The Guitarist

Chapters

Prologue: Part 2 and Chapter 1: A Fallen Hero
Chapter 2: Battle of Morroc
Chapter 3: A Strange Land
Chapter 4: The Orchard
Chapter 5: Trusting Honesty
Chapter 6: The Barn
Chapter 7: Leaving the Farm
Chapter 8: Night at the Library
Chapter 9: A Song at Midnight
Bonus Chapter: There is Another in Equestria
Chapter 10: Waiting on Royalty
Chapter 11: The Truth
Chapter 12: Denial
Chapter 13: The Help
Chapter 14: Studying
Chapter 15: The Train Station
Chapter 16: The Capital City
Chapter 17: Arrival
Chapter 18: Battle of the Throne Room
Chapter 19: An Old Rivalry
Chapter 20: Awakening
Sequel: The Missing Bard
Prologue Part 1: The State of Midgard
Bonus Chapter: The Letter to Celestia

Prologue: Part 2 and Chapter 1: A Fallen Hero

The Guitarist

Prolouge: Part 2

I sat in the field of our Capital City of Pronterra, admiring the developing skyline and the beautiful sky above. I had reached for my guitar to compose a melody to this gorgeous sight in front of me. I had begun strumming a few chords to start this beautiful composition of mine that was about to unfold. But I had stopped as quickly as I began. I had forgotten, what I had done. "I should have known better, I shouldn't have given them my respect, and I shouldn't have given her my loyalty." I said to myself aloud as I set my guitar by my side. "I shouldn't have trusted her, but I was foolish and an idealist, thinking that she could lead all of us to prosperity. I should have known better."

My former guild had been the victor in the Wars of Emperium, the celebration was to be epic, all of us, were to be known as heroes. But some of us, were to be branded as traitors. My former guild leader had accused some of her top aides and warriors during the wars as co-conspirators trying to attempt a Coup against her. I was one of them, many of them were exiled from Midgard, but I refused this judgement, as I had fought for my home and for a brighter future, I was to be executed, but I ran. And continued to run, and when I stopped running, I resisted, for a very long time. But I knew that I could no longer fight alone, so I stopped and I began hiding.

Chapter 1

I spent most of my time trying to avoid most of civilization, but sometimes you can't run away from it, no matter how much you try. But even the word "civilized" was becoming more uncommon by the day, even here in my new home. I had seeked refuge in Rune Midgard's neighbor of the north, The Swartzvald Republic. This was a very strange place, with numerous amounts of industry, merchant guilds and its leader elected by its people! Not a monarch! But even here, as strange as it was, still had the familiar taste of corruption. People fighting for control, granted with a more "civilized" way, but all for control of more wealth and more power. But at least I had a place were I could rest.

I spent my time mostly in the Swartzvald Republic's Capital City. Hiding in the grand library, mostly hunting books about music styles comparing Swartzvald and Rune Midgard, and about music culture locally. Even though my new home was strange, the citizens of Swartzvald had a fascination with culture, especially music, so I found it fitting to study it and hopefully create a new composition with some of these foreign styles.

But I kept my head down, got some money on the side by doing some street performances, but I never introduced myself to anyone. Mostly out of fear if someone from Rune Midgard recognized me. I have seen the posters ," Kiniro wanted, Captured or Dead, Bounty 250 Million Zeny." 250 Million zeny, you could easily live several life times with that comfortably. I've even seen that poster posted around this very library, but hardly anyone comes in here, so I'm relatively safe here.

"Kiniro I need a moment with you" I heard someone call out. Who would need me I thought. No one here locally knew me, so I feared the worst, someone from Midgard had spotted me. I quickly reached for my guitar and clenched it tight, but still kept my composure to make it look as If I had not moved. "Kiniro?" I heard again " I need you to come with me!" The voice called out again, but I was ready, yet there was doubt in my mind, this voice, sounded familiar. "Kiniro you're coming with me. Now!"

"The hell I am! You'll never take me alive!" I jumped and prepared to swing my guitar at this voice." You'll never take me alive! You! You!... You..." as I turned I saw the face of my would be foe. "You?" I had recognized the face. "Captain Lightning strike of the Royal Guard?"

"Kiniro I need you to come with me, its of dire importance, and its Colonel now."

"Colonel? Importance? What importance?" I responded back.

"You have been requested, by the queen."

"What? No I will not go to Pronterra to see her, that backstabbing bit-"

"Queen Xellie has requested you for this dire mission and if you accept, all crimes and accusations against you will be dropped." Interrupted Lightning.

"And what? Have her kill me as soon as I finish with this, 'mission?' No sir."

"But Kiniro..."

"No is no Lightning, I know we were friends once, and that we fought together during the Midgard Civil war prior to Tristam's death. But I can't trust you. Why should I trust your word?"

"Because I'm the one who knew we would need you, so I pled my case with the Queen, you're my friend Kiniro, you did save my life. So I think its right that I do the same"

"Fine but promise me if things go south, you have to help me out of this"

"Kiniro, I've been in the royal guard for many years, and served under Tristam, my loyalties lay with him, not our new queen, but we need your help."

"I still don't see why I should, there are tons of other Minstrels with my abilities."

"But we need you, specifically you."

"But I still don't see why..." I questioned in doubt.

"Because your the greatest in Musical Magic and you know it. No other musician ever developed that magic to the level you progressed to." Interrupted Lightning again. "You're the first Minstrel who was able to harness your Mana and channel it through your music, and you were the first to prove that speed and dexterity are more supreme than traditional endurance. You're the only one skilled enough."

"But what about those I taught?"

"Your two students, are both... gone."

"What?!... No..."

"They both tried what was asked of them, but failed, you the master must try."

"What is being asked of me Lightning?"

"You need to vanquish Satan Morroc."

"You're kidding? Haha." I laughed, "That's demon is nothing but a child story used to scare people in the desert city of Morroc."

"But Kiniro, the tales were true... and he has returned."

"Returned? What do you mean returned? How can that which never existed return?"

"Kiniro, Satan Morroc was imprisoned over Morroc Castle in the center of town, many centuries ago during the rule of Tristim the First. Tristim led a vast army not just of Midgard, but from the Swartzvald Republic, the Independent States of Louyang, Comodo, Amatsu and Brasillis. Combined with many warriors, but scholars, clerics and musicians such as yourself, he imprisoned Satan Morroc under the city with their combined magic, and they created a spell which was to hold him indefinitely."

"So how is this important now?" I asked.

"Someone created a magic spell 4 weeks ago that released him. Considering our recent change in leadership, we have lost many allies in the recent years, but they are willing to fight with us, should you be the one leading the attack. Queen Xellie has transfered command of the Midgard army to me, and she hopes that you take up my offer, will you lead me and my army once again like you did during the Civil War?"

"I don't know what say Lightning. I'm honored? But why do I lead?"

"Because your first strike on Satan Morroc will be the rallying call. You need to perform your song which harnessed enough magic that forced the Midgard Civil war to a cease fire. We need you to perform the Song of Ragnarok."

"Are you insane Lightning?! You're asking me to perform a song which has unknown consequences. Its only been performed twice, and I'm the only one to live!"

"But you do know that the musical spell performs its magic if the player can truly combine his heart and soul into the spell, it could weaken him long enough for us to kill Satan Morroc, not imprison him. Kiniro if you don't stop him, he will eventually consume this world, you do know this right?"

"I've heard the folk tales..."

"You must do this, not just for you, but for everyone in this world."

I sighed heavily. "I better be getting hazard pay for this, but I will try."

"Good, we have Satan Morroc Contained near the former town of Morroc, we have a protection spell trapping him inside a barrier just east of town. Its big enough but everyday its shrinking, eventually it will burst, so we must leave soon."

"I said I'll try Lightning Strike, I don't know what else you want from me." I sighed heavily again. What in gods name am I getting into...

End Of Chapter 1

Chapter 2: Battle of Morroc

The Guitarist

Chapter 2: Battle of Morroc

Even though our Civilization was imperfect, our strides in magic and technological advances were fantastic. From airships, to teleporting great distances in a blink of an eye, we were the ideal combination of magic and technology. Most of these advances were due to my new home of Swartzvald, and due to one sole thing that the nation had aquired during its early years after being founded. The Heart of Ymir, most people believed that this relic was the catch all catalyst when it came to magic, and as a result it was the reason why we advanced so much to were we are today. Even so much that the Republic of Swartzvald had raised its entire capital city of Juno into the clouds. The entire ordeal was to prove Swartzvald was the leader in such advances, but speculation was so that the fragile nation could defend itself if attacked.

But you never would know that we had become technologically stagnant in the past hundred years and magic was one of the few things still being developed. But most of this came back again to the Heart of Ymir. When the Magicians and Clerics of Juno had moved the entire city of Juno into the clouds they used the entire relic of the Heart of Ymir to do so, and its rightful resting place is in the unaccessible culverts underneath the great library. Only the most talented was of magicians were able to ever visit the relic as a rite of passage and prestige. But with the Heart of Ymir's access effectively taken away from the world, many resorted to forbidden magic to help create copies of the great relic imbued with similar magic, but alot more volatile.

Even such copies were created to power the fleet of airships used by the militaries of every nation, and used for transportation by Kafra Corp. But those copies were the only legal copies that were made, but with safer magic to avoid disasters, but that didn't stop many of other powerful magicians from trying to create their own. These illegal copies are what scared me, and could be used to threaten the very existence of civilized world as we knew it.

However the airship that was transporting Lightning Strike and myself was of new technology, a new revolution that was attempting to beat the stagnation, steam power. Burning coal, or any other material, to turn water into steam, that would turn a small turbine that would in then generate an electrical current similar to lightning that many skilled magicians used. This was fascinating to me, and I couldn't stop thinking about the potential uses of this "steam power" could do for this entire world. It had almost made me forget why I was being transported to Morroc.

"Kiniro, our stop is here. We must disembark and get to the staging point." Lightning had explained. We had arrived in fields east of Morroc, and as I stepped off the airship, I saw it. The great magic barrier, it was huge, and it had sealed off a great area east of Morroc just as Lightning had explained. I turned behind me to see the once glorious city of Morroc in Ruins, large amounts of smoke rising from where the city once stood. "Its a tremendous loss of life Kiniro, maybe now you will see why you are here, if you don't succeed, this destruction will spread, even Juno will not be safe."

"I understand, and I will try old friend, I will try." I had responded in turn.

I had turned back to the field were the barrier stood, impressive that this giant barrier was holding at all, let alone a Satan Morroc. If this was able to hold him back, maybe he wasn't as powerful as I presumed, but I was still unsure of myself. A great cloud of doubt entered my mind. "Am I really ready to do this?" I asked myself.

Lightning Strike had just put his hand on my shoulder, and nodded. But his silence spoke volumes to me, even he was afraid. The man who I had aided during the great Midgard Civil War, who was afraid of nothing, not even death back then. Yet his silence was overpowering.

"Lightning, are you sure about this?" I asked.

"We have to be." Lightning responded back. He almost sounded unsure, but somehow I found comfort in these words. "Kiniro, Queen Xellie is waiting for you at the staging point, and the armies stand ready for your initial attack. Let my top aid teleport you there, they are already inside the barrier hiding, waiting for the right moment to strike. Corpsman Life, please take Kiniro to the staging point." Lightning pointed off to this aid.

"Aren't you coming Lightning?" I questioned.

"No Kiniro, in the event that you fail, I am to lead the final pieces of resistance in Midgard. It will be a lost cause if you fail, but we will all die trying if we must."

"Kiniro sir, are you ready to go?" Asked Lightning's aid.

"No, but the time is now." I responded in kind.

"Please be careful Kiniro, I wish you the best of luck." Lightning requested.

"You're asking me to perform the spell of Ragnarok, I can't make such promises Lightning."

With those final words, we were off, my world quickly darkened and lite back up within a second. I found myself atop a hill. With a grand army below in the valley chanting and yelling at my arrival. The suspense already filled my heart and my nerves, I was afraid of things to come, but I had to put on a brave face.

"Well well well... The great and powerful Kiniro, glad to see you made the party." I heard a female voice from behind.

As I turned, I saw the queen in front of me, wearing her enchanted armor that she had used before during the Wars of Emperium. "Cut the crap Xellie, I'm not here for you. I'm here for them, I'm here to fight for a future for everyone."

"You haven't changed a bit have you, you little bard. Still the idealist. But I guess we need a little bit of that today."

"Don't think that I'll ever forget what you did to me, even if you 'forgive' my so called crimes against you, If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be here today."

"Oh, I haven't forgotten little bard, you'll be given the chance to be a hero again in the eyes of the world."

"Coming from you I don't trust that."

"My scouts are luring Satan Morroc here, lets just hope you can pull of a miracle twice in your pathetic life time."

"Gee thanks, always the supportive type. Glad to see becoming queen hasn't ruined your personality." I insulted.

"Like old times Kiniro, we fight for the same cause. And this time you won't be forgotten."

"When this is over Xellie, I swear to the gods that you will get what you deserve, and it will be by my hand."

"Oh is that a challenge? I will take you on myself and make sure you don't survive."

"How about we settle this right now?" I clenched my guitar that I had carried and pulled an arrow from my quiver that was on my back. "You see this Xellie? I may be a bard, but I'm still the archer I was trained to be. This one is your's right here." I pulled on the lever on my guitar that released a tray where arrows could be loaded into, placed the single arrow and closed the tray. "You see, I never forget my roots." I placed the lever back into position and rotated it cock the arrow into the guitars firing mechanism, and aimed my guitars neck at her, and held the lever, ready to fire.

"My my, so testy, that's why I recruited you, but you think that little arrow will hurt me? I'm faster than you can imagine, or did you forget?" Xellie had attested as she disappeared in a blink of an eye. I felt an arm suddenly clench my neck and a small metallic point pierce my garments and barely touch the skin on my back. "Don't tempt me foolish bard." Xellie had moved so quickly that she already had a knife at my back. "I will not hesitate this time."

"Do it I dare you, be the person everyone expects you to be, take me out right no-"

A deafening roar filled the air, "Its here, get ready you moron." Xellie explained, "Satan Morroc is coming." Xellie suddenly released me and backed off.

The sudden release of pressure was comforting but the deafening roar filled me with fright. I had only moments in my head to react, Satan Morroc was coming, and I wasn't ready. I positioned myself to play my guitar, and I began to to strum the beginning chords of the Song of Ragnarok. A sudden blue aura had began to engulf me, it was beautiful, I had not seen this aura since the end of the Civil War. As I continued on playing the song of Ragnarok, the earth began to shake and the aura became stronger and stronger. I began to levitate straight up into the air, and I began to see the beast in the distance, chasing the scouts attempting to lure it to the grand army's position.

The cheering of the grand army had stopped, everyone was in awe. Everyone knew what they had to do, they prepared their weapons and began casting their spells. Hoping to strike as soon as my magic was ready. But the beast antsipated this and itself began to glow in a dark red aura. Closer and closer still, it ran toward our position. My song of Ragnarok still barely beginning to take effect. Fear raced through my heart. The song now began to play itself as if the gods them self took control of the situation.

Satan Morroc's aura as he approached was too much, it began to blind me. And with a second deafening roar, and a flash of red light, I was blind, but I could still feel myself playing the song of Ragnarok. I felt the energy of what felt belonged to the gods of Midgard flow through me, using my song as a catalyst, and I felt a sudden rush. The energy had escaped from my body and used the music as a channel. I heard a loud explosion, now barely being able to open my eyes, I saw that I had successfully channeled the song properly. And a beam of blue light rushed toward Satan Morroc, but in turn a second explosion was heard.

A beam of red light was heading straight for mine, in an attempt to over power it. I felt sure that this was to be it. I wasn't powerful enough, I wasn't strong enough. The two beams of light made contact and made a large explosion of light and I again I was blinded, I still felt the surge of more energy flow through me, attempting to over power that of Satan Morroc. But felt myself weakening heavily, as if the life of me was being drained. I could not continue performing this song, but still had to try.

But Satan Morroc was stronger, and the spells of grand army was not ready. It was too late. I could no longer continue. I felt the sudden energy over take me. I was blinded, I was deaf, all my senses were gone. I could not even hear my own thoughts, and even my own thoughts in my mind began to rapidly flash in front of me, my childhood, the wars and battles I had been in, my first love, to the current battle. Then it all went dark. No noise, no light, no train of thought. All Dark, everything had gone blank...

End of Chapter 2

Chapter 3: A Strange Land

The Guitarist

Chapter 3: A Strange Land.

The darkness seemed to go on forever, infinite within itself, and infinite without itself. There was no sense of time here, everything was just, still, unchanging, and quiet. My thoughts were the first to return, however still alone in this giant void, I was able to think. I was sure that I was dead, clearly an afterlife for me was not an option, I was to remain here, punished for what bad deeds I had done throughout my life. Yet as the darkness seemed to embrace me tighter and tighter, I saw a glimmer of light, a small speck in this giant void. I tried to get to the speck of light, but it was never getting closer, so I stopped trying to chase after it, instead it came after me.

I gazed upon this trivial wonder, pondering what it might do, or why it was here. I stood very still, and the speck hovered around me, inspecting me, judging me and finally positioned itself in front of me. A voice seemed to manifest from this speck of light. "Musician" it called me. "You have suffered greatly during your life, and fought for what you believed was the greater good. Your time is not yet over, and you carry the burden of a great responsibility, a curse and blessing." Said the speck with a regal voice.

"Why? Am I not dead? Who are you?" I asked.

"Musician, you have been given a second chance, to finish what you started. To become the defender of the innocent which you were so long ago, and you are the last of your kind to be able to to channel magic through your music, and through your voice. "

"I didn't ask for this!" I yelled at the speck.

"No, you did not ask, but rarely does fate call upon us at the moment of our choosing. I wish you luck Musician." With those final words, the speck expanded infinitely and lit the darkness that was embracing me.

I began to regain consciousness, little by little, I began to hear what sounded like birds singing, and leaves rustling in the wind. I felt myself laying down on very soft grass, and I ran my fingers through it only to fell the moisture in the ground. Slowly I opened my eyes, the brightness of what appeared to be daylight, just pierced my vision, slowly I could make out a picture out of the giant blur of light. I seemed to see something moving in front of me. "Hello? Is anyone there?", only to be responded with what sounded to be a high pitched sound, as if coming from a very excited child. My vision returned completely to me, only to make out finally what seemed to be relatively small equine and it was... teal colored, and it even had a horn like a unicorn, and it was staring me right in the face.

"Uhh... hello?" I asked the equine in front of me. I felt so foolish trying to talk this equine looking creature, come now, I knew animals didn't talk.

I heard a sudden gasp come from the teal equine, then with a sudden burst of high pitched noise as if it was excited to see me! Then it started running around me as if it was excited at my being. I got a better glimpse at this teal equine it seemed to have a symbol near its hind quarters. I tried to make out this symbol as it kept running around me in circles. Looked like a musical instrument... "A harp!" I said aloud to myself.

Suddenly the teal equine stopped in its tracks and then opened its mouth as if was going to try to talk and took a heavy breathe in. "BY CELESTIA'S NON-EXISTENT BEARD, I FOUND A HUMAN! ME! LYRA BUCKING HEARTSTRINGS FOUND A HUMAN! They all called me 'crazy', but nooooo I have proof now! You human, stay here! Oh my I can't wait to find Bon Bon. BON BON. BON BON! GET OVER HERE QUUUUIIIIICCCCCKKK!" The teal equine ran off as if trying to find someone. I better not find out who that creature was trying to bring over.

I quickly looked at my surroundings, a small ring of charred grass surrounded me, but it was very thin. As I turned my head to see this ring completely, and I as slowly began to rotate my body, I heard a hollow thud. Quickly I turned my head to investigate! By the gods, my guitar! It... it was here? Where is here? It seems just like an open field, no different from what I'd find... well anywhere. But a teal colored equine, with a harp on its hind quarters? This place is extremely strange.

I slowly brought myself up from the ground using my guitar as a crutch to help lift me up. "Where was I?" I asked myself aloud as if I could get a better answer. But I was greeted by silence. Then I found myself thinking where am I going to go? I have no idea where I was. I had traveled the world in which Rune Midgard resided, and I always had a sense of direction there, even while in unexplored areas, I just felt hopelessly lost here. My sense of direction was non existent, but any place was better than here, god forbid that teal equine come back with something I can't handle.

But as I quickly surveyed my surroundings, I saw what appeared to be an orchard in the distance, I figured maybe I could hide out there for a while until I figure out where I'm at. Then a thought occured to me, "Maybe if I go there, I could find the owners of the orchard and maybe I could get some answers on where I really am." My stomach growled furiously, "And maybe get a something to eat."

End of Chapter 3

Chapter 4: The Orchard

The Guitarist

Chapter 4: The Orchard

I was getting very close to the orchard by now. I had kept up a steady pace walking from where I originally awoke, with my guitar in tow. I was very tempted to play a small tune as I walked as doing so always kept me in good spirits, but I was afraid to grab anyone's attention. Funny how now that I'm in a land that I don't recognize, very far from Midgard, I find myself afraid of what I might run into. Not just for my sake but possibly theirs in the event if I had to defend myself.

At this point I had realized, defend myself. Yes I must if I get into a tussle. I quickly paused my walk to check what I still carried. I remembered having a quiver of arrows with me before I arrived in this strange land, "Maybe I should load a few more of these into my guitar if need be." To my sudden realization, I still had the quiver, but all the arrows were gone. "Shit!" I said aloud. "Wait a second! I might still have..." I quickly rotated my guitar over to check the arrow loading mechanism, "Huzzah!" There was still the arrow in the guitar that I had loaded that was meant for Queen Xellie. "Oh man, its good I have on left, but... what happens if I have to use it? Geez talk about the whole one bullet in a revolver thing."

My worry about my well being became my main focus again. Only one shot to defend myself. Sure I could use the magic of my music to protect me, but I have to be extremely focused and I have to be playing the appropriate song depending on the spell I wanted. So I was really out of luck, or as the favorite expression of mine, used alot during the wars, "Man, I really am up shit creek." Saying the expression aloud, made me chuckle, considering what I've been through, this was my first laugh of the day. Come to think of it... everything so far has been a tad bit wonky here. Especially that teal colored equine I saw earlier. The thought of that equine really made me laugh now.

I had arrived at the orchard. "My these trees are beautiful, and looks like they are..." I inspected the trees to see what fruit they bore. "Apple trees! Not just any apple trees, but they carry many types of apples! Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Macintosh, Galas, Fuji and... rainbow colored?" Rainbow colored? I know that some of the scholars of my world were combining different plant species together to produce new types of fruit, but rainbow colored fruit? This had to be ridiculous. But it couldn't hurt right? I've tried some very interesting stuff back in my travels.

Something about that rainbow colored apple just mesmerized me. I had to try one, so I hopped over the fence and approached the closest tree with rainbow colored apples. I set down my guitar by the side of the tree and began climbing the tree. As I neared some of the first branches baring fruit, I began to position myself to around the heavier set branches so I could reach out and grab on of these exclusive apples. "Closer... closer... closer! Damn it closer!" I tried to reach the fruit, but it was only a few inches away, still slightly out of reach. I moved myself further away from the trunk of the tree and I was finally within reach. As my hand slightly touched I felt a slight shock come from the apple itself, but as I clenched my first to pull it from the tree, it gave me a giant jolt of what felt like electricity. I jumped back causing me to fall off the branch and land back first onto the ground.

As I hit the ground I had the wind knocked out of me and was in alot of pain. I closed my eyes and wrapped arms around my torso trying to mask the pain. "Get 'em Big Mac, and keep it down!" I heard a female voice with a country-esque accent say.

"Wait what?" I questioned. But before I got an answer I felt an extreme weight press down upon my torso as if holding me down. It was starting to crush me. I opened my eyes to see a red equine holding me down with its fore-leg, this equine was slightly bigger than the one I had seen earlier. I was surprised to notice this considering I was in an extreme amount of pain now.

"What are you doing on my farm, come to think of it what are ya?" I heard the female voice question me again. But I could not see where it was coming from. But I could not answer due to the pain. "I said why are you here and where ya' from?" I got my arm up and signaled with it that I could not talk. "Big Mac, ease up on it, but keep it in yer' sights."

The red equine just responded in kind with a simple "Eeyup." He got off of me but kept his eyes on me. He noticed that I was eyeing my guitar near the tree, so he positioned himself between me and it.

I was able to finally breathe, and I took a big gasp for air. I sat up and regained my composure. And I finally saw the source of the female country-esque voice. It was another equine, a light tint of orange, and this one had a mark on its hind quarters just like the one I saw earlier, but it was a different symbol. Three apples.

"My name is Kiniro, I'm from Midgard, I don't know why I'm here." I answered.

"What are you?" The orange equine asked.

"I'm a human male, a musician. I play that guitar, right over there." I pointed to the guitar being guarded by the red equine.

Suddenly a loud thunder clap roared over head. "Ah jeez, darn Rainbow Dash is behind schedule on that weather. Big Mac get his guitar, and keep an eye on him, we're taking to the barn, and we'll question him there. I sure ain't going to play 20 questions out in the rain."

End of Chapter 4.

Chapter 5: Trusting Honesty

The Guitarist

Chapter 5: Trusting Honesty

I was instructed to follow the light orange equine as to escape the coming storm, with the slightly larger red equine following me closely from behind. I turned back to the red one to see how he was handling my guitar. Mostly out of worry that my guitar might be damaged, but my fears were defeated. The red equine had been carrying my guitar in his mouth, only slightly clasping the head of my guitar, trying not to drag it on the ground. As I faced him and looked him straight in the eyes, I said "Thank you for taking care of it." I just barely got a nod in agreement from him.

"So stranger, where did you say you were from again?" Asked the orange equine in front of me.

"I'm from Midgard... uh Rune Midgard. I've traveled over the entire globe, but I don't ever recall ever hearing of this place... uh..." I responded.

"Midgard eh? Can't say I've heard of it, and this place here is Equestria, land of the pony folk."

"Equestria? Pony folk? By that I guess your civilization is comprised mostly of equines?"

"Why that would be a fancy word for us ponies, but yes. That's correct good sir."

A land inhabited by sentient ponies, what a strange place indeed. "So there are no humans here?" I asked.

"If in what you call, more creatures such as yourself, no."

My heart seemed to sink, and I began to ponder the demise of my world. Was I really the only human left in existence? The only response to the orange pony was just a simple "Oh."

"Well that didn't sound good."

I just stayed quite. My thoughts were elsewhere, still wondering how things were faring in my world, whether Queen Xellie and her grand army were able to hold off Satan Morroc, or had the responsibility shift over to my old friend Colonel Lightning Strike and was it bad if it has. We had made it to a structure that seemed to resemble a barn, but the architecture just seemed off, but oddly enough in my mind it made sense if this land was only inhabited by ponies.

"Alrighty then! We're here!" The orange pony recited. "Alrighty then Mr. Kiniro why don't you sit on down here in the barn on one of them bushel of hay there and why don't you tell us why you are here, let alone why you were trying to eat one of my zap apples."

As instructed I had walked into the barn and sat in one of the corners of the barn, feeling the need to cover my back. The two ponies positioned themselves between me and the entrance of the door. "Aren't you two going to sit down as well?" I asked.

"Me and my brother Big Mac are quite fine as is, isn't that right Big Mac?" The orange pony explained.

"Eeyup." Big Mac said with a rather monotone sound.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to steal from you, I was just so hungry, I needed to eat something and I would have been glad to pay for it upon finding the owners of the orchard." I explained. I noticed the red pony turn around to set down my guitar behind him and just as the other two, I had noticed he too had a symbol on his hind quarters, a big green apple that had seemed to be cut in half.

"Well me and the Apple family run this farm here, Sweet Apple Acres. Now I can tell your sincerity in your words about that apple." The orange pony explained.

"I'm so sorry still, here have this, I know it might not be worth anything here, but its all I have." I had proceeded to put my hand into my pocket and dug out a gold piece. It was a coin from the Swartvald Republic and extremely weathered. I extended my hand out to the ponies hoping to have some forgiveness given to me. "Here."

"I don't need you're money there Mr. Kiniro, I just want some answers. As far as I know you're the only hu-man here and I'd like to know why, and figure out whether or not your the peaceful type."

"Ok I'll tell you what you want to know." I eyed my guitar behind Big Mac, wondering whether or not I could get to it, if things got bad, pondering if I could use it if necessary. But again the whole one arrow thing shattered my idea, but again I don't know if they are peaceful either. My gut at this point kept telling me to let cooler heads prevail and hope for the best, because the gods know, I'm not in the best position to do much of anything else otherwise.

"So tell me, this place your from?"

"Again I say from a place called Rune Midgard, its one of the bigger nations on my world, its a place of wonder. Magic, technology coexist in very interesting ways, we were once ruled by a very caring king, but..." I sighed heavily. "But its not so nice there as it once was."

"Now why is that?" Asked the orange pony.

"Well, recently a great evil returned to my world to destroy it, I had heard folk tales and legends about it, but I thought that was it, that there was nothing more, but I was wrong, it was real. Satan Morroc, the great evil, was real. Even prior to his return, it was a very complicated place, especially after my good king died."

"I'm sorry to hear that about your good king. See we have someone like that here that rules us and watches over us, and heavens forbid, if we lost her..." The orange pony explained. "And sometimes, folk tales have a strange way of being true, needless to say, me and a couple of friends had to learn that the hard way. Come to think of it, the entire town of Ponyville did."

"Did the orange pony really just call her town Ponyville? Sounds a little cliche if you ask me" I thought to myself. "Yeah lessons learned the hard way, seems like that been my life summed up into a nutshell." I said aloud.

"I see there. Now Mr. Kiniro how about yourself?"

"Well... I'm a minstrel." My train of thought stopped, why would I tell her who I am and what I'm capable of. She doesn't need to know these things, but again my gut feeling kept telling me otherwise. I usually don't feel the need to lie, considering my entire life has been fighting for truth in my home. "I'm musician and that's my guitar, now I know this is going to sound strange, but bare with me, but I can use magic by channeling it through my guitar by playing it. I have some other unique skills but nothing that... I think would interest you."

"Magic you say? Just like a unicorn, now fancy that, I bet if my friend Twi met you, she'd have a field day trying to figure it out."

"Unicorn?" Wait a second, unicorn! "I remember seeing one of those earlier! It was teal covered and had a harp on its rump!"

"Oh dear, I bet you ran into Lyra... I hope she didn't find you with anyone else around." She said with a worried tone.

"No, she was alone."

"Ah good, then most will bet she was off being her crazy self. I bet when she saw you she had a burst of joy. She's been spouting off for a while now about humans and what not. Can't ever say I knew what she was talking about until today."

I chuckled lightly. "I don't mean to be rude but what's your name?

"Applejack, and apple buckings my game."

"Apple bucking?" I questioned.

"Er, yeah its what I do to harvest apples from the trees here at Sweet Apple Acres. Its kinda like this." Applejack explained, while showing me what she meant. She had placed her weight on her forelegs and then with a sudden jolt kicked backwards. "Catch my drift?"

"Yeah, ok makes sense... I think."

"Well, if your a fan of apples, I could show you a nice spell I know, if you wouldn't mind giving me my guitar."

"If you reckon you'll be peaceful, I'll give it to you, Big Mac could you give him back his guitar, but keep an eye on him."

"Eeyup" Responded Big Mac, he proceed to pick up my guitar and bring it to me. After a slight stare down Big Mac passed me my guitar.

"And just to show I'm peaceful, here." I unlocked the loading mechanism on my guitar releasing the arrow and proceeded to throw it on the ground. "Here's the arrow in my guitar, I load them into my guitar to use it as a weapon to defend myself." I got a rather shocked reaction, not more so that I was dangerous but more so the fact of how I was armed. But the expression quickly retreated knowing that now I was mostly vulnerable. But at least I had my guitar, and I could use it for a nasty blunt object if need be, but performing the spell song was my concern now.

I began to pluck the first few chords for this spell. "Here, let me perform the song of Lutie." Shortly after announcing the song, I began to pick up pace with the chords forming the song, to what became a slight whimsical melody. I felt my energy being pooled into the guitar, and the guitar began to glow a soft blue. After a few more seconds of performing the song, I closed my eyes, and finished the song. As the song concluded, I heard one small thud. As I opened my eyes, I spotted one golden apple on the ground in front of me.

"Wow that was an interesting trick, but where did you get the apple from?!" Applejack questioned.

"Thin air, I was hoping I'd get more, but I guess I'm too weak to summon more." I responded. I noticed both Applejack and Big Mac's facial expressions and they both appeared to be shocked at what they saw.

"So... its a golden apple? Whats so special about it?"

"Its a Lutie Apple, like said I usually make more but like said I'm really weak, probably from hunger. But what it does is increase the stamina and the vigor of the person who eats it."

"So then why don't you eat it Mr. Magical Musician?" Applejack asked.

"I can't its essentially eating my own magic energy, nothing would change, its basically a transfer of my mana to help someone else. Mana is just a shorter word used for magical energy. So go ahead, take it."

"Alright, but I don't see what the big deal is, it looks like just an apple." Applejack approached the apple and took a bite of it and with a sudden burst of energy lit up. "Yee-haw!" She jumped up in excitement landing on her hind legs while kicking her forelegs. "Its like I have the energy of 15 ponies! I bet I could go buck the entire orchard right now!"

"See?" I said with a smug face.

"Alright alright, you proved you know some magic and you seem like a good pony, I mean er, good... whatever you are. But why are you here?" Asked Applejack.

It seemed that the conversation had become more lax and now Big Mac had brought down his guard now realizing that I was not a threat.

"Honestly I don't know, last I remember before getting here, was fighting that great evil from my world, Satan Morroc, and I lost. Millions of lives rested on me, and I lost." I tried to explain, but I began to shed subtle tears of the sadness that began to overtake me. "I gave it my all, but I couldn't go on, then everything went blank, dark, but then I saw a light, it spoke to me and it brought me here. Why? I don't know."

"Seems like your world was in sure a heap of trouble, how do you plan to get back?"

"I'm not sure."

"Look here Mr. Kiniro."

"Please just call me Kiniro."

"Alrighty then, but look here Kiniro, I know its late and this storm is due any second, but I can't have you wondering off. I know you would mean well, but if you walked into town you'd sure cause a ruckus."

"But I have no where to stay." I stated.

"Well you can stay here in the barn till tomorrow." Offered Applejack.

"Eeyup." Responded Big Mac in agreement.

"Thanks, I don't know how I can repay you." I stated

"Don't mention it, you've done enough." Responded Applejack. "Here have some apples, we store some in here in the barn, help yourself."

"Again I don't know how I can repay you."

"Considering you showed me you can be a good..."

"Person." I finished her sentence, "Person."

"Uh, yeah that." Applejack blushed lightly. "Now just stay in here for the night and get some food and rest. I'll check in with you tomorrow, and I'll bring my friend Twi, if anyone can help you get home, she can."

"Very well, I'd appreciate it, thank you. You've done so much for me, and you barely know me."

"Well that's what us Apples' are good at, good ol' hospitality." I deciphered that she she was referencing her family, after putting two an two together, her brother and her having apples for the symbol on their behind.

"Now have a good nights rest Kiniro, now if you don't mind... I think I might go uh... do some apple bucking, with this energy and all, better not waste it!" Applejack said and quickly darted off into the orchard.

"I better go keep an eye on her, don't want her to get hurt, mostly from the storm coming. Eeyup" Big Mac said and followed her out.

"Holy crap you can say something other than 'eeyup'? Talk about... Nevermind..." I ended my sentence after realizing I was alone in the barn. "Well I guess I should eat a few apples and head off to bed in the piles of hay, can't say this is the worst I've been in for comfort, considering back when I traveled Midgard... but this will do nicely." I said aloud to myself. But I began to wonder, who was Applejack's friend 'Twi' that she mentioned, could she really help me get back home? I'm skeptical, but Applejack's good words about her friend, oddly seemed to comfort me, but if there was a slim chance, of returning home I had to take it. But first food and a goods night rest.

End of Chapter 5.

Chapter 6: The Barn

The Guitarist

Chapter 6: The Barn

The air was extremely cold to the point where I could see my own breathe in front of me. I couldn't make out anything else out in front of me, suddenly I heard a demonic roar. "Kiniro... " I heard in a very unsettling voice. "I have come to consume you, as I have consumed all those who have risen to oppose me." I couldn't recognize the voice at all but I began to feel my very soul being sucked out of me from that voice. I reached for my guitar that was slung over my back.

"Who are you?! What do you want?" I yelled at the darkness.

"Is it not obvious, your world is on the brink of despair, and now I have found you, and a new world to consume."

"You will do no such thing!" I yelled at the voice. "What ever you are, you will have to fight me first!"

"Your time will come young Minstrel."

I positioned my guitar to play and began to play a few simple chords. "You don't scare me, can harness power beyond belief and I will use it to stop you!" My guitar began to glow light blue, and I quickly became to combine the chords and melody to form the song of Ragnarok. With a sudden burst, the blue aura had surrounded me and I felt the power of the gods flowing within me. "You will yield and you will stop!"

"Is that so minstrel, even if it is me?" The voice said.

I stood there in horror at what I saw, but I did not stop myself from playing the song of Ragnarok. Satan Morroc himself had materialized in front of me. I continued to play quicker and quicker to charge my spell. But Satan Morroc with a swift stroke knocked me back of his arm.

"I will... find a way... I will find a way to stop you." I said with gasping breathes.

"You're time has come and this new land you have found for me will be ripe." With a burst of his red aura I was blinded.

I screamed out for my ultimate demise. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Everything went black, but I still heard my voice screaming out in pain! Suddenly I felt a large thud on my head.

"Are ya' alright there darling?" I heard a familiar voice call out to me.

My eyesight quickly returned to me, and I saw Applejack staring down at me. "Uh.... my head.... Where am I?" I questioned. I also found myself laying in a pile of hay and I was completely covered in it.

"Yer' in the barn." Applejack said in a comforting voice.

I quickly looked around to confirm this, and as I looked around, I saw a purple unicorn with a purple mane with one stripe of pink running through the middle. She seemed amazed, concerned and mystified all at the same time, but was still afraid to approach me. "Uh... Hi?" I asked hesitantly.

"Well now Twi, don't be shy, he won't bite ya." Applejack reaffirmed.

So this purple unicorn I assumed was Applejack's friend Twi that she had been going on about last night. "I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude, but my name is Kiniro. Pleased to meet you." I extended my arm out to greet the new pony.

"I'm sorry Kiniro, I'm not trying to be disrespectful to you, but human's shouldn't exist, you shouldn't exist." The purple pony explained.

"Well I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm right here." I retorted back.

"Twi, don't be mean to our guest here, he's just as surprised to be here as you are." Applejack claimed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be mean Mr. Kiniro. My name is Twilight Sparkle, special student to Princess Celestia."

"Nice to meet you but please, just Kiniro."

Twilight sparkle just nodded in agreement. "So Applejack tells me that you know how to use magic. Is this true?"

"He sure does know how to use it! He proved it to me last night Twi." Applejack interrupted.

"I know Applejack, but I have to see this for myself."

"Alright alright, I'll see what I can do, I still feel very weak but I will definitely try" I responded. I slowly picked myself up from the ground, and brushed off the hay that was still sticking to me. "Uh... where is my guitar?" I asked as I tried to locate it.

"Right behind you." Twilight answered.

"Oh... right." I blushed slightly for making a bit of a fool of myself, but I quickly recovered and picked up my guitar. "Again I feel a bit weak, not physically but spiritually. I haven't recovered my mana after this entire ordeal, might be a while before I can do anything back up to my norm."

"That's quite alright Kiniro just show me anything." Twilight asked with a slight frustrated tone.

"Alright." I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Here goes." I began to perform a small melody and began to focus on myself. As I focused myself, my guitar began to glow light blue, and after a few seconds I felt myself become weightless and I levitated off the ground by a few inches.

"By Celestia..." Twilight responded with a shocked voice.

"See I told ya he knows magic!" Applejack stated with a smug face.

"Who knows magic?!" A third voice stated with a very high pitched screech.

This unknown voice had completely thrown me off and made me fall from my levitated state and I crashed onto the ground. "Ow... damn it." I had fallen on my behind and closed my eyes a the pain shot up my back.

"Oooooooooh, that was a cool trick do it again!" I heard the voice say again. As I began to open my eyes I saw this pink pony just staring me right in the face. I jumped back slightly due to the shock of the surprise. "How'd you get your guitar to be all glowy?!" The pink pony asked and then quickly inspecting my guitar.

"Pinkie!" Both Applejack and Twilight stated.

"Yeeeeeeeeesss?" The pink pony responded and began bouncing around me. "Oh! You there! Mr. Fancy pants, my name is Pinkie Pie! Sorry I didn't mean to startle you! But I just saw this bright blue glowing light and I was like! 'Oh that light is really pretty' I have to go see what it is. Then I saw you floating and your guitar was like shoooooom, glowing in this blue light and..."

Applejack had quickly put her hoof into the Pinkie Pie's mouth. "Uh, sugarcube, mind giving us a quick minute with this? Thanks. We are trying to figure out why he's here." Applejack then removed her hoof from Pinkie's mouth.

"Okie dokie loki AJ!" Pinkie Pie responded. Pinkie then proceeded to plop herself right beside me as I still sit in pain on the ground.

"Give me a second..." I quickly took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. "Well I'm actually a Minstrel, from my world I'm a magician who uses his catalyst by playing music. I also have a few other tricks that come in handy."

"Oh?" Twilight questioned.

"Yeah, so... this one slightly embarrasses me, but I have a unique ability to freeze people in a block of ice who get stunned from me telling a horrible joke." I said with a slight blush. "Its because I'm a horrible.... comedian."

I saw all three ponies' reactions and needless to say, it looked like they had their jaw's drop due to my shameful skill.

"So you're telling me Mr. Fancy pants that if you say a bad joke, if it stunned me, I'd be frozen in a block of ice?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Yeah, that's the skinny of it." I responded.

"Oh oh oh! I want to see this." Pinkie asked feverishly.

"Pinkie you don't know what it can do!" Twilight explained.

"No its quite alright, it doesn't hurt, its just used to slow people down, the ice isn't permanent, it shatters rather quickly. Watch, Hey Pinkie what happened to the peanut that walked into a dark alley?"

"He got a-salted." Pinkie pie responded.

Ice formed quickly around me and made me still for a moment. Man this was cold, I got stunned by my own horrible joke because Pinkie Pie knew the punch line!

"Ooooo, we have a Kini-Pop!" She then proceeded to lick the ice. "You know I thought this would taste sweet, but just like his joke, it turned out sour!" Pinkie Pie laughed, and then shortly ice formed around her and she was covered in ice!

My ice shattered around me, and my jaw dropped seeing that I wasn't the only one who could do that trick. Both Applejack and Twilight were stunned to see what happened. Shortly after Pinkie also thawed out. "Wooo! That was fun! Lets do it again!"

"NOOO!" All of us screamed.

"Why did the Banana put back his skin?... To get a peel!" Out of no where I heard what sounded like a rim shot of a drum, but none was insight. Pinkie just stood there as if waiting for something to happen. "Nope, guess it was just a one time thing." Pinkie just smiled and nodded.

"So... Kiniro, Applejack pretty much filled me in on what she knows about you, but your arrival here is just... shocking, sorry I can't get over that." Twilight explained. "Plus..."

"Oh! The fact he's from Rune Midgard, and he can channel magic through his music, and that he's human, and that he shouldn't exist, or that he can perform a really powerful magic spell and its probably the reason why he's here, and..." Pinkie pie suddenly had a hoof placed in her mouth again my Applejack.

"Sugar cube, you know you shouldn't be running yer' mouth like that sometimes, especially when others are trying to talk." Applejack stated with a slight frustration.

Pinkie only responded with a muffled "Ok." Applejack the took her hoof out of Pinkie's mouth.

I was shocked at what she knew about me, granted this was the first time I've met her.

"Pinkie, how did you know all this?" Twilight asked.

"Well duh, I read everything you need to know about him about 2-3 chapters ago." Pinkie responded.

"Pinkie... what are you talking about?" Twilight questioned.

"Twi... don't bother, when she gets like this, none of us know. I'm sorry there Kiniro, Pinkie means well, she just gets very excited." Applejack told me.

"Oh speaking of which I have to throw you a party since your new in town!" Pinkie made large gasping sound. "I HAVE TO GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER." And quickly as she arrived she left.

"What was that all about?" I questioned.

"That's just Pinkie." Twilight stated. "Look I know I can't help you much here, I need to do some research at the home, and see what I can help you with. I'm going to head there soon and get a head start. Applejack think you can bring him over soon as nightfall when everypony is asleep?"

"Can do Twi!" Applejack responded.

"I can't wait for you to come over later tonight and see what we can do, and don't take this the wrong way or anything, but, I want to study you and how you use your music to channel magic!"

I was slightly shocked and embarrassed by the request, but if I was to get back home, I had to oblige. "Um, sure, why not, definitely!"

"Ok then! See you at nightfall!" Twilight quickly exited the barn humming as if she had been given the greatest gift in the world.

"Well looks like she's taken a fancy to you Kiniro." Applejack nudged me.

"Oh hush you, I bet she just is interested in me because of magic abilities."

"Well I suppose your right, but I've never seen Twi light up like this before, especially something that wasn't concerning a book, at least not outright anyway." Applejack claimed. "Well anyway, go get some rest again, you seemed to have quite a bit of a scare earlier, must of been from a nightmare. We have a couple hours till nightfall, I'll come back and get you when the time's right."

"Right, yes... a nightmare. Ok I'll see you in a few hours!" I responded back.

That nightmare... was too real for me. Did Satan Morroc really know I was here? Or was I just wildly imagining things. At this point I wasn't so sure. I quickly scanned the floor as I continued to think about my nightmare and I saw the arrow I had tossed out from the night prior when I was proving my friendliness to Applejack and Big Mac. I got myself back up even though I was in some sharp pain still. I looked down at the arrow again. "I think I might need this, as far as I know, no one else makes these here" I said aloud, and loaded it quickly loaded back into my guitar.

I stared at my guitar for moment, and wondered if it wasn't just a dream, would I be ready to fight Satan Morroc if he did come here, and every time I doubted myself. After I reminded myself that these ponies who I had barely met just even a day or just minutes ago, would be willing to help me especially with something, a world that doesn't concern them. Made me remember that there are just some things no matter how far gone they are, you can't give up on. I know that those still in Midgard haven't given up fighting, hoping that I return soon.

End of Chapter 6

Chapter 7: Leaving the Farm

The Guitarist

Chapter 7: Leaving the Farm.

The hours had gone by, but I was unable to sleep, so I mediated instead, trying to clear my mind of the horrible evils that was destroying my home. I had to stay focused and not let my worry consume me. I knew I was going to get back, but was I going to be in time to save my home? "Kiniro get a hold of yourself, you will get back home." I said to myself trying to build my confidence up. Look at me, I'm a former hero and great warrior from my world, and here I am stuck, unable to do anything. Damn it I was pathetic. I began to shed a tear for what I felt was a lost cause.

"Ugh fine! This isn't helping me!" I screamed, and I stopped trying to meditate. I felt myself getting back up to my normal self, I was finally well fed, but man I was sure getting tired of the taste of apples, can't say when I get back home, I'll have much of a sweet tooth left. Still frustrated I kicked up the pile of hay I was laying in earlier. "BAH!" After my short outburst I began to calm down, realizing that no matter what I did I had to wait this out.

"Are you alright in here darling?" I heard Applejack call out to me. I quickly turned to see where her voice had originated from, and I saw her entering the barn door with a blue flying pony in tow.

Wait... a blue flying pony? Ok now I know I'm losing it. Quickly the blue pony flew over to me and stared me down. "Hmm" the blue pony said scratching its chin with its hoof. Well... I guess the gestures here are the same in my world. I guess she's puzzled by me.

"Rainbow Dash, give the man some breathing room!" Applejack commented.

"Yeah yeah, whatever, just never seen one of these... things before." The blue pony poked me with her hoof. "Looks weird."

"Rainbow, I called you over here to help me out, not try to solve one of life's mysteries tonight, we need to get Kiniro here to Twi's place across town. Besides, let her do the mystery solving, you just need to fly on up ahead and make sure no pony is in our way as we get over to the Library."

Still reeling from the shock of me seeing a flying pony, I wasn't sure if I was still alive, was this the great Valhalla I had heard about? Man... what were our priests going on about.

"Nope this is just Equestria!" I suddenly heard behind me. I turned around to see Pinkie hanging from one of the rafters in the barn. "Wah!" She fell off into a pile of hay. "Woo! That was fun!" She quickly shook herself off "By the way Mr. Fancy Pants, I got all the party fixings at Twilight's place! She says after we figure out whats going on with you, we get to throw an awesome party! See we got streamers, pop guns, punch! Oh definitely we will have punch and cake! Oh and can't forget this!" Out of thin air the pink pony pulled a cannon out from behind her.

"Oh shit!" I ducked for cover when I first saw the cannon.

Pinkie pulled rip cord of the cannon. I feared my life was over, and closed my eyes. Suddenly I heard a loud pop. But I didn't feel anything. I opened my eyes to see confetti and streamers flying all over the place. "Silly this is my party cannon! I use it alot, think of it as a giant pop gun! But with more flaaaaaaiiiiirrrr." Pinkie Pie gestured while waving her front hooves in front of me.

"Wait a second, Pinkie how did you know what I was thinking?" I asked.

"Easy, I looked a the writer's tablet as he wrote it out, He seems like a nice guy, but he really needs to shower, he's been working on this story FOREVER." Pinkie explained.

"Is she doing that thing again Applejack?" I asked.

"Yep, she does it often, we best ignore it sometimes." Applejack responded. She then walked over to Pinkie and put her hoof on Pinkie. "But you know we all love you sugarcube."

"Its because I'm as sweet as cupcakes!" Pinkie responded.

"So tell me again, why do I have to help out this weirdo?" Asked the blue pony.

"Because Rainbow, we have to help out our new friend get home." Applejack explained.

"Still don't see why I should help this creeper." The blue pony stated.

"Well you're no looker yourself Rainbow Dash. In fact those wings make you look kinda weird!" I stated after finally getting the composure say something after the party cannon scare.

"Hey who are you calling weird and how dare you insult my wings! These are 'Grade A' flyer's wings! I bet I could beat you in a race and then I'd show you!" Rainbow Dash stated.

"Oh sure, race someone who can't fly and has to run, that sure seems fair." I retorted back.

"He's got you there Rainbow, we tried this once remember, didn't work out for either of us." Applejack explained.

"Yeah well, I bet I'd still win anyway." Rainbow Dash claimed as she put a hoof on her chest.

"Rainbow you need to calm down, and Kiniro you need to cool it also." Applejack said frustratingly.

"Fine" Both me and Rainbow Dash said in unison.

"Hey Rainbow, maybe you need to.... Chill, Out!" I said with a slight mocking voice trying to form a joke.

The ice formed around Rainbow Dash and she froze in mid flight and fell toward the ground. Where the ice shattered as it fell.

"Ooohhh its that trick again!" Pinkie burst out.

"What just happened!? How did, you, wait, how, you, what?" The flying pony said in a daze.

"Kiniro!" Applejack yelled.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it." I snickered.

"While we all like to put Rainbow in her place sometimes, while it was funny, it was a bit uncalled for." Applejack claimed.

"Ha, ha Dashie got served!" Pinkie Pie stated with childlike taunt.

Rainbow dash slow recomposed herself and began flying again, and she immediately got in my face. "Grr." She stated, and she stared me down, and I responded back with a similar stare, neither of us budging at all. So I did the first thing that came to mind.

"BOO!" I yelled, and she knocked back from the surprise. "Gotcha." Rainbow had fallen back down on the ground.

"You're alright Kiniro, glad to see you know how to pull a few pranks. Not as cool as me though." Rainbow tried to brush of her getting startled. "You're alright, well at least now I know something I can challenge you on!"

"Oh I love prank wars, but I'll let you have that one, I don't like them sometimes just because they usually get out of hand." I explained.

"So you give up?! I win?! YES! I'm better than you are! Bwa, ha ha." Rainbow shouted out with excitement.

"Hey uh... RD? I know you like winning and all, but uh, mind if we, uh you know, vamanos?" Applejack questioned while signaling with her hoof.

"Oh right, I'll check up out ahead, and meet you at the Twilight's place! I'll come back and warn you if I see anything!" Rainbow stated and in a quick flash, she flew off leaving a slight residual trail of what appeared to be a rainbow behind her.

"Huh... interesting." I said aloud.

"Yeah, she's the competitive type, so don't mind her, outside of that she's a real trooper and she'll have your back on anything." Applejack claimed.

I just nodded in agreement. "Shall we get going you two?" As I addressed Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

"Lets!" Applejack responded.

"Oh I just can't wait to get to Twilight's house! I hope you like all the decorations I prepared, and the cake and the sweets and the punch and the..." Applejack put a hoof Pinkie's mouth again.

"Sugarcube, you don't want to ruin the surprise do you?" Applejack stated.

"It was supposed to be a surprise? No one told me it was supposed to be a surprise! Oh Fiddlesticks! Mr. Fancy Pants, think you can forget everything I said?" Pinkie questioned.

"Say what now?" I responded with a fake answer.

"I said do you think you could forget... Oh I see what you did!" Pinkie Pie just gave me a smile back.

"And Pinkie can you call me Kiniro?" I asked.

"Sure can do Kini!" Pinkie responded.

Well... I guess it was better than Mr. Fancy Pants. So far I've seem to be taken in by a majority of these ponies, and I keep getting surprised at every turn. Hopefully the surprises stay peaceful and nice. Don't need anything else outside of that. "So off to the library!"

"Hurray!" Pinkie shouted.

"Shouldn't take to long I'll lead the way!" Applejack said as she proceeded out of the barn with Pinkie in tow bouncing out.

I dusted myself off and picked up my guitar from the ground. As soon as I touched my guitar it turned light blue on its own and I felt a sudden rush come back to me and I felt invigorated. "Looks like I'm back up to strength, I think" I said to myself. As I had paused I noticed that the two ponies had already left and that I was now alone. "HEY!" I yelled. "Wait up!"

End of Chapter 7

Chapter 8: Night at the Library

The Guitarist

Chapter 8: Night at the Library.

I had been following Applejack and Pinkie for roughly 30 minutes. We'd constantly been pausing our trek toward the library over mostly false alarms. But we were making good progress. By the time we had gotten within an eye sight Twilight's place I had already gotten tired of a lot of the ducking and weaving and creeping about.

It kinda reminded me of this one book I had the opportunity to read during my stay in Juno. It was called, "The Bond Legacy" it was about a man who awoke and didn't remember who he was or where he was for that matter. Turns out as the book unfolds, he's actually a secret agent who was recruited by the City-State of Lighthalzen, which was west of Swartzvald, to spy and assassinate a Migardian Ambassador while he stayed in Juno, but when he fails to accomplish his mission he gets hunted by the spy agency that trained him, all the while trying to regain his memory. It was the best seller of a few years back, but I thanked the gods that none of that stuff really happens.

"Hey Kiniro we're clear to go! Move it slowpoke!" I heard Rainbow Dash call out to me.

"Oh. Right, Lets go." I responded.

"Geez whats wrong with you I was signalling you for about a good minute!"

"I'm sorry... I guess I couldn't see you." I commented. I guess I let myself fall to much thinking about that spy thriller book. "Yeah, sorry Rainbow."

"Ugh, I still think your weird." Rainbow stated.

"Rainbow!" Applejack snapped. Rainbow slouched and waited for us at the door.

Pinkie, Applejack and I moved up to the door of the library, and I gave slight knock not trying to attract attention to anyone else. "Twilight! We are here!" I said quietly to the door but I got no response. So I leaned into the door to hear if anyone was coming, Pinkie also followed suit. "Twilight we are he..."

"Bwaaaaaah." Both Pinkie and I stated as the door opened up with us leaning on it and we fell into the doorway.

"Uh... are you two ok?" I heard Twilight's voice ask.

I had looked up to see her in the doorway with a slight smile on her face, mostly getting a laugh at our expense. "Yeah... we'll be fine." I responded.

"Yeah we'll be good! Especially now that we can get the party started" Pinkie quickly jumped up and ran inside but was quickly stopped by Twilight's hoof holding her back.

"After Pinkie, after. We have a lot to do first." Twilight commented.

"Oh ok. I can wait." Pinkie had plopped herself near the party favor table that was set up by the staircase.

"Now we can get to work." Twilight began to smile.

"Yes lets." I commented back.

"Ok I'm usually really good at some basic teleportation spells, but I haven't come across anything for cross dimensional. So while you were resting back at AJ's I sent Princess Celestia a letter inquiring on some help if she knew anything. So she said she'd be here tomorrow morning to see what she could help with." Twilight explained.

"Hey gals' and Kiniro, speaking about tomorrow. I'm going to head back to the farm, I still have some chores I gotta finish up, I'll be back in the morning." Applejack said with a yawn "I'll be back bright and early."

"Yeah me too, I gotta go as well. I have to go uh, practice some of new moves to showcase to the WonderBolts for the next time they are here in town!" Rainbow Dash claimed.

"So you mean cuddle up with a Spitfire plush doll to bed Dashie?" Pinkie giggled.

The expression on Rainbow's face was so priceless. She was blushing heavily that she was turning a light tint of purple in her face. "Uh... I gotta go! Be back tomorrow!" Rainbow then took off in a flash.

"Aww now I definitely can't have a party tonight." Pinkie said with a slight dissappointment

"Its ok Pinkie, we can keep the party favors over and you can bring over some new treats over tomorrow when Celestia is over" Twilight commented.

Pinkie gasped heavily. "I MUST GO PREPARE! I WILL BE BACK! TO SUGAR CUBE CORNER!" Pinkie dashed out the door.

"But its... midnight... ugh that pony really confuses me." Twilight commented.

"But she is quirky and funny in her own way isn't she?" I responded.

"In more ways than one.... Now ahem, I hope you don't mind me asking but can you tell me a little bit about you. Uh your magic I mean, your magic." Twilight stuttered slightly.

"Well its, long story completely short, everyone where I come from has some form of spiritual power/magic power, or mana for short. We just all harness it differently."

"Ah just like how we here do as well."

"Uh, I've been trying to figure that out actually, mind explaining to me?" I asked subtly.

"Sure, There are 3 types of ponies, Earth, Pegasi and Unicorns. Unicorns can actually use magic via spells and training, Pegasi in exchange for their use of magic they can fly and finally Earth Ponies can do neither but instead their muscles are super strong and are physically the strongest out of all three." Twilight explained.

"So do any of the ponies have a choice Twilight?"

"Not necessarily, its completely random at birth, before it used to genetic based on which tribe you originated from, but ever since our tribes came together as one whole pony society, its been at random."

"I see. Well its something like that in my world, but there you can chose how excel in magic or be more focused in physical aspects. It all comes down to training your mind and body, but some people naturally lean one way or another, but that doesn't stop people from choosing what they want. Then from Magic users or Physical warriors, it gets really complicated, but thats the best way to sum it up."

"I see... it does make sense. But what happens if one person leans toward magic and whats to be physically stronger or vice versa." Twilight asked.

"Well people who choose what to be based off of how they naturally lean usually means a better skilled person but like said then it gets complicated based on what the person really wants to do, but no adventurer, magician or warrior is ever looked down upon. But there are some people who choose to fit their lean, and they are superb at it."

"So how do you fit into it?" Twilight asked.

"I'm a bit of an oddity, when I was born, the doctor told my father that I was a rare child, I was exactly center. No lean. My father usually told me this because my mother died during my birth, and what ever spiritual power she had was given to me and balanced me out."

"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that about your mother." Twilight said with a saddened tone.

"Its alright Twilight, I didn't know my mother, but my Dad would tell me that she loved me very much and she would have been extremely proud of me."

"Well considering your the first human to be in Equestria, that would make me proud in my book!" Twilight said as she gave a smile. "How was your father?"

"He was a warrior by nature, and my mother was an alchemist, using her magic to create potions and what not. That's why my father says that I got her magic when I was born. But my father died when I was around 10 years old."

"So you were orphaned at that age?" Twilight said in shock.

"Yeah, but my father's best friend's family took me in. Made sure I was taken care of."

"I'm guessing it was hard being without any parents for so long."

"It was, but I'm sure they are smiling down upon me from Valhalla. That's the place where those who have passed on go and I'm sure they'd be proud of me."

"That's the spirit!"

"Sorry for the tangent." I commented.

"That's quite ok Kiniro, I'm glad you turned out ok!" Twilight smiled.

"Yeah... I turned out ok." I said with a hesitation. I began to think back about everything I had done in my past. I had killed, slayed enemies in the name of good, truth and justice during the Midgard Civil War. I had brought many to their knees during the Wars of Emperium trying to make sure my guild became victor so that we could rebuild a prosperous Midgard and now I was here, while millions were dying at home.

Twilight noticed I had a troubled look. "Are you ok Kiniro?" She asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, I'm fine."

"I can tell your not, whats wrong Kiniro, you can tell me." Twilight asked curiously.

"I'm afraid you'd look at me differently if I told you." I said shamefully.

"I highly doubt that, now you can tell Twilight what bothers you!" Twilight gave me a reassuring smile.

"Look, Twilight." I sighed heavily. "In my world, I'm a hero and an enemy of my people. Years ago, I fought trying to defend a kingdom from internal strife and did so and I had to destroy many lives to do so. Then when my king died, the high council thought it was best to start more wars to see who was right to lead. I joined a noble guild with a noble cause, but as the years of fighting went on, I think my leader lost that ideal. When we ended up being the victors after destroying alot of the other opposing guilds fighting for power. Then when my leader took power she blamed me and several others for trying to stage a coup d'etat against her which was a lie and banished all of us from the kingdom so we wouldn't threaten her power. I challenged her authority and instead of being exiled I was to be executed, I escaped and tried fighting against her when I could, killing more people... but it was hopeless, I had given up and exiled myself and didn't bother to fight anymore."

"Well... that definitely fills in the blanks from what AJ had told me before I met you." Twilight said unsurely.

"I can tell in your voice you don't trust me any longer." I said sadly, expecting to be tossed out.

"Look Kiniro neither you nor I, or even Celestia herself can change your past. I'm sure what you did was for a good reason and only because there was no other way. But if AJ can see the good in you, I trust you. You've just been on the bad end of the stick trying to hold up truth and justice." Twilight approached me and nuzzled her head on my leg to show me some comfort. "You just need to know now that the lives of your people rely on you now, and that's what matters."

"Thank you Twilight for understanding." I stroked Twilight's mane softly. "Thank you."

Quickly after Twilight retreated and blushed heavily. "Ahem, um."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you." I reacted quickly.

"No, no its quite alright. Um, tell me about magically and physically centered."

After I realized what had happened, I found this extremely odd. I suddenly had felt close to this purple Unicorn. Granted I was alone most of my life and now I had friends that were doing their best to help me. But I couldn't help but feel odd regardless.

I paused shortly to capture my thoughts. "Er, um, ahem. Well being centered has its advantages, and its draw backs. I can fight in hand to hand combat decently if I need to, thank to this old thing." I had patted my guitar that was still slung over my shoulder. " Mostly using it as a blunt object but, I modified it to shoot arrows if I need to keep at a distance."

"What about your magic?" Twilight asked with a slight embarrassment from earlier.

"Well, unlike most magic users in my world, who can utilize magic with wands, staffs or healers with religious relics. They focus their mind through those objects and by chanting spell words. Most Musicians can harness some basic magic, mostly like creating barriers to help keep their allies safe. I was the first to be able to channel my magic through my guitar, just like a wand, or staff, but as opposed to using words to cast a spell, musical notes are my words. Sure it takes longer than the average magician, but the harmony of the music combined with the musician putting his heart and soul unto the music produces much more powerful magic, the only down side to it is that it takes a long time to cast a spell, and you have to be musically talented. Its the bringing of several different elements and traits together as one."

"Just like the Elements of Harmony." Twilight muttered.

"The what?" I asked.

"Ok the Elements of Harmony possess the most powerful magic in Equestria, each element is a different trait. Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty and Magic. But the elements of Harmony aren't just relics, they are the ponies that use them also." Twilight explained.

"I guess I understand?" I said confused.

"Ok. Let me say this way, the pony has to be the literal representation of the element. Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow and I are part of the elements. Honestly, Laughter, Loyalty and Magic. Respectively."

"Uh... then who is Kindness and Generosity?" I asked.

"That would be Fluttershy and Rarity, you haven't met them yet, but I'm sure you will tomorrow."

I simply nodded in agreement. "One last question from me."

"Shoot." Twilight responded.

"Who is this Celestia I keep hearing about so much?"

"Princess Celestia is the ruler of Equestria, she raises the sun everyday. She's also saved Equestria several times in the past"

"So then who brings out the moon at night?" I chuckled.

"Her sister Princess Luna."

"Oh." I blushed slightly.

"So they are both Princesses?" I asked. "If they are the same title who rules effectively?"

"Princess Celestia, she's the eldest of the two sisters. Plus I always here some ponies saying she doesn't want to be called Queen Celestia, just because it will make her feel old. But everypony still calls her Princess, just because no one wants to challenge that rumor and possibly get her upset."

"Why what happens when she gets upset?" I asked curiously.

"She banishes them to the moon." Twilight said nonchalantly.

"Who has she banished to the moon?!" I said suprised.

"Oh, her Sister Luna, its a long story. Anyway its getting late, I'm going to head to bed, there's a couch here in the library if you want to sleep on that."

"Yeah... I am getting a little tired."I stated, but still not sleepy. Anyway I'll see you in the morning.

Twilight headed up stairs to what I assumed was her bedroom. I thought to myself, its good to have a friends again, its been so long of being alone, fighting others. Once this is over, I wonder if I could retire to this place.

End of Chapter 8.

Chapter 9: A Song at Midnight

The Guitarist

Chapter 9: A Song at Midnight.

It had been a while since Twilight had gone to bed. I found myself sitting on the couch pondering my future. Even if I did slay Satan Morroc, would I want to go back home? Most of my friends were gone, either dead or brainwashed from the new Queen, I was a side walk performer for fuck's sake. Not to mention that the Xellie had back stabbed me before, what would stop her from doing it again. Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice... well I'm a moron. Why should a person who saved Midgard be degraded to this, not to mention if I do succeed, should a person who saves the world be degraded like this?

I wondered if I did slay Satan Morroc, would I be able to rally enough support for myself to depose of the Queen. Or would it be another lost cause just like before. I'm just unsure if I want to go back, but would I be allowed to stay here? I bet my luck I wouldn't be allowed to stay.

I tried not to think of such things any longer, so I tried to occupy my time looking for books in the library to read. But nothing seemed to interest me, mostly books on history, magic spells, a series of books called "Daring Do" and one interesting find "Everything you wanted to know about slumber parties but were too afraid to ask." I desperately tried to find a book at least on music about Equestria, but nothing. I sighed heavily.

"Man there's nothing here for me..." As I began to look around the library further I noticed there was a second stair case leading to what looked like a door to the outside. "Maybe its a balcony?" I thought to myself. Maybe I could sit back and enjoy the night sky. So I followed my impulse and treaded the stairs lightly trying to not make them creak with my guitar slung over my shoulder. As I reached the top of the staircase I came close to losing my balance but I quickly recovered. I slowly tip toed over to the door and looked through the glass to see if my impulse was correct. "Huzzah!" I whispered to myself. There was a balcony and I slowly opened the door and let myself out.

The wind was slightly blowing like the gentle breezes I remember from my travels from the mountains near Juno. I took a deep breath to really get a feel for the fresh air. "Refreshing." I said to myself. I proceeded to sit down on the balcony and look around to the surrounding buildings. Very quiet and peaceful, the sight was so beautiful to me as I had not seen something like this since I was younger, since I spent a lot of my teenage to years traveling and most of my years after that fighting stupid wars. I then proceeded to look up at the stars and moon above.

"Now that's a sight that never gets old, the night sky." I said to myself. I had grabbed my guitar and slowly began to play a melody. "I dedicate this to peace in Equestria, and hopefully to peace in Midgard." The night sky always reminded me that there could always be peace, compared to the chaos of the day hours.

I let myself slowly drift away into the music I was playing, my guitar glowing lightly and I began to sing. "Pronterra I wish peace to you, Times I just wish you knew. From all those who really fought, from all the lessons I was taught. And for all of this we sing, we miss you our King. How I wish that I could return, but then the fires would burn. All that would achieve, is just but another reprieve, But now I know, that I can not go. I can not return to you, how much I wish you knew. I wish it was courage I only lack, but I know for sure I can not go back." I stopped playing my guitar, and I felt a tear run down my cheek. I knew for sure, I couldn't return, the people of Midgard needed their peace. I have no home if I go back.

"That's a very beautiful but sad song Kiniro." I heard someone call out to me. I had turned around to see Twilight in the doorway. "Is everything ok?"

"No, its not ok. Twilight." I responded trying to keep myself from crying.

Twilight came over and sat down right next to me. "Want to tell me whats on your mind?"

"Even if I defeat Satan Morroc I can't go back to my home, I would unintentionally cause trouble."

"Satan Morroc is that great evil that AJ was telling me about right?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, he's probably the reason why I'm here."

"And I'm sorry to here that you feel you can't go home."

"Its not that I feel, I know I can't go back. Its all apart of my past I told you about."

"I remember Kiniro." Twilight stated.

I sighed heavily, "But the worst part is, I'm starting to like it here, but I have a feeling I won't be able to stay."

Twilight's expression had changed, she no longer had the supportive smile during our conversation. She now had a disappointed look. "Well maybe I could ask Princess Celestia if its possible in the event that you succeed."

"I'd like that, I sure can't go back home, and I really like it here. I really like having friends again. Hey Twilight?"

"Yes Kiniro?"

"You can just call me Kini for short if you want."

"Only if you call me Twi." Twilight said a slight blush on her face.

"I'm glad I have a friend like you Twi, I wish I would have known someone like you back in Midgard."

"Well I wish I could have met someone like you sooner, its nice to have someone to check out every once...." Twilight stopped mid sentence. "Nevermind that!"

"What Twi? Whats wrong?"

"I can't be."

"Twi, I know what your hinting at. I can tell from your voice, I can pretty much read you like a book."

"Ok! Gaaah!" Twilight threw her head back in shame. "I kinda like you Kini, I don't know why I do, but I just find you fascinating! Maybe its the way you use magic or your personality! Or both I don't know!"

"Twi, I get what you mean, I feel close to you too, I've never felt compassion like what you showed me before."

"Kini, look I know we can never be. You're a human, and I'm a pony. But I just..."

"Twi I understand, there is no need to say more, I'm just as aware. Look this is awkward as is, but I want you to know that considering the circumstances, I hold you to be one of my closest friends and that's all we can be considering. But do know I care for you as one."

"I know... why is that, that the one I decided to get close to can never be. If only you were a pony then this would be much less weird. But yes... I agree."

"Twi, I just want you to know that I consider you as my close friend for doing all this" I stated.

"I do too Kini, I do too" Twilight then nuzzled up against me sitting down, and I proceeded to put my arm around her holding her tight. "I just hope that you can find whats best for you Kini."

"I hope the best for you Twi. Now head off to bed, we have a busy day tomorrow."

I let her head back inside first, just so I could get a moment to myself outside one last time to see the beautiful night sky. Considering what happened, I knew it was weird, and I knew it couldn't be, but talk about wishing she could be human or I could be a pony right about now. But friends we had to stay, and I was happy to at least have that, I couldn't have asked for more.

End of Chapter 9.

Bonus Chapter: There is Another in Equestria

Author's Notes: Hey guys and gals, this chapter will be short and completely optional, but it will definitely add some flavor to the story which come back in at the end which I hope you like. I will be changing perspective here for just this chapter alone! Happy reading!

The Guitarist:

Bonus Chapter: There is another in Equestria.

"Ow my fucking head..." I said aloud. I quickly opened my eyes to survey my surroundings. "What in gods name is this place. This isn't Morroc Fields." I looked as the ground I laid on saw a charred ring of grass surrounding me. "The... hell? I stood up quickly to get a different angle of this ring and took a deep breath. "Yuck its still smoldering, so its still new. I bet this is all apart of that bastard Kiniro's doing. I bet he's still there in Morroc fighting him. He just used this to get me out of the picture. If I find a way to get back home I will take him out personally." I said to myself.

I heard some rustling in the bushes as if something was watching me. I went to go reach for one of my knives to go investigate but as I reached for my holster on my armor. I felt nothing. "What the flying fuck! Where is my knife?! Great, just great. Well at least I still have my Katar Daggers." I triggered the release mechanism on my fore arms to bring the blades under my hands and I grabbed the handles on both. "Now who the hell is in that bush!"

Suddenly I heard a loud scream "ITS ANOTHER HUMAN! THEY ARE INVADING! AHH!!!" A teal colored equine with a horn on its head jumped out the bushes and tried to run past me, but I quickly grabbed it and held it in place.

"Now lets play a little game, its called, you answer my question, and I let you live." I responded.

"Please please please don't hurt me." The equine continually cried.

"Now answer my question, what did you mean another human."

"Yes yes, I saw another human not to far from here, he he just appeared like you did."

"What did he look like!?" I shouted, while pointing my katar at the equine's face.

"I don't know! I don't know! Blue hair, um um..."

"You shall tell Queen Xellie everything you know or else!"

"He had a guitar with him! Please to Celestia don't hurt me! Its all I know." The equine screamed.

"Good little pony, you're free to go. Now GET" I yelled.

The little teal pony had run off crying. Yelling again ," BON BON WE HAVE TO GET THE BUCK OUT OF HERE! THE HUMANS ARE INVADING!"

"Well now I know that it wasn't just a trick by Kiniro to be sent here. If he's here then that means that Satan Morroc brought us both here... But I still bet it has something to do with his Ragnarok Song. So I can't be sure, but if I sure as hell if i can't get back home, I'll definitely make sure he won't get back either. I promise Kiniro, its time we settled this old score, I will find you where ever you are."

"Bon Bon I swear by Celestia's non-existent beard that I saw two of them. TWO humans today near Sweet Apple Acres. One of them seemed nice but the second was getting ready to kill me! The first one had this bluish hair and had a guitar with him and the second had what looked like knives attached to her arms! " Lyra tried explaining.

"Look Lyra, we all know that you have this huge obsession with this human thing, but you need to learn to give it a rest! You're stories just keep getting weirder every day. Then you tell me that the humans are invading Equestria?" Bon Bon said with a frustrated tone.

"I swear Bon Bon! You have to believe me! You believe me right Colgate?!" Lyra pleaded.

"Uh..." Colgate fluttered.

"Colgate your a doctor maybe you can see whats wrong with Lyra." Bon Bon asked.

"Bon Bon, I'm a dentist not a doctor! There is a difference!"

"So you just tell everypony what to do for their 'health.' I don't see the difference Colgate!" Bon Bon stated.

"Derpy! You believe me don't you?!" Lyra pleaded again.

"Muffins!" Derpy then proceeded to plaster her face on the muffin that sat into the table in front of her. "Mmm... muffin" Derpy said with a muffled voice. However Derpy's face plant was just to much for the table and it cracked in half. "I just don't know what went wrong!"

"Ugh.... Derpy" Colgate stated. "Why must all of you bug me at my dentists office!" Colgate yelled at the top of her lungs.

"Oh by the way Colgate, I emptied your fridge." Explained Derpy.

"Oh no not you too Colgate!" Carrot Top popped in from the office window.

"EVERYONE OUT! NOW!" Colgate yelled.

"But but the humans..." Lyra whimpered. "Why does no one ever believe me..."

End of Bonus Chapter.

Chapter 10: Waiting on Royalty

The Guitarist

Chapter 10: Waiting on Royalty.

I remember seeing Twilight head off to bed, I had followed suit inside and I returned to the couch that I was assigned to sleep in for the night. It was rather short, but it sure beat sleeping in piles of hay back at Applejack's barn. After I had been reassured of things to come, and now knowing that I had a close friend, I was able to rest easy and with a clear mind.

I remember dreaming of me beating Satan Morroc, and that somehow I was allowed to stay here in Equestria, I had to stay in the shadows from every pony here except the ones that I had met, but at least I felt like I was home. I remember having thoughts within my dream, about if I was to stay, could I become a pony. If I did succeed I'd have nothing left to go home to regardless, maybe I could start a new life here.

As intriguing as my dream was, my vision was shattered quickly with a loud slam of the entrance door. I had quickly jumped out of bed and reached for my guitar and hopped over the couch to establish a firing position. Only to see what appeared to be miniature dragon of some sort standing in the door way, he had been carrying an owl with him in his arms. We had both eyed each other with intrigue and suspicion, but I refused to lower my guitar.

"Uh... Twilight... who's your friend and why is he pointing a guitar at me?" The dragon inquired.

"You know Twilight?" I questioned without lowing my guard.

"Well, duh, I live here with her. I'm her number one assistant" The dragon responded.

"Who!" Screeched the owl.

"Me I am! You know this Owilicious!" The dragon told the owl.

"Who?" The owl repeated.

"You know who I am Owilicious!" The dragon responded with a scowl.

"Spike! You're back!" I heard Twilight call from upstairs. I turned to see her come down the stairs and ran up to great the miniature dragon. "I'm so glad your back from the Vet's, how is Owilicious?" Twilight asked. Meanwhile I still held my position at the couch not aware what to expect.

"Annoyi... OW, what did you do that for." The dragon got smacked lightly by Twilight's Hoof.

"For getting Owilicious sick! You know you shouldn't try to feed him powdered rubies!" Twilight responded.

"Well he kept eyeing my Ice Cream and it had some of it powdered on, so I thought I'd be nice and let him try it." The dragon explained.

"Well stick to his Owl bird seed! He only eats that for a reason! Isn't that right my little Owilicious?!" Twilight squeezed Owilicious as she reclaimed him from the dragon's arms. "Who's my favorite Owl?"

"Who?" The owl asked.

"You are!" Twilight responded.

"Who? Who?" The owl asked again.

"You are! You are silly!" Twilight then let him go and he flew up to his perch in the library. "Oh! How rude of me! Kini! This baby dragon is Spike, Spike that would happen to be.... Kiniro... behind the couch. Lower your guitar he's not a threat!" I did as Twilight asked of me and I came out from behind the couch and I slung the guitar over my shoulder.

"So you're assistant is a dragon?" I asked.

"Yep, Spike is my number 1 assistant! I hatched him myself!" Twilight said a big smile. "He's my little baby dragon!"

"I am not a baby! I just... have a stunted growth." The dragon replied.

"Spike you haven't changed in over 4 years, you're still a little baby!"

"Ugh..." Spike said in disgust. "If anyone needs me I'm going to be taking a nap." Spike then head over to his bed on the opposite end of the library

"Hi... I'm Kiniro.... Nevermind." I said with disappoint.

"Oh don't mind him Kini, he's just tired and hasn't gotten his nap in yet, plus I think he's pretty upset at me for yelling at him about Owililcious, but he'll be fine later." Twilight explained. "Oh my gosh! We are sooo late, Celestia should be here at any moment! Quick get ouside!" Twilight quickly bolted outside and I followed right behind her. "Girls we are coming! I heard her call to someone.

To our surprise we only saw Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and two other ponies outside with then waiting. I wondered if the other two ponies were some of Twilight's friends that I had heard about last night, so I thought I'd do the polite thing and go introduce myself. I went to approach the yellow pony with the pink mane.

"Hi, I'm Kiniro, it's nice to meet you." I asked the yellow pony.

"I-I-I'm Fluttershy..." I heard the pony but her voice quickly lowered to a slight squeek.

"Its nice to meet you Fluttershy." I had commented, but she had seemed to curl up and tried to hide from me as if she was afraid. "Don't be afraid of me Fluttershy, I won't bite, here." I began to play a whimsical melody and she saw my guitar glow lightly. "Please don't be afraid yellow pony, Because I want you to know me, let me play this song, so don't get me wrong, let us do a small dance, and I hope you give me a chance." I had concluded.

"I'm Fluttershy, Mr. Kiniro, I'm one of Twilight's friends, and I hope, if you don't mind, but do you think you could play a song like that for some of the animals I take care of? I mean if you'd be up for it, I think they'd love to hear you play and sing, but you don't have to if you don't want to." Fluttershy asked.

"I'd be honored Fluttershy, but maybe a little later once this is all over." I smiled at her.

"Oh, that would be wonderful." She responded back.

I had followed to introduce myself to the last pony in the group, a white unicorn with a purple mane. "Why hello there. Would I be correct to assume that you are Rarity?"

"Why yes, of course darling. I'm Rarity, dress maker and fashionsita extraordinare. And I must say your attire is rather interesting, Mr." Rarity commented.

"Kiniro, call me Kiniro, Ms. Rarity."

"Interesting attire but proper etiquette, aren't you quite the catch." Rarity remarked. "But your attire is very interesting, what appears to be brown shoes, bague trousers with a white shirt, with a brown leather vest over your white shirt but what I most admire is your hair. A nice midnight blue color, while different from your attire, quite honestly stands out. Is that your natural hair color?" Rarity asked.

"Yes it is and as far a my clothes, its the attire of a traveling bard, where I'm from. I could wear the attire of a Minstrel as I am one, but the clothes are to frilly and the attire is to hot, I'd look like a court jester in them." I responded.

"Well if in your world the clothes make the pony, or whatever you are..."

"Human.

"Well if the clothes make the human in your world, I could understand why you'd choose this simpler attire compared to something much more heavy, but you must let me create you a new wardrobe while you stay here in Ponyville! Especially something to match your dazzling hair!"

"I'd appreciate that, thank you Ms Rarity."

"Not at all my dear, the pleasures all mine, I could use a model such as yourself to make a new line of clothing dedicated to humans, especially if we can find a way to get you back home! Maybe I could open up a boutique in your world to sell my new fashions!"

"That sounds like a sound plan if I can get back home and we can travel between the two." I commented.

"Its settled then! We are going to get you home!" Rarity commented.

"Alright every pony and Kiniro, I see Celestia's chariot in the distance! Everyone be ready... Wait... I can see Luna with her as well?"

I had felt my stomach sink based on that response. Wasn't Luna, Celestia's sister who she banished to the moon? Why was she coming? Not to mention what would I say to Celestia, would she believe the story I was about to tell her about how I think I got here. I didn't quite believe the story myself, and honestly I still felt like this had been all just a giant dream or that I was honestly dead and in Valhalla. But I had to make sense of everything because I'm unsure that the Princess would.

What would I say? "Hi Celestia? I'm not sure why I'm exactly I'm here in Equestria. But all I know is I was fighting a great evil in my world and when I failed to stop it, I arrived here?" That's everything I knew... wait. The song of Ragnarok, it has unintended consequences, what if...

End of Chapter 10.

Chapter 11: The Truth

The Guitarist

Chapter 11: The Truth.

All the ponies had lined up behind me as we awaited for Celestia's chariot to arrive in front of the library. I could barely spot it in the sky from where I stood, it was just a speck in the morning sky.

"Kiniro the Princess is going to address you first, I hope you know what to say." Twilight asked me.

"I'm pretty sure what I need to say now, I think I've figured out why I'm here." I responded "I just can't believe it took me long enough to figure it out."

Celestia's chariot had touched down in front of us, two regal ponies with golden armor were pulling it. Shortly after he had touched down, another 2 chariots with 4 guards each had touched down, with what appeared to be guards of Celestia base on the golden armor, but there were 2 guards that stood out, their armor was a dark color, could they be the guards of Luna?

"Twily!" I heard one of the guards in golden armor call out, as he stepped out of his chariot.

"Shining!" Twilight responded. She quickly ran up to him. "My big brother best friend forever! What brings you here?"

"Celestia asked for extra protection coming here, your letter causes her some great alarm, not so much for her our our sake, but for his." The pony in golden armor claimed and pointed his hoof out toward me.

"Now if you'll excuse me sis, I'm going to go set up a perimeter with the other guards of Celestia and Luna, I'll talk to you later!"

"Bye Shining Armor!" Twilight yelled out.

Shortly after the perimeter of the 8 guards was set up, Princess Celestia approached me with her sister in tow with a slightly shameful look.

"Kiniro, your presence here in Equestria is alarming to all of us. We know that you are not here to cause us any harm based on Twilight's letter to me, but in you being here puts us all in grave danger. The folds of both of our worlds have been temporarily connected, and just like you who has great magic was able to pass through these folds. Is there any information that you might be able to give that will assist us in getting you back home?" Celestia had commented.

"Your Majesty Celestia, at first let me say it is a great honor to meet you, but my information is skeptical at best, but it is all I have to base off of." I explained.

"Proceed Kiniro."

"When I was fighting this great evil by the name of Satan Morroc from my world, I was called upon to perform a powerful magic spell, but unlike traditional spell casters from my world, I harnessed my magic through the power of music and of my soul. I was to perform the song of Ragnarok which is the most powerful magic my world. It is so unpredictable and very difficult to control."

"I do not mean to insult young Kiniro, but then why use this spell?" Celestia asked me.

"Because it was my worlds only hope. I had used it before, but I had used it before by accident and it had brought peace to my land, at least for a short while it did."

"But I assume you felt you were more disciplined in your abilities to be able to control it?"

"Yes... that is correct your highness." I said shamefully.

"Do not be ashamed Kiniro, you did everything in your power to stop Satan Morroc, but it was not a battle that you were to win."

"I know the odds of me defeating this evil was slim to none, but I couldn't just roll over and let my world be destroyed. I bet if you were put into the same situation you would do the same your Highness." I retorted.

I just had heard what sounded like a large gasp from the 6 ponies behind me. "Kiniro you are right, and I have done this several times during my reign here as ruler of Equestria, I do not take offense to that comment."

"I was not meaning it to take offense your Highness, I only stressed the great responsibility placed on me and how no one could deny what had to be done, if it was asked of them." I stated.

"I want you to know that you did control your song of Ragnarok as intended Kiniro. But you were not strong enough to defeat the beast. That's where my sister stepped in." Celestia had then pointed her hoof over to Luna.

"Yes this is true... I am not sure if I am to be ashamed of myself. For intervening in another worlds affairs." Luna said with a familiar voice.

"Wait a second I recognize that voice. IT WAS YOU!" I shouted. "You are the one who brought me here from the dark void, you were that light that brought me to Equestria!"

"Celestia, I am sorry I did not mean to cause this trouble" Luna hung her head low to her sister. "But I felt his powerful magic from so far, and that it began fading, when I was finally able to track it to where it had gone. I had found him in this empty dark void. I believed it was right that I should save him."

"So you pulled me from my world to bring me here?!" I shouted at Luna.

"No, No Kiniro, by the time I had located your magical signature, you were already in the void. I brought you here to give you a second chance to live." Luna had explained.

"So then why was I there... Is it possible that I was put in that void by Satan Morroc?" I questioned.

"It is possible young Kiniro, my sister only rescued you, but she broke one of my most sacred rules in Equestria, do not bring beings from other worlds to ours unless they arrive here naturally on their own." Celestia stated with a slightly more frustrating tone at the end.

"Your highness Celestia, do not punish your sister, she only did what she felt right in her heart, she rescued me." I defended Luna.

"While you are right, I should wait punishment until this matter gets resolved." Celestia said again with a frustrated tone.

"But Sister..." Luna whimpered.

"Princess Celestia, I beg of you, do not punish your sister, all she did was was give me a second chance, and by doing that, she has given my entire world a second chance. Is she not just doing what you felt would have been right in your heart, granted though it was not her world to defend, why should the innocent die?" I again defended Luna. "If anything if the folds off our worlds are temporarily open should we not focus on getting me back home and defeat Satan Morroc before it is able to cross over to this world?"

"I will have to agree, your logic young Kiniro is very sound. My dearest sister, I apologize for getting upset at you, you only did what you thought was best." Celestia forgave Luna.

"Luna do you think its possible to take me back to my home of Midgard?" I asked.

"It is possible but sending you back will be much harder, and will require more magic to send you back, but with the aid of my sister, and perhaps the elements of harmony we can provide enough magical energy to send you home." Luna explained.

"It would be possible for just Luna to achieve this by herself, but she has been up playing her 'Hoof-Life 3' game for many days straight so she is not well rested." Celestia stated, but I noticed that the tone in her voice had changed. It seemed more playful. "She has even forgotten to raise the moon a few times!"

"Sister I have brought out the moon every night! Granted it hasn't been a full moon every night... but I have been trying!" Luna explained.

"Then it it settled, you will come will accompany the Elements of Harmony in Canterlot in 2 days, and we will attempt to send you back home, once Princess Luna is well rested and can perform her part of the spell." Celestia jabbed at Luna again in a joking way."

"But Princess Celestia!" Twilight spoke up. "Me and the girls have been talking about this for a while, from Kiniro's story, he came close to defeating Satan Morroc by himself, but the spell had fatigued him and he could not go on. We have come to a decision to help Kiniro defeat the beast with your approval."

"Twilight your intentions are good, but what will we do if you fail." Celestia questioned.

"We will not fail my Princess, because if we do not make a stand together, what stops Satan Morroc from coming here? Our only option is to fight together." Twilight explained.

"Very well my special pupil, upon your recommendation, I shall allow you to fight along side Kiniro against Satan Morroc, to not just bring peace to his land, but to defend our from this new threat."

"Thank you!" The elements of harmony spoke out in unison.

"I must take my leave my ponies and Kiniro, I wish you the best of luck in these new few days and I shall see you all in Canterlot soon." Celestia said and took her leave.

"I will not let you down Kiniro, I have given you a second chance, please use it well." Luna commented and followed her sister. "And thank you for defending me."

I just nodded my head in agreement. "OH before I forget your highness Celestia. I wanted to ask, if we succeed and this is all over, I wanted to ask if I could take residence here in Equestria."

Celestia heard me and turned around as she boarded her Chariot. "Kiniro, you are not a pony, you can not stay in Equestria. I am sorry." She continued turned back to board her Chariot with her sister in tow. As they both were ready to take off, I had heard one final comment. "Luna why did you not mention about the other you brought here." But I had thought nothing of it. I was more concerned about not being able to stay.

My heart had immediately sank. Even once this was over, I would not be welcome here in Equestria either. I guess I didn't have a choice now... I was to remain in Midgard and after my victory, alone. My friendships with all these wonderful ponies would be cut short, I'd hate do part with them, especially Twilight, but she'd have no place in my world either. I knew at some point I'd have to say goodbye to everypony.

End of Chapter 11

Chapter 12: Denial

The Guitarist

Chapter 12: Denial

My heart was broken. Especially because I was not allowed to stay in this peaceful land. I had to leave and say good bye to everyone. Now I wish that I had died that day in Morroc Fields. I was having something dear from me being taken from me. I've had so much good taken from me in my life. "Have I just been meant to suffer my entire life?!" I shouted up at the sky. "I saw many of my good friends die! I have fought for truth and justice in my world and saved it before. I don't fucking deserve this!"

I fell to my knees and began pounding on the ground below me. I was completely destroyed, I'd lose my friends, and I'd lose my best and closest friend I've had since. I was going to lose Twilight.

"There there, Pinkie will make it all better" Pinkie had commented. She slowly pulled out her party cannon from behind her. "This should cheer you up."

"Pinkie! NO!" Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash tackled Pinkie to the ground.

"This isn't the place for that sugar cube. Can't you see he's hurting?" Applejack said.

"Yeah Pinkie! Can't you see that?" Rainbow Dash explained.

"Yeah but I was just trying to help the best way I know how." Pinkie claimed.

"We know sugar cube, we know." Applejack comforted Pinkie.

"Now darling, there is no reason to cry, lets turn that frown upside down, I can go design that new wardrobe for you to take back to Migard, free of charge." Rarity offered.

"Thanks Rarity, but you don't need to..." I sobbed.

Fluttershy had approached me, "If you want to I can give you a pet for you to remember us by. That is if you want one."

"Thanks Fluttershy, but... I'm ok."

"Are you sure Mr. K-kiniro?"

"Its ok, I appreciate everything you ponies are trying doing to cheer me up. But I want you to know, I don't cry because I'm going to leave, I'm upset because I'm going to lose all of you as good friends. Any gifts from you, honestly will make me sad because I will have them to remember you by, the one good thing that has come in my life, that I could not keep." I explained.

Twilight approached me. "We are just trying to help Kini."

"I know, but... I'd rather forget I was in Equestria if I could not stay, not get my hopes up and just live my life out as a forgotten hero who has nothing."

Twilight began to tear up over my decision and ran over into the library and slammed the door. "What had I done?" I asked myself. I know I was hurt, and that honestly I'd rather forget, so I wouldn't mourn the fact of all the good I've lost in my life. I didn't mean for her to get upset over it.

"I wonder whats gotten her egghead all worked up." Rainbow Dash commented

"I bet I know Rainbow."I responded. "Look everypony, Its not that I don't appreciate everything you've done for me, and the wonderful friendships we've established or the great friendships that could have been. But when you've had every good thing in your life taken from you, you're family, your friends, you country, and even your dignity... Sometimes you just don't want to lose what good you have left, and when you do, you wish you had never had it to begin with."

"You shouldn't think like that darling!" Rarity claimed. "Just because you can't keep the good with you, doesn't mean you can't remember the memories."

"Rarity, I understand, its just its happened for so long in my life, I don't know what to expect anymore." I explained. "I've just had a very hard life, I've been fighting and for the good of my world, sometimes I just don't know any better."

"Well honestly that's not the way Twi sees it Kiniro." Applejack commented. "You should go talk to her."

"I think I should. Look I'll see you all in a few days in Canterlot."

"See you weirdo!" Rainbow Dash Giggled, and took off.

"Bye Mr. Fanc... I mean bye Kini!" Pinkie snorted.

"Bye Mr. K-kiniro" Fluttershy muttered.

"Bye Kiniro, do stop by the shop before you go though I plan to have something for you soon." Rarity commented.

"See ya' partner, don't be a stranger these last few days." Applejack bid her farewell.

With that all the ponies had gone their separate ways. But I had to fix what I had broken. I had to talk to Twilight and make sure she didn't feel this way anymore. I went over to the door in the Library and attempted to open it, but it was locked tight.

I saw the window open and tried shouting at it. "Look Twilight! I'm sorry, I was just upset at me having to leave!... I'm... sorry." But I got no response from Twilight. "Man I have really fucked this one up haven't I." I said to myself. Well I have to be able to get back inside to apologize and make her feel better. I thought to myself and I figured I could climb up to the balcony and get back inside and then apologize to her in person.

I slung my guitar over my back and clapped my hands as if to ready them for the hard climb ahead. Clamped upon the side of the Tree Library building and I struggled to get a grip on the tree bark. As I fought against the hard tree bark that was not budging I fell to the ground. "Ow." This was hopeless. I looked back up to the balcony and shouted one last time at it. "Twilight! I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you, but I didn't want to hurt myself wanting to hold on to you... because I love you... You're the best thing that has ever come into my life! Damn it I may not be a pony but I care for you and I just want the best for you. I'm sorry." I didn't get any response.

With that my heart sank further and I realized I might have lost her for good. Geez, what a moron I was... I'm sorry I upset you Twilight. I hope that you can forgive me before I leave.

End of Chapter 12

Chapter 13: The Help

The Guitarist

Chapter 13: The Help

I couldn't believe how selfish I had been. I shouldn't have said what I did, but I was hurt. I was devastated, and now to know that I truly loved Twilight, regardless of our differences, even if I couldn't have a family or do anything in particular with her, at least having her company and being able to care for her as she was willing to do for me is all I could ask for. My heart broke now knowing that we weren't even a possibility anymore.

I held my head down as I wandered through town, and even the common ponies were noticing me, alot of them afraid to approach me, but I didn't care. Nothing that I did now mattered. I was going to lose everything all over again. Unable to continue walking through town because my heart ache. I sat down on a nearby bench and brought my guitar forward as if to play song, as I began to strum my first few chords. I found myself thinking about Twilight again and began to cry and I set my guitar down.

"This just isn't fair, I don't deserve all of this, I have fought hard and long in my life." I said sadly to myself. But my kind words had caught some attention.

"Are you ok there?" I heard a voice call out to me. As I looked about, I couldn't see where the voice came from. Again I was called to. "Hey down here!" I saw three smaller ponies, an orange pegasus with burgundy mane, yellow earth pony with a red mane with a pink bow, and finally a white unicorn with a mane with half pink and half purple.

"I'm ok... I could be better that's for sure."

"So yer' the Human that my sis Applejack was telling me about." The yellow pony commented.

"I guess that would be me. My names Kiniro." I responded.

"Well I'm Applebloom, the Unicorn is Sweetie Belle, Rarity's younger sister, and the chicken is Scootaloo."

"Hey! I'm not a chicken!" The orange pegasi pushed Applebloom. "I'm a pegasus!"

"Well then shouldn't you fly?" Applebloom joked.

"Hey hey, why don't you shut up." Scootaloo responded with a growl.

"Now now girls we don't need to fight." Said Sweetie Belle.

"Yeah you two, you both need to calm down. I'm sure Scootaloo will be able to fly sooner or later." I commented, but I noticed that none of these ponies had the symbols on their hind quarters like most of the other ponies I've come across. "Hey I hope you don't mind, but why don't you have a symbol on you..."

"That would be a cutie mark, and we don't have one yet, that's why we are trying to figure out what ours will be." Sweetie Belle explained.

"Whats a cutie mark?" I asked.

"Well a you earn a cutie mark as a rite of passage into being an adult pony, but it represents a unique skill that you have and it makes you who you are." Scootaloo tried to explain.

"Ok so I get it I think. So since I'm a guitarist and if I was a pony, my cutie mark could be a guitar or a musical note?" I questioned

"That's the basic idea!" Commented Applebloom. "But anyway we saw you upset about something, so we thought we should help and see whats wrong."

"Well I care for someone an awful lot, and I feel I've hurt her feeling and now she won't talk to me, plus I'm sad that when I have to go back home, she'll stay mad at me and forget about me." I said. I know what I had said sounded hypocritical, but I think seeing Twilight respond the way she did really made me open my eyes about why she got upset on why I said I'd forget about my time in Equestria.

"Well you shouldn't beat yer'self over it, if you really do care for her, you should talk to her and if she won't talk, we can help you!" Applebloom said enthusiastically.

"Thanks, I appreciate it." I said still with a saddened tone.

"By the way, who's the pony you care for?" Asked Sweetie Belle.

"You promise you won't laugh?" I asked.

"We promise! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye" The three ponies said in unison.

"Look, I really like Twilight Sparkle, but I know we're different, But at this point I don't care, and I have a feeling, that when I have to go back home in two days, I won't get the chance to tell her this, but I want her to know even if nothing comes from this."

The three ponies tried desperately not to laugh, but they looked at each other and nodded at each other. "Alright Kiniro, we'll help you out." Said Scootaloo.

"Yeah we'll help ya" Agreed Applebloom.

"Yes, we will help you, at least I don't think love should be kept a secret." Commented Sweetie Belle.

"Are you sure this will work? Last time we tried to help someone with love, especially with your brother it got us no where and more homework!" Questioned Scootaloo.

"Its can't fail this time girls! It has to be fool proof!" Shouted Applebloom. "Alright Kiniro meet us at Twilight's place in a few minutes, we'll get everything ready!"

"Thank you so much." I responded. Can't blame them for trying, but really what could these three little ponies do to get Twilight's attention that I could not? "I'll be there soon!" The three ponies dashed off in a flash. I wondered what they had planned for me and Twilight. I figured Twilight's place was a few minutes walk from here I could be able to make it in time once they finished.

As I walked over to Twilight's I noticed that there were more ponies out and less of them were making comments about me or were trying to hide from me as I walked passed earlier. I guess they had saw me talking to the Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and they figured I wasn't a bad guy or at least I could definitely hope so. But as I walked pass a building that had a tooth brush sign hanging from it I saw a very familiar pony sitting right in front of the door. It was the teal unicorn I first saw when I arrived in Equestria!

I saw the shocked expression on its face and it quickly began to shout. "COLGATE!!! BON BON! THE BLUE HAIRED ONE IS OUTSIDE! GET OUT HERE QUICK! YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME!"

"Cram it Lyra! No one bucking cares" I heard come from inside the building.

"Fine Colgate! But Bon Bon! You have to see this!" The teal pony cried out again.

"Lyra! Seriously give this human stuff a rest! I'm getting my teeth cleaned!" I heard again from inside the building but the voice was different.

"Why does no one believe me..." I heard the teal pony say. It looked extremely sad, I knew I had to do something, so I walked over to it.

"I'm guessing your name is Lyra from the ponies shouting inside?" I asked.

"Ye-e-e-ea-h, thats my n-n-a-m-e"" The pony stuttered as if afraid of me.

"Look I won't hurt you, I promise." I opened my hands to show that it had nothing to fear. But instead the teal pony whimpered.

I went to go pet the the head of this teal pony and she flinched and continually whimpered. But I softly placed my hand on her head. "Its ok, look don't let your friend upset you that they don't believe you. Just as long as you believe, that's what matters" I lifted my hand off the pony's head, and as if over joyed to hear what I said, she fainted from excitement. "Ok this is just strange..."

I continued on from my detour to Twilight's place and I already had the library in sight. I saw the three ponies from earlier working on setting up what looked like a...."You've got to be kidding me" I said aloud. "You set out a picnic blanket, a basket full of food and some glasses of sparkling... Wait is it?"

Applebloom quickly ran over to me and said "Its some fresh Sparkling Apple Cider straight from Sweet Apple Acres!"

"Well... I guess at least it was just some over glorified juice and not some alcoholic beverage." I commented.

"Whats alcohol?" Applebloom questioned.

"Don't worry about it, its something humans drink, its bad for us, but for some reason we drink it anyway." I responded.

"Ok girls are you ready? We got the picnic set up right outside her door, now to get her to open up! That's your queue Sweetie Belle!" Applebloom stated.

"Oh right! Um.... Ahem." Sweetie Belle seemed to prepare herself for something.

"Here Kiniro give these to Twilight when you see her." Scootaloo gave me a small bouquet of flowers. "Hurry up Sweetie Belle we are wasting daylight!"

"I was getting ready!" Sweetie Belle said aloud, but she cleared her throat one last time.

"Oh Spikey Wikey! Would you happen to be home?! I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in joining me for some ice cream!" Sweetie Belle asked as she was impersonating her older Sister. I had to admit she was really good at this, made me wonder if she did it often. Suddenly the door swung open and I saw Spike in the doorway!

"I'm coming Rarity!" Spike yelled. "Oh... wait... why are you here?" Spike questioned me.

"I came to talk to Twi." I responded.

"Yeah yeah sure whatever, did you happen to see Rarity calling for me?" Spike asked

Suddenly Sweetie Belle appeared. "Oh hey there Spike, you just missed her, she was just here with me. She said to go meet her at the store."

"Wait a minute... are you sure she was out here? Spike asked.

"Yes definitely, I'll take you to her!" Sweetie Belle commented while pushing Spike out of the doorway and leading him away.

I saw my chance to get inside and as I peaked inside the door, I saw Twilight sitting on her couch sobbing. It was such a heart breaking scene, but I knew I had to make this right. "Twi, I want to talk to you." I called out to her.

"Go away Kini, I don't walk to talk." Twilight quickly tried to close the door in my face, but i quickly put myself between the door as it slammed.

This door was really painful but I knew I had to do this. "Twi, look I know you don't want to talk, and I know that you are hurt over what I said, and I'm sorry. I was just afraid... I was afraid. I knew that I was going to lose you just like everyone and everything else I had lost in my life, but I didn't want to lose you. When I found out that I was going to lose you for sure because I couldn't stay I tried to shield myself from the hurt, to think that I had never meet you, but I never meant to hurt you. When I saw you get upset over what I said, I realized that I wasn't going to be alone in pain missing someone I really cared for. I realized that you'd be doing the same, missing me. You opened my eyes Twi. We may not be much together, but I do know that I do love you. I may not be able to have a family, and I may not be able to be intimate with you, but this much I can say. I enjoy spending time with you, and I enjoy caring for you, as you have cared for me. I'm sorry Twi. I'm sorry I hurt you. I love you."

I was unsure what type of response I'd get I feared for the worst and I closed my eyes fearing her wrath. Instead I feel the door open up completely and I was no longer being crushed by it attempting to close. Then I finally heard the words that thought I wouldn't hear. "Do you want to come in Kini?"

End of Chapter 13.

Chapter 14: Studying

The Guitarist

Chapter 14: Studying

"Would you like to come in Kini?" I got asked again by Twilight. I just looked up to her as I saw her sitting on the couch and she smiled at me and she instructed me with her hoof to come to her.

"I'd love to." I answered. I picked myself off the floor and remembered the flowers that the three ponies gave me to give to Twilight. "Where were they?" I thought to myself. I remember myself diving for the door to get between it and... "Crap." I said aloud. I had smashed them with my body as I dove into the door. I saw some of the flowers sticking to me and and on the floor.

"Are you ok Kini?" I Twilight had asked.

"Yeah I'm fine. I just meant to give these to you." I responded as I pulled the flowers off of my vest. I chuckled nervously and I extended the smashed flowers toward Twilight.

"Aww that's so sweet Kini, its a shame they got smashed, but I bet they were beautiful."

"Just like your personality. I said with a slight blush creeping in. Twilight blushed heavily from my comment and had suddenly got really shy. Following her response I slowly walked over to her and sat on the floor beside the couch and I turned to her and smiled. Twilight proceeded to close the door that I jammed myself between earlier.

I heard what sounded like cheering from two ponies outside and I remembered it was probably Scootaloo and Applebloom excited to finally see one of their plans finally work.

"You know Kini, I thought I'd never feel this way about another." Twilight answered after gathering enough courage.

"Twi I thought I'd never feel this way again." I responded.

"Again?" Twilight asked.

"When I was much younger, I had one love in my life, but she was taken from me before we had a chance to express our love for each other. We had both cared for each other immensely, but then I lost her to the Midgard Civil war."

"I'm so sorry to hear that Kini."

"Don't be. I know it sounds odd, but her sacrifice gave me the opportunity to meet you. I know she's in a better place, and I know she'd want me to happy and that's being with you."

Twilight saddened expression changed to a light smile. "Would you like to sit next to me?" She had asked.

"I would like to. If that's ok." I responded.

"You sound like Fluttershy!" Twilight giggled. I giggled back at her realizing I did sound a bit like Fluttershy with what I had said. I had picked myself off the floor and dusted my clothes off and I looked at Twilight. She had just signaled me to sit down with her by patting her hoof on the couch.

Following her instruction, I slung my guitar off my shoulder and set it beside the couch and sat down beside her. Slowly she inched over to me and rested her head against me. Nervously I greeted her advance by putting my arm around her neck and resting it on her back.

"I love you Twi, I just wish we could more, but I'm happy enough to just have this." I said with a nervous smile.

"Kini, I know, I wish we could have more, but I am happy. I love you." Twilight responded back as she closed her eyes. "I just want to spend as much time with you these last two days we have together."

"I would like that." I snuggled up next to her."

"Kini at first I thought I was interested in just the way you used magic, through your songs. But as I tried pondering it more and more, I found myself finding me more interested in you." Twilight explained.

"So you're not interested in my magic anymore?" I laughed lightly.

"Oh I'm still interested, if you'd be willing to show me." Twilight questioned.

"Maybe later." I gave her a subtle smile and then kissed her forehead. "I just want to enjoy this moment." Twilight had just nodded in agreement. I had never felt so close to anyone else, ever so comfortable with another. I closed my eyes and embraced the purple unicorn close. What felt like hours went by in this embrace, I was just so happy to know I wasn't alone anymore, even if I couldn't stay with her. I'd rather enjoy the moments that I did have. Now I see why Twilight had gotten upset at me. "Twilight do you forgive me for being selfish?" I asked.

"I do Kini... I do." Twilight responded and further buried her head into my side. I just held Twilight close wanting to not let her go. Suddenly Twilight jumped up to a sudden realization. "Kini! Before I forget I do need to take notes on your magic and see if I can figure out anything that can help us get you back home."

"Can't it wait?" I asked.

"I'd like it to wait too Kini, but we only have so much time to and I do need to do my research. As well!" Twilight explained. " Also before I forget, I have to write a letter to Princess Celestia. I will be back in a moment." With those last words, Twilight got up and proceeded to head up stairs.

"Ok." I replied with a saddened look, but as I looked at the clock in the library, it did turn out that we were just sitting in silence embracing each other for hours. I guess the saying "You can lose time in love" is true. I wondered what Twilight had been writing to the Princess. As I waited for Twilight to return, I grabbed my guitar from the side of the couch and began to play a few chords. Nothing that formed a song yet, but I was trying to gather my thoughts on what song I should play, but my mind was racing with thoughts of Twilight, and I found myself unable to play a song outright.

But as I saw Twilight descend the staircase, I had found the melody I was looking for. I began to strum several chords forming the basis. While I felt like singing I felt that more compelled to just play an instrumental song instead. A very relaxed song, pretty much describing the way I saw Twilight as she walked down the stairs. As she hit the final step, my song had stopped and I gave Twilight a smile. She acknowledged this and smiled back at me.

I looked down at my guitar and noticed that it was glowing blue long after I had finished playing my song. "That's never happened before..." I commented.

Twilight quickly rushed over to me to investigate. "I've seen it glow, but its never continued to glow after a song?"

"No it hasn't. Its never.." I was suddenly stopped mid sentence as my guitar strummed the first 5 chords of the song of Ragnarok. "That's odd. Its playing the song of Ragnarok." After my announcement the guitar stopped. What was my guitar trying to say to me? What did my guitar mean to me by playing the song of Ragnarok?

"Whats wrong Kini?" Twilight asked.

"Its just odd, I've never seen my guitar do that."

"You mean have it glow and then play a song by itself?"

"Well... I lied, it has done this before, but last time was when I was fighting Satan Morroc. But why would it be doing it now?" I asked knowing I wouldn't get an answer.

"I'm not sure Kiniro, it does seem strange enough. By the way, what other songs do you know how to play?" Twilight asked.

"Well I know two other spell songs specifically. The first one is called 'Bragi's Poem' the best way to describe it is picture a classical song describing a cat chasing a mouse. The second I just call "The Rift' I was never able to find a more suitable name, its a very relaxing song, picture it being about two people being in love."

"So kinda like the song you were just playing?" Twilight giggled slightly.

"Yeah... Kinda..." I blushed slightly.

"So what do these other two songs do? I know Lutie produces an apple that gives others some of your magical energy to make them stronger temporarily." Twilight asked.

"Well Bragi's Poem allows others to channel their magic quicker, so they have to concentrate less to produce the same results. The Rift allows others to move faster, it heightens their physical speed and reaction time. The only song I've been able to master to allow myself to use it while its being played but after I stop playing it, it wears off about 5-10 seconds later. I've been trying to push this time by concentrating further, but I can only do so much."

"I see." I got a somewhat confused look from Twilight, but she quickly smiled as she tried to understand."

"All my other magic is just basic magic that any magician can use with a staff or wand, but I have to use my guitar to channel it while playing any melody, kinda just like when I did that levitation spell. Channeled my energy though the guitar by concentrating my thoughts while I played, and viola!"

"Oh ok I get that part very well, its just very similar to how I use my magic, except that my horn is my channel!" Twilight explained.

"Yeah exactly. Not to different are we now?" I commented with a smile.

"No not at all, now to just gather some notes and I'll get back to you later. Then how about we snuggle up again and lose track of time together?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah I would like that." I responded with a giddy chuckle. I saw twilight head back upstairs to presumably to gather her thoughts about we talked about. I ended up finding myself thinking about Twilight more and more even when she wasn't around, but just the fact that I could lose track of time just being with her really meant something. I'd just really hate to be the one to say goodbye in two days, I know it have to end, but I'd make sure I'd enjoy every minute of what time I had left.

End of Chapter 14.

Chapter 15: The Train Station

The Guitarist

Chapter 15: The Train Station.

The past two days spending some precious alone time with Twilight had been wonderful. Granted for the most part I had been showing her some of the basics of how I performed some of my songs and how I channeled my magic using the guitar as a Catalyst. But they were wonderful days none the less, and I could have wished for anything less. But I knew that I was going to have to say goodbye to all my friends but especially to Twilight.

I found myself sitting on a bench at the Ponyville train station awaiting for the next train up to a place called Canterlot or something of the name. I remember Twilight mentioning that this is where the two Princesses lived and that we were to meet them in the throne room of their castle. I can imagine that they were preparing some way to send me back here, considering how well guarded it was, nothing could get in or out.

"I see the train coming everypony!" I heard Twilight yell out and pointed with her hoof.

As I looked over in the direction which she had been pointing. Oddly enough it looked like the trains that we had been developing in Midgard as well. An Engine in the front, which was a bluish-purple color, with the train cars following it looking like giant cupcakes. "Man I've heard of treats on the go, but this is ridicilous" I thought to myself. The train pulled up to the station and its engine hissed as it came to a stop. I saw the engineer poke his head out of the engine's side window.

"All aboard! Canterlot 2:15 Express!" The engineer yelled out.

"I guess that us ya'll!" I heard Applejack shout out over the hissing of the engine.

As we approached the train to board, an attendant greeted us and asked. "Tickets? Tickets?"

I had completely forgot, did we forget to buy tickets for the train? Oh man, I can't believe we were going to be late to Canterlot. But my fears were extinguished. Twilight had gone up to the Attendant and showed her peice of parchment and just said "By the order of Princess Celestia you are to give these 6 ponies and human transit to Canterlot for royal business. You will be reimbursed in due time."

The attendent had recognized the Parchment and recognized that it was Twilight.

"Is that you Twilight? Oh no need to show me that, you could have just said you would have had a meeting with Celestia and you would have been fine, we know you make this trip often." The attendant responded.

"Well I know I do but, for the sake of my friends, I wanted to make sure." Twilight commented.

"No problem at all sweetie. Go ahead and hop on, we'll be leaving shortly." The attendant quickly stated.

Slowly the ponies had boarded the train, First Applejack, followed by Rainbow Dash, then Pinkie Pie who was struggling to board the train as she tried to load her party cannon."We didn't get to have a party when you first got here, we didn't get to have a party with Celestia because everyone got distracted then you got Twilight upset. So we are going to have a party once this is all over." Pinkie commented with a slight frustration.

"I'm sorry about the party Pinkie, just a lot of stuff has come up in the mean time. But I promise that even if we don't get to have one, I still would have had alot of fun." I commented back at Pinkie and I gave a smile. Her slightly frustrated face changed to a smile

"Its ok Kini, it just makes me sad that you didn't get to have one, but I promise you'll get one before you leave." Pinkie said with a giggle. I just nodded in agreement.

Fluttershy and Rarity boarded the train shortly after but I paused for both of them. "I'm sorry you two, I didn't get to come to your store and sing to your animals. I had gotten busy these past few days. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you." I remarked.

"Its ok Mr. K-kiniro. I understand why you didn't show up, you had to take care of Twilight." Fluttershy said with a light tone, smiled and boarded the train.

"I understand there darling. I know you were taking care of Twilight these past few days. Quite honestly, I don't know if the others have noticed much, but Fluttershy and myself caught on quite quickly. You and Twilight are an item." Rarity said with a slight excitement in her voice.

"I uh... I don't know what you mean." I quickly responded.

"Oh don't be silly Kiniro. I know you both are head over hooves for each other and there is nothing wrong with that. Honestly I think its good for both of you. Especially Twilight, I know she loves her books, but maybe its time she study the other fine things in life if you catch my drift." Rarity explained.

"Well I like books too." I tried to retort.

"Well even better! You both have a common interest!" Rarity said with a smile. "Now don't be to hard on yourself." With those words Rarity boarded the train.

"Are you ready Kini?" I heard another call out to me. It was Twilight bringing up the rear of the six ponies.

"As good as I'll ever be." I remarked as I patted my guitar on my shoulder. "But I have to tell you, then when I do leave, I'm going to die a little inside knowing that I had to leave you Twi." I leaned down to give her a kiss on her forehead.

"I don't know what I'll do with out you, these past few days have been wonderful. But I..." Twilight said as she lost track of her thoughts.

"Twi, you're a wonderful pony, and I know that even if I can't be here, I want you to be happy. Even if its not with me once I'm gone. I won't be mad I promise." I commented.

"I don't want any pony else! I want you." Twilight yelled.

"I know... I know... I'd wouldn't be with anyone else." I leaned in and embraced the purple unicorn once more..

"All Aboard!" The engineer called out as he popped his head out again from the engine.

"We better get on board... lets go get to our seats." I remarked and we both finished our embrace and boarded the train.

As we boarded we found a very luxurious car or what appeared luxurious to me anyway, very regal, with very wide plush seats, what looked like velvet curtains and a wooden trim for the floor and car walls polished to where you could see your reflection. I saw that me and the 6 ponies had the car to ourselves which was nice, maybe I'd be able to take a nap on my way up to Canterlot if the ride was long. I had felt the car give a sudden jolt as if the engine began to pull it.

"Alright everypony! Who's ready to get this started in the Pinkie Pie Party Car!" Pinkie pulled out her party cannon and pulled the rip chord making confetti and streamers pop out. Also out popped what looked like a baby Alligator that had no teeth and it began to bite Pinkie Pie's mane "Time to get this party started!" Out of no where Pinkie pulled out a table containing sweets and punch. Suddenly the Alligator jumped into the bowl of punch. "Gummy! That punch isn't just for you!" Pinkie giggled.

"Wait where did you get this?" I asked?

"Oh I keep party supplies stashed everywhere just in case of an emergency." Pinkie Pie commented with a smile. "Oh also and no party can be complete without a DJ!" Pinkie Pie ran over to a part of the car that had been covered up with velvet curtains and she pulled the curtains down to unveil a pony with what looked like a table and these weird object and everything.

"Oh you got to be kidding me..." I commented.

"Vinyl?" Rainbow asked?

"Alright every pony! Lets get this party started!" The DJ Pony yelled out and immediately put down this disc on her table and the music began to play extremely loud. The music reminded me of the variations of Steam Punk Classical that I had researched back in Midgard, where instruments were powered by steam and had a very distinct sound just like this music that was playing. "Alright I hope you enjoy the WUBS!" the DJ pony yelled over her music.

The music was extremely loud but enjoyable, but every few seconds the song got really powerful and I kept hearing a strong vibration and it would go like this. "WUB WUB WUB WUB." I guess that's what she meant by wubs. Now come to think of it, its actually quite witty. As I looked around I saw all the other ponies starting to dance and enjoy the treats, everypony but Twilight.

"Are you ok Twi?" I shouted over the music.

"Yeah I'm Ok." Twilight responded.

"Hey so um, I know you probably do this stuff all the time but do you want to come dance with me?" I asked.

"I'd love to!" Twilight responded and got up out of her chair and I had escorted her to the closest aisle area of the car that wasn't in use and we began to dance. I felt pathetic dancing, I was never really good at it, but I just let myself go, bobbing around like an idiot. I noticed Twilight giggling at me and I stopped. "Its ok Kini, you're doing fine" Twilight reassured.

I gave a smile back and began dancing again. While this is the closest I would have to a first dance with Twilight. I was happy to be given the opportunity, and I was happy to have Pinkie throw this party in my honor seeing so many smiles and everyone enjoying themselves. I originally was going to take a nap to rest up before arriving in Canterlot, but this was now a much better idea, going out with a bang!

End of Chapter 15.

Chapter 16: The Capital City

The Guitarist

Chapter 16: The Capital City

I had to admit, Pinkie Pie definitely knew how to throw a party. While it was small in scale I definitely had blast, It felt like hours that we had been on the train. Partying it up, dancing, eating cake and some delicious baked goods, It could not have been better, but my favorite part was that I wasn't apart of the entertainment. I had even gotten over the fact of how loud the music was, but sometimes the "wubs" as the DJ called it would ring into my ears.

"Attention everypony, we have arrived in Can---" The attendant said unnoticed. "EVERYPONY KNOCK IT OFF!" The attendant yelled above the music. With that, the music came to a sudden screeching halt, every pony literally froze in their tracks. "Ahem... Yes. Attention everypony, we have arrived in Canterlot."

"I guess thats us... " I said quietly. We all held our heads low as we disembarked from the train.

"Hey... Mind if I catch a train back to Ponyville?" I heard the DJ ask the attendant. Only to hear a sigh for a response.

As I finally got a good sight of the city from the train station. I stood shocked in wonder. It was beautiful. A city built into the mountain itself, with a gorgeous waterfall outside the city. "Wow this is Canterlot?" I asked.

"Yes sirree, beautiful ain't it?" I heard Applejack respond.

"So where do we go from here?" I asked.

"We are to meet up with my brother." Twilight commented "He's the Captain of the Royal Guard."

"I see..." I muttered.

"Yeah he was there during your first meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna if you remember." Twilight explained.

"Oh yeah... I remember." I said with curiously. "Ah yes I remember, he was the guard you talked to when I had my meeting. Yes I vaguely remember."

"Twily!" I heard a male voice call out and I noticed a white unicorn with golden armor running toward Twilight.

"Shining!" I heard Twilight yell out and she ran up to the white unicorn.

"How is my little sis doing?" Shining Armor asked.

"Oh its ok, things couldn't be better." Twilight looked back at me and smiled.

"Thats good Twily." Shining agreed. "By the way, I didn't get to introduce myself to your friend."

"Oh thats ok, Kiniro! Come meet my big brother best friend forever!" Twilight called me over and as instructed I walked over to the two unicorns.

"Hi, my name is Kiniro. Its nice to meet you." I stuck out my hand for a shake. Shining Armor looked at me and stuck his hoof out to touch my hand and we gave simple shake.

"Its good to meet you, the name is Shining Armor. I'm Twilight's big brother." Shining Smiled. "By the way, Twilight has told me some interesting stuff about you."

"Uh-oh" I thought to myself. "What has Twilight mentioned about me?" I chuckled nervously.

"She told me you know how to use magic with your guitar, just like a unicorn does and you use music for your spell casting as opposed to using words. Very interesting if you ask me." Shining explained.

"Ah that's good." I agreed nervously.

"Oh Twilight also told me that she has a bit of a crush on you." Shining joked at me.

"Shining!" Twilight shouted.

"If this was a time where I could have a nervous breakdown, this would be the time and place." I thought to myself and I Could only muster a smile as a response.

"Its ok Twily, I know you two have a thing for each other. I'm not one to judge, what ever makes you two happy, I can not stand in your way. Besides, I think that you proved that when Cadence and I got married. Remember?" Shining joked.

"Ha, ha. Very funny Shining" Twilight remarked.

"Anyway I have orders to bring you all to the throne room as soon as you arrived in Canterlot." Shining commented. "Now if you follow me, all the preparations are being finished for your arrival."

"So we should be ready to send me back home?" I asked.

"That would be correct Kiniro. All we need is you and the Elements of Harmony to arrive." Shining explained. "Now if you follow me right this way."

"Lead the way!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"While the rest of you ponies know the way, you are free to go ahead if you want, but I need to have a moment with Kiniro alone. If thats ok."

The six ponies nodded in agreement and took off ahead. "Bye Kiniro see you in the throne room!" Twilight said followed by a wink.

"So what is it you need Shining?" I asked. "Is it about your sister?"

"No not at all. I meant what I said, but its about something different and I just wanted to warn you specifically." Shining explained.

"Whats wrong Shining?"

"Well, recently Canterlot has been under heightened security and as Captain of the Royal Guard, I'm in charge of such things."

"So whats the problem I asked? Is it something I need to take care of?" I asked.

"Hopefully not, but I'm just warning you there might be an issue. There have been reports of a human being spotted in and around Canterlot, but I thought that you were the only human here?"

"So I'm not?" I questioned.

"I guess not, but I'm unsure, I've had false reports before, but reports of seeing a creature walk on two legs, use hands to grab things and what not, seems awful human to me."

"So its possible that some other human is here?" I wondered who it could be if anyone at all.

"Well with you under constant surveillance, there has to be another. Is there any leads you might be able to give us?" Shining asked.

"Nothing, I'm sorry Shining, I wish I could help, but if anything comes up where you need me. Let me know" I responded.

"I appreciate it, and I'm glad you've been treating my little sister well. Its just a shame that you two won't be able to be together after this." Shining said with a saddened tone.

"I know, trust me Shining, if I could stay, I would love to. But Celestia said I can not stay because I'm not a pony." I responded. "Just promise me Shining, that you help your sister find happiness in some other pony once I'm gone."

"I can't promise that Kiniro. But I can promise to be there for my little sister and be good brother that should to help her with her grief."

"Well then that's all I can ask." I said now saddened knowing that my time with Twilight was coming to a close.

"Look we better catch up with up with the others at the castle, and Kiniro, I want you to know that you won't be alone in missing that one you love. It will be hard on Twily as well, but never forget what memories you have forged together. Promise me that will you?"

"I can do that Shining... I can do that." I said with a tear running down my face. I saw the castle approaching in the distance. I knew what was coming, but would I be strong enough to do what was being asked of me. As the seconds rolled by into minutes, as we walked close and closer. I had to come to reason, that I had to be strong enough to do what was being asked of me. To be sent back home with some assistance of the Elements of Harmony to defeat Satan Morroc, but after that, they would return home and I would be left alone. I had to be strong... whether I liked it or not. "I was going to miss everypony... Especially you Twilight." I muttered in a very low voice. "Especially you Twilight...." I said with tears beginning to run down my face.

End of Chapter 16.

Chapter 17: Arrival

The Guitarist

Chapter 17: Arrival

My long walk with Shining had to been the longest I had ever had even as we navigated our way through the Royal Palace. But what I believe made it the longest was the immense dread that I began feeling. I think even Shining Armor had noticed it during our walk. As we arrived to the Throne Room, Shining had just looked over to me and stuck out his hoof. I looked at him and grabbed his hoof with my hand and gave one last simple shake.

"I wish you the best of luck Kiniro." Shining commented.

"Thank you, I'm going to need it." I responded.

"Now I must take my leave, I have also been instructed to create a magical barrier with the royal guard to protect the Castle so that nothing comes in or out, and please protect my sister."

"I will do my best." I had promised. Shining proceeded to open the door to the Throne Room. As I walked inside, I saw the six ponies putting on what appeared to be pieces of jewelry and the Princesses stood ready for my arrival. Once inside the throne room, I heard the door slam shut. This was it. "My journey was coming to an end." I thought to myself, but there was no turning back, it had to be done.

"Kini!" Twilight ran over to me and jumped on top of me. "Promise me that you'll never forget me."

"I promise Twi, I promise." I responded, I had noticed that she was wearing a tiara on her head. "By the way the tiara suits you."

"Its a piece of the Elements of Harmony." Twilight said with a slight blush. "The Tiara and the jewels that the other girls are wearing are just the physical representations of the Elements of Harmony. We are actually the spiritual and embodiments of the Elements."

"I see, so how will those help me get back home?" I asked.

"I'm not so sure. But I was told that Luna devised the plan since she found a way to pull you half way. Based on the story given, she can push us back through, and then Celestia will use her magic to push us the rest of the way, she just needs a little bit of an extra push and magical signature to get us there, that's where the Elements of Harmony come in." Twilight explained.

"Hmm magical signature..." I thought to myself.

"Hey! What about that song of Lutie that made that there golden apple you gave me!" Applejack interrupted.

"That's a good idea, than she can use my magical energy to find another similar source because I know I'm not the only musician who can play the song! I'm just the only who can channel magic through my guitar!"

"Wait I don't understand Kiniro." Twilight stated.

"Ok so its like this, any musician in my world can perform some of the basic songs that I showed you back at the library, but I'm the only one who can channel my magic through my guitar by using the musical notes played as my spell words. Think of it my guitar being your unicorn horn."

"Oh! I get it, just like how any unicorn can perform some basic magic, but only few of us can master it!" Twilight responded.

"Exactly. I'm just the first who mastered the magic of the music, but many can perform its basic spells. I was teaching two others, but... they are no longer alive." I explained, and I suddenly had a source of inspiration.

"I'm sorry about that Kiniro." Twilight said sadly.

"Its ok Twi, their sacrifice won't be in vain if we succeed today."

"Now I have an idea. Princess Celestia!" I called out.

"Yes Kiniro?" Celestia answered.

"I have an idea, its a long shot but we might not need the Elements of Harmony to give us that extra push in magic to transport me back home. Luna's plan suggested she push me half way, and you push us the rest with some help of the Elements of Harmony. But I have a better idea, and it will get you your magical signature that you're looking for."

"Please explain Kiniro." Celestia asked.

"Ok, I figure that since I'm not the only musician in Midgard, and if any warriors, magicians or musicians are still alive. They would be fighting Satan Morroc as we speak, granted the world hasn't fallen completely."

"Go on." Celestia said.

"So if there are any other musician alive, they would be using some of the basic spells that any musician knows to help keep their allies alive. So by that logic. I need to perform the song of Lutie to give you some of my extra magical strength and a musical magic signature to go by, and you can get me home, and if anything I know that the one place that would be the heaviest defended would be Pronterra. Where my old friend Lightning Strike, Colonel of the Royal Guard of my world would be defending, and his troop Battalion would be there."

"Very very good observation, but you think it will work young Kiniro?" Celestia asked.

"Its a long shot, but I believe it will." I responded. "I think it will keep the folds open long enough to allow us to pass through and back with enough time to spare."

"Very well we shall attempt this. Are you all ready?" Celestia asked.

"Ready!" the six ponies and I called out.

"Luna are you ready?" Celestia asked.

"I believe so my sister." Luna responded.

"Ok here goes one song of Lutie coming up!" I began to play a whimsical melody but and my guitar began to glow light blue. As I continued to play the song for its duration, I began to see numerous apples beginning to fall and once I saw 8 fall, I stopped playing. "Well looks Iike I'm back up to full strength, here one for each of you, take them.

"But Kiniro won't this drain you of your power a bit?" Applejack asked me.

"This many apples? I normally produce over 40 during an entire song. But this is just a small portion of my song." I explained with a smile ."I can play this song numerous times before I become fatigued. Not to mention the apple I gave you applejack was when I was already fatigued.

I noticed Applejack's jaw drop almost to the floor. "So you mean to tell me that the one apple you gave me before was a weak apple?!"

"That would be correct little lady" I responded back with the appropriate draw a for a light joke.

"So these ones could be..." Twilight mentioned.

"A hell of a lot stronger." I chuckled. "I'd recommend that you take them, they will help all of you." Both Princesses and the Elements of Harmony approached the apples and inspected them, but naturally Applejack being the first to have ever eaten one, she was the first to set the example this time.

"Come on gals! They won't hurt, you'll get a sudden rush of energy, but nothing else!" Applejack said while munching on her apple.

"Kini... when did you get back to full strength?" Twilight asked me.

"Shortly before I met you." I responded. "I wasn't sure, as I hadn't played any of my basic songs since the night I spent in Applejack's barn. But playing this song this time showed that I was ready and either at full strength or pretty close to it."

Following Applejack's example, the other ponies and the Princesses ate their apples. Shortly followed by a series of "wow's" of amazement of what the golden apples could do. Alot of them commenting randomly on how much stronger they felt. I had even gotten the same reaction from the Princesses.

"Is every one ready?" I asked.

"We are ready!" The six elements of harmony said in unison.

"My sister and I are ready." Luna commented.

"And we will do our best to assist you from this side!" Celestia agreed.

"Its do or die." I said and looked over to Twilight. "Whatever happens I want you to know I love you."

With those final words, I saw both Luna and Celestia begin to use their magic powers. Luna began to use her magic to focus at one point of the throne room near the door we had entered, and it was making an extremely loud noise. The door began to shift in many ways, I covered my ears of the deafening screech and just watched in amazement.

"Celestia! Have you been able to find a similar magical signature to the song I played?!" I yelled over the sound of Luna's spell.

"Yes young Kiniro! I have located a similar magical signature and I see a castle in my mind where its located!" Celestia yelled back.

"Bingo, I was right! Don't lose it Celestia! Luna its all on you now!" I yelled out.

"I am trying Kiniro! But I'm trying to focus to open the portal from this end but I feel something is blocking me!" Luna screamed out.

"Push harder Luna! I know you can do this! I believe in you!" I yelled.

"Yes my sister! Push! I believe in you also!" Celestia commented and with our two combined words of support what seemed like a portal appeared in the doorway, as if to distort time and space as we knew it and I began to see light appear through it. I saw... I saw someone... I saw...

"LIGHTING STRIKE!" I yelled and it appeared he heard me, he turned over to to see me straight through the portal. "Help is on the way!"

"By the gods! You're still alive! Are you alright!" Lighting yelled out.

"Is everything ok?!" I asked.

"No. With the Queen Missing and Pronterra under siege, the high council is dead. I'm all that's left of the line of succession! So if you are going to come quick we need you now!" Lightning Strike yelled out.

"We are coming! Hold on just a bit longer!" As I prepared to jump through the portal. I heard a deafening roar that sounded like... No. Please don't be here.

"Do you think that I'd allow you to return Kiniro?" I heard in a very unsettling voice. "I knew you were the only threat to me no matter where you were, so I waited for you to try to return and now... you have given me access to another world to consume!"

I recognized the voice, it was Satan Morroc and now he knew where I was. "You don't scare us Satan Morroc! I could have taken you down before, but I was not ready and my allies were not ready! But this time we are!"

"Are you now... why don't we test this shall we?" Satan Morroc yelled in a deafening roar and with those words pushed himself through the portal and materialized in the throne room infront of me. There stood the giant beast smiling to the new bounty that I had led him to.

"By the gods... what have I brought to Equestria... How could I be so foolish to play right into Satan Morroc's trap!" I thought to myself. "You will not ravage this land like you did my home, I will stop you, we will stop you!" I yelled at the beast. The battle that I had awaited for with baited breath and with much despair was here. I knew that it was possible that we might not survive this encounter, but I had to try, not just for my world and its safety, but for Equestria, for my friends I left behind, for my friends I made along the way, and for Twilight, failure here was not an option for me any longer.

End of Chapter 17.

Chapter 18: Battle of the Throne Room

The Guitarist.

Chapter 18: Battle of the Throne Room.

My worst fears were upon me, and not only upon me, but now the world of Equestria was to bear the brunt of this great evil if we could not stop it here. "This is where we stop you, Satan Morroc!" I yelled out.

"We shall see about that young bard." Satan Morroc. "But will you survive to prove it?" Satan Morroc began to glow in his bright red aura.

"You don't scare me!" I stood in front of Satan Morroc, slightly nervous but I had my resolve and readied my guitar to meet him. "You're reign of terror ends today and I promise you it will be by my hands!"

"Foolish Midgardian! You make me laugh you aren't even ready to fight me." Satan Morroc laughed demonically and hit me with his hand and I fly across the room and hit the wall.

"Ow... heh-heh.... is that all you got? Why not take me out with one swift stroke?" I challenged Satan Morroc

"Are you that stupid to tempt me?!" Satan Morroc yelled.

"I believe that traveling between the worlds has made you weak, that's why you haven't taken me out! You're stalling!" I yelled, stalling for time myself trying to channel my energy prior to playing the one song I knew would defeat him.

"We have your flank Kiniro!" Yelled Celestia, as she flew up to challenge Satan Morroc, and began to attack him with beams of magic from horn.

"Yes we have you covered!" Luna followed Celestia's lead attacking Satan Morroc with her magic.

"You think that you two are enough to challenge me?" Satan Morroc yelled out.

"Celestia! Luna! Use the strength that the Lutie Apple gave you!" I yelled out to them. "Focus your thoughts and channel the reserve energy that it gave you!" Suddenly I saw both Celestia's and Luna's Beams of magic become stronger and brighter.

"We may not be able to defeat you ourselves, but we are enough to to keep you down!" Celestia screamed out.

I slowly picked myself from the wall which I had crashed into, I was hurt, badly, but I could still move, and I still could do what was asked of me. "Time to make it happen!" I thought to myself, and I brought my guitar forward to began to play it."Girls! Help the Princesses, they need to keep Satan Morroc down while I finish channeling my magic to perform the song of Ragnarok!"

"You heard the Minstrel! Lets go girls!" Twilight screamed. The Elements of harmony together began to glow in a white aura as their power grew and their eyes began to glow to match the aura and they all charged toward Satan Morroc and in a burst of an instant six ponies true power came out, a magic beam one of each color of the rainbow began to form and as it shot out from their bodies, the colors mixed to form a rainbow itself.

"We need to buy Kiniro more time!" Applejack yelled out and with those final words, the rainbow beam hurled forward at Satan Morroc.

"Its working!" Yelled Rainbow Dash.

"It has to!" I heard Fluttershy squeek.

"You will not take our home from us you brute!" Rarity yelled out.

"We will help Kini no matter what!" Pinkie Pie screamed.

The beam was spectacular, every element of harmony producing its own colored beam, to form a rainbow and pinning Satan Morroc to the ground. This had to work I thought to myself, and it was going to. "Keep him down! I'm almost ready!"

"We are doing our best young Kiniro!" Called out Celestia.

"But we can not hold for long!" Luna yelled out.

"But we will do what we can!" Twilight screamed.

I knew I had to act soon. I began to play the initial chords of Ragnarok, but as I began to play I had the strangest feeling that I was being watched, but I had more important things at hand. I continued to play the song the best of my ability, but my injuries were keeping me form doing my best, but I had to press on. My guitar had began to glow blue as I got to the mid point of the song.

"You think that this pathetic attacks will keep me down?" Satan Morroc shouted out. "I will first over power your rulers!" With a bright flash of red, a beam targeted both Celestia and Luna and with swift stroke brought them out of the sky.

"NOOO!" I yelled out, to see Celestia and Luna land beside me.

"We tried our best young Kiniro, we will be ok, but you need to defeat him soon." Celestia said with a soft voice.

"Kiniro... I brought you here for a reason... please fulfill your destiny and bring this great evil to its knees..." Luna had then passed out. The one who saved me... She was hurt...and I hope she wasn't gone but I would make sure that her sacrifice would not be in vain if she parishes today.

"SATAN MORROC!" I yelled out and with a sudden burst the song had been recognized and my guitar glowed a much brighter blue. "You will not take this world like you have attempted to take mine!" The blue aura of the guitar engulfed me and I felt a sudden surge of energy!

"And you will stop me you pathetic being?!" Satan Morroc shouted.

"I will try and if I die I will bring you to hell with me!" The Aura grew stronger and stronger as I continued to play the song.

"Get him Kini!" I heard Twilight call out to me.

"You think your pathetic attacks of this magic will stop me?" Satan Morroc called to Elements of Harmony. "Such a waste! But I shall show you!" Satan Morroc's Red Aura began to grow bigger and bigger. "You are nothing but a pathetic bunch of life forms!" He hit the six ponies with the side of his arm knocking them all back.

"Don't you dare touch them!" I screamed, and then another sudden burst of energy began to flow through me and the Aura had gotten much bigger than I could remember when I faced off against this demon in the fields of Morroc, as I continued to play the song and surveyed the Elements of Harmony to see if they were still able to fight. "Are you all ok?!" I called out to them. Only to see all of them arise but Twilight. "TWILIGHT ARE YOU OK!?" I yelled. But I had got no response. "GIRLS GET HER OUT OF HERE NOW!" I shouted to them.

"We won't abandon you Kiniro!" Rainbow Dash screamed.

"DAMN IT TAKE TWILIGHT AND FALL BACK!" I screamed, to only see the ponies nod in agreement and they all struggled to move Twilight to safety but they were able to move back as far enough behind me as possible. "YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD! YOU MAY TAKE MY WORLD BUT I WILL BE DAMNED TO LET YOU TAKE THIS ONE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, and at this point the guitar began to play itself as it had before and my aura continually grew bigger.

"Now prepare to meet your demise you pathetic musician!" Satan Morroc yelled as he fired his aura at me. Just like before in Morroc fields, my first thoughts was I wasn't going to let history repeat itself.

"NOT THIS TIME YOU SON OF A BITCH!" I yelled. My aura had still had not stopped growing, but I was running out of time, the song of Ragnarok was coming to a close, even though my guitar was playing itself.

"My my but have you forgotten that your song is almost over!"

"That maybe, but that won't stop me from killing you!" I yelled out once more, and as the final chord was hit on the song of Ragnarok a blue beam from my aura met to challenge his. Both of us on the ground causing scorch marks on the tile in the throne room. Both beams continually fought for dominance, but I had realized I still had the power from the song of Ragnarok imbued in the guitar, in me.

"How is this possible?!" Satan Morroc yelled.

"Don't you get it? I have found the proper way to channel the song! It took me a long to realize what it was! But it was the one thing that caused me to harness this songs power the first time I used it and I had forgotten because I had lost what I most cared for! Fighting for not just truth and justice! BUT FIGHTING FOR THE ONES I CARE FOR! MY FRIENDS! AND FOR THOSE THAT I LOVE!" With those final words I aimed my guitar as I channeled what energy I had acquired and pointed it to the beast. My guitar began to glow brighter and brighter, and I began to levitate upward, while my beam still challenging his. "THIS IS FOR TWILIGHT YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD!" I screamed and with a single chord play from my guitar, the guitar fired the energy that had been channeled into it.

Satan Morroc attempted to fire a second red aura beam at me, but it weakened him and he could not challenge both beams at once. "You can not defeat me! This is not possible!"

"DEAL WITH IT, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" I screamed and with that final scream I felt one last sudden surge of energy powering both the aura beam and the beam from my guitar. Quickly over taken both of his beams and over took his red aura that was protecting him.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo.... " I heard Satan Morroc scream out in agony until his voice faded from the sound of the magical beams that I had fired at it, and with a sudden flash of my blue aura I found myself blinded and deaf. I felt every bit of energy being drained from my body with that last flash, and I felt me fall from my levitated state to the ground. Was I dead? Was everything ok? Did I save my world? Did I save Equestria?

I felt something constantly nudging me, slowly my eyesight return to me. To see the two Princesses and the Elements of Harmony staring down at me, except Twilight. I got up as quickly as I could, and felt a great pain over take me through out my body, I must have been badly injured. As I stood up looked over to the position where Satan Morroc one stood, only to see charred marks on the floor from the aura beams that were fired at him, he was finally gone. But the celebration was short lived when I suddenly realized that Twilight had been hurt. I barely heard myself say "Where is Twilight?!" All I saw was the ponies pointing with their hoofs toward a specific direction. I saw them trying to talk to me but I could not hear. So I just followed their queues to where they were pointing. I rushed over to where Twilight lay motionless on the ground.

"No... please god no..." I embraced the purple unicorn. "God no.... please no... don't let her be gone..." I held the purple unicorn closer and closer and I began to tear up. "SOMEONE CALL SOME HELP!" I yelled at everyone. "Please god, don't let her be dead. You can't let me lose her!" I screamed out. "I love her damn it..." I said softly and buried my head into her, crying immensely and I held her tightly.

"Ugh....." I heard moan come from the fallen pony.

"TWILIGHT! PLEASE BE OK CAN YOU HEAR ME?!" I yelled out.

"I'll be... ok... I promise..." Twilight said softly and she opened her eyes and gave me a small smile.

"Thank the gods! You're ok! I almost thought I lost you!" I held her close.

"We will take care of her Kiniro, you must leave soon the portal is closing!" Luna called out to me.

I just nodded in agreement. "I guess this is goodbye my love... I'm glad we had what we did for this short time." I responded and kissed her forehead.

"I love you Kiniro... please be safe." I heard her say softly.

I looked over to the portal, realizing my time had come. I swung my guitar over my shoulder in preparation to enter the portal. "Everypony, Princesses and to you Twilight, even though I must go as Celestia has deemed it impossible for me to stay here in Equestria, I have learned something extremely valuable. I have learned that the power of friendship, and having not just allies who stand beside you but friends who stand by your side is the most powerful thing you can ever have. I appreciate everything that you all have done for me to help me get to this point, and I know me being here threatened your Kingdom and your world, but together we fought and defeated a great evil, as friends. And to you Twi, I'm glad what we had together for this short time, and I want you to know that you will have a special place in my heart, you all will."

"What a precious little speech" I heard a familiar voice call out to me...

End of Chapter 18.

Chapter 19: An Old Rivalry

The Guitarist

Chapter 19: An Old Rivalry

As I looked over to the direction of the mysterious voice. I couldn't believe what I saw. There was no possible way. I quickly slung my guitar from shoulder to my arms. "How the hell did you get here?!" I yelled.

"Isn't it obvious you bafoon? The same way you did!" The mysterious voice called out. "Now if you don't mind I have a portal to take back home."

"The hell you will! You have caused me so much pain and grief!" I shouted.

"Well well well, you still have that spunk from when I first met you." The voice insulted.

"Young Kiniro who is that?" Celestia asked.

"Thats Queen Xellie... I don't know how she's here, but she is!" I responded.

"Why yes yes, I am here." Xellie said with a mocking tone.

"Celestia did you know that she was here?!" I shouted.

"Yes young Kiniro... but we did not know that she was this Queen you referenced. Luna did pull another human from the void when she rescued you."

Xellie yawned. "While I thank you for sparing my life, I have a kingdom to get back to."

"Over my dead body you will." I responded.

"That can easily be arranged! You know how long I've waited for this day?" Xellie said back, quickly she hit her pressure plate triggering her Katar Daggers to pop out from her armor covering her arms and she quickly grabbed them and quickly went into a fighting stance.

"You know how long I've dreamed for this opportunity?! Ever since you betrayed me and all the others you said were trying to depose you from power! You know that was lie and you know that we were all very loyal!" I shouted.

"Liar! I found what plans you were plotting!"

"There were no plans! You just used that as an excuse because you realized that the others and I were a threat to your power!"

"Well I guess someone finally figured it out then... sometimes I just believe the things I've said, but no matter. Its time to end this!"

"Lightning!" I yelled into the portal" If you can hear this! The Queen won't be returning to you! You are the last in the line of succession! Hail the new king!" I said with a smile.

"You son of a bitch!" Xellie rushed at me with her daggers and I quickly blocked her attack with my guitar.

"Kiniro is that you! Are you alright?" I heard Lightning call out through the portal.

"Ugh. I'm fine! Promise me that you will take good care of the Kingdom." I said while still trying to block the attack with the portal directly behind me.

"Quickly Kiniro you must go soon! The portal is closing! We might not be able to open it again!" Luna shouted.

"No! I will not let this tyrannical leader return to Midgard!" I shouted. "And I am willing to make that sacrifice for my world!"

"Well if you are so hell bent on trying to die to keep me here I'd be more than happy to fill your wish!" Xellie shouted. The stalemate had broken and she had retreated slightly so that she could rush me again.

"Bring it you bitch!" I rushed her with my guitar in swinging position. Every attack she tried to land on me I blocked with my guitar causing another stalemate. "I that the best you have?!" I shouted.

"Princess Celestia! Do something!" Twilight shouted.

"Both of you stop it at once!" Celestia yelled.

"Princess Celestia! I respect your authority as the ruler of Equestria! But I plea with you if this does not get settled my land could fall back into despair!" I pleaded as I held my position in the stalemate.

"Very well Kiniro, but you are running out of time!" Celestia reminded me. But with that final reminder it was to late. The portal began to close.

"My home!" I yelled.

"My Kingdom!" Xellie yelled and with those words the portal closed completely. "You pretentious prick! You let the portal close! Now we can never go home!"

"That's the plan!" I smiled.

"I will kill you!" Xellie slid back to try to rush me again.

"Not today you back stabber!" I quickly played the song "The Rift" with its relaxed tone, I felt the surge of adrenaline rush through me as the song began to play and time began to slow down around me as my reflexes heightened. I quickly turned my guitar and grabbed hold of the firing lever of my guitar. To suddenly return to time as normal. "Checkmate Queen!" With those final words I fired the arrow that I had originally saved for Xellie during our encounter in Morroc Fields. I saw the arrow exit the chamber of my guitar and released from the head of the guitar and soared in flight.

"Nooo!" Xellie tried to quickly shift position but he great speed which had made her the victor during the Wars of Emperium were not quick enough this time. She had turned only have the arrow pierce her leg and she collapsed to the floor. "You bastard! Fuck you!"

"Not so fast are you with out your legs?" I joked."I could finish you off right here and right now."

"Why don't you! Do what you've always wanted! Finish me off!" Xellie yelled at me.

"Because I'm not you... Celestia... banish her to the moon." I stated.

"With pleasure young Kiniro!" Celestia covered Xellie in her magic.

"No no no no no no no! I'll get you Kiniro! I swear to god I will find a way back and get you! That's a promise!" With those final words she disappeared.

"Finally... its over... my land may have peace..." I dropped my guitar to the ground feeling extremely weak and I followed suit.

"Kini!" Twilight rushed over to me. "Please be ok Kini! Celestia do something!"

"With the folds of our two worlds closing he may not be able to survive here." Luna commented.

"No please Kini! Don't go! Please don't go! I love you!" Twilight shouted.

"I love you too Twilight... I love you too..." I said with my breath becoming weaker and weaker...

"Kini!" Twilight shouted.

Everything began to grow dark, just like when I had got caught in the void. This was it. "Valhalla... I'm coming home..." I muttered. I felt the life and energy being sucked out of me, I would not be in this world for much longer. I could feel someone embracing me and I felt what I thought were tears falling on to my neck. I believed it was Twilight and was mourning my last moments.

I was sure that this was the end for me. Twilight I'm sorry I couldn't stay, the last few moments I had left, I remember hearing the strumming of the song of Ragnarok on my guitar, but who had been playing it... I must have been delusional in my last moments. Memories of my times in the wars, while running from Xellie, to my times in Equestria and finding the love of my life here, and her name was Twilight, but again I heard the song in my head in my last moments.

With that I felt a sudden burst of energy flow through me. What was going on? What was happening to me? I felt the energy flowing through me, with a sudden jolt the darkness that was over taking me stopped and the light returned to me. I remember my eye sight returning to me and I remember being on the ground. I surveyed my surroundings, I was still in the throne room and as I continually looked around, my hearing returned. Only to hear sudden gasps and what sounded like various shocked responses.

I looked up at the Elements of Harmony and the Princesses, directly above me to see shocked responses on their faces as well. "I'm ok... I'll be ok... I'm here Twilight..." After those last words everything went black again, but I still felt my thoughts racing in my head. Especially with the thought of "I'm alive..."

End of Chapter 19.

Chapter 20: Awakening

The Guitarist

Chapter 20: Awakening.

I remember dreaming of Twilight. So I knew I wasn't dead, I remember seeing her beautiful mane and her babbling about magic and books. But I was happy in my dream just spending time with her. I felt a slight nudging on me.

"Kini wake up. Wake up Kini! Please wake up." I ended up hearing, and I slowly opened my eyes.

"Oh thank Celestia you're ok! "I felt Twilight embrace me and I smiled, but something felt different about myself. "Now um Kiniro... I need to break something to you, and it might be a little difficult to explain."

"In a minute Twilight, answer me something first. How long was I out for?" I asked.

"At least 2-3 days." She responded.

"I was out that long?!" I shouted. Only to see Twilight's reaction as a big smile.

"And I took care of you by myself." Twilight's smile only got bigger to the point I swear I heard some sort of 'squeeing' type sound.

"I thank you Twilight, but... ugh. I feel like all my muscles are tense... I need to get up and stretch." I commented.

"Wait wait wait! Kiniro don't! Not yet! I need to tell you something first!" Twilight tried to interrupt.

"It will only be quick minutaaaaaaaaaahhhhh." I said as I fell off the couch." Ugh... whats wrong with me I feel like I can't move right."

"Yeah about that Kini..." Twilight tried to explain but she was too late. I had caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

"OH MY GOD! I'm a... I'm a... I'm a... I'm a..." I noticed that the reflection in the mirror was mine. "I'm an... earth pony... What happened to me?!"

"I tried to tell you Kiniro... but Celestia, Luna and I have some theories... but nothing we can prove yet."

"Oh my god... I'm a... pony..." I caught my reflection in the mirror again, I was an earth pony, with a beige coat with a midnight blue mane just like my hair, but I didn't have a cutie mark. "Oh my god... I'm a pony!"

"Yeah... I inquired Celestia about what happened and I think we came to a conclusion. You once told me that the song of Ragnarok is a very unpredictable song and it has unintended consequences."

"Yeah..." I agreed. "But how does that make me pony?"

"Well I'm getting to that... I remember AJ telling me a your story for the first time. She said you mentioned to her that the song of Ragnarok was unpredictable and had unknown consequences, but it could be used to form whatever the heart and the soul of its player wanted. So I believe anyway, that when you played the song of Ragnarok, fighting Satan Morroc, you had more than just defeating him in mind."

"Yeah... I did, I wanted to stay in Equestria so I could stay with you." I responded.

"So you got your wish!" Twilight kissed me.

"So you mean to tell me that..." Then I remembered what Celestia told me..." Celestia told me that I could not stay because I wasn't a pony! The song of Ragnarok transformed me into a pony so I could stay! So that I could stay here with everyone! To stay here with you!" I shouted in joy.

"That's right! And I hate to say it, but I got not only the person I fell in love with, but he became a pretty handsome pony." Twilight then kissed me again. "Hey also I know you were attached to your style of fashion so I sent your clothes from when you were a human over to Rarity to make you copies of them, but you know in pony form."

"Thank you Twi, I can't thank you two enough." I commented.

"You can thank me later!" Twilight smiled and winked at me. "I have to send a letter to Celestia telling her you're fine and that you'll be staying with me."

"Alright you do that Twi. Oh! Before you go... where is my guitar?" I asked.

"Its right behind the couch!" She responded.

"Thanks Twi... now to figure out how to waaaaaaallllk" I said as I fell over as I tried to pick myself up. "Nevermind I'll just sit here." I said and I reached for the guitar. "I bet I all my magic is gone now that I'm an earth pony... but that's ok I'm happy in just being here." I knew that peace had been brought not only to Equestria but to my own land as well with Queen Xellie out of the picture, and now with my self imposed exile in Equestria. I know many would be upset not being able to return home, but I was happy here with my new home.

I looked back over to the Mirror eyeing my reflection of myself as an Earth Pony, beige colored coat with a midnight blue mane. But no cutie mark, and then I remembered what those three small ponies had told me "Its when appears when the pony realizes his true talent." This made me think... I placed the guitar in my lap and tried to grasp it with my hooves. "Man this is difficult to do... But I'll figure this out sooner or later." However that didn't stop me from trying to strum on my guitar, what sounded like horrible chords. "Eh... I guess I am that bad now without my hands... heh. Let me try this again..." I tried to slowly play the intro chords of the song of Lutie. "Ok I've got that part... Now lets see a little faster..."

This time I had played it a little faster but admittedly it was difficult, but to my shock and amazement, my guitar began to glow slightly with a weak aura and I saw one lutie apple manifest in front of me. "By the gods... I can still..." To my amazement as i sat in front of the mirror I saw my cutie mark appear on my flank. It was a scroll with a guitar imprinted on it!

"TWILIGHT TWILIGHT! COME QUICK!"

The End.

Dedicated to my wonderful girlfriend who I had to leave behind for a few weeks while out on business! If it was not for her the inspiration for this story would not exist!

-Kiniro
September 3, 2012

Sequel: The Missing Bard

Legends state that there was another who had played the song of Ragnarok before me. This bard had lived 300 years before I was even born, yet when he tried to perform the song, it was too unpredictable and he had perished performing it. What made me so different from him? Was it just because I harnessed magic through my guitar compared to the regular bard from my homeworld? Those traits had no effect in my song play, it had only made me more disciplined in doing so. Yet when I played the song, while it did require alot of my energy to play, but if the heart and soul of its performer were in the right place, it would do what was asked of it, and I survived... So why did the first performer of Ragnarok not survive... This question would puzzle me as time went on during my stay in Equestria. But without a way back home to study and find its answers, this riddle had become a fore thought in my mind. Until a shadow of Midgard's past had emerged, I'd had never expected to find an answer to this age long riddle the way that I did...

The Missing Bard

Prologue Part 1: The State of Midgard

The Guitarist

Prologue: Part 1

These were dark times for Rune Midgard. With the recent passing of our King, Tristam the Third, who had no heir, the high council had enacted the Wars of Emperium. The Wars of Emperium were a series of battles where guilds fought for strongholds and territory. Many of these guilds had housed the country's strongest of warriors, brilliant scholars, talented magicians and apathetic Clerics, and many would not see the end of these wars. The most victorious guild and its leader would then be chosen by the high council to lead the country. As the wars dragged on, the high council had removed territories and strongholds from from this violent competion until one territory and its stronghold remained. Many of the guilds engaged in conflict, had their manpower severely depleted, and with that so did Midgard's defense from its many threats. But its victor was to be regarded as a hero and to usher in a new age of prosperity for our great land. But no one had expected the great devil by the name of Satan Morroc to return to our world.

Bonus Chapter: The Letter to Celestia

Author's Note: This Bonus Chapter will be extremely short and its only for flavor to help with one key part of the story if you haven't figured it out yet!

The Guitarist

Bonus Chapter: The Letter to Celestia

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am writing you regarding the human by the name of Kiniro, as I am sure you have already read the letters I have sent you regarding his story and his arrival here in Equestria, especially concerning his song of Ragnarok. He told my friend Applejack that it will do what the heart and soul of its player desires. But as I talk with him more the evidence seems to strongly point to the reason of his arrival is that song. I also write this letter to you begging on his behalf to allow him to stay here in Equestria. Only because he finds himself at a crossroads, where he believes he can not return to his world least more harm would come to it, even if he were to succeed defeating the great evil of Satan Morroc which he speaks of. But I know he is human and he might not survive here, so I plead with you to help me find a way to allow him to stay. Because... I love him.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

My Faithful Student,

My sister Luna and I have been contemplating this song of Ragnarok in your past few letters and we believe that we may have found a way to allow Kiniro to stay. It is very risky and we have no way to prove that it will work. But as the folds of our both our worlds remain slightly open, he can survive here on our world as a human, but once they close he may not be able to survive. Now Luna primarily theorized that if Kiniro can play this song of Ragnarok, while unpredictable, once again while in Equestria and he can find enough reason in his heart and soul to stay here in Equestria, he will be allowed to stay. But we can not risk his life for this chance, but if he so decides to make that decision which may cost his life, we can all only hope that the theory of this song can be proven right, but we will assist in wanting him to stay here when we meet tomorrow. I am sorry my Faithful Student that neither I nor Luna can do more to help.

Signed,

Princess Celestia