Foxes of War

POV...Marian

I sat in my home, staring at the hole in the roof.

“So was meeting another male that bad?” Zecora chuckled at me.

“I used to be a guy! Yes, it’s been three months, but I’m not that excited about...things in this new body.” I mewled, begrudgingly becoming meek near the end.

“I know, but he was nice. I know he helped you in the caves.” She chuckled at me.

“Shut up!” I huffed.

“Alright, I’ll stop. Anyway the traps are set up and I’m heading home. Do try and stay safe my friend.” She told me as she walked out the door.

“I will.” I sighed as I looked back up to the hole in the roof. “Need to put something over that…” I said contemplating ideas.

Over the next hour, I was trying to at least move some old fabric over the hole and secure it with rocks. What I got was a semi-secure roof, not great for rain, but it would keep my home...mostly dry.

“Going to need to work on that for the next few days.” I sighed as I hopped off the roof. “Now to hunt.” I growled as I let the beast in me take over, going for a deer I could smell.

After a days hunt I came back home and cooked, eat and went to sleep. The next week was similar...with one issue of me almost hunting a group of locals. I’m very happy I got control over my inner beast when that happened.

When the week was up I was sitting on my porch in a shoddy chair I had put together with some rocks. “Really need to either buy something or make something better. Man, if only I learned wood working instead of cook. No never mind, cooking is far better in this situation.” I chuckled to myself. “I’m bored.”

Sighing I got up and started walking around the forest and ruins. I was getting familiar with the lands marks. The Crumbling Church, the Keep, my Manor, and the huge Bathhouse were the biggest ruins in the forest. Zecora tree sat near the Bathhouse, she and met there often to talk. Steven Cave was near the river running next to the Crumbling Church. Than there was Green dragon’s cave in what looked to be an old park, and the bog that seemed to have been the massive stone metropolises compost heap back in the day. The architecture of the building had a lot of ponies in it with the rare wolf or deer, which seemed to be local, semi none magical wild life. It was all really pretty.

“Over to the bog? I think I could catch some frogs for food with my bow. I need the practice.” I muttered to myself. Shrugging I moved to the Bog summoning my bow with some magic. It was spell Steven had taught me and it took me days to master. It was convenient nonetheless, and I still made errors.

Jogging at a leisurely pace, I made it to bog about noon. Most of the frogs were around the main ponds, but I had to pick out which were poisonous or not before the shooting, which took a bit longer. After I was done though I had six frogs ready for stewing and all I need were wild beets and potatoes.

Jogging back to my Manor I encountered a strange oak wood Wild One. Wild Ones were the anthro Timber Wolves, and they were Burch wood, not oak and certainly didn’t have red leaves for hair. Nor did their eyes glow even slightly blue.

“Okay, what the fuck are you?” I questioned the Wild One as I notched an Arrow.

“Don’t fear, I’m Gaia, a forest spirit.” ‘She’ told me.

“Riiiiight,” I said, not letting down my guard. “Why haven’t I seen one of your breeds before?”

‘Gaia’ chuckled. “Well, the Everfree hasn’t been that interesting in such a long time. Tell me who are you little one?”

“Marian,” I said curtly slowly circling around her to get home. Hopefully, she wouldn’t follow.

“It’s a nice name, are you going to make food? I can help you.” She offered.

“No, that’s fine.” I said before leaving her there. The rest of the day was fine. No weird Wild One or anything. Just a normal day. At least till I found out I really didn’t like frog stew.

The next day was about the same. Though I did encounter the strange Wild One while hunting. She gave tips for my bow usage, which I begrudgingly agreed worked better.

Over the next two weeks, each day I would see her and she dots on me like some child. I alway walked away in a huff, but would nonetheless agree she was right and started doing it.

One the last day of the second week of seeing this strange Wild One I made it one day without seeing her.

“At least she doesn’t come to my home.” I sighed.

“Do you want help with the roof?” I heard her melodic voice behind me.

“I...yeah.” I mewled in shock of her being there and the fact she knew of the hole in my roof.

“I can show you how to tan leather, and maybe later work on some stones to repair the damage.” She explained.

“Alright let's go,” I said walking with her, but not before grabbing my Bow and quiver.

“Are you still weary of me?” She asked. I winced at that as I looked away. “It’s alright, most would be.”

“Well, you did just show up.” I mewled. “Even if you’ve been helpful to me.”

“I’ve just told you little things about survival.” She giggled to me as she pointed out deer tracks. “You’re young and need guidance.”

I was about to protest that, but the fact I was from the city and now living here. The fact that I would honestly be struggling to survive out here if not for Steven, Zecora, or Gaia. The simple fact that before this whole mess I was a shut-in who barely went out other than for work or shopping and played MMOs all day just told me I really want young.

I mean, I wasn’t some kid, my mind was older than my body. That hadn’t changed one bit, but if I were to look about and walk into a town here, I would act like a child in a strange place. For all intents and purposes, I was a child, even if I didn’t like the idea of it.

“So we’re hunting this deer.,” I questioned.

“To make tent fabric to cover the hole. It will work better than the blankets you’re using.” She told me as we jogged along.

We found the deer soon enough and I took it down. Taking it back to my home and getting the skin and meat prepared for use for leather or food took the rest of the day. Gaia left me to my sleep while I waited for the Leather to tan.

The next day I woke to a rock hitting me in the head. “Ow!” I huffed before grabbing the Rock. “What the fuck!”

Unfortunately, this was anything but a normal rock. As soon as I grabbed hold of it, the first thing I felt was pain. I ended up screaming as I tried to let go of it, but my hand wouldn’t unclutch its grip. After that I started seeing things, things that I didn’t understand, with terrifying creatures in them.

“Okay, really what the fuck!” I cried in pain as Gaia rushed in, looking afraid for me.

Then, I saw an entire village on fire, with those monsters being responsible for its destruction.

“They are Rage…” I heard a voice called out, as the villagers were butchered in front of me. “...Brutal and without Mercy…” I wanted to look away from the scene, to cover my ears so that I wouldn’t have to listen to the screams of agony and torment.

Then the scene changed to where a large group of these Demons were roaring and growling, for some reason. Turning to where these things were looking, I found five armoured humans standing in their way, armed to the teeth and ready to fight. “...But you, you will be Worse…” Right when the voice said that, both sides charged at each other. These Five were a lot more stronger than these Demons, some shooting their way through them, while others ripped and tore the Horde apart with either a Chainsaw, or their bare hands. The only ones left standing, was the humans, with demonic corpses littering the ground, blood spilling out and turning the ground red. “... Rip and Tear, until it is done.”

I screamed as I suddenly felt my inner beast rage at the stone, making it glow as some portal opened in the air. Gaia blinked in shock and back away from the portal going into a fighting stance as I fought to keep my mind under control, the beast ragging to rip something, to tear flesh and feed.

“I. Am. Not. A. BEAST!” I roared as my heart calmed down and I noticed a green boot in my eyesight. It was one of those humans I saw, who had decided to kick me in the face, pinned me on the ground with said boot and pointed a rifle in my face. “Whoa, hey!” I cried in shock, raising my hands up as Gaia prepared to fight.

He didn’t say anything, keeping his weapon trained on me as he slowly looked around.

“You are the one that invaded her home, Slayer Fake.” Gaia snarled at him as she bared her teeth.

Hearing her, his head snapped towards her direction and she flinched. However, instead of just shooting her, he slowly got off me and walked towards her. Seeing this, she backed away from him before she was backed into a wall. The human remaining silent, not showing any signs of threats.

“Back away, Slayer Fake.” She snarled as I got up and grabbed my bow and an arrow from below my bed.

He tilted his head to the side, showing a sign of confusion to her. Did he not understand? Before she could say another word, he pulled out a… Datapad. This confused us before he faced the screen towards Gaia and words started to form on it.

“‘Who are you?’” Gaia read out his question, before replying to it. “I am Gaia.”

When she answered him, he did something that left us both stunned; taking a step back, he kneeled down on one knee, resting his rifle on its stock so that the barrel was pointing up and bowed his head to her.

“Ah...what?” Gaia said confused as she looked at me.

“How would I know?” I told her.

“Why are you bowing?” She asked, looking uneasy and confused.

Putting down his weapon and Datapad, he removed his helmet and showed his face. He had tanned skin, his hair, long, silvery white, tied up behind his head. Looking up at her, his blood red eyes seem to say everything to Gaia.

“Do I know you?” She questioned, confused as she looked down at him.

He lifted his left hand, laying it out flat before wobbling it from side to side, giving the ‘So-So’ hand sign.

“Okay, do you know me?” She asked, going on guard as I noticed the tanned leather might be done.

He nodded his head, before looking back at me, returning his gaze to her and nodded my way.

“She doesn’t know.” She told him.

“What?” I asked as I went for my door.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with Little One.” She told me.

“I’m not Little!” I huffed.

“You’re Twelve.” She said with a deadpan.

“How?!” I asked.

“I know some Magic, even if I can’t use complicated sorts.” She told us.

“I...okay, so I’m Twelve, so what.” I huffed before going to get the leather.

When I got back, I found the two of them talking, the silent human man, while Gaia sat on my bed. Apparently, I accidentally summoned Hunter to our world. He was also mute, so, it explained why he doesn’t say a word, because he couldn’t. He also explained to what happened to him and me, saying what we became are Displaced.

“Okay...well I hope my friends didn’t at least. We bought stuff from the same Vendor.” I said rubbing my neck. Man, I was smaller than this guy. “I really hate being twelve.”

“Sorry, but they may as well be in the same position as you. The question is; what did they buy?” Hunter texted me before asking what is it they bought, folding his arms.

“Well, Penny got a variety of stuff, Bioshock things, Monster Hunter, and Well, a Hunter Knife from Destiny. Todd got a lot of stuff from Doom, not the 2016 Game, but the OG one, he was even Cosplaying as Doomguy.” I explained to him. I Shifted at the thought of Todd a bit as a Displaced Doomguy, the image made me feel...nostalgic for the past, and I felt little wet, was it hot in here?

He gave us both a deadpan look and facepalm. “Todd’s the one stuck in the Tomb.” He told us, which was more of a shock to me. “Honestly, how did you not click to this realization?”

“I was a guy before this and I have PTSD from a Manticore almost raping me as soon as I got here,” I told him.

“Sorry. Anyway, where’s his Tomb? I want to see it.” He asked.

“Under the Castle or Keep of this Castle City,” Gaia said getting up. Hunter blinked at the term Castle City. Walking out, he stopped dead at the huge forest spanning fortified city, he looked to ruined manor I lived in, the still, mostly intact Bathhouse that Zecora walking into, naked, the collapsing Chapel, with Steven coiling around it, hunting for prey, and the main Keep in the center with it’s dried moat. “This place was once built to keep the dangers of wilds out. Now the wilds live in it and are the danger. The Moon had clashed with the Sun and the leftover magic created this mystical forest.”

“Steven and Zecora live here with me. I’ve been learning from them and Gaia on how to survive here.” I explained to him as we looked at him.

“Impressive.” He commented.

“Now, the Tomb was under the Castle along with other items before Ponies even settled here. The magic of these items along with the Tomb was once used for a spell ward that averted animals away from the walls. Those have since faded and the Items are dormant, or shattered.” Gaia explained as we started walking to the Keep. Walking down the stairs into the moat the man stopped to stare at the Crystal tree for a moment before walk up to the Shattered mirror in confusion, looking at the colored Slayer symbols. “It was said Mirrors like those went to other worlds. I wouldn’t rightly know if it’s true or not.”

“Get back here, you Flying featherbrain!!!” We heard a familiar voice yell, followed by rapid gunshots. Looking back, I saw that wolf that was in the Tomb last time I went with Zecora to get supplies for Stun Traps, chasing a Gryphon and firing a Black and white Hand Cannon at it, the Gryphon firing a pair of revolvers back at him as he chased the flyer.

Hunter pulled out a strange looking Sniper Rifle, fiddling with it and taking aim at the Gryphon. Pulling the trigger, I thought he was going to kill him, instead, he stunned the Gryphon, making him crash down to ground level, struggling to move a muscle.

“Gotcha! Better give thanks to the One who nixxed him.” The Wolf said as he broke the Gryphon’s wings and tied its arms.

“Hello, Mister,” I called up to the wolf as Gaia waited at the entrance to the Tomb. I flinched at the breaking of the griffins wings, but the smell of blood from a black soul made my mouth water. Damn Beast.

“Ah, Hello. Guess I walked through another Mirror?” he said as he gagged the whimpering outlaw.

“Come along, Marian, you want to see your friend right?” Gaia called out.

“Whozzat?” The wolf asked.

“This is Gaia and Hunter, Hunter is Displaced like me and I should ask the same of you. I’m Marian.” I said introducing myself.

“Yes, I am Displaced, and my name is Victor,” he said with a gravelly tone that didn't belay his smile. “Glad I got your name. Hunter was the One who shot Wet Stick Jack down?” He asked.

Hunter nodded in reply.

“Ah. You're mute?” Victor asked.

Another nod from Hunter.

“Well, glad I asked. Thanks. This bastard is wanted alive to answer for his crimes.” Victor said, glaring at the Gryphon. “By the way, here's my frequency number. I’m a Transmammel, So I can take messages.” He added, passing a note.

Hunter took it and placed the frequency number on his Datapad, before giving the thumbs up. The Wolf nodded with a smile.

“Okay, well let's head down to the Tomb,” I said as we all walked down the two-hour long flight of stairs.

“Paranoid much?” Hunter rhetorically questioned.

We all saw the sarcophagus with blazing white Slayer symbol on it. Chains wrapped around it, each link glowing with magic, and horse skull oozing something into a molten moat of lava around the thing. “Hasn't changed since I Last saw it,” Victor remarked.

“A Fake Slayer?” The Sealing Skull chuckled. “His armor is outdated too!”

“Hello again,” Victor said, before kicking the skull and making it yelp.

“Everyone, get behind cover.” Hunter told us, as he placed his helmet back on. “This is going to get a little hectic, whether it works or not.”

“Gotcha,” Victor said, vaulting off the Skull and making it groan, a pair of hoofprints on its face.

Gaia and I did the same, finding some place to hide behind as Hunter walked over to it. As soon as he made a grab for the chains, he was electrified, the seal preventing him from breaking the chains, before blasting him away and into a wall. When that happened, the skull started laughing out loud.

“I guess that won’t work,” I said getting up to help Hunter.

Once he was out, he walked over to the skull and glared down at it, his shadow looming over it as its laughter died down. The tension was becoming thick in the air, as the wind started to pick up...wait a minute, wind? Down here?

“Uh, what?” I said as Gaia looked around.

Looking towards Hunter, we saw that he was the one creating this wind. Lifting his right hand up, we saw that he was creating some sort of tornado around his arm, seeing it rotating faster and faster, looking more like a drill. The Skull itself was shaking in fear, as the drilling tip drew closer to its forehead. Then began the torture as Hunter slowly drilled into the Skull, making it scream in agonizing pain, begging him to stop.

“Okay, so is that going to work?” I asked Gaia.

“I doubt it.” She told me.

“I can’t release without the key!” It yelled.

“Where’s the key?” Hunter asked, not letting up.

“On the Moon, with the Moon Mare.” It chuckled now.

“When is her return?” He asked.

“Four years.” It chuckled, before realizing its mistake.

“Thank you for your cooperation.” Hunter told it, making the Skull realise it was tricked into giving him the answer. “You know, for a skull, you really aren’t that smart. I knew that me trying to release him alone wasn’t going to work, so I needed to know who locked him back in here. Now that we know when She’s coming back, we’ll be ready.” He said, letting up his interrogation and backing off. The Skull was fuming and spewing out a lot of curses and swearing at us.

“Cool,” Victor said, fiddling with a black and gold ornate double-barrelled shotgun, an odd component set between the barrels.

“The Moon Mare only found the Key, the three that helped Hell are down there now,” Gaia explained.

“Ye. Could I have the seal when the Slayer is released? My Tigris Prime’s Meathook needs a better chain.” Victor said.

“Get out of here!” The Skull snarled as I and the others moved to the stairs already. I couldn’t get Todd out now, but I could wait.

Hunter then threw a Frag Grenade down there, hearing it blow up and pissing the Skull off even more. “It won’t destroy anything in there, but it does a pretty good job at pissing that brainless skull off.” He said with a shrug.

“Hah!” Victor laughed, clearly amused as the bladed parts of his gun shifted. “Dammit, I am definitely getting that seal when releasing the guy! The Meathook needs better parts!” he grumbled, slapping the bladed part, revealing they were grapples of some kind, attached to a chain and motor system, the chains and blades looking worse for the wear.

“Other than that, is there anything we can do to help?” Hunter asked. “Because, afterward, I’ll need to head back over to my sister’s wedding. I don’t think she would like it if I’m not there.”

“Well, my house needs a new roof.” I mewled to them. “And sorry about the wedding.”

“That’s okay. Although, the person you should be sorry for is Faust. At least, my sister’s version.” He told us. “Let’s just say that she unwittingly ended up on the receiving end of my ill-tempered brother’s fists.”

“Sound familiar.”Gaia sighed, rubbing her face.

“The reason behind was because our little sister, is a Goddess. The only problem was that she wasn’t exactly a part of that worlds’ pantheon, so the whole lot unanimously voted her to go fight in a Tournament. Against other Gods and Deities until death claims her.” He explained, shaking his head. “She recently asked for her Celestia’s hand at the time, they were already having children, and then that happened. Let me tell you, Berserker was NOT happy.”

“I see.” Gaia snarled. “I’m sure it would different here, the Pantheons are not as cruel...the newer ones.”

“Berserker distrust in Gods runs deep, with a few exceptions. But, in all honesty, I still think he has some inner conflict, still. Not with the other Gods, but probably with THE God.” Hunter said, making me realize who he was talking about. “When you’ve been fighting against Hell for so long, you tend to wonder if God really loves Humanity at all.”

“I...wonder how Todd is then.” I whimpered.

“Pissed.” Hunter replied, before changing the subject. “But enough of that, let’s go fix your roofs.”

We got to my home and they helped me get the leather patch onto the roof. Hunter hauled some rocks that I would use for later. “Is this good for later?”

“Yes,” Gaia told me.

“Hey, Hunter, how do I send you back?” I asked him.

“Hold out the Token and say, ‘Our contract is complete’. It’ll send me back.” He answered.

“Okay, Our contract is complete,” I said holding the small Obsidian stone out.

A portal opened up and showed a slightly annoyed female, her arms crossed and tapping her foot away, waiting for him.

“Ah, hello.” I mewled at her as Gaia poked her head over and waved, Victor tilting his head, before waving and shifting his Bounty target on His shoulder.

That must be Hunter’s sister, as she waved back at us. Shrugging, Hunter gave his farewell to us and went through the portal. As he did, it closed behind him.

“Well, Hope Hunter can calm her down.” Victor said, still fiddling with his ‘Meathook’. “Always hated getting yelled at. At least Urara tried to reign in her hormones after she realized how upset I was getting.” he signed.

“Oh, sorry,” I replied to him.

“I need to go, been away from home for long enough. I’ll see you tomorrow Marian.” Gaia said leaving me alone with Victor.

“I...wait!” I mewled. The Wolf blinked at me.

“Eh?” He said.

“I...um…” I mewled, rubbing my legs together as my comfort barrier left my home. “Nothing, I’m fine.”

“Okay,” he said, before digging into his bag, which I now noticed was there. “Hmm, should be here somewhere…” he muttered.

“What you looking for?” I asked, sitting down on my bed, I noted the wolf look me over a bit before going back to his bag, making me realize he was up to his elbow in it… And it wasn't even bulging like it should have. “What’s up with the bag?”

“Pocket Space. It's a mini dimension I can access. Found out how to do it a while ago. Can't store anvils yet Though.” he said.

“Oh...weird,” I said as looked to the Bathhouse from my north window. Zecora was going out with a sigh and heading home, spear in hand.

“Aha, found it!” He grinned, pulling out an ornate looking black and gold four Armed Crossbow around the length of a Sawed-off shotgun. “Here. Found the parts and worked on it for you.”

“I...thanks,” I said, blushing as I took it. “I’ll have to make bolts for it.”

“Yeah, True,” Victor said, before looking out. “So, you gonna be Okay?” He asked me.

“I should be,” I said as I noted a tent in his...well loincloth. I crossed my legs at the sight. He nodded, before looking at my waist.

“You have a forging hammer?” He asked, pointing at my right side.

“Yeah, never had to use it yet,” I told him. He shook his Head, sighing heavily.

“Hopefully you know how to metalwork, or at least, have a bit of practice.” He said. “At least the bolts won’t be Stone. The Ballistic Prime doesn't like stone arrowheads.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know. When I hold the Hammer I feel...weird.” I mewled.

“How weird?” He asked me.

“I think, Well, I would have thoughts of...creations, like weapons, or armor. Using items like dragon bones, or titanium.” I whined, rubbing my head. “There’s a cold forge out back, in an abandoned smithy.”

“Well, May as well crank it up. See if it works still.” He said, helping me up and walking off to the forge, dragging his groaning bounty target with him. “Saw it when I was here Last time.”

“Okay,” I mewled as we moved out of my house and to the Forge. “I had been chopping wood to use as fuel,” I said, pointing to a wood pile right next to the forge.

“You already had plans to use it?” He asked.

“Yeah, I have the hammer, why not use it?” I chuckled nervously as the wolf smiled at me.

“Indeed.” He said. “I made these myself, Ya know,” he added, taking a pair of familiar swords off his back.

“Those look like the swords Penny got?” I said as I put to the wood into the Forge.

“Who’s Penny?” He asked.

“She one of my friends. She had been wearing Big Sister cosplay.” I explained as I finished.

“Oh. What were the swords? The ones I have are called the Holy Sabers.” he said.

“She got the Sworn Rapiers, I think?” I told him.

“Ah. Monster Hunter 4?” he asked. “The Holy Sabers are from Monster Hunter World,” he told me. “That was a Good Game.”

“I guess, never played,” I admitted as I got the wood to catch aflame. “I was mostly WoW and few shooters.”

“World of Warcraft? Were you a Worgen?” he asked with a Grin.

“Yeah. Never played Deathknight class though. Was getting to it.” I explained.

“Cool.” He said. “What gender was your Wolfy avatar?” he grinned.

“Eh, female. Liked playing female in games.” I chuckled uneasily.

“Weird, had a similar habit, but that was because I made up stories for them.” he shrugged. “That, and I had a habit of making them go with no pants if I couldn't help it.” he chuckled.

“Never did that though.” I mewled as took hold of the Hammer.

“Well, That's our difference,” he said.

“Yeah, um, what’s a...Khora Warframe?” I asked

“Khora? She's the Female version of Harrow, and has an old lady’s hair style.” Victor said. “Also, her powers are not that good.”

“Eh, weird though?” I said. “Never had that in my head. What should I make?”

“Uhhhh, how the hell did you get a Blueprint in your head?”

“I just grabbed the Hammer,” I told him. “It always does this, I pick it up and some...plan opens up in my head.”

“Why Khora Though? I don't see a Helminth Room or even signs of One,” he said. “Umbra really opened up a can of worms.”

“What? Sorry, I had another plan pop into my head.” I groaned as I saw plans for what looked like basic leather armor. “Just leather armor.”

“Good Start. Got some extra from my hunts,” he told me, handing me a stack.

“Uh, thanks,” I said before I started working, the Hammer seeming to guide my hand. Over the hour I made leather boots, chest plate, helm and arm guards. “There. That had taken a bit.”

“It does that. Honestly, I just passed you the Metal,” he remarked.

“Sorry. Don’t know what came over me really.” I mewled.

“Well, the hammer is guiding you, though I think it best you Pay attention to what it does. If you can learn from the hammer, you can build your own skill with regular tools, and later make better things with your combined skill and your hammer’s magic,” he said. “I mean, you can't make a Prime Warframe, but maybe you could make a suit?”

“I guess. I don’t know how this thing works. Not as simple as my bow, or the other thing.” I sighed. “Well, now that that’s done, what do we do?”

“Honestly, I can't really Tell. Still, have much to learn me,” he said with a shrug.

“I see.” I sighed as I sat on some rumble. “Well, that’s most of my day. I don’t have much else planned.”

“Alright. Gotta cash that bastard in,” he said before he leaned on and kissed my forehead.

“Eeep!” I squeaked, flinching a bit. He chuckled, hugging me and then broke the hug. “See you around, Marian,” he told me.

“I...see you.” I mewled. I watched him trench off into the forest as I prepared to have dinner and go to bed.