A Thousand Lives

It was nice, being hugged I mean. We sat in a very fluffy group hug for a long time, for at least an hour. I'm not gonna say I cried, but I definitely cried. Luna broke off first, and the rest gently followed. I hadn't noticed Vice get in on the hug, but he pulled off a little corner I hadn't seen. Ponies made excuses. Dive Bomb knew me, and left to spread the story to his unit as soon as the hug was over. Granted he did so with a small speech and tears in his eyes, but I didn't begrudge him for it. Vice scampered off after him. Straight stayed a moment longer, but soon left to clean his armor off and enjoy a few vacation days he had due. Silent stayed however, with me and Luna.

I looked around the room. It was a night themed room. Dark blues and purples. I liked it. I looked over at Luna with an arched eyebrow. "Weren't cookies promised on our trip here?"

She let out a laugh. "Of course, thi-, I mean, your cookies are on the table. They came during the moment, so I guessed that you'd wait."

I got up and grabbed a cookie. "You're a doll Luna." I took a bite, and smiled at the memories "Y'know, I think I could fall for your baker."

Silent smiled at me. "So it's that easy huh? Just bribe you with sweets and get all your love?"

I shrugged. "Either that, or at least an easy lay."

Luna coughed, and Silver laughed. Silver trotted over to me and grabbed a cookie with her magic. I hated levitation. It was cheating. Anybody who claims that I was simply jealous is peaking pure lies and slander. "Well, at least you have good taste in cookies. I love Oatmeal raisin."

I smiled at her. "Good, someone should. I hate them." I took another big bite. "personally, I wouldn't mind never tasting one again, but it's good for the soul."

Silver looked at me funny. "You are an enigma Ms. Draitha."

"Normally, but I always make sense in my office hours."

Luna smirked. "And when are those."

I spread my arms wide. "You see an office in that barn? Oh, by the way, I'm moving."

Luna's mouth opened and closed a few times. "Where to? Why?"

I shrugged. "I live in safe houses. Your loving sister wrecked my safe house safety. I'll need to crash somewhere safer. I'll find my own digs somewhere private."

Luna stared. Silver also stared, but didn't let that stop her from taking another bite of cookie. She swallowed and started talking. "Well, I for one understand. I mean, if a living goddess can break in, what's the point?"

I pointed both arms at her. "See, she gets it. If I live somewhere where a goddess can break in, then any Saturday morning cartoon villain can get in."

Luna slapped a hoof on her face. "And Draitha, what if I let her in?"

"Then I am both annoyed and slightly betrayed by your bad judgement in not asking me first. I mean, Fluttershy had to check out all my wounds from my great escape."

"You were wounded? I thought that roll would have disturbed your prior injuries." I was glad that Luna had the sense not to mention my collection of nails.

Silver piped in. "Prior injuries, just how messed up are you?"

I nodded at Luna for the deception. "In a word? Very." I was careful not to show off like she was baiting me to and smiled. "I'm sure you would be too if you'd seen the shit I had."

Silver sighed. "You really aren't the type to go into detail, are you?"

Luna cut me off. "She is not, no. If it makes you feel better, she is just as tight lipped with me. She's even worse around Celestia."

I shrugged. "She blew up Mr Friendly. Also she has some sort of phobia of knocking. I feel completely justified in my lack of cooperation."

Silver stopped chewing. "Wait, you weren't messing with us when you said that whole blowing up Celestia thing?"

I held up my hands. "Only a little. Honestly when your as strong as her my little explosive is just a hello." Luna flinched as I said that, but kept quiet. I put that info away for later. "But yeah, if you try to break into any of my safe houses they always blow you up."

Silver stared at me. "Why in Equess would you blow up ponies trying to get into your house?

I started digging around in my bag. "Because It's saved my life to many times to stop now." I thought of a bottled water and pulled it out. "Plus you never know when some curious jerk will try to steal your stuff, I've found knowledge that unexpected guests turn into paste keeps out loiterers." It also made very large cleaning bills. But I doubted the ponies cared about that.

Silver slowly stopped chewing. "Meaning no offense Draitha, but you're terrifying."

I smiled, showing teeth to the small pony. "Of course. It's better to be feared than loved. At least with fear you expect the sudden but inevitable betrayal."

Luna thumped me on the back of the head. "Draitha, cease spreading fear in our subjects. 'Tis most rude."

I rubbed the back of my head "Fine mom. I'll go find some puppy's to kick for my daily requirement of fear and horror." I saw both ponies glare at me. I raised my hands in surrender. "Jokes. Jokes. I'd never kick any dog. They're all best boys."

The pony glare lessened after a moment, and Silver sidled up. "So, now that we've established the rules on proper dog relations. What's your plan on a place to stay?"

I took a sip of water. "No clue, I could probably crash in the woods in makeshift camps. Constant movement is a good compromise for an improper safe house."

Luna chewed her lip for a moment. "We are truly sorry about letting Celestia into your home. Is there any way we can convince you to accept a compromise?"

I mulled that over for a bit. I wouldn't trust any house they built, but if I watched them build it then I'd be more than okay. I nodded. "If you help me build a home I'll stay in it. As long as people remember to knock, because you can bet I'm doubling down on all my defense."

Luna nodded. "I believe I could spin that, if Dive Bombs gives you a proper recommendation. If that happens I could get a team to Ponyville and place a house near the Everfree, assuming you can keep yourself... contained."

I smiled. "Luna, I am both offended and shocked that you would even consider that I couldn't play nice."

"You blew up my sister. Despite your rampant paranoia, I feel caution is necessary."

I smiled. "Well, I'll keep my defenses non-lethal. Mostly."

Luna looked to Silver, and an evil smile graced her lips. "No, I think I have a better compromise. If we built you a house, how would you feel about a Royal Guard as an Equestrian Escort?"

I chocked on a bite of cookie. "Say what now? You want me to have a house guest?" Luna nodded. I gaped at her for a moment. "So let me repeat this plan to you. You want the highly dangerous, unknown creature to room with one of your guards?"

Luna nodded. "Yes, plus it will make it much easier to keep you from blowing up our sister again if we have a unicorn to tell you when she is coming over."

I sighed. "You know what? Fine, but I expect a measure of privacy. As in whoever you assign isn't allowed in my room, that sort of thing."

Luna nodded. "Of course, once I get the guard reassigned they will meet you at your new home. once it is built." She glanced outside. "Looking at the time I feel as if you will need a place to stay tonight. If you would accept a room in the palace, we would be most grateful."

I struggled over that, but I didn't really know where I was in relation to the barn, or even the woods by Ponyville. I nodded. "Aight, let's do it."

Luna smiled wide. "Verily, we shall commandeer a room for you now!" She then happily trotted to a wall, before casually melting into shadow. Yeah, she was still terrifying. Anything that can melt into walls is way stronger than me.

I stretched out and looked outside. Sure enough the sun was dipping below the horizon. I found a large chair and sat down, looking over to Silver Light. "So, what are you still doing here? The rest of your group seemed to run off once I calmed down."

Silver shrugged. "Mostly curiosity. My squad doesn't need me much, so I figure since we'll probably run into you again I should learn all I can. Plus You seem like you need someone who doesn't bludgeon you with questions."

I smiled at her. "Heaven knows that's true. Either way though I'm getting tired. How long do you figure until Luna shows back up?"

Silver shrugged, and looked outside. The moon was slowly peaking out behind a castle wall. Silver gestured to it. "She'll probably be by once she's dealt with all the stuff that follows raising the moon."

I sighed and moved my bag in front of me. "Well, if we have a second I have an idea." I pulled out one of my entertainment tablets and keyed it on. I softly cursed as I showed a low battery icon. "Shit."

Silver looked at me. "What, is your glass thing broken?"

I shook my head. "Nah, it's low on power. I think I have a spare bank in here. I have to start getting out all my solar chargers soon though." I dug around and pulled out a battery bank. It was shaped like Boba Fett, so I knew it screamed quality like all cheap Chinese goods. I took the cord that was tied around Boba's neck like a noose and plugged it in. "So, you won't understand anything coming from here, so music or shows?"

She stared at me like I was crazy. "You mean that can play music, or show you plays? But it's so small."

I nodded. "Welcome to the closest things most humans have to magic. We smack rocks so much they can think, then link them with more rocks. I have no idea how it works, but it's all very scientific." I opened up the music folder. "We'll start with something simple." I thumbed up Amazing Grace. Letting sweet southern gospel wash over me.

Silver listened to it for a moment, and stayed quiet as it played. I hummed along, trying to remember the version. I tried to look at it in the music player. I smirked as I noticed the author was down as 'That one weird sandwich guy.' The song dialed down I sang with the last line. "Was lost, but now, I'm free." I smiled at the memory before I remembered. "Elvis, that it. This is the Elvis version."

Silver stared at me again. "What language was that?"

I shrugged. I could almost forget English didn't exist here. "Mine, it's what I'm speaking too, but I have a spell going that translates it for me."

Silver looked at me a second longer before looking at the tablet. "It's so harsh, but all those voices together sounded nice. But what was it about, it sounded sad."

I smiled. "It kinda is, but it's also happy. It's religious. I'm not sure how it works since you ponies have your goddesses on speed dial, but where I come from there aren't any gods. At least not that you can actually talk to. So people who believe have ways they talk to their gods. That song is from my religion, long ago." I played it again. What? It felt nice listening to the king sing. "It's about God's grace, saving you even if your completely unworthy. It talks about how it can make you see what you once thought was only a dream. But it's sad, showing that you are deeply flawed, and acknowledge it."

Silver paused. "That sounds simple. Do you still believe?"

I shrugged. "I've seen gods, I've killed gods. Who knows if the big one I worshiped is out there. At this point it's moot." I switched the song partway through. I thumbed up Raining men, mostly because it was funny. "Now that we have discussed religion enough for the week, let's play a game." Silver cocked her head as I reached into my pack and pulled out a deck of tarot cards. "These are the Emperors Tarot, you use them to play a game from another world, called tarot. They're not very creative."

She giggled as I shuffled the cards Technically they were supposed to be used to read the future, but some time with the inquisition taught me how to use them to play card games. Mostly something akin to poker, which I had chips for. We played a few hands, but she was hardly a master. She had obvious tells, with smiles and frowns telling me how to play her like a fiddle. I remembered the guardsman I played with who wiped the floor with me every round. He did the same, but his expression had nothing to do with what cards he got. I frowned at the thought, and she was baited into increasing her bet. I showed her my hand, with the Inquisitor and Emperor. She growled. "Urgh, you're just to good at this game."

I smiled. "Years of practice, plus half the game is hiding your emotions. You're easier to read than a children's book."

She grumbled as a knock came from the door. She shouted for them to come in, which led to me putting a hand on my pistol. Luna walked in, and noticed my hand before I could withdraw it. She gave a slight cough. "Well, I have managed to get you a Minotaur room we keep for ambassadors, so if you'll follow me I'll lead the way." I got up and Silver seemed to be considering what to do. Luna spoke to her. "Ms. Sliver, we require you to stay here for a moment. We have an issue to discuss between you and Captain Dive Bombs once Draitha is situated."

She nodded and sat back down. I scooped up the cards and the tablet. I kept the cards in my left hand while dumping the tablet in my bag. I shouldered the bag and followed Luna. We wound through corridors in silence as Luna led me through a maze of tapestries and stained glass windows. If I had felt more at ease I would have thought them beautiful. Currently I was annoyed because I couldn't see where I'd land If I jumped out. I was led to a lone room at the end of a hallway. Luna gestured to it. "The minotaurs share you love of privacy, and I have told the guards to not patrol this area. Though I would appreciate if you would allow a force of two guards from Captain Bombs company to guard your room."

I shrugged. "Make it Silver and the scaredy-cat. I think his name was Vice. Or any of the ponies that jumped me. Honestly I just want a pony who has a healthy fear of me."

Luna quirked an eyebrow at me, but nodded. "Of course. I shall have them post at the door within two hours. I would recommend going to sleep. It may be helpful after your day." I nodded and walked in.

The room was filled with what looked like mountain portraits. With the positioning and frames they looked like windows, and the walls were craggy and grey. Well, I had found a mountain species then. I looked and saw the whole room was open, with a large bed in the corner. I sat on it and sighed. I didn't want to armor down, but I needed real sleep. I pulled Yasumori off of my back. I laid it on the bed and pulled off the plate carrier. I stripped down and threw on some sleep clothes. Which was honestly yoga pants and a T shirt. I needed to be able to move even if I was trying to feel safe. I pulled out a small orb with reflective glass over it, and put it by the door. It would make Hell's own racket if the door opened. I moved to my bag and pulled a piece of paper and pen out. I wrote a small note for the guards and slipped it under the door. The sensor beeped loudly as I did. I tapped the switch to reset it and laid down. Sleep would do me good.

***

The classroom was empty, and I smiled as I picked over the drawings of today's art lesson. I saw Isaac's little take on Hieroglyohics. I was fairly certain that ancient Egyptians didn't have computer's, but he was only seven. I marked it and pulled out the next one. It was of a large man, not in the proper style. I would have to dock points. I didn't like it, because the piece looked just like Titus. I paused staring. How did I know Titus? I shook my head. "I should know better." I pulled my sleeve up seeing a nail clearly in my forearm. I waved a hand, making the school room fade into nothing. I was in an empty arena.

I looked it over. It was in Roman style. I looked around, and couldn't make anything appear to sit in. now when you've been around as long as me you know when somethings up. I could get a few things though. I felt Yasumori appear with a plate carrier and the Taurus on my chest. I then looked around. "I know you're here. Come out before I start poking things." Poking a dreams walls when someone was in it sucked, so it was a legitimate threat.

I saw the center of the arena shift, the twilight of the arena forming into clouds. A being appeared in the clouds and walked out. It was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. But she was wrong, and not just the black and purple hair. For one she was as pale as an albino, with features that were too perfect. She looked like a porcelain doll given life. Granted if I couldn't tell I probably would have tried to make this a wet dream. As it stood I was on guard, and looking her over. I totally wasn't taking note of the pleasant curves or the legs that could have turned gay men straight. I put a hand on my revolver. "You aren't getting any points bitch, who sent you?"

The figure smiled. "No one sends me, I go where and when I please. Now we must talk."

I glanced at her again, but luckily self preservation beat libido. "We really don't. In fact if you don't leave I think talking will be last on the list of things I'll do to you."

She let out a purr. "Oh, and please tell me what the first thing on the list is."

She had slid towards me as she talked. She accentuated her positive traits like a master. I pulled the revolver, forcing her to a stop. "Fist part of the list is seeing if cold Iron kills you, after that I figure trial and error until I've splattered you across this arena."

She paused, looking around. "Ah, you think I am one of the Sidhe. I am not, I am in fact a force in Equestria."

I laughed at her. "Yeah, now I know your not one thing. Good on you. You have thirty seconds before I turn you into a fine paste."

She smiled, and held out her hand. A small rapier appeared in it. "Well if violence is your answer, perhaps we may be civilized?"

I thought it over. It was a dream, fuck it. I threw the revolver to the side, and drew Yasumori. "Well then, what do you propose?" I looked at my hands. All my rings were there, so I had fallbacks.

The woman began a circle, which I matched. "Swords and skill. No spells. I shall make it so neither of us can use any outside force." I nodded, and began to close the circle. We stayed like that for a moment. Slowly closing in before we started a fatal dance. She moved first, a flurry of stabs that I had to devote my entire mind to slip and deflect. It was masterful. Though at the time I didn't appreciate it. She had a steady rhythm, which left me no room to counterattack. After a salvo that felt like eternity she took a step back. "Well, most fall at the first stab."

I was breathing heavy, and took a moment to respond. "I fought harder before." I took the time to think. We began another circle, which I smiled at. She didn't know how crazy I was. If she scored a hit I bet she would stop, if only to gloat. She began to close and I briefly glanced at her sword. It was short. Her attack began again. I slipped and deflected until I saw my chance. A short stab that was meant to throw me off. I reached for it, letting it sink into my upper arm. She paused. She opened her mouth to speak, but my off hand grabbed the blade. I wrenched it to my left, forcing her into my space. She stared at me in shock, and I smiled. "Wanna know how I'll win?"

She shifted smoothly into a superior tone. "By allowing me to stab you? A bold strategy, though I fail to see it's merits." Oh, this bitch wasn't used to insanity. I was gonna enjoy educating her.

I showed all my teeth. "That's because you have much to learn." My off hand flew into her stomach, causing her to gasp in pain. I threw a knee into her solar plexus, but it barely winded her. She jumped back, pulling the needle tip sword out off my arm. I clenched my teeth, but it was mostly just pain. I fought it off and raised my sword again. I charged first, not giving her time to recover. Our blades clashed, each slice and stab parried by the other. I went for an overhead strike, and she met my blade. Now we were in a predicament. If either of us tried to free our blades the other would attack.

She smiled at me from behind her blade. "Well, is this a draw?"

I shook my head. "I told you you have much to learn. Try me padawan." I moved my fingers. No magic meant triggering my rings would be immensely tiring, but now I needed to beat this bitch. If only to knock her down a peg. One of my kinetic rings was still out, which apparently translated to the dream, but the other... it was ready. I shifted my grip, pointing it to her feet. "Point and shooty." And I felt my own energy purely power the ring. As time seemed to slow my limbs went heavy.

The force lanced out, knocking her to one knee. A shocked gasp came from her throat which I took as a good sign. I grabbed her blade with my free hand, and hit the elbow on the wrong side with my knee. I heard a crack and a muffled scream. The blade dropped to the ground, and she stayed on one knee. I wasn't done. I grabbed her head, one hand on either side, with the grip of my sword sandwiched on one side. I pulled down as my other knee flew up. I let go of her head and sent the knee into her nose, sending her flying back. She landed on her back with a groan. I held my bleeding arm. "And that's how we do it in a real fight you book taught scrub!"

She groaned, and I heard some disgusting noises as her arm mended. I stumbled over to my revolver on the ground. and held it up. As the woman rose I fired one of my five shots. It impacted beside her head. "Stay down. I win."

She settled, and I heard soft laughter from her prone form. "You are truly odd young one."

I gestured with the revolver. "Yeah, my mom said that everyday. Now get outta my head and only come back if your gonna be polite."

Her head moved, though I couldn't tell how. She spoke quietly. "Very well, but I do have a quick promise. I will visit again, and though I may be polite, remember that this was for fun. You do not want to taunt me when I will not show as much restraint."

With that she faded into nothing, and my dream did too.