" ...ne ".

"... ".

"...une ".

" Arc! ".

" Hasta! We-Weiss! Why are you yelling?! ".

" Because you two dufus won't answer when I called! ". Weiss Schnee explained finally reaching him and Ruby.

" I didn't hear anything? Did you Ruby? ".

" Hm, maybe ". Huffed the little redhead.

" What? You did? And you didn't have the intension of answer me? ".

" Hmm, I was thinking, besides, you haven't apologized to me yet! ".

" And why would I apologise? ".

" Because you're totally wrong! ".

" Is this about the murals and the horses again? ".

" Paints and ponies! And yes! It is about them! ".

" Why you insufferable little-! ".

" Could you guys like, explain to me what's going on? ". Asked the blonde after having enough from his two diminutive friends yells, the caves seemed a terrible place to have high pitched screams apparently, who could have thought.

" It is about some murals-! ".

" Paintings! ".

" Ahem, murals that we found deeper into the ruins, they depicted an old civilization that comprised of both humans and dwarf sized equines ".

" Equi-what? ".

" She means ponies, P,O,N,I,E,S! ". Ruby yelled again causing the gave to tremble slightly.

The trio hid under the only shield present, the blonde's. " You dunce! You want to kill us before that crazy faunus does?! ".

The knight kept his eyes on the ceiling as the shaking stopped. " I don't think that it was Ruby's fault ".

" See? Not my fault ". The young leader of team RWBY said.

" No? Then who's fault it is? ". Her answer came when the whole tunnel shook once more but with less intensity and prolongation.

" Callows ". The knight said softly but by how strong the girls pressed their bodies to his it was obvious that they heard him. The knight felt this and smiled then changed the subject to help the girls relax. " As nice as the company is, isn't a little too close? ".
When the girls realize what he meant not jumped off with pink cheeks.

" So, what did you said about ponies? ". The group arrived to where the ruins became more intricate, there was concrete rubble and a few very old pieces of metal here and there, half buried, half out but completely oxidated and almost turning to dust at mere contact.

As they moved deeper the composition of the tunnel changed, it looked more solid, then the murals started to appear. The fist one was hard to understand, there was a big line marking something like a division of sorts, in the center of the line there was an oval shape, on one side there was human like figures, at the other side horse like figures, the horse side had also what looked like a tree, a glowing tree with 6 small symbols hanging from the branches, a set of balloons, a diamond, a star, a rainbow, an apple and a flock of butterflies.

" Those anybody understand what those drawings mean? ". Asked the knight.

The former heiress took a thinking pose. " It pretty hard to say, Remnant's history doesn't cover much before the foundation of the 4 great kingdoms, and even with what we learn thanks to Ozpin there's still too many blanks ".

" Prof. Oobleck would jump of happiness if he could have seen those paints ". Ruby said smiling before dropping it remembering how the fast paced man lost his life helping them get away from other of Salem's minions.

The teens remained in silence for a little while before the younger huntress spoke again. " But, but there's more down the tunnel, come look! ". Ruby pulled her male friend until they were in front of another mural. This one expressed a new story divided in events, the first one depicted one of horse like figures approaching the oval shape, apparently crossing it, but on the other side the figure looked humanoid, not horse like anymore. The second part indicated that the traveler crossed back into the world and took from the tree one of the symbols, the star. In the third part another horse, this one with wings and a horn crossed the oval shapenow evident to be a portal or a gate, the new arrival seemed to confront the thief and two did battle, there's were the mural ended.

" Hmm, is this thing a fantasy mural? Horses turning humans and vice versa? Magical objects? Seems far-fetched ". Both Ruby and the blonde looked at the white haired girl with blank expressions. " I-I mean, at least we have evidence that magic do exist, but, horses? ".

" Ponies! ".

" Whatever ".

" Calm down ok, let's move on, there's more right? " At his question the redhead nodded vigorously. The walked a bit more, the new mural not too far off.

" Hmm, is damaged ".

" This things are old, maybe as old as Ozma and Salem, it is a surprise we got to see as much ". The knight nodded observing the new mural. A portion indeed was damaged, but the first halve was understandable. The 'Traveler' that crossed to confront the thief of the star Symbol thing tried to cross back, but it couldn't, this was understandable by the oval shape now been represented with black, the traveler then stood behind in the human world with the star symbol, then next seemed to imply that the traveler used the star to create a new tree in the human world thus allowing magic into the human world. After that the mural was too damaged to see properly.

" Are you guys thinking the same thing? ". The knight asked his two friends.

" I thinks so, you mean that the tree may represent the birth and f magic in this world?". Asked Weiss.

" Oh that what you meant-I mean yeah, that's my conclusion too, right ".

" I somehow doubted, you probably were going to say that that's how ponies arrived in this world or something childish like that! ".

" N-no! You're wrong! What am I, 12? Bah! ". The knight smiled at his friend but looked back at the mural, the damaged part may explain something important but he couldn't tell yet, maybe looking further down.

" Hey! ". Another voice came from where they came from, a male one. Lien Ren appeared. " I was looking for you guys, Hang found another tunnel, she said that she can feel wind from it, Maybe its an exit ".

" Really! Let check it out! ". Ruby used her semblance to disappear in a flash only to smash against one of the curves from further in.

" That moron! I'll go and check it out, it soon will be out turn on keeping watch anyway, you two can keep looking around ". Weiss left to catch her partner.

" How's Nora doing Ren? ".

" You mean apart from nagging that we can't make pancakes in this caverns? More or less, but we really need to find a way out of here before our food or water runs out ".

" I know Ren, I'm sorry ".

The raven haired boy patted his back amicably. " Don't worry, we don't blame you, it was our best option and we know it, we trust you with out lives ".

" Thanks Ren, now then have you found any of those paints around? ". The knight pointed to the mural.

" No, but I did found something interesting, is not far from here if you want to see it ".

" Lead the way then! ". Ren nodded and the two friend walked onward.

"... ".

"...kes ".

" Uh? What's he talking about?! ".

" Pan-cakes, pancakes! ". Arc woke up with a loud yell.

" Dude, you ok? ". Bubble Gum asked.

" I, I'm, just, a bit tired from yesterday, I suddenly craved pancakes ". The colt said as he got up and started making up his bed.

" Ha, I know what you mean, but I don't think we have all the ingredients, but I can look around with the ponifolk ".

" That's ok Gum, you don't need to go that far, the poor citizens must have more thing in their minds than breakfast, I'll go and take look around ". Arc donned his armor and weapons and prepared to step outside when he remembered to ask. " Where is the rest? ".

" Oh, well Mint is doing everything she can to speak with Princess Luna but I think she's not having much luck there, Buster is helping with repairs, he feels obligated since the town is providing us with housing and food ". The younger colt explained.

" Hm, I see, ok I'll see what can I do around too ".

" Thanks, I'll go and see if I can gather some water for us, I hear the is a well nearby ".

" Good luck then ".

" You too Knight, oh I mean Arc ". The blonde pony nodded and went out. The sight was as last night, ponies repairing their town with help, but now he could see something else, the repairs now included defence fortifications, not just watch posts but also they were working in wooden palisades, sand barricades and some were working on ramps. All in all it was mostly defensive constructions but with so many normal ponies and not a barely a few fighters Arc understood the thought behind it.

His presence around the streets wasn't unnoticed for long as a pegasus flew to him.
" Sir Knight, Princess Luna request your presence in the town hall as soon as possible ".

" Ah, ok, which is twin Hall by the way? ". The pegasus pointed at the biggest building and then departed. " Thanks! ".

Arc moved toward the place, there wasn't much that could help differentiate the town hall from any other house apart for the size but Arc supposed that in a place so far away from civilization it was to be expected.

Indeed the place wasn't that impressive inside either, there was a single guard outside who allowed him in, inside there was four ponies, an old pony with long beard, a mare somewhere around the same age by his estimates, another Royal guard and of course princess Luna, they were all standing around a square table with what appeared to be a map placed on top. As soon as the door closed behind him, the conversation became apparent.

" this part here is where we have our crops, there are three in total, hey, vegetables and oats, we have a well inside the town but if more water is needed there is a stream nearby going north but it is at the foot of the denser part of the forest, wild creatures sometimes roam around there so is a bit dangerous ".

" I see, oh, Arc! Please come, we are discussing our situation ".

" Good day to all of you, princess ". Arc bowed just a bit for the princess who smiled and gestured her approval. " What can I do to help? ".

" We have a few things, first let me make the introductions, this here is the elder or mayor of Lonesome Saddle, Nugget Brown, and that is his wife, Pallet. She's Copper, I have named her Captain of the guards in this town, I think everypony knows Arc Knight".

" A pleasure, thank you Sir Knight for saving this town, we're in your debt ". Said Nugget.

" The pleasure is mine Elder, thanks for having me ".

" In the name of my unit, thanks you saved our rears when we were all afraid and gave us back some sense of pride, thanks again ".

" You're welcome, it is my duty ". Arc couldn't see the face of the mare completely due to her helmet but he noticed a few locks of red mane, her green eyes were also a bit nostalgic to see so close and Arc forgot for a moment the others present.

" Ahem, if you whish to speak with captain Copper I suggest you leave it for later, we need to discuss this now ". Luna said sounding a bit moody. " Please look at this map ".
Arc this as requested and saw the piece of old paper, despite the crudeness of the materials he understood the drawings perfectly, his eyes set first near where a small pebble floated by means of magic, the pebble floated over the drawing of a small square with an 'X' inside.

" This is where we are, Lonesome Saddle, by the information that the survivors of the 9th Division gathered some of the ponles the attacks from those monsters, the Grimm as you named them, were coming in this direction, if this information is accurate then this town will be come on the path of the enemy once more ". The Elder trembled as Luna spoke of how his home would be a battlefield again. " What do you think Arc? ".

" Is not that this town is on the way, it is the fact that this town has more ponies that the previous one, the Grimm is not a beast that attack to feed but one that thrives on fear, the more fear the more attractive is for them, they can feel it from afar, they follow and they destroy, then they move to the next place with biggest amount and so on, make no mistake princess, they will come here, and once this place is gone, they'll go for the next one ". Arc's words made the temperature drop in the room suddenly.

The tension rose to a whole new level, knowing the true was a recipe for fear and disaster but Arc couldn't lie to his friends and those under his protection, he

" Then, I'll turn this place into a chokehold! Until the origen of the Grimm can be identified and a permanent solution found, I'll make Lonesome Saddle into a fortress, nay, a bastion of strength, we'll stop the Grimm here, no further will they go! It may sound difficult but I'll put all my power into securing the lives of everypony living here and beyond this point, but I need your help, from all of you, we need warriors, hunters and brave civilians that can assist us, this plan needs a lot of hooves and resources but if we join together I believe, no, I know that if will work, what do you say my ponies, would you help me? ".

Luna placed her hoof in the air right about the map, non a second later Captain Copper placed hers, the two elders looked at each other and smiled placing theirs too. When he didn't move, all eyes turned to him, not judging but expecting, slowly but surely, he placed his hoof on top of the pile, when he turned his sight up he didn't saw the faces of ponies but humans, six of them smiling back. Be shook his head to remove the image and get back to reality. " I'm in, I'll do what I can, but if the time comes when I need to go out I'll have to, that's all I can assure you right now ".

" Is as much as we can ask, thank you, to all of you, then from this day on, this will be our home and shelter until the Grimm menace is destroyed ". Everypony present nodded and with that solemn speech the meeting came to an end. Arc was the first one to come out of the house, he walked aimlessly for a bit thinking on what the princess suggested, he was ok with the idea in general and he too wanted the Grimm stopped and then destroyed but his main concern at the moment was to find if any other of his friends had come to this world like him, and to know their fates.

Looking for a place to be alone he found a nice shade between two small houses, he sat there and closed his eyes breathing calmly as he let his aura surfed away into the horizon, in a way it worked like a sonar bouncing back with the impression of living creatures and their souls creating reverberations, but when it detected a Grimm, what he got was just an empty space devoid of anything but evil.

There, away from the town he felt many empty spaces, Grimm probing around, they were far and felt pretty disorganised, not yet integrated into a horde but they would soon, as they moved closer and closer any stranded beast would be absorbed into a single ride just like the one that attacked the town just the previous day, if he had his friends he could try and hunt the Grimm in small numbers avoiding a massive battle but right now apart from him and Princess Luna he doubted this small group of ponies could do well in such strategy. His mind wondered back to his friends.

" Am I interrupting? ". Arc jumped and screamed when he heard the voice behind, almost reaching the top of the house with his jump.

" I, I so sorry, I didn't mean to! ".

" Tha-that's ok, I'm ok, I just, just let me get my soul back in my body, yes, ok, I'm think I'd back in place, yeah, I totally didn't screamed like a little filly, did I? ". He turned to ask the pony who scared him, he found the mare Royal guard from the meeting.

" I, sure, not fillish at all ". Copper said while holding her giggles behind an armored hoof, it looked damaged. " You already heard but my name is Rough Copper, well, Captain, Rough Copper now, Princess Luna bestowed the tittle on my after what happened yesterday ". Rough said with a hint of dislike.

" Oh, well, Arc Knight, nice to meet ya Captain ". Arc offered a hoof bump that she returned.

" No need to say my title, you're not a civilian nor the army so, Rough is ok, Copper works too, I don't mind ".

" Oh hm, ok, Rough then, if that's ok ".

" Peachy, sorry for the scare by the way ". She sat next to him and removed her helmet, he couldn't avoid watch as a cascade of red caramel like mane came flowing down as soon as the armor piece was gone completely, she placed the helmet next to her flank, and watched the horizon just as he was doing before her arrival. Again, against his better judgement he stood there staring at her, she had a slightly pinkish fur that helped make her red mane that more appealing, her green eyes too shone like emeralds when the light got reflected on them, if anything, the only thing desecrating her overall looks was a small cut under her left eye, a reminder of the battle.

" Can I ask you something? ".

" I'm not dating you, I'm just saying there ". The guard mare said straightforward.

" What? No! That's not what I was going to ask! ".

" Oh shoot, then forget my little jump there, you do that and I'll forget that you cried like a filly just a few moments ago, deal? ". Rough said giggling again.

" But you said I didn't! Forget it, but for real now, is just... It looks like you don't like your promotion very much ". Arc said while dropping his voice, watching her reaction cause him to feel bad for asking. " You don't need to answer, sorry to f it was too personal ".

" It's ok, and... you're right, I don't like it, not the promotion or that Princess Luna herself have it to me, that was a huge honor believe me! ". Her eyes turned sad again.
" My discomfort come from more from how I got it, most of my friends died back when those things attacked our camp, just a hooful of us escaped, it was horrible! I know we weren't the cream of the Royal guard but, but still, we couldn't even kill ten of those things and then, and then we, we ran away, a few of us can away leaving the rest behind as they were torn to pieces, a few of them even eaten alive! ".

The mare started shaking like twig, Arc offered a hoof that she accepted, he could have told her to stop if it was too hard for her but deep down he knew she needed this, so he let her continue.

" We ran and ran, we didn't stop for nothing, then we reached this settlement and you know what we did? What the brave and honorable Royal guard of the princesses did? Bucking tried to use the town and the folks as distraction to feed those monsters! We, we... I'm bucking disgusted with my friends, but more than that, with me, I'm a coward".

Rough was crying hard by now, her face down, her eyes red as she watched the spot were her tears were landing. " I, I was so disgusted, but also so afraid. There are many horror that I had seen in Equestria, but nothing, nothing like this! Not even Discord with all of his madness would do such a thing ".

" This, promotion, it feels like a mark, one that says that I just got it because I survived, because I ran away faster, because my fear was greater that the courage of those who stood back and fought ".

Watching her dwell in self pity made him flinch inside, he could see his own reflexion whenever he too doubted himself despite his friends constantly telling him he was wrong, how he did his best in different ways. He wasn't as strong as his fellow blond, not as fast as the little reaper, not as smart as the heiress, not as versatile as the cat faunus, not as stealthy as his best male friend, not as wild as the ginger bomber, and never, ever as skilled as the invincible girl, never good enough.

" Nope ".

" What? ". Asked Rough confused by the change in the tone.

" Nope, you can't doubt yourself anymore ".

" Excuse me? ".

" A friend of mine told me once, you may have been a failure before, you may have been a coward before, you may have been those things just yesterday, but you can't be those things now, you know why? ".

The captain shook her head in automatically. " Because now you have lives depending on you, you have a team that expect you, that needs you to act your best, now you have innocent lives that depends on you to make the right calls and to prove that you been the captain is not a mistake, because if you are, you're bringing them down ".

" Bu-but-! ".

" Nope! ".

" What are-? ".

" Nope! I may not know how Princess Luna think, but I doubt she picked you just because there wasn't anypony better for the rank, she saw something in you, something that told her, she can do this, and I believe she did the right choice, didn't you helped me too when I was been surrounded by the Sibers? ".

" I, I tried to help you but I don't think I did anything important ".

" Nope! ".

" Wha-again? ".

" Every little action counts, no matter how impactful is at the moment, those actions prove that you're willing to do your part, and the rest see those efforts they can't stop but want to do something themselves, you lead by example and doubting yourself only hampers the well being of the group, that's why you, us, we have to stop dragging our sorry asses and do our best ".

" I... I don't know what to say ".

" It's ok, I'm not asking you to make a 180 and not care for what happened but to focus in what matters at the moment, the past is the past, besides, you're not alone, I may not be much but I can put my own weight when it counts, plus the Princess is very powerful! She has wings and a horn! ".

That last joke finally broke the mare out of her mood and got her to laugh, her problems mad doubts were still there but now they seemed small and even acceptable. " You really aren't from here are you? ".

" No, not precisely, what give it away? ".

" There isn't a single pony that I know that would joke about Princess Luna, well, there is a pink one called Pinkie pie that would do it but she's a bit loony and that's her personality but, is not that ponies hate her or anything but to joke about her is kind of risky, Princess Celestia is more approachable but Luna? It so much ".

" Well, I could see the way if you don't know her but she's pretty cool and fun, she pret-I mean she's a nice pony yes! That's what I was going to say ".

Again Copper smiled from watching his goofy reactions. " Thanks, really, you got me out of my slum there, it's nice to know I'm not alone and I got capable ponies nearby ".

" No problem Rough, just promise me that if you ever find somepony in the same pinch as you, you'll remember this moment, ok? ".

" I will, I promise ".

" Then that's that, now let me go and grab something to eat, I'm starving! ". Just as the words left his muzzle his stomach proved his claim. " See? ".

" Hear more than see, I'll see you around Arc, and thanks again ". The two ponies went their different ways unaware that their conversation was been eavesdropped by the blue Alicorn hidden in the roof of one of the houses. She stood there until they were gone for sure, her mind clouded by the exchange from the two ponies.

Times passed as everypony worked for repairing and reinforcing the small town, however that same day another meeting was called. Like last time there was only the same members, Arc took a seat next to the elder who at the right of the princess, Rough was at his right.

" Thanks for coming, we have a few situations we need to discuss ". Arc nodded for the meeting to begin. " We have a couple of things that we need to take care of before the reinforcements I asked arrived. I'll let Mayor Brown to explain the first one ".

The old pony nodded and cleared his throat to speak. "Thanks your highness, before the unexpected attack, the town was about to prepare to collect food and water from our fields, we are a bit low on them and since we have more ponies living in we are consuming them faster, we need to send a group so that we can get food for the upcoming days, there's three fields that need to be picked, water will be need it as well so that means that we need a large group to go ".

" It is obvious that this group will need to be accompanied by guards in order to secure a safe return, now, the second topic is a bit more serious, observing the map and with information from the locals we know the location of a few other small colonies around that need to be visited, we need to bring every single pony around to prevent them from become victims of the Grimm, another party need to go out and scout this places clean, their safety is priority ". Princess Luna's turn came tpossibl.

" You mentioned before that you could sense those things, is there any nearby the town? Could they be attacking other settlements? ". Asked the captain.

" I can feel them better went they are on the hunt or when there's many of them together, but if the Grimm is alone and roaming without direction they became hard to spot, right now there's a few coming but not together and not very fast, if they detect a source of fear close to them they will move in that direction first. If you want to bring ponies from all around it is better to do it before they grow in numbers and form a new horde ". Arc furnished but s explanation.

" I see, very well, it seems then that collecting the food will be our first objective, when that's done we'll be going for the other settlers and bring them in, is there any objection to my plan? ". The mayor, the captain and the knight seemed to agree immediately to the plan.

" Excellent! Then all that's left is to create the group that will go out, any suggestions? ".

Rough Copper rose her arm first. " I have one ". She waited until everypony had acknowledge her. " My suggestion would be to form one single team that can do a double treck, the first one would be under the Princess watch and the second one under Knight's ". The group pondered at the idea before starting discussing the pros and cons.

" Well, we can send one group in the crack of day and with no mayor delay they can be here around midday, then we can send a second group after a break and again if no mayor delay occurs then they can be here before sunset ". Said Nugget Brown.

" And if there's anypony who can't go for a second trip they can be replaced for somepony else ". His wife chimed in.

" It could be a good way for the ponles of this town to learn how to move in caravans and to prepare for the upcoming hordes ". Said Luna.

" As long as the town isn't let too unprotected I believe we can try and see how it goes".
Arc accepted, the ponyfolk would indeed need to learn how to act when the alarm was sounded and maybe those little trips would work like fire drills.

With the notion accepted unanimously then all that was left was to assign the ponies who would be first in the trip, Elder Brown would take care of that while Captain Copper would choose the guards, finally, it was decided that Arc would have the first trip and Luna would take the second. " I'll leave the whispering stone I took from the 9th camp here and the group that goes out will take the day there one, that way we'll always be communicated ".

" Good then, it will be better if we retire early to be ready tomorrow, I'll have a group ready for the time we need to head out ". With everything set up the other ponles left the house of the elder to return to their duties of to rest.

Arc was doing his way with the siblings before he was called again. " Arc? May I have a big box your time? ". Arc turned his head up to see the princess flying very close to him.

" Hm sure Miss Luna, I have time ".

" Just Luna will be ok, follow me please ". Luna soared faster toward a small area further from everypony with the blonde pony trotting behind. After a few meters more Luna landed In a clearing, Arc came to a stop a few feet from her.

Luna inspected the area and found it to her liking. " Thanks for following, I would like to ask a big favor of you, it is something rather... unusual, but it is something that I need to do and you're the only one that can help me with this ". Luna said.

" Hm, sure Mi-Luna, if I can be of help then I don't mind ".

" Thank you Arc, from battling those creatures last time I realize that magic alone is not enough to secure a win, we Alicorns have the strongest of magics when it comes to Equestria but even there there's some other creatures who through other methods had come close to defeated us and what happened yesterday was more proof of it ".

" I know what you mean, where I came from there's schools, places that would train the young to fight the Grimm, from understanding the history of the Grimm to teach every single technique to kill them, weapons, tactics, everything that they thought would give us an advantage ".

" That's what I need, training, to learn from somepony who knows how to kill them and hunt them down. Please Arc ". Again like the last time she bowed down to him, teach me how to fight them, how to protect my little ponies from those monsters, I beg of you, make me your apprentice ".

Arc watched her from his position, his memory flicking back to when his partner took him under her wing.

" I never met someone with the same will and determination to better himself, I'm proud and of calling you my partner... and I wanted to tell you... to tell you that..! ".

Luna stood there with her face down, her muzzle just inches from the ground, until she felt a light tap on her mane, her face went up to find a smiling stallion. " Rise up Luna, I accept your request, but with one condition ".

" Ah oh o-of course, I can give you as many bits as-! ".

" That's not what I want, I'll train you, but not as my apprentice, but as my partner, the pony I will trust to have my back and the one I will give my full confidence to never keep secrets from, would you accept, partner? ".

Arc extended his arm for her and after understanding the meaning she smiled as well.
" Yes, I accept, partner! ". She closed the deal with a hoof bump. Then with a sudden jump Arc activated his weapon, sword and shield came to life mecha-shifting as he landed and took a ready position.

" Ok Luna, then let's begin your training to become a huntress, first, show me what you got! ".

" As you wish, Arc, En guarde! ". Luna summoned two swords to magic to her command, then jumped to start the bout while smiling sincerely for the first time in the day.

CAMP OF THE 11TH LEGION OF THE ROYAL GUARD...

Commander Hardstone hummed as he saw the report his scouts send him, a smile soon appeared and it only grew wide as he came to the last of it. " Everything is in place, tomorrow, tomorrow I'll finally hunt you down once and for all but queen, tommorow ". His eyes set over the map and the plan he has prepared for the upcoming day, there would be many casualties, he knew it, but as long as the operation was successful, he was sure that it would be ok, after all, the guards knew that sooner or later they needed to sacrifice their lives for the greater good, right?

END OF THE CHAPTER.

Author's Note

Sorry if this chapter seems short, my phone had an update before I could save it and lost like a 1000 words but I'll include them in the next chapter, like always thanks for reading and hope you guys are ok with all this crazy stuff going on, until the next one.