The hunter

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

My beginning

Hello to whoever may be reading my journals. If you're reading them, I guess you want to know more about me. So, I'll start with how I look. After a year in that forest, I've collected a fair number of scars. I know have a large scar going over my right eye down to my chin. I also have two long scars from lion thing with massive claws. I was in good shape before I came to this forest. But now, my muscle has grown a size and a half. I'm six-foot-seven with bright blue eyes. My hair color is a dirty blonde. Now please sit back, release, and enjoy my life story of killing and raising an army to control the world.

I was walking through the forest to the river I got fished and drank from every day. But as I walked, I heard a scream come from the river. I picked up the pace and started to run. The ponies and I don't get along very well. However, I wouldn't leave them to die here.

"Some pony, please help me!"

That voice sounded like a girl and a young one at that. I started to hear much growing as I broke through a large patch of trees and bushes. I looked and saw a large pack of wooden wolves in front of me. I looked in front of them and saw a girl on the ground. I saw her left leg was hurt, and she was trying to pull herself away. She had light pink fur. Her hair was white and purple. She also had a tiara on her head. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a light blue shirt; her chest was a b cup. I looked around to see how many of them there were. There were only five of them; I could take five easy. I gripped my axe and ran up behind them. I raised my axe over my head and brought it down on a wolf's head. I pulled my axe back and used it to cut another wolf's head off. I heard a growl behind me. I grabbed my knife handle and pulled it from the sheath. I spun and stabbed a wolf's head just as it was about to jump on my back. I pulled my axe over my head again and cut off the head of another wolf with one arm. I pulled my knife out of the wolf's head and looked at the last wolf. "So, you want to try or run away with your tail between your legs?" The wolf whimpered and turned and ran back into the forest. I looked back at the girl. She looked shocked and scared of me. I put my knife away and got on one knee. "Let me see your leg. I just want to help you." I put my axe in the back of my belt and looked at her wound. She jumped when I touched her but did pull back. "Well, they got you good got right in the muscle and deep too."

"Um, are you the beast hunter of the everfree?"

I looked at her face and raised an eyebrow. I then looked back to her leg and sighed. "Ok, I need you to listen to what I'm about to say."

"Ok, so what is it?"

"Your leg is too hurt for you to walk. You'll need to stay off it for a day or two, so you got two options. One stay here and wait for help to come and see if the wolf comes back. Or you can stay with me till the wound heals enough so you can walk." She looked at me and the setting sun. She looked back at me with worry and a little fear.

"You wouldn't hurt me, would you?"

I looked at her face, and fear was in her eyes. I let out a silent sigh and looked at the sun. I looked back at her and started to talk. " No, I won't, and to answer your earlier question. Your kind calls me a beast hunter. But my name is Eric, and may I know your name?"

"Um, It's Diamond Tiara."

"Nice name, but now we need to get going the sun is setting. I don't think that we want to run into another pack of wolves." She nodded and held her arms out. I grabbed her hands and pulled her up on her good leg. She was on her good leg now. I turned and got on one knee. "Ok, get on my back and try and put your arms around my neck." She did as I said and got on my back. She did as I told her when she was on my back. I put my arms under her thighs and held her up. She gasped and yelled in my ear.

"Why are you touching my hips!"

My ear was ringing after her yell. I yelled back as I started to walk back to my home. "I'm touching them because it's easy to carry someone this way. So, stop your yelling!" Neither of us said a word after that. But after five minutes, she spoke up.

"Um, Eric, was it?"

"Ya, what's up?"

"Well, I just want to know why are you called beast hunter?"

I laughed a little and turned my head to look her in the eyes. "A winged pony with orange and purple hair mare saw me kill another pack of wooden wolfs. So, my best guess is she's the one to spread the name." I laughed a little and picked up the pace.

"Really, but from the talk of the town, everypony thinks you're just some monster. I mean, you can be scary, but you’re ok. Hey, if you don't mind telling me, how do you live here?"

I looked around now that we were near my home as I had traps set. But I was surprised that she wanted to know about me. I smiled and stepped past a pit trap. "Well, life here is hard. But once you learn where and where not to go, it got much easier. Since you're in a talking mode, mind telling me why you’re in this forest?" She tightened the grip she had on my neck. Her voice was shaky, and I heard the fear in her voice.

"A-a group of diamond dogs wanted to take me a-and wanted to make me a slave and mine gems for them.

I had fought these dogs before and knew how she felt. "Ok, but that doesn't answer my question. Why were you in the forest?"

"I ran in here because I knew they wouldn't chase me in here. But I couldn't find the path that leads back to town. Then the timberwolves attacked me. But as I ran, one cut my leg with a claw. I fell to the ground. I called out for help it came from you, Eric."

I smiled at hearing someone calling me by my name again. "You know it's nice having someone to talk to again. Ponies always run when they see me. It's nice to have someone to keep me company." We continued to talk as we walked through the forest. We entered the clearing with many tree stumps. In the middle was a log cabin. I used stones and clay to build a chimney to keep it warm on those cold nights. I walked up to the door and opened it. I walked in and closed the door. I walked over to the bed I made from the hides and feathers from the animals I've killed. I laid her down on it and turned to start a fire.

"Did you make all of this?"

I didn't turn to her as I started to strike flint and steel. "Ya, I did." I got a small flame after a few more tries. I slowly but dry grass on it and small twigs. After a few minutes, we had a small fire going. I stood up and walked over to the medical box I had in a chest in the corner. I found it in a cave and brought it home. Now I just use it to store things. I pulled the medical box out and walked over to her. I got on my knees and looked at her leg. "Ok, this is going to hurt a little." I grabbed her leg and opened the box, and grabbed something to keep it clean. I pulled her jeans leg up and saw how bad the wound was. It had clotted up and stopped her from bleeding to death. I opened the bottle and poured some homemade disinfectant into her wound. She hissed in pain and grabbed the wood of the bed. The wound was a little red and swollen from the disinfectant. I capped the bottle and put it back into the box. I pulled out a roll of medical gauze and wrapped the wound.

"Um, thanks, but I have to know. Why did you help me?"

I looked back up at her face. She had a look of confusion and questioned my reasons. I locked eyes with her and started to speak. "I don't know why I just did. Maybe I was sick of being alone. Maybe I just wanted to do something new. But that doesn't matter now, does it?" She pulled her leg back and laid it on the bed. I grabbed the box and stood back up. I put the box back and started to cook dinner. I made a simple soup with wild vegetables and a side of fruit. I got two of the bowls and spoons I made from wood and filled a bowl for her.

"Thank you, Eric."

"No problem Diamond Tiara."

"You can call me Tiara if you want."

I looked back up from my soup and to her. "If you say so, Tiara. So, are you going to eat, or do you not like soup?" She looked at the soup and back to me.

"Um, what's in it?"

"Dandelion, cattail rootstock, clovers, and wild beans. It tasted much better than it sounds. Trust me, you won't get sick from eating this." She sat up and looked at the bowl, and picked up the spoon. She dipped it into the soup and tried it. She hummed and looked at me.

"This is good Eric."

I nodded as we eat. After a few minutes, I heard one of my traps go off. I sat the bowl down on the small table I made and walked over to the door. I opened the door and saw one of my rope traps caught something. I could hear yelling and howling. I pulled my axe and knife out and closed the door. I walked towards the voice and soon heard more voices. I keep walking and soon saw five new creatures. They seemed to be diamond dogs the dogs that live near the forest. The last one was a female and she was tied up and looked beaten. I guess she didn't want to come with them willingly. My guess was they were after Tiara. I grabbed the handle of my knife and aimed it at the dog on the left. I pulled my arm back and aimed at the chest of a dog. I throw the knife and hit him in the upper part of his stomach. I burst out of the bushes when he was down. I used my axe to cut open one of the dog's throat. Before the last free dog could do anything, I raised the axe and brought it down in his head. It cut right down to his neck and blood spread onto me. I pulled my axe out and looked at the two dead dogs and the one writhing in pain. I walked over to him and stomped the knife deeper into his gut. He coughed up blood and screamed from the pain. I raised my axe and brought it down on his face cutting it and his head in two. I pulled the axe back and took my foot off the knife and pulled it out of the dog. I looked at the one in my trap was the biggest and was looking at me in fear. I scoffed and turned and saw the female dog looking at me and her tail was wagging. She had longer hair than the other four. Her legs were long and slender and she looked young eighteen or nineteen. She had a mussel-like a golden retriever and she had blue eyes. Her fur color was black, her chest was a d cup and I blushed for the first time in a year. I kneeled and looked at her with a small smile. “What is your name young one.” Her tail wagged more and her eyes looked at me with tears in her eyes.

“It’s Sophia and thanks to you I really didn’t want pups with them.”

My mind stopped and I looked at the one in my trap and he was desperately trying to get out of the trap. I looked back to Sophia and she was looking at me. “They didn’t do anything to you, did they?”

“No, they didn’t I still have my purity.”

I heard a snap sound and a pained grunt. I whipped back and saw the big dog on the ground. I got into a fighting stance and waited to see what he does.

“You’ll pay for this beast hunter.”

After he said this he turned and ran back into the forest. I looked back to Sophia and walked over to her. “Ok, hold still and I'll cut the ropes.” I did as I said I’d do and cut the ropes and help her up. But what she did next shocked me to my core. She pulled my face into her breasts and wouldn’t let go. I put my hands on her shoulders and pushed her back and looked at her. “What are you doing!? With what just happened to you you’d think you’d hate to be near a guy again!” Her ear’s felted on her head and she looked like she was going to cry.

“But just beat their alpha and he owned me. So now you own me and I thought you’d like to feel them. Do you not want me alpha?”

I was shocked when I heard this. All because I beat their leader I owned her. I looked down at her and the top of her head came up to my neck. She was now crying a little and I wrapped her in a hug. “No, it’s just beside you and Tiara is the only ones I’ve talked to in a year. So, It’s just a shocking to talk to so many at once.” She seemed to get what I meant and she stopped crying after a moment. She sniffed and wrapped her arms around me and laid her head on my chest. I wasn’t too sure what to do besides hugging her. After a few minutes, I pulled back and she looked up at me.

“So, what do we do now alpha?”

“Get you back to the cabin and get some food in you and let you meet Tiara. Also, please stop calling me alpha. Eric that's my name Sophia so please call me that.” I let her go and grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the bodies. We walked back to my cabin and I opened the door. I saw tiara was falling asleep and I started to think where could I put Sophia to sleep for the night. I held the door open and Sophia walked in and I looked back to make sure nothing was coming at the house. When I turned back around Sophia was standing over and now sleeping tiara. I closed the door and walk over to her. I put a hand on her shoulder and she looked at me with a sum what angry pout. “What’s wrong with you?” She puffed up her cheeks and looked away from me. I could hear her murdering something but I couldn’t understand her. “What did you say, Sophia?” She looked back at me with her angry face. But before she could answer a knocking came from my door. I looked at it and then to Sophia. I put a finger over my lips and turned back to the door. I had my hand on my knife and walked over to the door. I opened a small hole I had on the door and I looked through it and saw what I think is two guards. I closed the hole and opened the door. “Hello, you are looking for Diamond Tiara, right?” They jumped back when they saw me but when I said tiara’s name they looked at me.

“Yes, do you know her?”

I moved to the side and opened the door all the way. “She’s inside but a wolf hurt her leg so she can’t walk by herself.” The bigger of the two slowly started to walk over. When he was, close I stepped back and let him in. He looked to see the sleeping form on my bed and Sophia in my chair. He walked over and looked at her leg and saw that I treated her wound. He stood back up and looked at me.

“You’re the beast hunter, right?”

I tighten the hold on my knife and nodded. “Yes, that’s what you ponies have taken to calling me.”

“Well, we can handle both things at once.”

I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean both?” He walked over to me and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me. I looked down to it and saw what it said.

By royal order, you are to find and the beast hunter and bring them to ponyville. The town's ponies wish to make amends for the way they were treated the first time they were seen. The way Applejack and her family reacted was uncalled for and we wish properly apologies to him or her.

I looked at the guard and then to the letter in my hand. “Well that’s nice but no I’m not going to that town.” While I spoke, tiara woke up and started to talk.

“Eric, my leg is sore do you have anything for that?”

I looked back at her and walked over to my medical box. I opened the box and pulled out an old bottle of painkillers from before coming to this world. I got one out of the almost full bottle and handed it to her. “Here it’s a pain killer.” She smiled and took the bill but the guards smacked it out of her hand. I looked at him and showed my canines and she flinched. I got the pill again and I cleaned it off and gave it back to her. She took it through the guards fighting to stop her, but I assured them it was going to help.

“Thanks, what are the guards doing here?”

The mare guard pushed me back and looked down at her with a soft smile. We're here to take you home.”

She looked at them and then at me.

“What about you Eric are you coming with us too?”

I laughed and walked over to my door and Sophia followed. “No, and now I have to go and get some wood for the fire be gone before I get back.” I walked out the door, and Sophia followed me to the wood stake I had made in an old cart near the hill's bottom. I saw them leaving the cabin and I saw the mare up front. They were going to the east end of the hill and I knew for a fact that’s not a way you won't go. “Go the other way a star bear lived that way go north-west.” They looked at me and they walked the way I told them. A week had passed now and no one had come for me and I was fine with that.

“Eric lunch is ready!”

I looked up from the log I was cutting and smiled. ‘It really is nice to have someone to keep me company.’ I walked up the now almost double wide cabin and walked in. The smell of fish and potatoes filled the house and I smiled. I walked in and over to the table we had. “Thanks for cooking again Sophia.”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

She spoke as she walked over with a black iron pot I traded a strange mare for a basket full of wall nuts. She put two good helping into both our bowls and we started to eat. As we eat she was talking about her day and I was happy to listen to her.

“So, I had to go to the edge of the forest to find the potatoes and I found the fish in the fish trap we made. But I think we should set a few made for mud crabs I’ve seen a few of them.”

I took another bite of fish and thought about that. I’ve seen plenty of the crabs she’s talking about. “You know that’s a good idea, Sophia, we can start tomorrow.” She smiled and I heard yelling and what sounded like a few stallions. We looked at the door and handed her my axe as I walked over to the door and opened it. I saw some ponies standing around the pit trap I dug in front of the path to my house. I walked out to the trap and I saw that it was another group of guards. I sighed and put the knife away then walked over to them. “I thought that I told you lot to beat it, didn’t I?” They all looked at me and I saw them with a rope in the trap.

“What is it with you and traps?!”

I heard the one in the trap and I walked over and saw the dog that had Sophia tide up. She had a nice-looking scythe beside him. It was a black blade and I pick on the back with a narrow spike at the end and I smiled evilly. “Tell you what I won’t kill you for the last time I saw if you give me that scythe of yours.” He looked ready to cut me in half and I laughed.

This scythe

“I’ll cut your head off!”

I just kept my smile and looked at the guards. “Would it hurt if a beast killed him?” They all looked at the dog and I knew for a fact they were racist to anything that wasn’t a pony. They all looked away and I smiled and pulled my knife. “Oh, I’ve dreamt of this moment.” I jumped into the pit and started stabbed his shoulder as I fell in. He tried to grab the scythe but I ripped the knife out, stabbed him in the gut and cut his gut open. He dropped to the ground and I took the scythe and grabbed a rope I hid in the side of the trap.

“Eric!”

I got out of the hold and saw the guard trying to tie Sophia up. I tighten the hold on my new weapon and coughed. They looked at me and two of the six ran at me. I smirked and threw my knife into the neck the one on the right killing him and then ran at the other one. When he was, close I swung the scythe, and cut his armored and chest open. The other let Sophia and I saw the others were all earth ponies. She picked up my axe and ran behind me. I looked at the now scared guards as they all reached for their weapons. “Leave and die by the beast or die to me pick!”

“Well take our chances with the beast!”

They all yelled and I laughed as the ran towards the wrong direction running right for the star bear and the huge lion things. ‘Ha-ha this going to be funny. I was nice enough and let Tiara leave by this group needs to die.’ I grabbed the bodies of the two I killed and dragged them to trash pit I had. I threw them in and I and Sophia walked back to the cabin. I placed the scythe in a corner and sat down in my seat made from the beast furs like the bed. Unlike the bed, however, I didn’t have as much in the way of softness.

“Eric, why did you let them get away?”

I looked at her and saw her lying in bed. I saw her eyes trained on me as she waited for me to answer. I sighed and looked her in the eyes. “It’s wouldn’t do us much good to kill them. So, I let them run away I knew they would die.” She looked at me and then three loud rapid knocks came from our door. We looked at the door and I got my axe. ‘I’m going to kill them if it’s more fucking guard.’ I opened the door, to my surprise, I saw Tiara. She looked up at me with begging eyes and grabbed my arm.

“Ponyville needs your help.”

Chapter 2

Chapter two

We walked through the forest as Tiara told us the town was taken over.

"Wait before we get to the town you need to know what you're fighting. A group of griffin bandits left over from the war a few years back attacked and took control of the town. The elements of harmony had been pulled from the town when the attack started. The guards didn't stand a chance against."

Soon we got the edge of the forest. I looked out at the now captured town. "Damn this is going to be fun." I looked back to them and then saw some griffins in the air. "Get down." I grabbed both their heads and made them hide behind some bushes with me. They flew over us and to the town. I watched as the when then I saw a black powder rifle on their backs. “Rifles that how the killed the guards quickly.”

“What are rifles?”

I looked back at Tiara when she poked her head out from behind the bush. I got low on the ground to make sure I wasn’t seen. “Black Powder Guns are firearms that employ early firearm technology, and hand loaded ammunition. From the looks of it, the invented a primitive version of a rifle. Their very dangerous weapons that were made for war.” I looked at Tiara and she was looking at the town. “Who were they fighting and where?” She looked from the town and to me.

“It was against the deer kingdom. The war started over a noble deer being killed in the griffin capital. From time to time border towns like our will be attacked for food and land. We thought we were safe from them but. When the attack started, the guards took the Elements and their families to safety leaving only fifty guards to protect. That’s when I let to get you for help.”

I nodded and got my scythe ready. “Ok, I’m going to sneak in so I want you two to stay here and hide till I’m done.” They nodded and I smiled. I stood up and looked around to see if anyone was around. When it was clear I walked out and dashed over to a house. While I ran, I saw they had the ponies in the cages with the males in chains. ‘What are you doing?’ I had my back to the house and slowly looked around a corner. I saw what looked like the bandit’s leaders. Only the few I saw had the rifles the rest had swords our axes. I counted about eight in the town. “No, too few they’d need much more to take the fifty guard. The rest must be in the houses or with the main force.

“Psst hey!”

I turned around and saw a mare guard. She had a few cuts and burns on her arms. She had a sword in hand and I got back to the house. “Tiara told me they killed all of you how are you alive?” She hung her head in shame.

“The other ran away after a few of them were killed. I’m the only one who stayed. Now who are you and what are you doing here?”

I looked back around the house. “Names Eric Kemp and a young mare named Diamond Tiara came to me for help. I saw a chance to get a good foothold with the town's citizens. The call me the beast hunter.” I looked back at her and she was slack-jawed.

“You’re the one who killed those pervert guards that were after you.”

I laughed and looked at her. “Hey, they killed themselves when they tried to take Sophia. So, I let them run right for a star bear.” She laughed a little as she looked at me.

“Well, that’s what they get then.”

“Ya now tell me who many are we fighting?” She got up beside and as I got ready to kill him if she tried anything.

“From what I have seen there are twenty of them. Only a few have those thunder sticks.”

I looked back down at her. “Those thunder sticks are rifles. A very old kind where I’m from. They work by loading a black powder that exploded in a barrel. The explosion fires a small metal ball that was made to punch through armor and bones. We need to get them first if we want to stand a chance.” She nodded and I smiled. “You are a treat most ponies I’ve meet hate talking about weapons.” She just laughed and pulled her helmet off. I saw she hand tuffs on her ears. I noticed fangs in her mouth with a few scales around her mouth.

“I’m a drake pony. My mom was a pony and my dad was a dragon. So, I can talk about stuff like this without it bugging me.”

“Ok then. I’ll handle the guard at my signal you free the ponies.” She gave me a thumb up. I nodded and dashed from house to house. When I was close to one of the rifle. I stabbed the back end of my scythe into the ground as I drew my knife. When the griffin was close I quickly grabbed its beck and pulled it behind the house. I slammed the griffin into the house and looked at the Griffin. Then I stabbed my knife in the chest of the Griffin. I looked closer and I saw it was old looking griffin with a few scars on his face. I saw the life in his eyes faded away as I pulled the knife free. He dropped to the ground then I took the rifle off his body. I looked at it and saw it was like the kind that was used in the civil war the 1861 model. The max yard is around a thousand if I remember right. I saw a leather bag on his side and I guessed it was his ammo bag. I took it and opened it and saw more black powder and three bags of bullets.

“Where did Sharp claw go?”

I quickly put my knife away and get the rifle ready to fire. Before they could get close I grabbed my scythe. I ran out from behind the house and charged the two surprised griffins. I lifted the scythe over my head and stabbed it through the chest of the one on the right. With the other one in shock, I pointed the rifle at the other one. I pulled the trigger and with an all too familiar sound of a gun firing. The sound of the life of my enemy dying. The sound of death and pain. ‘God, it was so long since I last stood on a battlefield.’ I heard rushing feet and I broke the door down of the house I was in front of. I dashed up to the second floor. I rushed into a large bedroom quietly shutting the door. I turned around and stopped. Right in from of me was the pony purple and orange pony.

“Oh no.”

I looked at her then I saw her arm was hurt. I sighed and pulled a rag I had in the bag out and threw it to her. “Rap the wound I’ll be gone in a second.” She looked at me as I loaded the rifle. When that was done, I climbed out the window and on to the roof. I looked around the town and I saw a bigger Griffin. I took aim at him as he started to fly into the air. When he was in the air I shot and hit one of his wings.

“AAAAHHH”

“What are you doing?!”

I looked back and saw the orange one. I looked at her and waved my arm. “Saving this town now hide in the closet.” I looked away from her and through the rifle in the room. I pulled my scythe out and jumped down to the ground. A large group of griffins was heading my way and I smiled. I ran at them with a crazed smile. I pulled my scythe back and swung it at the two in front. I cut their throats open and used the back to stab the chest of another one. Blood covered my scythe and the ground. I didn’t know how long it to but soon I had killed the whole group of fifteen griffins.

“Wow, you are a beast I like it.”

I turned back and saw the drake pony. I saw she had the towns ponies with her. They all looked scared and I looked down at myself. I was covered in blood from the Griffins. I just pushed it aside and wave them passed me. “Get them out of here I’m pretty sure I shoot their leader down. So, I’m heading to finish this off.” She smiled and nodded.

“Sure, go get’em stud.”

I smiled and nodded as she started leading them out of the town. I started to run to the area I shot the griffin down at. After a minute, I was looking at the last of the Griffins. They looked at me as I happy smiled and walked over to them. I saw the wounded griffin as I walked over to them. I spun my scythe and looked at them as two of them ran at me. I stopped spinning the scythe and grabbed it with both hands and swung it at them. I took both their head off and then throw my knife into the chest of the last one with a gun. I was left with two wounded griffins. I didn’t know how the other one was wounded but I didn’t care. I walked over to them and looked down at them.

“His death, itself come for us?”

I looked down at them. “If you have any last words I will listen to you.” The one holding the bigger one dug into her side bag and pulled out a letter.

“Please see to it that my wife gets this. You can find her in the griffin capital.”

I nodded then took the letter. With it in hand, I swung my scythe and took their heads off. They dropped and I stood over their bodies with my bloody scythe. I sighed and lifted the scythe and swung it down throwing the blood off. I took the second gun and another bag full of powder and bullets. I got my knife and slung my new gun around my back. I started to walk out of the town and back to where I left Sophia and the Tiara. When I got to the edge of the town I saw the drake pony running back. “Hey, over here drake!” She ran over to me and looked back into the town.

“Are they all gone?”

I stabbed the bottom of the scythe into the ground and started to talk with her. “Yep, I wiped the whole group out. What about the townspeople are they safe?” She relaxed and looked at me with a smiled.

“Yes, another unit showed up and is giving first aid to those that are hurt.”

I sighed knowing I could relax now. Then heard more hoofs and paws running towards us. I looked at the drake pony. I was Tiara, Sophia and more guards all running our way. Tiara and Sophia got to me and started to look at me. Sophia was scared stiff when she saw all the blood on me.

“ARE YOU HURT!? IS THIS YOUR BLOOD!?”

I smiled and wrapped my free arm around her in a hug. She cried a little into my shoulder and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Seeing you like that scared me half to death.”

I patted her back and she hugged me a little tighter.

“So, are they gone?”

I heard Tiara behind me along with the guards coming up. “Ya, I wiped the Griffins there are no survivors. I was shocked when I found out they had these.” I let Sophia go and looked at her, the guards and an older looking stallion. I pulled the rifle off my back and showed it to them. “They have very primitive guns. Weapons made for hunting and war. My guess they weren’t bandits maybe mercenaries sent to take those elements you were talking about. I think when they couldn’t get their hands on them they turned on the town. From what I saw they were in cages I would bet money they were going to sell them as slaves.” All of them stiffened and looked at me.

“On the ground now!”

I saw a large stallion thing a hammer looked at me. I spun the scythe in my hand and looked at him. “I bow to no one. So, if you want me on the ground you better be sure you can kill me.” He raised his hammer then another guard stopped him. He had purple armor with gold trim. He walked over to me and I lowered my scythe. He held his hand out and I looked at it and then to his face.

“My name is Shining armor captain of the guard.”

I grabbed his hand and shook it. “Names Eric an ex-mercenary.” He nodded and we let go of each other’s hand. I leaned my scythe on my shoulder and then heard more hoofs coming this way. I looked back and I saw the farm pony with five more behind her. I saw it was the same group that was at the farm the day I first when out of the forest. They were talking to the townspeople and hadn’t seen me. I turned my back on them and started to make my way to the forest. “Come on Sophia it’s time to head home.” She smiled and followed me back into the forest. I fixed the two ammo bags I had and fixed the shoulder strap in the gun on my shoulder.

Sapphire pov

Two days had passed since Eric wiped the griffins that attacked the town. I had told them about Eric when the Princesses came to the town to see if everyone was ok. But when I told them how the other guards ran and Eric had to come and save us from the Griffins. The Princesses we’re furious with them once I gave my report. I was also given a promotion from privet first class to Sergeant for braver in the face of overwhelming odds. I didn’t feel like I deserved the promotion as Eric did the work. But now I was called to the throne room to stand before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I bowed as they looked down at me.

“Sapphire Drake where is the one called Eric now?”

“I don’t know your majesty but I do know how he learned of our troubled.” She looked at me and guard nearby looked at me.

“How did he come to learn of the griffins?”

“A young mare named Diamond Tiara went to him for help. He saw a chance to get a good foothold with the town's citizens. As you both know they call him the beast hunter.”

“Rise and looked at us, Sergeant Drake.”

I stood up as I stood at attention. I saw Princess Luna and Princess Celestia had some papers in the air being held by their magic. Princess Celestia looked at me when she finished reading one of the papers.

“Sergeant Sapphire Drake if I put you in charge of the search for him do you believe you can get this young mare to lead you to him?”

I looked at her as I thought about Eric again. I did see some of his fighting styles with his scythe. Then I remembered something that was clear to me. I looked at the Princesses as I walked forward. “Princesses there is one more thing I believe you should know.” Princess Luna looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

“And that would be?”

“He knew about those strange weapons we took from the town. I’m not sure how to be he knew what they were and he took one along with a few bags. I also have a feeling that if I bring other guards then he may get violent.” They nodded as I bow to them.

“If that is all then please go and find him as soon as you can. Oh, take these as well and give them to the mayor to let her know the beast hunter is owned multiple sets of winter clothes. Have her send the bill to the royal treasury as well. it is the least we can do for his hand in the defense of Ponyille.”

I bowed then walked out of the throne room. I walked to my room in the barracks. I armed myself with a sword and a long bow with spear tip arrows. “Ok, let the hunt begin.”

chapter 3

Sophia’s friends

Eric pov

I walked through the forest looking for a big game for Sophia and me. With winter a month away well need to start smoking fish and preserving meat. A nice big deer or maybe a manticore even if the meat is tough. I heard a branch snap on my right, and I stopped dead in my tracks. I slowly looked to the side and saw a large buck with a nice fifteen point rack. I smiled as I slowly got into a shooting position on my right knee. I aimed for his chest but waited for her it to face me. I wanted a clean kill so I can keep the skin for a part of a blanket or some boots for Sophia. After another ten minutes, the buck turned and looked at me as I pulled the trigger. The sound of my gun echoed in the forest, and the deer ran off into the woods. I jumped up and chased the buck as it ran. I lost it a few times, but after twenty minutes the deer dropped to the ground and lucky for me about half a mile from our cabin. I gutted the deer then dragged out back it back to the cabin.

“Just in time, it’s about to get dark.”

I looked up at Sophia and saw that she had her hair pulled into a ponytail as she worked on a pair of homemade gloves. I frowned as I let the deer drop. I walked over to her and grabbed her hands. “I’m sorry that I can’t give you more. I know this life isn’t much, but I’ll give you whatever I can.” She smiled as she leaned her head against my chest.

“I know you do your best and to be honest. You’ve done more for me than anyone else. I haven’t had to go a day without food or clean water. I don’t have to worry if today is the day I’d be raped or forced into slavery.”

I held her tightly as her I felt little tears forming wet spots on my chest. She wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. I smiled as she softly cried into my chest. She calmed down as she pressed her head a little more into my chest.

“Hey Eric, do you think we could have a puppy?”

I froze as she had just asked me if we could have a baby. I pulled back and looked down at her for a second. “Um, Sophia I don’t know if we can even…” I stopped when she grabbed my face and looked at me.

“Can or can’t I want to try, and I want my puppies to be from you. Not from one else only you.”

She pulled my head down to hers, and our lips met in a soft kiss. I hesitated for a moment, but soon I kissed her back. I wrapped my arms around her waist and opened my mouth. She did the, and our tongues meet for the first time. However, our kissed quickly when I heard another branch snap behind us. I let Sopha go and spun on my feet grabbing my knife. I stopped when I didn’t see anything. “Sophia, go inside and get dinner started I’m going to clean that deer and bring it in as fast as I can.”

“Watch yourself, Eric.”

She quickly ran into the cabin and shut the door. I picked the deer back up and dragged it over to the pit I had for trash. I didn’t want a lot of blood near the cabin. It took a good twenty minutes to skin and butcher the meat we could eat. I wrapped the meat up in the fur and quickly ran up to the cabin. I didn’t like that I didn’t know what snapped that branch. I opened the cabin door and saw Sophia cutting up potatoes with an extra knife I took from the guard I killed. I locked and barred the door just in case someone was out there and not something.

“Give me one of those smoked fish please.”

I handed her a large smoked catfish. She cut the meat from the fish as I started preserving the meat with the salt. After another hour I had finished, and Sophia had finished dinner.

“Catfish soup.”

She handed me a bowl, and I thanked her for the meal. I sat down in my chair, and Sophia sat down on the bed as she ate. There was enough of the soup left for another six helping so we have breakfast tomorrow morning. I watched the only door in the cabin waiting for something to happen.

“Eric, what do you think about it?”

I looked at her as I took another bite of catfish. “You mean the puppy right?” I looked down at the bowl as she moved her spoon in soup.

“Yes, I’m more than old enough to be a mother. Your a powerful male, a warrior and a good provider.”

I frowned as I looked at her. “Sophia, I understand those reasons, but I want to be married before I have kids.” She blushed as she looked at me.

“But, you're already my alpha Eric. You own me and my body. You can do anything to me. Throw me out into the forest or to kill me it doesn't matter.”

I sat the bowl down and stood from my chair. I walked over to Sophia, and she looked up at me. “I want to marry you before we have a puppy.” She wrapped her arms around me as she spoke.

“There is no marriage in a pack. The alpha can impregnate any female. That is how I was born and grew up. So, you don’t need to marry me for the right of me having your puppies.”

I looked down at her as she rubbed her head on my chest. I sighed then rubbed her head as I looked down at her. “We’ll talk more about this later after I’ve had time to think over it ok?” She smiled as she hugged me with a content sigh. As we stood there, a knocking came from the door. I drew my knife when I heard it, and Sophia tightened her hold on my shoulder as I slowly walked over to the door. “Sophia the second I open the door you move back.” Sophia nodded as walked over to the door and drew the knife from my side. I grabbed my door handle and threw my door open then stopped when I saw three more diamond dogs all female. The first looked like a wolf with pitch black fur. She had long Black hair on her head with a pair of large ears on her head. Her eyes and nose were both a bright blue. She was wearing a purple collar with blue gems embedded in the collar. The clothes she was in didn’t cover much of anything but her legs. She was wearing a purple bra just barely covered the front of her chest, and her bottom was a thing that only just covered her vagina.

The one on the first diamond right had a yellow front her forearms and hands were the same as the first wolf. Her back half was a ruby red, and she had a collar on as well with red gems on it. She had on a pair of shorts and a top that was only held up by her chest which as a nice c cup.

The last one looked more like a Doberman with light purple hair with a blue collar on with something that looked like pearls. She had dark blue eyes, and she was dressed in a shirt with no bra and had on a red thong. She had a brown fur on her front with the rest of her coat was black and her arms were slightly smaller than the other two diamond dog girls.

“Adolfa, Blevine, Mingan!”

Sophia than out from behind me and hugged the girls behind the overjoyed girls. I sheathed my knife as I looked at the group in front of me.

“Oh, Eric these are my friends.”

Sophia grabbed my hand and pulled me from the doorway. She hugged my arm into her chest as her friends looked on. “This is my alpha, Eric.” I smiled as the Doberman walked right up to me and she sniffed me a few times then smiled.

“I like his scent and I’m willing to bet he’s an apex predator isn’t he?”

I rubbed my head as I looked at her. “Well, yes actually I am miss?”

“Mingan.”

“Ok, Mingan humans are the apex predator of my old world. We stand at the very top of the food chain. We’re the one that eats everything under us as we have no natural predators,” She smiled, and Sophia smiled as she looked at the group. “Of where are my manners please come inside we have plenty of catfish soup let if you girls are hunger.” They smiled as Sophia, and I stood aside so they could walk in. We walked in, and I closed the door and barred it seeing the sun going down.

“Wow, this place is nice Sophia, and Eric was it?”

“Thank you, Once winter goes by I’m going to make it larger in case I decide to start a family with Sophia....”

“We were just talking about that girls!”

Sophia suddenly took control of the conversation as the three of them let out a happy yell. I sighed as I walked over to my chair and let them have their time. I grabbed a wet stone I had next to my seat and drew my knife then started to sharpen my knife. I heard them talking about how their underground home had been destroyed by a rampaging manticore a few days ago when said that the conversation and I looked up at them when I felt eyes on me.

Sophia had a smiled I knew it meant she was about to ask me something I figured she. “They can stay for the winter, but they have to help around the house.” Sophia barked happily as she jumped into my lap just missing the knife as I pulled it to the side. She wrapped her arms around my neck and started to lick my cheek as a sign of joy. I smiled then wrapped my right arm around her as the three girls looked on all with smiles, but the red one gave me a seductive smile with a look in her eyes I didn’t like. ‘Oh boy!’

Sapphire pov

I got off the train to ponyville and headed for the house of Celestia personal student Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia had given me a letter letting me know that Twilight was expecting me to stay with her for a few days. I looked around the town as I walked and stopped when I saw a plaque in the town center that was there when the griffins attacked. I walked up to the plaque, and I was surprised to see a plaque honoring the beast hunter along with the guard who ditched us. “At least he’s getting the credit due to him.”

“Sergent Sapphire?”

I turned and saw Twilight Sparkle standing behind me bags in her hands with her dragon assistance beside her with two sacks in his hands.

“Yes, Miss Twilight Sparkle correct or do you like to be called something else?”

“No, Twilight is fine, and This is Spike. Would you like to walk home with us or do you want to look around the town before Celestia’s sun fully sets?”

“I need to talk to a…” I pulled out a letter with the mares not. “Diamond Tiara rich if you know who that is Twilight.” She smiled as she looked away with her ears on her head.

“Ya about that, she and her family left for vacation so she won’t be home for a week. So, sorry about that.”

I sighed as I looked down at the ground and looked at her again. “Ok, I’ll have to see if I can find his cabin tomorrow. So, can we please go and I can get some sleep.” Twilight smiled and as we started to walk to her home. ‘Great I have to walk through the most dangerous forest in the world.’

Eric pov

I had fixed all the girls a place to sleep Sophia’s friends were going to sleep in the king sized bed I had made, and Sophia was taking my old bed which I had put in a second room I added but Sophia liked to sleep with me in the master bed. I would sleep in my chair in the far corner of the room beside the door to Sophia’s room.

“We would be fine sleeping in the ground we normally sleep that way anyways.”

Mingan said as the three of them sat on the edge of the bed as Sophia grabbed all the bits I’ve taken from the dead guards so we could go into town tomorrow to get more salt and Talk to the town’s mayor to see who makes clothes in the town. I have to get all of us set for the winter as I know it’s going to be cold. I walked over to the barrel of water and grabbed a cup to get a drink. “Like I said the bed is all your free to have the bed it’s more than big enough for the three of you. Besides, If I have to I can sleep with Sophia even though I know I’m going to wake up with her in my lap tomorrow morning and.” I turned and leaned on the wall as I drank so of the water. I sat the cup down on then crossed my arms. “I know it's how you all may like to dress, but I really can’t look at any of you as you are.”

“What do we not look good?”

The red one asked as she played with her top and tried to cover more skin. “No, it just how I was raised so If you're going to live here for a few months, then I need you all to cover your bodies more.” They all smiled and but the black one covered her chest as she looked at me a blush on her face. “Can I know your names please?”

“I’m Adolfa.”

The red one said, and I looked at the black one. “So, that makes you Blevine.”

“Yes.”

Blevine said in a timid voice as she looked away from me. “Well, alright then Adolfa, Blevine, Mingan I welcome you home for the winter.” I heard their tails patting on the bed, and I took that as a sign of them being happy.”

Chapter 4

I laid back in my chair, half asleep when I felt two bodies on top of me. I started to wake up the rest of the way. I slightly opened my right eyes and saw I was right when I saw Sophia laying on my right. She had snuggled herself into my side and had a fist full of my shirt in her hand. I smiled as I wrapped my right hand around her shoulder, and she rubbed her head into my shoulder. I looked over to my left and saw Blevine laying on my chest her left hand, gripping the lower part of my shirt. ‘Ok, didn’t think she'd be bold enough to do anything given how timid she was last night." I gently wrapped my arm around her side, and she moved closer to me in her sleep. I could hear her talking in her sleep.

“Apex.”

My breath caught as she breasted her chest into my side, and she started to pull on my shirt. ‘Is she dreaming of me?’

“I see you're awake now, Apex.”

I looked over and saw Mingan had reheated the soup from last night. She and Adolfa were eating some. I moved my hand from Blevine who didn’t seem to like my arm moving as she moved her body around a little. When she steeled back into my side, I pointed down to her, and they smiled.

“Blevine is a very timid, and shy girl at heart. However, it's instinctual to us diamond dogs to cling to the most dominating of the group. So, you being an Apex, you are the most dominant in the room. Normally she’d sleep in my side, but when I woke up, and she wasn’t there, I looked over at you, and there she was sleeping beside you.”

I nodded as I pulled both my hands free then started to slip out from under the two of them. Sophis let go of my shirt easy enough back Blevine wouldn’t let go of the shirt. I slowly pulled my shirt out of her hand then stood up as Blevine moved her arms around, trying to find me, and when she didn’t, she started to wake up. Sophia also started to wake up from all the moving around Blevine was doing.

“Eric, where did you go?”

“Apex?”

I watched as the two of them got up, and Sophia fell off the side of the chair and yelled as she landed. Blevine jumped from her side of the chair then screamed when she hit the ground. Adolfa laughed as Blevine looked at the blush on her face. ‘Just walk outside and let them do whatever they're going to do or talk about.’ I turned and walked to the door as a conversation started among them. Once outside, I grabbed my ax sitting on the side of the house. I walked down to my wood stack where I had some cut up logs I was going to turn into firewood. I set the first log on the chopping block and started on my day's work.

Sophia pov

I sat in Eric’s chair as my friends as on the bed, and Blevine was still blushing. I smiled as I looked at her. “I see you’ve taken a liking to my Eric girls.” I smiled as Blevinecovere her face with her paws, and I saw the tips of her ears turning red. I smiled then leaned back in the chair. “Adolfa, Blevine, Mingan, how about we ask Eric to form a pack with him as the alpha?” The all looked at me, shocked, and I smiled as I crossed my legs.

“Sophia, you can’t be serious! An apex only ever takes top breed females as his mates. Your top breed but were not! Were just barely not mutts!”

I laughed as I looked at them. “Eric does have a little trouble with our ways, but I know I can talk him into it if I try.” They smiled as I twirled my hair between my fingers as I stood up then walked over to the door and opened the door. I saw Eric cutting firewood and stacking it as he worked.

“Why is apex doing that?”

Blevine asked as she looked out the door at Eric. “It’s so we can stay warm when the snow Blevine. He does this every morning, so we have wood for the day to cook with and to keep warm at night.” Blevine looked at me then back to Eric. She walked past me and slowly walked down to Eric and patted his back as he stacked some of the wood. He turned around and looked at her, and they talked for a minute, then Eric nodded his head as he pointed to the next log. Blevine grabbed the cut wood back on the chopping block, and he cut the wood again then she stacked it.

“We’ll that strange she never warms up to anyone that quickly.”

Adolfa walked up beside me and watched the two of them working together.

“It could be the fact he’s an apex; she could just feel safer near him then near us.”

Mingan suggested as she rested her head on my shoulder. “Maybe.” I closed the door as the three of us cleaned up.

Eric pov

Blevine had asked to help me with some of my work before we head into town to get us all clothes. But, I couldn’t look at her as she kept fixing her top and thong every time she moved too far to one side. ‘Why couldn’t they have normal clothes, and why do I like the fact that she was snuggled deeper into my side same Sophia does.’ These were the thought that when through my mind as we finished cutting the last of the wood I have cut for firewood. “I’ll have to get more wood, but this will be fine for now.” I turned to Blevine a smile on my face. “Good work, Blevine.” I rubbed the top of her head as she was still stacking the cut wood. She blushed again, and the tips of her ears turned red as I rubbed the top of her head.

“Thank you, apex.”

I smiled as I heard the cabin door open again. I looked back and saw the rest of the girls ready to go. Sophia my scythe in her hands along with the rifle in Adolfa arms, but she had it held upside down with an ammo bag on her side. I smiled as they quickly walked down to us with the weapon. I took the rifle then placed it on my back, and Sophia hugged my arm into her chest. Blevine grabbed the side of my shirt, and I looked down at her. I noticed something as well that both of them were doing. Both had their palms up showing submission if I had to guess. I smiled and grabbed Blevine's hand, and Sophia rubbed her head on my cheek as we started to walk down the path I had made in the forest. Adolfa and Mingan walked close to me as we walked, and the walk was pleasant. We all talked about what kind of clothes they wanted, and Adolfa wants to help me hunt down more big games animals.

"Eric."

Mingan stopped, and we all stopped, then I heard a branch snap. Sophia and Blevine hide behind me. Adolfa clinched her fist and widened her stance, and Mingan bore her teeth, and a set of black claws came out from her fingertips. I grabbed my scythe and got ready for a fight but stopped when a mare in armor came out of the trees.

"Good to see you again, Beast Hunter."

I looked at her then smiled as I looked at her. "Hey, Drake, good to see you made it through the battle." She took her helmet off, and I noticed something bizarre. The white fur and blonde made she had changed. Now, her coat was an ashy grey with a dark red mane. The armor she was in was different as well. It was now black instead of the gold armor she was wearing before. "I like the color change reds and black our my favorite colors." All their ears perked up at that, but I assumed that they all heard something I couldn't because they do have a better hearing then I do. I ignored it then I took a step towards her Sophia and Blevine both wrapped their arms around me. Sophia and Blevine both pressed their bodies as close to mine as they could. Adolfa and Mingan got in front of us, acting as a shield to keep drake away from me.

"Leave Apex alone, pony."

"We know how you ponies work; you seem all nice a sweet, but once you get what you want, you threw others away."

Drake showed her fangs as she looked at the two of them.

"You listen to me, you two bitchs."

"Bitchs!? Who are you calling a bitch, you whorse?!"

'Oh, boy!' I pushed past all the girls and held my hands up to stop them. "Ok, stop right there; no fighting!" They all still looked ready to kill each other, but the girls back down, and that seemed to be enough for Drake as she back down as well. "Ok, so everyone knows where we stand no fighting and no attacking each other ok?" Mingan's claws moved back into her paws as Drake pulled a letter out of a bag she had on her side.

"This is for you, beast hunter."

I took a letter and skim it then smiled. "Well, that's nice, and I can get us some warm clothes for the coming winter." Drake laughed, and we started to walk again, but when Drake tried to walk closer to me, Sophia and Blevine grabbed onto my arms. Drake huffed as she walked ahead of us, her arms swing back and forth quickly my guess out of frustration, and Sophia hugged my arm tighter as her tail wagged behind us. As we walked the tense in the air was so thick I could cut it. As we walked, I had an Idea and reached into my bag on my side. I pulled my LG G 4 out and powered it up. "Who wants to hear a song?"

"Ya!"

Mingan yelled, and Drake nodded her head.

They all liked the song, and we walked out of the forest. We stopped when I saw the red stallion with the mare who nearly kicked my skull in. They had two pies in hand with an awkward smile on their faces. A little filly was behind them waving a small we're sorry flag. I clicked my tongue then took the scythe off my shoulder and started to walk over to them after pushing my way out of the group. The red stallion put himself in front of the mare and filly as I got close. I stopped in front of him then put the tip of the scythe at his throat. "If I see any of you again, then I'll kill them now get lost." Sweat formed on his forehead then he dropped the pies grabbed the mares then ran off. I smiled and laid the scythe back on my shoulder. "Coward." I turned, and we all started to head to the town.

'Let's see how well this goes.'