Equestria Girls: Hunting Season

Chapter Thirteen A Fishermen's Tale

Twilight

Several days had passed and our group had gathered the necessary supplies for the trip, we had gotten a small travel caravan trailer which Sombra had insisted on pulling all by himself. "Training" was the only reasoning he had given the group, we had all been skeptical about it but no one wanted to argue with the ancient king. With enough basic and medical supplies to hopefully get to the sea baring town we set off. Other then random monster encounters and the like we didn't have to much to worry about.

The trip through the forest's, mountains, river, and the plains leading to the sea outlet was going to be long and our group did not know what all of it would entail. We had been briefed by the Hunters Guild and gotten full permission from the dispatch committee in the area. When Silver had questioned why we had been given so much without question we ended up learning that the Elder from Moga Village was behind it, he had convinced the Hunters Guild to give full support for our mission. Being quoted as saying "Either were out a pretty penny or we don't die." Which in hindsight may have shown either his level of confidence in us or he was just trying to silver tongue his way through the councils defenses.

He had sent a letter as well congratulating us on forming such a large hunting party and wishing us luck on our journey. After finding out that I had taken down the Altreon he had requested that I be given a seal when we reached our destination. The seal was supposedly given to hunters who have proven themselves and even though what I did was mostly due to circumstance and was closer to a fluke then actual skill, the mark would help us on our quest. He was putting a lot of faith in us and I was determined to prove him right.

So there we were out on our first adventure as a full crew. The five young girls looking to prove themselves and help save the world. A hot headed and earnest ex villain, an ancient king who showed to be one of the Princesses greatest threats, and then you had me. I was nothing but a simple nerd before I came to this world. Now I was a leader, a fighter, a killer of an Elder Dragon, and so much more, but most importantly I was a hunter. Someone the people of these lands looked to in times of need and even in just day to day life. I felt like I belonged to something much greater, the winds of change blew on me and I flew along with them. Strapped into my gear that came from one of the most feared creatures known to this world, I could only feel two things. Bewilderment and sadness. This world truly was amazing. Every day I learned something new and I never wanted to stop, but this beast was a force of nature. How was I suppose to take pride in killing something so beautiful.

We had just crested the first mountain ridge that protected the village we had been staying in. The road was rocky and slowly turned to nothing more than grass fields cutting through the natural canyons and forests that this area was known for. Looking down from our high perch I could see the forests part to reveal a great lake that shimmered like crystal. It reflected the snow capped mountains and the tall pine like trees. The flowing river far to our left came down from the tallest peak. Fresh melted snow making its way down into the waters far below, cutting though landscape.

In a small way it had reminded me of home. The week before we went into the portal we had gone sledding with the girls in the mountains. That small comparison was enough to remind me of everything we left behind. No guarantees were there for us to ever return home, though normally thinking such things would make me depressed I found myself not caring as much nowadays. For even if we couldn't return the friendships we've formed and the time we've spent will still be there.

Turning around from my lead position I looked to Sombra, he was pulling the carriage which housed our supplies. Silver was the only one aboard it, sitting on top of its canopy post at the front. She had opted to use a spy glass to keep an eye out for anything ahead of us or looking to stalk us along the way. Taking a closer look at Sombra or rather noticing the obvious for the first time since we left, I was dumbstruck. Slowing down I aproached him and walked alongside the carriage. "Sombra just out of curiosity" I took a calming breath before breaking that calm I had just obtained. "Where in the hell in your armor?!" I yelled out. This had caused a couple of the girls to jump, but Sombra had just kept a neutral expression and kept on moving.

"Do not worry." He spoke reassuringly. Something that kept throwing me off about what was supposedly an evil ruler. "My armor will not be readily available until we reach the next town. They had mentioned a special smith who worked closely with hammer users. They gave them the needed information and told me to wait until we arrived."

I viably relaxed, but not as much as I would have liked to. All this meant was that Sombra would be even more vulnerable until we arrived at the next location. My discontent must have been fairly obvious because Sombra stopped pulling the carriage, walked over, and in a very caring gesture put his hands on my shoulders. I felt so tiny compared to his massive form. Almost completely forgetting just who this man use to be in that moment. His gaze was strong but caring. "Do not worry for me Twilight. I have survived much more formidable opponents then anything this world could possibly throw at me."

I had to shake myself out of my stupor as Sombra walked back over and started pulling the Caravan again. I could here Sunset chuckling, before she called out. "Was that before or after the princesses whooped you?" Quickly causing everyone to burst out if a fit of laughter.

Sombra for his part didn't actually seem very mad. "Just you wait girl I will get you back for your sees less taunting!" Which only seemed to cause everyone to laugh a bit harder, and after awhile even Sombra cracked a smile.

Silver

Watching Sombra act like that with Twilight was unusually uncomfortable. I had briefly voiced my unrest when Sombra had put his hands on to Twilight, with a quiet 'Lucky' Which I had thought no one would be able to hear. Scarily enough though right at the moment I had spoken I saw Sombra briefly glance back toward me. So now here I was trying to shrink to the size of a dinner plate and go about my duty in hopes of going unnoticed by the king for the rest of the trip, but fate as cruel as it be probably was not on my side.

Sombra

We had been traveling until mid afternoon, passing through several valleys and ranges. The unique landscape gave us a harder time then we would have liked. Climbing the many hills and weaving down the paths had worn the group out. The only ones who showed little sign of fatigue were Twilight and Sunset. Each of them had helped push the cart as we reached larger hills. Other than that I had kept the handle to myself. I needed to increase my strength. If this journey was going to go as we hoped we all had to become stronger. Luckily it would take months to reach our destination. This gave everyone plenty of time to train and learn how to hunt.

Stopping at another of the many large lakes that were spread through the mountains had been a last minute decision. The path we were about to get on would take almost a full day of travel before we reached another flat land with fresh water. Mapping our path and reading the geography had been left to Applebloom from what she had told us she had learned the trade from her grandmother. I myself knew the skill but it had been many a year since I used it. Best leave it to those with fresh minds.

After setting up camp we had the leaser of a sunny day and nothing better to do. I had dug out one of the fishing rods we brought along and set myself on an old looking stump that was near the water. The grass gave away to an almost sand like dirt and the water shined an azure blue. Very few clouds dotted the sky letting the suns raze shine down. What a perfect day for fishing.

Casting my line with a worm I had dug up nearby, I settled in and relaxed. A few minutes had gone by and out of nowhere I heard a loud "wooooohoooooo!" and five girls ran past me, running even further until they were down the lake side. All clad in what looked to be bathing suits. I had no idea where they had acquired the attire nor did I feel like questioning it. This species had a special need to cover their genitalia do to lack of natural cover. Even not being native I had learned to appreciate many different species attributes in my travels and I could see the appeal these girls new forms as well. I found myself wondering since Twilight was human already what she possibly thought of mine and the others looks.

"Girls wait up!" Twilight yelled from behind me while Sunset chuckled next to her. Both had also changed into swimwear and quickly ran to catch up with the others. They had all gone about fifty meters down to where the water had the least amount of grass or weeds creating an almost outlet like spot into the water.

They all swam around awhile laughing and playing. Watching them had brought a smile to my face and memories long berried back to the surface of my mind. I was reminiscing when I felt the bite and the pull on my line. I barely had a second to brace my feet in before my legs got stuck halfway down in the dirt from being dragged toward the water. Grunting against the strain I had to wonder what this pole and line were made out of.

The girls must have noticed the commotion because they all had gotten out of the water and ran over. "You got a bite!" Sweetie yelled out as the got closer.

"I have noticed!" I grunted fighting to not let go of the pole or to get pulled into the water.

"What could possibly be giving you this much trouble muscle man?" Sunset chimed in most likely laughing at the ridiculous situation.

"I do not know but I'm about to give it the fight of its life!" I clamped my front foot down and brought my back foot out of the dirt. Slowly and methodically I strained my way backward. It felt like forever before I even managed to make it a couple of feet. After a couple of minutes I was starting to think this was an almost impossible battle, a few more minutes passed the tension high,

"You can do it!" Twilight had yelled to me, that's when all the girls had started to cheer me on. Soon enough a flood of memories hit me all at once, long forgotten but cherished. I could see the beach in front of me the very one I played on when I was just a kid, and I heard his voice. My best friend yelling at me to put my back into it. With a ferocity I didn't think I possessed I ripped back on the pole and threw my entire heart into this one swing. Pretending like I was bring my hammer down I turned and swung. Whatever it was that was on the end of the line got ripped from the water. rising above them and being hidden by the bright sun. It was dropping fast and I barely had time to jump out of the way before it crashed down onto the shore.

"Holy mother of..." was the first thing anyone said after the smoke cleared. It came from Sunset in utter shock. All the girls were staring at my prey. I to was stunned, what lay before us was the largest shark I had ever seen. It must have been at least twenty feet in length and had razor like spines going down its body. It looked like it must have landed on its head the fall most likely killing it on impact by the pool of blood that was forming around its upper half.

"Now how in tarnation is there a shark in a fresh water lake?" Said Applebloom as she poked the thing with a stick she found.

Diamond walked up next to her "Yeah that seems pretty preposterous if you ask me." she said before looking over it quizzically.

"Well I might have the answer." Twilight spoke up walking to the center of the group right in front of the nose of the shark. I had gotten off of the ground and walked over to hear her out. She had gotten into a sort of lecture posture and pointed her pointer finger up in front of her in a sort of gesture. "These mountain ranges supposedly all have connecting bodies of water underneath. Like huge tunnels and cave systems with flowing paths that lead to one another. Most likely it came from the largest lake which we would be reaching in a week or so if we keep up a good pace. I think the lake was called Titans Waterway. Apparently when it was first discovered they had seen the largest known Plesioth ever recorded. Plesioth are fish like monster that stands on two legs. Nicknaming the giant Titan and naming the location after it in turn. No one has see the creature in many years though and so it almost became like a legend."

"How in the world did you know all that?" Asked Scootaloo baffled at our leaders know how.

"I may have spent almost all of the last couple of days studying on the history and culture of the areas we would be traveling on... Heh heh.... no biggy....." She said slightly blushing and rubbing her arm, probably from embarrassment at the attention she was being given and being called out on her studying habits accidentally.

"Well that's Twilight for you, but that still doesn't explain how a shark can live in fresh water. I mean I know were in a different world and all but it looks just like a shark from either of our worlds which in both are salt water creatures." Sunset pointed out.

"Well its actually not quite a shark and don't judge me for the name because I did not come up with it. It's a sharq with a Q and while some of there species are salt water they have been known to live in almost every different region in some form of subspecies. The fresh water apparently must be a larger variety even though that makes very little sense" Was Twilight's explanation, I must give it to her. She truly was very studious, and it was quite impressive to see her knowledge in action.

Afterword we had decided to cook the beast. I had quickly taken to de scaling it and while I was at it I took off whatever pieces I thought we might have been able to use later. Spikes and teeth were kept. As well as some of the hide like skin. I had even kept some of the bones as I began flaying it. Using a large hunting knife I made clean work of the beast. Taking large metal poles and going about skewering chunks of the meat while some of it went into a pot for a stew. I could not get over the large scale of cooking that the chefs had taught me back in town. Using what knowledge I already had made the whole process simple though. The girls had all gone about setting out seats and changing back into there normal under gear, and while I finished up cooking they had opted to lounge around relaxing after the long and eventful day.

"Hey Sombra?" Sweetie called out. I turned away from the roaring fire, and the skewers hanging above on a rotisserie rack. Giving her my attention. "You seem really good at fishing and cooking fish and stuff but weren't you a unicorn? I thought pegasi were the only ponies known for eating fish."

Her question must have made Sunset realize something as she jumped in next. "And your from the crystal empire and there aren't any known cold water fish out there, its to baron you would have to go all the way past the yak territory to go fishing and back then wasn't Equestria at war with the yak?"

Everyone seemed very curios, even Silver who had been avoiding me since I heard her earlier. I had to chuckle so I decided to ask something to confirm my suspicion. "Well let me ask you this. What do you know about me?"

This caught everyone off guard but Sunset coughed to get their attention. "Well... You were the most notable and also the last ruler of the Crystal empire before the two sisters froze it in time. They..." She hesitated and I could tell it was because of the things she read about me were not very pleasant.

"Go on do not hold back." I said giving her a reassuring smile. A expression I was beginning to enjoy.

"Alright." She shook her head and started back up. "They say you grew up in the empire and overthrew it with your dark magic. You ruled with an iron hoof and took from the people crushing any opposition and imprisoning those who would fight back. When the sisters heard of your tyranny they fought against you and when they could not prevent you from destroying the empire they froze it to save the lives of the ponies. The Crystal ponies still cannot remember anything about you but that was the only information in the history books."

She stopped and looked to me expectantly. I gave a low chuckle and look out to the water. "So that is the legend of my rule." I laughed a little more and kept my eyes on the water. "You see the truth is I only lived in the empire for three years, and for those three years I ruled it."

"Three years?!" Silver called out. "How is that possible. I thought you ruled for decades or something?"

At that I burst into laughter. "Decades? *pffft* Girl I was only eighteen when the empire froze! Hahah"

"Eighteen?!" Sunset all but collapsed, and the other girls all looked unbelieving. "How is that even possible?"

I chuckled some more genuinely enjoying their reactions. "Well I guess I can tell you all the story. My real tale."