"Well, that was a productive afternoon, got myself a massive catch today. Time for a well-deserved rest."

Hunter had returned to Ponyville with no incident of trouble after his trip into the Everfree forest for his daily afternoon hunt. Despite the fact that Hunter was a pony, he had this urge now and again to go hunt himself some non-sapient creatures and take them back to his home. A lot of ponies were put off by this since they're all herbivores yet Hunter, despite his own body making it possible not having to eat meat Hunter preferred having some meat every day.

Coming up to his house, Hunter took a look at the sanctuary of his. It was a relatively large building in terms of Ponyville standard and it also housed a second floor. Most of his windows had curtains but he never used them 'cause he had chosen to just board them up instead. the only windows he decided to be seen through were the ones next to the front door. Entering his house, Hunter took a look around to see everything was as he had left it. A coffee table with a few couches stood on one side of the main room, a few paintings on the walls, 'decorative' weapons, a jukebox -something Hunter would never understand how worked in this world- and of course the desk in the middle of it all with a few letters on as well as a pizza box. Hunter took a look at the sword he had taken from the Everfree forest and saw it sitting on its place like he had left it when he had acquired it.

Taking his price to a special cabinet in his pantry in the kitchen, Hunter would work on it later. Coming back to into his office Hunter grabbed a slice of pizza from the pizza box and started on his snack. Noticing that the chair he usually sat on by his desk was knocked over, Hunter gave it a swift kick and had it land on all of its legs right sat down on it. Chuckling to himself Hunter thought back to the days of his youth where he was still living with his father. Those times were never boring at all.

"Master? Are you thinking back again?"

Snapping back to reality Hunter just rubbed his face with a hoof and groaned a bit in annoyance at the interruption of an old memory of his, Hunter turned to one of his talking swords who he'd hung on the wall as well.

"Yeah... I miss him Rudra you know? Wonder what he'd say about me if he knew what I was doing" Hunter said.

"Ahh, the feeling of family love is strong in him isn't it?" Another voice asked.

"It must be brother, either that or of the other."

"Angi, Rudra I know who you're talking about just... both of you be quiet for a while alright? It's been years they're both most likely dead!" Hunter snapped at his twin swords.

Wanting to relax Hunter leaned back in his chair and grabbed the nearby magazine which happened to be of lightly dressed ponies. Rolling his eyes Hunter kept on going through the magazine to the point where he just put it on his face and started dozing off. Well, at least that was the plan anyway. Listening to the sounds of what was going on, Hunter could hear someone opening the front door but he wasn't expecting visitors and by the sound of the hooves there were two ponies walking on the wooden floor. Two young ponies to be exact.

"Whoa, this place is bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside!" A voice said.

Hunter could tell a few things about the colt that had entered, even if his face was still covered by the magazine. The colt wasn't a smart one at that, easy to humor and sounded like one that would follow a friend rather than do things himself. All of that was determined by the voice of the colt.

"You dolt, be quiet!" Another voice said though this one was quieter than the first one. "It's not every day you enter an abandoned house and see all of this amazing stuff right for the taking."

The other voice was also from a colt. Confident, leader type, yet still not smart at all. Oh, this was gonna be a field day with these two.

"Oh? My home is abandoned? What a pair of jackasses. So we got a dumb follower and an overconfident dumbass. I swear if it's who I think it is..." Hunter mentally grumbled and was as still as possible in his chair. It could be fun to teach them a lesson about entering a house without permission.

Listening to the steps on the wooden floor, Hunter could listen for where the colts were. One of them had gone over to his Jukebox, probably poking and wondering what it was. The other one had moved close to the desk and was probably staring at Hunter. Hunter just kept on staying still in the chair pretending to be some sort of massive doll or something. Staying completely still wasn't new for Hunter, he's used the tactic before on previous jobs or to pull a prank on somepony. Sometimes he'd stay still for hours upon hours on end.

"Hey Snails, come look at this life-like mannequin." Hunter almost flinched once he heard the name 'Snails' and put two and two together. Fucking Snips and Snails.

"That's actually pretty cool and that jacket thing is cool too."

Feeling his trenchcoat being pulled from the side Snips was on, Hunter had trouble keeping from smacking the little shit over the head. Having trouble getting the coat off of Hunter, Snips got Snails to help as well but it still didn't budge.

"I don't think this jacket will come off Snips," Snails said panting from the use of magic since Hunter never felt hooves on him.

"But it's supposed to come off, it's a mannequin for Faust's sake!" Snips grumbled. Deciding to give it another yank with magic Snips instantly regretted his decision when a hoof made contact with his horn.

"Didn't your parents ever teach the two of you to never trespass on somepony's property?" Hunter asked in a little too calm manner. Hearing the gasps from both Snips and Snails Hunter smirked and pulled the magazine off of his face and looked at the two of them. Only to have them both give off a scream and run out of the building shouting things about ghosts or something like that.

"Well that was disappointing, thought you said you were good with kids," a voice called from the doorway as a mare walked on into Hunter's home. "Was hoping that if I ever had kids you could be my babysitter."

"Oh laugh it up Sapphire ya nymphomaniac," Hunter shot back at the newcomer. "We both know you love the joystick a little too much to prepare for kids."

Giggling, Sapphire walked towards Hunter's desk. Sapphire was a green unicorn with a purple mane and tail, both of which had pretty cute curls according to Hunter but he would never say that. At least not near her. As she arrived at the front of the desk, Hunter noticed that Sapphire had a very unusual glint in her sapphire blue eyes.

"So... what brings you here today?" Hunter asked.

"Can't I come into your office and just see you once in a while handsome?" Sapphire asked and fluttered her eyes a bit.

"Sapphire... you'd rather drain me given the chance than just 'come see me,'" Hunter shot back.

"hmm... You're right, though I do have some business to attend with you," Sapphire said as she put a folder on the desk and Hunter only needed to read the front of the folder.

Mysterious creature detected near the train tracks between Ponyville and Canterlot

Looking at Sapphire with an unamused look, Hunter just shrugged at her.

"This better be a massive demon or I swear they can take care of it themselves," he told her.

"Open the folder and read," Sapphire instructed.

Doing as he was told Hunter could now understand. The creature was described as a large bear, possibly the size of an Ursa Minor with very aggressive behavior towards anything it sees as either prey or competitor, pretty normal behavior for an Ursa Minor. One thing that struck Hunter odd was the fact that there were a few pictures about this monster. Taking a look at them it was hard to determine if it was of demon origin or if it really was an Ursa Minor at all. One thing that caught the eye of the devil hunter was that in the background behind one of the pictures was a stone monolith of some kind. Giving the folder and its contents back to Sapphire, Hunter grabbed his swords and put them on his back.

"So who's paying me for this?" Hunter asked.

"There are guards stationed at the train station in case this beast should arrive, their commander there will be giving you the bits once the job is done," Sapphire answered and threw Hunter two leg bands. Looking at the mare, Hunter gave her a questionable look that simply said 'What is this crap?'.

"They're for the energy and metal you shoot out through the small cylinders you have attached to your forelegs, gives them the kick you've always wanted," Sapphire said and rolled her eyes. "You know the energy you'd let me research?"

"Ahh... was about to ask you about that actually. Any gear that can kick ass is all fine by me," Hunter replied and put the bands on each of his forelegs.

"And as always don't die I don't want you dying before I taste your 'essence' Hunter."

"I'll think about it," Hunter said as he gave Sapphire a playful smirk.

"You're a plothole Hunter, you know that?"

Walking towards the train station proved nothing interesting for Hunter. A few ponies who were still up after dark kept on staring at him as he walked like always, probably because of the fact he was carrying two swords on his back. Some ponies were looking in interest, some in fear but it didn't matter to Hunter, he had a job to do. Giving it some thought Hunter could understand why he was getting those stares. Ponies didn't kill, it was something that's never been done for a long time yet here Hunter was, keeping everyone alive while looking like the village clown. Coming up to the station Hunter could see the two statue-like guards just making sure no one would get on a train without their say so. Had to give them credit for not letting civilians go kill themselves over things they don't know about. Walking over to the guards the pointed their spears at him as if to warn him and get him to back off.

"Careful or you might poke somepony's eye out you two," Hunter said in his usual taunting manner.

"Stay back citizen, this station is under lockdown until further notice by order of commander Iron Heart," the guard mare on the right stated.

"Relax cutie, I actually have some business with this commander of yours."

"No citizens allowed."

"Typical guard bullshit..." Hunter grumble. "Well can I get somepony to go get him or do I have to do it myself?"

"No citizens allowed. Leave now or you will be escorted away from the premises!"

"Private Grace! Private Blaze! What is the meaning of this?" A gruff voice cut in as a white pegasus stallion came over to take a look at the commotion.

"Just an unruly citizen trying to get onto the station, sir! We'll have him escorted back to his home right away!"

Taking a look at Hunter, the stallion took a deep breath and facehoofed.

"You idiots! He has business with the commander, let him through!" the stallion demanded.

Both realizing they messed up, the two guard ponies gave a salute and let Hunter through who decided to follow the supposedly higher ranked guard.

"You must be the merc some of us were told would arrive tonight," the stallion said. "I'm lieutenant Snow Wing, I'll take you to the commander."

Following the lieutenant, Hunter could see why the guards would need his help. The entirety of the train was damaged. Windows were broken, wheels bent, roofs were gone. The one thing that confirmed this was worse than what Hunter thought was the large amounts of blood spilled upon the walls. Getting to the front of the train, guards were looking underneath blankets of which was assumed to be dead ponies. 23 dead to be exact from the looks of it. The lieutenant that Hunter had been following gave a loud whistle to which the guards turned to look at Hunter and Snow Wing. Taking note that Hunter had arrived one of the stallions walked over to Hunter and Snow Wing who gave a salute and walked off.

"So you're that merc huh? Don't look like much to me really," the stallion said and extended a foreleg which Hunter shook. "Commander Iron Heart."

"Hunter."

"So tell me, what makes you think you can help us with this big problem of ours?" Iron Heart asked in a not so impressed fashion.

"Wouldn't the better question be, 'When are you gonna take care of this problem cause we aren't cut out or getting paid enough for this shit'?" Hunter shot back.

"I'd keep that tongue of yours in check if I were you."

"Whatever. So how'd all of this happen in the first place?" Taking a deep breath at the question Hunter asked, Iron Heart began explaining.

"This train was on its way from Canterlot yesterday night and would be here the following morning. It never arrived so a few guards were sent along the tracks to find it and it looked like what you see on the tracks. 23 ponies were lost three of them guards. Ripped open like a bag of sweets you're addicted to."

Looking at Iron Heart, Hunter could see that this didn't sit well with him. There was a look in his eyes that showed Hunter how terrified the commander was about it all.

"I see, you mind if I go investigate the train?" Hunter asked.

"We've already checked the train but I guess you're welcome to since this will be your task to finish if you want the bits." Iron Heart said and went back to his fellow guards.

"'Ripped open like a bag of sweets you're addicted to'? Sounds like a massive slaughter but I don't understand why a demon would just kill these ponies aside from nourishment, but maybe there's something hidden underneath the surface. One thing dad sometimes didn't have time to think about on the job." Hunter thought as he went into the train to investigate.

A few minutes earlier

Up in the sky of Ponyville Rainbow Dash was flying towards her home after a hard day of relaxing and being awesome. Looking down in the lit streets of Ponyville Rainbow Dash saw a stallion clad in a red trenchcoat with two swords on his back walking through town. Having been saved by him a few days ago put a little pain in her pride but his moves were so cool! Giving herself a small smirk, she decided that under the guise of a cloud to follow him to see what adventures he'd be having this time.

Following Hunter for a bit, Rainbow Dash noticed something peculiar about the ponies that laid eyes on him. They got uncomfortable near him, but that could be because of the swords on his back adding to that factor, it wasn't like he was hurting the ponies or threatening them at all, he had saved the element bearers and the princess of the sun after all. Rainbow Dash decided to keep that in mind as Hunter got to the train station where a sight Rainbow Dash wasn't expecting. A destroyed train and some sort of black blanket were covering a bit area on the station itself. Perking her ears up Rainbow Dash heard Hunter talk to the guards guarding the station platform and tried to pick up on the conversation she was hearing.

"...ful or you might po... som... ey.... ...wo,"

"....ay ba... citizen, th... ...ion is ...der lo.... un.... ...her not... ...y or.... ...mander ..on Hea...,"

Realizing she couldn't understand anything with how high up she was, Rainbow Dash tried to get a little closer only to stop when she heard somepony using a raised voice. Taking a look down again a new guard had walked over and looked rather annoyed at the two guarding the platform. After a minute or two, the new guard facehoofed and brought Hunter up on the platform leading him towards the black blanket where a bunch of other guards was doing who knows what. A new guard cam over to Hunter and the guard he was following only for him to give a salute and walk off. Sill unable to hear what was being said Rainbow Dash waited but her patience was running thin. Noticing Hunter and the guard was done talking Rainbow Dash saw Hunter head into the train and since the roof was gone Rainbow Dash had a clear view of what he was doing.

In the train, Hunter examined the broken windows, the bloody walls and some of the tears in the train itself. Rainbow Dash wondered what could've happened to the train and that nopony was hurt in the event of it all.

"What happened here? I should alert the girls about this since the newspaper today didn't say anything about this mess," Rainbow Dash thought to herself as she noticed Hunter had really gotten interested in the red liquid on the wall. Fearing what it could be she shook her head to get the thoughts out of her head only to see Hunter licking his hoof which had some of the red substance on it. Rainbow Dash was shocked at this and was about to confront Hunter who ran off following the train tracks at a speed faster than Applejack could run. Gritting her teeth Rainbow Dash flew after him determined to find out what the now suspicious stallion was planning.

Trying to catch up to Hunter proved to be harder than Rainbow Dash had thought and looked to be able to -painfully for Rainbow Dash's ego- match her in speed on his legs. Hunter had decided to get on his hind legs and start running like she had seen him kick those demons and saved her life.

"You know you're not really sneaky right gay mane?" Hunter called out and looked behind him with straight at Rainbow Dash with a big grin.

"What did you just call me?! Come back here so I can knock some sense into you like I did the colts in flight school!" Rainbow Dash barked at the hunter.

"What? Rainbows back where I come from are symbolize with homosexuality! Gay pride come on!"

"I'll show you gay pride whatever that is!"

"Oh, I love feisty girls."

Running from the now angered pegasus, Hunter was enjoying this little game of 'tag' especially with the threats of things like his third leg getting ripped off or breaking of his jaw. Rainbow Dash on the other hoof was fueled with anger from getting called 'gay mane' like in her young days especially when that nickname had stuck with her dad for a long time throughout his life. Catching up to Hunter, Rainbow Dash was about to reach him only for him to disappear. Remembering that trick of Hunter's Rainbow Dash kept flying forward expecting him to be in front of her.

"Well now, what a great athletic flank I see."

Growling, Rainbow Dash looked behind her to see Hunter had appeared behind her and was still wearing that big grin of his. Rainbow Dash was not gonna get bested by a cocky stallion who thought he was better than her. She turned around and flew into the stallion with the big grin and tackled him to the ground. Laying on the ground Hunter stared up at the mare pinning him down on his back.

"I gotta admit I didn't think you'd go down this easily but of course you were no match for the awesome Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed and grinned at the stallion. judging by the moves she's seen Hunter use this was a disappointment for Rainbow Dash on a large scale.

"What? Me go down just like that? I'm not even trying, though I will admit I wouldn't mind being stuck in this position under different circumstances." Hunter said as he winked at the mare on top of him.

Confused by what the stallion said, Rainbow Dash failed to notice said stallion used his hind legs to push her own hind legs with enough force to lose her footing and fall on top of Hunter who then rolled them both so their positions had swapped. Shaking her head, Rainbow Dash tried to grasp at how fast things had turned around for her by a sudden push to her hind legs. Chuckling at the mare underneath him, Hunter got onto his hind legs and offered her a hoof to get back on her hooves. Reluctantly, Rainbow Dash accepted Hunter's hoof and get onto hooves and gave him a small glare.

"Rule number one. 'Never think you've bested your opponent before they're either dead or knocked out for sure'," Hunter said told Rainbow Dash as he passed her to keep following the train tracks.

"Hey! I want some answers as to what just happened!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she followed Hunter. "What the hay were those moves and how come you can teleport without being a unicorn?"

Not turning his head to look at his companion Hunter chuckled a bit at the question he had just been asked as if there was a small joke to it.

"Frankly? I dunno it's just something I can do thanks to my father's teachings," Hunter replied and twitched his ears as if he tried to pick up the sound of something.

"And what are you doing out here at this time? What happened to the train and what is it with that black blanket at Ponyville station?"

"You're not gonna leave me until I give you an answer are you miss Dash?"

"You can bet your flank I'm not."

Taking a deep breath Hunter stopped and looked at Rainbow Dash and said one single word to her.

"Demons," was all Hunter gave as a response.

"Like the ones me and my friends saw you... kill?" Rainbow asked being very reluctant on the end of the sentence.

"No, much bigger and much more dangerous." Hunter answer calmly. "Makes it more fun that way."

Before Rainbow Dash could come up with another word a massive roar filled the air and Hunter set off in a sprint in the direction of the roar. Not one to leave any action behind Rainbow Dash followed Hunter barely being able to follow him as they both headed towards the roar. As the two ponies hurried along, a shining silhouette came to view the further they went.

"Oh no..." Was all Rainbow Dash was able to let out before the silhouette turned towards them.

An Ursa Minor was glaring at Hunter and Rainbow Dash but something was really off about it. It had some sort of tentacle-like tendrils coming out from its back and there were no pupils in its eyes either and its size was much bigger than any normal Uras Minor. Standing up on its hind legs the Uras let out another massive roar which Rainbow Dash had to cover her ears from to not get hearing damage or become deaf. Hunter just looked at it and drew his swords ready for action.

"Miss. Dash get out of here now!" Hunter ordered and get into his combat stance.

"And leave you all the glory? No way!" Rainbow Dash replied trying to act cool.

"This is NOT up for discussion! You've seen what they can do so get out of here and let me take care of it!"

Not willing to admit she's afraid and flee Rainbow Dash didn't leave at first but as the Ursa got closer and whipped its tentacles at them two ponies she flew off as fast as she could. Looking up at the Ursa who roared again at the stallion in front of it Hunter just grinned at what he was up against.

"So this is what a real fight is gonna be in years is it?! Well come on then I'll put you down Smokey!"

Another roar came from the massive bear-like creature as it prepared to charge and Hunter gave a final word before the battle would start.

"Royal-guard!"

Author's Note

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter and are looking forward to the next one.

Remember to give a comment stating typos and such to fix it ASAP.