Harmonic Hero: The Twilight Knight

by Warpony

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Original Character, Comedy, Adventure, Human, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 11504

A young man plays a game based off everyone's favorite show.

In the near future when virtually reality technology is perfected, it is used in a number of ways. The most popular and enjoyable use is for playing games. One game though stands on top of the rest, Harmonic Heroes. This action packed online game swept the world off it's feet with it's design, graphics and story telling. Though, despite it's fame in some circles, a few have never heard about it. One such person is a young man named Axle. This young man joins the game about a year after it is release to the public. Once he begins, he sees this game is more than just that. It is a world in and of itself. But he is still a 'Fresh Hay', as some say. With a special power, he may be able to pull some tricks off.
(Currently looking for better cover art.)

Published 2012-10-12 01:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-11-12 00:27:45 UTC

Installation

As the school bus sped down the highway, Axle leaned against the window with his phone in his hand. "Two thirty, I still have plenty of time." The student whispered to himself with a tired voice. He turned the power off on his mobile and placed in his the top pocket of his blue vest. He tighten his grey beanie on his brow hair. The rays from the sun shined down onto him, heating both his head and the worn leather seats. As he looked out to watch the trees pass by, he listened into the conversation behind him.

A blonde girl in a red tee-shirt was nearly yelling at a boy with a white polo-shirt. They both wore jeans and sneakers that matched their own shirts. "Oh my god! Did you see what happened yesterday? Keven was so looking at me ass, can you believe that?" The girl said in almost disgust. "I knew he was a pervert. You know he was always too nice to girls."

The young man next to her sighed a heavy breath that carried to Axle. He turned to his friend and gave her a bemused expression. "Keven is nice to everyone, first of all. The guy took a hit for even me, someone who barely knows him. That is how cool he is. Second, the only reason he was even looking at your ass is because you had some dirt on it from when you sat in that seat."

The blonde girl held a confused expression and muttered. "What now?" She pulled out her phone and started to text a message. "Whatever."

Axle turned his ears to the conversation next to him. The two who sat there had some sort of digital devices in both their hands. As one started reading off names, the other took out a pen and started typing them. "Jude, Vencer, Hydroblaze and Quick Slick." The young man, wearing a white button up shirt, pointed to the screen next. "That is us on our first big raid." From his angle, Axle saw nothing but the look on their faces.

Then, the one who gave the information held a smirk while the other gave an impressed look. "Nice bro. Here is when I finally got the Rarity challenge line done. I got clothes for ever kind of event, hanging-out, arena, the battlegrounds and questing." The second boy, wearing a green plaid shirt, showed the first his device. Axle was still unable to see, but his curiosity grew now.

Axle leaned over and tapped the shoulder of the one closest. "Hey Pete." Axle said, knowing the boys name. His classmate turned and said hello. Axle then pointed to the devices. "What this be bro?" Axle said in improper grammar as a joke.

"Ah, you probably won't know about this, huh?" Pete said as he waved his device. "This is for a game me and John here play." Pete returned to the home screen on his device. "This is called a Stable Station, or S.S. for short. It is like another P.D.A except it is only for the game it is tied to." Axle nodded his head. "Here let me show you." Pete hopped into Axle's seat and displayed his S.S.

On the screen was the image of a oddly colored pony with clothing and an axe on his back. It had a horn showing it to be a unicorn but also had a marking on it's flank. "This is my character, he is an original char-" Pete was silenced when the bus stopped abruptly and all the students were forced forward. Axle jerked his head and say that his stop had already arrived. Pete got up out of the way and let him out with his final words. "Look up Harmonic Heroes. I mean come on, you work at the best place on earth."

Axle sighed and walked off the bus. "Right, best place on earth." Axle stepped off the bus, hearing the doors close behind him. The young man walked three blocks to the town plaza. Jumped over a fence to the department parking lot and began to take off his vest to reveal a black tee-shirt with a large red power button printed on it. Axle knocked on the back door and waited four seconds till he heard the cogs turning. A moment later a slightly overweight man with short brown opened the door. "Sup Jake."

"Ah Axle." Jake said. "You really need to learn how a front door works." The man moved out the way and let Axle inside. "But it's cool for now. No one has come in all day so whatever." Axle's co-worker closed the door behind him and walked through the back of the store. Boxes full of new video-games, consoles and accessories were stacked on shelves. "So whats good bro?"

Axle shrugged and tossed his bag on the floor in the back. "Nothing much, senior year can be near dreadful." The two employees made their way to the front of the store. Shelves of owned and new game disks littered the shelves. Two registers rested by the entrance with computers. A television hung from the ceiling and played the same video over and over.

An hour pasted and Axle yawned from boredom. He jerked his head back as he remembered what Pete said on the bus. He started looking in the titles for the game and found it. "Oi, Jake."

Jake looked up from his magazine. "Yeah bro?"

"Have you ever heard of Harmonic Heroes?" Axle turned the screen for Jake to see. His friends face glowed as he looked at the screen. "I'll take that as a yes. What is it anyway?" Axle turned the monitor the right way as he read the information off the screen.

Jake took out a key and unlocked a drawer under the counter. He took out an S.S. and handed it to Axle alone with a user manual. He then spoke with hype. "It is only the greatest massive multiplayer game ever made by man kind! You are one of the biggest bronies I know right?"

"I remembered to live today, correct?" Axle said sarcastically.

"Shut the hell up." Jake responded with a quickly corrected bitter tone. "Anyway, it is basically a game based off that world. Except it is also different in many aspects, like the high amounts of violence, danger and well the human aspect."

"Ah man, it's really humanized?" Axle said in disappointment.

"No its not, actually." Jake classified. "It just has so many things that...You need to play it to understand. Though you only get one character slot. Yet you will never want another one though, so much to do with just one."

Axle looked at the S.S. he placed on the counter. "How are you suppose to do anything on this tiny ass thing?" He shook it like a near empty can. Jake reached over and grabbed it, making Axle whine. "Hey, give it back man!"

"Not until you can have nice things." Jake placed the S.S. down. "Now the Stable Station is only a hand held device that collects your data and stores it. Along with other information like photos you take in-game, inventory, states and so on." The older employee took his key back out and turned to the cabinet behind him. He opened it and took out a green box about the size of an office dictionary. In the front it held bold, glossed purple text. The words came off the surface a few centimeters and were in a strange type of old font.

Jake placed the box on the counter, it read "Harmonic Heroes" with artwork of the six Elements of Harmony. "This game is why I am happy I have the hours I have."

"You sure your not lazy?" Axle picked as he picked up the box.

"Well that too, but none-the-less it is great." Jake stated with pride. "You didn't sell or get rid of that Vac-Tact gear you got from that old tourney did you?" Axle shook his head. "Great, get that shit dusted off, set up and ready to go because I know for a fact you have this week off from school right?" Axle smiled and nodded in agreement. "Cool, we can start making you a character tonight! I can walk you through the whole thing."

Axle took the box in his hand and examined it closely. "Yeah, I'm free for tonight. So what's it like making the character? Pick color, race, class, generic stuff?" Axle rose a brow to Jake. The slightly overweight man laughed heavily, making Axle smile and twitch his eye brow nervously. The bell rang at the door and a few customers strolled in. "Look alive joker." The student placed the box aside with the S.S. till later.

Jake nodded at Axle. "So you want to come over and watch some old episodes?"

Axle watched the customers look around the store. He glanced at Jake with his brow raised. "Old episodes of what? My little pony?" Jake nodded. "Sure, haven't seen a good one in alittle while. What season?" Axle asked in deep interest.

"We are going back to the beginning!" Jake said in a near shout, causing Axle to smile from ear to ear.

The younger employee threw his hands in the air. "Yeah! Nightmare Moon is a foxy momma! She got that nice dark...plot." Axle turned his head and looked at the customers. They were looking at him like he was a maniac or something similar.

Jake just shook his head. "Too much bro. Way too much."

"Shut it Jake." Axle said as he gave him one of his middle fingers. "Go buck yourself. You just mad because you are in love with the bug queen."

Jake gasped at what he found to be very harsh words. He leaned in close to Axle and whispered to him. "You shut your whore mouth."

Axle smirked and leaned in a bit closer. He then whispered lower than Jake did. "That is what I said when I saw your fan art of her." This caused Jake to go wide eye.

He glared Axle, knowing he only had one come back left. The biggest trump card he had on him. Jake smiled with curled lips, knowing he was about to grasp victory over Axle. "At lest I am not single...And sleep with a body pillow of Luna."

Axle stumbled back, shocked at Jake's knowledge. "How do you know of Lunny?" He asked in bewilderment.

"You told me when you were drunk and showed my a picture." Jake explained in a nonchalant manner. Axle opened to get a word in but Jake stopped him. "You told me at my Christmas party. Such an embarrassing photo is was and still it."

Axle glared at Jake and turned to face the register. "You win this round, Tubby."

Hours after Axles shift ended, he and Jake went to Jake's apartment to watch a few episodes of Friendship is Magic. After watching about six or so episodes, Jake started to explain to Axle how to use the Vac-Tact gear. It was a simple setup process and most of the needed hardware was already in Axle's gear. "Thanks again for helping me out man."

Jake gave him a dismissive wave of the hand. "It is my pleasure brother. And no hard feelings about earlier?" Jake smiled and stuck out his hand.

"Sure." Axle smiled and shook his hand. HE then frowned and pulled Jake in close. "Though mention Lunny once more and I might not forgive you next time." Axle laughed a bit. "Just messing with ya, yeah we're cool." Axle walked down the sidewalk, waving at Jake. "Peace."

Jake close the door to the apartment building as Axle left. The slightly overweight man walked up the stairs back to his apartment. Once he reached the door, he opened it and walked inside. Jake skipped over to his bedroom. "It's game time!"

After catching the bus and getting home safely, Axle was in his room setting up his Vac-Tact equipment. It included a special computer, one headset to cover the face, ears and cranium along with one data port for any external data jacks. Axle was just about finished, all that was left was install the disk onto the computer.

Axle opened the box the pull up a two smaller cases. The first contained the game disk itself. Axle opened the tray on the computer and placed the disk on it. The player closed the disk tray and let the game download onto the Vac-Tact computer and gear. As the computer read the information off the disk, Axle opened the second case. Inside he found a small flash-drive, not a disk. It was what white as snow with a gold star. Axle thought nothing of it till a red message on the screen appeared.

"The hell is this now?" He read the message aloud to himself. "Warning, download error has occurred. Please insert secondary data drive to correct this error." Axle looked to the drive. "Secondary data. This thing?" Axle gave the drive one more look over. He decided it would be best to do as the scree said, so he placed the drive in the USB port and allowed the data to sync with the computer and Vac-Tact gear.

In a matter of seconds, the green load bar ran across the screen. The process was complete and the computer was clear of anymore windows. Axle double checked ever piece of equipment he had. He warmed up the headset and calculated his body information. "Five feet and eleven inches. Or am I six feet? Screw it, five eleven. One hundred and ninety pounds." Axle finished the adjustments and went to his bed. He took off his shoes and socks. He grabbed the headset, which was more like a helmet with a visor over his face.

Axle laid down on his bed, ready to start the game. Before that, he turned to his wall and saw a poster of Luna. "I think I need to get a new one. Maybe Luna kicking Queen Chrysalis's ass." Axle laughed at his comment and started the syncing process. "Alright, now or never!"

Creation of a Hero and a Story to Tell

A spectrum of colors and sounds filled Axle's ears. A variety of tastes and smells reached him from nowhere but everywhere. He could feel a legion of tiny pricks on his body, followed by a soothing wave over his entity. The final nerve connections were complete and Axle was allowed to move his body in a stark white void. Soon though, it turned dark.

Land formed under his feet a dark sky started to roll with thunder clouds. A city erected from the dirt, along with a mighty castle and mountain. "That is Canterlot." Axle said aloud. "This is amazing." Once the mountain reached the sky and all of the city was risen from the ground, a multitude of equines started to flood the streets. Carts and stalls and wagons were everywhere. Ponies bought, sold and traded at the stalls and some pulled the carts.

A legion of pegusi flew in the sky, waving banners of day and night. Axle was pulled up high to follow them. A voice started to speak as Axle moved to narrate the scenery. "Equstria, a land known for it's peace. A land for it's talented ponies who all find their own ways of living. From those in the air who show that all have the ability to soar where their hearts lead them." He flew behind them all as they headed towards the palace.

Once they reached the palace, Axle was brought down to a tower window. Inside he say unicorns practicing their magic skills in what looked like a room made just for that. A shelf of books and small lab sets decorated the walls. In the center was a white square where two unicorns used spell against the other. Axle saw balls of fire and sharps of ice fly around. "To those who study the magical arts and practice them. Showing that all have power deep in their souls and can give them form." A small explosion in the corner caught his attention. A pair of unicorns laid on the floor with sot in their faces. Another came over to assist them, with a telekinesis spell.

Once more, Axle was flung to a new scenery. This time he stood on training grounds were a unit of earth pony were practicing their fighting skills. "Some use their own physical power to show others what can be done with training and discipline. That all challenges can be over come if you work hard and true." A pair fought with swords as another fought with their hooves. In the corner, a lone pony was meditating with a candle in front of him. The candle flickered and the pony opened his eyes to the dark sky.

Axle too looked to the dark and eerie sky. He felt a tug on his back and his body shift. He looked to his sides and saw he had be placed in a new viewing point. He was outside the city, in the middle of a griffin trading caravan. A dozen of the creatures were sitting and eating cooked fish with their talons. "Yet not all who live or come here know of this peace. Through their own bravery and personal issues, they try their best to grow a life with happiness." One of the griffins looked to the sky and pointed to it for the others to see. Axle looked back to the sky to see the dark sky opening. A barrage of brimstone meteors fell from an orange and yellow vortex. The meteors broke apart and started to bombard the city below.

"What the hell?" Axle shouted. "What is that?" Once the meteors crashed into the ground, they broke apart and creatures broke free from them. They were a mix of animals, lion claws, eagles talons, pony heads and bat wings. "A dark time has fallen on Equestria."

As Axle watched the scene, we was brought high into the sky over to the city. "Long dead enemies of the world have come back to claim the land. Along with taking the lives of those who try to save it." Axle saw fire and destruction as he flew over the city. The Draconequus were not the only things Axle caught sight of. He heard rumbling and tilted his head.

To the west, a hoard of Diamond Dogs were approaching with savage looking siege weapons. Catapults made from drift and rough woods. Battering rams made from stone and scrap metals. "Unseen hostility will be awakened." They marched through fields and over hills. They started to fire their catapults and hit the city walls.

A group of ponies who were running away from the Draconequus inside the city. They were halted line of what seemed to be royal guards. They tried to plea with them, but the guards held pinned them down on the hard stone pathway. The guards glowed a sick green hue and transformed into Changling. The Changlings than took the ponies and flew off into the dark sky. As they flew, they passed their Queen, Queen Crysalis, who had the smile of a victor on her face. "Some will return and take what they wanted in the first place."

Axle landed in front of the palace and watched as all the chaos flowed around him. The city began to burn down and the amassed armies of evil began to draw closer. The Draconequus started to fly next to the airborne Changlings. The Diamond Dogs charged inside the city and ran to the palace, where most of the citizens had reached.

"Fear not!" The voice said in a booming voice. "For we have those to defend us in this dark hour. For even in night the stars shine and the moons guides use!" The palace doors opened to relieve Princess Luna in battle ready armor. "After the night passes, the day will come along with the light of the sun!" As Luna stepped forward, Princess Celestia came close behind her. Both holding a presence of command and strength.

"Oh my god. I love this already." Axle said with a dropped jaw. He stood next to them waiting and watching for more.

"Though beware, for what is the purpose of guidance if they're not ponies to follow the teaching and lessons given." A sudden and wild burst of light shot out from the palace. The light spread across the city like a wisp, cleansing it of the fire and the Draconequus, Changlings and Diamond Dogs. A clattering of hooves came from inside the palace. Six mares emerged from inside, dawning their respected elements of harmony.

From the vortex came a large and horrid monster that might not have even been a Draconequus. He was easily the size of the palace and seemed likely to have been able to level the city. He had the head of a dragon, the body of a Minotaur, the legs of a goat and a bird. His arms were that of a a lions caught on fire and an ape. He flew down with with wings of a bat and a tail of a snake. The monster of god-like size landed outside the city and a new hoard rained down on Canterlot. "The darkness is large and has an army of legions. But we have allies of our own."

As a group of Changling flew on the outskirts of Canterlot, a Griffin attacked them. He held fish bones in his mouth as he fought the Changling with his bear talons. As he finished, a half dozen more joined him in his efforts. From the north, a flock of Dragons came in the air and on the ground. They roared and breathed fire upon the Draconequus that flew around the city and destroyed the Diamond Dogs and their siege weapons.

With a long and hard breath, the monstrous creature from the vortex roared. A bell was rung in Canterlot and an army of ponies approached the enemy hoards. Knights, guards and soldiers in shining armor marched in the street as more flew in the air to combat the airborne attackers. Unicorns used their magic to mend the wounded and attack those who came close to the palace.

"Oh my god." Axle repeated over and over. "The graphics and texture, the action is so cinematic!"

The Elements of Harmony prepared to use the elements once more. Just before it was set off, the voice spoke one last thing. "Now is the time for heroes to be born." The elements flashed a bright, stark light that blinded Axle.

When Axle opened his eyes again, he was standing in a stable. "Well that just dropped my excitement down by half." A transparent panel suddenly appeared in front of Axle. On the top of the panel was a tag that read 'Race'. "I guess these are what I can pick from. Now lets see what we have here." The races listed were the three pony races along with Dragon and Griffin.

Axle thought for a little while before picking Earth pony. "I think I will try this one first." Once selected, the panel closed and another one opened for Axle to read. This one was a design panel, to customize his avatar. "Alright, lets make a badass!" Axle said with a smirk. He took hold of the panel and started to play with it.

A stark white Earth pony appeared in a stall next to him. "Alright, well first we need a mane on him. He has got to have that Cloud Strife styled hair, first and foremost." Axle looked through the mane designs ending with a disappointed frown. "Ah man, they don't have it. Wait, they have Zack Fair without that cowlick." Axle pressed the panel and the avatar gained a spiky mane style. The tail turned the same as a reaction to the mane change.

"Now for the color." Axle thought for a few moments before deciding to leave the mane and tail white. "I like white, I'll leave it for now." He selected the body and colored it a shade of gray known as bone that went well with the mane color. He than gave the eyes an teal green hue.

He finished and hit submit, finalizing the color scheme. A new panel named 'Body type' emerged. Axle took a good look at his pony and shrugged. He didn't see anything that needed to be changed except the height and shoulder width. He increase both slightly and finished the process.

"Oh my god! How many panels are there?" Axle shouted. Axle and his pony avatar were moved to what seemed to be an armory. "Well this is better." Just as he finished his sentence in relief, a weapons catalog was placed in front of him in the form of a magazine. "Nice, they now how to make a guy relaxed. Hmm lets see." Axle took it and flipped through the pages. "Wow, they have everything. They even have those um, what are they called. The spinning blades of death. Chakram! They are chakram, death frisbees."

Axle flipped through the pages, looking for a weapon he'd like. "Axe is a no, I hate hammers, wands are a hell no. Spear?" Axle looked to his avatar and back at the image of a spear. "Nah, it just wouldn't look right on him. I guess it is sword and shield. Wait a bloody second here!" Axle shouted as he looked at the selection of shields. One of the many available shields was designed to be a shield and sheath combo. Axle selected the special shield and placed it on his avatar.

The shield was silver with a dark purple moon in the center. It was the length and width of the avatar's leg, making it a perfect fit. The sword was short bladed with a steel hilt. "Now that is nice."

Axle looked through armor. "He should have scale-plated armor." Axle rustled through the designs and found what he was looking for in the back. The scale-plated armor was made with a metal frame that was slightly darker than polished silver. The scales were an obsidian shade of purple, nearly black if seen in darkness.

Axle placed the armor on the avatar and smiled at his creation. "Now that is a battle ready pony!" The player closed his catalog, causing the armory to change into a library. "What the hell now?" The catalog had turned into a large spell book. "Oh blood hell."

Axle opened the book and read the first page. "Now that you are half way down with your character...Only half?" Axle looked up and blinked a few times. He shook his head and went back to reading. "Your character, you just need to pick a few attributes he or she will have. This will also determine what kind of skills/spells he or she will have and use."

Axle flipped through the book and read off a few types. "Fire, water, ice, wind or air, earth, rubber...rubber?" Axle reread rubber five times to make sure his head wasn't playing tricks on him. "Yup, that is totally rubber. Animistic, mystic, light, dark, mechanical. I am going to have to look some of these things up in a guide book or the game website. Just to know that the hell they do."

As Axle continued to read the attributes and what some do, he found himself at the back of the book. There was only one left, an attribute that glowed with a mist of black and white. "Twilight Aura. Must be special or something." Axle selected it and the mist flowed around his avatar. It seeped into it the ponies body and caused it to gain the attributes Axle selected for it.

Once the process was complete, the book vanished while another appeared. Inside this once was a list of backstory details. "Fine what is this? How I am into the world? This must be like, how my pony was born. Alright, let me see. I was born, into nobility, a common family, a poor family, a secret location. I do like them secrets." Axle selected the way he was born.

Next he was asked which Element he thought was most important. "Well it seems it would be rude of me to not say Magic." As he picked Magic, he was asked what Princess he followed. It took only a second for him to pick Princess Luna.

The book closed and the library turned into a stable once more. A panel appeared, seemingly the final one.

You have completed your avatar creation and general background. To finalize, please select a name for your character and what custom title he or she will have. Example: Soaring Struck, Sky Ranger

Axle read the text and pounded on his choice for two minutes. He looked over all the choices he made and any past experiences. He grew a smirk and selected his name. "Nix Hex, Twilight Knight." The panel closed and Axle looked at his character. "Alright, lets do this."

Introductions

Introductions

Axle opened his eyes after a bright flash had caused him to shut them closed. He tried to rub his eyes, but felt that he had no fingers. As he slowly opened them, he heard yelling and screaming. The cries of ponies roared in Axle's ears and the sight of a stable overtook his vision. He turned his head to this left side, seeing his shield and sword laying on the ground. On a table in front of him, a wooden table held his armor.

Axle slowly rose to his hooves, trying to get a stable position. "Well this is easier than I thought it was going to be." He shook his head, his eyes were now reconfigured. A small panel opened in front of him, it said only two words.

Introductions: Destruction

"That's it?" Axle asked aloud. "Worst gameplay introduction yet." Axle takes his shield and sword and walks over to the table. Once he approaches it, a very small panel asked him to touch the armor in order to place it on his body. Axle did so, and his armor was placed on his body instantaneously. On his hoof, his shield and sword where already placed and read for use. He takes three steps towards the door leading out of the stables when he starts to hear a rumbling. To be exact, it was like something large was being pushed on large stone wheels.

Axle rushed towards the door and looked out of it. All he saw was a row of catapult being pushed and pulled towards a city. "Oh god." A new panel was presented to Axle, giving him information about what was going on.

Dog-pults: Catapults constructed by Diamond Dogs as siege weapons. Generally made of stone and wood, they are of poor craftsmanship. They get the job done though, by knocking down walls, small buildings and even damaging players.

Diamond Dogs: Hound like creatures that live in mostly caves or caverns. They have claws, senses and most features of any type of dog. Most wear armor and use iron swords.

Axle looked up from the panel and back at the convoy. "So I have to stop them I guess." Another, smaller panel opened in front of Axle. This one proving to be much more informational.

To receive simple information, please activate the user interface. Simply think about it or say 'interface' to activate it.

Axle did as he was asked and activated the interface by thinking of it. His vision was soon cluttered by his heads-up display. A notification informed Axle that he could choice what items he wished to keep in his view. "Alright, as of now I only want my health bar and my experience bar. That is it." Axle blinked twice and his vision was cleared, keeping it open for him to see perfectly. "Much better."

Magic-Grip: A passive skill that allows pony players to hold weapons. While activated, the pony will stand on hind legs, leaving front legs to use weapons.

Axle skimmed over the message and looked back out the door. Most of the convoy had passed him, excluding one Dog-pult and three guards. Axle took in a deep breath and activated Magic-Grip. He had perfect balance on his legs, making him sigh in relief. The stallion drew out his sword from his shield and held it tight. He walked out the door and ran up to the small group of Diamond Dogs. He leaped up into the air and brought his blade down onto the head of the closest. Axle expected an instant kill, but was surprised when he saw the Dog still standing.

A small bar on the top of the Diamond Dog's head was in the yellow, showing Axle had done damage, but not fatal. "Shit." Was all he got out before he was hit with an iron sword in the face. Axle jumped back and held his face, seeing his health drop a few points.

A single Dog ran to the Dog-pult and placed a rock in it. The other two began a counterattack against Axle. The player used his shield to block their slow attacks. Axle used his shield to bash the the one to his left, placing space between him and the Dog. Axle lifted his sword and swung at the weaker Diamond Dog, bringing the remaining health down to zero. The mutt fell to the ground, his body turning to dust and reforming into a pouch.

Axle looked down at it, but was caught off guard when his second Diamond Dog. He was knocked back by the attack and his health had dropped. Axle grunted at the annoyance and swung at his head twice, killing the Diamond Dog. The turning of wheels caught Axle's attention. He gazed as the Dog-pult turned towards him and fired a boulder at him. "Holy mo-" Axle took the stone on at full force and was flattened on the ground. He slowly pushed the boulder off him to get back up. ''

The Diamond Dog got off the Dog-pult and ran up to Axle, who was now on his legs. The advisory ran up to Axle and swung with a club, but was blocked by Axle's shield. The player than smashed his shield into the mob and swung his sword wildly. In a matter of seconds the Dog was dead and a pouch took it's place.

"Finally!" Axle roared. "Damn that felt good! Better than sex...Well I really can't saw that." Axle sheathed his weapon and got on all fours. "Stupid 'V Card'." Axle walked over to the three pouches and picked them up. He opened them all and found the icon for his inventory flashed. A small bag opened up to show two stones and a sturdy club. "That is it? Well they were the very lowest of the low. So I am okay with this."

A loud boom caused Axle to snapped his head around. The city of Canterlot, burning and a wall around the outskirts had become demolished. Axle started to run down a dirt road towards the sight of war. The path was narrow with a forest on both sides of the road. The sky over head was dark and frightening with a vortex swirling. Swarms of Changelings flew through the sky, fighting Pegasi who wielded spears. Axle diverted his attention back to the road, only to find the Diamond Dog convoy fifty yards ahead.

Axle picked up his pace, which alerted one of the first Dogs nearby. Ten of the mutts turned to face Axle, who had stopped in hid tracks. He glanced at his health bar, still recovering and barely staying green. Axle stood up and took his sword out, ready to fight. Suddenly the screeching of a dragon was heard before a massive fire ball rained down onto the convoy and killed all of the Dogs and their weapons.

Axle looked up so he may find the dragon. He spotted a green scaled beast with wide wings. The Dragon had blue fins going the spine of it's back and an arrow tipped tail. It slow descended to the ground and approached Axle. "You, there!" It said, in the voice of an elder with power. "Who are you and why were you out here?"

Axle prepared to replied, only to be interrupter by the appearance of a panel. On it, a small number of pre-selected responses were given. Axle scanned over them and picked the one closest to what he was going to say. "I am Nix Hex. I was asleep when I was awakened. What is going on?"

The Dragon laughed at the response. "War, what else? The old spirit of annihilation, Distruction, has awakened and is attacking with an assault that was not foreseen. Were it not for our migration pattern, we Dragons would not be here. We are not allies to your kind, but we will assist you none the less." He placed his claw out for Axle to step on. "Come Pony, I am Shin and will take you to the city faster than running can."

"Alright then!" Axle hopped onto Shin's claw and was placed on his back. Axle grabbed onto the fin and held tight as possible. The Dragon shot up into the air and headed to the city. With his over head view, Axle was now able to see the whole area. Small skirmishes were being fought outside the city, Dog-pults being burnt down and ponies fighting. In the horizon, Griffins, Dragons and Pegasi were seen in aerial combat.

Shin flew up higher into the sky, giving Axle a better view of a horrible sight. "Are you ready to fight yet?" Shin asked as her turned back to Axle. With a nod, Axle told him yes. Shin took an imminent nose dive down towards the city. Axle was nearly thrown off due to turbulence. He had managed to stay on though.

A fierce battle was taking place in a large open area. It seemed to have been a park before being destroyed. Grass danced as it was burnt and trampled on by hooves and claws. The sounds of metal echoed while orders were shouted across the battlefield. Bursts of magic flew through the air and collided with bodies that hit the ground soon after. "Hold on tight, Pony." Shin turned up as they reached the top of nearby buildings. The Dragon glided towards the palace. "I am to meet with the Princesses, you will assist me in this matter, yes?"

Axle nodded his head. "I'll help." He said loudly so that the Dragon might hear. With that, the two soon landed at Canterlot Palace. The structure had been damaged by Dog-pults, only a few minor damages to the walls though. It was being heavily protected by air and land. Shin bolted past the defenses and around the castle. He landed on a large open perch-like platform.

Axle slowly got off Shin, feeling slightly dizzy. "Who got the number of that cyclone?" He said as his head spun.

A squad of armed guards rushed out to the perch to secure the area. Soon a clatter of hooves was heard separate from the others. The tall white Alicorn Princess of the Sun walked up to Shin and stood in front of him. "Shin, I am glad you could make it."

Shin huffed smoke up into the air. "You say that as though it were a splendid gathering."

Celestia nodded. "Yes, my apologies. We should hurry and discuss the situ-" Celestia held her tongue when she finally saw Axle, just coming out of his daze. "Who is this one?"

"This is just a simple Pony I found while out delaying the inevitable." Shin said in modesty. "He seems useful, thought another body wouldn't hurt."

Axle turned to Celestia, a selection of responses was displayed for him. "I am Nix Hex, your Grace!" Axle bowed. "I am here to fight the good fight."

Celestia bent her neck down to Axle. "You may rise, my little pony." Axle did as she commanded and the Princess turned to Shin. "Shin, what is the situation on your front?"

"The Diamond Dogs keep coming with their siege weapons. Our Dragons are holding them back, but I don't know when that scale will tip." Shin stated. "Also, our Changling problem as, well, changed. It seems their Queen as left the battlefield. I don't know why though."

Celestia pondered for a moment before coming to a conclusion. "Perhaps she has grown tired of the battle?"

"I fear that is not the cause." Shin replied with a shack of his head. "My hoard as told me that they have encountered beasts, similar to your old foe."

"Discord?" Celestia asked in confusion.

"Yes, they are Draconequus but not like the spirit himself." Shin clarified. "They show signs showing they are only as intelligent as loyal beasts. Also, that they are strong advisories."

Axle listened closely with his digital ears. Suddenly the door to the perch is opened and a purple Unicorn stands in front of it. Her body was decorated in light armor with a large tome hung by her side. "Princess, the others are ready."

"Yes Twilight." The Princess addressed her student. "We shall begin at once."

Shin took in a deep breath and turned around. He unfolded his wings and looked down to Axle. "Come with me, Pony. We need to give those mares time to do their magic."

"Right." Axle hopped back onto Shin. The Dragon launched into the air and around the castle. Axle spotted an object, covered in fire, rushing towards them. "What the-oh shit!" The object crashed into Shin, forcing the Dragon to the ground with Axle with him. "Its a Draconequus, I know it!"

The flames covering the body diminished to revile one of the mix-matched monsters. "Quick, Pony, kill the beast before we make it to the front lines." Shin asked as he took a downward spin to the ground., the force lifted Axle off the back of the Dragon.

As he held on, Axle slowly took out his sword. He looked at the Draconequus, who in return roared at him. Axle gave the monster a crooked look and smirked. "It is going to be a pleasure killing you." He then started to rapidly stabbing the Draconequus, in the head. Axle saw the health on his enemy slowly lower into red. Before dealing the killing blow, Axle held his blade back and built up his strength. When he brought it down on the Draconequus's head, the black glowed with a black and white mist. Instead of disappearing, the monster turned to ash and flew away in the dust.

"What the damn?" Axle muttered. "That was awesome!" Shin shifted, causing Axle to fall over and hit the ground. Luckily, they were already low and Axle didn't take any serious damage.

Shine looked down to Axle. "I'll leave this to you." The elder Dragon then flapped his wings and launched into the air.

Axle looked back to Shine, greatly confused. "Leave me to what?" Axle looked over the area which he hand landed. He was in front of the castle gates into the city. He looked up to the castle, seeing figures stepped out of the front. "So I just have to wait?" Axle smirked. "Not a problem at all."

The stallion turned around to face an army of Diamond Dogs. A timer appeared on his interface showing he had five minutes and fifty seconds remaining. "We fornicate with me in my anus."

A Diamond Dog rose his sword and yelled to the others behind him. "Attack!"

Axle lifted his shield, preparing to take on the battalion. "I am not prepared for this!" As the first Dog lunged in to attack, a fire ball landed and turned the Dog to ash. "Yeah! Time to kick ass!" A Pegasus flew down and landed next to Axle. "Ready man?"

Axle looked over the Pegasus. He was red with an orange, brushed mane and tail. He wore a leather vest and belt. On his sides, he had a small dagger and and unlit torch. His eyes were yellow. Axle looked over his head and saw the players name was Cardinal. "Sure, man."

The Diamond Dogs restated their charge, this time more than one. Cardinal lifted his wings and arched them. Between them, a fire ball built up. It turned deep red and was launched into the crowds. Axle stared at it, catching Cardinal's eye. "What are you waiting for? Use what you got!"

Axle looked at his sword and at the inbound Dogs. He pulled his sword back and waited till one had gotten close enough to swing at. The time came and Axle swung this blade into the Dog's side. The creature flinched at the attack but didn't turn into ash. "Well I got nothing. Holy-" Axle lifted his shield and blocked an arrow from landing in his eye. "Damn it man!"

"Did you look at you skill book yet?" Cardinal asked as he stuck his dagger into one of the mutts.

Axle face hoofed and used the interface to open his available skills. Axle had to dodge and read at the same time, proving to be more easy than he would have though. "Oh this is a good one." Axle jumped back and lifted his shield to is face. He then activated a spell which conjured a wall of dark mist in front of him. As the Dogs ran up to it, the bounced off.

Cardinal looked to Axle with a smirk. "Nice spell. I'm Cardinal, I am a Fire Feather."

Axle nodded. "I'm Nix Hex, Twilight Knight." The two players gave each other a tap on the hoof. "And it is down-" The wall of mist vanished at the same time the timer landed on three minutes. Suddenly the vortex in the sky opened up. From it, Destruction fell. His lion paw ablaze and a mighty but monstrous roar came from his dragon head.

"Well great." Cardinal said in a sarcastic tone. "I don't suppose you can handle these guys are your own. What, you can?Great, peace." The Pegasus jumped onto a Diamond Dog and leaped into the air.

Axle stared at the player as he flew away. "Why you son of-" Axle was hit by a club in the face by a Diamond Dog. He took a deep breath and started to swing wildly. As he fought the Dog's, other players had begun to show up and assist him. Gradually as the battle progressed, players who were able to take flight engaged Distruction. That number was few though, only a small number of three, all Pegasi.

Axle's timer had hit zero, and a bright flash lit up from the castle. A blast of magic ravaged the skies around it's immanent area. "Hey, look out! Here comes the Harmony!" A random player shouted. Axle quickly turned around as he finished off a Dog.

"What now?" Axle was met by the white magic released by the Elements of Harmony. It lifted him off the ground and shot him into the air. The grey stallion yelled as he traveled from his stationary position on the ground towards Destruction. As Axle drew closer, he managed to roll off of the magic blast. He slowly fell downward, but was caught by a Unicorn's magic. Axle patted the Unicorn on his back. "Thanks bro."

Before the magic expert could speak, the magic from the Elements collided with Destruction. The beast was lifted up off the ground and had been flung back into the vortex. The remaining Diamond Dog forces began to retreat, along with any Draconequus or Changlings still in the city.

Axle watched as the armies flooded out of the city and ran. He then felt a hoof on his back. "Yeah?" As Axle turned around, the Unicorn that had saved him turned into a Changling. "Once more. Screw me." The insect like creature punched Axle in the face with it's hoof. He fell to the floor and his vision turned black.

Where To Start?

A bright light over took Axle's vision as he was given back is sight from the blinding punch. As he vision returned, Axle saw a ceiling above him. The white wood seemed to be brighter than expected, forcing his eyes shut once more. A clatter of hoof steps echoed in his ears until a low pitched voice spoke and addressed him. "Ah, the hero awakens. You had us worried for a moment there son." Axle tilted his head to the left to find a brown unicorn stallion in a white coat. He seemed to be a doctor and this was Axle's treatment room. "Getting knocked out by a Changling isn't the best way to go down. Try not to do it again."

Axle leaned up in his seat and looked around his room. Two chairs, a window and one were all that lined the room. "Where am I?"

"You are in Canterlot Care, one of the best treatment centers around." The Doctor replied as he looked out the window. "You have been out for about five days."

"Five days?" Axle asked in a state of unbelieving.

"Yes, thanks to you and others like you. Canterlot, the surrounding villages and towns are safe for the moment. Most of the damage dealt by Destruction has been repaired." The doctor placed a small box next to Axle. It was made of brass plated metal with simple gems decorating the front corners. A key hole in the center indicated it was locked. "This was brought in for you by the Princess. It is a thank you, a reward, and an invitation she said." The doctor placed a key on the box, brass with a small gem in the hilt. "She requested that you arrive at the palace as soon as possible. Which means now."

Axle shot out the bed and took the box, along with the key. "Um, yes Sir!" His gifts were placed into his inventor as he ran out of the treatment center. He ran down a single flight of wooden stairs and through the entrance hall. A labyrinth of halls and doors branched off from the large, stark white pathway. Non-player characters stood to the sides as Axle ran out into the bright doorway.

Once he took a step outside, his vision was once more impaired. Yet he started to hear new sounds. He slowly opened his eyes to a magnificent sight. In front of him, a long road stretched out as far as the eye could see. What seemed to be a hundred players, along with NPCs, cluttered the streets. Stalls, wagons, shops and the like were everywhere. Player were chatting, buying and/or were selling items everywhere. The sky was a soft baby blue with only the pure of white clouds keeping a few areas shaded.

The buildings reached high, painted in vivid and cheerful hues. The architectural design sang of happiness, resonating good feeling to all in the environment. A pony in a cloak stood on the side off a building. His whole body was shielded from sight. The Pony slowly mad his way to Axle, his mere presence was almost invisible to the rest of the world around him. He took a step in front of Axle and stared at him. "New here, Colt?" He said in a low voice.

Axle nodded. "Yes I am."

The cloaked stallion reached into a pocket and pulled out a map. "Here, and don't get lost." The stallion than began to walk away. As he did so, Axle tried to read the name of the stallion. Over his head, four asterisks appeared.

Confused, Axle thought to himself on the possibilities. "He could be a player, but with a crazy reason for that name. Maybe he is really an NPC? Or maybe...Maybe even a Game Master!" He then took a second look at this final guess. "Why would that be the case though?" Axle pondered. "Nah, I'm over thinking it." Axle took a look at the map of Canterlot.

The city was depicted as a large round region that was split into six areas with a massive center. "Worldly Market, in the center of course. What major market isn't in the center of a capital?" He kept reading the map. "Sun and Moon districts, House of Orders, Juniper Yards, Nexus, Tale Terra." Axle smiled and placed his map away.

"Alright, so the doctor gave me an quest right?" Axle looked through his display to find a new entry in his quest log. "Yup, so lets go to the palace!" Axle started to run down the cobblestone road towards the north and to the Sun District.

After a few minutes of getting side tracked, Axle arrived at Canterlot Castle. He strolled through the gates and into the entrance hall. As he approached the door into the Throne room, a guard stopped him. This one was different from the rest. He wore light blue armor with a yellow sun in the chest plate. His helmet was red with green bristles. His coat was white and he looked at Axle with orange eyes. "Who are you?"

Axle looked up to the taller earth stallion. "I am here on request from her Highness."

The guard looked Axle over nodded. "I am Captain Spec Tremor. I am sorry but the Princess is in a very important meeting. Yet she told me to expect to greet you should she be busy." Captain Spec Tremor cleared his throat. "Her Highness wishes to thank you, along with the others that saved Canterlot from Destruction and his minions. She gives to you the Brass Badge of Heroic Action. She also expects to hear more of your heroic accomplishments in the future. Along with with the Brass Badge, you are given a new account in our bank."

Axle bowed before the Captain. "Thank you."

Captain Spec Tremor bowed back to Axle. "You are welcome. But now I want to say something, which no doubt the Princess too would say and ask." The stallion took in a deep breath. "This whole incident was not an isolated event. The whole world as far as we know is in a fight against the Dog, Changlings and Draconequus. There are also a wide range of reports of other creatures roaming and causing mischief. We have been trying to gain more allies in our fight and find ways to put an end to Destruction before he returns. Please, for the sake of Eque...No. For the sake of the whole world, please, fight against this threat and see it through."

Axle nodded his head at the request. "Yes, Sir. I shall see this through."

"Good." The Captain replied. "I shall be seeing you again." Spec Tremor turned away from Axle and took up his post once more.

Axle was teleported back to the gates of the palace with a new panel presented to him.

Introduction: Complete
Now that you have been brought into the wide world, you are tasked with the quest to save it. You may not be able to do it alone though. Seek allies, grow stronger, see the world you are meant to save and enjoy it. For danger is always on the horizon and nothing is set in stone. Venture into the world and assist in anyway you can. Good luck, Hero.

As Axle closed the panel. he went back into his inventory. He took out the box and key he was given. He used the key to unlock the box and found a badge inside. IT was brown, brass, and a Pentagon. Engraved into the face of it was the roman numeral for one. "Bass Badge, accessory." Axle opened his outfitting menu and placed the badge in one of the three accessory slots. The badge appeared on his left chest. "That clashes with silver in a horrible way." Axle said with a small frown.

Walked away from the palace gates and back into town.

"Oi, when did you get back?" A stallion shouted from across the tavern.

Another, Unicorn, stallion walked up to him. "Got back three minutes ago. The swamps are hell."

Axle had walked into a tavern in the Moon district. He had gotten word from someone that he might find request missions. They were an easy way to start, he was told. The tavern was full of player, relaxing or waiting for others. A long bar was set up on the wall to the left of the entrance and the whole floor space was full of benches and tables. Off to the right, a large wall was dedicated to both player requests and game quests.

Axle's hearing was clogged with shouting of others around him. He was alone at the wall until a Pegasus stepped next to him. He turned to glace at the player and found him to be the same one he had met during the battle. The player turned to Axle and smirked. "Hey there man. Nix right?"

Axle nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that is me. Your Cardinal right?"

"Yup that's me." Cardinal smiled. "So what happened to you back at the start? We all saw you fly on that magic blast and fall off."

Nix sighed as a subconscious reflex. "Picked up by magic, fell off magic, caught by magic, punched by a Changling and I woke up in a hospital." Axle looked back at the wall. "Now I am looking for something for me to get started."

Cardinal looked at the wall as well and gazed at the low level, and easier, quests. "Well I can't tell you how to play, but maybe just start off by killing mobs." Cardinal tore down two fliers and gave Axle one. "This one seems to be for clearing a cave out and forest of some baddies. Maybe you can try it." The red Pegasus than waved his own flier. "I think I am more suited for finding things."

"Well you can fly after all." Axle pointed out. He looked down to the flier. "I guess I'll go head out on this one."

"Cool, and perhaps we'll meet again out on the field." Cardinal turned to the entrance and walked towards it.

Axle watched as Cardinal left the tavern and flew into the air. The fresh player looked over the information once more. "Cleaning Crew. Help needed in Whitetail Wood and Crust Cavern. See Soil Mill for more information in Whitetail." Axle smiled and placed the flier away. He walked out the tavern and into the sun light. "Time to get started I guess."

Slime! Slime Everywhere!

Axle began to running through the forest, nearly charging into a tree. The player looked back once every six paces he took in a frantic motion. It had been about thirteen minutes since he took on the first quest. The first of many! Yet from the current state of his progress, Axle might not take that many quests in the future. He was being chased by Slime Stallions, one of the weakest monster a player could ever come across within the game. Blue in color and small in size, they resemble an normal Earth pony. The path Axle was running on seemed to be a cleared road made from cobble stone. Suddenly a new message had appeared before the player.

Slime Stallions: These collection of magical jell are the manifestation of regret felt by unicorns with great magical power that are now longer alive. The are unable to use weapons or magic.

"Okay, but not the time damn it!" Axle roared as the path before him turned against him. His avatar ran into a tree, dropping his health about five percent. After the impact, Axle fell down, giving the Slime Stallions time to catch up to him. The fallen player was met with a dog pile of sorts. From all angles he was covered in slime that was slowly sucking away his health. Axle analyzed the mobs around him before drawing his sword and slashing in a complete circle around himself. This action caused his attackers to be knocked back which formed a small gap between Axle and the monsters.

"Shade Shield!" Axle rose his shield blocking the charge of one Slime Stallion, four others surrounding him. He activated the only spell he was antiquated with and summoned a wall of dark mist to protect him from one side. Yet he still had to deal with the threat behind him. Axle rolled to the side in an attempt to both gain a better foothold and place distance between himself and the Slime Stallions. Sadly due to the players clumsy and infantile nature within the game, he hit the stump of another tree before he had time to stand. While he was still recovering, Axle received a hoof slamming into the side of his head. "Alright this is pretty much the hardest game I've ever played!" Axle whined as he took a step back and rubbed his avatars skull. He had realized it didn't really hurt him at all, yet had been a reflex like many other first timers.

As yet another mob attack, Axle rose his shield up and blocked the attack. In a follow up move, he swung his blade vertically through the slime, killing it quick. With a smirk and new found momentum, Axle began to retake his lost ground. Swinging and blocking, it was like a sudden burst of technique and skill had found its way towards the surface of the young man's mind. It would only take him two more minutes after this before the final slimy enemy stood before Axle. The AI controlled avatar swung its hooves and kicked at him before he parried and stabbed the Slime Stallion in the chest. With a satisfied grin, Axle watched the mob fall to the ground before sparkling auras covered the five bodies. "Oh how I love loot!" Axle clapped his hands will a gleeful voice.

"I freaking hate loot." Was the next thing to come out of the players mouth. He walked through the forest with a dissatisfied face and snarling nostrils. He had looted the bodies of his fallen enemies, but all that he earned was a few copper bits and four gel balls. Axle pulled up his map, the darkened area's lighting up and becoming detailed. He spotted a small highlighted circle on the edge of the darkness, just a short distance from his current location actually.

As he trotted to the specious location, Axle noticed the forested land began to become less bright. The trees and bushes, even a few large rocks within eye sight seemed...strange. Sluggish, like they had been halfway melted. This made the player pause for a moment, holding a quizzical expression upon his face. Yet his ears perked up as he heard something, something that would become a nightmare to him for years to come. A light and squishy hoof step. "Oh God not again." He muttered in panic as he was dog pilled by a minimal of five Slime Stallions. "To hell with this!" He cried out before opening his Main Menu and Logging Out.

In a bright flash, the boy opened his real eyes to see the ceiling of his room. He quickly leaned up, shaking his head and taking of the equipment attached to his body. Slightly dizzy after his first play through the game, Axle was mentally drained. It only took him a few minutes to take of his shirt and lady down beneath his bed sheets. He forgot he had not eaten that evening, nor showered. Yet despite his urge to be fed and bathed, Axle pressed his head against his pillows and drifted off into slumber.

Hours into resting, Axle began to shift slightly under his sheets. Faint dreams began to become imprinted in his memory. Axle was rushing through the city, confused and disoriented. The sky was ablaze and the earth shook like a leaf in a typhoon. He could see no living thing in sight nor any dead bodies. Though something was familiar about this whole scene yet the young man didn't know what it was about it. Taking in all this, Axle stopped running and looked to the sky as a massive, imposing and otherworldly ball of Slime came crashing down on top of the city, and Axle with it.

With this comical yet horrifying dream, Axle rocketed up out of his sleep. Sweat covered his back and neck as, cold yet soaking the sheets. "Oh God. Oh God." Axle held his forehead as he panted. "It was a dream, just a dream." He began laughing lightly and turned to his alarm clock. A note was left by his mother along with a covered bowl. The boy took the note, reading it aloud.

I didn't want to wake you up last not. I thought you might have a fever so I went to the doctor and got you some medicine. To make you feel better, I even made you your favorite snack from when you were a baby.
~Super Mom :3

This made Axle question himself mentally. What was his favorite from childhood? With a shrug and contentment, he took off the hard plastic lid covering the bowl. His stomach moaned for food and was ready to receive. Sitting up and throwing the lid to the side, Axle's grin turned into an expression of sorrow and horror. Before him was a bowl filled to the brim with....Jello.

Level One: Super NooB

Axle had just recently left Canterlot with the goal in mind on completing his first quest. Yet first, he first faced a larger challenge. Something so large that not one man, or stallion, could possibly face on his own. "Which freaking direction is Whitetail Wood?" Axle pondered as he looked down on his map. His world map only showed him the small area in front of Canterlot and the city itself. "Well that is great, just great." Axle put his map away and looked around.

The entrance to the city was a large, open gate with double doors. Grey wood with iron bolts around the edges. The grass was rich on both sides of a path. Axle spotted smoke coming up from around the other side of the city. He had the sense to go and follow the black trail due to curiosity.

As he rounded the outer wall, a set of rail tracks came into view. "A train?" Axle quickly concluded in his mind. Sure enough, as he looked to the source of the smoke, a train rested on the tracks. From what Axle could tell, it was ready to depart to the next station. Axle quickly approached the station and turned to Griffin who was sitting on a bench.

The Griffin turned to Axle as well. His chest dawned a simple plate of armor with a black heart with a blue star in the center. Between his wings, an axe rested. He looked Axle over and then asked him, "You need help, noob?"

Axle sighed, discouraged by being called a noob. "Yeah, I am looking for Whitetail Woods. I don't have it on my map so I'm lost."

"Well you're going in the wrong direction." The Griffin informed Axle with a rude attitude towards him. "This train is for Chaos Spire. A mid-level area you wouldn't survive in. Whitetail is about two miles to the west of here. Have fun killing slime and what not."

The train whistled and was ready to depart. The Griffin got up from the bench and walked towards the train without another word to Axle. Yet as he stepped into the locomotive, he gave Axle a seemingly and somewhat hostile glare. The doors soon closed and Axle walked off to the west. "Man, that guy was a really turd." Axle stated as he walked towards his destination.

About ten minutes past by as Axle enters the woods. Near the treeline was a large tavern with a sign hanging from the entrance. It was a white rabbit with a leaf in it's paw. The grey stallion walked through the door and looked around the tavern. Inside was a small array of low level characters, both players and NPCs. Nearby was a quest board with all the the low level quests for the area. At said board were a total of five more quests for the immanent area. He quickly turned down one of the five due to it being an escort quest. "I simply hate escort with a burning passion." And with this, the player set out on his first quest. The first, of many.