A Promise of Destiny

Fifty years ago.

A lone Orc warrior sits in the aftermath of a battle his green skin stained red with the blood of hundreds his hazel eyes gazing over the corpses of friends family and enemy alike he sits still holding his family waraxe.

“what now…….I’m all that remains……. of my clan my family my friends my home…...all gone” he said slowly he closed his eyes “ancestors and gods above guide me in my darkest time….. there is no hope no reason to carry on…...I have no destiny” for a time all that could be heard was his shallow breaths until he heard a voice “there is hope my dear Orc”.

The Orcs eyes snapped open, he looked to the voice and saw a tall hooded figure standing there wearing a brown cloak with a book held by a chain hanging from his shoulder.

The Orc raised his axe to the stranger “who are you speak before you taste the steel of GoreHound”.

The stranger raised his hand the axe then flew from the Orc to the man’s hand then dropped it on the ground “calm yourself young one if I was here to harm you you would be dead….now as for your plight if you seek your destiny that lies far from here..... tell me what is your name boy?”.

The Orc frowned at the man “Zugthule Tharok of Clan Stoneheart….what remains anyway” he said with crestfallen voice.

The man walked up to Zugthule and held out his hands they were odd different from what the Orc was expecting his right hand was that of a lions paw the other of a eagle talon.

Zugthule scowled as the man removed his hood showing him to be a Draconequus, the Orc rushed the creature knocking it to the ground grabbing his axe and putting at his throat “I should kill you for kind did to the world….however” he looked over the creature he was different from the others ,having a gold coat with a pinkish mane and tail with two large feathered wings on his back the Orc stood “you are a halfblood are you not….what's your name?.

The Draconequus dusted himself off “my name is Farsight I am the child of Discord and a pony-OOF” Farsight was knocked to the ground again by the back of the axe.

“LIES DISCORD LAY IN STONE HOW CAN YOU BE HIS OFFSPRING?” yelled Zugthule enraged.

Farsight raised his hands “wait let me explain I’m from the future sixty three years from now…..please you have to listen Zug you're going to do great things you will become a champion of a people hailed as a hero , a father,husband and friend…..please you have to believe me”.

Zugthule sighed “fine lets say I believe you….not that I do but where do I go hmmm there is nothing out there but hate and war” he said as Farsight stood up again.

Farsight smiled “no not out there but far to the west far over the sea lies a land in need of your strength…..your future home”.

Zugthule raised an eyebrow “um don’t mean to rain on your parade but there's nothing beyond the sea no Orc has ever made it there or back”.

Farsight chuckled “that's because none of them had your drive or your strength”.

Zugthule sheathed his axe on the leather scabbard on his back and folded his arms “how long will this journey take me?”.

Farsight just sighed “it will take you fifty years in that time you will grow in strength and intellect you will learn much in your travels…...in the end it will all be worth it …..Zug look you don’t know me like I know you….y..you taught me not to fear what others think that and well you saved my life on more than one occasion I owe you everything so let me tell you what you told me to tell you…..your mother was right all you need to be happy was family and to find that family you must go to the lands of Equestria to a small town called Ponyville”.

They just stood there in silence as the stars came out until Zugthule finally said “ok….fine I’ll go”.

Farsight just nodded “good I knew you would make to right choice” he pointed to a purple star to the west “there that star follow that and it will take you there”

Zugthule looked where he was pointing “so what are you to me? you act like more than just a friend so you must-”.

When Zugthule turned back to the Draconequus he had vanished “so it like that is it? heh west we go” he said marching toward the star.

For ten years Zugthule sailed the seas until he came to a land far beyond all Orcish maps and for another thirty Zugthule traveled through many kingdoms and empires learning different languages , fighting styles and talents .

Farsight was right he did grow strong stronger than even the mightiest of enemies be it Dragon , Minotaur ,Griffin or even Giant nothing could best him in the battlefield and after fifty years he made it soon the true adventure would begin .

Zugthule stepped onto the station platform having just arrived in the Crystal Empire by train
in the years it had taken him to make it to Equestria Zugthule had grown to an impressive eight feet three inches in height his appearance had changed much as well he had grown a large black beard which had tribal braids in it and long hair that comes down to the center of his back.

He wore a large brown poncho that hid his armor well he looked around him watching Ponies of every shape size and color converse and interact with each other.

A red earth mare trotted over to him looking at him with confusion “um excuse me Mr I was just sitting across the way and I don’t mean to sound rude but what are you?”

The Zugthule chuckled “I’m an Orc and its not surprising you don’t know what I am I’m the only of my kind to come to Equestria in well …..ever…..anyway the names Zugthule Tharok of clan Stoneheart and you are?” he said walking over and sitting on a nearby bench.

The mare followed over and sat down next to him “I’m Cherry Bomb I work for mining company in a town called Ponyville I handle explosives and blasting ….I work with my brother Coal Train hes a funny stallion always getting up to trouble….so where are you heading Mr Tharok?”

Zugthule shrugged “I’m actually looking to buy a house in Ponyville I’m told its a great place to settle down”.

Cherry’s face lit up at this “oh heavens yes its a great little town its also the home of the newest Princess shes got a castle and everything there's even a-”.

Suddenly a loud whistle was heard as a conductor pony said “the Train to Ponyville will be leaving in one minute please check that you have all your luggage and personal belongings and report to platform three please that's platform three for Ponyville”.

Zugthule turned to the Red mare “I guess that's our ride...need any help with your bags?” he said slinging his bag over his shoulder .

“um just those two “ she said pointing to two large trunks “but they're quite heavy you may need…” she stopped seeing him hoist them up and hold one on each shoulder.

He turned to her and winked “its nothing I lift weights that are way more than this” he walked over to the cargo carriage and off loaded them, dusting off his arms and hands he turned to her “shall we go?” she just nodded.

Two hours later they sat in a carriage chatting idly “ and then I said that's not a weapon that's my ass ha ha ha ha ha” Cherry giggled like a school filly “oh my oh Celestia that's funny what ended up happening to the Goblin?”.

Zugthule shrugged “last I heard he was a banker in Manehatten with sixteen kids….he went from master thief to banker….he went from taking money to holding it” he turned and looked out the carriage window “this land is beautiful it reminds me much of my home” .

Cherry noticed a sudden sadness overcome him “you miss your home don’t you?”.

He nodded “yeah but I can’t go back…...not yet anyway….so um what should I do first?” he asked seeing the town in the distance.

Cherry rubbed her chin in thought with a fore hoof “well you should see about finding some place to stay the night…...tell you what you can stay with me I live in a two story apartment with my brother what do you say Zug?”.

The Orc was silent for a moment “sure why not I would prefer to stay with someone who’s friendly”.

Cherry smiled “that's the spirit come on I think the trains pulling in to the station now” as if on cue they heard the squeal of the trains brakes slowing down before coming to a stop.

Zugthule and Cherry Bomb gathered their things and made their way to her house they walked at least halfway there when a pink pony tackled Zugthule to the ground he dropped the trunks and unfortunately for the pink mass of pony Zugthule reacted on reflex and grabbed the pony in a headlock in one arm and pulled out a huge hunting knife and held it to its throat with the other.

“WAIT STOP!!!” he stopped at the last second seeing Cherry’s horrified face “Pinkie didn't mean anything by it its just how she greets new ponies”.

Zugthule looked down at the pink pony with fear in her eyes “is this true Pink One?” she nodded.

He sighed and released her “sorry bout that Miss I’m not used to ponies yet”.

The pink pony nodded and coughed a couple of times getting her breath back “that’s fine Mr I’m sorry too I guess not everypony I say hi to is going to give me the same reaction….anyway my names Pinkie Pie but my friends call me Pinkie you can do the same” she said extending one of her fore hooves for him to shake.

Zugthule nodded and kneeled down took her hoof in his hand and gave it a firm shake “very well Pinkie my name is Zugthule Tharok of clan Stoneheart its a honor to meet you” he said as he stood up again “but as much as I would love to stay and chat I’m tired from my travels so I shall see you another say Miss Pie” he said hoisting the trunks onto his shoulders again.

The rest of the walk was calm as can be however Zugthule saw that a lot of the ponies were giving him odd looks.

When they arrived at the apartment Zugthule saw a large grey stallion with a black mane and tail watering the garden out the front his cutie mark was of a pair of pickaxes with a lump of coal he wore a white bandanna with the number 83 on it around his neck with a pair of goggles on his head.

Cherry called out to the stallion “bro I’m home!” the stallion looked to Cherry smiling he started to trot towards her only to stop and look at Zugthule his eyes as wide as dinner plates.

Cherry noted this and said “Coal don’t worry he’s a friend his name is Zugthule he’s going to be staying with us for a while” Coal just shrugged and went back to watering Zugthule followed Cherry inside.

“ok lets start with the tour ok right we have the lounge room” she motioned to her right the room had two chairs either side of a fireplace facing a couch which in turn faced the fireplace as well with a oval rug in the middle.

They walked back out to the hall “on our left is the dinner table” true to her word was a dinner table with six chairs around it in the center of the room hanging from the roof was a small chandelier.

“ok down the hall to the right is the laundry and to the left is the kitchen now follow me and I’ll show you to your room” he nodded and did as he was told following her up the stairs.

“right to the left is my brother and mines rooms hes the door and the right I’m the one on the left” Zugthule nodded “ok got it” she smiled at this and pointed behind him “over there is your room and the door in front is your own bathroom” she trotted up to the door to his new room and opened it “there you go if you need anything just ask ok?” .

Zugthule nodded and walked into his room “thank you for everything Miss Bomb” she smiled from the doorway “its fine and call me Cherry I’ll call you when its time for dinner” Zugthule waved her off “don’t worry about me I’m going to hit the hay and get some rest” she nodded and trotted down the hall.

Zugthule waited till he was sure she was down stairs before locking the door to his room he walked over and opened his bag emptying the contents onto a small table in the corner he then took stock of his weapons.

“ok so two hand axes, sixteen throwing knifes ,one fold out bow, one arrow quiver and forty three arrows and my Greataxe Gorehound” he walked over to the wardrobe and removed his poncho and armor placing it in along with his weapons and closing the door he only wore his brown pants and white tunic.

He walked over to his bed and sat down the bed was small pony sized which left his legs at the knee hanging off he closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Tomorrow he would find work should be easy right?