who only shifted a little at the sudden change, and placed her on the ground in front of him. Leaning down until his mouth was near her ear he whispered, “Cadance, you’re late for the wedding.” The effect was immediate. The tired princess immediately jumped up, fully awake and began to freak out until she noticed where she was.
The look she sent Tatsurion was murderous and she was no doubt about to tear the partial beast kin a new one, had a certain purple librarian not arrived.
“Cadance!” Twilight yelled happily, running up to her old foalsitter and giving her a hug which Cadance happily returned. “It’s been forever, how are?” Twilight asked as she pulled away, her friends coming up behind her. The librarians five friends eyed the large form of Tatsurion with a small amount of trepidation, weary of the large carnivore. Well, except Pinkie, who was just happily bouncing and Fluttershy who was cowering behind AJ. They had been warned that Twilights old foal sitters bodyguard would not be normal, but they had not been expecting anything like Tatsurion.
“Twilight it’s only been two weeks.” Cadance laughingly said. “And these must be those friends that you are always talking about. How lovely to meet you all.”
The eyes of Twilights friends moved from Tatsurion to Cadance. They all gave the love princess warm smiles before stepping forward to introduce themselves.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Princess,” Apple Jack began in her southern drawl, “My names Apple Jack.”
“It’s nice to meet you Apple Jack, Twilight has told me you grow the best apples. And that you are the most honest and hardworking mare she knows.” Cadance said with a smile to the farmer, who blushed a little from the praise, before standing tall with pride and thanking the Princess.
“It is lovely to meet you, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. I am Rarity.” The fashionista said formally, ending with a bow. “ I look forward to making your dress, when I’m done nopony well be able to forget it!”
“I’m sure, from the pictures Twilight has shown me, I just know that it will be wonderful.”
“Oh those old things? They are nothing compared to what I have planned for you, Princess!'
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Jeez, that's all we've been hearing about from you for, like, the past three hours Rarity!" Rainbow Dash complained, hovering a foot above the ground. Rarity huffed in indignation, turning her head away from her brash friend. "Anyway, my names Rainbow Dash, and I'm the fastest flyer in all of Equestria!"
Cadance silently laughed as the boastful mare introduced herself, knowing that while the Pegasus may be fast for a pony, she was not even close to some of the creatures she had seen around Equestrias borders, to say nothing of alicorns.
"Oh," Rainbow Dash paused for a moment before pointing at the intimidated Fluttershy," and this is Fluttershy. I'd let her introduce herself, but the whole 'can you repeat that' thing gets really old. "
"Not a problem and it's lovely to meet you both." Cadance kindly said, smiling as the animal expert gave the stunt flyer a smile full of gratitude, relived she wouldn't have to speak in front of the royal at the moment. Before she had a chance to respond further, a wall of pink fur and blue eyes filled her vision.
"Hi! I'm Pinkamena Dian Pie, but you can call me Pinkie Pie, everypony does!" The baker said excitedly, before dawning a contemplative look. "Well, not everyone everyone. My mom dad call me 'Daughter' and Pinkamenia, and my sisters call me sister. Except Maud. But that's beside the point! Will you be my friend? I've never had a Princess for a friend before! Unless you count Celestia, but I think we're more like acquaintances. So please be my friend, please, please, come on, please?"
"Of course I'll be your friend, any friend of Twilight is a friend of mine." Cadance chirped happily. "And now I want to introduce you all to my good friend and body guard."
Stepping forward, Tatsurion bowed his head low so he could look the six in the eye. "I am Tatsurion the Unchained."
A brief chat with the midnight sun.
Entry three
Meeting Twilight's friends was . . . interesting, to say the least. I had already meet the girl before hand, she visits her family every other week and often stopped by to visit Cadence, so she had already given her friends some warning. Still, it was mildly amusing to see their reactions when it came time to actually meeting me. They all looked like they were about to bolt, a fair reaction when one meets something much bigger than oneself with dagger like teeth to boot, but to their credit they stood strong and introduced themselves. Not that it was necessary as they had just introduced themselves to Cadance.
Though I had hoped we would quickly head back to the castle in relative silence, perhaps exchanging a few pleasantries after retrieving the six, I found that was not to be. Rarity, a
A knock turned Tatsurion away from his writing, the large hybrid grunting in annoyance as he dropped his quill and got up to answer the door.
'There are only two ponies I know that would knock on my door this late at night.' Tatsurion thought as he opened the door revealing, not to his surprise, Princess Celestia.
"Celestia, I would say that it is a surprise, but then I would be lying. So, I'm guessing you heard about my little disagreement with the bearer of generosity." He stepped back into his cavernous room and motioned for the solar Princess to enter. Two guards entered after her, taking their place directly in front of the closed door.
Celestia walked into the room with a curious expression on her face. "Hmm, I thought you would have more in here. Still as plain as ever. One wonders what you do with all that money I pay you every week." She sent a pointed look at Tatsurion. "I thought dragons had a thing for collecting rare and expensive items." She grabbed one of his books with her golden magic and read the title with a amused snort. "I don't think trash romantic comedies count as either."
Matthew sent her a look, "Cadance put you up to this, didn't she? Well I'll tell you like I keep telling her, I don't need much to be happy. I am perfectly fine with what I have." He snatched the book out of her magical grip, replacing it on the shelf while ignoring her amused snort.
"Yes I am sure that you are perfectly content with living like a pour stallion. But that's not what I am here about. You are right, of course, Matthew, I did indeed here about your disagreement with Rarity. And that has nothing to do with what I want to talk about." She added quickly at his annoyed look.
"Then what?" Tatsurion asked gruffly, settling down on the floor along the back wall, directly facing the Princess.
"It's about your role in the wedding." Celestia turned to look at the prone form of Tatsurion, a dart sticking out of his neck. "Or rather, the lack of one. Don't worry though, you won't be missing out on Cadances big day. After all, you'll be joining her down in the crystal caves." Celestia let out a chilling laugh as her horn was covered in green magic, before a circle of emerald flames surrounded the unconscious Tatsurion, before closing in on him, and sending him down into the caverns below.
And as the large hybrid sunk out of sight, the door opened, admitting Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Captain Shining Armor.
"You have taken care of the little Princess?" Celestia asked casually, walking over to the candle burning at Tatsurion's desk.
"Of course, my Queen." Cadenza respectfully replied.
"Good." Celestia blew out the candle, casting the room into near complete darkness, the only light being five pairs of glowing green eyes.
