Chapter 2 - Asking Of A Favor
"Really!?" Celestia shouted and questioned in anticipation and excitement.
"Sister!" Luna yelled out.
Celestia winced at the calling of her sister, "Y-yes?"
One of Luna's eyes twitched, "Mind I share a word with you?" She said while clenching her teeth speaking in the most polite tone she could with irritation still seeping through.
"Ah- perhaps we could wait before-" as Celestia spoke, she found her sister's gaze to be piercing into her soul.
"Ahm, okay..." Celestia shut her mouth to follow her sister while the biped was still standing where he accepted their offer, she was led to an ally-way next to the tavern and as she and her sister were out of range of the creature's vision Luna spoke.
"WHY WOULD YOU TELL HIM OF THE BELL!? DO YOU REALIZE HOW EASILY HE COULD ASSAY TO BEHOOF FROM THE POWER?" She was speaking in a loud whisper, berating her sister.
Celestia winced. "I know! But we need him!"
Luna bit at her statement. "And pray tell why would we need a simpleton like him?"
Celestia was hurt at the insult, "He's not a 'simpleton' he's intelligent as us, and you know why! Have we had any success in recruitment?"
Luna looked away for a moment but kept moving with the conversation, "Nay, but! A single creature could not make up for a host"
Celestia spoke calmly in a low voice. "Luna I may have told a bit more than I needed to"
Her sister spoke in a low but loud tone at that. "Perchance? A little?!"
"But! Star swirl has already told us our current situation, we may be his students and yes our army is big but a three-way war against them? We are completely outmatched, we need any warriors."
"Of course we need warriors but you've told him of a powerful bell that led to the desire of our enemies in the first place!"
"Okay, I admit that telling him was a bad idea and I'm sorry, but he could prove invaluable! I mean we've never seen his kind around and he's proven himself adept at combat somewhat."
"I highly doubt that is enough to show his adequacy, he could very well be bootless of the position."
"Luna I won't lie to you, I completely botched this and I know I shouldn't have told him but something tells me inside that we'll need him."
"Relying on feelings sister? Really? I'd expected something tangible instead of just passing feelings."
"Luna, please trust me on this, we're preparing for war and I need to know you'll support me on this, I think this could be a turning point for us."
Luna grumbled at that but sighed in acceptance, "You put too much faith in this creature...Fine I will accept that point but telling IT of the bell at all was a bad move on your part of judgment."
"I will accept that I just needed-"
"I understand sister, you need not explain to me, however, I wonder how Starswirl will feel about his favorite student becoming so careless," Luna smirked with a teasing tone.
Celestia's eyes widened, "You wouldn't!"
Luna started to giggle at her reaction, "I shan't"
Celestia felt relieved.
"I wonder, however, why you are so interested in this creature, unless..."
"Unless?"
"Perhaps you speak of something more than just surface feelings? Perhaps, a lestallion? "
Celestia blushed lightly at the implication, she cleared her throat before speaking. "I can assure you nothing of the sort."
"Like how you assured me when I found you at the bar trying to drunkenly flirt with some fine stallions like a fizgig?"
Celestia blushed profusely at the mention of the memory. "Luna! I-it was a one-time thing! Y-you know how taxing it is to be Starswirl's student!"
Luna could barely stifle her laughter.
"A-and you promised not to mention it!" Celestia's voice cracked at the end pitch of her sentence.
"I'm sorry, hehe, tis just-" Luna tried to keep her laughter in but it was a losing battle, "Tis just so rare to see you loosen up sister." She began to let go of the build-up while her sister was in full blast embarrassment.
Luna slowly began to recompose herself before speaking, "I'm sorry sister but an opportunity such as that? You could not truly expect me NOT to mention it?"
"I-it's fine, as long as we agree about this mistake I've made."
Luna smiled cruelly. "Ah, but I will require a favor in turn sister."
"What?! Ugh!" Celestia covered her face in her hooves, "It seems I have no real choice." She spoke through her cover. She dragged her hooves as she put down her hooves, "What is it?"
"Well, I wish to shape up the odd creature."
"What? Why?"
"I won't lie sister, the creature is somewhat interesting but lacks many proper manners and I feel he requires a close eye."
Celestia eyed her sister a bit to which Luna responded with a questioning face.
"What?"
"Lulu...You wouldn't be by chance, be interested in this creature, would you?" The white unicorn smirked at the insinuation she was giving.
Luna's eyes bugged out, "What?" She took a few seconds to process what her sister had said before responding, "Nay, of course not, I just need to make sure he's well with his equipage when the time comes for his services."
"Oh? So that he may be equipped for his services?" Celestia smirked a devious smile.
Luna groaned the implication. "Sister please, I shan't even play with your indecent thoughts, he is a warrior."
"Very well." Celestial still kept her smirk which earned another groan from her sister.
As they walked into the light out of the alleyway they found the creature looking at them with intrigue and interest behind its eyes.
Celestia tensed, "What's wrong?"
The creature looked at her intently before speaking, "I need my weapons."
That dumbfounded Luna, "You," She turned her head to the side. "Do not have your weapons on you?"
Celestia chirped in, "Why?"
"I was having them reforged in the local blacksmith."
Celestia connected the dots. "Is that why you were in the Tavern?"
The only response was a nod.
Luna stepped forward. "Creature, what weapons do you wield?"
The creature was slightly insulted by the use of his new label. "I'm a human."
Luna soon realized how rude she was coming off. "Ah, I'm sorry Hooman-"
"Human."
"Um yes, hue-man."
He looked at her with disbelief but shook it off.
Celestia found the idea odd. "Why do you need them reforged?"
"They were worn down a bit."
Celestia still found it off, "Only worn down a bit?"
The human sighed before saying anything. "Okay, a lot."
Luna perked at this. "And you did not use a whetstone?"
"I don't have what you ponies call 'silver pieces' or 'bits'."
Celestia was fascinated with the use of none of the economy. "How do you survive then?"
"From the forest, look I'm going, will you stay here until I come back?"
Celestia found no problems with the idea. "Fine by me-"
Luna however felt to intrude. "Absolutely not."
Celestia looked surprised at her sister for abruptly speaking. "What? You are a soon-to-be warrior of the royal army, I need to know of your weapon and practice."
The human sneered. "My practice is my hands alone, could kill you."
Luna was surprised by the offhand use of killing but stayed firm. "So you say, but from what I could tell you are ill practiced, you would need great training to land a hoof on me."
Before Celestia could stop where the conversation was leading, the human pulled his left arm from his cloak and tried to punch Luna with a downwards angle due to the height difference but she moved her head in a swift, seamless motion before his fist could solid.
In that moment of shock from the human from her dodge, Luna swiped her left front hoof to push his legs to the side, putting him off balance she used her magic to slam his head and body to the floor.
After the dust settled the human was sideways onto the ground, wincing at his side that was now sharing an intimate connection to the ground.
"Your movements show some potential, but you were too slow with the force it took, it left too many openings to your side and legs."
He rolled over to his front facing the ground before lifting himself.
Groaning from the pain he responded. "Okay, ow, you're right."
Luna was surprised at that, "You, do not have an issue with a mare giving you pointers?"
"Well, when said mare just kicked my ass? No, I guess I needed that reality check." He spoke as he dusted himself off with only his left hand, it seemed weird to Luna but she held her tongue on the matter.
"Mayhaps I've judged you too soon, Sir ?"
"Jack."
"Thank you, I've judged you too soon, Sir Jack."
"Mhm, you still want to accompany me?"
"No, I've tested your skills and while rather short of the experience, I shall grant you some ease."
"Mhm." Jack began his trek down the gravel road to pass a couple of shops before reaching the shop he came for.
As he opened the door he looked around to find various weapons on display, from swords and daggers to hammers and sickles.
An earth pony spoke out as he was busy setting up another display item. "Welcome to Colville's local blacksmith! How can I help you-" he turned to find the tall biped creature.
"I'm here for my reforged swords order." Jack was unphased by the strange scared reaction from the pony.
"O-of course, heh, I'm surprised you were able to drive out those timberwolves though. Honestly, when you asked about a job or favor to do I thought you were just some bandit, I wasn't actually expecting you to deal with Timberwolves. Before you dealt with them they made it hard to work, customers being scared hurts sales so it's been a huge help, and less worried faces." He looked onto Jack but found nothing but a stonewall face, the lack of response made the pony sweat a bit at the poker face.
Jack gave no response which didn't help quell the fears of the owner, "I-it's in the back, I'll go get it."
As the blacksmith left, Jack had stood near the counter, Jack looked at a clock on the wall, waiting until the pony was finally gone before speaking.
...
"Show yourself"
...
The room's lighting dampened, the space around him seemed to grow slower and the colors soon became muted. Shadows began to move and swirl as the air grew tense and in the shadows slowly morphed glowing teal eyes and a wicked toothy smile before disappearing into the darkness. But Jack could feel the eyes still watching him, the sinister smile showing vividly in his mind.
"It's been quite a while hasn't it, Jack..." The voice was smooth yet menacing, no ill will but no comfort that could be made.
"For good reason." Jack snarled, "Why are you here?"
The toothy smile only grew in length and size, "Straight to the point, I like that about you over the others you know."
"What others?"
The voice chuckled "Don't worry about that, for another timeline and universe. I'm here to give you an out, a way to get out of Equestria and-
"'Rule over nations and people with all the power I could imagine at my fingertips' you've said the exact thing the first and last time you showed up. My answer is still no, I don't do deals with demons that could take advantage of me."
The voice began to echo of laughter all around, "You still think I'm a demon? That's rich, I'm. So. Much. MORE."
The area began to shake with everything still frozen in place it felt as though Jack was the only thing shaking and trembling, slowly he began to feel gravity push on top of him and his lungs, compressing from both sides.
"How long has it been hm? 2 years now? You can't honestly tell me that this has been great for you. Do you really think you have a chance to opt-out? With everything coming into place?"
The pressure slowly subsided allowing Jack to take quick and shallow breaths. "M-my answer is still no, what's even in it for you? The bell?"
Silence resumed, Jack started to think he had an edge until an eruption of laughter haunted the air and his head.
"You think that bell is important? Some whimsical magic held in a bottle just wasting away? Honestly, Jack do you take me for a fool?"
"What?"
"The bell. It's cracked, why do you think there's a reason that now, of all times, every power-hungry mortal is after the bell aside from Grogar losing it from some pony. The magical restraints and enchantments have been cracked, broken. It's power is draining that he's been building up for over a century."
Jack was astounded by the explanation.
The voice laughed as if sensing or seeing his reaction. "It's simple really, ponies see the power of the bell dwindling due to a leak in the enchantments and they come to use the bell one final time for some grand, special wish. Somewhat like how your people work if you think about it."
...
"So, what are you after then? Why me? Why come and suck the air out of my lungs just to try to recruit me."
The smile grew wider and malicious, "Because I need a warrior, a protegé to take on what so little mortals realize. You don't even realize what's at stake, do you? The bigger piece your future holds in the grand scheme of things, I could make you the most powerful, important person in the entire universe, isn't that what you humans always strived for? Importance? A purpose?"
Jack shivered but steeled himself. "I just want to go home..." He breathed in deeply and then exhaled heavily. "I'm not some puppet you can play with, you want me to join you but you still speak in vague words and empty promises."
"Because I can't spoil the plan yet, I'm here to simply give you an out on what could be the worst hell of your life."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't tell me you seriously thought getting the bell to use to take you back home would be easy with three armies coming after you did you? Not including what the royal army would do if they found out the sudden betrayal."
"...How did you know about my plan?"
"Really? I thought you'd be sharper than that."
The voice was close as if whispering into his ear. "I know EVERYTHING about you, to the hopes and dreams of coming back home, where you can delude yourself into normalcy, where you find stability in lies and empty dreams."
The air grew cold and the voice turned empty without emotion. "But I also know the endless abyss of your nightmares, the fear, the pain, the lonely, desolate, emptiness in your heart. Devoid of connection and warmth where only the hardest of warriors find pleasure in the bloodshed and ṁ̶̖͗ͅa̴̳̦̍̈d̸̡̓ń̴͍̿e̷̛̟̥͐s̵̖̈́ͅs̶̯̅͝."
A chuckle echoed in his head, his spine chilled and left him shaking, to Jack the last bit was garbled and messy with its pronunciation, but he knew it wasn't good.
"A-are we done here?"
More laughter filled Jack's head, nauseating him. "It's funny you think you can try to pretend you have some kind of bravado but I suppose so. One day, however, you'll be coming to me, begging, and on that day where a part of you is dying... I'll watch you break apart and crumble, where the blood of the dead and the heart connect. I'll be watching it drip away into the emptiness of your pleas. Until then...I̸'̶l̵l̶ ̴b̴e̶ ̴w̵a̸t̵c̸h̵i̷n̷g̷,̷ ̷w̴a̸i̶t̴i̷n̸g̶."
The world around Jack slowly seemed to take away the muted colors that were once overlaid over everything, as if time resumed and colors became lively again. Jack looked to the clock earlier to find...that it hadn't changed.
The idea that shadow, that creature, did truly stop time was...chilling.
"H-here you are."
The voice took him out of his focus on the worrisome thought.
The earth pony sat down a wrapped bag of leather holding three sword handles peeking out all bunched up in brown cloth.
Jack spoke in a whisper. "Thank you." Before turning around to move away from what just had happened.
I felt a bit more at ease of the hu-mane. While Jack desperately needed practice. His reaction told me he wasn't expecting me to dodge, perhaps due to his opponents before, and since he came out of a bar-.
I grimaced at the idea of having a warrior that has only fought drunks and random creatures in the forest.
"So, what do you think sister?
The sentence from my sister had broken my thoughts.
"He seems, inexperienced like he is still learning, but I find potential in him."
"I see what you mean, that little kerfuffle has-" that word perplexed me-
I turned to my sister while turning my sideways. "Kerfuffle?"
Sister gave a strange look before registering my question. "Hm? Oh! Yes, a new slang I learned from Cozy Glow."
That rang a bell. "Ah, yes, Starswirl's assistant," I grumbled.
"Oh don't be like that, she's so friendly!"
"Precisely why I do not like her!" I fumed and turned, feeling a blush creep in, "She makes it look so easy..."
"Lulu..." She began to come closer but I stepped away.
"Ahem, as you were saying?"
She was saddened, "Sister, I know you have a hard time finding friends, but give Cozy a chance, she's been so nice to you, to all of us, perhaps she could give you insight on how to give ponies more of a chance."
I was not convinced. "I- will think about it."
"Lulu-" she pleaded.
"Please Sister, I would rather not speak of this..."
"Okay... Well, I agree with you, that showed that he would need a teacher, but are you sure you want to be his mentor?"
"Are you saying I can't mentor a warrior?" I was a bit insulted at that.
She smirked, "I don't know how much he would want to punch your face in more is all I'm saying." She smiled that infectious smile as it slowly grew onto my lips, she chuckled at that and I returned its jovial tone.
"I can't say he will not want revenge, stallion recruits always seem to have something to flaunt and show." I rolled my eyes with a smile that still held firm. Numerous 'stallions' have tried to challenge my might over a simple one-on-one. And rarely did they accept anything other than being a sore loser, half the reason I was so surprised by Him being so accepting of my praise and criticism.
"I shall trust your judgment." She replied.
"Thank you, sister." I looked out to wait for the Human's figure to reappear again.
Author's Note
If anyone is worried about the story going off the rails because of this shadow man. Don't worry, he's meant to elude for AFTER the story.
The story will focus on the war and what comes of it and everything else so nothing will deviate it from the actual concept and all.
So don't worry about the main gist, if you couldn't tell I sorta flopped on the second half of the chapter. Hope you enjoyed it though!
Chapter- Non-Existent (Non-Cannon)
The scene was dark, the environment of a homely village-like area, complete with medieval vibes through the props and sets. Jake was fitted with brown boots with mud stains, accompanied by blue slacks and a green tunic. His smile wavered as he set upon his sights on what was to come, slowly a white unicorn with fake wings came into view, he knew they were fake due to seeing them in the makeup room as the actors spoke between each other.
As she began to take big strides onto the set of the scene she looked around before knitting her brows. "Shouldn't 'Luna' be here?" The white unicorn looked from right to left with no success in finding her fellow 'sister' in acting the scene.
Jack however was neutral, "Eh, when you pause production due to an epidemic I'd be willing to cut some slack on being late. I mean when was the last time we were on set?"
The white unicorn chuckled at that, "I'd say aboutttt, maybe March? 20th? Or 22nd?"
Jack chuckled lightly at that, "Man, Astral really put a hold on this next scene huh? He was so sure this wouldn't even get a flag for the pilot too."
The unicorn raised one of her eyebrows, "Don't you know Astral? Why did he take so long to work on this next scene? I mean wouldn't have been easier to just keep chugging onto the success of the first two episodes?"
Jack spoke only in response with a click of his tongue before continuing, "That's not really how he works though, he has these projects he wants to divide his time with, the problem with it all is how he's feeling mostly is what he's concerned about when it comes to priority. And this is still very much still a side hobby for him. He also had some ups and downs in his personal life. Education can do that to you I guess, regardless I'm just glad we still get to play these characters." He smirked before calling over the unicorn closer with his palm waving over.
At first, she was confused but obliged and slowly got close enough where Jack crouched down to whisper to her ear.
"Good news is I heard he caught up some great ideas for character development for the story though. So your and 'Luna's' characters are going to intertwine with mine a lot more than people think."
'Celestia' moved back before lifting a smile and getting giddy "Ooo! I might finally get to be a big-time actor!"
Jack could only softly laugh at her reaction before he stopped after hearing a quick door slam and a voice speak out loudly.
"Sorry sorry! I'm here I'm here! I got mixed up with one of the human's names in one of the other shows I'm in and well, you can guess huh?" The pony in question was a mare in a dark blue coat.
As soon as the new mare, a pegasus, got called over to the makeup room, everyone began to slowly set everything up.
The white unicorn mare spoke up since she still had time to speak her mind. "You ever wonder how well all this will go? I mean, don't get me wrong Astral is a great guy but, handling something that obviously has this much potential? Can't it be overbearing?"
Jack smiled softly at the concern, "Nah, Astral isn't caring how well he is successful with stuff like this, well a little, but that's more for future projects."
'Celestia' interjected, "Future projects?"
Jack looked a bit surprised, "You, didn't question how much your contract wanted you to stay as a character?"
The white mare looked a bit shocked, "I thought this was just in the prediction of how long the show will go for. Does that mean-"
"Okay, I'm ready!" A familiar voice rang out before the unicorn could finish her thought. The Pegasus, fitted with a crudely colored horn that was clearly made out of a toilet paper roll, beamed with a smile that could convince somepony that she deserved to play Celestia.
Jack leaned a bit to 'Celestia', "Astral only cares about people just enjoying the show, don't worry about the rest." He looked down at her with a wink before the director spoke.
"Okay, lights! Camera! ACTION!"
Author's Note
A side jab at the time it took to upload a new chapter, trying to get into writing once more! And this chapter is obviously non-cannon and set in a alternate world where this story is a show being played by actors. This may or may not become a trend to have stops between chapters. I will use it sparingly though so don't worry about disruption to the flow
If you're interested in speaking about my stories or possibly asking me questions. I have a Discord Server
Okay, go enjoy the real chapter!
Chapter 3 - Strangers Bound By Fate
As Jack began the close-in on the duo sisters, only one question came to mind as his eyes zoned in on the carriage behind them while holding his weapons in his right hand. "So where are we headed?"
Celestia took a stride and spoke first, "Canterlot!"
Jack didn't say anything but lifted an eyebrow at the excitement she expelled before squinting his eyes. "What is Canterlot?"
Luna had taken the initiative to get on the chariot during the exchange but her head swerved towards the human before taking a double take, "Surely, you were not fainéant?"
Jack turned to stare at Luna with a frown, "You know just because you speak in old English doesn't mean I can't understand you."
Celestia's head tilted at the mention of 'English' but quickly pushed it aside to ask the main cause of concern.
"Ahem, Sir Jack, before hooves are thrown again, I just want to make sure I heard you right. You- said you didn't know what was Canterlot?"
He only nodded which led Luna to lean to Celestia who was barely outside of the chariot. "I told you he was not dighted for battle, are you sure he is even a-" before Luna could finish her question a cracking sound echoed across the air.
Celestia looked in awe whilst Luna prepared a shield spell around her and her sister. When the bubble shielded both Luna looked at the direction the stunned sister unicorn was gawking at.
What Luna saw shocked her, a few meters away was the Human; holding horizontally what used to be one whole arrow. He turned it vertically and let his pinkie and ring finger let go of the bottom half of the arrow.
He brought the tip of the arrow towards his face. Jack ran his thumb through the carving patterns from the head of the arrow to what was left of the shaft. Eyes narrowed onto the item as if studying it like it held some higher meaning in the swirls that were engraved.
The Human let out a snort before letting it fall from his palm.
His voice became low, rough with distaste, his eyes following the falling tip. "Poachers." Once the words left his lips, his expression morphed into slight anger.
Luna quickly composed herself to use the spell to stop for a moment before protecting Jack as well.
From up head, a bush rustled before a unicorn peaked out with a floating crossbow.
"Well, if it isn't my rare, and exotic friend." The unicorn was beige, his horn glowing with a white aura that was holding onto a crossbow. His coat was mixed with dirt and leaves.
Celestia was the first to speak. "Poachers?" She looked over to Jack with clear confusion on her face.
Jack's expression stayed as cold when he turned to respond. "Animal hunters, basically killing for profit." He turned back to the hunter with a sneer, "Usually rare ones."
The hunter smiled proudly. "Only the best for my employer."
Celestia's confused expression turned into a horrified look. "Killing for bits?" She stomped forward getting as far as she could within the bubble of protection. "How could you even live with yourself?"
"With looooots of money and mares." He smiled proudly at the notion.
Luna could only look in astonishment at how depraved the pony could be. Before she could say anything Jack spoke in a low voice.
"I told you what would happen if I saw you again."
The unicorn's smile never wavered. "That's true, but you didn't tell me what would happen if it was more than just me."
"What-"
Before Jack could react an arrow whizzed by with electricity running through it hitting the bubble of protection. The spell collapsed and evaporated in seconds.
The deactivation of the spell made Luna stumble. Jack quickly pulled out one of his swords only for it to be swiftly taken away with a purple aura causing him to stumble.
A dart streaked across the air hitting Jack, vision becoming blurry, and losing footing he fell to the ground.
Celestia's horn glowed with magic before being hit with a similar dart.
Luna finally found her footing but was surrounded by unicorns and earth ponies all dressed similarly.
Helmets of green eyes in horizontal slits in gray metal with black hair behind each helmet.
Luna could only curse at the name as she recognized immediately the signature armor.
"Sombra." She spoke the words like dripping poison.
Luna stood on all fours with slight wobbling, steadying her breathing and stance her focus was on the Poacher. She knew all too well the soldiers were mindless ones, only following their commander's orders.
The Poacher lifted an eyebrow with some amazement in his expression. "You're still standing? Impressive, honestly I haven't seen a unicorn withstand the backlash before."
Luna snarled. "Why are you here?"
The Poacher could only smile, "Didn't you hear from the ape? I'm here for merchandise; the limited kind."
"I understand that but what need of Sombra's soldiers? Are you so desperate to seek fortune that you'd align yourself with him?"
A chuckle could only come as a response, "The stallion has promised quite the bits on the ol' exotic pest. I only asked for some backup and he was more than willing to spare a few soldiers."
Luna shuddered at the notion. "Can't you see? Sombra merely wants to use you! He cares nothing for others, only for himself! He'll turn you into one of his mindless puppets with no regard for profession nor status!"
The poacher just smiled. "Nothing ventured nothing gained."
"The risk is too great! Being trapped in a husk is-"
"Now."
Before Luna could understand what he meant, an electrical current zapped the life out of her. Hitting the ground she could only watch as she couldn't feel anything.
Hooves walked by her, she realized she was taken from behind.
"I'm sorry to cut your whole 'oh think of the children' speech but I have a schedule to keep, and I think you'd understand that he's not the kind to accept minor delays."
He turned to one of the soldiers, "Grab him and let's go."
Luna could only watch, seeing the recruit be taken off to the distance whilst she and her sister could do nothing.
Author's Note
Woah! Not even past leaving the village and already Sombra has his eyes on Jack? What could he possibly want out of the outworlder?
Anyway yeah surprise! New update!
~~Also for the two guards that~~
^
Don't mind this
Chapter 1 - Stranger Of The Land
A chariot was outside of a tavern, two guards wore iron armor with a symbol of a horn on the chest piece.
Two hooded figures were in front of the chariot, bickering...
"Sister, I must protest against this!" One hooded figure with light blue cyan hooves sticking out of the brown cloaks.
"You've said that three times by now, lulu." The other hooded figure spoke back with pristine white hooves sticking out as well on the floor.
"And are we wrong? Tis ridiculous to think we'd find an able, no less capable fighter that could help us in this war, hearken to me sister." One hooded figure pulled down their hood to reveal a light blue unicorn with a lighter blue mane.
The other figure pulled her hood like her sister's, revealing a light pink maned unicorn. "Sister, as much as I would like to agree, we must heed Starswirl's words, 'We must seek more allies even in the most unlikely places.' Don't you remember Luna?"
Luna had made her annoyance clear on her face and voice. "Of course, I remember I was there, but a tavern-like this? In a run-down town as such?" She pointed to the tavern her sister was heading towards. "Celestia, does thou verily think that there would be a warrior that would have the steel to fight in host?"
Celestia had hesitated before answering. "I- cannot say I find much confidence in this area any more than you do sister." Celestia had steeled her resolve at the moment that faltered a questioned her location. "But I have to try either way. You may stay with the guards if you choose so, but I need to be sure."
Luna had pitied her sister, "Pah, I bet you shall be rejected in as soon as you finish your speech."
Celestia had only got her hooves on the door before she registered her sister's words. "Oh? And what would you bet on sister?" She smirked.
Luna was surprised, "Oh? You think you'd find success?"
Celestia smirked, "I did not hear how much you were putting down."
Luna had laughed at the notion, "Hah, I place 3 silver pieces."
"I accept the challenge."
"May the winds guide you well with a vale, sister," Luna bowed at her sister before continuing, "You will need it after your loss." She smiled maliciously.
Celestia paused before she spoke back. "We shall see, sister."
Celestia had pulled her hood back on and pushed forward to open the double-wide door of the tavern. Her senses were immediately overwhelmed and flooded with the stench of alcohol, bright warm lights, and laughter. As soon as she could adjust her senses to it all she saw dozens of tables filled with earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasuses. She found seeing ponies had eased her worries a bit, there were scarcely any griffins in the tables and the ones she saw were watching from the corners doing underhanded dealings.
Celestia had to recompose herself to move forward but before she did, she saw to her right a quest board. It wasn't very far but she did have to squint, she saw a paper that was meant to be used to request warriors for the war. But she found none that had taken part to it, with scrapes and cuts, even a dagger at the middle of the sheet.
Celestia sighed and thought internally how 'this was a bust' she had hoped to see more activity for the drafting but she knew she had to make sure.
She spotted an empty table that would get everypony's attention and marched forward to climb onto it. She wobbled a bit while finding her balance on the platform with her standing on her hind legs.
She found the balance and cleared her throat to catch the attention of the room but found it did not elicit even a sliver of anypony's attention.
She cleared her throat once more rather loudly, "Ahem" she had gained some attention but it wasn't enough. "AHEM" it felt as though time stopped as they stopped their celebrating and chattering to focus on the hooded figure.
Celestia took off her hood to keep their attention, "I am Celestia Solstice, I've come to seek worthy warriors of Equestria! Ones that will be known throughout history and be regarded as legends! Warriors that will join the Equestrian army to fight the malicious, tyrannical, evil King known as Sombra! Who will join me!?"
She was panting with the last exclamation, in wait for the warriors to show themselves to save-
"And would we take you as a prize?" One voice shouted at the back, snickers and stifled laughter began.
Celestia had blushed profusely at the comment, "What? Of course not-"
"Would we become the new king?" Another voice inquired, more laughter began to rise.
"No-"
"Will we get our castle?"
"Will we gain unlimited magic?"
Laughter had echoed through the tavern with little reason to stop anytime soon.
Questions that ridiculed her hope kept piling over voices, laughter filled the room, all aimed at Celestia with embarrassment building in her face.
"Fine! If you wish to stay back to lay down like dogs then- then-" she closed her eyes and poured out her rage, "do it at least quietly!" Celestia's voice cracked at the end, after she snapped at them silence rang through the tavern before bigger and louder laughter rang out.
Celestia stomped one of her hind legs at the table she was standing on, "Fine! Whatever!" She began to move her hoof to get off the table but slipped in the process of it erupting even more laughter as her flank hit the floor with the table leaning on her back.
Celestia was beyond embarrassed, she was humiliated, all for just trying to save Equestria. She started building up tears and sniffled at the whole situation. She grabbed a medallion she was wearing around her neck, "Mother... please give me strength..." she whispered to the jewel, clutching it close to her heart. Began to pick herself up with some bit of self-worth but was quickly pushed to the ground in a blur before she could react. "What the-" She tried to look at her necklace but found it was taken. "Hey! They took my jewel!"
The blur was heading for the exit as it got closer a cloaked figure- of a minotaur stature, moved up from its chair in an empty table and grabbed the thief by its tail only to slam it to the ground.
"What is taking her so long?" I had started tapping at the ground in impatience, "perhaps she has found recruits..." I spoke out loud, clearly, the idea was absurd! Many villages had no true warriors, they were too scared of death and grew to fear Sombra before we even reached them. Pah, fools and cowards I say, I've met stallions worth more than the entirety of the last village. But the amount of time my sister was taking- perhaps...we found the valiant warriors we needed.
My thoughts were interrupted when the doors to the tavern opened abruptly and swiftly. My ears perked at the noise, 'perhaps she did find warriors!' I thought before cursing myself that I'd have to pay up.
"Sister!-" I spoke out loud to reach her but as my eyes adjusted to the shape it was certainly not my sister. What I thought was my sister was a strange biped minotaur walking away from the doors as my real sister was quickly picking up speed to match the strange creature's pace.
Both of them were walking on the gravel path that lead away from the Tavern and me. "You must! The fate of Equestria could be doomed!" My sister pleaded with puppy dog eyes.
The creature turned back to respond in a gruff voice, "And I should care why?"
That stopped my sister for a few seconds before refocusing, "why? Why?! Your home, your friends, family, brothers in arms could die if we don't do anything!"
The creature stopped in its pace, Celestia stood frozen at the fear she may have incited at the creature. It turned around and move slowly with the crunching of the gravel before getting in front of Celestia. "They are already dead." He spoke an even, hollow tone that showed no emotions. My back chilled at the simple but deep depth of that statement.
The creature turned to move again while Celestia was recoiling at the statement before persisting even more. "I- we could offer you money for your services!
The creature gave no mind to it though, "I'm fine."
"If you didn't want to help then-" Celestia looked as though she was about to burst. "Why did you even help me?!"
The creature stopped in its tracks at that before turning around and walking towards Celestia. She started trembling at the imposing figure that towered over her, only realizing how much the height difference was, being at least two heads taller than her and He bent down to be face to face with her. I trotted at a high speed, to be able to cast a spell or protect my sister if the creature acted.
It was at the moment I was able to see its face under the cloak, it had a flat face with small hazel eyes, it had no coat which was like no other, no, it was nothing like anything I had ever seen, it's stature was only of a minotaur but even then He was bigger than any minotaur. I saw a bit of hair that was not covered by the cloak, it was on his head and was unkempt.
"Because I found you cute and helpless." He spoke with the tone of belittling us! I was able to make the distance quickly and moved in front of my sister to protect her. He however smiled at it as if he found it cute, I am NOT cute.
"And so is she." HOW DARE HE! He spoke before standing at full height which I finally understood why my sister trembled. His height loomed over me and her.
He began to walk away while I was finding my anger, I tried to speak regarding him calling me 'cute' however my sister moved ahead of me before I spoke any words. "Surely there's something we can do to convince you?"
He stopped to turn his head, "...why is there a war anyway?"
I spoke out immediately, "Surely you jest?" But looking at his eyes showed no facade. I turned to my sister to see that she was more than willing to share.
My eyes widened, "Sister don't-!" before I could warn her not to spill the contents of secret information she already was moving her mouth.
"King Sombra, Queen chrysalis, and Grogar are after Grogar's bell. It holds unbelievable power that could wipe out all of Equestria and more!"
"Sister!" I yelled at her through my closed teeth and before she could properly wince at the anger seething we were interrupted with a hum. We swerved our heads to the location of the sound to find the creature in thought.
He was in thought as he stared at us both, I looked at his eyes, something sparked in them. He smiled before speaking, "Okay, I'll join."
Author's Note
Thanks to Max hunter for finding the story I lost for credit.
But trust me the story will get better as it goes, just kind of had this rough idea as a first chapter. Will probably rewrite it later on.
Also I don't know about you guys but I love the way I portrayed Luna, old equestrian speech with adorableness will appear more!
