Chapters The Marked Guardian: A New World
Dunwall, a city falling apart due to a rat plague, is now a battleground for thugs, guardsmen, and assassins. When people aren't fighting on the streets, the rats are there to clean up the bloody mess left behind. Jobs are also going down one after another, but one job promises to stay as long as there are people willing to pay. Daud's assassins run the streets from the shadows and always get there target when told. They stay loyal to one another like a family and Daud tends to keep it that way.
One assassin however, doesn't think of it that way. Scot Wilson's life has been a living hell ever since the plague hit Dunwall. He was evicted from his home, lost his job, and his family got infected and are ether dead, or walking corpses everyone calls weepers. He lost his life on that day and had no hope left, until the Outsider found him. He was given a mark that granted him power, and was told that his story would come to pass. He just needed to wait.
Now he is tired of waiting. Tired of holding his secret from everyone, so he heads to Daud to talk.
Scot: Daud.
Daud: Scot. Have you done your part yet?
Suddenly, everything stopped. Everything was frozen in time, except Scot. He already knew this was the Outsider's doing. He just didn't know why. Then the Outsider answered him.
Here you are now, standing towards Daud, ready to finally reveal your mark and show that you are different from the rest. You have been a puppet in this small city, and you have been played. Played by the plague that thrives in Dunwall, played by the guards who you thought protected your rights, and played by the life that you picked for yourself. You have been played like a puppet in a workshop, and now you stand on your own authority to change that. You have a new life ahead of you, but you need to reach for it. What will you do, I wonder?
Well?
Yes, I have. May I have a word?
In another land, in the dream of a purple princess, the images of shadowy figures and swords, of battles and deaths, and of a figure in a black, gold trimmed cloak and a golden mask, kept repeating one after another. As she finally wakes from her dream in a panicked state, she hears a name faintly called out. Though she couldn't tell what this name was or what it all meant, she feels as though it would be important in the future.
If the Outsider wills it to be, than I cannot change that. You are free to gather your things and leave as you may.
Thank you. Best of luck to you.
Yes, good luck to you too. Wherever your sent to.
Scot starts to head out, but before Scot gets a chance to leave...
Before you leave, there are a few bone charms stashed away with your items. Consider it a farewell gift.
I'll remember to grab those. Thanks.
Scot gathers his things and starts to leave Dunwall on a boat he had hidden away for the occasion, when the guards spot him. Scot starts the engine fast enough to gain distance from them, but not fast enough for a well placed shot. One of the bullets goes through his shoulder, and his only elixir bottle was also shot. He was left bleeding out and drifting away from Dunwall. He escaped, though there was a price he had to pay in the end.
I'm afraid you are not finished yet. You have cut yourself from your strings and have made yourself a free man...mostly. I am taking you to another land that will need protection when the time comes. This is where your old life ends, and your true story begins.
As everything faded into the void, a name was faintly called. Though he could barely hear it, Scot could see a dark figure in a blue robe with a bloody sword. Then, only silence was left.
The Marked Guardian: A New World
A Stranger in the New Land
The morning would be a typical morning in Ponyville, if it wasn't for that strange dream. Twilight woke up with a pounding headache and a puzzle of thoughts. "What type of dream was that, and what did it mean" she thought as her stomach groaned in hunger. "Maybe I'll think about that after breakfast".
Spike: Hey Twilight! You ok?
Twilight: Of coarse I am. Why do you ask?
I kept hearing you mumble and kick in your sleep. Was it a bad dream?
(sigh) More confusing than bad. I cant make any sense of it.
How about some pancakes? I got too hungry to wait, so I already ate.
Oh that's ok. And thanks! I'll have to talk to my friends about that dream later.
Scot watched as the skin of his wife turned from pale to grey, and as she bled from the eyes. He could only watch as the love of his life turned to a weeper in front of him. With one final breath of bugs and disease, she spoke to him...
Why didn't you protect me?
He took off down the only path his dream gave him. A path riddled in rats, weepers, corpses, and blood. So much blood. Enough to cover the whole path, as if the path was made of it. He kept running, running fast and hard and without looking back, as the world around changed from city to ruin. He kept running till he couldn't run anymore, because the path stopped. He didn't want to turn around, but what other choice did he have? As he stood there however, he kept feeling something on his shoulder. A hand? Then he turned around, and the Outsider stood there, amongst the pile of corpses.
This is the path your choices and poor judgment made in your life. The choices you made as a puppet of Dunwall. These choices however, will not affect you now, no matter how they haunt you. You live now in a land that doesn't know violence the way you do. But that doesn't mean that you are safe. A shadow of a past killer didn't die off the way he was supposed to. His spirit resides here, waiting to get his revenge on a noble that had wronged him long ago. Since this noble has died off, this spirit will attempted to kill the closest noble here. The two princesses who control this land. He is just a soul of rage and anger that needs to be dealt with, and that's why your here. But don't be fooled. This soul still has great power and skill, and will put you through challenges you will need to overcome in order to achieve your goal.
This is your story now, and there are no strings to hold you back.
Scot shot up, awaken from his sleep to reveal where he was. A dense forest that blocked out most of the sun, has surrounded him in his sleep. Or maybe he was put here by the Outsider? He didn't know anymore. He tried to sort out the thoughts and think about his situation, but the pounding in his head made it difficult. Then he began to focus on the forest itself. It was far different than any forest he has heard of. Then again, he was never actually in a forest before, so even a normal forest would be foreign to him. That still didn't change the ominous silence of the forest he was in. As he focused on his surroundings, he noticed how dark and twisted the foliage was. The many thorns, vines, and scratched tree trunks gave the forest a menacing feel to the forest, and the size of those scratches told him that something much bigger than a rat could be watching him. He realized then that the only thing he should be focusing on is a way out.
Making his way through the webs of roots and vines, is wasn't that long till he found a path. Although Scot was relieved to find something to lead him out, he couldn't help but notice the tracks left behind. Hoof prints, and rather fresh ones, were left by something heading towards a less dense part of the forest. Maybe it was a way out? He didn't care as long as he found someone who could help him. He began heading down the trail and noticed a dark figure in the distance. As he got closer, he noticed the figure wore an dark blue coat. Scot got excited to find someone and began to call out to it.
Hey! You over there!
No reply
I was wondering if you could help me! I'm looking for any nearby town!
Still nothing
Could you at least point me to a way out of the forest?
Suddenly, the stranger ran at Scot with terrifying speed, and soon Scot found himself pinned against a tree. He couldn't get out of his situation, and couldn't reach his sword. Then he realized that the person pinning him was no person. Anything not covered in its coat was pitch black. Its face was nothing more than two red globes that resembled eyes staring at him with hate.
I will not let a person like you ruin my plans! You don't belong here, so you will die where you stand!
The shadow grabbed a folding blade from a pocket of the coat and ran it through Scot and the tree. Scot shouted in pain and tried to reach for his pistol, but it was gone, along with his sword. The shadow then vanished before his eyes and left him to rot. Scot had no elixir and was forced to try and yank himself from the tree, and after seconds of agonizing pain, he pulled himself and the blade from the tree. He then pulled the blade out and put it in his own coat pocket. Scot knew he needed to find help fast, but he could only limp his way out because of the pain. His vision became blurry after a minute and as soon as he heard a voice call out, he fell to the ground with a thud. The last thing he saw was a yellow blur running at him.
The Marked Guardian: A New World
After she asked spike to tidy up the library, she went to gather her friends and tell them about the dream. She wanted to know what they thought about it and if they had any advice. Twilight never had anything like this before, so a little help wouldn't hurt. She has almost all of her friends gathered. They just need Fluttershy.
me.
Rainbow Dash: Why cant you just tell us now?
I would prefer to tell all of my friends Rainbow.
Rarity: Darling, you sound a bit tense. Is something wrong?
That's just it. I don't know what it is. That's why I want to tell you all. To see what you think about it.
Pinkie Pie: Will cupcakes help? I can get us all cupcakes if you al want!
Apple Jack: That's mighty nice of you, but I don't think cupcakes are gonna help us right now.
It might help me. I'm a bit hungry.
Maybe later Rainbow. I would prefer if we go get Fluttershy first.
Ugh! Fine.
Scot woke up from a rather empty dream to find himself sleeping on a couch in a small house. He couldn't recognize the house, but he did recognize the handle on the table not too far away. The handle that housed the folding blade. When he tried to stand, he was met with instant pain from his chest and leg. Apparently the impact from the shadows tackle did damage to his leg. After sitting back down, he noticed the bandages on his leg and chest. There was blood, but its mostly dried up so he must have been patched up a while ago. As nice as it is for someone to help him like this, Scot just wanted to know who his savior is. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement near the couch. He turned to look and saw a white rabbit on the couch. Both Scot and the rabbit starred at each other confused for the longest time. Scot broke the silence as he reached over to pet it.
What a cute little thing.
Then the rabbit bit his hand.
OW! I don't need another wound!
Hello?
Scot heard this from the other room and knew he had to respond.
Are you the one who saved me in the forest?
Y-yes. I thought you needed help when I saw the blood. I didn't know you could talk though.
Thank you, but why did you think I couldn't talk?
I h-haven't seen anything like you before. I hope I didn't offend you in any way.
Of course not. May I see the face of my savior? If you don't mind of course.
Scot was not prepared for what he saw next. What came out of the other room was a yellow pony with wings. Something strait out of a kids fairytale bedtime story. And Scot was having a conversation with it. Just like with the rabbit, Scot and the pony stared at each other for the longest time and like before, broke the silence.
Is that rabbit your pet?
Y-yes.
Cute rabbit. Does it have a name?
His name is Angle.
Oh! Speaking of names, I don't think I told you mine yet. My name is Scot Wilson. How about you?
I'm Fluttershy.
Could you help me one last time? I'm confused.
About what?
About where I am, what you are, why your rabbit seams to hate me, and where my items went! I cant think strait anymore.
Then the door opens to reveal five other ponies.
Fluttershy! What is that!
Is the whole land covered in ponies! Ahh my head hurts!
Umm...
...I'm going to go find my stuff.
After they all introduce one another, the ponies tell Scot about Equestria, ponies, the princesses, and about the Elements of Harmony. Scot tells them about himself and about his home, but not about the plague. While the ponies continue to tell Scot about themselves, a dark figure watches them from afar.