The Beast Of Blood And Rage

by FoxWithAMask

Rating: mature
Tags: Human, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Princess Luna, Changelings, Original Character, Adventure
Length: 54428

Anger and rage. Those two words describe what I feel for most of ponykind. They think they're always right, that their Princess will always protect them. They're wrong. They betrayed me once. That's all it'll take for them to kno

750 years ago I was a normal guy of twenty six. Then I was transported to a new world with no way home. Not that the beings of this new world would give me a chance.
I was betrayed. Betrayed by someone I thought was a friend. Never had I been so wrong. But now I'm free to have my revenge on this world. My anger and rage flow through me, guiding my actions. No more holding back, no more forgiveness.
I am no longer a mere man. I am no god or invincible warrior. But I am Blood. And with these powers I plan to take revenge on the ones that betrayed and scorned me.

I am Blood. I am destruction. And I am angry.

Cover art by Apex-Jarico!

Chapters now have a few images by the amazing Apex-Jarico!

Published 2014-08-29 17:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2019-05-01 22:52:42 UTC

Why Am I Doing This?

I forced by myself to slow my breathing. Underneath the thick branches of the tree I was on a deer trotted by. Unsuspecting.

I pulled out my daggers and dropped down, as I hit the back of the deer I slammed one dagger into the back of its neck while slamming the second into the side of the head. It dropped to the floor, throwing me off. I rolled as I hit the ground, quickly springing back up to my feet. After checking the deer was dead I put my daggers away.

"Sweet! Finally, some food!" I laughed, grabbing the carcass and I began dragging it back to the base.

After gutting, skinning, cooking and eating most of the deer I decided to explore the Everfree in order to see what else had changed in my absence. I could also possibly find a common path animals take, so another food source, yay. As I trekked through the forest I delved into thought.

I should probably create some traps to catch food. Need some shit. And...okay. First thing's first, I need some food. Second, water, so find a running steam nearby. Third, find a nearby town and steal from it under the cover of night. Yeah, that should do me for the next couple of days, then I can focus on revenge. Need a survival plan before I can think of stuff like that.

I looked around, I was still quite deep in the forest, the trees had a strange loon to them, almost as if they had faces. And those face were frozen in the act of screaming in terror.

I shook my head. Place is trying to mess with my head. Can't let it do that. Need to focus. I made my way through the trees and came to a pathway. What's this lead to? Hmm. I decided to follow the path. A small while later I saw a hut.

"Someone's living out here?" I muttered. "Why would...?" I shook my head, "Feh. Forget it, I have bigger problems." Like the fact I keep talking to myself.

I turned around and set off on my exploration once again.

It wasn’t too long afterwards that I heard it. A scream. Filled with fear and anguish. I snorted. Serves whoever’s out here right. This a place the unarmed should venture. This forest is filled with monsters and unspeakable horrors.

Especially those whispers in the dark.

“HELP!!! SOMEPONY!!!” The voice cried again. Is...is she close? I shook my head. Not my concern

...But...isn’t that the voice of a filly?

Who cares?! I’m not the hero here! I never was. I never will be.

But...she had nothing to do with my imprisonment. Would I really condemn an innocent? A child?

I...I… I sighed. I’ll take a look. That’s all.

I crept towards the sound of her screams. Slowly. But why? I’m not going to save her...I…I’m not the hero of this tale.

I peered over a bush. There she was. A young filly. With a Timberwolf following close behind.

What am I doing? I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. I’m not a hero.

...I should leave.

I…should really leave.

But my body refused to respond. I was frozen. If I left...was I no better than those Mino…

I shook my head and dropped to the floor. Why are things never simple?

I...I should ignore it. It's...not my business.

"Somepony! Anypony! HELP!!!" The filly cried out in fear and panic. Then a scream of pain, sending a chill through my body.

Alright. Okay. You know my weakness, that's fine. "LET'S FUCKING DO IT, HUH?!" I roared, leaping through the bushes, drawing my knives. The filly I heard was laying in the middle of a clearing, three large, bloody, gashes running across her right side, her yellow coat soaked in blood, with three Timberwolves circling her. As I landed back on my feet I ran at the nearest Timberwolf and slammed one of my daggers into its eye.

It's yelp of pain got the other's attention, if my roar hadn't already done that, and they turned and growled at me. I snarled back as I ripped my blade back and shoved the Timberwolf into the path other the others and leapt back. The Timberwolves surprisingly didn't charge me but rather regrouped and came at me all together. Great. They've gotten smarter. Of course, they're still dumb enough to try and take ME ON!!

Their scent of pine trees and tree sap was threatening to overpower my nose, I shook it off. This a fight, not a prissy little castle, I'm no snobbish whimp. They circled me, yiping at each other when one went to bite me. They're toying with me. They have the higher numbers, so shouldn't they feel confidant? No. They shouldn't. I'll tell you why.

Because I'm Blood. And I'm a fucking monster.

When surrounded by opponents that have the upper hand, you want to do the most unpredictable thing. In this instance, "ARRRRGHHHH!!" I charged the Timberwolves, sinking my blades into a wooden skull, sending it to the ground in pieces. I charged again, this time as I got close to the Timberwolves I vaulted over them, turning as I landed, placing myself between the filly and the beasts.

The two standing Timberwolves leapt as the third began to rebuild itself. I can't move, they'll land too close to the kid! I can't let that happen! I prepared myself for the impact. The first Timberwolf to reach me hit against my right shoulder. I almost fell under the momentum but I stood my ground and slashed my left blade against the underside of its belly. Yelping it fell off me, shocked but otherwise unharmed. It seemed I wouldn't be allowed to relax as the second Timberwolf slammed into me and sunk its fangs into my left arm, pain shooting through my arm, my hands twitched and my blades dropped to the ground.

The Timberwolf held onto my arm as if a chew toy. "Hey, wood puppy?" The Timberwolf cocked it's head in confusion. "You done goofed."

Blood all but exploded out of my wound, an impossible amount for a wound the size as the one it had given me. I felt my head go light and closed my eyes, as I kicked the Timberwolf off my arm. Everything went fuzzy for a second before I felt it. It's happening! Finally! Truly free again! HAHAHAHA!!!

I opened my eyes. The Timberwolves were staring at me and backing off. I chuckled as I clenched my fist. A fist now made of shimmering, flowing, blood. My body of flesh and bone was sleeping away on the ground at the moment. It's time for Blood to have his turn. I morphed my fingers into deadly claws before dashing forwards, grabbing a Timberwolf by the neck I didn't hesitate to tear it apart.

For you see, Timberwolves have this annoying little ability to keep coming back when you tear them apart. The trick is to destroy the heart. But the heart is not in the chest. No. The heart is behind the hardest part of a Timberwolves body. The neck. If you manage to destroy that, then you have a free shot of destroy a heart of twigs and sap. But you only have a second before the damage heals itself. Never hesitate.

So I didn't. Shoving my other hand into the crude opening I'd made I jerked out the heart and crushed it in my hand. The Timberwolf almost immediately fell apart into branches and moss. I didn't stand over my dead opponent, if it could even be called that, instead I turned to the remainder of the pack.

"Run." I whispered. They squealed like injured puppies before disappearing into the foliage. I spat, "Cowards. Could have at least let me tear their limbs off." I made sure they were gone before walking over to my body and 'diving' back into it, my small wounds healing shut as the last drop of blood re-entered my body.

I blinked before groaning, looking up at the forest canopy. "Need...need to get used to that again." I got to my feet. "...I'm an idiot. If someone had seen that...if she had noticed...I'm not going back!" I sighed and checked on the filly. Now I was able to get a closer look... My eyes widened. "N...no way..." I muttered. "That's...that's not possible! It..." I shook my head, now determined to help her.

Her wounds were...bad. The bleeding hadn't stopped. I placed one of my hands just above the wound and focused. While I am fully in control of my own blood, I could manipulate other creatures blood as well. But to a much lesser degree.

When I moved my hand the bleeding had slowed dramatically but blood still seeped out. I needed to get her help. But who?! And where?! Damn it, damn it! There's got to be... I remembered the small hut from earlier. There! There's got to be someone there!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I all but punched the door to the hut in my desperation. COME ON, COME ON! OPEN UP!!

"QUIT YOUR KNOCKING UPON MY DOOR, OR YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF BLEEDING ON MY FLOOR!!!" The door flew open revealing a female Zebra glaring at me before blinking.

"Yeah, hi." I growled. "So nice of you to finally answer."

"Forgive me, I have been in some duress, but that does not give me right to yell to clearly in such distress."

"Yeah, yeah." I shrugged.

"I have not seen one of your kind before, do you come from ancient lore?" The Zebra intoned.

I sighed. Brilliant. I don't have time for this. "I do not come from the past unfound, but rather I awoke deep underground." Eh. It's true. I just...left out a few significant details.

She blinked in surprise. "I did not expect you to speak in rhyme, in this day and age few very rarely take the time."

"This is your home, one from afar, it would be wrong, if I did not attempt to speak your tongue." Ask the damn question! ASK IT!!!

"Forgive my shock, one from beneath the ground, but I must ask, why upon my door do you pound?"

YES! "Upon your door I did wail, for I need your help to protect one who is frail. A young pony filly did this way come, but was assaulted by one of the...the..." I swore under my breath. "" I shot out in Zebrican.

Her jaw sagged for a moment. "" She dashed across the room and slung a pair of saddlebags onto her back.

I ran out the door, the sound of hooves right behind me. "" I confessed.

""

"" I pushed through the trees and bushes that got in our way.

We couldn't talk any more for we had reached the area of the battle. "" The Zebra asked.

I reached up into the tree I'd placed her in and pulled her down, placing her on the ground carefully on uninjured side. ""

"" The Zebra muttered

I furrowed my brow. Apple Bloom? ""

She pulled out a vial and poured it on the filly's wound. "" She wrapped bandages around the filly's, Apple Bloom apparently, wounds. Tying it off she stood and hoisted the filly over her back. ""

I raised a hand before she set off. ""

""

"" She nodded and ran towards the town.

I stared for a moment before slamming my head against a tree. What the hell am I doing?! Playing hero?! Do I really think I'll be thanked or they'll warm up to me?! I sighed. Well...she's just a kid. I can't, no. I won't blame her! And...Zecora seems nice. Well...that's something, I guess. I turned and headed back to the cave. What a day. But my head was still abuzz with questions. Questions like 'Why did I help?', 'Do I want to get killed?!' and 'Could Zecora possibly be from the same tribe as my old shaman friend?'

But the most predominant one was about Apple Bloom. She is an Earth Pony, yes. But besides from that…

Why does she look exactly like Ritual?

Author's Note

Another picture by Apex[-Jarico!

](https://apex-jarico.deviantart.com/)

War In The Dreamrealm

War In The Dreamscape

I picked clean the bones of the badger I had caught earlier. Two weeks I had been free and I still had yet to begin to do anything besides hunt and make some light conversation with Zecora. Still, I did find Ritual's Preserving Cupboard. So that's something extremely useful. The Preserving Cupboard is exactly what it sounds like. Anything inside it stops aging completely. And it seemed like Ritual had enough forethought to store a bag with my old stuff in there, but I still had yet to go through it all.

I gave the radio on the floor a light kick and it started playing one of the best songs in history as I began to work on creating a chair out of vines, leaves and sticks.

Hours later I had a mostly completed chair to go with my forest material bed. I chuckled which was interrupted by a yawn. I glanced up out of the cave and noticed the sun had sunk beneath the ground and the moon was beginning to rise. Has it really been that long? I yawned again.

I shook my head and dragged my sleepy self over to the preserving cupboard and pulled out a few strips of cooked deer. After snacking on them I collapsed in bed and closed my eyes, gently drifting off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I opened my eyes to the sound of a distorted foghorn. I glanced around. This isn't good. The Dreamrealm was unbalanced, symbolising the state of my mind. I sighed as I looked around the mass of blood and demented ponies. I closed my eyes and envisioned the Circle of Tranquillity. Opening my eyes I saw I had appeared there but the Stones of Peace were scattered all around the circle. After picking them up and stacking them how they were meant to be there was a white flash and the more disturbing parts of my Dreamscape reverted to a more sane and balanced state. Over time more and more of the Dreamscape became more ordered and changed to look like a empty battlefield.

There was another flash, this time dark and from an outside source. Before I could do anything the Dreamscape changed to look like a field filled with sickeningly flowers flowers and disgustingly cute animals.

"Fear not, young one, 'tis but a dream." A dark blue Alicorn proclaimed, swooping down from the sky. Blue Alicorn? She's...not one of my creations. Could the rumors have been true? "Do not be afraid, 'tis, I mean, it is I! Princess Luna! Guardian of Dreams, Princess of Night!"

I snorted. So, it is her. I slowly clapped mockingly. "Oh, bravo. Well done. You blithering dolt!" I snapped my fingers and a disembodied fist shot from the ground beneath her, changing the Dreamscape back into the empty battlefield, and slammed into her gullet with the force of a car.

The princess stumbled back, coughing up some blood, her eyes locking onto me. "You...what are you you?"

"Why don't you ask your traitorous sister?!" I snarled.

She blinked and shook her head, "Traitorous? What...? My sister is not a traitor!"

I chuckled, "So naive. Your sister is a LIAR and a TRAITOROUS COWARD!!!" I roared, my anger building once again. "Just because I'm different I deserve to rot in a dungeon?! Just because I don't fit in this fucking perfect world?! Because I feel anger?! THIS ENTIRE THING IS HER FAULT!!!"

Luna narrowed her eyes in disbelief. Yeah, well, I don't expect her to believe me. "Who are you?"

I snorted. "Hasn't your precious sister told you? I am Blood. I am the monster that she so righteously hunted down and imprisoned."

"Blood?! Tia told me of you. But...she never mentioned you were intelligent. She said you were a raving monster."

I chuckled, "Well...I guess it's true. From a certain perspective." I glared at her. "Now...shall we dance?"

Her horn lit up. "Do not presume you are stronger than me. I am an Alicorn, I come with all the power that title possesses."

I snickered, "Yeah? And this is my Dreamscape, bitch." I waved my hand and a truck smashed into her side, sending her flying through the air. "You think you're in charge here?!" I roared as I teleported to the location she landed at. "YOU ARE NOTHING!!!" I clenched my fist and a pillar of dirt and rock forced her up into the air where a jet slammed into her. Walls appeared around her as she hit the ground. Metal walls and neon lights popping up as she got to her hooves.

I turned to the pinball machine to my side and pulled the lever down, a ball appearing behind Luna and dropping down...before I let go and both balls sprung up, the larger ball smashing into Luna and taking her along for the ride. Bumper, bumper, weird spinny thing, those knobs those lights appear in...all along to Luna's scream of panic. Before long the pinball shot past the enormous flippers and crashed through the wall at the bottom of the gigantic pinball machine. "Aww. Tilt." I muttered. I stared at the giant pinball, waiting to see if she got up from that. ...nothing. "Heh. Thought not."

I turned away when I heard and felt the explosion emanating from the pinball. I turned and saw that Luna had blown a large crater in the surface of the field. "ENOUGH!!! NO MORE GAMES!!!" She bellowed before shooting towards me.

"Ah, shit." I muttered before her blow connected, sending me blasting through the air. Before I could summon something to correct my path I was slamming through walls of a castle. Each wall breaking a bone in my body. Exiting the other side of the castle my body was healed just in time to slice through the sea of blades, each cut eliciting a sharp cry or gasp of pain. I finally came to a stop. Before I could sigh in relief I realised what I had come to a stop on. A catapult. Of course. I noticed a white Earth Pony with brown patches wearing pirate garb with a sword in his mouth. Swinging at a rope. As he cut through the rope the catapult sent me rocketing into space towards the moon. I crashed through the moon, tunnelling all the way through to the other side before slamming into the sun, the heat searing the flesh from my bones, almost turning me to ash before I rocketed back towards the planet. My bones breaking and instantly healing from the impact, my flesh and clothes returning as I climbed out of the crater.

Luna landed in front of me. "This is foolish! Neither of us can die in here!"

I nodded, "True. Our bodies heal almost instantly. But we can still beat the other down until their will is BROKEN!!!" A wall appeared behind Luna as I kicked her through the air and she smashed through it, sending dust and blood into the air. "You think you stop me?!" I bellowed. "You are NOTHING IN HERE!!! YOU'RE JUST LIKE HER!!! YOU JUDGE WITHOUT THINKING!!! ACT WITHOUT KNOWING!!!" I reached Luna and threw a punch that she blocked and replied with a headbutt.

"WE ARE WILLING TO GIVE THOU A CHANCE!!!" She boomed, delivering a left hook. "DO NOT THROW IT AWAY!!!"

I stared at her few a few moments before drooping my shoulders, "...Not like anyone will believe you." I grumbled. "Your damnable sister will claim I'm controlling your mind. She sees the world in black and white. She's so wrong. It's all shades of grey."

Luna lay a hoof on my shoulder, normally I would have pushed it off, but I felt so empty, so tired of all this hiding. I needed to let someone in. Might as well tell someone who will never be believed. "And what are you?" She asked.

I small smile graced my lips, "Dark grey." The Dreamscape rippled and changed to a warm living room where a young boy with a mess of brown hair and grey eyes was playing with an older girl and two adults. My fist tightening I turned to Luna snarling, "Get out of my head!"

She shook her head, "I'm not doing anything. I may be able to manipulate dreams but I can't change them entirely. Only the dreamer can do that."

I trusted her for some reason and relaxed my fist. "...I miss them." I murmured. "I miss them so much."

Luna cocked her head slightly, "I don't understand. Surely Tia offered you a way home?"

I sighed and closed my eyes. "Even if I was able to go home I still wouldn't be able to see them." I opened my eyes as the warm room changed into a cold graveyard. The young boy, now in his late teens, was on his knees, crying, in front of three graves.

Luna gasped. "I...I'm so sorr-"

"DON'T!!" I snapped. "I'm so sick of people giving me goddamn sympathy! They're dead! They're not coming back! I'm over it! PISS OFF!!"

Her look of pity stopped. "Very well. You're over it. Fine. Come with me." She headed off. I raised an eyebrow but followed. "Do you remember what you felt as we fought?"

"Excitement. A rush. Pleasure, but not sexual! I'm not some damn freak! Satisfaction. A sense of belonging. What's it to you?" I mentally cursed, don't know how that works seeing as we're in my mind but fuck it. The Dreamscape always made me more honest than I liked, more open.

"I remember similar feelings from long ago." She said. Huh? The scene shifted to a battleground, similar to my field. Two armies standing at opposite ends, one wearing armour of gold the other armour of black. Both armies were spearheaded by an Alicorn. One was Celestia. I almost charged at the very sight of her, but it was the other Alicorn that stopped me and drew my attention. It looked like Luna with a darker coat and in battle armour. "This was my darkest hour." The scene shifter yet again and the two Alicorns were locked in battle as the bodies of the soldiers piled up around them. "My final battle with my sister." So that is her. What happened to her? As if hearing my thoughts Luna answered, "I had given in to the darkness in my heart. A deep jealousy I had felt for my sister. It began a war for which there was no end for six years when she finally sealed me in the moon."

"What does this have to do with me?" I asked.

"You are travelling down the same road that turned me into Nightmare Moon. While you have little to no magic you could still become as twisted as I was."

I shrugged. "I dunno, lady, I'm pretty twisted as it is."

She nodded, "True, but even you have limits, do you not? A group even you would not harm?" I hesitated. "I thought so. If you become what I once did, these hesitations? Gone. You would slaughter any and all in your path. There is great darkness growing in our world. My sister cannot feel it, refuses to believe it. She places too much trust in our ponies. She believes they could never do wrong. Even when bringing up King Sombra she says that he was not, in fact, a citizen of Equestria. That the Crystal Empire is a separate country altogether. I do not believe this. There is darkness in every heart. Some choose to unleash it, others chose to lock it away."

I stared at her amazed. I didn't know a pony could see things this way. The right way. "Well," I chuckled. "You're definitely my favourite princess. You see things as they are, as very few can." I blinked. Dammit, I'm becoming philosophical again. Another side effect of spending too much time here in the Dreamscape.

I turned to Luna, "You should go. I'm the bad guy, remember?"

Luna shook her head, "I don't believe that. I never will. You're just dark grey." She started to fade out of existence. "No matter what our subjects believe Celestia is capable of making mistakes. No matter what she says, I trust in you. I will not hunt you down and I will try to sabotage her plans when she discovers you are missing."

I nodded, "I...Thank you."

"You have twelve weeks until she discovers you are missing. That is when she said she is going to take me to see the monster she stopped. Make this time count." She stared intently at me. "Remember. Twelve weeks. That's a week after Nightmare Night."

I blinked. Why did she tell me? Does...does she really trust me? "I...will take that to heart."

"Good luck. And pleasant dreams." She said before fading away altogether.

Author's Note

Okay, I know that Blood might seem really open and quickly appeased in this chapter but that's to do with the Dreamscape. He repaired the Circle of Tranquillity and Stones of Peace in the Dreamscape, which both brings order to his mind but helps him see through his anger. It's not a completely fool proof method but it does its job.

As I mentioned in my blog, the real story will begin soon! Now, where am I in this script? Yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah...Ah! Here we go.
Enjoying the story? Some of you must be because I've got about 50 favourites! That's...that's unbelievable! I never expected this! Thank you all! Thank you so much!

Also, the Dreamscape? It's going to make a comeback, so if you like ridiculously overpowered battles you're in luck!

P.S. In the battle there's a quote from a film, if you find it I'll give you a cookie! Hint: The quote is from a slasher film where the two killers are fighting in the dreamrealm.

More from Apex-Jarico!

A Connection To The Past

A Connection To The Past

After Luna's warning I began preparing myself and my base for magical scans. Luckily the Everfree Forest helped in that regards, as well as the slight magical substance in my blood, the same substance that stopped my blood body from drying out, essentially blocking all kinds of magical scans.

As the days turned to weeks I began training again, the fight with the Timberwolves proved how out of shape I was, I started honing my skills with my daggers and I prepared my mind. The nights consisted of creating traps and catching food. I was preparing myself for the hunt. The hunt I knew was coming. She had not given me any room to breath before she stoned me, I didn't expect her to do so now.

I am Blood.

I am merciless.

I am death.

I am the monster in the dark.

I may be a dark protector at times, but I am no hero.

The world will learn to fear me again, as it once did.

That time closes in. If she wanted me to be a monster in the darkness, the foul creature to hunt…

…

So be it.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I stared up through the canopy of the Everfree, four weeks had passed since Luna's visit to my Dreamscape and I was beginning to feel something I hadn't felt for a long time.

Peace.

I felt at peace. It was strange, I hadn't felt like this for hundreds of years and yet...I felt off. As if something in my plan was wrong. No. That's not it...maybe I'm just nervous. I took in a deep breath. "Calm. The calm before the storm." That must be it. I wasn't the type of person to wait around for the fight to begin. I was the type to take up arms and charge to the gates of my enemy and beat the drums of war. But that would just get me killed.

I sighed, staring at the filtered light streaming through the treetops. I wonder...is there a world out there...a dimension, a multiverse...where I live in peace? With these ponies? I shook my head, "Get your head out of the gutter, boy. Peace isn't my path. Not anymore." I stood up and walked over to the Preserving Cupboard. There was one last bag to empty. I pulled the bag out and opened it. ...Oh, hell yes. This'll do nicely.

An hour later I headed to Zecora's hut, it was about time for our biweekly talk. As I walked along the path the wind swept over me, making my, newly found, dark purple leather jacket billow. After I arrived at Zecora's hut and knocked on the door I hummed to myself until the door swung open.

Zecora stared at me for a second before speaking, ""

I chuckled, slipping my aviators off my head and into a pocket. ""

She sighed, ""

I froze. Ponies? Damn it all. I'll just have to slip away. "Zecora? Who is it?" The voice of a mare asked. I winced. Damn it.

"" Zecora whispered.

Yeah, I've got to...run? Flee?! I am no coward! This...do I fear ponies? No. Then why do I hide in the dark? I shook my head. "" I stepped forwards. ""

Zecora smiled. "" She turned. "A friend of mine has come along, please do not treat him wrong." Again with the rhyming. Ugh.

I entered her home and saw four ponies. The first thing I noticed was that they were all female. The second was that Apple Bloom was one of them. The third? A blue pony with a rainbow mane was glaring at me.

"Zecora...who, or what, is that?" The sole unicorn asked.

"Yeah, is it a hairless ape or something?" Rainbow Mane said arrogantly. I don't like her. Reminds me...too much of a certain someone from the past. A past best left forgotten.

"" I asked Zecora.

"" Came her immediate reply.

"Rainbow!" Purple scolded. "She's obviously intelligent! She...he...is obviously a friend from another country. Um...right?" She directed the last part at me. I nodded. "See she-" I shook my head. "Sorry. He isn't an ape!"

"" I complimented.

Rainbow Mane groaned, "Hey! Do. You. Speak. Equish?!" Definitely reminds me too much of him.

Purple groaned, "Rainbow!"

"What?!" Rainbow asked.

"" I told Zecora, who rolled her eyes.

"My friend may be quite abrasive, but he happens to find that quite racist."

"I...racist? I...sorry." Rainbow muttered, her ears flopping down. "Didn't...mean it like that."

I raised an eyebrow, ""

"Ahem. " Purple cleared her throat. "I'm sorry about that. My name is Twilight Sparkle. Do you...not know speak Equish?"

I snorted, "I know how to speak it."

"Then why are you ignoring me?" Rainbow asked. I replied with silence.

"Rainbow, we need to talk about more important things. First Contact can either create peace between two species...or start a war." Purple stated. Yay! A pony who knows her stuff! Two in the same time period, that's got to be a new record! Rainbow grumbled quietly. "Sorry, but this is important."

"Fine." Rainbow cut in. Again. "I'll let you talk, Egghead. After he tells me why he's ignoring me."

I turned to Purple. "I'm sorry, but can you tell your friend that I don't speak 'Blithering Idiot'?"

"What?! Blithering..." She caught sight of my smirk and started chuckling. "You're all right. Hey, you look kinda tough, want to spar later? Tell you what, I'll even go easy on you." She's arrogant but all right.

"Rainbow! No fighting! We need to talk to him!" Purple insisted.

"Aw, come on, Twilight! Loosen up!"

As they bickered I turned to Apple Bloom and the other Earth pony. The unknown mare was snickering into her hoof while Apple Bloom stared at me occasionally rubbing her head. I winced as I noticed the three large scars covering the right side of her body. The older mare sobered up when she followed my line of sight.

"Howdy, I'm Applejack and this is my sister Apple Bloom." The mare said cheerfully as I approached. "Pleasure to meet you!"

I smiled, "Nice to meet you too."

Apple Bloom gasped. "You!" Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. "You're...my head..." She groaned. Her eyes suddenly snapped open. "I remember you! You...you saved me from the Timberwolves!" Crap.

Applejack frowned softly. "Apple Bloom. That was Zecora. Remember?"

Apple Bloom shook her head, "No! There...there was a shout. It was a stallion's voice! Like I told you! I..I don't what he yelled...but he stood like him! And he didn't have hooves! I told you! It was him!"

"Apple Bloom...the doctor said that...the blood loss made you see things that weren't there, remember?"

"No! No, it was him! I know it! I know it." I couldn't take it anymore. The pleading of her voice stabbing into my heart better than any blade ever could.

"She's right. It was me. I asked Zecora to take the credit, I don't want to be known. Not yet. I want to be left alone, I don't want to be flooded to by hundreds because I'm a new species. And I don't want your Princess Celestia to know about me yet. I...am not ready to meet her. If she knows she will insist on meeting me and then...well, I'm not ready to meet her or for her to know of me at any rate." They all stared, except for Zecora, who merely smiled as if she was waiting for this.

"Z...Zecora...is it true?" Applejack asked. Zecora simply nodded. "Thank you so much!" She wrapped her hooves around me. "Thank you! Mr...uh..."

Shit, shit, shit! Can't let them know my name! I might still be know by name if not appearence! "Wesker. Albert Wesker." WHAT THE HELL?!?! WHY DID I CHOSE THAT NAME?!?! Ugh...fuck it. It's stuck now. Though...I can't help but admit...it is kind of fitting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the ponies had calmed down and agreed, no, promised, not to tell anyone about me they left with me, Apple Bloom sticking to my side like glue. Then they asked me to do something extremly stupid.

"No." I said.

"Oh, come on!" Twilight whined. "Please come to town! I could help you find a room so you won't have to live away from other ponies anymore!"

"I prefer to live in solitude."

"Please, Albert!"

I scoffed, "It's Wesker. Not Albert." Hey, if I’m living under a fake name it’s going to sound cool.

"Please, Mister Wesker! Please come to town!" Apple Bloom begged, her eyes widening and pleading with me. Ugk! Damn it...she's...weaponised...cuteness!

"I...uh..."I sighed in defeat. "Fine. But I'm not staying for long." This is stupid! I could get seen, which makes it more likely good old Tia will hear about me sooner! But...I guess this way I can check if Apple Bloom is safe in the town. I glanced down at the Incredible Cute. ...STOP LOOKING SO CUTE, YOU'LL GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK!!!

"Yes!" Twilight cheered.

"Stop. I'll only spend a maximum of an hour there, got it?" I growled. Fucking ponies.

Twilight coughed, embarrassed. "Um...right. Anyway Ponyville should be coming up now." Ponyville. Fucking hate these pony obsessed names.

Her words were true, as we turned the corner I saw an idyllic town. Though...the villagers seemed riled. They were shouting and gathered near the entrance of the town. Unfortunately it was the same entrance we were heading to.

"What the?!" Applejack gasped. "What's going on over there?! Come on!" She dashed ahead, leaving the rest of us to follow in her wake.

As we entered the town the yelling got louder. The ponies seemed genuinely angry and scared. Fun times. "What is happening here?!" Twilight yelled, gathering the attention of all the fuckwits, I mean ponies.

"We found this Changeling coming into town! It was disguising itself as a pony!" An Earth pony stallion with a orange coat yelled, kicking a Changeling into the ground in front of us. "All I'm saying is that the freak should burn!"

"Eenope." Another Earth pony stallion, but this one was red and large.

"Big Mac!" Applejack yelled, running up to him. She know him?

I looked down at the Changeling. Bloody, bruised, beaten, horn chipped, exoskeleton cracked. I tightened my fist, the blood threatening to cut off circulation to my fingers. This...they'll pay for this! "You! Who did this to the Changeling?!" I yelled at the stallion who'd kicked the Changeling to the ground.

He grinned proudly, "That would be me! Name's Brick Beater."

I nodded. "Now I know who's legs to break." That shut everyone up.

"W-what?! It's a Changeling! Why do you care?!" He took a closer look at me. "What are you anyway?!"

I narrowed my eyes, deciding to ignore his question for now. "I have my reasons. But tell me...why did you find it necessary to attack an innocent? Was it for the pleasure? Did you want a rush? Or is it that you're just a sad, little, man?"

He spluttered. "I-you-why-SHUT UP!!! IT'S A CHANGELING!!! THEY ATTACKED US!!! THEY INVADED AT THE CANTERLOT WEDDING!!!"

I chuckled. "So. Just because one swarm attacks that means it's okay to condemn an entire species?" The crowd started mumbling in agreement of what I was saying.

"SHUT UP!!!" He swung his hoof down towards the Changeling's head, most likely intending on smashing it. I grabbed his hoof out of the air.

"Piss off." I growled before slamming a shoulder into him, sending him hurtling to the ground.

The Changeling coughed, "My...Lord? Is...is that...? My Lord! It is you, my Lord! We have prayed for your return! We prayed and prayed! We always had faith you would return! I always had faith!" The Changeling was practically vibrating with excitement, wings flickering with anticipation.

I gave a smile, "It's me." I turned to Brick Breaker and the crowd. "Let the Changeling go. Or else."

"Or else what?!" Brick Breaker snarled, getting back to his hooves.

"Or else you'll meet Roxy." I chuckled.

"...Who's Roxy?"

I grinned and pulled out the last item I had found in the Preserving Cupboard, my battle axe. "This Roxy. As you can see, she only has one bladed side and is short enough to be use as a single handed weapon, or a two handed weapon." I ran a finger down her blade. "She's been used to cut the heads from Hydras, Manticores and even a rampaging Dragon. So..." I glared at him darkly. "Imagine what she could do to you."

He shook in fear, "You...you wouldn't."

I grinned ferally, "Try me."

He gulped. "It...that thing isn't worth this stress!" He wandered off, the crowd dissipating not long afterwards.

I smirked as I placed Roxy back in her place against my back. "Well, that was fun." I laughed as I saw Twilight's petrified look. "I was lying Twilight. I haven't killed anything with Roxy. I just played the part they expected me to." I shrugged. "Okay, maybe there was a rampaging monster or ten I've put down, but it was life or death. In all those cases my death also meant the death of other people. It was the best choice."

"But...you...you haven't really...but the way you said it..." She muttered.

I shrugged, "The accent helps." The fact of an English accent sounding evil transcends dimentions. I looked down at the battered Changeling currently mutting praise for me. "Get up."

"Y-yes, my Lord!" He squeaked, slowly getting to his hooves.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"S-Scarab, my Lord."

I winced. I hated that title, but they wouldn't stop calling me that. "Return to your Hive. Tell no one I have returned until seven weeks today. Then your people shall celebrate like never before! Hope shall return to the Changelings! And you, young Scarab, shall be the cause." I smiled. "Go!" Scarab spread his wings and he was soon disappearing over the horizon.

"Wesker, we need to talk." Twilight said. I turned to her...damn, she's serious.

"What about?" I asked.

"What just happened. And your species."

"What just happened," I shrugged. "Was that. As for my species. They call us...Homo Sapien." Thankfully Celestia doesn't know that particular name.

"Right..." She muttered, scribbling something down on a pad she materialised from who knows where. "No! That won't do! What about that Changeling?! It called you a 'Lord' and why did you help it?!"

I sighed. "Listen. I'm not in the mood for story time so I'll keep it short. I was frozen in time until quite recently, back in the past the Changelings were dying out, I gave them some help and they ended up getting themselves back on their feet, started managing to survive again, since then they all started calling me 'My Lord', it gets a little annoying but I got used to it. Happy?" I growled. Twilight opened her mouth but I cut her off. "Good! Because I don't want to talk anymore!"

"But-!"

"Goodbye, Purple!" I snarled, heading over to the group of Apple Bloom, Applejack and the large, red, stallion that had defended Scarab.

"That was so cool, Mister Wesker!" Apple Bloom gushed. "You're like a superhero!"

I snickered. Me? A hero? Laughable. "No, Apple Bloom. I'm just a man. Nothing special." I turned to the stallion. "And you would be?"

"This here's Big Macintosh! My brother and an amazing Applebucker!" Applejack introduced. "In fact, I'd say he's the best Applebucker this side of Equestria!"

"Eenope." Big Macintosh shook his head.

"Aw, come on, Big Mac, I'm not that great."

"Eeyup." He nodded.

"A man of few words, I take it?" I asked. He gave me a strange look. "Oh, right. Stallion of few words." He simply nodded.

"Come on, Mister Wesker!" Apple Bloom tugged on my leg. "I'll introduce you to my friends! Hey, you think we can get our Cutie Marks in being tour guides?"

Author's Note

Yes, another chapter. And yes, I'm not doing the phonetic spelling of Applejack and Apple Bloom's accents. It's...just not worth it to me. Sorry.

S o o n t h e w a r b e g i n s . . . o n N i g h t m a r e N i g h t . . .

And another from Apex-Jarico!

Tour Around The Town

Tour Around The Town

I followed Apple Bloom and her friends, Sweetie Bell, a unicorn, and Scootaloo, a pegasus. I will never understand pony names. They showed me around, pointing out buildings, such as Sugarcube Corner and Golden Oaks Library, and places they'd failed to get their Cutie Marks. But they failed to point out places that they didn't think were important, like the market, which I noticed and noted its location. I also made sure to note the location of the library, the Town Hall and a meat stall.

Not long after Apple Bloom yelled, "Hey, it's Miss Cheerilee!" And galoped off in the direction of a dark purplish Earth pony, quickly followed by her friends. I, of course, followed at a more leisurely pace.

As I approached the mare smiled warmly at me, "Hello, you must be the Mr Wesker I've heard so much of!"

I inclined my head. "Guilty as charged."

"And so unique! Personally I would love it if more non-ponies lived here, it would give me a great excuse to teach about different culture."

"You're a teacher?" I asked.

She nodded, "I sure am. I love children and I can't imagine doing anything else." She turned to the kids. "Run along, girls, me and Wesker are going to be talking for a while."

"Come on, girls!" Apple Bloom chirped. "Sugarcube Corner has a sale on hayshakes!" With a cheer they ran off.

"Cute. Completely destructive and near impossible to control, but cute."

"You have no idea." Cheerilee muttered.

I sighed contently, "Personally I envy you a little. Having a job centered on kids. Well, that's a dream for me. Unfortunately, I won't ever have a job like that."

She frowned, "Why not? You seem great with foals."

I sighed, "I have a few issues. Impatience, I hate bullies and some other things."

"Oh. I guess that would make it hard to work with children. Do you have any of your own?"

"Me-children-I-uh-that-n-n-n-no." I spluttered. "I, uh, last time I was around a member of my own species I felt I was too young to take up that responsibility."

"I see. And now?"

I scoffed. "I won't be able to find my kind again. Let's just say...we're the best at staying hidden from Equestria." True, up to interpretation though.

"Oh. I'm sorry." She muttered.

I shrugged. "Eh, doesn't matter. Somebody like me would never get the guts to ask someone out."

"You mean somepony."

"...I'm not saying that. Ever."

~~~~~~~~~~

After talking to Cheerilee for a while longer the girls dragged me off to continue the 'tour'. I just didn't have the heart to tell them that I didn't really care at all about knowing where they failed to get Cutie Marks or where the trees with the most sap were.

As we approached the heart of the town again a posh, somewhat snobbish, looking white unicorn came out in front of us. "Girls, I think that Mr Wesker would like to explore on his own, dears!" White Prissy called. A chorus of complaints cried out. "Now, now! But if you want to do something, I could use some models!" The girls quickly scarpered after that.

"Thanks." I said, rubbing the back of my head. "As much as they mean well, they can get a little..."

"Excited?" White Prissy supplied.

"...Sure. Much better than what I was thinking of."

"I suppose my sister and her friends can get like that some times.Oh! Where are my manners? I am Rarity, owner of Carousel Boutique, where every dress is chic, unique and magnifique!"

I raised an eyebrow. "So you only do dresses?"

"Oh, good heavens, no! ...Although...I guess my slogan does give that image, hmm?"

"How about...Carousel Boutique, you dream it I make it. Or something like that?" I might as well pitch in. Sweetie Belle would be devastated if she loses this place, Sweetie Belle being her sister from deductive reasoning, having the same coat and Sweetie being the only unicorn in her little group.

She gasped. "Ideaaa!" She sung. "How about 'Bringing your imagination to the fabric!'?"

I shrugged. "It could do with some work, but it's a good start." It finally clicked that she used my name. "Hey, how do you know my name?"

She giggled, "Sorry, but news of you has been spreading ever since you appeared in town and helped that...that Changeling." She sighed and shook her head. "That poor dear. No creature, pony or otherwise, deserves to be abused like that."

I think it's time to dig around here. "But why was that Changeling being attacked? Why all the hatred?"

She just stared at me. "Surely you've heard of the invasion of Canterlot?"

I shook my head. "No. What invasion?"

She sighed. "It was a few months ago, Princess Cadence was getting married to Shining Armor, Twilight's older brother. It turned out that the Changeling Queen was impersonating Princess Cadence and Twilight was the only one who noticed. She was trapped in the Crystal Mines and there she found the real Princess Cadence and interrupted the wedding just in time. The Queen revealed herself just as her drones smashed through the shield surrounding the city, we fought but in the end it was Shining Armor and Princess Cadence who defeated them with their love forming a shield spell of some kind. The Changelings and their Queen ended up being blasted towards the Badlands."

I closed my eyes and thought on that. That...would explain the hostility. And what McDouchenozzle was spouting earlier. "And you? Why do you seem to give them a chance when other condemn their species for one incident?"

She gave a small smile. "Oh, you know, I don't want to alienate any potential clients." Her reply was cold, rehearsed, clinical and utter...

"Bullshit." I said. She stumbled backwards, scrambling for something to say to throw me off. "Tell me the truth. I don't care. Changelings are special to me, I won't say anything to anyone."

She stared at me for a few seconds before sighing, "Oh, dear, if you must know...you swear not to tell anypony?" I nodded. "I...have several Changeling friends. From both before and after the wedding. I just fail to see how they could be classed as monsters. They feed off love for Harmony's sake! Not exactly the stuff of nightmares now, are they?"

I frowned. "I only have one question left. Do you hate the species as a whole for the wedding?"

"Well...no. You can't blame many for the action of a few. I don't even think I could hate the Queen that invaded. Dislike and find despicable? Indeed. Hate? I don't believe so."

Satisfied I glanced towards the sky. "Well, I better be off. Goodbye, Rarity." I took off, following the wind.

"Have a wonderful day, Mr Wesker." She called before continuing down the path.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ponyville was small, yet comfortable. Just like your classic idyllic village. Birds sung their songs, lives were lived in peace, and it was all so...cutesy. Makes a guy want to puke. Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against peacefulness, but for fuck sakes, you live right next to the Everfree Forest! How many defences do you have to protect against something just wandering out and into the town? None. That's right. None. Fucking idiots.

"Um...excuse me..." Someone nearby whispered.

I turned around and saw a shaking yellow pegasus. "Hello." I smiled.

"Um...hi..." She whimpered.

"...Can I help you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"N-no, no! I mean...maybe...I...I was just wondering...are...are you...a...carnivore?" She shot backwards, "Um, I mean, if it's not too rude to ask?"

I smirked, "Well, that's a bit presumptuous, isn't it? Just coming up to someone and asking their dietary needs. Usually one starts with a name, or is that getting too mainstream these days?"

"Oh, I didn't mean...! I...I..." She whimpered and blushed as she slid to the ground and covered her head with her hooves.

I chuckled to myself, these Ponies are so easy to fuck with! "Wesker."

She glanced up, "W-what...?"

"My name. And you are?" I waved a hand.

"F...Fluttershy..." She whispered.

"Fluttershy, huh? Just why are you interested?"

"Oh. Well, I...I look after animals from...from all around, and it'd...be nice to speak to a carnivore to get their perspective on hunting." She started to get a bit more confident towards the end. But that's like saying, 'That ant is two millimeters taller than the rest.'

"Well, I'm an omnivore, not a carnivore, but I know this book by a Griff. Trials And Tribulation Of A Travelling Griffin. It's a good read and it has an entire segment dedicated to hunting from a Griffins perspective. It should help." I smiled.

"Oh, thank you, Mr Wesker...I...I'll have a look at that." She whispered.

"It's just Wesker." I said, following the path again, feeling the conversation was going to be very one-sided after then. "See you around."

"Goodbye." I heard a soft whisper.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I glared at the green barrier in front of my face. I despise magic.

"Haaands..." The mint unicorn breathed, clutching at said appendages.

"Let. Go." I growled.

"Handy, hands, haaaaaands..." She sung.

"I will kick your face in!" I snarled, beginning to raise my foot.

"My hands, miiiiine..."

"Lyra!" A new voice called out as a cream coated Earth pony ran up and snatched the freak away from me. "Bad, Lyra! Bad!" She scolded. I wondered where she had come from. I noticed the barrier had connected with a house but instead of phasing through it, it just stopped on top of house, most likely to conserve energy. This new pony must have climbed through the house.

"But, Bon Bon!" Freakshow whined. "Haaands!"

"No! Bad!" The new mare cleared her throat. "Sorry about that. Lyra's usually a nice pony, but...she has a bad obsession." She coughed. "I try to keep her out of trouble, but there's only so much one mare can do. I'm Bon Bon. She...she's Lyra." She looked away and blushed a little.

"I think I have something of yours." Bon Bon gave me a quizzical look so I held up one of my hands. A certain mint unicorn attached.

"LYRA!!!" Bon Bon yelled, snatching her off me and glaring at her. "I am so, so sorry. I'll just...leave you now. You ever come by my shop, Bon Bon's Bonbons, I'll give you a free sample for the trouble." She turned her attention to the mint menace. "Come along, Lyra." She forced through clenched teeth.

"But, Boooon Boooooon!" Lyra whined as she was dragged off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I left the town the town and entered the Everfree I promised myself two things. One. Never fall victim to Apple Bloom's cuteness again. Two. Never get in the way of fillies trying to get their Cutie Marks. Oddly enough you'd end up covered in tree sap. (Luckily I'd managed to sidestep just in time)

Three. Avoid Lyra like the fucking plague.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I took a deep breath of fresh air, the pleasant scent of fresh flowers and a nearby waterfall flowed through my nose. The sounds of woodland animals scurrying around the nearby trees and jumping across branches, sung in my ears. Opening my eyes, I took in the sight of the setting sun, sparkling through the trees, dew shining in the the orange light, the sky a brilliant mixture of reds, oranges, and yellows.

Yeah. This is the life. I sighed contently. I could just lay here for the rest of my life. Just...relaxing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I exited the Everfree on the Sweet Apple Acres path, several weeks had passed since my first, but not last, visit to Ponyville and hopefully it wouldn't be so frantic this time. Not long after the trees I was trekking through began to change to apple trees. After a few minutes of walking I came across Applejack lazing about at the base of a tree, her hat pulled low over her face. I decided to take a page from her book and relax like her at the bottom of the tree next to where she was.

I stared up at the blue sky, filtered by the tree's green leafs. It felt great to just kick back and relax like this. It was great for self-reflection. Why had I been so kind and nice to these ponies? Because if I wasn't chances were Princess Traitor would learn of me. That and over the past few weeks my visits to the Circle of Tranquility had left me with a clear mind.

Applejack chuckled softly, "You sure are a quiet one, ain't you?"

I looked over to her and returned a smile, "I've long since learned the importance of silence and relaxation. It's good for the soul." I turned my gaze back to the sky. "How's Apple Bloom?"

"She's been doing good. Other than the crusading, of course."

I grinned, "Of course. So, what's going on?"

"Nightmare Night's coming around in a week, that ought to be fun. Hey! You should come! It's great!"

I looked over to her, thinking it over. "Hmmm...okay. Sure, why not? Maybe it won't be so bad."

Author's Note

Omake: (Rarity talking about why she doesn't hate Changelings.)

She gave a small smile. "Oh, you know, I don't want to alienate any potential clients." Her reply was cold, rehearsed, clinical and conflicted with what she said earlier.

"OBJECTION!!!" I cried, dramatically throwing a finger in her direction. "You say that you didn't want to alienate potential customers, yet Scarab, the Changeling from earlier, had left town after being beaten, unlikely to ever come back, yet you still synthesised with him!"

She shot back, shivering, "Uh, I...I don't know what..." She stopped and instantly collected herself. "I fail to see the importance of such an event. I would feel bad even if it wasn't a Changeling, as I said."

I nodded, hand against my chin in thought. "True. But..." I snatched up some papers out of her saddlebag that I'd spotted earlier and held them loosely in my hand. "That doesn't explain why you have several designs for outfits both inspired and for Changelings! Ponies don't have the right body type for these clothing!"

She flinched back as if struck, sweat poring down her face. "I...uh...I...I...you...! You don't...! Ah...! You...I...th-they....Argh!" She slumped to the ground, a flash of white filled the air for a second. She sighed and stood back up. "Fine. You win. I cannot, will not blame the entire Changeling race for the actions of a few! They deserve that much respect at least! The same respect as any other living being! I don't regret that, I never will!"

The Final Night Of Harmony

The Final Night Of Harmony

I followed the path to Ponyville, tonight should be enjoyable. At the very least it should be a nice distraction from my incoming chase across this world. Tonight would be the last night to relax and unwind, tonight I would say my goodbyes, tonight I would play the innocent one last time, tonight I would be a friend to these ponies one last time.

For tomorrow, a red dawn rises and in a week the hunt begins.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The residents of Ponyville had really gone to town decorating. I gazed around, pumpkin lanterns, rubber bats, fake eyeballs, slime. It was...familiar. It reminded me...of home...

I shook my head, "Get your head out of the dirt, boy." I told myself. "Tonight is a time for enjoyment. Make the most of it."

"Err..." A voice behind me uttered. I turned and saw Twilight, wearing some kind of Dumbledore costume, staring at me. "Were you...talking to yourself?"

I chuckled nervously, "Er...yeah, about that..." I shrugged. "Yeah. I was. I do. Got a problem? Don't care."

She blinked. "Yes, well...anyway," She muttered. "I was wondering if you could tell me more about your kind or the Changeli-"

I set off on a walk, "Nope."

She trotted beside me, "But if you tell me we can better defend against them if they attack again!"

"You mean hunt them to extinction?!" I said harshly. "No."

"But if we-"

"Goodbye, Purple!" I yelled, storming off.

"Wait!" She yelled. "We'll talk about something else then!"

I sighed and stopped, after she caught up I groaned, "Fine. But just what are you wearing?"

She grinned proudly, "It's my costume of Starswirl the Bearded! He was a brilliant unicorn and created several books of spells!"

I doubled over laughing, "A...a...Hahahahahahaha!!! Oh! Oh, that is rich! Old Stary? A brilliant unicorn?!" I wheezed, unable to breath through my laughter. "Yeah...likely story!"

"WHAT?!" Twilight screeched. "Starswirl the Bearded-"

"Was a wanker!" I interjected. "A playboy and a drunk! Not exactly the literary type. He had no reserves about sleeping with a woman, or man, and leaving them before they woke up!" I chuckled, my laughter dying down. "Guy wouldn't know a Transmogrification spell from a Elemental Ice Beam spell!"

Twilight glared at me. "And just how would you know? If that had even the most remote possibility of being true. Which it doesn't!"

"One simple thing you seem to have forgotten, luv." I boasted.

"And what is that?"

"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "What?"

I shook my head, "I mean, I was around eight hundred years ago. Stary was using Age spells, the only spell he did know, to keep himself young and virile."

"You...you're lying!" She yelled. Ah, well. You try to tell someone something and they throw it in your face.

"Am I, luv?" I said, walking away. "Am I?"

"Yes! You said you've been frozen in time for eight hundred years! Starswirl was around around before Princess Luna was trapped in the moon, one thousand years ago!"

That gave me pause. "Hmm...Well...fuck you, I know what I know. He was useless, for the most part. Now, unless you start spouting some bullshit about being able to forget spells, I'm going this way." I sighed as Twilight made to follow me. "You," I pointed in the opposite direction. "Go that way."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wandering through town, smiling as I saw children in their costumes giggling and laughing, I came across a white Earth pony mare wearing a mummy costume walking with a brown unicorn stallion dressed as a house. "Oh, hello!" The mare said, cheerfully.

I nodded politely, "Evening. You've probably already heard of me, but let's make this simple. I'm Wesker."

"I'm Nurse Redheart. This is-"

"Doctor Horse." The stallion interrupted moodily. "I'm still quite able to introduce myself thank you." He snarked.

Nurse Redheart sighed, "I'm sorry, for some reason he's been this rude since he put on that costume.

"Let me guess," I said. "You two work at the hospital."

"Oh, wow!" Doctor Horse gasped mockingly. "Did you figure that out all on your own? We have a new genius in town!"

Nurse Redheart jabbed him in the side. "Yes. We do."

"Right. Well, I best be off." And away from this dickwaffle.

Nurse Redheart smiled kindly, "Have a good evening!" As we parted ways I noticed that Doctor Horse walked with a slight limp in one of his hind legs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I walked around, listening in to ghost stories and watching the children prank each other. With quite a bit of surprise I spotted Luna and grinned as she stumbled as she began to run then stopped suddenly and decided to walk. "Good evening!" She smiled.

"Princess." I nodded. She grinned and opened her mouth but I interrupted before she could speak and ruin my disguise. "My name is Wesker, I am new to these lands and hope to bring mutually beneficial peace for our countries. But that is for another day." Keep the lie going. You never know who's listening.

She frowned for a second before realisation crossed her face. "I see. Well then, Wesker, I feel that my attention may not be totally on the party tonight. You see, I was due to see a caged beast with my sister in a week, but she has moved it up to tomorrow evening. Quite a large inconvenience, but the plans have been made. Still I am glad she set it up for the evening." Hmm. That puts a dampener on my plans. I'll have to set off either late tonight, or early tomorrow.

I must have looked troubled because Luna gave me a concerned look. "Oh! I'm fine. Just...lost in thought." I gave her what I hoped was a comforting smile. "Although..." My smile faded. "How do you feel about this holiday? After...what's it's based on..."

"B...Wesker. If I could not let go of the past and embrace the present I would have lost myself long ago. Because, after all, no one knows what the future holds. Perhaps war. Perhaps peace. Perhaps someone my sister once saw as one of her most detested opponents by her side as a dear friend."

I got what she was saying. Sorry, Luna, but there's no way that would ever happen. But you can hope, because we all need something to hope for, no matter how small or impossible. I smiled, "Maybe. But some things just don't happen. I'm not saying that they won't in time, but things don't change in an instant. After all...if I were in your place, I don't think that I could forgive someone who was so oblivious to her own sister's suffering."

Instead of taking any offence Luna just gave me a soft smile. "And just how do you think I could forgive myself if my sister couldn't?" That gave me a pause. "But if the circumstances where different and she regarded me as a monster even after I had been purged by the Elements and ordered a nationwide hunt for me, I don't think I could." She paused and gave a faint smile. "Though I think that I would put my trust in my friends to help me."

"Well...that's food for thought, huh?" I chuckled. "So...what's it like being a princess?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me and Luna talked for several hours, about what brown-nosers she'd had to deal with and what survival skills I'd picked up, until she had to rise the moon. I stared in awe as the moon peaked over the horizon, it was...strangely beautiful. The sky blossomed with sparkling stars and constellations. It was beautiful, Celestia had never put this much effort into the night sky, but to Luna it was a canvas and she was the most talented artist in the world.

"What does that feel like?" I asked softly.

Luna glanced back for a moment before finishing her job and turning back to me. "Well...it feels like I...like I have...hmmm. It feels...as if I am finally whole. Like I've been missing something my whole life, yet I never noticed. But more than that. It's tranquility." She frowned. "But words alone don't do it justice." She lowered her horn to my head. "If I may?"

I gave her a small nod before her horn lit up and...peace. I shivered in comfortable pleasure. It was...it was like being at the centre of the Circle of Tranquility. But...so much more. Like I was part of something more. Something bigger and more important. Like...I was, at long last, one with myself.

Luna moved her horn away and the feeling left. It took a few moment for me to compose myself. "Th...that was..." A tear fell from my eye. "Beatiful."

Luna smiled, "Thank you." She then grinned mischievously. "So...I hear there's a rainbow maned prankster in this town. Want to show her how to really prank someone?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I snickered to myself as I hid beneath a cart filled with hay as Rainbow Dash sat on a cloud just overhead, stuffing her face with sweets. This'll be fun! I glanced up from beneath the cart as Luna approached Rainbow from the cover of shadows. She glanced down at me and I nodded.

This is Delta Four Niner. Operation is a go. I repeat, operation is a go.

Luna shot a beam at the cloud Rainbow was sitting on, blowing it to smithereens. Rainbow let out a squawk as she fell from the sky, her wings locking up as a second beam of magic from Luna hit her. Scrambling out from under the cart I maneuvered in so that she landed perfectly into the hay. And immediately back into the sky as she hit the springs hidden underneath the hay, soaring through the sky, yelling as she went she landed directly in the apple bobbing well, emptied by Applejack earlier when we'd explained our plans.

I headed over, laughing as I went, as I got closer I noticed Applejack chuckling to herself. I grinned at Rainbow as she crawled her way out of the apple bobbing tub. "Well, looks like you're," I slipped on my aviators. "All washed up."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then came the dance. And Twilight...heh, well, ponies can't dance well, it's due to their anatomy, but Twilight was terrible even by pony standards. But everyone went quiet as Luna took the stage and I cheered as she blew them away with her style and elegance. I could barely suppress my laughter as she grabbed Big Mac and used used him as a dance partner, swinging him to and fro like a ragdoll with a look on Big Mac's face that told the audience that he had no clue what was happening.

As she gave a bow I cheered and clapped from the comfort of my seat. Which lasted until she beckoned me to join her. Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no! I do not dance. Not well. And certainly not in front of others. "COME, WESKER!!! JOIN US IN A GLORIOUS DANCE!!!"

"No, no. I don't dance." I called over. The crowd began to boo and stamp. "Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!" They chanted.

I sighed. Damn them. Chuckling, I stood and headed over to Luna, reaching her I spun on the spot and called out to the band playing, "Give us something a little slower. Something with some class." The grey Earth pony mare with a Cello gave me an appreciative smile before the tune being played turned to something a little more...classical.

Smiling I turned back to Luna. "Stand on your hindhooves and follow my lead." I instructed, guiding one of her forehooves to my back and took the other into my hand.

As we glided across the ground gracefully performing twirls and spins. "What do you call this dance?" Luna asked.

I gave a small smile, "It's called a Waltz." And for the next hour we danced a beautiful dance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But, as all thing must do, it came to it came to a crashing end.

Between dancing, having fun, and ignoring Twilight's questions, I noticed a shadowy, cloaked, figure exit the Everfree. I would have put it to the back of my mind, but this date...may indicate something bad. I doubt it, I mean, what are the chances?

...I didn't just ask that, did I? Shit. Better watch this arsehole. As Mum always said, 'You think a guy's going to cause you trouble, watch his arse like a hawk and be prepared to act. Run or fight, it all all comes down to who's on top.'

She was the smart one. Me? I'm the kind of guy who rips off a jerk's head for pissing me off. The type of guy you want watching your back in a battle, not the type of guy you spend more time with than necessary.

Still...it's probably nothing, just paranoia.

"Don't be silly!" A high-pitched voice next to me giggled.

I shot into the air, "Shit, shit, shit!" Glaring at Pinkie I contemplated kicking her in the face. Wait, did she call me silly? "What?"

"It's only paranoid if you're wrong." Her smile faded slightly, but quickly sprung back up. "But...I hope you're right."

I guess she's right, after all...wait...DID SHE JUST READ MY MIND?! "How did you...?!" I started before realising she wasn't there. What? I started scanning the crowd for a trace of the pink headache. Nothing. How did she...?

I shook my head tisking, "Whatever. Now, where's that fucker?" I caught sight of him standing in the middle of the crowd a second before the screaming started as he sunk his teeth into a stallion's neck, blood spurting from his wound and splattering the ground.

Shit.

The freak threw off his cloak and revealed his twisted form. Shaggy fur replacing his brown coat, teeth, stained with blood, as sharp as a blade, tail turned to a canine's, more pointed ears and paws with claws replacing hooves.

In short, a pony Lycan.

As the beast stood in place the crowd shivered in fright. Damn it, they're going to lose it any second! "...You!" The Lycan yelled. "Shall all die! We are finally free to do as we please and desire! And what we desire...IS YOUR SKULLS!!!" It roared with sickening laughter, its tongue lolling from its mouth, spraying spittle everywhere. "Soon my brothers and sisters will storm this town! And you'll all die! And then you'll join us in the undeath! Killing your family and friends!" I clenched my fist. Bastard! Fucking SCUM!!! "Then we will eat your corpses! Hahaha! Your entrails will-" I didn't give the bastard any more time to abuse the ears of everyone here with his grating voice. I drew Roxy from my back and flung her through the air, she spun elegantly in a perfect arc right into his skull.

As he fell I walked over and wrenched Roxy from his skull. Cue screaming crowd. It got real annoying real quick, so I hauled myself up onto the stage. "PONIES!!!" I roared over the screaming. They stopped where they were and locked their eyes on me. Good. I still have presence. "THESE MONSTERS COMING TO YOUR TOWN ARE NOT ALIVE!!! THEY ARE DEAD!!! THEY MAY LOOK ALIVE BUT THEY COME FROM THE OTHER WORLD!!! NOW TELL ME THIS, WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO TO PROTECT THIS TOWN?! WILL YOU STAND AND FIGHT?! OR WILL YOU COWER BENEATH YOUR BEDS AS YOUR HOME IS OVERRUN?! MARES!!! STALLIONS!!! LOOK AROUND YOU AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE!!! DO YOU SEE LOVED ONES?! CHILDREN?! FAMILY?! FRIENDS?! WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE CLUTCHES OF DEATH?! STAND WITH ME AND FIGHT FOR THIS TOWN!!! FOR YOUR FAMILY!!! FOR YOUR FRIENDS!!! FOR YOUR LIFE!!!" I raised Roxy into the air. "TONIGHT WE ALL STAND TOGETHER!!!" I was answered with the thundering roar of the crowd. "PEGASI!!! TAKE TO THE SKIES AND STRIKE LIGHTNING DOWN UPON OUR FOES!!! UNICORNS!!! PREPARE YOUR COMBAT SPELLS!!! THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW HOW TO CAST A BARRIER GO WITH LYRA AND MAKE THEM ENTER THE TOWN THROUGH A CHOKEPOINT!!! THOSE OF YOU THAT CANNOT USE COMBAT OR BARRIER SPELLS GO WITH THE EARTH PONIES AND FIND A WEAPON!!! BIG MAC!!! YOU, ZECORA AND CHEERILEE TAKE THE CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOLHOUSE AND DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO REINFORCE THE DOORS AND WINDOWS!!! TAKE A GROUP OF OTHER PONIES WITH YOU!!! LUNA!!! WE NEED YOU OUTSIDE THE BARRIER!!! TAKE TO THE AIR AND CUT THEM DOWN AS THEY LEAVE THE FOREST!!! THOSE OF YOU WHO CANNOT FIGHT GO WITH FLUTTERSHY AND NURSE REDHEART!!! THEY WILL NEED ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET WITH THE WOUNDED WHEN THE COMBAT STARTS!!!" An idea popped into my head. "USE WHATEVER ARMOUR YOU CAN FIND!!! I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A FEW PANS ATTACHED TO YOUR BODY!!! IF IT MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE, USE IT!!! WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME SO LET'S MOVE!!!"

As they ran I stopped and sighed to myself. If they didn't fight they would die. If they did fight they would die. But these bastards won't get through unharmed. This won't be an easy meal. I turned back to the scrambling ponies and prepared myself for battle.

This was one fight that I would not lose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stood on top of the stage. The ponies of the town that were to battle were amassed behind me as a blue shield encompassed the town, leaving but one entrance. They had their weapons. I had Roxy. No matter the number on my side, nothing was more comforting than the feel of her gripped tightly in my hands, the beasts we've slayed, the armies we've slaughtered, the blood of hundreds, if not thousands, was on my hands. My soul is stained a deep red and that stain will never be scrubbed out. But it matters little, this is my place in the world, fighting the losing fight. Fighting not for the protection of others, but for the pure and simple rush of it all. This is who I am! And those that oppose me, I pity them. They have no idea of the fate that awaits them.

"PONIES!!!" I roared. "TONIGHT THESE MONSTERS ATTACK US!!! THEY ATTACK YOU!!! BUT YOU ARE NOT THE SNIVELING COWARDS THEY EXPECT!!! WE SHALL DRIVE THEM BACK WHENCE THEY CAME!!! WE SHALL EMERGE FROM THIS NIGHT, NOT CONQUERED, BUT THE DEFENDERS OF OUR OWN FATE!!! TONIGHT, WE BATHE IN BLOOD AND STEEL!!! IN ASH AND ORGANS!!! PONIES!!! TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!!!"

It put a smile on my face to hear the roar of the crowd, no, the militia. The ponies with weapons pounded their shafts on the ground, sounding the drums of war.

A thought occurred to me. "PONIES!!! YOU KNOW OF THE LYCANS, BUT IF THEY ATTACK THEN THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE GHOSTS!!! DO NOT WORRY!!! TONIGHT IS THE ONLY NIGHT OF THE YEAR THEY CAN TOUCH US, OR WE THEM!!! TONIGHT THEY CAN DIE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CREATURE!!! DO NOT LET FEAR STAY YOUR BLADE!!! LET THEM FEEL OUR JUSTICE!!!"

As I ended my speech the attack began. I saw Ghouls, Lycan, zombies and ghosts of all species, but mostly ponies, flooding out of the Everfree. Some of the Ghouls, those at a midway point between life and death, and zombies that had hands or claws were holding all kinds of weapons. As they charged the barrier, striking it with either weapons or their flesh.

"HOLD STEADY!!!" I cried. "HOLD STEADY!!! IF THAT BARRIER FALLS WE HAVE LOST!!! IF THE BARRIER FALLS WE SHALL BE SWARMED AND THE TOWN OVERWHELMED!!!" I spotted the first of the hoard stumbling through the opening to the town, quickly followed by the rest of the swarm pouring through. "PREPARE YOURSELVES!!! STARTING THIS MOMENT, THE BATTLE BEGINS!!!"

As the hoard approached I tightened my grip on Roxy. This was it. This was it! THIS WAS IT!! Roaring, I charged the first wave, followed by the ponies determined to defend their home, Roxy cutting through them like a hot knife through butter, blood splattered my body and face as their bodies were sliced to ribbons. The adrenalin pumping through me, the rush of battle invigorating me, the sound of steel on flesh, the beating of my heart, the scent of blood, the howls of my enemies death crys! THIS IS WHO I AM!!! Laughing I decapitated a zombie Griffin, its head flying through the air and landing with a thud, blood beginning to slowly pour into a puddle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roaring, I slammed Roxy into the head of a nearby Ghoul, before its tainted blood even splattered the ground I had forced her out of its skull and was off cutting my way through the hoard again.

Reaching a clearing I stared out over the wave after wave of monsters. Time to play.

Charging headfirst into a fresh wave of zombies I swung Roxy, blood splattering both me and the ground as I sliced through them. It wasn't long until Roxy got stuck in a particularly thick skull. Before I could pull her out I saw an incoming bite. Leaping backwards, letting go of Roxy, I just barely voided the puss and disease ridden bite. I pulled out my daggers, giving quick stabs to the body while the head was still out of reach. Throwing caution to the wind as it tried to take another chunk out of me, I sidestepped and slammed a dagger into its brain through the eye. As it collapsed I spotted yet another zombie charging me. I took a breath before pulling my arm back and throwing my last remaining dagger.

Bullseye.

The dagger sunk itself into the zombie's skull, sending it crashing to the ground.

Making sure that no other beasts were lurking in the dark I dashed to the bodies regaining my weapons and Roxy.

The plan was working. With the shield forcing the monsters and beasts to enter Ponyville through our entrance we were able to cut them down easily. Struck with lightning, battered with weapons or blasted with magic they were cut down. Of course there was the occasional injury on our side, but the worst so far was a gash down a leg, it would heal, but that stallion wouldn't be fighting again tonight.

I gave my chest a pound of my fist, roaring, "COME ON!!!! COME GET ME!!! YOU WEAKLINGS!!! FIGHT ME!!!" Snarling with blood pumping through my veins I charged the hoard again. GIVE ME A CHALLENGE! GIVE ME SOMETHING STRONG!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I looked up from the dead Ghoul when I heard a scream. A pegasus flew past with an injured stallion, blood pouring from his side. I looked in the direction he'd come from and saw the cause. A gigantic armoured Minotaur zombie, standing easily two feet above me, with what must have been a short sword for it, but to a human would have been a thick longsword.

A...really nice looking sword. With a proper handle and good quality smithship as well. Is that a fucking ornament skull on the handle?!

I ran over, leaping over, and weaving through, the other combatants and beasts. Reaching the Minotaur mid-swing. A lazy swing, ponies were easily dodging its blade with the occasional duck, but were unable to get past its thick armour. "HEY, HORNHEAD!!!" I roared. It slowly lumbered in my direction. "I WANT THAT FUCKING SWEET SWORD!!!"

I used a nearby zombie as a springboard and delivered a flying kick to the Minotaur in the exposed face, sending it stumbling backwards. Roaring I pressed my advantage, smashing Roxy into its armoured arm again and again, the armour chipping and flaking off. I ducked under another swing of the sword before resuming my attack. Eventually its arm, freed of armour, fell to the ground, the sword following a second later. Instead of attacking further, the beast just stared at its blackened, bloody, stump as if confused.

Snatching up the fallen blade, sheafing Roxy onto my back as I did so, the blade was in bad shape, and almost too large for me to use, but a good blacksmith could fix that problem for me. Letting out a feral roar, I jumped into the air, my eyes locking with the Minotaur's for a moment before I drove the sword forwards into its face. The conquered beast fell backwards and I landed on its chest as it hit the ground. Yanking my new sword out of its face I raised it to the sky and let out a wordless, victorious, bellow.

I faced the wave of undead converging on my position, attracted by my roar. Laughing I charged them, brandishing my new blade and grinning. Time to see what this baby can do! "LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!"

Dashing forwards to a zombie, I thrust my blade through its chest impaling both it and a Ghoul directly behind it. Smirking I ripped the sword out of the both of them, spinning and slashing through the body of a second zombie sneaking up behind me. I stared at the Ghoul in front of me, staring fearfully at me. "Fuck you." I slammed my boot into it's face, spinning the sword in my hand I spun it around my body, cutting down the freaks surrounding me. "Heh. Now, ain't this a fucked up night, huh?" I asked the Lycan before dodging her claws and cutting off her forelegs. Grabbing her body I spun, moving her in front of me, right into the jaws of an awaiting zombie. Chuckling as she screamed I rammed my blade through her body and into the head of the zombie.

As they fell to the floor I checked my surroundings. Damn, I was utterly surrounded by beasts. Zombies, Ghouls, ghosts, Lycans. All here. Grinning ferally I pulled Roxy out with my free hand and spun both around my body, cutting down the freaks nearest to me and giving myself some breathing room. I held both blades away from each other at opposite ends of my body.

"So." I said. "Who wants to die first?"

The question was answered as a Lycan charged me just to be cut down by my sword. That was the signal for the rest of them to charge. I sliced and diced, cut and impaled, maimed and eviscerated through the miniature hoard.

Blood pooled all over the ground, causing the battleground to become slippy and slick. Booting a Ghoul over I jumped onto its back and pushed off, as we span through the group I held out the sword and Roxy, cutting any resistance we encountered to shreds, all while laughing and whooping. Leaping off my makeshift sled I kicked a ghost in the face before sinking Roxy into a nearby Ghoul as I crushed the ghost's throat.

As I began slicing through the greatly diminished group I saw beams of magic flying through the air, and as seeing as Ghouls, ghost and zombies are dead and therefore cut off from magic, which is the essence of life, or at least most are, some ghosts can still use magic, those that are more placid, calm, peaceful or just don't work for evil and mindless bloodshed can still use magic. And Lycans are different, for some reason they can't touch magic at all. One theory is that their transformation takes over all other magic. Which would explain why some Lycans are more wolf-like than others.

"FOR PONYVILLE!!!" A green unicorn mare cried, diving into the crowd blasting anything she saw that wasn't uncorrupted. Fortunately for her the crowd only had a few stragglers left and we quickly dealt with them.

Panting slightly I raised an eyebrow at the mare, "Well, that was fun."

She shook her head, "You're not normal, you know that?"

I grinned, "Oh, where's the fun in that? But don't you feel it? The pounding of your heart, the drumming in your veins, the rush of battle, the wonder of adrenaline surging through your body? Don't tell me you don't like it."

"Uh...well, I..." She stammered. "Alright, fine!" She relented. "It's amazing! It's like I'm more alive than I've ever been! Even my old job wasn't as heart pumping as this!"

"Your old job?" I asked, wiping away some blood that had dripped in my eye.

She nodded, "I was a Royal Guard. I thought that I'd be fighting threats that Celestia kept out of the light, maybe even do some investigating. But no. None of that, I was just a glorified decoration!" She growled. Interesting, so Celestia isn't as completely loved as I've heard. "So I quit and turned my attention to Private Investigating. With...a little bodyguard for those that want to explore dangerous places."

I nodded, "A good profession. You help people, unlike the other people I've seen in this town."

She sighed, "You must mean Brick Breaker." I glared at his name. "Honestly I wish somepony would get him arrested. But he has connections in the Canterlot Nobility. I wish he'd get the-zombie behind you!" I turned and cut its head off with my sword. "I wish he'd get the message that I'm not interested in a jerk like him, but no matter the amount of time I send him to the hospital for trying to cop a feel he just keeps coming back." She shook her head. "But you don't want my life story. I'm Gleaming Shine." I glanced at her Cutie Mark. A magnifying glass with an eye behind it.

"Wesker, good to meet a capable combatant, Shine."

She shook her head, her short, shaggy mane flopping slightly, "I'm not fighter, I just spotted their weak points."

I smirked, "Don't put yourself down, kid, that's a useful ability to have on the battlefield."

As I ran towards a groups of Earth ponies that needed my help I heard Gleaming mutter, "I'm not a kid."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I saw a mangy Lycan about to take a chunk out of an Earth pony, acting on instinct I jumped him and bit the back of his neck, blood flowing through my mouth as he howled in pain. I released my jaws just to clamp them down harder, giving his intended target to turn his head into mush with a kick.

"Thanks!" The pony yelled before turning back to the battle.

I roared and dived headfirst into the fray, swinging Roxy left, right and centre. I slaughtered the hoard like a madman would. Screaming and hollering as I rained death all around. Those who stood in my way were vanquished. I roared and screamed in primal victory. They wanted to fight? I'd give them the best fight of their pathetic lives! Their blood would stain my flesh until they were naught but a bloody stain on the ground.

This is my destiny! To be a warrior!

Is it? I don't know what I'm meant to be anymore. Am I a destructive monster of death? Or am I a Dark Saviour? Hell, it's not like I even care anymore. All that matters is survival.

And revenge.

Blood. Blood surrounded me, like frosting on a cake. Like snow around an icy lake.

I was the monster. And this was my playground.

I was snapped out of my inner monologue by a scream for help. Setting off in a run I headed to the scream's origin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I looked around and realised that a certain orange coated wankstain was nearby a hoard of zombies. I made my way up to him, defending him from attack from the rear. Brick Breaker was completely focused on his enemies from the front to realise I was there. I thought back to how proud he was for beating an innocent to a bloody pulp. How fearful Scarab was. How he wanted to burn him alive. Just look how close he is to that pit of zombies.

But would I really sink to his level and push him in? I'm not the best example of moral righteousness, but to push him in when there's a town to protect would just be wrong, I mean, it's not like I'm a complete monster is it? Would I honestly have no qualms about-

I slammed a foot into his side, sending him screaming into the pit before he was quickly torn apart and silenced.

...Nope! No regrets!

Smiling happily I went off to slay more undead with a spring in my step.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Roxy sliced through the head of yet another zombie I heard a cry of pain directly behind me. I spun around only to see the body of a dead Lycan laying at my feet. I frowned, this wasn't the first time that something like this had happened. The last time it had happened I caught sight of a beam of magic shooting through the air, but when I had looked around I saw that there were no unicorns around.

As I looked over the warzone I realised that there were fewer monsters coming from the Everfree. Looking over to the forest's entrance I was surprised to see large, thick, vines sprouting up out of the ground all along the forest, forcing the beasts to exit one specific point making them easy pickings for Luna. Though some still filtered through it was now much more controllable.

I gave a soft laugh, "Thanks, buddy. Glad to see you're not missing this." I muttered before pouncing back to the action, diving at a Lycan, driving a dagger into its head.

This was the life! The rush! The clashing of steel on steel! The power of steel on flesh!

I was too distracted by my inner thoughts and just barely caught the sword aimed at my throat with Roxy in time.

Grunting I pressed against the sword the Griffin Ghoul held, managing to force the sword back towards her. Just as I was about to push my advantage a searing, fiery, pain scorched my back. I dashed to the side, the Ghoul's blade shooting past me and embedding itself into the neck of the Griffin Lycan that had clawed me. I spun around, swinging Roxy as I went before slamming her into the Ghoul's head, jerking her out I slammed my elbow onto the end of the sword suspended in the air by the neck of the Lycan, sending the sword all the way through the Griffin's neck.

Stumbling away, wincing at my wound I made for the clear zone to grab a drink and get some air. I cried out as the bottom of my left leg exploded in pain. Instinctively looking down I saw a ghost attached to my leg by its teeth. Roaring I stomped on it's spine, sending it screaming in agony. Good, scream you, fucker! Taking the opportunity I yanked my leg out of its range and slammed my boot into it's face, pinning it down. I grinned. "Ow. Oh, you little bitch." I snarled, showing off my teeth. "That hurt." Its eyes widened in fear as I raised my foot and brought it down again and again onto its face. Squeals of pain and anguish fueled my reign of pain and only served to make my increase the force behind my blows.

When I had eventually finished ghostly blood poured from the little fucker's face and body. Bones were broken, muscles ruined, and it still lived. I chuckled, pulling out Roxy, "You're a resilient little fucker, aren't you? You know what this is?" It simply shook its body. I growled, gave it a violent kick and raised Roxy above my head. "Talk!"

"T...the...bl..." It coughed. "...Blade...of the..." It's eyes widened. "N...no...! You...yo...u're...meant to...be dea...dead...y...you're...the...Kn-" I let Roxy fall silencing it.

"That's not who I am anymore." I muttered, sullenly before stumbling off the let my wounds stop stinging.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I climbed up onto the top of a nearby building to both get a vantage point and to give my injuries time to settle down. "Well, this takes me back." A voice next to me said. A familiar voice. An impossibly familiar voice.

I turned my head. My throat went dry and my heart missed a beat. "Ritual...?"

"In the flesh...well...not really." She chuckled. "My, how you haven't changed. It makes a girl jealous. What's your secret? Timberwolf sap?" She snarked. "Bathing in the blood of a thousand virgins?" Her slightly transparent form shimmered slightly as she chuckled.

I blinked. "Ritual...?" She...no...impossible.

"Yeah, it's me, tough guy." She grinned. "Zombie Griffin 6 o'clock."

I spun on my feet, bringing Roxy down on the zombie's skull before turning back to Ritual. "Ritual...?" I blinked. "You're...you're..."

"Not alive if that's what you're about to say." She smirked.

"...You're young." I finally muttered.

She blinked. "What?" She shook her head. "No. No, no, no! I have come back from the dead! And the first thing you notice is that I look young?!" She fumed. "You...you...YOU..." She stopped and chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit. Maybe a little softer, I mean, why did you spend so long with these ponies? You know they're going to turn on you within the week."

I shrugged. "You coming back as a ghost...kind of expected, we never leave each other hanging. Especially with your little 'Zap them while invisible' trick you've had going for the past few hours.

"Yeah, never leave each other hanging." Her eyes hardened. "Except, apparently, when going off as a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter!" Her hoof flew through the air and connected with my stomach. I doubled over, winded, spittle flying from my mouth as I gasped for breath. "IDIOT!! We were a TEAM!!! Did that mean NOTHING TO YOU?!"

I wiped the saliva from my mouth. "It mean everything to me." I looked away. "That's why I went alone. Don't think that I don't regret it, but I had to make sure you had a chance. That's the path I chose. Look! I'M SORRY, ALL RIGHT?! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR?! ALL THOSE YEARS..." I choked back a sob. "All those years alone...it was crushing. My spirit shattered, my hope broken. Thoughts of you living a happy life was the only thing that kept me going! You have no idea..." A tears fell from my eyes. "No...idea what I'd have given to have you there with me, by my side. I'm sorry...I just wanted you to be safe. You...would never have let me go. I'm sorry..."

She wiped at her eye. "That was beautiful. Really fucking beautiful. I...if I had the choice I would have been there with you till the end of time. Now, clean yourself up and let's kill some fuckers. We're missing the party here! What was it you used to say? Ah, yes. Let's kill us some bitches!" She launched herself into the fray, blasting beasts and ghosts left and right with a mad crackle.

I grinned, wiping off the last of the tears. I'd needed that. Seven hundred and fifty three years since I last has a good cry. I watched Ritual turning Ghouls into dust and grinned. We're a team. Now and forever. With that I gripped Roxy tight and jumped.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As me and Ritual cut, bashed and blasted our way through the beasts. We were back together at last we were, as the Minotaurs used to call us, The Duo of Death. Rage and Skill. Passion and Apathy. We were an unstoppable force then, and time has merely given me an even greater bloodlust and need for a fight. Together with Ritual I was unstoppable, we watched each others backs and protected each other while providing support. We we're the ultimate team.

A team forged in the fires of war and survival. Being together and doing all I have with her creates a bond.

A bond that can never become undone.

We're the ultimate team! The invincible duo! These names are starting to get corny, so I'm going to stop right here!

Smashing our way through the hoard we approached Rarity's Boutique, as we closed in we heard sounds of battle from within. "Let's do this!" I yelled, charging through the door. As the door gave way I saw a large group of ghosts and ectoash, the substance given behind when a ghost dies. But what caught my attention was Spike holding a sword, cutting down ghosts with skill and finesse I would never have thought he had, Rarity and Sweetie Belle huddled behind him, Rarity occasionally sending off blasts of magic.

Ritual glanced at me and I nodded as we charged the ghosts from behind, catching them by surprise and cutting them down quickly.

After the last ghost had turned to ectoash I turned to Spike, "Nice blade. Didn't know-" I was shouldered aside by Ritual. "Oh, THANKS!" I yelled as I hit the ground.

"Where did you get that?!" Ritual shouted. As he raised the blade she blasted it back down. "No! Fuck you, no! You do not do that! No! You don't do that to someone who just helped you in battle!"

"Spike, knock it off." I grunted. "She's a friend."

"Oh." He blushed and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Ritual said quickly. "How did you get that blade?" What's the big deal? It's just a sword.

Spike shrugged, "A ghost knight gave it too me. She...said something about my heart being one after her own."

Ritual chuckled. "The Knight of Hope. You were respected by the Knight of Hope! HAHA! That stuck up old hag finally found someone to pass her legacy onto! HA!"

"The...WHAT?!" I yelled. No, the fuck?! The fuck?! How does something like this just happen?! "No! What are the chances something like that happens?! Seriously!"

Ritual shook her head, "Well, she'd been moaning about not finding a successor for a while now. She kept coming to me because...of who you were."

I groaned, "Well, that's just fucking perfect. A Knight. Fuck this I'm out." I headed to the door. "You coming?" I asked over my shoulder as I reached the door.

"Yeah, let's kick these fuc-"

I grabbed her muzzle. "There are children present, Ritual. Watch that mouth."

"Since when did you care?" She mumbled through my hand.

I blinked. "Good point. Now let's go!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My arms burning, I barely deflected the blade from my chest. Panting, I shot Roxy into the Ghoul's head. As it dropped to the ground I called over my shoulder, "R...Ritual...some help...would be nice!"

Ritual dropped in next to me and blasted a clearing. "Feeling tired?" She taunted. "And I thought you could endure the worst of it. Such a shame."

I flipped her off, "Fuck...fuck you...I've been...in stone for the last...seven hundred and fifty years...I'm not...going to be as fit as I was!"

"Yeah, yeah, excuses, excuses." She grinned.

Whatever I was going to say was drowned out by the clocktower striking 12. But the moment the clock began chiming all the beasts and freaks froze in their tracks before beginning a mad scramble back for the Everfree.

"Uh...what's going on?" I questioned Ritual.

She shrugged, "Well, you see...shit, don't have the time for an in-depth explanation, long story short, all the beings of the Everfree have to be back in there for midnight. So, yeah, it's been fun, but, uh, see you!" She dashed back with the remaining hoard. Wow. We actually took out quite a lot.

As the clock chimed for the 12th time all the beasts outside the Everfree froze and howled before crumbling to dust.

"Whoa. That's interesting." I muttered before groaning and dropping to the ground. "That...sucked." I panted.

Luna stumbled over to me. "Bl...Wesker...are...you...injured?" She gasped out before collapsing next to me.

"I'll be...fine. But..." I forced myself up and took a firm grip on Roxy. "I'll make sure there aren't any stragglers hiding around."

"I'll come with you!" Luna shot out.

"No. But...help me over to the stage." With Luna's help I climbed up the stage and upon reaching the top I held Roxy into the air and yelled, "VICTORY!!! WE HAVE VICTORY!!! THE BEASTS HAVE RETREATED AND WE ARE VICTORIOUS!!! REJOICE!!! REJOICE!!! WE HAVE WON!!!" As the cheering began to slink my way towards the Everfree, sneaking under Luna's gaze as she was distracted by the cheering public.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I took a deep breath as I relaxed under a tree, not too far into the Everfree but still deep enough in that I couldn't hear the town. Man...that was intense. After a minute of deep relaxation the air grew chilly. I opened my eyes and noticed him.

A young pony, a colt, made out of dirt and stone. A mysterious aura surrounding him. A dark, mysterious, ominous aura. And a plain feeling of wrong yet right emanated from him.

"Guardian. It's good to see you again." I said, tipping my head slightly.

He nodded back at me, "Blood. I see you have escaped. At long last."

"Yeah. Not going to turn me in are you?" I chuckled.

He shook his head, "No. It is not my concern. Although...you have my thanks." I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "The filly you rescued several weeks ago. I would have done so myself, but I was...preoccupied." He then muttered something I almost missed, "Again."

I chuckled, "You always are. Something's always keeping you busy." Hard to believe I once considered him an enemy. "So I'm guessing something was keeping you more busy than normal tonight as well."

He nodded. "The Blanks and Blood Hooves tried to escape again. They do not learn their lesson. The Everfree Forest keeps them in for good. But they keep trying."

"Back up a little. What did you mean, 'again'?" I asked. "You've been too busy to save Apple Bloom before?"

He stared at me before nodding with great reluctance, "She...made her way to Sunny Town." He muttered.

No. No, no, no! My eyes widened in shock. "She...Sunny Town? How? Why?"

"Ruby. She just wanted to see living ponies when...she was seen by Apple Bloom. I was...busy," He spat the word. "Dealing with an undead uprising. The spirits were restless and wanted to possess the living yet again. I had to remind them of their place in the Everfree's plan."

I sighed softly. At least she escaped. That's the best possible thing. "She...didn't spend too long in there did she?" I asked quietly.

"No. She spend...from entering that accursed town...a maximum of seven minutes there. She's lucky she's fast and smart."

I thanked whoever was listening. She doesn't deserve such a fate as those that were unable to escape. I decided to change topics. We needed a happier conversation. "We have a new Knight of Hope."

"I know." He stated calmly.

How the hell does he do this?! "Care to explain?" I offered, growling slightly.

"You know I can't. It is forbidden."

I sighed sadly. "Yeah. I know. The good stuff always is."

"Do not be worried, all will become clear in time. As I once told you, your purpose is constantly shifting. You are the only one who is truly a master of their own destiny."

"Blood?!" Luna's voice called through the trees. "Are you here?"

"Over here, Luna!" I yelled. "Goodbye, Guardian."

"Goodbye, Blood, Knight of Rage." He replied.

I winced, "I don't like titles, Guardian. Especially that one. You know that."

He glanced at me. What the hell is he truly thinking anyway? "You know that I don't give them."

"Yeah, yeah. The Everfree Forest itself gives the titles, I know the story." I cut in. "Maybe I'll see you around, Guardian Spirit, Avatar of the Everfree Forest." If he's going to call me by my title I'm going to call him by his.

"Maybe you will, Terry, maybe you will." He replied ominously. Has he always got to be as mysterious as possible?!" A word from the Everfree for you: When all hope seems lost, look to the Forest and your hope may be restored."

I snorted, "I hate riddles."

The sound of hooves started to get louder and Guardian started to back away into the forest. "Good luck, my old ally, you have many trials on your journey."

"Journey? I'm not on a journey!" I yelled out.

He smiled softly. "You will be." He disappeared into the darkness.

"Blood." Crap. I turned and saw Luna standing just inside the clearing. "What was that? I thought I saw-"

"Nothing." I interrupted. "You saw nothing. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing suspicious. The worse you saw was me talking to myself."

"I...I see. Of course...but if I had seen something unusual..."

"No, Luna. You didn't see anything. Got it?" I growled. "I'm sorry, but you can't know. Searching won't do you any good. Some things aren't found unless they want to be or they find you. Some things...you just aren't meant to know. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a filly I need to talk to."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Approaching Sweet Apple Acres was...worrying. So much innocence lost. How could she have coped with all that knowledge locked up in her head? Could it have been avoided? Was Ruby at fault? I know I can't blame her. She's just a child. She's scared and lonely. Was it no one's fault? No. If it's anyone's fault it's the residents of that damn town. I recalled my own stay there. It's unnatural. It's not right.

Though Mitta...she seems to have taken her stand. It's about damn time, she was always different than the rest of them. I wish her luck.

I spotted the filly I'd come to talk to relaxing under a tree, just I'd sometimes find her sister doing.

"Apple Bloom." I breathed as I reached her.

"Oh! Hi, Mister Wesker!" Apple Bloom chirped, jumping up. "It was real scary tonight, huh? But I think everything's fine now!"

I looked at her sadly, kneeling down I looked her in the eyes, "Apple Bloom...I know you don't want to talk about this...but you have to."

She cocked her head, "What are you talking about?"

Damn it! Why's it got to be me to do this?! "...Sunny Town."

Her eyes filled with fear, "I...I don't know what you're talking about!"

I sighed, "Apple Bloom..." Damn it. This is getting me nowhere. I need to tell her the truth. "Apple Bloom. I've been to Sunny Town. I was trapped there once, like you." She stared at me. "But you got away quickly. You had help. I...didn't. I was stuck there for three hours, trying to avoid those Blanks and their Blood Hooves. But you don't have to worry! I had help from a friend and escaped. And that friend? He's protecting the forest making sure that something like that never happens again. I bottled it up like you are. I almost got killed because of it. Now, I'm sure that it won't be that bad for you, but...you need to talk about it. It doesn't have to be to your sister, or Twilight or Cheerilee. They won't understand. Not truly. But you can talk to me, Luna or you can go into the Everfree and just talk. My friend will be there, he always is, and he'll understand, he won't ask questions, he knows what happened...and I think he blames himself for not stopping you from entering that accursed place."

She stared at me for a moment before wrapping her hooves around me, "I WAS SO SCARED!!" She sobbed. "THEY WERE...THEY WERE..."

She just sobbed and sobbed as I stroked her head, tears running down my jacket. "There, there." I soothed. "It's okay. They're gone. They can't get you. You're safe."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hours had passed since the hoard had retreated back into the Everfree and Ponyville had its ground soaked in blood. And me? I had gotten a few hours of sleep, however little it was. The hospital was crowded with the injured and the wounded. Most would make a full recovery. Some would have a significant injury for the rest of their life.

Forty six died.

They tell me that it could have been worse. That if I wasn't there it would have been worse.

But I should have done better.

Forty six dead. Forty five shouldn't have died.

Nine new orphans. Six foals lost a parent.

Damn it all. Damn it. DAMN IT!!!

The room the hospital had given me was pristine when I had gotten here.

It was now trashed. Another victim of my rage.

But no children had died.

Thank heavens for small mercies.

The scent of blood and death invaded my nose.

These ponies think they now know what war is.

No. They don't. If they did then they would know that was but a small skirmish.

Battles in war last for days and weeks, not mere hours.

...

I need some air.

The Everfree Forest was, ironically, free of the stench of the battle.

Could it have been avoided? Were they attracted by my presence? Was it my-

NO! DON'T THINK LIKE THAT!!!

I sighed and slumped to the ground. Maybe I should-

NO! I WON! IT IS NOT I SHOULD BEAR!!! I LED THEM INTO VICTORY!!! I SHOULD BE REJOICING!!!

But I am not.

"You always blame yourself. Haven't you learned by now?"

I sighed. Guardian's right. He always is. I stood up. "So many children with lost parents. So many innocent lives lost. All my fault."

"No." Guardian intoned, rising from the dirt. "It is not. Do not blame yourself." Before I could react several tendrils of dirt swarmed around my head. Memories of my years as stone floated to the surface of my mind. "So alone. The silence and loss of senses almost drove you insane." He sighed. "You are alone a no longer." My memories started playing before my eyes.

Me and Ritual laughing and drinking after destroying a squadron of Royal Guards. Talking to Zecora, both with a smile on our faces. Lazing around with Applejack in the peace of the orchad.Me and Ritual regailing each other with tales of our solo adventures. Scarab thanking me. The Battle of La Uniomoda, an army by my side. The sands of the lands of the Minotaur Tribes, sharing a meal with Tribe Steel. Sharing tales of battle and blood with the Minotaur warrior Skarlak Leopek. Helping Ensure the survival of the Changelings. "You will never be alone."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The town was, unsurprisingly, empty, save for a handful of souls mopping up blood and gore. Sighing I left the hospital behind me and began for the Everfree. I had to leave. The hunt will begin soon.

Although Rarity had held me up, insisting on repairing my clothes with a spell and making some firm, durable, straps for my weapons attached to my back. She...would regret that as soon as the news hit. Tch, whatever, it's not like I'm ever coming back here.

The Hunt begins soon, and upon that momentous occasion, the ground and sky will turn red with blood and righteous rage of the Monster that is me.

I shook my head, damn it, I don't need that poetic shit right now.

I headed towards the market, the main battleground last night. As I arrived I caught sight of Twilight helping with the cleanup.

"Oh, Wesker!" She smiled. But there was something hidden beneath her eyes. Self-loathing. Damn it, Purple.

"Purple, don't blame yourself." I said softly, stroking her head as I had done to Apple Bloom earlier.

She started crying. "But I...I...I KILLED!" She sobbed. "I'm a monster! I took five lives last night! How could I..." Tears soaked her fur.

"Twilight, you defended yourself. You didn't go out looking for them, it isn't your fault. They were already dead."

"But...but...they begged me to not do it!" What? Oh, fuck. She must have had to kill newly created Ghouls. I pitied her. New Ghouls still have their minds, but no control of their bodies, it's only after their mind is twisted and corrupted that control of the body is given back to them. So new Ghouls tend to beg for help. I can't let her know that, she'll see it as murder.

"Twilight...those beings can mimic voices and feelings, but they're really just dead inside. It may seem like they're alive, but they died long ago."

Her eyes brightened. "They...they weren't alive?"

I shook my head, "Not in the slightest." I lied.

After a few minutes of Twilight recollecting herself she smiled at me, "Thank you, Wesker. I...feel much better now."

I smiled, "Maybe I'll see you around, Purple. Some day. I'm leaving town, there's a whole world out there, I need to see it."

"WAIT!!!" A certain mint blur cried before it jerked to a stop in front of me.

I groaned, "What do you want?" I snarled at Lyra.

She rubbed the back of her head, "Uh...eheh...funny story actually. See..." I gave me a sheepish grin. "I kinda made you this for...well...the whole 'hands' thing." A smooth wooden hiking stick floated up to me, suspended in Lyra's magic.

Grabbing it out of the air I looked it over. Nice, solid wood, sanded down well, strong enough to take my weight and for usage on rough terrain. Overall, a good, personally made, piece of equipment. I let out a small smile, "Thanks." Turning on the spot I headed off towards the Everfree. "See you guys. Possibly."

Returning to the Mirror Pool cave I sat, grabbed my radio and sighed. Placing it back down I paced the room. What to take, what to take, what to take? I was about the punch a wall when I caught sight of a small bag with a large opening. "No. Freaking. Way." I muttered, picking it up. Is it...? Ha! It is! I grabbed some fallen straps from the floor and tied the pack to my side, opposite the daggers. Oh, this'll make things easier! I chuckled to myself. Ritual said she was going to make me another...but...I never really expected her to.

This was a small side-pack with a 'Bigger Inside' spell placed on it! I'd lost mine not long before I was stoned, but Ritual said she'd make me another, but I never thought she'd get around to it. I gave a soft smile, "Thanks, Ritual." I muttered.

Well, no time like the present! I opened the pack and smile as I saw a note inside. "Dear, fuckbucket." Yeah. That's her all right. "Seeing as you're back now, I thought you'd like to know about what spells this thing has on it. Let's see...besides from the Bigger Inside spell, there's also the...Preserving spell, No Wear No Tear spell and the Conversion spell. Good luck, Shithead!"

I grinned. "Oh, yeah. This I got."

Those other spells should make things easier. For one thing the No Wear No Tear spell made it so the bag would be almost impossible to damage, at the expense of being really stiff, so it couldn't be used on armour or clothing, and the Conversion spell, also know as the...uh, what was it, ah, the Junker spell, made it so I could scrap old junk and weapons I didn't like and, after scrapping the equivalent of something 10 times the size what I wanted, it'd appear in the bag. Unfortunately it's pretty much useless for weapons that aren't throwing items. Try for a sword, for example, and it'll snap on the first strike. Plus, food! Yeah, it makes no logical sense, scrap an old bow, get a chunk of Manticore meat! But I'm not going to complain. I doubt I'll use this much though, maybe after a battle to get more arrows if I get a bow, but probably not.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stood just inside the Everfree Forest, I wouldn't be seen unless someone was looking for me but I could see the town, and sighed. Goodbye, hope. Goodbye, dreams. Goodbye, friendship. Goodbye, stable life. "Goodbye, friends." I whispered. "Goodbye...peace." I should have left, but I just stood there, adjusting the makeshift sheath on my back for Roxy and my new sword, staring at Ponyville.

I don't know how long I stood there, but I snapped out of reverie as a chariot landed...and she stepped out. I flinched away as her eyes swept over me for a split-second. Did she...?! ...No. She was just looking around in horror. She hates me. I can't ever go back. Give it a few hours and the whole town will despise me. And Zecora...well, she's the wild card. Maybe she will, maybe she won't. It doesn't matter. I'm never coming back.

...Though I wish I could.

I turned my back on the town, gripped my wooden hiking stick firmly and began my trek. My path. My life. No. Not even that. It's survival, not life. There's not going to be any happiness or joy where the path takes me, so I'll have to make due with what I have. I have to focus on what I do have, not what I've lost. Not what could have been.

I stared at the path in front of me, quivering slightly and I lifted a foot. The first step of a journey...is always the hardest. The foot came down. Then another. And another. And another.

I gave a sad smile and started humming as I walked.

Discovery

Discovery

I wandered through the Everfree, the wind in my face, the scent of berries and animals in the air, Ritual by my side, the beauty of fresh dew in leaves...wait. What?

"BOO!"

I gave a strangled squawk as I sprung up into the air. Landing to the sound of Ritual's laughter I glared at her ghostly form. "Yeah, fuck you too!" She just ignored me and continued laughing. "It's not that funny!" I yelled, swatting her head. And, surprisingly, I actually made contact instead of my blow just phasing through her, like it should have done now Nightmare Night's over.

"Hey, quit it, fucktard!" She scalded, but quickly dissolved into chuckles.

I shook my head, "Okay, go on."

She blinked. "What?" She asked innocently. Yeah, not working. I've worked with you, remember?

I gave a half-smile, "What did you do to be here?" I asked, before listing the most likely options. "Ancient spell? Magical artifact? Trick some poor sod into taking your place? Pinkie-Ex-Machina?"

She chuckled, "No, no. Nothing like-" She blinked. "Pinkie-Ex-Machina?"

I shuddered, "Don't ask. Just...don't."

She gave me an odd look. "Right. Anyway, I am here, young one," She intoned mystically. "To help you chose your path of destiny. For you are tied to the very fate of Eques-"

"Piss off!" I yelled, interrupting her. "And quit channeling Guardian!"

She snickered, "Yeah, yeah. Relax, I'm just fucking with you."

Sighing I asked again, "So, how are you still...you know, still physical?"

She gave me a grin, "Well, believe it or not, the Bossman let me stay like this for my actions last night. According to Guardian, at least." Yeah, she refuses to call it the 'Spirit of the Everfree Forest.' And 'Bossman' is so much easier on the mouth. "Still stuck in this damn forest though."

"Huh." I muttered. "Say...you, uh, you have any clue as to where I should go?"

She facehooved, "You...have absolutely no idea what you're doing, do you?"

I gave an embarrassed chuckle, "Er...no. Not really." To be fair, I haven't had to make the choice of where to go ever since I teamed up with Ritual, a good...three years or so before I was stoned.

She groaned, "Who do you know that would help you?"

I scratched my head, "Um...the...Changelings...?"

She grinned triumphantly, "Yes! Now go! The Changelings await!" She pointed dramatically into the distance.

"Yeah!" I yelled before muttering, "Um...where's the nearest Changeling Hive?"

She facetreed for a few minutes before pointing towards where the Scorching Wastes, or whatever it was called these days, was, according to my old map. "The Badlands." Ritual ground out. "They are in the Badlands." Fucking figures. You get trapped in stone for 750 years and everything changes its name.

"I see." I nodded. "Alright, let's go." We headed off for the Badlands, the forest growing darker as we went further into the unrecorded depths.

Meanwhile

Celestia gave a soft chuckle as she and Luna passed through the Everfree Forest, heading to Tartarus. "I'm glad you're safe, Luna."

Luna, walking beside her sister, sighed, "But so many dead. I wish I could have saved them."

Celestia frowned before nuzzling her sister's cheek. "You did what you could. I feel for the loss, but life goes on. As it always has. As one life is ended another begins."

Luna suppressed a glare. At least Blood felt remorse for the dead. Why don't you? We may live longer, but life is precious all the same. "I suppose."

As they approached the Gates of Tartarus Celestia noticed something was wrong.

"Where's Cerberus?" She muttered.

"Oh, maybe he's just out on a walk." Luna chuckled, knowing perfectly well where he was.

"Perhaps he was feeling a little cooped up."

Giving her sister a strange look Celestia opened the Gate in her golden magic. As soon as the doors were open Cerberus, skinny and frail from starvation, came running out before charging into the forest for food.

Celestia frowned. "That's...strange. How did he get locked inside?"

Luna rolled her eyes, "Does it really matter? Let's go."

As they entered Luna prepared for the long trip down when Celestia stopped her and pressed her hoof against a section of the wall, which sunk in. The secret switch made a large rock move to reveal a pad. Standing on it, Celestia and Luna disappeared in a white flash and reappeared down at the base of the slope, right next to the cells.

Luna blinked. "What was that?"

Celestia smiled, "Teleporter pads. They are simple to make but fell out of practice for some reason or another. A shame since even those without magic can use them." She continued onwards, leading Luna over towards the cell. "And here the beast is." Celestia stated, pointing proudly...

At an empty cell.

"What?!" Celestia squawked, dashing into the cell. "Where is he? WHERE IS HE?!" She spotted chunks of broken stone on the ground. "No..." Celestia muttered, horror spreading through her. "No...It can't be...NO!!!" She looked around, spotting the marking made of blood on the wall as Luna entered. "NO!" She span around. "Luna! We need to tell the guards! No, Ponyville! No...all...we need to tell the world the monster has escaped!" She shot out, twitching, her eyes shooting from spot to spot.

Oh wow. Luna thought. I've never seen her this bad before. "Come on, Tia. Is this all you wanted to show me? An empty room?"

Celestia span to Luna, staring at her, her pupils shrunk to pinpoints. "NO! There was a monster here! It...it must have escaped! We...capture it!"

Luna stifled a laugh. This is priceless! Oh! I know! This'll be fun! "Oh, I get it." Luna said. When Celestia turned to her she continued. "This is where your coltfriend was."

Celestia's face turned red as she began to splutter, "NO...I...I don't...I...that thing isn't...you...I haven't..."

Luna suppressed a grin. Priceless! "Oh? So he wasn't a pony? Celestia if word got out about that just think of the scandal!" She teased.

"I-I-I...NO!!! We need to get to Ponyville! He can't have gone far!"

Meanwhile

I finished my drink of water. Looking over to Ritual I smiled, "Wow. We've really gone quite far from Ponyville, huh?"

Back with Celestia and Luna

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!" Celestia muttered, staring at the wall.

"Okay, this is getting annoying." Luna moaned before summoning a ball of water and throwing it at her sister.

"No, no, bluggb!" Celestia gurgled. Blinking she stared. "Luna?" Her coat soaking and her mane, no longer flowing, was drooping to the ground.

Luna smiled, "There. Are you going to act rationally now?"

Celestia sighed and nodded. "Yes. But we have to go! Who knows what horrible things that monster has done?!"

In Ponyville

In the schoolhouse Cheerilee smile from the window as she watched the children play on the new equipment in the playground. "I'm glad Wesker was kind enough to help make these for us." Her eyes glanced over to the roundabout. "And some things I've never seen before! So nice."

Back with the cool princess and the multicoloured whiner

"Such horrible, evil, things he could have done!"

"Sister." Luna said softly. "Come. Let's leave." With Luna pretty much dragging Celestia they left.

In the Golden Oaks Library, Ponyville, two hours later

"And that's why we need to find this beast!" Celestia yelled, finishing her explanation to the Elements of Harmony and Spike.

"Well...what does this...Blood...look like?" Twilight asked.

"Well, he's tall, almost as tall as me. He has these terrible claws, black and covered in blood, his teeth are all fangs, yellow and rotting, his body is grotesque in appearance, standing upright he lurches from side to side as he stalks his prey! His beady, red eyes, blinded by feral hunger for flesh!" As Celestia continued to embellish every little detail Luna groaned and felt like ramming her head through the bookshelf, if only to see Twilight freak out and try to save all the books from being damaged.

"Okay. That's enough." Luna cut in. "Let's try this again. Sister? Little details. You're scaring the little one."

"Hey!" Spike huffed indignantly. "I'm not scared!"

"I meant Fluttershy." Luna pointed out, the mare in question was shaking like a leaf and hiding behind Rainbow Dash.

"Oh."

After Celestia got the, real, discription out all the girls gasped. "That sounds like Wesker!"

Spike just shrugged. "Huh. Oh, so the bloodthirsty warrior is...a bloodthirsty warrior. You'll have to forgive me for not seeing a change." He said sarcastically.

"Who is this Wesker?" Celestia asked, ignoring Spike. Luna on the other hand was chuckling at Spike's comment.

"Oh! He's a Homo Sapien!" Twilight said happily. "A new species. He...actually...he looks a lot like you described. Brown hair, grey eyes, tall. And...he has that axe." Celestia's eyes widened in fear. "He called it a name, Roxy, and he talked to it a little. Oh! And he could speak Zebrican!"

"Girls," Celestia began. "That...creature you call Wesker was a monster named Blood."

Twilight blinked. "Blood?"

Celestia nodded while Luna subtly rolled her eyes. "Yes. A monster and beast of monstrosity!"

"Gee, that sure wasn't redundant or anything." Luna muttered.

"It feasts off of the fear of the living! It brought those monsters that attacked the town here! It-Ow, Luna! Let go of my ear!" She yelped as Luna tugged her ear with her magic.

"Then stop embellishing." Luna growled, releasing her magical grip.

"Fine. He's a bloodthirsty monster who attacked me, killed several hundred Guards I sent after him, destroyed several towns and constantly sent me insulting letters until, using the Elements of Harmony, I trapped him in stone."

"And why did you send Guards after him?" Luna asked.

"Because he killed the last batch I sent at him." Celestia replied.

"And why did he kill them?"

"Because I sent them at him."

Luna sighed, "No. Why did you originally send Guards after him?"

"Because he tried to kill me."

"And why did he try and kill you?"

"Because he's a bloodthirsty monster."

Luna glared at her sister and muttered, "...Sometimes I think Nightmare Moon had the right idea with you."

"B-but he could be out there now!" Celestia squealed. "Hurting my ponies!" What about non-pony races? Luna thought with a hidden glare.

"Do any of you have any idea where he could have gone?!" Celestia twitched.

All of them shook their heads except Applejack. I don't know for sure but...there is that place he showed me...but...

Flashback (3 weeks ago)

Blood led Applejack through the Everfree Forest, pushing through vines and trees with ease. "I'm trusting you with this place, okay?" Blood said, pushing a vine out of his way.

Applejack followed behind, giving the area a look. She'd never been to this part of the Everfree before. "I don't get what the big secret is."

Blood chuckled, coming to a stop. "Trust me, you will." He turned and stepped onto an old, unused path. "Ah! The old pathway! I remember this!" He led Applejack further along before finally reaching their destination. "Welcome, Applejack, to the Circle of Tranquility."

She looked around. "...It just looks like an old clearing."

Sighing Blood shook his head, "Yes, yes. But can't you feel it? Don't you feel...calmer?"

"Well...I guess...but that's the big secret?" She didn't understand why it was a secret.

Blood sat in front of some stones. "Take a seat." He said, patting the ground next to him. As Applejack sat he continued. "Now. Close your eyes. Breath deep. Exhale. Let your mind flow. Just...relax."

Applejack did as instructed and felt...peace. Calm. Like she was a leaf floating down a lazy river. Opening her eyes she saw Blood smiling softly. "I guess I know why you keep this place a secret."

"Applejack, I need you to swear not to tell anyone at all about this place. You can show it to Apple Bloom and her friends, but not anyone else. I need your word."

Applejack nodded, "I swear. On my honor as an Apple."

Present

I can't break my promise. But I can't lie to the Princess either. Applejack thought. Wait...what are the chances that he's there? It's unlikely. He's smarter than that. So...just got to word it right. "Ah...sorry, but I don't know where he is." I didn't break my promise as an Apple and I didn't lie! Phew, that was a close one. Doesn't feel right, but he saved Apple Bloom's life! That's got to count for something! Why would someone evil save her?

Celestia sighed. "Oh. I see. Well, I have to get back to Canterlot to announce his escape. We need to begin a search for him. He's evil and therefore must be brought to justice."

Spike raised a claw. "Question."

"What's your question, Spike?" Celestia asked.

"If he's so evil, why'd he help save the town?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"...He...he was..." Celestia struggled for words. "He was trying to gain your trust! He probably killed all the ponies that died!"

Spike raised his claw again. "Question."

"Uh...yes?" Celestia asked slowly.

"If he wanted to kill us then how come more didn't die? Piecing together eyewitness statements and the bodies, it's clear he killed over five hundred undead. Plus, he helped save Rarity and Sweetie Belle when I was getting overwhelmed."

Celestia's eyes widened. "No! It's his fault! He's a remorseless murderer! He was no goodness in him!"

Spike raised his claw yet again. "Question."

"..." Celestia stayed silent. "Yes?" She pretty much hissed.

Spike ignored her tone. "If he has no goodness in him why did he help build equipment for the foals during their breaks? If the attack was his fault why did it happen more than ten weeks after his arrival? And if he did organise the attack why was he wandering through town having a dance and playing around when they attacked? And finally, if he's remorseless why did he help Twilight get over the fact she had to 'kill' to defend herself from attack? Why would he do that of he was just a monster? Also, throw away that 'murderer' card you're about to use. After last night, I think most of the town technically qualifies for that. Including me and five of the Elements."

"I...No! He's evil!" Celestia insisted. Spike sighed and just left the room.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, "Oh, come on! Spike's right! Me and the guy hung out a bit, he spent at least a full week with each of us! I doubt he's evil!"

Celestia stared incredulously as the other Elements of Harmony nodded. "You...he...I don't believe it. He's brainwashed you all!"

Luna groaned, "Oh, for...Tia! Why are you...are you...shaking?" True enough Celestia, the Solar monarch was shaking.

Spike returned holding a cup. "Princess. Have a drink, you'll feel better." Nodding Celestia held the cup in her magic and took a sip. She blinked and wobbled before dropping the cup, which Spike promptly caught, and crashed to the floor. "Worked like a charm." Spike muttered.

"SPIKE!!" Twilight yelled. "What was that?! What did you do to the Princess?! What's-" She stopped as Spike held the cup under her nose, the fumes invaded her nose. She lasted for half a second before joining Celestia unconscious on the floor.

"Spike." Rarity said slowly. "What is that?"

Spike chuckled as he saw everyone eyeing the drink nervously. "It's what I use when Twilight either stays up all night, goes crazy because she can't figure something out, or when it seems like another 'Smarty Pants incident' is about to break out. The scent is usually enough to knock Twilight out, though I suspected Celestia's made of sturdier stuff so she got a sip. I got the recipe from Sweetie Belle."

Rarity blinked. "Sweetie was making knockout potions?"

Spike shook his head. "Nah, it's her recipe for ice-cream." He took a sip. "It's actually not too bad."

Luna cleared her throat. "Well, I should get my sister back to the castle for some rest. And, Spike? Thank you."

He blushed, "Ah, it was nothing." He said modestly.

"Oh. And everypony? I'd like your thoughts on Blood."

Applejack spoke up, "Well...he saved Apple Bloom. And the town. Sure he might have done bad stuff in the past, but...he made it clear he's not the monster the Princess is making him out to be."

"Yeah!" Rainbow added. "He's a good guy! Well...maybe not good but...he's cool."

Rarity nodded, "While...quite vulgar, he can be surprisingly elegant."

"We're talking about his character, Rare." Applejack reminded.

"I am aware of that, Applejack! As I was about to say. He is a fine gentle...gentle...what did he say? Ah! A fine gentleman."

"He's, um...he's nice." Fluttershy whispered.

"Well," Pinkie said. "I think he has a lot of anger in him, but he tries to use it for the right reason. He obviously cares for young children a lot, he probably had something happen to him when he was young. He cares a lot for that axe, you remember how he called it Roxy? He loves that axe like it's alive. Or...maybe like it's family. But...when that ghost turned up did you see him smile? It was like a light had come back on in his heart. He clearly has a strong will. Remember how he said that he was frozen for around eight hundred years? To go through all that, alone, cut off some all senses of sight, just watching for year upon year...it would be heart crushing. But in the end, he's a good person. He's not the good guy. But he's not evil."

They all stared at Pinkie, except Spike, who just shrugged. "I honestly don't know why you guys are even surprised what comes out of her mouth anymore."

As the others got over Pinkie's...Pinkieness, they turned to Spike and looked at him expectantly. "Oh, come on, we know Spike thinks he's a good guy. I mean, he defended him!" Rainbow cried.

Spike shrugged. "Not really."

Rainbow's jaw dropped. "But you defended him!"

Luna nodded, "True, but he never used any of his own opinions. He merely stated the facts of the matter."

Spike nodded, "Right. I believe he was the potential to do good. Just as I believe he was the potential to do evil. As Pinkie said, he's angry. Anger makes it difficult to make things like moral choices."

"And you, Princess?" Rainbow asked.

Luna chuckled. "Please, call me Luna. We are friends are we not? And Blood? I met him before you. We...didn't exactly have the best of introductions."

"How so?" Rarity asked.

"We had a fight."

Rarity gasped. "A fight?! But surely that a fight would have attracted attention! And wounds!"

Luna smiled, "That is the wonder of the Dreamscape as Blood prefers to call it. Ah, a glorious battle! He hit me with what I assume are vehicles from his home, trapped me in a giant pinball machine and had the ball careen all over the place with me attached. In return I blasted him through the air, through a castle across a sea of blades, onto a catapult and out into space and through the moon. Before crashing back through the moon and all the way down to the planet." She smiled wistfully. "Fun times."

"Whoa." Rainbow muttered.

"Anyway, I best be off. Oh, and if my sister or the Royal Guards come to see you it'd be for the best if you pretended you hate Blood. Although if it's me or my Lunar Guard, you don't have to. Pass my message along to Twilight when she awakens. Farewell!" Luna and Celestia then disappeared in a deep blue flash.

Author's Note

Yeah, that was a chapter of Celestia's reaction to Blood's escape.

Now, before you start flaming in the comment section about how Celestia was out of character listen to me. This is the one enemy of Celestia's that has killed. All her other enemies were just arses or easily defeated. Blood had been a threat to her and Equestria for years before she finally used the Elements on him. So when she finds him gone, she has no idea how long he's been gone and she doesn't know where he is. The two things that he exploits.

Hope that explains her actions more.

Now! Time for a poll down in the comment section! In a few chapters there will be a flashback chapter! It's time for you to vote for what flashback you want!

Vote for either 'Meeting Ritual', 'Arrival in Equestria' (Which will also show the party he was at before but not why Celestia is after him.), 'The Minotaur warrior Skarlak Leopek' (Mentioned in 'The Final Night Of Harmony'.), or 'Blood in Sunny Town'.

See you next time!

A Not So Sunny Disposition

I wiped sweat from my brow as I gazed at the rising sun. "Damn it." I muttered. There was still no signs of life after four weeks in this blistering wasteland, as the days had gotten hotter I had placed my jacket and shirt in my bag to keep cooler. Still, there being no signs of life wasn't entirely bad. It meant that Celestia hadn't sent her goons out here yet. She was probably still searching the towns further in Equestria. No one in their right mind would be out in the Badlands, right?

"I must be an idiot." I muttered. "I won't be able to find the Hive." I shook my head, can't be hopeless here! It'll kill me. "There's got to be signs. How else would the Changelings find it?"

I nodded to myself, smiling until a thought occured. "Unless the only Changelings there are the ones born there." I shook my head, "No! Positive thoughts, positive thoughts."

My thoughts drifted back to my recent misadventure. Those two...they'll survive if they work together and trust each other like they had been doing. Rocket and Groot, huh? Why do those names sound so familiar?

It doesn't really matter, I don't really know why I got along with them so well. Maybe because they were like me. Human. But those two, Rocket especially, remind me of when I was younger, less experienced. I was an idiot back then. But as always, gaining skills took time and practice. And nothing said practice like killing zombies. But...there's always something worse than zombies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

754 years ago.

"Crap, crap, crap!" I yelled, running through a dark forest being chased by Celestia's Hunters, apparently they were created to hunt down high-class threats, such as myself, thus the name. Diving through a bush I barely avoided a diving pegasi slamming into the ground. I turned and gave it a friendly boot to the face before continuing my sprint. As another pegasus shot down and flew beside me I slammed my trusty club into her face, sending her crashing to the ground.

"GET BACK HERE!!!" A Hunter roared, a spear slamming into the tree next to me. "STOP AND ON YOUR KNEES!!!"

"I'M NOT YOUR MOTHER WORKING FOR A BIT!!!" I yelled back, smirking. There was a pause in the projectiles before they resumed with even more gusto than before. That...probably pissed them off, huh? "HOW'S YOUR BROTHER THESE DAYS?! OOPS, SORRY, I MEANT FATHER!!! OR YOUR WIFE, I MEAN SISTER?!?!"

With a tidal wave of angry roars behind me I ran for all I could. I should really stop antagonizing these guys. But that's boring as all hell! It's not my fault they're so easily offended!

After a few minutes of sprinting I noticed a cliff coming up, complete with river leading to a waterfall. Ah, crap. Behind me people want to kill me. Waterfall that'll probably kill me in front. Ah, fuck it, I took my chance and dove into the water. As I sunk underneath the surface I forced myself back to the sweet, sweet air. As I looked back over to the Hunters I realised they weren't following me. Although they were distracted.

By a Manticore or two trying to catch pony shaped dinner for ten.

What a bunch of idiots! I laughed at their misfortune.

It was at that point I went over the waterfall.

I gave a high-pitched scream, "SON OF A BIIIIIIIIITCH!!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I crawled my way out of the river I grumbled to myself, "Never trust a waterfall." Luckily I had, miraculously, avoided any injury altogether. Dragging my soaking wet self through the forest I began to look for shelter while I dried off, didn't want to make it easy for pegasi to spot me. After I found a cave I just lazed around until I dried off before setting out yet again.

The forest seemed darker than before, more...sinister. I shook my head, "Yeah right." I whispered. "Shit like that is just stupid. ...Although seeing as I'm on the run from magical pastel coloured ponies, I guess I can't talk."

I entered a clearing and froze. Damn it. More ponies!

But something was wrong. The grey stallion was smiling! "Ah! Welcome! Are you here for the party?"

I blinked. "P-party?"

"Oh, you can speak! How delightful! And yes, a party! Here at Sunny Town we all love parties, I am Grey Hoof party planner extraordinaire!"

I gave a relaxed smile, "I could go for a party right about now."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laughing I took up a chalice with the residents of Sunny Town. These were truly good people. They didn't judge me with their princess's eyes and words. They thought for themselves. Could they...be friends? I let out a small smile at that thought. A friend...I haven't had a friend since I was ripped from my home. Oh, how I miss them. But...a friend would be nice...if I even remember how to be a friend. It's only been a few weeks...but it feels like forever.

"Terrence!" Green Leaf chuckled. "Go on! Tell us another tale!"

As I opened my mouth to say something I spotted a grey filly with yellow hair. She was staring at me from the other end of the town. What in the world? Standing up I muttered, "Excuse me a moment." Before walking briskly towards her. Who was it? Why wasn't she at the party with the others?

I came to the edge of the town. Well, no. That wasn't exactly true, there was a path into the woods. I decided to follow it, if a young girl could brave these woods I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.

A minute later I came to a dark cottage surrounded by trees. It...looked old. It was falling apart, the roof had gaping holes in it, the walls were rotten. You get the picture. I tried the door. Locked. Of course. What am I doing here? Why aren't I back at the party?

Simple. Curiousity. I can't just leave this alone, something's going on here, I tried to ignore it, but the townsfolk are...off. I can't put my finger on it, but something's wrong. Maybe that girl can tell me what's going on here. If I can find her, that is.

I decided to check around the cottage in the hope of finding a key or an open window. After searching around the house I was sure that there wasn't an unlocked window and the key wasn't somewhere obvious. I sighed and stared at the door. "I will not be beaten by you, demon!" I declared proudly, accidently knocking over a plant pot while doing a ~~Magical Girl~~ heroic pose. "Oops." I began to clean up the mess when I spotted a dull metal in the mess. No way. No fucking way. I pulled it out and it was, in fact, a key. Sighing I tried it and hey presto, the door unlocked. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The inside of the house was dark, the only light coming from the fireplace. "Huh?" I muttered. Was there...something inside it? There's definitely something in there. Wandering over I glanced in. Oh, god, no. Bile rose from my stomach. Blood drained from my face. All as I stared at the object, or, more appropriately, objects in the fireplace.

A skeleton of a child.

"No. No! NO!" I cried. "This can't be right! What...what the hell?! What the fuck?!"

"Leave. You have to leave!" A voice sobbed from the corner of the room as the fire put itself out.

"Who's there?!" I screeched. The room was dark, I couldn't see a thing anymore. Then the fire lit itself again and the room was lit up.

And in the corner of the room was the filly I'd followed.

"Don't look at it!" She sobbed. "Don't look at it!" Her voice was...faded somehow, and her eyes glew a ghostly yellow. Is...is she a ghost? "Stop looking at it!"

"I...I don't..." I tried to speak, but found my mouth wouldn't work.

"STOP LOOKING AT MY BODY!!!" She screeched.

No. No, not her. Oh, god, no... The body in the fireplace...the ghost girl...one in the same? I felt sick. Who did this to her? Who could do this? Something so sickening and evil? It...it wasn't right!

The ghost broke down into tears. I couldn't take it. No child should have to deal with something like this. Not ever. I slowly made my way over to her, dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around her, I could feel her small form shivering in my arms. Blinking, I resolved to ask myself how I could do that later, right now I had a little girl to comfort.

"Shhh. It's okay." I soothed. "I'm not going to look. I'm not looking. I'll never look again, little one." I pulled her closer and her tears began to soak into my shirt. "Shhh. Hush, little one, don't be sad. I won't let anything else hurt you again."

"You...you have to leave." She murmured. "Sunny Town is a bad place. If you don't leave you'll be trapped here." She looked up at me with her large yellow eyes. "Please!" She nuzzled me. “My name is Ruby. Please...don’t forget about me. Please!”

I stood up. "I...I'm going, for you. Stay safe. I won’t forget." I rushed out the door, locking it as I went. No one else should ever see this tragedy again. I threw the key down the well and ran back to the village.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stared over what was, just a few minutes ago, an idyllic village turned to a rotten hellhole, buildings were falling apart, rubble was everywhere, blocking parts of the pathways, even the grass was blackened. "The hell?" I muttered. "I have to get out of here!"

"Don't leave." A distorted voice echoed through the village. But it was still recognisable. Grey Hoof. "We won't let you become like her."

"What!? DEAD?! FOR WHAT?!?! SHE WAS A CHILD!!!" I screeched, blood pounding through my veins I grabbed my club and clutched it tight.

"We did what we had to. She was cursed!" Green Leaf rasped, appearing around the corner of a building before joining Grey Hoof.

"She was going to ruin the party!" Grey Hood followed up and I could feel the grin that spread across his rotting skull. "We won't let that happen to you. Friend."

"GET AWAY FROM ME!!!" I shrieked, swiping at them with my club. I missed by a few inches, but they got the message and backed away slightly. "STAY BACK! I'M WARNING YOU!"

Grey cocked his head, "Why? We are friends are we not?"

"NO!!! YOU KILLED HER?!?! A CHILD?!?!" I screamed, tears beginning to escape my eyes.

They looked at each other for a minute before looking back at me. "She had 'The Mark'. She had to go. She wouldn't leave. So we made sure that it wouldn't spread. We burned the body to stop the infection. But it didn't." Grey Hoof sighed a breathless sigh and Green put her hoof on his back. "We took it upon ourselves to cure Sunny Town. Those FREAKS with their horns and wings were the fault of it all! Those abominations should burn! All of them!" He sighed as the blood stopped circulating through my knuckles as my fingernails dug into wood. "But, as we cleansed the town we began to experience pain and suffering. They began to outnumber us, until we found the answer!" Grey Hoof chuckled, a sound that sickened me to the pit of my stomach. "Reborn and stronger than ever we rose in the night and converted them to us! They became our dear friends, where once they despised and hated us! It truly is a gift from beyond the gods!" His laughter devolved sounded more like animalistic howling. "Now, my friend, it is your turn to join us! You'll be forever protected!"

Protected? Protected?! I glared at him. "No." I whispered. "Protection is one of life's great lies. Safety, protection? There's no truth in them. Safety is ignoring the dangers that surround you while protection merely means that someone else takes the pain instead. Those are lies." I gripped my club tightly. "AND THIS IS NOT DISTRACTING ME!!!" I turned and swung my club again, catching a...a...a Blank, I guess you could call them, in the side of the head, blackened blood exploding from the wound as it dropped to the ground in a scream. I stomped on its head, sending rotting brain and blackened blood spraying across the ground.

"RED SHIRT!!! NO!!!" Grey cried. He just stared at the dead...undead...redead...perninimatly dead corpse. He glared at me. "You MONSTER!!!"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Monster, yeah, right, whatever, brainrot. Go kill yourself again, fucker."

"DON'T YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF, MURDERER?!?!" He cried.

As an idea popped into my head I began cheerfully singing, "I know a song that'll get on your nerves, get on your nerves, get on your nerves! I know a song that'll get on your nerves, do dah, do dah, do day!"

"SHUT UP!!!" He roared.

I laughed, "Oh, that's not very nice, shitface!"

"GET HIM!!!"

I readied my club, "Bring it, zombie fuckers!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I fought them for what felt like an age. Smashing and clubbing away. My trusty club was always by my side and would be for years to come!

"STAY BACK!!!" I yelled, smashing another head open. I raised my club up as they crawled back, giving them a reminder as to why they shouldn't come near me. Yeah, this baby's going to stay with me forever.

A good portion of my club then fell to the floor.

I blinked. "Ah, fuck me." The last of the Blanks and Blood Hooves began to close in on me. "Er...no hard feelings?" I chuckled nervously. They just snorted and glared before charging me. "What?" I asked, crushing the skull of a Blank with the remainder of my club. "Not even a 'Sorry for trying to kill you' card? I'm disappointed in you!"

I crushed skulls and broke bones left and right until the last of them fell. Surprisingly I had only gotten superficial wounds, a cut here, a scratch there...not to shabby. I glared at Grey Hoof as the last of his goons had their skull crushed. "You lose!" I taunted, tossing the now useless club, bits of it had been chipping off all throughout the fight and all that was left was a stump.

"NO!" He screeched. "NEVER!!! YOU WILL ACCEPT OUR FRIENDSHIP!!! WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!!!"

I snorted, "Yeah, no. You lose, shithead, I'm leaving Silent Hill here."

He blinked, "Silent...? Bah, do not try to distract me with your senseless babble!"

"But senseless is the best kind of babble!" I snarked, grinning.

"SILENCE!!!" Grey roared.

I rubbed my ear, "I'm sorry, did you say something? I couldn't hear you, it's almost as if your tongue is rotted or something!" As he began to charge me I quickly scrambled up a nearby house. "Whoa, horsie!"

"Come down here and fight like a being of dignity!" He roared. What happened to friendship?

"I don't suppose I can convince you to come up here and fight like a being with opposable thumbs?" I asked snarkily.

"GET DOWN HERE!!!"

"No thanks, I'm happy to stay up here for the rest of my life." I said lazily.

He replied with a roar and kicked the house I was stood on. I smirked and began to give a snarky comment when the roof began to rock and shake. Before I could react the building collapsed beneath my feet. I landed roughly on my back, pain spiking through me as the remains of the roof rained down around me.

"Well, well, well." Grey Hoof's smug voice rung out from the dust, slightly muffled. "The little monkey takes a fall."

Coughing, I looked around. The room I had landed in might have, at one time, been a living room, but both time and the curse had worn it away to dust, all that remained was a fireplace and a ragged rug. Luckily, and unluckily, all the windows and doors were blocked with sparse bits of rubble. It'd buy me a few minutes at least.

One of the doors began banging, rattling in its frame. "Open this door!" Grey Hoof demanded.

"Yeah, how about...no, you zombie bastard!" I chuckled, searching the room for a weapon. But unless I wanted to throw dust at them I was all out of luck.

"You are trapped! Give up now! You have no idea where you are!" I heard Grey Hoof mutter, "Hey, who's house is this anyway?" I couldn't hear the reply but I heard Grey's all right. "WHAT?!?! GET HIM OUT NOW!!!" Who put a hot coal down his pants? I eyed the rug. What are the chances there's a trapdoor underneath that?

I laughed, "Yeah right! I mean, how cliche can this..." I trailed off as I noticed a latch underneath an upturned corner of the rug. Moving the rug revealed a trapdoor. "I will never again question the cliches of this world." I muttered. "Opening the trapdoor, rusty hinges creaking loudly, I descended into the dark pit, unknown horrors awaited me, and I knew, no matter what I found down there, I would never be the same again." I shook my head, chuckling. "I have got to stop narrating!"

As I descended further and further, it got progressively darker and darker. As the minutes passed I eventually walked face first into a door. Rubbing my nose and grumbling I felt blindly for the handle, finally finding it I pulled the door open and was immediately assaulted with curses from a bellowing voice.

"FREAKS!!! WILL BURN YOU!!! DIE!!! DIE, DIE, DIE!!! CRUSH YOUR SKULLS INTO POWDER!!!"

Ignoring the sudden burst of verbal lashing I ventured deeper into the home of the unseen Blank. A dark, gloomy...dungeon?

I looked around, the only light in the room was coming from a torch, its flame illuminating several empty cells. But at the end of the dungeon was an occupied cell, its door over in the corner of the room. Chained to the wall was a Griffin Blank. Its blackened feathers and rotting flesh were no different than the others besides from species. But...why was it chained up? And why did Grey not want me down here? At least, that's what I presume he was freaked out about. Maybe he was afraid I was going to steal his cookies that he might've hid upstairs.

"THEY MUST ALL DIE!!!" The Blank bellowed, diving against her chains. "THE FREAKS!!! THE ABOMINATIONS!!!!"

Seeing as she wasn't going anywhere, I sat down in front of her on the cold floor, making sure I was out of her reach if she decided to go for me. It was only when I was down at her level I noticed the slight differences between her and the other Blanks. For one, she had a strange red, almost glowing, necklace...collar...thing around her neck. Her eyes weren't the usual black with red either, they had speckles of pinks and blues in them. And they held a deep resentment in them. By her side was what might have once been a weapon, but was now a piece of battered metal, although it looked like it could be used as a club if needs be.

I waited for her to stop screaming, but she continued to scream obscenities, a glazed look in her eyes. "You're not like the others, are you?" I muttered.

As soon as the words had left my mouth her eyes locked onto me, beginning to clear as she fell silent. "You......are new. You're not one of those freaks." She spoke, though it seemed like she was speaking more to herself than me.

"No, I'm not. The name's Terry. Who are you?" I asked politely.

She shook her head. "Hard to remember. This place, this curse, MESSES with my head. It's HARD to THINK straight sometimes." She roared odd words for some reason then continued on normally. Interesting.

"Well," I rubbed my chin. "What do you remember?"

She dropped her head. "I...have a sister. And a brother. I HAVE to take care of THEM. But...they were killed. A so-called accident. They were IN hospital for WEEKS in agony before dying. Can't REMEMBER much ELSE." She stared at me. "ALL I remember is this TOWN. Came here after the END of a journey. A quest, I GUESS you could call it. Didn't KNOW what this place really was. Saw a filly. Wanted to help her. She was a ghost."

"Ruby." I muttered.

Her eyes latched onto mine. Staring deep into me. "Yes. That's her name. The ABOMINATIONS took the offer of a CREATURE they call their 'Master'. It BRINGS them back from the DEAD. Even if YOU destroy them, they'll be BACK in a few years." Damn. So all the beasts I've destroyed here, all the trouble I've had tonight is pointless. Well...maybe I've given those that come here a better chance. But...I'm the only one stupid enough to trust them. "I have only SURVIVED by letting my rage and HATRED flow through me for years upon years. My mind is my OWN because of that."

I stared. "Who are you?"

She held her head high with pride. "I am the Knight of Rage."

I rolled my eyes, "I asked your name, not your posh twat title."

She stared at me, her eyes beginning to lose their glossy look and began focusing. "You. You are brave. Take my blade. It has lost it's form, but it has bound itself to you. It may not think or speak, but it chooses its wielder, not the other way around. Someone in this world shall be able to forge it into a weapon that shall serve you forever. Take it to the tribe of the Minotaur Skarlak Leopek. They will know what to do." She slid the hunk of metal across to me. "Now, I go. At long last I must leave this place. I need to find a successor."

"Uh...I...uh..." I muttered. "Could...could I not be..."

She stared and laughed. "No offence, kid, but you don't even know who you are. You wouldn't cut it right now. Look at you. You're covered in black blood and you can't stand it." She closed her eyes for a minute before looking back at me with a smirk. "I'll see you in the afterlife...Blood."

Her body crashed to the ground as a ghostly Griffin rose from her body, soaring through the ceiling and, presumptuously, out into the world. Wait. I looked up and yelled, "HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO GET OUT OF THIS TOWN?!?!"

When there was no answer, not that I was really expecting one, I looked over to her body, which was slowly crumbling to ash. Well, this is just perfect. As more of her body crumbled away I noticed a scroll in the ash. Grabbing it I quickly unscrolled it.

Let's see here. 'To those whom it may concern, this is a scroll containing the secrets of Sunny Town as I, Scarlet Deathcrest, Knight of Rage, Saviour of the Valley of the Sacred, Member of___.' Hmm. Strange. The words after that were scratched off. "Still, cool name." 'Sunny Town is not as it seems. The ponies here are undead monsters, their true appearance only able to be seen either under the cover of nightfall, or after discovering the body of Ruby. A young filly. I have taken to calling them Blanks. Although it seems that I may not be the first to come up with such a name. I have seen the name plastered all over the village and on the bodies of the second type of undead. The Blood Hooves. Again, I'm not the first to give them this name. The names may be imprinted directly to our minds. Back to the point. Blanks are different from Blood Hooves in that they can take the form they had when alive, Bloods cannot do this. Bloods also look noticeably different. More skinny and more likely to be missing parts of their limbs. But while Blanks are bound to this town, Bloods are not, but they cannot leave the Everfree Forest. Do not let either of these monsters touch you. The instant they do, you will be turned into one of them. You can only leave the town the same way you entered. Good luck.

Scarlet Deathcrest, Knight of Rage.'

Well, that doesn't help me at all. Oh, wait, there's more on the back.

'P.S To escape this room, there should be a hollow brick in this cell. Pull it out and pull the switch inside. A secret passage will open on the other side of the room. According to several scrolls I've found at least. It's too late for me, but maybe it'll help you.'

Oh. That actually does help a lot!

I walked around the cell, tapping every brick until I found the hollow one. "Aha!" I cheered. "Let's see." Pulling the brick out I found a small, old, dusty, lever. Pulling it, with a bit of effort, there was a groaning sound and the section of wall next to the lever receded, revealing a staircase. I grabbed the chunk of metal and checked around the corner of the secret room. Just a staircase. And dark. Lots and lots of dark. I sighed, "Well, no time like the present." I started up the staircase.

As I trudged onwards I held the metal chunk, ready to swing at a moments notice. After several minutes of following the stairway up, down, along and finally up again, I came to...another trapdoor with a ladder leading to it. I pushed open the hatch and stuck my head out carefully, fully expecting an ambush.

Nothing.

"Huh." I muttered, taking a closer look around. There were several boxes around the room, blocking off pathways and...well, the whole room seemed like a maze. Glancing out a window I saw the exit to this damned town. This house was facing the exit! Just a quick run and I'll escape! Quietly making my way to the door, after pushing the boxes out of the way, I nudged it open and peaked around the corner.

Quiet. Too quiet. I should be really careful about what I do next. I carefully slipped out the door making sure that there were no nearby undead to spot me. I practically shat my pants when I heard the door slam shut behind me. Spinning around I saw no one was there. Great, door's a slammer. Fucking loud closing doors!

"YOU!!!" I turned and saw Grey Hoof and his townszombies charging down the street towards me. Crap!

I sprinted for the forest. As the ground flew under my feet I heard hooves pelting the ground behind me. Too bad for them that I'll hit the forest's edge before they can get me! Ha! I craned my head back to taunt them and the words died in my throat.

A single, twitching, Blank was almost on top of me!

"MOTHERFUCK!!!" I cried, leaping over a fence. "PISS OFF!! GO AWAY!!! SHOO! BAD DOGGY!!!" It kept up with me and was gaining quickly. I...I think that's Starlet. Holy shit. Prime example of Beware the Quiet Ones, right there, huh?

Of course, she didn't listen and tried to take a chunk out of my arm. I sidestepped and yelled, "HEY, BITCH! TRY A TASTE OF THIS!!!" I swung the metal chunk at her, knocking her down and probably breaking a few bones. Almost free! Almost free!

As I passed by the town's boundaries and entered the forest I stopped. Laughing, I gave a mock salute, "Fare thee well, you undead rotbags! This day you will always remember as the day you almost caught Captain Terrence-" I interupted by a polite cough behind me. Turning I saw a group of Blood Hooves standing, watching me with looks of amusement on their rotting faces.

"You quite done?" One asked, his voice surprisingly...still polite, with no rasp at all.

"Er..." I scratched the back of my head. "Yeaaaaaah...I'm done."

"Alright, here's the thing." He began as I spotted another Blood Hoof sneaking off to my side. Aha! I knew they were just the distraction! "Blood Rot!" The Polite Hoof called. ...Huh, I like that. "Get back! We doing it properly! Not the shabby 'rush them' thing you do!" He gave me a rotten grin. "We don't really get much awake time, much less going after somepony who escapes, so we like to have some fun! A little chase is all, you'll join the town either way." Cocky little shitbag!

"You think you can keep-OH GOD, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!?!" I screamed pointing in the other direction.

"WHAT?!" Polite cried, him and the other Blood Hooves whipping around in the direction I'd pointed. I began to sneak past them and after I was away from the main crowd I began sprinting for my life. "OH, YOU'RE A SMART ONE!!!" I heard Polite happily yell in the distance. "I'LL ENJOY HAVING YOU FOR COMPANY!!!"

"Well, at least he's kind of nice." I muttered as I ran. Rather him than Grey Hoof at least. But my personal preference? None of the bastards! After several minutes of running from the Blood Hooves I ran into an illuminated clearing. Illuminated by Ruby's glowing eyes.

"Ruby!?" I cried, panting deeply. This entire night has just took it out of me. I'm going to need a drink when...if I escape.

"I...I'm sorry." She muttered as the Blood Hooves circled us. They knew that they'd caught us. That we were trapped. No escape. "I never meant for this to happen, I was just curious. I've never seen something like you before. I'm so sorry!"

I grinned, "Hey, I'm not dead yet. There's always hope, kiddo." I ruffled her hair. Again the question of 'how' rose in my mind, but I pushed it back. "But...it does look pretty bleak. But it's always darkest before the dawn. You're tough, Ruby. Don't give up hope." The Bloods were almost on top of us. This is it. Death.

But who says I'm going down without a fight?

"DON'T YOU KIDS KNOW?!" I yelled, my battle cry being the first thing I could think of. "HEALING SPELLS HURT THE UNDEAD!!!" I swung the chunk of metal into a Blood Hoof, smashing its head off its body. The beasts snarled at me before freezing, their rotten ears twitching in the air, and running off.

Best. Battle cry. Ever.

"What just happened?" I asked Ruby as I slung the metal slab over my shoulder. "Why'd they run?"

She grinned happily, "Ponies are coming! You'll be safe now! They daren't attack a group and they can't go too far away from Sunny Town tonight!" She wrapped her hooves around my legs before fading away. "Thank you. For hope."

I stood there, thinking of her last words. "For hope, huh?" I muttered. "Can't say I've been thanked for that before." I chuckled. "Can't say I've been through that before either though, so I guess it all balances out."

"THERE HE IS!!!" A roar came from the other side of the clearing.

Hunters.

"AH, SHITBALLS!!!" I yelled, sprinting away. "THIS IS NOT MY NIGHT!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I fell to the sands yet again. Not good. Just where abouts am I? Groaning I pushed myself up and fished out my canteen. Taking a swig of water I put it back in my pack and waited for some energy to return before continuing.

"Damn desert." I muttered. "Almost as bad as the Battle of Serenity Valley. Though it's not as bad as I remember."

I shook my head and pushed myself over the next dune. "There's got to be some sign near..." I trailed off as I saw what was over the dune.

A settlement, town or city, I couldn't tell, was off in the distance, only a day's walk, if I paced myself I should arrive in the morning. If I rushed I'd just tire myself out and do the vultures work for them. Have to pace myself.

Chuckling, I muttered to myself, "Things are finally going my way." My new goal in mind, I set off.

Author's Note

So there you have it! That's how Blood survived Sunny Town! You guys voted and a whopping 60% wanted this! (Though...only five people voted, so that's three people. But don't think about that! 60%! Large number! Woo!)

I will be doing the other flashbacks at some point. So if you voted for a different flashback don't worry, you'll see it eventually!

You may have noticed Blood was acting a little...immature and mouthy during the flashback. That's because he's just started his run from Celestia something like a week ago. He's only been in Equestria at this point for...5 weeks? 6 Weeks? Something like that.

Also, yes. I doubled this as the (late) Halloween chapter. Lazy? Maybe. But if it fits, don't worry about it, right? At first I was going to do a Halloween chapter where we saw Nightmare Night from Guardian's prospective, but seeing as I don't know if you guys actually care about, or are interested in, him, I didn't do it. But I don't blame you! I blame myself. I might have made him too uninteresting or...Oh, well! You didn't come here to see me mope! See you next time!

Next chapter: Blood meets a species other than ponies! A new hint to the Changelings' location? Will Blood ever show more goals than just revenge?! What is his mind like?!

Endless Escape

As I approached the desert town I noticed the watchtowers at regular intervals surrounding the town, along with a large wooden barrier, reaching almost to the tops of the watchtowers. To keep things out or to keep people in?

In the end I guess it doesn't matter, I was out of water and I wouldn't last much longer out in the desert. Get in, get water, maybe get some information on the Changelings, get out. Simple.

So, of course, that meant that something was going to go horribly wrong.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I slipped into the town as the watchmen changed, it wasn't too difficult, they were bored and distracted, that made it easier. I couldn't tell the species from my position, but seeing as they were bipedal it certainly narrowed down the list. I shook my head, it didn't really matter. I could think about it later.

As I explored the seemingly empty town I began thinking. Where is everyone? There's no way guards would be posted here if there's no one here. I was about to break into a house when I heard a distant noise. I paused and listened carefully.

It sounded like a crowd roaring. Or a brawl. Odd. I made my way further into the town, towards the noise until I was certain it was the sound of a brawl. The sound of it all was deafening, the roaring, the yells of pain, the screaming. I turned a corner and froze.

Oh. That's bad. A pile of greens, browns and a few blacks of varying shades. A Skrag Pile. A citywide brawl of a kind. The last one standing gets the prize of bragging rights for the whole year till the next Skrag Pile. Of course, only one species takes part in Skrag Piles.

Orcs.

Unfortunately, they have a tendency to drag anyone they see into the Skrag Pile. That's probably why I found myself being dived on by several Orcs.

"Oh, bollocks." I muttered before my vision went black.

"Urgh..." I groaned as I awoke. "Where...?"

"Well, well, look who's finally awake." I looked towards the source of the voice and found a heavily muscled, dark green skinned, Orc woman dressed in the same loose cloth clothing as the rest of the town sitting in a chair on the other side of the room. Hell, if I had to guess I'd say that's she's physically just older than me.

I propped myself up. "Who...?" I wheezed, my throat was parched. Damn.

"Here." The Orc, whoever she was, got up and carried a pitcher of water and a glass over and poured me a drink. "Drink it slow." She said as she passed it me.

I took a sip, feeling the cool liquid flow down my throat was revitalising. After a few more sips I turned to the Orc. "Thank you."

She shrugged, "No problem. I've got to ask though, who are you? You're not from town, and you're definitely not one of the guards."

As I considered my options I noted her voice was deeper than most women I'd met on my travels, not unusual for an Orc but still worth noting. After a minute of silence I finally spoke up. "My name is Blood. Who are you?"

She raised an eyebrow, "Blood, huh? Weird name, but whatever. My name's Skaret, I'm the town's blacksmith."

"Skaret." I repeated. "Right. Where am I?"

Her smile faded, "We're in a town in the middle of the Badlands. We call it the Endless Void Of Our Souls." I gave her a look and she smiled. "Yeah, I know. Our ancestors were kind of weird. We just call it Endless."

"Endless? Ah, what the hell, I've heard stranger names." I shrugged. "Why live out here though?"

Skaret frowned and rubbed her shoulder. "We're imprisoned here. Our ancestors apparently committed some crime and here we are, still paying for it." She shook her head with a frown. "It still pisses me off."

"Yeah, I can understand that." I finished the glass of water and placed it on a table before rubbing my head and lifting the sheets. Yep, like I thought, naked.

Skaret stood up. "Your clothes and things are over there." She pointed to a chair in the corner where, sure enough, my clothes were hanging on it, no weapons though. And no Roxy, that made me slightly twitchy. "I'll see you in a minute."

After she left the room I groaned and got out of the bed. I looked out the window and saw I was still on the ground floor and sighed, "What the hell have I gotten myself into this time?" I made my way over to my clothes. "But...trapped in a town because of your ancestors crimes? What the fuck happened here?" I got dressed and attached all my pendants and vials. I paused as I picked up a gold, circular pendant. I rubbed my finger over it before flipping it open on a whim.

I stared at the picture of my family and a younger me. I just looked at them, at Mum, at Dad, at Suzie. "I miss you." I muttered. "I miss you so much." I wiped away a single tear that fell from my eye. After another moment I sighed and closed the pendent and placed it over my head.

I shook my head, I didn't need to have my head in the past. I pushed the door open and stepped into the next room. Huh. Quaint. The building seemed to simple wooden cabin. I eyed the stairs. Huh, most don't have stairs, nice.

I spotted Skaret by some homemade chairs. "So, you made it out alive, I see." She gave a good-hearted laugh. "Seriously though, nice stuff, not seen anything like it before."

I chuckled, "That's...heh, that's not surprising. I'm not from anywhere you'd find."

She raised an eyebrow, "You're a nomad?"

I laughed, "No." I paused. "Well, technically I am now, but no, not at first." I shook my head. "I travel to see the world...for survival, I'm sure someone that someone who's been locked in one place their entire life can understand."

"Yeah, I get it. Survival is important, but you know what's more important than just surviving?"

I held back a groan, after all she did nurse me back to health. "Don't give me that, 'You have to live not just survive' crap. I've heard it all before."

She shook her head, "Nah, that's not my style. What's more important than surviving is beating in the skulls of anyone who looks at you wrong!" She let loose a roaring laugh.

I gave a smirk, "Yeah, I think I'd drink to that."

She shrugged, "I do have some whiskey, but it's saved for special occasions." She gave a wide grin, "Like when we get out of this place."

"Good luck with that." I said sincerely.

"Oh, right." She snapped her fingers. "There's someone who wanted to see you." She turned to the stairs and yelled, "Hey! Get down here!" She sighed, shook her head and turned to me. "Brothers, who'd have them, right?" She turned back to the stairs. "GET DOWN HERE!!!"

There was a yelp before a small, scrawny, pale green skinned Orc about half a head shorter than me and dressed in simple cloth clothing with some kind of cloth sack tied to his waist tumbled down the stairs. "Okay!" He yelped, his voice kind of high pitched and scratchy. "I'm okay!" He pushed himself up, yellow eyes sparkling with energy.

"Hey, Ratbag, were you sleeping again?" Skaret asked with a smirk, shaking her head. Ratbag? Well, Orcs always did have sporadic naming habits.

"No!" Ratbag defended. "I was training my balance!" He finally noticed me. "Ah! You're awake! You're lucky Ratbag found you, the others thought you were an animal!" Yeah, Orc's weren't exactly known for thinking things through during Skrag Piles.

I nodded, "Then you have my thanks."

He grinned, his teeth yellow and pointed, a little bit more so than Skaret's or the average Orc's. "Yes, Ratbag is great, I know, I know."

I chuckled, "I wouldn't go that far, but you did good, kid."

He frowned, "Ratbag not a kid."

I shook my head with a smile, "Sure." I turned to Skaret, "So, what's keeping you guys trapped here?"

"The guards, they're stronger and have better weapons than I'm able to forge with whatever scraps I can get my hands on." Skaret told me as Ratbag began standing on one hand.

"Sounds rough, what are the guards?" I asked. "One species or several?"

"Just the one, they're Minotaurs though, so they're not exactly easy to take down." Skaret scowled. "Bunch of stagillos!" Ragbag flipped himself back onto his feet and gently squeezed her arm.

"Bad experience with them?" I asked carefully.

It was Ratbag who answered me, "They push us around, treat us little better than animals. One hurt my sis, so Ratbag slit his throat." He gave a vicious grin before it quickly faded. "They found the body and beat Ratbag. Ratbag was found by sis after a few days, Ratbag was confined to bed for seven months. Sis took it the worst."

"I'm responsible for you! You're my brother why wouldn't I be pissed?!" She snarled, glaring out the window at a nearby watchtower. "They should burn for what they did to you!"

"Yeah, got to agree with you there." I said before absentmindedly muttering, "Reminds me of some of those other prisons I've busted out of." And that one I busted into to rescue Ritual that one time.

"You've escaped prisons before?" Skaret asked. "Prisons like...this place?"

I winced. "Listen, I know what you're thinking, but I'm trying to keep a low profile." I doubt it'll work though, me and low profile get along like oil and water.

"But we're dying!" Ratbag cried. "Every day more of us die! One day it'll be Ratbag's turn. Then...then no more Orcs."

"Please, Blood. Our people need to be free!" Skaret pleaded.

I paused. Maybe... The Orcs reappearing would distract Celestia from me. But it would also bring her attention closer to my location. Definitely let her know it was me who busted them out if they talk, but could I condemn what's possibly the last of a species? Hmm... "Fix my sword up and we have a deal." Orcs were known to be some of the top blacksmiths back in the day, so it should be interesting to see if she's up to scratch with her ancestors. Plus I may need to break them out to escape this place.

She gave a bright smile, "Thank you!" Her face suddenly grew serious and her crimson eyes glinted with interest. "Now...let's see this sword."

I sighed, "I had it on me before I blacked out earlier."

Ratbag jumped a few times, "Ratbag can get your sword! Ratbag will even bring other items as well!" He scarpered back up the stairs before I could stop him.

I sighed and shook my head, "Excitable, isn't he?"

"You should see him drunk." Skaret chuckled.

I gave a lazy smile, "Sounds fun." I yawned, "Well, good luck, I'm going to call it a night."

"Yeah, have a good night." Skaret said, distractedly. "I'll leave the rest of your stuff by the bed."

"Thanks." I yawned before making my way back to the bed.

After arriving in the Dreamscape it didn't take long for Luna to arrive, but while I was waiting I turned the environment into a grassy hill with a night sky sparkling with stars before spawning some seats and beverages for us.

I sat down on a bean bag and poured myself a whiskey. Just as I began to sip it Luna appeared in a blue flash. "Hey, Luna." I greeted.

"Blood." She grinned. "Did you do this for me?"

I shrugged, "Kinda. Also felt like a change of scenery was needed. Besides, no better place for two friends to have a drink, right?"

She chuckled and levitated a beer over to herself, "I'll drink to that." We tapped glasses and drank.

After a few minutes I spoke up again, "So how's life going on your end?"

She finished her beer and shrugged as the glass disappeared, "Sis is paranoid that you're skulking about Canterlot or Ponyville, she's not doing good, I don't think she's slept since she found out you escaped."

I sighed, "I'm not going to pretend to like her, but for the one who moves the sun to be in that condition..." I rubbed my forehead. "Just...send her to a spa or something."

She smiled, "Yeah, but other than that I've been good. How about you?"

"I'm going to free a town full of Orcs in the Badlands."

Luna gave a confused look. "Free them?"

I nodded, "Yep, they're imprisoned there for something their ancestors did, so I'm busting them out."

She groaned, "What idiot just forgot about them?!"

We exchanged a look before saying simultaneously, "Nobles."

I shrugged, "I'm fucking calling it now."

"Well, I wish you the best of luck."

I smiled, "Thanks, Luna." I paused. "Other than that, there's something that's been bothering me."

"Oh? What's that?" She cocked her head.

"Why did you listen to me? I attacked you, yet you still sided with me over your sister." I shook my head. "I don't get it. It...doesn't make sense."

Luna sighed, "Blood, you were angry and acted on impulse. I understand that. I'd be lying if I said that I've not done the same in the past." She put her hoof on my shoulder. "Besides, what my sister has done isn't right. She shouldn't have hunted you."

"I shouldn't have kick her in the face then." Not that I regretted a damn thing.

Luna snickered, "You...kicked her in the face?"

"And then promptly ran away before she burnt me alive." Hey, I may want to make Celestia hurt, but I'm not suicidal.

"Blood...I...don't truly know why I listened to you. It may have been a simple impulse, maybe not. But...what I do know is that I trust you." She smirked. "You know, despite the fact that you're an axe wielding killer."

I chuckled, "Best kind of friend to have, right? Right after ex-goddess of darkness."

We shared a laugh. "My sister told me how she caught you." Luna said with a mischievous smile. "You really just ran towards her with no weapons when she was wielding the Elements of Harmony? Not your best plan."

I snorted, "Like yours was so much better! Let me engulf the world in eternal night, there's no way this could go wro-and everyone's frozen."

Luna gave a short laugh and smirked, "I was insane at the time, you have no such excuse."

I gave a grin, "I was sacrificing myself to save a friend. And I'd do it again. I'd do it for Zecora, I'd do it for you. Hell, I'd even do it for Spike, though...my reasons for saving him are different."

Luna blinked, "Different? How?"

I smirked, "It's not your place to know. Not yet at least." I shrugged. "Not my rules. And no, you can't ask whose rules they are."

She shook her head with a small smile, "You are odd, you know that?"

I flashed her a smile, "Hey, that's just how I am." My smile faltered. "But no, seriously, why do you trust me? I need to know, Luna."

She sighed and her face grew somber. "I pride myself on being a good judge of character. I'm able to tell if someone is good or...less so." She gave me a hard look. "And you, Blood, I trust because I see myself in you. You made a decision in the past, whether it was the right decision or the wrong decision doesn't matter, but what does matter is that you let your emotions control you. I don't think badly of you for doing so, but it got you in big trouble." She looked directly into my eyes. "Just like me. You are like me so much. But I trust you because you have a heart. You have lines you won't cross. You'll protect the innocent. I trust you because my heart says I should. I trust you and I believe in you, my friend. Never doubt that."

I smiled as my doubts began to ebb away, "Thanks, Luna, I needed that."

"Worried I didn't really trust you?"

I shook my head, "Worried you'd made the wrong call. I'm not the nicest guy around, I just don't know if anyone can truly trust me, you know?"

Luna nuzzled the side of my head, "Well I do."

I made the beanbag slide back a bit, "Don't nuzzle me. Please."

She gave a smirk, "What's wrong? Getting flustered?"

I put down my whiskey and looked at Luna, no mirth or playfulness in my eyes. "Luna. Are you hitting on me?"

She looked at me a smile spreading slowly across her face. "Blood." She whispered, draping her front hooves over my shoulders. She leaned in slowly and whispered in my ear, "I'm messing with you."

I blinked before letting loose a laugh and pushing her onto the beanbag. "You better be!" I mock snarled, still laughing. "You got me good there."

"Would it be such a bad thing if I was though?" She asked, her eyes glinting with mischief.

I looked away and sighed, "Luna, before I was blasted with the Elements I traveled the world and I saw practically every sapient species out there." I gave a sad smile, "I saw so many innocents die, some at my own hands, I felt so many different emotions during those long years. But the one thing I never felt was attraction. I don't find your species attractive, nor any others on this planet. The only species I've ever been attracted to is my own." I shook my head. "I know I shouldn't cut off any possible relationships because of looks, but I can't help it, I just don't find anyone on this planet attractive whatsoever."

She was quiet for a minute before letting out a quiet, "Huh." She then gave me a soft punch to the shoulder. "Hey, at least that means no complications, right?"

I chuckled, "Yeah, no kidding, especially in battle, that sort of stuff is asking for trouble." Luna let out a cough and looked away. "No way. You didn't!" Luna's face went red. "You did!"

"It...it was complicated!" She spluttered. "They were cute!"

"They?" I grinned. "My, oh, my, Luna, how naughty!" She glared at me and I laughed. "Oh no! I'm not dropping this! You gave me ammo, I'm not going to abandon it!"

Luna's horn lit up and the world began to warp. "Oh, is that the time? I simply must go!" She quickly started to fade out. "You BUCKER!" I just laughed hysterically as the world around me quickly disappeared.

The next few days were mostly quiet, Ratbag spread the word that I was planning to help the Orc's escape while Skaret worked on my sword. I, on the other hand, spent the days sticking to the shadows and looking at maps of Endless and planning, it was tough and lonely work, but I enjoyed the solitude, even Luna didn't make an appearance, she was probably still embarrassed about her enemy crushes, but the more likely fact would be that she was busy with other dreams.

In fact the days following my entrance to Endless were quiet. The calm before the storm, no doubt. I've felt it before, the tension in the streets, the guards were twitchy and me, I was looking forward to gutting some of those guards.

After nearly a week the day finally arrived for me to talk to the town. It was all or nothing, if I couldn't get the town behind me then any plan we made would fail.

I made my way out, Skaret and Ratbag flanking me until we got to what I assumed was the town hall. As we entered I saw that it was nothing special. A large hall, a stage and a podium, that was it. Well, you you can't say they were tough to make things for.

As I passed through the fully occupied hall I gained some odd looks. As I stood at the podium I let out a sigh, "My name is Blood and I have destroyed the lives of the corrupt and those that abuse and destroy the innocent. I am a killer, yes, a murderer, a monster." I narrowed my eyes. "But this place, this prison, sickens me. I see this place and I feel a deep hatred for those responsible, I have heard of a few of your treatments from those filth that watch over the town and I refuse to stand by as they tear you down!" I slammed a fist down onto the podium. "The Orcs were once a proud, strong people, but now you have been oppressed! I have seen this too many times to just ignore this!" People are always looking for a hero in a leader, you just need to say the right things and they'll follow you anywhere. "Will you stand up and fight?!" I yelled. "For yourselves?! For your friends?! For your family?! To escape this wretched hellhole?!"

“Why should we?!” An Orc called out from the crowd. “We’ll be slaughtered!”

I nodded, “Maybe. Maybe. Or maybe by tomorrow you'll be free! Finally able to choose your own path! Imagine! Walking the streets of cities, towns, villages, not as a captives, but as free Orcs! Where the air is cool, the people are friendly and you have a real chance of a peaceful life! Tell me, is that not worth fighting for?!" I looked over the crowd. They were scared, hungry, oppressed. That would change today, I made a promise, I'm going to see it through. "A chance at freedom?! A chance to be truly FREE?! Stay and wallow in your own self-pity if you want, but I won't stand by and let this go on a single moment longer! Now...WHO'S WITH ME?!"

The crowd was silent for several seconds and I'd begun to think I'd failed to rally them. Then, in a single instant, the crowd let loose a deafening roar of approval.

"Wonderful." I grinned, stepping down and letting Ratbag take my place.

I left the hall and made my way back to Skaret's place, my part in the meeting was over with, there was no point in staying. As I walked the streets my mind wandered. Was this the right thing to do? Well, I'm getting water and a sword out of it, so it sure as hell benefits me.

As I opened the door to Skaret's home I felt the eyes of the guards on me, I growled and flipped them off before letting the door slam shut. I sat on a chair, closed my eyes and dozed off.

I awoke to see the front door opening. Not hesitating I dived across the room and snatched up one of Skaret's hammers, I quickly turned and found a bemused Skaret smirking. "Having fun?" She asked, chuckling.

I put the hammer back and shrugged, "Can never be too careful."

"Ratbag thinks you're just paranoid." Ratbag said as he poked his head around the door.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm twitchy, but can you really blame me? The entire town's on edge." I said, checking on my throwing knives. As the two of them walked in I noticed a third figure. He was more or less my size, muscular and shirtless, he was covered in bruises. "Who's this?"

"Bulda'zk." He grunted. "Winner of the Skrag Pile!"

I raised an eyebrow, "Really now? Huh. That could help get others to help for sure. If you're with us."

"I'm with you. Let us wet our fists and blades with their blood!" He gave a booming laugh. Great, a guy filled with bloodlust, that's never caused trouble. Ah, fuck it, I'll deal with it later.

"Then let us charge!" Skaret declared. Oh, not you too! That's it! I'm ending this!

"No." I said, stopping their premature celebrations.

"No?" Bulda'zk repeated, blinking. "Why not?!"

I sighed, "Think for a second. If they realise you're attacking, where are they going to go?"

Skaret's eyes lit up, "The armoury! That's your plan!"

I nodded. "We go quietly. Use the climbers, teams of two or three. Stealthily take out the eyes in the towers around the armoury. Then we just have to find a way to stop them getting in there."

Ratbag piped up, "Ratbag...may have an idea for that."

"Blood." Skaret caught my attention as me and Ratbag prepared to leave. "Here, this might be useful." She threw me something. Catching it, I turned it over in my hands.

A small, one-handed crossbow pistol. I gave a small grin, "Yeah, this'll be useful. Got some bolts for it?"

She tossed me a small sack and a simple holster. "There's only seven in there, test out my baby, will you?"

I nodded, strapping the holster to my right leg, slipping the crossbow in and placing the bag of bolts in my sack. "You got it. Hey, Ratbag! You ready to move out?!"

His head peeked down from the ceiling, "What are you talking about? Ratbag's been waiting for you!" He dropped down, doing a flip before landing on his feet. "What are you waiting for? Let's go!" He dashed out of the house.

"Has he always been all...you know, speaking in third person?" I asked Skaret.

"A little, but after..." She paused. "After he was attacked it got worse. Now it's rare to hear him say 'I'." She gave a small smile. "But he's happy, he doesn't let it bother him at all."

"Lucky." I muttered. "Right, I best be off before he goes and hurts himself." As I was about to leave I paused. "Hey, Skaret, my knives are a little blunt, would you mind?"

She shook her head, "Nah, leave them."

"Thanks." I said and set my throwing knives down on a nearby table before leaving and running after Ratbag. "Hey, wait up!"

We ran for several minutes before we came across the right watchtower. "You sure this it?" Ratbag asked. "Ratbag not sure about this."

I clapped my hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry, we're getting you out of here. All of you. This is the start, after this you'll be sung about in legends. You'll be remembered for years to come." I shook my head, "Ah, fuck, just listen to me, acting like I'm all wise and shit. Let's just focus on this."

He gave me an odd look but nodded and we began to climb the tower. It didn't take long for us to gain some height and we began passing windows. I wasn't really that worried as Skaret had told me that only the two watchmen at the top lived in the tower, although occasionally there would be a third as a backup, but the tower we were climbing didn't have one, so we only had to deal with the two at the top.

As we climbed I passed another window and glanced in. A Minotaur stared back. "Fuck." I swore, reaching for one of my throwing daggers before remembering that I'd left them at Skaret's place.

I quickly scrambled for the crossbow as she was still stunned. "What the-?!" That was all she got out before I shot her in the throat.

I let out a sigh of relief and reloaded. As I began to climb again I was glad that there were no other windows. As we reached the top I heard two voices. I signaled Ragbag to circle around as I reached the top.

"What are the Orcs doing?" A Minotaur grunted.

"Bah, whatever it is those filth do. Besides, it's not like they're ever getting out of this dump." A second Minotaur guard replied, chuckling to himself.

"Do they...look like they're preparing for battle to you?" The first Minotaur asked.

The second guard snorted, "You're thinking too deeply again. They wouldn't dare. Not after what happened last time they tried."

"Last time?" The voice held a confused tone.

"Oh! You're new, right? Well, why do you think there aren't many Orc children about?" No...they didn't! "They taste good." I could hear the grin in his voice. That's it! He dies slowly.

I heard the impact of a punch. "You monster! You...you're disgusting!" That's...interesting.

"Ow! What's your problem, newbie?! You an Orc sympathiser?!" The apparent senior spat.

There was a snort, "No. But children?! That isn't right!"

"Not right? Why not?! It's not like they're like us! They don't have any rights, they're just beasts!"

Enough! I peeked over the edge of the platform and saw the two Minotaurs wearing simple armour with a sword at their waist. I quickly found the one who had volunteered for torture, he was the only one up there with blood running down his face.

I quietly pulled myself up and snuck behind the bastard. It wasn't possible to knock out a Minotaur with brute strength, but their necks are extremely sensitive, especially the correct pressure points. Luckily during my time with Skarlak Leopek, a Minotaur friend before I got turned to stone, he'd taught me those pressure points. I crept forward slowly until I was right behind the bastard, I jumped forwards and dug a hand into the base of his neck while the other kept sound from escaping his mouth.

After a few seconds he crashed to the floor, drawing the attention of the second guard, who whipped around. "What are you..." His eyes widened when he saw me standing above his 'buddy'. He shoddily drew his sword. "H...Hold it! I'm warning you!"

I shook my head, he was really more than a kid, no older than I was when I first arrived in this world. "You won't use that. Look at you. Your hands are shaking." I drew Roxy. "Even if you do try to attack me, you'd die. Drop the blade and I won't kill you. You have my word."

He gulped before looking between me, Roxy and his shaking sword. After a second he dropped his blade. "Y...you won't hurt me, right?" He squeaked. "You promised!"

"I keep my promises." I said. "He never promised a thing though." A dagger burst from his neck, blood exploded from the wound. He choked and grasped at his neck before falling to the floor, the life quickly fading from his eyes. I smiled and looked up as I crushed the neck of the Minotaur I'd taken down, despite the fact he needed to suffer much more time was of the essence. "Good job, Ratbag." He gave a smile before we began the climb down.

After reaching the bottom of the tower we ran over to the armoury, a two story building with a locked door. "Stand back, let Ratbag deal with this." Ratbag said as he pulled out two small, metal rods and began to pick the lock. After a minute the locks clicked and Ratbag pushed the door open.

Ratbag took a sack out of his bag and set to work while I was the lookout, but no one approached us. After what seemed like forever but in actual fact couldn't have been more than a few minutes Ratbag walked back over to me. "That's it. We best go." He said, slowly leaving the building. "Carefully! Smallest misstep, move to fast and we go up!"

I froze. It's that volatile?! And he was climbing with that stuff?! "Jesus." I muttered, slowly and carefully following Ratbag. As I got outside Ratbag closes the door and was about to run off when I cleared my throat. "Forget about something?"

He cocked his head, "Huh?"

I sighed, "Lock the door."

"Oh! Right." He chuckled sheepishly. I waited as he locked the door before we ran off and climbed the cleared tower again. When we were about halfway up I gave a group of nearby Orcs a wave before continuing up. They knew the drill, cause a ruckus and make the guards run for their weapons.

When we got to the top we looked down from the tower as a group of seven Minotaurs were heading to the armoury. "I hope your stuff works, Ratbag." I said.

He smirked. "Ratbag knows his stuff."

I looked down again as they opened the door, a split second later the entire armoury exploded in a fireball, any of the group that hadn't been caught in the blast were killed by shrapnel.

I blinked. "Okay. I stand corrected." I turned to Ratbag, grinning. "You've got to give me the recipe for that stuff."

"Maybe." He replied coyly.

"Alright, send the signal."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the Orcs charged the Minotaurs the two of us slipped to the back of the charge and headed back to Skaret's house, with the watchmen dead, the armoury collapsed in on itself and our superior numbers, we had the clear victory. Besides the Orcs have nothing to lose, there's no one more dangerous than that. Plus, as much as I wanted to fight, any anger I had was held by the Orcs a hundredfold, it was their right more than mine.

As we approached the house the victory cry echoed around the city. We had won. I grinned as I saw the pile of Minotaur bodies surrounding Skaret and her small group. Ratbag was beaming and practically vibrating with excitement.

I saw Skaret throw away what I assumed was a hammer, all bloody and mangled, over her shoulder and wipe blood from her face before brutally kicking one of the corpses. "Skak you, you stagillos!"

"Looks like you had fun." I chuckled, getting her attention.

She grinned, "You know it! These idiots thought they could sneak around and flank us, me and these guys taught them otherwise."

"Sounds about right." I grinned.

"LOOK OUT!!!" The cry came from somewhere out of sight as Bulda'zk dived over us from the rooftops. There was the sound of a collision and I heard two bodies crash to the ground. I quickly spun around to see Bulda'zk beating a Minotaur into unconsciousness. As he slumped to the ground Bulda'zk gave me a grin, "Watch your back, you were almost slork chow!"

"Thanks, I...didn't even hear him." I guess my instincts aren't as honed as they used to be. Damn, that'll make things difficult.

"No problem!" Bulda'zk laughed. "Well, I'm off, there's going to be a few stranglers I can kill! I'll leave this one to you!" And with that he ran off. Odd guy, but I'm glad he didn't devolve into bloodlust.

"No..." Ratbag whispered.

"What's up, Ratbag?" I asked. He seemed off. Scared even.

"It...it's him..." Ratbag whimpered, hiding behind Skaret. "He's the one who hurt Ratbag real bad!"

Skaret's glare turned to something darker, "Oh, him, huh?" A grin slowly spread across her face. "I've been wanting words with you for the longest time."

"Hold on." I said. "I want some Intel on these guys, you can't kill him yet."

She grabbed me by the collar and jerked me towards her so we were face to face, "YOU THINK YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT TO DO?!" She roared, spittle flying in my face. "YOU EXPECT ME TO LET HIM GET AWAY WITH WHAT HE DID TO MY BROTHER?!"

I waited a few seconds for her to calm slightly before I responded, "No. He's not getting away with it, far from it. I'm sure we can reach a compromise." I gently pried her fingers off me and wiped my face. "I wouldn't do that to the two of you, especially after you've helped me so much." I lifted the Minotaur up by the head, "Where's your forge?"

Skaret gave a dark grin and began leading me away, "I like the way you think."

I followed Skaret and Ratbag, dragging the Minotaur all the way, occasionally smacking him off the ground. As we arrived in the forge

"Ratbag, do you want the honour of waking this sack of shit up?" I asked handing him a pair of tongs.

"R...Ratbag isn't..." He stammered before I shushed him.

"It'll help you. Just smack him in the gut with it. Or break his arm, he won't be needing it any more.

He hesitated a little longer before nodding to himself and lifted up to heavy pair of tongs. He then brought them crashing down on the Minotaur's groin.

He jerked awake with a pathetic squeal. I kicked him, getting his attention. "Hey there, shithead, you're going to tell me what I want to know. You got that?" I said with a smile.

"I'll tell you this, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU FREAK!!!" He screamed, as he started to get up.

I kicked him in the face, knocking him down, "Charming." I turned to Skaret, "Start it up."

She gave another grin and started up the forge, the fire beginning to roar. I pulled on some thick, heavy gloves and grabbed his head and slowly pushed his head towards the flames, "Why are you here?" I asked calmly. "Who sent you?"

"You don't scare me!" He growled.

"Wrong answer." I shoved his head into the fire for a few seconds, singeing the fur. He screamed as I pulled him out. "Who sent you?!" I snarled.

"You...you're insane!" He cried, his eyes showing fear. Good, he deserves to feel powerless, he deserves pain and suffering.

I pulled him up so we were face to face, "No, you just fucked with the wrong guy." I whispered before shoving his head back into the fire. I held him there longer this time, not pulling him out until his flesh started burning.

"I don't know, you crazy zax! I don't know!" He screamed. He was lying.

"Don't fuck with me!" I hissed shoving him into the flames once more. This time I refused to let him out until most of the fur on his body was burnt.

"CELESTIA SENT US HERE!!!" He screamed. "SHE TOLD OUR ANCESTORS TO MAKE SURE THE ORCS NEVER ESCAPED!!! SHE SAID SHE NEVER WANTED TO SEE THEM AGAIN!!!"

"The truth!" I snarled, dragging him out of the fire.

"That is the truth! I swear!" He sobbed.

"It better be." I shoved his whole body into the forge.

He let out a high, blood curdling scream as his flesh burned. As he tried to crawl out I kicked him back in. After a minute he went quiet. I grabbed a nearby hammer and threw it into the body. People I threw in fires had a nasty habit of not being dead when I thought they were.

...Yeah, he's dead.

I took off the gloves and passed them back to Skaret. "Of, fucking, course!" I growled. "The bitch strikes again! Fuck!" I kicked a nearby wooden box, sending it flying against a wall.

"I take it this Celestia's fucked you over too?" Skaret asked.

"Yeah." I muttered. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." More like she was the one who set my life as a killer in motion.

"Right, well, I've got you your reward!" She grinned, leading out of the forge. "Come on!"

I chuckled as she left the room, "Well, she's giddy, huh, Ratbag?"

"She always is after making a new weapon." Ratbag replied with a small smile. "Blood. Thank you."

I stopped, "Ratbag, you...you don't have to thank me."

"But still...thank you." He laughed. "Now go, don't keep sis waiting!"

I smirked and started walking after Skaret, "On my way, kid." I quickly spotted Skaret and ran to catch up to her.

We arrived back at Skaret's home soon enough and she practically dragged me inside before running to the cubord and pulled out a sword. "Yeah, I finally finished it while you were climbing the tower earlier."

I looked the sword over, it was no longer stupidly large, it was now the size of a normal longsword, the blade seemed to be some white metal, I wasn't exactly sure, but seeing as an Orc forged it I was sure it would hold up. When I was what she'd done to the skull I laughed, it now resembled an Orc skull set in a permanent grin.

"This..." I started. "Is metal as fuck."

"Right, well this is it." Skaret smiled as she and Ratbag pulled on a makeshift backpack.

"I'll walk with you a while, I like the quiet after a battle." I said.

As we walked I got the feeling they were being quiet because of what I'd said, but I didn't mind. "Ah, gotak." Skaret groaned as we arrived at the exit to the town.

"What's wrong?" I asked. We weren't about to be attack again were we?

"I forgot to pick up your knives." She shook her head. "Sorry."

I sighed, it was a slight annoyance, but no big deal. "Don't worry about it, I'll go grab them now. I suppose this is goodbye."

"Ratbag not too sure about that." Meat at piped up. "Ratbag believes we'll meet again. Ratbag feels it in his gut."

"Right." I muttered. "Skaret?" I called out as she began to leave.

She turned, "Yeah?"

"I don't suppose you know where the nearest Changeling Hive is, do you?"

"Changeling?" She asked, scratching her head. Ah, crap, they don't know do they. What was I thinking? They've been trapped here their whole lives. "Er...that's, uh, the bug ponies, right?"

They know...? "Yeah!" I nodded.

She shrugged . "Don't know about the Hive, to be honest." My hopes fell. Well, looks like I'm in for another scavenger hunt. "But we do occasionally see a 'ling flying to and fro from that direction." She pointed over past the town, towards some mountains in the far distance, easily three days walk. "You might find something over there."

I sighed in relief. Finally, a solid lead. "Thanks, Skaret. Maybe I'll see you around." I held out her crossbow.

"Keep it, you earned it. See you around, Blood. Who knows? Our paths might cross again one day." She sent me a smile. "Good luck out there."

After seeing them leave the town I headed back to Skaret's to grab my stuff. I occasionally passed the odd Orc who thanked me for my help but for the most part the town was empty. I quickly arrived at Skaret's old home and found my knives, finding them nice and sharp. I returned them to their rightful place before leaving the house for good.

As stood on the empty street once more I felt like something was wrong. As I looked around I caught sight of something out of the corner of my eyes.

A bipedal figured in black armour and black and red horned helmet stared at me from a nearby low rooftop. "HEY!!!" I yelled up. "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"

The figure merely continued looking at me silently.

With a growl I used a cart that was laying about to hoist myself to the neighbouring rooftop to the figure and made a quick leap across to join the armoured figure.

"Who the hell are you?!" I growled. Something about the figure just pissed me off! I don't know why, but it just does. But seriously, who wears a set of full armour in the desert? "Why were you staring at me?!"

A deep rumbling laughter came from the armour, confirming that it was a male inside the suit, but, once more, no words were spoken.

I raised a dagger, snarling. "Who the fuck are you, shithead?!"

After a second he simply shook his head before waving his left hand and disappearing in an instant, leaving a shimmer in the air. I replaced the dagger with a sigh and was about to leave when I spotted a piece of parchment at the spot where the armoured fucker had stood. Indulging my curiosity I grabbed it and read what was written across the page in red.

'Soon.'

Sure, can you be any more cryptic?

At first I thought that maybe the guy had gotten a hold of red ink. But then I caught the smell.

Blood. What kind of sicko writes a letter in blood?

But that wasn't the most worrying thing, not the thing that made me uneasy. The letter wasn't written in Equestrian. Nor any other written language I had come across in this world.

It was written in English.

Author's Note

Okay, first off, I'm so sorry this took nearly long. I'm not going to try and come up with excuses, I screwed the pooch on this. Sorry, guys. College, friends, other stories and reading took over. I messed up.

On a lighter note, I've set up a blog post where you can vote for the next flashback chapter. Next Flashback Chapter Poll

Swears:
Minotaur: Zax=fuck
Orc: Skagillo=bastard. Skak=fuck. Gotak=shit.

Training Days

I walked through the desert, occasionally wiping the sweat from my brow. While I had definitely got used to the heat again while in Endless it made it no less hot. By the end of the day I had made some decent progress towards the mountain before I decided to call it a night. Curling up on the cold sand with some blankets was the closest thing I had to a proper bed, I'd have to try and fix that when I entered the next town.

As I awoke in the Dreamscape I noticed the area was a forest and had a very earthy smell. Great, I'm being invaded again.

"Not invaded, old friend, merely visited." I turned and saw Guardian relaxing by a tree, the roots intertwined with him.

I smirked, "Enjoying yourself?" It's good he's relaxing for once, but what's he doing here?

"Your mind certainly has some enjoyable textures and feelings." He said, slipping deeper into the roots.

Yeah, that's enough of that. I waved my hand and the forest disappeared. "What do you want, Guardian?"

He stood and stared at me for a minute. "Very well, I won't waste your time. It is time for the Knight of Hope's training, but unfortunately it has become clear that I will be preoccupied with...events for the next few weeks. Thus, it has been asked of me that I request you to teach him."

Me? Teach Spike? This is going to end in tragedy. "I'm not sure about this, but I don't really have a choice, do I?"

Guardian shook his head. "Unfortunately not, he is simply too important to leave untrained and unguarded."

"Unguarded? I'm not sure about that." I said, shaking my head slightly. "The town's got some defense."

"Be that as it may they are no match for the creatures that will be drawn to him." Guardian stated. "You know better than anyone what will be drawn to him. What he must face alone."

I winced and rubbed my chest where a large, almost diagonal, scar ran from just under my heart to the bottom right of my stomach. "Did you really need to bring that fucker up?" I spat. "Can't you keep him dead or locked up?"

"He serves his purpose." Guardian replied cryptically. "As we all do." Great, more vague comments, I swear he gets most of this stuff out of a cracker. "And you enjoy mutilating the corrupt a little bit too much."

I frowned and waved a hand, "Hey, stop reading my thoughts." I paused and quickly replayed his comment in my head. "Wait...was that snark?"

"No, I will not. Farewell, Blood, train him well." Guardian then faded away. Once again IGNORING MY QUESTION!

I grumbled under my breath about how bullshit it was before shaking it off and waited for Guardian to throw me into Spike's dream. I wasn't waiting for long before the landscape transformed into some kind of chocolate and ice cream world, complete with cotton candy people wielding cans canes as swords. I sighed, great, a weird dream. I watched as the candy people charged a green and purple Dragon. With a grin I decided to screw with things. I turned myself into a certain Doctor.

With a raise of my hand I blasted the candy warriors with lightning. "ALL SHALL BOW BEFORE DOOM!!!" I bellowed, my voice changing into something more acceptable for Doom while my green cloak waved behind me. "DOOM WILL RULE THIS LAND, INSIGNIFICANT CREATURES OF SUGAR!!!"

As I blasted my way to Spike I noted that I was maybe having too much fun, but honestly, I didn't care. As I destroyed the last candy warrior I morphed back into my normal self. "Having a good dream, Spike?" I chuckled.

"Dream?" He asked. "Well that does explain the cotton candy people. Wait, does that mean you're part of my dream too?"

I shook my head, "Nah, I'm here due to a third party. Speaking of which, Guardian's busy, so I'm training you in his stead."

"Guardian?" Spike asked, cocking his head. "Who's that?"

I growled, "You know, I get that he's busy, but he could at least say hello!" I sighed. "Forget it, Guardian's a special case. He's pretty much the only line we have to the big boss. Although, not much of a boss, more of an overwatching presence. Thing." I shrugged. "You get the point."

"What?"

I groaned, "The point is I'm going to train you to fight."

"I already know how to fight!" He boasted proudly. He paused. "Somehow. Anyway, you saw me on Nightmare Night!"

I frowned, "I saw you use borrowed skills, yes. They were the previous Knight of Hope's abilities, they were merely temporarily given to you to protect your friends and family. Now, do you want to learn from me or are you going to whine for the entire thing?"

"You are not a nice person."

I sighed, "I want you to live. Would you prefer I act all nicey nicey and you die because I didn't train you as hard as I could?"

"Alright, I get it! You're nasty to be nice." he sighed. "Where do we start?"

"We see what you can do." I waved my hand and a copy of both Twilight and Rarity, nothing like the originals, they were really just coloured, shaped blocks, appeared in a puff of smoke. The environment changed from candy land to a Romanesque arena. I stood at the edge of the ring as two Pony bandits spawned. To make things more interesting I used one of Guardian's enchantments and made him think that the two blocks were really Twilight and Rarity, both restrained and unable to cast magic.

"Rarity?! Twilight?!" He cried.

"Go on, hero," I said with a small smirk. "Go save them."

I sighed as I watched him fight, as I had suspected, he couldn't even defend against the most telegraphed attack, the most he managed to do was dodge a few strikes. I eventually realised he wasn't going to show me anything new so I changed the bandits' target from Spike to the two coloured blocks, they quickly moves towards them as Spike got to his feet before they began attacking the blocks before they disappeared.

Spike stared in horror as the copies of his loved ones bled out from their wounds. "No...NOOOO!!!" He screamed, I could practically hear his heart shattering. He turned to me, tears running down his face and snarling. "YOU!!! WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP THEM?!"

I snapped my fingers and the enchantment ended. "Better?" I asked.

He blinked, looking dazed before wiping the tears from his eyes. "Why...why did I think they were real? It...doesn't make sense."

I shrugged, "Some kind of enchantment. I don't claim to understand it."

"That was unnecessary and you know it." He growled.

"Maybe." I admitted. "But it was the best way to simulate a real battle. I needed the data."

He kicked my shin, "Just don't do that again."

"Deal."

"So...uh, what now?" Spike asked.

"Right now you take a small rest, then we'll start on your melee weapons training." I said. "You'll train with swords, axes, knives, daggers, and other common weapons."

"Why do I have to train with all of those? I only have a sword!" He cried.

I glared at him, "And what happens if you lose that sword or it gets knocked out of your hand?" Spike threw the sword away and simply flexed his hand before it materialised in his hand with a blue glow. I blinked, "Okay, so you have that going for you, point taken." Spike gave a smug smile, time to get rid of that. "We're still training with the other weapons."

I instructed and trained him for three whole days he was a slow learner but he had a natural talent for weapons that made me excited to be teaching him.

I blocked Spike's strike and made to counter with my own before I cancelled out and rolled away as flames engulfed the area I previously stood.

"That it?" I taunted, charging him. He dodged under my blades and stuck me across the face with his wooden training sword. I wiped my face with my spare hand and noticed it came away with blood on it. "Not bad, Spike." I complimented before swinging my sword at him, looking to overpower his blocks. "You've got better since we started training."

"Do you always use the brute force method?" He asked, rolling away from me. "Doesn't really seem productive."

I dashed towards him and swung my blade towards him madly, "You're a beginner, I'm not going to use skill until you've beat me like this." I swung out with a hand and punched him in the face.

"Ow! What the heck?!" He yelled, clutching his nose. "You said you weren't going to use any skill!"

I rolled my eyes, "I didn't. The thing most people forget about combat is that your entire body is a weapon, if it'll help you win then punch, kick, bite, claw or do anything else. When you used your fire a moment ago was smart, start thinking like that. It'll save your life."

"Okay, I..." He yawned. "I can go again."

"No." I said firmly. "We've been at this for three days now, you need to rest. So wake up then go back to sleep."

"Three days?!" He cried. "Twilight's probably worried sick!"

I chuckled, "Don't worry. Three whole days here equals one night in the waking world."

"Whoa." He muttered. "I see why you like it here."

I nodded, "Wake up." He faded from the Dreamscape right before I awoke myself.

"So, what today?" Spike asked as he arrived in the arena on our fourth day of training.

In response I strolled over and kicked him in the face. "Take a guess."

He picked himself off the floor and spat blood between us. "You couldn't have just said something?!"

I shrugged, "Your enemies aren't going to warn you, why should I?"

"You're supposed to be civilised! Or are you really just a beast?!" He snapped.

I gave him a cold look, "You know, they used to call me 'The Beserker' for a reason. I was just a murderous monster. Not. Any. More." I sighed. "I don't want you to die, so I fight dirty, I cheat. If you can beat me, then bandits and wild beasts won't even phase you."

He sighed, "I'm starting to hate the whole 'tough love' thing you have going here."

I smirked, "Well, I'm using some skill today, you've progressed well."

I beat him nine times out of ten, although I was taking it easy on him, throughout the two days I kept slowly increasing my skill and to my delight he kept up with me. Maybe he wouldn't be a loss after all.

On day six Spike arrived in the Dreamscape looking ready for a fight. "Alright, bring it on!" He yelled before he noticed that the usual arena was replaced with a field with a large picnic.

"Relax, you don't can't always be stressing yourself about a fight. They'll come when they do, you can plan for them, but don't overwork yourself. You need to learn when you can relax and how to live."

"How to live? What's that supposed to mean?" He questioned.

I sighed, "The life you knew before I started training you is gone. You can't be the child anymore, you're a Knight now, that comes with responsibilities."

"What kind of responsibilities?" He asked.

"You'll have an obligation to protect the innocent, so long as you see it fit to do so. Although unlike me I suppose you're going to try and save everyone you come across."

He gave a firm nod, "Don't think you're going to make me think otherwise!"

I chuckled, "Wouldn't dream of it." I took a bite of a chicken sandwich. "Just remember, you can't always save everyone, you just have to do your best."

He nodded slowly, "I get it. But, uh, we've finished melee training. What about some ranged weapon training?"

I sighed, "I don't think many ranged weapons will work for you just yet. Crossbows are heavy things and I doubt you're tall enough to use a bow." I shrugged, "I'd recommend just using your fire and getting yourself a good shield." I coughed, "You know, unless you want to go full offence and dual wield, but, uh, that's...hard to do."

"Sword and shield, huh?" Spike said with a smile. "I don't know, that sounds good. I just need to find somepony who sells them."

"Orc or Minotaur." I said.

"What?"

"Orc or Minotaur. That's the species you want to look for. Orcs are amazing with limited materials and make good armour and swords, while Minotaurs craft good shields and almost any type of weapon you can think of, but you'd have to find one of their tribes, and that's hard work."

"So I best look for an Orc? It's a good job a bunch of them popped up practically overnight then, huh?" His voice held an accusing tone.

I nodded, ignoring the implied accusation. "Probably for the best. You know, I know this Orc who's really good. Skaret, don't know where she is though, probably with her brother. They look like this." I pulled up an image of Skaret and Ratbag from a memory and displayed it over a wall.

Spike studied the image. "Hang on, I've seen those two somewhere."

"Oh?"

He nodded, "Yeah, definitely seen that duo. Can't remember where though."

I smiled, "Just relax. You're in a dream, remember? We have full access to your memories." I waved my hand and our surroundings changed to a seemingly never ending corridor filled with doors with dates on them. "Remember, you're not awake, stop acting like you are. Trust your gut. Act, don't think. Which room?"

"This one." He pointed to a door with yesterday's date on it. As we entered the room a film reel was showing all of Spike's memories of that day in a few seconds, constantly looping. He stared at the flickering images before pointing, "There!"

The reel stopped on an image of Twilight reading a newspaper. On the front cover was a story about the Orcs appearing, and the picture had a group of Orcs walking through a city, two of them were Skaret and Ratbag. Below the image were the words 'Orcs in Manehattan'.

"Well, there you go!" I chuckled before dragging us out of that place and back to our picnic. "Those places give me the creeps. Anyway, Manehattan, huh? Never heard of it, but it sounds interesting. She most likely lives with her brother, tell her I sent you and she'll probably give you a discount." I shrugged. "Maybe. Just remember to practice with it. I have no idea how to use one, so I can't train you in that."

"Oh. Got it."

"Now let's enjoy this picnic, huh?"

The last three days were spent tying together everything I had taught him. Offence and defense, strength and skill, blade and fire. By the end of the third day he only had one more test to pass.

Spike spun around the bandits, avoiding their clumsy attacks and attacking them with both his claws and sword, but never killing them. At the end he had five bandits slumped over, unconscious.

"How was that?" He asked with a smirk.

"Pretty good." I admitted. "Now finish them. End them."

He froze, "I...I can't! I know they aren't real, but I can't kill them!"

I sighed, "I was trained the same way as you are right now, except I was in the real world. I killed just to survive! What's your problem?"

He shivered, "I can't. I...I'm not a killer!"

I walked up to him, waving his opponent away. "I see. And you won't ever kill?"

"I..." He paused. "I can't promise that. But...Never as a first option."

I offered him my hand. "I see." I flashed him a grin. "Well done, you passed."

"W...what?" He muttered. "But...you said I couldn't do what you did!"

I chuckled, "Good thing too, I'm not the hero, I doubt I ever will be, but you, Spike, you are! 'The Knight of Rage, darkening the world with his unstoppable might and anger, and the Knight of Hope, bringing light to the people in even the darkest of times, together these two will start a new path for the world. Together these two will once again bring back the Knights of Life.'"

"That...sounds odd coming out of your mouth, Blood. I more expected something proclaiming you to be an unkillable force."

I chuckled, "Nothing is unkillable, Spike, remember that. And that was a...heh, a quote from a supposed book, a tome, Guardian has. He thinks that it's about me, he told me it after I became the Knight of Rage, only seemed fitting I passed it on. It might have do with you, don't read too deep into it though, this stuff tends to screw with your head." I paused. "Though...expect a lot of attacks or similar stuff to happen to you. You'll have to grow up fast, you can't afford to lose focus at a critical moment." I sighed and relented a little. "But you did hold your own against some of the tougher bandits I've faced, and you have passed my test." I closed my eyes and sighed again. "Fine, you'll survive as you are, just...don't lose sight of who you are. Don't end up like me."

Spike gave me an odd look, "Blood, you're getting weird again."

I shrugged, "Ah, whatever! But there's only one part of that damn prophecy I agree with. I'm the monster that Celestia will hunt down, you need to be the one people look to in times of need. Be the hero, Spike, I know you can be."

There was a pause before he asked, "Well, what do I do now?"

I chuckled, "Now? Now you wake up and practice all the things I've trained you, you need some real practice, everything we've done is just theory in the real world. Training here doesn't transfer into the waking world."

"What?!" He yelled. "Then all this work was for nothing?!"

I sighed, "It was nine days, not exactly a long time. Besides, it's not like I can teach you in person, is it?"

"Alright, alright, I get it." He flashed me a smile, "Thanks for this."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Get out of here, will you?" I let out a sigh as he faded away. "You'll be fine, kid." I muttered before I awoke.

By midday I was approaching the base of the mountain when I felt eyes on me. I waited for them to make the first move. After a few minutes I started growing annoyed and I threw my arms out, "WELL?!" I yelled. "COME FACE ME!!!"

A few moments passed before a small group of Changelings appeared practically out of nowhere. "You're...It's true!" One of them gasped and bowed, "My Lord." They all followed his lead, bowing to me.

I cringed and looked away, "Don't do that."

They slowly stood, the one that started the bow spoke up again, "If you would come with us, our Queen would be overjoyed to meet with you."

I smiled, "Sure, that's why I'm here." I motioned with my hand, "Lead the way."

Author's Note

Well, here it is!

As you can probably guess Spike is going to play a big part in the world I'm building. But until then we meet the Changelings!

Changeling Cove

As the three Changelings led me through tunnel system inside the mountain there was an extremely awkward silence. With a sigh I broke it, "Alright, go ahead and ask."

And with that the floodgates were opened. "Are you as strong as the legends say?" "Did you really save us from a tribe of Dragons?" "Is it true you're rage incarnate?"

I chuckled, "Slow down. One at a time. Now to answer your questions; that depends on the legends, it was only four Dragons, teenagers at that. Elder teenagers, sure, but still teenagers."

"And...are you rage incarnate?"

"Heh, that's a good question." I rubbed my chin. "Sure, I was the Knight of Rage for a while, but I don't think I really count as rage incarnate, I'm too relaxed around my friends and allies for that." A smirk spread across my face, "To my enemies though...heh. Like I said, it's a good question."

Just as I'd finished talking we came to a green, slimy, organic-looking door. "This is it, my Lord!" The more energetic of the three chirped and ran ahead, running through the door as I winced slightly.

I pressed my hand against the door and pulled away, the material sticking to my hand slightly before springing back. I gave the other two Changelings a questioning look. "Oh!" The female of the group seemed to realise I didn't know what this was. "That's a suction door, it takes any ambient Love we haven't collected that's stuck on us while also cleaning us from the sand!" She gave a small smile. "Just...step on through. They're only at the exits to the outside, so you don't need to worry about more of them!"

I shrugged and walked into the suction door, after pushing a little I passed through the slime. It wasn't as unpleasant a feeling as I had thought it'd be, just...odd.

I looked around and saw the Hive, a great hallway with several pathways splitting off from it, with what I assumed was the throne room at the far end, a set of majestic double doors led more credence to my assumption, the entire place was lit in a faded blue glow from light crystals scattered through the room on the ceiling and roof.

If I had to describe the look of the place in a few words, I'd use: Simple but practical. It was really quite beautiful in its own way, the way the light reflected off of the green walls all the up to the ceiling high above us, it seemed as if the entire mountain had been carved out.

I followed my guides to the double doors at the end of the hall. They opened them for me and confirmed my suspicions, they did indeed lead to a large room with a very basic throne. I entered the room and Changelings came marching out from the sides of the room, forming two columns down the centre of the room as the door shut behind me.

"Introducing her Royal Highness, Queen Wisp!" A lone Changeling announced from the front of the throne before quickly leaving through a door at the back.

The Changelings transformed themselves into white armoured versions of themselves with black visors. I felt like I should know the look somehow. Then the Queen appeared, in a black mask and armour, again I felt as if I should know the look of all of this. Finally the music began as she descended from the platform.

I groaned and facepalmed before letting out a small chuckle, seems as though I may have influenced them a little.

As the Queen passed, Changelings bowed before her until she finally reached me as the music stopped and everyone reverted to their natural forms.

Now free of the armour I could get a good look at this Queen. She made a short, scruffy aqua mane and tail and she lacked any makeup at all. Other than that she was pretty standard for a Queen, eye level with me, maybe a bit more muscular than the average Queen. The only thing that caught my attention was her purple eyes, unusual even for a Queen, who usually had much more diverse eyes than their citizen counterparts.

“My people!” She announced, her voice a little scratchy. “Today is a good day! Today our saviour has returned to us after nearly a century of imprisonment! We are now stronger than ever! So, as a demonstration of our new power I announce…” She gave a pause to let the atmosphere build. “A THREE DAY PARTY!!!”

I blinked as cheers rang out across the room. With a start I turned and saw practically every square inch behind me occupied a Changeling. I had a feeling that only a sparse few guards weren't here. But damn, these guys had learned a lot about stealth while I was gone, there was a time where a Changeling couldn't sneak up on a hibernating bear without waking it.

But one thing was still the same, they loved parties. Not quite at Pinkie Pie level, but there was only one Pinkie, the whole Changeling population loved to party. At least they used moderation.

After the cheers died down the Changelings left the room, chatting and laughing, leaving me alone with the Queen. At least I wasn't being swarmed.

As the doors shut I found myself face to face with Queen Wisp. "It's good to meet you, Queen Wisp." I smiled and gave a nod of my head.

She grinned happily, "And it is amazing to finally meet you, Lord Blood." I winced at my title, I really wish the Changelings from back then hadn't decided to give me the thing. "It seems that a certain rumour about you is true after all. Very well, we shall forget our titles when in private like this."

I sighed in relief, "Thank fuck for that."

“I know. I love my subjects, but sometimes I just want them to talk to me like a normal person.” She sighed, “There are times when I really hate this job.”

“There are always things you hate doing. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.” I smirked, “Like burning down Celestia's old storage building.”

Wisp chuckled, “That sounds like a story is like to hear sometime. But let us walk.” She headed to the door and I followed by her side.

As we passed through the main hall I spoke up, “How are you?”

“My people are-”

I interrupted her, “Not your people. You.”

She was quiet for a moment. “I'm...struggling, food’s at an all-time low, Changeling everywhere are being hunted down and then there's the disappearances.”

Okay, that's interesting. “Disappearances? What's happening?”

She let out a weary sigh, “Women carrying eggs have gone missing, as have a few of our young, it's got us on edge. We only recently found something to suggest that it wasn't of their own will. Gouges on the floor, the boy had clearly tried to cling to the ground.” She turned her head and spat. “Aren't the Ponies content with starving us?!”

“Why do you think it's Ponies?” I asked.

“One of our guards thought he saw an equine shape sneaking out of the Hive, though he admits he was drowsy at the time. It could have easily also been one of us, or a Griffin.” She shook her head, “Either way, this isn't a topic a guest should be hearing about. Come, let's move on to lighter subjects.”

As we walked through the cave system I had to admire the simple beauty of the place, the caves were occasionally lighted by slime cocoons filled with love, lighting the place with green light and giving the whole place a feeling of tranquility and filling me with determination to keep the people of this place safe.

"Nice place." I complimented.

"Thank you, it's nowhere near as beautiful as Chrysalis' castle Hive though." She gave a sigh, "It really is a shame she ruined her reputation like that."

That caught my interest. "Oh? What happened?"

Wisp looked my way, "I assume you've heard of her attempted invasion of Canterlot?"

Ouch, that had to destroy her confidence as a leader. "Oh. That's a tough break. Why'd she invade though?" That was the thing that puzzled me about that whole event.

Wisp came to a stop and looked away, "The whole of our race is starving, Blood. Chrysalis watched her family starve, it drove her to the extreme. My Hive is only this healthy because we kicked out anyone who doesn't come back with enough love to feed at least three of us. It's not something I enjoy, but it's the only way we have. The alternative is starvation, I can't let that befall my people."

I frowned slightly. Why the hell did it have to come to this? "It's all fucked up." I growled. "And from what I've seen a lot of the Ponies are hostile to Changelings. Land of peace and friendship my fucking arse."

"You've got that right. We can't even enter a town undisguised without being mobbed, it's a sad time for my people." She smiled, "But with your help we can change that! We could rise once again with the Knight of Rage at our side!"

I winced, "No." She stopped and stared at me. "I...I'm not that person anymore. I'm not the Knight anymore." I looked away and lowered my voice. "I just can't be."

"I...see." She placed her hoof on my shoulder. "I don't know why, but it's fine. Just you being alive will be a great moral boost to every Changeling there is."

I frowned slightly, "I know I have that title and all, but I'm not that important to your people, am I?"

"More than you realise, maybe now more than ever." She smiled, “You bring to them the one thing I've never been able to, not more than a few days anyway.”

I raised an eyebrow, “What's that?”

“Hope.” Hope, huh? Well, so long as I can help them. After giving me a minute to digest that Wisp spoke up again, “Come, I have someone for you to see.”

She took a path that took us down, the lighting got darker and the simple beauty was transformed into a dark jail, but instead of bars they had a thick, translucent slime wall. We continued down until the lighting got a brighter and the place looked a little more inviting.

I spotted two Changeling guards outside a cell that was lit up from the inside. When we got closer I saw the Changeling inside the cell.

“Scarab?” I asked as we stopped in front of the cell.

"My Lord!" Scarab cried, running to me.

Just to charge face first into the green barrier. He fell on his back and didn't move. I groaned and rubbed my temple, "Just typical." I gave the guards a look. "Let him out of there."

One of them froze up, "I...orders...Queen, but Lord...But I...ARGHHH!!!" She fell to the floor and started whimpering while rocking back and forth. O...kay?

The second guard just groaned. "Please forgive my partner, she doesn't do well with conflicting orders." He lit up his horn and pressed it against the cell wall. Wisp then did the same and the wall shimmered before retracting into the floor.

I strolled in and nudged Scarab with my foot before turning back to Wisp, "Why's Scarab locked up?"

She looked away, "He only came back with enough love for two. It's the law. In a few weeks he'll have a trail then kicked out of the Hive."

I sighed, "Fucking hell. Really wish I could help, truly, but I'm still finding my own feet right now."

"Of course, I didn't expect you to be able to do anything for us immediately, but like I've said, just being here is giving hope to my people. For that I am forever in your debt." Ah, fuck, please don't bow. Yep, she's fucking bowing to me. Fuck!

I need to lose this debt bullshit. "I'll take a room, give it to me how you think I'd like it."

"Of course!" Wisp turned to the guard that wasn't rocking back and forth like a nutjob. "Go prepare room Gamma for situation Beta Omega."

He saluted, "Of course ma'am!" He sprinted off. What the hell was that?

"M...my Lord?" I looked down and saw Scarab slowly climbing to his feet again. Huh. I was certain I'd have to carry him for a while before he woke up.

I smiled down at him and lowered myself to his height, "Scarab, thank you for doing as I asked, it saved me a lot of trouble." It was true, if he hadn't I would have had to convince the Changelings I was who I said I was. "Your help was invaluable." Okay, not true but I figured he needed a bit of a confidence boost.

His eyes lit up and he jumped into the air, giddily, seemingly full of energy. Oh, and look, he's vibrating again. Why does he do that? "Of course, my Lord! It was my pleasure!"

I chuckled. Cute. A thought popped into my head and I decided to hell with it and asked, “Scarab, how'd...how’d you like to join me in my journey?” Everyone went silent. What? It wasn't that big a deal was it? I then felt like slapping myself, I was a hero to these guys, of course it'd be a big deal!

Scarab, after spluttering and stammering, finally managed to speak coherently, “D-do you mean it, my Lord?” Well, less speak and more squeak.

“Yep, you’ve got a good heart, I'd be proud to have you at my side.” That and I hoped he could keep me grounded if I started falling too deep into a rage.

“I-I’d be honoured, Sir Lord, sir!” I hoped he could talk without squeaking when he calmed down.

I sighed, “Take your time and calm, we won't be leaving the Hive for at least a few days.” He nodded several times, excited little bugger. "In that case," I turned to Wisp, "Where's your nearest bar?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bar was larger than I expected it was more like a castle's dining room than anything else, though I had to give props to the band in the corner, it was hard to give a relaxed atmosphere to a room full of drunks when a party was in full swing.

"Well, this is the closest we have to a bar, really anyone just comes here, children, adults, teenage layabouts!" Wisp yelled the last one at a couple of teens sprawled in a corner. One of them raised a leg and gave a dismissive wave.

Wisp led me over to the bar itself and got me a beer. "EVERYONE!" She called out, "OUR TIME OF PEACE, OF DISCRETION, MAY BE OVER, BUT OUR HOPE WAS ARRIVED! OUR HERO FROM THE PAST IS HERE TODAY!" There was a silence as she brought her own glass into the air, "He is one of us. Now and forever." A grin came across her face, "NOW ABOUT WE SHOW HIM A HELL OF A PARTY?!" The floor rumbled from the volume of the cheering that followed.

After it had settled down I set my glass down at one of the tables and looked around with a smile on my face, this was nice. I was suddenly tackled from the back, just below my spine and then around the shoulders. I was almost knocked down by the force and most of the Changelings in the room started laughing.

"Mister Lord Blood!" Two young voices squealed excitedly from my back. I looked over my shoulder and saw two little Changelings, no older than eight, clinging to me.

I let out a quiet laugh and looked up at the approaching woman. "I'm so sorry for the trouble, my Lord." She bowed. Oh, fucking Christ, not the bowing! "I'll take these two off your hands, I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience."

"What inconvenience?" I asked before shaking my body softly. "Rawr, rawr! I am the great and mighty Shaker, no children can hold on when I move!" I proclaimed with a silly voice.

"Nuh uh!" The kid around my shoulders giggled.

“Uh huh!” Came my irrefutable response. And with that I took off across the room, shaking around as I went, the two little tykes laughing the whole way.

I eventually let the kids down before they fell. I stated smiling. It...reminded me of my time in the past. There was a tavern...Me, Ritual and Leo were there to meet someone who would become a loyal friend, if an incompetent idiot. I gave a soft chuckle. He got us into a brawl not a minute after we'd met. I remembered that he would be dead, just like the rest of my friends and my smile fell.

I wandered off from the party, wanting to be alone for a little bit. I came across a room full of paintings, both professional, amateur and the occasional mural.

I stopped and checked out a particular mural drawing of me and Ritual in the Everfree fighting Hunters with a Timberwolf at our side. Heh, these take me back. ...But was it worth it? I shook those thoughts away. Of course it was worth it! As Ritual said, 'Looking back's not worth it if it gets you down! Just keep looking to the horizon and you can just see the limitless opportunities! You just have to have the determination to see it through to the end, no matter how bleak it gets!' Heh, she could always cheer my mopey arse right up. Can't believe I used to be so soft and naïve. For a time I used to believe I could change the world with a few actions. What a joke.

I looked away and rubbed my arm.

I must have been there, watching the rural for a good twenty minutes when Wisp came up beside me. “You seem...lost." She said softly.

I sighed, "Is it really that obvious? I have no idea what to do. I want to see this new world, but beyond that? I'm clueless. My only goal is survival, but how am I going to live my life beyond that?" I hung my head. "It was all so much easier when Ritual was with me."

"Whatever you chose to do just remember that we shall always be there for you. You need any help, just ask, we'll be there for you. Always."

I smiled, "Thanks, Wisp." She was a good person. I knew it then.

We bathed in the silence of a budding friendship for a few minutes before Wisp spoke up again, "You know...you knew one of my ancestors."

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh?" This is interesting, I wonder who it was?

"I'm a descendant of Queen Chirp The Wanderer." She grinned.

"Chirpy?!" I spluttered, a grin spreading across my face. "You're related to Chirpy?!" I laughed. "Oh, man, she was crazy! You have a hell of an ancestor, Wisp!"

She looked confused, "Really? I...wasn't aware. What was she like?"

I chuckled, "Let's just say she turned into me to try and seduce me into eating a metric fuckton of chocolate and leave it at that."

Wisp giggled, "Really?"

I smiled, "Yeah, she was fun. But when the chips came down there were few other people I'd trust watching my back in a fight. She used to be the one to help me see the light when my anger got too much." I sighed. "I even made her a Life Oath. Something I now plan to renew."

She cocked her head, "Life Oath? There was something about that in the ancient texts."

"It was pretty much an oath that I swore to uphold, otherwise I would let myself be drained of all blood in my body or something equally nasty."

Her eyes widened, "Isn't that...a little extreme? And what if the oath conflicts with another?"

I just laughed, "I make sure any conflicting oaths are neutral grounds, it allows me to do what I think is right at the time." I gave a yawn, the day catching up to me.

“It's getting late, I'll show you to a room." We chatted about inconsequential things as we walked. I was particularly enthused when I heard she had some spiced rum.

She let out a giggle at my enthusiasm, "Well then, I'll give you some tomorrow if you're that excited." We stopped by a simple wooden door. Hell, a lot of the doors in this place were simple, the only exception being the exit and the throne room. "Here we are. I hope it's too your tastes."

"Well...goodnight, Wisp, I'll see you tomorrow." I said, heading into the room. I took a look around, it was just a simple, basic room. There was a bed, a wardrobe and an adjoining bathroom. Some would find it extremely lacking in luxuries, but for me? It was perfect.

I stripped down to my underwear and got into the bed, leaving Roxy a little further from me than I usually would. I could trust the Changelings, what was the worst that could happen?

Author's Note

Well, this is finally out. Yeah, I had me some massive writer's block on this. Hopefully it all came out okay.

Now all I can do is hope I can write the next chapter within two years. ...Heh...:twilightsheepish:

Ruined Relaxation

I woke with a yawn, feeling more rested than I had in a long while, being able to drop my guard like that was definitely something I needed to do more, it was a shame I could only let that happen around Changelings.

I shifted and heard a grumble next to me. The hell? I opened my eyes and looked around. There had to be at least thirty Changelings on my bed, all cuddling each other and me. I silenced a laugh and lay back down. I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

“Sleep well?” A voice whispered in my ear. I twitched before looking over my shoulder.

“Wisp.” I smiled. She was draped over my pillows and was using my shoulder as a pillow. “How long has this…?”

“No idea.” She gave a tired shrug. “There were about ten in here when I looked in.” She pouted, “You all looked so cute and comfy! I couldn't help joining!”

I chuckled, shaking my head, "You want to help me get up?"

She smirked, "I don't know, you look cute like this."

"Funny."

"Alright, buzzkill." She lit up her horn and blinked us off the bed. The best I could describe it as was a short range teleport limited to where you could see.

"Thanks." I said, getting dressed. For some reason my jacket was underneath a Changeling. After I finished I turned back to Wisp. Had she been watching me dress?

She looked shocked, "You...have so many scars..."

Huh? "Yeah, it's part of battle, if you manage to avoid getting hurt in battle you're either, really lucky, a coward, or stupidly powerful."

"I...I see." She shook her head, "I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting that."

"Come on." I led her out of the room. "Let me guess, you were expecting a godlike physique, unmarred by battle?"

"Um...yes?" She said sheepishly.

"Eh, life ain't that easy." I waved her off as I looked for the kitchen. What? I was hungry!

"I see. Well, I should have expected as much." She gave me a smile, "Come, let's get some food in us."

"Agreed." I smiled, "But first..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I started to exercise, some press-ups, sit-ups and crunches. Nothing too extreme, I didn't want to bulk up, just stay in shape. I could tell Wisp was watching me as she cooked our food. I'd already been exercising...what about an hour? As I saw Wisp coming back with our food I stood and wiped the sweat from my head. "Well, that should about do for today." I muttered, approaching Wisp and taking my plate from her.

"Hope you like chicken."

"Hell yeah." As I sat down I began eating like I hadn't had a decent meal in weeks. Well, I hadn't, so fuck manners.

"So, Blood, what's your plan now?" Wisp asked as I finished up the chicken.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin, "Right now? I take a load off and relax. I need some peace for once. Maybe in a few days I'll set off again, if that's okay with you, of course."

She smiled, "Of course it's fine. I was just hoping you'd stay for two more weeks."

Two weeks? "Well, I certainly won't say no to that!" I chuckled. "Hey, I don't suppose you have somewhere I can wash my clothes? They're getting kind of sticky."

"We sure do. You all finished?"

I stood up, "Sure am."

She smiled and led me out of the room, as we walked we started some small talk about the state of things. We all too quickly arrived at the washing room. It was smaller than the other rooms, without being cramped. There were tubs of water lined up against the walls and a large, backless bench in the center of the room, along with magazines, newspapers and pens. I grabbed a newspaper and strategically held it over my crotch as I undressed and dumped my clothes in one of the baskets.

Wisp just smirked at me after I saw her taking a look at my arse. Hey, she can look all she wants, but no touching. "Just let me start it up." What? She cast some sort of spell on the tub and the water and my clothes began swirling around. Huh, so it's kind of like a magic washing machine? "I'll see you again in about an hour." She said, leaving, trying to take another look at my butt.

I sighed and shook my head with a smile and sat down on the bench, making sure to keep holding the newspaper over my crotch while I was reading it, and by reading I meant looking at the puzzles. I will beat the hard Sudoku puzzle for once! I was so engrossed in the defeat of my enemy that I didn't even realise that a Changeling had made for way in and was watching me with bemusement.

"What?" I asked when I finally noticed her.

She chuckled, "Nothing, nothing. You just seem really into that thing."

"Yeah, well I've never beat a hard Sudoku before. I think it's about time I do."

An hour passed in relative peace, and as the timer ended I defeated my opponent with a last flourish of my pen. As I stood to retrieve my clothes, keeping my crotch cover by the newspaper, I heard something behind me, “By Blood’s toned rear!” The Changeling gasped, "Blood's toned rear!"

I turned to her, “Excuse me?”

“Uh, I mean...Hey...lover…?” She tried for a cute smile and failed.

“Yeah, no, you're not getting away that easy.” I quickly grabbed my underwear and jeans and pulled them on before turning to her. "What the hell did you say?"

"Uh..." She gulped, "B...By Blood's toned rear...?"

I simply facepalmed. "Oh, for the love of...Where did that come from?!" I sighed, "Let me guess. Queen Chirp?"

She gave a nervous smile, "Queen Chirp."

I shook my head, "Look. I'm not mad at you. Just...surprised. Just...forget it." I quickly pulled on my black t-shirt before grabbing the rest of my things and leaving, wanting to get away from the awkward situation, putting on the rest of my clothes as I went.

I wandered about the place for a bit before returning to my room, thankfully now empty, and grabbed Roxy, my sword and my small sack. I slipped the sword inside my sack and slid Roxy onto my back where the magics in her locked her into place. With that I decided that I'd try and find Wisp. I made my way back to the centre of the Hive and approached the throne room when the doors burst open and Wisp tumbled out, accompanied by a beastial roar.

"Yeah?! Well I expect sex to last longer than five seconds, you fucking twat!" She yelled before shaking her head. "Oh, hey, Blood." She said when she noticed me.

I blinked. "I...do I even want to know?"

She shrugged, "The dragon in there was bragging about being great at sex, he almost had me in bed with him when he mentioned that his definition of great was five seconds." She turned to the doors again, "FUCKING CUNT!"

I just stared, "Okay then." Yep, this place was crazier than Ponyville. I blame the ongoing party. "You free?"

"One moment." She turned away from me. "GET THAT USELESS LAY OF A DRAGON OUT OF MY HIVE!" She roared. She faced me with a smug grin, "I'm good."

I shook my head, "Right. Anyway I think we should get the Life Oath done."

"Are you sure?"

I smirked, "Aw, concerned for me?"

She wacked me in the shoulder, "Shut up." She walked off and led me back to the dining/bar area.

I ignored the looks of the rest of the Changelings and pulled down the sleeve of my left arm and held up out towards Wisp. "I swear by the ancient spirits of life and death that I will protect the Changelings to the best of my ability, without conflicting with other oaths or my own sense of morality." I grimaced as my arm flared up in pain for a moment before settling. "Done."

"That's...it?" Wisp didn't sound impressed. "A little anticlimactic isn't it?"

I rolled my eyes, "What? You'd prefer a geyser of blood reaching to the heavens? Not everything needs a flashy light show." I pulled down my sleeve and grinned, "I think I'll stick around here for a bit."

She gave me a concerned look, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just want to relax, and I like the atmosphere here."

She nodded, "Very well, I'll see you later." She left the room and I rested my head on the table.

Not five minutes later there was a thud. With a sigh I looked up and saw a ring spinning in front of my face, a red emblem of two stylised birds locking talons on it. I shook my head and picked it up.

"To all those who would defend the innocent against all threats, my name is Hawke, and if you follow in my goals I extend a hand in peace, yet if you are a monster who would destroy the lives of those who would live peaceful lives, know that if you call upon me I will destroy you. This is my message to all of you."

I stood up and walked to a more open space as one of the last Changelings left the room, only one or two others still staying behind, before flipping the ring into the air, "I summon you, warrior of peace!"

As the ring hit the ground a dark haired woman covered in a suit of armour appeared before me in a purple glow along with a white unicorn, the only colour on the woman was a simple red piece of fabric around her chest and a simple red line of war paint across her nose. Her sword a well made thing and her shield a brutal looking thing, metal with bladed edges.

She blinked before flashing me a smile, "Hey. The name's Hawke, this is Golden Scribe." I looked over at him and instantly dismissed any fighting capabilities he might have.

"Hey, name's Blood. How are you?" I said cordially.

She gripped her sword, "Blood? You're not a Blood Mage are you?"

I shook my head, "Don't worry, I don't have any magic, it's just a name."

She smiled and looked more relaxed. One of the Changelings in the room suddenly let out a loud belch as he passed me. She scowled as she saw the Changeling, her grip on her sword tightening, "Is that a Changeling?" The Changeling froze at the hostility in her voice.

I subtly grabbed onto Roxy's grip while I spoke, "Yep. That a problem?" As she swung her sword I pulled out Roxy and blocked her, "The fuck you think you're doing?!" I snarled, kicking the Changeling into moving. At least he was safe.

"Changelings are monsters! I won't let these ones destroy Canterlot too!"

"Get. Fucked!" I growled, kicking her away. "CLEAR THE AREA! LOCK IT ALL DOWN!" I roared. All of the remaining Changelings in the room scattered through the various exits and moments later the doors slammed shut and the same translucent slime from the cells spread from the walls and sealed us in. Huh. So they actually had a lockdown in place.

"What did you do?!" She screeched.

I smirked, "Saved the lives of the innocent, you psycho bitch." She glared at me and screamed wordlessly, charging me.

As she thrust her sword at me I simply twisted my body and blade passed by harmlessly. I took the opportunity to step inside her guard as her shield was slightly off. I wrapped an arm around her blade wielding limb and delivered a brutal headbutt to her unprotected nose. I let go of her as she staggered back before I leapt back as she swung out with her shield, the serrated edges almost taking my head off. She thrust her sword for me again, I noticed that once again her shield was slightly out of the way, letting me once again letting me sweep into her space. This time I got under her left arm, keeping a careful eye on her shield I performed a hip throw on her, using her own momentum to more easily pull it off, letting go as she passed the apex of the throw and sending her crashing to the ground a few feet away.

She stared at me with a look of utter shock on her face. What? It is that surprising that I know some Jiu-jitsu?

She quickly scrambled back to her feet. "THE FUCK WAS THAT?!" She yelled.

I sneered, "The secret art of Fuck You."

"Asshole!" She spat, running for me again. This time she slashed at me and I blocked with Roxy. "How the fuck are you blocking with an axe?!"

"Because fuck you, bitch." I said, getting her angry. The more angry she was the more openings she'd leave.

She let out a roar, "STOP CALLING ME A BITCH!" Heh, someone's touchy.

"Whatever." I stopped with our blade lock and ducked as she overshot and stumbled past me and I punched her in the ear.

"FUCK!" She screamed. Turning to me she glared at me. Yep, she hates me now. "Stop that! Fight like a man! Fight with honour!"

I'd rather fight to live. Not that this could be considered a real fight. "Sure." I said as I backed over to the table. "But...one thing first." I grabbed a goblet and threw it at her head.

"FUCKING ASSHOLE!" She roared, rubbing her head.

"Die." I spat, throwing a chair at her.

As she raised her arms to defend herself I rushed forwards and threw Roxy at her. She managed to raise her shield in time to defend herself, Roxy sinking deep into the metal of the shield and getting stuck there. As she gave me a cocky grin I reached into my burlap sack and pulled out my new sword and held it in both hands before stepping up to her and parrying her strike. As she tried to bash me with her shield I quickly jumped back before letting go of the sword with my right hand, grabbed a dagger and stabbing her in the small gap at the elbow. As she let out a pained yell I threw my dagger into the bar and ripped the shield off her arm and retrieved Roxy. I jumped back and led her to the bar, every so often blocking with either Roxy or my sword. When I got close enough I jumped onto the bar and kicked a glass into her face. As she clutched her face I jumped down, returned my sword to its sack and punched her in the face. She gave a roar and swung at me.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I roared. "The Changelings did nothing to you! Leave them be or leave this world!"

As we locked blades again she shrieked in my face, "CHANGELINGS ARE NOTHING BUT BRINGERS OF PAIN AND DESPAIR! I'LL WIPE THEM OUT HERE JUST LIKE I DID IN MY EQUESTRIA!" Wipe them out...? She...killed them all...?

My face slackened and I just stared into her eyes. Everything just...faded away. The Hive. Her companion. Her sword. I felt...hollow. "You killed them all?" I whispered.

"WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING THESE MONSTERS?! THEY'RE NO BETTER THAN ABOMINATIONS" She bellowed, blood running down her face. "I'LL KILL THEM ALL FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE!"

"Don't you dare." I whispered, shaking. She wanted to kill them. To slaughter them where they stood. All the men, the women, the children! "Don't you fucking dare hurt them. I'll die before I let you." My entire body started shaking uncontrollably as I glared at her harder than I had in years. She would take away the only ones who accepted me for who I was! Those that took me in as family! The hollow feeling faded away, only to be replaced by blinding fury. "YOU DON'T GET TO TOUCH MY PEOPLE!" I roared, slamming my forehead into her nose, blood exploded outward.

As she stumbled away I rushed towards her and introduced Roxy's pommel into her eye. As she screamed I ducked beneath her wild swings and grabbed her sword wielding arm and promptly snapped it backwards, causing her to scream in agony as the same metal that had been protecting her cut deep into her flesh. I kicked her onto the ground, straddled her chest and began beating her face in. "HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT?! DO YOU LIKE IT?! YOU WEAK, PATHETIC, BITCH! I'LL MAKE SURE YOUR CORPSE IS FED TO DOGS LIKE YOU! YOU SICK BITCH!" I roared as her nose crumpled and I felt her skull vibrate with each blow of my blood covered fists. I punched her over and over until she finally stopped struggling. "Is that it?" I snarled as I stood. I spat at her broken form as she slowly sat up, "Is that all the twisted bitch has? I don't even want to know your real name, I doubt anyone in your world will even remember it, so why should I?"

She put her hand on the ground and started to get up, "I...I'll leave! Just stop it!" I kicked her in the face. As she fell to the ground I stomped on her face again. And again. And again.

"Fuck you. Prepare to die." I whispered lowly.

"P...pleesh..." She whimpered through her shattered teeth, "...mershy..."

"Mercy?" I asked before laughing. "You think you deserve mercy?!" I roared, "HOW MANY?! HOW MANY INNOCENTS DID YOU SLAUGHTER?! HOW MANY CHILDREN?! YOU DON'T EVEN REMEMBER, DO YOU?! THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH LITTLE BITCHES LIKE YOU! YOU KILL AND KILL AND KILL AND YOU DON'T EVEN THINK OF WHO YOU'VE PUT DOWN! I FUCKING REMEMBER THEM! I'M A MONSTER AND I REMEMBER! YOU DON'T CARE! YOU BITCH!" I grabbed her and slammed her into a wall, "YOU FUCKING WHORE!YOU DON'T GET MERCY! I'M GOING TO CUT YOU INTO LITTLE PIECES!" I threw her back to the ground, "FUCK! YOU!" I stomped on her skull. And again. And again. And again. Everything went red.

When the haze finally lifted I looked down and found gore and blood covering my legs and my foot halfway into Hawke's face. I twisted my foot and ripped it free, blood and chunks of brain coming loose as I did. How long had I been stomping to do that?

I turned and saw that her pony companion was being restrained by a few Changelings. Guess that was why he hadn't interfered. "Leave. Go, fuck off." I growled.

The pony she brought with her stared at me in terror, "B...But...without Hawke...the Darkspawn will destroy our world!"

I glared at him before pointing Roxy at him, "I don't care. If your world can let the extinction of a species go unpunished then you deserve it."

"B...But they were-"

"LEAVE!" I bellowed.

He warped back to his world through a purple wormhole.

I glared at the Hawke's corpse for a good minute, the rage slowly fading away from me, before I fell to my knees and broke into tears. All those innocents lost. There was another world full of my people. And they're all dead. All the innocents...all the children.

And I was no better than her.

Author's Note

Yay, new chapter...I'm bad at these Author's Notes things...

Anyway, some of you may be wondering where the Jiu-jitsu thing came from. After all, he's never used it before and I must have just pulled it out of my arse, right?

Not really. The hip throw is one of the first moves throws taught and...well, you can't use Jiu-jitsu on ponies, it's for use against humans, the body structure would render it useless. And with Minotaurs...the weight difference, even with momentum would make it near impossible to use.

Also, he is not a black belt. He only knows a small handful of moves and they are very situational. He only used the hip throw because he saw an opening and went for it.

Also, this Displaced Hawke...my own creation. But this does mean that the story is ready for crossovers. And not just by Displaced. The Equestria Blood occupies is...I guess the right way of saying it would be to say its on a nexus. Any story with a human in it could hypothetically do a crossover.

Anyway, that's it for now. FoxWithAMask, signing off.

A Pirate’s Party Turned Bloody

I awoke with a slight headache, but overall felt much better and clearer of mind. I knew that I couldn’t have have saved another reality’s Changelings, still made me feel like crap though.

I sighed and got out of bed, get dressed and strolled out into the halls, making sure to avoid any trace of natural light, occasionally coming across a Changeling letting out a hungover groan. Eventually I got to the throne room and pushed my way inside, seeing Wisp slouched on her throne wearing my sunglasses. Honestly, it was kind of adorable.

I raised an eyebrow, “Enjoying them?”

She groaned, “They’re making life bearable.” She squinted, “How the fuck aren’t you hungover?”

I laughed, “I am! But I am what you call, a lucky fucker! My hangovers consist of a slight headache...so long as I don’t see natural sunlight, if that happens my eyeballs decide to fucking explode.”

She threw a cushion at me, “You lucky bastard!”

“And yet, I’m still jealous of those bastards that don’t get hungover whatsoever.”

“Yeah, fuck those guys.” She laughed.

“Alright, Wisp, I’m assuming you have your duties, so I’ll leave you be, see you at the party tonight.”

“Don’t get fondled too much!” She shouted as I left.

“Don’t choke on dragon dick!” I shot back.

“Not again, I won’t!” She shouted as the door shut. Wait, what?

I headed back to the dining area and grabbed some cereal. As I finished up the bowl, lifting the bowl to my face and slurping down the milk because I’m not a fucking Neanderthal, I let out a content sigh. I was ready to just relax and have a lazy day. So, of course, there was flash above my head and a small Jolly Roger flag fell down in front of me.

“If you need use of a magnificent pirate captain to come fight by the side of freedom in all forms, if you have some ships in need of boarding or have rum that needs drinking, then call upon me and you’ll have the magnificent Captain Ebony Sabre by your side, for the thrill of the fight and to plunger riches to our heart’s content!”

I hesitated. The last time I’d called on a Displaced, I’d had a fight on my hands. But...I couldn’t decline a chance to talk to another human, I simply had to be on guard until I knew if they could be trusted or not. Actually was a pirate captain the best choice to summon? Or maybe I should stop summoning every Displaced I come across?

I shrugged, “Ah, fuck it.” I threw the flag onto the ground and covered my eyes as the Token exploded into light.

When the light faded a tall, black unicorn was stood before me. She stood as tall as me and clothed in a white shirt, a leather coat, a red bandana wrapped around her head, a few strands of dark purple hair spilling out, her horn just poking through the cloth and a pair of black pants with a short, dark purple tail jutting out, four flintlock pistols hanging from her chest and a sheathed cutlass hanging from a belt.

She shook her head. “Whoa, I’ll never get used to that.” She muttered before looking at me and grinning, “Well, this is new, a human that looks...well, human!”

“The name’s Blood.” It was then I noticed that she looked exactly like how I’d been told Luna had looked when she tried to take over Equestria, just minus the armour and in its place the pirate garb. “Wait...you’re Nightmare Moon.”

She shrugged, “That’s what those idiots called me, but I’m Ebony Sabre, greatest pirate captain to sail the seas!”

I laughed, grabbing a bottle from the nearby bar, “And what’s a pirate without rum?” Hey, it was never to early to be merry with a drink! You know, in moderation.

“Too true!” She snatched the bottle out of my hand and took a swig. “So what’s your story? How’d a human land themselves in Equestria?”

I shrugged, “Not much, just got struck by lightning at a costume party.”

She choked on the rum, “You fucking got struck by lightning?! That shit hurts me with magic running through me, how the fuck did you survive?!”

I shrugged again, “I didn’t, I think. It wasn’t a fun experience. The next thing I knew I was dressed in my normal clothes and not long after, I was being escorted to Celestia in her Everfree castle.” I frowned at the memory, “One thing led to another and I punched her across the face and was a fugitive since that day on. I went on the run for four years and only just woke up from a seven hundred and fifty year stone imprisonment.”

She whistled, “And I thought I had it rough.”

“What happened to you?”

She shrugged, “Went to bed and saw a shooting star, which was odd considering the light pollution, made a half arsed wish for my life to be more exciting and went to sleep. Woke up the next morning like this and was arrested by some guards and got punched in the face. Found myself being shipped to Celestia when pirates attacked and I joined their crew. Eventually got my own brig and I’ve been pillaging ever since.”

I grinned, “Heh. Sounds like a hell of a tale.”

“So, why’d you call me here? You have a fight coming?”

I shook my head, “Nah, I just wanted to talk to some humans, former or otherwise. Maybe have a drink or two.”

She let out a laugh, “I’m down for that!” She looked around, “So. Changelings, huh?” She said, looking them over, while filling a nearby glass with rum.

I frowned, reaching for Roxy, remembering the last Displaced I’d dealt with, “That going to be a problem?”

She snorted and downed her glass, “Nah! I had a couple of Changelings in my crew from time to time, hell, I might still have some that’re hiding. I got no problems with them.” She showed no effect from downing a drinking glass full of rum.

I dropped my hand and smiled, “Good. Because these people are mine. I am one of them, they have always accepted me as family and never judged me. So do right by them and you’ll do right by me.” I dropped my smile and got serious, “But if you hurt them then there is no force across the dimensions that will stop me from vengeance.”

She laughed, “You know, you’re really talkative when you get going, aren’t you?”

I shrugged and went to get my own bottle of rum and two shot glasses. When I got back I found that she had half the bottle drunk already and had a small crowd of Changelings drinking with her. I raised an eyebrow, “How exactly are you not falling over?”

She laughed, “Alicorn metabolism apparently. It takes four or five bottles before I get anything more than a buzz. It’s a pain, but an easy way to win money at a bar!”

I snorted and poured myself a shot. “You the sort who likes the quiet, or do you have to be talking all the time to enjoy company?”

“I enjoy chatting as much as the next guy, but it’s good to enjoy the quiet, you know?” She sighed. “It’s like some people aren’t satisfied unless they’re telling their life story to some random stranger.”

“Like we were doing before?” I smirked as I downed a shot.

Ebony snorted and raised her bottle, “To hypocrites like us! To the world gone mad! And to madmen like us that try to just fucking survive day to day! And most importantly...to the loot and booze!”

There was a cheer from the room and we all drank. After a few drinks I noticed that her jacket didn’t exactly leave any room for wings. “How’d you fit your wings under there? Some spell?”

She winced, “Not...exactly.”

I paused, “What do you mean?”

She hesitated before taking off her jacket and shirt and turning around. My blood ran cold when I saw the two nubs where her wings should have been.

“We couldn’t go around with me looking like an Alicorn, someone would have sent word to Celestia, so they gave me a choice. My wings or my horn. Magic was more useful than flying in my situation.” She pulled her clothes back on, “I just wish they’d had some anesthesia.”

“You...you had your wings cut off,” I stammered, “While you were awake…?”

She shrugged, “After they got the first one off I fell unconscious, but...it was the months afterwards that were painful.”

I raised my glass, “You’re a fucking badass. A toast to your fallen wings!”

“A TOAST!” The room of repeated, the Changelings all raising their glasses in respect.

Ebony chuckled, “You sure know how to make a gal feel welcome!” She raised her glass, “And a toast to you welcoming bunch! Never before has a pirate captain felt more welcome than right now! Other than when among her own, but that’s besides the point! A toast to your hospitality!”

The room cheered and glasses clinked together. “Ebony, my friend, I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship.” I chuckled.

She laughed and downed her glass, “So long as you’re a respectable type without being a complete snob we’ll be fine!”

“Not so sure about ‘respectable’, but I’m no douchebag.” I scoffed, taking my drink easy, I was in no mood to even get buzzed, but enjoying the taste of a drink was different.

She burst out laughing, “Man, fuck douchebags! I’ve had way to many give me shit for liking pussy!”

“Screw anyone who gives anyone shot for being gay!” I spat. I’d seen shit like that too many times.

“I’m not gay.” She said. “Well...I am. But not really? Back on Earth I was a guy, so...I’m still straight...kinda? I don’t know how this works.” She sighed.

“Shit sounds complicated. But...you’re you in the end, yeah? So just be yourself and fuck people who try and judge you.” I shrugged.

“You don’t let this shit phase you, do you?”

I shrugged, “When you’ve had to cut your way out of a Hydra’s gut you realise that most problems are kinda petty.”

She just stared at me. “Excuse me, what the fuck? Don’t Hydras have really bad acid in their stomachs? Like, enough to dissolve a Manticore in a few minutes?”

I grinned, “Yeah, they do.” I lifted my shirt and showed her the burn across the bottom right of my body. “Bastard burned through a full set of Minotaur crafted armour and my favourite shirt. Afterwards those Minotaurs rewarded me with metal plates sewn into my jacket, pretty much impenetrable.” Barring a few threads I should really sew up, if they get cut then all the metal plates would end up just slipping out.

“Shit. That’s fucked, man. Stomach acid is no fucking joke. Me last quartermaster was dunked in a pool of the stuff by some pirate hunters. She took off her hat, “I’ll never forget those screams.”

I winced at the memories that came back, particularly of the time I threw a stallion, whose only crime was trying to defend his town from me, into a pit that had venomous snakes at the bottom. I was a terror. I deserved worse than what I got. “Yeah...let’s move on to happier topics, okay?”

“Fair enough.” She shrugged, “So, you live here?”

I snorted, “Nah. I don’t live anywhere. I’m a traveler, seeing new sights, exploring new places, maybe even coming across some lost cities, that’s what I am. I’ll always have a home with the Changelings...but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to just settle down.” I smiled, “The world’s got too much to see.”

There was a sudden scream out in the hallway and I paused for a second before leaping to my feet and running for the door. “Wait for me!” Ebony yelled pulling a flintlock pistol from her chest by magic. We charged into the hallway and I froze.

It was the armoured fucker that had appeared after the battle in Endless, and at his feet was the corpses of several Changelings. I felt anger flooding through me as I ripped Roxy off my back with a loud snarl and charged with a wordless scream.

There was a gunshot as I went and sparks flew from his helmet. He turned his head and stared at me. “Yeah, fuck this.” Ebony muttered, running off. She was a coward, but I had a target to slaughter. I’d have words with her later.

I swung Roxy down at his head, but he had already moved and I caught his elbow in my face. As I staggered back I ducked beneath a punch and I followed up with throwing a punch to his helmet, but before I could connect his foot slammed into the side of my knee, sending me sprawling into the ground and sending Roxy flying out of my hands and back into the dining area. I watched as he slowly pulled out a black sword, still covered in Changeling blood, his eyes glowing a sinister red through his helmet.

As he lifted the sword I slipped out a dagger and stabbed at his knee, where there were gaps in the armour. Without so much as a glance in my direction he blocked my thrust before disarming me and throwing my dagger away.

I raised my arms up as he swung his sword at me. After a few seconds I blinked and looked down. Instead of slicing me apart he’d cut my jacket at the one weak point, the part I’d kept telling myself I’d fix, and the metal plates that were stitched inside slipped out and clattered to the ground.

I stared. He knew! There was no other explanation! There was no visible fraying or weakness on the jacket, there was no way to guess it was weak! He should have tried to slash at my head or body! Just who was this guy?!

As I was distracted he picked me up and threw me into the dining area and my back smacked against a table. As I slowly got to my feet he marched up to me. I threw a punch at him and he simply deflected me and pushed me behind him. I grinned as his back was turned to me and pulled out my remaining dagger and threw it at him.

He spun around and caught it a moment before it would have sunk into his neck. How?! He shouldn’t have heard it! He should have been hit by something I’d tried! He threw the dagger back towards me and I just managed to dodge it as it flew past me.

I took a step back before I realised what I was doing. I wasn’t intimidated for this fucker! “Fuck you, you cunt!” I roared, running towards him. I pulled out my sword and swung at him. He ducked beneath my sword and knocked the wind out of me with a punch.

As I struggled to breathe he ripped my sword away and threw it across the room. Damn it, he’d dodged every attack and disarmed me without any effort! Growling under my breath I tried to punch him and got a broken nose for my troubles. I used my anger to ignore most of the pain and went for a headbutt. Before I could connect he grabbed my head before kicking my knee out from under me and delivered blow after blow to my face.

After a good dozen punches he shoved me onto the ground and scoffed. I felt my blood pumping as he turned away from me. I looked up and found Roxy next to me. With a growl I picked her up and staggered unsteadily to my feet, my right eye starting to swell. “Who the fuck are you scoffing at?! I’ll kill you!” I bellowed, charging at him. I feigned a swing to his head and as he raised his blade to block I dropped Roxy lower to slice into his hip. Just as I was about to hit him he tilted and I stumbled passed him, I span and swung for the back of his head. He blocked with his sword, not even turning around. I swung a flurry of blows at his, but he again deflected them all. Without turning around.

“That...that’s not possible…” I whispered.

He responded by turning, kicking me in the stomach and smacking Roxy out of my hands.

It just wasn’t possible for him to just guess where I was going to strike! He knew! Somehow he knew!

“Who the fuck are you?!” I roared. He just raised his sword.

“Hey!” We both turned and saw Ebony stood there by a cannon, a smirk on her face. “Boom.” I noticed the lit fuse and dived out of the way just in time to see a cannonball crash into the armoured bastard’s chest and crush him against a wall. “Whoop! There you go!” Ebony blinked, “Is he still alive? Or should I go get a mop?”

“The hell...are you?!” The bastard snarled, finally speaking, as he pulled himself out of the wall, his armour only having a few scratches on it. “Nightmare Moon...is supposed to be...gone!” His voice was too deep to be natural, he was manipulating his voice, hiding what he sounded like.

“Newsflash!” She gave a shit eating grin, “Fuck you.” And she fired off a second cannon. So that’s where she was during the fight. She was smart.

I noticed my sword and a dagger were close by and used the opportunity to arm myself again. I waited for him to move. He just growled like an animal and pulled out a dagger before throwing it at a Changeling who only just managed to get out of the way in time.

Damn it. Unless I killed this bastard more Changelings were going to die. I couldn’t let that happen, even if it meant losing myself.

I took off my jacket and threw it away. “Fine.” I growled, throwing down my sword and drawing my dagger. “Then we’ll fight monster to monster.” I turned to Ebony, “Get Queen Wisp, she might be the only one who can snap me out of this.”

“What?” She looked confused.

“GO!” I roared, sinking the dagger into my shoulder before removing it and doing the same to the other shoulder.

“No! Stop!” The armoured figure yelled, sounding panicked. How did he know what I was doing?

I grinned as I threw the dagger to the ground, “Oh, so this scares you?” I laughed darkly as blood poured out of my wounds at an incredible rate, “Good.” I was overcome with blood. I felt myself slipping as the power overwhelmed me. I…

I was a god! And this lowly filth dared to try and harm me?! I was he whom brought devastation to the world! I was the source of death, the anger of all, the rightful ruler of all! And he dared to strike me?!

“You WORM!” I bellowed, my voice sounding as if I was speaking through water slightly, my voice was loud enough to be heard all the way to the deepest dungeons. “You dare fight A GOD?!”

I had once again ascended to my true form! I stood at a good ten feet tall, my body was made of impenetrable armour made of blood, protecting the useless sack of flesh within, and my head was covered by a spiked helmet with my glowing white eyes peering out. I laughed as my mouth ripped itself open leaving me with two rows of serrated teeth.

I threw him against the ceiling with a satisfying bang, as he fell I slammed my arms against him and he crashed into the wall with a enjoyable scream of agony as his armour buckled, digging into his arm.

“Is the pathetic maggot in pain?” I mocked, plucking him out of the wall with a hand and slamming him on the ground. “Not nearly enough!” I snarled. I stomped on him a few times before plucking him up and squeezing him. “Beg for mercy! SCREAM FOR ME, MORTAL!”

He screamed as I slowly crushed him in my hand. Yes! Louder! He sunk his sword into my wrist and I let him drop and kicked him across the room while he was still in the air. With a dark laugh I grabbed a table and threw it at him. He rolled to the side, only just avoiding the table as it shattered into splinters.

“Enough of this.” He spat. “You are still too weak. I will return when you are stronger.” He waved a hand and disappeared.

“COWARD! GET BACK HERE AND DIE! YOU CANNOT DEFY ME!” I roared. “WEAKLING! PATHETIC, COWARDLY, MORTAL FILTH!”

As I was roaring Ebony ran back into the room, leading Wisp with her, along with a few children trailing behind. Wisp just stared up at me in awe, “Sweet Hive of the Ancients.” She muttered.

Ebony just laughed, “Now that’s a party trick! You alright up there, Blood?”

How dare they speak to me as if I was an equal?! “BE SILENT, YOU WORM! YOU WILL BOW BEFORE YOUR GOD!”

They shared a look, basking in my brilliance. “Blood?” Wisp asked slowly. “What’s wrong?”

I glared down at them, “I AM YOUR LORD AND MASTER! I AM BEYOND A SIMPLE MAN! I AM THE GOD OF THE LIFE BLOOD!”

“Oh, boy.” Ebony muttered, “He did say you might be able to snap him out of it. I...don’t think that’s the Blood we know in there.”

“Really? I thought it might be Darth Vader! In a tutu!” Wisp snapped.

Ebony gave her a look, “See, it’s shit like that, that makes me think you’re human.”

Wisp ignored her and turned to me, “Blood...come back to us.” She begged.

“Ha! Back?! Why would I go back?! I am a god! You are nothing but-“

“Come back to your people! To your family.”

I...no, I was...no. My mind rebelled against me, I was guilty, but I couldn’t be, I was resentful of her, yet I felt like filth for upsetting her, I wanted to give up, but I was a god! “NO, NO, NO! SHUT UP! SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!” I panted, “I...I’m a god! I don’t need…” She was crying. I…

One of the children ran up, “Come back, Mister Blood!” They were crying.

I...My insides hurt. No! I was perfect! They…they shouldn’t be able…

“Blood. Remember who you are. You are not this beast, you are our saviour.” Wisp said, “Don’t you dare forget that!”

My mind snapped back. I looked down at them. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made you cry.” I said as my blood was sucked back into my body.

I opened my eyes, well, eye, the right one was swollen shut. I was me again. “Blood?” I looked up and saw Wisp offering me a hoof. “Are you…?”

I grasped her hoof and hauled myself up, “Yeah, I’m me again. I’m sorry about that.”

“No. No, you did what you had to.” She hesitated. She wanted to ask.

I sighed, “Go ahead.”

“What was...with proclaiming yourself a god?”

I rubbed my shoulder. It should heal up, but I might as well get it looked at. “I can’t explain. When I’m...that, I lose myself. The first time it happened I was already saying that stuff. There’s a reason I don’t use it, he would have killed you if you hadn’t snapped me out of it.”

“The old texts mentioned a bloody monster within you...but I thought it was someone being poetic about your rage. I never imagined…”

“Yeah.” I sighed. “I’m a real monster.”

Author's Note

Ebony Sabre is one of my own work’s in progress. I simply decided to throw her in to see how well I could bounce her off Blood.

Her own story, A Pirated Nightmare, will be linked here as soon as I finish the first chapter.

...Which, knowing me, may be a while.

Blood Drive

Overkill. I don’t think some people understand that word. Oh, what? You wanted a backstory? Well, boo hoo to you!

Sorry. Sorry, I, uh...just…you having an itch on your arse for 25 years with no way to scratch it. Yeah, this ties into the ‘overkill’ I mentioned. An old friend did this to me, and I use the term ‘friend’ very loosely. ‘This’ is being stuck in a statue. In Tartarus. Which is 100 miles beneath the surface. With Cerberus guarding the entrance. With a giant sign reading, ‘Keep Out!’, which itself is deep in the Everfree Forest.

Like I said. Overkill.

I’ve been down here a long time, I couldn’t tell you exactly how long though, lost my track of time after the 500 year mark. But...I think maybe...750 years? Yeah...yeah! That sounds right!

So, maybe I do have time to kill. Long story short. I went to a costume party as my own character I’d created, was having a good time, thunderstorm showed up, went outside to talk to friends, got struck by lightning, felt my flesh melting for a good five minutes, woke up in Equestria, got betrayed by someone I thought was a friend, statue, dragged to Tartarus, time passed, got itch on arse, here now.

Also, between all that I discovered I had the abilities of my character, some of the powers in the final design, some I had gotten rid of, and some that I’d never even thought of. So I have a very vague idea of what I can do.

So, yeah. I’m probably going to be stuck in here for a good long while. I ‘closed’ my eyes, though it was more like willing to not see, and tried to get some rest.

I was staring at a bug crawling across the other side of the dark, dank, room as large blobs of blood vibrated against the statue. Crack. Come on you little bug! You think you can outstare me?! I am the...wait what?! Crack! YES!! HAHAHAAA!!! Finally! CRACK!!! Crack! CRACK!!! I could feel the cracks splintering all over the statue. I started shaking my right arm as much as I could. Just...a little...more...KRUNCH! The arm of the statue crumbled revealing my arm. HAHAHAHA!!! OH, YES, AT LAST!!! I used my free arm to help pull off and smash the remains of the statue. Before long I was free and, after vigorously scratching my arse, I did something I’d wanted to do for the past 700 years. I dropped both pairs of pants, careful not to cut my pants with the two daggers I had sheathed at the thighs, and started taking a well overdue leak.

Two Hours Later

I pulled my pants up and fastened them. “Ooooooooh, yeah. I needed that.” I muttered. I then turned my attention to the cell door. “Hmmm. Huh?” I noticed the blobs of blood bouncing on the ground. “Oh! How could I forget?!” I held out my hand and the blood travelled up my body onto my hand and formed together to create a sledgehammer. I raised it before pausing and chuckling, “Stop. Hammer time.” I swung the hammer at the cell door and it...did nothing. I sighed. “This...may take a while.” After about an hour of ruthless hammering I finally broke out of my cell, I threw the blood hammer to the wall, it splattering as it made contact, and then drew my mark, an axe, before I began the long trek up to the Gates of Tartarus I collected a small amount of leftover blood and turned it into a simple ring, slipping it onto a finger.

The trip was...uneventful to say the least. Rubble here, rocks there. Oh, look! A patch of grass! But as the hours dragged on I got thinking. “How in the hell am I going to get past Cerberus?!” I growled. Punch it? ...Yeah, not happening. Play dead? Do I really want to become a new chew toy? Wing it? Best plan so far!

As I got closer to the surface I felt my strength slowly returning to me and I noticed the walls that had been carved out of a cave began to become more delicate and detailed, along with paintings of two Alicorns, one white and one blue, defending a town from an army of large monsters made of mud and stone. The townsponies cheering and throwing them a parade. Fucking self-righteous arseholes.

I eventually came upon the Gates of Tartarus, giant, black, wooden, double doors. Why are these idiots so...so...simple?! I mean, sure, giant, black, doors! That’s so original! ...God, I need to punch something when I get out of here.

I pulled off the blood ring and willed it into a liquid state again and sent it into the giant keyhole. Yes, a fucking giant keyhole. These ponies are as strange as they are presumptuous. Several moments later the lock clicked and the door swung open. I cautiously peaked around the doors...and there he was. Cerberus was staring at me growling, but he didn’t attack. He was probably waiting for me to exit the gates. That’s annoying.

I looked around and picked up a stone and threw it at Cerberus, hitting him in one of his eyes. As one of his heads yelped the others growled louder. I decided to get this over with and stepped out. Almost immediately all three of Cerberus’ heads snapped towards me, his eyes locking onto me with a predatory gleam. He tensed.

“Come on, you little bitch!” I growled as Cerberus began to charge me. I grinned as he closed in on me. A little further! I could feel the ground pounding as he was practically on top of me. NOW! I leaped to the side and rolled back up to my feet as Cerberus slammed through the gateway, I quickly ran to the doors and slammed them shut and willed the blood in there to lock the doors just in time as I felt Cerberus slam into the exit, which refused to budge. Enchanted doors you see, the more strength you put into breaking them down the stronger they become. It’s why I picked the lock instead of trying to break the door down.

“Heh, heh. Ha, ha, ha! HAHAHAHAHA!!!” I laughed uncontrollably. Finally! I’m free to do my thing again! They’re going to pay for what they did to me! They are going to BLEED!! “Ooooh, little ponies!” I sung. “You can’t run, you can’t hide, I’m going to find you!” I stopped, realising what I just said, before shaking my head. “Man, what the fuck? I need some water. Head’s messed up.” I took off jogging through the forest.

After about two hours I finally came to a place I recognised. The Circle of Tranquillity. Of course time had overrun it with plants and grass, but the Stones of Peace and feeling in the air was the same. I used to come here to relax and meditate before I was stoned. Good times. “I doubt I can use this now, but…” I muttered to myself. “If the stones are here...then old Ritual’s hangout should be…” I closed my eyes and tried to feel the way. It was one of the only ways to find Ritual’s old base. She was a paranoid old gal, but was the only one who got me. Of course, that paranoia turned out to be right, so I guess that says something, huh?

After a few minutes the wind blew through my hair. I opened my eyes and a pathway had appeared in front of me. “That way.” I smiled. This forest was amazing. I mean, sure, it had its monsters and nasties, but when you looked past that, it really was quite beautiful and relaxing. Of course, those ponies would never see it that way. Although, that Zebra shaman was always nice to have a cup of tea with. I wonder what happened to him? I shook my head. I could reminisce later, I had to get to the base first.

I followed the path for another hour until I came to another familiar spot. The entrance to Ritual’s underground cave. Blocked by a boulder. I stared at it, “Huh. I, uh, I thought she enchanted it to stop shit like this happening? Oh, well, battery life must have run out.” I pressed my hands against the boulder and pushed, it moved, little by little, until, after about ten minutes, the entrance was open.

As I walked down the slope into the cave I remembered the good times me and Ritual had here, plotting random destruction, researching dark magic, having tea parties. Good times.

I passed the Mirror Pool, Ritual’s most successful achievement, of course, she wouldn’t have completed it without my blood. Something about a strange kind of magic in it. Just as I was about to continue I felt a chill in the air. I turned around and floating above the Mirror Pool was Ritual, looking significantly older than the last time I saw her and somewhat translucent. Almost like a ghost.

“If you are hearing this, Blood, then you have escaped Tartarus and I am dead.” She smiled. “But don’t you worry about me, I had a good life. I settled down a few years after you were defeated, found a husband, had some kids.” She shook her head. “Bah! Listen to me, getting all sentimental in my old age. If you haven’t guessed by now, numbskull, this is a magical recording. But...the thing is, even though I said I regretted what I did in the past...I’d do it all over again!” She laughed sinisterly. “Oh, yeah. I still got it. Heh. Anyway, the reason I made this was to tell you something. I’ve left my diary for you. It should give you a few clues as to what happened after you disappeared. But there’s something more important. You remember what I said about your blood? The latent magical properties in it? Well...I discovered something that happened when your blood entered the Mirror Pool. It created hundreds of portals to other worlds, other Equss’! Of course, more of your blood is needed to open the gateway. But more importantly, these other worlds...I think they haven’t happened yet. Or...at least not my yet. A lot of them seem to be happening in the future. Now, before you go calling me crazy, let me finish! They all seem to be happening at the same time. And...there are humans there, but...not all of them look human. I’ve looked and they seem to be taking place after Princess Luna’s return. Listen, I know this sounds crazy, but I think they’ll all be happening at the same time as when you escape! Just...trust me on this! I can feel it in my gut!” Well, her gut has never been wrong before. “The humans...some look and act human, from what you’ve told me at least, but some…when looking it seems like they’re monsters. A common theme from what I’ve heard in there is that they were at a...a Comic-con? Whatever that is. They got an item and it transported them here and turned them into their costume.” She snickered. “It sound like cheap and overused plot device to me. But anyway! That’s my thoughts. Oh! Almost forgot. They call themselves the Displaced. Seems kind of accurate, no?” She sighed. “Well. If you want to send something to the other worlds You just need to fill something with your blood and drop it in the Pool, preferably after sending an instruction on how to summon you, I’ve enchanted the Pool to do the rest. It should multiply the ‘summon’ and send one to every world. Just...good luck. And goodbye, old friend.” And with that she slowly faded away, leaving me to contemplate everything she’d said.

“...Fuck.” I muttered. Okay, think, think, think! Summon. That...that could be both useful and fun. Let’s...let’s do that. Yeah! Yeah, it’ll be nice to meet some other humans. I looked around. “Filled with my blood. Let’s see.” I looked down at my necklaces and realised one of the vials on a string could do. I slipped it off my neck and unscrewed the top. I grabbed one of my daggers and cut myself across the finger and collected the blood. I screwed the top back on before standing over the Pool. I almost threw it in when I remembered that Ritual said that I needed blood to open the gateway and a summon chant...or...something like that. I sliced the blade of my dagger across my palm and let the blood seep into the Mirror Pool. After a moment the Pool flashed purple and I could see hundreds of spheres with images from what I assumed was all across the alternate worlds.

I dangled my summon over the Pool and spoke my summon.

“To those that would bring destruction down upon your enemies in burning rage, to those that bring terror upon those that have slighted you. To those who would see towns destroyed in the name of revenge. I care not for your so-called ‘alignment’ or ‘morality’, I care not if you seek to conquer the world or save it from tyranny, break the vial and call for the Blood and I shall answer your call, brothers and sisters of Earth, regardless.” I tossed the vial into the Mirror Pool and sensed the blood multiplying and entering the other worlds embedded deep in the Pool.

I collapsed to the ground. Man...that...took a lot out of me. I just sat there. Regaining my strength. Soaking in the serene atmosphere. Such a peaceful, calming place.

When I was finally able to stand I picked myself up and made my way to the wall with the distinct rock formation shaped kind of like an axe. I rammed the wall with my shoulder and stepped back. The wall swung open to reveal an old bedroom. I shrugged, “Better than nothing.” I lay down on the ancient bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note

TA DA!!! Done at last! This took me a while to get out.

Oh, well. Hope you guys enjoy!

The awesome Apex-Jarico has done some art for this story, be sure to go give him some love!

Trying To Forget Pain

I was busy downing shots when Wisp sat down next to me. “I heard what happened.” She said softly, pouring herself a whiskey. I just downed another shot. I didn't want to talk. “Blood, talk to me. Please. It wasn't your fault. It was a whole world away, you couldn't have done anything.”

“I should have.” I spat. “I could have. It's my fault.”

“Blood. No. It is not your fault.” She said firmly.

I looked away and downed another shot of rum, “My fault. I should have...should have done...something!” I started crying, “It’s all my fault! All those people dead! Because of me!”

“Okay...I think you’ve drunk enough.” Wisp tried to take my bottle but I shoved her away.

“Piss off! What the hell do you care anyway?! You don’t even know me!” I yelled.

She sighed, “This is why I don’t like dealing with drunks.”

“I’m not drunk!” I shouted, sowing another shot. “You’re drunk! Stupid...th...b...person!”

She groaned, “You’re totally hammered, aren’t you?”

“Go away!”

“Blood, I’m not leaving you alone like this.” She said, pouring herself some juice.

I laughed, “You’re fucking wonderful, you fucking know that, you absolute, bloody brilliant, mate!” I downed another shot.

“You’re going to hate yourself tomorrow, you know that? Just...try to take it slower. Maybe have a glass of water?”

“No!” I grabbed the bottle and drank about half of it before setting it back down with a giggle.

Wisp brought her head down into her hooves, “Oh, sweet Jesus, you’re completely fucked. How much have you drunk?” She looked around and spotted the...seven? Five? The six bottles I’d already finished. “You’ve already drunk three bottles?!”

“So what?! I can take it!”

“Yes, you’re doing such a good job, clearly.” She said dryly.

“I know I am!

“You’re slurring so bad I can barely understand you!” She groaned.

“I love you too, Wispy!” I cheered.

“Oh, bugger it, give me that bottle.” She grabbed the bottle and chugged the rest of it. “That’s good shit!”

We danced to the band’s music laughing and crying. “I fucking love this!” I shouted.

“I wish I had tits!” Wisp giggled in my ear.

“But you know what, mate?” I asked.

“What?”

“This is fun.”

I downed another shot, tears pouring down my face, “And she dumped me right there! She said I was pathetic and useless! She never even cared about me!”

“That bitch! I’m...I’m going to...I’m going to shove my horn up her ass!” Wisp growled.

“Thanks, mate, you’re a real fucking friend!”

“You what else, Blood? I fucking love...Hang on.” She turned her head and threw up.

“Rocket!” I yelled and slid him a shot. “Bottoms up!”

“This stuff won't even get me buzzed!” The raccoon boasted.

I grinned. Oh, it was on. “Really now? In that case how about a little competition?”

He downed the shot, “You’re on!”

“And what was I supposed to do, take that shit?! She made it sound like she could send me home! The fuck was I meant to do, yeah?!”

“I am Groot.” Groot nodded. Then he poked me in the heart and said gently, “I am Groot.”

I teared up, “Thanks, Groot! You know just what to say to a guy!”

“I am Groot.”

“There we were, surrounded by Royal Guards, there must have been...like, fucking thirty, yeah? And Ritual was like, not taking their shit, insulting them, and I just decided, fuck it and threw her at them!” I giggled. “She let loose this spell and about twenty of them just...exploded! Then we just...fucking legged it into the forest!”

“You were fucking mental!” Wisp laughed.

“You know it!”

“So there I was, in bed with two beautiful mares then the local warlord bursts in! Turns out that they were his daughters and I had to jump out a window to escape his swords! The a week later, I went back and stole his toilet. He ended up shitting in a bush!”

“Then I chopped his head off and freed the child slaves!” I shouted, “Then after they’d escaped Celestia showed up and I threw his head at her!”

“No!” Wisp laughed hysterically.

“Then Ritual came up behind her and…” I burst out laughing, “She threw a spear, but it...it got turned around and...the pole went inside Celestia’s arse!”

“So this big Minotaur bastard came up to me, axe and all,” Wisp said, “You know after I’d finished fucking his son and eating out his wife, at the same time, like you do, and screams at me, calling me a whore and some shit.”

“Would slut have been more appropriate?” I giggled.

“True! So there he is, ace in hand, screaming at me, when one of these Diamond Dogs comes up smacks him on the back of head with a club, knocking him out before politely asking if he could stick his cock in my ass!” We burst out laughing, “Of course I said yes, and kept him around for a few years as a good toy!”

“Scarab!” I shouted as Wisp passed out, “You got any stories?!”

“Um, no, Mr Blood, sir.” He said quietly.

“Just call me Blood, buddy!” I laughed, finishing off my...ninth? Ninth bottle of rum.

I staggered through the halls, Wisp over my shoulder. “I can walk just fine, Blood.” She complained.

I chuckled, “Nope.”

“Where are you taking me anyway?”

I kicked open the door to my room. “My bed.” I giggled.

She blushed, “Your bed? Moving a bit fast, aren’t you we just need the other-“ She let out a little scream as I tossed her onto the bed. “That was mean.” She pouted.

I chuckled, “I like you, Wisp. You’re a good person.”

“Thanks, Blood. It wasn’t your fault. You know that, right? You can’t be responsible for things a world away.”

I sighed, “I know. I just...I wish I’d been there. That I’d saved them.”

She was quiet for a minute. “We can’t save everyone, Blood. Not all the time.”

“I know.” I stripped down to my underwear and flopped onto the bed, next to Wisp, whose face was as red as a tomato.”

“Night, Wispy.”

“Wait...what?” She said, looking extremely confused.

Author's Note

Yeah, this is just a short chapter to help get me back in the swing of things.

I just realised. Blood basically drunk dialled Rocket...:facehoof:

Also, the reason the story was jumpy with no lines was to try and simulate the feeling of disorientation that comes with being drunk.