//-------------------------------------------------------// The caring Dragonslayer -by Trent Light- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 “Ha!” “Oh, be quiet you...” My friend and I were on our way to con for the first time, and we decided to make it more memorable by cosplaying. And that was the topic of this conversation. ”If I knew you were going to act like this I would have gone as Kirito!” “Ha-ha, I’m sorry…but Wendy?!” “Well excuse me for dressing as my favorite character!” Yes I was cosplaying as Wendy from Fairy Tail, and my friend was Cosplaying as Asuna from SAO. The only things we were missing were Carla, and Asuna's rapier. “No, no it’s fine I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.” She said trying to catch her breath. “Well it’s too late now,” I said as we pulled into the parking lot,” We’re here.” “Are you sure you want to walk around like that?” She asked stifling a giggle. “Would you stop pestering me already?  Besides it’s not like I have anything else to wear.” I said dragging her out of the car, “We’re here already so let’s just enjoy ourselves.” I said grinning. “I even have money to buy souvenirs with.” Things were bad ever since my parents passed, my friend moved in with me to help me accept that and move on. I had a brother but he started traveling when he heard the news. Now it’s just me and her. (And no, nothing has happened) “Hey! Are you coming?!” I shook my head,” Yeah I’m coming!” I ran to enter the building and out of the rain. “I don’t know why I’m surprised.” I said observing all the people inside, "Well at least I'm not the only one." Glancing at some of the other cosplayers. There was one dressed as the hulk, another one dressed as a Dragon born. There were even people dressed as their own OC. After roaming around the convention for a few hours, buying knickknacks and the like, we came across someone dressed as the Merchant from Resident Evil V selling all sorts of super realistic props, plushy, and even accessories. "See something you like?" He asked watching us. "Maybe, depends on what you have." I replied cautiously. "Perhaps I could interest you in a Carla plushy and rapier?" He inquired noticing the only things we were missing, pulling said items out. "How much are they?" I inspected both items. "For you two? 150$." He responded with a disarming grin. I cringed, "I have a request." I said gathering the money. "Oh? And what would that be?" He responded sounding intrigued. I leaned closer, "If you send us to Equestria, do your best to keep us together." I whispered. He reeled back in shock, "How did you know?!" "Call it a hunch." I responded chuckling, "So? Can you do it?" "It's possible but are you sure?" "Yep!" I responded, smiling. "Well...ok then. Have fun!" He said grinning mysteriously. At that my friend asked. “Have fun with what? What are you talking about?” As we grabbed our merchandise and put it away, we began to fall through a portal to the void,” AH!” Worried I grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “It’s ok, everything is going to be alright.” Shortly after, we both blacked out. I awoke, still hugging Asuna, to find myself in a dark, densely wooded forest. “Oh, that hurt…” I started to hyperventilate, “Okay, ok calm down. You knew this was going to happen, so just calm down.” It was at this point, Asuna woke-up, “Oh, what hit me?” she asked, holding her head.  Looking around she asked, “Where are we?” “I have an idea of where we are, but not when we are, nor what version.” I replied, still freaked out by my change. “What do you mean, when and what version?!” looking around for me she added, “Also, where are you?” “First of all, I’m right in front of you, HI. Second, we are in Equestria or rather the universe of MLP. However, I don’t know if we are here before Equestria was formed or after, nor If the ‘show’ has started or not. As for what version, the ‘show’ may never even occur.” I explained, as I finally calmed down, and sat next to her on the ground. “WHAT?! WH-What happened to you?!” She questioned in barely subdued shock. I giggled, “Oh a little of this and a little of that” I replied cryptically, pulling her into a hug. At which point she started crying. “Hey, hey why are you crying?” I glanced worriedly at her. “I-It’s ju-just a l-lot t-to take in.” She stuttered out, sniffling. “I know it is, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. Now I’m feeling tired so I say we find someplace relatively safe and sleep.” I helped her stand up and started walking in one direction, not really caring which one. “Sleep sounds nice right now.” She smiled slightly, still trying to comprehend what has just happened. Apparently, we were traveling deeper into the ‘Everfree Forest’ as it would come to be known as, because we eventually discovered a glorious castle on the other side of a deep ravine, the only way across was a sturdy rope bridge. “Well, I have a general idea of when we are.” I mumbled, basking in the beauty of the Everfree Castle, and glancing at the rope bridge, “The next question is if they are friendly.” With that I crossed the bridge, and walked up to the castle gates. “Halt!” Yelled the guards, pointing spears at me. “State your business!” The guards demanded, poking me with their spears, trying to push me back. “Wow there! We just want a safe place to sleep. We aren’t looking for trouble.” I don’t remember when, but at some point Asuna fell asleep, so I had to carry her. “Creatures like you are not welcome here!” they declared in an aggravating manner. I sighed,” This is not going anywhere,” I walked away, set Asuna down, returned to the gates and yelled, “CELESTIA!” accidentally making a mini tornado, not that the ponies needed to know that. There was a bright flash of light, and suddenly a fully armored Celestia stood in front of me. She was just slightly taller than me, standing at 4’4”, her armor was a dull brown with a golden colored rim. She was holding an orange and red Battle axe with her magic, getting ready to strike me down. “WOW THERE! Calm down Princess. I just wanted to talk.” I backed up slowly, hands out in a pushing motion. To which she looked at in confusion, and lowered her weapon. “Just why are you here, creature?” She spat venomously. Ouch, I winced and took a deep breath trying to reign in my anger, “First off, I would appreciate if you didn’t call me ‘creature’ it’s very hurtful.” at this she winced, remembering a time when she too was called ‘creature’, “I have a name and so does she.” By this point I was next to Asuna, and was trying to wake her up. How she didn’t wake up from my shout or the tornado is a mystery,” call me Wendy. As to the original question, we were liking for a safe place to sleep”-my stomach rumbled-“and we were hoping for some food, too.” I replied, picking Asuna up again. “Oh, I’m sorry Wendy. I had a very stressful day. And most creatures from the Everfree aren’t receptive to…Diplomacy.” She had a sad, but friendly smile, “Please follow me, I will show you to the guest rooms.” The castle wasn’t nearly as large as it looked, most of that was armor, though it was still a maze. Celestia lead me down two halls, up a flight of stairs, down another hall stopping at the end of the hall in front of a weathered door, “This is the room we use for visiting diplomats.” She opened the door and all but forced me in. Pushy much? I inspected the room and found it had a dresser, a generously sized bathroom, and only one bed…this is awkward. I lay Asuna on the bed, gather some pillows and make a makeshift bed on the floor. And quickly fall asleep, exhausted from the day’s events.