Equestrian at Heart

I write these lines with the intent of leaving a record. My life is no longer as it was. Moreover, as much as it pains me to admit it, I probably won't be able to return. Whoever decided to throw me into the magical land of Equos did a good job at hiding their methods. My memories come to an end when the "robber" shot me. I'm also being forced to record my activities in this thing for evaluation from the psychiatrist and the captain, who doesn't seem to think very highly of me.

At any rate, I will describe what happened in my first encounter with the first Equestrian creature I met, Silver Hoof.

Sitting on my bed, I kept my hands in plain view over my knees. I tried to look as friendly as possible. My situation didn't seem the best at the time. Therefore, the less suspect I looked, the better. Due to the medieval setting, and the weight behind the footsteps, I expected a knight in armor to appear. And I did get what I predicted, except for the fact she wasn't human. You read it right, my captor, dressed in a full set of plate armor made out of gold, was a unicorn. An anthropomorphic unicorn with a pink coat, roset mane, silver hooves, and who looked ready to throw a hook at my face.

"So, five days unconscious, and now you are awake," She said while standing in front of the bars. I felt safe behind those bars. I bet that had I been in range, she would have grabbed me by the neck.

"I appreciate the fact I was not tied to a chair or something. Thank you for leaving me relatively free. It puts me somewhat at ease," I said as calmly as I could.

"Why would you be at ease behind bars? How many times have you been arrested for committing a crime?" She inquired with a smug look on her face.

"I have never been put behind bars, nor have I committed any crimes. I thank you for granting me some level of freedom. Because, waking up in an unknown place, behind bars, and talking with a creature that I had never seen before. All of this puts me in a blind panic. I am terrified to the bone. Moreover, I feel like I am about to cry," I retorted calmly with my eyes watering up a bit.

"If you have not committed a crime, why are you afraid?" She pressed while leaning closer to the bars.

"Because the last thing I remember is being shot. The next thing I know, I'm behind bars, throwing up black goo, and collapsing again," I retorted while gripping my pants.

There was a moment of silence between us. She stared at me with disdain before huffing and opening the door.

"I have talked to the princess about your case. She insisted on meeting you. However, I managed to convince her that first, we should assess how much of a threat you are to us. Therefore, we shall take an assessment of your combat skills before her very eyes. Once she realizes the danger you represent, you will be thrown in the badlands," She said while her horn fired up, causing a set of shackles to appear.

Ok. They have a princess. And she is planning to make a public execution. I AM VERY SCARED! I concluded while crossing my arms.

"Not to be a nuisance, but wouldn't that be reckless? I have never been in a fight. However, if I knew how to fight, wouldn't you be exposing the princess to unnecessary danger?" I argued in hopes of making her back off.

"The arena has a magical barrier. Once the battle begins, only those from the outside can come in and interfere," She said proudly. "If anything, the princess will be safer with you inside it, instead of an audience."

FUCK. There is magic, AWESOME. There is magic, FUCK. I love this situation, and I hate it at the same time! I concluded while getting up and offering my hands. My captor seemed very pleased with the idea of restraining me. After placing the shackles on me, she put a blindfold on me.

I heard a weird sound before feeling my body being stretched as if I was made of rubber. My head felt like it was about to explode, my muscles felt as if they were being torn apart, and my consciousness nearly faded into nothing. Before I could tell what was going on, the blindfold was removed. I wasn't in the holding cells any longer. No, I was outside.

I felt overwhelmed by the sunlight as the light made my head hurt. There was a small fence around my waist in terms of height. It looked well-made and displayed small lavender banners with the symbol of the sun on them. I shook my head a few times while blinking to try and force my eyes to adapt. Once I could see properly, I realized that I was surrounded by white walls and archers, LOTS of archers.

"Listen, I will not fight an ill-equipped opponent," My captor said while gesturing to a white stallion with a blue mane to bring in two types of armor. One that looked like the one my captor had. And another type of armor that looked lighter. "Take your pick. We will fight with melee weapons. No magic shall be allowed. Moreover, the fight only ends when one concedes defeat, or if you're feeling bold when one of us perishes."

SHE WILL KILL ME!!! I screamed mentally while looking at the armor sets. I can't carry a full plate armor. I better take the lighter set. I concluded while picking up the chain shirt, the doublet, the gloves, and the leg armor.

"So, you are either a scout or an assassin," The armored lady said while summoning a silver mace along with a silver shield. "Pick your weapon and a shield, if you feel you need one, that is," She said in a mocking tone. She looked ready to crush me as she summoned a set of fine-looking weapons.

Longsword all the way! I can't even use a sword, let alone a shield. I mused while picking the longsword. I did my best to try and hold it properly, but my stance was pretty much what you would expect from something less than an amateur.

"I'm good," I said while awkwardly holding the sword up and at her.

"Very well," My captor said while dismissing the weapons. "Princess, everything is set. Please, come in so that you can see the threat with your very eyes," She said while bowing her head towards a balcony behind me. A white unicorn with wings came forth with a golden dress and a three-colored mane that floated in a non-existent wind. All of the soldiers stood at attention and saluted her as soon as she emerged from the balcony.

Ok. Bigshot came out to play. I better play it cool and not do anything stupid. I concluded while kneeling and lowering my head.

"Unknown creature, state your name and race," She said in a calm and yet, commanding voice.

Very well, do not fuck it up. Straightforward and honest, stick to these two, and you will be fine. I reassured before taking a deep breath.

"My name is Arthur Liney. I am a human," I replied in a clear tone while keeping my head down.

"Very well, Captain Silver Hoof, You may begin your test at my command. Fighters, take your positions!" She said while I rushed to turn around and awkwardly draw the blade. I felt sweat forming on my forehead while I stared at the grinning mare. My heart raced as I tried to keep my made-up stance. My breathing got faster. My body shook. My body felt the rush of adrenaline. Fight or flight instinct kicked in as time seemed to come to a halt.

"Ready, set, BEGIN!" The Princess announced as I readily threw the sword to the ground, dropped to my knees, and pressed my forehead against the dirt.

"I SURRENDER!" I cried out as loud as I could with tears rolling down my face.

All I could hear was the sound of something hitting the ground with a loud thud before something stomped its way towards me.

"Are you mocking me?!" Silver Hoof said while grabbing my collar and holding me close to her face. She was fuming, and I felt as if she would gut me right then and there. That was when I realized the height difference. She stood a head above me and managed to lift me like I was a paperboard cutting. "You donned the armor. You got a weapon. And you throw it all away?! Do you think I am not worth fighting?! I am the captain of the royal guard!"

"I'm sorry! But I never even held a sword until a few days ago! Please, don't kill me! All I want is to go home!" I said while holding my arms up in a clear sign of surrender.

"You expect me to believe that?! You breached the castle's defenses with a weapon in hand!" She shot back with poison while bringing me closer. If looks could kill, I would be dead at that point.

"I'm sorry! But I didn't do anything! A stranger attacked me. And the next thing I know, I was in prison! I don't know what else to say!" I replied while my voice cracked as if I had hit puberty.

"Enough!" The princess ordered from the balcony. "That creature is terrified for its life, Silver Hoof. We tried your method. Now, we shall try it my way."

PLEASE YES! You sound way more reasonable than her! I pleaded mentally while keeping my surrender pose.