Artorias slowly opened his eyes with a hazy vision. He blinked several times and his vision cleared out, the glow of the afternoon sun greeted his eyes; this made the atmosphere surprisingly similar to his room in Anor Londo. the first thing he felt was searing pain coursing through his body and his muscles felt heavier than a giant. But he had been through worse.

Artorias found himself lying in his bedroom in Canterlot, alone. His armor and greatsword were nowhere to be seen; the only items in his possession were his silver pendant, and magic satchell which were lying on the desk beside his bed accompanied by a jug of water and his folded tunic. Thankfully he still wore his pants. Artorias got up and sat on his bed, he raised his hands to check how bad the damage was, only to witness that they were covered in bandages. He looked down, and his torso was also wrapped in bandages; specifically on the part where Sombra's dark magic bolt had impacted. Artorias proceeded to walk towards a nearby mirror to get a better view of his body. As he got to the mirror, he witnessed that most of his body was covered in bandages which he already noticed. Aside from that, he also got numerous cuts and bruises on his face.

"Luna is not going to like this..." Artorias sighed.

He instinctively fished his satchel for his talisman, when he found it; Artorias tried to cast a healing miracle, but nothing happened. Artorias chuckled silently as he remembered the same thing happened after his return from the Abyss incident in New Londo; he needed more time to recover.

Just then, the doors swung open; revealing a unicorn stallion wearing a white lab coat which matches his fur, complete with a medical kit box on his telekinesis grip accompanied by two unicorn mares, wearing the same medical outfit that matches their coat and appearance. With various red crosses as their cutie marks. Artorias knew that they were the doctor and nurses.

"Oh, good afternoon Sir Artorias! I see you are awake. I am doctor Red Cross." The doctor introduced himself "These are nurses Remedy and Healing Spirit." he said. The nurses waved subtly in return "Please take a sit so we can check your condition."

Artorias smiled and sat back down to his bed "Good afternoon." he said while looking at both the doctor and nurses to acknowledge them "How long was I unconscious?" he asked.

"About six hours. To be honest, we didn't expect you to be awake now." Red Cross said "The wounds you suffered would have killed any other pony. But here you are."

"I guess I got lucky." Artorias said as the doctors and nurses' horns started glowing. Moments later, they cast a spell upon him; Artorias felt a tickling sensation as golden light from the spell traveled around his body. The same sensation he felt when Gwynevere's maidens used their miracles on him. And about five minutes later, they were done.

"Your condition seems pretty stable. We just cast a healing spell on you, tomorrow you should be good as new." Red Cross said "You are okay for daily activities, but don't do any intensive physical activity immediately; you know, start off slowly. And please, take a lot of rest." he said.

Artorias chuckled "Thank you doctor."

Red Cross and the nurses chuckled "Very well, if that's all, I shall let Ms Twilight Sparkle and her friends know that you are awake. I will also alert the Princesses, Prince Shining Armor, and your friend Dragonslayer Ornstein."

Artorias sighed with relief as he was finally convinced that Ornstein he saw was not his imagination; despite the increasing amount of question in his brain, Artorias got a hold of himself and thanked the doctors and the nurses once again before they walked out from the door. With that, silence took over the room once again.

Artorias took the water jug and drank the entire content , since he was extremely thirsty. After the refreshment, he retrieved his tunic and put them on; to make himself look more appropriate for the meeting.

Moments later, Artorias heard multiple footsteps outside the door.

"You ready?" Capt. Shatterstorm's voice echoed from the other side.

"Truthfully, I am nervous. It's been a long time since we met." Ornstein's voice replied.

"Come on Ornstein, you can do this!" Spike encouraged him.

With that, the door swung open; revealing Ornstein fully armored with his signature Dragonslayer Spear on his right hand and his lion helmet tucked on his left hand; exposing his equally handsome face and shoulder-long flaming red hair, a contrast to Artorias' short well kempt black hair. There were also Capt. Shatterstorm with his squad, and of course the Main Six with Spike; accompanied by Princesses Celestia and Cadance with Shining Armor by her side. But Luna, was nowhere to be seen.

Ornstein dropped his spear and helmet before dashing towards Artorias and gave him a tight bear-hug; Artorias returned the hug, but not without grunting and squirming in pain, this caused everypony else to snicker.

"Sorry." Ornstein smiled sheepishly as he broke the hug "It's been far too long brother." he said as he patted Artorias shoulder.

"It is, my brother." Artorias smiled "How--"

Ornstein chuckled, "We can talk about that later, we've got a lot to discuss." He stated "but now, I am sure they want to talk to you." With that, Ornstein moved out of the way.

Celestia, Cadance, and Shining Armor stepped forward, seeing this Artorias and Ornstein bowed in respect; but Artorias grunted with pain, causing Ornstein to immediately help him.

"Both of you, please." Cadance said "We should be the ones bowing to you right now."

"Well, if you insi--" Ornstein yelped when he received an elbow to his side by Artorias. Everypony snickered at this.

"Hey! what'd you do that for?!" Ornstein asked with an annoyed tone, rubbing his side.

"To keep your ego from being overfed." Artorias replied with a smirk.

Celestia and Shining chuckled "Cadance is right Artorias, without you; we will not be here right now. And without Ornstein, who quickly applied first aid with a combination of magic and herbs you won't be here right now." Shining said.

"Thank you brother, that makes us even then." Artorias smiled. Which Ornstein returned.

"We and all of Equestria are in your debt once again." Celestia said.

"I am just doing my duty." Artorias replied with a smile.

Celestia chuckled "But this time, please let us do something for you in return. I insist." Celestia stated, Artorias knowing it was not his place to reject the offer, chuckled and nodded.

"Ooh Artyyyyyy!" Pinkie's signature high-pitched voice pierced through the air, followed by a zip of pink blur dashing towards Artorias at an incredible speed; rivaling that of Ornstein's. Artorias braced himself for the hug, but he was tackled to the ground due to his severely weakened condition by the pink party mare who proceeded to hug him tightly on his neck causing him to tap on the ground repeatedly.

"I am so so so so sorry! But now we can celebrate yay-Artorias- has-returned-and-not-dead party!" She declared with that signature smile of her's. Artorias couldn't help but to smile and patting her on the back before standing back up with Ornstein's help.

"Pinkie! How uncouth!" Rarity scolded her pink friend before advancing with the rest of her friends; but Rainbow lagged behind them, her Uchigatana strapped to her hip and her eyes staring at the ground. A contrast to her confident attitude. "How are you feeling darling? When you passed out with those wounds on your body we were very concerned." She stated. Getting acknowledgements from the others.

"Never better Rarity. Never better." Artorias chuckled as he looked at his friends to assure them "Did anypony get hurt?"

"No, Artorias." Twilight immediately replied "Aside from you, nopony got hurt."

"That's good to hear." Artorias replied, before turning his head to Rainbow's direction. "Rainbow, what's wrong?" He asked while kneeling on his right knee.

Rainbow inhaled raggedly, before flying towards him; locking her front hoofs behind his neck before weeping on his shoulder. Artorias was stunned by Rainbow's reaction; never before he saw his friend and student like this. Artorias returned the hug while gently stroking her silky multicolored mane.

Ornstein was stunned as well, seeing Artorias' reaction to what would have been considered an animal on their world. He was not disgusted, but he was still trying to collect his mind on how he got to this new world and much less meeting his long-lost brother and being treated as one of their own, not as an outsider.

"It's fine Rainbow, it's fine." Artorias said with a soft tone as she hugged him tightly.

"You are *sob* hurt because *sob* of me!" Rainbow said between her tears.

Artorias sighed and cupped her chin with his left arm, staring deeply into her eyes with a comforting manner. This caused Rainbow to stop crying at once.

"Look Rainbow, what's done is done. It's not your fault, and besides; that was the bravest thing I had ever seen." Artorias said with a smile.

They broke the hug and Rainbow landed in front of him with a soft smile. "Are we still on good terms?"

Artorias nodded with a smile and ruffled her mane playfully "But next time, when I am not there to protect you; be ready." With that, Rainbow nodded and she proceeded to take off her sword and gave it to Artorias. But before she could return to her friends, Artorias stopped her.

"Rainbow..." Artorias said while unsheathing the uchigatana before sheathing it back to its scabbard and handing it to Rainbow, who stared at him with a mix of excitement and confusion.

"Keep this, you deserve it." Artorias smiled while handing Rainbow the katana; who accepted it with open hoofs "remember to--"

"Clean and repair everytime I am done using it, I know. Thank you so much Artorias, I won't fail you." Rainbow smiled. Artorias nodded, and Rainbow returned to her friends with her signature confident pose as her friends congratulated her.

Ornstein gave Artorias a pat on Artorias' shoulder.

"Back from the brink, Captain?" Shatterstorm said while advancing towards him with his squad with Light Lasher carrying Ornstein's helm and spear in his telekinesis grip.

"Having you not driving your spear through my heart is more likely." Artorias replied with a chuckle. Ornstein stared at him with an astonished look in his eyes.

"I'll explain everything later." Artorias smirked. With that, Light Lasher stepped forward and gave Ornstein his equipment back, Ornstein thanked him.

"Where is Sif?" Artorias asked.

"She is at the barracks, as usual. Sif is currently engaged in a combat simulation with the guards." Shatterstorm replied.

During the entire month, Sif had proven herself to be a mascot of the Royal Guards. She participated in a lot of demonstrations and simulations with the guards. Artorias and Sif aided them significantly in dealing with larger threats such as manticores, and ursa minors. Even at some points, ursa majors and dragons.

"It's good to have you back sir." Hurricane said with a smile. "Your sword and armor are currently being repaired by our blacksmiths, your sword is fine only a couple of scratches here and there but your armor's not in a good shape; but they can work with it. They said they will be done tomorrow."

"Tell the blacksmiths to take their time. Remembering what the doctor just told me I don't think I will be needing them tomorrow. Thank you, all of you." Artorias returned the smile, with that the guards saluted; which he returned.

"Everypony" Celestia began "Lets leave Sirs Artorias and Ornstein alone, they've got a lot to talk about." With that, everypony said their 'get well soon's and left the room.

"Oh, Artorias." Celestia said while poking her head through the door, smiling "Luna will visit later, she is on an errand at the moment. She should be back by nightfall."

"Oh, I see...thank you Celestia." Artorias replied with a smile. Celestia nodded, and closed the door; leaving the two great knights alone.

"So...you are a pony royal guard captain now? and who is this Luna?" Ornstein asked as he took a seat on one of the room's chairs. Putting his helmet on a table in front of him and leaning his spear to the wall "You seemed happy when the Princess informed you about her." He smirked.

"Honorary captain. I am helping to train them. Luna is the Princess of the Night, younger sister to Princess Celestia, and aunt to Princess Cadance. I am surprised you could get along with the ponies so quickly." Artorias smirked back while taking a seat on a chair in front of him "How did you get here?"

"I died. I expected to be in the afterlife by now, but here I am in a world of multicolored talking ponies and seeing your bloody ass once again. That's quite an afterlife for me." Ornstein chuckled.

"I guess we are really brothers to the end, and beyond." Artorias replied "How did you?"

"This may sound ridiculous, but..." Ornstein paused and sighed "An undead killed me."

Artorias' ears perked up when he heard those words "Don't you worry brother, as powerful as we are compared to the humans...we are still made of flesh and blood, just like them." he paused "In fact, an undead killed me too."

"I guess you are right. I have a new found respect for the humans, after one of them drove a sword through my heart." Ornstein let out a chuckle, shaking his head.

"Oh? Mind telling me the whole story?" Artorias asked.

"Artorias, always straight to the point." Ornstein chuckled "Well then..."

Anor Londo
Anor Londo Cathedral, Lordran

Empty halls, echoes of blowing wind, and silent knights. These were the daily phenomena of the deserted city of Anor Londo, the once great city of the gods, now a husk of its former self. But suddenly, the silence was broken by the clattering noises from the central part of the cathedral.

Dragonslayer Ornstein twirled his spear in the air before doing a solid thrust, slaying another of his imaginary opponent. Smough was sitting not far behind him, cleaning his blood-stained greathammer. The same hammer he used to crush the skulls of his victims and grind their bones for his meal. These were their daily routines, aside from their main task to guard the cathedral alongside the illusion of Gwynevere. For three hundred years.

Deep in his heart and mind, Ornstein knew he should have gone with Gough and Ciaran on the day they left, looking for his best friend; Artorias. But he knew he had to stay, to assure the power of his lord continue to exist. In dire frustration, he yelled and planted the tip of his spear on the floor, resulting in a loud metalic clang and startling Smough a bit.

"Something bothering you Dragonslayer?" Smough asked with a deep, heavy voice while continuing to clean his hammer. More to sarcasm than concern.

Ornstein fell on one of his knees, his hand clutching the midsection of his spear. Gazing at the closed entrance gates. The last time they were opened was when Gough and Ciaran left for Oolacile. How he had missed them dearly. He got up on his feet, turned around, and nodded at Smough as an acknowledgement for his previous inquiry before heading towards his private elevator. To visit the illusion of Gwynevere.

Ornstein walked towards the entrance with a steady pace before pushing the double doors open, also taking off his helmet in the process. And there, the illusion of Gwynevere remain seated; bearing the same illusory smile each time he entered the room. A smile he really came to love when Gwynevere was still with them.

"I should have gone with them..." Ornstein said monotonously, in front of an illusion. Tears welling up in his eyes, emotions kept for centuries were finally released at that moment. "TALK TO ME!" Ornstein yelled on the top of his lungs, but Gwynevere's illusion remained silent. At this moment, tears began running down his cheeks.

Suddenly he felt a new presence entering the threshold of the cathedral; a feeling he has not felt for centuries. Ornstein quickly wiped away his tears, put his helmet on, grabbed his spear, and exited the room; closing the door behind him. Ornstein was hoping that it'd be Ciaran, Gough, or Artorias. Maybe the three of them. But what met his eyes showed him otherwise, instead of his friends; his eyes were greeted by a peculiar sight. An undead clad in Astoran armor. wielding a straight sword and shield of the same origins. Smough was standing at the ready. Ornstein felt an incredible amount of power emitting from the undead before him. A good challenge to his skills.

Ornstein vaulted from the ledge, landing in front of his executioner companion, brandishing his spear at the newcomer. The Undead readied himself, sword and shield at the ready. Seeing the Dragonslayer and the Executioner, he knew he must end the fight quickly.

Ornstein charged his spear and shot a lightning bolt at the undead, seeing this; the undead rolled away from the bolt's line of collision, impacting the wall behind him, shattering it. The lightning bolt missed the Chosen Undead by (literally) an inch, shattering his pauldron and electrocuting him. The Chosen One knew that if he took another hit like that, he was finished.

Smough charged with his hammer, ready to squash the Chosen One. Taking a quick sip from his Estus Flask, The undead's honed reflexes kicked in; sliding underneath the executioner and slicing both of his legs,causing blood to gush rapidly from the wound. It was merely a flesh wound to Smough, but those were enough to stun him. Seizing his chance, the Chosen Undead took his talisman and raised it high to the air; as fast as that, a large spear of lightning was summoned from the talisman and in a lightning speed was thrown and impacted Smough directly at his chest, shattering his armor and exposing his chest cavity. The smell of burnt flesh began to fill the room's atmosphere.

Ornstein was stunned by how powerful this Undead was, not only was he capable of using the very weapon that lord Gwyn, himself, his fellow knights, and Lord Gwyn's army used to destroy the Ancient Dragons, but also capable of taking down his companion with three swift blows; which normally would require at least six Silver Knights to do so. In an instant, Ornstein glided over to his fallen comrade, placed his hand respectfully on Smough's body and absorbed his powers. Suddenly, Ornstein and his spear grew to an immense size. Seeing this, the undead sheathed his straightsword and took a greatsword from his satchel to even the odds.

Ornstein tried to skewer the undead with his spear, but the Chosen Undead side-stepped the attack and dashed towards the dragon slaying knight, between his legs. Causing the legendary dragon slaying spear The Chosen Undead quickly cleaved both of Ornstein's legs with his greatsword with a spinning motion, slicing through the armor like a can opener and causing massive wounds on the exposed skin, flesh, and bone. The Chosen Undead quickly drew his catalyst and fired a soul spear towards the incapacitated knight. The soul spear impacted Ornstein's chest, dealing a devastating damage to him.

Ornstein screamed in pain and fell to the ground with a loud thud. Loosing a massive amount of blood and his legs crippled he knew he was done for; but no matter, maybe he will be with his friends soon and ending his tormenting task. The Undead walked towards the fallen Ornstein with his greatsword brandished, ready to end his life.

"Wait..." Ornstein said with his remaining strength, and with a loud pained grunt; turned his body to face the Chosen Undead. Seeing this, the Undead stopped in his tracks, willing to listen to his enemy's last words. "Brave Undead,It has been an honor to be your enemy. You have my respect." Ornstein said while bowing his head, the Undead bowed to him in return "Now, finish what you have started..."

With that, the Undead stepped forward and held his greatsword with both hands and thrust his sword deep into the Dragonslayer's heart before pulling it back out, causing Ornstein to scream inhumanly and blood gushing out from the wound.

Ornstein's vision started to go blurry and his body felt light, after centuries of both guarding the Cathedral and withstanding the intense amount of emotional pain, he was freed from his burdens by a species he considered inferior; but now, the word respect couldn't describe his admiration and respect to the inferiors. Artorias was right after all about them. As his body started to fade away, flashes during the times of glory and good times with his friends began to play in front of him like a spectacle. Ornstein smiled underneath his helmet as he was finally free.

"My...friends...I...will be...with you...soon."

"And after that, everything I saw was darkness...and darkness." Ornstein paused as he wiped a tear on his cheek "But then, I realized that I shrunk back to my original size, my spear is in my grasp, and I am fully armored and supplied. And then a gate appeared in front of me, just by standing near the gate I could feel distress emitting from whatever lies on the other side, yet I also felt an extremely familiar presence so I went through the gate and suddenly I was standing in the Crystal Empire." He paused "It was then when I saw you collapsing to the ground, and you know the rest."

"Ornstein...what happened to Lordran?" Artorias asked with an anguished tone. Tears started welling in his eyes.

Ornstein sighed and told him everything. How Lord Gwyn linked the First Flame, how the Darksign spread among the humans like wildfire, as an unwanted consequence of Gwyn sacrificing himself to the First Flame . How the gods abandoned Anor Londo and eventually Lordran in dire fear of the curse. How the Undead were corralled to the Northern Asylum, locked away, awaiting the end of the world.

"But, above all else I told you...I refuse to believe that Ciaran and Gough perished while looking for you." Ornstein said "They are strong, maybe they are just elsewhere, living another live."

"You are right, even if they do..." Artorias paused, wiping away his tears "I don't think they want us to shed our tears for them over and over again."

"It's good of you to say so my friend." Ornstein said while giving a pat on Artorias' shoulders, getting up from his seat and grabbing his spear "Now, I shall leave you to rest. If you need me, I will be next door. That mare, Rarity; kept on asking about my armor. And everyone- er, pony in general are just curious about me."

Artorias chuckled "Then you should talk to them, or they will probably gouge your eyes out." Ornstein stared at him.

"Just bloody joking, go on then."

"You still have that sense of humor, don't you?" Ornstein said while giving him a jab on his shoulder "Oh, that last spar of ours; I am looking forward to continue where we left."

"I accept your challenge!" Artorias stood up with a burning spirit, only for him to grunt in pain, clutching his rib cage "After I get better of course."

Ornstein smiled and walked towards the door, preparing to make his leave.

"Ornstein." Artorias called.

"Yes?"

"It's good to have you back brother." Artorias said with a smile.

"And it's good to have you back." Ornstein replied, with that he exited the room. Leaving Artorias alone in his room once again.

"So much for that...I better rest." Artorias spoke monotonously, carefully getting on his bed, and before he knew it he was fast asleep once again.

Artorias woke up from his slumber as the rays of Luna's moon shone through his windows. He looked around, and as he expected he was alone. He tried to go back to sleep, but waking up from two sleeping sessions forbade him to do so.

Knowing he could sleep later that night, Artorias got up from his bed. Pacing on his room; walking in his combat stance to practice his muscles. As doctor Red Cross said before, the healing spell he and the nurses cast on him made his body feel better; although during the walk his body was still raked by pain.

It was then when Artorias' doors slowly swung open, he walked towards the door and there in front of him stood the Princess of the Night; herself.

"Hello Artorias." Luna said with a warm smile. But Artorias knew that her smile was just a cover up, he knew there was some other feeling buried in her heart. Her should-be expression when she saw his condition.

Artorias bowed his body a bit "Hello Luna." he replied with a smile, her eyes glowed with a tranquil light. Like the moonlight.

"Can I come in?" she asked.

"You don't have to ask, this is your castle after all."

"So, how are you?" Luna asked as the two sat on his bed.

"I am fine, and you?" Artorias said. Quite a contrary to his actual condition.

"I am fine..." Luna said nonchalantly. Her tone of speech sounded wrong for him, so he decided to get to the point.

"Luna, tell me...what's wr--"

"Artorias, you nearly died!" Luna snapped at him, exposing her true emotions "How is that fine?! I thought you were...*sob* " Luna's eyes had lost their usual glow, changed into that of fear and sorrow. Tears flowing out of them.Seeing this, Artorias brought her into a comforting hug.

"I am very sorry Luna..." Artorias said with a soothing tone, stroking her ethereal starry mane to comfort her as she cried into his chest "I...broke my promise to you." he let Luna cried into his chest for a while until her crying receded into sobs, Luna raised her head from Artorias' chest staring at his eyes.

"Artorias, all that matters to me now is that you are safe and alive." she said "Just promise me something..."

"Anything." Artorias quickly replied.

"Don't you ever leave me again."

"I promise." Artorias said as they broke the hug, by this moment the glow on Luna's eyes had returned to their usual state, staring at him with a smile.

"But, are you still going to take me somewhere nice?" Luna asked teasingly.

"Don't push your luck." Artorias returned the gesture "Tomorrow, it is then."

"Then you should go to bed, you need a lot of rest." Luna said.

"I fell asleep two times, Princess." Artorias said "I can't sleep."

"I can help you with that." Luna said with a smirk, suddenly Luna's horn glowed and connected her horn to Artorias' forehead. After a moment, she pulled her horn away.

"What spell was that?" Artorias asked with a yawn. Lying down on his bed once again "A sleeping spell?"

Luna nodded "I use them occasionally when Tia can't sleep, sometimes on Canterlot and Ponyville." she said while pulling his blanket for him. "You will fall asleep soon."

"Thank you, Luna. See you tomorrow."

Luna inched her muzzle to Artorias' head and gently kissed his forehead; much to his surprise. But before he could say anything, the spell took over him and once again he drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Author's Note

Finally an update,yaayyyy!

Sorry for the delay guys, assignments have been kicking my ass lately. And I have to make a lot of changes in the original script. I hope you understand.

Tell me your thoughts!