When Worlds Collide: The Equestrian War

Chapters

Chapter 1: Welcome to Equus (Edited)
Chapter 2: Ponyville (Edited)
Chapter 3: Dream (Edited)
Chapter 4: Party Disaster (Edited)
Chapter 6: And So It Begins...
Chapter 7: Building up to the truth
Chapter 8: After Party
Chapter 9: Everfree Curse Part 1
Chapter 10: Everfree Curse Part 2

Chapter 1: Welcome to Equus (Edited)

Author's Note

This my be a run on chapter but it helps the main character get aquatinted with the elements and others. Also it would have been extremely short with around a two thousand word chapter and I’m trying to expand upon that until I can write five thousand ones much easier. It will also make dialogue with the Main 6 easier.

(After editing)

Holy shit that took TWO DAYS. No wander editors I find on this site don’t have stories. Editing makes writers their bitch. Well, this is the finished product with added stuff and more descriptive writing. I’m sorry if it will take longer for the next chapter. School is not in my favor right now so expect it sometime... two weeks from now, maybe. I don’t know. It will come out when it comes out. Let me know if I missed anything.

SEE Y’ALL LATER!!!

Chapter 1: Welcome to Equus (Edited)

All was quiet in the Canterlot Gardens as the skittish animals scamper away from the gardeners that work daily to maintain the beauty of the garden that they slaved over. Each cut from the hedge trimmers was masterful and precise sense the ponies that maintained it took pride in their work.

Their sweat dripped off their muzzles as the hot sun beat down on them with its rays. Many of them wiping their foreheads with a gloved hand to get rid of the foul-smelling liquid that they produced. The rest ignored it entirely as they were engrossed with their work because they wanted to make an impression on their princess that lived in the castle north of the garden.

Each eloquent shape of the bushes and hedges were designed by some of the top landscapers to impress the solar monarch with the design. Many would travel the garden to see the beautiful leafy statues that covered the garden except for the maze that was directly in the center of it all.

Each twist and turn of the maze was rounded and cut to perfection as the gardeners shaped the walls perfectly. Each wall was ten feet tall and had an award above it to prevent cheating of any brave soul that wished to traverse the long maze until they reached the center. It wasn’t impossible, only time-consuming. This was why the royal sisters constantly walked through to escape their guards to have some breathing room.

The sisters were in the center at the time as a swirling vortex appeared before them. It wasn’t sudden or constructive as it was first a small distortion in the area. It grew as lightning crackled into the transparent sphere and taking the ground with it. The sisters were stunned as it collapsed on itself before exploding to create the nine-foot, swirling colored portal in front of the rulers.

Lightning crackled from the swirling vortex as the sisters desperately tried to get away from it before realizing that it wasn’t pulling them in. They got up with an embarrassed blush on their faces before examining the mass of constantly moving colors.

“What is this sister?” A navy blue alicorn asked as she slowly stepped forward towards the portal. She was six feet tall with a darker blue dress on with black regalia around her neck that showed a crescent moon on it. Her mane flowed in a nonexistent wind and mimicked the night sky as did her tail. Her cyan eyes examined the vortex as they took in every detail from the colors to the size of the swirling mass.

“It’s a vortex, they normally appear after the innate magic gathers and condenses until it can’t anymore. Creating what you see here, but they normally collapse after a few seconds. It must have been more condensed than I anticipated, or something is keeping it open.” A white alicorn replied as her light grayish magenta eyes studied the same mass. She was eight feet tall with a pinkish white dress on. Her regalia had a purple diamond in it with some curved lines going around the rest of it. Her mane held the same flowing by the nonexistent wind and held the colors light cerulean, light turquoise, very light cobalt blue, and pale heliotrope that was mimicked by her tail.

“Should we request the presence of the Elements, Celestia?” The navy blue alicorn asked after taking her eyes off the portal in front of them. The one now known as Celestia looked at her younger sister with worry as she feared that nothing good would come of this.

“Yes, Luna. Summon them at once!” Celestia demanded fearfully while staring into her sister dead in the eyes. Celestia put a shield spell over it to prevent whatever was on the other side to stay in her trap.

Luna fled from the vortex after destroying the ward to fly to the dragon fire candle to write Celestia’s student an urgent message. She hoped that if whatever kept that vortex open for so long, was peaceful. If not, she feared to see what was on the other side and hoped that the Elements of Harmony would be enough for whatever it was.

In a meadow at the edge of the town of Ponyville were six girls celebrating the defeat of the nightmare moon. They kept it small and agreed on a picnic that they had around noon as they got to know one another. Laughing echoed through the grassy plain as one had just finished a funny story that she heard from a friend.

It was cut short as a reptilian girl in light brown shorts, a lavender shirt, and white shoes ran up to the six. She was about the age of twenty-one and was about five foot eleven. The average height for a girl her age in the world of Equus. Her green spins showcase that her reptilian nature came from the dragons while her purple scales showed off the fur color of the magic that came from the unicorn that hatched her egg.

“Twilight! Twilight!” The young dragoness yelled as the six turns to her. Each with varying degrees of confusion and annoyance.

One was a five-foot-nine lavender unicorn that was a couple of years older than her at twenty-three. Her dark lavender blouse made it clear that the mare was the local librarian in the town. With the blouse was a skirt of the same color with black high heels. Her violate eyes took the distressing features of the dragoness that quickly approached.

Next was a light grayish gold Pegasus that had long grayish rose hair that she used to hide behind when feeling nervous. She was twenty-two while standing at five foot ten, being the tallest in the group. She had a grass green sweater on with an enchantment to cool down or heat up depending on the weather and having blue jeans with white running shoes. Out of the six, she was the most adorable.

Then was a light grayish raspberry earth pony with a brilliant raspberry mane that curled and resembled cotton candy. She was about five foot eight and was twenty years old. She had a white and red striped, short dress that came to her knees and hugged her form. Her white shoes had designs in red to fit the tight dress around her. Despite what most think, she keeps herself fit even though she eats enough sweets to give anyone type two diabetes. She was also known to break the laws of physics most, if not all, the time as she will store things in her mane like it was a pocket dimension.

After she was a light gray unicorn that was on the borderline of white with an indigo mane that curled at the end and was tamer than the pink ones. She was five foot seven and around twenty-one years old. Her black dress had dark purple gems on the collar part of the dress while it had a slit going up the right leg. Her high heels gave her the appeal of a noble in the nation of Equestria and other nations as well. Her azure eyes studied the dragoness’s attire with mild disgust and annoyance.

Next was a mare with a brilliant gamboge coat and a blond mane that blinded with her coat. She was a built twenty-four-year-old that was five foot nine. She had a plaid button-up shirt with tight-fitting jeans and brown boots that went halfway up her leg alongside a stetson of the same color. Her mane was up in a ponytail to keep it from getting in her eyes and hindering her profession. Her sap green eyes glared at the dragoness for disrupting the laughs they shared before falling after seeing the distressed look on the girl.

Last was a grayish cerulean coated mare that had a mane that mimicked the rainbow with all its colors. Cerise colored eyes bore holes into the dragoness for interrupting the picnic. Her tracksuit was a navy blue that hung loosely from her while her black running shoes fit her perfectly without a doubt. Her mane was unkempt so it looked more like a stallion’s mane cut. She was the shortest at five foot six and was about the age of twenty-two.

“Letter from the princesses.” The dragoness explained after stopping near them while holding out a letter for them to read.

‘Dear Elements,

My sister and I have experienced the creation of a vortex in the middle of our maze. Unlike the rest, it stayed in its one area for a matter of minutes instead of seconds. We ask that you come and examine this while being at the ready for an attack from whatever is on the other side.

Sincerely,
Princess Luna’

The girls were in total shock after hearing about the swirling mass that was created in the middle of the princess’s garden. With wide eyes, they rushed to their house to prepare for what they thought was an attack. Except for the pink one who just skipped to the train station immediately without packing for anything.

The rest met up with the pink one as they stepped onto the train and headed for the castle that was resting on the side of a mountain not far from their quaint town. Fear ran through them as they hoped what was on the other side was friendly... or could be stopped by the Elements.

The seven arrived at the Canterlot train station with varying degrees of fear as they examined the town. Luckily, it was completely fine as the nobles have yet to notice that something was wrong. They sighed in relief as they got their bags from the train as they intended to stay after the crisis was over.

None of them wasted time in getting to the castle to see the main issue that arose in the gardens. They didn’t stop to take in the intricate designs of Canterlot as the occupants moved out their way to not be run over by the seven.

The guards posted on the outside of the wall saw their approach and opened the large door that hid the passageway to the castle. Their golden armor reflected the sun perfectly to show who they were and that that they were coming.

The six continued through the castle, guided by the lavender mare until they reached the maze where Luna waited impatiently for the six. Her foot tapped on the marble floor with loud clanking echoed through the halls while her face showed a hint of irritation from how long the seven took to get there along with worry from the sudden events that took place.

“Follow us Elements!” Luna yelled showing that her voice was consumed by panic. She leads them through the maze until they found the barrier that Celestia maintained.

Her long horn far outmatched many others along with Luna’s as the height of it determined their magical prowess. Celestia’s horn grew brighter as a box covered in eloquently cut gems appeared out of thin air. She opened it to reveal the six elements that resembled their cutie marks.

A lightning bolt for the cerulean Pegasus, A pink butterfly for the gold Pegasus, A blue diamond for the light gray unicorn, a red apple for the blonde earth pony, and a blue balloon for the raspberry earth pony. All of them in the shape of a necklace while the lavender unicorn had a tiara with a purple six-pointed star in the middle.

“Princess, what’s happening?” The lavender unicorn asked in confusion and fear. The solar monarch turned to her with a motherly smile before answering.

“This vortex appeared a short while ago, Twilight. Something is keeping it open.” Celestia responded with her motherly tone.

“Whatever’s on the other side, we can take ‘em.” The stetson wearing earth pony proclaimed.

“I hope so Applejack, I hope.” Just then, the vortex began to shift as something was crossing... or falling out of it.

On the ground laid a hairless ape-like creature with blue jeans, black and white shoes, a shirt that said eat, sleep, play with a musical note on it, and silver-lined glasses that were colored black. Near him was a bag filled with some of its belonging that was carried by the creature and a few leaves along with him from an unknown location. In both of the pockets was a rectangular bulge with a circular shape on one side that was followed by a chain.

The creature groaned loudly showing itself discomfort as it sat up straight while propping itself up with one of its arms. The other rubbed the back of his head before flinching at a sharp pain that ran through its head.

“That is the last time I use a tree branch to get up a hill.” It said in a masculine voice while opening its eyes to reveal a dull gray eye color. It ran its hand over the bump on the back of his head before he screamed, “FUCK!” It’s another hand shot up to the bump in reflex before he decided to finally stand. He towered over most of the girls and was as tall as Luna but he was sorely lacking in the mussel department seeing that he was extremely skinny.

One thing ran through everyponies mind, ‘what was on the other side of that vortex?’

Before they could tell the creature to leave and return home, the vortex collapsed leaving him stranded in the magical land of Equestria until they could find a way home for him.

The creature saw the nine and examined them in fascination. His mouth curled into a wide smile as he landed in his favorite TV show back on earth, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Unfortunately, it was replaced with dread after he realized that he was nowhere near his home in an unknown land. His eyes widened after the initial shock as he let out a scream before curling up in a ball and having a panic attack. Causing him to go unconscious.

(Hours before the vortex)

I woke up after the sun’s rays beat down on me causing me to wake up after six hours of sleep. I normally got up around eight-thirty in the morning as I found it hard to sleep before two fifteen.

I immediately recognize the bed above me as it showed that my brother used the bed before he got to my sister’s room after she moved out. I had two windows in my room but one had a black cover over it to keep any unwanted eyes from prying through the blindless window.

I turn my head to the side and found a black nightstand with my PlayStation 4 and 3 on it with all the games as well. The wall was cutting into the room, but gave me a closet to store my clothes. On the wall was a mounted flat screen that I mainly used for gaming.

I reached down to grab my phone that was an iPhone 6s Plus while my Bluetooth earbuds were still charging after they died yesterday. I checked the time on my phone as well as the weather and began to pack after I found it was about to rain. I packed an extra pair of clothes to change into if I didn’t get back in time after the downpour as well as I packed my charger, laptop, wireless mouse, four books, and a poncho.

After that, I got dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt that said eat, sleep, play that had pictures of a fork and knife, a bed, and a sixteenth note. I grabbed my brown belt and slipped it through the belt loops before attaching my pocket watch to a belt loop. I then put my phone in my right pocket and my wallet in my left if I wanted to buy something on my hike to my quiet place that was on the other side of town. I was about to exit my room before I remembered that I was missing my glasses. I grabbed them and put the case and lens cleaner in a side pouch on my back.

I got on my bike after telling my mom and stepdad that I was heading out for a while to my little quiet place. I did this often so they didn’t worry about me getting in trouble. My bike was mostly black and dark gray with a little red on it and a phone holder on the handlebars.

On the way there, I stopped by the local gas station and bought two one-liter Doctor Peppers and a water bottle. I slipped the water bottle into the remaining side pocket and the sodas in the main pocket.

I continued on my way after that little delay until I came to a forest where I had my little hideout when I need some peace. Unfortunately, I had to climb a steep hill that was above a creak, and going around would take twenty minutes at least so I climbed up.

The leaves on the ground made it hard for me to get a good footing, but I was able to make it halfway up when I had the bright idea to use a stick to help me. I gripped the stick hard, but it snapped on me causing me to fall backward. I hit my head on something hard before I felt like I was falling for a while. I kept my eyes shut because I feared that I would die soon and keeping my eyes closed would help me stay calm.

I opened my eyes after I hit the ground back first knowing that something inside must have broken because of the soda.

I then began to open my eyes to find I was no longer in a forest, but in a maze in the land of Equestria. I am a major brony so I absolutely adored this world until it came crashing down that I could be stuck here for the rest of my life. Panic filled my every being after that thought as my world began to be consumed by darkness until I finally went unconscious.

I woke up in a comfy bed that wasn’t mine which I didn’t care about because it was comfortable and I began to drift to sleep again until a voice spoke up.

“Time to get up~.” A female voice cooed in a motherly tone. I groaned before laying face-first into the pillow with no regard for who that was as I began to try and sleep again, but the voice spoke up again. “You don’t want to miss breakfast do you~?” I threw my pillow at the voice because I hardly ever used it anyway because not having a pillow was comfier for me.

The covers were pulled off me as I felt a cool breeze over my body which made me question what I was wearing. I cracked my eyes open a little but found no clothing on me at all which caused my eyes to shoot open before I rolled off the bed to cover my shame.

“I wasn’t expecting that.” She sounded chipper and giggled at the end making my soul die a little in embarrassment after I have been revealed in my naked form to a being of the opposite sex.

“Can I please get my bag? I had clothes in there that I can wear.” I didn’t care that I was extremely nervous around anyone, but clothes are my priority.

“Aww, come on. We can’t have a little fun?” The way she said that made me blush even harder than I originally was. Not to mention my member was at full attention.

“No! Not ready for that shit!” My embarrassments were slowly turning into anger as I absolutely didn’t want to do this now.

The bag landed on the other side of me with a soft thump causing me to rummage through while keeping my lower half covered. I found my change of clothes at the bottom and marveled at the fact that nothing broke, thankfully. Unfortunately, the Doctor Peppers were shaken up to the point where they would explode if opened... I’ll let them sit.

I got dressed in black jeans with a black shirt that said Red Regiment Marching Band with last year's show on the back with it being a glass slipper. I loved that show because it was fast and extremely fun to play. The show was a Cinderella show that was originally a Rapunzel show, but we made due and won every competition that season. I sighed after realizing that I moved to a different county this year and things are about to go downhill for me.

“Ready,” I said as I stood at full height until I found a light green mare in a french maid outfit with a blue mane.

“After you cutie~?” She asked which caused me to blush as I never have been talked to like that in my entire life. Not to mention that nervousness that I felt when around new people began to swell up in my gut causing me to keep my head down and put my hands in my pockets.

The maid noticed this and got close making me move away from her to keep myself from having a random spike of fear. I have never been that good in any social situation, even in NJROTC. I can safely say that I blame my Aspergers Syndrome for my nervousness.

When I was in a crowded area, I was always tense and would avoid eye contact at all costs. When people would talk to me, I would try to answer, but I would never even produce a single word. Hell, when someone would lift a hand from across any room, I would always flinch because of fear of being hit. The only way I wouldn’t do that right away is if something important is happening and I would panic, forcing that anxiety away in favor of the new, more important emotion.

“What’s wrong?” She asked in a caring tone that she only received a mumble from me. It is always hard answering someone that I just embarrassed myself in front of, apparently, it’s even worse when they were flirting with me. “What was that?” She lifted a hand to one of her ears so she could try to hear me. I gulped down my fear to muster up as much courage as I could to answer, but the same thing happened to make me lower my head in failure. “Just relax and tell me at your own pace. I won’t judge you.” She gave me a comforting smile as we stopped in the middle of an empty hallway as I took a few, comforting deep breaths as I was finally able to create a coherent answer.

“Severe social anxiety and no self-confidence,” I said in a light whisper which was around my normal tone of voice. It was hard for me to speak above that in public, even if it was just me as I was just plain fearful of someone overhearing what I say to myself. “What’s your name?” I don’t know why, but I was inclined to know her. She seemed nice and I was finally able to break through my own initial fear as the rest slowly went away.

“Helping Hand.” She chuckled in a playful way which I just found adorable in my own opinion. I chuckled a little as the fear finally, completely disappeared from me... or until someone passed by causing me to lock back up for a short while.

“Hunter Herrero.” She got closer, but I did not move to get away which was when I realized that she was around my neck area in height.

We shared stories about each other to get to know one another which was nice. I laughed when something particular funny made me laugh or whence when I heard about a painful or heartbreaking story that was sad. Soon we knew a lot about each other’s personality just from doing this. She was playful and nice while I was quiet and tame to how I use to be, and trust me when I say I was tame. I use to be as energetic as Pinkie Pie on a sugar high which is saying something about how I was like.

“Here’s the dining room, enjoy the food.” I nodded before pushing the doors open and seeing all nine of the ponies and dragoness I saw yesterday eating their breakfast.

They were having a conversation about something when we entered with varying degrees of happiness and laughter. Helping left after I froze in the doorway to the dining hall which caught the attention of everyone in the room.

All eyes shifted to me causing me to do an about-face and walking just out the reach of the door and having a mini freak out. I breathed heavily in a vain attempt to calming my pounding heart from being at the center of attention. My hands shook while my eyes were wide in complete fear from the sudden attention.

I felt a hand on my shoulders which caused me to look at it until I noticed the green-colored hand. I tracked the hand up the arm until I found the smiling face of Helping Hand which, oddly enough, calmed me to the point where I could think straight.

She turned around and lead me into the room with the nine still staring at me in wonder and confusion. She leads me to my seat where I promptly sat down slowly like I was being judged by everyone in the room. Most were studying me with careful eyes like I was going to do something horrible at a moment's notice or was worried about me from the noises that I produced from the hall. I was not trying to be quiet at all when I was freaking out.

“I apologize for your majesty. From what I heard him tell me, he is a very shy individual with severe social anxiety, no self-confidence, and, judging by the way he was around the corner; I don’t think he has any social practice.” Helping Hand said which made me smile a little at her simple explanation that actually was spot on.

Another side of me wanted to walk out of the room after I began to get looks of sympathy and pity which I hated. I tried my best to avoid that at all costs which is hard when you get a fuckin’ panic attack in the middle of class after being asked a question for the class.

I sighed after finding a medium in between before picked up the fork and knife as I examined the plate in front of me. It held waffles, hash browns, and bacon. I dug in silently as my fearful gaze switched from one pony to another... I may be a little paranoid. My hands were shaking so badly, it was hard to believe that I was a trombone player from the ferocity of the shaking.

“There is no need to be afraid. From my sources, you are still in grade school.” Celestia said with that angelic voice and motherly smile. Something happened as those two sentences made me calm down a little and stopped shaking violently, but one question rose above the rest of my thoughts and I may have already had my answer.

“You looked through my bag, didn’t you?” I asked with a deadpan expression as she had no way of knowing that because we recently just met and I’ve never told them. I may be a nice person, but if I have a chance to embarrass someone, I will do it without hesitation, and sometimes it would be on accident. Apparently, I was dead on as she blushed before laughing sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her head after being caught. “Well, you're correct in your assumption. I will be entering tenth grade this year. Actually, the first day of school is... today.” My eyes widened as the implications of what I just said came crashing down. ALERT ALERT, panic levels rising— never mind, they broke. “The days I’m out will be going on my high school transcript! I need that if I want to get into my first choice college!” I take this extremely seriously because when it comes to getting accepted into my choice college, I will throw my timidity out the window in favor of panic or excitement.

I stood up and began pacing as my left hand propped up my right arm by the elbow while the right rested over my mouth. My eyes widened while my pupils shrunk to pinpricks as fear slowly began to settle in my very being.

“Calm down, they will most likely accept you even if y’all out all those days.” Applejack responded with indifference. This made my panic rise as it wasn’t easy for me to maintain the grades I have and applying for it is more of impressing the school staff than writing on a piece of paper.

“I only have a nine percent chance of being accepted in that art school!” My panicked gaze switched to Applejack after that comment so she could understand that it isn’t that easy. My gray eyes soon looked crazed after that simple fact of the chances I have in getting in. Eventually, it turned to hopelessness after I realized that I didn’t have good chances of getting in and hardly any chance of being one of the two they would pick from my state. “I’ll never get in.” My tone was hopeless and saddened by the fact of it all. I sat down with my hands covering my face while I was shaking it from side to side after hearing from me that I didn’t have good chances. It was the truth with an added effect of pessimism that made my heart drop to the bottom of my chest as a pit formed in my stomach.

“Don’t think like that—” Pinkie began before I cut her off with a harsh voice. It had so much venom that it could poison a manticore with its own venom... if that makes any sense.

“I’m a pessimist. So fuck off.” I slammed my head into the table repeatedly as I groaned to let some of my frustration out. This is why I play video games. It acts as a vent for me to release my pent up anger, which is a lot. Horror soon took over my features as I finally realized that I used Pinkie as my new vent and immediately tried to rectify my mistake. “Sorry, but getting into this college is one of my main objectives right now. I’m trying my best in keeping my grades above a B so I have a better chance. Now that I think about it, I’ll have a better chance of getting accepted into Broward College. At least I’ll have a ten percent chance of getting in. I really hope I get into this college.” I let my head fall to the table causing a loud thump to shake the table, plates, and glasses. It was actually pretty calming that the clatter of the cutlery was soothing to me and I was surprised that my glasses didn’t break yet.

I stopped my train of thought after the cutlery finally began to settle after my constant banging my head on the table before that thought. My glasses... where are my glasses? I wanted to bang my head onto the table again after I forgot about my glasses. I didn’t really need them, but I’m nearsighted when it came to my vision and it would make my life a little easier if I had them as I read every sign I see.

I felt around my face for them but felt nothing except a stinging sensation after remembering my sunburn that took over my head. It hurt a lot which made me hiss in pain before wincing in complete pain as that stinging sensation spread across my face. The beach is fun and all, but fuck the sunburns.

“Where are my glasses?!” I yelled in fear after I realized what else I was missing. I began to think of how oblivious I was not to notice the missing clothes that I wore. “And, on that note, where are the clothes I wore yesterday?” Celestia brought her hand up to reveal my glasses in a polished light. I whistled in admiration at the kindness that was shown to me in the hour I knew them. These ponies would be great allies as they mostly only know kindness from what I’ve seen and any nation would be grateful to have them on their side.

“Your clothes were dirty, so we placed you under the covers before using magic to undress thou and placing your items from your pockets to your bag,” Luna responded with a slight blush at the admittance from the lunar monarch. Why did I respond in such a way that made it sound like I was flirting with her? Why did I even make a sexual innuendo in front of a royal audience? Why am I so impulsive?!

“At least buy me a drink first,” I mumbled softly, but not quite enough as Pinkie and Rainbow Dash fell back laughing at my attempt of a joke. Luna blushed harder in response and visibly tried to shrink away from the humility I accidentally placed on her. I looked at her with pity and mouthed ‘sorry’. She looked at me with pleading eyes that asked to end it, but I have no idea what to do.

The two picked themselves off the ground while stifling a few giggles that they tried to hide... emphasis on tried. Twilight glared at them that promised death and made those two stop in a matter of seconds which surprised me. “Okay, it’s time for introductions now,” Twilight said with a light blush after that comment and tried to move away from it, but I wouldn’t let that happen just so I could mess with her because I’m that kind of person. “Name?”

“Hunter Herrero. Age, seventeen. Gender, male. Occupation, none.” Better to get that out the way for now or until they get more questions that I’ll need to answer.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, The two at the heads of the table are Princesses Celestia and Luna, and this is my dragoness assistant, Barbara.” She pointed to the respective holder of their name. “Well, next question, what are you?” Fuck, I forgot about that.

“Human and before you think my skin color is red, it’s a sunburn and will go away in time.” I waited for someone to speak up if they had a question.

“Is human your race or are there different races for humans?”

“Human is a species and I’m of Caucasian and Hispanic descent.” I looked at her and found that she had a pencil and paper while writing all this down. Most likely magicked in by her that I didn’t want to question further so I could retain my sanity in this unfamiliar/familiar land I found myself in.

“Okay, I got it. Now, we have a few questions about your world.” She had this odd look like I knew something that she didn’t... I guess that makes sense. “Tell me everything!” Dammit.

I sighed before my groan of annoyance gave way to a vicious and evil smile after I thought this through. I chuckled slowly and methodically which obviously made chills go up through their spines. I began slowly and my deep, dark voice spoke creepily, “Well, it all started with nothing...” She did say she wanted to know everything, so I’ll start with The Big Bang.

“... and that brings us up to the present.” I finished as I spent the next hour or three explaining the creation of the universe, how our planet was created, and the history of the planet. Most looked like they wanted to die right then and thereafter the long history lesson that I lectured. “Congratulations, I just wasted,” I dove into my bag and retrieved the phone that told me it was indeed three hours, “the last three hours of your life. Have fun living three fewer hours of your life.” My evil smirk was extremely noticeable.

“What!” A white unicorn with a two-toned blue mane yelled in anger. She had golden armor that made it hard to see what her normal clothing was. She had a sword propped against the side of the table which was around the size of a short sword.

“Yup, this was purely to consume everyone’s time and piss everyone off.” I had a victorious smile at my accomplishment that I was able to complete.

“But you wasted your time, too.” A pink alicorn observed while cocking her head to the side. She wore an equally as pink dress that was a little darker and her mane wasn’t ethereal like Celestia’s or Luna’s.

“You think I care. I don’t have a life except playing video games, playing my instruments, and school. I really don’t give two shits.” I’m seriously not trying to censor myself as it would be more trouble than it’s worth.

I analyzed the two before me were the main characters... of a few episodes. The female version of Shining Armor and Cadence came in when I was explaining how my planet formed which was interrupted while pulled into a hand salute after the guards were notified of a commanding officer on deck. That was a very awkward introduction to the mare because she was confused about what to do and I was taught not to relax until saluted back.

“Sorry for the salute. NJROTC implanted that in me after we began.” I apologized to the female Armor that just looked away with a small blush. She very awkwardly dismissed me which led to a very short awkward moment of silence for that amount of time.

“It’s fine. I was just... caught off guard. I’m Gleaming Shield and this is Cadence.” Gleaming introduced with a small smile which made me smile as it was infectious and absolutely adorable.

“Hunter Herrero.” I held out my hand and she shook it. I winced after I found out that she had a ton more strength than me which made her retract her hand.

“Sorry, I don’t know my own strength.” She apologized with wide eyes that were trained on my hand before I waved it off with a pained smile before cradling my injured hand.

“It’s fine, I’m extremely weak which was the main reason I joined ROTC. Also, I’m resilient so it should be a minor annoyance in a few minutes.” I smiled reassuringly as I really didn’t want her to blame herself as she seemed like a good person... er, pony.

The questions continued until everyone else just continued to have idle conversations which I didn’t take part in. I had nothing to contribute and I wanted to finish eating my breakfast that was now cold, but extremely delicious.

I looked at the room and found Helping standing in the corner with another maid with a small smile. I silently beckoned her over which made her look relieved as she may have been like me and had to do something.

“Yes?” She asked with her smile as I pointed to a seat for her to sit in so I could show her what I meant by video games.

I just pull out my laptop and mouse before clicking one of the games I had on it. It was Monster Hunter World and I was tasked to kill diablos, but I didn’t bring my headphones so the fight was blasted through the speakers. It was drowned out by the talking and Helping looked amazed at the details that were put into this game. Unfortunately, no matter who you play with or who’s watching, the rage will always win.

“DAMMIT!” I yelled after I died a third time, ending the mission and sending me back to the hub area. I threw my head back in frustration as I needed to cool down for a bit after the aggravating fight. “So fucking close!”

“Calm down. What were you doing?” Applejack asked with wide eyes after my outburst. I was a terrifying person when angry and my outburst was no exception.

“W-was it that fight that aggravating.” Helping asked with a little fear making me take a few deep breaths to calm down. I shut off the game and turned off the laptop to conserve battery until I find an outlet. The room I woke up in had an outlet since it has a lamp inside so there must’ve more.

“I was playing Monster Hunter and got fucking killed by a Diablos after I was so close to killing it. It aggravating and I have random moments of rage at the game. It helps me vent... in away.” I responded in a calm tone that surprised most of them after the outburst not even a few minutes ago.

“Maybe I could help. Just use a projection spell so we can help.” Gleaming said with a smile as I shrugged. I turned on the game and started the game file until it got to the title screen as the music came through the speakers on my laptop.

“Please don’t break this. I need this for school and I don’t have the money to replace this.” I asked in a high pitched voice that was low enough for it to still sound like me. Twilight nodded before her horn glowed in a lavender aura before it grew larger before directing it to my laptop as fear coursed through me.

Twilight cast the spell and the title screen appeared on the wall behind Celestia. Jaws dropped at the quality of the video game before them that was a work of art on its own.

“I-impossible. No game can be played on that thing and not this good.” Twilight said quietly in disbelief. My headshot in her direction with a glare as I took offense to that.

“Hey, my laptop was specifically made for gaming... that I could afford, but it’s still good,” I responded with an offended tone as I clicked on the character that I mostly played on.

I had some bad armor that you could make at the beginning of the game and I made it harder for me. Was it a good idea, no. Do I regret it, maybe... okay, I never had enough resources to make a better one. Actually, this is the best as it has twenty-four armor when fully upgraded. And that was just the helmet. In conclusion, the hunter armor is my favorite armor that I have at my disposal right now.

I ran around the hub area, buying everything that I needed, and heading to the smithy. I went to the training area so I could show the movie set and attacks that I would normally do. I didn’t show the sword form so I can see how good Gleaming would adapt to a new move set. Not a good idea, but I could do this again with her help and it might be faster. Although, I had to ask...

“So why was this spell created?” I asked with genuine confusion. I had an idea but I doubt that was the reason as I had a problem with second-guessing myself, but what can I do in this situation.

“For projectors, if they malfunction,” Cadence said with a wave of her hand. Holy crap I was so close. I thought it was made to create projectors, but I was fifty percent correct. I turned back to the screen as I began to head to the quest board that had my quest.

“Okay, now I’m going to get that quest.” I was able to hide my amazement as I went to the quest board for the mission. I got the quest and waited for the mission to load which took a little while before I set out. My character pulled up two fingers and whistled which caused a wyvern to fly above him before my character used a grappling hook to attached to the monster so he could fly.

My character land in the camp as I went to the place where I first found its footprints and went from there until I got sidetracked as I collected all the resources I found. One thing I learned in this game is that tracking it was half the battle as I ran around the map, collecting any and all materials I could find within the area. It soon made itself known after I completed the trail to get to it and began to attack it with precise hits and dodges.

This continued on when Gleaming began telling me what I needed to do after I died the first time. She had no idea what the enemy's attack patterns were so I did my best without her so she could see what I needed to do. I told her the weak points on the monster and told her that cutting off the tail is the top priority so I could collect it to improve my switch ax and any other weapon in the game. She was amazed that killing monsters is much more important than just taking out threats, but making weapons and items so that they could survive. Eventually, we stopped our talking to get back to the game where I was making my way to the monster.

Fortunately, when you track a target monster in the game, the map tracks it until I leave or die three times. I got to the target monster as Gleaming began to tell me what attack I needed to do by the buttons used for an attack. Gleaming was a huge help as she was able to analyze and memorize the attack pattern in a few minutes before it changed drastically. She studied it before it one hit me making my curse loudly as sweat poured down my face from the tension from the fights.

While I was respawning, I looked around to see guards enraptured by the game in front of the wall and the teamwork us two used. I turned back to the game with a newfound determination to complete this mission. I saw Helping staring at me before she looked back at the screen with childlike excitement which made me look at the rest to see the same faces or they were hanging off their seats.

A few more minutes in and I was able to cut off the tail as the monster fled before I took the resources from the tail. I smiled evilly as I was about to use my secret weapon in the game as I have yet to show the next form of the switch ax. My test was about to begin as the meter on the top of the screen was full and I was about to use most of it to kill the target.

I ran to its inevitable last location as I went for a wild horizontal swing before I switched the weapon into its sword form for maximum damage. I dodged masterfully as I attacked with Gleaming soon got my attack pattern down and gave me tips as the heart monitor on the bottom of the screen got orange and thinner. She knows her way around weapons as she literally only saw the attacks once and found the best way to defeat the monster.

The time was about to be up as I switched it back to ax form to preserve its most devastating attack until I got hit again, but it was weak enough for me to just barely live causing me to run away. I was wasting time, but I didn’t want to die and all the hard work be for nothing. My teeth gritted as I ran out of health potions a while ago which made me mad for the pour management of my items.

My cat companion, Midnight, named after my cat, used this green bug to heal me as I smiled making my head back into the fray with courage. I switched the weapon back to sword form as I did the elemental discharge, which hit the monster’s head, causing my character to latch on and shove the sword into the face until the explosion at the end threw my character off it violently. He hit the ground and would have continued to slide on the ground if he didn’t plunge his blade into the ground, effectively keeping him in place.

It’s death animation commenced as I jumped out of my chair in excitement and let out a cry of victory for the intense battle. Many followed as the suspense in the fight left everyone on the edge of their seats, even the princesses cried out in victory. The room was filled with cheers that would have made anyone outside feel envious of not being able to see the amazing spectacle of a successful monster hunt.

“Woohoo, hahaha! Finally!” I yelled in excitement as sat back down and got the resources from the monster. “That’s... enough Monster Hunter for today.” I clicked off the game as my desktop had the Amnesia background on it with every other game I downloaded and some papers for old projects or notes for my old classes... I did say I use it for school, didn’t I?

I looked around as I pulled up Bloodborne and began to play without any regard for everyone else. I skipped the Cleric Beast early on to Kill Father Gascoigne with a little more of a challenge. It would be easy Blood Echoes if I kill the beast and it would be the extra push I would need to level up.

I looked around as many were enraptured by the game making me smile evilly as the thought of their reaction of the first visceral attack came to mind. My dark chuckles went unnoticed by the silent crowd as the sound bounced off the walls of the room, making the game two times louder.

“This is going to be fun,” I whispered as the fight initiated the fight against the beast and hearing many screams from the blood that was spilled on the ground from man and beast alike while I continued to play.

“I hope you're happy with your self.” Helping scolded as I sat in my temporary room in the castle. I finished the fight with the Cleric Beast extremely fast which made Helping grab my hand and force me to pack everything up before we went back to my temporary room.

“Vary. Their reactions were hilarious! I guess I should have played Modern Warfare 3 instead, but the temptation was too great.” I laughed as Helping continued to glare at me. She sighed before taking a seat next to me and laying back with her hands over her head. “I call it payback for what you did for a wake-up call.” My smile was as innocent as I could muster for my payback against her. It still looked like I was up to something, but I didn’t give a damn what it looked like, that shit was hilarious.

“Fine, I’ll give you that one.” She removed her hands to reveal a small smile with her eyes closed. I pat her on the head from my sitting position on the bed and was tempted to lay back so I could relax.

We stayed quiet for a few minutes before I got up and went to my bag as the doors opened up. On the other side were Celestia, Luna, and Twilight with annoyed faces and a necklace with a gem for the main piece.

“Why?” Was all they could say as I shrug my shoulders and added ‘not’ at the end of that one-word question. That is my response for every time someone asks me that as it is an extremely justified answer. Hell, give me the powers of Discord and you’ll never know the difference except I’m a completely different species.

Celestia sighed as she noticed Helping Hand in the room with me and gained a small smile, “You work fast. Not even one day.” She said with that damn grin, but I was the king of comebacks when it came to stuff like this.

“Not yet,” I said with a grin of my own causing her eyes to widen at the comeback, “and at least I’ll buy her dinner first.” Luna blushed as I refused to let her forget that moment because I’m a horrible person. I’m healthy enough to admit that.

“Can we please get to why we’re here?” Twilight squeaked in embarrassment as her hands covered her blushing face.

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes in annoyance after losing my present form of fun. I crossed my arms in annoyance, but I didn’t want to be on probation because I pissed off the wrong people.

“Okay, we are here to give you this,” Luna said while handed me the amulet which caused me to quark an eyebrow in confusion as I put it on to not be rude.

“This amulet will change your form at will so you can blend in without being the center of attention. Don’t want to keep you here because you had a panic attack in the middle of the street.” Celestia said making me chuckle sheepishly as they left. They began to walk out of the room before Celestia stopped and turned her head to look over her shoulder at me. “Also, Welcome to Equus.” She added as the doors became encompassed in a golden aura before the doors shut.

I walked back to my bag and pulled out one of the one-liter Doctor Peppers and looked around the room for cups. Apparently, there is an entire cabinet with glasses. I got two and filled them both up before handing one to Helping.

“Relax, it’s soda.” I downed the drink in less than a second. “Better enjoy this while it lasts.” I filled the glass again as Helping filled her second glass. “Cheers.” Our glasses clung as they made contact with one another.

Chapter 2: Ponyville (Edited)

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3: Dream (Edited)

Helping ran as fast as she could to Sugar Cube Corner to find someone for Hunter who she found was suffering from something she didn’t know. When she heard his voice, it was laced with sadness and regret as well as fear while muttering those two words. Each time she thought of how he sounded, it hurt her as he was so upbeat before then.

She made it to the gingerbread house within fifteen minutes despite it being harder to find than she originally thought. She knocked once before waiting for a while before being pulled in by a pink hand that belonged to an energetic, extremely pissed off pink mare. Pinkie stared death at the green castle maid with a burning intensity that could make the sun feel like ice and made many back off from her. Pinkie had her hands on her hips while leaning over Helping menacingly and continued forward as she was nearly hovering over her. She couldn’t keep it up however as she fell forward onto the ground comedically with the sound of a rubber ball hitting the ground.

“You came alone Helping? Did Hunter follow you?” Pinkie questioned slowly while quirking an eyebrow in suspension at how she was just walking casually to the bakery.

Helping looked around the room until she found a familiar alicorn with two other alicorns and the guard captain that stealthily snuck to Sugar Cube Corner. She rushed to Luna with worry clearly evident in her facial features that everyone noticed as she stopped in front of the lunar diarch.

“Princess Luna, can I speak to you?” Helping asked with worry that was shown clearly by her body movements.

“What does thou need us for?” Luna asked with a tilt of her head as her eyes scanned every part of her body to hope it wasn’t as bad as it sounded like. Unfortunately, she found no sign of it being a false alarm.

“It’s about Hunter.” Luna nodded and stepped outside followed by Helping, the mane six, Barbra, Celestia, Cadence, and Gleaming Shield. Luna turned to Helping after getting far enough away from the sweetshop to know that they were out of earshot. “Something’s wrong with him. He was fine one moment, but when I was about to walk to Sugar Cube Corner with him I heard crying.” The others were confused about that. From their knowledge, he was fine physically, mentally, and emotionally unless he had pent up his negative emotions.

“This is troubling. He must have pent up all his negative emotions to not show them and his emotions finally burst the walls that kept the emotions at bay. How is he now... or the last time we saw him.” Luna knew how to read ponies through their dreams, but when they had pent up emotions, she could feel it. Hunter was a special case as Luna felt nothing wrong with him or if he was that good at suppressing them.

“I heard crying and soft muttering before it went quiet.” Helping confirmed the state he was in before he fell asleep. He stayed up until four in the morning just doing random activities, so he is most likely asleep. It was also perfect for her and everyone else if she was like this because if this happened, they would have a nightmare of what happened to cause the sleeper distress. She could confront the problem without having to wait until morning.

“If it’s all the same to everyone, we would like to see sir Hunter Herrero.” No one questioned The weird dialect the princess just spoke as they chased her to Helping’s and Hunter’s house. None stopped to rest as this new development worried most of them, especially Pinkie Pie because she always wants to make everypony laugh no matter what they are.

They had entered Hunter’s room quietly with slow, careful steps that avoid many portions of the wooden floor as those places, if stepped on, could trigger a loud noise from the floor. A loud creak echoed through the terrifyingly quiet room that emanated from the last person in the group that was sorely lacking in the stealth department. It was none other than the Pink party mare herself that was keeping herself from lunging at the lump on the mattress that hasn’t moved one bit. The group sighed in relief as they thought that it was quiet enough that he wouldn’t wake up to find them inside his room with a magically picked lock, but they were ignorant of how heavy of a sleeper Hunter actually was.

They began to take less careful steps when trying to find a place to sit beside Hunter’s bed. Doing so, the room was filled with lots of squeaks and creaks from the floor, but Hunter never moved which made them less and less careful after hearing that Hunter could sleep through a hurricane. They assumed positions that would allow Luna to pull them into Hunter’s dreams... or nightmares in this situation. All felt a tugging sensation as their vision darkened from Luna’s soothing magic washing over them like a wave that was crashing onto the hot sand of a beach, but less violent than speculated.

Each one closed their eyes with the trepidation of what they were about to see in the mind of a stallion who enjoyed the thrill of terror and experiences it every day. Sweat dropped off their muzzles after the stress of going into a stallion’s mind to help mend his psyche from whatever has plagued his mind that made such drastic change in such little time. They braised themselves for what they might see in the mind of a terrified stallion as their bodies went limp and Luna converged their dreams into one before entering herself.

Once all have entered the dreamscape, a dark blue mist resembling the night sky came from Hunter and into Twilight before pausing completely before doing something that would help the mist but would violate the two. “I really hope they won’t get pissed off after this.” A voice quietly echoed through the cramped and quiet room that came from the mist.

In the dreamscape, Twilight felt a shiver go up to her back as it felt like something was happening to her body in the waking world that she wouldn’t like. It continued throughout the time it took to find her friends in the seemingly endless expanse of black that consumed the entire area. The feeling became more... pleasurable to her when she stopped completely and tried to figure out what was happening.

Whatever was happening outside Hunter’s dreamscape, was quickly pushed to the back of her mind as she found the rest along with Hunter himself. He seemed normal with a little smile that was hardly ever present on his face which surprised her. He looked completely fine and was talking to the rest like nothing happened before she ran up to him quickly.

“Something wrong?” He asked oblivious to the glares sent his way... or he just didn’t care. He was in his human form with an odd vest on him along with black slacks, a white, button-up, long sleeve shirt, a red tie, and a light brown trench coat. He had dark patches on the coat that looked like he was rolling in the mud for a while his tie was loosely and lazily tied as it didn’t close the shirt that was rolled up to his elbows.

“Yes!” Twilight yelled loudly as the rest began to join in after seeing that he was fine. “Helping heard you crying, and now you're fine!” Twilight was easily the loudest in this situation and he couldn’t get a word in through all the yelling from the rest.

He sighed softly in a little disappointment before he summoned a pistol in his hand before firing in the air, causing everyone to cover their ears. Hunter was used to gunfire after owning a gun for a few years, but it was under his mom’s name for legal reasons which he found dumb because he knew all gun safety laws. Everyone else was scared as they have never heard a sound like that except for Luna after that one monster in Hunter’s dream that he fought. The ringing in their ears didn’t fade after a few minutes, but in twenty minutes in the dream realm which made it difficult to speak to one another.

“Will you allow me to speak?” He asked with a raised eyebrow while awaiting his answer from the twelve. They glared at him for a moment hearing he was fine after the false alarm.

“Only after you tell us what’s wrong,” Luna responded after a few minutes getting whispers of agreement from the rest. Hunter crossed his arms in annoyance before signing heavily and rolling his eyes as he didn’t like to talk about his feelings. It wasn’t like he thought it wasn’t manly, but he could never put it in words which would make it much harder to communicate to others.

“Fine, I bottle up negative emotions and they come out every once and a while bringing up negative thoughts of the past to help myself balance out.” He explained irritably with his arms crossed in annoyance. He didn’t like talking about his unhealthy habits, but he didn’t want to lose his friends' trust, he doesn’t have a lot of those.

“That’s not healthy. You could explode when you don’t mean to.” Cadence said in a worried tone. Hunter knew she was right as he would either sound harsh and unfeeling or snap before making an empty threat which would be driven by anger. Hunter was lucky that he could now hold back his adrenaline so he doesn’t go into violent rages anymore.

“Well, I don’t give a crap.” The rest gasp before Hunter imminently responds with, “Oh shut up! You’ve heard me say much worse.” He crossed his arms in annoyance as the second's tick by, but it felt like hours for the large group.

Rainbow Dash decided to speak up to destroy the tense silence that reigned supreme for thirty seconds. “While we’re here, why don’t you show us what scared Princess Luna so badly,” Rainbow said with a wicked smile that spelled mischief that Hunter returned for different reasons as he thought of the monster.

Rainbow’s wicked grin turned into one of horror as the twisted amalgamation stood in front of the thirteen menacingly in all its terrifying horror. Its body looked like it was burned alive before being ripped to pieces and then sewed back together completely wrong with fifteen human corpses add into the mix. Suffice to say, they were terrified as their minds tried to tell their legs to move, but the nerve signals never reached the limbs as they were frozen in fear.

“W-w-what is that thing?!” Rainbow yelled in fear at the amalgamation before them that was paralyzed due to Hunter having complete control over his dreams as he daydreams... a lot.

“This,” He pats the giant monster on its leg without a care in the world while the others wonder why he’s so afraid of others and not that beast, “is a boss from ‘The Evil Within’. It feels like a modern ‘Dead Space’.” He then summoned another human that looked mutated beyond recognition with scythes coming from its palms. “Ya, but the necromorphs are iconic to the gamers. The third game had it right with the co-op but lacked in the horror. The first game is where it’s at if you want the full experience.” Hunter was closely examining the necromorph with a keen eye as he took in every fetcher of the monster in front of him with no fear, but he was trying to hide the growing blush on his face that would’ve been visible through the vast darkness that continued to surround them.

Twilight was examining the monsters as well as it felt like she was going into estrus and she felt it in the dreamscape which made life that much harder for her. She examined the monsters while trying to keep away from Hunter as much as possible so that she could resist the temptation of pouncing on him. Her nostrils flared as she got a whiff of his sent as he passed her, but bit her lip as the sudden spike of lust harmlessly passed which made her sweat. She felt the sides of her leg get wet as she began to feel her mind screaming at her to take Hunter right then and there as the feeling of heat began to take control.

On the outside of the dreamscape, the eleven that accompanied Helping were outside Hunter’s room as the entity that connected the two; took over their bodies moving while keeping the thirteen in the dreamscape as she made Twilight and Hunter take each other’s virginity. The entity felt the pleasure pass through both bodies, but she only wondered how they were feeling inside the dreamscape as they could still feel everything, just not as strong as the actual body does.

“If I’m caught, they’re so dead. Which would mean I’ll die.” The mist spoke to itself through the two bodies they possessed.

Unfortunately for her, the two felt every single sensation that went through their bodies but hid it well from the others. The two tried to keep away from each other as the sensation of sex got stronger as they got closer.

“I should probably lock the door after this round.” The mist suggested to herself which she made good on as she did so a few minutes later in Twilight’s body.

Hunter was having a hard time trying to get rid of this feeling as he created an exact copy of his room to keep himself from getting close to Twilight. He felt at peace as the clothes he had on disappeared from his body and became replaced by black slacks and a nice black collared T-shirt, is what he would have done if he didn’t change into navy blue pajama bottoms and a light blue T-shirt which made he realize that he had an erection that he had been suppressing for a while. Hunter took a deep breath as was finally less aroused now than he was outside the room. Not to mention, he made the room with no doors so no one can enter no matter how hard they tried.

Unfortunately for him, he forgot about the possibilities of magic as Twilight teleported into the previously near impossible room to enter. The loud pop startled him as their eyes met, but Twilight’s eyes drifted south until it landed on the waist area before she lunged at him and bring him into a deep kiss.

(Moment prior)

Twilight lost Hunter’s sent as he just up and vanished from the area that she was examining the monsters in for the name of science and trying to keep herself from getting pregnant. She was blushing up a storm that didn’t go in noticed by the rest.

“Hey, Twi, are y’all feelin’ alright?” Applejack asked in worry after seeing Twilight’s blushing face which couldn’t be hidden any longer.

“Sorry, but I may be going into heat after a few seconds of being in this realm and sense Hunter is the only male, he was making everything much harder to manage.” Twilight explained as her blush deepened further than anypony thought possible which made them realize that it must have been a particularly bad heat, especially if it was a full three weeks before the estrus cycle began.

Celestia walked to Twilight with concern for her and the rest safety. “If it’s this bad, my fateful student,” she began as she saw Twilight’s blush deepen as she knew that she would soon not care if she would be with a mare of stallion soon due to her heat, “You should try and keep away from the rest of us so that you will do something to jeopardize your friendship with the rest.” Twilight understood because there have been many cases of mare on mare rapes between close friends due to them developing feelings for one of them even if it’s one-sided. Although it’s extremely rare, it isn’t unheard of as at least there are three cases every twelve years.

Twilight used the fastest way to get away from the rest so they would e safe from her uncontrollable heat. With complete lack of luck, Twilight teleported into an exact copy of Hunter’s room with the guy in the room with his manhood at full attention in front of her which made her stare at it with lust.

She didn’t realize it until it was too late when her heat took control as she pushed his upper half to the bed with their lips locked the entire time. As she did this, her magic subconsciously took control of the small room as she vanquished the only thing that kept them from doing the deed, their clothes.

“Wait, Twilight!” Hunter tried to make her come to her senses, but she already went down on his member causing her to moan in pleasure as Hunter grunted from the unfamiliar, but pleasurable, feeling that spread through his body.

He tried to resist until he finally gave it to the bliss of sex as Twilight repeated the motion due to their inexperience. Their pleasured moans echoed through the vast darkness that encompassed the lone room that, luckily went unheard to the rest as they couldn’t go back to how they were before Twilight’s estrus-controlled mind pounced on Hunter. They continued for a while as they were oblivious to the eleven outside the room who heard it all after reaching the lone room in thirty seconds.

“Maybe I should’ve told her where to go instead of letting her do that on her own,” Luna said as she had trouble getting her wings down from the loud moans that came from the room. Cadence was holding back Gleaming and Rainbow while Celestia held back Applejack.

“You three may be mad and think he did this on purpose, but I checked it with magic, he tried to keep us out so this wouldn’t happen,” Celestia explained which didn’t hinder their nonexistent advance. Celestia became very agitated by the fact she was just ignored by her subjects and jumping to conclusions like she hoped they didn’t. She became furious as her eyes glowed brightly causing all features of the eye to become nonexistent and her horn flared in powerful magic before yelling in the Royal Canterlot Voice, “My Little Ponies, cease this at once!” They had to listen. They had to have heard it as they stopped in fear after realizing that they ignored their princess.

Celestia snorted in annoyance as she cast a silencing spell over the box room and maybe an X-ray spell for Luna and herself. Luna gave her sister a fist bump before they turned invisible and placed a silencing spell over themselves so they could not be heard. Suffice to say, and from the word of their missing siblings, they were loud enough to make the Royal Canterlot Voice sound like a slight whimper.

The rest of the group left except for Helping Hand who stood staring in disbelief over the unexpected turn of events. She knew that the two beyond those walls were victims to heat, but she couldn’t bring herself to not stand by and let that continue. Unfortunately, her disguise was that of an earth pony so she couldn’t magic her way in so she was in checkmate at this moment. She felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal from Hunter and she knew that he may have had a thing for her, but it is uncertain to her even with her abilities. She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them with tears running down her face from the now silent void surrounding her. Her eyes, unlike their original color, were a pale navy blue with catlike pupils before she closed her eyes again and they reverted to their same color, but with rounded pupils. She thought she was a fool to think he would like somepony like her, especially if he found out what she was.

The mist on the other side of the two in the waking world felt that they were doing the same in the dream realm which made it blatantly clear that they felt everything in their unconscious bodies but made it easier to complete her objective. The mist still felt horrible, but the human’s endurance was much greater than it anticipated from any unexpected male much to her shock.

It felt something enter the possessed Twilight’s womb before using a spell to see if it worked this time. Luckily for the mist, it did, but it hesitated for a moment as it began getting second thought about its plan. It got rid of the thoughts before she took the zygote and used a spell to make it age rapidly. The form was a black alicorn filly that had Nightmare Moon’s mane and eyes, but the mist knew that if it did this, it would lose all its memories and would live normally or let the soulless husk, waiting to be buried like a bone from a dog.

It made a sound to take a deep breath in before merging itself with the filly and giving it a soul along with the conciseness of its own at the cost of her memories. She wasn’t just feeling bad for taking over their bodies but also playing with Hunter’s bottled up emotions that he kept locked away for good reason.

She scanned his mind to find a way to get him to sleep but found that the human’s memories knew this world he found himself and was a huge fan. What grabbed her attention was the memories of an anime called Fullmetal Alchemist and this was an equivalent exchange to her knowledge. Suffice to say, she used his memories to watch all seasons of Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood. She may have had a small problem.

She regretted trying to create eternal night after seeing how important the balance was to the world. She was glad to find this human in the space between worlds where she was banished into the vortex streams. The mist tried to smile fondly as she excepted that she was going to be erased. The tale of the mare in the moon is finally over, but this time for good. Now, she’ll write a new story. One of an alicorn filly known as Nyx.

The nightmare had a little control when she entered the four-year-old body, so she tucked them in before using her magic to give herself some clothes along with Hunter. Even if the underwear will be stained for the rest of the day. She found a comfy place to sleep on the floor before she drifted off to sleep where her memories were beginning to disappear.

“Good night mommy and daddy.” Nightmare said in her younger voice as a single tear came from her eyes as the last of her memories were erased... or she thought they were.

Back in the dream realm, Twilight and Hunter finally stopped after a while once Twilight’s heat has gone down after a while. Hunter was kind of glad it stopped after a while of none stop sex which took a lot out of him which he just wanted to wake up now so he could figure out what happened.

Hunter looked at Twilight as he picked her up while she was still completely naked before standing her up and giving her clothing through a mental command. She was dressed in her usual clothing that was pretty much the same every day no matter what. It was an exact copy of her clothes as he knew every last detail as he helps the staff from time to time with cutting grass, cleaning, or washing clothes which surprised everyone that he continued to do all without breaking a sweat. For humans, it was child’s play, but ponies, on the other hand, mess up easily if it wasn’t their special talent.

Hunter then went back to the copy of Sebastian Castellanos’ attire from the first ‘Evil Within’. Hunter looked at himself for a moment before summoning a mirror in front of him while turning into his pony form. He sighed as he saw that his pony form was an exact copy of how imagined his OC, but he could never draw people or ponies. Hunter sighed as he hoped that he would find a way back to his world with no strings attached or, even better, if he could have a way to travel between worlds.

His musings came to a grinding halt as he felt two arms wrap around him and pull him into a warm embrace as his back slowly became wet over time. He thought that Twilight’s heat wasn’t subsided, but that train of thought was squandered after he felt her body shake uncontrollably with soft whimpers accompanying them. He turned her around and hugged her while trying to think of the most calming place he could think of until it popped into his mind.

The scenery changed from the copy of my room to a ruin on the top of a mountain in the nation is Skyrim from the Elder Scrolls Five. I turned her around before saying, “Look around. This might calm you down.” She opened her eyes before they widened completely as the landscape stretched into the horizon with a few of the major cities that could be seen from our positions.

She took it all in before she turned to me with determination and regret, she said, “Hunter, I’m so sorry I did that two you. Estrus doesn’t normally hit until three weeks from now. Please don’t be mad at me.” Hunter sighed while looking down before he brought his head up to look at the vast expanse of land.

“I’m not mad, but I do feel a little violated as it was my first. I’m just wondering how I can get home, or better yet, a way to bridge these two worlds. Mostly because I love this world.” He responded in a caring tone as the rest saw him sit on the stone floors that were covered in moss and dirt. The rest of the group, except for the diarches, saw the two on the ruin with smiles from whatever was behind them.

“What the heck happened! The landscape changed all of the sudden and a few wolves attacked us!” Rainbow yelled in fear but hid it well.

“Sorry, tried to help Twilight calm down. I kind of forgot about you guys.” He wore a sheepish smile at the unintentional attack on the rest.

“Just don’t do it... again.” Helping tried to scold him before she saw the amazing view that she neglected for a while. Her jaw dropped while her eyes widened as she slowly sat down to in joy it.

“How do we leave?” The princess of the night appeared behind him while panting heavily with a large blush on her face as she tried to straighten out her ethereal mane.

“Easy,” Luna said loudly which startled Hunter as he jumped in fright. “All you have to do is send a mental command to wake up.” Hunter sent the mental command while not knowing what would be on the other side, but he would soon regret waking up.

Author's Note

Do you guys like how I brought Nyx into this story. If not, I don’t know what to tell you. Be prepared for an episode chapter soon.

See you guys next chapter!

Next chapter, conflict will ensue as next chapter will go down hill. Next chapter, the ark name will be changed to fit the upcoming chapters. Next chapter, blood will spill and innocence will be lost.

Just a little insight for those who actually read this.

Chapter 4: Party Disaster (Edited)

I groaned as I stirred in my sleep until my eyes decided to part ways until the sweet embrace of sleep would take me again. Unfortunately, I felt a mass next to me which made me turn to it before my eyes only saw a lavender blob. It wasn’t until I heard another groan was when I figured out that the blob was someone I knew. With my eyes still trying to focus after being woken up, they shot open until they couldn’t anymore as I realized I was in bed with Twilight.

‘Oh shit! Oh, fuck! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!!!’ I yelled in my mind as many other thoughts came to mind as Twilight began to stir in her sleep. I was losing my shit when her eyes landed on me before her jaw dropped. Her eyes went below the belt where I found... ONLY MY UNDERWEAR ON ME! ‘WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE ASLEEP!!!’ I was so close to passing out again and hopefully wake up from this what I thought was a horrible dream.

“U-umm, Hunter, w-why are y-you only in your...” I cut Twilight off by holding up a hand to silence her before my worried eyes met hers until they traveled lower to see she was in the same situation, but with no clothes. I didn’t think she noticed until she noticed I was staring at something which I’m not proud of.

“Y-your in the same predicament as me.” I pointed out while motioning to her which caused her to look down before blushing bright red. She covered herself in the comforter that rested on the bed with a few stains on it which I could guess why.

I gulped as I tried to get my mind off of what happened as I went to find my clothes that were somewhere. Twilight summons her clothes in a flash of light which made me glare at her with envy from her magic. She smiled widely after she got over her shock of me still being in my underwear, but I could piss her off sometime soon.

I began to search my room for my clothes until I found a completely black alicorn filly which was familiar to me as I’ve read ‘Past Sins’ many times. My jaw dropped at her sleeping form as she mane wasn’t like nightmares, but it was straight purple. I was about to say that she somehow got in here when she was awake after we went to sleep, but when she woke up, she had these slit pupils. That is definitely Nyx without a doubt, but how is that possible.

I shook my head to get rid of the thought that cloud my mind as I found my clothes on the desk which made me facepalm after not thinking of that beforehand. I slipped on my clothes with haste as I didn’t want to corrupt Nyx with me just standing in the open in only my underwear. I got my clothes on with record speed as I noticed Twilight gawking at Nyx with surprise, but I snapped her out of it quickly.

I made my way over to her with the kindest smile on my face as I got closer. She didn’t move away or get frightened as I continued my approach with no unreasonable moment. I stop a few feet in front of her before kneeling to her level as she was also in surprise as I’m pretty sure she never saw a human. “Hello. I’m Hunter. That’s Twilight.” She looked at me quizzically before hugging me which made no sense to me how so ever.

“You don’t remember me, daddy?” She asked as my eyes widened in shock as I stood completely still. She pulled away as I noticed one defining feature that only I had which was the gray eyes, but hers were a mix of lavender. I looked at Twilight before looking back at Nyx repeatedly before she said, “Do you not recognize mommy either?” My eye twitched as I looked at Twilight for a moment.

She had barely any resemblance to the lavender mare that was still in my bed, but the facts are here. The reason me and Twilight couldn’t get too close, her heat in the dreamscape, the ramped emotional breakdown, the stains on the bed, and Nyx. I figured it out as I saw Nyx’s mane turn into Nightmare’s as my gaze went to it, but she seemed happy so I guessed that she thought I remembered now. All I know is that Nightmare did something to us in our sleep, but I can’t really get mad at her with her being in this new form.

“Yes, I remember now. Sorry, I guess my brain needs to wake up soon.” I responded as I hit the left side of my head with the left eye closed. I shook my head as it hurt a little and added effort to make her chuckle. She did which made me do a mental fist pump in achieving my goal before my face fell. “Oh no! shutting doooooown.” I dragged out my words as I lowering my head to keep up the act.

“No! Turn on! TURN ON!” She shouted as I slowly lifted my head with the blankest look on my face. Being good with kids was a family trait passed through the family from my grandfather’s side. The same side that makes me six feet tall so I call it the gentle giant gene.

“Rebooting... rebooting...” I continued the joke for a while as it neared its end. I dragged it on for as long as I could. “Hello.” She looked relieved that I was ‘finally normal’ even if being normal was impossible for me on Equus, but fuck it. Being normal is a curse that wouldn’t make me unique.

“What’s happening?” Twilight asked as I stood up with Nyx in my arms as she hugged me with all her strength. It was adorable, but I put her down with a smile on my face.

“Go wait outside please and not outside, I mean outside the room.” She nodded with that damn adorable smile as she walked out. She was humming the MLP theme as she stepped out of the room for a while. I got my bag and began to pack up my laptop, phone, sketchbook, and Bluetooth mouse.

“What happened? Who is she?” Twilight could only ask those two questions as I turned from the door. She looked a little panicked that Nyx was there as she hoped that she wasn’t here when she went to sleep.

“If you took in her features, she’s a near-perfect image of a filly Nightmare Moon,” I answered as her eyes shot open as she curled into a ball and began to try and calm herself.

“We must tell Celestia that Nightmare Moon has returned! She’s too dangerous to not be banished!” She was about to run out of the room before I stopped her just before she got to the door. She was in panic mode and I didn’t want her to go into a ‘Lesson Zero’ situation so I held her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes with kindness.

“She’s fine. If she wanted us dead, then why didn’t she kill us in our sleep or sleep on the floor out in the open where we can find her easily?” She was now unsure, but hiding this from Celestia would be an awful idea as she could most likely read minds and I doubt she would want to enter my thoughts any time soon. “We will tell her, but I’m defending her one hundred percent of the time.” My voice held courage as they only reached Twilight’s ears before I put on my necklace that allows me to change forms.

“Okay, at least you're going to tell her the truth.” I let go of her as we walked out to find Nyx on the other side twiddling her thumbs in boredom.

“Come on.” I kneeled and picked her up which she didn’t mind as she placed her head on my shoulder with a sigh of contentment.

Walking down the stair, we found everyone inside the living room with varying looks of confusion as I think they didn’t know how they got there. They heard us walking down the steps with a happy Nyx in my arms which wasn’t easy to manage as she is heavier than she looks.

“Hunter, why do you have a filly?” Cadence asked as she was the only one to look at us as we descended the stairs. I shrugged my shoulders as I reattached the end of the stairs as Nyx was covered in a blue aura that came from Luna.

“Why are you still here you wretched mare?” Luna coldly interrogated while staring at the previously evil being. I know that glare from Luna as it was one that she would use before in the show as it was for her to look more intimidating.

I saw enough as I pushed her away from the now fearful Nyx with a glare of my own which made her stop in confusion. Luna actually coward at my glare as it wasn’t one of disappointment, it was one that spoke death to any that would attack her. As I said, I can be a terrifying person when I need to be.

“Nyx why don’t you go wait in the dining room,” I told her to which she replied with a simple nod before leaving the room. She is so nice, but I see no reason for her to be spoken to like that.

“Why did thou protect that wicked mare?” Luna asked in a quiet tone which still informed me of her fear.

I took a deep breath as I walked with confidence as I gave her one of my friendly smiles. She looked on edge, but I don’t normally do anything irrational to a certain extent.

“There is an old saying in my world. ‘Forgive and Forget’. Forgive someone for their past sins and forget what they have done.” I pause as I look at everyone in the room with a blank look before I closed my eyes and recited one of my favorite quotes as I began to walk to Nyx. “You are only confined to the walls you build yourself. Break those walls to help better yourself, not in strength, but character.” I added the last sentence, but it added to it quite nicely. “Hey Nyx, you in here?”

Nyx was sitting in a chair with her legs to her chest, her arms crossed over her knees, and her face buried in her arms. It was a sad sight that I didn’t like as I couldn’t stand seeing anyone like this, but I’m not good at comforting others. All I did was hug her before her face was buried into my chest as I felt it dampen a little.

“W-w-why don’t t-t-they like me?” She sobbed which made me hug her tighter as I did my best to comfort her, but she wanted an answer so I gave her one.

“They aren’t ones for the best introductions. It might be that you look similar to Nightmare Moon, but that doesn’t matter to me.” She peered up words to see my caring gaze. “No matter what, I’ll protect you.” I grew an evil smiled which didn’t go unnoticed to Nyx.

“How about we get them back,” I suggest as I went into the kitchen that was attached to the dining room for Dr. Pepper.

(At the same time in the other room)

“I think we’re in the wrong,” Cadence spoke up after Hunter left the room. His quotes left everypony thinking if they were wrong about what they did, but one certain Pegasus was stubborn and thought she wrote.

“I don’t. She’s a monster that tried to bring eternal night! What if she does it again?!” Rainbow yelled loudly as she crossed her arms as she downright just ignored them. “Maybe he’s under her influence. That’s why he’s defending her.”

The rest stared wide-eyed at the human behind her with the blankest look possible, but his eyes showed a silent fury that he was trying to hold back. Behind him was Nyx with red eyes from her crying while Hunter slowly crept behind the arrogant and stubborn Pegasus before tapping her on the shoulder.

She turned around as the fear on the rest of her face showed it all as she came face to face with the human that was trying his best to hide his rage while his body twitched. They knew from experience that he got angry VERY quickly which ended in him using kid-friendly words do not have any children hear the mature versions. So seeing his body twitch terrifyingly meant that he was trying everything in his power to prevent himself from trying to kill the Pegasus.

”What was that?” Hunter asked with his voice seeming to be a couple of octaves lower, making him sound like a monster. Hunter and Nyx, on the other hand, were trying too hard not to laugh at their terrified expressions, but in doing so, his body would twitch from the sudden loss of air which only added to his terrifying demeanor. “Hey, Rainbow.” Hunter called her as he pulled her closer until he was next to her ear.

“Y-yes?” She responds with her voice gaining a few octaves to balance out Hunter's lower voice. Her eyes were wide and filling with tears as her bottom lip quivered from nearly crying on the spot from what she thought was her death. Her breathing was ragged and heavy which Hunter saw so he had to end it quickly before something bad happens.

“Karma’s a bitch.” He whispered in her ear as she fell to her knees after she realized that Hunter doesn’t need to touch you to harm you.

(Back to first-person)

’Holy crap that actually worked better than I expected. All I wanted to do was intimidate her, but I scared the shit out of her.’ I thought as she fell to her knees as the fear began to subside. She was still trembling from the terrifying situation that left everyone speechless as they subconsciously stepped away from me in fear. I didn’t blame them, but she needed to learn a lesson.

I actually began to get worried because she didn’t move for a few minutes before I began doing everything in my power to get her out of this fear like trans. I waved my hand in front of her face, snapped my fingers near her ears, and even just yelled at her to snap out of it. I sighed heavily as I had two more things to try to snap her out of it.

I walked up to her and glared with the most serious expression on my face before I suddenly slap the shit out of her. It works because I don’t think any equine likes having their ears flicked as humans don’t. She screamed in pain as her face flew to one side after the hard slap I just gave her. If she was faking it, then I wouldn’t be surprised if she did, but that far off gaze told me everything I needed to know.

“You okay?” I asked before taking another hard impact to the family joules before doubling over in pain while keeping them in my grasp to try and shield them from another attack. Not to mention, but my voice got higher when I screamed in pain. This was something I completely deserve because I did paralyze her with fear. “Okay,” I began while trying my hardest to stand back up, but failing, “I deserve that.” I’m starting to sense a theme when ponies got angry after being scared.

“Ya. You do.” Rainbow said grumpily as she left the house and into the empty streets ahead. She was fuming right now so I’ll wait until she isn’t pissed anymore to apologize.

I eventually stand on my own two feet while cradling my most likely broken balls will a single tear sliding down my face. “Worth it,” I said while doing a fist pump before falling to my knees again.

“You alright, Hunter?” Questioned Celestia with a quirked eyebrow. I nod as the pain slowly dulls until it became bearable before trying to stand again much to the amusement of the others. I physically couldn’t stand after that attack on my manhood so it was likely that the force alone probably stopped my body from trying something like that.

“You're fine. You took one earlier today when you decided to dump a bucket of water on me.” Helping said with an irritable tone before I looked at her and noticed the change in eye color. It was intriguing how she was able to change it in such a short time, but I would ask her later when no one else is around to hear it.

“True, but Rainbow has you beat in speed so I wasn’t prepared for that. If anything, I was preparing to get punched or slapped.” I responded in a matter-of-fact tone, but she blew it off with a simple wave of her hand.

I was confused on why she was so distant now. She would always try and stay close and do anything to see others smile. She is now cold, distant, and irritated which actually hurt me. Now I needed to know why she was acting like that because it would just deteriorate further until one would leave and never come back.

“How long were we in the dream, Luna,” I asked Luna while hiding my hurt emotions so they can do what they want without us two.

“About four hours.” She responded after looking at her phone that was like a flip phone from 2002. Quite amazing how they have all this technology and Luna already has something from the modern era.

“Perfect. Nyx, why don’t you go with the rest. I need to have a chat with Helping Hand.” The rest hesitantly left our house before I turned my happy gaze to Helping with a hurt look. She was about to leave, but I grabbed her wrist before she left before she turned to me with anger. “Why are you acting like this?” She seemed to get angrier before she blew up on me.

“I think you know why. You and Twilight’s little ‘session’ in that room you made.” She yelled at the top of her lungs as I blushed from her hearing that.

“That was because she was in heat. I forgot to make the room magic proof. I wanted to keep everyone out, but she, somehow, teleported in.” I let go of her as her intensity grew as she visibly got angrier.

“I know that!” She got in my face and her anger began to transfer to me as I began to get pissed off.

“Then why the fuck are you pissed?!” I yelled back as she seemed to pull her head back from my raised voice. She didn’t respond as she looked away as she tried to come up with an answer, but her voice refused her mental commands. “I trust you. I trust you more than anyone else.” I look around and outside for a moment but found no one which was great on my end. “What I’m about to tell you will stay between us.”

I told her. I told her everything about the show I came to life over the past few years. Her jaw began to drop after I explained every little detail about the defeat of Nightmare Moon which was most likely told to her by Dash because she is boastful. She couldn’t blow it off as I pulled up pictures of the mane six before I came to this world as the dates of the pictures were proof enough.

“Okay. Fine. I can’t deny the proof in front of me, but why did you tell me?” She asked as one of her ears went to the side as one perked up. I was able to keep myself from saying ‘aww’ as she tilted her head to the side.

“Easy! I trust you more out of everyone I know in Equestria, so it would only make sense that I tell you.” I explained with a smile before beginning to leave my house while holding that smile. Helping grabbed my wrist with an unsure look as it looked like she was having a mental debate about something.

“Since you told me that. I... I want to tell you my secret.” That took me by surprise as I never wanted to know her secret because it’s hers to keep. Never mind that last statement because it’s also hers to share.

“You don’t have to.” Her grip tightened a little more which made me wince from the crushing force it had.

“I want to. You told me your’s so I’ll tell you mine.” She relaxed her grip, much to my relief, as she takes a few steps back.

She holds out her arms as green flames danced across her body before she slowly changes into her true form. I stood with my eyes wide from the confession about who she really was, but I doubt that she knows that one of my favorite species in the show was the changelings.

When the flames dispersed, there stood a changeling with green chitin and slitted pupils with a cyan eye color to compliment everything else. One thing that I wish wasn’t part of her disguise was her clothing which made it hard to tell any defining features lower than the neck.

“So?” She asked hesitantly as she began to visibly shake in fear. I smiled gently and avoided looking at the rest of her.

“So what? You're a changeling and that is supposed to stop me from being a friend. No way in hell would I do that.” I responded with a smile while giving my honest opinion on the matter. “I only have one question.” Her face fell after that one statement. “Is Helping Hand your real name or is it something else?” She sighed revealingly after hearing that question.

“It’s actually Ebony. I was named due to being born a Queen Changeling.” She answered with a smile as I had a triumphant smirk on his face. She smiled as she knew her secret was safe with me.

I couldn’t hold back my discomfort as she just stood there. She didn’t notice that she had no clothing on which made me think that they couldn’t feel any coldness due to their chitin. “Can you please put on some clothes!” I yelled after the uncomfortable situation became more than I could bear right now. She looked at herself before blushing as she just now noticed it after a few minutes and, in a flash of green flames, went back to her original disguise, but this time she had a hoodie that looked the same as her chitin.

“Couldn’t you have told me that sooner!” Her face was still red after the embarrassment of not noticing that she didn’t have clothes when in her original form.

“Considering that you did the same to me when we first met; I doubt know whether to call this irony or karma. Pick your poison.” She rolled her eyes before we left into the empty streets with trepidation. They would find out about me sooner or later so I chose sooner that way the shock would get out of the way.

“You turned a heartwarming moment into something else entirely. Couldn’t you have held out longer!” I tried my best not to laugh because if that was heard through the wall...

“Gosh Ebony, your even more foul-mouthed than me.” She mulled the words in her head before facepalming after seeing that she didn’t pick her words carefully enough. “Game of words will only backfire.” What I thought would be a long trek to the next location, led by Ebony because I have no idea where to go, but a calming walk down the street with a bag on my back with everything I wanted to bring.

I yawned as we reached the confectionary house because I was still tired from the day which isn’t anything new. I was always tired after I began my new sleep schedule because of the demand for my school.

The entire building looked like a gingerbread house with a few other sugary delights that made the corners of the house. The five-story building was all too familiar to me as this was where Pinkie works and lives. All I had to do was not follow Pinkie down to the basement.

I couldn’t help, but ponder over something I forgot about Pinkie that would be really important. Unfortunately, I was too late to realize that she threw a party for everyone new to the small town.

The lights suddenly turned on as a multitude of voices screamed ‘surprise’ before gasping at my appearance most likely. I, however, was still blinded from the sudden light that entered my eyes as the spots in my vision lessened until none remained.

My eyes focused on the town that was in front of me with shocked faces, except for Lyra who had a huge smile on her face. My neutral look welcomed them all as it was the only thing that they could see.

I did an about-face before leaving the building and leaving the door open as I had a mini panic attack from the sudden attention as I struggled for air. I couldn’t stop shaking as fear slowly took over my body, but I forced it down before walking back in while still shaking.

“H-h-hello e-e-e-everypony.” I was greeted with a stutter with the face of complete fear was still ever-present on my face. No one seemed to notice it except for the six, Ebony, the royals, and Nyx.

Lyra broke the silence with a scream of pure joy as she rushed me with an extreme speed that would make Rainbow jealous. “Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh, AN ACTUAL HUMAN!!!” Lyra yelled as she examined me with speed, but she didn’t take attention to my unease.

“Hold ya horses, Lyra. Hunter’s uncomfortable being at the center of attention.” Applejack informed which made Lyra back away from me to see I was ready to pass out.

“Sorry, I’m just really enthusiastic about this. If you could just tell me who you are and I’ll begin questioning.” I looked over to Twilight with a worried look while she shrugged. SHE SOLD ME OUT TO LYRA!!! TWILIGHT, YOU FUCKING BITCH!!!

“H-Hunter, b-but you m-m-may recognize me l-l-like this.” I turned into my pony due to the necklace around my neck. Lyra’s jaw dropped as I turned back to my normal form as I began to shrink under everyone’s gaze.

“Umm... okay. I wish I knew then.” She was surprisingly calm which I enjoyed for the moment. “What is your special talent?” She magicked in a piece of paper and pencil from nowhere.

“I-I have many. R-reading, w-w-writing, d-drawing, and g-gaming. I’m m-more proud of the f-fact I’m a-a musician.” She wrote down everything u said while I stood awkwardly at the entrance of the building.

“Okay, now about that music part, what do you play?” I’m about to just collapse if the attention doesn’t shift soon.

“T-trombone, b-b-baritone, and tuba. I-I’m t-t-trying to pick up p-piano.” I reached my limit as I rushed out of the building to have my freak out. I slowly came back in with the fear still evident on my face.

“Are you okay?” Finally, this question!

“No, the attention needs to shift before I have a panic attack.” I was breathing heavily from the freak outside, but no one made a move. I had to do something so I pulled out my laptop and picked a good song that would make everyone turn away from me and focus on something different.

It was a good song and it worked for a while so I moved my laptop to a different location near a booth so I could relax after the near panic attack. I was lucky that the DJ, Vinyl Scratch, got the hint and started the music so the party could get started. The song ended and the DJ took it upon herself to get the party started after my song as many danced to the beat of the music.

I told Vinyl to come to me with a simple motion of my hand which she nodded to. She sat down in the booth as I gave her a thankful smile for what she did. “Thanks, I owe you one!” I yelled over the music which she just smiled with a nod of her own.

“Just send me the song and we’ll be even!” She responded while I opened my laptop and made a copy of the music after putting it on silent.

“Give me your charger!” She looked confused before doing so as I hooked it to my laptop and downloaded the copy to her phone. Low and behold, the song was on her phone.

She had shock written on her face when she found the song on her phone which I bet was because this has never been done. She smiled again as she left the booth with the theme of ‘Battlefield’ 4 on her phone

I smiled as I felt a small object snuggle up to my left arm; causing me to look to the unknown mass to find Nyx with a content smile on her face. I slowly removed my arm from Nyx’s grasps so I could pull up ‘Battlefield 4’ on my laptop. Nyx just went for the larger body mass which was my torso even if it was insanely skinny.

I really didn’t mind it as I continued to play the game that was pulled up on my laptop which gained curious looks from the occupants of the room. I was so focused on the game that I didn’t notice the music stop or even notice all eyes on me as I continued to shoot my way through a skyscraper to extract the objective.

After a few moments, I found out that they were all looking at me with a confused expression on their faces as I played the game. The only thing that kept me from freaking out was Nyx right beside me who was in the same position. I don’t know why my body cast away the feeling of fear as my anxiety grew, but I guess to comfort my daughter.

Weird how I never thought of having a child at all, but now I’m doing what my parents did with me when putting at attention with Nyx. It may be due to genetics or even me being someone who doesn’t like to see others in my position. Hm, weird, but welcome.

“You can’t stay away from those games, can you?” I heard Ebony say as my gaze landed on her with my response being a shrug.

“N-not o-o-one for p-parties,” I stated with my stutter from my nervousness. Even if my mind didn’t register the fear or anxiety; my body was still reacting to it. “Happens w-when you’re
a-a-antisocial.” I was still holding my demeanor as my mind finally began to register the emotions, but it was slow so I could direct their attention somewhere else.

I looked at Luna and smiled wickedly as I pulled up ‘Dark Souls 3’ and went to the character creation after starting a new game.

“L-Luna would y-y-you like to p-play?!” I asked as I scooted over so she could sit in front of the laptop. She tentatively walked to our location with a coy smile on her face which told me she was used to games.

She sat down before looking at me with a mischievous grin. “What? No controller?” She saw me play many of my games without my controller which, on the laptop, is extremely difficult and I bet would give you AIDs if you tried, but I mastered it!

“Sorry left it in my world. Next time, I’ll make sure I’ll bring my controller when I fall through a vortex.” I rolled my eyes as I quipped back at her with an uninterested look. “If you want me to create your character; I will. It’s not hard for me because I already know what to do.”

All she did was push the laptop to me before I grabbed the mouse and swiftly made Luna’s character which looked like her. Twilight, on the other hand, wanted to show others the wonder of human technology, so she used the projection spell to show what it looked like.

I handed it back to Luna with a triumphant grin as I created a human version of Luna which actually looked pretty damn close to the actual thing. She was shocked by how I did it so fast but really... I just went to my saved characters and clicked on the one I made when I first started my sorcery only run.

Surprisingly, she took to the game like a fish to water as she just looked at everything in her inventory. It didn’t surprise me that she chose the warrior, but she knew how to use the weapon art of the sword along with parrying. She didn’t parry all the time as she would mostly get hit when trying to.

When she got to the boss... there are no words to how beautiful it was to see her rage at the game as I laughed. She looked at me and slid the laptop to me with a pissed expression.

“If your so good at this; you play!” Luna practically yelled with a mild blush on her face from the embarrassment.

“Love ya’ to Lulu?” I laughed as she blushed harder at my comment as I showed little respect to the Lunar diarch. I went to my lowest leveled character (which is a deprived class) and loaded up the character.

They were surprised that I picked such a horrible character class for this game before they grew even more horrified as I unequipped all my weapons, armor, and equipment. I smiled victoriously as I opened my big mouth once again.

“Luna, how about a bet. If you win, I’ll do whatever you say you say for a week.” She seemed interested once I piqued her interest.

“And if you win?” She questioned as I thought, but couldn’t think of anything. I always had this issue even on earth.

“Don’t know, you decide.” She thought for a moment before it clicked in her mind. I couldn’t tell with the devilish smile and look in her eyes. She leaned in and whispered in my ear what she thought of causing me to blush. I didn’t know if it was payback or if she was serious, but what she offered shocked me. “Okay, the bet is that I get through the entire game without attacking with my club or use my armor without dying. Deal.” I whispered back making her nod.

I went through the level with what she said on my mind as I killed everything; including the grown-up crystal lizard. Luna was looking more horrified as I only got hit once by a crossbow bolt which would have been more preferable than the dogs.

Once getting to the Bonfire, I lighted it before sitting to regain my health before setting out again to my “demise” as many dramatic people think. I didn’t roll or dodge through the entire thing because I was challenging myself like I normally do.

Eventually, I made it to Ludex Gundyr which surprise everyone with how calm I was. My mind cleared all thoughts as I stared at the seemingly lifeless body of Gundyr. My mind was focused on one thing and one thing only; kill the boss.

I pulled the sword from the large, armored man and immediately began to punch him before seeing how much damage I did. It wasn’t much damage, but he landed one hit on me taking more than half of my health. I gritted my teeth in irritation from my careless mistake as I forgot you couldn’t parry that damn kick.

Still better than doing this on Champion Gundyr. That was hell.

The battle progressed on for minutes until I got him to half health. Many were telling me to continue my relentless attack, but I ran away as the second phase began. Confusion was the only thing I heard as I went a far distance away.

“What are you doing?! He’s at half health!” Rainbow yelled in anger.

“Phase two,” I responded calming as I hit him one more time. I equipped the club before using its weapon art to buff my attack damage. I switched it back to my fist before waiting for the second phase to begin.

Ludex paused for a moment as he threw his arm back before a large, long bone-white arm forced its way through his armor before a snake-like headshot out his body. The eyes of the snake glowing red from the abyss that consumed the once-living knight.

Due to the distance I put between us, he used the new long arm to push himself into the air before crashing down on my position making me forgo the no dodging challenge I placed on myself. Unfortunately, his next attack hit me directly, but let that one magic pixel of health.

My breath caught in my throat from the prepared hit I took. “SHIT!!!” I yelled, able to hold in the curse that forced itself into my mind at the time. “Why didn’t I make a new character!” I was dodging away or through his attacks while occasionally attacking.

Soon, I was around one hit left to kill him with my fists as I continued to dodge. With a well-timed charged heavy attack he was dead, the music ended and all was quiet. In an instant, the words Victory appeared and the sound of the souls entering the large sum echoed through the quiet room.

“I... I need a break.” I stated while closing down the laptop and putting it in my bag. I was about to leave when I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see a saddened Pinkie Pie with a slice of cake. I smiled before taking it and patting her on the head which made her smile in turn. “I just need some fresh air for a moment.”

I left the building while taking a bit and f the cake that exploded flavor into my mouth(insert sex joke here). I hardly noticed the door open again, but caught a griffin walk out with a vicious smile on his face and a knife in his hand.

Hunter was on his knees in front of the corpse of the griffin that tried to kill him. Blood covered his torso that came from a large cut from the griffin’s throat. His hands were covered in his own blood from two identical holes that went through his forearm.

Horror was all he could feel and it kept him still as he continued to stare into the lifeless griffin’s eyes. The knife was under his right arm with blood dripping onto the weapon.

“Hunter!” Luna called, oblivious to the dead body to her left. She smelled the air as the familiar copper smell hit her nose. She trailed it to its source... and found the human in question just staring at the corpse. “Oh my gosh...” Luna was horrified and the only culprit was Hunter. She brought him face to face with her as an angry expression crossed her face. ”WHAT DID YOU DO!!!”Luna yelled in the Royal Canterlot Voice, but he didn’t seem to notice like he didn’t care or he was too scared to respond.

She stared into his eyes and found the same horror she felt when the body was found. Hunter’s mouth moved which was followed by an incomprehensible mumble which Luna was surprised to hear.

“What did you say?” She asked as Hunter repeated quietly.

“He tried to kill me.” His voice was hollow and broken like the innocence of a child was destroyed by war. His face grew pale as his blood loss caught up with him before he passed out.

Luna panicked before rushing back inside the establishment with the unconscious human in her magic. All eyes were on her, but the teen in her grasp, bleeding from his wrists drew all their attention.

“Luna! What happened?!” Celestia said as horror took her features.

“All he told me was that he was attacked. From what I saw the attacker was a griffin.” Luna responded with panic filling her voice. Celestia began to heal the stab wounds on his wrist while Luna forced her way through his memories to find the truth.

What she saw was more than she could handle.

(Hunter’s memory)

I stared at the griffin as he stared at me with a smile on his face which unnerved me. It was vicious and actually intimidated me a little. How he did it with a beak, I'll never know.

I shook my head of the thought after remembering that Gilda was much worse and this might just how they smile.

He just stood there with that unnerving smile which made me shutter out of instinct. “Hey, buddy, could you please stop that. It’s a little creepy... no offense.”

In a second, he lunged onto me with the knife held high. The light from inside gleaming off the silver surface of the blade as the noise inside drowned out the fight that we had.

He brought the knife down with speed as my mind acted on its own through human instinct. My arms flew up in an x position before the knife went straight through with tremendous force as it went straight through both arms, but my adrenaline was pumping through my body; making it a mild annoyance.

He forced the knife out my arm and tried again, but, thankfully, missed my arm as our arms met with a sharp blade uncomfortably close to my face. I was breathing heavily due to the adrenaline and the fact I’m really out of shape. With a quick burst of movement, my hands grabbed his wrist before using newfound strength to force his arms apart.

I wasted no time and head butting him before forcing the hand with the knife to the ground. Flight or fight instincts ran through my mind, but when I thought of Nyx; I chose to fight.

I looked to my right to find the dropped cake with the fork underneath it all; making an idea form in my mind. Grabbing the fork, I stabbed him in the wrist causing him to grunt from the adrenaline that ignored the pain. I wasted no time as I grabbed the knife and sliced his throat open causing his blood to pour on my chest as he tried to hold in his own blood for dear life.

He was unsuccessful as blood began to pour from his beak before falling backward and thrashing violently. I got to my knees to see everything that has happened with the effects of the fight finally taking a toll on my body. Eventually, he stopped and the adrenaline in my veins slowly died down until I was able to see what happened without the anger or adrenaline powering my movements.

All I could do was stare that the body with a mix of a horrified and hollow expression leaving me frozen where I was. I couldn’t scream, I couldn’t move, and I couldn’t react to anything. I heard someone, but my mind tuned them out before I was dragged to a certain navy blue alicorn with a vary pissed expression.

“What did you do?” She seemed to yell, but the blood loss was finally catching up to me as I was only able to hear it as a barely audible whisper.

“He tried to kill me,” I whispered in response before passing out. Those five words that I’ve been repeating in my mind and occasionally out loud to tell myself that it was necessary. All my mind could see was darkness as my mind and body felt numb and cold before unconsciousness took over my body like a raging fire.

(Third person)

Luna could hardly believe what she just saw. The attacker was just going to kill Hunter on their soil for no reason. It definitely terrified her to think of she or her sister was in the same position as him, but she knew that they would have much more luck.

He would be suffering from some form of PTSD and might be light-headed for a few days, but he should be fine. Luna thought as she studied the unconscious form of Hunter.

He twitched. It was sudden and faint, but it was there. With no warning, he shot up while screaming at the top of his lungs; his horror finally registering with the rest of his body. When he was finished screaming; he breathed heavily as his mind went over the few moments before he passed out.

“Are you okay?” Somepony asked while trying to ignore the human covered in blood.

He shook his head before his lunch and cake were about to make another appearance from his stomach. Hunter may be in a state of shock, but he knew that it would be rude if he threw up on the floor. So he rushed to the bathroom with surprising speed before the door slammed shut and the sound of something hitting the water repeatedly came from the room. Coughing and heavy breathing came from the room followed by more vomit entered the toilet with splashing being the only sound heard.

Many outside cringed after hearing the disgusting noises and possible pain the lone human was most likely feeling; add that to the fact he’s most likely going to be known for taking a life and this reaction would seem understandable.

The sound of the foist inside the restroom pouring water and many breaks from the water hitting the pearl white sink as Hunter scrubbed his face. He continued until all the vomit that was left behind was gonna and his hands were clean before washing his mouth out from the foul taste his own vomit left in his mouth.

Oh God, kill me. Hunter thought as stared into the mirror while panting and huffing. He wasn’t expecting a response.

What about Nyx? Hunter’s eyes widened after hearing a slightly more feminine voice than his.

I’m going crazy. I already have a voice in my head. He was about to curl into a ball and hope all would fix itself.

You're not. I’m contacting you through telepathy. It’s a low-grade spell. The female said with an annoying spell.

THEN WHY DO YOU SOUND LIKE ME!!! He shouted in his mind; genuinely creeped out by this person or pony.

I can’t say much for my voice as it sounds like the person I’m contacting just a little more feminine. Getting off track, this wasn’t your fault. the voice reassured sounding more and more like...

Celestia? Hunter asks with an amazed tone in his mind.

Just come outside, please. Celestia asked through his confused, terrified mind.

I walked out with a distant look on my face as I was stared down by many. I painted heavily from the lack of oxygen that my stomach forgot I needed. I looked around for the one who called me out from the restroom as I made a reminder to apologize to the Cakes for the foul-smelling substance that now filled the restroom; the smell, not the vomit.

“Are thou okay?” I was asked from Luna in her usual archaic speech which was soft and comforting.

“Y-Yes. Now I am.” I responded while holding back my stutter from the lack of self-confidence in public. “Luna, you don’t have to uphold your side of the deal if you don’t want to.” I would just feel bad that I would let that happen even if that event didn’t happen.

She thought about it for a moment as she smiled innocently while looking up. She shrugged her shoulders while still holding that same smile before saying, “Thou earned it and as the common pony says it, ‘A deal’s a deal.’” That smile is kind of ironic due to the bet she made. It wasn’t innocent at all.

I looked over at Celestia who had a large blush on her face after hearing that which would confuse anyone other than me. She was directly involved by the bet because of Luna, but I still blushed since her side of the deal would just be embarrassing if anyone found out.

Her side of the deal is something I will not say; mostly because her dialect is really hard to speak in. It wasn’t just what she said, but how she said it was what got me. Seriously, if it was supposed to be subtle; then she really needed to work on that.

“Fine, I don’t care anymore. I just What to put this day behind me.” I said while rubbing my temples with two fingers. I was developing a headache from today’s excitement and I knew that it would carry on until tomorrow.

“Yes, Luna, I agree with him. Not to mention that, in light of today’s events, that we are going to have to do something about this new turn of events.” Celestia said a little too quickly before beginning to walk out the door while dragging Luna with her. I take back what I originally thought about Luna; she has more in common with a girl in high school than anybody else on this planet.

“Well, Nyx, it’s about time we leave... Nyx?” I called again in a questioning tone while looking around for the small, navy blue alicorn.

I found her asleep and really quickly after reading the time on my phone and finding that it was midnight. I swiftly grabbed Nyx and put her on my back to give her a piggyback ride. Ebony opened up the door for me while carrying my bag that was thrown over her shoulder.

“Today was an... eventful day,” Ebony said, trying to relinquish the awkward silence that ensued with something else.

“What part. The fact that I almost died or the part where I had a child with Twilight?” I asked with an innocent tone.

“Don’t push your luck. I’m still angry about that.” She glared at me which failed because it only made her cuter.

“You're failing horribly when glaring at me. You know that, right?” She puffed out her cheeks in annoyance before continuing into the cool night ahead.

What followed was beyond my, or anyone else’s, control.

Chapter 6: And So It Begins...

Gleaming’s right eye twitched as she saw Hunter attacking in his own style of using his sword. In fact, she loved that he created his own style for sword combat, but what got to her was that she tried to break him once he began his training and it completely failed as he would push himself to meet the requirements. When she told him to do thirty pushups; he did double while saying, “How will I know what my limits are if I don’t break them?” Or, “Why settle for good enough?”

In short, Gleaming Shield was ashamed that he surpassed all her other guard friends when they first started out. She was ashamed that she underestimated human determination and endurance. Overall, she was ashamed that breaking him completely failed and actually helped him.

But all that was cast aside after the amount of time it took him to be able to wield the sword and create his own style. She couldn’t take anymore and screamed in frustration while screaming, “ONE WEEK!!!” After releasing all her pent up anger, she fell back into the grass with her eyes closed and taking deep breaths.

Hunter, hearing the screaming mare, chuckled as those were the exact words his middle school band teacher used when he learned how to play tuba. He went back to perfecting his sword stance which was just a copy of the warden stance from ‘For Honor’ that he modified to fit his needs.

His right hand held the handle of his blade while his left arm held the bottom portion of the sword’s blade. His head was tilted towards his left shoulder while his legs were spread apart in a crouched position. He had a glare that would have made the most fearless get struck with terror so he could hide his true intentions of studying the enemy a secret.

He was glaring at the practice dummy that had a target painted on its chest that was made of burlap sacks and hay which he made a few puns at... only for Gleaming to drop him with a swift kick to the groin. Hunter’s frown deepened after remembering that her kick hurt worse than getting punched as he hooves were giving an added damage boost due to her steel hooved boots.

He was beginning to sense a theme after that as when he made a bad joke or laugh at someone’s expense, he already knows he’s a horrible person, he would get a pretty hard hit to his dick. ‘Seriously, first Ebony. Then Rainbow. Then Gleaming. Who was next, Pinkie?’ He thought after remembering that ponies were much more sensitive to things humans normally do... except for laughing when people, or ponies, rage.

He shook the thought from his head as he began his attack on the dummy while automatically gripping the handle with his right with a fast over head attack before swiftly bringing it back up. He released his grip on the handle with his right hand to deliver a swift punch to the head of the dummy before using the momentum of his punch to twist around before decapitating the dummy.

Gleaming saw how he was fighting as his attacks seemed to mold into another attack while leaving little openings for him to be attacked. Which was how she found his weakness because if she stopped just one of his attacks; his fluid attacks will most likely become more open and leaving him susceptible to attacks. That was what she thought when she first sparred with him, but, even after he was parried, he was still able to hold his fluid motions together and use the parry to his advantage.

She didn’t know that humans are extremely adaptable to any situation and can think of many ways to beat their enemy.

Gleaming’s phone gave a very annoying alarm that she often used to wake up because of how loud an annoying it was. This, however, was an alarm for Hunter to stop training which she put on after he spent so much time training on the first day that he collapsed from exhaustion. Luckily it was that one day when he said he forgot the golden rule for hot days or standing in place for too long; don’t lock your knees.

“Hunter, training’s finishes!” Gleaming yelled at the human that was around fifty meters away.

Even from where she was at, she could tell that Hunter’s shirt was drenched in sweat and he was moving slowly as his body’s aching caused him to be sluggish. He was visibly sore throughout his entire body and literally couldn’t feel his legs, but he could still walk because he didn’t need to feel his own two legs to walk.

“Holy shit, I pushed myself too hard.” Hunter said as he finally made it to Gleaming Shield who was currently trying not to help Hunter as, when he does this, he has an obligation to try and do things himself. In short, he was a hard worker, but preferred to do things alone.

“Maybe if you took a few minutes every hour, then maybe you wouldn’t feel like this.” Gleaming suggested as they walked into town with only Hunter getting halfway. He fell face first into the ground as his soreness made it extremely hard to move causing Gleaming to drag him to the restaurant where he was supposed to meet a few of the mane 6.

(First person- Hunter)

Getting to the town wasn’t easy as they were bombarded with questions about my condition. The answer was always the same with them telling the truth, but many of the females gossiped about other thing like my cause for not being able to move was a lie.

“Oow.” I groaned as my head made contact with another rock. Gleaming is a really great friend, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes she doesn’t think things through. “Could you at least hold my torso up I can attempt to move my feet?” My head hit a rather large, hard rock which my head was unfortunately greeted to a corner of the rock. “Son of a biscuit!” I was able to censor myself before the curse left my mouth.

“Sorry!” Gleaming yelled in worry after realizing that dragging someone isn’t the best way to get someone somewhere effectively. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” She glared at me after we got shoulder to shoulder.

“I’m pretty sure that you would have noticed after I said ‘Ow’ again, but screw those pointy rocks.” I was pretty much relying on Gleaming to stay standing up because if I were to walk on my own; I would be walking like a drunken man.

“Well you can quit your whining because we’re here.” I looked up to find Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack sitting at a table outside a local restaurant.

The restaurant was a small, fancy building that looked like most houses in Ponyville, except for Sugar Cube Corner. There were many different tables around the outside of the restaurant with many other patrons and the table the three sat at was the same one that Twilight got rained on in ‘Ticket Master’.

“Oh my Celestia! What happened to you?!” Rarity yelled in her noble English accent which I honestly like. Never understood why I liked the accent, but I do.

“The idiot,” Gleaming motioned towards me with her head, “pushed himself to hard. As a result, he can’t stand.” The three sigh in relief as they most likely thought that I hurt myself.

“To be honest, I thought I would throw up before I would collapse.” I responded with a neutral tone which made the three gain questioning looks. “What? This isn’t the first time I’ve collapsed. I usually throw the fuck up before I pass out.” I then glared at Gleaming in a way that it wouldn’t scare everyone. “How am I ever going to improve if I don’t push myself?” I was a little annoyed by her distant attitude towards me as it was getting really annoying.

Gleaming rolled her eyes before setting me down on a bail of hay which acted as chairs for the restaurant. I moved my arms around since they were the only things I could move and stretched a bit before actually moving my body to get some feeling into my limbs.

“Anything new today?” I asked as I looked over the menu to find the salad section. It would be the only thing I could eat for a while until boot camp starts tomorrow.

“Yes actually, today Barbara and I are actually going to learn a few more spells.” Twilight began which peaked my interests.

“How many?” I continued so I could confirm that I was indeed in ‘Boast Busters’... damn I watch this show too much.

“Twenty five I think, I don’t know. Barbara is picking them out, but I know for sure that it’s staying in the twenties.” I. Fuckin’. Called it! I smiled because I had a way to prevent Trixie’s return in season three and her friendship almost broken in season six... I think.

“May I take your orders?” The waiter asked to my left. My eyes widened after seeing another male in Ponyville. I’ve seen most of the towns residents and they were all female and during estrus.

“Umm... okay. I’ll have just a salad with ranch dressing.” I said as I look at the drinks to find the good old Dr. Pepper in the menu now. I honestly didn’t think that the Cakes would make it that quickly. I literally gave them the last bottle yesterday. “And a Dr. Pepper, please.” I give him my menu with a smile as the rest ask for their lunches.

“A dandelion sandwich with water, please.” Twilight asked with a smile of her own while hands her menu to him. To most ponies it would be normal, but to humans... holy shit was it adorable.

“Ah’ll get an apple pie, please.” Applejack asked with a tilt of her hand with her menu held out towards the waiter.

“Same as the kind human.” Rarity said, making me beam at the complement.

“Same as this idiot.” Gleaming pointed towards me with a thumb while levitating her menu to the waiter who left.

“Ugh, my nonexistent self esteem.” I bent over and grabbed my chest before looking at Gleaming with a neutral gaze. “Try again after your guards are competent... the solar guards.”

“Shut up you shaved monkey?” She shot back with a glare as we continued with our banter. This continued until I said something I shouldn’t have cause me to cover my mouth with shock while the others looked at me with wide eyes.

“I’m so sorry. Sometimes... most times I say stuff before I think.” I just shut up and didn’t say a thing after that.

They tried to speak to me and get me to talk, but I was a little afraid that I would say something I shouldn’t. I ate the salad in silence with everyone trying to talk to me to get me to speak which didn’t work, but it would help if I stayed silent for a while before I spoke again.

“Thanks for the meal.” Gleaming said Twilight dug into her bit pouch to pay, but I beat her to it. I placed down a few bits on the table which equaled the amount needed and a tip.

“I got it.” I finally say much to the other gratitude. I smiled without saying anything else which told them I was alright for a while. I’m just a quiet, but quiet, eater.

I spun around on the hay bail before forcing myself to my feet and taking one step... only for me to go face first into the ground again.

“Help.” I say while raising an arm up as Gleaming grabs the arm and drags me to my house. “Thank you.” My voice was muffled before my head hit a pole. “Ow.” My voice was monotone since I finally got use to being hit on the head.

“How are his clothes not dirty?” Rarity asked before we were out of earshot.

I was still being dragged by Gleaming before I remembered something that completely slipped my mind. It would be hard to miss unless your just having an off day or don’t care.

“Gleaming... what happened to my sword?” I asked before the dragging stopped and a loud slap could be heard through the air as she most likely facepalming for missing something so obvious.

She began her dragging again before lifting me up and propping me up against a caravan. “Stay her and don’t move until I come back.” She ran towards the hill we often trained at.

I tried to stand up and walk with success coming closer and closer until I could walk again; even if it was wobbly and the occasional falling. I began to walk around until my balance slowly came back.

“Haya, Hunter!” Pinkie yelled from behind me causing me to jump and fall back.

“Crap! Pain!" I yell as it was literally a belly flop on the ground. I stand back up while applying pressure to my back which was in extreme pain. “Why... are you here?” This hurt so much that I was wincing the entire time.

“We’re here for that!” She yelled while pointing to the caravan that was behind me which was... Trixie’s. Well, better sooner than later I guess.

Just then, a voice boomed from the carriage causing me to jump again, but stay on my feet this time. “Come one, come all! Come and the witness the amazing magic of The Great and Powerful, Trixie!” I heard Trixie’s voice echo through the town causing me to smile at the good memories of one of my favorite episodes.

Mostly because the entire episode could’ve been avoided if the rest weren’t naive enough to actually believe that. Well, they didn’t but they handled it in the worst way possible as all they had to do was sit back and watch the show before realizing that she was trying to entertain the children and not the adults.

I chuckled to myself as I thought of what the Mane 6 would look like if they actually thought something through. For some reason or another, my mind decided to depict them as ‘Rainbow Six’ operators.

I looked around so see only a few seconds have gone by sense my internal monologue, but I normally think fast. I shake my head and let out a loud whistle to show my approval. She looks at my direction with confusion after not that many ponies clapped before seeing me with a smile.

“Who and what are you Trixie’s enthusiastic friend?” Trixie asked in her usual third person which caused me to chuckle.

“For who, I’m Hunter Herrero. As for what, I’m a human. For the reason why I’m so enthusiastic is because I love magic. Even my world’s magic which isn’t actually magic.” I responded with a smile which she returned as she told a story of how she drove away an Ursa Major from a town.

The entire time I had a smile on my face before I was nudged by Rainbow. She had a frown on her face as she stared at me before directing it to Trixie.

“How can you stand that boasting?” She asked while holding that frown as I saw Twilight finally get here.

“It’s not boasting; it’s entertainment. Think of it like a legend or a fictional book. It’s meant to entertain; not be truthful. Also, us adults can see right through the lies, but the children can’t.” I explain before it finally began to get the logic. She went back to her friends and was telling them something which might be the beginning of the episode.

A few hilarious fails and embarrassment aside, the episode played out exactly as it was supposed to which made me smile... okay I was laughing my ass off. It was even more hilarious in person which was added when it was my turn. Today, I’m glad I was wearing a sweater like I always do.

“Come one, Come all to see me completely fail at what I’m about to do!” I yelled as I got on the stage next to Trixie and pull out a bit. “This is an ordinary bit.”

I flicked it up into the air and caught it with one hand while moving my other in the same movement as the other hand at the same time. My palms were face down and my fingers were curled into my hand with the fingertips were resting on the edge of my palm. I turned my arm, around and shook them until they were halfway down my arms. I smiled as the magic was already in play.

“Now.” I paused as I turned towards Trixie with the same smile. I held out my hands and said, “Now my lovely assistant will pick a hand to try and find the bit.” Trixie blushed for a moment before picking my left hand before I turned it around and opened my hand to... reveal nothing but air.

“Then it must be in the other hand!” Trixie yelled like she figured it out before I turned my hand around to show the same thing. Her eyes widened at the seemingly magicless magic that I just performed.

I spun my arms until the sleeves were at my wrist and the bit fell into my hand which was when I showed the audience. Everyone clapped for the pretty easy magic trick which could be easy for everyone to learn.

“Fun fact.” I say getting the audience attention as they stopped clapping. I felt my anxiety rise, but I was keeping it down to tell them this last thing. “I didn’t use any magic. My species doesn’t have magic. What we have is miss direction,” I clapped my hands together where I let the bit fall into my sleeve again. I pull it out of my sleeve before saying, “and slight of hand.”

Trixie smiled at finding someone who was as good at magic, not actual magic, as good as her. She patted me on the shoulder and I went down on the ground making her try to catch me but fail.

“HUNTER!!!” I heard Gleaming yell as I tilted my head towards the sound while she ran towards me with a vary pissed expression. “Stop pushing yourself! You already collapsed once today and I don’t want you passing out... again!”

She picked me up by the torso before I pushed myself away from her to regain my balance so I could walk. She seemed surprised for a moment before I held out my hand and my sword appeared with a bright flash from Gleaming’s horn.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get home so I can relax my sore muscles.” I placed the sword to my back where I just walk away with a smile as I was mentally crying from pain. “Kill me.” I whisper with the smile on my face that hid my pain. A tear ran down my cheek causing me to wipe it away. “Now.”

I walk into my house with Gleaming walking in the direction of the Golden Oaks Library where sheets staying for the past week. Twilight was more than happy to spend time with Gleaming because they mostly tell stories... from what Twilight told me, but I don’t really care unless it would put them in danger.

“Welcome home!” Ebony yelled from somewhere in the house which looked like it came from the upstairs area. She seemed relieved that I was back and we even began preparations to show her true form to the Mane 6, Gleaming, and the royals.

I tilted my head upwards up the stairs where I know the two were at... or at least Ebony because I had no idea when I needed to pick up Nyx from the school house. “Is the shower open?!” I asked before waiting for a moment as there was no immediate response from Ebony.

“Yes! It’s open, but you have to pick up Nyx in half an hour!” She yelled causing my eyes to widen after realizing that I spent to much time in town.

“Crap, thanks for the info!” I bolted up stairs at full speed.

It was a bad idea after I trip and fell on the steps which hurt which which worked in tandem with my soreness. I cursed softly before getting to my feet again and this time walked to the bathroom while bumping into Ebony. Unfortunately for me, she just got out the shower with her chitin and fur being soaked in water. Not to mention that she was only in a towel which was a little destructing, but I was able to get myself together and help her up before I went to the bathroom quickly to shower.

I took a quick shower while trying to get the image of Ebony in only a towel on out of my head which was stuck like glue. “I fuckin’ hate puberty.” I quickly say to myself before I yawned loudly as the days events began to catch up to me.

I dry off with gusto before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist and heading to my room. I glare at the only working bathroom in the entire house as it had to be the only one in the hallway. Luckily, I had enough money to get it fix and they were coming tomorrow.

I ran into my room before getting to my closet wher I take a pair of blue jeans and a black polo shirt and put them on. I then grab a brown belt and put it on followed by a pair of socks that were black. I slip on my closest pair of shoes were more like dress shoes sense those were the ones Rarity ordered me and modified.

Without a second to lose, I ran out my room and down the stairs which was more akin to falling down them which I did. I groaned for a moment before rushing out the door while still trying to straighten my back.

“Oh dear god!” I yelled in an exhausted voice which broke up a few times after I got there and didn’t care how I stopped as I fell on the grass along side the other parents. I was able to make it in time which was awarding on its own.

“You okay mister?” A kind yet bubbly voice asked before I popped an eye open to see the Brony’s symbol for love and tolerance, Derpy or Ditzy. Her blonde hair matched her eyes and her male mare uniform was exactly how I imagined it, blue and from the eighties except she had a skirt. I, obviously, looked away from the view she was giving me. Like I said, fuck you puberty.

“Yes. Thank you.” I painted with a smile as I talked to Derpy like an old friend which was mostly silent. “If I may ask, what’s your name? Mine’s Hunter Herrero.” I smile at her while staring into those golden crossed eyes.

“Ditzy, Ditzy Doo, but most ponies call me Derpy.” She said a little dejectedly as I know why.

“Because of the eyes, right?” She nodded as tears formed in her eyes and I growled a little in anger by the ponies that make her feel sad. “Well, I don’t care about that. If they think that your crossed eyes are something to make fun of then they aren’t worth even listening to.” I stood up to look her in the eyes, but like everypony else; I towered over her. I placed my hands on her shoulder causing her to look up at me. “What makes you different shouldn’t be something to hate and others should know that. Those who want to hurt you know that mentioning your eyes hurts you so they use it. If you accept your crossed eyes and always keep your head high; nothing can hurt you.” She looked at me with gratitude which made me smile that she took my words to heart.

“You were told this by somepony else, weren’t you?” She asked with a mischievous smile.

“Yup, only thing was I was way more violent about it. Not to mention that people told me I couldn’t do certain things because I was too weak or not smart enough, so I proved them wrong. I was told I would never complete the Physical Readiness Test in Navy JROTC, but I actually surpassed everything I was needed to do and got the presidential award for it. I was told I would fail English because I wasn’t smart enough, but I surpassed it and got a ninety-five percent on the test.” I stopped for a moment as I remembered something from kindergarten that stuck with me from sixth grade till now. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt.”

“Ponies actually said that to you?” Ditzy asked with a worried expression.

“Yup, and I rarely let it get to me.” I sat down and we began to talk

We continued to talk with her being as bubbly as ever as we literally just talked about why the sky was blue and gave our most far off answers while most parents watched us converse with amazement. We literally said that Celestia projects the sky being blue because it reminded her of water.

“Maybe you should let your friends call you Durpy for you bubbly personality.” I said within fits of laughter, but she stopped to consider it. I stopped after she tapped he on the shoulder coyly. I turned to her with a smile.

“Your right I should let my friends call me that because of my personality and not my eyes. It will allow me to accept the name as make it my own.” She said with a small smile as I smile md back and nodded before she continued. “So from now on, call me Derpy.”

“Okay... Derpy.” I responded before asking the inevitable question. “So, who are you picking up?” She looked at the school house with a soft smile.

“My filly Dinky. She’s a unicorn that looks almost like me. How about you?” I do the same as she looks at me with wander.

“My filly Nyx. She’s the alicorn filly and I enrolled her a week ago.” I look back at her with a smile which she mirrored.

“Another alicorn. Seems like yesterday I heard about the coronation of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” That made me chuckle a bit, but it only showed how old she actually was considering that Cadence was nineteen years old.

The bell rung as colts and fillies came out with smiles, but what intrigued me was that Nyx was talking with Apple Bloom and she was cutie markless. Future Cutie Mark Crusader... perhaps, but that just a theory... a Fan Theory.

I chuckled as my thoughts traveled to the popular YouTube series that I’ve come to love in the past three years. I stuck the tips right pointer and thumb into my mouth before giving off a loud whistle that alerts Nyx.

She smiled widely and runs to where she proceeds to hug my legs. I crouch down to her level and give a proper hug which she just responded to with a nuzzle.

“So, how was school?” I asked with a smile as I began to stand at my full height.

She looked up to me with puppy dog eyes and I got the message quickly. I picked her up and placed her on my shoulders which wasn’t hard to maintain, because she’s lighter due to my training.

“Nothing, we learned about math; mostly multiplication. I also made a new friend! Her name is Apple Bloom and she’s nice and awesome an—“ I cut her off with a grunt of pain as the soreness was really getting to me. “Daddy, are you okay?” Obviously she was worried after the grunt of pain.

“Just pushed myself a little to much today and to be honest; it hurts a little.” I responded with a smile that continued to hide the real pain.

I look over to Ditzy or Derpy to find a pinkish gray unicorn filly with golden eyes and hair. She had a green shirt with blue shorts which stopped at her knees.

“She ya around Ditzy.” I called making her jump a little, but turned to see me with Nyx on my shoulders.

“Bye Hunter!” She yelled while waving making me do the same, but mine was less enthusiastic as she had her entire arm outstretched while mine was up to my shoulders.

(Time skip- night)

I jolted up in my bed after hearing a loud roar from outside followed by... four screams of terror. They were familiar as they were the same ones from the show which means that the Usra attack begun.

I take action as I put on my shoes before taking my sword at attaching it to by back. I rush out my bedroom door and causing a loud crash to echo through the house as I ignore the stairs, but completely jump down them. I immediately regret it as my feet now hurt and I was stumbling on the ground. The door that led to the catastrophe that was outside opened inwards so I flung it open with little care.

I look to the direction of the Ursa, but it wasn’t an Ursa Minor... it was a Ursa Major. I ran faster to the screams as I weaved between buildings to get to my destination which was working and I haven’t ran into any dead ends.

When I finally got there, I saw Trixie alone on the ground and was about to get hit by the large astral bear. I had no idea what my body was doing when I ran towards the show mare before pulling her out the way where I would take her place.

The paw hit me with tremendous force that launched me through the wall of a house and rubble to fall on top of me. More screaming could be heard as I struggled to free myself from the the stony prison that cover my body.

As the screaming became more intense, I was making better progress as the rubble on top of me became less and less. When I finally got out, I saw Twilight nearly get crushed by the bear before one of its paws landed a hit one her making her hit the side of a building.

My anger grew larger and larger after that as one of my herd mates was struck by that beast until it finally boiled over to the point where I was acting off or rage. The large bear was about to crush Twilight, but, in a burst of unfounded speed, I was up to its arm where I swiftly took my sword into my hand and stabbed the auras with my sword. It cried in anger as it flaled its arm around; trying to throw me off and dislodge the sword, but only succeeded in making the blade travel down its arm leaving a large gash. Eventually, it did get me off, but I was seething and it was clearly evident as my teeth were bared and I was breathing heavily.

The large bear charged me with extreme speed as it tried to run over in order to end what life I have. I blocked for some reason which was turning the sword until the a blade faced the ground and I was putting my hand on the flat surface. It surprisingly worked and I used it to force it in another direction. It growled loudly as it began to circle me like a wolf to its pray, but I wasn’t the pray.

I was the predator.

We started each other down; trying to size the other up with quick evaluations before one of us charged at the other. I felt something build up at my shoulder and it kept growing and growing until my legs charged before my mind gave the command. My sword was being held with one hand and being dragged with my right hand as the beast charged at me. I cocked my left arm back as I prepared to punch the massive beast while my sensible side of me was trying to regain control. It stood on its two feet while bringing its front paws up in preparation to slam them down on my position. Unfortunately for it, my fist connected with the bear’s massive stomach and did what should have been impossible. The punch sent the bear flying back twenty meters.

I crept up to the bear before climbing on it with my teeth still bared and my breathing ragged as I stained the astral bear in its barely conscious face before I punched it again. It quickly woke up to see the other ten punches until the energy was dispersed from my body as the sensible side finally gained control as I could finally hear it whimpering before looking towards the Everfree wherein found the minor looking at me with terror.

I faced the beaten bear with a scowl which made it begin to tremble as I just continued to glare at it. “If you ever do this again... I’ll kill you where you stand, understand?” I say with all my hatred, malice, and rage that made the bear confirm with a whimpering roar before I got off of it and it made a hasty retreat back to the Everfree.

“W-w-What was that?” I heard Twilight ask from behind me as I started in the direction to where the astral bear disappeared.

I sighed as I placed my sword on my back. “How I forced it to go flying is beyond me. The reason I did all that was the reason I shut myself away from the rest of society.” I stood in the same position and stair at the same spot before three thumps were heard behind me, but I didn’t care about that.

My vision darkened as exhaustion over took my body and my body leaned forward as I fell on the ground; prepared to sleep off what just happened. Unconsciousness over took my body as all cognitive thinking stopped and I went into the land of sleep.

(Third person)

The the alicorn princesses landed behind the standing form of Hunter who stood and stared into the Everfree Forest that had the distant sound of whimpering. The three rulers turned to Hunter who was now giving off a strong magical presence that was definitely not their last week. While Cadence was confused by this, the two alicorn sisters were horrified at the sudden turn of events. They knew what would happen once they gave him the amulet, but they thought there would be different results from the test of the diverse species volunteers over a thousand years ago. They read the letter again to see if Twilight forgot to mention something.

Twilight wrote about the Ursa attack that hit Ponyville when she was writing for help. Gleaming was already knocked out by the astral bear and the rest of the Mane 6 were trying to get the towns folks out the bears destruction.

When they got their, Hunter already dealt with it, but there was more pressing matters as they sensed the magic in Hunter growing and shadows converging around his body before he passed out. When he passed out, those same shadows freely rose off of him like a fire or ash on wood, but obviously much darker.

This could mean three things could happen. He was well beyond staying human as his body is now holding more equestrian magic than he was the week prior, so he wasn’t going to stay human. It was narrowed down to two options, but only one and the worst could happen. He wouldn’t become a pony as the magic in his system is much more than anypony could handle.

Which meant his two forms were converging into one singular form which ment two more outcomes and out of those two; only one would happen. He will keep his human form and take the pony attributes, but it wouldn’t happen because it would have already happen. The last and the worse out of those two sub options was that his magic will become unstable and he will parish.

In other words, Hunter is going to die.

Chapter 7: Building up to the truth

Author's Note

I have no idea what do do for the basic training so I left it out. For a little insight, this chapter is all over the place and made it difficult to properly name it. If there is a better name, please tell me so I can change it.

Sorry, had to catch up on school work and my grades aren’t the best. I’ll try to update more frequently if possible. Next chapter will, hopefully, be a quicker update.

Chapter 7: Building up to the truth

Can you remember a time when you were completely broken. Not like breaking a bone or dislocating your arm, but felt hopeless and that no matter what you do; the same outcome will happen...

That’s me right now. I... I just can’t believe that I might... might...

I can’t. I can’t even admit it to myself; even after getting told by Celestia herself. I tried to keep my composure and not run out the damn room crying, but that’s a lot to even do after getting the news that you’re FUCKING DYING!!!

I didn’t run out the room crying which was a plus, but I got extremely pissed that they took a risk like that. It wasn’t until a few hours later when they succeeded in getting me out of my room with... minor injuries... mostly emotional because I said some things I shouldn’t have.

After a bit of time apologizing, everything was mostly back to normal, or as normal as you can get while being in a military. Life was going to suck for the next two months.

I was standing behind everyone in the position of attention with my head held high and my thumbs at the seams of my pants. My back was straight like it always is and my face was stoic with my eyes having the thousand yard stare of all human soldiers at attention. Everypony else, however, was fucking around with smiles thinking that this would be easy and, not to mention, that they were all mares which would make for a very interesting experience.

“Settle down Everypony!” Gleaming yelled to get everyone’s attention, but it succeeded in doing absolutely nothing. No wonder why the Royal Guard was incompetent; the orientation was pathetic enough for even an inexperienced human to know. That’s sad.

I sighed at they completely ignored the attempt to quiet down as I knew something that would get their attention and shut up. “ATTEEEEN-TIOON!!!” I yelled in my deepest, booming voice that quieted everyone down and stand at attention... well half of them were relaxed.

“Whoa... umm, good job Hunter.” Gleaming said with a shocked face as she got out of attention after reflexively standing at it. “Now, thank you for joining the Royal Guard and we appreciate your decision, but it isn’t for everyone. If your not sure that you can handle it; leave now and you won’t be sworn in.” My composure slipped a bit after hearing that none of them were sworn in yet. Worst military ever.

No one left as they seemed to have determined expressions that looked like glaring, but it was just too cute to have any effect. “Your here to see who I’ve picked to act as your battalion commander for the rest of your time in the guard.” Interests have reached their limits of being peaked. My attention now focused on Gleaming as she scanned the crowd. “Will Recruit Herrero please come up here.” I was mentally freaking out, but I was able to retain my composure.

Taking one step back, I did a left face and walked between the mares until I came to my first turn. I immediately did a column right as I marched up the side of the mass formation. Lastly, I did a column right and marched the rest of the way to Gleaming shield with my face remaining stoic and my posture was completely straight. When I made it to her, I did a left face so that I was facing her with the same expression.

I preformed a solute before saying, “Recruit Herrero here as requested, ma’am!” I nearly yelled with my JROTC experience coming in hand.

“You’ve done this before, haven’t you?” Gleaming ask with a rather impressive tone.

“Ma’am, I have participated in my Navy Junior ROTC at my previous high school, ma’am!” Golden rule: loud and proud.

“Not bad, what rank?” She’s going to be sorely disappointed right now.

“Ma’am, I was unable to rank up due to not knowing the general orders, but I was more focused on my core classes, ma’am!” I’m getting really tired of standing here, but I will not leave until relieved of my post. I think that was the third general order of the navy. Hard to remember after not studying it after moving. It hurt to see that knowledge go to waist.

“Last question, have you finished high school?” I can under sand that because you at least need a high school diploma to enter the military in the United States.

“Ma’am, unlike Equestria, my nation has a more balanced male population so the age of becoming an adult is five years above Equestria making the legal age eighteen. I have yet to finish it due to falling to the vortex.” She was genuinely surprised by this, but I didn’t tell her about that. She knew I was a student, but I think that she thought I was in college.

“Due to... buck it. You earn a rank up due to you literally pushing yourself in my training to even wield your sword. I’ve lost count of how many times you collapsed, passed out, and threw up. Half the time I had to bucking drag your ass through the streets. Not to mention that you actually surpassed every other guard who joined the Royal Guard.” She gave me a pendant that had the Army’s rank of E-5 which was Staff Sargent.

“Kind of easy to do that when your requirements are not even that high and, not to brag, my nation has one of the strongest military forces in the world with around one point three million in active duty and another eight hundred sixty five thousand in reserves.” Her jaw dropped after hearing that we have nearly an impossibly large military force with how many people there are in it. I wander how she would react if she figured out that we have a long standing track record that would probably surpass all their expectations. The only reason I knew this was because I was extremely curious about the amount of soldiers in our armed forces, but I’m admitting that it actually surprised me to.

“W-why would you want a military that large?” My eyes seemed to have a looming shadow over them after hearing that statement. I felt my dread begin to rise after she asked that question as I was tempted to tell her not to worry about the reason, but that would only want her to know even more.

The reason was very clear to me, but I looked around at all the occupants of the massive building that was on the border of the Everfree. They didn’t need to know what was happening worlds away when they will most likely have a war of their own soon. The question I constantly asked myself was if it was worth putting my life on the line of another nation even of it wasn’t on the brink of war? The statement was immediately shot down as I remembered that I was tied to this place by blood because if the griffins do invade, then that would put Nyx in harms way.

“Why promote me if were training all at the same time? This would give anyone with prior military knowledge a higher chance at ranking up if they are evil or known to betray.” I responded while trying to change the subject that would have put anyone in a bad mood.

“We do an extensive background search for thins like that and you have shown to be there for your herd mates in their time of need. You defended Nyx, who is your own flesh and blood, from Luna after it was confirmed that she was the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon. Do I really need to continue or is that enough?” She asked as I raised a hand to silence her because it was a valid reason and a test of loyalty which I most likely passed. It surprises me how I now see something that happened a month ago as a test. “And technically, you surpassed most Officers in the Royal Guard and some in the Solar and Lunar Guard. You technically are already a guard so this training isn’t needed, but since the other seven battalions are choosing a new recruit as the battalion commander for the competition in two months; I thought I would choose someone who would inspire the rest to not meet the requirements, but completely surpass them.”

“Fine, I’ll lead them, but expect them to work even harder than they ever have before.” I turned to the battalion with straight face as I began to yell my Rules or at least how to respond to a commanding officer. “Listen up because I’m only going to say this once! When we are training, you will do as I say so you can do as instructed correctly, understood.” I got nods in response from them which made me realize that I may have my work cut out for me. “You will answer with ‘Sir, yes sir’ or ‘Ma’am, yes ma’am’ depending on the gender, do you understand?” Mumbles was all I receivedas I face palmed. “WHAT WAS THAT!!!”

“Sir, yes sir!” They shouted in unison which caused me to smile.

“I can work with this.” I smiled as I thought of a way to make them surpass all expectations.

(Time skip- two months later)

I plopped onto my bunk in Alpha 1-1 platoon barracks after the grueling training Gleaming and I put us through. I wouldn’t put my battalion through anything I wouldn’t do. Even if I led this battalion, I was still beneath Gleaming by a long shot as she was an O-6. The ranks were literally a mixture of Navy and army ranks. The admirals were replaced by the generals for the officer ranks whic was pretty hard to memorize when you have to do so for a written test.

I looked at the clock in the room to get my mind off of the past two months of Hell which Gleaming and I both agreed on and I even admitted that this was Hell.

To my relieve, it was dinner time and today was some homemade cooking from the Apples that was every Friday. Applejack would come with some of the rest of the girls, but she never came with Nyx which would have made me happier if she did come.

I left the building with a straight shot to the mess hall that was giving off a delicious smell that made my mouth water. The smell was even more pleasant than the last times she was doing this and from the sound of it; everyone was loving it. Please moans and sounds of silverware hitting plates and bowls resonated from the cafeteria.

I opened the doors quietly so no one would be disturbed from their meals, but it wasn’t meant to be as on of my platoon leaders saw me and smiled deviously. I shook my head quickly to tell her to stop and she completely ignored it.

“ATTENTION!!!” The leader yelled with a smile before it fell as she looked as stoic as ever. Everyone shot up while dropping their forks or spoons in, or on, their plates or bowls.

“You bitch! Burn in Hell Cloudchaser!” I yelled in anger, but kept in in an inside tone. I sighed in defeat while pinching the bridge of my nose before commanding, “At ease troops.” I gave a lazy salute while everyone gave a snappy one. I glared at Private Cloudchaser while she stuck out her tongue childishly.

I felt a small punch to my leg which caused me to look down to find a familiar alicorn filly that was weakly punching my leg after my cursing. She eventually gave up and went with hugging me by my waist making me bend down to hug her as well.

“I missed you daddy.” She said in a sad tone as the spot her head was at was slowly getting damp with tears. Only a few noticed this as the rest went back to their meals, but I honestly couldn’t blame them fo doing so because the Apple’s products were heavenly.

I smiled softly as I push her away from me a little, but not far enough to break the hug, so I could look into her eyes before saying, “I missed you too. I promise to try not doing this if I can help it.” She smiles with tears in her eyes as she hugged me even tighter and we held it for a while as most of my recruits watched in confusion while completely forgetting about my daughter. “Come on Nyx, lets get some dinner. I bet your hungry.”

At that moment, her stomach growled loudly as she blushed from embarrassment after realizing that I could hear it. I got up and she clung to my side like she was afraid of my soldiers. I would call them my men but they were all mares which really told me about the male to female ratio.

“Nice ta’ see ya Hunter.” Applejack said before seeing the filly alicorn next to me with a smile. “Nyx has been trying to come, but Gleaming has to keep her from seeing the training. Nyx has been tryin’ to get to ya any way possible. She was even terrified that you wouldn’t come back.” Applejack smiled as Nyx got her food from the counter of the cafeteria. It was just a long table with different things on top, but there were three bars parallel to each other.

“I know why, but that doesn’t explain why your here if they wouldn’t allow you to see family or friends outside of the base. As for her bein’ Scared, I can completely relate as I remembered when my dad was sent to the Middle East. I was completely terrified, but he came back alright so I was happy.” I informed while grabbed my own tray and set it on the railing so I could stack my plate with Applejack’s amazing homemade cookin’. I’m just glad that the Apples have knowledge of southern hospitality and you don’t really see it in a lot of southern states except for Georgia. It was just refreshing to find somepony here with that mind set so I wouldn’t be the only one.

I stacked my plate with many apple based food including applesauce. I may not like it, but Nyx surly does as she filled her bowl with the liquid... or solid. I never figured that out.

I stopped right beside her after she was clear to go and eat, but waited for me for some odd reason that was unknown to me. “Why’d you stop?” I asked while stepping beside her with a smile. She looked at me with a smile before responding with a little hesitation and anxiety.

“I waited for you.” She responded while holding that smile which never left her face. She held out her hand for me to take it and I did with no worry if she would drop her food because it wasn’t that much.

We walked through the room with our heads held high until we reached the table I normally eat at which had Private Cloudchaser at. Along with the rest of the company leaders that were Flitter and Night Wing.

Cloudchaser is a Pegasus mare with a light purple coat, sky blue and white mane, and magenta eyes that always had a mischievous glint to them even when she was at attention. She was around five foot eight which was actually a little comforting because I couldn’t just annoy her by resting my elbow on the top of her head and lean on one leg. She was more bashful and arrogant than her twin sister, but I’m not saying that she isn’t humble when the time calls for it.

Next was Flitter who was a Pegasus mare with a lighter purple coat, cyan hear, and magenta eyes that that held a calculating gaze. She was five foot eight like her sister which was easy to annoy her in the same way. She analyzed everything down to the last detail to determine what would be the correct action to do in the situation. Unlike her sister who was stronger than her, she was smarter than the two and they used each other’s strengths to make up for their faults which made me make them Company leaders. She held the rank of Private First Class after she saved Cloudchaser and Night Wing from drowning after realizing that they couldn’t swim. I made sure that it would be mandatory for all guards to learn to swim if they didn’t after that exercise.

Last was Night Wing who was a female thestral with navy blue bat like wings, a gray coat, and yellow eyes that always saw the good in any situation. She was five foot nine and was easy to scare as she screams at the most common of scares. All I have to do is get behind her and scream and she’ll run in fear all the way back to her bunk and making me feel bad afterwards. She has the rank of Private after completing the test to even get her rank and she passed with flying colors. She was a balance of Flitter and Cloudchaser which would be greatly needed.

“Hey Hunter.” They greeted in unison as I sit down with Nyx sitting beside me with a smile which made me do the same. I gave Nyx the bowl of applesauce because she knew my ADHD medicine ruined the food for me forever.

Night turned her head to Nyx with surprise after noticing that she was there and was casually eating. “Is this your sister?!” She asked while I’m sure everyone heard her because it was loud. None of them turned to except for Cloudchaser and Flitter who were at the same table as me. I could feel their curiosity radiating off of them as the more they didn’t know; the more they would try to find out.

I picked up a fork and stuck it into a random food item before sticking it in my mouth. I moaned at the amazing taste that filled my tongue as each ingredients different flavor danced on my tongue before I swallowed the entire thing and savered the taste.

I looked at them with a neutral expression that seemed to unnerve them greatly. “My daughter actually.” I answered with a neutral tone that betrayed what I was actually feeling as I was a little scared for Nyx and how the other would react.

Their eyes widened in amazement and disbelief after hearing the news that she was my daughter. “WHAT!!!” The three yelled as their expirations of meeting one of my siblings were crushed. I can see how we’re related, but with the species difference and the fact that I sent none of my family a letter saying how camp went; I have no idea how they came up with the idea.

I rolled my eyes at their over reaction to the situation that would have been blown way out of proportion. “I was going to introduce you four to each other at the ceremony tomorrow.” I’m glad that the battalion competition was with held after Gilda told them about the griffin empire’s king being overthrown.

Celestia set up a blockade against any griffin forces that may attack, but seeing that that may fail after realizing that it was the current royal guard was a huge possibility. I’m not sure if it is lucky or not as Ponyville is the next line of defense.

I finished eating my meal quietly after shaking my head from the thought that would make others sad or disheartened. Small talk was made, but these four mates knew when something was wrong with me. Any time they would ask what was wrong or if I was okay; I would dodge it or simply ask them to not ever ask again.

I put my tray away for the cleaning crew to clean it and put it away to dry before I began to glow as a golden aura surrounded me with extreme speed. In a matter of seconds, I was teleported to one of the royal bedchambers, but I don’t know who’s because the violent teleportation shot me into a wall knocking me out.

(Time skip- unknown amount of hours)

I woke up with the moon high up in the sky with two masses cuddled up to me with a harm on each side of my chest. They were warm and the fact that I was only in my boxers made me blush after realizing that I was in the same bed as the celestial rulers of Equestria.

I look to my left to find the solar princess with a content smile on her face as she nuzzled my cheek with affection which caused me to blush at the unconscious show of affection. I tried to move my right arm to move the hair away from her face, but that arm was struggling to move as the lunar princess kept it close to her chest.

I sighed I know that I wasn’t going to get out of this easily and made myself comfortable between the two before a problem made itself known. I keep telling myself this but I never do it because it isn’t in my nature to stop this habit. I had to go to the restroom because of the three quitters of a gallon I drink dally which would constantly fuck me over the next day.

I slowly pried their arms away from me as I’m pretty sure they don’t want to wake up in a pissed stained bed that till wake them up. Luckily, my efforts weren’t in vain as I left the bed and rushed to the restroom with one thing on mind: don’t piss myself.

Her whoever’s room I was in was more like a spa as it had a walk in tub that had the area of my room which was enormous compared to any room I ever had. Their was an island in the middle of the large deep tub with the other side having a toilet that behind another door that was like a small bedroom inside. I wasted to time in running to the room where I closed the door to use the damn restroom and relieve myself from the urin in my bladder.

For anyone who was told to hold it in for an hour long trip or until they needed to make a stop; you know how good it feels to pee after holding it in for a vary long time. It took me about five minutes for me to finally leave the restroom as I had a smile on my face after using the restroom.

I walked out to find a panicked Celestia and Luna who were running around the room to find something that would most likely be me after I seemingly disappeared from their extremely strong gripes. After hearing the door close they were immediately upon me with angry glares directed towards me.

“Where were you?” Luna asked with her glare that was not doing a damn thing to scare me. I pat her on the top of her head causing her to puff out her cheeks in mock, childlike annoyance before I responded.

“What did I just walk out of you two?” I responded with a question of my own before they looked at the door with the same expression of ‘ohh’. “Sometimes, you two don’t use commonsense, but nether do I So it really doesn’t matter all that much.” I sighed as sat down on the bed as the two got dressed which only included a bright flash of light and they were in some casual clothes.

For Luna is was a pair of skinny jeans that went just below her her knees and seemed to be rolled up with what seemed to be a short sleeve shirt that had an old NES controller on it with light coming from behind it. The test on her shirt said ‘Old School’ and she wore a jacket over it that was a navy blue with the hood pulled over her head.

Celestia had a golden long sleeved shirt with a white hoodie over it and she had tight fitted pants that covered her entire legs which surprised me completely. It surprised me when she had those because she was around two feet taller than anybody else.

My body began to glow with a golden light that mimicked the one coming from Celestia’s horn as I felt it encompass me in its aura. It was warn and soothing as it felt like a calm fire that was the perfect distance away to have such a warm feeling and not feel like your on fire most of the time.

“Just imagine the clothes you want and we’ll make them. We are going to have to pick from a verity of clothes that are already made.” She explained causing me to sigh as I went with a black short sleeve T-shirt with a gray sweater, red hat, and black jeans. The hood was pulled over the hat which hid my eyes quite well as I smiled at them.

They looked like they recognized someone else before it looked like they squashed the idea of it as Luna teleported my sword to me with a bright flash of light which momentarily blinded me for a moment. When I opened my eyes I found my sword floating in front of me with the same golden aura surrounding it that was present on Celestia’s horn.

I took the blade by the handle before pulling the hood over my head before putting the sword on my back with no resistance as always. I slid my hands into the large pocket in the middle of the sweater before looking at the two with a smile.

“Ready when you are.” I said before we all teleported to the dining hall, but this time; I wasn’t thrown into a wall so I’m fine... maybe.

I was really disoriented after doing that because it really messed with my sense of direction and everything was spinning. I took a step back as I felt my body lean that way and went straight into Luna with me still trying to regain my balance and to stop the world from spinning.

“That’s... disorienting.” I stated whilst trying to keep what remained of my dinner inside my stomach as the room continued to spin until it began to slow down to the point where I could walk straight.

“At least you didn’t go into a wall this time.” Luna started from behind me as I push myself away from her, but get pulled back in by the navy blue alicorn before she nuzzled my cheek. I blushed a little as I melted into the hug and embarrassed the warmth of the alicorn princess.

“Thankfully. So why am I here?” Celestia walked up to me with eloquence that didn’t match her attire. Guess old habits die hard.

“Of corse you know your two forms are converging into one.” She said in a matter of fact tone in which I nodded with a depressed look on my face that would have made even the coldest people feel pity. Luna hugged me tighter to let me know that she was there if I needed her making me smile. “You don’t however know that in those short months is that the being will be granted the abilities of the race they were. For you, your pony form was an elemental. Like Luna, Twilight, and I, but yours is something much darker than I could anticipate.” My mind was blown... and she’s telling me this NOW!

“But that doesn’t explain why I defeated the Ursa Major alone. I literally sent it flying.” I was even more confused by this.

Luna sighed as she picked off where Celestia left off. “Elementals have access to a certain type of magic if they aren’t born a unicorn. There are five types of magic with one being traditional, the one most unicorns use, air, what all Pegasi use, earth, what all earth ponies use, and finally enhancement and celestial, what alicorns use. You subconsciously used alicorn magic without knowing it which only happens if the other three tribes magic reserves are extremely unstable. It normally doesn’t happen often as most who use it die in a matter of seconds, but you used it and lived. You can’t use magic like us, but you can use it to fight sense you body can handle it for some reason.”

I looked at my hand and tried to reach for it but only succeeded in looking like I’m craping my self. I stopped after realizing that I was making a fool of myself and that I was in a chair at a table with two alicorns trying not to laugh. I sighed before asking one question that has been plaguing my mind for a while as it was important for me to know.

“How long do I have?” I asked with a solemn look on my face. This was important for me because I at least wanted to see my family one last time before I die.

“At least four months or, if your lucky, five months.” Luna responded before I sat back down as their horns glowed brightly as the moon set and the sun rose.

I was being to get ready bored now that the talking was over and when I didn’t feel my sword on my back; I searched for it with it only being a second as I found it to my left while it was resting on the table. Eventually, waiters came in to serve meals, drinks, and thank me for what I did to Blueblood. I smiled evilly as I was going to scare the crap out of him.

I look at the plate before asking for the time before Celestia said it was seven in the morning making me realize that I would have been late for the ceremony in an hour. I began to eat at a rapid pace while also keeping myself from getting sick.

“Calm down, they know that you’ll be there soon. The ceremony was pushed back an hour and we’ll let the recruits rest for a month.” I sighed as I knew that I now have more than enough time to get there. Nice of those two to let my battalion know ahead of time. “Not to mention that we have a surprise for you.” I sighed for the millionth time to day as I really don’t like when people just did this shit out of the blue. It just left a foul taste in my mouth an if I didn’t take it it would seem like I don’t care about them.

“I’m going to take a walk around the city before I leave. I want to get a basic layout of the city before anything else happens.” I got up and the two diarches did to and linked arms with me after I put my hands in the pocket of the sweater and left.

We all left with many glaring at me with disgust until they realized that I was with the princesses which got them to stop really quickly. I wasn’t paying attention to the many aristocrats of the city as I walked with the two celestial monarchs through the prestigious city.

The city itself just barely contrasted with the mountain as the city was made out of the same stone that made the mountain. The one contrast that would scream high society was the rooftops and columns made of gold along with some of the streets being made of the same rare metal that seemed abundant here.

It wasn’t until a stallion ‘tripped’ and spilled his hot coffee on me which hurt like hell, but I never showed it. It felt like it was acid trying to burn through my skin, but how I trained was like the training of a Spartan. I showed no signs of pain despite my mind trying to force my mouth to open and let out a shrill scream that would shake the vary foundations of the city.

“Are you okay sir?” I asked without my pain seeping into my voice as it began to soak my underwear.

He stared at me in disbelief as I held out a dry hand for him to take so I could help him up. He took it and I tugged him to his feet swiftly like a leaf to the wind. He immediately ran away with a fearful expression like he saw a monster, but many were just confused on how I was able to take hot coffee to the chest and not flinch. If only they were in my mind right now.

We walked away as Celestia and Luna stopped causing me to do the same as they gazed at me with worry clearly evident on their faces and in their eyes. “Are you okay.” Luna asked with a worried tone as the expression began to slip. “Does it hurt?” All I Did was nod and they took me to a spa where I reluctantly entered with a bell ringing to signify our entrance.

There was a desk in front of two door that had a few ornate designs that were etched onto the door, but other than that; it was fairly plain. Behind the desk was a purple mare with a blue mane and cyan eyes that was typing away at a computer in front of her.

She slowly looked up while saying, “Hello and welcome to- Princesses!” The mare yelled loudly before bowing as many other workers came out to see the commotion and did the same. “How can we help you?” The mare eagerly said with a wide smile as she jumped to her feet like a cat.

“My friend here had coffee spilled on him and I thought he could relax while the maids clean it back at the castle.” Celestia explained her her same, motherly tone which would put anyone at ease.

“How many articles of clothing were hit by the coffee?” She looked at me as I let my stoic expression slip and the pain was showing greatly.

“All of them. Can we please hurry before the coffee decides to attack my dick, please... thank you.” I bolted down the hall until I found the male’s changing room.

I stripped down until I was completely undressed where I looked for something to cover up in. It was quiet in the room and nothing made a sound as I found a basket of towels in the corner for covering up in. I wrapped the towel around my waist before holding the towel in place before the same mare popped her head inside and looked at me. A blush covered my face as she just looked at me with a smile which was scaring me a little.

“Follow me the princesses want you to join them in the hot springs.” She said as I walked out with reluctance and wanting to get this over with.

The spa was twisting and turning like a maze which got me to question what how large this actually was. I wasn’t paying attention for how big it was out side as I just wanted to get those burning clothes off.

Once I entered the hot springs, my face immediately lit up as the didn’t have towels covering themselves. I looked away from the two while keeping a hold of my towel so it would fall before two pairs of hands wrapped around my arms as pulled me into the spring with enough force to not let me fall, but still getting me to move.

I was soon sitting in the hot spring with two extremely attractive alicorns keeping me in place my towel long since forgotten after it was dragged under water; leaving me with no clothes one with to girl... someone end my embarrassment.

“I know you know I’m not like most guys and are extremely uncomfortable. Can you please let go?” I asked with a raised voice, but they only giggled in response.

“We would, but your to cute when you’re embarrassed.” Celestia responded with a smile as I just began to let this happen and knowing that I was no match for alicron strength.

I smiled evilly as I had an idea that may backfire on me, but it was a risk that would be worth taking if I do it.

I slowly grabbed their horns causing them to gasp before moaning in pleasure after the stimulation was immediate. One think I learned from our little session was that alicorn horns and wings are extremely sensitive along, but their horns more than their wings. What followed was a silencing spell and a little session with the three of us again.

‘Well that backfired... badly.’ I thought as I walked out of the springs with a new towel covering my lower half as the two diarches followed me with large blushes on our faces.

“We should get dressed so we can go to the ceremony.” Luna said while her horn lit up in a clear indication of magic as we all were in our clothes once more. She did it so she would have a reason to blind some of the patrons of the spa so they wouldn’t see her blush.

“I still need to get there so I can put on my class A uniform.” I said to my self as another bright flash of magic got up to the camp where I immediately ran into my quarters. Being the only male has perks, one being that I have my own personal quarters for getting dressed or showering which was an extreme relief for me.

Walked out with my class A uniform on and a pleased look on my face after getting an actual shower instead of a hot spring. I walked to the track field where most of Ponyville was at to see the ceremony along with the rest of my battalion.

I marched to the track and through the empty streets of Ponyville in the direction of the track. It was a very silent march through the streets which got me to question how long I was in the shower.

Eventually I found the track with my battalion waiting for me along with the mane six, the royals, Gleaming, Trixie, and Barbara in the collapsible bleachers. My battalion talking amongst each other as I walked up with Flitter, Cloudchaser, and Nightwing staring at me with a neutral expression.

“BATTALION!!!” I yelled loudly to gain the attention of all present and around me as I and my company commanders went to attention.

“Company!” The three repeated loudly as they know what was coming next.

“ATEEEEEN— TIOOOOON!!!” I finished as everyone shut up at the same time once getting to attention. “We’ll begin with a little game... KNOCK OUT!!!”

“Hoorah!” My battalion responded causing me to smile as I taught them that on the first week.

“Remember, two preparatory commands!” They responded in with the a loud ‘Hoorah’. “Left face!” They complied as a loud stomp told me that they were finished with the action. “Right face!” They complied and knock out began.

One of the platoon leaders remained as I was firing off command after command to knock her out, but no matter what I did; she stayed in the game. This wasn’t in an actual ceremony, but this was a show of how far we came since the beginning.

I stopped and help up my hand causing her to stop and the rest to get back into formation with tired looks on their faces causing me to do a motivation check. “Can I get a motivation check!” I yelled as they seemed to know what I was doing. Didn’t want any of them passing out half way through the actual ceremony.

“Hoorah,” they yelled loudly as I continued immediately after them.

“Motivation check!”

“Hoorah!”

“Haha!”

I screamed loudly as the rest did to as the adrenaline began to flow through their veins again, but I wanted them to be in top shape; mind and body.

“Are you motivated?!” I yelled causing most of the audience to see a different side of me that barely anyone have ever seen.

“Sir, yes sir!” They yelled back with a lot more intensity than they began with.

“Are you dedicated?!” I chuckled after remembering how much fun I had doing motivation checks.

“Sir, yes sir!” I paused for a moment as I steeled my nerves after feeling all eyes on me for a while.

“How motivated, how dedicated are you?!” I managed to scream with a smile on my face.

“Motivated, motivated, downright dedicated, you check us out, you check us out Hoorah!” The chorus of mares yelled at the top of her lungs.

“Hoorah!” I yelled back before taking my place at the front of the battalion.

I marched to the front of the the companies companies and their nine platoons with me being in front of bravo 1-2. My battalion was set up into three companies with each company having four platoons. Each platoon had ninety-nine ponies in one of them with each platoon having an even number of unicorns, Pegasi, and earth ponies.

Obviously there was a platoon Sergeant and a and a platoon leader for each platoon. Next you have the company Sargent and the company leader in front and behind the platoons while being centered with the company’s 1-2 platoon. Lastly, was the guide on who was in front of the company but not as far up as the company Sargent. With nine recruits already being out of the formation, that left an even number for each platoon to have five squads of six.

When I saw everyone at the position of rest and with determined glares, I began the ceremony with a roll call.

“Battalion!” I yelled as all heads were turned to me with a neutral expression along with that same determined glare.

“Company!” The company Sargents echoed which made the platoon Sergeants do the same, but with ‘platoon’.

“ATTEEEEEENT— IOOOOON!” All at once, a loud stomp could be heard through the entire track field as everyone went to attention. I rose my hand into a salute while giving a thousand yard stare that couldn’t be wavered. “Receive the report!” It my command, all the company Sergeants salute before I brought mine down swiftly followed by the sargents. I chuckled to myself after realizing that they weren’t actually Sargents, but only a title.

They echoed my command as the platoon Sergeants did the same, but got a different result, but the same from all fifteen squads. “Six recruits present!” The squad leader responded as they went down the rows until they reached the back rows.

The platoon Sergeants did an about face and responded with, “Thirty-two recruits president!” The company Sargents turned to me and salutes before they saying that all ninety-nine recruits were present.

“Post!” I commanded as the leaders took place for the Sargents and the Sargents took the place of the leaders.

“Awaiting Commands Staff Sergeant Herrero!” Flitter, Cloudchaser, And Nightwing said as the ceremony began without a hitch.

(Time skip- one hour)

It took one hour for the ceremony to end as I commanded the battalion to leave and go to their actual homes for the rest of the week. They needed it after the long two months of hell Gleaming and I put them through.

I dismissed the recruits with a simple command and they lifted with no resistance like some of the adrenaline high recruits during training. I walked to where the girls were to see slack jawed expressions on there face after seeing a completely different side of me that would have been a nice refresher to any and all humans back on earth.

“I... I...” Twilight was at a loss for words after seeing that side of me. I wonder how they would react with how I was during boot camp. Seriously, I was like a drill sergeant during this two months and even made half of them cry before the first week.

“I know, that’s a completely different side than your use to.” I said to conclude what she was thinking of what she just witnessed. It would be a little hard to swallow after you see someone as being meek and not being known for being in a position of command.

“I’m actually proud that you were able to not freak out after you became the center of attention after calling out commands like that.” Celestia said with a smile after getting over her shock faster than the rest. “Good job Staff Sergeant Hunter Herrero.” She chuckles after I rolled my eyes she used my full title. I still couldn’t believe that I just skipped four ranks like that and I honestly felt a little guilty for that sense there could have been better candidates for this position.

I stood awkwardly in the ground as everyone became visible uncomfortable at the sudden silence that encompassed our little group. Everyone had left the track with barely any noise that would have cough my attention immediately due to me having a short attention span.

“I think... we should leave.” I suggested as we had seven hours to kill before we needed to leave to go to sleep. I didn’t realize that it was already three so I went back to my quarters to change back into my casual clothes while the rest went to wait, but Ebony had something to say to them before I came out. It would take a while before I would be able to get the entire uniform off.

(Third person)

Ebony stood still as fear took over her features as this was when she and Hunter agreed to tell the others the truth about her, but she thought that she would have Hunter right beside her when this would happen. She desperately tried to tell the others and get it over with, but the words caught in her throat which made it near impossible for her to speak. Each try she made only made her anxiety grow until she inevitably chose not to speak and wait for the person she was supposed to take care of to walk out the barracks.

Sweat began to build up as she visibly became more nervous as time ticked by on an invisible clock in her head. Each tick made her more fearful of the reaction that would sound off in her head as many unpleasant reactions ran through her head; all of which were outlandish.

Celestia and Luna watched her from their peripheral vision which was an easy task as that have had to use it before and after Luna’s banishment. They knew for a long time what she was and never even acknowledged it in fear of how she would react, but they knew that she was trying to find what little courage is left in her mind to speak the truth.

The longer she waited, the longer her fear built up until she just went around to find another way into the barracks so she could talk to the lone human.

The building was nothing special and was exceedingly smaller than any of the other buildings on the base, but it was still large enough to a few pieces furniture within it. She found a small window on the side of the building that she could use to get inside.

She climbed through with little effort before dropping in with a surprised human inside as he could only stare confused at the situation before him. Luckily for both parties, he was just about to leave with his casual clothes on.

“What the hell are you doing Ebony?” Hunter whispered loudly with anger causing Ebony to just tell him out right.

“I can’t tell them alone. I need you with me to help if anything goes wrong. The anxiety got to me so I did this so I wouldn’t have to deal with it and I would have preferred a small moment of embarrassment than that.” She whispered back with a fearful look on her face as Hunter completely understood her situation. He’s been in her shoes his entire life.

“Fine, just go back through the window and say that you had something important to say, but couldn’t due to anxiety and that it would help if I was there because I already know it.” She sighed knowing that she had to endure a little bit more anxiety for a short time, but she thought she could handle it.

She climbed through the window again and went around the other side and gave her excuse. Everyone, but the princesses and Applejack bought it because the princess knew the truth and Applejack is a living lie detector.

Hunter walked out with a yawn as the ceremony took a lot out of him before walking past everyone as they followed him. Hunter, on the other hand, was just going to walk around before doing anything else to get familiar with the town again.

After passing by his house for the fifth time, the ponies finally figured out what he was doing as he continued through the town and down every street. It wasn’t until Ebony got Hunter’s attention that he realized that he was inadvertently delayed the inevitable.

“Sorry, just got sidetracked. Let’s head back to my house so I can tell y’all what Helping Hand wanted to tell you.” He said with a nervous chuckle that shortly followed.

He walked directly to his house with a smile while hiding his true fear as he told her that he would tell them the truth of their world and what he knew. He opened the door and held it for the girls which looked at him quizzically before taking the offer.

He walked in behind the mares before he sat down while proping his sword agents the couch with Ebony sitting down beside him while ignoring the glares from Twilight, The Royals, Gleaming, and Rarity.

“Before anything starts...” He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking once more. “Please keep an open mind for what I’m about to tell you.” The seven gulped for a moment before Ebony was engulfed in green flames and her true self was revealed. “Helping is a... Changeling. Her actual name is Ebony.” All, but Celestia and Luna took up fighting positions. Hunter pulled his sword from it resting position.

“What the buck are you doing! That’s a changeling!” Gleaming yelled while barring her teeth in anger.

“I know. I’ve know for around three months now.” He was calmas he assessed the situation with a glare that caused them to back down.

“As have we.” The celestial diarches said at the same time. “She came to us in this form you see now and begged for asylum with in our walls from her sister who was angry at her, but we doubt that she would do what she said she would do. Siblings tend to over react to another’s actions.” Celestia finished as Luna listened because she never knew how Ebony got there.

“I know that all to well. I have two brothers and two sisters.” Hunter smiled at some of the fond memories of his time with his siblings.

The rest were shocked from this as many thought ran through their mind of why they would accept a changeling into their kingdom. Luckily, Gleaming Sheild spoke up before the rest and with complete trust in her nation’s leaders.

“I-If the princess say that it’s fine t-then I respect their decision.” She said causing the four with Ebony to smile at her decision to stick with the changeling.

Slowly, one by one, the rest converted to Ebony’s side except for Rainbow Dash who was still sceptic of Ebony. “Aren’t changelings evil?! Why should we try’s her is she’s a changeling?!” She yelled while trying to gain some followers on her side.

“Does the actions of a few dictate how the rest of their species are. Not to mention that she earned mine, Nyxes’, and the princesses trust. If you just open your mind; then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Hunter said as he lowered his sword and took a step forward while Rainbow took a step back. He continued until she had her back against a wall, but Hunter never lifted his hands to harm her before he closed his eyes. “Besides... She isn’t the only one to keep secrets from you girls. She was willing to help me explain why I didn’t freak out when I first got her, why I was so accepting of everything, and why I was willing to come her despite how I was afraid of the reaction.” He pauses once more as he turned to the rest of the girls before he took a deep intake of air to calm his nerves from the rising dread that was welling up within him. “It’s time I told you the truth.”

‘her goes nothin’.’ I thought as I opened my mouth and told them everything.

Chapter 8: After Party

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Chapter 9: Everfree Curse Part 1

You know those days when you fall asleep and you wake up for no reason for the entire night. What about when you can’t go to sleep because the concept of death lingers heavily in your mind so you have to calm down. Imagine going from peaceful sleep to jolting awake screaming your head off because the concept of death in under a second because you new that you were going to die soon, but you could do nothing, but await your death. This wakes up humankind’s biggest fear... fear of the unknown.

I jolted awake with a startled scream as I had a revelation that I may not make it to see my family or even be there for my equestrian family and when the griffins try to invade. ‘What will happen if I die before the war? What will happen when I die? How will everyone cope? Will I be forgotten? Will it end just like that or painfully? Why did this happen? Is there a way to save me?’ I thought as many other questions ran through my head.

My chest began to tighten as my breathing became labored and ragged when my body began to shake uncontrollably. Each and every fear of mine played through my head. Not like the fear of highs or the fear of crowds, which are very real fears of mine, but what will happen when they attack.

‘Will I die early? I might. I’m not strong. I’m a helpless and weak being that need others to rely on. I’m going to fail. What can someone like me do against an invading force? I can’t even use my enhancement magic at will. I’m useless.’ My breathing get worse as I could only gasp for air as hands patted me on the back and gripping me as I was slowly moving towards the bed.

Distant voices could be heard, but they were nothing more than incoherent mumbling. Soon, they became louder as he knew they were trying to calm him down from the ensuing panic attack.

“You need to calm down!”

“We’re here for you!”

“Please, let us help you.”

“Don’t shut us out.”

“Please don’t be sad daddy.”

I stopped shaking uncontrollably as I began to tear up from the sudden realization that I had. ‘I wasn’t going out of my way to help everyone after I knew about my death and brushed it off like I was told something useless. I’m going to fucking die and I didn’t fucking care! What the hell is wrong with me?’

My breathing slowed to heavy huffs from the suffocating anxiety as tears fall from my eyes as I began to cry for the first time in months as I realized how close to death I was. “I... I don’t want to die.” I said as I grabbed the closes pony to me as I let out all the sadness I bottled up unconsciously. I then realized that this was the first time I actually cried in front of anyone since I’ve been here.

All of them hugged me as I sobbed uncontrollably like I was a little kid... but who am I kidding. I am a kid. I was too young to take a life, too young to fight in war, too young to raise a child, and too young to die. I know that death comes at random times, but how I’ve been living, I should have lived a long life.

I eventually was able to pull myself together as they let go of me with smiles as I looked back at them with a small smile. “I guess that it doesn’t matter how strong you are; the fear of death grips all of us.” I said while going deeper underneath the covers for sleep. I knew it was early in the morning with the girls still in my bed and the lack of light seeping through the blinds of my room.

All was quiet until Nyx asked something that I hoped she wouldn’t ask, but I could forgive her for being curious. “Why are all of you in Daddy’s bed... and why are you naked?” I blushed after realizing that I was practically naked in front of my own daughter. “At least daddy was in his pajamas.” I sighed after I replayed what just happened in my mind eliciting a sigh from me once I remembered that my bottom half was still covered by the bedsheets, luckily.

“Something adults do sweetie. Now go to bed. It’s too early for the day to begin.” I said in a tired tone as sleep slowly overtook me. I felt two pairs of arms wrap around me as the four left in the room cuddled up to me after the quiet sound of a click as the door closed.

I woke up with a yawn and a massive amount of energy as I did my daily ritual of cracking my fingers, wrists, neck, and back in that order. I sat up and crossed my legs and waited for my eyes dilate so I could see where I was going after I left the comfortable bed. After one last yawn, I got up to start the day.

I went to my closet where all varieties of clothing was displayed in front of me. In all honesty, I normally had around three pairs of clothing that would fit in my world because I kept growing out of it. Sighing at my old clothing predicament, I grabbed a shirt that was the one I showed up in Equestria in as the good memories flowed through my mind, but made me hold back laughter was when I scared everyone by playing ‘Bloodborne’. I put on the shirt, slipped on my shoes, and grabbed my sword with a smile as we left for town for the next great adventure that would come to Ponyville.

...

Only to have Gleaming drag me back inside with a roll of her eyes that we shared. She lifted me up a little and placed me in a chair with little effort like I was nothing more than a garbage bag.

“Why are you so light?” Gleaming Asked while walking into the kitchen with Ebony who had a happy smile on her face.

“I blame my metabolism. I’m one seventeen in total; not counting my blade.” I explained in a neutral tone before a question popped in my head. “I thought you had work today. Up in the castle, I mean.”

“Didn’t you hear Gleaming,” Cadence began causing me to jump since she snuck up behind me to give me quite a scare, “she said that were taking our day off now. It was the end of the day so we got ours today, actually we were off the clock so that declaration officially starts today unless a big emergency arises.” I was still trying to calm my racing heart like it was the most important thing in the world.

“Okay... Ooookaaaaay. Note to self, don’t turn you back on Cadence or she’ll scare you half to death.” I said. It was more to myself than anything, but I’ve been known to think out loud from time to time.

Much to my luck and joy, Ebony called out, “Breakfast is ready!” My mouth began to water slightly as the sweet aroma wafted into the dining room. It smelled amazing and was indescribable.

Twilight came from the living room and sat on a chair across from me as Cadence sat beside me. Nyx raced down and sat at one of the heads of the table while I Gleaming and Ebony walked out with plates of food. I looked at the food in front of me and saw hash-browns with a waffle. The two passed it around as we said “thanks” to the two who made and brought the food to us. They sat down with Gleaming sitting across from Cadence and ebony sitting at the last remaining chair of the table which was at the other head of the table; across from Nyx.

I grabbed the syrup and did the equivalent of drowning my waffle in syrup like I always do, but left more than enough for the others. We ate in relative silence except for the clanging of silverware against the dishes as we all but devoured the waffle. The food was amazing as each bite inspired everyone to savor it, but we couldn’t control ourselves as we just wanted more.

Eventually, we stopped after we were full, satisfied, and ready to start the day. I got up and headed towards the door sluggishly so I would cause myself to throw up after I ate more than I normally can.

“Thanks for the breakfast. I’ll be heading off now.” I said as I opened the front door and the cool winds of winter greeted me with it blowing against my face.

“Hold on!” Twilight yelled causing me to look back to see what she wanted. She ran over to me with a smile and took my hand in her’s. “I told Barbra that I would be coming from your house today and to meet us near the small bridge that enters into Ponyville.” I shrugged before we left knowing that we would go there together anyway so we walked hand in hand as Nyx followed us until we found the schoolhouse where she split away from us.

I was lucky that I could walk with my daughter to school and head to the town at the same time. Unfortunately, Sweet Apple Archers was on the other side of town, but it was worth walking that distance to relax or help out on my free time. We gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead before leaving to meet up with practice with a smile.

We met up with Barbra who was waiting just outside of town with a purple tank top and a black skirt with a smile on her face. It was admittedly adorable in my opinion, but I didn’t voice my admittance sense one of my marefriends was right her. I greeted her with a wave while Twilight was less subdued about her happiness as she ran up to the Dragoness and gave her a hug with the widest smile I ever saw.

“Isn’t it a beautiful day?” Twilight asked rhetorically as I smiled at the cool winter wind blowing across my face.

“It is, but where is everyone?” I asked back with confusion as I looked around the empty streets with suspicion.

“Could it be z-z-zombie ponies?!” Barbra yelled in fear before Twilight rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“There are no such things as zombies Barbra.” Twilight stated in annoyance.

I smiled maliciously as I conducted a way to scare everyone around me. “That may be true, but it may happen soon.” I said in a failed dark tone as some of my laughter seeped through from their reactions. “There is a fungus that infects ants and controls their mind. It may evolve soon maybe right... NOW!” They screamed in fright as it worked. I fell to the ground laughing as the two kicked me once.

“You jackass!” Barbra yelled in annoyance as my laughing continued. “Don’t scare us like that! At least you just made it up.” I calmed down in gave my reply.

“I didn’t make it up. It actually real.” They gulped for a second before we walked into town.

They stayed well away from me after what I said, but I didn’t care since I just know I will make things worse.

“Calm down Barbra. None of that will happen. We’ll be fine. Hunter’s just being a jerk.” Twilight said while I gave a thumbs up to show I was just messing with them. “See, he was just messing with us and if he does this again; he can go be an idiot somewhere else.” My thumbs up slowly turned to me giving them the middle finger as a smile grazed my features.

I drop my hand as we continued to walk through the barren streets as my hand gripped the sword tightly just in case something happened. Different scenarios ran through my head of what could be going on until I realized that this could mean two thing. The first could be that there is a hostile creature in the area, it could be Zecora. We began to walk briskly to Sugar Cube Corner where the episode would begin in a surprisingly racist moment.

We stopped in front of the confectionary building as I heard a familiar loud whisper that would only be made by Pinkie. “Twilight! Barbra! Hunter! Over hear!” She moved her hand out the door to motion us to go inside. “Come! Quick! Before she gets you!” The two who were with me jumped in as I deadpanned at the shop and face palmed in annoyance.

“I hoped they wouldn’t do this.” I tried to walk in a different direction before I was pulled into the building with my annoyance quickly being felt by everyone in the room.

“What’s your problem?” Dash asked in a accusatory tone as I got up and left out the front door; much to the chagrin of the others inside.

My eyes immediately met the glowing yellow eyes of Zecora who was hidden underneath her hood. She smiled, got up from her crouched position, and began to walk to my as I mimicked her actions fluently with the expression that my small smile was like a straight face.

“It nice to see a face in this town. Tell me, who is it that I found?” She inquired in her normal rhyme.

“My name is Hunter. I saw that you were trying to find a plant to gather.” I responded in a simple rhyme that came to my mind in under a second.

“I see that you rhyme like me. Such a strange creature you are. I haven’t seen something like you so far. A mammal that walks on two legs, but I haven’t seen something in my texts.” I smiled at the game of rhyme, but, unfortunately, she had to ask a certain question in time. “Who are you my friend and if you’re able to lend a hand?”

“For what I am is human; it something most don’t see comin’. I would be happy to help. No pay, but if you see trouble... yelp.” I wasn’t sure it that would work, but sometimes all you can do is try... even if it takes some time.

“A friend and protector. Thank you for helping in my endeavor. There is a specific plant I need, but it can’t be found in the Everfree. I will give you the name and I hope you find the flower that has the same name. Follow the trails into the woods; my home is where a thick tree once stood.” With that, she left from town with empty hands and a new friend. She may have gained one, but soon she will have tons. ‘I need to stop thinking in rhymes all the time... Fuck! Great, it’s like seventh grade all over again.’ I thought as I walked back to the confectionary shop with a annoyed look.

The ponies from the houses looked at me in shock as I walked back to my friends and marefriend with annoyance clearly seen on my face. Did I mentioned that I was annoyed.

“Are you alright! Did she do something mean! Ah swear if she did, ah buck her to next week.” Applejack said while giving a swift kick to the air like it was some unseen enemy.

“No... I’m annoyed because now I’m gonna be rhyming All the time. I did this for a month in seventh grade and trust me; none of it was great. Someone please help me. This is getting more and more annoying you see.” Twilight’s horn lit up as she casted a spell and I spoke up one last time to help see if the spell she casted worked. “Hello. Is it working?” I paused knowing that I didn’t rhyme this time. “Okay, I’m good. Thanks Twi.”

She smiled and shuffled around with a small smile with an embarrassed blush from the nickname. I thought I used it before, but I guess not. I walked into Sugar Cube Corner and sat down with the rest of the mane six as Twilight and Barbra sat down to join us. I put a reminder on my phone so that my phone would vibrate when I would go pick up the plants Zecora asked for like a good friend.

After around three hours, my phone vibrated before I picked it up and read the reminder before leaving. I gave a short wave to the girls as the door closed, but they chose to follow me. I know what might happen and I’ll admit that I’m a bit curious what might happen if I walk through Poison Joke. It has interested me and from what I could tell it was relatively harmless, but I’ll try to avoid it at all costs.

I walked to the local flower stand with a mission as the list in my hands gave me something to do for the day and it would hopefully show the town that she’s a good pony... aaaah, zebra.

Luckily, I found Roseluck before any of her sister because she was less skeptical than the other two. Seriously, this other two still think I’m a pony eating monster with less of a brain than Dash... hehe. I’m an ass and I know it, but at least I’m benevolent... mostly.

“Hey, Roseluck!” I yelled from across the road, heading in her direction as she smiled and waved.

“Nothin’ much. Sorry we haven’t talked much in the past few months.” She apologized with a sorrowful look.

“It’s fine. You couldn’t have visited me during boot camp.” I patted her head like you would see on an anime. I literally just wanted to try it and it works when forgiving ponies like when you put your hand on someone’s shoulder while doing the same thing. However, they are much shyer about it. When others asked why I did it, I answered with, ‘I can’t reach your shoulders comfortably and it still being meaningful.’

“Anyway, what would ya want to buy. Something for your marefriends or something to decorate your home. Tell me and ah’ll sell ya up.” ‘Say it like that and you sound like a drug dealer.’

“Just some of these on the list.” I handed her the list and her eyes widened at the plants.

“I can’t just do this, Hunter! Some of this stuff is illegal to have without a permit!” My eyes widened at the outburst and the new knowledge of the illegal plants. She smirked smugly at my expense, “Your lucky I have that permit.” ‘Clever girl.’

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” I grabbed the bag of plants and herbs and headed towards the forest with a smile knowing that I completed my task to Zecora.

I stood there, staring at the entrance of the Everfree forest without fear, but I was more curious why I haven’t explored it yet. That was pretty much my thing on earth; I explored every new forest I, or that my relatives, lived near. I sighed knowing that it was dangerous in there, but I had to do it... for Zecora.

I walked in and immediately I felt a chill go down my spine as the eerie sightless expanse of trees surrounded me. I walked tall and put on a brave face... even though I was about to crap myself.

I continued my slow walk on the trail that led to Zecora until a manticore walked on the pathway with a viscus snarl on its face. I bared my teeth and let out a guttural growl from my hidden reserves of years of pent up anger. It actually recoiled a bit before giving off a signature lion roar. I smirked as I let out a roar of my own that involved a tone of bloodlust that has been repressed from the griffin attacking me. This wasn’t a fight for food, but a test of superiority. The manticore glared at me after I finished before relenting and let me through. Right when I was about to pass it, I stopped to pet it for a moment which took it by surprise before I left, but it followed me and actually carried me to my destination.

“Whoa... thanks. I appreciate the help. Come by my house to visit, just don’t eat anyone.” I said while walking the rest of the way to the tree. ‘How’d it know where I was gonna go?’ I thought in confusion before I shook my head to remove the thought from my head. ‘Why am I questioning this? I got a free ride.’

I knocked on the door and waited for a moment. The door opened and I saw Zecora for the first time without her cloak on... and I promptly looked away. She only wore rags over her bare chest and waste which did leave much to the imagination. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again... fuck puberty.

“What is this I see? A friend waiting for me.” Zecora rhymed while I continued to look away from the attractive mare.

“Here I got the plants you wanted me to bring.” I stared at her eyes to avoid my eyes from lingering on her attractive form. She saw what I was doing and gave a little twirl to give me a full view and all the blood in my body rushed to my face.

“You are fun to tease. We can see where this goes, but I don’t want your marefriends coming after me.”

“Wait... what?” She pulled out a newspaper with the headline of, ‘Possible New King!’

“This strange new creature randomly appeared in what is known as a vortex in the Royal Canterlot Gardens with no recollection of how her got there. It has been confirmed by anonymous sources that it is courting the Princesses in secret. It was described to be a nice individual until something threatened somepony it holds dear. It has defended itself successfully against a griffin and an Ursa Major with some unknown magic. Residents are thankful to have this creature around and treat it with the same kindness it shows, but is it all a front for it to take over and eliminate the Princesses for power. Only time will tell.” I read aloud with a grown as my relationship with the diarches became public and now widely known. “I just know everyone will try and suck up to me for my position as the princesses and I’m most likely going to be hunted down by news stations for any dirt on me.” I looked at Zecora and gave a short wave goodbye. “See ya later. I know we’ll be seeing each other soon.” She waves while I left.

I was walking down the trail when I found a fork in the road, but I heard what sounded like singing from the opposite way to the town. I was about the leave it be, thinking it was a trap, but the singer was cut short when I heard the rustle of bushes and a cry of help. I pulled my sword from my back and ran towards the cry as the sound of magic could now be heard.

I ran into a clearing where I found around ten griffins surrounding an alicorn mare trying to find off the attackers. I was running into the gray and behind a griffin with leather armor before saying, “HEY!!! JACKASS!!!” Him and a few other turned to see me. The leather armored griffin realized it too late that I wasn’t there to make friends as my blade ran him through as he let out a cry of pain. He wasn’t able to see the sword as I forced the blade upwards; cutting him down the middle. His split organs and half of his brain fell from the bisected corpse.

I didn’t let my momentum go to waste as I used the weight of the sword going downwards to spin and cut a griffin in Roman Centurion armor in half at his waist. “Holy shit!” I said while holding back the bile after seeing the bastard cleaved in two. I repressed the growing guilt and got into my stance with a hardened glare my blade close to my face at, what I now know as, an inside. ‘Thank you Twilight for lending me a book when hanging out. Now I can teach others this style and know what I’m talking about.’ I thought while a few of the griffins surrounded me into a circle.

It was weird, I felt my emotions switch off like I could control them completely, but what replaced my fear and regret was none other than rage. Despite my situation, I attacked first with an overhead strike which was blocked by a damn shield. The griffin with the shield stumbled back off balance while I got into a close right stance and rammed my blade into their shield; piercing it and killing the griffin behind. ‘That was... a shot in the dark.’ What I was hoping for was the shield to be knocked up over the wielders head or for it do be disarmed. Seriously, I got that from playing ‘Dark Souls’.

I didn’t have time to gawk as another griffin charged with with his remaining friend. I swung at him with the flat of my blade and ultimately hit him with the shield that was still on my sword which splintered into small chunks of wood. He was sent flying as I twisted my blade so it would have a chance to kill the other attacker, but I was blocked by the remaining griffin I was fighting. He pushed his blade towards me with enough force to put me on my knees. We were in a complete power struggle for dominance while our swords scraped against one another.

My eyes flicked over to the alicorn who had done good for herself with many of her attackers stabbed by stalagmites and pointy roots jutting from the ground. I got enough of a glimpse to see she threw the last attacker into a tree as her horn lit up and vines wrapped around his head before crushed it like a grape.

I turned back to the griffin who had thought he had won from the look on his face before I twisted my blade to the flat of my blade as shadows danced across my arms. I gripped my blade as hard as I could and forced a wing from the sword guard into his chest with enough force to embed it deep within him as he cried out in pain. I pulled it down, breaking the wing, before gripping the blade in a half sword stance and swinging it like a bat. It dug deep into his skull, the broken wing piercing it with ease. His skull caved in from the force with a sickening crack. Not only that, but he was sent flying like what happened with the Ursa Major.

“You okay?” I asked the mare as she gave a friendly smile. That was before it went to horror as something sharp pierced by back and forced its way through my body; the now obvious blade sticking out of my midsection as the amulet, that I completely forgot I was still wearing, was pulled from my neck. I was left with the blade sticking out of my body as a winged creature flew away from our position while dodging long sharp roots and stalagmites.

Eventually, she stopped trying to kill the attacker and was currently trying to help me. She grabbed my body and flew away with some struggling on her end while I was trying my best to stay awake. The adrenaline was slowly wearing off as pain was slowly flooding back into my system. Imagine my surprise when I felt by body plummet to the ground from extreme highs.

(Third person)

The mane six along with Gleaming Shield walked through the thick foliage of the Everfree forest. They avoided most of the dangers by using detention spells to find the safest route through the dangerous forest. They had to avoid manticores, timberwolves, cockatrices, and the occasional hydra, but have yet to find the lone human who walked through the forest alone.

“Twilight, do you really think this is a good idea? We could wait for a while to see if he returns to the town. Besides that Zecora lives in this area of the forest.” Rainbow said with a little tremor in her voice. They knew how dangerous the forest was, but the risk was worth finding one of their friends who’s been in it for hours.

“Yes. He probably needs our help to leave the forest. He could be running from a multitude of different types of creatures and dangerous plants. I’m not gonna leave my coltfriend in here.” Twilight said with determination. Underneath all that she said, she was scared that he already died from the inhabitants of the forest and was even more scared not knowing how he died.

They reached a patch of sky blue flowers that seemed relatively harmless in appearance, but seemed much beautiful to others who didn’t know what they were. They walked through the patch of flowers without hesitation before someone fell from the sky. They knew it was a living being from the groaning comings from the creature that sell from the sky.

They went to inspect the fallen creature as something green hovered over it. They found, much to their surprise and horror, another alicorn mare with a heavily wounded Hunter with a blade sticking out of him.

“Sonova... bitch.” He croaked our in pain from the blade being pushed deeper into him.

“OH MY CELESTIA!!! HURRY, GET HIM TO THE HOSPITAL!!!” Gleaming yelled, taking charge of the search party while she turned to confront the alicorn. The alicorn was gone with a note in her place which Gleaming took before making her way out of the forest in quick pursuit of the seven.

(First person)

I lied in the hospital bed waiting for release after staying bedridden for the night after realizing that Cadence healed me. I was still in awe that I found another alicorn that was in hiding for who knows how long. However, I asked Gleaming what happened to her and she responded with, ‘She just... disappeared.’ but I didn’t mind it.

I haven’t told them what happened in the forest after I found her. The fight was still fresh in my mind as I watched the stars outside my window for a short while. ‘That was enhancement magic. I know it. From what I can tell, it appears after I get a spike of rage in my emotions or I have the overwhelming feeling to protect. If that’s the case... why didn’t it appear after I was attacked by a griffin the first time?’ I continued to think as I fell asleep, the soft snores coming from me were the last thing I heard from reality.

My eyes open in the middle of an endless black void once again like when I was visited by the girls during the day of the welcoming party, but I was considerably less depressed. The dark void became less and less enjoyable to float around in, so I imagined the endless expanse of space with the combination of the field in ‘Waterfall’ from ‘Undertale’ which was beautiful.

“Hello Hunter!” I jumped after hearing the sudden voice after so long of hearing nothing for so long. I still had the badges from my physical body, but I had the robes from an assassin OC someone created.

I looked back to the voice to find Luna along with Celestia with her in the dream realm. I waved at them and went back to stargazing with complete awe, yet I hid it so well. They joined me with confusion at what the sky looked like before Celestia finally asked.

“Why does the sky look like this?” She asked while I smiled in amusement.

“This is what the sky looks like from above the atmosphere. Actually this is what it looks like far beyond our solar system. The clusters of stars creating galaxies and the death of suns and stars creating nebulas.” I responded while I watched the sky intensely once more.

“I’m glad that I can control when that happens.” Celestia said which I nodded at knowing that she could do that. She is essentially the Gwyn of this world and it amazes me how I was lucky enough to gain her hand in courtship.

“We must ask you...” She began while shuffling from side to side with barely contained excitement. “How was thou’s first fight? We must admit that we art curiosity about thy’s Prowess.” Celestia glared at Luna which I waved off, not having a problem with them seeing the fight since I thought they saw the horrors of war. I showed them the memories of the event with complete clarity which I found was much easier than I imagined. Normally, I have the memory of a goldfish, but now it’s like a steel trap.

“So the last remaining griffin stole your amulet?” I nodded with a small blush seeing that I could have avoided all this by killing him when he had the chance. She disappeared in a bright flash while leaving Luna and I alone in ‘Waterfall’.

“That alicorn you saw... what did she look like?” I paused and let her form appear in the dream scape; making us blush from the still image.

Now that I see the still image, she had green fur and a light red mane. Her eyes were like mine, a dull gray color, but seemed more lively. What made us blush was that she only had the bare minimum of clothing on, but it was a stretch to even call it that. She had leaves covering her surprising large chest and a bunch held together with a vine to cover her marehood. It was the same with her top half as she used leaves and vines to make a bra. She was rather large by any standards which, I might add, made my gaze slowly go down from time to time. Luckily, Luna caught me every time.

“Do we need to get enhancements so thou can admire our body like that?” Puberty sucks.

“Sorry. For my species, I’m in the highlight of puberty. I can’t really control it.” I paused for a moment before blushing again. “Besides... your impressive sizes shine in comparison from humans. That and your natural beauty makes it hard to believe that I actually won you over.”

“And that’s why we wanted to join your herd. Your so sweet and caring, but ready to help when needed.”

“I love ya for many things. Your nights stand out, along with your beautiful personality and looks, your shimmering eyes, and the fact that I personally love the night. It’s probably the mane reason I love black. So much space and so much potential. I will stand by you, even if it means I have to be hated.” It was true. The part about being hated was true as well since I mastered the art of ‘fuck you, I’m my own man’. Essentially, I learned to ignore the bad comments and absorb the good ones.

I dispelled the still imagine just before Celestia got back with a smile. She walked over to me and gave me a hug before anything could be said.

“That amulet you had drew in magic so your body wouldn’t consume your organs to make more magic. We found a way to possibly keep you from dying, but it will be hard, but with the new necklace you will have a fifty percent chance of living.” She paused and released me before explaining further. “The amulet you had was too big and drew in too much magic so your body was not adept at taking that much in. Now we found a way to draw in more magic and help your body adapt to it much easier. You now have a fifty fifty chance of survival now.” I now understand the sudden hug because she must have been happy to see that her love now had a higher chance of surviving unstable magic. “If we found that you can complete a sort of trials to survive this.” She paused once again while mulling over what she was about to say. “You also have an extra year added to your time to adapt to the magic.”

“We want to ask you one last thing... will you stay with us? Up in Canterlot I mean.” My jaw dropped while thinking about my answer as well as I wanted to do something sometime during the new year. I wanted to ask Twilight, Luna, and Celestial something, but it was still the beginning of November so I will have to wait. That and I’m wondering if I’m too young.

“Umm.. well... I uhh... I have to ask Nyx first. I don’t want to be like my family and only see my child twice a year. If she wants to... then yes.” I said in response to her question. I loved my dad despite us only seeing each other twice a year, but I want Nyx to see her parents everyday.

“We understand. Thank you for your honesty.” They looked a disheartened but they still smiled despite the bad news.

“The sun will rise soon and you will wake up soon.” Celestia said before I asked a question that I wanted to ask for a short while.

“Luna, wait!” She turned to me with a quirked brow. “Why are you speaking how you use to.” She stopped and said one word that got me to understand quickly.

“Nostalgia.” She nodding as I woke up.

I got of the bed and stretch widely before realizing that my chest was heavy. Like I had a marching tuba on me. When I looked down I found... ‘Why the hell do I have boobs. Wait... no. No no no. Nononononononononononono.’ I reached underneath my hospital gown and touched the area where my dick was supposed to be, but ultimately found nothing.

I checked my hands and found them covered in fur, but not the fur of my pony form. It was beige in color and felt silky smooth. I went to a mirror that was in the restroom and found that I turned into a furry. Not just any furry. A furry nine tailed fox girl. Over my anger, I didn’t notice my new necklace that was my favorite symbol.

”WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUCK!!!” I yelled in anger and rage, by new female voice making me sound like a banshee. Suffice to say, the town panicked.

(Five minutes earlier- third person)

The Canterlot Castle was dead silent since not many knew of night court or didn’t want a audience with the lunar princess. Luna, for her credit, was extremely happy and worked hard for her drawings about the alicorn Hunter met in the forest. She looked away for just a moment as she pulled the moon over the horizon as Celestia did the same, but with the sun.

She drew many accurate representations of the alicorn that seemed to hide under the diarches noses. She had a suspicion of who it was, but didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Luna needed to confront the alicorn of the sun to understand if what she seeing was true.

Luckily, she didn’t have to wait long as Celestia walked in with a bit of a dejected look on her face after hearing the words of her lover say that he probably wouldn’t move in with them... or that was what she interpreted it as. Celestia didn’t notice that Luna was still there and holding different pictures of the alicorn.

Celestia finally looked up and a shocked look on her face became present of her face from seeing her sister still awake at that time. “Luna, your not supposed to be awake.” Celestia said after seeing her sister.

“We would be if Hunter didn’t show us this.” Luna showed Celestia the drawings that she drew. Celestia’s eyes widened at each pictures he had of the alicorn.

“He... he actually found her?” Celestia asked after seeing the drawings.

“More like she found him. Our hypothesis was correct. It is him, just much younger. If he knew about all of this, then he would have prevented it.” Luna explained with a smile. “Are we going to help him with the poison joke?”

“He knows a Zebra. He’ll be fine.” Celestial waves it off. However, they soon got their answer if he had woken up.

”WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUCK!!!” A distant feminine screech came from quaint little town of Ponyville. Many birds flew away from the gardens with gusto.

“He’s awake.” Celestia chuckled at the scream that came from the normally quiet little town, her mood lifted immensely.

(First person)

I tapped my heel against the floor with an extremely annoyed expression while I waited in the library. I was finally released from the hospital after I showed proof I was me and they sent me on my way. To be honest, I’m more pissed about my species changing than my gender, but now we can’t get through the forest easily.

I looked around at the multitude of ponies who were afflicted with poison joke. All of them we’re mopping of cursing under their breath at their predicament. Their afflictions went like this: Dash’s entire torso was flipped around, Fluttershy sounded like a man who speaks like he’s in a jazz group, Applejack was a few inches tall, Rarity’s fur was long and tangled which allows her to trip on it along with limited visibility, Pinkie couldn’t speak due to a swollen tongue, but Twilight and Gleaming were completely different. Their age reversed and they went quadruple. It was admittedly adorable and I would totally trick them into holding poison joke so I could see this adorable sight.

Those two, Twilight and Gleaming, were curling being nuzzled by everyone else which included Lyra and Bon Bon who came to visit and ask more questions for Lyra’s anthropology. “Stop!” The two fillies said in their younger voices.

“Once you stop being adorable.” Rarity said even though she was facing the wrong direction. I snickered a little at their misfortune while I left to go to my house. I needed a change of clothes instead of the ones that Rarity made me in this form.

I didn’t do much, but grab my trusty bag, inform Nyx about my predicament, take some clothes, and buy a Dr. Pepper from Sugar Cube Corner. All in all, it took around five minutes after figuring out how to use my enhancement magic which resulted in me running face first into walls all around the town. I tripped a few times when my toe met some some rocks. The same ones that tried to crack open my skull when I was dragging through the streets when I couldn’t move that well after training. I also tripped when I got too excited and I would sometimes lose control when turning, but that would be easier to avoid as I use it more and train my perception.

“I’m back!” I called seeing that most of them looked at me and realized something off about me. They looked at my chest before looking at theirs before slowly covering them.

“How are his boobs bigger than ours?” Bon Bon said with a hint of jealousy. They didn’t know I heard it due to the heightened hearing I had due to this form. I blushed and covered my chest with embarrassment.

Flutter shy looked at me and saw the state I was in and noticed that I was covering my body with my new tails. “I think he heard you Bon Bon.” Fluttershy said as they looked at me while I was trying hide my face as much as possible while still being able to see.

She blushed in embarrassment while giving a soft embarrassed chuckle. “Sorry, you... weren’t supposed to hear that.” She scratched the back of her head.

“Let’s just go. I would like my dick back and if we hurry; we might make it before the sun sets.” I left the building while my new tails went back to their origional position.

We all made it to the edge and stared into the ominous forest with a bit of hesitation. Eventually, I walked in with my guard all the way up and I didn’t take any chances after the griffins attacked me.

Each step felt like an eternity as we slowly crept through the woods. So many different noises echoed around us putting us more on edge.

Fortunately, we made it to Zecora’s house and the other hid to avoid her. I groaned before knocking on her door lightly to not scare her from the sound... I was tempted to though.

The door opened and Zecora smiling face was the only thing I immediately saw when the door opened. “Hello.” She said simply with happiness. “If I may inquire, what was the affliction you acquired.”

“Poison joke.” I stated and she led me into the tree while the others followed after introducing them selves. I held Twilight and Gleaming shield in my arms, but their back legs dangled beneath them.

“Thanks to your help from yesterday my friend, I can bring these afflictions to an end.” She said while stirring herbs and plants in a caldron that was in the middle of the room.

“Your welcome.” I said just above a whisper, but no one paid attention. “This is a brew that will reverse the affects on poison joke.” She looked at me surprised along with the rest who were baffled.

“How do you know?” Zecora asked simply while I have a small smile.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” I was a little impatient because I was hoping that I could go to the griffin’s corpses to find anything to help me find something against the new griffin king. I heard stories from Gilda about his ruthlessness and his crusades against many neighboring nations that posed a threat against his kingdom. I didn’t want to take chances and I just hoped that they were just bandits or mercenaries. “However, I can’t say much now, but I heed to hurry this up. I need to go to those who attacked me and find anything useful that they may have had.”

“Why? You took care of them... didn’t you?” Dash said with uncertainty.

“All but one. That guy is most likely a long ways away. Everyone else is dead in a clearing.” I shook my head to clear the thoughts that clouded my mind. “No time. Each second that I’m not there searching the body’s is another second that a manticore or timber wolf eats them.”

“Just step in and dunk your head, theirs not much to say after that.” She looked around before nothing that I wasn’t getting in yet. She looked away for a moment, seemingly knowing why I wasn’t getting in. She placed a mat on the ground while I gave a questioning gaze. “Just make sure you stay on the mat.” She left the tree house followed by the rest.

One quick dunk, and I felt my sizable breast shrink back to my old, scrawny chest. I had mussels, but they were just enough to get by in training. My dick fuckin’ grew back with a lot of pain from my end causing me to give it the bird in return for my pain. That wasn’t all as I lifted my head from the water, but something else rose from it as well... more like someone.

I stared into their dull gray eyes before I finally jumped out along with the mysterious figure who was blushing deeply. I looked at them once more before my eyes widened to find my poison joke from staring back at me. I covered myself and went to grab the clothes I wore on the way here along with the ones I brought. I threw the female clothes at her while I put on underwear. She covered her eyes with the clothes I threw at her as if she had no regards to seeing me. Once I was clothed... partially, I whistled for her to get dressed. I heard her whistle once she was finished and in her underwear.

“So Who are you?” I said calmly as I put on some pants.

“I don’t have a name, but I’m know you well Hunter.” She responded, putting on the yellow shirt I had when I was in that form. It was the same color as her fur.

“And how is that?” I ran the belt through the loops on my pants and slipped the small rod through one of the holes... giggity.

“I was supposed to be born with you.” ‘Oooh... that makes sense.’ I thought while flinching out of guilt.

I walked out with the kitsune, as she calls herself, confusing everyone with me. “Umm... Hunters?” Twilight said with confusion as her cute unicorn self put a hoof to her chin in confusion while trying to make sense of the situation.

“Just me Twilight.” I said while she looked at the female version of me.

“And Who are you?” She finally asked.

“Don’t have a name, but I was supposed to be born with this guy.” She responded while punching me lightly on the arm.

“You were supposed to have a twin!” Lyra yelled in excitement before practically gravitating towards me.

“Actually I was supposed to be born with two others. Triplets, but I got lucky.” They visibly got sadder after getting the implications of what I just said. “Before we continue, go fix yourselves. I’m living proof that she wasn’t lying. “They went inside before the sound of splashing could be heard by us two outside.

While they were getting rid of their ‘curse’ from the poison joke, I was trying to think of a name for my new kitsune sister; even if we are now only related by name. It wasn’t easy, but I finally got a good name for her.

“Okay, I got a name for you!” My kitsune sister looked at me with a happy look. “Your name will be...”

Author's Note

Cliff hanger because I’m evil. Post names down in the comments for what name I should give her. This is entirely up to you.

See you next chapter!

Pinkie! I told you to stop!

At least let me help out with the author’s note.

Fine.

YAY!!!

Chapter 10: Everfree Curse Part 2

“...Terra,” I said as the kitsune in question rubbed her chin in contemplation on the new name I just gave her. I wouldn’t mind if she called herself something else because normally the first name would get shot down.

“I... actually like it. You normally give crappy names to your characters when you write stories.” Terra said which only caused me to glare at her. I mean, come on! I’m not that bad at naming characters... right?

“Fuck off!” I turned away from her and pouted like a child. I crossed my arms, looked towards the ground, and straight-up pouted. I looked up once before considering flipping her off.

“Nope! You're stuck with me!” I rolled my eyes and walked into the forest to hopefully find the clearing where the griffins attacked me. “I know what your thinking.” ‘You were in my head less than a few minutes ago.’

“What?” I knew she knew, but I wanted to see if I can not fuck with me for a while. She is essentially my twin, so ya... she would fuck around with people just to get a reaction.

“You want to search the griffins for orders, don’t you?” I couldn’t help but smirk which I had to put a little extra effort into due to my face being stuck in a Mod Pie kind of look.

“Yes. With it, we can officially go to war with them for not just attacking me, but another alicorn. That would be the highest offense in Equestrian Law.” I thought for a few seconds before I went more in-depth in what I meant. “I don’t care that they attacked me. It isn’t the first time, but when they attack an innocent bystander I cannot stand by as they do that.” The events in my country played in my mind and I remembered wanting to do something to help even though I was miles away. I clenched my hand into a fist remembering what hell my uncle and dad went through in the Middle East. I didn’t care that I would bear the same curse as them. “It’s downright terrifying. They’ll be no better than Isis.”

“So this is why you wanted to join the Marines.” Terra must’ve known my intentions for my decision and I’ve been set on this course for years even through elementary school. “I remember when I would look through your eyes to see the world. I never say any imaginary friends to help you cope when things change. You always questioned things and never saw the world as a normal child. You saw it as you see it now. A harsh place where you aren’t given everything on a silver platter.” She smiled fondly as she seemed to be remembering events that she only experienced through me. “I guess that’s why you never expected gifts so easily and adopted a benevolent and meek personality. You never really said the right things, but you use to attempt... until you found out that you were an introvert and isolated yourself from the rest of society.”

“And we both know when that began.” We adopted a saddened expression.

“Rest in peace Aunt Nina.”

“Amen to that.”

We continued on our walk to the clearing in almost complete silence which was broken by the sound of the birds chirping and scuttling animals on the leafy forest floor. The scenery was beautiful with arcs of light peering through the dense canopy above us.

“I miss this,” Terra said which I nodded too. I wasn’t one for urban life since I was raised in the suburbs and the occasional rural areas.

“Remember when I would go into the woods to just admire this,” I said knowing that she saw it through me.

“Inspired you to take up art again.” She then smirked at me deviously. “Still can’t draw people though.” I blushed and glared at my not so blood-related sister.

“You know I’m bolder now and we aren’t technically blood-related since you were made from practically nothing. I will hit you.” I held up my fist and released some of my anger to call the shadows forth.

“Sure you would.” She held up her hand as the exact opposite element of mine appeared in her hand.

“Wanna bet.” I put my self in a fighting stance as she followed me in that regard. We glared at each other, neither of us relenting in our stances. I was not confident at my chances and from her shaking hands; she wasn't too confident either.

“Do you seriously what to do this here jackass?” She glared at me which I returned with full force.

“I’m not backing down you little bitch.” I glared harder and bared my teeth in anger.

(Third person)

The air was filled with tension as the brother and sister were at a standoff between one another for the other to make the first move. Their anger could be felt and the natural predators could sense it at the point of rage between the two overwhelming powers. They seemed to standoff for hours even if it was just a few seconds before they both relented.

“We’ll settle this when we have gauntlets so we don’t break each other’s hand,” Hunter said but continued to glare at his sister.

“Fine, but I’m gonna kick your ass when we do,” Terra said before continuing to walk in the direction they were going.

“Ya, like that’ll happen.” The young teens continued their search through the dense forest while trusting their guts to get where they want to go.

Miles away those who were at Zecora’s hut felt and an absurd amount of blood lust fill the air coming from the direction where the human and kitsune walk. They also felt a contradicting force pushing against it which filled them with hope and serenity. They were still scared by it all as it was much more powerful than the princesses.

“W-What was that?” Fluttershy asked whilst trimming behind her wings in fear of what caused it.

“I felt it within the human. His repressed hatred and rage. It might be his end. The hope and serenity came from the Kitsune. Not something many can use.” Zecora rhymed which everyone understood perfectly despite most of them previously not understanding her.

“I... I hope Hunter won’t fall to his rage.” Twilight said after hearing what he’s been hiding from all of them.

“All he has to do is calm and none shall fall. He needs to turn a new page and restart, but I fear that hatred and rage are engraved deep within the heart.” Zecora went inside to collect a few potions for the remaining group. She mixed them until it eventually turned green. She left her hut with a vile in the hand of the green substance. “If he loses sight, this will make him see right. Give it to him right away, or a hero might fall that day.”

Twilight tentatively took the vile and examined it with saddened eyes as she imagined her lover turning into a monster due to his anger. She would have to hold on to it until the day he lost control which she hoped would never happen.

“Please,” she whispered just out of the hearing level of the rest, “don’t fall.”

Back with the two siblings they were still walking around with little direction and almost hopelessly lost due to Hunter’s bad sense of direction.

“I should have expected this from the man that can sometimes confuse his left from right,” Terra said with a shake of her head causing the teen to blush

“Shut up!” The teen in question yelled as he stomped off in a random direction.

The stomping stopped not too long after he disappeared behind some trees. Terra looked in that direction for her brother, but that yielded no results.

“Hunter.” She called as she slowly walked to the trees. There was no answer. “Hunter, come on. I know you’re trying to scare me.” There was still no response so she walked a little more briskly to her destination. “Hunter!” She yelled as she slowly got scared of being left alone in one of the most dangerous forests in Equus.

She ran in his direction only for her to immediately run into a clearing where Hunter was staring down two armored Alicorns that had their spears leveled at his. He was silent as he stared them down with animosity, but not using his elemental abilities to enhance his strength.

“I will ask again!” The guard on the teen’s right, the guards left, yelled. “Why are you here?!”

“We’re here to gather the griffin corpses for a search. They attacked another alicorn and I suspected that they were scouting for a safe place in this forest to send soldiers without being noticed. No pony goes in here anyways without a very good reason why.” He took a step forward with caution and towards a griffin that had a long bag with it that seemed to be larger on the bottom.

“You expect us to be—“ The guard was cut off by a familiar alicorn.

“It’s alright. He helped take some of the attackers off me. He was gravely injured in the process, but my magic along with modern healing spells made him as good as new. Except for the scar of course.” The familiar alicorn that Hunter saved said while flying down to the group of two and her two guards.

She touched down with the utmost eloquence and didn’t seem to falter which irked Hunter a little from how easy this alicorn could do it. He failed time and time again just trying to get off, but every time he landed he would somehow always landed face first. He’s been training with his wings for a while and he can’t help but feel a little envious of her when it came to mastery of her wings.

“Why can’t I use my wings like that?” Hunter whispered with the utmost irritation in his tone. He was just a little frustrated at this new alicorn to even care about what just happened.

Hunter felt arms wrap around him and bring him into an unexpected hug with the mare who had heard every word. “Practice~,” She said in a teasing tone. He was just blushing from the sudden close contact with the mare.

“S-stop that!” He backed away from her and put his back against a tree so no one can surprise him. She chuckled before raising her hand for her guards to stand down. “Thank you. Terra! Search for orders!” She nodded as he checked out the bag before opening and just stopping with the blankest face anyone could ever have. “Mine!” He said simply as he pulled out an M1014 from the bag and pulling the action back to at least have a shell for the ponies to replicate.

“You lucky son of a bitch!” Terra said as she glared at the teen for a moment before continuing the search until she found a somewhat bloodstained piece of paper that was folded up. She carefully unfolded it paper and smiled for a second before holding out a hand towards Hunter. “Phone, now.” He nodded and handed her the phone so she could take a picture and placing the paper on one of the corpses. “Check that griffin. He may have more ammo.”

They scavenged what they needed, the three alicorns watching with amazement at how professional they made it look. They didn’t take anything that they could profit from or that would weigh them down except for the M1014.

“Eight more shells!” The male teen yelled as Terra nodded and, as if he had eyes on the back of his head, threw the unchambered round at her with pinpoint accuracy. They stood and looked at the remaining three ponies, the nine-tailed fox pocketing the shell. “I guess we’ll be on our way.”

“Not yet.” She said as she looked at the human and fox. “We have a way to keep you from dying.” His eyes widened, he didn’t know that she knew of his condition. “We can also remove the last soul from your body so that it can be free.” She looked away from the two for a second before walking up to the lone human. “However, you will be cursed with immortality. You will watch the ones you come to love; die, the friends you made wither away, and the nation eventually falling. I will not force you, but this is your choice.” He stopped and thought for a moment, his mind racing at all the possibilities, but if Equestria went to war; he would be there till the end of it.

He knows tactics that would help the Equestrians during this war. He wasn’t necessary, but he wanted to protect what he found there, what he gained there, and everything that makes him... Him. He looked at his phone and saw the orders that were taken from one of the corpses. It was an order to capture the alicorn in front of him to extract the magic and place it within the new king. He knew the king wanted what he had: the power, the speed, and his strength, but he didn't know the consequences.

"I accept." The leading alicorn looked at him in surprise, not expecting such a conversation from the young man. He looked at them, a confident smirk on his face as he stared into her eyes with ferocity and determination. Her eyes lit up in recognition before setting with the same determined glare.

"Okay, but you will have to complete a task. You will have to hike from here to our home to receive what you accepted. We will allow you to get a few items from your home that you will need. A beacon that only you two can see will appear and you'll have to go there." The two nodded before turning around and walking back to get a few items that they would inevitably need. "It's a three-day hike from the entrance to our hideout. Good luck."

The three flew away from the two as they walked in the direction that would lead to the town. They exited the forest before the two stopped after remembering something. Their eyes twitched in aggravation and letting out a yell.

"How could we forget the orders!" They yelled before running back in, taking the bloodstained orders, and running out. Things could have god differently if they forgot it.

(First Person - Hunter)

"Your leaving!" Twilight yelled as I placed my sword on my back and packed some spare clothes. "And how can you be so sure that this mare is telling the truth! How would the princess's respond, how would Nyx respond to you leaving." I sighed with a dejected expression on my face as I hugged her.

"I know, but this may be the only chance I have at living past the year. I have to take this chance and who knows, maybe I'll find something about Star Swirl." I gave her a toothy grin as she pouted with watering eyes. I gave her a quick kiss before picking up my sword and placing it on my back. "I'll be back soon, I promise." She buried her head deeper into my chest.

"Pinkie Promise?" I chuckled and hugged her tighter.

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." My slow speech was definitely heard as my voice began to waver. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared, but I'm gonna have to go there soon anyway; so why now get a feel for it sooner. We separate and I hand over the orders that were found in the corpses. "This NEEDS to get to Celestia." She tentatively took it as tears threatened to fall from her eyes as I was about to leave. "See ya in a week."

"Bye." Her soft tone nearly made me not go ahead, but if I wanted to live; I didn't have a choice.

Outside my house was Terra leaning against the wall with a bag hanging off her shoulder. I thew her the shotgun which she caught by the pistol grip and shouldered it. With a silent nod, we headed to the forest as I handed over the other shells. We knew what to do, but how far would we get before we got to the more dangerous monsters of the Everfree.

"You only have fifteen shots. Don't waste them. Remember, if you have to, use it as a club." I said, not wanting to lose my sister after just getting her back... Technically.

"I know. I use to be inside you." I am trying so hard not to laugh right now. "Your such a child."

"I'm fifteen, sue me." I don't say anything else as I lead us in the forest as I prepared to pull the sword off my back at a moment's notice.

I glanced at Terra as she pulled the shotgun deeper into her shoulder; her hand tightening around the pistol grip. We both had a reason to be on edge, but it wasn't the animals that made us go on edge; it was the possibility of more griffins being here. We walked deeper into the darkness and she became more paranoid about her surroundings as if we were constantly being watched; however, knowing the Ever Free, that might as well be the answer.

"Let's just get as far as we can today. I do not want to take the risk of walking around here at night." Traversing the forest at night would yield in us getting lost easily and become easy to kill for the more pack dependent predators of the woods. Timberwolves, I'm looking at you.

"Let's hope that we're clear from here on."