“I can't believe you're making me do this,” I complained, looking over the cosplay outfit and wig.
Before me, there was the hotel room that my friends and I were sharing. On that bed sat what could be described as a slutty version of Archer's armor from Fate/stay night, a pair of black pvc thigh ultra high carbon steel soled heeled boots, a pair of briefs almost small enough to be considered a thong, a pair of black fingerless gloves, and a crimson cape/metal belt hybrid similar to Archer's jacket. There were also a few other items to complete the illusion, including breast forms, crimson color contacts and a pure white waist length wig.
“How am I even going to wear this?” I said, lifting up the briefs. “Last time I checked, I was a dude!”
“Alex, chill, okay? That's what the gaff and stockings are for,” Jesse stated matter of factly. She was five feet and six inches in height, her hair was dirty blonde and her hair went down to the middle of her back, with a haute culture windswept style. She had complete heterochromia eyes, with an emerald green in her right eye and a garnet red in her left eye. As a tomboy, she always wore a pair of jeans, with a plain white tight tank top, with her plain bra showing through slightly. Her wearing girly clothes was such a rarity, that I can’t even recall a single moment of her in anything other than her jeans and tank outfits. She had been my friend since childhood, but because of my androgyny, she developed a habit for dressing me up like a girl, and I’ll admit it makes me feel pretty but that's a secret, so don’t tell anyone.
I turned to see my other friends Jason and Tony struggling to contain their laughter. I had met both of them in freshmen year of high school; Jason was seven foot tall and lanky with a short mop of ginger hair, blue eyes and wore a pair of thin rimmed specs that reminded me of Shiroe from Log Horizon. Which incidentally was his cosplay for today.
Tony was six foot six inches in height, had black short spiky hair, brown eyes and he had an average body, not too thin, not too fat. He came as Kirito from Sword Art Online.
Only Jesse and I hadn't changed yet.
“Come on Alex, you know I hate overly girly things, and you said you would wear this if I wore something ridiculously girly and I have! Look, I'm coming as Madoka from Madoka Puella Magica!” Jesse exclaimed, pointing to the frilly, pink monstrosity of lace and ribbons. Jesse then brought out every girl's secret weapon, the puppy dog pout. “You aren’t going to leave me hanging, are you?”
“Okay! Okay! I will do it if you just stop doing that face!” I exclaimed, trying to shield my eyes. Jesse grinned wide in victory and I groaned, collecting my cosplay and heading to the ensuite bathroom. Twenty minutes later, I exited, covering myself subconsciously. “Um. How do I look, is itnoticeable?” I asked my friends. After a few seconds, they looked at each other silently, communicating with each.
“Are you sure you’re a guy?” Jason asked with a smirk on his face, causing me to blush. I threw both my arms up under my chin, my hands curled into fists pointing outward and half folding over to shout at Jason,
“What!? How can you say that!?” I exclaimed. They all stared at me dumbfounded. I let my left arm fall a bit as I said “What's wrong?” I asked.
“Oh wow, er … . I never thought I'd see the angry anime girl pose in real life before today.” Tony said, uncomfortably shifting in his spot. I puffed out my cheeks, pouting and crossing my arms, and turning away causing my wig to trail the movement.
“Baka!” I shouted at Tony and stuck my tongue out at him.
Beside me I heard Jesse devolve in fits of laughter, “Oh? So that's where my girliness went! You absorbed it!” Jesse joked with large shit eating grin on her face, causing the rest of them to laugh.
“You guys are complete jerks!” I exclaimed, huffily taking my wallet and left the room, forgetting I was in my costume. When the guys caught up they apologised, and we went to the convention.
It was an anime convention being hosted in Michigan. As we got into the hall, I walked in and a few people stopped what they were doing and looked up. Some smiled and then returned to what they were doing, others wolf whistled at me causing me to blush in embarrassment, and I gave a nervous smile as I hurried ahead. As I did, the laughter from my friends faded as I pulled away.
“That's a good costume, you must have real big cajones to walk around in that.” I stiffened up and slowly turned around to see a man draped in a black hooded cloak, reminding me of that merchant from Resident Evil 4 or the one in Dark Souls.
“However, it seems to be missing a couple of important pieces. Perhaps you may find them here?” he said, settling on a new level of creepy as he grinned, sweeping his arms over his wares. I cautiously walked over to him, and saw on his table items from many games and anime shows, like Dante’s rebellion sword, Alucard’s casull and jackal hand cannons, a mystic force morpher, to name a few. As I was perusing, my eyes fell upon a metal replica of Kanshou and Bakuya Archer's signature swords, as well as a ruby pendant set in a silver chain that Tohsaka Rin's father had given to her.
I quickly look at the smirking and suspicious merchant “How much for the twin swords and the pendant!?” I asked frantically, the merchants smirk turning into a full blown grin.
“For you my friend? For your courage for wearing that thing and firmly kicking gender stereotypes in the nads, fifty bucks.” I opened my wallet and practically threw my money in his face; like that meme says:
“Shut up and take my money!” I exclaimed as I gave the merchant my money, causing him to nearly hack up a lung as he was laughing his head off.
I retrieved the twin swords and placed the pendant chain around my neck, as I looked at my wallet as it screamed from the large transaction.
I thought I heard him say something like, “Have fun young lady.” before everything went dark.
I woke up sometime later, finding myself in a forest of some kind, I went to stand up only to find my center of gravity off. I held onto a nearby tree to steady myself. I looked down at my body, I was taller, judging by how far down it looks to the floor than normal and those heels don’t help, but that was a negligible change overall. What had me concerned is, as I moved, I felt something pull on my chest. ‘Breast forms don't do that.’ I thought, worry filling my mind, so I looked myself over. My skin was darker, my hips wider, my legs and my arms sleek and slender. I wondered where my stockings and gaff were, as I no longer felt discomfort downstairs, and saw that my legs had no stockings covering them. Carefully I pulled my briefs out to get a look, nothing! I put my hand down and started feeling around until a jolt of pleasure went down my spine, upon which I froze and withdrew my hand.
I nearly fell as my vision began to blur, I shook my head trying to clear it, the long white locks of my hair trailing behind me. I’m Archer, and I don't know whether to celebrate or lament the fact that I am a rule 63 version. I hope Jesse, James and Tony suffer the same fate as me and get sent here, if only so I can kick their asses.
“Okay, just stay calm Alex. You’ve only just been sent to a forest in god knows where, and you're no longer a dude.” I said to reassure myself. It didn't work, as I started breathing heavily and rapidly. I heard a twig snap, I turned rapidly to face the direction I heard the sound coming from. I froze as I saw a woman, she had lavender fur, horn and pony ears, her face looking almost human except for the pony muzzle, her eyes were amythest, and her mane and tail was navy with a two tone pink strips. She was wearing a hessian cloak tied with rope and a dress that came down to her knees and hock. She was holding a basket, just standing there in shock. I recovered faster and I felt something filling my hands as I got into a stance that seemed second nature.
“Wait!” She shouted, I remained in my attack-ready posture, but didn’t let down my guard.
“I mean thou no harm!” She exclaimed, I relaxed feeling my hands empty. English, she sounds like Princess Luna. but that coat color ... I could swear that I was looking at Twilight Sparkle.
Drawing on years of theatre practice, I asked “Give me thy name, unicorn.” I hoped that I had said that right.
The unicorn stood there for a second and looked to be thinking, “Mine name is Clover. What is thy name?” Clover asked. I looked down, for all I knew I was Archer now. Granted it would seem that I am a female variant, similar to how Illyasviel and Rin from Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya looked when they used the Archer class and I, for some strange reason, did not retain my male appearance … or equipment. If I ever get home I'm kicking Jesse's ass on principle. I can't give Clover my original name.
“Mine name is Archer, Lady Clover,” I replied. She tilted her head to the side, most likely to recall if she had ever encountered me before, which was unlikely seeing as I had just arrived here..
“Oh! My apologies for startling thee, Lady Archer. Thou art a Lady, yes? I inquire because I hath not seen thine countenance, nor thy kind before,” Clover responded
I sighed internally, I am now a Lady, great. “Fear not, I didst not take offence. Indeed we art a Lady, though I have no lands or title to my name. Might I inquire as to where we are? 'Tis a forest from what mine eyes perceive, but I must confess ignorance as to which forest I am in” I replied.
“Thou art in the Everfree Forest, Lady Archer,” Clover answered.
“Would thou be so kind as to escort me to the nearest city? I asked.
“Of course, I can. I could even provide lodgings in my quarters.”
“Thank ye Lady Clover, that is very kind of you. However, I wonder if that be proper?” At Clover’s confused look, I elaborated while I felt my cheeks heat up. “Well thou art a fair young mare and I am quite sure thou art quick witted as well. However, we hath just met and thou art inviting me into thine bedchamber, surely 'twould be best to wait till we knew each other better?” I asked Clover, who joined me in blushing hotly, and sputtering as she finally got what I thought she meant.
“No, thou misunderstand, we did not extend my invitation with the intention of partaking in carnal pleasures! Thou flatter me, that thou wouldst think me comely enough that thou should misunderstand my invitation to be what thou initially thought. 'tis true it would be most improper. My master wouldst have my hide if he thought I taken random mares to bed. Wait, didst thou sayeth I am fair? Thou art attracted to mares!?”
Hopefully. I thought ruefully to myself. “Mayhaps thou art interested?” I asked with a smile, while the poor mare sputtered and blushed harder.
“If thou desire to return to my city, followeth me as I collecteth herbs.” Clover said, changing the subject, her blush still adorning her cheeks. Which caused me to giggle as I followed her, she’ll be so much fun to tease.
As we walked collecting herbs, Clover spoke up, “So Lady Archer, what art thou, ‘tis clear thee art not a pony, despite looking very much like one?”
“I am a human, Lady Clover. I cometh from a land far away from here,” I responded. ‘Very far away.’ I thought to myself.
“Something is coming!” I exclaimed, crouching back into another combat ready stance. Clover, living up to her moniker, hid behind the rock I had just been sitting on. The sound of a bounding creature grew louder before a manticore jumped out of the brush!“ Clover, dost thou recognise this manticore?” I whispered.
Clover shook her head. Good, I don’t want to kill Luna’s friends. I thought as
I rushed at the beast and dodged a claw swipe from it, then jumped over a stab from its venomous stinger. Using my downward momentum I sliced through it’s stinger. The beast roared as I severed its tail, ichor bursting from the wound, covering me in it. I backflipped over its thrashing claws and landed on its back, straddling it as it tried to buck me off it. I reversed my grip on Kanshou and Bakuya stabbing it in the head, and with a dismounting sideflip with the blades still lodged into it’s skull, I violently twisted its head and broke its neck. Its corpse spun and flew over me due to the leverage creating centrifugal force as I crouched.
I hope, I don’t have to fight too many times, I have to conserve my prana. Wait, What!? How the fuck did I do that? It felt like muscle memory or as if I knew how, but that’s impossible! Thinking again I sigh. Then again, this is coming from a girl who was once a boy who is now in Equestria with as much skin showing as an exotic dancer would. Fuck my life! I don’t know if I can last longer than two days without a master. However, if I am a counter guardian version of Archer, I will not have to worry. Perhaps I can learn to use this world’s magic.
A high pitched scream sounded behind me, I sighed and turned around.
“Clover, thou can come out now. ‘Tis safe,” I said as I made my way over to the shivering mare. As I drew close she backed away, eyes wide and pupils shrunken. Dammit! Way to go Alex! Er, I mean Archer, you just traumatised the poor mare.
“Clover, thou doth not need to be afraid, I shall not harm thee.” I tried to comfort her, crouching down.
“What art thou? There is no way a mare couldst have so much power!” Clover whimpered.
“I am a human as I said, but I am also a spirit. I know not what kind yet, and only two answers are possible, either we art a heroic spirit, in which case I have two days at best to find a suitable master, or else I fade away. The other is more of a hassle for me as it presents a dilemma, as a counter guardian I wilt beeth extremely powerful and immortal, and if I am unlucky; a mindless, heartless, killing machine.” I explained, probably putting the mare off even more.
“What is a counter guardian?” she asked timidly.
“A counter guardian is a protector of balance, an agent of the counter force, which is the collective will of the people to safeguard against extinction. Normally is only an indirect guide and empowers individual people to solve an issue that threatens the species, these take the form of heroes.
If indirect methods fail, then the counter force sends in a counter guardian. A counter guardian is a mindless tool with but one purpose, eradicate the threat. It can be small, to a single individual or it can be an entire continent or an island. But its response is always appropriate to the threat. If I am lucky and this place’s counter force is Harmony, then I may endeth up an agent of Harmony,” I continued and sighed.
“Why doth thou desire to return with me unto my city?” Clover asked, clearly worried for her princesses, which I thought was really sweet of her.
“A place to live, a place to die. It doesn’t particularly matter.” I responded before asking a question “Will thou abandon me here to whatever fate awaits me now that you art aware of my power and my might, Clover?”
“I do not know, thou couldst be like the Windigos.” Clover replied confused.
“Compare me not to those mindless, malicious spirits!” I exclaimed, “The counter force is a force for the greater good. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one,” I continued, “Let me not hear thee say that again Clover, it reminds me of what I couldst becometh.” I finished with a resigned sigh. My choices are to become a mindless guardian or die. What kind of choice is that? I lamented internally.
I heard sobbing, I sighed and put my head in my right hand.
“Thou art verily a tragic being Archer. Born to die soon, or born to slaughter, and neither way art thou free.” Clover said, tears streaming down her face. She tensed up as I pulled her into a hug, holding her in my arms.
“Ahem.” Came a clearing of a distinctly feminine throat. I turned to see the two young sisters Celestia and Luna, Oh fuck me sideways! A more masculine clearing of the voice issued, groaning, I turned to see Starswirl the bearded looking at me with an appraising gleam in his eye and an amused smirk on his face. Well double fuck! I am so boned.
Author's Note
In case my description of Alex's outfit is lacking
A Silver Entrance Part one(updated)
Author's Note
First Crossover chapter with The villain in Glasses Gokai.....Ponies ficGokai ponies
A Silver Entrance Part one(updated)
I found myself surrounded by Celestia, Luna, and Starswirl the Bearded. Luna wore a surprising single shoulder-strap yellow dress, with a pleated miniskirt. Celestia wore what could only be described as a mix between a cream toga and a dress, sandals and wearing more gold bling than palutena, and held a long golden staff with a sun motif for the staff head. Starswirl wore his signature star and moon robes and wizard hat. I gulped, “It's not what it looks like!” I quickly said falling back on the anime main protagonist line.
“Oh and what doth thee thinketh it looks like?” Luna asked with a smirk on her lips.
Danger! Danger! Luna is genre savvy! I waved my hands about spluttering.
“I wasn't doing anything untoward!” I said as I distanced myself from Clover. I wasn’t looking where I was going and I trod on something that caused me to fall forward, though Luna tried to catch me and we both ended up taking a tumble. Luna and I blushed as I got up and I presented my hand to help her up.
“Pardon me for knocking thee down,” I apologised to Luna as our eyes met. I felt my heartbeat racing before the moment was overshadowed by an intense feeling of impending doom. I looked around first at Starswirl and then at Celestia. She was giving off, I don’t know, how I would describe it other than a killing intent, despite her smiling face. I backed away trying to hide my discomfort by searching for what made me trip up. Picking it up, it was a small figurine of a silver and black gokaiger power ranger.
A voice echoed in my mind “To all that discover this hidden treasure, know that I am Gai Ikari, The Silver Scourge, captain of the Gokai Galleon and leader of the Gokaigers. If you wish to call upon me and my crew, simply insert this key into any lock. But woe betide those who wish harm upon me, or those under my protection, for they will be consumed by the Black Fog.”
I stopped for a minute. Huh, strange, now where on earth am I gonna put this thing? It’s not like I have a bag of infinite holding. A screen popped up and the figure disappeared into it. … I’ll shut up now. I stood up and found Luna leaning over me.
“Art thee hurt? I thinketh I hath not asked thee what thy nameth is? And what befell thy coat it looks liketh it was shaved off?” Luna asked, a twinkle in her eye. Okay, just what is that mare planning?
“We art not hurt, thanketh thee for thy concern, mine own nameth is Archer. As for what hath happened to mine own coat? I never hadst one as I am not a pony, what is thy nameth?”
“What!? Thee aren't a pony!” Everypony exclaimed Goodbye eardrums, you will be sorely missed. I shook my head to get the ringing out of my ears.
Celestia looked like she was about to tear my head off, and Luna and Starswirl looked like I should be worried what they are planning with those glints in their eyes. Fuck. My. Life!
I decided that discretion was the better part of valor and beat a hasty retreat or I would have if I wasn’t encased in a silvery glow of Luna’s magic. Clover and Celestia watched me leave as I was carried off by Luna. I bet this is how Lancer felt when Berserker carried him around. I grumbled. Whatever god or goddesses are out there please don’t let me be used as a flail. I don’t know what I expected but hearing a disembodied woman laughing was not one of them.
“Damn that old dog!” The silver clad pirate groaned as he rolled his first mate’s body off of him, “The bastard could’ve warned me if he was gonna send us back like that!”
His First Mate groaned as she pulled herself up, rubbing her head, “damn, that was sudden … what was that?”
“A gigantic Time Force reference,” The Pirate growled as the box-like object began to vibrate on his waist, he pulled it out of his silver long coat, the word: ARCHER glowed in red over the front.
“Hey, I think I’m being called right now.” The Pirate said, “do you mind watching the ship until I get back?”
“Already? That was fast...” The First Mate muttered, rubbing her mane, “fine, but I want to hear about what went down, alright?”
The Pirate nodded as a portal snapped open next to the pair, “got it. If things go well, I’ll be back soon.”
With that, he leaped into the portal.
Luna and Starswirl had carried me back to the castle of the two sisters, and now I was in Starswirl’s lab. Had I not been tied to a slab in the center of the room, I probably would be fangirling right about now! As it was, I was uncomfortable and I was hoping that this didn’t end up as a vivisection. I tried to bust out of the bindings restraining me, but they were holding firm.
“i wouldst giveth up if I were thee, those bindings can holdeth me and mine own sister’s strength, so a mortal shouldn't beest a problem.” Luna explained and I raised a questioning eyebrow “We doth not liketh having our teeth pulled, and our sister wouldst not stop scratching at her pox, when she hadst the chicken pox.” Luna explained further, a blush of embarrassment on her face.
“What art thee going to doth to me!?” I exclaimed as I squirmed.
“We art just doing tests.” Luna replied cheerfully.
“That hadst better not includeth vivisection!” I shouted, Luna looked at me agast.
“We wouldst nev'r doth a thing liketh that!” Luna shouted at me, unbeknownst to Luna, Starswirl stepped in with a scalpel, my eyes widened.
“Luna couldst thee waiteth outside?” Luna looked confused for a moment and shrugged as she left. “This shall hurt a lot,” Starswirl said as he brought the scalpel down to pierce my skin, the moment it touched my skin I winced but I felt nothing, I looked up and saw Starswirl scratching his head as his scalpel looked like it got into a fight with a wall and lost.
“I shouldst useth the magic cutting scalpel.” Starswirl muttered as he left the room fuck that! I thought as I willed my inventory open, and picked up the figure pressing it to open it, to reveal a key. I went to work inserting it into my locks and trying opening the padlock. No luck opening the padlock, but the key glowed.
What is that key made of, Uranium 234!?
“Dynamic entry!” A mysterious voice cried as a giant plume of earth erupted from the center of the room, causing the entire castle to shake. A pair of gleaming yellow eyes appeared in the plume of dust, “oh dear,” the voice said, “it seems you’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?”
“Can you get me out of this slab? There’s a wannabe Hannibal Lector here and the sooner I’m out of this rape rack, the better!”
“Geez, and here I thought you were actually into this kind of kinky stuff ...” The voice muttered as the dust cleared, revealing a silver figure wearing a helmet with a yellow visor in the shape of eyes.
“No! I am not into BDSM thank you very much! Now would you kindly get me out of this thing!?” I shouted at the stranger.
“Hai, hai, hime-sama.” The figure sighed as he sauntered over and grabbed the shackles around my legs, the metal groaning before snapping in half.
“Anata wa aho ka?”
“Are you gonna be tsundere this whole time, or do you want me to get the other two? I can just leave if you prefer.” The figure said, standing up and crossing his arms.
“Hmmph! Yes! Just, hurry it up!” I demanded pouting It’s not like I need your help or anything, baka! I just don’t want to destroy the castle.
“The tsun is strong with this one...” The figure muttered, grabbing the shackles around her wrists and snapping them off in a similar fashion as the ones on her legs, “Anything else, hime-sama? Perhaps a back rub from the nearest tentacle monster?”
Korosu … watashi wa korosu sono otoko!
Starswirl burst in to see my rescuer helping me up from the rape rack. The old coot went to slash at me, but I call out, “Touei kaishi.” My magic circuits spring to life as I trace Kanshou and Bakuya. Kanshou is a black sword with red hexagon cells engraved on it, its blade curved short sword and Bakuya a white short sword with wave engraved in its curved blade, The twin yin and yang swords. I parried his scalpel stunning him.
“Oi, ossan.” Starswirl glanced over to see a white gloved fist racing toward his gut, unable to react in time, he was sent flying into the opposite wall, collapsing unconscious in his own body-shaped crater, “didn’t anyone teach you how to treat a lady? You get their number before trying to stick things into them. Dinner is optional for both parties.”
I groaned at the guy before Luna burst in distracting me, “Not going to vivisect me you said, then this whoreson tried to vivisect me!” I shouted at Luna and pointed at the crater, Luna winced and her ears fell to the side of her head a look of sorrow came over her face.
“We apologise, we didn't knoweth Arch'r,” Luna said quietly.
The silver figure, seemed to cross the room in an eyeblink, stage whispering into Luna’s ear, “Ooooh, you done messed up now, Moonbutt!” He snickered.
Luna looked agast “Moonbutt! How dare thee, we wert just apologi- What is that rumbling?” The crater had disappeared leaving a haggard Starswirl the bearded.
“It’s just a minor setback, nay matter. ,” He said while waddling over to his alchemy workshop.
“Sa seru ka!” The silver figure cried, slamming his palm into the ground, “Gokai Thanatos Grasp!” At his command, a series of clawed hands made of black crystal erupted from the ground, seizing Starswirl by each limb, those that didn’t restrain a limb found purchase wherever they could.
“Starswirl! What art thee doing!? And what art thee creature, thee look liketh Archer?”
“That,” the figure began as he was enveloped in a bright silver light, “is a question with a very long answer. And you would likely go mad from hearing it.” The light faded, revealing a grinning human man with brown hair, he was dressed in a simple shirt and pants with shin-high combat boots and a silver long coat, a pair of silver-rimmed welding goggles rested around his neck, and I could see a large bronze metal shackle on one of his wrists.
“Yare yare daze, just keep it short. Give us the cliffsnotes version,”I said interrupting what was most likely a long monologue.
“Introductions first,” The human said, “you’re the one who called me here, lady.”
I sighed, “My name is Archer. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” I said before performing a half bow.
“Huh, a Fate character. Rule 63 by the rack.” He muttered, looking me up and down before turning so he was facing us both, “My name is Gai Ikari, and I’m just a simple pirate. Also one of the biggest scoundrels you’ll ever meet. Yoroshiku na.” He bowed his head slightly.
Luna was trying to pronounce the word “Yo.rosheeku, what does that mean?” Luna asked blinking and looking perplexed.
I sigh, “It means ‘pleased to meet you’.”
Luna’s mouth opened in an ‘o’ shape as she understood.
“And wherefore didst thee boweth?” she asked.
This is going to take a while … .
“It is a custom of my people, the Japanese, it’s a sign of respect, a formality. The lower the bow, the more respectful it is. If you end up on the floor it’s a sign of complete submission. Most people only do the slightly formal greeting bow we just did. Or slightly lower to apologise,” I explained for Luna.
“Our species is what’s known as ‘human,’” Gai continued, “suffice it to say we’re from someplace very, very far away.”
“Yes Clover told us while we discussed what she had seen, Archer performed a rather brutal kill on a manticore with no aid save for her own agility. It has left poor Clover in quite a state, since she has not seen violence before and was unprepared to witness such brutality.”
“I’m hardly surprised, as she is now, she could likely make the entirety of your guard look like bumbling fools.” Gai said, “Personally, I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side if I were you.”
“Hey don’t go making me look like a blood lusting psychopath! I have morals at least. Protect the weak, fix injustices and only kill those who step foot on the field of battle or are evil,” I responded with a pout.
“Wish I shared your optimism, but you know what they say: if you want to see someone’s true character, give them power.” Gai replied, shooting me a dry look, “Just how long have you been here, kouhai?”
I groaned “I have only been here a few hours at least, then I meet Clover, fought a bloody manticore and then get dragged off by Luna to go play ‘Doctor,’ Senpai.” I responded.
Gai chuckled a bit, “Why are you complaining? That’s just a day in the life of people like us. Talk to me when you’ve had someone stab you in the stomach, for real this time.”
“And pray tell what are we? Seeing as you seem to have more information than I do!” I pouted and crossed my arms huffily.
Gai chuckled. “That is something that we’ll have to discuss in private, not sure Moonbutt would be able to handle what I have to say.”
His eyes widened, “Oh, better not leave Starswirl in there too long, he’s probably half dead by now.” With a snap of his fingers, the arms of black crystal retracted, unceremoniously dropping the old unicorn to the floor, “And how are we feeling?” Gai asked the groaning unicorn, an evil grin on his face, “having your physical strength and magic sucked away probably doesn’t feel too good, huh?”
Luna stamped her right hoof indignantly at that, “What do you mean, We wouldn’t understand!?”
While we were distracted, Starswirl crawled over to a bottle he had dropped when he was apprehended, he removed the cork and guzzled the contents. His body fluctuated and distorted as his mass and scale increased knocking over the table sending various liquids over his body and filling the room with smoke.
I coughed “Hey did somebody fart in here!?” I asked before I heard ruble tumble to the floor. “He’s grown big hasn’t he?”
“How did you guess?”Gai replied all too cheerfully, before the snapping of fingers met my ears, “I suggest you get in the portal, kouhai!” He said, slinging a struggling Luna over his shoulder and hopping through a large blue wormhole that appeared in the center of the room.
Flashback to Alex’s childhood.
“Now Alex if a monster grows big, don’t follow the crazy man through the glowing portal. It only leads to trouble,” Alex’s mother said in a serious tone.
“Okay okaasan!”
End of flashback
That was oddly specific … . I thought to myself before following the crazy man into the portal.
I landed somewhere in the middle of the Everfree forest, “Well that was anti-climatic.” I muttered, the ground shook and a giant Discord roared. “Give me all your virgins!”
“Okay, if Clover accidentally summons a demon with a wolfmother t-shirt on I am so done with this world!”
“Oh, it is so much better than that!” Gai said, a wide, evil, shit-eating grin on his face as he dropped Luna on the ground unceremoniously, her dress flapping up to reveal her nethers to the world, Gai looked down and whistled, “damn … too bad I personally know her great niece ...” he muttered, looking back at the giant and spreading his arms wide, “You got me a present!?”
I caught what was up Luna’s dress and blood slid down my nose. “Fuck! Er senpai be a dawg and get me some tissue.”
Gai snapped his fingers, a small portal opened above my head, dropping a box of tissues on it.
I took the proffered tissues and twisted one up and stuffed it up my nose, “Are you okay Archer? Did we hurt you?”
“Hang on why did you stop talking in the royal canterlot voice?”I asked
Luna huffed, “I am not going to keep using it if I have to talk all the time! Do you know how hard it is to keep that pretentious speech up all day!?”
“Ha! I knew Moonbutt didn’t have a stick up her plot in this time period!” Gai crowed before pointing to the giant Discord, “look alive, kouhai! This is what a normal day should look like for you!” He said, as a thin trail of blood slid down from his nostril.
“To answer you question Luna I am fine, it’s just something that happens to Japanese people during ... certain circumstances.” I explained, eyeing Gai begging him not to explain it.
“It means she was aroused. Didn’t know she swung that way. Oh well!” He said cheerfully, wiping away the blood with a handkerchief.
“Gai!” I shouted at him, while Luna blushed furiously as I swatted at him
“Sa, dou suru?” Gai asked, fending off my attacks expertly, “There’s a crazy monster rampaging through your world. So, what will you do, hero?”
I ground my teeth as I summoned a matte black bow formed in my left hand and I searched through my inner world for something that would cause some damage, I held out my hand and summoned a spiral blade into my hand, it’s drill blade had intricate blue and gold decorating it. I notched it European style, over fist and pulled back and recited “I am the bone of my sword!” The sword morphed into a long glowing arrow as I drew it back. I aimed at Discord, the newest monstrosity ahead of me and said “Caladbolg!” and letting the arrow fly towards my target three kilometers away, Discord tried to teleport to dodge the shot getting ripped up by Caladbolg and spit back out into real space.
His body was full of cuts and gashes as he panted. He roared in response and ran towards us.
“Touei (Trace), kaishi (on)” Od flooded my magic circuits
“Hyoui keiken kyoukan shuryou (Ending resonance of possession experience)
Koutei kanryou (Processes completed, roll out). Zen touei taiki (All projections stand by bullet, clear)” Many swords projected above me aimed straight ahead
“Teishi kaitou (Ceasing decompression, freeze out). Zen touei renzoku sousha (All projections successive fire sword barrel open)!” All the floating blades rapidly flew towards discord replacements rapidly replacing the ones fired. The projectiles impaled discord's body as he kept rushing at us.
“Geez, I know girls take a long time to get ready, but this is ridiculous!” Gai said, standing in front of me, removing the large bronze shackle on his wrist, “besides, I want a swing at him too!” He pulled out a black, box-like object and another silver figurine. Gai inserted the figurine into the box and crossed his arms in an ‘X’ over his chest, “Gokai Change!”
Gokaiger! A voice rang out as Gai was enveloped in a silvery light. When it faded, he was standing in his silver suit and holding a golden trident.
“The pirate clad in shining silver! Gokai Silver!” He cried out as an explosion erupted behind him, engulfing the two of us. I dodged the explosion, due to having experienced his explosive change before, taking Luna with me.
“And one more for the big boy!” Gai said as he pressed the button above his suit’s belt buckle, causing more and more figurines to spill out of the revolving plate, each of them glowing bright gold and coalescing into an anchor shaped key, “Gokai Chaaaaaange!” He cried, inserting the gold anchor key into the box.
Gokai Silver! Gold mode! The voice rang out as a giant gold anchor appeared above Gai, dropping down onto his shoulders and transforming into a chest plate, spaulders and thigh guards, the three prongs on his trident turned so that it looked like a bladed anchor, and the upper part of his helmet dropped down to become a visor.
“Gokai Silver! Gold Mode! Let’s make this showy!” He cried, jumping off the ground and hurtling into Discord, shoulder charging him in the face and causing him to stagger backwards as blood erupted from his nose with a thunderous *crack*.
“I am the bone of my sword,
Steel is my body and fire is my blood,
I have created over a thousand blades,
Unknown to death, nor known to life,
Have withstood pain to create many weapons,
And yet these hands will never hold anything,
So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works” Prana swirled around me in a vortex of power.
Just as Discord reached us a circle of flames spread out from me in all directions engulfing everyone in bright light. When I opened my eyes I was greeted by a hill of swords, blades stabbed into the barren red earth as smog and cogs filled the horizon.
“Every weapon here is a copy of the original, a world of unlimited blades.” I said and raised my hand the swords all began to raise up before pointing toward discord, they flew at discord many blades of many shapes and sizes piercing the behemoth repeatedly and without stopping. At best all I’m doing was holding him back
“Can’t you summon your zords!?” I shouted.
“Kinda left them behind when you called me! Wasn’t expecting to play Attack on Titan Simulator 2016!” He replied, floating in the air on what looked like a cushion of wind, “But, I got this, just keep him off Luna!” He called as he dove under a swipe from Discord, slashing a long, red line up his chest in retaliation.
“Archer, where are we!?” Luna asked, confusion evident as she looked around, “Did you destroy the world?”
I had to chuckle at that.
“No, Luna I did not destroy the world. This is a reality marble I am projecting my own imagined terra on the world where I have full control over it. Think of it like a dream in the real world and it is temporary, it won’t be long till the real world rejects it and we are sent back.”
“Less exposition, more protecting Moonbutt! Gokai Rising Phoenix!” Gai cried, as he was engulfed in flames and rushed Discord, dodging a swipe and charging into his long neck, erupting into a brilliant conflagration that looked as though Celestia had struck him with the sun.
Discord roared as his flesh was seared and punctured, the red glow in his eyes growing brighter.
He lashed out with a laser beam from his eyes aimed at me and Luna.
I lift my hand with my palm open “Rho Aias!” A lavender seven layer shield dome covered us, as the beam hit it destroying one of the layers causing me to wince, Dammit guess I really do need a master. I complained internally.
“This isn’t getting us anywhere… Luna!” Gai called, knocking aside Discord’s talons aside with his spear, “do we need Starswirl alive?”
“He is nothing but a raving beast at the moment, who knows what will happen if he regains his senses and starts actually attacking intelligently, we don’t want to have our teacher die, but he is little more than a rabid beast of chaos and he is a threat to our subjects.” Luna’s face was set in a grim determined fashion “kill him before this containment spell ends!” Luna exclaimed.
Gai nodded slowly before looking at me, “kouhai, I want you to watch carefully. You talked about killing your enemies so easily on the field of battle however, I want you to see what taking someone’s future actually does.”
I set my stance and watched as I kept Rho Aias up, “I am watching.”
Gai nodded again before turning to face the beast that was once Starswirl, “don’t hate me for this, but it must be done.” He thrust his spear into the ground, bringing his hands up as if he were holding a flute, “Gokaiger forbidden killing technique, Gokai Black Fog.” He said solemnly as he placed his hands over the mouthpiece of his helmet and exhaled forcefully.
A plume of thick, black smoke erupted from the other end of his hands, the roiling black cloud racing towards Discord as he swiped at it, attempting to bat away the impending cloud of death.
It didn’t work.
The cloud pounced on it’s prey, surrounding it on all sides as it bunched up around him, constricting his movements, he tried to move, but found his strength failing him. He reached out for his magic, surely that could save him!
He couldn’t feel any of it.
All the power that his form had granted him, gone in an instant, it was then that the cold fangs of fear became evident in his eyes, he opened his mouth to roar in defiance, only to have the black cloud leap into his mouth and down his throat, heedless to his coughing and wheezing to get it out of his lungs.
Suddenly, he felt a great weight as the substance settled in his lungs, growing and solidifying into a dark mass that began to reach towards his heart.
He began to panic even while his body began to shrink, slowly returning to his original form.
Starswirl began to clutch at his chest, his robes in loose tatters around him, “W-what hast thou done to me!?” He choked out, even as more of the haze entered through his throat.
“I robbed you of your future,” Gai said calmly as he detransformed, “you have my deepest apologies for what had to be done, but I have but one request: don’t hate me for this.”
Starswirl’s eyes widened as he grit his teeth, clawing at this chest, his nails leaving deep furrows in his skin as he groaned in pain before looking at Gai one last time, his eyes filled with deep hatred and loathing before he collapsed, a small shard of black crystal peeking out from a puncture in his neck.
“They always give me that same look before they go,” Gai said, turning to me, a tired expression on his face, “do you understand now, kouhai? What it means to truly kill? Not only do we steal our victim’s future, we also steal the future of those closest to them, and their hatred will stain you forever.” He looked to Luna, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Luna jumped at me looking for some comfort, I held her tightly, What the fuck, I know I said it easily before, and I knew it was all talk, but why can’t I feel anything, why can’t I shed a tear of remorse, what the fuck am I!? I should be curled up in a ball after what I just saw. Yet I am calm, ‘Beast of Alaya’ am I actually both a counter guardian and a heroic spirit? That’s impossible! Heroic spirits are divine and counter guardians are mindless killing machines. Is that my fate? To need a master, but when the chips are down I have to become an unfeeling monster!?
I looked up to Gai, “I can’t feel anything,” I stated simply. Luna ceased her grieving to look up at me, appearing concerned.
“It hits you later, it always does.” He said simply, pulling a flask out of his coat and downing some of its contents, he offered it to me, “I always find that a bit of this makes it easier to bear.”
I took the proffered drink and downed it … sake, “Ah, a taste of home. I shan’t have more, I can’t be held responsible for Drunk Archer.”
“Fair enough.” Gai said, taking the flask back and taking another swig before picking up the bronze shackle from the ground and snapping it back onto his wrist.
I sighed. “Luna, do you hate me?” I asked quietly.
“No, what happened had to happen. Celestia will not be happy, and Clover will no doubt hate you, if only because you took her master’s life.”
The world around us cracked and then shattered as the world rejected it’s existence.
“I can live with that, Luna. I asked you to give the kill order, the blame lies with me. If you, or Clover, or Celestia need to hate someone, let it be me. Archer had nothing to do with this, she is only responsible for guarding you. I’m the one who took his life.” Gai said, his tone neutral.
I brought my hand up I could see through it, No! Not now, not after all I just survived!
“Archer! What is happening to you!?” Luna exclaimed as motes of gold dust started leaving me.
I looked away ashamed, “I am dying, Luna. I used too much Od in this fight and now I’ll just fade away as if I didn’t exist.”
“No! I will not lose another friend! There must be something I can do!” Luna exclaimed.
“She needs a master,” Gai said, looking at me, “I’m right, aren’t I? You can’t replace your power without one.”
“What Gai said is true, Luna,” I responded.
“Then I’ll be your master! How do I do it?” Luna asked desperately
I lifted off the gem from around my neck and hand it to Luna,
“Repeat after me.”
“Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone. The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg.”
“Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone. The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg,” Luna repeated.
“The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate.”
“The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate,” repeated Luna.
“Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill).
Repeat every five times.
Simply, shatter once filled.”
“Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill).
Repeat every five times.
Simply, shatter once filled,” Luna repeated.
A magic circle surrounded us and bathed us in crimson red, “Luna you must shed your blood on this circle, however, not a lot is needed.Trace on,” I said as I projected a nameless dagger and handed it to Luna, who proceeded to cut her hand and dropped her blood on the circle, causing the circle’s light to grow intense.
“Now say this Luna and hold out the pendant I gave you,” I told her.
“――――I announce.
Your self is under me, my fate(doom) is in your sword.
In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.
Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.
You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance ―――! ”
“――――I announce.
Your self is under me, my fate(doom) is in your sword.
In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.
Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.
You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance ―――! ” Luna repeated wincing as she felt her magic pulled into the circle.
“I accept your oath and you as my master, Luna.” Luna clutched her left hand as command symbols burnt into it.
I immediately felt the effects of the oath as I became solid and Luna’s magic filled me.
“Now that you two are done marrying yourselves,” Gai said dryly, tearing his spear from the ground and tossing it into the air, where it converted itself into a gun, which he tucked into his coat, “it’s time we went back to the castle, your sister’s probably having a royal freak out, Luna.” A portal snapped open in front of him.
Luna and I blushed I picked Luna up bridal style and carried her through the portal.
Celestia was pacing around the throne room, ponies were watching worried what had happened, Where is Luna and what was that noise! Celestia thought to herself as she panicked, A blue swirling portal opened up as soon as I entered the room the guards tensed, Luna was still holding onto me, still blushing, Celestia charged at us and shoulder bashed me out of the way straight into a nearby wall, while glomping her sister.
I crawled back out of my new custom made crater. There is only so much a human, divine spirit or not, can take!
“Calm down, kouhai. After all, Sunbutt still knows nothing, we still have to face the music,” Gai said, pulling me out of my crater.
And the award for killing buzzes and not letting people blissfully forget things goes to Gai! *Sarcastic internal cheering*
“‘Tia, not in front of the peasantry!” Luna complained as Celestia covered her face in kisses.
I felt a trickle from my nose, Again!? What is this, a bad harem comedy!?
Gai handed her another tissue, using his handkerchief to clean his nose again, “Praise Michael!” He muttered softly.
I responded under my breath, “Titty All Day Everyday!”
He nodded, shooting me a thumbs up, “Titty All Day Everyday!”
“Ahem.” Celestia looked at us, glaring.
“Oh shit son, we screwed!” I stage whispered to Gai.
“Nah, ‘tis only a wild Sunbutt!” He stage whispered back, “we can simply lure her away with bananas and cake!”
“I canst hear thou!” Celestia exclaimed unimpressed by the conversation taking place.
“You were meant to. Now then, we shall simply take our leave as I have many secrets to share with Archer.” Gai said nonchalantly, taking my shoulders and leading me towards the exit.
“Guards!” Celestia ordered, the numerous soldiers around the room levelling their spears at the both of us.
“Archer?” Gai said.
“Let’s cheese it!” I said as we both took off “Wait is that the Benny Hill theme playing in the background?”
Gai held up the black box object from earlier, grinning madly, “yep.”
