Chapters Comi-con was packed. Anywhere you looked, you would see somebody wearing a costume of some character or another ranging from Master chief, to people wearing furry costumes based on my little pony and it was amazing. I had been saving money for years just to get a chance at entering the convention and in my opinion it was money well spent, if only I had gotten a chance to make a costume, but with work getting in the way I could only bring my casual clothes (I was wearing a pair of navy blue jeans, and a blue short sleeve shirt).
Walking through the mass of fans proved to be extremely difficult so I was forced to spend a good deal of my time in what I like to call 'the souvenir section, while I had plenty of money to buy a good deal of anything there I didn't want to waste it on hand drawn pictures and plastic blasters. Increasing my search speed in hope of finally finding something to buy, I almost missed a man dressed as the merchant manning a small empty table. Curious as to what he was doing without anything to sell, I approached but not without a degree of caution.
"Hey there, I noticed that your both is empty. Are you planning something special, or did I just catch you when you were sold out?"
Instead of answering right away though, hey just smiled (not evilly but still in a very creepy way which put my nerves on edge).
"Not at all, I just like to keep my items out of site so as not to give people a chance of stealing anything."
He started chuckling like it was some kind of inside joke (again not evily, but it didn't help my nerves).
"Well if that's the case, do you mind showing some of your stuff now?"
"I suppose."
With out wasting a single move, he quickly piled 9 boxes on to the table and opened them up, what was inside though most definitely made up for his lack in showmanship. He had guns, armour pieces, swords, and anything else a cosplayer could want, better yet, the most expensive item in all the boxes was a $250 dollar replica of the ultimatrix.
Overwhelmed by all the items, I grabbed everything I could buy, which wasn't really all that much when you only had a couple hundred on you. Thankfully the guy said he could use debt cards and I added a few more items by the end my list looked like this.
(Sonic) Chaos emeralds w/ master emerald: $50
Truthfully it was a lot, I knew that but I just couldn't help myself. With most of my money gone now I decided that I would skip lunches and only eat some fruit for a couple of dinners, but before I could leave the guy stopped me.
"Before you go Jack, I wish to let you know how lucky you are. In most cases over the years I only sell one item to each customer I meet but you are different. Unlike the others you wear no costume so you were not bound by the limitations they possessed. Whether or not you believe this to be good is only able to be determined at the end of your journey and with that I bid you adieu."
"Wait what do you mean by journey, and how did you know my name?"
The man didn't answer though, instead he erupted into a ball of blinding light, hoping to stop myself from going blind, I closed my eyes but when I opened them again, I wasn't in the building. Instead I was on what looked to be a large rocky plateau.
"Well crap."
I had been descending the plateau for close an hour now. It had been hard at first when I was close to the top but it quickly became easier as I descended. I could almost lay my full foot on a ledge. This would have been a lot harder had been carrying all my stuff but for some reason everything I hadn't been wearing disappeared so I had no phone or wallet the only things that did stay were Ebony and Ivory, the hyrulian shield, and my digimon d-tector.
Not knowing where I was at and seeing as how magic was apparently now real, a shield to protect myself and some guns to at least intimidate someone if I was lucky could be useful, the d-tector was useless though but since it was small enough I put it in my pocket, next I attached the shield to my back, and holstered the guns at my hips with their additional holsters that came with them.
'That's it Jack just one foot after the other, left, right, left, right...'
So focused on not falling, I missed the sound of wings flapping till it was to late and I was pulled from the rock face without even a chance to get a good grip.
"Look at this fellas we found ourselves a stupid ground stomper messing around in Pegasuses territory."
I couldn't see anyone but i could definitely hear two other voices laughing at what the first guy said. Not understanding what had just happened and to afraid to look up my brain immediately went into what I like to call nerd mode.
"You do know that the plural form of Pegasus is actually pegasi right?"
I didn't get to hear their retort because the next thing I knew I was waking up in what looked like to be a primitive wooden cell with all the bars and walls made from tightly lashed wood.
My fake weapons and shield were missing but my useless d-tector seemed to have fallen under the harmless category. With nothing better to do I decided to press the buttons at random.
5 minutes ago (3rd person)
Standing tall at an even 6 foot 5 inches, maroon hair flowing behind behind her at mid back length and a tail of equal shading hanging from her head, Lauren Faust the first alicorn was screaming at her much shorter pegasi council members.
"How in bucking Tarturus could you let those three imbeciles capture a lost terran when we are so close to sealing our alliance with them but also letting them shave almost all their hair off as well as chop their tail!"
The council were very much used to Faust outbursts but the couldn't do anything to argue against her as her power could easily wipe them all out and was also the only thing keeping their crops alive but that didn't mean they wouldn't defend themselves.
Speaking first was an average sized mint green stallion.
"It would behoove you Ms.Faust to remember that, while yes they captured the terran they explained that he was already in such a state before they even found."
"It would behoove me? No it would behoove you to realize that our only chance at finally having a chance of a peaceful alliance is now jeopardized because some stupid teenagers decided to capture the one thing that could ruin our chances!"
Faust had finished yelling now but the intensity was still there.
"That may be true but if our initial findings are as real as we have been told then it means we might have found a tide changer should another war erupt."
As Faust had just flown in after spending hours trying to talk peacefully with the terran council, she truly didn't know what the stallion meant.
"Explain."
The command was simple in length but the underlying threat was clear as day.
"As we mentioned earlier, the terran was found with two strange metal contraption and a simple shield. While trying to identify the two contraption we activated some kind of trigger which launched a small clump of metal at speeds not even our fastest guardsmen could see as well as penetrating our strongest armour even when layered. As for the shield, nothing we do has been able to sent it much less scratch it."
"Show me them"
"Of course Ms.Faust but first we must deal with our current terran guest."
Gaining a glint in her eyes, she nodded.
Gaining a glint in her eyes, she nodded.
"I'm glad you agree Ms.Faust. Now to start I would suggest we..."
BOOM
"RRRAAAGGGHHH."
"What in Tarturus was that?"
The one to speak was was a random guardsmen standing at attention.
"I don't know but what ever creature it is, but it has just made a very big mistake coming here."
Walking quickly to the double doors situated at the oppisite end of the chamber and opening them, Faust was horrified to see that the small village she called home was now completely engulfed in fire and standing amongst the rubble of it all was a large red draconian being with orange feathered wings. Unlike other draconians though, this one was completely feral.
"Foul beast, how dare you attack the center of my kingdoms power."
The beast ignored her though and simply rooted around through the rubble as though looking for something.
'Strange, most beasts no matter their size would least flinch from the power of my voice, it must be a truly dull creature not to do so.'
Summoning her armour an weapons from a pocket dimension fully equipped. Now armoured, Faust charged through the air but less than a few feet away, the tail of the beast which had been inert quickly whipped towards Faust and sent her a far distance away.
"Nnggh. So your smarter than you let on, no matter it simply means I must fight with serious intent now."
Now back to her feet, Faust gathered a large amount of magic in her horn. Once at a sizable amount, day launched it. The condensed magic struck true, leaving behind what appeared to be a large burn mark on the beast's scales.
Feeling pain for the first time, the beast turned sharply around face his attacker but gained a right hook to his jaw for the trouble.
'I don't want...'
Shaking her head at the sudden emotions and words entering her mind, Faust kept her guard up in front of the rising beast.
'What was that just now? Did I hear the beast's thoughts or did my mind play a trick on me after that first blow?"'
Feinting a strike to the side, she followed up with a punch to the face but was surprised when the armoured talon on the beast's arm changed position blocking her punch from connecting.
'Please...'
'So the voice is real but how do I talk to it and figure out how to stop this creature?'
And so she fought but not aggressively like she would have normally, rather she stayed on the defensive hoping one of her strikes would give her a clue from the voice inside, dodging punch after punch. Soon though the voice started getting quieter.
'Why is...'
'No more...'
'Stop...'
'...'
Panicking now at the lost voice, she didn't know what to do.
'Every blow I send it does nothing to stop it and I can barely dodge it's strikes. What do I do? If only there was a way I could talk to it but they're to far gone inside it's head if I could just reach them.'
Thinking idea after idea, she finally found a solution but it would be very reckless if it failed.
Taking to the air, the beast followed. Using her smaller size she nimbly attached herself to the large creature's back.
'I really hope this works.'
Activating a mental communication spell she quickly lost feeling of the outside world as she entered the mind of the beast. Once inside, she found doorway after doorway leading to one of the beasts memories or emotions.
Not knowing were to go, she opened the first door she could and what she saw astounded her.
Huge structures made of rock and glass blocked the skyline while a hint of sea water could be smelled in the air and mostly bald terrans dotted the ground with no unicorns or pegasi to be seen.
"Sniff."
Startled by the sound, Faust looked down and found and found a small crying child staring at her.
"Who are you?"
Faust realized that the child standing in front of her was voice she had been hearing.
"I am Lauren Faust, future queen of equestria and who might you be?"
Faust had always had a fondness for children so she used her motherly voice to speak with the child.
"Equestria? But you don't look like a pony on the show."
Ignoring his comment she continued.
1 month later (1st person)
I had been in equestria for almost a month now, and in that time I realized just how boned I really was.
First, all three pony types were still fighting with each other and I don't remember how it was fixed in the show.
Second, Dragons are still large lizards but because there are no God sisters to protect the ponies it became a free for all every now and then but thankfully since I'm in Faust's village they don't attack us.
Third, (depending on how you look at it) clothes are considered something of a luxury for even anthromorfic ponies but because of the fur I couldn't see anything indecent just get an idea of their general shape like a body suit
Other than that it's been all rainbows and sunshine.
"Hey Jack, it's time for our weekly sparring session."
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Lauren Faust, the mother of celestia, and Luna, like to fight so she gets me into what she calls 'sparring sessions'. I don't know if I should thank her for them though as I've been able to figure out a few things that I could do like turning into all the different forms of the legendary warriors (male for the originally female ones), I could use limited forms of magic but only through the use of either the X-blade or the Kingdom key and finally my new guns have infinite ammo and are only as deadly as I let them be.
"Hey Lauren, you have any preference today or should I just go all out."
I know she thinks that her fur hides it but I can see whenever she starts blushing and it's funny to see it sometimes but I don't know if I should be grossed out that a humanoid horse has some form of crush (I think it's a crush but I'm not even sure on that) or be grateful that a girl likes me even if she isn't human (I know I sound like a jerk but I just don't know what to think).
"Actually I've been wondering if we can do something a little bit different. Instead of transforming to fight me I want you to try and fight me in you regular form."
Pocketing my d-tector, I drew Ebony in my right hand, slide my shield on my left, and entered my usual stance.
Unlike usual though Faust didn't enter hers, instead she held her sword in a faux grip, over extended her leg beyond usual, and didn't even have her shield up.
"Is everything allright Lauren?"
"Yep everything is completely normal so start attacking me."
Not understanding what was really going, I decided to just comply with her wish. Rushing forward, I sent a wide shot to the right and slammed into her with my shield sending her to the ground. Really freaked out over her strange behaviour, I holstered Ebony and summoned the Kingdom key. Aiming for her shield in hope of getting a good reaction I was disappointed when it was brought up barely fast enough causing her to only receive glancing blow.
"Lauren I really don't like what's happening, you're never this easy to fight unless I'm using a fusion form and even then Susanoomon my strongest form would still have a few problems against you."
She seemed to become irritated but I didn't let up.
"Seriously, I don't even think your trying, it's like you want to lose the spar."
This seemed to be enough as she started yelling.
"Fine you want to know what's wrong I have to prove to the stupid council that I'm safe to be around with out destroying them or at least have someone not loyal to me who has a chance of beating me because if I don't the only way they would ever agree to an alliance is if I married one of them and had their child."
"So you wanted to use me to fool them into thinking they're safe from you?"
"When you put it like that it sounds bad but I swear I wouldn't do this unless I had no other choice."
I believed her on that but to hear about how selfish these guy were being was a little irking.
"Well then I guess we should start practicing then."
"What?"
"You said you needed to trick them to get the alliance so we need to practice if we want to make it look real."
"Right."
When we got ready again, I noticed she used the same form like last time.
"I may not be an alicorn, but I can take a few good hits so can you at least be a little serious?
We had been working day after day on our mock fight, after Lauren gave me the run down on the terran council's demands and by day three I wanted to rip my hair. Lauren was very dedicated to her craft of fighting, so much so in fact, I couldn't do anything to actually have a chance against her even when she barely tried (When I asked for a percentage, she said she was using only 1%) but it didn't stop us. Deciding that trickery and deception were my best options to make it look real, I utilized combinations of different elemental magics from the Final Fantasy series thanks to the two keyblades natural connection to the series knowledge of spell (another nifty trick I learned after a month) as well as enhancing spells to move faster (to the average guy I'm unbeatable but give me a real warrior to fight, then my chances drop by a lot). The main problem by now though is my natural strength and speed.
"Blizzaga, Firaga, Blink."
Shooting the two elemental spells at the ground, it created a thick smoke screen of ice crystals, and used blink to move quicker through it to set up the next part of my plan.
"I told you before, Jack, that this trick hurts you more than it hurts me."
After running into a tree on my first try I would almost believe her but I made sure to remember my immediate surroundings and not move in a random manner and forget where I was.
"If you care so much Lauren, why don't you do something about it?"
That was all Lauren needed to hear as I could feel the surrounding area heat up and dissipate the fog faster. Once the fog was gone, I used my next spell as soon as I could see Lauren's back.
"Blind."
With my spell now activated I went in for the strike. It didn't go well for me because next thing I knew, I was on the ground with Lauren standing over me, eyes glazed over, with her sword pointed at my face.
"Um, mercy."
Removing her sword from my face's general area, she offered a hand and helped me up.
"I think that's enough training for today so let's head back to town now."
Remembering the drill for blinding Lauren, I took her by the arm and led the way.
"So how well do you think I did today?"
I knew I didn't do very good but Lauren always found a way for my screw ups to have a positive spin to them.
"You did well today Jack you kept these noise of your body low enough so I couldn't tell where you are and kept moving so I couldn't tell by your voice either and your successive use of spells are getting faster as well as your body, the only problem I could find is you went for the final blow to soon. Wait a few more minutes and I would have really been disoriented. One more training session and you should be ready by next Saturday ."
"Thanks, and I'll try to get better by then. Speaking of which, why do you have to spend so much time away from the terrans and only go back every other weekend then come right back it's a little inconsiderate on their part."
Lauren sighed at this.
"It may be inconsiderate but until we have our alliance and they lose their leverage, I have no other choice. Let's forget about those idiots and talk about you and your world some more."
Ever since my little mention of the MLP, Lauren pestered me for 3 days to know what I meant. By the third I realized I couldn't keep it a secret from her so I made her promise not to tell anybody. It took a couple of hours to explain everything but when I did, I could already tell she was freaking out (considering she was an all powerful alicorn that didn't seem like a good thing) luckily I was able to calm her down when I explained all the difference that I could find.
"What do you want to know?"
"Last time you mentioned something called fanfiction, what is it?"
"You really want to know about that? Ok but it's a little weird. The best way to explain it is would probably be by using an example I'll use MLP since you technically know that is."
"Since I live in it I guess I do."
"Yep. Anyways, a fanfiction is basically a fan written story about whatever you like using the world's created by others."
"Really? If that's true then why don't you give me an example."
"Alright, keeping with MLP I remember reading a story about a human who went some big convention dressed as a character from a different series and while there he bought something from this weird guy and was transported here but in the future when the series takes place. It was funny to read but no matter how much I waited it never seemed to be completed."
"That almost sounds like what happened to you."
"Yeah it does but I'm not dressed as a character nor am I in ponyville."
"I could always rename the village ponyville if it'll make you feel better."
Looking at Lauren with surprise clear on my face I saw that my blind spell had worn of and she was smirking.
"Oh hah hah like you would change the name of Laurentown."
"I don't know, Ponyville has a nice ring to it."
Deciding that she wanted to be in the lead now, Lauren stepped up the pace but made no inclination on letting go of my arm And so we walked arm in arm through the forest back to the village.
Next Day
Opening my eyes as the crack of dawn peeked through window I couldn't help but have a small smile. For over a month I had been living here and I would say it has been the best month of my life, sure there's no T.V. or internet but I would almost say that's a good thing. Before I came I had Been a slightly pudgy office worker but now I'm a healthy alien with awesome weapons and the ability to turn into 23 different digimon forms the only thing I could now is figure out how to summon the Chaos Emeralds and Dragon Balls if I even have them.
Getting up and heading to the bath for my morning cleaning all I needed was a quick fire spell to the wood and I was ready to clean I even had a custom made tooth brush, all I was missing was some toothpaste.
Finished with my bath I entered my room again and got dressed unfortunately my original clothes got ripped and torn while climbing down the plateau. Luckily after a week of wearing them Lauren realized I needed new ones and got the local tailor to make me some simple slacks and shirts. When I asked what they were made of, the tailor said they were made from the stalks of nearby plants.
Now dressed in my green clothes I set off to do my daily chores. Because the village was big but not large everyone was expected to work in some way or another whether it be something complicated like smithing or just helping with the community farm. I worked in the apple orchard and helped collect apples.
Ever since I first got here I had wondered why the pegasi didn't live in the clouds so I asked Lauren. She said that there weren't enough clouds so they had to make their homes on the ground to survive during the winters.
I worked about 5 hours before I was hungry and stopped to eat. With how large the farm was I never saw anyone but i assumed the others were eating as well.
I was about halfway through my meal before I heard the telltale signs of flapping wings.
Looking up, I could see Lauren coming for a landing with a smile on her face. As soon as she touched the ground she took a seat next to me on the ground.
"What're you eating?"
"A salad sandwich with cup of been and Apple slices."
"I can never understand how you eat that stuff."
"What, beans? I'll have you know that they taste excellent in a stew and are my only form of protein with out eating anybody."
She shivered at the mention of protein most likely remembering the first day found out. Most ponies don't like the taste of pure beans so they use it as a way of toning down sweet flavors or give a better consistency in their their stews and soups.
Shaking her head to get rid of the images from that day, she leaned in and pulled a single slice from my stew and took a bite.
"Swo are youw rweady to leave later?"
Her words were muffled bit still understandable from the Apple but she finished chewing and swallowed at the end of her sentence.
"What's happening later."
This seemed to be the wrong thing to say as Lauren gained an almost hurt look.
"Don't you remember last night, what we talked about?"
By this point I was nervous about what she was talking about.
"Lauren, all I remember after we got back is taking you to the tavern, having a few drinks of cider, and that's it in fact I don't even remember going home. What happened happened last night?"
"After about your 5th mug you got really weird and talked all slurred and couldn't walk very well."
"Are you sure that's how I acted?"
"Yes."
I didn't have any headaches this morning that's one of the main staples of a night of drinking. Either way I still don't know what we talked about last night.
"Ok then Lauren. I'm sorry to ask but what did we talk about last night?"
Lauren gained an almost unreadable look but in it I could most denfinetly make out a hurt look in her eyes (though it was very subtle).
"I am sorry but something I drank last night made me drunk."
"Drunk?"
"Yeah like how I acted last night."
"I've never seen anyone act like that before."
The people of this world must not have the ability to get drunk and only humans can get drunk but without the hangovers. Either way this would have to be something to remember when I get bored but I shouldn't over do since I have no idea what I might do.
"Anyways Lauren, what did we talk about last night."
"It started off when I mentioned to you how I always spend an entire day fly straight to my meetings with the terrans, and you asked me why I don't slow down a little to enjoy the view which is when I told that it would talk at least 3 days if I went at a normal pegasi top speed then you suggested we leave today after your work and head out then."
Her replay of the conversation sounded a little rushed in how everything happened but she didn't seem to be lying so I let it be.
"Well if I said we're doing something, drunk or not drunk, we're doing it."
Stuffing my face with the last of my food without creating a mess, I told her I would meet her at my place to pack and head out.
She responded by saying she would let her council know what her plan was and convince them to agree no matter what they said.
And with that she flew off and I went back to work with a new vigor.
Hey all you fine readers. If you're reading this then that means you took an interest in my story which is great but unfortunately I've realized that this story can be written in a better way so be on a look out for the revised version of this story "The Merchant War ".
For those of you who are wondering what the finer details are that lead to my decision they would have to be that i have created too many chapters that aren't needed (i.e. all of them) and that if I were to replace them then my story would need a new title even if the story is exactly the same.
Side note though is that this story will not be deleted but rather it will stay around for people who want to have an idea of how my story originated (down vote it all you want I'm still creating the revision).
So thanks for all you readers who liked this story and I'll try too publish my new version soon.
"It doesn't matter what I look like, what does matter is why you are letting that beast control you."
The child grew defensive at the word beast.
"He's not a beast, he's BurningGreymon the beast form of the legendary warrior of fire."
Not wanting to point out the contradiction, she asked again.
"Why is BurningGreymon controlling you then?"
The boy shyed away at that.
"He hurt some people and destroyed their homes. I don't want to be blamed for that."
"From the sound of it he doesn't seem very legendary."
"He is though, it's just that he has trouble controlling himself since he's the beast form and not the human form Agunimon. All he's wanting to do is find my shield and guns."
"Wait, those things are yours but my council said the owner was an adult terran not a child."
"I'm not a child though and I don't know what a terran is I'm just like this because I'm hiding in my memories from my childhood."
"I see, well there's no need to hide. I know the truth and that's all you need, to be safe so why don't you stop hiding so we can get out of here and meet in person."
Nodding in agreement, the young looking adult scrunched his face in concentration. Soon Faust lost feeling of being in the mental world and regained feeling in the real. Opening her eyes she found herself staring at the face of the now named BurningGreymon but instead of the glowing red feral eyes it was the blue eyes of the child that Faust met.
"Are you ok Lauren."
Hearing the now adult sounding voice calling her by her first name while so close to her face, she couldn't help the blush that appeared under her fur. Pushing the larger body away from her and sitting up quickly she regarded the monstrous form with a cool gaze.
"Who am I talking to, is it BurningGreymon or the boy I met?"
Not noticing that the mouth of her ex-opponent was actually armour, she was surprised to see the two plates separate giving her a toothy smile.
"It's me Jack, the guy you met."
Calming her cool gaze a little she started her own interrogation.
"What are you Jack?"
Instead of answering though, Jack became enveloped in ethereal glowing strands of light. When the lights receded, BurningGreymon's form was replaced with an older looking version of the child she met.
"I'm supposed to be human, but now, I have no idea."