The Ringworld Warrior

A beeping sound pierced my ears, rattling around my head while I slowly floated away from the dark cold of cryostorage. I felt compression, then the pressure suddenly vanished as my suit calibrated. I opened my eyes, and they were met with my HUD. My shields were drained, but began filling up with orange once again. “Beginning diagnostics. Welcome back, Hardlight-Shines-Eternal. An unknown entity has appeared on the Halo, and is being tracked by Sentinel #1832. Current route is predicted to lead to your location.” My ancilla said, as the blue female figure appeared in the back of my mind. A red dot appeared on my motion tracker, clearly on the edges. I gave a thought, and a small rectangle appeared on the right, the same view as the Sentinel.

My eyes widened in shock, as I saw a tall white pony. I recognized the species from the reports on them, but this one was different. It had large wings, a long horn, and its mane and tail were multicolored and flowing in a nonexistent wind. I dismissed the camera, and stepped out of my pod. I blinked. The room was covered in vines, and only some lights were on. Those that were powered were flickering, apparently the power was lost. I held out my arms towards the wall by my pod, and luckily said wall cracked open, shards floating out gently in an orange glow. A pair of metallic rods floated out, with triggers on them.

I grasped them, and the remaining pieces of metal came over, forming my weapons. The barrels formed first, alloy clinking into place. As the parts slowly rebuilt as the guns calibrated to my biosignature, I listened to my suit’s ancilla. “While you were asleep, your weapons have been upgraded. They now have reactors built in, providing a limitless supply of ammunition. You must still eject the spent rounds, so the weapons may refill.”

I smiled at the news. “Thank you. That’s very useful. Any news on the entity?” I questioned, thinking about the pony.

“Entity is now fifty meters away. Sentinel #1832 is now returning to regular patrol route. Activate defenses?”

I shook my head, even though the artificial intelligence couldn’t see it. “That will not be required. The creature is a pony, but it has the characteristics of two of the main species. Send out a pair of Sentinels, and request the pony’s presence. I wish to know why it is here.”

“Working… Done.”

-------------------- Twenty Meters From Cryostorage ------------------

A pair of white objects with blue eyes floated out from an archway, towards Princess Celestia. A series of strange noises emitted from them, and they waited in front of her. A different sound pattern, and another wait. “I’m sorry. I do not understand you.”

One “blinked”, before it spoke again. This time the language was less garbled, then it spoke, “Speech pattern analyzation complete. Hardlight-Shines-Eternal requests your presence.” They turned around, and floated inside, leaving a confused Celestia.

She strode after them, looking at the foliage-covered building. It was a squat, round hut, made of a shimmering silver metal. Orange lights flickered in the distance, making the Princess uneasy. A feminine voice sounded, “Apologies. This facility has experienced power failures in the previous hundred thousand years. As such, energy has been redirected to keeping Hardlight alive. Please, do not be alarmed. The Sentinels will not attack.”

Celestia blinked. “One hundred thousand years? Keeping alive? What are you, these Sentinels, and what is this Hardlight?” Her mind whirled with questions, especially as to what this so-called facility was.

“Your questions will be answered. Hardlight is now exiting cryostorage. Please, be seated.” Came the reply.

“What seats?” Celestia asked, before a large silver chair formed out of the floor. She shook her head in confusion, then gasped as a large silver being stepped into the room.

The creature carried a large blue blade, attached by a silver handle. Then it spoke, “Greetings. I’m Hardlight-Shines-Eternal, a Forerunner. Who are you?”

-------------------- Hardlight-Shines-Eternal’s POV --------------------

I stood still as I watched the pony’s jaw opening and closing, without a sound. “I apologise if I’m intimidating, but it comes as a part of being a Warrior-Servant. What kind of pony are you? The last photos I saw were of unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies. I do not know how long I was kept in cryostorage. The facility ancilla only just woke me.”

“I-I’m Princess Celestia. I just didn’t expect for there to be anything alive here. According to the so called ancilla, you were asleep for a hundred thousand years. How is this possible in a being other than an alicorn?”

I nodded, “So you’re an alicorn. That’s new. The time explains why the Halo is barely functioning, I was lucky to survive for so long. I am a Forerunner. We, as a species, live for many thousands of years at a time. I believe you have some questions?”

Celestia blinked, “How did you know?”

I chuckled. “The Halo ancilla told my suit ancilla, which told me in turn. If there is anything you require, I will do my best to provide it. The Forerunners were friends of ponykind for a long time. I trust that it remains so?”

The Princess shook her head, “No, there are few records of you now. I lent my student Twilight Sparkle the last one, called The Forerunners, A Species Lost In Time. I thought you were but a myth myself.”

I was startled. “Is there not even a Lifeworker on the planet’s surface? I swear, there were at least five when I arrived at the Halo ring. The reason I came here was because… Of… The Flood… Oh no.”

The alicorn frowned, “What is it? What is this Halo ring you keep mentioning? And what is the Flood?”

I gazed sorrowfully at her, “The Flood was a living organism that transformed anything it touched into a part of it, converting all sentient life into a mass of flesh intent on destroying everything. The Halo rings were weapons designed to destroy the food source for the Flood, by eliminating all life above the microbial level. This one was a backup, moved here because there was no chance for the Flood to come to this system.”

“WHAT?!” Celestia yelled, a shout so powerful that it left my ears ringing.

“Would you please tone it down? I believe it is best if we leave for your planet, but I have no transport.” I said, looking at the countdown that appeared on my HUD until the power was lost for the Halo ring. It would lose control of its orbit and fall into the star, resulting in its complete annihilation.

“I can simply teleport us. Hold on for a second,” the Princess said, her horn glowing gold. Suddenly I felt like I was being stretched out, then snapped back into place. I tottered, disoriented, fighting my nausea.

“Welcome to my Royal Palace, in the capital city of Equestria, Canterlot.” the alicorn stated, as I came to my senses and looked around. I was in a large garden, that had different statues placed throughout. I stood slightly above the bushes, about half a meter higher, and I could see a large, primitive city built of cobble, straw, and plaster.

I nodded respectfully, “It is rather… Rustic, Princess. But why start caring for me so quickly? I’m just a stranger, and you said that I’m but a myth now.”

A smile appeared on her lips, I was still not sure how she did that. “You said so yourself, nearly all of your kind is dead. You treated me fairly, answered my questions, and then said that we should leave the Halo ring. I believe you earned my trust, for a legend.”

I nodded, “Ah, about that. My ancilla informed me that the Halo is going to lose power in approximately… Thirty minutes from now, and lose orbit and collapse into this planet’s sun. The facility ancilla is making sure the ring does not land on the planet instead.”

Her eyes widened, “What?! You were about to die?!”

I stated grimly, “If that is what it would take to uphold the Mantle. And I did not know until just prior, which is lucky, even for me. I’m a Warrior-Servant, I’m used to coming close to death when I fought the Flood.”

She saddened, “I am sorry that you lost your people. I truly am. Would you be willing to help us? The griffons have attacked without provocation, and I fear Equestria may fall into its first war in centuries. I have kept peace for a long time, but the griffons always were aggressive.”

I slumped, “I wish I did not have to. I do not take death lightly, otherwise the Mantle would be lost. However, I also know that peace cannot be retained forever, and one must stand and fight at a point. Records of the griffons show they were hostile to the Lifeworkers, even after they helped make their homeland more habitable. I must accept.” I unfolded my helmet, revealing my pale face. As my yellowish eyes looked around, squinting in the sunlight, I heard the Princess gasp.

“What-what happened to you? I’m sorry, that was rude…”

I simply shook my head, “It is fine. This is natural for me, caused by my mutation into the Promethean class of the Warrior-Servants. I am willing to keep my helmet on, however. May I inquire as to why you transported us to the gardens specifically?”

The Princess hid her embarrassment well, “I thought you would prefer a scenic entrance rather than appearing in a hallway.”

I waggled a finger, “Tsk, tsk. I may be a Warrior, but I am nothing if not perceptive. You wished to prevent panic amongst the nobles and upper class, and thus chose a quiet area. You feared they would react with outrage, attempt to oust me or even assassinate me, and then be held accountable for the extinction of a long-lost species. I prefer it when others are truthful, for then their honesty proves them an ally, one who can be trusted. I understand, however, and appreciate the gesture.”

Her mouth opened and closed like a fish. “How-what-how dare you insinuate such a thing?”

“I did not insinuate, I inferred. I understand that you are upset that I could read you so well. You have likely spent a long time hiding the dark things from a bright and shining people, who were once actually savages fighting. The Lifeworkers brought peace to the three tribes, and improved the land for them. It is best to avoid keeping secrets from those who wish to help you, as we all know. The Builders learned that the hard way…”

I drifted off into thought, about the dark times led by Faber, or the Master Builder. He, as well as many other Builders, kept the secret of the Flood away from the general populace, all while seeking to further their own wealth and power. Celestia sighed, “I apologize. I feared just like you said, and my behaviour was uncalled for.”

I smiled, “Now now, we’re all friends here. Except for the pony that is currently hiding in the bushes nearby, that I can hear breathing.”

Said shrubs rustled, as a startled yelp was heard. A lavender unicorn walked out sheepishly, eyes downcast. “Twilight Sparkle?! What are you doing here?” Celestia said, shocked.

“I-I wanted to see if you learned anything, then I saw you teleport with this thing, and you started talking and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to find something new and I’m so sorry Princess! Please forgive me!”

I facepalmed while the Princess began comforting the unicorn. “That is no reason to be spying on someone, and I am not a thing. I am a Forerunner, of the elite Warrior-Servants, the Prometheans, and I have reason to believe I am the last of my kind.”

The pony turned, “A Forerunner? Hah, those are just old mare’s tales!”

I frowned, and stood up, “Allow me to demonstrate.” I rose up slightly, arms spread as I summoned my Autosentry, which was lit with a bright cyan glow. It levitated and scanned the area, before locking onto the purple unicorn.

“Unknown creature. Please identify yourself,” my sentry droned, while I sat back down.

“What is THAT?!” Twilight yelled, staring at the robot.

“My Autosentry. Provided to some of the best of the Prometheans, they have unlimited charge for flight and attack. Sadly, they do not have very good armor, and as such can easily be defeated. It is rather useful that they recharge, over a period of time to redeploy. Sentry, that is Twilight Sparkle. Nonhostile. Resume patrol, do not attack.”

“Affirmative.”

I nodded in appreciation, glad that it was still functioning after several thousand years. “I was informed by your Princess that my kind had faded to simply legends. You saw the large ring in the sky, correct?” At the nod, I continued, “That was a Halo ring, a superweapon designed to kill any sentient life down to the bacterial level in a distance of several hundred light-years. That one is a backup, in case one was destroyed. They were built as a last-resort, during the Forerunner-Flood war. Eight others were built, and only seven were needed to fire to wipe out all intelligent life in the galaxy. I think they WERE fired. I know that some of my kind fled before the Flood could eliminate the remnants of my species, but I have no reason to believe that they survived. In about fifteen minutes, the ring is going to crash into the sun, resulting in its destruction. It has been active for over a hundred thousand years, and is on the very dregs of its power. I am essentially the last reminder to my fellow Forerunners, without taking into account the numerous stars we have captured to prevent their deaths, planets we have built, species we have made, and structures we have engineered.”

The pony’s jaw dropped, “You mean… You built weapons that would destroy EVERYTHING?!”

I nodded, “Yes. Otherwise the Flood would have consumed us all, then continued onto the next galaxy, and the next, and the next. If we did not fire the rings, we would not be here today. Now then, would you be willing to give me a tour of the gardens?”

We began walking, as Celestia pointed out several different statues. My gaze landed on one particular one, titled Discord. “Ah, a Draconequus. One of the more random and unique creatures on this planet. From the records, they tended to give the Lifeworkers a lot of trouble, not truly messing with them but toying around on when they attempted to understand them. Celestia, you told me that you are under the threat of war. I am willing to provide my service, but I must warn you: Forerunners take a long time to anger and bring to war, but when we do then us Warrior-Servants will crush the opponents ruthlessly, squashing them while honoring how well they fight. I do not take killing lightly, so do not send me in recklessly, but choose the most important sites. And I will attack only if provoked, rather than risk slaughtering families.

“I hope you don’t mind.”

I sat, thinking back on my history. It was not too long ago that I had fought against the Flood, when thought about in the lifetime of a Forerunner. I remembered so much, both good and terrible. From when I was a young Manipular, eager to explore the universe and find out all I could. Then my first mutation, where I joined the Warrior-Servants and learned my trade. I fought hard, earning a mutation into the Prometheans, allowing an upgrade to my armor and weapons, as well as customization. I smiled, remembering when I saw the large Hardlight Sword resting on a weapons rack, and selecting it. I modified it so it was infused with boiling plasma, providing a deadly weapon that cut through near anything with ease. The decades of learning discipline, trust and respect, comrades, and pride from my parents. My face fell, remembering that they had been some of the last to be infected by the Flood.

A pink blob suddenly appeared in front of me, only now tripping my radar. “Whyareyousosad?OHMYGOSHIjustrealizedInevergaveyouaWelcometoEquestria/OurPlanetparty!Igottagogeteverythingprepared!Bye!”

I blinked, flabbergasted by whatever just happened was. I sighed, and returned to thinking while on the train ride to Ponyville. “Maybe that pony has a Slipspace transport system. Either way, I need to understand what just occurred, if only for my sanity.” I mused, as the train continued to Ponyville, which was suspected to be the next target of the Griffons. It appeared they were going for that town specifically, likely for the so called Elements of Harmony. I shrugged, and continued thinking.

Hopefully I would not need to kill, and simply guard.

If only it were so easy.