Equestrian Legends: The Mercenary of Magic and Steel [Book-3]

I was once again in a world of pain… By the time it happened, I began feeling like a handful of clay… First turned into a Human, then given the ability to shapeshift, yeah, I felt unstable… “I owe you one… What do you want in return?” I inquired before it pulsed once again to spread through my body.

“Nothing… For now… Nothing, but some help when I require it…” She replied.

“With all respect, I doubt it… There’s got to be a reason you just did this.” I exclaimed.

“You’re right, but you must agree… I have to look after my own as well…” She replied while looking out the window at one of her guards.

“If so, then I got my answer.”

“Anything else you would like to know?”

“If I may… I have scraps of memories about certain names…”

“Oh?”

“Have you heard of Darkwing or Quietblade?”

“Why, yes… Darkwing was my… Son, like these guards are… He left the hive, in order to help Altair as much as he could… I haven’t heard of him ever since…” She replied, unaware of the gravestones in Ponyville.

“Oh… Well… You should visit Ponyville someday…” I replied.

“And I shall, in the near future for sure…” She exclaimed, and we rejoined the others. Of course it was expected, they noticed my arm…

“So… What’s with your arm, Altamir?” Twilight inquired.

“Nothing.” *Grunt* “Really.” I replied.

“Riiight…” She noted.

“Message delivered, we can go now.” I informed her.

“Leaving so soon? You just arrived! Stay awhile, look around!” Cadence exclaimed.

“We would love to, but we’re short on time…” Twilight replied, probably hoping for some progress in the research as a reward…

“Well, if you must, we won’t hold you back, right?” The pink Alicorn replied with a grin, looking at the Changeling Queen.

“Not by the least…” She noted, and we said our farewells, and returned to the train station… On our way, a Pegasus guard greeted Twilight, and they began a small conversation.

“Hey Flash, haven’t noticed you were around, how are things?” She inquired.

“Hey Twilight, I can’t complain, but what brought you here?” He wondered.

“Oh, my friend here and I were just visiting.” She replied.

“You mean this… filth?” He asked.

“Nice to meet you too, asshat.” I exclaimed.

“Step back tough guy, or else I’ll have you flying through the window.”

“You want to hurt me? You can’t even hit puberty, son.”

Twilight began to laugh, while standing in between the two of us. “Easy boys! This isn’t why we’re here!”

“Fine. I’ll leave your friend be…” I assured her.

“We’ll discuss this later, friend.” He replied.

“I’m looking forward to it already.” I exclaimed, and we left for the train station.

“Well, what do we have here?” The guard inquired from before, noticing my arm shortly after. “How was that about extinction?” He asked with an arrogant tone.

“This changes nothing, you dickwad…” I replied while passing by.

“You act tough with royalty by your side… But are you so tough without her?” He threw back.

“Come, see for yourself.” I replied.

“Altamir! Don’t… Come on, let’s just go.” Twilight tried to turn me down.

“Gladly…” The guard replied. “But not today…”

I just spat at the ground in response. “Ignavus…” (Coward) I muttered, and we got onto the train home, and were there by dusk… Of course, the town was still crawling with those bastards… It wasn’t too late, so we decided to pay the heroes a visit… I’m glad we did, because some of the guards (3) decided to show how tough they are by dishonoring the graves… “You son of a bitch…” I whispered, and produced a Ballester-Molina pistol from my sleeves, and told Twilight to wait there and watch.

“Good idea… This is unacceptable behavior.” She replied, and I disguised myself as one of them, at last, I wore the clothes they did…Man are these uncomfortable. I hid the pistol behind me while approaching them.

“Evening gents, are we clear?” I wondered.

“Aye, they’ll know better not to mess with us next ti-” *Bang*

Not on my mother’s grave you cunt. I noted to myself while shooting him. Of course my cover was quickly blown, and another one of them took aim at me. 3… 2… 1… When he was about to fire, I pulled his comrade into front of me, using him as a living shield… *Bang*

“Scheiße!” (Fuck) He threw his pistol at me, but he missed, while I threw the corpse at him as a distraction. He dodged it, and immediately unsheathed his saber and striked. *Bang* In vein… I shot him in the guts, rendering him incapacitated, while not killing him instantly.

“Who are you working for?!” I asked him while dropping the disguise.

“Rot in hell!” He replied, so I headbutted him.

“Speak!”

“Never!” He replied, so I began to ponder…

How could I make him talk? Wait… Suddenly I had an effective, yet, brutal ida… My sleeves weren’t only capable of producing items and objects, but also housing them… For example, I could have them extrude from my sleeves, while not being visible attached to anything… So while I had the original idea of spinning chainsaw blades, I thought better of it and used a Lupara shotgun instead.

“Speak, and your death will be quick!” I exclaimed.

“Give up!” He replied, so I blew off his arm with the shotgun… I was aware how painful it will be, and that Twilight was watching me, but I didn’t care… As I pulled the trigger his shoulders disappeared into nothing, in the company of a slapper of blood, and a loud scream.

“Speak already!”

“NEVER!”

I stomped him in between the thighs, and he died… I shot him in the chest with the pistol a few times to make sure, then closed his eyes and returned to Twilight… “I’m sorry for making you watch it…”

“Did he at least say anything?” She inquired.

“Nothing of value to us.” I replied, and we walked on… I felt guilty for putting her through it, and that guard didn’t deserve a pain that slow… But there was no going back, to them, I was nothing but a murderer from there on… “Twilight…”

“Yes?”

“Do you want to come back right away to T.L.E? Or maybe later?”

“If you’re going there next, yes…” She replied, so that’s where we headed… We walked down the cold and dark streets… I put on the Jager disguise, so they wouldn’t bother me… And if the would bother Twilight, well, need I say what I did? I doubt so… We were about to leave town, when two of them halted our way.

“Princess Twilight?” One of them asked.

“Can I be of help sir?” She replied.

“May I ask why are you heading towards the Everfree Forest this late?”

“That’s none of your concerns…” She threw back.

“Thousand apologies, but it’s dangerous…”

“That’s why I’m going with her! Idiot!” I replied, and they allowed us pass, without watching their backs… I produced a pair of throwing knives, and looked back to see if they were looking.

“Altamir…” Twilight exclaimed with some scolding in her tone.

“What? Just practice…”

“You know that not all of them necessarily need to die, right?”

*Sigh* “Fine…” I dropped the knives, and we walked on… Good thing I make everything I produce disappear right after becoming useless… It didn’t take long until we reached the scouts once again, who halted our way as usual.

“Quid te adducit necesse fuit concipere? Humanae?” (What leads you this way? Human?) The Assassin inquired.

“Est mihi, Lapidus …” (It’s me, Altamir.) I replied.

“Proba.” (Prove it.)

“Gero cutis carnis nihil aliud est quam voluntas humana a Luna.” (I bear the flesh and skin of mankind by the will of no other than Luna.) I informed them.

“Non credo vos.” (I don’t believe you.) The Assassin replied, and they prepared to attack…

“Surge et loquitur veritatem, qui fecit illum ... Ego autem humana ex hoc ..., si opus fuerit, ferro.” (Stand down, he speaks the truth... It was I who made him human... And from now on, he will be my sword if needed…) A familiar voice called from above… When I realized who it was I knelt down, while the scouts bowed, and Twilight waved hi.

“Angelus tenebrarum mortifer crepusculo noctis reginae reginae Luna tua nos honore.” (Angel of darkness, bringer of dusk, princess of the night, Princess Luna, your presence honors us.) They replied in unison.

“Disputatio satis! Duo specialiter magis quam vos tantum tres simul adferendo fidem abrogarem mihi; Dic Starlight si unquam audeat dubitare, quae censebat fore dubium quin tam me.” (Enough talk! These two have more faith in me individually than the three of you all together! Tell Starlight if she ever dares doubt them, she will doubt me as well.) She exclaimed, and they allowed us pass… We walked for a while, before she turned to me and asked. “Altamir? May I ask what is that costume on you?”

I dropped my disguise in response. “It’s a gift from Chrysalis.” I replied.

“That was quite… Generous… Of her…” She noted, and soon we arrived.

“Open the gates!” Salutem yelled right after seeing us. “Welcome back.” She greeted us when we entered. Of course, once again, I was reminded that Luna told none in T.L.E about my new body…

“Damnas quae non intelligunt. Ego sum tibi, ut te non solum viderem.” (You condemn what you do not understand. I am one of you, it is only her will that I look like this.) I exclaimed while feeling their hatred for my body…

“With all respect, to what end are we honored by your presence?” One of them asked Luna.

“Me presence is nothing, but mere evidence of his identity.” She replied.

“Luna, we’re going to see Starlight, will you come along?” Twilight inquired.

“I would love to, but I fear I must return to Canterlot, for my absence may raise suspicion in my sister…” She replied, and teleported away. We wasted no time in finding said Unicorn.

 *Knock* *Knock* “Come in.” She exclaimed through the door, so we made our way in. “Ah, Twilight, Altamir, welcome back… I suspect the message has been delivered.”

“Indeed it has… She decided not to respond right away.” I replied.

“I see… Altamir, I see you got used to your new body… I believe it is only fit, that I pass the rank of Deathless Mercenary upon you…”

“Thank you.” I replied with a nod.

“As for you Twilight, you may browse freely among our class-9 documents tonight, or at last, until the scorching sun looks down at us.” She continued.

“Thank you!” Twilight replied enthusiastically.

“Altamir, you way want to accompany her in case her curiosity gets the best of her…”

“Of course I will…” I assured them both.

“I have a feeling you haven’t made any progress in your search… How long do you two plan on staying?”

“I’ll stay for tonight with Twilight, then head back to Ponyville… The guards have been replaced with new ones, believe me, they can’t behave themselves.” I informed her.

“Yes, I heard about their replacement… But I truly hope you don’t plan on staying there to protect the citizens…”

“I would, but my search is more important.” I replied.

“Uhm, Starlight?” Twilight inquired.

“Yes?”

“Have you seen Zecora lately?” She wondered.

“You should find her in her new home, if she’s not there, she’s probably out looking for ingredients… Forgive me, but I’m running low on time, as I have a few things to do, could we continue this conversation later?”

We nodded in response, and headed for the library. “Claudos, ubi tua introitu permiserit?” (Halt, where’s your entry permit?) One of the guards asked.

“Mine is the rank of Deathless, and the word of Luna herself.” I replied.

“And what’s hers?”

I produced a slip of paper with Starlight’s signature, allowing her inside. “Right here.” I exclaimed while showing him the paper.

“You may go then.” He exclaimed, and we walked in.

“Woah… This place is massive! I don’t even know where to begin!” Twilight exclaimed, excited as never before.

“How about there?” I inquired, pointing at a sign saying Class-9.

“Ahem, right.” *Awkward chuckle* We walked over to said segment and looked around. “Where should I start? Soo many books, soo little time…”

“Little? Twilight, come on, you have at least 8 hours…” I replied with a surprised tone while walking up a ladder, and grabbing a book from the top of the shelf. “Probably this one.” I added while throwing said book onto a nearby desk.

She trotted over to it and flipped the book open. “Would you like me to read it loud, so you’ll get to know something too?” She offered.

“Docet omnia necessaria ad vitam…”

“Uh…”

“Life teaches everything you need to know… Sorry, I got used to it.”

“I hope I’ll get to learn that speak at some point on…” She muttered.

“You know I could teach you in no time, but only if approved to do so…” I replied… She kept reading that book, while I dozed off to sleep from time to time… Every time I woke up she just sat there, calm, collective, reading that book… When I woke up for the 23th time, I saw her slumped over the table, the book closed.

Oh Twi, you read the whole book, haven’t you? I wondered in myself while putting the book back to its place and picking her up from the table. As I got closer to the exit, I realized it was midnight. She read the whole thing in 4 hours? Damn… I took her back to my house. and put her to sleep, while I spent some time talking to Salutem at the gates… Good thing she was a Shadow pony and needed no rest…

“Hey Altamir, where’s Twilight?” She wondered.

“She fell asleep in the library, I put her to sleep in my bed.”

“You’re not leaving then, are you?”

“No, should I be?”

“No, I was just wondering.” She replied.

“Listen, uhh… How do I put this…”

“Hm?”

“Uh, are you clear with my exact age?”

“You’re 20.”

“Yes, but I was born less than 6 months ago…”

“Or so I heard from Starlight…” She replied.

“You know then?”

“Of course I do… Why?”

“Well, I haven’t been around for long, bu-” Suddenly a Phoenix began circling above me, until I extended my left arm and she landed on it, dropping a scroll into my hand.

“What is it?” Salutem wondered.

Dear Altamir De Marz

I have recently been informed of a tragedy, which you prevented from happening. While the Humans serve as law enforcement in Equestria, I would like to remind you, that they deny our authorities, and only accept the command of their General.

Though this letter I wish to thank you for saving one, if not many more, of my subject(s) from the misbehaving soldiers, and kindly ask you to present yourself to me and my sister in Canterlot in the following days to come. While I despise violence the most, I know sometimes it’s necessary for a greater good, therefore, should you witness similar events or conflicts, I authorize you to act as you see it best, in order to defend the citizens.

By this, I am by no means authorizing you to kill whoever you desire to, but to execute members of law enforcements if required, should they be Human or Pony. You may wish to keep this letter, so should you come, the guards will allow you pass if you show them the signature below.

~Princess Celestia.

“It’s… It’s from… Her…”

“Huh? You mean Luna?”

“Worse, much worse….” Back then, I had nothing against her sister, but I had to pretend, otherwise I would’ve been suspicious…

“You mean…”

“Yes, Her…” I replied.

“Well, what does she want?”

“A few days ago the Human guards in Ponyville were replaced with new ones… I saved a stallion from one of their… Tax collectors…”

“What does she want?”

“She wants me to go to Canterlot in the following days…”

“Will you go?”

“I have to, or else I would show defiance towards Luna’s family.”

“True words, well, I’m sure it will be fine…”

“Eh, I guess I’ll bring Twilight too, since she was, maybe even still is, her student… She wouldn’t want to set a bad example, right?” She only nodded with a grin, and the Phoenix took off towards Canterlot. We continued to talk until sunset, when Zecora was about to go out for ingredients.

“Oh, Altamir! I’m glad to see you, I have a few brews which I wish to show you.” She exclaimed.

“Zecora? How did you know it was me?”

“You’re the only one they allowed to leave, and they wouldn’t allow any other Human here to be.”

“I see, well, lead the way.” I replied, leaving Salutem with a nod.

End of Chapter 6