The guard station was fittingly spartan and severe, gray stone, dark wood, and iron bars and fixtures.

I sat on the floor of the interview room I'd been put in, thinking about my next move, whether I should give my story or that of the body I now possessed.

I pondered the way the filly in my lap had latched onto me and would fall into a panic if I left her sight for more than a few minutes, and how I would worry and fuss in the back of my mind.

When I'd sent her with a guard to get a snack and something to drink, they returned after less than ten minutes with Harvest trembling and breathing heavily. She immediately dove into my arms upon seeing me and refused to leave my side for any reason.

I worried what would happen to her if a suitable guardian was found for her and she was prohibited or unable to see me. It was a troubling thought, but not something I could immediately remedy.

After almost an hour of waiting, I put my ruminations aside as the door to the room finally opened, and an older looking stallion walked in.

He placed an odd gemstone on the table, tapping it once causing it to glow, “This is captain Steady Charge of the Ponyville Guard, interviewing Szarekh the ‘Necron’ in relation to the deaths of Night Sky and Bumper Crop. This interview is taking place at 8:57 am on the 17th of spring of the 1000th year of the Summer Sun. Also present is Harvest Moon, daughter of the deceased.

“For the record please state your full name and confirm that you consent to this interview of your own volition.

“My name is Szarekh, I consent to this interview of my own volition and without duress.”

Capitan Charge sat opposite me at the table, “Please describe the incident as best you can. Try to be as detailed as possible. Anything you might remember could lead us to the perpetrators.”

I chuckled in dark satisfaction, “You don't have to worry about finding them.”

Charge raised an eyebrow, “Why is that? Do you know where to find them?”

“No… well yes but they will not be causing any problems ever again. You should find them right where I left them, lying in the dirt, as they should,” I answered proudly.

“Please elaborate, why would they not leave the moment you were out of sight?”

“To be perfectly honest, I killed them all. Left them to rot where they fell.”

I was inwardly stunned by the lack of remorse I felt. I began to freak out over it, when the heavy wave of calm quashed it once more.

‘Something to think about later.’

The captain shifted, becoming notably more serious, “How many individuals were there?

“Five. Though you willl only find three bodies, the other two were reduced to naught but dust.”

“I see, did they have any distinctive marks or clothing? Collars, badges, anything of the sort?”

“I did not pay them much attention, I was more focused on protecting Harvest, getting her somewhere safe.”

“Hmm, very well, we'll have a scout check the scene and verify your story. Until then, you'll need to remain in town in case you're needed for further questioning. Do you have an address where we can reach you?”

I nodded toward Harvest, “I will be staying in her home to watch over her until this matter is resolved.”

“Thank you for your cooperation in this matter, and for your bravery in rescuing Harvest Moon. You're free to go.”

“I am happy to be of help.” I gently nudged Harvest, “Harvest, time to wake up, we are leaving now.”

POV: Harvest Moon

I felt somepony pushing my shoulder, “I don't wanna go to school, daddy,” I moaned, pushing his hoof away.

He shook me again and said something, but he sounded weird. I pushed him away again and curled up closer the warm spot I was sleeping on, but something felt wrong, my bed wasn't this lumpy or warm.

I opened my eyes, trying to see what was wrong. I saw Sugarcube Corner slide past.

‘I'm still dreaming, I think’

I looked around, everything seemed normal until I saw a giant purple, gold, and gray shape right next to me, where the warmth was. I looked closer and the shape turned out to be mister Szarekh, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, and relaxed into him.

“Welcome back to the land of the living!” he said in a merry voice, “Did you have a good nap?”

“Mm-hmm,” I nodded. “Where are we going?”

He looked down at me, tilting his head to the side, “I am taking you home, of course. I need to see what we lack in terms of groceries and hygiene products. I will be taking a trip to the market in the coming days to purchase anything you require.”

I tilted my head, confused, “What about you? Don't you need food? Or toothpaste?”

He gave a small humming laugh, “No, I do not eat nor do I need sleep, and my body cleans itself well enough without my interference. There is nothing I need apart from the energy I draw from my gauss converter.”

“What's that?” I asked, wanting to know more about this strange being that had saved me yesterday.

“Think of it as something akin to a heart and a liver put together. It draws in energy from the world around me and converts it into energy I can use before distributing it around my body.”

“Woah, that's super neat! What other cool things can you do!?”

“Hmm… Let me think; I can regenerate any injury I might sustain in an instant, I can see Warp energy, I can, using the nanoscarabs in my Infinity Orb, turn any material into energy, and from there into inert Necrodermis, which I can use to make any of my people's technologies and machines.”

I stared at him, not understanding most of what he'd said. He stared back with an unmoving face, looking kind of angry.

I shrank down, scared that I upset him.

I felt my heart beat faster and faster.

My chest felt tight, like I couldn't breathe.

Formless, nameless fear tore at my mind.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying in vain to hold back tears.

I could barely hear Szarekh's voice, talking to somepony, maybe me.

But I couldn't respond, my voice had fled between choked down sobs.

POV: Szarekh

Thoughts ripped through my head as I tried desperately to comfort Harvest. I knew the signs of a panic attack, I had been prone to them as a child, but I had no clue how to deescalate one from the outside, nor could I identify the cause.

It did not help matters that miss Dash chose this moment to continue her earlier harassment.

“Hey!” she yelled, “Leave her alone you monster!”

She once again attempted to tackle me, however, this time I was in no mood to humor her.

I turned my back to her, sheltering Harvest, and let her slam into my unyielding metal from with immense force.

She cried out in pain as she crumpled to the ground.

I turned to look down at her, straightening my posture, portraying the fierce intensity of my irritation.

“Do you think you can hurt me? Do you think you could even give me pause?”

Her eyes widened and she shrunk back under my gaze.

“I am the last of the Silent Kings of the Necrontyr.”

I crouched down, covering Harvest's ears with a hand. She was still deep in the throes of the panic attack.

Miss Dash's defiant scowl only further inflamed my temper.

“I am older than your entire species and have seen and done more than you could ever imagine.”

‘Why did I say that?’ I thought

She tried to shuffle away, but my anger demanded more.

“I have waged wars longer than your civilization is old, wiped out races that spanned stars.”

I tried to calm down, but my instincts pushed me further.

I glared at Dash, her defiance had left her, along with the last of her own anger, her face only held fear.

My thoughts blurred as I fought to control myself.

“And you thought for even a second that you would be able to stop me?”

By this point, she was trembling, her pupils narrowed to pinpricks.

“You are a fool, and I have no patience for such. Leave me to my business, or I will force the matter.”

I crouched down and leant forward, finishing my tirade with a harsh whisper, “You do not want me to force the matter.”

With that clarity returned to me, I rose and turned, my focus solely on Harvest and calming her.

Author's Note

You asked and I answered!

Another chapter for you to enjoy!

Feel free to let me know what you think, if there's anything I missed, or could do better.

Thanks for all the positive response, it tells me you like what I'm doing.

Doing my best,
Alt.