POV: Szarekh

I awoke the same way a light is turned on, nothingness and then awareness, which is somewhat disconcerting.

The first thing I saw was a blue sky dotted with clouds.

‘Strange, if I fainted I should be in the hospital.’

I sat up and looked around. I was in grassy field a short way outside of a forest.

‘Where am I?’

I looked down a myself and saw that I was still in my costume. I went to remove the head of the costume, but as I grabbed it both my face and hands felt contact with metal.

Examining my hands I couldn't find the seams or joints that held the suit together. I poked an experimental finger into my other hand and flinched at the sensation of metal against my skin.

Looking myself over I noted that all the holes I'd used dark cloth to disguise were now open, I could see clean through to the surrounds.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm a rising panic, then I sensed something off. It took me a few moments to find out what it was that was wrong; I wasn't breathing, I had no heartbeat, I couldn't even move my mouth!

Fear raced through my mind, before a coldness clamped down on it. The feeling was like a cool damp towel draped over a feverish heat.

Opening my eyes, or rather, reactivating my optics, I decided to take stock of my situation.

I looked myself over once again, this time with a calm, appraising eye. My new body was spotless, the shining image of Necron regality, the tga's (tachyon-gauss arrows) attached neatly to my wrists. Another addition was a small pouch made of woven necrodermis hung at my waist.

Turning my gaze afield I spotted my scythe and the Infinity Orb by my side. Rising to my feet, I grabbed the scythe and orb, which I stowed in the pouch.

Figuring I'd likely find a river or town near the forest edge, I started walking.

I'd been walking for what felt like a few hours when I heard shouting and a scream. I bolted in the direction of the sound, quickly coming to the source.

What I saw was nothing short of heinous; near a wooden cart lay two equines in pools of blood, their throats slashed, as a third, smaller one backed away from a group of five bipedal canines, whom were chuckling and murmuring among themselves, savage smiles on their faces.

Two of the dogs held bloodied knives while a third, who appeared to be the leader held a crude crossbow.

An instant after observing the situation, rage streaked through me.

I exploded into motion lifting my off hand to aim the arrow at one of the knife wielding dogs while my right hand drew the scythe into a ready position.

I felt a wave of power surge down my arms, the arrow pointed at the dog fired a bolt of viridian energy that wiped it from existence in a cloud of glowing ash.

My scythe thrummed with power as I reached the leader. A single swing of my blade cleaved his head from his shoulders.

A single step put me in arms reach of the other knife wielder.

I wrapped a bone crushing hand around his head as my scythe lashed out towards the fourth dog.

The last dog caught a gauss blast as he scrambled to flee.

The fight, if not a slaughter, was over in a few seconds, leaving three corpses and two scattering piles of ash.

Calm rushed back to me as I looked around for the smaller equine, which I assumed was a child, fearing it had fled into further danger. A tiny whimper from under the cart filled me with relief and dread.

Electing to work out how the child would be cared for later, I planted my weapon blade first in the dirt, and strode slowly towards the cart.

POV: Harvest Moon

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to stay quiet so the mean diamond dogs wouldn't find me.

A bright green light flashed and there was a hissing, crackling sound.

I curled up tighter and tried not to make a sound, but a small sob slipped out.

Soft steps were the only sound I heard, until, “Child,” a strange, gentle voice called to me, “are you hurt?”

Keeping my eyes closed, I shook my head, “Uh uh.”

“I'm glad,” he said, “can you come out from under there? I swear upon my honor that nothing will happen to you.”

Cracking my eyes open, I slowly crawled from under my daddy's wagon.

There, sitting on the ground, was a weird creature with pretty armor, its eyes glowed a brilliant green, and I swore its mask had a gentle smile.

“Greetings, child,” the stranger said, “my name is Szarekh, it is an honor to meet you.”

POV: Szarekh

“M-my name’s H-harvest Moon,” the child spoke in an almost whisper.

I smiled mentally and nodded slowly, hoping my time volunteering at various orphanages would aid me, “That is a very pretty name, little one. Where do you live, miss Harvest?”

“I-I live in Ponyville.” she murmured.

“Oh? That sounds like a lovely place,” I said, trying to direct the conversation to getting her to a safe place. “Do you have any friends there?”

She nodded lightly, and I noticed her shaking subsiding, “Uh-huh, my bestest friend Dinky!” she answered brightly, “She's super nice and lots of fun! Mommy and daddy u-used t-to…” she trailed off, sniffling.

Seeing my mistake an instant too late, I reached out a hand, resting it gently on her shoulder. The moment I did she burst forward and wrapped her forelegs around my torso as best she could.

Not knowing what else to do, I stroked her head softly as she sobbed into me, murmuring what comfort I could.

We stayed that way until Harvest had stopped crying and had fallen asleep.

Seeing the sun was setting, I decided to let Harvest sleep while I try to get her home.

I picked her up and, gently as I could, laid her on the front seat of the cart. I then picked up the bodies of her parents and loaded them into the back.

I retrieved my scythe and tried to work out how to carry it on my person to free up my hands, as I did so, the scythe collapsed into itself until it was small enough to hang from my hip.

Stowing my weapon, I returned to Harvest, who was squirming and whimpering in her sleep. I hooked myself up to the cart and lifted the sleeping child, before walking back in the direction the group had come from.

Though I could have covered the distance in a fraction of the time, I chose a smooth walking pace through the night to ensure Harvest could rest.

As such we only reached the town shortly after dawn, though I noted that several of the natives had already begun their day.

I'd stopped for a moment shortly before sunrise to cover the bodies of Harvest's parents. I'm glad I did as she'd woken up soon after and asked to sit on the front of the cart.

I still thank the stars for the reflexes that came with my new body. I spotted a blue winged equine streaking towards me and readied to catch them.

I took a step back and curled in, wrapping my arms around them to cushion what would have been a bone shattering impact.

Looking down at the equine in my arms, I cocked my head and spoke jovially, “Greetings, miss,” I could see that she was female, “I am Szarekh, it is a pleasure to meet you!”

Behind me I could hear Harvest giggle.

“Hello miss Dash!” she called.

‘If only I could smile, or sigh.’

Miss Dash was struggling against me, so I gently put her down, where she immediately flew up to my face, “What do you think you're doing you freak?” she yelled aggressively, “You here to terrorize my town? Well you’ll have to go through me first!”

Any amusement I felt with the situation vanished.

I responded with a less friendly tone, “Miss Dash, I am here to return young Harvest Moon here home and settle some private matters with the town leadership, please stand aside that I may go about my business in peace.”

She snorted derisively, “Sure, and next thing you'll say you're some kinda knight or something.”

“King actually,” I replied, “though that was a long time ago, now I'm just Szarekh.”

Her eyes bulged at the absurdity of my words.

I just walked past the stunned mare and into the wide streets of Ponyville.

Author's Note

I honestly have no idea how to write about a traumatized child, so if I get something wrong feel free to tell me. Any advice is appreciated.

(I've gone back and tweaked the chapter.

Let me know if it helped.)