Chapters Chapter 3: An Old Friend
“So, you’re not going to try and kill me, are you?” The creature asked, obviously still confused.
“Oh heavens no!” Twilight responded as she trotted over to the thing. “So what are you exactly?” She questioned him.
“I could ask the same, Purple.” The creature retorted. “But if you must know, I’m a human. A hunter to be exact.”
“And what exactly is the job that you Hunters carry out?” Twilight said, genuinely enthusiastic about the chance to study a new creature she had never seen before.
“To hunt beasts and nothing less.”
“The name’s Twilight Sparkle. And you are?”
“Jackson Terry.”
“Such a strange name.”
“Like you can say anything. Who names their kid Sparkle?” Jackson came back snappily. He was obviously smarter than she gave him credit for.
“Anyway, I’m trying to get back to Ponyville. Where am I?” Twilight asked.
“Yaharnam. I’m going to say you’re probably a long way from home. I’ve never heard of a place called Ponyville in my 32 years on this planet. I’m sure I can help you find a way home though. Just come with me.” Jackson started walking down the street, with Twilight in tow. Twilight was fascinated by the architecture of the city, with all of its gothic charm. They soon approached a large bridge, one side gated off. “Damn. We’ll have to take the long way to the Cathedral.” Just as the two were about to leave, Twilight heard a slight whimpering sound from one of the horse-drawn carts on the bridge.
“What was that?” Twilight asked as she approached the cart. Before she could reach the cart, Jackson stuck out his arm, blocking the alicorn.
“Something isn’t right.” He said as he put out his torch and stuck it in a holster on his back. He then sheathed his small silver sword, pulling up the large scabbard to use a greatsword. “There aren’t any beasts here, in a place where they should be swarming.” He took a few step forwards, only to be met by an impossibly large beast. Its fur was damp and matted with dry blood, its horns growing wild and out of control, its breath smelling of raw meat. “You have got to be kid-!” Jackson was cut off as the beast slammed its fist down on him, crushing him. Twilight stood in horror as she watched the beast lift its giant hand, watching as her new companion’s body faded and turned to dust.
To Be Continued In Chapter 4: Like a Lamb To The Slaughter
Chapter 4: Like A Lamb To The Slaughter
Chapter 4: Like A Lamb To The Slaughter
Twilight was only able to let out a gasp as she watched Jackson’s body fade from existence. Though, with its senses that have undoubtedly scaled with the beast size, it was enough to catch its attention. Twilight ran to the one safe spot nearby, a horse drawn carriage. As she clambered her way inside, she noticed something familiar under the seat. The small bright yellow pegasus glanced up at Twilight.
“H-hi Twilight.” The fear in her voice was heavy, as if she had been here with the beast for ages.
“Fluttershy!” Cried Twilight, hugging her friend. “How in Celestia’s butt did you get here?!”
“Shhhh! Oh I'm sorry that was mean of me.” Whispered Fluttershy. “The monster has really good hearing.” The both screamed as the beast flipped the carriage onto the side.
“This is not good.” Whispered Twilight. At that moment, she heard a familiar voice.
“Alright! I'm not going to that that happen again, you beast! I'm going to bring you down!” It was Jackson.
“But how? I watched him die. He got crushed.” Twilight opened the door to the cart, peaking out only to see Jackson weaving around his monstrous foe, making the odd slash with his sword.
“Is that all you got beast?!” Roared Jackson. “Do you know that man, Twilight? He's very strong. And fast. Probably faster than Rainbow Dash. Oh, was that mean? I'm sorry.” Jackson slashes at the beast's leg, severing it and causing it to topple over. He took this opportunity to thrust his oversized blade through the beast’s head, killing it.
“Damn. That thing really did a number on me.” Jackson sat down as the two ponies pulled themselves from the carriage.
“How are you here? I watched that thing crush you.” Twilight questioned Jackson.
“Oh that's right, you don't know about the Dream, do you? And whose your friend here?”
“I'm Fluttershy. It's a pleasure to meet you sir.” Said the pegasus, extending her hoof to Jackson.
“I'm Jackson, nice to meet you.” He took her hoof and gave her the closest thing to a handshake she could muster.
“What do you mean by The Dream?”
“Just follow me and I'll show you.”
To Be Continued In Chapter 5: A Haven In A Haze
Chapter 6: Preparations For What's To Come
Chapter 6: Preparations For What's To Come
“Well, I see that you've already met Gehrman.” Came a familiar voice from behind.
“Ah. If it isn't Jackson, what brings you back to the Dream so soon?” Replied the frail old man.
“Well that giant Cleric I fought really kicked my ass. I need to restock on supplies and then I'm off to the ward.” Replied Jackson.
“Hmm. If I remember, the Church blocks the road to the ward during the hunt. You'll have to take the sewers.”
“Wait, the sewers?” Twilight chimed in.
“Well it is the only way into the ward.”
“Ew… I don't like sewers. They're gross, and stinky, and smelly. The thought just sends shivers up my wings.” Said the small yellow pegasus.
“She's right you know.” Said Twilight.
“Sorry, but unless you wanna get back home, you can't stay here and not come with me.” Replied Jackson, sorting through what appeared to be a chest in the shape of a coffin. “Let's some blood vials, a few quicksilver bullets, and the rest of the numbing mist should do.” He said as he shut the chest. “Next stop is the weapon shelf.
“What kind of beasts can we expect in the sewers?” Asked the purple alicorn, questioning her new friend as he went about his business.
“Nothing more than what we have already faced.”
“That's a relief.”
“You could say that again.” He walked towards one of the headstones, performing the same ritual that was used to enter the Dream. Twilight and Fluttershy followed him, expecting the worst.
To Be Continued In Chapter 7: The Beast Within Man
Chapter 8: The Demon Deep Inside
Chapter 8: The Demon Deep Inside
Twilight and Fluttershy follow Jackson, hoping there isn't another creature there. Getting close to the top of the ladder, they heard the faint sound of crying.
"Who is that? It sounds like a little girl." Said Twilight.
"You're right. Her parents are probably off on the hunt, and she's been left alone. She's probably scared. It talk to her." Jackson said as he climbed up to the top. He noticed a window and knocked on it. "Hello? Anyone there?" He heard the sound of a faint gasp.
"Hello." Came the voice of a girl, obviously still very young. "If you're out tonight, then you must be a hunter."
"Yes I am. Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, my daddy went out on the hunt, but he was gone for longer than he was supposed to. My mother went out to look for him, but she forgot the music box that plays daddy's favorite song."
"If you want, I can go look for them."
"Thank you, kind hunter. My mother wears a beautiful red brooch, it's so big and shiny, you could never miss it. Here, take the music box with you and use it to calm my father if he attacks you." The young girl opened the window slightly, giving Jackson a small music box.
"I promise to be back as soon as I can."
"Thank you, good hunter." Jackson began to climb down the ladder.
"That was very kind of you." Said Fluttershy.
"Well she was a small child who was scared, I had to do something. I'm sure anyone else would have done the same." After climbing back down, they continued through the sewers, eventually coming to another ladder.
"Awwww... more climbing?" Twilight complained.
"Yep." They climbed the ladder. At the top they came to a bridge covered in dead bodies. "That's not good." Said Jackson, putting his small silver sword into the sheath, using it as a large great sword. The group made their way across the bridge, up some stairs and came upon a grave yard.
"What's that smell? Ahh. It's the sweet smell of blood. Blood from beasts that know not how they this amazing liquid inside of them." Said an older looking man, as he turned to Jackson, who noticed that the man had bandages over his eyes. "There are beasts all over the shop now. You'll be one of them soon enough." The man said, extending his ax and lunging at Jackson, who barely rolled out of the way of the attack.
"What's wrong with you?! We're both hunters, do you not see that?!" Jackson said, swinging his blade at the man.
"That doesn't matter! We'll all turn at some point or another! And I'm going to kill as many as I can before that happens!" The man kept saying, wildly swinging his ax. "Just give into the bloodlust! Once you do, nothing can hold you back!"
"You fool! A hunter hunts beasts, nothing more!" Jackson landed a few blows, causing the man to real back in pain. He started grasping his head.
"Oh lord, it's finally happening! I'm turning! Oh god, what have it become?" Said the man, as light swirled around, blasting out along with a bestial scream.
"Oh no." The Beast jumped at Jackson, slamming him into a wall. The monster didn't let up it assault. It kept smashing and tearing at Jackson with its fists. Out of the corner of his eye, Jackson noticed something. It was the body of a woman, around her neck, a red jeweled brooch. He realized who he was fighting soon after. He pulled out the music box and wound it up. As the music began to play, the blasted recoiled in pain, the sound of his favorite music flooding back memories of his wife and children. The people he loved most, the person he killed.
"Alright." Said Jackson, lifting his blade, dropping it on the beast's neck, decapitating it. He grabbed the key it dropped, walked over to the body, and pulled of the necklace. "I'm sorry, little girl... I was too late to save your mother and father." He began crying.
To Be Continued In Chapter 9: A Safe Haven
Chapter 1: Resonance With Another World
Chapter 1: Resonance With Another World
“Sweet Celestia, I am so tired, why did I put this off for so long?” Twilight moaned as she sat there, organizing the new books for her private library. “I had these delivered last week, did I really have that much to do?” She sat still for a while, angry at herself. She glanced over at the nearest window. She stared at the moon for a while, before noticing that the moon was not its normal shade of gray, rather, it was snow white. “Huh. That's… strange. I don't remember reading anything about a pure white moon. I'm sure there should be something about it in here somewhere. If not, I can always ask Luna about it.”
Twilight’s horn began to glow a brilliant purple as it sparked to life with magic. She began pulling every book that had anything to do with the moon off of the shelves. She started flipping through book after book, finding nothing about a pure white moon. “Damn it!” Twilight swore at the top of her lungs. Not being able to find out about this strange phenomenon happening outside her window was really starting to get on her nerves. She flung the book she was currently reading across the room, knocking over another stack. Twilight sighed as she got up to restock the books. As she did, she heard a strange sound. “What is that? A bell? Who could be ringing a bell this late into the night? I hope it's not another one of Luna’s practical jokes.”
As she approached the piles of books, one of them caught her eye. “What's this? A Hunter’s Guide to Surviving The Paleblood Moon… it's probably just a fiction book I bought a while ago.” Twilight began to flip through the pages. “What kind of weapons are effective on beasts, light armor or heavy armor, inhuman knowledge? This is ridiculous, even for a fictional book. Not even a foal would enjoy this.” She laughed. But what was written in the last chapter was what caught her eye. “How To Summon Other Hunters To Aid You? Hmmm… alright. You've got my attention. Alright let's see. Two bells, one will summon you to another Hunter’s world along with anyone else who rings the bell, a bell that summons Hunters from other worlds? This is ridiculous.” She rang one of the bells anyway, just for shits and giggles. Almost immediately, Twilight was surrounded by a bright white aura. She tried to run from it, but it stayed around her. And then everything went black.
To Be Continued In Chapter 2: A New Hunt
Chapter Two: A New Hunt
Twilight woke up on a cold, wet cobblestone street, the air heavy with smoke. She couldn't help but cough as she looked up past the giant Canterlot-esk buildings, to see the same pure white moon. “Where am I?” Twilight asked herself. As she did, she heard a crowd roaring and what sounded like fighting. She ran towards where she thought she heard the commotion, to see a strange creature. It looked like a Minotaur, only smaller, thinner, and with less hair. He was fighting off a crowd of the same creatures. All the time it was yelling.
“C’mon you beasts! I'll slaughter each and everyone of you mindless things!” It appeared to be extremely skilled in combat, swinging its silver sword with the grace of only the finest swordsmen in Equestria. When Twilight arrived, the creature was fighting at least twenty others. Within seconds of her arrival, it had cut that number by half, only for more to swarm forward. Each time it cut down one creature, two more would take its place. Twilight knew that the creature would not survive if someone didn't intervene. So, she conjured a spell, her horn sparking and glowing bright purple. She used her magic to push away the creatures, giving the one fighting them a chance to escape, but it didn't. It kept hacking away at the crowd, finally cutting down every other creature. As it spayed its final opponent, the creature turned and stared at Twilight confused by what it was seeing.
“Are you okay?” Twilight asked the confused creature.
“A purple horse with wings and a horn? This night makes less and less sense as it goes on. First, the townspeople attack me and now a bright purple horse is asking me if I'm okay.” The creature mumbles under its breath. “To be completely honest, I think I'm starting to go mad, Purple Horse.”
To Be Continued In Chapter 3: An Old Friend
Chapter 5: A Haven In A Haze
Chapter 5: A Haven In A Haze
“So, how do we get get to this Dream?” Twilight questioned.
“Well… it's kind of hard to explain. Oh, we're here.”
“Um if you don't mind my asking sir, where are we?” Asked Fluttershy, her voice a bit shaky, probably still scared from her encounter with that huge beast.
“Yeah. All that's here is a lamp. What good does that do us?”
“Ok. This is going to sound weird. I need you to be next to the lamp. After that, imagine a black abyss. That should take you to the Dream.” Replied Jackson.
“O-ok.” Fluttershy walked to the lamp and followed the instructions given to her. After a few seconds, she was surrounded by the same aura that brought Twilight to this world, then disappeared.
“Fluttershy?!” Twilight screamed out. “Where is she? What happened?”
“Like I said, she was taken to the Dream. It's your turn next.” Twilight reluctantly followed the instructions, being engulfed in darkness. A few moments later, she awoke to a small shack, surrounded by grave stones. Outside the shack on a small ledge, there sat something that resembled a human, but something seemed off. She then noticed that Fluttershy was nowhere to be found.
“Fluttershy! Where are you?”
“Inside.” Fluttershy responded on a voice so soft, it was a miracle Twilight could hear her. She walked inside the shack to be greeted by an old man and Fluttershy.
“Welcome to The Hunter’s Dream.”
To Be Continued In Chapter 6: Old City Skylines
Chapter 7: Mud and Guts
“Traveling between worlds can apparently make you sick. Huh.” Said Twilight, loud enough for her yellow friend to hear.
“Twilight. I asked you not to bring it up.” Fluttershy’s cheeks were quickly turning from a pale yellow to a bright red.
“Would you to knock it off, we’re almost to the sewers and it's only going to make you complain more.” Said Jackson. Twilight and Fluttershy could hear the aggravation in his voice.
“He's really scary when he's angry.” Whispered Fluttershy in to Twilight’s ear.
“And we're here.” Said Jackson. “Oh god! It smells even worse tonight than it usually does.”
“You can say that again.” Says Twilight.
“Well, I guess this is the only way to continue.” Said Jackson, as he began to climb down the ladder into the ankle deep, trash, guts, and blood filled water below. Fluttershy and Twilight followed flew down after him.
“Hey, if you two can fly, why don't you just do that?”
“Something keeps us from going up. We can only fly in either a straight line, or down.” Replied Twilight.
“I see. Well, we'd better get going. At least the way we're going is short.” Said Jackson as he began walking. They soon came across two more ladders, one going up, the other down. He began climbing up.
“Where are we going?”
“I don't know. That's why I'm going to check.”
“But what if there's something up there?”
“Then I'll kill it. Plain and simple.” As he reached the top of the ladder, he noticed a Brick Troll across a bridge. “Not one of these guys.” He said, unsheathing the small silver sword and his gun. He ran at the monster, swinging his sword and cutting deep into it's back, causing a fountain of dark crimson blood to spray out and cover him.
“Be careful!” Screamed the small purple alicorn. The beast attempted to smash the brick into Jackson, but was interrupted as he fired his gun, staggering the monster.
“Die!” Jackson thrust his hand into the chest of the monster and pulled out what appeared to be it's heart. The sight of it caused both Ponies to vomit in disgust. “And that's that.” He said, climbing up the ladder that was behind the beast.
To Be Continued in Chapter 8: The Demon Deep Inside
Author's Note
Okay, before I start this chapter, I need to address something. Someone told me that they found Jackson to be OP because he had a certain weapon before he should. I'm not going to get into any specifics right now, but much later down the line, there WILL be an explination for why he has this weapon when he does. As I stated, if I were to try and explain it now, it would be a major spoiler. But thanks for voicing your concerns. If you have any others, just let me know. That's all.
