The Journals Of A Human

Stygian and the five ponies behind him were slightly taken aback at the sight of me, Rock hoof went for his shovel…yes, I said shovel, and flash went for his shield. In response I raised my rifle up “Afternoon folks, I’m John, also known as the Reaper, now if you’d lower your weapons that would be nice.”

Flash spoke first “Not a chance, now you best surrender to us and let the king and queen go, and we’ll let you go.”

I looked back to Starswirl “Wow, I did not know humans has this shitty of a rep this early on.”

“Well mind you humans were very militaristic and they did try to take over the zebra lands in retribution.” Starswirl replied

“Wait we did what?! When were you going to tell me that?” I look back to the six ponies at the door “This will be just a second.” and with that I closed the door, pulled down my face mask and looked to Starswirl “I want the truth. Now!”

He sighed “I suppose you were going to find out soon enough…the human race was attacked by the gryphon, and zebra. They came to us for help but we remained neutral…the humans felt betrayed…... Eventually, they beat the alliance…But they then proceeded to conquer the rest of the world…I….we were left with no choice…they had to be banished.”

I looked him in the eyes “No matter what happens, you will tell Celestia and Luna that it was the zebra who got the humans banished…am I clear? I will not have my kinds past actions ruin this beautiful world for her.”

He nodded his head “I understand.”

“Good……. thank you.” I replied before pulling my mask back up, raising my rifle and opening the door again. “Okay, now, where were we?”

Rock hoof stepped forward “You were about to surrender.”

I started to laugh “Oh that’s a good one.” I let my rifle fall to my side “Come on in, Starswirl will explain.”

Just as I turned my back I heard a pony shout out “Now!”

My vision darkened as my helmet came onto my head as I instinctually summoned my armor and turned around just in time to block a shovel with my left arm, and catch a shield to my chest. If it weren’t for my armor I probably would have been knocked down onto my ass, but the strength that it gave me kept me standing.

I turned around to face the six ponies, now fully clad in my armor

One of the mares, a Pegasus called out surprised “My word, what is that?”

Both flash and Rockhoof stared at me for a second before Rockhoof took another swing at me with his shovel, only this time, I raised my hand up to catch it mid swing. I tilted my head side to side, and the audible crack of my muscles was heard. I smiled under my mask “My turn.” I tightened my grip on the shovel and ripped it from Rockhoofs mouth, spinning around to use it as my own weapon. I switched the shovel to one hand to use it as a sword, but before I could do anything else, Starswirl decided to step in.

“Every pony stop this at once!” his horn glowed and the shovel disappeared from my grasp and flashes shield disappeared from is hoof “Johnathan is not an enemy, he is a friend of the royal family.”

I looked to him and dissipated my helm “Oh come no man, I was just about to have some fun.”

He looked back at me with a look that just said “Really?”

I sighed and dissipated the rest of my armor “Fine I’ll play nice…but they started it.”

Starswirl sighed “I must apologize for the actions of my friend…please come in, we were just on our way to find you all.”

They moved to come in, but then Stygian stepped forward “I’m sorry, but there’s no time.”

“Nonsense.” Starswirl replied “You all must be tired from your journey, now come, stay the night.”

Stygian stomped his hoof “We cannot!”

“Why not?” I asked. I doubted that stygian would be a large threat, he was a very skinny unicorn, and he was slightly smaller than the average pony, but the fact that he was a unicorn makes things difficult.

“Because the longer we wait, the more danger the rest of Equestria is in.” he replied

I walked up to him “Explain. Now.”

“My village has fallen victim to the sirens, three creatures that use their voices to bring forth the rage of others and turn ponies against each other, while they feed of the hate.”

I heard of that myth before…well the human version of it…and our version used their song to enslave their victims or something like that. Hey cut me some slack, I know guns and computers, not mythology “Sounds like a credible threat.” I looked to Starswirl “You heard of this?”

He scratched his beard before replying “Yes I think I have, but only in myth and hearsay.”

I looked down to Stygian. If what he said was true, then we needed to move to stop the spread. But at the same time, we needed to prepare and come up with a game plan, with three unicorns, technically four if I have my armor on, we could teleport there and possibly have enough power for a fight. “Ok you have my interest…but your staying the night, if we’re going to fight, we need to be rested and have a game plan.”

Stygian started to protest “No we ca-”

Flash cut in “He’s right, with an enemy like this, we need a strategy.”

I knelt down to stygian “We will teleport to your village tomorrow, but we can’t just run into a fight without a plan and tired. That won’t help your ponies or the rest of the world.” I put my hand on his shoulder “Trust me.”

Stygian looked away then back to me after a few seconds “…I will…and you are right, we cannot fight in this tired state.” he looked over to Starswirl “We will accept your offer for lodging for the night.”

Starswirl smiled “Good, follow me.”

The stallions followed him, but the three mares stayed behind looking at me as I stood up. I looked at them as the earth pony amongst them, Mage Meadowbrook, took off her mask. I heard the three mares taking under their breath as I walked by them up to my room. If we were going to face an enemy I needed to ready my guns and figure out a way to counter their song.

I stepped into my room and set out my guns and ammo, with the loss of my weapons room, I was stuck with what I had, and I had no form of replenishment. I walked into my closet and set out my ammo canisters on my table. It took me about an hour, but I got my ammo tally. I had 1000 rounds of 5.56, 300 shotgun shells of various types, about 2000 rounds of 4.6 by 30 for my MP7, 100 rounds for the .338, and about 500 for my pistol. It was enough for a big fight, but I still needed to be careful. I summoned my armor and took out my guns. I heard hoof steps go by my door as I began to clean them before putting them back in their respective holsters before dissipating my armor. I admit, the armor and its link to my weapons was helpful. I actually wondered if it would allow me to summon my guns without the armor on, just like with my swords.

I began to run through the mental process that the king had gone over me with, and sure enough, as I raise my rand, my pistol appeared. “This will definitely help.” I repeated the process and the pistol disappeared. “Very helpful……...now how am I going to counter their song.” I looked to my table which now had all of my supplies spread out on it to form an impromptu work desk. I walked over to it and sat down, but before I could start to work there was a knock on my door. I looked up and walked to it, I was expecting Starswirl or the king or queen, “Ah so I see you finally learned how to knock instead of just breaking in.” I opened the door and on the other side was the three mares from earlier. The pegasus, Sonambula, the unicorn, Mist Mane, and the earth pony Mage Meadowbrook “Oh…it’s you three…I was expecting some pony else.”

Sonambula spoke first “Ah, I see.” she had some kind if foreign accent, but I still can put my finger on it…maybe middle eastern, I don’t know. “May we come in?”

“Sure.” I replied “Don’t see why not.” The three mares smiled and stepped in “Sorry the place is a little messy, I usually don’t get visitors outside the family and Starswirl…and I should probably also apologize for my actions earlier this afternoon.”

Sonambula smiled “Don’t worry, all is forgiven.”

Mist Mane spoke, her voice matching her aged appearance “It’s quite alright my dear.”

Followed by Meadowbrook, whose accent was actually reminiscent to applejacks “Water under the bridge.”

I sat back down at my desk “So may I ask why the three of you are here?”

The three mares came up to me and they each put a hoof on me. Sonambula was the first to speak “We are here to help you. You have lost hope.”

Followed by Mage “You need healing.”

Then Mist Mane “You fail to see your own beauty.”

“Nothing is wrong with me.” I replied

The three mares just raised their eyebrows at me

“What gave it away?” I asked

“We had a hunch, but your actions now have proven it.” Sonambula replied

“And the king and queen may have mentioned it.” Mist Mane continued

I sighed “Of course they did.”

“And the fact that you hide your identity under that mask doesn’t help your case.” Mist mane added

“To keep my identity hidden and the ones I care about safe.” I countered

“That sounds nobel, but you must remember that they care about you.” Meadowbrook replied

“They shouldn’t…...Look, you three don’t have to do this…or any of the philosophical shit.” The three of them looked shocked as I spoke. “Look, I’m sorry, but I’ve been through a lot….im damaged, but that’s how I operate…. I don’t need to be fixed.”

“Don’t need to or don’t want to.” Sonabmbula replied

I sighed and looked up to my ceiling “Honestly I don’t know anymore…I used to be better.”

There was a few seconds of silence, but then Mist Mane spoke, “May we ask as to why you’re like this then?”

“It’s a long story…I’m…not from here…from his time…I was taken from the mare that I loved….and sent back here…alone…I know the reasons why I’m here…or at least I think I do…but I still miss her…I love her.”

The three mares gasped before mage responded “I’m sorry to hear that…but that love can heal you.”

“And I can see that it gives you hope.” Sonambula replied.

I chuckled and looked to the three mares standing in front of me “I see what you both did there……and I’ll try to let it do that.” they all smiled at me before Mist Manes horn glowed and an image of me in my armor, holding Rock Hoofs shovel appeared in thin air

She pointed to my armor “May I ask about this and your mask?”

I whistled. “So that’s how I look in full gear.” Mist mane raised her eyebrow “Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. That’s my armor, bestowed upon me by the king and queen.”

“How did it appear on you?” Sonambula asked “And why does it look the way it does?”

“Well the first part, is because its connected to me by magic.” I held up my hand and let my armor materialize and dissipate in front of them as they stared in surprise “As for the second part, that was my idea. Apparently, the magic in the armor lets it adjust to the user’s preference.”

“That would explain it.” Mage replied.

“Yeah, and I want to try to make some additions to it. maybe an audio system for distractions or for the sake of boosting my own ego……. hang on…that’s it.”

“What’s it?” mage asked

I turned to my desk and started putting supplies together “Music…that’s how I can counter the sirens song.”

“Why would that matter?” Sonambula asked

“From what I’ve heard from myth and from Stygians story at the door, then the sirens can control people-er-ponies through sound...through their singing. If I can’t find a way to counter their song then we won’t stand a chance at winning the fight.” I started to take a few speakers, some electronics, circuit boards, and a soldering iron. I started to put things together when Sonambula put her hoof on me.

“There is time for that later, but now, it is time to eat. You must keep your strength up.” I felt her hoof pull on me “Come, the chefs prepared a feast, and the king and queen have requested your presence.”

“Oh, so you all coming here was their idea?” I asked

“No, its was ours, but they highly encouraged it.” Mist Mane replied

“Of course, they did.” I replied. I set my soldering iron down and got up from my chair “They’re probably going to want to talk to me about me being a pillar.”

The three mares looked at me inquisitively as Meadowbrook asked, “A pillar?”

“Yeah.” I replied “It’s what Starswirl has dubbed our merry little band.”

“The Pillars….it has a nice ring to it.” Sonambula replied “…But why would the king and queen want to talk to you about it, it is your choice in the end isn’t it?”

“Not really.” I replied.

“Why is that dear?” Mist mane asked.

“They want to make sure that I don’t purposely get myself killed.” I replied

“Why in Equestria would you do that.” Meadowbrook asked

“You three said it yourself, I’m broken, I’ve lost hope…take your pick…I have depression and a mental problem.”

“Then we can help cure you.” Meadowbrook replied.

“Not going to happen.”

“Why?” Sonambula asked

“Because what I’ve got…it can’t be cured.” I pointed to my head “All of its up here…no amount of magic or potions or beauty or hope can fix me.”

“We shall see about that.” Mist Mane replied.

My hands became enveloped in magic and Sonambula and Meadowbrook got behind me and started pushing me out of my room and in the direction of the dining hall “Hey what gives?”

“Aside from getting to know the man behind the mask, we’re bringing you to dinner.” Sonambula replied, and with that the three mares dragged/ pushed me into the dining room, where the king, the queen, Starswirl, Rock Hoof, Flash Magnus, and Stygian were all seated at the table, with chairs left for myself, and three mares currently pushing me into the room.

Sunflare smiled as I sat down on her left side “So I see that you required some motivation to join us Johnathan.”

“I was working.” I replied

“Well even you require food. I’m sure that whatever project your working on can wait for an hour or two while we converse with our guests and your…what is the word you use…squad mates?” Sunflare replied

“Ah yes, dinner with the ponies who I came close to beating the crap out of. What fun.” I countered sarcastically.

“And we’d like to apologize for our actions.” Rock hoof replied

“Yeah, we lost our cool” Flash continued.

I looked at them, and then looked to the queen ignoring the group at the table “Why did you want me to join them, I’m nothing like them…I’m damaged…I’m not a hero.”

“Star swirl and my husband seem to think different…and if I must be honest, I do think that they will be good for you…you need to make friends John.” The queen replied. I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off “Don’t start, you know I’m right.” She leaned in closer to me “And don’t think that I don’t know about that contraption that makes that alcoholic swill that you enjoy so much that’s in Starswirl’s quarters.”

My face went pale as I looked to Starswirl and the king “We’ve been compromised.”

“Oh, I know.” the king replied “She gave me and him a stern talking to…but I can see that our radical tactic worked.”

I looked to the queen “Please don’t get rid of the still.”

“I am not…even though I don’t know how the three of you can stomach it, and I must know, why do you drink that swill if you know that it is slowly killing you by destroying your insides?”

I sighed “It will only do that if I drink in excess all the time…and as for the answer…I don’t know, maybe I kill myself slowly like this because I don’t have the courage or the ability to do it quickly.”

The queen frowned at me, along with the rest of the ponies at the table. But eventually her fiery gaze cooled off, and she spoke “I can see that we still have much work to do on you……but I have decided to let it stay as it does seem to boost morale, and the alcohol seems to act as a very effective cleansing agent in medical needs.” she replied

Looking back to the guests at the table, the six ponies were just staring at me with confused looks on their faces. “It’s a long story.” I replied “…But anyway, I suppose that this would be a good time for formal introductions.” I replied

“Yes, that would seem appropriate.” Stygian replied “I am Stygian, unicorn, and scholar, I hail from a small village in horseshoe bay.”

Rock Hoof spoke next “I am Rock Hoof, Soldier of the Mighty Helm, I hail from the northern lands, my village is at the base of a volcano.”

“Well if I were you I might want to have a small talk with the idiot that put it there in the first place.” I replied

“That problem has been solved, I dug a trench around it…by myself with my trusty shovel.” he countered

“Huh…well then…so whose next?” I asked

Flash stood up “I am Flash Magnus, soldier in the Royal Legion” he picked up a shield off his back “And this is Titus.”

“The fireproof shield?” Starswirl asked

“Yes.” Flash answered “The same shield I used to defeat the dragons and save my comrades.”

“Nice to see I’m not the only egotist here.” I replied

Everyone in the room chuckled as flash sat down and Meadowbrook stood up “I am Mage Meadowbrook, I’m a healer from the bayou.”

Followed by Sonambula “I am Sonambula, I’m just a pony who tries to give hope to others.”

“Nonsense.” Starswirl replied “You singlehoofedly saved the price and defeated the sphinx.”

“Because I had hope.” She replied

Then Mist Mane stood up “I am Mist Mane, I’m just a simple mare who sees the beauty in everything.”

“And who restored her kingdom to its former beauty.” Starswirl countered

“It was nothing.” She replied, then she looked to me “So, who are you?”

“Yeah.” Rock hoof continued “I want to know more about the human who was able to beat me in combat.”

I sighed “Call me the Reaper. I’m not known for anything, I’m just a depressed asshole with some nice weapons and the knowledge to use them effectively.”

“Then why do the king and queen call you Johnathan?” Sonambula asked.

“Because he has chosen Reaper as his Nom de guerre.” The queen answered.

“Why? Johnathan is a good name.” Mist Mane replied

“It doesn’t scare my enemies, and Reaper keeps my true name hidden, which will keep myself and my loved ones safe in the future.” I replied

“From your enemies?” stygian asked

“That’s and my peoples past.” I replied

Starswirl began to speak, “A past that you don’t know much about, the human race did many-”

“I don’t care.” I cut in “I don’t care what my people did, it’s in the past and I don’t want to hear about it.”

“For a formerly friendless, immortal, desperate, your quite cynical.” He replied

“The human race may be nice at times, but we are not a kind race. Were cruel and vindictive to our own, we kill, we hate, and all it takes is the smallest difference for all of that to be directed towards you.” I replied

“How long was it directed at you?” Mist mane asked

“Most my life, from when I was six, up until I was brought to this world. All I want to do is forget my past in hopes that the pain will be forgotten with it.” I replied. The three mares got up from their chairs and embraced me, as Rock Hoof, Flash, and Stygian nodded their heads in understanding. I looked to the three mares as I spoke, “You can let go of me, I’m not asking for love or compassion, the damage has been done, and it’s my job to fix it.”

“Ah yes because you’ve been doing such a good job in that department.” the queen replied from across the table

“My methods are…unorthodox, but they help.” I replied

The queen looked me in the eye as she spoke, “Your methods are harmful to your well-being, and I won’t have you hurting yourself. You are a member of this family now Johnathan, for better or for worse, this is why I have allowed you to join this group. Perhaps their comradery and support will prove effective in your healing process.”

I sighed as the mares broke off their hold on me and returned to their seats “Fine, I’ll join the group, but I’m not going to change my fighting style.”

“Why would you?” Stygian asked

“Because my methods are…lethal.” I replied, which solicited a look of shock or gasp from all ponies in the room except the king, queen, and Starswirl “Look, I’m not quick to kill, I prefer peace, but if needed, I will fight, and if the situation calls for it, then I will use lethal force.”

“Slightly ironic don’t you think.” Stygian replied

“What is?” I asked

He continued, “You say you prefer peace, but in order to attain peace your willing to kill.”

“Sic vis pacem para bellum.” I replied, which got me a stare form all ponies in the room. “If you wish for peace, prepare for war.” I translated. “…...and yes, I can see the slight irony in it…. but I’m a complicated individual.”

“I see.” my answer seemed to satisfy Stygians curiosity and he went back to listening to the room. The meal itself had little worth mentioning, just the group telling the king and queen of their tales of fame, and every once in a while, looking back to me. Eventually, I attempted to get myself excused to go back to my work, but as I rose from my chair, the queen stopped me.

“Just where do you think your going?” she asked

“To work on something that will keep myself and this merry band from suffering the same fate as the ponies of Stygians town.” I replied

“How?” Starswirl asked

“I have a theory, from the mythology that I’ve read and heard, yes that’s right I can read, the sirens control their victims through their songs, meaning all I’ve got to do is cancel out or dilute their songs and that will hopefully cancel out or at least diminish their power over us so we can fight.”

“I see.” the queen replied “Then I shall allow you to be excused. But some pony will stop by your room eventually, I do not want you to go without sleep.” she replied

“Fair enough.” I replied. And with that I left the room and went back to my own. “First things first I need to figure out how to get my phone out of my armor.” It took me a bit, but I was able to figure out that my phone, just like my weapons, could be summoned via magic. With this problem solved, I could start building. I walked to my closet and opened it to find that it was no longer a mess. My shirts and pants were hanging up in their own sections, my shoes were placed below them, my coats were hung up above the shirts and pants, and on the top was some spare linens, the second half of the closet, more specifically the right half, was taken up by a large safe, as tall as me, and about 4 feet wide. “huh, I guess that the spell also organized this a bit.” I pulled out the duffel bag holding my various electronics parts and dumped it onto the table. I proceeded to then organize the pieces and pray that the capacitors would be able to hold a decent charge. I stopped to open a window to make sure I would have somewhat of a vent for the smoke, and then turned on the soldering iron.

Two hours, and some shocks and burns later, I had assembled the first speaker. The thing was the same size as a 40-mm grenade, but I had yet to figure out what I was going to do to make the thing stick to various surfaces. I couldn’t use magnets as there was no metal around, but I could use spikes. Id place one on the bottom to puncture materials like concrete or marble and a few on the sides so I can launch or throw it onto softer surfaces like wood or tapestry. It took some time as I didn’t have a welding torch so I had to improvise with my soldering iron and some scrap metal from the blacksmith near the guards quarters. I manages to fashion a few hinges to make sure that the device could be launched from a grenade launcher or since I don’t have one with me, I could make myself a spud gun and use that. Another hour and a half later, and I had make myself a functioning launcher from more scrap metal and spare electronic parts, all in all, it was about the same size as an M120 grenade launcher and worked in a similar fashion. I looked at my watch and I realized that it was 23:00 “meh, I still have an hour, but I’ll need to get rid of the headshot hitbox to use it effectively.” I laughed at my own joke and inspected my work. All I needed to do is figure out how to link this up to my phone, which was actually the touchpad in my armor, and then hook it up to the solar charger that I had made. Luckily all that would take was some simple coding, which could be done via my laptop. I took my new creation and proceeded back to my room when the king rounded the corner.

“Ah I see your burning the midnight oil Johnathan, against my wife’s orders.”

“Meh, I’ll get some sleep, but I need to make at least two more speakers first.” I replied.

“Speakers?” he asked.

“Small devised that can play music from an electronic device like the one that is incorporated into my left arm.” I replied.

The king smiled, “Yes we noticed that amongst your possessions, it took us some some to activate it, but once we did, we determined that it could be useful to you.”

That got me to thinking, “Speaking of my armor, how is it powered?”

“Through a mix of your solar power and a tactic that Starswirl has been experimenting with since your arrival.” he replied.

“Which is?”

“Magic as a source of energy.”

I looked up to him then back to my phone then back to him “You mean that because of me…” I stopped there “I guess that Tia was right, I will do great things.”

“What do you mean?” the king asked.

“Starswirl’s theory will become Equestrias primary method of power, maybe even the whole worlds.” I answered.

“I see…well don’t tell him that, his ego can become quite inflated sometimes.”

I chuckled, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Just make sure you get some sleep Johnathan.” the king replied before walking off to his and Sunflare’s quarters.

I walked into my room and sat down at my desk with my computer. A half hour later, I had created a driver and the devices code, and uploaded it to my phone and the device respectively. I got up and grabbed the speaker and the launcher that I had made off their chargers and walked into the hall. “Time to see if this will all work.” I flipped a switch on the launcher and the small electric motor began to whir and compress that air for a launch. I then placed the speaker down the tube and aimed it for the wall on the end of the hallway. I looked around to make sure I was alone and seeing that I was, I yanked the valve release which released the air and sent the speaker flying through the air and into the wall and the end of the hallway. “Yes!” I laid the launcher down against the wall and went to inspect the speaker. It was intact. “Now let’s see if this will work.” I raised my arm up and summoned my left arms protection, and brought up my phone. I opened it up and pressed the power button on the speaker, something I forgot to do before I launched it, and I was greeted by the little blue power light that began to blink as it scanned for an uplink “Good the impact didn’t wreck the inside.” I after a few taps on the pad, the light turned solid blue signaling to me that the two were connected. A couple touches and swipes later and I had my song library open on my phone “Hmm, what to choose, what to choose.” I smiled as I found the song. “This will work.” I tapped the screen and the speaker burst to life and Frank Sinatra’s “Come fly with me” began to play loudly out of the speaker. Realizing that it was late at night, I quickly turned it off before it woke any pony, but I left the speaker in the wall. Again, I brought up my control panel where I could see the connection status and began to walk away from the speaker, wanting to determine the range that it could receive from. Keeping my eye on the screen, I saw that it finally lost its connection at around 100 meters. I walked back to the speaker, making sure to check the hallway that it was in to see if any pony and come looking to see what the commotion was, but for once, I got lucky. It took some force, but I was eventually able to pull the speaker out of the wall. I looked it over for any damage but there was none “Now I just have to make you some battle buddies.” I tossed it up and caught it before walking back into my room to copy my design.

As the clock hit 0100 I had managed to make 4 more copies totaling up to 5 speakers. “That should be enough…hopefully.” I laid down the soldering iron and unplugged it from the battery, which I then hooked back up to the solar charger and laid it back outside so I wouldn’t have to wake up early to do so. With everything as ready as it could be, I placed the speakers in the grenade pouches on my pack and the home-made launcher inside the pack. At that point I got stripped down to my sleeping attire and laid down in by bed while I held up the pendant into my view before placing a small kiss on it “Goodnight my beautiful princess.” I let the pendant fall back down onto my chest. And oddly enough, before I passed out, I swear I thought that I felt a small kiss on my lips as well.