The building was well lit, carvings adorned the mud walls. Only four figures were in the building, two with spears, one in a chair and the other kneeling on the ground.
“Axton are you prepared to go on this journey to the Pony Lands in the name of your king and your people?”
“Yes m’lord!”
“Are you prepared to possibly give your life in the name of your country?”
“Yes m’lord!”
A small smirk adorned the face of the man in the chair. “Good, take this document to the Royal Smithers. They shall bestow you with the best light armor and weapons ever made!” The man known as Axton stood to go but was stopped by a short goodbye. “God speed Axton, God speed.”
*Axton POV Day One of the Journey*
I was excited, no I was ecstatic! The King had chosen me to be his messenger, I was to deliver a message to the pony rulers. Well, I am scared of course. I’ll never forget the stories my mother would tell me to keep me from the Ponies. I felt my blood run cold and a shiver go down my spine when I remembered the day Ponies attacked my village. I shook the images out of my head and continued to head to the Royal Smiths. It was a quick walk to the Field of Smelting, as I got into the vicinity of the furnaces the heat hit me like a mud brick wall. I stopped my shivering from the Down Leaves season and started to sweat. My arm went up to protect my eyes from drying out, but I persisted to the two smiths.
Before I could speak Wesson spoke to me first. “Ah Axton, what can me and Smith do for ya?” I produced the Royal document and his eyes widened. It took a moment before he replied, “Ah *gulp* come this way Smith will get your armor while I fetch an appropriate weapon.” He ran away as I walked to Smith who was hitting metal with a hammer. He heard my approach over the clanging of metal.
“What do yeah want?”
“The King ordered me to receive armor and a weapon before I go out.”
“Mm, light I assume?”
“Yes sir!”
The old man’s voice become like venom as he replied, “Do not say “Yes sir,” to me!” His voice turned into a light tone of a more joking manor, “You’ll make me feel older than what I already am.” With a chuckle he walked to the rack holding leather armor with metal strips on the stomach. Picking up the chest piece he tossed it to me, I rushed to catch it as the king said it was the best and so it should not touch the ground! I dove to catch it, as I was in the air a hard pair of gloves hit my face. As I laid of the ground in some pain a metallic clang met my ears, I looked to the ground and found orange metal thingies with straps on the back. It was like a shield but way too thin, before I could ask what they were Smith spoke up, “These are experimental, King calls em greaves. Says theys goes on your legs, like a shield but for the lower legs. So far only his personal guards men have them so you should feel special.”
“Thank you si...I mean Smith.”
His hand gripped my soldier in a loving way as I stood, “Don't thank me boy, thank the Lord above that you’re fast. You should outrun them ponies.” He hit my back as he turned to go back to his work. My smile fell as I wondered what he meant what he said. But before I could dwell on that Wesson returned with a sideways bow on a wood stick body on his back was a quiver full of stone arrows.
“This right here is an experimental weapon that passed testing. Came right from the King’s head himself! To fire it you pull the string back until it makes a clicky sound,” the bow string pulled back and made more of a clack but it was close enough, “load the bolt then pull this metal bit down here.” He aimed it at a tree behind me by around twenty units (twenty five feet) I hit the ground to avoid being killed and the clack made a clang as the arrow bolt thing flew forward and struck into the tree.
As he passed the weapon to me I asked, “What’s it called?”
As he passed the weapon and the quiver over to me he said, “It's called a ‘crossbow.”
I rolled the word around my mouth. It felt weird maybe if I said it, it wouldn't feel weird “Crowsbow?”
“Eh close enough, now before I forget this knife here should last yeah awhile. Sharpened to slice through the thickest hide now you'll have to sharpen it occasionally to do that use this rough stone.” He thrust the manticore hide sheath into my right hand and the stone into the left. “Before you go, I wish you good luck by the old gods and the new god.” I ran to the elder man and hugged him, he hugged back.
*An hour later*
I stood at the edge of my city to the forest the armor was fastened to my body, the crossbow in my back while the knife was on my left hip. The message was in a pouch on my back, the gear I would need for survival was in a pack on my back. I looked to all the faces as I stood at the gates. A lone voice started to sing an old world war song, “Off he goes into the wild wonder! To fight our battles for us, to kill for us,” soon any of the elders that knew the song sang with the lone voice, “be home soon warrior! For ye have a chance to be a hero! Off he goes into the wild wonder to fight our battles, to kill for us, he shall live in fame for he will go down in flame! Hey! Nothing will stop our valiant hero!”
This lifted my spirits, I marched out as the gate opened in front of me. I felt confident as the city was left as my legs hit the grass but as I entered the forest I felt fear. But I had a job to do and it must be done! The forest wasn't that bad, animals here animals there, Chirp Chirps made chirps it was peaceful. If my journey was like this the entire time then I would be happy.
*Through the Forest, into a library*
The ancient book made of unidentifiable material smelled of dust. The coffee table strained under the weight of said book, the cover read in gold ink ‘Encyclopedia of All Known Specie.’
A purple glow encompassed the book as a young mare screamed, “NO!” At every wrong chapter, the animal she was looking for was a Human. She knew many things about other species but not humans, which frustrated her to unhealthy levels. Her magic was ready to set this damned book ablaze until she found the extremely short chapter.
‘Human
Humans are believed to be primates and had a great civilization.
They’re also believed to be the original inhabitants of Equestria.
Believed to eat their young if not healthy enough after birth.
Last Human Sighting: 1 ADR*’
The book closed, her left eye twitched in anger. Her mouth opened to release a banshee wail. Now we look at the date of the book, published in 3 ADR that's pretty old.
*Back in the Forest Axton POV*
A ghostly wail rang through the Forest, the crossbow in my arms held in a threatening position though no bolt was loaded. My heart still racing until it clicked in my brain. I dropped the weapon and fell to my knees to start praying to the Heavenly Father.
“Oh Heavenly Father above, I beseech the do not let the banshee harm my people. For they have not done wrong to deserve the most painful death of them all. Amen.”
With that I stood and took the weapon, I reached into a side pocket in he pack and pulled out a long black woolly rag. Of course I wouldn't need it as the banshee wail sounded far off but I couldn't take the chance of dying, I had a mission to complete. I held the weapon in front of me and moved forward slowly.
*Through the Forest again*
The purple pony tried to calm herself down but it didn't work. Her thoughts of anger tried to destroy her small happiness of seeing her friends but it didn't happen. Her smile was slowly growing as she started to forgot why she was mad. As she walked through the marketplace her mind was filled with the familiar smells of spices, fruits and metals. So far her day had improved improved by a hundred percent, but as she opened the door to the bakery she heard her yellow friend talking about humans.
“Mr. Bluebird said that a new city was in the field after the EverFree Forest!”
“Oh yeah? What’d he say lived ther?” Replied the orange pony in a cowpony hat.
“He said…humans lived there!”
The orange mare’s face turned to a face of disbelief and wouldn't believe anything else until proven. Before she could say so the pink physics breaking mare cut in.
“Hey! Mr. Voice in my head stop being so mean!”
Was she talking to me?
“Yeah I'm talking to you!”
You shouldn't be talking to me in the narrator, no one should be able to hear me!
“Then get out of my head!”
I can't I'm in everything’s head!
“Then stop talking about me!”
Ah fuck this! I'll go to the other guy in the woods. He’s cooler than you!
“Hey! Nopony runs from Pinkamina Diane Pie!”
*The Forest Axton POV*
The sun started to set as I laid down to rest my head. The weapon was loaded and ready incase I was attacked in the night, but now I need not worry about it. I gaze at the stars and see the consolations; the Hunter, Bathtub Baracuda, and the eastern star. As my eyes trace the lines I feel my body getting slowly drowsy, sleep chased my consciousness as I slowly drifted to sleep.
Author's Note
ADR: After Discord's Rule in this story set 1,999 years after the book had been published.
First Steps into Two Worlds
Forest of Doom?
The sun shone brilliantly, the light ducked and dove over tree branches to reach its destination. A sleeping man’s eyes opened wide as the sun set his seeing orbs ablaze.
*Axton*
“Ow, damn sun won't let me sleep. But I have to get going.” I flung more body forward to stand, as I did so my back let loose a series of loud pops. I turned my neck sideways and heard a crunchy pop and did the same to the other side. With my bones popped I crouched down and grabbed the crossbow, the black stone tipped bolt was still in place and looked it still looked sharp as heck. Puting the weapon on my back I continued forward, my goal never ending until I reached the very end.
My stomach disagreed and demanded food while my mouth demanded water, I stopped moving slowed my breathing and listened, I could hear bugs and Chirp Chirps. I strained my ears to hear more but it didn't work, with a sigh I opened my eyes and moved forward. Only to fall into a creek, with a panic jump I was out of the water and back onto land. The clear water calmed its self and the fish soon returned, I set down and let the back fall off. I undo the bindings and reach inside to find a spool of bone white string. I quickly find the end and tie it to an arrow and, using the knife, I cut the end off and tie it to my pointer finger. Reloading the bolt into the crossbow I take aim and fire at the nearest fish, the stone arrow penetrated the fish and caused it to flop as its blood seeped into the water. I set the crossbow down and pulled the fish in, the rapid thrashing it did disturbed the waters causing the other fish to swim away. The end of the bolt came out and so did the fish, I dragged it onto land and started to pull the arrow out. But it refused to do so I took out the knife and started to gut and fillet the fish in a hope that I could cut it free of its fleshy hold.
*Library*
The purple mare’s magic encompassed the quill as it scribbled onto parchment asking to be lent a book from the National Bookery. The book in question was about humans and not the myths, just the bare boned facts. Granted she could of course go to the local humanologist but she was just a tid bit crazy, but it would be her best shot to get information until the book arrives.
“Spike can you send this as soon as you can?”
The clangs on metal stopped for a second for the short reply, “Alright!” With a sigh and a smile she left to the crazy mare’s house. She passed many faces and waved as they passed but she, thankfully, didn't have to go all the way to her home as she was sitting on a bench upright like she usually did.
“Hello Lyra!” The light green mare jumped in surprise as she hadn't been paying attention.
“Hello Twilight, what can I do for you?”
“Well I have some questions…”
“You the Great Pony of Knowledge has questions?! Ha!” She look at the purple mare known as Twilight before saying. “Oh you were serious, what do you want to know?”
“I want to know more about humans!” Bearly shouted Twilight as she started to get antsy.
Lyra slid off the bench and mouthed a “Follow me.” This sudden change in demeanor startled Twilight but for the pursuit of knowledge nothing would stop her. Soon they reached a two story duplex, walking through the door on the left.
*Axton*
The fire cracked as the fish fillet cooked over the yellow flame. The sharpened stick I used to keep the fish over the fire started to fall into the fire. Reacting quickly I yank it out of the flame before it got hurt too bad. The meat had turned a delicious light brown, my mouth salivated as the smell wafted into my face. I bit into the meat and nearly died in ecstasy. My eyes closed and I nearly cried as the juices were locked into the meat, it tasted like fish. I wiped the mouth with my arm and started to ravenously rip into the meat. Soon it was gone, I discovered this when I bit into my hand.
“Ow, that hurt.” I noticed a small drop of red go down my hand. My mouth went to my hand to lick the wounds to heal, I scooted away from the fire and kicked dirt onto the fire to hopefully not destroy this beautiful forest. I started to rock by shifting my weight back and forth, on my forth lean back I flung myself forward to stand. My mouth tastes of blood but that was a given, I had my equipment ready to start the hike.
*Lyra’s House Film Room*
“This is a film collection I have from around ten years ago, I love this collection like it was my colt! You are one of the few I've allowed to view these magnificent prices of discovery. The rules are simple no photography, no touching the reels, and especially no stupid questions! Is that understood?” With a nod of Twilight’s head we started. The reel made a whir sound as it spun a countdown started with boops.
After the countdown the screen turned to a green field with birds chirping, the camera focused on the two figures in the field. One on the left fell and a soft ow was heard. The film stopped and Lyra spoke once more, “Before we continue let me explain, humans are SO adorable! In this film we see them saying ‘ow’ even when they aren’t hurt!” Twilight opened her mouth to say something but was yelled at by Lyra, “BE QUIET OR BE EXPELLED FROM THIS BASEMENT OF EDUCATION!”
“Is everything alright down there Lyra?” A concerned voice asked from kitchen.
Her demeanor changed, “Yes BonBon!”
The voice known as BonBon replied, “Good! Super is ready in ten minutes!”
Lyra did a small dance of hooray until she realized that she had company. Her face was flustered as she played the next part of the film.
This time it was a desert, a male and a female human were walking on a flat part of the ground. When suddenly the male tripped and dragged the female with him by grabbing her arm. The female was on top of the male and she said a very monotone ‘ow.’
Lyra squealed at the adorableness of the two before switching film reel to another
Now this film was a human walking the streets of Manehattan, the population screamed and ran as it approached but it was not interested in the ponies but more interested into the bits on the ground. It played with the shiny gold piece waving it around so the sun would reflect off it and onto the buildings were it would follow. It was so entranced by the shiny that it didn't notice the detachment of guards to take care of it. The film ended here, but was already being switched by Lyra.
The new film started and it showed a human splashing around in water, it paused as Lyra spoke. “This film is just clips so it's kinda short and this is the last one.” The film resumed to show the human splashing around and frolicking in the water, the noise attracted the other humans and they to soon joined in the splashing around. The change of location was sudden and very apparent as it was night and on land. The film showed another male human sleeping on top of leaves and pulled up grass as a nest. The crunch of leaves was apparent as a female came into view and laid in front of the male’s nest. She shivered as it was cold without a pelt of fur to be in. The male, even though he was sleeping, noticed it and used its arm to pull the female in the nest. Her shivering stopped and a small smile appeared on both of their faces. This time the clip was different, instead of a human it was a little earth colt.
The colt looked sad as he started to speak, “I was playin wit muh fwiends on the tree ova the riva. When it broke and I fell in. Thas all I member.”
Now the father, another earth pony, stepped in to the picture, “His friends didn't do anything! They just turned tail and ran, I was running to get my boy out when this human just sprinted from the nearbah woods and jumped in. It was gone for a minute until it threw mah boy up on land but I think he drowned cause he didn't come up.”
The film ended and the two mares’ sniffles was heard until BonBon yelled.
“Lyra supper's ready!”
Lyra’s demeanor changed as she flew out the room, Twilight however was still misty eyed at the thought of the last film. She knew her next destination, she had to go to Fluttershy’s cottage.
*Forest*
I was running for my life, I tried to pet the cute manticore kitten but the mother didn't like that. Now she was chasing me while roaring, her fangs bared were ready to rip my flesh apart. “AHHHHHHHHHH! I WANT MY MOM!” I screamed in fear as I sweated my pants, my life was flashing before my very eyes as I felt like I was soon to do.
*Convenient Backstory*
I was but a young adult when the King came into power. My village was poor, a simple farming community by a river but soon it became a bustling trade city. After a year of his rule instead of sleeping on the ground we slept on hay covered in cloth, our homes became brick and stone, our education improved, and instead of being just hunters we could be what we wanted to be. My mom became a teacher my father became a professional soldier. Two years after he came to power we stopped using stone and used a metal called copper and bronze. In his fifth year we could said the rivers that ran through the mighty empire, on his sixth (and latest) we implemented the “Democratic System of Senators” and made it law that the next king can be elected after his death. You know I wonder where he gets these neat ideas?
*Real Time*
The manticore wasn't slowing down and so wasn't I, I really hope I survive this!
