Wars Legacy

Chapter 3

Quick note there are about 4 different povs in this story don’t worry they won’t be too long but they are necessary for the story. Please enjoy

In advance the bloody hooves will be called many things from monster, creature and zombie. Please enjoy this chapter and I hope you will comment on anything you are unhappy with or want to talk about. No trolls and no pointless flames please.

Pain was all I could register as I slowly awoke my head splitting; I slowly opened my eyes excepting to see the interior of the old library. Looking around I found to my confusion that I was in a dungeon of some sort the walls coated in blood quickly placed my sense on high alert. I had to suppress a laugh when I realised that my captives had failed to disarm me. My gun and knife were still there on my hip and chest respectively. To my disgust I found that there were skeletons in here some chained to walls whilst others look like they had been beaten to death, the bones showing obvious sighs of severe damage, some even having been snapped clean in two.

I sat in the dark wondering what was going to happen, who had captured me and what do they want. Sweat tricked down my forehead as I feverishly licked my lips trying to wet them. I heard a clang which alerted me to the fact that I was no longer alone.  I chewed nervously on my inside of my cheek as a loud dull clicking noise echoed though the dark dungeon. As the sound got closer i realised that the clicking noise was hooves so my captor was a pony. From the darkness a pair of glowing red eyes emerged full of malicious. My heart filled with dread as the last creature I wanted to see slowly approached me.

The bloody hooves guard growled and two other’s appeared far bigger in size and wearing bulky armor that just by looking at it, I could tell that it was ancient. The armor bared many dents and was coated in blood both old and recent. I shuddered felling sorry for the poor sod that met this big cunt. Growling the jailer unlocked the door the lock releasing a high squall as its corroded form was forced open. The jailer steeped back its unholy eyes never wandering as it glared at me unnerving me slightly.

The two guards dragged me to my feet there bony hooves using my shirt as leverage. One jabbed the serrated blade of the spear into my back causing me to flinch and mutter a few choice words. As we walked my hand slowly crept towards the knife that resided on my belt waiting for the right moment. As we approached the door my chance came one of them went ahead to open it with its teeth whilst the other stayed to watch me. Quick as lightning I spun on the ball of my heel the blade of my knife entering the zombie’s eye as the other turned in horror.

Quickly yanking the blade out I leaped forward jamming the blade into the other guard’s throat covering its muzzle to prevent it raising the alarm. Slowly the kicking stallion’s struggle slowed before goings stiff as the knife had gone straight though the rotten skin and bone and severed the creatures spinal cord. Turning I lobbed the knife at the retreating jailer the blade sinking into its back leg causing it to tumble. Sprinting down the corridor I grabbed the jailer by the neck and twisted sharply hearing the satisfying crunch as the creature stopped moving black coagulated blood spilling out of the creature’s body as the magic keeping all its parts together dispersed.   Nodding in satisfaction I retrieved my knife from the corpse leg and made my way for the door.  I froze in shock when a voice cried out

“You there help me” I winced at the loud noise slowly turning; my mouth fell open in shock there in another cell was a strange bug pony.

The creature was about the size of celestia and had black skin and jagged horn. The creature’s mid section was protected by what looked like chitin proving my bug theory was right. The creature had large dragonfly like wings and had razor sharp teeth. Her air and coat was covered in dirt and grime and led me to believe that she had been in there a while I growled realizing that I couldn’t leave it.

“Hold on a minuet I’ll go get the key” I whispered walking over to the jailers shattered corpse and gingerly grabbed the keys that resided on its belt. Walking over to the gate I quietly as possible opened the lock swearing at the loud metallic squeak that the lock released. I stepped back allowing the creature to step outside.

“THAN-HMPHM” I cut off its thanks by placing my hand over her mouth.

“Idiot you’ll alert the guards” I growled softly ignoring its look of disgust at my hand.

“Fine” she mumbled her horn glowing green as I felt my hand ripped from her mouth.

“Follow me, shut up and keep your head down” I snarled my dislike for this creature increasing She growled gently but did as I instructed. Placing my body against the door I quickly checked that my pistol was ready.

The pistol was an M2024 the upgraded version of the m1911. Luckily the weapon was equipped with a silencer so I didn’t have to worry too much about the weapons noise factor. Slowly I opened the door keeping my body pressed against it as I listened for any voices or movement. Hearing none I crept though the door and found myself in a barracks of some sort.

The barracks looked like something from medieval times, dark grungy stone illuminated by the small fire that burned away in the rusted fireplace. The beds made the ones back home look like 5 star in comparison, some of them not even having mattress.

At a nearby meal table I spotted two guards that were grunting to each other in a garbled language.

I crept up to one signalling for the bug pony behind me to stay still. Taking out my pistol I watched as one of the guards spotted me grunting in alarm I raised the gun and fired.

The bullet smashed into the first guard skull resulting in a sickly crack as the skull shattered. Grabbing the other guard I twisted his neck sharply as he struggled briefly before collapsing on the ground. The bug pony with me watched in a mixture of respect and horror as the corpse of the two guards lay unmoving.

I’m guessing you’re not from around here, considering how you handled, those two” She inquired spitting out last part like it was poison.

“What gave it away” I say snarky. The thing laughed in response.

“I like your attitude creature for freeing me I will honour you with my name, chrysalis, queen of the changelings” She said puffing out her chest.

“That’s nice” I said my voice dripping in sarcasm as I dragged the two bodies into a hiding place. I quickly found out that despite her arrogant demeanour she was actually of some use. We had exited the barracks and were creeping down a large hallway ducking behind the rotten stone pillars whenever a guard patrol got close. The guard for the most part where easy. Sadly it wasn't to be as we entered a small room the we noticed that we were not alone in the center of the room a armored manticore sat its cold red eyes burrowing into our souls as it let out a spine chilling roar. The manticore looked like the bloody hooves its body mostly skeleton with large piece of decaying rotten flesh.

The manticore charged forcing me to dive to the side as chrysalis used her wings to doge the fatal blow. Cursing i unloaded half a clip into the creatures skull which only seemed to piss it off as it howled in rage. coming to the conclusion that the  the gun was useless I looked around the room for anything of use. i dived to the right as a massive clawed paw ashed out grazing my arm. I rusted sword was lying by a pillar and looked usable.

Snatching up the weapon i lashed out at it as it tried to crush chrysalis who was throwing rocks spears and other large objects at it. The blade made contact with the manticore rotten leg causing it to grunt in annoyance as it swung its lethal arm around trying to gore me on one of its razor sharp claws. This pattern seemed to go on for hours one of us would dart forward and deliver a minor wound then avoid the deadly swings of the creatures claws. The manticores tail which had a lethal stinger on the end made the process far harder the tail would lash out recklessly. This fight was getting more dangerous by the second we had to kill it before we ran out of energy or we were dead.

Deciding to just go for it i sprinted towards the manticore and using all the strength in my legs, propelled my self onto its back using its bone and fur as anchor points. The Monster thrashed about wildly trying to dislodge me and rip me apart. i desperately tried to hold on as i climbed up the massive foe. Chrysalis seeing my intention points at the manticore and fires a sickly yellow bolt of magic. The manticore eases up slightly giving me enough time to reach its skull. Using all the strength in my hands I plunge the rusted sword thought the skull of the manticore a wet squelch as the manticore whimpered.

its tail thrashed about wildly its body into a death throes shaking violently before slamming onto the dark dirty stone floor. Gasping for breath we took a short breather as we congratulated each other.

later

We moved though the hallway silently avoiding any patrols we could whilst killing those we couldn't as we turned a corner we came across a problem. In front of us were five guards oblivious to us grunting at each other, There were too many for me to take out without one of them raising the alarm.

Imagine my shock when chrysalis body erupted in green flames and there before me stood a bloody hoof guard.  I had to

muffle a yell as I drew my pistol on her only pausing when she franticly waved her hoof.

“It’s me you simpleton” She hissed her voice low and croaky matching the creatures voice patterns perfectly.

“I can distract them whilst you do what you do” she whispered. I stood behind the grim covered pillar as chrysalis walked up to the guards her bony feet making a sharp clicking noise as it made contact with the cracked tiles. The guards that were in front of the large old rotten door turned and grunted as she approached but now there backs were to me.

Sliding out of cover I slowly crept up behind them my knife poised ready to strike as my trigger finger sat millimetres away from the trigger. I plunge my knife down into the first guards head killing him instantly as I fired off two shoots with the pistol, each bullet burring itself into the head of the guards respectfully. The remaining two tackled me to the ground one of them biting me on the arm as the other went for my throat. My hand snaked out grabbing the guard preventing it from tearing my throat and with all my strength tried to push it off me.

Sadly they were too heavy and now we were stuck in a stalemate my arm was burning as the creature continued to chew on my arm like a rabid animal. Luckily the NIS stopped it from taking a chunk out of my arm. I nearly gagged at the first one’s breath, its muzzle centimetres away from my face. The masticated pieces of flesh from its last meal still coating its rotten teeth. The burning felling on my arm disappeared as the guard was flung off its body smashing into a pillar resulting in an audible crack.

Turning to look at the last guard I grabbed the top of its head like I would an enemy dog and twisted cruelly hearing the snap I forcefully shoved the corpse off of me. Panting I turned to chrysalis whose face had adorned a cocky smile as I grinned at her she was of some use in a fight.

“Thanks” I said my breath slowly returning to me. Nodding her head Chrysalis returned to her original body the familiar green flames stripping away her disguise. As we walked thought the door we stopped dead we were in a large room adorned with massive ripped banners that looked as old as the castle. In the back there was a large throne shrouded in darkness the small flickering torches unable to light the whole room.

Chrysalis horn glowed releasing an Eire green revelling the creature sitting on the throne and illuminating our surrounding.

The creature was like celestia as in it had a horn and wings. The skeletal body wore a black armor that covered most of its body and head. Its wings were large and looked like a worn leather gaping holes coating the wings. The horn itself was twisted and serrated. Its eyes were what unlevered me the most instead of just two crimson dots this one’s eyes seemed to flicker like it was made of fire.  Its mouth housing serrated blade like teeth.  A cold chuckle sounded from the creature reverberating around the room as its raspy laugh chilled us to the bone. I reloaded my pistol whilst chrysalis got into a defensive stance.

“So you have come” His stated his mouth turning into a wicked grin as from the shadows dozens of guards appeared. Unlike the ones we had killed so far these ones were bigger and there armor was painted black and made them look even more menacing. Chrysalis and I positioned our self’s so we were guarding each other’s backs. Chrysalis horn sparked aggressively dark green bolts scorching the floor as I held my gun out pointing it at the closet. This action only seemed to amuse the leader as he let out a bark of laughter.

“Kill Them” His cruel voice barely registered as my body went into defence mode, this was it. Leaping forward I fired off a couple rounds scouring fatal hits as a couple of the guards dropped dead. Raising my knife I slashed at the incoming guards dodging spears and swords that were being carelessly swung at me. I lashed out with my foot the sole of my heel smashing into the throat of a leaping guard causing him sail backwards scattering those behind him.

Behind me chrysalis was reaping havoc with her magic, using it to crush skulls throw them at walls and even threw their own weapons at them. I fired my pistol in rapid succession bringing down multiple foes as bullets smashed though them with ease. I hissed in pain when a spear made contact with my ribs cutting the NIS and leaving a nasty cut on my side. I plunged my knife into the bastard’s eye causing it to briefly squeal in pain as I yanked the knife out.

As the fight progressed my body gained several deep gashes, my check now housed a nasty slash and my leg now had a limp, from where one had stabbed me with its sword. The fight was brutal and was taking its toll on both of us; Chrysalis muzzle was covered in blood from a deep diagonal gash that had been received from a spear. One of her wings was ripped badly and her Chitin had several cracks and cuts. In all we looked like shit but we were alive.

I threw my knife at a guard that was about to slice chrysalis’s throat. In turn she stopped a guard that had been about to impale me by crushing his skull with her magic. At this point we were both panting whilst leader being the bastard he was watched on in amusement.

The last bloody hoof gave a scream as a plunged the knife into the back of its head ending the monsters life. We stood there panting as the leader slowly clapped his hoofs slowly he walked towards us a mocking smirk present on his armoured head.

“I must say that I am impressed they were my finest guards” He laughed uncaring to the fact that his guards were dead. Growling I pointed my gun at its head. He stopped his smirk still present on his face. I am impressed mortal very few have ever gotten far and those that do never last long” He laughed.

And who the hell are you suppose to be” I asked my voice defiant to his intimidating presence.

Very well creature you have earned the privilege of learning my name I am high priest Nex, co leader of the Bloody hoofs and your executioner” He finished with a wicked grin.

Faster than I could react his hoof slammed into my stomach sending me flying into a stone wall a audible crack was heard as I felt one of my ribs break. Lying on the ground I retched as I desperately tried to get my breath back. Chrysalis growled and charged at Nex her horn poised to impale him. Sadly it was in vain as she was knocked back landing on her ripped wing resulting in a yell of pain as she struggled to get back up.

Nex laughed as we stumbled to our feet both of us were beaten and tired but still we stood ready to kill. I charged jumping clumsily over him and bring the knife down into the leaders shoulder. Roaring in pain he turned and slammed me into the wooden doors my body weight tearing them from their hinges. Chrysalis rushed to my side to make sure I was alive. Groaning I shakily got to my feet growling snatching up my knife I watch as he charges into me sending us flying towards a balcony.

We crash into the rusted railing resulting in a metallic clang as we are sent flying over still tearing into each other. Weightlessness is all I fell as we fall grabbing my knife I jab into his stomach as he viciously assaults my chest with his bony hoofs.

With a loud boom we crash into the ground my left arm snapping on impact. Screaming in pain I collapse blood and mud coating my hair and eyes as rain lashes down on our frames. Slowly I gingerly wipe away the blood using my right arm and desperately try to rise to my feet.

Nex  back legs were snapped from the impact but too my horror they start to heal his horn glowing releasing a vile black light as the bones snap back into place. He limbs towards me his face contorted in rage and amusement at my suffering. He slams his right hoof into my throat sending me to the floor gasping for breath.

Not content he presses down on my throat chuckling as I flail about wildly trying to get him off.  Weakly I grab my knife and with the last of my energy plunge the blade into his eye. Nex falls of me screaming in rage as he franticly tries to get the knife out. I limp towards him my vision blurred. I draw my pistol and shakily aim. Firing I miss the first time cursing I fire again grazing his skull causing him to hiss at me as he tears the blade out of his eye. Charging towards me time slows as he leaps at me. Aiming my pistol my vision starts to go black but not before I fire of one more bullet

BANG, SPLAT wincing I look as Nex’s body falls to the ground. Turning his cruel eyes pierce my very soul as he roars

“YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE LAST OF ME CREATURE” his voice roars causing my ears to vibrate violently as his eyes go dark and his body goes stiff. Black sludge leaks from his body before igniting in an explosion of black fire as the corpse disintegrates until only ash is left. Slowly I rise to my feet my body screams in protest as fatigue assaults my body mercilessly. Turning I see Chrysalis galloping towards me her eyes showing slight concern. Rain pours down drenching my body as the blood and mud is slowly washed off our bodies.

“You beat him” she stated her knees wobbling from the resent fight. I nearly collapse using Chrysalis body as support, my left arm burning Chrysalis wasn’t in much better condition.

Bending I retrieve my knife and gun nearly falling in the progress before securing them to my suit. Turning I smile weakly.

“Thanks without you I doubt I would of made it” I say civilly. Chrysalis gently nods her head

“I guess I should be thanking you without you I would still be in” She replies arrogantly smirking at me. Nodding I get my Baring before weakly limping forward, Chrysalis slowly walking behind me, neither of us knowing where we are going.

"Where the fuck are all the guards should they not be attacking us" I asked as Chrysalis simply shrugged her shoulders to tired to converse about the lack of guards.

Several hours later

We walked for what felt like days desperately trying to find our way though the pitch black forest Chrysalis magic preventing us from walking in complete darkness. Surprisingly we hadn’t run into any bloody hooves or monsters for that matter, which was strange considering the forest reputation.  Luckily chrysalis had been able to heal some of our minor injuries.

We were in no state to fight but walking was still in question. Sheer stubbornness and adrenalin probably the only things keeping me going as the pain in my rib flared reminding me of the injury. As we limped on the pitch blackness started to ease up allowing us to see more of our path. Stopping we rested by an old oak tree its massive roots providing shelter from the lashing rain.

I bent over and promptly vomited the contents of my stomach coating the forest floor as droplets of blood splattered over my suit. Gasping I collapsed realising to my horror that my injuries were far more serious. I heard Chrysalis yell in alarm running towards me, then darkness.

Twilight sparkles pov

I watched panicky as spike sent the message to princess celestia.

I had awoken to find that Richard wasn’t down stairs. Slightly confused I asked spike if he had seen anything. Spike sadly couldn't shed any light on Richard’s disappearance. Frowning I had gone out and asked about if anyone had seen him.  Sadly no one had seen him and most of them hadn’t even seem him yet. I was confused when i found his machine thing still there unmoved. This caused me some concern, deciding that i was being paranoid I went and checked to see if he was with any of my friends.

Sadly that result had come up short as I quickly discovered that they hadn’t seen him either. Panic slowly filled me as I desperately tried to think of what could of caused Richards disappearance. I fleetingly thought that he had gone off to fight the Bloody hooves but discarded it due to his machine still being around back.

To my shock I had been approached by Lara who had seen something last night.

“Twilight last night whilst I was getting ready for bed I spotted 4 mysterious figures carrying something with them they were heading for the everfree forest” She said fear creeping into her voice at the mention of the monstrous forest. My body drained of colour as I put two and two together. I galloped back to my house shouting to spike to take a letter.

I kept it brief

“Richard the human has been kidnapped by bloody hooves need help”

I paced restlessly back in forth waiting for princess celestia to respond. I nearly jumped out of my fur when my teacher appears behind me her face deadly serious.

“My faithful student I came as soon as I heard” her worried tone frightening me.

“What do we do” I asked feeling completely out of my depth.

I do not know tell me my student is there anything that the human did that could of upset or enraged the Foul beasts” she asked her tone deadly serious.

“Well yesterday Jay a young filly was talking to Richard about getting her cutie mark and told him how she was going into the everfree” I say pausing for a second when my mentor gasps.

“When Richard realised where it was he got into his machine and followed for hours neither of them showed and I feared the worse but right when I was about to send the doctor away He emerged drenched in blood. I thought that he had been too late but when he opened the machine Jay was curled up in his hooves sleeping. He then told me how he had killed a large pack of the bloody hooves who had targeted her he even killed there pack leader” I finished looking at the princess pale face i could tell she was disturbed by the story.

“This human risked his life to save a filly and then destroyed a pack of those abominations, hmmm I may have judged the human too soon but that explains the bloody hooves motive” she says turning green as she finishes her conclusion.

“They are most likely planning on turning him” she finished solemnly. My face turned a sickly green as images of Richard being turned into a monstrous being filled my head.

We must do something then” I cried as I desperately tried to think of a plan to save Richard.

“Twilight” the princess spoke her voice calm and kind

“There is very little we can do, I will personally lead a scouting party into the everfree forest and find Richard you have my word” she said softly her voice reassuring me and allowing me to think more rational.  Taking a deep breath I nodded to my mentor my thoughts still plagued with what inpony things those monsters were doing to Richard.

Chrysalis pov

I watched as Richard the creature fell to the ground blood splattering from his muzzle as he lost consciousness panicking I ran over to him to check if he was alright. I couldn’t let him die he was my only way out of this Tartarus hole. I desperately thought of anything that could help us stamping my hoof in frustration as nothing came to mind. Panic slowly crept up on me as I realised that i was alone in a monster infested forest half dead with a creature that was on the brink of death.

Suddenly an idea formed in my head albeit a risky one.

I could send up a signal flare using my magic and hope that someone could see it. Focusing I allowed magic to flow into my horn as I instructed it what I wanted to do. Closing my eyes I fired a ball of light into the sky its sickly green glow quickly hidden by the massive trees. Sighing I realised that I would only have enough magic to do it once more. Focusing it took slightly longer this time but I was able to fire one more shot of before collapsing on the ground panting for breath as my body cried in protest at straining myself.

After a few short seconds my sense of dread returned no one had seen it I was going to die and so was Richard the creature that had fought so hard to get us out of there and in the end it had been for nought. I moaned in self pity disgusted that I, queen of the changelings would die not of old age or in a glories battle but like this.

As I sat in self pity I looked at Richard properly. His alien appearance fascinated me. His body was stronger than any pony or changeling. His body took a beating that would have killed me in my weakened state. When I had first met him his eyes were what had caught my attention the Harlequin green shade matching the colour of my eyes. This strange creature had risked his life to save me and for that I was thankful, sadly due to the circumstances I doubted that a reward could be given due to the circumstances and state of us. My ears perked up as I heard shuffling of nearby bushes

“Probably some wild beast come to finish me off” I pondered cynically the last of my hope having vanquished when the spell had failed. I lifted my head prepared to meet death in the face. Looking up my breath froze looking at me in horror was the last pony I wanted to meet in pony lands the princess herself celestia and a large group of armed guards. An awkward silence fell as we started at each other o tried to rise to my feet but the strain of the fight and the magic had left me exhausted. Her eyes flashed over to Richard and she gasped her glare returning to me.

Celestia piercing glare made me shiver involuntarily as she positioned herself into an aggressive stance before her eyes darted over my obvious injuries.  She turns to deal with Richard first, her horn glowing brightly as Richard’s body vanishes. Slowly I fell the strength in my body leave me as I my eyes slowly drift shut the last thing I see is the pastel white alicorn walking towards me her horn glowing a soft blue.

Richards pov

Pain, Pain assaulted my body from all angles as I moaned in agony. My battered body tried to feebly move as my mind body started to wake up. Slowly I opened my eyes hissing in pain before clamping them shut as I felt a migraine come on from the intense sun light that was  shining brightly though the large wooden window. I heard someone rush over

“Excuse me can I help you” I quite hesitant voice asked.

“Water” I crocked grimacing as the unpleasant salty taste of blood hit my taste buds due to my chafed lips cracking. Due to my mouth being dry the unpleasant taste was amplified nearly causing me to retch. I sat for a few minutes groaning as my body made a point to show me how badly I was hurt, as spasms of intense pain ran up and down my body. My left arm felt like it was on fire the pain seemed to throb every few seconds sending new waves of pain though my body.

I heard the soft clicking of hooves slowly approaching me. Turning slowly I watched as a grey unicorn mare in a nurse uniform approached me wearily. A soft orange glow surrounded the levitating glass before disappearing as it was deposited at my bed side. I smiled at her as i drank greedily from the glass sighing in ecstasy as the cool liquid helped to moisture my mouth washing away the foul taste of blood and allowing me to move my lips easier. Lying back I allowed my body to wake up fully before trying the gruelling test of sitting up.

Surprisingly the process wasn’t all that bad my ribs still throbbed but the pain was bearable. Grunting I shifted my weight so I was leaning over the bed. I found that my armour and knife was on a table top. Looking down at myself I decided that I needed a shower.

The nurse had been hesitant to let me leave the bed but after some persuasion I found myself in a small shower. Sighing I crouched down and turned the water on. I moaned in bliss as the cool water hit my aching muscles. Showers were rare and cherished in the army due to the size of the raging war it meant that it wasn’t uncommon for men to be stuck in trenches or military bunkers for months on end. I allowed a genuine smile to grace my lips for the first time in years the cold water relaxing my body as my mind wandered. My mind wandered back to my first day here how I somehow ended getting tangled up with a hydra and then kidnapped by a race of zombies soon after.

I laughed as I imagined what my friend john would have said.

“Getting your arse kicked by a couple oh zombies and a fucking lizard, you always were the biggest poof I ever met” my mood soured as I thought about John was he like me trapped in another world, this one maybe or was he simply dead I cringed at the last thought.

Toweling myself off I looked at my reflection in the mirror my body now adorning new scars I found myself wondering how the fuck I had gotten out of there alive.  I quickly got dressed ignoring the protest of the nurse as I slipped the bulky NIS over my body. Strapping my knife to my belt I paused as i noticed something was missing. A sense of anxiety filled me as I realized that my gun was missing.

“Shit I mentally cursed as I checked around franticly looking for any signs of the lethal weapon.

“You where did the people who bought me in take my gun” I barked causing the nurse to shrink back as she held the medical clipboard in crude attempt to protect herself

“I, I don’t un-understand t-the qu-question” She stuttered shivering as I advanced on her a mad gleam in my eye.

“The metal box that I had on me where is it” I growled laying it out in simple terms

“Princess Celestia took it for study” She whispered her head held low in a sign if submission ignoring her I forcefully shoved the doors to the hospital open marching out. I grunted in pain as I cracked my left arm off the side of the door. The two gold armoured clad ponies nearly jumped out there skins at the sight of me but quickly regained their composer.

“You beast you are not to leave this room until the Princess comes to see you” shouted the larger Pegasus his eyes narrowed in disgust. The smaller unicorn looked like her wanted to be anywhere but there.

“Take me to your princess NOW” I growled hoping that the guards would not catch onto the fact that I was for the mostly

piss and wind. The guard growled meeting my glare with one of his own.

“Look pal the princess has a dangerous weapon that could hurt her if she mucks about with it” I said keeping my voice calm as I tried to reason with the angry Pegasus.

“The princess is more than able to look after herself” He growled getting into a defensive stance.

5 minutes later

Both guards lay on the ground groaning as I let out a small chuckle the fight had been brief and one sided despite my injuries I still had more training and strength on my side. Sadly whilst the ponies spoke English there signs were another story.  Twilight had used a translator spell at the library so I could read the bloody hooves books.

I cursed as I had to dart down a random corridor, avoiding a couple of guards who were talking idly with one another. I assumed that I was in the princess castle considering the design and the decoration.  Moving through the maze like castle I promptly found myself completely lost as I tried to find the large pastel coloured pain in the ass with my gun. Stopping I noticed a small brown pony cleaning he floor and assumed she was a maid or something.  I asked gently

“Excuse me do you know where I can find Princess Celestia” I asked gently trying to sound polite and in the hope that the pony wouldn’t freak out.

“Go down the corridor, turn right, then left then look for the massive doors on the right” She snapped not even turning to face me. I thanked her sardonically before following her instructions grinning as I hear a horrified gasp as the maid finally realizes who she had rudely spoken to.

I followed her instructions and quickly found myself looking at a pair of beautiful crafted doors the pattern and detail that went into them impressed me. Sadly two guards were stationed here and were less than happy with my appearance.

The princess is expecting” I lied in the hopes that they would believe the feeble story. To my amazement they stood aside and gave me access.

“Our greatest apologise for our actions of course you can pass” One said bowing deeply. They opened the rand doors allowing me access to the large room inside. On first glance it was obviously a throne room. I noticed to my horror that Chrysalis was in the centre of the room and covered in heavy black chains. I stomped forward pissed off that anyone would do this to the creature that helped me escape.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING” I roared causing Celestia to turn in shock as she witnessed me marching towards her and the others. I noticed a dark blue pony that had wings and a horn sitting beside the princess and twilight sat beside her friends.

“WHO ART THOU AND WHY DOESTH YE MAKE DEMANDS” The blue one roared her voice nearly bursting my ear drums as the noise bounced off the walls causing the room to shake slightly from the force. Growling I snarled at the blue pony daring her to make a move. Our intense glaring match was rudely interrupted by celestia intervening.

“Luna please reframe from using the royal canterlot voice, this is the human I spoke of the one that saved the young filly from the Bloody Hooves” Celestia kind gentle voice never wavering as she tried to relax her agitated sister.

“Very well we shall hold thy tong “the now named Luna grumbled her glare never leaving her face as she looked at me with disgust.

“Richard ar yo' okay thet mean old witch didn hurt yo' did she” Applejack asked glaring at chrysalis before looking at me with concern. I looked at the ponies with confusion they were worried about me. I felt touched that ponies that hardly knew me would show such concern.

“Why is chrysalis in chains” I ask my eyes narrowing at the two princess.

“What do you mean she was the one who did this to you isn’t she working for the bloody hooves” Rainbow dash shouted boisterously.

“No me and chrysalis were both attacked by the bloody hooves” I replied confused.

As I told my story I noticed that the princess were the most disturbed by the story. When I came to the part about killing NEX Luna interrupted me

“THOU VANQUISED HIGH PRIEST NEX” her voice boomed causing her sister and the girls to flinch. Her voice nearly knocking me off my feet as the room vibrated heavily from the noise. Luna stopped looking sheepish before apologising.

“This is certainly surprising NEX was an uncommon type of pony known as a winged unicorn, they were no different than regular unicorns apart from a fully functional pare of wings, he joined nightmare moon just over a thousand years ago and quickly earned the rank of commander. But it seem he took charge when the bloody hooves were vanquished” Celestia explained her eyes narrowing as she spoke of NEX.

“You have my thanks for destroying that monster he caused so much harm to my little ponies and I will rest easier knowing that he is gone. I may not agree with your violent method but in this instance I will not cause a fuss” She finished.

“Why did you assume that Chrysalis was responsible for my injuries” I asked shifting my weight onto my other foot.

“Sadly Changelings need to feed off of emotions to survive and this led to conflict between me and my sister and Queen Thorax she believed that changelings should be allowed to absorb emotions at will as long as they didn’t  completely drain the victim it was fine. We disagreed we believed that the donor should have the choice. This argument scaled out of control until we and the queen severed all connection with each other. This is the first changeling I have seen in seven centuries” Celestia finished.

“Why are you in pony lands changeling” celestia demanded her voice serious

Chrysalis snarled at chrysalis

“I was captured by Bloody hooves for kidnapping some of their guards” Chrysalis drawled her eyes showing her annoyance.

“Why would thou wish to kidnap those abominations?” Luna asked curiously.

“We can harvest there emotion but unlike living ponies they don’t die so it’s easier just to kidnap them and drain them for as long as possible, granted hatred and other fowl thoughts aren’t as appetising as love unfortunately” Chrysalis finished looking quite bored despite the predicament she was in. I noticed that this care free and arrogant attitude was pissing Luna off to no end.

I had to hold in a chuckle Chrysalis reminded me a lot of an old friend of mine, Abby a foot soldier that was constantly getting herself in trouble from the CO for back chatting and being smart ass in general. Smiling fondly at the memories i was oblivious to the occupants of the room looking at me with confusion.

“Richard are you okay” twilight asked in a concerned tone.

“Wha- yeah fine just reminiscing” I said smiling before frowning, I had been smiling a lot recently. Maybe the naivety of the ponies or there unnatural friendliness was what put me at ease but I found myself less stressed and at some points happy. Despite the fact that the three days that I have been conscious have always ended in me having the crap kicked out of me.

Celestia had rooms prepared for me and chrysalis with the promise that she would be escorted back to her lands in a couple days and me back to ponyville at the end of the week. I idly wandered around the castle getting familiar with the colossal building. I stopped at the palace guardian relaxing as my muscles slowly relaxed easing some of the minor pain that I still plagued my body.

Day soon turned to night, as the orange hue of the sun slowly slipped out of view replaced by the glowing moon and stars. I had always preferred the night. It was peaceful, quite and was a natural ally when stealth was required.

“Beautiful” I whispered awed by the sheer unsurpassed beauty of this worlds night sky. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a soft voice spoke directly behind me

“What is beautiful?” turning i realised that it was Luna her head slightly tilted to the right in confusion.

“The night sky” I sighed contently, enjoying the cool breeze that swept though my body. I watched silently as Luna stiffened giving me a questioning look.

“What does thou like up it” She asked was that excitement in her voice.

“The fact that it is peaceful, the moon and stars shine and give off a feeling of unknown the fact that the lights of the stars and moon illuminate the surrounding area making it breath taking as well as the beauty of the moon itself  ” I finished smiling at my poetic description.

“We are glad that some one appreciates our work very few ponies respect the night and fewer enjoy it” Luna finished sadly her head bent low. I had to admit I still found it hard to believe that Luna and her sister raised the sun and the moon.

I had laughed the first time Twilight had mentioned it but had quickly stopped at how deadly serious she looked. Turning to Luna I replied

“Most fear the unknown and are quick to shun things that scare them, it’s only once you can look past the frightening elements that you see the true beauty that it holds” I replied softy watching her frown turn into a gentle smile as she sat next to me. We sat for hours chatting idly enjoying each other’s company. Luna talked a lot about her past the nightmare moon incident, her banishment.

“You probably hate us now” Luna said quietly as if what she had done was true evil. Turning to look at her I Sadly smiled at her

“In my world there’s a lot of evil, but there is also a lot of good. Good people or ponies make mistakes that’s what makes us, well us. You’re not bad Luna foolish at the time, misplaced hate but not evil” I finished smiling.

“Maybe” She finished grinning gently. I found it strange that this mare was able to converse with me and not make me want to hit something she had a far more mature outlook on things still border line naive but a more adult view of the world.

Later

I lay on my bed thinking about the ponies here and how friendly they were. Chrysalis and Luna were probably the most complicated creatures that I had met. They unlike the rest seemed to have a firm grip of the concept of war and the horrors that came with it. Deciding to put these thoughts aside I closed my eyes and decided to get some sleep.

Unknown to me I was being watched by a certain princess, A small blush appearing on her face as she turned away. Flying off to keep guard of the silent night.

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/26069/Trips-into-the-unexplored