“Heading to that village sounds like the best idea. I don’t even know this place and I am pretty banged up.” Stretching out his right shoulder as he spoke. It was sore from throwing that punch.

Part of him was kind of….proud? It was hard to explain. He never felt that kind of power before. What came after it wasn’t something he wanted to feel again though. The look on Twilight’s face was pure excitement. Which meant trouble for him. They walked together down those long steps into the forest.

She found the dirt path that had brought her to the tomb. They were surrounded by tall pine trees that stretched above them. Blocking out the sun’s rays. Anon took this time to open that screen again. He had figured out that if he tapped the air in front of him it would come up. This…menu had a number of things on it that were labeled:

“Stats, Skils & Effects, Equipment and Party.”

Clicking Stats showed both his and Twilight’s Stats:

“Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship and Magic.

Level: 50

HP: 150

MP: 400

Current MP: 20

Stats:

Str: 60

Dex: 110

Con: 85

Wis: 170

Int: 250

Cha: 110.

Anon tried to talk to Twilight about these screens but, she truly said she couldn’t see anything. She said maybe it had something to do with his status as a hero. He also noticed his HP was recovering by itself. He was currently at 30 HP with it slowly increasing after a little while of walking. This was also happening to Twilight's MP. It was good to know he could recover it. He could also feel his body recovering from the pain physically.

He was still weirded out by all of this. Part of him wanted to believe his getting hit by truck theory while the other part of him wanted to give into the fantasy of it all. A wave of nostalgia attempted to wash over him but, he shook it from his mind.

“How….fucked are we? Do we have anyone that can help us…. like an army.” Finally breaking the silence that the two had been in as they had been walking.

“….Not that I know of without the princesses or me and my friends…not many have the power to resist her. She controls most of Equestria. She stomps out any resistance quickly if it comes up. Only few places still hold out against her forces without help they will….” She stopped herself shaking her head. “No. We'll help them as soon as we rescue everyone.”

That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. If this was real…he was pretty sure he was gonna die. He just groaned out closing the menu in front of him. “…Ok….so who or what is this Lilith person?” Asking his next question to the princess.

“….I don’t know. No one knows. We've never seen anything like her before. Her form is kind of like your’s but, it's different. She's pale and…she has this weight to her that sucks all the life out of where she walks. I only saw her for a moment as she….” Again she stopped herself. “L-look up ahead.” She pointed towards the end of the dirt road.

Anon stopped himself seeing in the distance what looked to be log cabins. Quite a few of them built into a small clearing in the woods. Twilight smiled. “That’s North peak Village. They're a wonderful group of Earth Ponies that help me make it up to the tomb.” She explained happily.

“…Earth Ponies?” He asked.

“Ooo right. Umm….you see ponies are broken into four types. Earth ponies who are strong in body and good with nature. Pegasi who can control weather and have wings on their back. Unicorns who have horns and are good with magic…then finally Alicorns like me…who are again very rare.” She explained as they walked towards the entrance of the village.

The two stallions at the entrance had spears in hand readying them for use until there expressions soften at the sight of Twilight. “THE PRINCESS HAS RETURNED.” Shouting this back into the village as she gave a wave to them.

The stallions gave an odd look to Anon but, he was with the princess so they welcomed him all the same. Walking into the village square. It wasn’t much. Most were dressed in a rustic garb a lot of the stallions looked much like lumber jacks or men of the forest. A heavier set older woman raced up to the princess. Her hair was grey and in a tight bun on her head. She had a shawl over the long dress she was wearing.

As she walked up a little girl of blue fur and orange mane ran to Twilight. “TWILIGHT YOU’RE BACK.” The girl said excitedly.

Twilight kneeled scooping her up in her arms in a tight embrace. “Hey, Ari. Are you being good for Miss Betty?” She asked.

“She's being a sweet little thing.” The older mare answered. “Seth. The princess has returned.” Betty called out from the log cabin she just exited from.

At this point a rather large crowd was beginning to form around both Anon and Twilight. The crowd only parting for the older man that walked up behind Betty. He was hunched over. He had blue furred skin and his mane was white as snow. You couldn’t see his eyes from the wrinkles that covered them. A thin mustache covered his lips and hung beside his chin with cane in hand he walked up to the Princess.

“Were you able to do it?” The Elderly man asked.

Twilight just smiled extending an arm to Anon. “Yes. I have done it everyone. I have summoned the legendary hero. Together we will save not only you but, all of Equestria.” Shouting this proudly to the village.

Everyone suddenly turned their gaze to the odd creature that had come with the Princess. Slowly hobbling his way in front of Anon. The elder looked up at him. “Is this true sonny? Have you come to save us from the Blight that has gripped us in fear?” He asked.

He felt the cold sweat take over his body as Anon eyes swiftly scanned the crowd that was solely focused on him. He cleared his throat. “Um….” He then stretched out. “Ooo boy am I beat from that walk down the mountain. Hey Twilight why don’t we rest a bit.” Uttering this out to her giving her a glare. She just tilted her head in confusion.

“Ah yes we have an empty cabin over there. We kept it warm just encase Twilight returned.” Betty stated.

“Great. Perfect. LET’S GO TWILIGHT.” Anon stated happily grabbing her arm and beginning to pull her towards the cabin.

“You two rest up! We’ll have a feast tonight in your honor! We will get you when the food is ready! IT’S TIME FOR A CELEBRATION.” Betty cried out as the crowd went into a roar.

Anon pushed Twilight into the cabin first. It was a cozy area with a lit fire place and small couch in the middle surrounded by a few wooden chairs. Anon shut the door behind them quickly. As he raced towards the front windows pulling the curtains shut.

“ANON! That was rude.” She commented with a furrowed brow towards him.

“RUDE!? Twilight why did you tell them all that. I tried telling you this before in the tomb. I AM NOT A HERO. I am an accountant. I do peoples taxes for god sakes.” Quietly shouting back at her.

Taken back by his words she gathered herself. “B-but you stopped that monster. I SAW YOU DO IT.” She stated firmly.

“I don’t know what that was Twilight. Also that punch….REALLY FUCK’N HURT AFTERWARDS.” Just finally laying all the cards on the table for her.

Silence took the room for a moment as Twilight slowly walked over to the couch collapsing onto it. A thousand yard stare on her face as she looked down at her legs. Anon just stood there for a moment waiting for some kind of reply. Twilight hands balled up on her legs. “I…I believe in my ancestors and my master. They put Faith in that book. If that book summoned you that means I have faith in you even if you don’t.” Looking up at him with resolve once more.

Anon rubbed the back of his neck finding it hard to look her in the eye. He knew he agree to help but, this was a lot of weight. The tension of the room was cut by the shouting of stallions. “RAIDERS!!” The warning was given to the whole village.

“LET THEM THROUGH. DON’T RESIST.” The Elder shouted back.

Twilight rushed to the door before she was grabbed by Anon. “WAIT. Let see what's going on first.” He expressed quickly.

He began to pull one of the curtains to the side peering out with Twilight. What they saw now in the square were ten riders on these strange horses. These horses had no flesh only muscle, and had deep crimson eyes. Atop their backs were beings dressed in full black iron plate-mail. All of them in similar fashion but, one. That one was larger then the rest and his armor was different.

His helm had two bull like horns coming off the sides. His chin was exposed under his helm. His flesh was green and he had two tusk like teeth sticking out of his bottom lip. He also had a large black great sword on his back that was peppered with blue runes on it. Carved into the very iron itself. He dismounted his beast in front of the elder.

“I am the Leader of The Black Riders. Varbu the Breaker. We serve General Esdeath. She is a servant of Lilith. YOUR NEW QUEEN.” Shouting this out as he made a small circle around the Elder. Towering over the fragile old man. “Lilith has felt a great distortion to the peace she has given you. Someone has slaughtered one of her beasts in cold blood. We were sent to investigate this crime against the crown. If you have any information speak now!” Shouting to the village as a whole.

Everyone tensed….mothers held their children. The men of the village held their spears tighter but, dared not get any closer to the riders. Varbu taking a good look around turned to the elder leaning close to him.

“Tell them to stand down old man. I would love to burn this place to the ground.” Smirking as those words left his lips.

The elder held his hand up to the warriors of the village for them to loosen their grips on their spears. “We want no trouble. We have not heard of anything or seen anyone new. Please we are but, humble loggers of these find woods.” Uttering calmly but, with a firmness in his tone.

“Hm….” The leader’s smirk soured but, then appeared upon his face again as a thought danced in his mind.

“I see…well then we shall simply use this village to rest for the evening. You will give tribute to your new leaders. We will take your ale, your wood and some of your strong men to work where they are needed. Do this and you will return to your peaceful lives.” Shouting this as he looked down at the old man. “Isn’t that right?”

“….Give them what they need. Don’t cause a fuss everyone!” The Elder answered.

The villagers put down their spears and began gather things for the riders. Twilight watched in horror at all of this. Gripping her own fists tightly.

“We have to do something!” Stating this to Anon.

Author's Note

Alright everyone you have another choice to make:

1. Full Attack against riders with Twilight.
   
2. Sneak Attack against the riders with Twilight.
   
3. Try to convince Twilight to hide and not take actions (50 percent change of failure due to Anon's low Charisma)
   
4. Attempt to flee while trying make riders follow you both and loose them in the woods somehow.

The choice I once again give to the readers of this fanfiction. Choose carefully. I do enjoy reading your reasoning. Also even if you don't want to vote...I love your feedback all the same.