One day in the land of Equestria two odd creatures appeared. While there was some misunderstandings at first, they were friendly one was a male in silver armor with blue accents and the other was a female with white hair and a white robe. Though these two came a great change in Equestria, a new type of magic from their world. That was a year ago, now we join a beat up looking Stallion as he stands before the Adventurer’s Guild built into the newest Princess’ Castle.
This is Thunder, once a Royal Guard he was wounded in the changeling attack for which he was given a purple heart. The four years since he has been recluse, till now, he heard of the change even seen a Colt save a group of young fillies from a Burgest with a large axe. the Colts words lead him here the Castle of Twilight Sparkle the Princess of Friendship.
After a short talk with the guards at the door, who were once in the same unit as him in the Guard, he was led in and taken to the throne room. There he saw the princess upon her throne talking actively with a Silver Mare the guard beside him coughed drawing both of their attention “oh” the princess gasped “so sorry, are you here on business?” she asked displaying none of the regal decorum he used to see from Princess Celestia.
He shook his head, wincing as he saluted due to the injury he got in the Changeling attack from which he still bears a scar on his leg “no ma’am, I am the retired Guard who sent you that message.”
She gasped “oh dear, i’m sorry so much has happened today it slipped my mind, Silver Prose.” the mare next to her saluted “go find Y’shtola please” the princess said and the mare stood from her seat, bowed to the princess, and walked off out the door and down the hall “so” the princess began after Prose had left “have you given any thought to your first Class? the first time you take up the Class Magics can be quite… jarring” she said with a slight tone of concern.
Thunder nodded slowly trying to recall what it was called “I think it was called Disciple of War?” he said unsure.
She giggled “Close, the Disciples of War is a broad Category that terms all Classes that involve physical combat such as Gladiator, Pugilist, Marauder, Lancer, Archer, and Rouge”
Thunder blinks blankly for a moment “that’s a lot” he thought for a bit “I think it best I take Archer, after all I did use a Bow of magic in the Guard. Who is to be my teacher?” he said.
“That would be-” she stated but stopped with voices on the other side of the door it soon opened to a bright pink mare, a ‘mare’ with a white mane, dark hairless skin as well as cat ears and a tail also accompanied by a 'stallion' covered in silver armor with blue cloth accents "good timing," the princess said "Thunder, meet Y'shtola and Demeanoris, the visitors who brought the Class Magic to Equestria” both bowed slightly to Thunder.
"Tis a pleasure making your acquaintance, I am Y'shtola the white" the Cat-mare said and the Armored 'Stallion' stepped up
"same, I am Demeanoris Equis of Ishgard" he said
Thunder saluted flinching again before he nods. "Pleasure to meet you both. I'm glad that you two have came by to even speak to me."
the pink mare walked past him and began talking to the princess. Demeanoris smiled the scar over his left eye becoming plain and the eye itself, silver yet not milky like you'd expect, "we speak with all new adventurers" he said
Y'shtola walked up to Thunder's left side "this wound is old and did not heal properly"
Thunder blinks as he looks at the two. Then at her alone. "Yea. I got it defending the castle from an attack. Well the one in Canterlot I mean. I took a sword to the leg years ago and still never got used it."
Y'shtola nodded and looked to Demeanoris "May I have use of one of your knives?"
"Y'shtola, what do you intend to do?" he said making a sharp knife appear out of a light, she took it
"Help his wound heal" she said as she drove the knife into his Scar and pulled it out "now Cure II" after a very sharp pain the pain from the wound was almost gone "you'll still feel some phantom pain likely for the rest of your days but they will be far less now" all in the room looked shocked at her.
Thunder was the most shock as he saw the scar again open only to close again. Less noticeable and the pain was almost gone. Barely there though as he put pressure on it. He even walked around normal for once after so long. "This...wow just this is amazing! Thank you...you guys don't mess around."
Y'shtola nodded "your world has Magic, none so openly used as ours, yet your people take to our ways like fish to water. pray what was the first Class you wished to take, perhaps Conjurer like myself, or a Gladiator like my old friend Demeanoris, or something else?"
Thunder takes a step back to make sure his leg was well and good. "I was hoping to be an Archer honestly. I was always good with it."
Demeanoris and Y'shtola's eyes widen a bit and they step back just as the pink mare from before appears in his line of sight face to face with him "You wanna be an Archer?"
Thunder blinks but looks unfazed. "Yes ma'am. I do wanna be an archer. Was one before and will again."
"hope your sure, cuz being an ARC isn't just about shooting Arrows a lot it's also about..." she said and stopped to 'Pause for effect' then she whips out her bow and it folds in on itself and turns into a harp "keeping your Party going with song! Tupsimati, Tupsimati, where did it go. Tupsimati, Tupsimati"
Demeanoris leans to Y'shtola "Did you tell her about Louisoix’s staff?" she shook her head and Demeanoris shrugged "I give up trying to understand that one."
Thunder takes a step back surprised. Though he stands still and nods. "I'm willing to do what it takes. I am a retired guard who got injured protecting people. So I can do this almost no problem. I'm positive."
Demeanoris stepped up "Don't let Pinkie frighten you, the magic of the class will do the music for you, you just have to remember the song name to play it besides you won't have to worry about Songs till a ways in and by then it'll be easy" Y'shtola nodded as Pinkie continued her song in the background
Thunder nods as he looks at the group. "Alright. Alright thank you guys. Though one question I have is when do I start?"
Pinkie stopped singing "right now." she grabbed Thunder's hand and tried to pull him out but Y'shtola stopped her
"now Pinkie, have we not talked about permissions?" Y'shtola said in a firm tone
"oh right, we can start as soon as you want to" Pinkie said after releasing Thunder's hand
Thunder chuckles as he looks at the group. "Well I'm ready when able. Just lead the way." He chuckled.
Pinkie reached for his hand with a smile but she was stopped by Y'shtola again "Personal space, Guildmaster Pie." Y'shtola fell in beside Thunder "I shall come with you, to watch in case the wound acts up"
Thunder nods. "Thank you Y'shtola. Alright well let's go." He said excitedly.
Pinkie lead them down the hall after waving to Demeanoris and Twilight. after a bit Y'shtola spoke "Pray, is the tale behind the scar to difficult to divulge?" Pinkie's bounciness faded, she too wondered this
Thunder looked at her and shrugs. "Simple. I got hurt fighting is all. Took a sword to the leg that's it." He shrugged as if it was nothing.
Y'shtola nodded "Fair, I ask for I glean the sense of a darkness about you, normally this is seen around those who have suffered a trauma, last I saw this same sense was around a young boy who saw his parents perish to a great beast born of the Calamity"
Thunder looks down and nods. "I feel sorry for him. Though at a young age for me, I ended up having some interesting things happen to me." He looked at the girls. "Don't worry about it at all okay?"
Y'shtola nodded again and smiled "Fair, we shall not pry, we shall wait until you are ready" Pinkie opened a door to a great hall with targets lined up on one side, there were a few ponies already using bows to practice, one scored a bulls-eye
"Great job Archer!" Pinkie said
"Thank you Guildmaster"
"Aww, how many times I gotta tell you, call me Pinkie." Pinkie whined
"Forgive me Guil- Pinkie"
Thunder smiled as he looked at the few others. He didn't know how to introduce himself. Though he wouldn't mind practicing his rusty skills.
"I see your Itchy to get back to it, so here" Pinkie said holding out a beat up short bow "I know it a bit 'weathered' but it's great starting place"
Thunder nods as he reaches out and takes hold of the bow.
A sudden burst of energy flowed through him, it felt familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time, Y'shtola took his shoulder "that is the Class magics"
Thunder looked at his arm and hand opening then closing it. The feeling was slowly leaving as he looked over himself. "Whoa...no that was cool. Um so do I get arrows or...do I use my own?"
"No worries there" Pinkie brought her bow out, Thunder now saw a small white thing sitting on the top of the it looked like it was part of the bow, she drew the string back and an arrow appeared in the nock just as she fired splitting Archer's shot, the ponies of the guild began clapping "stop it you're making me blush"
Thunder blinks then nods. "So kinda like I used to do it." He said as he pulled the string back.
he felt a new magic flow through the bow string and turn into an arrow, the magic compelled him to pull harder and once he let go he hit and knocked the target over "congrats, you used Heavy shot, your first Weapon Skill"
Thunder looks at the bow and thinks of what he just did. "Wow...well at least I got a bow I don't need to use magic for. Also got a skill."
Y'shtola stepped up "as you train you'll learn more," she motioned to Pinkie, who thought
"Oh yea, the next you'll learn is Straight shot, this one does something to make you more likely to hit the sweet spot"
Thunder nods as he pulls back again and fires hitting another target. "This is good. Everything's coming back to me. Maybe soon I'll be able to be as skilled as before."
Y'shtola nodded "let us hope so, Equestria had it’s beasts but as Hydaelyn brought Demeanoris and myself here t'would seem she opened a hole to allow Aether to seep in from Eorzea to power our Magics, with Aether comes Monsters born of it, most are calm even friendly but some..." she quieted
Thunder looks at her then sighs. "Some are more aggressive. Don't worry I know what that means. One main reason why I wanted to join was protect people. Something I was good at."
"Good," Pinkie said "cuz as your first Training exercise, you'll go into the woods north of town and put down 3, Ground Squirrels, Little Ladybugs, and Forest Fungars. don't worry about killing them they poof back almost as soon as you put their HP to zero"
Y'shtola continues for Pinkie "The weaker monsters need only very little Aether to exist so returning is easy for them"
Thunder nods as he looks his bow over. "Okay well who's gonna lead the hunt?"
"You are, silly, how can it be training if you don't get any EXP." Pinkie said as if it were obvious.
Y'shtola spoke again "but I shall accompany you and heal you if you get injured."
Pinkie puffed her cheeks "Fine then may as well send somepony to bail him out if the weakest mobs around get the better of him," her eyes shoot wide "hey Fluttershy!" she called out to the door
Thunder turned seeing a yellowish mare walk in. The armor she wore didn't make sense to how she seemed to be personality wise
The mare wore dark, near black, armor with a visor that looked like four red eyes over her face carrying a great Lance "yes Pinkie?" Fluttershy said in a near silent voice from behind her visor before lifting it to look with cerulean eyes that displayed a fair amount of shyness
"Hello dear Fluttershy" Y'shtola said and Shy waved
Pinkie then asked "can you go with this newb to make sure he doesn't get in over his head?"
"Um, ok" she said setting her visor back down giving her armor the look of a dragon once more
Thunder blinks as he looks down at his simple clothes. Jeans with orange shirt. He then looked up at Shy. "Alright...um where are we going to hunt?"
"In the forest north of town like I said, it's called White tail woods" Pinkie said, Y'shtola and Fluttershy walked to the door
Thunder nods. "Right sorry. I have short term memory loss." He said as he followed the two out. As they walked he noticed the pain was barely there so he almost didn't notice. "Thanks again Y'shtola."
"T'was no trouble, I seek that all i would call ally be the best they can" Y'shtola said while Fluttershy was quiet though the castle halls
Thunder nods as they kept walking. After a bit he spoke again. "Why are you in the guild?"
Y'shtola looked surprised "none have asked me that, but I helped found the guild and while Demeanoris is a very good White mage he does not know as much as I, as such I am the Conjuration Guildmaster"
Thunder nods. "That's good to know. Least now if we need anything summoned we have a very good Conjurer. What about you miss Shy?"
Y'shtola giggled "I fear you have confused Conjuration with Arcanima, nay I do not Summon forth I ask the land to heal, an Arcanist can Summon creatures of Aether to fight at their side. Fear not t'is a common mistake I now see."
Fluttershy turned and opened her visor and removes her helm letting her long light pink hair loose "I joined because I became tired of dragging my friends down, I tried all the classes yet only Dragoon seems to fit," she laughs "it's odd because I'm very afraid of Dragons"
Thunder nods. "Ah. Yea I got that confused. Well at least we got a very skilled healer with us. And Shy that's good. Maybe if you're something you're afraid of it helps you fight a lot better doesn't it?"
"that it does" she began to put her helm on, Thunder notices her demeanor change when the visor sets over her face, gone is the fearful stance only a warrior stands there "now let's hurry, Whitetail can be dangerous at night"
Thunder blinks and nods as he quickens his pace to follow theirs. "I'm out of shape. Should've said that before, but I just sat around for three years."
"Fear not, the magic will aid you till you are fit of body again" Y'shtola said looking at him with her bright teal eyes
Thunder smiles nodding. "Thanks it helps." He said as he looked ahead as they entered the woods. "How much sunlight do we have left?"
Fluttershy vanished leaving a circle of dust where her feet once were "Not much, best hurry" her voice came from the tree top, from where she jumped back to the ground
Thunder blinks surprised at this. "That's new...alright then lead the way. I'm just here to train."
Y'shtola nodded and points "your first foe is there," a large brown squirrel that dug at the ground a ways away, it was noticeably larger than normal Squirrels
Thunder looks at it then her before he took a few steps forward. He nods as he raises his bow pulling the string back. An arrow appears and as he pulled he felt as though the bow was gonna soon break. That's when he let go sending the arrow flying.
The Squirrel took the arrow and slid along the ground, then it got up and turned to Thunder its eyes glowed red "you drew it's ire, now keep up the attack till it falls" Y'shtola said
Thunder nods as he pulls the string again, though only half way as an arrow appears. He took a few breaths and let go. As soon as the arrow was flying he drew again sending another. He did this three other times five arrows flying.
After the fourth the beast fell to the ground the fifth flying over it and embedded in a tree, the beast began to dissolve into purple mist "good work, and you only let it travel two yalms before felling it, very good" Y'shtola said as a cantankerous roar was heard the tree with the arrow turned to the party with red eyes "oh dear, you hit a Treant" she said as the tree began to move to the group
Thunder looks in shock as it starts to rush towards them. That's when instinct took over. He quickly put the bow over his shoulder and on his back as he outstretched his right hand. Using magic he summoned a sword. A one handed long sword with a decorative handle with tally marks on the blade. The tree kept rushing as he turned himself sideways and took a few deep breaths.
But the beast would come no closer, Fluttershy hits the ground just in front of it her spear burning as the fire burst outward, the Treant burned and soon began smoking Purple mist, Y'shtola took Thunder's hand "pray, be at ease the Treants are far more than you could handle at the moment, as luck would have it Fluttershy is very strong"
Fluttershy walks back to the group "don't fear the bigger monsters now, I can handle anything in these woods" she said
Thunder lowers his sword as he looks at it. The tally marks before he made it disappear quickly. He took the bow. "Thanks for that miss Shy. Are we still hunting or should we leave?"
"you still have eight more to slay, let us press on" Y'shtola said with a smile.
After an hour the group left the forest, but as they did two figures in dark robes and red masks, one was a pony, the other like Y'shtola, appeared out of dark mist, "So you chose a form of this world, Lahabrea?"
"Yes, I would have the Warrior of light cut down that which he protects, but this new one..."
"Fear not, I will deal with him in due course" this one faded
"That does not put me at ease" Lahabrea disappeared.
The group made their way to Ponyville proper, a gleam caught Thunder's eye, a pony with a grinding wheel and a rainbow glow in his hand, it placed the glow to the wheel and it gleamed brightly "yes" the pony called as he put it to the wheel again and stood "Sweet some High-Quality heliodor earrings now I'll be an even better Gladiator" it said walking off
Thunder blinks. "Well that was...something. So things are strange compared to what I've done before."
Y'shtola nodded "And you did very well in doing so you added several layers to your Aether, but seeing that pony create that piece of equipment makes me think you should take up a disciple of the Hand class" Fluttershy nods
"Disciple of the hand? How come?"
Y'shtola took out a few pieces of equipment "Sometimes being able to make your own equipment can help"
Shy opened her visor "Even more so if you can make it High Quality"
"Indeed 'HQ' equipment is usually better that some equipment better than the base"
"Oh. So I can make my own bow and all. Even sword or armor?"
Y'shtola nodded "indeed but I must warn you there are a lot of Crafting classes to be had and each can only make certain things, taking one maybe enough, more will make things easier"
Fluttershy nodded "Many things use things made by other Crafting classes, like for a Blacksmith to make a viking sword it needs yew lumber made by a Carpenter, a Steel ingot it can make itself and clove oil"
Thunder nods. "Wow that's...that's a lot. I think I'll wait for a bit and stick with this."
Y'shtola nodded "That's fair, beside, Crafting is not for all" she pointed to somepony who hit a glow white with a hammer and it popped in a red tint then shattered and he began yelling
"Oh my" Shy said as she set her visor back
Thunder nods. "Yea." His stomach growls. "Um...food?"
Y'shtola laughs "with the beast in your gut maybe you'd like Culinarian, but come I'm sure Pinkie's Culinary Guild have cooked a feast for the whole Guild" Fluttershy laughs and nods as well
Thunder nods. "Yea lets go. Please lead the way."
As they approach the castle a loud "I quit!" rings out and a Mare with a staff walks in grumbling. Y'shtola walks to the rest of her party "I thought we said you two would not be in the same party anymore" looking at the three one with a book, one with knuckle dusters, the last with a greataxe whom took her helmet off to show blonde hair
"Sorry Y'sh, we got a request marked urgent and me, Rainbow, Rares, and that Conjurer were the only ones available"
'Rainbow' took her mask off and put it in her multicolored hair "sorry, me an AJ got into our contest again"
'Rares' waved off a glowing yellow creature and it disappeared "if I had not been using Physick we might have fallen"
Y'shtola nodded "then it is good you did, come I'll hear your reports after dinner" she waved them in and walked back to her group
Thunder looks as they enter and nods. "This should be nice. Maybe I can see some old friends maybe or make new ones." He shrugs.
Fluttershy smiled "that's the spirit!" they headed in.
Thunder followed as they went inside and he even looked around at the mess hall. "Whoa...this is amazing."
inside the great hall sat a veritable Army yet the air and sound gave a tone frivolity
Thunder grins as he remembers his academy days. "This brings back some memories."
Someone waved to him, a young mare with an Ax on her back behind her bright red hair
Thunder looks carefully and smiles as he walks over sitting in front of her. "It's nice to see you again."
she smiled wide "you too, girls this is that swordspony Ah told ya about" she said to the two sitting next to her, a pegasus with some Knuckles and a Unicorn with a small leafy wand, "Thunda, this is Scootaloo an Sweetie Belle"
Thunder nods to them. "Nice to meet you girls. Always nice to see that Applebloom has friends above a retired guard."
"So your the one who joined the Archers?" Scootaloo asked
Thunder nods. "Yea. I was a good archer before my injury."
"that makes sense," Sweetie said.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes "hope your fast on your feet, your gonna need some Pugilist magic to handle the Bard stone"
"Bard stone?"
they looked at each other, then AB asked "yew don't know bout the Soul Stones?"
Thunder shakes his head. "I've been gone for three years from most contact."
AB sighed "your lucky Ah just got ma first today" she sets a red jewel down on the table it had what looked like the head of a Double-sided Ax in it "the soul of the Warrior, ta get your stone yer gonna need 30 levels of Archer Aether and about 15 levels of Pugilist Aether too. fer me ta get this Ah needed some Gladiator Aether"
"Oh wow...man this is more complicated than I thought."
Sweetie look at him sad "it isn't that bad, once you find one you like you only need to get some Aether from one other, then back to what you like"
"Wheres the fun in that, I'am gonna get all of the classes to 50 eventually" Scootaloo said with a puffed up chest
Thunder chuckles. "You girls are an interesting bunch. More than most I meet these days really."
"What do ya expect, We're still looking for our marks" Scoots said as AB and Sweetie nodded
Thunder blinks and chuckles. "I forgot you wanted to get the marks. You girls will get it soon enough I'm sure."
"Hay yea we will, we're trying for Adventuring marks now" Scoots said.
AB shook her head "I'm here for ma sis, she's working herself to the bone being the Marauder Guildmaster I'm trying ta take some of the weight off her"
Sweetie nodded "we get hurt so often I took Conjurer so I could heal us"
Thunder chuckles. "I know how it works. Y'shtola healed my scar so that's how I can stand and fight now."
AB's eyes shoot wide "You were Hurt?!" she yelled as his earlier words caught up to her
"Oh...thought you'd knew. While I was protecting Twilight and the girls I got hurt and had to retire."
AB fell back "she lied ta me"
Scoots put her hand on her shoulder "hey, maybe she didn't want you to worry, don't think this guy would want you worrying about him."
Thunder looks at her confused. "Who?
AB looked hurt "AJ, she told me you were fine"
Thunder deflates a little as he reaches over and touches her hand with a caring touch. "She just didn't want you to worry."
"It still hurts" AB said defeated "you could have been hurt, an Ah wouldn't have known" she said getting angry
"Hey Bloom keep it calm, how about we see if any Dungeons have respawned after dinner? I know how you like to knock Monster heads" Scoots said trying to calm AB down
Thunder grips her hand as a friend. "To be honest I wouldn't have told the truth either. You were too young...but now you're older and stronger. Don't be mad at your older sister for protecting you."
Sweetie looked on "Maybe you would like to come with us? you're a Damage type and we need one more Damage type to make a light party"
Thunder nods. "Yea...uh yea after dinner. I'll just tell Shy and Y'shtola I'll be going with you girls."
AB seemed to be calming down "thank ya, Thunda"
He smiles and nods. "I'll be right back okay girls? I'll just talk to the two." He said walking off smiling at them before turning. As he walked he sat with Shy and Y'shtola. "Hey girls. I need to talk to you about the girls. They want me to go to a dungeon with them."
all at the head table stopped eating "what girls?" Twilight said no longer in her royal regalia instead in Robes
"Bloom, Sweetie, and Scoots."
AJ, Rarity, and Rainbow all turn to him "an they want you to run a Dungeon with 'em?" AJ asked
Thunder nods. "Yea...though Bloom found out about something. She apparently didn't know what really happened to me."
AJ flinched "daw crap, she took to ya so hard, Ah knew it'd kill 'er if you got so much as a scratch, and then you got retired by a wound, if'n I told her an' couldn't bring ya to her ta reassure 'er..." AJ fell silent.
Y'shtola nodded "this I can understand, you did say you went into seclusion afterwards"
Demeanoris nodded "don't beat yourself up AJ, you made a good call"
Thunder sighs and shrugs. "Yea I agree. Still...sorta blame myself a little honestly. I could've just not been alone afterwards."
AI shook her head "nah it's fine, you had your reasons"
Rainbow looked pensive "the only Dungeon that respawned is the castle of the Two Sisters, you think the newb and the Girls are good enough for that"
Demeanoris nodded "Apple Bloom just became a Warrior and Sweetie is close to White Mage, and Scoots isn't far behind, so yea they should be and the monsters in the two Sisters aren't too tough"
Thunder nods. "Yea. Besides I need to upgrade monsters sooner or later. So why not sooner?"
Demeanoris nodded and held out his hand "ok but be wary, keep your party role in mind AB is your Tank let her pull the enemy's attention then you and Scoots put 'em down"
Thunder nods as he takes it with a firm grip before getting up letting go. "I will. Don't worry I'm sure they'll make sure I keep safe." He joked as he walked away.
Demeanoris nodded as did the others, Y'shtola got up and followed him a ways "Thunder, pray, might i have a word with you?"
Thunder nods as he stops and looks around as they walk to the corner. "Sure. What's wrong?"
"Naught is amiss, I just get this odd feeling around you, not unlike when I first met Demeanoris and the first Warrior of light" Y'shtola said while looking him in the eyes "yet at same time it is unlike that, curious. oh well, Pray, stay safe."
Thunder smiles with a chuckle as he pats her arm. "I'll be safe don't you worry. I'll be careful like always."
She laughs a bit "t'is what worries me" she bowed and returned to the head table
Thunder chuckles as he walks to the table sitting with the three girls. "I'm in."
Scoots held her fist-pumped "cool, did they tell you what Dungeon has respawned?" she said, AB looked away
Thunder looks at Bloom and pats her hand. "Two Sisters. Best thing is you girls have to protect me mainly."
Sweetie looked surprised "The old castle? that's a level 20 dungeon are you sure you can handle it?"
Scoots waved her off "we can train him, Party with him then we go take on some Level 30 monsters and he'll get Xp, he'll be 20 before noon tomorrow"
Thunder smiles at Bloom. "Yea I'm sure. Well I think so. Want to help Bloom?"
She sat up "sure" she said in a monotone voice before getting up.
Scoots called after her "hey meet at the Quest board at 5 am" AB nodded and walked off
Thunder looks as she walks off and sighs. "Celestia...what's wrong?"
Scoots shrugged "I don't know, one second she's mad the next she's- that" Sweetie looked worried
Thunder sighs. "Maybe she's still upset with AJ. Well let's see how she is later right?"
Scoots nodded "yea, anyway" she yawned "see ya in the morning you two" she got up
Sweetie waved "night Scootaloo"
Thunder waves with a nod. "Yea cya." He said smiling as he looked at Sweetie. "Glad to see you girls are helping keep Bloom in check."
"Bloom isn’t that bad," she giggled "but when all three of us are together, watch out" she laughed
Thunder chuckled. "Oh I'm sure. I bet you really are bad girls."
Sweetie's eyes fell "we're not bad, just unlucky"
"Unlucky is an understatement" Sweetie's eyes went wide as two young earth mares approached
"Yea, being born without a talent, so sad" the other said, the silver one as opposed to the light pink one who spoke earlier
Thunder follows her gaze seeing the two. He sighs as he looks at the girls and spoke. "Well those with no talent are sure to be much greater than those that already do. I don't have a talent yet so are you gonna make fun of a retired guard too?"
Sweetie looked at him in shock, right before the two mares began laughing "Oh my Celestia, a Guard? without a mark! that's rich" the pink one said as she opened her book and read something in it as the silver one spoke
"I don't he's joking Dia"
Thunder shakes his head. "No I'm not. But I still did something. I was there four years ago when the changelings assaulted the castle. I even got so injured I had to retire. But I kept Twilight, the rest of the Elements of Harmony safe, and even helped save the Princess Celestia. You don't need a mark to be amazing or someone special."
Sweetie stared "wow" while 'Dia' laughed
“You, protect the Princess, ha, look at you i bet you aren't even Level 5," she begins writing in her book and after five seconds she threw her quill and it flashed and a sigil appeared in the air and soon a small orange thing appeared on the table "this is Topaz Carbuncle, he mean's I am at least level 15"
Thunder sighs as he sits back and puts his hurt leg on the chair beside him. He then lifts the pants leg up showing a scar. "I don't give a fuck about level little miss. All I care about is results and safety of others. This was from keeping others safe. What about you? I see you don't use your body or some other way of attack to defend others. I did and got hurt."
"So?" Dia said without a bit of falter in her voice the Silver one however did
"Dia maybe we should leave him alone" Dia humphed and waved Carbuncle to her and followed her and the Silver mare looked back before following her.
Sweetie looked to Thunder "I'm so sorry about her"
Thunder sighs as he rolls the pant leg down and turned facing her. "Don't worry about it. And yes before you ask its true. I don't have a cutie mark whatsoever. Honestly I wouldn't care if I did. It's just a mark to me and that's it. You shouldn't care either. I mean do what you want and love I have no say in it. But still don't be...don't be someone like me who did dangerous things for a simple mark. Look where it got me."
"You did things to get your mark?" Sweetie belle asked
"Oh yea. Like you, I really wanted it cuz everypony around me was getting them. But still I wanted one so badly. Though in the end...things happened."
"I'm sorry, wanna talk about it?"
Thunder shakes his head. "I'll live. Happened when I was...well around your girls ages. Still though don't worry. Just promise me and you make sure the others know for me. Don't risk your life."
"We try, we did some stupid things in the past but we're not as dumb now" She said
Thunder nods with a smile. "That's good. Look we should get some rest. I'll go to the place when it's time. Stay safe okay Bell?"
"That's my job" she said with a laugh and a wave
He chuckles as he nods getting up starting to walk out.
He walked to the main lobby and Demeanoris walked up to him "Ah there you are, I was wondering if you had a place to stay?"
"Yea. Though it's a simple motel so."
"Ah well, stay for what you paid for then come and lodge in the Adventurer's hall, there is more than enough space and you don't have a Hand or Land class so making Bits isn't going to be easy for you, the quests don't pay much, that alright?"
Thunder blinks and then nods with a small smile. "Yea...yea I'd like that. Be nice to meet new people maybe."
"Well good nig-" he was cut off by the main door opening hard and in the doorway stood a figure in heavy black armor carrying a massive sword
Thunder blinks as he takes a step back. "Who's that?"
Demeanoris took his sword and shield out "I don't know and they shouldn't be able to be here."
Thunder takes a step back again as he gets behind Demeanoris taking out his bow pulling it back showing two arrows. "This isn't good is it?"
"No, neither Y'shtola nor I brought the Dark Knight class here" he said as the Dark Knight held it's hand out and said "Unmend" in a distorted voice sending a dark orb at Demeanoris, it impacted his shield sending him back a long ways, the Knight's sword was on Thunder's shoulder
"Do you see me now?" it asked him
Thunder looks at him and doesn't flinch as he nods. "I do now yes. But you don't scare me or anything." He takes a step towards it cutting his neck slightly. "Go ahead and kill me I dare you."
"I have no-" it stopped talking and it's manner looked more and more angry "you arrogant prick"
it pulled it's sword back to swing at him but was stopped by Demeanoris knocking it back with a massive Shield Swipe "open FATE!" he said a pulse of energy sent out "your move, you stay and a horde of Adventures will be upon you soon" the Dark Knight looked unfazed "very well." after a minute of Demeanoris and the Knight fighting Y'shtola came down the stairs "Thunder are you ok?" she began healing the neck wound
Thunder nods as he felt it heal quickly. "Yea I'm fine. But I can't do anything against that prick. The most I can do is tickle him i'm sure."
"Yes, this is very odd, we didn't bring the Ishgardian classes here, how did a Dark Knight come to be here?" she said getting into stance but her cast was cut off by a black cloaked man in a red mask appear before her.
"Come now surely the answer is obvious"
She lept back "Ascian!"
Thunder quickly summoned his sword he used at the castle getting in front of Y'shtola.
The 'Ascian' laughed "you have more pressing concerns than me" he said pointing to the Knight who pushed Demeanoris and turned to Y'shtola and charged her
"you Bitch!" it said about to swing at Y'shtola
Thunders eyes went wide as he threw his sword at the 'Ascian' coating it with magical poison. Then he rushed as the knight using magic to cover his hands in steel as he tried to block the blade.
His hands caught the sword as he heard a clang, the Ascian had a hole in it's chest "I'll leave you three alone" he said as the hole repaired itself and he vanished in dark mist.
The knight pushed down on Thunder "let me do away with her, I don't want to hurt you"
Thunder growled as he got back up glaring at him. He shook his head. "You'll have to kill me first. Skill out does strength."
The Knight growled "Fine you want me to prove I'm better than her, Ah will" the Knight jumped back erected a barrier with only it and Thunder in it "come let me show you" it said getting into a stance
Thunder takes a stance nodding as he uses magic to makes his sword reappear in his hands. "Let's go."
The Knight sighs and drops a little "Salt the earth" a dark area appeared around Thunder's feet that began to burn at his feet
Thunder yelps as he jumps to the side and then groaned as he charged the knight slashing at it from an angle.
Purple hexagons stopped his charge as the Knight brought it's Great sword above Thunder
Thunder brings the sword up to block as he braces.
He barely holds against the clash and is pushed aside by the Knight back into the Salted Earth, a multitude of clashes, clangs, dings, and bangs are heard, the Adventurers were trying to get in. Y'shtola stood near where Thunder had fallen "Stand you can not falter, use your speed against the Knight"
"shut yer pie hole, Harlot this is between me and him" The Knight yelled at Y'shtola
Thunder groans as he is covered in cuts and his own blood. He slowly tries to get up as he's panting holding the blade up shakily. He grunts as he steps to the side at the right then the left. He then gets behind the knight slashing then bottom to top.
The Knight leaps forward losing balance and hit the barrier right in front of Y'shtola, her eyes widened "Demeanoris, the Knight Is a Host!"
"What!?" he said loudly and looked seeing a Dark Crystal as a horn at it's forehead "Thunder! Damage the Dark Crystal on its helmet!" Demeanoris yelled, the Knight was still not fully back on it's feet
Thunder nods as he jumps slashing hitting it. As he does he falls to the ground the amateur magic to keep his wounds close vanishing. He groans and rolls on the ground a little as his cuts are opened. His body was at its limit.
the Knight wobbled "yew lied" it's voice losing the distortion "leave me be you Lier!!!" Bloom’s voice came from the Knight as it pulsed with Darkness.
Soon another Ascian came from her "this is impossible how can I be ejected with such ease"
Demeanoris stood stock still "Lahabrea?"
"Good to see you again Warrior of Light"
Demeanoris became furious "you bastard, if you hurt her I'll do to you what I did to Nabriales!"
"Just try." it said as it vanished and the shield disappeared
Thunder looks at her as his vision gets blurry. Blood loss getting to him. He groans more as he tries to get to his knees.
"Benediction!" Y'shtola yelled as a great green light engulfed Thunder's skin closing his wounds and she helped him to his feet, Demeanoris ran for the spot Lahabrea was and looked around with a rabid gaze
Thunder groans as he leans mostly against her but tries his best to stay standing. He looks at Bloom with half opened eyes. "Bloom...?"
Y'shtola helped Thunder over near Apple Bloom “Thunder?” she said groggily looking around “did Ah do this?”
Thunder swallows as he nods. "Though it wasn't in your control was...was it?" He asked almost falling over.
Y'shtola caught him "tell me Bloom, what is thy last memory"
"Ah remember talking ta someone Ah couldn't see, and..." her voice fell as her eyes went wide and she ran off.
Demeanoris called out to them "go she needs you two, the other guild masters and I can clean up here"
Thunder nods as he looks at Y'shtola. "Sorry. But you're gonna have to do most of the work. I can run just will need help."
Y'shtola nodded as she began to move "truth be told, I would like to be no where else, as you fought I realized what that feeling was"
Thunder chuckles. "Only reason I did it was for you. But let's save the confessions till after we help Bloom?"
Y'shtola nodded and put her free hand to her ear "all castle guard, be on the look out for Apple Bloom she wears dark heavy armor, do not approach, report her location to me"
Thunder grins as they kept walking looking for her. "How bad will it be when we find her? Like what will happen to her?"
"Nothing" Y'shtola said plainly "I know well the influence of the Ascians, an old friend back on our home world was manipulated in the same way, they use a moment of weakness to gain access to your mind and take it over, you can not object to them, they are in control" her voice fading
Thunder sighs as he chuckles. "That's good...and sorry for your friend...hey it's getting kinda dark don't you think?" He asks out of breath eyes barely opened.
"Yes it is, we must find her" just then three chimes sounded and Y'shtola put her hand to her ear and listened "thank you, leave your name with Demeanoris good ser Knight. she is in the main courtyard"
Thunder nods as he tries to stay awake. "Lead the way." He says voice barely audible.
Y'shtola noted this "I fear if I speak with her alone I will only make this worse, Regen" her wand glowed as Thunder felt more lively by the moment "your body's natural regeneration is boosted for a moment, hopefully you'll be able to speak with young miss Bloom when we get to her"
Thunder nods as he was now able to at least keep awake but was weak. As they made their way to the court yard, Thunder saw bloom hunched over. "There she is...help me to her?"
Y'shtola did, as they approached they saw most of her Armor had been discarded and she now sat under a tree crying
Thunder looks at Y'shtola nodding as he let go of her and limped his way to Bloom. He sat down beside her with effort before he leaned against the tree. "This is familiar you know. This is how we first met."
She jumped "Thunda, please leave afor Ah hurt ya again"
He chuckles as he shakes his head. "No I won't leave. Plus I know you have control and didn't mean to hurt me. Y'shtola told me about how you were being controlled. Also you're too kind to be doing that kind of thing."
"That's just it, Ah did, afta Ah saw ya with miss Y', Ah went fer a walk and Ah heard the voice and he told me that if Ah was stronger you'd notice me and ma feelings for ya"
Thunder blinks as he looks at Y'shtola then at Applebloom. He sighs scratching his neck. "Sorry...I should've seen it a mile away huh? But Bloom, listen okay? What you have for me...I mean it isn't...how do I put this? The feelings you have for me is a puppy crush. Besides you're...well the law wouldn't even allow it. Plus I'm sure you might like another stallion round your age right?"
"Ah know yer right but Ah don't want it ta be right" she lend on him and began crying
Thunder just wraps an arm around her rubbing her shoulder gently. He looks at Y'shtola for any kind of help in the matter as he tried to comfort a girl he just broke.
Y'shtola shrugged, as Bloom cried she said "Ah'm sorry Ah was so weak, ah gave in ta him ma sista told me not ta talk ta strangers, guess ah'm stupid too" through her sobs
Thunder shakes his head as he hugs her slightly tighter. "No you're not. You just wanted help and he used your moment of weakness. But listen we all make mistakes so don't worry about it okay? It's a part of life really. Plus I'm sure your sister is worried sick along with your friends."
"AJ is gonna be so mad"
Thunder smiles and shakes his head. "Maybe. But mostly scared. She doesn't know what happened and doesn't know what's wrong. She'd want to see you and make sure you're okay."
"Okay" She said getting up, then she looked around at the Armor "is it bad I still know how to use the Dark Knight Class?"
Thunder shakes his head as he gets up with a smile. "No. It means if one attacks us you'll be the one to beat them."
"Maybe"
Y'shtola joined them "Applebloom..."
"If yer gonna say yer sorry, don't Ah'm at fault not you"
Thunder smiles as he hugs her with one arm. "It's fine okay?"
"You can say it but that don't make it true" AB said.
Y'shtola said "I know Applejack, Family is of great Import to her, you will be forgiven that much is certain"
AB sighed "Ah hope so"
Thunder smiles. "I know you will. Now c'mon let's go." He said as they started walking. He still had a limp but wasn't as bad as before. He wasn't needing help at least.
As they entered the main hall Demeanoris was there, he was checking them within two seconds "are you all ok?"
Thunder nods as he looks at Y'shtola then at Bloom as he hugged her one armed again. "Yea we're alive and well."
Demeanoris nodded and pulled a crystal out of his pocket and the castle resonated giving of a low tone every three seconds "come we must tell everyone" he waved them over to a raised platform, Y'shtola and AB walked to it
Thunder was close behind and was beside Bloom. He looked on at the crowd gathering as he saw some were aghast at seeing the one that attacked them back. Thunder quickly raised his hand. "Listen. Please stay calm the last thing we need is an angry mob. Applebloom here was not in the right mind. She was being controlled by someone." He looked at Y'shtola as if saying. "Help I don't know the name."
Y'shtola nodded "she was under the influence of a being from our home world called Ascian, more specifically one Demeanoris and I have had some dealings with in the past named Lahabrea"
Demeanoris stepped up "an Ascian can take control of someone but they need an opening, a dark emotion, Sadness, Pain, Anger, and many more. They will exploit it to make you agree, they need your permission, but they can manipulate you into giving it"
Thunder nods as he looks at Bloom and gives her a warm smile. Then he looks at the crowd. "She was in a state of...pain." He thinks and hopes this will work. "She was told differently of my condition. She was told I wasn't hurt in an attack years ago. Though I was. So the pain of that is what made it easier for her to be manipulated."
AB looked at him in surprise then looked to Applejack in the audience, she look devastated, Y'shtola spoke "none are at fault, save for the Ascians and their master, the Dark God Zodiark"
Thunder nods. "Yes. Those that attacked Apple Bloom originally were using her to attack us. In the event if somehow we managed to defeat them, we could've harmed Apple Bloom who was just a puppet to them. But to us She's a sister and will always be that. No matter what we mustn't let what happened make a gap in how we treat her or anyone else. We are all normal ponies. We make mistakes. So please forgive her even though she's not at fault."
Everyone muttered and quieted most nodded, Demeanoris nodded to Twilight who activated a few Aether manipulators creating a thick cloud of it in the air Y'shtola began weaving it into shapes as Demeanoris speaks to the room "I need to tell you all the truth about why Y'shtola and I are here" Apple Bloom tries to stay near Thunder
Thunder smiles as he wraps a comforting arm around her to keep her safe. "Don't worry I got you."
She smiles and looks to AJ, who met her gaze and nodded, as Demeanoris continued "Y'shtola and I didn't come here by chance, we were sent by our goddess Hydaelyn, the mother Crystal, for she sensed that Zodiark was sending some of his Ascians here" Y'shtola bent the cloud to look like the Ascian "this is an Ascian"
Thunder looks at it with a neutral gaze while others are shocked at the sight.
"The mask and body may change but most will wear the same Dark robe, and they have taken the shape of Equestrians so exercise due caution from now on, we know about them but we do not know their plans." the image faded and the cloud dissipated
Thunder nods as he lets go of Bloom. "So everyone please be careful and let's make sure everyone stays close no matter what."
The crowd dispersed and Demeanoris fell to his seat and held his head as RD flew to his side "I was beginning to think Hydaelyn sent me here as my Eternal reward, I was ready to live my life, then they show up" Demeanoris said
"Hey come on, we'll just beat 'em and go back to normal, what do ya say D?" Rainbow said
D responded "How I wish that were true Rainbow", Bloom went to AJ and Y'shtola walked to Thunder
Thunder smiles as Bloom left then looks at Y'shtola. "So this kind of attack and almost dying thing normal?"
"Back in Eorzea, yes, since we came here, nay" Y'shtola sat next to him
Thunder chuckles. "Yea that's good to know. So back to confessing."
Y'shtola giggled "Yes, when you fought Apple Bloom I became very worried, t'was far more worry than when I watched Demeanoris fight the Primals or Gaius Van Baelsar or even the worry when I saw the Ultima spell destroy the Garlean Praetorium with him in it. it was... disconcerting, I feared I would never see you again"
Thunder smiles as he looks at her. "I'm glad you were worried. But you're talking to a guard who vowed to never be a coward. Also I was protecting a certain...nice girl."
Y'shtola blushed "your flattery falls not on deaf ears, but you must try to be more eloquent?" she said with a smile as she leaned on him
Thunder grins as he wraps an arm around her close to her hips. "Yea...sorry that was never my strong suite."
"Fear not, I knew far more eloquent men and most left me with a 'negative affinity' "
Thunder looks at her confused. "Why though? I don't see any reason why."
She gave him a deadpan stare "t'was meant to be a complement, I meant i have known many with more eloquence but most 'rubbed me the wrong way', I believe is how miss Dash would say it"
Thunder blinks and sighs with a chuckle. "I'm sorry. I am still half bled to death, Also a little lightheaded. My mind isn't that well."
Y'shtola looked him in the eyes "worry not of that, some 'alone time' with me and you'll back to your old self in less than a bell"
Thunder looks at her as his face went slightly red. "Oh...oh um...alright?"
She stood and pulled on his hand "Come I wish to show you what we Miqo'te are capable of," she whispered in his ear "in the bedroom"
Thunder nods with a smile as he got up taking her hand. "Well then i'm ready to see how good they really are." He said with a grin.
As they went up the stairs to Y'shtola’s room D looked their way and smiled "you've been sad Y'shtola," he said to himself "glad to see you found someone". she opened her door for him, once they were inside she closed it and pounced on him, kissing him
-*-
Meanwhile in the main lobby Demeanoris and Twilight go over any repairs needed when "Princess, Guildmaster, you both have a guest at the door"
They both looked at each other and said in unison "show them in"
Soon a tall white figure with a horn and wings like Twilight almost floated in "Celestia!" Twilight said hugging her old mentor
"It has been a while Twilight, Demeanoris" she said getting a bow out of him "i have some visitors for you." Demeanoris look confused as the door opened to a group of three figures and he became wide eyed as the tallest figure spoke "long time no see old friend" "it can't be" D whispered
-*-
My First Bow - Quest Complete
