Spike fell to the ground hard as I spin kicked him in the chest, the new assassin's laid in the floor groaning in pain while I was still standing with nothing more then scratches. Its only been a few weeks since I came back from the human world and stopped sunset but it also swirled up something in my head something that got me thinking. Like how Lux helped me and twilight get the crown back, that is something he would never do unless I was either dieing or he was changing in a way, only time will what will happen to Lux but for now I must focus on training the recruits.

"I think we have had enough training for the day, get changed and met me at my house" I said pulling my hood down, we had taken the castle of the two sisters as our base of operations it was still a work in progress but it was slowly becoming like a second home to us. We are trying to clean the place up and fix the broken stone so it would look like new and so far it was going smoothly save for a couple of things such as the roof and underground. "Im sure your feeling like crap right about now huh?"

"Yup... but it'll be worth it" Mint groaned out and sat up wincing a little, I walked over and offered a hand. He took it and I helped him up, "But damn cant you go just a bit easier on us?" He asked but I shook my head.

"Im doing this to try and have you guys fight through the pain as much as you can, because those templars will be givin it their all to kill us and you will die if you are not trained properly" I said and Mint sighed, we helped the rest up to their feet and Brigid looked like she wanted to run a blade through me. "I know its hard and trust me its only going to get more difficult from here on out, you accepted this and now you must live up to it now c'mon lets head on back to my place for some rest. Im sure you all need it" I said and they followed me back to my house through the woods.

(My house)

We came in through the secret entrance in the back and quickly got into our regular clothes. The sun was now setting and from the looks of everyone they wanted to go home and sleep the pain away.

"Alright guy's you did good today, y'all can head on home and rest I'll see you all tomorrow morning" I said and they groaned but nodded none the less and after a quick bite to eat they all left to their respective homes. I went up to my room and took a quick shower before getting ready for bed, I felt tired after that intense ttaining session so might as well hit the hay early.

With that I slipped under the covers and turned off the light before heading to sleep.

The moon was high in the sky and air was as cool as ice, nothing but the sounds of the wind blowing through the tress and grass except for crunching of leafes under the weight of something.

Five shadows came out from the trees and slowly made their way to the front door. They tried to be as quiet as possible as to not wake up the timber wolves or the man inside, once they reached the door one of them moved aside their cloak and pulled out something to pick the lock. The man quickly and quietly picked the locked the door and carefully opened it letting his fellow team mates inside with ease, they raced up the stairs and started checking every room until they reached one that had a fox head with folded wings and three swords behind it.

"This is it... get the knock out potion ready" A mare whispered to her fellow members and one of them pulled out a syringe full of purple liquid. They quietly opened the door and stepped inside, their was their prize laying peacfully on a soft bed.

Me.

They got to each corner of the bed and pulled out enchanted black chains each one for a separate limb. As they went into clasp the chains around my wrists and ankles, the mare from before saw something out the corner of her eye and before she knew it she had been struck in the face with a lamp causing her to scream.

"So sorry for that love, but I think Id rather stay in my own bed for the night" I said and jumped out of my bed barely dodging the chains. Turned my eagle vision on to make it easier to see them, they held up their chains while I held up my fists.

No one made a move a muscle for a long time, none of us even breathed fearing what might come next. Until the mare from the floor got back on her feet and wipped some blood off her face, "Get'im" She simply said and the four other goones rushed towards me and swung the chains as they got close, I ducked under the oncoming chains and went to send a devastating to the one in the middle but when I barely touched him I felt something cold lock onto my left wrist. As I delivered the blow I sent the guy hurling towards the wall knocking over another lamp and cracking said wall, I jumped back and looked to my left to see a shining black chain clasped around my wrist tightly and I felt myself getting weaker telling me that these were enchanted. I felt a tug from the end of the chain and I saw the one I sent to the wall holding the chain firmly in his grasp.

I tried to yank it out of his grip but I couldn't do that without using my other arm, I soon had to dodge another set of chains rushing towards me but when I did I was caught off gaurd by the mare I hit, she kicking me in the chest hard sending me flying out the room door. I got back up and felt a sharp punch sting my cheek but I sent one back and then another and another until the guy was on the ground unconscious it was only then did I notice that my other wrist was wrapped in the enchanted chain now with both arms usless they gained a slight advantage.

"Give up human and come with us" The mare said pulling down her hood and showing me her dark red eyes, light grey coat with a short red and velvet mane combed to the side letting it hang off. "I promise I wont bite to much" She said with a small lick of her lips.

"I think Im good litteral had the greatest sex last week so to answer your offer, gotta hell" I said and ran at her makimg her chuckle but before she could even strike me I ran up the wall much to her suprise then jumped off it and kicked her right in the face making her stumble to the banister.

She tasted blood in her mouth and growled like a wild dog before pulling out two twin knifes and turned to me only to see the rest of her team unconscious. The mare glared at me and spun her knives around before steadying them, I got in the best stance I had and got ready.

We charged at eachother and or blocked attacks, I used the chains as a form of weapon to deflect her blades much to her annoyance. Every now and again she did nick me every time I kicked her or got close, and something didnt feel right about that almost like she was doing this on purposes. I back away a bit and saw a small smirk spread on her face and my eyes widen because I just feel into her trap, my body became heavy and my eyelids drooped a bit.

"W-Wha.... W-What did you do to me?" I asked leaning against the wall then sliding down to my knees. The mare laughed as she put the blades back in their sheathes and walking infront of me, I looked up to her and glared as much as possible only for whatever was effecting me to make my vision go blurry.

"Its called a knock out potion sweetie, I coated it on my knives just for this occasion you should consider yourself lucky. I usually coat the blades with poison" The mare said and I felt her hand rub my cheek. "And every time you kicked me or got to close, I always left a small scratch on your legs or your chest"

"W-What do you want with me" I asked slowly losing consciousness.

"Oh its nothing personal love, just a job I was offered to come capture you and bring you to my employer... if you make it out alive come find me and we can do this again" The mare said and giggled just as the whole world turned dark and I passed out.

(???)

I heared muffled arguing and soon screams of agony all but one had survived from what I can tell. I have no idea where I was nor do I intend to stay, the knock out potion was still coursing through me but it was beginning to wear off very slowly for now I must stay asleep until it is gone.

(Hours later)

I felt a nudge of my shoulder making me groan a little, I began opening my eyes and sit up. When I got bearings in order the first that I noticed was the mare the poisoned me, she was wearing brown dirty raggs as was I but for the moment I didnt care. I had already pinned her to a wall and was slowly closing off her air supplie. "Found you"

"W-Wait... dont... Kill me!" She begged then raised her right arm up showing me a cuff and a chain connection to the same ones I have on my left. "If I die, they kill you" she choked out, I glared at her for a moment then released my grip on her. "Thank you"

"I dont need your thanks, just tell me where I am and why your here" I demanded and she took a minute to catch her breath.

"Look I was only supposed to bring you here and get my pay then I was out of here but... but they doubled crossed me, some of my team mates were in on it and killed two of the only members that I trusted" The mare said getting a little depressed.

"Guess were both on the bad end of the stick of life huh... now where are we?" I asked.

"I dont know, but I think they said this was for something on an island just a few ways from the main land of equis. If we get out of here and kill the bastards that double crossed me and kidnapped you we can get out of here" she said.

"Correction, you did that"

"Whatever I was just tryin to get paid its not a nice world with sunshine and rainbows dancing in the sky" She replied with a bit a sass.

"Cheeky bitch aint'cha" I shot back and she glared at me.

"Its the fucking truth, like you ever lived on the street or fought to stay alive, hell Im sure you were born with a silver spoon shoved down your damn throat while I had to fight to eat, sleep, take care of my sister and now Im stuck here with you while she's at home probably crying her eyes out knowing that Im not coming back!" She yelled at me and kept going on about her sister and her horrible life. "You could never know the pain and suffering I went through just get money to put food on the god damn table"

"You dont think I had it bad well let me tell you a tale of the fucked up kid who got disected, stabed and out right called a freak of nature. He had his bones broken to the point were it stuck out of the skin then popped right back into place and finally living in hell for his whole life only to escape with his brethren of 'freaks' and serving in a war at the age of ten on the front fuckin lines. Oh and lets not forget, that stupid son of a bitch saved an entire empire, defeated a god of chaos, saved your people countless of times and finally I turned an evil queen changling good lets see your high horse go up to the top of that mountian and get this many scars from all the shit I went through!" I said well more like screamed at her and tore away the ragged shirt I was wearing. Her eyes were the size of the moon seeing all the scars littered across my body and a long jagged line in the middle of my chest that was still noticable. Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to say anything but she only looked like a fish out of water right now, I gave a heavy sigh and sat back down on the bed. "You think you have it bad well live my fucked up life Im sure you'll think what you have now is heaven, oh and guess what your lucky to have a sister still alive, my brother got shot in the head and died in my arms"

"I-I didnt... I-I mean-"

"Just... stop alright, for now I just wanna get home and forget this whole thing" I said and we both sat in silence. I took the time to look around the room and I noticed it was completely metal with air holes at the top letting light in, their wasnt a door though, just smooth metal walls. "This is odd for a cage, no doors just air holes, sealed in with two people chained together... I think I know whats going on here"

"Really?" The mare asked and I nodded.

"Think about it, two people chained together who clearly dont like one another, air holes in a metal box and not wooden because it would make it to easy to break free out of and finally you said the bastards holding us here took us to an island for something right... this is a tournament of survival and we have to work together to survive and this cage is keeping us from starting right away. Their must be others like us here as well" I said then we heared a loud ring and someone clearing their throat.

"Fillies and Gentle Colts, we are here today because all of you wanted to see savages of non nobility battle it out and tear eachother limb from limb in order to take a chance at escaping or surving... Death Island!" A stallion said on the speaker and out of no where we heared the cheering of ponies.

"Son of a bitch, alright were gonna have to work together for now in order to see anyone we care again" I said getting up she nodded for then we saw the chains disappear but only the the cuffs stayed. "Or not"

"And for our contestants ready to bash eachothers skulls in, the chains and cuffs attached to your partner are still in affect but if either one of you dies then you immediately follow through now then... let the slaughter commence!" The announcer said and the roof blew off the metal cage then the whole thing fell showing us we were in the middle of a smooth cement circle surrounded but miles of trees and magic floating stands with almoat every kind of species with atleast twenty or more ponies, griffions, zebras and even children. This was barbaric even for me to involve children in this, thats when the ground started shaking and on the far side of the cricle was a pile of bows, swords and armor each one looking as deadly as the last.

"This is bad I know situations likes this and it doesnt play well... we gotta move" my partner said and just as I was gonna protest, a loud bell rang through the air and everyone began charging towards the weapons pile. Some were beating eachother to death while others were fighting for weapons, it not an unfamiliar sight I've seen it to many times it just made me all the more livid at the man behind all this.

"C'mon we gotta move!" My partner said and with a bit of reluctance, I followed her into the thick woods running as fast as we can away from the others. It was until she had to take a break to breath that we stopped. "Geez, its fuckin discord out their I didnt know ponies could be that violent if givin the chance"

They werent givin the chance, they were forced into doing this. What would you do if you heared that guy say a tournament of survival with only two people alive at the end... Im sure you would have done the same thing just so you could survive" I said and looked around the forest. "This forest, it seems uneasy like its trying to tell us something"

"What are you on about its called the forest of death, Im sure it wants us dead within the next twenty minutes" she said.

"No its something my friend showed me, she said that everything has a feeling to it even the very ground we step on. The forest itself is both angry and sad, probably it being all the blood spilling on its precious plants and soil" I said rubbing my hand on a tree, the mare just rolled her eyes and looked around more. "Hey this gives the opportunity to ask you something... whats your name?" I asked and she gave me silence. "Or do you wanna be called girl the entire time"

"Fine asshole, its... ashy rose mainly because of my red mane and gray coat I already know your name steel" Rose said and I nodded before hearing a crack behind us and something being pulled back. Their was nothing but silence for a minute straight until the crackling of a bow string rang in the air, I quickly turned and caught the arrow just in time. "Whoa thats some skill but putting that aside, who ever is out their show your self right now!"

"Die!" A stallion said and jumped down from a tree with a knife, he aimed for me but I swiftly moved out the way and dodged his crude attacks. Another man came out and it was a griffion holding a bow, he dropped it and pulled out a sword aiming it for rose.

"Nothing personal, but I rather not die on a fuckin rock in the middle of no where" The griffion said and began swinging the sword at rose, she dodged the attcks with ease but that quickly ended as she tripped on a root sticking from the ground making her land on her back. The griffion held the sword up high ready to bring it down on her, rose closed her eyes waiting for the agonizing pain but it hadn't came. She opened her eyes and saw that I had stab the griffion in the throat and swipped the sword away, I kicked him to the side and let him slowly die while I helped rose up.

"Here your gonna need this" I said handing her the sword and she took it, I went over and grabbed the bow and the quill of arrows on the stallion I killed.

"Jesus dude, you killed that guy without a second thought" Rose said as we began our trek again.

"Well I rather not lose a team mate Im not the only one that has someone to go home to. Plus with the shit that I've seen, this a walk in the park we just have to make sure how many are still alive and how many children we can help stay alive" I said looking over a tree.

"Seriously, that bad how are still sane if this is a walk in the park" Rose asked.

"Stoped asking that question a long time ago... shh I hear something" I said pulling an arrow out of the quill and got behind a tree. They sounded just a few ways from us and it sound like thier was more then two maybe four at best, I peaked and what I saw wanted to make me vomit. Heads, heads every where on pikes some were recent while others were decaying and bodys hanging from. The trees with sings in some native tounge maybe ponies or who ever lived here did this as a warning. I then heared the talking again and I saw just as I predicted four stallions they were all in some armor but they looked like they were holding something, thats when I saw a colt being tossed infront of them while a filly came running to him, the colt seemed to be twelve while the filly looked no more then five.

"Alright you little shits, hand over what you have and you might just live till someone else kills ya got it!" One of the stallions said the colt nodded before tossing over a small dagger and the jaw of a metal helmet. "Thats it, thats all you have a shitty dagger and a piece of a helmet!"

"Yes now leave us only I've givin you everything now just get out of here!" The colt shouted at the stallions but one of the looked to the little filly and I can feel the nasty grin under his helmet. The colt caught the mans gaze and traced it back to her he quickly grabbed her and held her close to him. "No you will not take my little sister you sick bastards!"

"Hand over the girl now or a fuckin bullet goes through your small little head!" The leader said pulling out a golden m1911 colt from his side then cocked it. It struck me as odd as to how he obtained a gun but then again if I remember correctly the stallion that tried to rape Octavia had one too but how. What if the human world tech is soaking into this world maybe a side effect from using the portal, no time to go into it yet for now I have to save those kids. "On the count of three you little cunt you will be shot if you dont hand over the girl.... one!"

I took out three more arrows.

"Two!"

I drew my bow back and steadied my aim.

"Thre-" The stallion was inturpted by an arrow plugging straight in his skull along with his other buddys. The fell to the ground with a hard thud and the two kids stared in shock, me and rose walked over scaring the kids.

"Hey their kids glad I was able to make it in time, glad these guys are dead now" I said walking to the leader and taking the pistol then the fourteen clips in his satchel. "Alright rose what do you say we take these two"

"But that'll be extra weight, we cant risk it" Rose said swiping some knives and tossing me a chest peice.

"We cant just leave them, their kids there is no way Im leaving them" I said slidding the chest peice on. I picked up a thick looking dagger and handed it to the colt also one to the filly. "Just follow us we'll keep you safe I promise" I said and they nodded, I actually got a good look at them and noticed their both unicorns.

The colt had a dark blue coat with purple mane and tail and light blue eyes, he wore the same rag's as we did and he seem to have a few scars on him probably from fights.

The filly however had a bright yellow with a lime green mane and tail with a darker green line in it, she had soft pink eyes had looked like the most innocent thing in this world. The two reminded me of scoots and pip except the roles were switched, this brought a small frown on my face but I pushed it away and offered them a hand.

The filly took it while almost being a teenager the colt didnt, rose didnt like the idea of having the two with us but I kept telling her Im not going to leave them so with that we walked on trying to find somewhere to fend off until we were the only ones left. As we walked I kept a hand on my pistol and keeping the kids close, we listined for amything a snapping vine, a cricked, a stick breaking anything.

"Hey that reminds me, what are y'all names?" I asked the two.

"Well my name is pitch black odd name for someone that is litteraly blue and my sisters name is lemon lime" Pitch said and I humed.

"Alright pitch, my names steel fox and this is my partner/kidnapper rose" I said pointing to said mare.

"Hardy har har!" Rose said.

"Were trying ti survive just like you, but this makes me angry all of it especially if it involves children they should never be apart of something this dangerous" I said and I felt limes hand grip mine tighter I looked towards her and saw that she was staring at something in fear, I followed her gaze and saw two beady eyes. I stopped and stared at the eyes for a bit, they were almost cat like and I heared a low growle thats when I realized what it was but it was to late.

A lion the size of a manticore jumped out aiming for me, I barely had time to push lime out of the way I fired off two shots into the lion before it tackled me to the ground and rolled down a small hill. The both of us fighting me punching it while the lion scratched me, we landed with a hard thud and I pushed the lion off and got back to my feet.

I was glad that I was wearing the armor because I saw tones of scratch marks and the ride down the hill wasnt fun either. I went for my pistol but realized I didnt have it then I looked back to the lion and saw the gun behind him.

We both got in low stances and slowly circled eachother, everytime I got close to the gun he growled telling if I did then I would die. So I waited for the right moment, the air was thick and the sounds of growles can be heared bouncing off the trees.

"Listin bud, theirs only one outcome if you decide to fight me and thats either you die or I die and Im sure both of us can agree we dont want that" I said slowly but the lion didnt seem to care, I soon heared a thud next to me and I saw the knife I gave to pitch. I looked up and saw rose, pitch and lime climbing down but just enough to not get involve, I bent down not taking my eyes off the lion and he seemed to gave me a predatory glare and I know now he wasnt going to let me go.

"Last chance lion, walk away or die" I said standing back up with the knife and the blade facing behind me. He roared at me then pawed at the ground getting ready to charge, I popped my kneck and got ready charge for an attack.

We both ran at eachother letting out battle crys, I jumped up with blade over my head and the lion getting on his hind legs ready to impale me. It was an epic sight to the three sitting on the hill as they watched me stab into the lions arm as it swung against my side, I was sent rolling away while the lion limped slightly. I got back up and took in deep breaths, the animal charged at me once more but I rolled out of its way and cut his cut side only to be met with a hard kick to the chest making me fly striaght on my back and drop the knife.

The lion took this chance and pounced on me, the three up top gasped thinkijg I was done for but just as the lion was bringing his jaw down I held them with my bare hands and I could feel them puncturing my hand while it just hurt on my left. Blood seeped out from my hand and dripped on my face, I had to act fast or else I wont be able to get out of this. I looked around frantically for something to get this beast off of me and thats when I saw my knife just inches away, I let my right hand take the blow and thank god it was in the armor skin cause man did it hurt.

I quickly began to reach for the knife and it was just a fingertip away, the lion saw my hand reaching for the knife and so he bit down harder trying to stop me but I looked past it and continued to reach. "Just a... few.... more... inches god let me do this!" I said my voice strained as I reached.

The gods answered my plea and I was able to grab the knife, I hurled it towards it shoulder in a blind act of defense he instantly let my arm go and roared at the pain. I stabbed him again in the shoulder before kicking him off and stumbling to my feet, I raised the knife and glared at the lion.

He looked back to me with a glare then tried to take a step but fell to his side due to his shoulder. I panted heavily and lowed the knife knowing the fight was over, the lion assumed defeat after trying four times to get up but failing. He accepted death, but I would not allow that.

"I'll make you an offer lion... I heal you as much as I can then you take us somewhere safe... deal?" I asked through my panting, I knew the animals could understand what I said and the lion narrowed his glare at me before grumbling and nodding. "Good now then, hold still" I said dropping the knife and walking over to him but rose stopped me.

"Dude dont trust him, hes a fuckin lion how do you know it wont just eat us when its healed?!" Rose asked just as the kids came down.

"He has his pride and his code, so far if we scratch his back he wont maul ours now... step aside" I said pushing her to the side then kneeling down infront of the lion, I raised my hands up to the wound and used whatever magic I could muster to heal it. After about an hour or so I fully healed his wound leaving only a scar, he got to his paws and turned and looked at me. "Now its... your... turn" I said and fell to the ground passed out from exhaustion.

The lion tapped me with his nose and sniffed me before tucking his head under my stomach and hauling me over on his back. He faced the other three and snorted then motioned his head tell them to follow and so they did.

(???)

I woke up to something dripping on the floor and it the sound bounced off the walls. I open my eyes and sat up feeling a little light headed from using to much magic, I looked around and noticed I was in a cave but I didnt see rose or the kids any where. I slowly stumbled to my feet and began wandering around still dizzy and my vision having a war with blurry and clear.

"Can you hear it... the cry for release?" A soft motherly voice said, I didnt answer but the voice almost sounded familiar in a way almost... like someone I knew. "He calls for you to take him and weild him, he may not accept you right away. You must earn it and it will not be easy because your heart is still shrouded with hate and depression" The voice said again and I tripped on a rock causing me to fall face first into the ground. "Why do you not speak?"

"Because your not real... just another voice in my head to annoy me like lux" I said finally fed up with this voice. "Yes I still feel hate and yes Im still depressed but its not as bad when I was in the human world, nobody accepted me no matter what I did I dont know why I kept helping even thoughg they would just shift the blame to me but deep down. Somewhere in my heart their was something telling me not to become one of them, not to just look past the danger and save who ever needed my help... I dont know why Im even alive or why god made me!" I screamed slaming my fast on the ground cracking. "And why does this being what me to weild him what is he a sword?!"

"Precisely" The voice said just as I was getting back on my feet. I stumbled my way across the cave until I reached what looked like to be a large catacomb with small water falls coming down the sides and the greenest grass I've ever seen. A small hole's were making beams of light come in while one beamed down directly ontop of a large rock that was surrounded by a pond of water.

I felt something tugging me by the tattered chest piece making me limp through the pond. But something felt weird, tingly almost mostly on my leg. I soon noticed that my leg was healed somehow, maybe it has something to do with this water but whatever it is I felt some of my strength come back to me and I was able to walk the rest of the way fine.

I began climbing up the tall rock until I reach the top and once their I saw an old rusty sword that looked centuries old and it was embedded in some sort of smooth rock. I walked towards it and felt a strong urge to yank it out of the stone, I wrapped both hands around the grip and prepared myself.

With barely any form of restraint the sword slowly slid out as I began pulling on it. The sword itself was becoming just like new and the grip was beginning to feel less tattered but I didnt noticed I was to busy pulling it from the stone, I felt my hands vibrate and a steaming hot sensation run through my veins almost like I was on fire symbols began to glow a bright blue from the hilt and just a bit up the blade. With a loud cry I yanked it out of the stone and I fell back with it in my right hand, the symbols vanished and the burning sensation vanished as well.

"Holy... shit" I said between pants and slowly sat up, I looked at the blade and finally took notice of its changes. The blade look sharp enough to cut through rock and it was thick enough to with stand any form of attack it may incounter. I ran my fingers across the cold yet warm blade and felt some sort of power, I got to my feet and held the blade up in the air to get a better look.

"You look like quite the hero their sir Fox" The voice said again except clearer. I looked around but found nothing, thats when I looked at the sword in my hands. "Hello"

"Jesus!" I screamed in fright then dropped the sword and back away a bit. "What the hell lady you dont just do that?!"

"Apologies sir fox, it was not my intention to frighten you in any way. But you are the first in hundred maybe even thousands of years to pull the sword from stone if not kept secret you will become very popular" The lady said and a maple red colored ghost appeared just beside the sword it reminded me of lily and manus.

"Whoa, you look just like lily except more calm" I said making her tilt her head a little.

"I havent heared that name in years how do you know of her?" She asked her voice going normal and not all echoe.

"Well, its kind of a long story so I'll shorten it. I was brought here by the ones named lily and manus both a sword and gauntlet that chose me as their master they are very good friends of mine even fixed up my sword play" I said and the lady humed.

"Well then I guess that sounds like them... oh! forgive me sir fox I havent quite introduced myself. My name is Alicia spirit of the sword in the stone or as many have called it Excalibur" Alicia said and my whole body froze hearing the last part.

"Wait you mean... the sword king arthur used?" I asked and alicia nodded.

"The very man, I sometimes miss him always was a bright one and a kind fellow if you werent on his bad side" Alicia said giggling. "That poor viking never stood a chance"

"Holy mother of god, I just pulled out the legendary sword that king Arthur himself weilded this is just... wow!" I said laughing a little and I waljed towards the sword and picked it up. "Wait but I only thought he and family were able to weild this weapon properly Im just a regular human" I said.

"You young fox are far from just a regular human, you were able to pull sword from stone. Take pride in that young one for you weild powers from the old in your hands and now you can bring it to the new" Alicia said and I stared at the double edged sword. "But be warn, Arthur might have been able to weild it properly but it did come at a sacrifice. When he started out he had visions from his past haunt him until he accept them and that took a very long time, hence why I said 'he' might not accept you so suddenly. Then their is exhaustion, if you weild the weapon for to long it will drain you of everything you have for a whole day until you have gained enough strength to use it freely, do you understand sir fox?" Alicia said. "You hold both the protector and the destroyer"

"I understand, I might not be king arthur but I wont bite the dust to fast I'll do whatever I can to weild it properly you can count on it" I said spinning the blade in my hand, alicia stared at me for awhile making me feel a little awkward. "Is something the matter alicia?"

"Hmm?... oh my apologies its just... nevermind, you should find your partner and those two foals" Alicia said and she raised her hand and placed on my chest, their was a bright flash then something heavy on my back. I turned my head and saw a sheath that was open in the middle showing off the blade hilted inside it, with that Alicia drifted back inside the sword and I climbed down the rock.

"Hmm that reminds me... why did alicia say 'he' when referring to the sword if 'she' resides in it-" I was stopped when I heared a scream from what sounded like lime. I quickly ran towards the scream and soon was out of the caves of the catacomb and brought face to face with about twenty or more pairs of teams and my partner along with the foals tied up to a tree, the lion was no where to be seen and I think some of them have guns mainly pistols.

"Ah the man himself" I heared someone say and the ones infront of me moved aside and I saw a dark grey stallion with white hair and blue eyes, he had a average build wearing black leather armor and boots with a long sword behind his back. "My name is skull collector but you shall call me skull, now I presume you have seen what your team has gotten themselves into and that silly little lion ran away like a scared kitten. You have something that I want and its on your back... give it to me and I shall set those three free, alive of course then we will leave you. Sounds fair doesnt it?"

"And If I refuse?" I asked grabbing the grip, skull smirked and snapped his fingers making one if his lackies cut like out of her rope and pulled her by her mane and dragged between me and skull. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it to her.

"I think you know what happens if you do, besides why do you care if I have that sword?" Skull asked brushing the tip of the sword down limes back and she was on the verge of tears and shaking in fear.

"Why do you want the sword skull what do you hope to gain?" I asked switching my eyes from skull to lime.

"That is none of your concern" Skull said and pressed the sword on limes cheek a little to hard causing some blood to leak down her chin. "Just hand over the sword and we will let you go... whats it gonna be Steel Fox?"

"... Lime listin to me sweetie, whatever you hear, what ever you feel just know that Im going to save you" I said unsheathing Excalibur the air was thick was tension as I was at an impass.

'Sir Fox, use both hands quickly' Alicia said.

'Wait why?' I asked her, skull waited for an answer but only met my glare.

'Just trust me you'll see all you need to do is make sure no dies, reinforcements shall be coming soon' Alicia said and I looked at the sword.

"Times up steel, what will it be. The sword or this fillies and your whole teams life?" Skull said but I was stuck I didnt know what to do. "Answer me now steel, will you hand over the sword or have this fillies blood paint the ground red choose!" Skull demanded. Pitch, lime and rose stared at me hoping I would give up the sword, but I couldnt decide. Seeing this skull sighed and gave me a nasty look. "Have it your way" He said and reeled back his sword and began bringing it down. Time seemed to have slowled down as he did.

"LIME!" Pitched screamed and struggled to get free while rose was doingnthe same.

'SIR FOX DO IT NOW GRIP THE SWORD WITH BOTHS HANDS!'

"Damn it!" I shouted and pushed past every hesitation. "Here goes nothing!" I said and gripped the sword with both hands.

Author's Note

To be continued....

Cliff hanger because why not! Hope you enjoyed