A Thousand Lives

I awoke on my couch, with my bag on my chest. I was still wearing my clothes, the Taurus was still on my chest. I smiled softly, and spoke. "You still there Luna?"

I heard a soft affirmative hum from my bookshelf. I had to chastise myself that this wasn't my house. I kept my eyes closed as I woke up. I heard Luna speak. "We know thou said that thou would need a moment before questions, so we will hold them for a moment."

I made a grunt that could be construed as a thank you with some stretching, and opened my bag blindly, grabbing for a pack of smokes. I went through two before opening my eyes. It was night time, so I wasn't out for an exceptionally long time. I glanced and saw Luna trying to communicate with Crowley. I watched for a moment before shaking my head and lighting a third smoke. "Okay, shoot. What do you want to know?"

Luna looked to me, and I have to say I looked a sight. The smoke wafting from my cigarette shrouded my face, and I knew myself to know I looked ready to kill. My sword had been resting by the couch, but I knocked it into my hand with a combat boot and looked it over. She seemed to be displeased with my look, but not disgusted. More sad. She cleared her throat before speaking. "White Justice?"

That was a good ice breaker. I let out a tired laugh. "Yeah. It was the name of some dead vigilante I stumbled upon. I took over for her while I was stuck there. I kinda played it as a hero of justice the whole time. It was... nice" I forced the last word out. It wasn't a lie, at least discounting the last few days.

Luna nodded and thought for a moment. "What was the weapon thou got from the man?"

I smiled. Nice, non-personal questions. Luna was best princess. "It's a Gun. Capital G." I put my hand in the bag and thought. Bringing out Six Deep required concentration, like it had to be called from very far away. I eventually got it, and pulled it out. "This is one of the 52 Guns. Weapons of unbelievable power, but also attract a ton of trouble. They tend to have supernatural abilities. After experimenting I found that Six Deep sends out a six foot long spear of force. It will blow apart anything in it's path, or burrow six feet into the ground. I only really figured all that out later though. At the time I thought it was just a weird cursed item." I shrugged and spun it around on one finger, before wiping it off. "It can also be turned into a card." I spun it across my palm, and as I regripped the gun I felt it shift into the six of spades card.

Luna looked shocked at it, before shaking it off and nodding. "That seems to be a strange artifact indeed." She paused, scrunching up her face. "If you would be fine, I think I should move to the unpleasant questions now."

It was a declaration, not a question. I sighed and took a long drag. "Yeah, let's start the rain on my parade."

Luna smiled at me. "I will try my hardest to make this painless. I think we should start with the obvious. Did you need to kill all of them?"

I knew the question was coming, but I still flinched at it. I spoke after a moment, and slowly. "I would do it again." I paused. "But that's not what you meant." I took another drag, playing with my fingers. "I think that Marks might not have deserved the brutality, but I couldn't just kill him. He might have drank Ghoulie's blood, managed to regrow his legs, and lived a full unlife. Honestly I don't care. He murdered a lot of people, and that's not what White would have wanted."

Luna seemed confused by this, her muzzle pursing slightly. "Surely you mean that is not what you wanted?"

I shrugged. "Well when I travel I normally try to adopt the personality of who I find. I did it first to blend in, but as it went on I just found it easier. White Justice did her thing because she felt that there wasn't any justice, I just kept the torch for a while."

Luna stared at me for a while. I fidgeted under it for a few seconds, then remembered she could probably turn me into all manner of unsavory creatures, which made me fidget more. I waited under her glare until she sighed. "How long have you done that?"

I shrugged again. "Dunno, it was kind of the normal thing I did since I started jumping, and God knows how long that was."

Luna's hoof touched the bridge of her muzzle. "Very well. I think that that is all the questions required. Truth be told Celestia also sent me because she decided you would talk more to me than her. Something about Mr. Friendly."

I smiled at that. "Yeah, I blew her up a little bit. I think she took offense."

Luna stared at me, then stared at something behind the couch. I felt my blood run cold as I heard Celestia's voice behind me. "In his defense, I ignored his warnings." So there I was, trapped in a barn between two goddesses. I took quick stock of my options before Luna's head had time to turn to me. I rolled of the couch, and flicked my wrist, disabling the trip mine on the window. I rolled out of it, gaining a few cuts from broken glass along the way. I hit the dirt and rolled across the floor, feeling pain as my nails stabbed deeper into my skin. I got up without slowing, and ran.

After ten minutes and hitting the outskirts of Ponyville I noticed my plan had been stupid. I had run like a spooked horse from what amounted to an extra house guest. Then again, when the house guest could nuke you it was a far better plan. Plus she hadn't been invited in. I glanced at my sleeves and could see the small wet spots where blood was seeping, as well as a few scratches from glass. I thought over my options before looking at the town. I remembered that Fluttershy's house hadn't been to far from here, I could walk there, get her to look me over, and hope the stupid princesses wouldn't look there.

I made my way quietly to Fluttershy's cottage under the cover of night. Several ponies appeared to be out, but none seemed particularly attentive. I managed to get to the cottage within an hour. I stood at the door a moment before knocking. A small rabbit opened the door looking very grumpy. He looked at me with crossed arms. I divined he was asking what I was here for, and pointed towards the several holes in me. He looked at them, looked at me, then shook his head once. Then paused, and nodded his head a few times before shutting the door. I was left feeling oddly disturbed. But I had also been stopped by a bunny bodyguard, so I swallowed the feeling and waited some more.

It wasn't a long wait. I heard Fluttershy scream a loud "WHAT!?!?" Only a few moments after the bunny left, before the door was wrenched open and Fluttershy stared at me, then at my rapidly moistening sleeves.

She stared hard before I spoke. "So neighbor, could I bother you for a cup of sugar?"

The joke did not fly. In fact I believe I heard it explode as I was pushed by Fluttershy into her living room. I can not put words to what happened next, but I know whatever happened ended with me having to roll up sleeves for Fluttershy to look over my wounds while my plate carrier was suddenly leaned against the door. Fluttershy looked over my nails as they oozed blood. "Well, the cuts aren't bad and the-" She shuddered once. "previous injuries are going to be fine. I could get a mage in here to heal it in the morning, but for now I can only bandage them."

I shook my head. "Nah, if they're all good I can heal it. Honestly I just needed a safe place to hide from your oh so benevolent rulers." I said the last bit with venom while I placed my left hand on right arm. I pushed my energy into it, and the soft green glow of the ring covered my arm. The gashes healed, and the bloody nails seemed less fresh. I moved the ring to another hand, and repeated the process on my opposite arm. I ended up without any open wounds, and a Fluttershy with a towel dabbing blood off my arms.

She continued quietly for a moment, until my arms were mostly blood free. She moved to a small corner of the room and dropped the towel in a small basket. She sat down in front of me and looked me in the eyes. "So, if you don't mind I mean, what happened with the princess?"

I groaned. Then looked at Fluttershy's waiting expression, then I groaned again. "I ain't getting out of this huh?" Fluttershy smiled and said nothing. I decided the best course of action was to just tell her everything. "Well Luna had come to check me tonight, and it was going fine. Then when I came to from the stupid spell we had a wonderful question and answer session. Then Celestia popped out of nowhere, I freaked out and jumped out the window. Rolled on all my nails, then ran to town out of fear. Then I was bleeding so I went here for a check up."

Fluttershy nodded and moved closer, tapping my shoulder with a hoof. "It's okay. Honestly Celestia should have known better, you don't seem to like surprises."

I nodded, stretching out. "Well, they wrecked any sense of security in my safe house, mind if I hang here for a while?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Stay as long as you like, I'm going to go back to sleep, though if you need anything feel free to wake me." I watched her go up the small stairwell to her bedroom, before getting up myself and re-donning my plate carrier. I pulled the revolver and rested it in my hand, before resting. What I was doing couldn't be called sleep, but if you squinted hard it might fit nap. Time passed faster, and I got got something that could be mistaken in the wrong light, for sleep.

I noticed the sun rising much quicker than it should as I rested, and Fluttershy come down and go outside much faster than she ever moved. I kept resting as she came back in and sang in the kitchen. I was only roused when Twilight busted in the room. Of course by roused I mean pointing the revolver at her with a grunt, which caused her to go very still and quiet. I blinked the sleep out of my eyes before lowering the pistol. "Oh, Hi Mark." I said it in my best Tommy Wiseu voice.

Twilight stared at me, before disregarding and ignoring my meme. "You know, Princess Celestia was very annoyed at you running out on her."

I snorted. "Well she shouldn't break into my safe house, now I have to find a new place."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Of course, because when a goddess can break in whats the point."

I could taste the sarcasm, but every comedy show needed a straight man. "Obviously, if she can get in without my permission it's not safe. I need to make a new safe house."

Twilight ran past without another word. She made it to the kitchen and tapped Fluttershy on the back. "Fluttershy, we have a problem."

Fluttershy looked up and made an o shape with her mouth. They talked quietly for a moment, before an agreement was made. Fluttershy walked up, and smiled at me. "Draitha, we have a teensy tiny dragon problem. So please don't be to scared. The princess said this one is a job for the guards. Apparently it's very... proud."

I thought this over, before shaking my head. "Nah, I gotta earn my tiny barn somehow. Tell me where and send word to the princess. I'll get rid of it."

Twilight spoke next, with a shocked air about her. "You can't be serious."

I shrugged. "Oh yeah, it's boring without a good fight around here, besides I love helping."

Twilight thought it over before nodding. "We'll send guards after you, just don't pick a fight."

I got directions to a small mountain nearby, and made my way out immediately. I began digging in my bag while walking. I thought of the few dragons I had faced. I could go old school and bring out a bow and arrow, but I had already used guns, so I was gonna keep them. I pulled out a disassembled Joan. I snapped her together and stopped, leaning the rifle against my leg. I pulled a sling out of the bag and hooked it to Joan, wrapping the rifle around myself. I put the pack back on my back, before starting my hike again. I followed the forest edge, keeping my eye on the mountain range.

I looked up at the smallest mountain. There was a small plume of smoke coming from the middle, with an obvious trail leading to it. I looked up to it. "So I'm going to the misty mountain? The dragon better damn well be named Smaug." I heard wing beats behind me as I began ascending the path, and let them approach.

I heard them beat a few times before a boyish voice came from behind me. "And what are you doing?"

I shrugged and kicked a loose rock off the path. "Removing a dragon. Not the first time."

I saw Rainbow dash float ahead of me. "You're gonna talk a dragon off a mountain alone?"

I laughed and showed some teeth. "Honestly, if I manage to talk him down I will be seriously disappointed."

I brought my bag to my front and grabbed one of my few fully loaded mags out. I only kept a small supply of mags loaded, mostly for magazines that fit multiple guns. I locked it in place before racking the slide once. Rainbow watched with clinical detachment. We walked in silence for a moment before she spoke. "I don't trust you."

I laughed. "Then your the smartest God damned pony here." I brought the revolver out, and checked the cylinder. Rainbow seemed confused by this and flew silently again. I walked up the path to the mountain and spoke to her. "Alright, we've reached the end of the pony line, please stay out of the mouth of the cave until the dragon either leaves or dies."

I heard a huge laugh emanate from the cave. "It has been a long time since a mortal spoke in such a way towards me. Approach, so I may see my next meal."

I smiled wide and waved at Rainbow, before walking out to the cave to see an enormous blood-red dragon staring at me. Like this thing probably could rival a full office building uncurled. I looked at him and held up a finger. He nodded as if allowing me a favor As I quickly reached into my pack and withdrew an M320 grenade launcher. I attached it to Joan before withdrawing a matching grenade and loading it. I smiled warmly. "Sorry, I'm not gonna start with the small stuff if negotiations break down."

Another laugh from the dragon. "You are brave ape, and your tools are strange. I believe I like you."

I waved it off. "Yeah but apparently your way to close to Ponyville. Now normally as long as you weren't swooping down to attack them I wouldn't care, but Twilight said your little roost was a danger." I gestured to the rifle. "So me and Joan here are going to try to peacefully remove you for five seconds. Then if that fails, which honestly I hope it does, I will kill you, and see if you taste good."

I heard a gasp from Rainbow, but I just raised my rifle to hip level, keeping a finger on the grenades trigger. A large tuft of smoke raised from the nose of the dragon, before he spoke. "You are worthy of respect welp. I am Baldrich, son of Gromich. Who are you?"

I bobbed my head back and forth. Then spoke in my best Alexander Anderson voice. "Fine, I'll give you the courtesy. I am Draitha, slayer of gods." I topped it off with a quick potshot at the cave roof, which perked the dragons attention.

He stared at me for a bit longer. "Do you truly think that can best me?"

I shook my head. "Not in the slightest." I tapped the tube under the barrel. "That's what this is for."

The dragon stared with much more interest than before. "You are a strange creature."

"If it makes you feel better, I've killed a lot bigger than you."

The dragon seemed to think on that a moment. "And I have killed bigger than you, but we do not know the others skill."

I grinned. "I've killed a dragon before, though you're a bit bigger. But I'm pretty sure it'd be a close fight either way."

The dragon nodded and stood on all fours, his back scraping the wall that was at least twenty feet tall. "You have amused me Draitha, slayer of gods. As payment I shall go to my main roost for now. Know this though, if you climb up to there, there will be reckoning."

I deflated. "Awwww, I was hoping for some insane fire and flying action. But I'd probably get yelled at for it, so I guess I shouldn't complain. Have a wonderful day Baldrich son of Gromich."

He nodded towards me and stomped out, the mountain shaking with every step. He took off, and made an honestly quiet majestic hover before turning to me. "Answer an old wyrm this. What does that tube do?"

I smiled wide. "Oh, I'll show you." I turned around and launched the grenade into the cave. The large explosion blowing back my hair as I began to madly laugh. I loved pyrotechnics.

The dragon continued his hover, with minor gale force winds battering my body. "I almost regret leaving. A duel with you would be most interesting. But my kind are scarce enough already. Goodbye."

With that he left, and I lowered Joan. I grumbled and broke down Joan on the cave mouth before packing her up. I pulled out a smoke and lit it. Taking a drag I spoke. "How come I go looking for fights here and end up talking it out?"

Rainbow flew in front of my vision. "ARE YOU BUCKING INSANE?"

I nodded. "Probably. It depends, you a psychologist?"

"Uh, no. I'm a weather captain."

"So how can you make a determination on my sanity? Unless clouds can have psychological issues." I rose a hand to my chin. "Which I never thought about. Can clouds get depressed?"

Rainbow stared at me. "What? No way, clouds can't get depressed." She sat down beside me. "But if they could I don't think they'd tell me to deal with it."

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm bad at talking things out too, I tend to shoot my problems. Or stab them. Or burn them."

Rainbow laughed. "Yeah, I can tell. I mean, what kinda block head picks a fight with one of the dragon elders?"

I rapped a fist on my skull. "This kind of block head Rainbow." I took a quick drag before looking at the dark cave behind me. "You think he left any loot for us?"

Rainbow gestured towards the cave. "Well go check, I'm not going into a dragons cave."

I looked back at the cave. The enclosed, stonewalled cave. I felt sweat begin to bead on my brow. "You know, I don't think he would have left anything anyways."

Rainbow looked at me sideways. "You sure? You don't look to hot."

I was spared any questions by a huge chariot swooping down in front of the cave beside me. It was white, with beautiful gold highlights.

I saw at least twenty ponies in full armor, who looked almost exactly the same charge out. They formed up in a block formation as a beast of a Unicorn stepped out. He was as tall as the princesses, and more buff than a pony had any right to be. I leaned in towards Rainbow Dash. "Hey Rainbow, did a ton of pony clones and a bodybuilder just come out of that carriage?"

Rainbow didn't get to answer as the buff pony stared at us and loudly stage whispered. "Civilians, move back twenty feet. You are hiking in a hostile zone." I smiled, and took a few steps out of the cave mouth. The pony nodded, and stayed at the edge of the cave mouth. "Mighty wyrm. I am Captain Dive Bomb of the Solar Guard. If it pleases you, I would like to negotiate your movement from the area."

I raised a finger at Dive Bomb. "Uh, sir I think-"

The pony glared. "Silence creature. I am doing a vital Equestrian duty. Simply enjoy the show, as I show you the dragon negotiation tactics passed down the generations of the bomb family." With that he flexed, showing an impressive amount of pony muscle. He then spoke again. "Dragon, if you do not respond I will show you the power of the great, Dragon slaying Bombs."

I decided to let him finish that, and sat down to finish my smoke break. Rainbow had her eyes glued to his flank, so I doubt she minded. Dive Bomb moved to the cave mouth. "Now listen here you overgr-" He stared at the empty cave. "That isn't right." I laughed, causing the unicorn to turn to me. "What do you find so funny craeture, now the dragon could be anywhere."

I stood up and walked to him. "Yeah, I got him out. Threatened to kill and eat him, then he laughed and decided I was chill enough that he'd just leave." The pony glare at me, and I took a knee to glare at him. We locked eyes. We stared each other down, searching the other for anything, and that's when the soul gaze happened.

See, I had never actually done a soul gaze. I had normally remembered to avoid it, but I guess I forgot in all the hubub. It was something human wizards could do. It basically sucked you and whoever you were locking eyes with into each others souls for a quick tour. It was supposedly different every time. This time was a literal room tour.

I found myself in a soldier's barracks. It was bare bones. A bed, a desk, and a closet. I walked towards the desk and opened the drawer. It was filled with pictures, and dates. I saw ponies, griffons, and a few deer. The backs held names, and brief biographies. Each desk drawer held more pictures. All the ponies that had died near him. Then I opened the closet. Inside were stacks of photos, and a pair of blades. These photos lacked dates, and showed more ponies. At the top was a foal. The biography was blank, but there was a name. Dive Bomb Jr. The ponies, the blades. They were the ones he fought for. Finally I moved to the book on the bed. In it was simply feelings. I couldn't describe it. It was like feeling immense emotions for every second of every day. Coming from a book.

I was snapped back into reality still staring down the captain. I saw a twinkle in his eyes. We moved at the same time. His left fore hoof flew out, with my right rushing in the same instant. They collided on a massive high five, which we traded grips with. He brought a hoof around my neck and gestured to his guards. "Men, lets give this traveler a mug of ale back at the barracks. We have found a new friend." He said this while dragging me back to his carriage, much to the horror of his men.

I followed him and waved at Rainbow Dash. "It appears I've been kidnapped. Give the girls my love, I'll make my way back." I looked at the guards who were making way more room for me than needed. I shot a sheepish smile Rainbow's way. "Eventually."