Chapters Tale of Two: Guard and Adventurer
Canterlot Gardens<
There was nothing. I could not see, feel, smell, I couldn’t even breath.
I felt a pressure on my chest, trying to crush me. I try to scream as my old friend pain decides to make itself known. I struggle as I feel something give and the sound of something crumbling fills my ears. As it progresses I find myself tumbling from what seems like a pedestal.
I grunt as I fall to the ground. My face deciding the grass was a comfy place to be this time of day. After a few minutes of trying to control my breathing, and sort my thoughts I try to move. With what seems like a titanic effort I push myself to a sitting position, and view my surroundings.
“Where the hell am I?” I whisper as I see a guard turn a corner coming towards me, his armor glistening in the light of the torch he carried. I steady my breathing as the torch illuminates me to him. I weakly wave him over when he stalls several feet from me.
I clench my sides and cover my mouth as a sudden jolt of pain shoots through me, as it peaks I start coughing violently. Bringing my hand away from my mouth I see a generous amount of blood coated the gloved appendage.
The guard, seeing the blood seems to have come to a conclusion, and rushes to my side. “Look, I have no idea who you are, or why you’re here. You are under arrest for trespassing on castle grounds after hours, and destroying the crown’s property, but for now let’s get you to the medical wing.”
I was about to give the rookie a mouthful, but before I could another spasm of pain wracked my body. As I continued to cough I felt the stallion pick me up in his arms grunting as he did so, and then held me like a damn damsel. I could feel myself slipping away, so I asked one question to make sure I could find this stallion later, and kick his ass for not showing the proper respect. “What’s your name?” I whisper.
“Shining Armor, and you have a right to remain silent.” I heard him say, before my vision went black.
Shining Armor<
“How is she doc?” I ask as I stood outside the room with the trespasser, a unicorn stallion with a clipboard in his hands having just exited said room.
The stallion pauses for a moment before telling me, “Give me an hour in my office to check over the information acquired, and you’ll have your answers.” With that the stallion left me to my thoughts.
With a sigh I lean back against the wall and cross my arms. I look into the room as I pondered what I knew. While protocol stated that I should be back patrolling the grounds in case of any other trespassers, this wasn’t something I could overlook. I have caught a multitude of trespassers trying to sneak into the castle before, and some even needed medical attention after the confrontation. When this happened I would drop them off here at the guard infirmary, and continue on with my rounds. Hay, some of them even damaged statues like this one did.
None of them however, wore armor made for a captain of the royal guard.
If it was anything less than this I would have turned in the object as evidence at her trial, but armor for a captain is designed specifically to fit the captain’s frame. Not only that, armor made for a captain is incompatible with any other individual but the one it was made for.
I pull myself out of my musings as the doctor returned, “She has several broken ribs. I have been unable to remove the armor from her, as it seems to nullify magic and there is no visible way to remove it physically. Despite this I expect her to be walking a day from now, and to be fully recovered by the second.”
I stare at him as he delivers the last bit. “Only two days? With several broken ribs I would have expected her to be out for at least a week without healing magic.”
“Normally that would be the case, but something seems to be healing her at a monstrous rate even if you compare it to Princess Celestia’s own rate of healing injuries. I don’t know what’s making the healing process accelerate as it is, but that she needed to be healed is what’s troubling me.”
“Shining Armor, the armor she has on right now is completely useless, as the runes engraved in it are shattered. However, from what I’ve deduced this armor was created by a master, and was made in a way that nothing short of Princess Celestia striking it would even scratch it.
That got my attention, as well as my suspicion, “Wait it’s able to nullify anything short of an alicorn attack, yet it’s destroyed? What has that much power?”
This worried me, as I knew the Princess was away so it ruled her out. If it took an attack from somepony on par with her to destroy the trespasser’s armor…
“That’s what’s troubling me Shining Armor.”, the doctor started again. “Princess Celestia hasn’t struck another being since Ironhoof, the second captain of the guard. Yet the readings I got tells me that she was indeed struck by such an attack.”
“So we’re dealing with an unknown assailant? Also… second captain? Ironhoof was the first captain of the guard.”
The doctor pauses for a moment before asking, “How long have you been captain, Shining Armor?”
I recognised the guarded tone telling me he didn’t know how much he could tell me. “I was promoted a week ago.”
The stallion gives me a look before sighing, “Captain… When the princess returns you might want to ask her for the truth about the first captain. Now I’d suggest you get back to your patrol before somepony notices your absence. It wouldn’t look good on your record to have an unfinished patrol a week after you were promoted.”
I look at the doctor, then glance at the trespasser through the window of her room. ‘Was she running from something?’ I thought, as I turn back to the doctor. After a moment I finally say, “Send somepony for me when she wakes up.” I then grab my spear, and head out to finish my patrol.
For the ponies the Everfree forest was a strange place, where monsters and dangerous creatures inhabited. However unknown to anypony the everfree forest was the home to someone. Deep within the forests themselves stood a cave with a stoned being. Creaks slowly formed on the ancient statue.
Walking down the way was a creature that looked right at home in everfree forest. He was a miss match of dozens of creatures. However this wasn’t any average everfree being. “I can’t believe Nightmare was that stupid, oh well Tia gets Lulu back.” He said as he walked up to the cave.
The creature paused as he saw the stone finally give way. “It can’t be.” the miss match being said as he caught the now free being.
“Discord.” The being said weakly, as he fell unconscious. The creature now known as Discord picked him up. His face in shocked.
“If you're freed that means...” Discord and the being were gone in a flash, teleported to Discord’s residence. All around was different objects, gold, and gems. There were swords, armor pieces, potions, and spell books scattered across the room.
Discord placed him down and pulled out a few potions.
I awoke on a bed made of plants and furs. As I sat up I gave a hiss. My body was very stiff, not moving for so long really took its toll. “Allen... you're awake.” I heard a familiar voice.
Discord my friend and fellow adventurer. “Discord, so how long has it been?” I asked as a vile entered my vision from the smell it was a soup mixed with a lesser healing potion. My stomach rumbled as I realized how hungry and tired I was. I took it from him and drank it.
Discord looked away and Whispered something. “Sorry, I couldn't make that out.” Discord turned to me.
“A thousand years.” Wow thats a long time to be imprisoned in stone. Stupid curse.
“So I take it that you been staying here for that long?” I asked. Discord gave me a look and nodded.
“As far as Tia’s concerned I rule the Everfree Forest.” Discord said with a laugh. With my energy returned to me I stood up. I picked out a huge sword and strapped it to my back. Having high speed regeneration really had its advantages.
“Well then were the nearest settlement?” I asked Discord. He thought it over for a moment.
“There a little town called Ponyville nearby, I occasionally take on the form of a pony to walk in there to get supplies.” Discord said. I turned to him as I fixed my outfit. The armor was in place as was the cape. My gloves and boots I made sure to clean out.
“Let’s get going then. I’m sure Celestia would want to see us again, and besides my sister should be free as well. After all it was the same curse that got us both.” I said. Discord nodded as we walked out heading for the edge of everfree forest. Seems the beasts knew who Discord was, as they barely made an appearance. Man I was really looking forward to a fight. We finally came to edge of the forest and saw the town itself. “Lets go introduce ourselves then.”
Tale of Two: Guard and Adventurer
Flashback, Meet and Greet
I kicked the griffin off The Sun’s Wrath as I glanced over the battlefield. Countless ponies and griffins littered the forest unmoving. I adjusted the straps on The Moon’s Shadow as the field experienced a momentary break in the action.
I tighten my grip on my sword as I scanned the area for my next opponent, my left arm rising reflexively as I heard something closing in overhead. I grunt as I feel what I assumed to be a spear collide with The Moon’s Shadow. A second later my guess is verified as I see the weapon fall to the ground. Looking up I see two griffins dive bombing me one of them still holding a spear in its talons, I enter a defensive stance waiting for them to fly into range.
After a second, I thrust both my shield and my sword forward. My actions earn me a startled squawk and a sudden weight on both, lowering my shield slightly I see the armed griffin struggling to stay in flight, and the other impaled on my sword. Bringing them together I withdraw my sword the weight transferring to my shield for a moment before another body hits the ground. The armed griffin glares at me before turning around and flying away.
I take a moment to catch my breath as my eyes flicked back and forth. My body froze as I saw smoke coming from the direction of the castle.
I break into a run, heading for the castle, praying that everyone was alright. I burst through the treeline, and see something that turns my blood to ice...
The castle was burning.
I see the castle servants fleeing from the battle as I sprinted forward. I saw the pegasi that were still standing trying to save the castle from the inferno by summoning rainclouds. The unicorns were creating storms to bring the griffins to the ground, and the earth ponies were trying to protect the civilians. Several running shield first into large groups of griffins to buy others time.
I lunge forward, running another griffin through as I reach the front gates. I start shouting commands to the guards as I turn to face several more griffins trying to surround me.
“Everypony activate your armors!”
“Pegasi! I want a category three tornado in the clearing. No griffins are to leave the ground!”
“Unicorns! I want a storm that blocks out the sky I want those fires history!”
“Earth Ponies! I want a defensive wall around the unicorns, and I want it yesterday!”
Ponies scramble as they try to carry out the orders. A second later I am shoulder to shoulder with fifty plus earth ponies, and I feel the air pressure dropping. Thunder booms as griffins dropped out of the sky, the vacuum from the tornado making them ground bound. Several spears bounce off the shield wall the earth ponies made before the tornado started redirecting their trajectory.
As soon as I see every griffin in the area hit the ground and the sky blocked out by the clouds I ordered the earth ponies to attack.
“Earth Ponies!! Primordial Spikes!”
The earth ponies discarded their weapons and shrugged their shields onto their backs as all of them raised their hands above their heads, and as one all fifty plus of them slammed them into the earth.
It was devastating. Stone spikes shot out from the earth impaling countless griffins. The earth ignored the unicorns and the pegasus, but brought its full wrath against the battle hardened birds. Many squawked in surprise or fear, seeing so many of their comrades killed in an instant.
The tornado slowed down and the pegasi became visible again, all of them glaring at the surviving griffins. The unicorns and the earth ponies also gave the birds glares as if daring them to attack again.
The griffins retreated, and the cheers that followed were deafening.
After the griffins disappeared over the horizon almost everypony collapsed. The final attack straining their bodies and minds to their limits.
I huffed as the adrenaline started wearing off and looked over how many of the guard was still standing and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the castle was still standing as well.
However the victory was short lived. The pegasi who had flown to disburse the storm suddenly found themselves wingless, and screamed as they fell from the sky. The unicorns who attempted to catch them couldn’t as their horns were removed. The earth ponies cried out as arrows pierced through their heads.
Walking up to a unicorn was a hooded being with an oversized sword. With a swing of the huge weapon the head of the unicorn came clean off as he moved with grace though the lines. Several ponies tried to stop the being from approaching, but they found their hooves were stuck to the cobblestone and a moment later found themselves on the ground with a hole in their chests. With a final impairment the hooded being walked up with his blade in hand. Coming up from behind the hooded figure was the god of chaos himself.
“Looks like this was another pyrrhic victory.”, the hooded figure said. I despised these two beings; for the whole war was going nowhere because of them. Whenever we claimed a victory these two came and inflicted enough damage to render it null and void.
“Come on Renna, no smile?”, the hooded figure asked, and with a flash a white blade with a glowing magical orb appeared it was five feet long yet he held it like it weighed nothing. The rune blade glowed with the magic within.
I looked around at the scene before me, trying to memorize every face of the guards that were cruelly cut down. I see Darkhoof lying in a pool of blood, and Kooper trying to stop the bleeding from his stump of a leg. I turn back to the figure, my arms shaking in fury. I feel something snap as his hood shifts and I see him smiling.
“This. Is not. A GAME !” I screech at him. I feel my wings manifest on my back warming up the castle grounds as the flames took shape. My sword and shield transformed, the sword becoming a blade of pure sunlight, while the shield became a swirling void.
“Allen .” I spoke, my voice saturated with magic. “This ends today, you have been found guilty of your crimes. Choose: Trial by combat, or a quick and painless death .”
The hood was replaced by a suit of armor a spell quickly followed bathing it in light. “Given my healing factor the second choice is impossible.” His blade glowed.
“I choose option one, are you prepared to die?” He said with his blade in a fighting stance.
I screamed in rage as I flew towards him.
“ THAT IS ENOUGH !”, a voice bellowed from the sky.
My eyes snap open, as I feel something pinn me to the ground. I try to shake the being off only to be headbutted by them. I froze at what happened next ,“Enough, Renna! Thou are not getting up until We say so!”
I recognized that voice, it belonged to somepony I considered a sister. “...Luna?” I asked, forcing my eyes to focus on the pony above me. A dark blue muzzle comes into focus as she smiles down at me.
“We are glad to have thou back among the living Captain.”
“Captain?” I hear somepony ask beside us. Turning I find that both Celestia and the guard who doesn’t know jack about protocol beside us, and I am laying on a bed. “Captain of what?”
Both Luna and I frown at Celestia. I knew I had been out for a little bit since I woke up in a patient’s bed, but not enough for the guard to get as sloppy as this one was. Turning to the unicorn I address this point, “A guard always addresses a superior by name and rank maggot. That is Captain Renna to you, and you’d best remember it.”
The unicorn sputters for a moment before giving me what I think is a ‘glare’. “I have no idea who you think you are, but I’m Captain Shining Armor, and will be addressed as such.”
I give the unicorn a bored look before turning to Celestia with a raised eyebrow… Only to find her rubbing her forehead.
“Shining Armor,” Celestia started. “Meet Captain Renna, the first captain of the royal guard, and its founder. Renna, meet Shining Armor, the current captain of the royal guard.”
I frown, and turn back to the unicorn finding a similar expression on his face. I look him over again trying to find something positive to say for my ‘successor’, but everything he has done and said has been sloppy at best.
I turn back to Celestia and tell her what I think. “Bullshit.”
Shining Armor’s head whipped around as he leveled another ‘glare’ at me. “Hey, you can’t tal-”
“Bullshit”,I said cutting him off, “you can’t be a captain of the guard. You don’t even meet the minimum requirements to try out for the position.”
“...And just what are the requirements?”, Shining Armor asked with a raised eyebrow.
“For a unicorn they would need to be at least a level four to even try out for the position. Considering the amount of magic you’re giving off I’d classify you at a high level three, although I’m being generous with that rating.” I give him another glance over before I add, “I bet you couldn’t even hold a barrier around a city for a day without dropping it.”
Shining Armor sputters again before telling me something that makes me cringe in horror.
“I’ll have you know ‘captain’ that I was ranked at the top of my class.”, he states a hint of pride in his voice. “And furthermore nopony has done something like that since the seventeenth captain of the guard Nightshade. Who repelled an invading force at the battle of Canterlot over seven hundred years ago”
I turn to Luna who was still on top of me, ”How long have I been gone for?”
Luna turns her head away from me and I quickly turn my gaze to Celestia who looks at me with a pained expression.
“A thousand years Renna.”
I felt the world stop for a moment as my mind processed this. ‘A thousand years? People don’t live for thousands of years… and neither do ponies… Oh God. They’re all gone. Kooper, Nightwing, Chrysalis, they’re all gone!’ I clinch my fists as I feel my eyes moistening, and push these thoughts away with a more pressing thought. ‘If this stallion is the best we’ve got now, then by God as my witness I’m going to make him one of the best. We’re going to need it if the guard has sunk as low as I think they have.’
I shift my gaze back to Luna, “Princess,” she looks at me again. “Can I get up? Shining Armor and I have to have a talk.”
Luna pauses for a moment before nodding her head, “We suppose We can allow this.” she says as she climbs down off the bed. It’s then that I realize that she’s the size of a teenage filly.
I shook my head derailing that train of thought for the moment. ‘Start training first, then catch up on what has happened.’
Sitting up, I hiss as my muscles pop from disuse before I turn back to Shining Armor.
“Shining Armor,” I start, grabbing his attention “give me a report of all you can do, and your daily routine for training. You said you were the best in your class, but right now you’re downright pitiful. I’m going to change that, and by the time we’re done, you’re going to live up to your title of captain.”
Shining Armor looks at Celestia as if asking what to do, and after a few seconds she nods her head a letter appearing before her as she did.
“Alright, we’ll stop by the training room and get started, are you ready to go?”, He asks me standing up as he does so.
I’m about to reply, but Celestia beats me to it, “I’m sorry Shining Armor, but a situation has come up. We all need to head for Ponyville right now.” She turns to me and tells me something that makes my blood boil, “Renna… Your brother has made an appearance.”
“......FU-”
Discord and I came walking out of the everfree forest as he filled me in on what happened. “So Luna went crazy and attempted to bring about endless night, and Celestia had to banish her. Thus she lost her connection to the elements, and now Luna is back to normal?” I said summing up everything Discord told me.
“Pretty much. After Celestia left the everfree forest I effectively became its ruler being the single most powerful force in the forest and all.” Discord said. As we walked up we saw this yellow pegasus with a long pink mane outside with animals.
“Hey.” Discord said. The moment she turned to us and looked in fear. She then took off running. I turned to Discord and gave him a glare. “What?” He asked. I sighed, we did kinda come out of the everfree forest decked out in full armor.
“Let me do the talking next time.” I told him. We walked a bit along to the town. However I felt my danger sense flaring up behind me. “Discord, something’s about to attack us.” I was proved right a moment later when a rainbow maned pegasus tried to dive-bomb us.
Discord turned around and used his powers to stop the pegasus by removing her wings. She fell on the ground with a thud. However my sense flared again. A lasso was seen coming at me. I pulled out a sword from my hammer space and cut it in half, an orange earth pony glared at us from a distance, the other end of the lasso in her hands. “Well this can’t get worse.”
A lavender Unicorn was seen walking up to us. “Ok thats it.” Discord exclaimed and used his magic to stop everything.
“Discord can you let them down.” I told him. He gave me a confused look.
“But they attacked us.”
“Yes but we did just walk out of the everfree forest, you know the things within there see ponies as food right?” I asked him. Discord set them down.
“Sorry about that, he hasn’t have connect for a thousand years.” I said. “My name is Allen.” I turned to Discord giving him a glare.
Discord gave a laugh. “Oh right.” Snapping his talons the pegasus got her wings back. “I’m the Lord of Everfree, Discord.” He said with a crown on his head in mocking bow.
I rolled my eyes at him and returned my blade to my hammer space. “Wait the Everfree Forest has a ruler?” The lavender unicorn asked. Discord rolled his eyes at this.
“Well Tia didn’t seem to tell you everything, well seeing as how I haven’t been seen for a thousand years I can let that pass.” Discord said with a toy of Celestia in his talons. He stopped for a moment with a strange movement. “Oh my.. You’re the current bearers of the elements of harmony.” He stated.
That caused me to raise an eyebrow. “How can you tell? You didn’t read their minds did you?” Discord gave a moment to pause. He had a halo over his head.
“I didn’t need to do that, I can tell after all I’m the opposite of the elements.” Discord said as he laid on a cotton candy cloud.
After a few minutes of defusing the tension the lavender unicorn Twilight sent a letter off to Celestia about Discord and me. Its not like anything bad could happen. I turn to my fellow adventurer and friend Discord. “Hey Dis, what happened to my sister?” I asked him. Discord stopped eating his cakes, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Well if you must know the spell that froze you also froze your sibling something about the elements being used with their full power or whatever, so she’s most likely also freed and awake.”
“Oh ok.” I said.
Three... two... one…
Processing complete.
“Oh crap.”
Well I guess no better time than now to get ready for another fight with my sister. Hopefully this wouldn’t end with Discord and Celestia turning us to stone by accident like last time.
Yeah, its not going to end well. “Discord I might need to armor up after all, so where’s my sword?” I asked him. Discord looked though his pocket dimension and found my prized sword. “Here it is.” Oh how I missed you Heavens End.
Ok then, come at me sis.
Tale of Two: Guard and Adventurer
Renna<
I wear a scowl on my face as our little group exits out of the hospital. The staff decided to hold us up saying that I was not fully healed. After wasting precious time Celestia sent Luna ahead to prepare a chariot for us, and finally convinced the staff to discharge me after Celestia agreed to sign some paperwork.
Luna is waiting for us outside with a chariot big enough for the four of us, once we board and start flying Celestia addresses us.
“Luna, you and I are making a shield around the area, I want to keep property damage to a minimum. Shining Armor, your job is to evacuate the area. I don’t want anypony inside the shield once it’s complete… This includes you.” Shining Armor’s head shoots up at this, “Renna… I don’t want your brother leaving the area under his own power.”
“Princess Celestia, shouldn’t I be inside the shield as well to provide Renna support? Her armor isn't even working properly!" Shining Armor states.
“No,” I state before the Princess can answer. “You are to avoid engaging my brother, at all Shining Armor. At your current level of training, you’re more of a liability than an asset.”
“Sister,” Luna started, “if Allen is freed then he should be with him.” Celestia frowned at that.
“That’s why Shining Armor is to evacuate all civilians, not even the elements could stop him last time.”
Shining Armor cuts back into the conversation trying to make us see ‘sense’, “You don’t even have working armor Renna! How are you going to fight if-”
“Captain Renna,” I cut him off, “and if you think that I’m useless without armor or weapons, then you’re in for a surprise. Only the protection runes are destroyed, the rest of it is still functioning. If it wasn’t I’d still be in the gardens.” Shining Armor gives me a confused glance, “There are featherweight runes on the inside of my armor, if something disabled those I would weigh over half a ton, and that’s not an exaggeration.”
“And if those are still working, than another function is still working as well… Shining Armor, have you ever heard of or meet a Big Daddy?” Shining Armor gives me a look and shakes his head, “Well once we get to where my brother is I’ll show you, and you’ll see why I don’t need weapons to do my duty.”
I lean back against the side of the chariot and close my eyes, wanting to be as rested as possible for the fight ahead.
Shining Armor<
I look at Renna leaning against the railing with her eyes closed. I try sizing her up, but everything about her just screams that she shouldn’t be a guard. Her black mane looks brushed to perfection -even if it is on the short side-, and the armor she has on boasts a hourglass figure. She looks completely at ease, I feel like I’m looking at a model more than I’m looking at a captain of the guard. Yet the armor she wears tells a different story. One of countless battles fought and won.
“Quit undressing me with your eyes Shining Armor, it’s unprofessional.” Renna states with a deadpan expression.
I look up, trying not to blush as I grab on to the first thought that came to my mind to distract everypony from that bomb of a statement, “Why are you not in the records?”
Renna’s deadpan expression shifts to a look of confusion, “Excuse me?”
“I mean, why are you not remembered as the founder of the royal guard? According to any legal record of the guard, you don’t exist.”
Celestia places a hand on Renna’s shoulder and gives her a look before turning to answering my question, “Shining Armor, the reason why Renna isn’t remembered by history is because it would be dangerous to be remembered.”
I give the Princess a look, silently asking her to continue, “Both Renna and her brother have contributed much to Equestria, yet some of their accomplishments could start wars if they were ever known.”
I lean back against the chariot, the answer not really satisfying me, but the look in her eyes told me that she was done answering questions. I sigh and look down at the passing terrain, silence taking hold of our group. ‘I hope this Big Daddy of yours is as good as you make it sound.’
Allen<
Discord was seen answering Twilight’s questions as she was asking them. “What do you mean I can’t use Chaos magic?!” Twilight asked, yet demanded. “I’m the element of magic, it’s my special talent!”
“True, but your a living embodiment of an aspect of harmony, if you attempt Chaos magic it will fail as the forces refuse to work together.” Discord said summing up his reasons.
I however was getting ready for the fight that was most likely going to happen. I’m going through the motions to make sure I’m not rusty. Holding out my hand I gather magical energy, and once I collect enough, I use it to create a shadow clone. Once fully formed it lunges at me, making me dodge and defend.
“What is he doing?’ Rainbow Dash asked, trying to follow the flow of the ‘battle’.
Discord shrugged, “It’s because his sister should know soon that he’s out and about, personally the fight-”
I turned to Discord and cut him off, the clone evaporating as I did. “She’s here, I can feel it.” I left for the town the ponies trailing behind as I strode through. A thousand years and these ponies are still a bunch of scardycats, seeing as almost all of them fled for their homes as soon as I walked in. Discord appeared next to me as the flying Chariot of Celestia had touched down. I could see Renna, the Princesses, and what was probably a unicorn recruit based off of the power he was putting out, disembark.
Discord spoke as the chariot’s passengers got off. “Hello Tia it's been… a thousand years I believe.”
Celestia, Luna, and my sister all glared at us, the unicorn recruit switching his gaze between the ponies, and me. “Discord… Allen...” Celestia started, “You are under arrest, come quietly and I vow that we will be quick.”
Discord blinked for a moment, the ponies behind us staring at Celestia with wide eyes. “You’re serious? Why now of all times?” Discord asked. The entity of Chaos gave a raised eyebrow. “Is it because Allen’s awake?”
“Yes, alone you are a pain in the backside, but with Allen you two are too dangerous to be left free.” Celestia states in a tone that brokered no argument.
“Well then what are you going to do then?” Discord asked. I knew he was by far more powerful than the royal sisters. They had to be foolish to fight him. However my sister and I on the other hand.
“You will both come quietly, or else I’ll introduce you both to Big Mamma’s Drill again.”, Renna replied.
Discord winced and rubbed his chest a bit before he started talking to me via telepathy. ‘So... you think you can take her?’ Discord asked.
‘I think I can.’ I answer back.
“Mind if we take this else-where?” Discord asked, knowing what was going to happen.
Both Celestia and Luna take a look around, the townponies were still holed up in their homes looking out in fear, and they could even see a few windows trembling despite their presence. The sisters glanced at each other and nodded their heads in agreement.
“Agreed.” They both said.
Disccord snapped his talons and in a flash both groups were gone. The groups landed in a wasteland not a moment later. “This good enough?” There wasn’t a town or village for miles. A perfect place for two beings to fight each other without causing collateral damage.
“Now then perhaps a bit of an arena?” Discord asked he rose the ground a bit, the others were now on a floating rock. “See Twilight this isn’t what I can truly do, I remember once taking the sun and the moon for a spin.”
I had my sword out, getting into a perfect stance to strike first. “So ready for us to finish that fight that day?”
Renna just glares at me before she shouts, “Release!”
I hold in a groan, knowing that this fight just got much harder.
Runes flickered around Renna’s armor, changing it’s shape, size, and -unfortunately for me- its density. The gauntlets and leggings shifted first, growing to twice their original size, and while some places looked like they had been patched up several times, I knew that the cloth like substance was tougher than steel due to the runes sown in. The torso and head came next, the torso bulking up considerably, and a helmet sliding out of the almost completed armor. Finally to top it all off, several long bands of runed steel popped out of the right arm forming a massive drill.
I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy fight, soon covering me was a heavy set of armor. “Lets go then.”, as we both lunged forward I summoned a reinforcement spell causing my arms to harden. My sword meet her drill resulting in a small shockwave. “So question, you remember anything while imprisoned?”
In response my sister roared in my face, the faceplate glowing red as opposed to its usual yellow. She then proceeded to punch me with her left fist.
I was sent flying back and tumbled several feet before getting back up. I reached up and let my sword be covered in flames. With a wide arch I let out a wall of flames to act as a shroud to protect me. I try to steady my breathing with the few seconds the flames bought me, after they die down enough I toss myself out, casting the reinforcement spell on my legs as I do, and dropkick her.
Luna<
I look at the battle before us with an analyzing eye. The battle seemed to be going in Renna’s favor as usual, but if Allen got a lucky strike off then the tide could change in an instant. Glancing at the other observers I found that the four Elements that were with us were watching the fight with wide eyed shock. I did a double take as I am sure the Pink One was not there when Discord teleported us.
“Pinkie Pie?”
“Yes, Princess?”
“...How did you get here?”
The Pink One giggled a little, “What do you mean? I got this feeling that someone was going for a ride and I just tagged along.”
Discord gave a laugh at this. I was confused at them both. “Oh this is why laughter is my favorite element.” Discord said. I felt as though there was a inside joke there, and I was not amused.
I crossed my arms, vowing to learn what they meant later. I turned my gaze to the other elements, to gage their reaction. Unfortunately most of them were having negative reactions, although I did see the weathermare punching the air every so often as the fight progressed a determined look on her face. The farmer… Applejack I believe, was switching her gaze between the fight and the slab of stone we were all standing on, her hand never leaving her hat as it was pulled down over her eyes. My sister’s student was staring at the fight in disgust and horror. The Pink One was staring at the fight with a blank expression on her muzzle, which strangely disturbed me for some reason.
“Why are they fighting? This makes no sense.” My sister Student said watching as Allen sword and Renna Drill clashed again. Discord raised his eyebrows at her.
“Twilight, let me tell you something, they’re not on the best of terms. In fact if it wasn't for a curse they would both be in Tartarus until they decided to give up and let themselves be devoured.” We saw as the drill dug into Allen’s shoulder causing him to wince in pain. The others watched in horror but my sister Discord, and I knew that for Allen healing that wasn’t serious as the wound was being closed up almost immediately.
“How the…” Twilight was her name started.
“Healing factor.” Discord answered.
“...What?!?”
I groan a little before answering, “Allen has an ability that makes most damage he takes obsolete, Twilight Sparkle. Renna is going to have to pretty much run Allen through if she wants to end this.”
Most of the elements’ heads snapped towards me at this revelation their muzzles turning green, the Pink One just blinked, making me very uncomfortable. I was used to having ponies squirm around a little when this was brought up for the first time, to get no reaction at all was a little disturbing.
“Wh- why are they trying to kill each other?”, Twilight asked.
“Because that’s the name of the game my faithful student.”, my sister said in a somber voice. Her posture radiating sadness as she gazed at the fight.
“Don’t worry though, the two of them get sent to tartarus in death… It's kinda annoying for them, if it's Allen I’ll just go get him, Renna wouldn’t want much help.” Discord back.
The elements and Shining Armor just looked at the three of us like we were all insane instead of just one of us being insane, it was like they never heard of somepony returning from Tartarus.
As the two continued on in there fight we watched on.
Renna<
Allen delivered another powerful slash with his blade cutting into my armor once again. I felt my blood on my arms, and knew I had to finish this soon. ‘Damn it! Looks like I might have to use it after all, it’s going to be a pain to fix the armor.’
With that thought I charge forward like a bull using my drill to shove Allen back several feet. I quickly reach behind me, and pull my ace from my back. I took aim, and shot Allen in the knee with the Rivet Gun.
The effect was instant, Allen’s leg buckling under his weight as he cried out in pain. I lunged forward intending to finish this, but just as I was about to run my drill through his chest I froze.
I don’t mean I was paralyzed, I was literally encased in ice. The armor protected me from the cold but I couldn’t move at all.
Allen sword had its frost enchantment on as his armor fell off. He collapsed on the ground. Before anything could go any further a snap was heard as both of us were suspended in the air by Discord. “That’s enough.”
Celestia flew down and landed beside where I was floating, wearing a calm look on her face. “Since you stopped them, I’m guessing that you want to negotiate?”, she said in a calm voice.
“Well yes, but mostly because... let’s face it, that was a thousand years ago, this grudge match is getting old, plus we both know how the war really ended anyway.” Discord said.
Celestia was silent for a moment as the other ponies appeared in a flash of light. Finally she crossed her arms and asked, “Alright, what do you have in mind?”
“Simply put Allen will be with me at the edge of ponyville that way we can be watched and the Everfree Forest won’t become a problem seeing how I maintained it, and yes, its ironic. Order with my presence.”
I wanted to scream “No”, but the ice that covered me, stopped me from answering. Celestia had a thoughtful look on her muzzle like she was actually considering it!
After a moment she finally opened her mouth, “...Agreed.”
‘WHAT?!?’, I bellowed in my mind.
“But, we will send two individuals to Ponyville to make sure you don’t act up.”
My thought process came to a screeching halt at this. Shining Armor said that he was the strongest pony in the guard, so I was trying to figure out who she would send that could possibly have a chance against both Discord and my brother. Sending Shining Armor and myself wasn’t an option, as I had to train the new recruit, and Shining Armor had to oversee the royal guard.
“Who would they be?” Discord asked.
“You will see them tomorrow. Right now, let’s head back to Ponyville.”
Discord paused for a moment, but eventually snapped his talons, and our group disappeared a moment later in a flash of light.
Tale of Two: Guard and Adventurer
Renna<
Our little group appears in a flash of light back in Ponyville. I’m not frozen anymore, and I no longer have my Big Mamma armor on. I’m about to leave for the chariot -my mind still trying to comprehend that Celestia agreed to their terms- when someone yelled out in pain.
Turning around, I found that Allen was on the ground, the rivet I shot at him still lodged in his knee. Allen removed it at last as the bones moved to heal themselves. He glared at Discord, but before he could say a word I grabbed him by the throat and dragged him around a corner where the others couldn’t see us.
Turning to him I throw him against a wall to a house and pin him beneath my boots.
“I’m going to make one thing very clear Allen”, I start off jabbing a finger in his face. “I’m not going to put up with any more of your shit. You get one chance, ONE. If I hear about you killing one pony then I don’t care how hard it will be. I will make sure that the next time we meet you won’t come back. GOT IT?!”
“Yeah, whatever.” Allen said simply as I felt a tap on my shoulder.
“Are you done with Allen yet?” It was Discord. Sometimes I really wished the deity would mind his own business, unfortunately he was somehow above most laws, and not just the laws of reality. Something about being the ruler of a Chaotic dimension gave him diplomatic immunity for most crimes.
I growl at the chaotic entity before storming off, having to restrain myself from shoving a fist down his throat. I pass the group grinding my teeth silently, “If you need me Princesses, I will be back at the chariot.” I told them as I walked past.
Shining Armor<
I get the feeling their family reunion didn’t go well. I know I saw them fight but I really didn’t know why. The miss matched creature, I believe his name was Discord, floated with Allen next to him. I turn to the Princesses pointing in the direction Renna went, “She’s the one that’s going to train me?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
I would have continued, but a certain purple unicorn tackle hugged me, “Shiney!” Twilight exclaimed as I staggered to the side a few feet.
Once I regain my balance I grab my sister in a one armed hug. “Hey Twiley, how is Ponyville treating you?” I ask with a smile on my muzzle.
Twilight looked at me with a deadpan expression, “Shiney, what was that we just saw? They were literally trying to kill each other!”
I let out a sigh running a hand through my mane as I tried to think of a way to break this to them. “Twilight, I want a promise that everything said here is not going to be repeated or recorded.”
Twilight looks at me with a dumbfounded expression on her muzzle before turning it to a look of curiosity, “Alright Shiney, you have my word.”
I told Twiley everything I knew about the strange beings, which admittedly wasn’t much (his involvement in the Griffin War, one fight, and the aftermath was all Renna could get through before we exited the hospital.)
After I finished explaining what I knew the element bearers were just looking at me in shock. I glance over at the Princesses and see that they seem to be done with negotiations. I give Twilight a one armed hug before marching over to see if it was time to leave.
Both of the Princesses give a nod of acknowledgement at my presence, before tuning to Discord and Allen.
“I’m glad we were able to reach an agreement Discord.”, Princess Celestia said before we started towards the chariot. I heard Discord say something as we boarded the chariot, Renna was leaning against the railing like before, and didn’t even seem to notice our presence until the chariot started moving.
As we started to pick up speed a vortex was seen being ripped out in the sky. A voice was heard in the vortex. “Look out below!” A cloaked ball was seen coming down and crashed right in front of us stopping the chariot in its tracks. The outfit soon rose up matching Discord in height. “Please tell me this isn’t a Zombie Equestria.” The masculine voice was heard.
“...What do you mean look behind me?” He seemed to ask no one as he turned. Within the cloak appeared to be a second Discord. The Discord copy looked in shock at both Renna and Allen. “Oh my balance, I ended up in a Displaced universe?” He asked. ‘Displaced?’ I thought, this cloaked figure was making no sense.
In a blue flash appearing was a semi transparent Discord and a familiar looking lavender mare. “An anthro universe that’s a nice change.” The Twilight said.
The next moment I felt a rush of wind as Renna jumped out of the chariot to impose herself between us and the second Discord.
“Who are you? Why are you here? And are you going to cause trouble?”, she demanded as she got into a defensive stance.
The cloaked one rolled his eyes. “Trust me, if I wanted to, this universe wouldn’t be able to stop me.” He said taking his hood down. “Name is Loki, God of Balance and displaced turned Void Dweller.”, Loki stated with an exaggerated bow.
Renna slowly got out of her defensive stance as she looked the self proclaimed god over. After a moment she sighed and ran a gloved hand through her mane, “God damn it, one Discord is enough trouble, who did I piss off to have them send another?” She pauses for a moment before continuing, “Alright listen up, I don’t care where you came from, but we have several laws around here that you need to follow as long as you stay.”
“Yeah I know, I read my Equestria law book, those don’t change really between dimensions.” Loki said rolling his eyes again. “I get the feeling you both don’t know about the Multiverse do you?” He asked when he saw Renna’s puzzled expression.
“Perhaps you can explain it then?” Princess Luna states, “Maybe in a more comfortable place as well? No need to be standing for this after all.”
With a snap of Loki’s talons we all appeared in the castle tea room. Sitting down at a table with several cups in front of us all. “Ok then let’s get down to business. Those two are not alone in this multiverse and beyond, there are others who been lost across the void and to contact each other we use these.” Random objects were floating above Loki’s talon: orbs, blades, even a fang. “These are the tokens, they float in the void between realities allowing you to temporarily visit another displaced’s universe.” Loki closed his Talons. “I was once one myself but now I have ascended to the void and now can survive in there.”
“Any questions?” The self proclaimed god asked.
I was surprised at what Renna asked next, “How do you create a token?” she asked without a trace of emotion.Her gaze calculating.
“One, it must be a symbol of who you are. Next, it will subconsciously gain a kinda... connection to you, then it heads into the void where one grows until it becomes billions…. However should something like death or in my cause ascension happen the token might stop being useful.” Loki finished.
After his explanation I turned back to Renna to find her actually looking thoughtful.
“So we can’t actively try to create a token?”
“Oh you can just make one, but be careful. There’s no way to communicate across the void, and time is different in each universe.”
“...Alright, thank you for the information… You want to ask anything Allen? Now’s the time to do so.” Renna states with a cold voice.
“Well I have to ask, how many worlds have you visited?” Allen asked.
“At this point, hundred and five universes, a lot of them are either normal ponies and a few are dark, I have meet displaced as well and even fought some, though currently I would most likely kill them without trying now.”
“Anyone we should watch out for?” Renna asked.
“Let’s see, there are like hundreds of Displaced, some have conquered their Equestrias, there also was a war that raged across universes I believe, Finally if you encounter a Dweller run, as fighting them is pointless.” Loki answered.
Renna frowned at this as she closed her eyes and sighed again. “Well… Thanks for the information… Are you going to be here for a while, or can you leave whenever you want?”
“I can leave whenever I want. I’m not really bound by space-time anymore, though usually my magic in flux a bit this was one of the more peaceful times my entry has allowed me to leave.” Loki said informing us.
“Well, if you’re really a ‘God of Balance’ don’t you have important things to do? You probably need to get going.” Renna stated, shifting in her seat uncomfortably.
“True, but as you can guess most realities take care of themselves. I’m very young, even by dweller standards, I mostly go to realities who are incapable of fixing themselves or I trail the goddess of imbalance, as of late there not much to do, I actually been flying around the void at random then came across you all.” Loki answered.
Renna took a deep breath, “Well, you can rest here if you need to, but please don’t leave the castle if you don’t have to. I have enough on my plate without two chaotic beings running around causing trouble.”
She got up from her chair shooting Allen a glare and pointing a finger at him, “One chance, Allen.” Before he could respond she turned her attention to the Princesses, “Celestia, Luna, could you two come with me for a moment?”
The two sisters both gave a quick nod and stood up. Celestia giving Loki a small smile, “Thank you for explaining the situation, feel free to help yourself to the kitchen before you leave.”
I got up as they headed for the door, “Sorry, but I have responsibilities that I need to attend to.” I said as I left the last three to their devices.
Third POV<
Loki looked at a imaginary watch on his cloak turning to the others within the room. “Well then it's time for me to be going, perhaps we will meet again, perhaps even in another universe.” Loki soon ripped open a portal to the void between universes. “Cya.” With that Loki jumped right through the vortex into the void.
“So then, Allen… You going to make a token now, or wait?” Discord asked.
“I think I’ll wait, after all we got to get ourselves set back up before traveling to other universes.” Allen answered, standing up as he did. “Let's head back to ponyville, we can start there.” Discord gave a nod, and in a flash the two teleported back to the town.
Tale of Two: Guard and Adventurer
Allen and Discord appeared back in ponyville in a flash. “Alright, first things first.” Discord said as he snapped his talon. His makeshift hut appeared a moment later and started reshaping itself into a house at the outskirts of town near the Everfree. “There we go, close enough to be watched as per the agreement, and close enough so I’m still the boss of Everfree.” Discord then said in a whisper. “and a nice little escape route just in case, or for secretly going out.”
Allen gave Discord a smile. As they walked into Ponyville the pink pony Pinkie Pie came hopping up. “Oh so you're both staying in ponyville?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Yes I thought the negotiations made it clear, we are the new neighbors Discord the god of Chaos and Allen the Ancient Adventurer!” Discord said with a few fireworks going off behind them. “Well at least until Tia realizes there’s nothing to worry about… or Allen’s sis stops being so pissy, come on it was a war and we kinda were paid!” Discord said yelling at the sky.
“Yeah well I tried to tell her that… didn’t go well the first seven times.” Allen answered. “I remember I had to put my right arm back on after one of the fights.”
Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing for a moment. “Your arm was cut off?”
“Yes I heal fast, and can reattach my limbs if I’m quick enough.” Allen stated, “It's a lot easier than regrowing them.” Allen gave out a yawn. “Well I’m tired.” Even though it was day break; for Allen it felt like nighttime.
“You really shouldn’t have fought.” Discord answered. He and Allen bid farewell as they headed off to the hut.
As the two friends got into the hut Allen had a smile. “My a thousand years just fly by in a blink of an eye... hey, remember the day we meet?” Allen asked with a smile.
Discord gave a laugh. “Oh yes I did, you were so confused, and thought I was a trick of your mind.” Discord said with a laugh getting in his hammock.
“Hey in my defense I didn't know you were real that time.” Allen said as he was kicking back on the sofa. “Though what happened next was totally your fault.”
“You're never going to let that go are you?” Discord asked.
“Let’s see you cut off my legs so never.” Allen said with a laugh.
Discord glared at Allen then started to laugh as well. “I still can’t believe we became friends… how did we do that again?” Discord asked.
“Well it started when we heard a breezie talk about the ‘Fires that can harm Wendigos.’”
(Flackback)
Discord groaned, the biped was following him. He had to admit he was outlasting everyone else that tried to follow him. ‘Must be his healing factor.’ The young deity thought.
“So if you don’t mind me asking, what are you?” Allen asked.
Discord turned to him with a raised eyebrows. “You can't sense magic can you?.” Allen shook his head. “Ok then listen well, I am Discord, God of Chaos…. mortal.”
Allen raised an eyebrow of his own. “Then why are you walking if you’re a god?”
Discord gave a sigh. “Oh because I’m a young deity, haven’t fully mastered my powers yet.”
The two continued Discord walking and Allen following behind as they walked through the mountains. A voice was heard a soft squeaky voice on the wind. “Help me!” Allen caught the source as it blew by. “Thanks.” The tiny winged pony said.
“No problem... actually... why were you up here, and what are you?” Allen asked.
The tiny creature gave an indignant grunt, “I am a Breezie… creature… and I got separated from the others, we were heading to equestria to see the Fires.” The Breezie said.
“What’s so special about a fire?” Discord asked. “Please don’t tell me you just invented it?” Discord said with a sarcastic and self superior smile.
“You never seen this fire before, the ponies made it to burn the Wendigo forcing them to run away to the frozen north!” It screamed back at the deity.
Discord raised a eyebrow. “They burn Wendigo, eh.” He was now intrigued by this. Wendigo were hard to harm without a deity to help out. “I will see these “Fires” for myself, I’ll be the judge of the claim.” Discord said with a smile.
As he continued Allen followed him. With the Breezie in his shirt pocket.
(End flashback)
As the two stayed still for a moment after a thought crossed Allen’s mind. “Hey that guy Loki… I think I’ve meet him before.” Allen stated. Discord almost fell out of his hammock at this.
“Yeah, I think it might be him… or it could not be he didn’t know Renna and me after all.” Allen said with a shrug and a sheepish grin. “Though remember when he talked about a token right?” Allen asked.
Discord nodded. “Yes… wait.” He raised an eyebrow. “You're thinking of making one?” Discord asked. Allen gave a nod. “Count me in as well.”
Allen pulled out a old dull dagger. Holding one end Discord held the other. The blade glowed and then tore into the ground and was gone.
This Allen and Discord: Explorers, Adventures, and best friends. If you find our token give us a call, we’ll help or just you know, talk. Though if you're evil… sorry, no dice.
Luna<
I stare down at the makeshift training session that Renna was putting Shining Armor through, my mind elsewhere. Celestia was sitting beside me, writing two letters that apparently explained the deal she made with Discord to the two individuals that were going to be shadowing them. I noted that after she was done she sent them using a conjured black flame, my eyes followed the smoke trails as they flew out an open window.
My mind snaps back to the present as I hear somepony cry out in pain. Shining Armor was on the ground cradling his horn as Renna stood over him. Celestia was on the training field in moments asking if he was alright. I frown as Celestia turns to Renna after Shining Armor got back to his hooves. I couldn’t make out what they were talking about, but the finger waving and the shocked look on Renna’s face told me that it wasn’t a pleasant conversation. After what seemed like several minutes of finger waving and confused anger, Celestia ended the argument with a decisive wave of her arm. Renna stood completely still for several moments before she threw her hands in the air and started walking away, Shining Armor trailing several steps behind her.
Celestia came back to the bench we were sharing and just collapsed on it.
“What is ailing you sister?”, I ask as I turn to her.
Celestia is quiet for a moment before she starts, “I’m worried Luna. Renna was just what Equestria needed a thousand years ago, but a lot has changed since then. In this era many of her practices that she used to train the guard or subdue threats have been outlawed, stating that they were barbaric and little less than torture.”
“A thousand years ago, where every day was a blessing, she kept us safe. Nopony ever questioned how she did it, justifying it by saying, ‘Better our enemies than our foals.’ but we’ve been in a time of peace for over seven hundred years… The Equestrian Guard has become a glorified figurehead compared to a thousand years ago because there hasn’t been any conflict. I’m worried about how Renna will adjust.”
I blink as I think about what Celestia said, my eyes trailing the two captains as they raced around the track on the outer section of the training room. “Well, what do thou suppose we do? Even if they are considered barbaric now, her training programs produced some of our best mares and stallions. Not to mention that those who she took a special interest in became our special forces.”
Celestia turned to face me, “The special forces were retired six hundred years ago.”
I blink as I turn to her eyes wide, “Art thou jesting sister? The special forces are our first and last line of defense. Wha-”
“They were no longer needed, Luna.” Celestia stated with a cold voice.
I pause waiting for Celestia to continue, when she doesn’t I speak up. “Thou claims they are gone, yet thou sent those letters using black fire.”
Celestia is silent for a moment before speaking, “While they might have been retired there are still several members alive today.”
“Tia if what thou are saying is true then that would mean that these members have been alive for at least six hundred years…”
“More like one thousand, every surviving member of the special forces today was a part of the force Renna trained personally.”
“Are thou implying something sister?” I ask in a guarded voice.
Celestia crosses her arms across her chest, her dress adjusting to compensate her movement. “I am not implying anything.”, she stated bluntly.
I sigh, “Tia… Please, this is why we were torn apart a thousand years ago. We need to stop hiding secrets from each other.”
Celestia deflates slightly, but before we could continue the two captains marched over. Once they were close enough Renna began speaking, “I have finished evaluating Shining Armor, and we both feel that the best course of action is to start training tomorrow. Seeing as most of my training methods are now unavailable to us.”
Celestia nods her head, “Well then, do you want to see your new lodgings Renna?”
As Renna nods in agreement Celestia starts heading for the door, “I’ll see you at dinner, Luna.”
Renna<
I close the door to my new lodgings as I look around. It’s not big, there’s a bed, a desk, and a closet, along with a small bathroom. The walls and ceiling painted grey and the floor made of white tiles. ‘It’s perfect’ I thought, as I started gathering magic at the tips of my fingers, ‘Unfortunately, I have an appointment to keep’
I bring my gloved appendage up, the black tips burning red, and begin writing a glyph in the air. Once finished, I stop channeling my magic and reach forward to touch it.
The next second, I was gone.
I look down and smile, seeing the colorful sphere that I have watched over for the last five million years. I sigh as I see how Loki had landed on our world. My defense grid was failing. The runes that surrounded the world looked more like a moth eaten quilt than a bunker.
I glance down at myself, wondering if I looked presentable. My appearance had changed since I had teleported. I now wore a pair of glowing white robes, and I felt a hood covering my head. I knew that if I looked in a mirror I would see two shining wings coming out of my back and my face shrouded in shadows.
Feeling that I looked ready I summon my weapons, a glowing blade with a circle surrounding the handle burst into existence in my right hand and a swirling circular void faded into existence on my left arm.
I bring the sword up and start writing another glyph. I pour much more magic into this one and when it is finished I take a step back and put away my weapons.
I ready myself as I feel a powerful magic signature approach. The next moment my glyph explodes, and in it’s place is an Alicorn with a snow white coat and a rust red mane.
I put my hands behind my back and bow my head, “My lady…”
“Renna, do you mind me asking where you’ve been?” Faust asked with a raised eyebrow. “I haven’t heard from you in a thousand years.”
I cringe as I look up at the Alicorn, “I’m sorry, my lady. I was imprisoned for a time by the Elements of Harmony, I was unable to perform my duties for a time.” I say as I glance at what was left of the defense grid.
“How did that even happen?” Faust asked, waiting for the explanation for this.
I paused for a moment, “I was fighting an opponent with my allies, they used the elements on our opponent and I was caught in the blast. I was sealed in stone along with my opponent.” I said, bowing my head slightly so I wasn’t looking my lady in the eyes.
A sigh came from Faust's mouth. “I trust nothing major happened while you were away then?”
I grimace as I say the next part, “My world was visited by an outsider today… I’m sorry my lady, I failed in my duty.”
Faust raised a eyebrow. “And who was this outsider?” Faust asked.
“He looked Identical to Discord, yet he was much more powerful. His power rivaled that of a new god… While I believe I could have defeated him, I couldn’t do anything while he was on the world; for fear of damaging it.”
“Did he have a name?” Faust was getting some idea. Though she wondered, was it one of them.
“He claimed to be Loki, God of Balance, my lady.”
Faust thought this over. That name wasn’t one she remembered of any of the gods. “What did he do there?” She asked.
“He… He explained that my brother and I are both apparently displaced. Beings that are scattered throughout the multiverse, able to summon one another using something called a Token.”
“Well have you made one?” Faust asked.
“No, I reported to you as soon as I was able.”
“Well why don’t you make one? As a guardian, one can never have too many allies.” Faust said with a smile.
I was silent for a time, “...Very well, my lady.”
I began channeling magic into my hand, forcing it to take shape. In a flash of light I felt something appear in my hand. Looking down I see a digital watch is in the palm of my hand, it had two buttons, one of the left and another on the right.
I knew what the buttons would do, but just to be sure I pressed the one on the right. Two strands of metal popped out of the bottom and the top of the watch and expanded until I was holding a circular shield in my hand. Looking at the back of it, I see two straps where it would secure itself to the arm of the wielder, and a button on the lower strap. I push the button and the shield returns to being a watch.
I think for a moment and press the left button.
If you’re an ally of the Ponies, you’re an ally of mine. If you need someone to watch your back, press the left button and call upon the Guardian Angel, Renna. Press the right button, and my Token will become a shield, that can withstand any attack.
When I was done, I dropped my token. The watch disappeared in a flash of light. I looked at my lady, and bowed once more. “Thank you my lady, for answering my call.”
“Your welcome now I must be off, be sure to keep the world safe.” Faust disappeared in particles of light.
I stare at the place Faust was a while before turning around and sighing at the sight of my poor defense grid. I eventually float over to the nearest hole and start reapplying the glyphs…
This was going to take a while.
Tale of Two: Guard and Adventurer
I open my eyes as someone knocks on the door. I grunt as I get up, several joints popping in protest as I walk over to open the door.
On the other side is a Mare in a baggy outfit, she has a green coat and a blue mane, but no other distinguishable characteristics. I give her a bored look as she stares at me. “Yes?”
“Who is it?” Discord said from his hammock.
“No idea, mind introducing yourself miss?” I asked.
“Lyra,” The mare Lyra answered. “Lyra Heartstrings, and I just dropped by to greet our new neighbors. My friend and I live right next door, and I thought it might be a good idea to meet the new faces in town.” Lyra said with a smile on her muzzle.
“Well nice to meet you I’m Allen.” In a flash Discord teleported right next to me.
“And I am Discord.” He introduced himself as he summoned up a cupcake, “Cupcake?” he offered.
“No thank you, we have enough at the shop. I really just came by to welcome you to Ponyville, although if you’d like I could show you two around after my friend and I close the shop.” She offered.
I shrugged. “Sure, why not.” I said casually.
“Alright, I’ll see you two at six.” Lyra said as she took off towards the center of town.
“Hmmm, you think she’s one of the guards Celestia sent to keep tabs on us?” Allen asked Discord.
The young Chaos god shook his head. “No, but we should keep our eyes open.”
“Alright then.” I said closing the door. “So I’ll go fetch me some breakfast, and maybe dinner for a week.” I summoned out a broadsword and opened the secret path to the everfree forest. Inside the forest I walked around waiting to find something to attack. My prey came as a manticore pounced at me expecting an easy meal. I simply swung my sword, cutting its head off with the first strike as the lifeless body sailed over my head.
“...Wow,” A voice whispered from some nearby bushes.
“I don’t think monster hunting a good idea Scootaloo.” Another voice whispered back, I pushed the bushes away to see three fillies. I notice that they are all from different tribes. One of them is an yellow earth pony with a large pink bow in her red mane. She’s dressed in a red shirt and blue jeans that have several stains on them.
The next filly is a white unicorn with a fluffy mane that looked similar to purple and white cotton candy. She is wearing a green dress that seems would be more appropriate at a high class party, than out in the woods.
The last filly was an orange pegasus with a spiky purple mane. She’s dressed in a purple shirt and a beat up pair of blue jeans. She had a look of awe on her face, but it quickly changed to one of nervousness once she realized that I had found them.
“What are you three doing out here?” I asked the fillies in a deadpan voice. The three fillies’ eyes darted towards the dead manticore before returning to look at me.
“We came here looking to get our cutie marks in monster hunting mister, but now…” Great, these three are trying to hunt monsters, and have no idea how to do it properly. They’re more likely to get themselves killed than get their marks.
“Alright, trust me on this: you shouldn’t try monster hunting. not unless you're a member of the guard.. Or a seasoned adventurer like me.” I said that last part with a bit of a chuckle.
“You’re an adventurer? Like, one that beats up bad ponies and discovers lost treasures? Like, the ponies from the stories?” The orange pegasus asked in an excited voice.
“Depends on if those stories came from over a thousand years ago. You three might be looking at the person they were all based on.” I answered back with a grin.
“Really?” The orange pegasus asked.
“Well let’s see, name a lost treasure.” Allen said with a smile.
“The Shadow Temple Dagger.” Sweetie Belle said. Allen pulled out an ancient blade from his hammerspace presenting it to the three fillies. The three looked at it in surprise and awe. “Where did you get that?” Sweetie asked.
“Hammer space.” Allen answered, “But before I braved an old tomb and got the dagger from it’s bobby trapped alter.” Allen rubbed a place on his shoulder near his joints. “Took me a week to get the metal chips out of here from the trap, having high speed regeneration has some drawbacks.” Allen lifted up the corpse of the manticore over his shoulder.
“Hey, so if you want to hear more stories just stop by the house near the forest, me and Discord would be glad to tell you.” Allen said.
“Ok mr…”
“Allen.” Allen said with a smile.
‘Shit! Shit! Shit!’ I keep repeating in my mind as I barrel down the sidewalk. My black hair flying everywhere as I shoot around a street corner, I pour on the speed as a large distinct building comes into view.
‘I am so dead. I am so freaking dead!’ I think as the building comes closer and closer. ‘The most important day of the semester and you sleep through your alarm. Good job idiot!’ Coming up to an intersection I run in place as I repeatedly mash the crossing button on the large steel pole. Cars of every color and size flying past me as their drivers try to get through the cluttered city.
It feels like an eternity but the vehicles finally stop and the crossing symbol appears in the little electric box across the street. I charge forward the bag strapped to my shoulders hitting my back in an almost rhythmic beat. I hear a horn honking off to my right as I cross, and I throw myself forward as a feeling of dread takes hold. I roll as I hit the cement and looking back I see a green sports car speeding away.
“ASSHOLE!” I scream as I pick myself up and take off towards the building. I continue sprinting right up until I slam into one of the wood doors of the building. Yanking it open I’m greeted with a flood of people going twenty different directions through numerous hallways. Using my above average height and large frame I shove myself through the crowds. Turning the last corner I bully my way through the mob to a door with the numbers 216 painted above it.
I yank it open just as a bell rings outside. Collapsing against one of the walls of the room I clutch my sides as I gasp for air. “I’m here! I’m here professor!” I wheeze out before looking over to… my professor?
Who wasn’t even here. “Sorry I’m late Class my assistant got lost.” A voice said as two people walked in. One of them sporting a goatee with a “Balance in Mind and Body” written on his shirt under his jacket, and a girl who appeared to be in her early teens with red and yellow hair making it look like bacon. “Now your usual Professor has gotten the flu and is unable to watch you all today. I am Professor Eric Smith and this is my class assistant who goes by her nickname Sunset.”
I stare at the two individuals for a while as I gradually brought my breathing under control. I chuckle as I bring myself to my feet thanking every god out there that I made it in time.
“Your Welcome,” The Professor said before he turned to me with a raised eyebrow. I blink before turning and collapsing on a stool off to one side of the room. Looking around I see quite a few people all sitting on similar stools and all of them working on some sort of project of their own designs.
Shrugging off my backpack I open one of the smaller pockets and pull out the contents.
‘...Shit.’ I think as I stare down at the handful of broken white feathers. Sighing I walk over to the back wall and grab my project. I won’t be able to finish it now, but an incomplete grade is better than no grade.
“Is something wrong?” I jump at a voice behind me, forgetting how close I am to the wall, and accidentally smack one of the large wings against the wall as I turn.
A sickening snap fills the air as I look down at my project in horror. The pair of wings I have been working on for over three months now has a hanging limb, the force of hitting the wall snapping the support as the right wing droops to the floor.
I look at the person who startled me with malice in my eyes, only for my heart to plummet as I see who it is. “I think your project is broken.” Professor Smith said. His assistant hit him in the back of the head, “Ow! Really Sunset?” He asked.
“Yes thanks to you her project is ruined! Fix it!” She hissed at him.
“How about I just give her a complete grade?” He asks as he turns to me.
I look at the substitute for the longest time, before glancing down at my ruined pair of wings. Looking back up I can see that the entire class has frozen looking at the scene with varying degrees of sympathy.
Starring Mr. Smith in the eyes I drop my project before slugging the guy in the face. There is an explosion of noise as several people drop what they’re working on and rush forward. I grab the professor by the jacket and push him into the mob knocking them over as I rush to the door. Swinging it open I run like a madwoman through the now empty halls and don’t stop until I’m out of the building.
I look out across the grass covering the ground as I try my hardest not to start crying. I can see a tow truck hauling a familiar green sports car away in the distance. Sighing, I get up and start walking away from the building I have been studying at for the past year and a half. “Are you alri- Ow!” The professor yelped as I punched him in the face… Again, “That almost broke my jaw!” I grab his jacket again before he can continue and lift him off the ground.
“Three months, three freaking months of hard work ruined!” I roar in his face as I drop him.
“Look I can fix it, ok?” He said, catching my next punch with ease.
I frown as I jerk my arm back out of his grasp. Taking several deep breaths I finally unclench my hands, “Fine…” I mumble before walking away.
I stare at the ceiling of my apartment with wide eyes as I process what I did today.
‘I assaulted someone… I committed a crime, a federal offense crime. What the hell was I thinking?!? I’m going to have a record… A record over a stupid pair of wings.’
“Knock knock is anyone there?” A voice said knocking on the door.
“Coming” I choke out as I quickly wipe the tears from my eyes. Stumbling over to the door I look out the peephole to see who it is. I see the girl from earlier, the substitute’s assistant, standing with her arms crossed behind her back.
I hesitantly unlock the door and open it. Staring at the smaller woman I feel as if a noose is slowly tightening around my neck. “Hey so Lok- I mean Mr. Smith finally fixed your wings... and I kinda made him give you a perfect grade for the next few weeks.” She said with a wink.
I look at the woman as if she’s insane, probably because she is. I just assaulted her co-worker earlier today, shouldn’t she be scared to even be near me? I continue to stare at her in silence before I come to the only conclusion that makes sense, “...You’re a cop aren’t you?” I whisper... it made sense in a strange way. The local police probably got a hint that Harry was drug dealing so they came to check him out, and they got me instead, someone who assaulted an undercover cop. I’m honestly half expecting police to grab me as soon as I step out of the apartment.
“What? No I am not!” She exclaimed, “If this is about Mr. Smith trust me I do worse to him, he’s use to it.” She waved her hands, “Actually after you were done I hit him over the head with a chair.” Pulling out her phone she started playing a clip that showed exactly what she said.
I stare at the woman as she puts her phone away. “Well… Thank you, I guess... Listen is there a reason why you came here?” I ask as I slowly move my right hand over to where I keep my umbrellas and grabbing one just in case I need to defend myself.
“Nope though Mr. Smith did tell me to say, ‘Loki says hi’ for some reason.”
That makes no sense, and my confusion quickly turned to anger, “Well tell him that Renna thinks he deserves to have a broken jaw!” I yell at the girl as I slam the door in her face. I immediately feel horrible, but before I do anything else I run over to my pull-out bed and scream into the pillows.
‘What the hell is wrong with me today?’
I must have fallen asleep because I open my eyes to a dark room, the only light coming from a digital clock on the nightstand to my left. I groan as I get up off the bed and move towards the bathroom across from me. Flicking the light switch I glance around before turning on the shower. Pulling the shower curtain closed I look in the mirror right next to the light switch and I’m greeted by the image of a tall woman with horrible bed hair and red eyes.
‘I look like one of those drunks on tv.’ I muse as I check the water temperature of the shower. Contemplating my situation when I feel that it is still too cold.
‘Alright, so they’re apparently not cops, but if that video Sunset showed me is legitimate I might have been better off with the cops. In fact, why didn’t anyone else call the cops when they saw me assault Mr. Smith? In fact… Why would Sunset record herself committing a crime?’ My eyes widen as I come to my conclusion, ‘It isn’t her phone. Someone else recorded it, but why would they let her take their phone, unless she knocked them out and stole it…’
I start to hyperventilate as I realize I might be way in over my head. ‘Alright, calm down. You just met two people who are probably criminals, who have taken a special interest in you for some reason. No need to panic, just calmly call the police and… and what? Explain to them what happened today? That you attacked a possible criminal? Someone who might be an ordinary professor in an abusive relationship? Yeah, real smart Renna…’
“Or you could just ask us you know.” I yelp as I see my reflection replaced by Mr. Smith and his assistant. Turning back I see nothing but a wall with a towel rack behind me, “I’m talking to you through the mirror.” Looking back I’m relieved to see my reflection staring back at me.
“Hey you're not insane you know that right?” I jolt and see Mr. Smith as a painting on the wall in my bedroom.
I blink and the painting disappears, looking back in the mirror I take a shaky breath and check the water again. I nod as warm water washes over my hand and I quickly close the door.
My eyes snap open as a loud buzzing announces the start of a new day. Groaning, I slam a fist down on the clock on the nightstand silencing the noise before crawling to the edge of the bed and falling off it. “Good morning.” A talking cat said to me as it jumps off the bed.
I half heartedly glare at the cat before slowly shambling off to the kitchen.
It is way too early to deal with this.
My eye twitches as I stare at the two figures outside my door. “Hello Renna.” Mr. Smith said with a cheerful tone.
“...What do you want?” I ask in a monotone voice.
“He doesn’t want anything, I want to ask you a important question…” His assistant said.
“Do you believe in magic?” Mr. Smith interjected, getting a foot stomped on for his troubles.
“No. I do not believe in magic, and if you do not go away then I’m going to call the cops.” I say in a rising voice.
“How about I prove to you magic exists will you: A. Not call the cops and B. Listen to me?” Mr. Smith asked.
“You know what? Fine, if magic is real then take me to the damn moon, make the moon have air I can breath. Hell, make the moon into cheese!” I say in an aggravated tone.
“That’s all? That’s child's play.” Mr. Smith said in a dismissive tone and with a snap all of us are on a yellow surface… and there is a colorful sphere in the sky… which cheese literally surrounding us. “So what you think?” He asked as a walking cane formed out of nothingness, “By the way my name isn’t Eric Smith… well it kinda is but you may call me Loki.” he said as a top hat formed on his head.
I blink, and then I blink again. With the third blink I finally snap out of my daze and ask one simple question, “What the %&$# are you?!?”
“I am Loki and I am a reality warping, multiverse traveling god.” He states.
“Well that is interesting and all, but if you don’t mind me asking, why are you so interested in me?” I ask the man standing across from me. We came back to my apartment a little while ago and I still find myself wondering if Harry didn’t slip something into my drink last time we ate lunch together.
“Oh nothing much, I only meet you during my younger travels and you were like a trillion year old angel lady and your brother was a Champion to a local chaos god, no big deal,” Mr. Smith or Loki as he was known said as he started eating a plate right in front of me.
I look at the self proclaimed god with a deadpan expression, “Alright, now I know you’re lying to me. Believing in magic is one thing, believing that I am a trillion year old angel is just insane, even by the standards your story made.”
“How about I prove it by bring your future self to you?” Loki asked as a cup floated to his lips.
“No!” I exclaim quickly. I have read too many stories about people meeting their future selves and almost all the time the person either killed their past self or the universe was destroyed as soon as they met.
“Then how about your brother’s future self?” Loki asked.
I shifted uncomfortably on the bed as I’m reminded of how much this guy knows, “I’d rather not,” I mumble as I look anywhere but at Loki.
“Screw that he’s going to do it.” A ghost made of mix matched parts said appearing next to Loki.
“Oh Discord you know me so well,” Loki said as he reached into a portal.
“Because I am you.” He said.
“Got him!” Loki then pulled out Allen who was holding a sword bigger than him with one hand like it was nothing.
“What’s going on?” He asked. He noticed me then and his voice quickly took on a desperate tone, “Renna! I can explain! Please don’t turn me to stone again.”
I stare at my brother and the sword he is wielding before quickly turning back to Loki, “Ok! You proved to me that you’re a god just stop pulling stuff out of nowhere!”
“I pulled him out of another Multiverse.” Loki said before tossing Allen back into the portal.
I take a deep breath before turning to Sunset, “What about you? How do you fit into all of this, Sunset?”
“I’m an Alicorn from Loki’s dimension and I’m both his student and his assistant/traveling companion.”
I nod my head like I know what an Alicorn is and turn back to Loki, “Alright, so… Why are you here again? I get that I’m apparently an old friend or something, but why stop in now when I don’t even know who you are?”
“Well you see... how do I put this? I have to displace you otherwise a tear will open up in a transcendent timeline and delete two universes from existence by retconning them both from existence.”
“You will basically be erased from existence.” Sunset summed up.
I laugh nervously as I look between the two, “Alright, what do you have to do to ‘displace’ me?” Praying to any god out there that this is all just a bad nightmare conjured up by the stress in my life.
“One it’s your wings, and two it’s not a nightmare alright,” Loki said, “And no I’m not reading your mind I’m reading it after it’s typed in the google doc.”
“What about my wings?” I ask hesitantly, trying to actively ignore his ramblings now.
“It’s what I need to cast the displacement spell on it will send you through the void absorbing a bit of the Void energy and giving you five powers that are on this list for you,” Loki said handing me a list of powers, “You probably wouldn’t guess it but I was displaced too so don’t worry ok.”
“...Just… Just give me the wings already,” I sigh hoping that once nothing special happens I can try and start a new life… maybe in Ohio.
Loki handed me the wings which he got from... somewhere. “Ok stand back,” Loki summoned up two balls of pure energy in each hand, “Also I will give you a medal that will serve a purpose for you when this story comes to an end and choice will be given now… cya!” Loki cast his spell… and I stare wide eyed as I am tossed through a flashing tunnel of light clutching my prop wings like a safety line.
‘You know, he was right. This isn’t sc-’
I scream as I am torn apart by a force pulling me in every direction.
