I opened my eyes to see a starless sky and a blood stained moon. It's starting off the same way. Now will I have control? Or will I be forced to relive the decisions I made so long ago. Hearing the sound of Dry dirt and sand crunching I turn my head to see a young woman approaching me. She had long dirty blonde hair, was wearing a jean jacket and a dirt covered white t-shirt with long black pants and a large Army belt. On her Side strapped to the opposite shoulder is an AK-47, and on the belt were several ammo bags and a holster for a pistol.

"Why is it you're always here the first chance you get you come to the graves. Right after your brothers say its ok and you finish your routines you come here.. Even if it means coming when everyone should be asleep. When there is so much more you can do, Why Come her, Big Brother." Her voice was harsh and cut right into me like it always did. I Sat up and looked from her to the graves all around us. Some marked with slabs of Concrete or wood and steel bars making simple posts or crosses each with a prized possession of the owner by it.

Because I can't let go of the past. " Because, Natalie, Someone needs to be here, to honor the dead and remember the fallen. So I'm sorry if I wish to be the one that does that as I personally had to witness each of their deaths. For some it was cause of my own decisions. Or does me doing this cause and Issue with everyone." My voice was cold, and cutting. I regret acting that way to her... She only wanted to make sure I was ok. Her face turned to a bashful embarrassed look. She sighed before shaking her head.

"No... its not an Issue big brother. It's just that, I know you're putting the responsibility of their deaths on your shoulder, and that you just want to protect everyone. But you can't keep doing this to yourself. You are our leader, your brothers, Jack and Dante Follow you and help you. Jack is amazing at fighting, thinking not so much. Dante, I couldnt tell how he could figure out how to make a single fish full everyone here and last 3 days. But the one everyone turns to is you, and you're always there to protect everyone." Her voice was soft and sincere... "It's funny you know... I remember when we were younger and we first met. How you offered to help me fall asleep and how I started calling you big brother. How close we grew... and how you made a promise that if anything were to happen you would make your way to me as fast as possible." Her eyes looked down as she remembered. Her voice was soft as I stood up and hugged her gently to my chest. "And you kept your promise... you got your friends... got your brothers, and came and saved me."

"Hmm? Did I save you? I seem to remember you trying to hurt me till you realized it was me," My voice was teasing and this got her to chuckle and smile for a bit.

"Oh hush stop being a butt. It was after that you decided to tell those girls to not bother you for a week and during that time you stayed with me and sang that lullaby every time I was supposed to go to sleep to help me fall asleep... you never left me alone as you helped me get adjusted to living this way..." she hugged me tight when she said that. "I'm sorry I'm so Selfish brother."

I huffed at that and kissed her forehead. "It's ok, your my little sister... your entitled to be a little selfish every now and again. Now, I know you didn't come here just to reminisce about simpler times, whats up?". I looked at her softly with a gentle smile.

"Oh oh oh, That's right, I almost forgot!" She started bouncing up and down. "A scout came back, he said he found a lake. Can you Believe it?! A Lake with Water, and little forest around it. He said it was big to. Do you know what this means?" Her eyes were big, filled with emotions long forgotten... Hope, wonder, things that kids barely cling to and those that do are often found breaking the most.

It means its time for me to say goodbye to you again... I don't want to..not like this "If he's right about this then... It means we can make a home. A base, a beacon for People. Natalie, go get the scout and two others. Then tell Jack and Dante, let them know I will be going with you four to locate and confirm if its safe. We will meet at my normal sleeping area." I was stern and direct as felt some kind of relief wash over me. IDIOT YOUR GOING TO LOSE HER

"So here or your room?"she laughed at that while I rolled my eyes. I began to walk back towards the encampment we made for the time.

"My room silly, now get going..." I smiled and chuckled to myself as she gave a salute then ran off holding her rifle. I walked through to get to my house, saying hello and evening to those I pass until I get to my cabin. Opening the door I feel everything stop and everything grays out as a figure moves on my bed. Looking over at it I begin to cuss as a certain dark coated alicorn moves close to what I had arrived for. "I thought I told you to Stay out of my dreams Luna..."

She snorts at me unamused at me, "No you told me not to interfere with your Nightmares, not that I couldn't see what was happening in them. This is something Rare to see however...You are aware its a nightmare but you seem unable to do anything. Tell me, Is this normal?"

Glaring daggers into her I speak softly, "Yes it is. Its like this every time until it gets to a 'New Night', only then can I decide things. But after that it all starts over, and I am forced to watch it all over. My decisions, my faults, and how those at that grave died." I say softly as she walks over to a strange sword on a desk.

"I... I am sorry to hear that, to be forced to experience the same losses again and again when you think you're only doing whats best, whats right. Tell me Damocles, how have you stayed sane through it all?" Her voice was soft, nurturing, almost like a mother's voice. My anger I put aside as she looked at the sword. It's eye I swear shifting despite the dream being paused to look at her. Blinking to make sure I saw that right to see its eye locked back on center.

"I haven't... When I was awake I would help where I could to numb the pain, before indulging myself in physical pleasures. It didn't help to remind me that bet I made applied here... If I was sane... I would've begged you to free me from this cycle. That's not the case though, is it." she turned to look at me strangely satisfied with my answer.

"Or perhaps you're so sane that you don't see a point in escaping a demon you can't get help to fight. We aren't sure what matters to your kind most Damocles, tell me is this normal for them?" She sat on my bed patting the area next to her. Sighing Seeing there is no escape from this conversation I move to join her. Moving I am in my Pony body. The human standing where it was paused.

"No, it's not normal. But to be normal as a human, is to be different and to err. Some of us prefer violence, others prefer to protect, some to be kind, others to hurt, some to make a profit, and the occasional few who just want to watch the world burn..." I say as I look over at her. "So what, did you want to watch my dream with me or something? And see how bad a human's dream can really be?" she smiled sheepishly before her horn lit with her dark magic. As color began to flow to the rest of the world I quickly said, "Rated M for Violence, Gore, and sexual intentions."

She gave me a strange look before stopping her magic to keep the dream from playing. "What type of human were you, Rowan Wicker? If this dream should reveal who you are, then don't say anything. But from what I've gathered you are one who protects, but not without a heavy heart... Perhaps you are like the One whose name you take, Damocles." I stay quiet as she says that my eyes growing tired. Nodding she let the dream continue her eyes fixed on the sword.
******************************* PERSPECTIVE CHANGE: ROWAN WICKER HUMAN*************************
Walking I stop at the entry way and stare at my sword. A monstrous weapon that I would swear came from the darkest parts of my nightmares. It looked similar to a great sword in basic structure outside of the fact it seemed close to being from something like Soul Calibur on the center of the Hand guard was a Large Yellow Cats eye that shifted for a moment towards my bed then settling its gaze back on me. Looking over at the bed to see nothing I sigh. Along the main blade and hand guards were several smaller black bumps. The followed me as I moved to the desk next to it. "A sword that never dulls... that literally drinks in the blood of what it cuts and has a fucking eye that watches me... Since this whole thing began you have been by my side. I know you're alive... I hear your screams for blood whenever I wield you and we encounter something new. But why? I can't help but won-" I stop abruptly mid sentence as I turn to face the door where Natalie walks in.

"Big Brother, I've gathered them. We are ready to go when you are." She smiled happily, but it faltered for just a moment as it moved from me to the sword beside me. "W-will you be bringing that... Sword?" Her voice was hesitant and almost scared. I looked from her to the sword. The swords eye was locked into place as it was normally when it wasn't around myself or Dante and Jack. Slowly I nodded.

"Sorry Nata, Its best I have what I'm used to in case of anything." She nodded slowly and fidgeted a bit.

"Ok, Big Brother.... We will be waiting at the east entrance... according to the scout it was east northeast about 17 miles." her voice went from sensitive to strict and near military I sighed as I shook my grabbing the sword and putting it on the scabbard I made for it putting it on back and strapping a holster for a flare gun onto it with the flare gun and strapping a .454 Casull Auto. I walk out with an air of finality and aura despair.

As I walked out Several People had caught wind of what could happen and saw that with his sword on his back knew that this was real there was a chance this could all be real. I had hear from time time several names and titles the people have given me. 'Death's Defier', 'God's Final Blade', 'Atlas of humans.' These were the names that I've heard and have the most appropriation with me. As I approached gate where I saw Natalie waiting for me I felt something Tugging my Jacket as if trying to slow me down. Stopping I turn to look at a young boy... He looked like he was only 6 and I knew him well. His name was Jason. His family had died protecting him by the time I found him and basically took him in.

"Wait... Please... Don't go yet..." he looked up to me his voice straining as he pulled on my jacket. I turned to face him and bent down ruffling his hair. He quickly ran off within the next minute he was back panting and he held something in his hand letting it drop from his fingers as he held the chain it was on was a strange Japanese symbol surrounded by 9 spheres. "This... this is for you... Your only borrowing it so make sure to bring back. Promise you will!" His voice was in near tears as his eyes was watered up. I gently took it from him and put it on.

"I promise... I will bring back to you Jason." smiling I stood up. "I will Come back, and we will with hopefully good news." This brought back something that was much needed.

************************* Perspective Change: Damocles************************

" I was a fool for thinking that..." My voice was bitter as I watched the scene play before me.

"Honestly I thought you were quiet respectable and valiant for that. You held yourself well, so why would you say that?" Luna retorted as she looked at me while the scene continued with a rather boring trek.

"Luna, Hope is dangerous. It's a powerful defense but it should only be a last resort to turn to. What That gave them was hope... and I acted as what was needed. Nothing More, Nothing less." Finally a clearing a had appeared in a small forest. "Watch what happens next... But it will not be clean." Luna looked at me wide eyed in confusion and mild trepidation.

*********************Perspective Change: Rowan Wicker **************************

"We're here sir. It's Just up ahead." The scout had smiled at me with a sense of pride as I nodded Natalie Broke formation as we entered the clearing squealing in excitement.

"Big brother look Its lake... A really Big lake with fresh water!!" Natalie was delighted with joy. As I stared in Joy and shock as she bent down and cupped her hand hands with the water and drank from it. "Oh my goodness. Brother it taste great!" There were counter ripples where she was as the rest of the group went and drank from it smiling in excitement.

Could this be it... could we have at last found a place to finally call home? Thats when I noticed something moving beneath the waters surface. Animals... but... if every other animal had changed... whats to say those didn't. That's when it hit me.. Just a moment too late however. "EVERYONE GET AWAY FROM THE WAT-"

I was cut off by a scream that was soon drowned out from under the waters surface as the scout was dragged under and blood began to color the water a dark red. Everyone quickly backed up and readied their weapons as I readied my Sword. Shortly after the scouts backpack was flung from the water. Before I could say anything, Natalie rushed to get the bag and at that same moment from a different point then where the bag came from a Large Alligator looking thing jumped out of the water. I rushed to stop it or at least save her. I did neither as it had snapped its jaws around her legs and with its moment effectively ripped them off at the knees. The sword gave an echoing scream as I did. Natalie screamed in fear and pain as she fell tumbling a bit. The two support units began firing at will at the alligator but their bullets just bounced off of it as if its hide was as hard as rock. Emerging from the water was two more of the alligators and I moved to stand between the 3 of them and my sister

"Get Natalie and start to pull back Thats an order." I yelled back at them. The dinosaur looking alligators looked at me as a low growl came from them. The one that had gotten a taste of her charged me as one of the scouts began to draw the attention of the other two, and the other went and grabbed her while she was screaming in pain. Jumping towards the Alligator I aim for the left as I bring my sword to cut through the jaw's skin where it parts. I hear the screams of the other guard before I move and stab the gator deep into its eyes twisting the blade as I do the beast roaring in pain as it stops moving and falls onto its stomach completely. Taking my Flare gun out I aim it to the Sky and Fire and red Streak is shot into the air. The area would not be safe for us.

"Fuck this I'm Not dragging your ass to just die!" The other started to run off and runs right into another alligator before it kills him, snapping its jaws around him and ripping him in half. His intestine being the only thing connecting the body. Pulling my sword out of the one I stabbed into its brain through the eye. Rushing to Natalie I take out my pistol and start firing at new alligator in sheer rage as a voice starts to come from the sword.

" USE ME! USE ME AND DESTROY THEM! LET ME DRINK THEIR BLOOD!!! LET ME DRINK HER BLOOD!!!! The bullets bouncing off the Alligators mouth but hitting it with enough impact to make it move I draw its attention as it growls at me. Sliding to its side I slam the tip of the sword into it making it scream as I start to push the blade forward and fire into it's insides as I increase the gash in its side effectively gutting it. Ripping the blade out I turn to Natalie who is breathing but eyes aren't open, losing a lot of blood from her legs being ripped off.

Moving as fast as I can I Jump at the two remaining alligators when suddenly 2 RPG rounds strike the alligators from behind me sending me tumbling back from the force of the explosion mid air. One of them was blown apart from the bottom half. As the other looked hurt it growled and went into the water. getting up and looking back in the direction where the rockets came from was a blinking green light. Dante and Jack must've fired them... I hate how accurate Dante can be and Jack only needs to mimic his movement. Fucking War masters Moving to Natalie I see her coming to and start to cough.

"Big... Big brother? are you ok?" Her voice was weak as I lifted her up and carried her on my back.

"Shhh... Don't Talk Save your strength. We will get you all fixed up when we get you to the relief group ok?" My voice was lacking the usual confidence as I tried to comfort her. I felt her start to breathe slower. "Hey don't, fall asleep not yet ok?" She shook her head as she weakly hugged me from behind.

"Big bro...Rowan.. Can you do me a favor?" it sounded like she was struggling to keep it together. On my neck I felt tears start to fall as she moved her forehead to be against the back of mine. "Can you sing me that lullaby... the one you sang when I was afraid of the dark?" The moment she said that Tears began to fall on my face...her skin was getting slowly colder as I walked. " Please Rowan... Just this last time... For me?"

I nod slowly. "Ok sis." my voice was trembling. "Ok...I'll sing for you..." I dont want to say goodbye not yet... Please no.

" Hey Fairy,
Where are you going?
I'm trying to assemble all this liigghhht,
I'll shine it down and make tomorrow briiigghht.

************************ Perspective Change: Damocles********************************

Standing there watching her die in his... My arms makes me tremble and start to cry. Luna looks mortified that a dream could even have this much detail as I begin to sing along with myself the lullaby I sang for her.

Oh Yea
Now do you hear the voices
Calling out your name?
Oh Yea
Because I lost my voice while
Doing the same
Oh Yea
I'll never quit until I feel your beating heart
Oh Yea Oh Yea~

The sun and moon have joined in celebration
Have you forgotten their affiliation?
When you're not here to share your laughter with me ~
I just can't find my inspiration

Now it's snowing
Keep going
Be honest
Keep smiling because
We're approaching
The clock keeps on ticking
And it never stops
Hey Fairy
Where you going
I'm trying to assemble all this light
I'll shine it down and make tomorrow bright
Why? Why? Why?
Don't say goodbye

The relief team runs up to them as both he and I feel her heartbeat stop and they take her away from me as we stand there holding back our tears before we walk back into the encampment. Him taking off the blood covered necklace and hand it back to Jason. Saying nothing the entire time, everyone's eyes growing dull color fading as we pass before he shrugs off his jacket and puts the sword down along with the gun and we both lay down falling asleep as our tears fall in silence. Suddenly my eyes snap open and I see nothing but a ceiling fan above me along with the ceiling. Sitting up I look at outside the window to see a bunch of storm clouds and wipe away the last of my tears as a smile that would make a devil jealous grows on my face. "Time to Learn to fly." With that I walk out the door to my temporary castle suite after brushing my hair then shaking my head to have the hair fall in place.

Author's Note

So this one... Has a bit more of myself in it than normal I'll admit. It's cheesy I know but Hey... One's nightmares can be another one's memories. So within the next few chapter's I would like to request for help coming up with a name for not a pony. I'll put more details in the comments. Give me what you got Ladies, Gents, and Other Species XD