Chapters Prologue: A monologue during a free fall
Haito's POV
The wind blows against my face as i see the ground slowly becoming larger and larger. You must be wondering how i ended up falling to my demise, well it all started about...
3 hours earlier
"Getting onto a equestrian airship was been easier than I thought" I thought to myself as I hid inside a crate of food from Zebrica "The security here, I mean a 5 year old could get in here easier than I could!". A wave of fatigue washed over me as I yawn quietly to not get the attention of the guards. That sleepless night was finally kicking in as my eyes started to close.
"ZZZZZZ"
"I HEAR SOMETHING INSIDE THIS CRATE!" a guard exclaimed. My eyes immediately snap open. I must have snored again. I started thinking of several ways of getting out of here alive but I as the lid of the crate started to open, my thinking stopped and turned to action. I smashed my fist into the guard's face. He fell unconscious and I jumped out to the shock of most guards.
"CEASE HIM!" another guard shouted. Before anyone could do anything I ran through all of them at alarming speeds and my way to the deck. However, I was greeted by more guards blocking my path. It didn't matter to me because I already was behind them.
I finally reached the deck but was surrounded by all of the guards with their spears pointed at me.
"I suggest you surrender and make it easier for yourself" a guard said. I'm assuming he is the captain by his tone of voice and cooler armour but this isn't enough to get me to give up. I took a deep breath and jumped off the deck of the airship....
present time
Now you all know how I got here so I'll be going. I have to survive this you know.
THUD
Ponyville
"Huh?" a familiar purple unicorn said as a loud thud sounded throughout the town followed by a large pillar of dust coming from the Everfree Forest. She had suspected it to be a danger and decided to search for whatever caused the disturbance herself. As she was walking, she discovered broken trees I think I'm getting close she thought and followed the trail left behind.
Minutes of walking later and after the sun came down, she discovered a large crater and in the centre, an unconscious creature laying on It's back. "What are you?" the unicorn said quietly inspecting the unconscious creature.
"No fur, miniscule ears and-" she said before a hand shushed her.
"Apparently can't get some sleep with individuals talking" the creature said getting up from his position.
"GAH!!!" She screamed as the creature stood up. how is it not unconscious?! It has to have fallen from a great height to have made a crater this large! she thought. The questions began to pile up in her mind but decided to riddle them down to one.
"Who are you?" she asked monotonously her face not wavering for a second even if she was scared out of her mind.
"Haito" he said plainly.
"Well Haito I think it's best if we go to my place tonight, it gets dangerous out in these forests" she stated. He simply nodded and followed her down the path.
Why am I following a mid-realmer? he thought to himself.
1: A not so pleasant encounter(edited)
It was midnight. The moon shined through the window of Haito's room and onto his face. His thoughts lingered in his mind, preventing him from sleeping. The same thought from before when he met this 'Twilight Sparkle' replayed in his mind Why am I following a mid-realmer? until he grunted in frustration and covered his face with his pillow. It doesn't matter. As soon as I find that sun demon and find my answers to why she did the thing she did, my troubles will be over. he thought as he quickly went to the land of dreams.
Morning
As Twilight walked down stairs she noticed the smell of omelette. The smells welcomes her to the living room and to her surprise, the one cooking was not Spike but the creature, Haito with a pink apron on. " Are you gonna just stand there ogling at the food or are you gonna come down here at try some?" Haito asked, interrupting her from her thoughts. She blushed a bright red, walking quickly downstairs and taking a seat at the table. Her talk with Haito confirmed her fears of him being a monster were false. She found that Haito was actually very nice when you look past how...vocal he was about his opinion...and everything else for that matter. She looked down at the omelette and toast on her plate. Just because he wasn't a monster doesn't mean she still wasn't hesitant about him. Slowly raising the toast to her mouth, she was about to take a bite when she heard the familiar voice of her faithful assistant.
"DON'T WORRY TWILIGHT! I'LL SAVE YOU!" said a teenage dragon before he breathed a large flame, burning the food and singing both Twilight and Haito. The dragon then jumped Haito, putting him in an uncomfortable hold. Haito broke free of it easily though and they both broke into a scuffle. Twilight couldn't see past the dust but could make out their arms and legs.
"SPIKE!. HAITO!" Twilight shouted, gaining both of their attention. They both stopped fighting and looked towards Twilight with confused expressions on their faces.
"What?" they asked.
Sighing, she said "Just clean up the mess you two made while I wash the ashes out of my hair". Walking upstairs, leaving the boy and drake to clean up. Grabbing a broom, Spike went about his business, cleaning the floor as did Haito. Neither could decide on what to say so they just continued sweeping the floor in silence.
After 10 minutes of awkward silence, Spike decided to break it " Sorry I attacked you" he said while not making eye contact.
"Don't worry about it I mean in hindsight, I probably should have seen this coming" Haito replied, also not making eye contact. Spike turned around in confusion, not expecting such a reply.
"What do you mean by that?" Spike asked, confused. Haito turned around to face him, meeting his confused gaze.
"Well from Twilight's overly detailed explanation of this place. She said that Equestria is inhabited by ponies and from what I have heard from her talking about their interaction with other species, I doesn't tend to be very positive" he said.
Well I can't really say that it's a lie based on the whole incident with Zecora. I mean who was the pony who thought that she was a pony eater from just looking at somepony wearing a hood?".
They both talked and laughed as they recounted their adventures as they cleaned up the mess. Most of Spike's stories were just Twilight and her friends' stories except for when he saved the Crystal Empire. When Twilight came down, the whole room was spotless and there was two now best friends chuckling to each other's stories.
"Well it seems someone made a friend today" said an amused Twilight.
"What can i say, my charming personality attracts all creatures big or small" said Haito, holding his hand to his chest in pride. Twilight and Spike started laughing up a storm while Haito, flustered hid under the table in embarrassment.
"Oh yes i forgot to mention, you're going to meet my friends" Twilight exclaimed excitedly.
"Oh... well Satan dammit"
2: A not so pleasant encounter part 2
"I don't see why I have to meet more people" said Haito as he laid down on his bed. After Twilight told him that he would be meeting her friends, he immediately told her no. It led to an hour's worth of arguing until she started begging and Haito finally agreed but still was in a foul mood about the whole situation.
"Don't worry about it. My friends are very accepting" She said with a toothy grin.
"You really care about them don't you?" Twilight's smile lessened but still remained as cheerful.
"Well of course I care about them and they care about me just as much. We're always there for each other and nothing can separate us." She replied. The clock on the wall chimed, announcing it was 3:00 p.m. A knock on the door sounded and Twilight squealed "THAT MUST BE THEM! Are you ready Haito?".
"Doesn't look like I have a choice in the matter" he said before gazing into her eyes forming a solid glare " I mean i'm ready" replacing his frown with the toothiest grin anyone had ever seen. Twilight smiled and opened the door slowly, like someone who wasn't supposed to be behind the door was going to. This confused him but was replaced with absolute shock as he saw who was behind the door.
In front of him was 5 ponies. 2 earth ponies, 2 pegasi and 1 unicorn. However, they didn't concern him. He made his way past them and gazed at the sight that still shocked him. There stood before him was an alabaster pony with a horn and wings. She had a mane that flowed in the non-existent wind and the eyes that stared back at him was a pair of deep magenta eyes that gave off a motherly feeling.
"You" he said. He could not believe his eyes. It was her. The lady he met that day. The princess who they welcomed into their realm with open arms. The monster who...
"Yes, greetings my little-" was all Celestia was able tosay before a finger pointed at her and when she looked at his face the only word able to describe his state was enraged. Haito's finger was replaced by a fist rocketing towards her snout. She was able to stop the fist from touching her with her magic.
"I finally found you. I finally found you after all these years... Sun Demon" the words that came out of his mouth shocked her to her very core. She had never heard that name since the fall. Her thoughts were interrupted by the second punch he threw. She managed to catch that one as well, holding him in place.
"Calm down i can explain what happened if you just listen" Celestia said, trying to keep her poker face when inside she was crying. She knew this day would come. She knew it would come for her and reign punishment upon her. She wasn't prepared for it to come in the form of a lone survivor.
" I'm sorry but WHAT IN TARTURUS IS GOING ON!!!!" Twilight exclaimed. Celestia put Haito down and walked over to her student. Twilight didn't recognise the face Celestia had on her face. No-one was moving or talking at the moment. The whole area was surrounded by ponies with curious expressions. Celestia decided to continue the matter inside, where there are less interruptions.
"Don't worry my dear student. This will all be resolved shortly" she said, turning to a calmer but still angry Haito "I believe i need to have a very long with you".
In the Golden Oak Library
Once Haito calmed down he looked to Celestia and with the best poker face he could achieve, he said " I think they deserve an explaination ". Everyone was silent until Celestia finally decided to speak up " This entire dimension is separated into 3 realms. Top realm is where the angels and God reside " she turn to the Main 6 " Midrealm is where we are currently are and is home to all mortals " she then faced Haito " Then there is Lowrealm where the demons and Lucifer reside ". The Main 6 and Spike were now looking at Haito with shocked expressions.
" So you're telling me that this guy is demon " The cyan pegasus, Rainbow Dash said " If so, how is he here? ".
"You see Rainbow Dash, the Lowrealm was attacked by Toprealm " at this point she looked down in shame "... and Midrealm ".
" The attack was completely one-sided and for the dumbest reason too" Haito said with his poker face faltering slightly "Lowrealm was gaining more power than Toprealm and Midrealm so God and Celestia did what a cowardly monarch would do and attack out of insecurity". Haito got up from his chair and walked to the now snivelling princess. "All i want to know is why did you do it?, why would you attack a realm that helped you and your realm on several occasions? Why did you have to kill my family and friends right in front of me?" Haito said coldly.
The yellow pegasus, Fluttershy and the white unicorn rarity were now looking at Celestia with shock. Rainbow Dash and AppleaJack didn't show much emotion. Pinkie Pie's hair was replaced with straight hair and was bawling her eyes out. Although, none of those reactions could compare to Twilight's. She was looking at her teacher, her princess like she was a monster. She couldn't believe what she had heard from Haito's mouth. Her kind, compassionate leader was revealed to be tne cause of a mass genocide. She felt like she wanted to vomit right now but she forced it down.
"I was weak" everyone's attention was turned to Celestia as she spoke " I had heard from my mother Faust that Lowrealm was gaining more power and was quickly becoming more powerful than us. I was scared of you attacking us, i was filled with thoughts about how to address the issue but i was inexperienced and it cost you your home, family and friends while i was left to grovel in my failure as a ruler" she now bowed before Haito and exclaimed " PLEASE TELL ME HOW I CAN GAIN YOUR FORGIVENESS!!!!"
"Fight me" Haito said plainly.
Everyone looked at Haito in shock.
"You. Me. Canterlot Stadium. 1 month from now. Save the date."
3:Feeling like celebrities with bounties on our headView Online
3:Feeling like celebrities with bounties on our head
It had been 1 week since Haito challenged Celestia and word got around fast ever since. When Haito was introduced to the rest of the citizens, there was a lot of suspicion about some of the ponies but as the days past and started to see him as he truly was they began to trust him more. Ponies were always at the doorstep to ask him about the duel; most just telling him he was crazy to challenge.
"3 more weeks Haito. You can make it" he muttered to himself while Twilight and Spike watched the display. The week hadn't gone well for them either. Every time one or both of them stepped out of the library, they were swarmed with questions about their new guest. Both of them were also getting fed up with this.
"Why did you set the day of the match so far apart?" Spike asked.
"So I can train for it of course" Haito answered with a straight face. He grabbed a bottle of water and set out to his daily training area.
Canterlot Castle
Court was in session and the place was swarmed with interviewers asking Celestia about the duel. Once she confirmed the rumors about a demon in equestrian to be true, the court was a buzz with the media trying to get as much info as possible about the event. Celestia was always about to snap at one of these sessions but today she felt like killing them all just to stop the questions. She was also quite fed up with this too. However, she was also very happy. She hadn't been challenged since before the fall because of her power but now that there was a being that wasn't afraid of her, she could finally let loose of all her tension.
When was over, Celestia was practically skipped towards her room. Her younger sister, Princess Luna caught sight of this unprincess-like display and walked over to her.
"You must be very excited about the duel with the demon child but I must ask why you would agree to this" she said. Celestia turned to her with the biggest smile her mouth could form.
"This will be a great opportunity to earn his forgiveness and a great chance to cut loose for a while" She answered in a cheery tone.
"A while? HAH! More like a second! He wouldn't stand a chance against you. Your Celestia. Co-ruler of Equestria and a sun-goddess. He'll be lucky if he even managed to last any longer!" Luna exclaimed.
"Come on Luna. He saw me completely annihilate his town in seconds and still challenged me. He must be strong enough to at least match me in combat" she said.
"He better be or else he is going to have a bad time" She said to herself.
Training Area
Haito just finished his training and was ready to head home when a rumble disrupted his actions. Haito got into a fighting stance, knowing all too well what was happening. Out of nowhere, a fireball is sent hurtling his way and was swatted away by his hand. He turned to get a good look at the attacker. A large C Class demon. Probably about 20 feet tall and covered with spikes.
"So let me guess, you are a bounty hunter after my reward and nothing i say or do will convince you to not try" Haito stated. His response was a slight nod of it's head and as soon as his head bobs back up, Haito was already closing in on him at dangerously fast speeds.
"UNDERWORLD SWORD!!" Haito yelled as he swung hus claymore horizontally, cleaving the demon in two instantly.
"Satan i knew i was forgetting something" he said to himself as he walked away from the bloody mess he left behind him.
At The Golden Oak Library
"YOU'RE LEAVING!!!"Twilight exclaimed in shock. Haito was packing a bag full of clothes made for him by Rarity and food. When he told her about the bounty on his head, she wasn't that affected. However, Ponyville is a magnet for danger and villains and Twilight and her friends had their fair share of them.
"Only until the match Twi, i won't be long. When i walk into that stadium, i will be just as strong as or even stronger than Celestia" he said with a fire in his golden eyes. Twilight couldn't explain it, but his eyes bared a welcoming feeling. It was a trait she admired a lot in him.She wanted him to stay and be here with her. She was getting to know him so well and was learning something new about him everyday. She wanted to tell him all of this but decided against it. It was his choice and no-one could stop him, not even the princesses.
"Well if you really want to do this then i can't stop you" Haito smiled at her "but promise me you won't leave that stadium with a dead body. Be it yours or hers. I care about both of you too much to lose you over a silly brawl in the playground"
"I swear on my pride as a demon that i won't leave that stadium with a dead body". Twilight and Haito shared a meaningful embrace before he walked out the door and closed it.
"Don't worry Twi, in three weeks, I'll be ready. Celestia better prepare herself for a major butt-kicking" he said as he held a fist up to the setting sun.
"And after i beat her, i'm going after the angels".