I can hardly imagine that it is been four years of me living in Equestria. Under the generosity of the sun goddess, and in the understanding heart of the moon goddess, I had thought I had lived a pretty good life for the last few years. Meeting the mane six was interesting enough, although to be honest with myself I could consider them friends but they seem more like acquaintances as they visit Canterlot every now and then. I had made many friends with my time here. But the two ponies that I can truly call my friends came in the form of Shining Armor and Princess Cadance.
I’d always wondered where our journey would take us. I most certainly thought I’d never be fighting my best friend Shining. I somehow felt like I had seen this story before, but here in the snow it didn’t quite matter.
I’m here.
I am fighting.
And I am bleeding.
Far off into the Frozen Mountains north of the Crystal Empire is where we are now. I’m not exactly sure where we are but all I knows the one who stands before me is Shining Armor. He was my first friend, my first teacher, and the first one to see me as an equal when I first came to this world of ponies. But now he stands before me corrupted and lost in the hatred of the darkness that consumed him. I clutch my sword as tightly as I could to defend myself against the onslaught of the pale blue eyes that shine’s in the snow. That unnatural glow that comes from the power of the blade he now wields. His strikes are hard and ruthless, but I am swift enough to dodge, evade, and strike back. Shining had taught me all he knows of military combat. And even as a pony he taught me a great deal of fighting as a bipedal.
“Shining!” I yell through the harsh winds of the Frozen Mountains. “Fight it! Don’t let the darkness consume you!”
Another downward swing that I deflect as it slides off the blade and a spark of magic and steel. I counterattack with a swift thrust and he blinks away quickly evading my attack. A sudden magic burst comes from his horn but manages to do nothing. I am very thankful for the pendant the Princess Cadance has given me. The pink heart-shaped pendant protects me from most forms of magic. This little pink pendant is likely the only thing keeping me alive.
“Shining!” I cried out again. “You’re strong enough to fight it! Remember who you are! Remember those who you are trying to protect. You and the Princess have defeated Queen Chrysalis! You can defeat this darkness!”
He rushes at me with a strong forward thrust and I connect and hold them but he is strong enough to push me through the snow although I hold ground. I quickly do a spin and do a sideswipe with my sword that is almost as fast enough to leave a mirror image due to Luna’s enchantment of my blade. With the unnatural strength, he blocks and holds the blades in place. He quickly closes the gap in his muzzle is right in front of my face. I am unable to tell if he is turning into King Sombra or turning into Nightmare Shining.
“This fool is gone, and I have taken his place.” He snarls “The Knight and his Princess thought he could defeat me with the crystal heart! But it is I who had destroyed him.”
With a monstrous force he had thrown me back as I stumbled back, but I quickly gain my footing in the deep snow. I honestly do not know how much longer I will last. The one thing I do know is that voice was not Shining Armor’s
“Sombra” I whisper. I have never heard his voice before but I just knew that it was King Sombra
“Yes. He has found my blade and now I have his vessel and his soul is now my slave.” The deep voice of Sombra evilly smiles in delight. “But, I must commend you for managing to save the Princess. Oh how easily she had fallen for the idea that her dear Knight has returned. And I would’ve returned to my Empire of crystals!” He roared
I wanted to laugh and give some snarky comments of how the heroes will always triumph. Not this time though, Princess Cadance was still greatly injured as I had barely made it in time to stop him. As an act of vengeance he had teleported himself and me out of the throne room of the Crystal Empire to somewhere in the deep Frozen Mountains.
“You have made this a great deal harder for me and for that you will pay.” He stands pose ready to strike. “For your insolence you will become my weapon of death.” King Sombra lunges hard and fast using magic to blink into difficult places to block as my blade blocks, he uses his magic to blink again into another area for another strike where I barely managed defend. He is too fast and I am too injured and with another swift strike he knocks me down with a force I am unable to stand from. “Now kneel, and call me master.”
“Never.” I croak out. Coughing up blood is one of the worst feelings I have felt, because I knew I was spent.
“I will enjoy a breaking you.”
With the magic holding his blade high, I stared at the abyss refusing to blink.
I do not know what had happened after that all I had saw was a blinding light with two Alicorns standing in front of me. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have come to my rescue. I no longer can hear or feel my environment all I know is that the magic that was used was intense. The roar of Sombra and the battle cries of the royal sisters were all that can be heard within the howling winds. It was all but a moment but then a monstrous laugh can be heard as he cried out “this isn’t over.” And he dissipates into the shadow taking the image of Shining with him.
As I collapse into the snow I vaguely hear Luna shouting my name. I keep my focus on her to let her know that I’m alive. As I was looked over by Luna my thoughts were that of Cadance hoping she’s okay and that I will be sure to defeat Sombra.
“Stay with us Sir Michael, Please hear mine voice.” Princess Luna cries out to me as she uses her hooves to clutch me close.
I wince at the loud voice of the Princess of the moon “Please don’t use the Canterlot voice Luna, I’m already half deaf.” I smile weakly as I stare into her eyes and starry mane. Princess Luna smiles and my weak attempt at a joke.
“You are safe. We will make sure you’re patched right up.” Princess Celestia’s soothing voice cuts through this ice cold wind, “but we need to leave now Luna or else his injuries might heal in time.” Her concern runs deep as he can hear a slight panic in her voice. “Whatever dark magic that King Sombra had used may make the healing process worse if we don’t reduce it quickly.”
Luna nodding at her sister’s command she hoists me on her back as she prepares to fly into the sky with her magic keeping me warm. As we are flying back I’m remembering everything that had led to this moment I had shared a similar story with Shining as he was training me back at Canterlot Military Academy. It was the story of a fallen Prince and the rise of an Evil King. Regardless of how my memories play out in a similar fashion, all I know is that I need to be at Princess Cadance’s side and that I need to prepare.
I never wanted to be a hero. I never wanted to fight. But here I am and I am wondering should I play out the story I once told Shining Armor or create something new. That is my last thought before I pass out on Luna’s back.
Chapter 1 Aftermath: Thoughts and Emotions.
Chapter 1 Aftermath: Thoughts and Emotions.
Even deep in the north it rarely gets cold here the castle of the Crystal Empire. It had been two days since I’ve fought Sombra and I am absolutely freezing. I wonder if it’s the cold dread of realizing that my friend is dead and took it over by a shadow of evil. Or is it the storm that is raging outside the castle walls unnaturally as if weeping for the Empire. Whatever the case, the castle is cold and quiet.
My consciousness has been in and out during that time and I hardly remember anything. I know somewhere in the back of my mind I have to be thankful for being alive even when I feel like I want to die. Being awake and being alone while I’m injured is not the best thing for my mindset right now. With what had happened, I am feeling two emotions.
Worried and extremely pissed.
You can take a wild guess in which one is winning in my mind.
I stare mindlessly out the window watching the storm pass. As it goes on as I see nothing but white and gray. Makes me wonder what’s next. Is Cadance okay? Should I expect shining or Sombra to come back so quickly? What should I do? Can I even do anything? Sighing I sit up from the bed slowly because I hurt like shit. I laugh little as I go through the pain. I don’t know why I think it’s funny, a lowly IT tech from a law firm goes into the world of ponies and becomes a soldier for them. I have always supported our troops back home. I may not have always believed in what they’ve in fighting for, but I supported their ideals nonetheless. I suppose what I had gone through here allows me to understand them that much more. But what do I want while I’m here? What am I fighting for?
For now I think its justice.
It’s interesting, the word justice. One can’t think of a better word more loved by the people. I remember that from somewhere only I am not sure where. Memories of my old home on Earth are starting to fade a bit and I’m certain that now I am unable to see this world as any other place besides what I now call home. But certain things cannot be forgotten and I think the quote goes like this. “Justice, I can’t think of another word more loved by the people. For does have a nice ring to it. However; without ever exercising your own strength you seek the death of others at the hands of someone else.” Memories are like this are not easily forgotten when they leave an impact, even with a simple quote. The ponies of the Crystal Empire will demand justice for whoever harmed their Princess. I’m going to take a stab in the dark that they will ask me to do it. Why you may ask? I managed to fight him alone and survived. I protected the Princess from him. That’s at least what I’m going to guess.
I roll over and try to stand using the bed as leverage. I feel the pain resonating through my ribs but it’s not as bad as I had originally thought. Looking down I see the bandages that have wrapped around me I’m going to have to thank whichever pony had help me out and I pray wherever I do I don’t open my wounds. It was a bit of a nasty cut after all. I slowly trudged out of my room finding anything in using it as leverage to help me balance. Upon exit I was greeted with two burly Crystal ponies obviously a little shocked that I had come out of my room.
“Sir you should be resting.” The one on the left calls out to me. “Per the general's orders no one but the doctors and the princesses can be in, and I’m assuming out as well.” He looks at his partner a nervously. I bet this particular guard pony would be fantastic at doing his job at being a guard but in this situation he is not sure of what to do.
“I’ll go back in and be a good boy and rest.” I chuckle “but first please take me to the Princess. I have to see if she’s okay and I won’t take anyone else’s word for it.” I stopped for a moment examining the two guard ponies in front of me. “If you can help take me to the Princess I will follow whomever orders to the letter without another word and take the all the blame if you were to be in trouble.”
The right one shakes his head and moves to assist me placing himself under one arm following by the second are placing himself over the second as we trudge around through the castle halls. For a moment there was a comfortable silence, I was glad but I did have a need for a conversation in the end. Getting to know the ponies around where ever I am tends to help me when my mind is in a dark place.
“Thank you… umm…”I began. I really do try to learn all the guards ponies names a come across with and to be sure to mention them to whichever superior they report to. That’s the odd thing about being really close to the Prince and Princess of a kingdom for some reason my word goes a long way.
“Spear hoof” the one on the left replies.
“My friends call me Pike.” The one on the right says.
“Just Pike?” I glance at him with a raised brow.
He chuckles at my expression.“ My full name is Partizan Sky Everwing. To make things easy ponies call me Pike.”
"Please don't ask much more than that sir. he has a habit of talking about his family linage." Spear exasperates. "I practically know his whole family tree by now."
"One asks a question and one shall get a answer" Pike says smugly holding his nose high.
That brought a smile to my lips. Just from that I can imagine Spear and Pike in a pub winding down from a long day drinking and talking. It feels familiar, but yet that same familiarity now starting to make me sad. Me and Shining used to do that all the time. I didn't realize how zoned out I had became because I was suddenly nudged by Spear.
"You alright Sir? you completely checked out there for a moment." Pike says while glancing behind him probably wondering if we should just go back.
"Sorry have a lot on my mind." I racked my brain for a subject changer. "Whats the news out there. I do not remember much of it."
"There is none." Spear replies.
"What?
"If there is anything we are not aware of it." he clarifies. "All we know is that a gag order is in full effect."
"I wonder why though?" Pike chimes in. "It's not like the princess to hide anything from the public"
"I don't think it is the princess giving the order....our princesses I mean." I say "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are likely gathering facts before making a public statement." Both guards not in agreement with that statement. before our conversation could continue further we arrive at Cadance's chamber doors.
The guard ponies we encountered in front of Cadance's room appeared to be far less friendly. “Halt! I am under strict orders to not let anyone but the doctors and the princesses of Canterlot pass.” The first guard pony says as we approach the chamber doors. “I’m sorry sir but I cannot let you pass generals orders.” he says with a bit of sympathy.
With this I rose to my full height. ”Stand aside guards.” I say once calmly, if not tiredly..
“Sir I have very strict…..”
“Stand. Aside.” I say with more conviction staring down at the pony in front of me. He wavers in thought of deciding what to do. Deal with the general or deal with a angry human. In the end he stands aside and I thank him softly before moving forward without the aid of the two guard’s ponies. In going through the chamber doors and closing them softly behind me I see Cadance sleeping form on the other side of the room. The doctor who is overseeing her looks at me with surprise but then motions me to come over smiling knowingly.
“How is she?” I say softly to the doctor trying to be careful not to wake her up.
“Her wounds are not as serious as we had originally thought.” He replies just as quietly “we are fortunate you got there in time and the kingdom knows it.”
“I would’ve thought Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would be here.”
“If I understand things right they are maintaining the Empire and keeping everyone quiet about what had happened.” The doctor replies looking up from his clipboard. “With the rumors rapidly spreading around we can hardly blame them for wanting to keep it quiet until we are ready to tell the truth.” He glances at me briefly before going back to his work. “You should go back and get some rest because there are good be a lot of questions that you’re going to have to answer.”
“Can I ask what rumors are going around?”
"The guards didn't tell you?" I shake my head no in response.
The Doctor sigh’s and puts clipboard down on the desk. “According to the witnesses of who saw the attack on the Princess they are very conflicting. Some say they saw Sombra, others say they saw Prince Shining Armor, and then some say they saw something else entirely.” He stops to ponder upon those rumors. "Who ever or what ever did it definitely shook the nerves of lot of ponies. and many of them are going to want answers."
“They are all not wrong.” I say in reply. The doctor just looks at me trying to figure out my response. “It was Shining, who has been covered by the nightmare, wielding a weapon forged by Sombra.” I stop a moment to remember what I had saw. “Nightmare Shining wielding Sombra’s power.” I finally say. The doctor just looked terrified upon that revelation keeping his eyes on me.
“Can you do me a favor doctor?” he nods at my request. “Keep the information to yourself until we release of an official statement. And take care of the Princess.”
Regaining his composure, “Of course sir. I will do my absolute best to make sure the Princess is back to full health so rest assured you have nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you” I say turning to leave.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I quickly make it back to my room where I’m getting ready to pass out from both pain and being extremely tired as I get closer to the bed.
Something catches the corner of my eye and the darkness of the room that I am in. I calmly look around as of casually taking a stock of my surroundings trying to find out what that is the shadows. I see my weapon by the chair on the far side of the room next to my torn clothes. It Is out of reach, and if I decided to rush to go get it whatever’s there would probably kill me. I see pair of scissors on the nightstand next to me next to some needles and thread. Before the shadow can come any closer to me eyebolt out of my bed grabbing the scissors while ignoring the pain tackling whatever was there. Realizing that whatever I tackled had a horn it was the first thing I grabbed. Quickly I’m pulled the scissors down inches from the eye of my target.
“Are you here to kill me?” as snarl though my gritted teeth.
“Now now my dear human. If I wanted you dead I would’ve killed you years ago.”
My eyes focus and I see Cadance in front of me. She’s not giving me one of her sweet smiles that I am used to seeing but one that hold a sense of sadistic lust.
“What are you doing here Chrysalis?” I say emotionlessly, not moving an inch despite how much pain I’m in.
“Is there any real reason for me to want to see your friend who is in need?” She Coos with baited breath. “Besides with all the action has been happening around here and in Canterlot I can’t help but be curious. But unfortunately, nobody knows what is going on and so I thought I would go and ask the source of the attention.”
“You’re going to be executed if anyone finds out you’re here. Maybe I’ll take you out now and save me the trouble. but I’ll ask again. Why are you here?” I say more forcibly.
“Tch, why else I’d be here I’m hungry.” she says now getting annoyed. “My one constant source of food since I’ve been banished from the hive is all the way out here playing in the snow with his friends.” She mocks. ”You are certainly making me work for it, but clearly I see your in no mood to play.”
“Clearly.”
“But from what I gather whatever it happened had to have been interesting to witness. I sense your dear Princess here in another part of the castle. But where is the prince I wonder?” She cringes as I grip her horn harder. ”Enough tugging you fool. That hurts more than you know, and besides I have no desire for revenge as part of my end of the deal for letting me go the first time.” She glares at me just like she did the first time we met.
“You know, normally, when people have their life in the others hands some would be begging for it and others would be throwing threats and insults. You did neither and so I took pity for you then. But right now I am out of pity and out of patience. So please give me convincing reason why shouldn’t kill you.”
“You’re not a killer Michael.” she snorts. “You would do everything in your power to keep somepony alive even if it means killing yourself. That’s just who you are. Even attempting to save somepony like me.” She smiles showing a bit of her fangs. “And while two years ago I may have killed you on the spot for even thinking such stupidity, I would like to believe our deal worked out pretty well and that we had become friends, if not then allies.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“So are you when you’re playing with me.”
I let go of her horn and the scissors and just collapse on my side still being heavily entered it took way more energy than I ever thought it would to keep my focus like that. Breathing heavily trying to control my breath as I clutch my injuries and I hope I didn’t reopen any wounds. Chrysalis stares at me before finally getting on her hooves. Looking at me a bit disgusted with how weak I am, she uses her magic to levitate me back onto the bed.
“You still never answered my question Chrysalis.”
“I did. You just chose not to listen. I am hungry and I am curious to what had happened.”
“Nothing is ever that fucking simple with you. And please drop the illusion with Cadance. Is making me irritated by you pretending to be her.” I say as I close my eyes once I hit my head on the pillow. Tugging for the sheets because I am really cold. She shifts into somewhat of her natural form only a bit modified like a regular alicorn. Black feathered wings folded neatly back as her green mane slows down as if combed and her body resembling that of a more natural pony. I frown at that form.
“I am getting what I came here for whether you like it or not.” She says coyly that as she slides underneath the covers with me and begins to cuddle. it is something unusual but it’s like a back-and-forth game between us. the last couple years it became a bit of a guilty pleasure. I try to show my annoyance but end up with a grin instead.
“This is the last time you and I are going to do this.” I say quietly. I say that every time but yet here we are again. It is almost like it is routine
For a moment she does nothing and I slightly wonder what she’s going to do. Eventually she rolled over on top of me and looks me dead in the eyes. We stare at each other’s eyes for what seems like a very long time.
“You are emotionally at your breaking point….What the hell happened?” Her eyes look fierce but if one looks hard enough you can see that she has a sense of concern within them. It is within these rare moments that she and I share that I start to emotionally break. She needs love to survive and I provided to her because of my own loneliness of being the only human. She was banished from the hive after her failed assault on Canterlot so we both know what it’s like to be alone. In the beginning We had both despised this fact but we needed our friendship, now it has become a comfort. And within that very moment I cried in her hooves letting out every emotion of what happened over during the campaign of the Frozen North Mountains and at sea discovering an unknown island.
“Nightmare Shining Armor.” Was all that was said.
