Prologue

Part 2

POV Rand

Rand sat bolt upright as his eyes snapped open and he immediately rolled to his feet scanning his surroundings with the trained skill of a Marine. He was in a forest clearing surrounded by tall dark trees, he felt the uncommon weight of the shield on his left forearm. His eyes fell on the ax he had bought from the Merchant and his memory returned sharp and clear as he remembered the parting words. Anger welled up inside him before it was replaced by a far greater emotion worry as his eyes scanned the clearing again searching for his son.

"Damien!" he shouted his deep voice echoing out into the quiet forest, "DAMIEN!" he called again louder as fear mixed with his worry. He picked up the ax and holstered it on his back in a smooth motion that felt natural to him. He spotted the Blades laying not much further from him than the ax had been but with a surprising amount of chain next to them. He wrapped the chains around his forearms as he kept scanning the treeline hoping his son had just wandered off instead of the more dreaded option that they were permanently separated. Once the chains were in place he picked up the blades and was surprised to see them catch fire in his grasp, pushing his surprise aside he sheathed the blades on his back though he had no idea how they stayed there.

He moved toward the trees scanning their trunks and the underbrush for signs that someone had left. As he approached one side of the clearing he spotted an arrow carved into one of the trees and child-sized footprints leading in the direction the arrow pointed. Without any hesitation, he followed the path his son had left him. He walked following the trail for what felt like forever till the marks stopped, kneeling he examined the ground his eyes finding his sons footprints now heading away from the tree at a fast pace. He stood and charged in the direction his son had ran, following his prints till he came to a cliff and feared the worst before looking down.

At the base of the cliff, a figure laid in the dirt an arrow sticking out of its neck. Jumping down Rand hurried to the body spotting the antlers and muzzle that was distinctly Caribou in shape. The rest of the body was covered in leather armor and had a sword lying next to his fallen form, Rand checked the scene further and found his son's footprints this time followed by three sets of small hooves then more hooves as the Caribou gave chase.

With new urgency, he followed the tracks not needing to stop as the disturbed underbrush and churned earth told him he was headed in the right direction. He cleared the trees at the edge of a ravine and a quick look around showed him the bridge and the ruin on the other side where a group of armored Caribou just finished rushing into. Rand hurried to follow them crossing the bridge and entering the ruined castle.

Once inside he slowed so he wouldn't be spotted, the old stone hallway led him to what appeared to be a throne room where the Caribou were just now spreading out to search. He watched them for a moment before reaching into the pouch he had put the gems picking one out he drew the ax and placed two ice blue gems in the sockets in the handle. Taking a deep breath he hoped he had the powers of Kratos before rushing from cover with a battle cry that drew the attention of the Caribou.

He swung at the nearest opponent catching him off guard and cutting him down with a vicious slash to the chest the blade of the ax cutting through the leather armor like a hot knife through butter. The others rushed at him only to receive a counter charge as his shield snapped into shape on his arm as an icy aura surrounded him. The charge stunned the Caribou as the strange magic froze and shattered the two that came into contact with the shield while the third received a heavy slash from the ax. The attack left the others shocked before they were spurred to action by their leader.

"Kill him!" the lead Caribou shouted shoving his men forward before receiving an ax to his face when Rand threw it.

"Fool now you're dead," said one of the Caribou that closed in on Rand raising his sword but at the last moment the shield appeared again blocking the strike and shoving the attacker back. Rand lifted his hand and the ax flew to his open palm as another icy aura surrounded him and just as quickly he slammed the ax into the ground freezing more of the Caribou. He felt a smile reach his lips which was short-lived as one of the Caribou managed to slip around him and slashed his side with his sword.

The pain was sudden and instead of weakening their foe seemed to fuel his lust for battle as he dropped the ax and pulled out the blades on his back. They caught fire as he lashed out and they screamed through the air in a wide arc around him. The final foes were cut down by the blades and left smoldering as he sheathed them and retrieved the ax from where he had let it fall. He looked down at the gash in his side just as it shimmered and healed before his eyes.

*That's convenient,* he thought as he looked around the ruined throne room for any sign of his son. His eyes scanned near the broken stone thrones catching a tuft of brown hair appearing from behind the more intact of the two thrones. He rushed over and picked up his son wrapping him in a tight hug.

Scene Change: Hilltop overlooking Ponyville

The revelation that his son had saved the CMC and that Ponyville was under attack told Rand that they were in Equestria. The situation had been on his mind during the whole run to the hill with the CMC in tow, they now looked down at the town and he could see a crowd near the center of the town. He was examining the situation and trying to form a plan of attack when the orange-furred filly filled his vision. Her wings were beating rapidly creating a low buzz sound as she hovered up to his face.

"So what do we do?" Scootaloo asked as she sank back to the ground.

"'We' aren't doing anything," he answered gently yet firmly pushing Scootaloo out of his way. "My son and I will clear out the Caribou while you three hide in the trees," he added wanting to keep them safe.

"Hey! We can help," said Applebloom placing her fists on her hips and glaring up at Rand.

"I said, 'No'," Rand said his voice becoming angry as he turned toward the three fillies and pointed at the trees. "NOW!" he shouted making the three girls jump and cling to each other. Rand sighed as he calmed himself but before he could apologize his son spoke up.

"My Dad's right," he said trying to comfort the girls, "If you get in trouble who's going to save you when we're busy with the bad guys," he said which got the girls to look away from him and nod sullenly. "Don't worry it will be ok," he added smiling confidently impressing his father with how he was putting up a brave face for the fillies.

"I hope Rarity's okay," Sweetiebelle said sniffling quietly while her friends comforted her.

"Now hide," Rand ordered gently and the CMC obeyed hiding in the underbrush at the edge of the forest. Rand tapped his son's shoulder and they turned toward the village and began to move toward it.

Minutes Later

Rand and Damien made it to the village without being spotted and were walking between two of the smoking houses closest to the center of town when they stopped. Damien clutched his bow to his chest while Rand scanned the gathered Ponies and Caribou. The few stallions among the mares looked as though they had gotten beaten into submission, two of the biggest Caribou were holding a large red-furred stallion dressed in overalls and a tight white t-shirt down but were struggling to do so as he fought them. The mares were huddled together among them he could see Twilight Sparkle noting the lack of wings placed them before her Ascension. There was a black stone ring on her horn which he guessed was why she hadn't used any magic on the attackers. She was clutching a rather bruised Spike to her closely as it appeared the young Dragon had done his best to protect his Mother/Big Sister. Rainbow Dash wasn't among them and she wouldn't have left her friends unless she had a plan, Fluttershy was looking after an unconscious Applejack the Earth pony mare had clear signs of taking a beating. Pinkie Pie was tightly bound and gagged while Rarity was in the grasp of who he assumed was the leader of the Caribou.

There were more Ponies than Caribou but the unarmed Ponies were easy to subdue by so few. Why send so many after three little fillies? His thoughts were interrupted by his son leaning against the building and sliding down until he was squatting with his knees against his chest as he seemed to be shaking.

"Hey? What is it?" Rand asked kneeling before his son.

"I don't think I can do this," his son said looking up at his father his blue eyes shimmering with held back tears. "I didn't want to kill them but it happened so fast," he continued and Rand recognized his son was falling apart.

Rand cupped his son's face again and looked into his eyes, "Remember, close your heart to it," he said but it didn't seem to help this time as his son shook his head. "I know you're not used to this but I can't do this alone," he said and pulled his son gently to his feet. "Push Damien aside and let Atreus pull the string back," he told him and his son closed his eyes a few tears falling down his face which Rand wiped away with his thumbs. "Ready?" he asked and his son nodded shakily. "Good, I'll distract them while you find a place to attack from above," he instructed getting a nervous nod from his son.

Rand picked out a few different gems that were the Runic attacks and placed a new one in the Heavy attack slot of his ax, *I should really learn what the Runes mean,* he thought before he stepped out of the alley. The Caribou's leader released Rarity when he spotted Rand and drew his weapon walking to meet Rand when he came to a stop a few feet separated them. They eyed each other Rand didn't even seem concerned as the rest of the Caribou surrounded him.

"Who the hell are you?" the leader asked pointing his sword at Rand's chest.

"My name doesn't matter to dead men," he said his voice carrying to the ponies who were watching the scene now.

The Caribou began to laugh at what they assumed was empty bravado their leader joining his men as he lowered his sword. "I admire your bravery stranger but I must ask you to disarm," he said and when Rand didn't move to obey the smile died on his face, "Hand over your weapons now!" the Caribou leader ordered but Rand didn't even flinch.

"A Spartan does not surrender and hope you never see one who does," Rand said but the levity was done. The leader nodded to two of his men who approached Rand with swords drawn but halted when Rand drew his ax. "I give you this one chance to leave with your lives or join your men I left dead in the forest," Rand said which made the Caribou look nervously at one another before their commander motioned for them to attack.

Rand concentrated his magic as his ax began to glow before he raised it high into the air. The air became frigid rapidly as the surrounding Caribou were either frozen or thrown back by the icy whirlwind that sprung up. The leader was stunned and was the first to feel the icy bite of Rand's ax as he brought it down in a heavy strike cleaving the Caribou nearly in two. The survivors tried to rush Rand only to be bowled over by a sudden stampede of ghostly boar as his son appeared on the roof of a nearby house. It was an easy fight after that with the arrows raining down from above and powerful warrior among them the Caribou were finished off save for the two that still had a hold on Big Mac. They released the stallion and ran for their lives toward the forest harassed by Damien's arrows.

The fight now over the air began to warm up once again and the Ponies stood up surprised at being rescued by such strange looking individuals while also stunned at what they had seen. Damien dropped down from the tree and rushed over to his father smiling proudly that they had saved Ponyville. Before anyone could speak the sounds of beating wings filled the air as Royal Pegasi Guards appeared led by Rainbow Dash and a loud popping sounds alerted him of the arrival of more guards by way of Teleportation spell. The new arrivals were as surprised as the ponies at the scene of battle before them even the frozen Caribou drew nervous glances.

"They're not here for us are they?" Damien asked worriedly as his father placed a hand on his shoulder and he was gently pushed behind his father.

One of the armored Pegasi approached them a mare if the shape of the breastplate was anything to judge by as it was formed to fit a mares curves her fur was a grassy green while her helm hid her mane. She carried a bow on her back with a full quiver of arrows and seemed to be the leader of these guards, "I'm Royal Guard Soaring Glory. Who are you?" she asked her tone firm but she couldn't completely hide nervousness.

"I'm Kratos of Sparta and this is my son Atreus," Rand answered the mare looked at the boy noticing his arrows matched the ones sticking out of a few Caribou.

"I think I should take you to see the princess'," said Soaring Glory looking between father and son.

Author's Note

So far so good. Working on two stories at the same time so I might be slow getting new God of War out. Thanks for the kind comments and if any of you out there have tips or suggestions to better my writing please don't hesitate to express them.