Author's Note

Firstly, I am aware of the reputation the 'your human and you' has so I'm going to be very delicate with this because I know if I mess this up I'll get my heart ripped out of my chest and fed to me while it's still beating

Secondly, this is also a displaced story as well! Next chapter is going to explain how Robert had arrived in Equestria in more depth!

Lastly, I hope you do enjoy the story! And merry Christmas

Chapter One - Breaking free from the human Pit fights

Robert sat in a dark, damp cage, the stench of mildew and waste; clinging to the air. How long had it been? A week? A month? Time had blurred into a meaningless haze, dulled by gnawing hunger and unrelenting fatigue. Around him, the other captives howled and wailed like feral beasts, their cries echoing off the cold stone walls.

Unlike them, Robert chose silence. He leaned back against the cage’s rusted bars, as they gently groaned in protest of the weight added against them; yet his resolve was steady and even.

Despite his stomach twisted form of protest. Then, a sound cut through the din—a rhythmic clatter of hooves on stone.

He froze, his senses sharpening. Whoever—or whatever—was coming, it could mean the difference between food; punishment; or just clean up duty.

The stench was unbearable, a vile cocktail of sweat, filth, that hung heavy in the stagnant air. Robert wrinkled his nose, just reminding himself about it; making his thoughts bitter. 'When was the last time I had a proper shower? Or even a whiff of body spray?' The memory eluded him, slipping away like imagery water through his fingers.

Before he could sink deeper into his brooding, a sharp voice pierced through the chaos.

"Shut up, you dumb primates!"

The shout was followed by a harsh clang as a metal bar struck the cages, the sound reverberating like a gunshot in the enclosed space. A unicorn stood nearby, his horn aglow as he wielded the bar with a menacing ease. He moved from cage to cage, striking each one with brutal precision.

"I said shut it!"

He snarled, using his rusty pipe as a sorta punishment. Some cages required a second or third swing to silence the desperate feral cries within, yet once they submitted; the captives shrunken away in fear. The harsh echoes slowly faded, leaving only the heavy breathing of subdued wild humans and the faint, ominous humming of magic followed by a second pair of hooves moving.

“These humans are pretty loud. Guessing the pits made them like that?” asked a mare, her tone laced with curiosity and just a hint of unease.

The stallion beside her chuckled darkly. “Oh, absolutely. That, and the withdrawals from the drug cocktails we dart them with before each fight. Keeps them on edge. But give them their fix, and they’ll kill the moment their feet hit the sand.”

The mare visibly hesitated but followed as they approached the largest cage in the dimly lit chamber.

“What’s in there?” The newly recruited mare asked, squinting at the dark mass within the massive enclosure.

'A bad dream.'

Robert thought dryly, his lips twitching into a faint smirk.

The unicorn stallion smirked, his horn glowing as he cast a light spell into the cage. The sudden brightness flooded the space, momentarily blinding Robert and illuminating every grimy corner of the enclosure.

“See for yourself,” the stallion said smugly, gesturing toward the cage’s occupant.

'I know your tricks, you narrow-minded pony, this gives you the chance to Flirt with one of your kind and if that fails, you go for a human female to satisfy you.' He disliked, how they used him as a conversation starter.

The mare suddenly jumped back nearly two feet, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. “By Celestia’s oversized flanks, where in Tartarus did you find a Giant?! I thought they were just stories for foals!”

The stallion threw his head back and laughed, clearly relishing her reaction. “Not anymore, apparently. The human hunters found this big bugger wandering around the Everfree Forest,” he said smugly, as if he deserved credit for the capture.

‘I’m not a Giant, you four-legged, off-colored jackass,’ Robert seethed internally. Yet, despite his anger, the thought nagged at him, what was it that made he so much larger than the other humans? He had no answers. Not that anyone had ever given him one; not the talking ponies, and surely not in hell the other humans.

He couldn’t even remember if he’d always been this size, thanks to the constant hunger; Robert could hardly focus on much of anything.

The mare tilted her head, her curiosity evident. “Has anypony offered bits for a night with this 'hunk of meat?' "

Robert’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back against the cage wall. 'Of course, your first question is about fucking me. And while we’re at it, could you never say ‘hunk of meat’ again? Thanks.' He thought dryly.

The stallion chuckled. “Oh, you’d be surprised. We’ve been offered mountains of bits or shady under-hoofed guarantees from ponies in powerful positions just for one night with this big brute.”

The mare raised an eyebrow. “Did you accept?”

The stallion snorted in response, shaking his head in frustration. After a moment, his irritation with Robert seemed to surface as he barked, “We tried! But this "meat-for-brains" doesn’t find ponies inviting. It’s like he’s never seen a mare or stallion before!”

The mare blinked, clearly caught off guard. “What does he do, then?”

The stallion let out an exaggerated sigh, dragging a hoof down his face as he began pacing in agitation. “He just...Pets them! Can you believe that? We’ve had mares from Earth ponies to Unicorns even Pegasi all but the Princesses they've pull out all the stops—sensual wing caresses, teasing hoof strokes, every kind of aphrodisiac potion you can think of. I’ve even seen a mare cast spells specifically designed to... inspire certain reactions.” He paused, throwing an exasperated look toward Robert. “And what does this oversized oaf do? Not. Even. A. Twitch.”

At that, the mare nearly broke into laughter but stifled it behind a hoof. “So let me get this straight. The giant human who could make us enough bits to rival a dragon’s hoard doesn’t find ponies sexually pleasing or attractive? Have you even tried using magic to remove his pants?”

Robert groaned inwardly, rolling his eyes. 'Yeah, this isn’t weird at all. If I’d decided to screw a pony, my friends back home would be rooting for me. But I’ll admit… these Ponies have unbelievably soft fur. Petting them is like touching a living cloud. That’s a hill I’ll die on,' he thought, his face briefly heating up as he remembered a few 'close calls.'

The mare’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Well? What about human females?” she asked as she stepped closer to the cage, extending a hoof inside in an attempt to touch him.

The stallion chuckled darkly. “Same thing. He treats them like…Friends. No interest, no excitement. Whatever he’s packing down there must be broken or missing some components; honestly, I think the boss lets him keep those pants just to stop Ponies from getting distracted.”

Robert sighed, glaring at the mare’s approaching hoof. 'Seriously? This is your big concern?' Still, a corner of his mind couldn’t help but muse on how absurdly surreal this conversation was becoming.

Robert's thoughts lingered, a faint blush creeping onto his face as he recalled the rare occasions when a particularly persistent mare had almost elicited a reaction from him. 'It was just a physical response...nothing more. I’m not actually attracted to these ponies,' he reassured himself, though the memories left him unsettled.

Before he could sink further into self-reproach, the first jailer’s slammed the rusty metal bar into his cage yanking him from his thoughts, and back to the present.

'Fucking dick.'

Robert noticed the flat limb trying to touch him from the mare, so he moved away from her as best he could; not wanting her hoof near him, especially after what she just discussed.

'Sure, why don’t you try getting an erection in a room full of randomly colored, talking ponies, while a bunch of caged humans stares at you like it’s some kind of twisted spectator sport? Let me know how that works out for you if the roles were reversed. Also, don't fucking touch me.'

He wanted to shout, but instead bit his tongue, it's better they didn't know he could talk. In his mind, however, he can yell and scream as much as he pleases.

"Is it normal for him to be so...Calm?" The mare asked, tilting her head as she studied Robert.

The stallion snorted and shook his head. "Don’t know, don’t care. All I know is he’s the easiest one to handle out of the lot. Barely even fights back. But shove some drugs in him, toss him into the pits, and it’s like flipping a switch. Who’d have thought Humans could be folded twelve times." He went on, spiraling into a rant about how Robert barely moved or reacted most of the time. It was the same tired complaints, the same accusations.

Robert tuned him out after the first few seconds, his mind wandering. He’d heard it all before, and frankly, the stallion’s grating voice was the perfect background noise to block out.

"Tonight, he’s going to earn back every bit he’s cost us in the pits," the stallion said, his tone laced with frustration as he cast a sharp look at Robert.

The mare withdrew her hoof from the cage, seeing his clear avoidance to her out stretched limb, as she turned toward her companion with a curious tilt of her head. "Do you really think he’ll win?" She asked, her voice a mix of skepticism and intrigue as they started trotting away.

"He’d better!" the stallion growled. "I’ve sunk a fortune into betting on him tonight. If he doesn’t pull through, it’s going to be my neck on the line."

Robert waited a few moments after they left, making sure they had actually gone before he let out a long, tired sigh. He wasn’t exactly eager about what was to come tonight. In fact, few were, especially the newcomers to the pits. They didn’t know what they were in for. Robert did. The blood, the violence, the spectacle for the crowd. He had been through it before, and he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

His mind replayed the owner's warning, sharp and firm.

"If you lay a single hoof on him without a damn good reason, I’ll have your cutie mark on my wall by sunrise."

Robert remembered how the stallion had nearly strangled the mare who dared challenge that command. She had been too quick to lash out, too eager to whip any human who stepped out of line, even for the smallest infraction. He'd seen her take pleasure in it, in watching the humans flinch and cry out, but however when she setted her sights on Robert the owner had put an end to it. He wasn’t about to let some sadistic mare spoil his investment.

The message was clear.

Robert was valuable.

And no one was to harm him unless it was absolutely necessary. After all, the owner wasn’t about to lose his prized "entertainment" just because somepony couldn't keep their filthy Fetish's in check.

Robert furrowed his brow, trying to recall what had happened to her. 'What happened to that mare?' He thought, rubbing his chin in a futile attempt to remember. 'She always seemed to enjoy tormenting the Humans, taking pleasure in each crack of the whip. But..' He shrugged, dismissing it. 'It doesn’t matter now. She’s not around as much anymore. Probably moved on to some other sick pastime or got herself into trouble.'

His stomach growled in protest, reminding him of his hunger, but there was nothing to be done about it. He shifted uncomfortably in his cage, his body aching from days of being confined and neglected. With a yawn, he leaned back against the bars, trying to find some comfort in the harsh environment.

'If what the Stallion says is true, I’m going to need all the energy I can get tonight.'

Robert thought to himself. The pits were never easy, and the idea of facing another fight, another night of survival, made his stomach twist in a knot. But he had no choice. It was either fight or face the consequences of disobedience, and he wasn’t about to risk that.

The thought made him sick, but there was no escaping it. The only thing that kept him going was the hope that maybe, just maybe, tonight would be different. But deep down, he knew it wouldn't be.

The distant roar of the crowd slowly pulled Robert from his restless slumber. His dreams, as usual, were a blur of nothingness, but the noise—the thick, pulsing energy of the arena—was enough to stir him from the depths of sleep. He groggily opened his eyes and quickly realized his cage was being lifted, floating steadily toward the center of the sand pit. Overhead, the loud voice of the announcer boomed, sharp and unmistakable.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts, tonight is going to be a special night!” The announcer's voice rang through the air with a mix of excitement and menace. “If you haven’t heard the stories of giants, firstly, where have you been? Under a rock? Secondly, we all know it's just a tale to scare foals into behaving... until now! I present to you… The Mountain!"

Before Robert could fully grasp what was happening, several ponies’ magic snapped his cage open, pivoting it sideways. With a sickening jerk, he was unceremoniously dumped onto the sand. The ground trembled from the weight of his fall, and the coarse texture of the sand burned into his skin as he landed hard on face side.

“Behold,” the announcer’s voice called out with gleeful theatricality, “a Frost Giant! The first and last of its kind, brought here for your entertainment!”

'I hope they realize they don’t need to throw me around like this. I could’ve just walked in like a damn normal person.'

Robert thought bitterly, pushing himself up from the sand. He scanned the pit, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sea of ponies staring back at him—each of them a strange patchwork of color and confusion.

The arena fell into an odd hush—most of the ponies were frozen in shock, some trembling, others simply stunned by the sight of him. Robert took a moment to stand tall, brushing the sand off his body as he rose to his full height, towering over the crowd.

The announcer’s voice cut through the silence once more, tinged with mocking humor. “Seems like our Giant friend here is a little…Uneasy. Well, let’s help him settle in. Give him some encouragement!”

As the announcer's words hung in the air, the crowd’s unease began to shift, slowly turning into something else. Hooves began to tap, then stomp—first one here, then another there. Soon, the entire arena was alive with the sound of thousands of hooves striking the stone ground, echoing like thunder across the pit. The rhythmic stomping was meant to rattle him, but to applaud him, a signal that he was expected to preform.

The noise was deafening, a cacophony of hooves on concrete, drowning out any semblance of silence. Robert stood firm, though his teeth clenched in irritation. He didn’t flinch; if anything, the noise only hardened his resolve. His eyes scanned the crowd, their faces twisted with a mix of fear, excitement, and anticipation.

The stomp echoed louder, growing in intensity, as if the very earth beneath him was shaking in response to their frenzy. But Robert remained steadfast; towering over the pit, his body tense with readiness, waiting for the announcer to speak up; to which he shortly did.

"That's more like it, Everypony!" The announcer bellowed, his voice booming across the arena. "I hope you're all comfortable with our big friend here because he's staying with us till the end of the night!"

The crowd erupted into a mixture of cheers and wild shouts, their excitement palpable. The sight of the giant, towering over them, was enough to stir them into a frenzy. They were hungry for the bloodshed that was sure to come.

"Let the games begin!" The pony shouted with a wild grin, signaling the beginning of the chaos.

As the command echoed through the air, the gates to the pit opened, and several naked humans were heaved into the sand. Their bodies were exposed, vulnerable, but some had weapons in their hands, giving them a fleeting edge. The humans, disoriented and driven by nothing more than primal instinct, immediately began to claw, tear, hack, and slash at one another. The sound of metal scraping against flesh and bone filled the air as the struggle for survival began.

Robert stood at the edge of the pit, his eyes narrowing as he watched the madness unfold. He could almost feel and smell the bloodlust in the air, the violent energy crackling around him. Each movement was chaotic, a blend of desperation and savagery. Some of them screamed, others were already bleeding, but none of them showed signs of stopping.

He couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be before he was thrust into this twisted spectacle. How long would they make him watch his fellow humans tear each other apart before they came for him?

His muscles tensed involuntarily, as the thought of what was to come weighed heavily on him.

Robert stepped back further, his eyes locked on the brutal scene unfolding before him. The humans in the pit fought with a savage bloodlust tearing into each other with an animalistic fury. Blood sprayed across the sand as they clawed, bit, and hacked at their opponents, each driven by the primal instinct to survive. The sounds of grunts, screams, and wet thuds echoed in the pit, a cacophony of violence that made his stomach twist.

‘Christ, this is like the gladiatorial games in ancient Rome,’ Robert thought bitterly, his gaze sweeping over the chaos. ‘Except this time, there are no rules, no honor—just blood and bodies.’ The fight was a grotesque spectacle, nothing more than a twisted form of entertainment for the ponies surrounding the arena. They watched with eager eyes, their cheers growing louder as the humans killed or were killed in the most brutal ways possible.

He couldn’t help but feel disgusted by it all. The blood crazed look in the eyes of the combatants, the sheer mindlessness of it—their only goal to spill blood and survive, as if that was the only thing that mattered. There was no honor in this. No glory. Just a bloody, senseless struggle for life in a pit where the only law was the one enforced by their captors.

The absurdity of his situation gnawed at him like a constant ache in his chest. This was his reality now, a pawn in a sick game that he had no say in. And though he knew he would likely be thrown into the chaos soon enough, a small part of him wondered just how much longer he could keep his sanity intact amidst all this madness.

Over the course of several hours, Robert had carefully positioned himself at the edge of the carnage, avoiding the worst of the bloodshed. He’d watched as the other humans fought tooth and nail, tearing each other apart in the hopes of surviving a few more minutes. But Robert knew better than to rush in. As expected, he’d made it to the top twenty without so much as lifting a finger. No one dared challenge the massive figure standing off to the side—his size alone was enough to intimidate anyone foolish enough.

Then the announcer’s voice rang out, cutting through the chaos. “It seems our Giant friend here is no fool!” The voice was dripping with mockery. “Clever, isn’t he? Let the others thin each other out before getting into the fray!”

Robert’s eyes narrowed at the words. It wasn't a strategy, no different from the one the ponies were using to keep him in check—make him wait.

He hadn’t laid a finger on another human during the chaos, nor did he intend to. The carnage around him was senseless, and he had no interest in becoming part of it. His desire to leave was strong, but even if he could, it wouldn’t be so simple.

The pit was surrounded by reinforced concrete walls that were far too high for a normal human to scale. To Robert, though, the walls barely reached his chest, and if it weren’t for the damn electrified fence, he would’ve been out of there in a heartbeat.

The ponies had thought of everything. They knew that if he ever got the idea to escape, the walls would be no problem. But that's when the fence acted as the couterweight. It had been laced with magic, it crackled and pulsed with magical electricity, preventing any escape. The ponies called it a "safety measure" for the guests, but Robert knew better.

It wasn’t for their protection—it was to keep him contained. The electric barrier made sure he stayed put, and for now, that was exactly what they wanted. The idea of freedom felt almost laughable in this place, a place where every move he made was watched and controlled.

'Safety measure my ass,'

However, the pit fight workers had clearly grown impatient with their Giant's hesitation and decided it was time to force him into action. With a swift motion, they pressed their horns into the waiting slots along the edge of the pit. Almost immediately, a crackling surge of electricity shot through Robert’s back, striking him like a dozen lightning bolts all at once.

The pain was instant and overwhelming—a sharp, pulsing current of raw energy that surged through his body, making his muscles seize and his vision blur. His spine felt like it was being jolted apart, each pulse sending an electric shockwave through his limbs, forcing him to stumble forward. The pain was so intense that it almost stole his breath away, but his teeth ground together as he fought to keep himself upright.

'Son of a bitch, that hurt!'

Robert thought bitterly, his entire body trembling with the aftershock as he tried to shake off the electrical burn still radiating through his skin. It wasn’t just the shock itself—it was the wounding of his pride. They had made him a puppet in their arena, and this was their cruel way of reminding him of his place. His instincts screamed at him to lash out, but his mind remained focused on one thing; survival.

The sting of electricity still buzzed through his veins, but he forced himself to move forward, in an effort to stop it; his gaze narrowed as he took in the chaos of the arena.

Some of the other humans, sensing Robert’s brief moment of weakness, turned their attention to him, eager to seize any advantage they could. Most of them hesitated, but one man; his face twisted with desperation—lunged at him with reckless abandon. The man, wielding a small, rusted hand axe, screamed with frenzied rage, his eyes wide and wild with the madness that only came from endless battles and drugs being forced into his body. He must have lost all sense of self-preservation, or perhaps, driven mad. He saw Robert as just another opponent to be taken down. No matter how impossible it was;

This was a man who had no chance; no amount of therapy, drugs. Hell even magic wouldn't be enough to recover what was lost in him.

'The eyes of a man who has lost it all. But his lesser instincts remain; but who am I to pass judgment on him? Were both in this shit hole together.'

Robert’s mind flickered through his options. He could kill him, ending the poor soul's suffering in one brutal motion. He could disarm him, render him useless and alive. Or—Robert’s eyes flicked toward the edge of the pit—he could toss the man over the fence, out of the arena entirely.

'Fuck, you're making me do this!'

With a swift motion, Robert reached down, his large hand closing around the man’s chest with ease, lifting him off the ground as though he were a child. The human struggled, kicking and flailing, but Robert held him effortlessly in his grip, using his other hand to yank the rusted axe from the man’s grasp. The weapon clattered harmlessly to the ground, its sharp edge no longer a threat.

The ponies above slowly began chanting, their voices rising in a wave of excitement, urging the spectacle forward. Robert turned his gaze back to the squirming man in his grip. The man roared in fury, twisting and wriggling, desperate to break free. His efforts were futile against Robert’s iron grip.

"End him! End him! End him!" The chant thundered through the arena, the crowd's bloodlust surging with each word. They craved violence, their collective voices shaking the very ground beneath them. The spectacle of the "Giant" refusing to spill blood seemed to only heighten their frenzied desire.

Robert stood firm, his expression unyielding, as he held the smaller, writhing human in his grasp. He could feel the man's futile struggles, his desperate flailing against a strength he couldn’t hope to overcome. Yet Robert refused to comply, refused to give the crowd the carnage they demanded.

The announcer’s voice boomed through the arena, dripping with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Ah, folks, it seems our dear Mountain still isn’t ready to embrace his primal instincts! A Giant he may be, but it seems he lacks the courage to kill, unlike the smaller, fiercer members of his kin!”

The crowd erupted into a mixture of jeers and cheers, and boo's their emotions a chaotic storm that filled the pit. Above the cacophony, Robert could see ponies scrambling, as they prepared something.

“Let’s give our reluctant Giant a little 'liquid encouragement.' Shall we?” The announcer teased. His tone was playful, but there was an edge of malice to it, a promise of what was to come.

Robert flinched as a series of sharp, stinging sensations prickled his left arm. It wasn’t pain exactly, but it was enough to draw his attention. Glancing down, he spotted multiple darts embedded in his skin, their bright red feathers standing out like mocking flags of what was to come.

'Crap.'

He internally muttered, his stomach sinking. 'Here we go again."

The telltale burn of the drug began to seep into his veins, spreading through his body like wildfire. Soon the tremors began as Robert did his best in fighting the familiar surge of artificial adrenaline and aggression designed to turn him into exactly what the ponies wanted; entertainment.

Around him, the crowd roared with approval, their cheers deafening. They loved this part, watching the chemicals take hold, watching the Mountain become a beast.

The announcer's voice crackled over the speakers once more, dripping with glee. “Ah, there we go! Let’s see if a little encouragement helps our Mountain find his true potential!”

Robert’s vision started to blur at the edges, a red haze creeping in. His breaths grew heavier, his chest rising and falling with the mounting rage he could feel taking root. He tried to focus, to push back against the chemically induced fury, but it was like trying to stop a tidal wave with his bare hands.

He didn’t want this. He didn’t want to give them what they wanted. But the drugs didn’t care what Robert wanted.

The newly appointed Lunar Commander Jasmine sat silently in a cramped, dimly lit office within the warehouse, her armor reflecting the faint, flickering glow of a lantern on the desk. Outside the door, a contingent of Royal Guards stood ready—a curious but coordinated blend of Celestia’s polished day guards and Luna’s enigmatic Night Guards. Their presence was a sharp contrast to the decrepit state of the building, its walls streaked with grime and the air heavy with the musty scent of mildew and stale sweat.

The office itself was unremarkable a battered wooden desk, mismatched chairs, and scattered papers hinting at the warehouse’s illicit activities; but that wasn’t the reason why they had been here.

Jasmine leaned forward, her sharp eyes scanning a crude map of the building and its surrounding area. Her wings twitched with restrained anticipation as she replayed the events leading up to this raid.

Earlier that day, an anonymous source had tipped them off about one of the largest pit-fighting rings in Equestria hosting a "Giant Battle." The informant’s description of the main attraction; a towering human of near-mythical proportions—had been met with mixed reactions.

Princess Luna herself had been skeptical, dismissing the reported tip as 'exaggerated illegal extortion' designed to mislead, the masses; she was convinced the so-called “Giant” was no where near the city of Canterlot and was instead hiding in the Everfree forest; so to play it safe. She had dispatched the majority of her night guards to comb the Everfree Forest, where the alleged sighting of this creature had originally been reported.

But this left Jasmine and her reduced force to carry out the raid, a task made more daunting by their limited numbers. Even so, Jasmine’s confidence in her team was unwavering. They had prepared meticulously, and she was determined to uncover the truth behind the whispers.

She glanced at her guards, through an old window of the office; majority of whom stood at the ready, their eyes scanning every shadow for signs of danger. If the intel proved accurate, tonight could change everything. But if it turned out to be a trap—or worse, a wild goose chase—it would be her head on the chopping block.

Her mind raced as she reviewed the plan for the hundredth time, all while keeping her expression neutral. Failure wasn’t an option, not when lives were at stake. And if there truly was a giant human trapped in this brutal spectacle, they’d ensure it was his last night in captivity.

A familiar voice broke through the ambient noise, slipping into the Thestral’s keen ears. "Night Commander Jasmine, it's been a while."

Jasmine turned her head slightly, her sharp golden eyes catching the familiar form of Shining Armor as he stepped into the room. His polished armor gleamed even in the dim light, a testament to his disciplined nature. He trotted to her side, his gaze following hers as she continued to observe the warehouse across the street.

"Captain."

She greeted curtly, her focus unwavering, "to what do I owe this visit?"

Shining gave a small smile, though his tone remained professional. "Just checking in. Wanted to make sure your team’s ready. We're moving out soon."

Jasmine nodded once, her movements precise. Removing her helmet, she shook her mane loose, the strands glinting faintly in the room's dim light. "We’ll be ready shortly. Waiting on the scouts to confirm their positions. Once they report back, we’ll begin the assault."

As she spoke, she lifted a foreleg and gave a subtle flick of her hoof. Hidden blades extended smoothly from the mechanisms built into her horseshoes, catching the faint light. She turned her hoof slightly, inspecting the blades for nicks or imperfections, ensuring they were sharp and clean.

Shining Armor’s eyes followed the motion, his expression tightening. "I’ve never been fond of those hidden hoof blades you Thestrals use, to slick and cheap for my liking." He remarked, shaking his head slightly.

Jasmine raised a brow, glancing at him with a hint of amusement. "And why is that? They’re efficient, versatile, and practical. If we’re unarmed, how else are we supposed to fight without magic or the raw strength of an earth pony?"

Shining’s horn lit up, and his sword floated free of its scabbard, hovering beside him as he began his own inspection. "I get that," he admitted, rotating the blade slowly in his magical grasp, "but there’s something about a weapon you wear that feels… sneaky. Like you’re hiding something."

Jasmine smirked faintly, her sharp fangs glinting. "That’s the point, Captain. In the shadows, subtlety can mean the difference between life and death. It’s not always about charging in headfirst with a sword."

Shining chuckled, giving a small shrug. "Fair enough. I suppose we all have our methods. Just don’t forget to leave some of the glory for the rest of us."

Jasmine let out a soft laugh, returning her blades to their hidden position with a flick. "Glory isn’t my priority, Captain. Efficiency is. But don’t worry—I’ll make sure your Day Guards have something to brag about tomorrow."

The two commanders exchanged a brief but knowing look, their camaraderie built on mutual respect despite their differing approaches to combat. Outside, the faint sound of hooves signaled the scouts’ return, and Jasmine’s demeanor sharpened once more.

A gentle knock interrupted them.

"Looks like it’s time," she said, putting her helmet back on. "Let’s make this quick and clean."

"Agreed," Shining replied, resheathing his sword with a nod.

"Let’s get to work."

"Enter."

She reached for the straps on her night-themed helmet, with her armored hooves to lock it in place; its dark indigo surface adorned with silver crescent moons and star-like etchings—a signature design of Luna’s guard that contrasted sharply with the golden sun emblems of Celestia's forces.

The scout entered, it had been a Lunar Guard scout; they weren't easily seen during the night. As if they themselves lived in shadows.

"Report."

"The Giant is inside," the scout began, their voice calm but edged with urgency. "The pits are overflowing tonight—both with spectators and combatants. The crowd is especially riled up because of the Giant, but…He’s refusing to fight."

Both commanders straightened at the news. Jasmine turned her sharp golden eyes toward Shining, her dark indigo armor shimmering faintly in the room’s flickering light.

"Have you ever heard of a human refusing to kill in these pit fights?" she asked, a skeptical tone lacing her words.

"Never."

Shining admitted, his frown deepening as his blue eyes focused on the scout. "But Giants? Since when do they exist? I always thought they were just old tales—bedtime stories."

Jasmine smirked faintly, her sharp fangs glinting. "Well, looks like one of those bedtime tales just rose from the pits of Tartarus and decided to come back to the land of the living."

Shining Armor shook his head, the purple crest of his helmet bobbing slightly as he pondered. "Back on track. A human that size, is rare but refusing to fight? That's rarer. It’s either defiance, fear, or…Something we’re not seeing yet. Regardless, it complicates things."

"Complicated or not," Jasmine said, her voice resolute, as she slid the last piece of her helmet into place. The silver accents gleamed against the indigo, making her look like a living shadow. "We strike fast, hit hard, take into custody who we can. Get everypony that's a Civilian out; and put those combatants who are ' Unsalvageable,' down. This pit operation ends tonight."

"I couldn't agree more." Shining Armor, muttered as he nodded for the scout to follow behind the Thestral.

Jasmine’s eyes glinted as she fell into step behind him her eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and intrigue as she followed Shining Armor, their combined forces creating a striking contrast of day and night. Golden armor glistened alongside the shadowy indigo hues of the Lunar Guard, a living testament to Equestria’s new unity.

She strode toward the exit, there hoofsteps echoing against the worn floor. "I think it’s time we see this for ourselves," Jasmine added, her tone brimming with anticipation.

Shining Armor shook his head with a wry smile, his polished armor catching the faint light. "You just love jumping into fights, don’t you, Jasmine?"

The Thestral let out a soft chuckle, the sound carrying a mischievous edge. "That’s certainly part of it." She admitted, her fanged grin peeking through as she adjusted her helmet. "But if this so-called Giant really exists, I want to see him with my own eyes. Stories are fine, but I prefer to see it."

Shining let out a resigned sigh, though the faint smirk on his face betrayed his amusement. "Just don’t let that curiosity of yours get us into more trouble than we’re already in, Commander."

Jasmine shot him a sly glance as they approached their assembled forces. "Trouble? Oh, Captain, beyond this point; this is where the fun begins." She teased, her wings twitching slightly in anticipation.

Jasmine, along with her unit of fellow guards, had finally arrived at the warehouse while this joint operation began. A few teams had already made an entry to quietly secure the upper levels of the warehouse. However, the center was filled with cries of excitement and other forms of cheer.

Shining Armor's brow furrowed as he struggled to comprehend, what his ears where hearing. "How can Ponies find enjoyment in this? Listening to humans slaughter each other?"

Jasmine’s voice was calm but tinged with a certain darkness as she answered, “It’s different for each pony.”

Shining Armor gave her a sidelong glance, silently urging her to explain further.

She exhaled slowly, her eyes narrowing as she reflected. “For some Ponies, it’s the thrill of battle—the rush of watching combat unfold. For others, it’s the death, the macabre satisfaction of hearing life drain from another creature’s body.” She let that sink in before continuing. “And then there are those Ponies who take pleasure in selecting the last surviving human to... ‘Celebrate’ their victory. It's a disturbing pastime, but it’s not uncommon for Equestria; yes the Princesses
condemn such pastimes, but not every single pony obeys."

Shining Armor fell silent for a moment, his expression darkening as unease flickered across his face. He turned to Jasmine, his eyes searching for the answers she clearly had; and the batpony was more then willing to give them.

Jasmine’s tone grew a little sharper, showing her anger at this topic. "Why do you think there’s so little Pony-on-Pony crime in this area? Because killing or using Humans as tools for pleasure or as a cheap substitute for pony labor; carries no real consequence.”

Shining Armor’s discomfort was evident, but Jasmine wasn’t finished.

“And from what I’ve heard," she continued with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Human females apparently feel just like mares, so... I guess it’s not just the blood that keeps some Ponies coming back; taste of forbidden fruit and all."

"You're disgusting."

Shining Armor muttered, shaking his head, his voice thick with disapproval.

Jasmine chuckled softly, seemingly unfazed. “Just a mere jest, Captain." She said casually. “Though, it’s true that many Ponies do share that... preference.” She shrugged, letting the weight of her words hang briefly before her tone shifted, becoming more focused. “But enough about that. Let’s concentrate on the raid.”

With that, Jasmine turned and moved toward one of the many entrances, her wings twitching in anticipation for battle as she led the unit forward. The sounds of the fight continued to echo from inside, growing louder as they neared, but Jasmine’s mind was already set on the task ahead.

'Sompony better be willing to fight, I haven't had a good challenge in a long time.' She thought her tail flicking at the prospect of getting a well fought battle.

Robert brushed the darts from his arm, but the damage was already done. The drug coursed through his veins like liquid fire, compared to being shocked earlier: This was far more painful; igniting every nerve in his body. His jaw locked tight, muscles tensing as if bracing for an impending crash.

His breathing grew shallow and rapid, a predator's cadence. The man in his grasp gasped for air, as the hand holding him slowly clenched shut; his thrashing growing weaker, as bones began cracking as breaking.

until his movements ceased altogether. Blood dripped from Robert’s clenched fingers, staining the sand below.

A primal rage consumed Robert, and the world shifted into shades of crimson. The crowd's roar became a distant thunder, egging him on into spilling more, and more blood.

the crowds bloodlust was going to finally be rewarded. With a feral snarl, Robert hurled the lifeless body to the ground, the impact splattering blood and flesh across the sand at his feet.

He surged forward like a force of nature, a living tempest unleashed. Each thunderous step rattled the arena, sending tremors through the stands and knocking spectators and even combatants off balance. Those few combatants who could stand scrambled to flee, but there was no escape.

The first unfortunate humans in his path were obliterated. One was crushed beneath his massive flat foot, his body vanishing into the sand with a sickening crunch. Another was swatted aside like an insect, his bones shattering on impact. Robert’s hands became weapons of sheer destruction—tearing limbs, smashing skulls, and reducing bodies to little more than flatten disks or mangled remains.

He grabbed one man by the arm, after lifting him up Robert held him by his ankle and began swinging him like a grotesque flail into others, their screams silenced by the sickening sound of impact. Another was thrown with such force that his body crumpled against the arena wall, leaving a bloody smear.

The pit, once filled with chaos, became a grotesque tableau of carnage. The sand turned to bloody mud beneath the torrent of blood, the air thick with the metallic stench of death. The Mountain was no longer just a giant in the crowd’s eyes—he was an avatar of destruction, a beast unshackled.

Above it all, the crowd roared with delight, their cheers and chants mingling with the screams of the doomed. For them, this was the spectacle they had craved—a myth made flesh, a giant brought to life, and now, a harbinger of death.

Newcomers to the pits soon found themselves averting their eyes, many unable to keep their food and drink down as the scene before them unfolded. What had once been a blood-stained arena was now a slaughterhouse, its sands drenched in gore. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, mingling with the cries of horror and ecstasy from the crowd.

Some of the audience reveled in the carnage, cheering louder with each brutal act, while others sat in stunned silence, their faces pale. By the time the pit population was halved, the remaining combatants realized the hopelessness of their situation. Fear overtook them, and they turned to flee.

Robert, however, would not allow it. Fueled by rage and the lingering effects of the drugs, he moved with terrifying speed, cutting off their escape. The first runner barely made it a few steps before Robert’s massive foot connected with his back. The force of the kick sent the man hurtling through the air, crashing into the electrified fence. Sparks flew as the section of the barrier tore loose and dangled precariously. Moments later, the charred body fell lifelessly back into the pit.

The second runner didn’t fare any better. Robert caught her with ease, his enormous hands wrapping around the woman like a vice. With a grotesque crunch, the human was folded in half as if she were no more substantial than a sheet of parchment.

Robert effortlessly tossed the woman’s broken body across the pit, her limp form hitting the blood-soaked sand with a sickening thud. The crowd roared in approval, their bloodlust seemingly insatiable.

Without sparing a glance, Robert's attention shifted to the third opponent.

A third, more desperate, opponent managed to dodge Robert’s sweeping arm, and his bent dagger found purchase in the giant’s leg. The blade pierced his skin, but it was enough to earn the man’s doom. Robert’s hand shot out, grabbing him by the head. The crowd gasped as the man’s skull was crushed with horrifying ease, blood and brain matter spilling from between Robert’s fingers; as the man's now lifeless body fell back blood gushing out of his pulp head like a fountain.

The pit was silent for a moment, save for the ragged breathing of the remaining fighters and the faint hum of the damaged fence. Then the crowd erupted in wild cheers once again, thrilled by the unrelenting spectacle. Robert stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving as the crimson haze of his vision deepened, his rage was slightly quenched; but would it be enough for him to resist now?

"See, folks?! What did I tell you? The Mountain might just be our new Champion!" the announcer roared into the mic, his voice teetering on the edge of madness as he reveled in the carnage below.

But the crowd's bloodthirsty cheers shifted suddenly, replaced by shrieks of alarm and chaos. From every entrance, Royal Guards poured in, their gleaming armor catching the flickering light, their disciplined movements cutting through the frenzy.

The announcer’s grin vanished. "Horse-apples! Somepony sold us out!" he hissed into the mic before tossing it aside. Without another word, he spun on his hooves and melted into the panicked crowd, vanishing in a blur of fur and desperation.

In the pit, Robert’s rage began to waver. The chaos above drew his focus, and his vision began to clear. He blinked, staring at his trembling hands, the bloodied entrails slipping from his fingers like wet rope, landing in the gore-soaked sand below.

'Fucking Christ...I don’t even remember who I ripped those out of; Poor bastard.' Robert thought, shaking the last remnants of entrails from his hands. He glanced around, taking in the scene of chaos. Ponies were panicking, scrambling to flee the pit as the Royal Guards flooded in from every direction. The once-thriving arena had descended into a pure panic, with his massive form standing at the center of this unfolding chaos.

The arena dissolved further into pandemonium. Some Unicorns vanished in bursts of light, their hurried teleportation spells leaving shimmering traces in the air. Pegasi darted skyward, shattering the glass ceiling in a desperate bid to escape. Earth ponies, with no such means, surged toward the exits in a frantic followed by even Unicorns in a crushing wave, their screams of terror reverberating through the crumbling order.

From the pit, Robert stood motionless, his enormous frame casting a mere ghostly shadow over the blood-drenched sands. He watched the chaos unfold above him—a crowd that had moments ago reveled in his violence now fled from the pits, as the Royal Guards advanced in unrelenting waves, their presence a stark contrast to the chaos they sought to contain. The arena, once a monument to bloodlust, now echoed with the cries of those fearing being brought to arrest.

'I guess this sport, was illegal after all.'

Amid the chaos, a young pony was shoved forward, tumbling through the hole in the fence and landing in the pit. The two remaining humans, their eyes wild with bloodlust immediately spotted the filly and charged toward her, weapons raised.

Robert’s vision began to clear, the fog from the drugs starting to lift. With it, a surge of cold, unrelenting rage took hold of him.

'What the hell? Did they not even notice the kid fall in?' He thought, his blood boiling back up.

'I might despise these Ponies for what they’ve done to me, but I’ll be damned if I let a child die.'

Without a second thought, Robert charged forward, his massive form shaking the very earth beneath him. The humans were nearly on top of the filly now, their rusted weapons gleaming in the dim light, but Robert was faster.

The sight of two crazed humans charging toward her, combined with the looming threat of the giant, was too much for the filly. Fear overtook her, and she curled into a trembling ball on the clean sand, her small body shaking with terror.

The helplessness and fear fueled Robert's fury, the protective instinct in him igniting with violent force. In one swift motion, he grabbed the two humans in a crushing death grip, their bodies barely moving in his massive hands.

The small humans screamed, their voices a blend of rage and fear, as they desperately hacked at his hands with jagged, rusted weapons. Their feeble attempts sliced Robert’s skin, but each attack sent a ripple of irritation through him. He gritted his teeth, the pressure in his chest building as the adrenaline surged.

But he didn’t flinch. Instead, he tightened his hold, ensuring that they would never harm the innocent filly.

'I’ve got you now, you little shits!'

Robert growled, his fury boiling over. He squeezed the two humans tighter, feeling the breath being forced out of them. With a feral huff, he hurled them both away like they were nothing more than twigs, their bodies smashing into the far wall with a sickening thud.

The sounds of their impact were drowned out by the panicked shouts of the remaining ponies, scrambling in every direction, trying to escape the Royal Guards. Robert’s massive frame blocked her view of the recently made lifeless bodies sliding slowly down the wall, pooling in a grotesque heap of blood and flesh, hidden from the young pony’s gaze.

Turning back to her, Robert’s heart skipped a beat. The filly, trembling and wide-eyed, had soiled herself in fear, her once pristine coat now marred by the mess. Her eyes were fixed on him, terror still written across her face, likely from the blood-soaked nightmare she’d just witnessed.

Despite everything, Robert couldn’t bring himself to blame her. It was a horrible scene, and seeing a giant human like him, drenched in the blood of those he’d just torn apart, couldn’t be easy for any child to process.

In the midst of the chaos, the filly had uncurled herself and quickly stood, her tiny body tense, ready to bolt at the smallest movement from Robert. Her wide eyes, fast breaths, and flattened ears told him everything he needed to know—she was terrified of him. The realization hit harder than any blow.

Robert paused, watching her with a strange mix of pity and frustration. Her fear wasn’t just from the violence around her—it was from him, the very thing she saw as the source of it all. He lowered himself slowly to his knees, his massive frame moving deliberately to avoid further startling her. With a soft, careful motion, he extended his bloodied hand toward her, blocking her only means of escape.

“P-please, Mr. Frost G-giant, don’t hurt me!!” The filly's voice was shaky, full of desperation; and fear.

Her words stung more than expected. His heart twisted. With a quick non-threatening retraction of his hand, Robert realized how terrifying he must seem. He wiped the viscera on his hands against the bloodied sand around them, trying in vain to rid himself of the gore. Then, he extended his hands again, this time going at it from a different angle.

“You won’t be harmed,” he said softly, his deep voice carrying a note of reassurance, though it sounded strange even to his own ears.

The filly pressed herself harder against the wall, her fear almost tangible. Her wide eyes darted between his somewhat still bloodied hands and his face, clearly torn between fight, flight, or freezing in place. She trembled as though even the act of looking at him might bring her harm.

Robert stayed still, his hands outstretched but steady, giving her the space to decide; but not enough to flee him.

Yet, Robert couldn’t blame her for the terror in her eyes—he must have looked like a nightmare come to life. Blood clung to his skin in streaks and splatters, evidence of the carnage he’d wrought. Around him, the pit reeked of death and metal,

His gaze softened as he studied her more closely. She was small—far too young to be anywhere near a place like this. Her wings, folded tightly against her sides, marked her as a flight capable pony; though her lack of an 'rear mark' suggested she was still young.

The sight of her trembling in the shadow of everything that had happened stirred something in him.

'What the hell is a kid doing here?' He thought grimly. Whatever her reasons, it didn’t matter now; what mattered was getting her out of this nightmare alive.

“Y-you sure? My school teacher s-says we shouldn’t t-trust strangers.” The filly stammered, her voice trembling as she shrank against the wall.

Robert nodded slowly, keeping his tone as gentle as possible. “Your teacher is very wise. It’s good to be cautious.” He said, his deep voice soft and steady. "But I swear, I’m not here to hurt you; I'm here to help you."

Carefully, he moved his hands closer, palms open and unthreatening, though still stained with remnants of the chaos around them. “What’s your name?” He asked, his eyes locking on hers with humble intent.

The filly hesitated, her wide eyes darting between his hands and his face. After a long pause, she swallowed hard and gave a shaky nod. "M-my name is Water L-lily." she managed, her voice barely audible.

Robert allowed a small, tentative smile to break through his otherwise serious expression. “That’s a lovely name, Water Lily. I’m Robert.”

His words, soft and deliberate, seemed to chip away at her fear, though her trembling didn’t fully stop. Her breathing slowed, and her taut posture began to loosen ever so slightly. The connection, fragile as it was, brought a glimmer of hope. The longer they spoke, the more her terror seemed to recede—just a little.

Water Lily hesitated, her small frame trembling as she extended a shaky foreleg toward Robert’s outstretched hand. Her hoof barely brushed against his fingers. “L-like t-this?” She stammered, her voice as fragile as her courage.

Robert nodded slowly, his voice calm and encouraging. “Yes, just like that. You’re doing great. Come on;" he said, his tone soft enough to coax her forward without adding to her fear.

Bit by bit, Water Lily climbed into his hand, her tiny body fitting effortlessly into his massive palm. She shifted nervously, trying to find some semblance of comfort despite the overwhelming tension in the air.

“Water Lily,”

Robert said gently, drawing her gaze upward. Her wide, tearful eyes met his. 'She’s just a kid, terrified out of her Gord. I can’t let anything happen to her.'

His grip remained steady yet feather-light, each movement deliberate, as though even the faintest jostle might shatter the fragile trust she had placed in him. The chaos surrounding them faded into a distant blur, his sole focus on keeping her safe.

Water Lily tilted her head, her confusion evident in her wide eyes. “Is something wrong, R-Robert?”

He shook his head gently, offering a small, reassuring smile. “No, nothing’s wrong. I was just going to ask if I could put you on my shoulders. Are you okay with that?”

She hesitated for a moment, before giving a shaky nod. “O-okay...”

“Alright,”

Robert said, his voice calm and soft. “Now, hang on tight. This might be a bit of a bumpy ride for you. And if you need to, you can grab onto my beard for balance.”

'Just don't pull any of it out please.' Robert internally cringed, already imagining such pain.

Slowly, he began to rise to his feet, his movements careful and precise. Water Lily clung tightly to his thumb, her tiny hooves gripping as though her life depended on it. Once he was upright, he gently lifted her and placed her onto his broad shoulder.

“There you go. Comfortable up there?” He asked, his tone warm and steady, ensuring she felt secure.

“W-woah, this is high up,” Water Lily said, her voice tinged with unease as she looked down at the distance.

Robert glanced over, noticing her nervousness. “You scared of heights?” He asked, raising an eyebrow as he reached up towards the fence.

Water Lily shook her head. “N-no...I’m not scared.”

'Yep. She's afraid of heights; imagine that? A Pony who can fly who's afraid of it.' Robert internally mused before asking another question;

“Why didn’t you fly out?” Robert pressed, genuinely curious.

“I can’t. My t-teacher says my wings need to get a little stronger and bigger before I can fly.”

'Damn. Now I feel like an ass for thinking that,'

Robert gave a slight nod of understanding. “Close your eyes and look away, Lily,” he said, preparing himself for the next task. Gently, he reached up, grabbing the loose fence. He winced as a shock magical coursed through him, but the charge quickly faded. With a grunt, he ripped it free from its concrete placements, tossing the metal lattice aside before going back to work.

'I don't need this poor kid to spend the night in a hospital for debris in her eyes after I damn near made her heart stop,' Robert thought grimly as he continued his work.

His movements didn’t go unnoticed by the pit spectators.

"Sweet Celestia! It's tearing the fence, run for your lives!" a mare shrieked.

"If he gets out, we’re all going to die!" another pony shouted, her voice cracking with terror; as a royal guard tackled the mare to arrest her.

Robert merely shrugged off their panic, focused on freeing himself and the filly. 'Do they think I’m some mindless beast who doesn’t know right from wrong? Just another reason to get out of this hellhole.'

Water Lily clung tighter to his shoulder, her small hooves pulling at his hair. “Mr. R-Robert?” she asked, her voice trembling with fear.

He paused and glanced at her, his confusion evident. “Mm?”

Her wide eyes darted between him and the chaos around them. “Is what they’re saying true? W-will you kill innocent p-ponies the moment you’re out?”

Robert froze for a moment before shaking his head firmly. “What? Of course not.” He ripped the final piece of the fence free, fanning away the cloud of dust with his free hand; and tossing aside the uprooted fence as he flexed his hand, shaking out the residual pain from the shocks.

He turned his attention back to Water Lily, her grip on his shoulder still trembling. To reassure her, he gently poked her side. “Hey, relax. I’m not all that bad; okay?” Robert tired to whisper toward the little filly who merely blinded at him, her tension easing ever so slightly as her grip loosened.

Just as Robert felt a small measure of relief, a sharp pain shot through his leg. He hissed and glanced down to see the bent, rusty dagger embedded in his calf.

“Damn it,” he muttered, reaching down and yanking the blade free without a second thought. The pain flared as he tossed the weapon aside like garbage. Blood trickled down his leg, but he grit his teeth and carried on.

'Thank God, I got my shots before I got dragged here. Tetanus isn't getting me today,'

Water Lily gasped, her small voice breaking the tense moment. “Y-you’re hurt!”

Robert snorted, brushing off her concern. “This? Just a scratch, kid. I’ve had worse.” He adjusted his stance and prepared to move.

With the wall now clear of pesty fencing, Robert hoisted himself out of the pit, his muscles straining as he climbed over with Water Lily still perched on his shoulder. The metal stands groaned and bent under his immense weight, the creaking noise sharp and ominous in the chaos.

Hunched over to avoid adding more strain to the fragile structure, Robert gently turned his attention to the little filly.

"You are very brave, Water Lily," he said, his tone soft yet firm. "Remember that. You’re the first to ride a Giant." He offered her a faint smile, trying to inject a small moment of levity into the dangerous situation.

Carefully, he lifted her from his shoulder and set her down among the stands. Once she was safe, he straightened to his full height, the cavernous warehouse easily accommodating his towering frame.

"Thank you for h-helping me," Water Lily stammered, looking up at him with wide, grateful eyes. "A-and for the ride, Mr. Robert."

Before he could respond, she stepped forward and hugged his thick leg, nuzzling him gently. Her small frame barely reached above his ankle, but the warmth of her gesture struck him harder than any blade or blow he had endured.

Robert felt his heart tighten, a strange sensation he hadn’t felt in what felt like years. Her gratitude, her innocence—it was such a stark contrast to the cruelty and violence he’d been subjected to for so long. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he watched her trot off, blissfully unaware of the chaos erupting around her.

'No problem, kid.'

The thought lingered for a moment, but then reality came crashing back. 'Now that she’s safe, I can leave this hell.'

“Giant!”

The shout snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned with a gradual slow pace, his eyes locking onto a small group of ponies clad in gold and lavender armor. They were clearly something important if the armor they wore and their stances tense and with weapons at the ready; made Robert think.

'If I didn't know any better I'd say they are some kind of guard, or Garrison.'

The lead guard, a mare in lavender armored approached a determined look in her cat eyes, as she stepped forward cautiously. Her voice was calm, almost soothing, as though she were speaking to a cornered beast.

“You will come with us in the name of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia.”

He merely snorted at them. 'You won't do shit.' Was his only reply as he sized up each pony; Robert towered over the group, his bloodied frame a stark contrast to their pristine armor, and coats. He scanned their ranks, noting their nervous glances and the way their weapons and
confidence wavered slightly.

As reinforcements for this small group slowly arrived, securing a somewhat small perimeter around him.

'Guess I'm gonna have to think this one out, come on Robert; you've done it before in the past. You can do it again,'

A few minutes before: Jasmine's POV

Jasmine was displeased, the reason being the lack of combat she found this raid had been a complete and utter bust, she loved to fight and the Ponies here giving up or fleeing weren't fixing her itch.

At least the anonymous tip was accurate, this place was full of humans. Some had been 'used', others beaten, and some both, if the Night Commander had to guess, for just minor offenses.

One of the Royal guards spoke up behind her. "Some ponies are savages." His comrades responded in the same manner

"The sad part is that the head of this whole Operation will only get a few days, maybe one or two weeks in the dungeons." Jasmine could care less, however,

Shining Armor did, however. "Cut the chatter, focus on clearing and securing these rooms soldiers." he snapped at them,

"This place reeks of death and sickness. . .And sex." Jasmine piped up,

Shining shook his head, to try and clear the horrid smell from his nose, "Please stop reminding me. I want to eat before bed tonight"

They found a few more rooms, some had humans, and one was a breakroom, empty of ponies and humans. Though the couch in the corner had a musky scent and 'suspicious stains' on it.

There were two rooms left, one had its door creaked open, and the closed door at the end of the hall was clearly the main prize, but Jasmine wanted to make sure no stone, was left unturned first. She could smell what was inside from all the way down the hall.

She turned and pointed to the door, "Captain, go clear that room, I got this door." She offered,

Shining nodded, trotting over and opening the door with his magic, immediately getting blasted, by a thick musk along with a few others scents.

"What in Celestia's royal mane, is that bucking smell?!" Shining said while he stumbled back, hooves covering his nose. He started coughing and retching.

Jasmine grinned, as she held back laughter, "You'll be fine, that's just a breeding room if that smell is anything to go by." She said, closing the door tight.

"Captain, are you alright?" one of his guards asked,

He took a moment to get his coughing under control. "I'm fine," he said, voice raspy, he took a deep breath before speaking again, though it came out as a mere croak.

"L-let's continue."

"Once the building is secured, we should contact the Special Unicorns Division for clean up." the Lunar Commander offered, while she checked the other room that was closed,

"See that it is carried out please." The Day Captain said, moving to the other side of the last door.

"See that it’s carried out, please," Shining Armor rasped, his voice still rough from the earlier stench. He moved to position himself on the opposite side of the final door, though he took a moment to clear his throat and steady himself. Jasmine gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing, recognizing that despite his lingering discomfort, he was determined to finish the job. As a word came to mind of this clear devotion to his duty.

'Admirable.'

Together, they eased the door open, the faint creak of hinges breaking the silence. Inside, the room was cramped and cluttered, papers scattered across a desk, and a small safe standing stubbornly against the back wall. A pegasus stallion was hunched over it, his wings trembling as he struggled to turn the lock.

"Come on, you piece of Minotaur dung," the stallion muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. He leaned heavily against the safe, his hooves scraping at the dial with increasing desperation.

Jasmine stepped forward, her boots clicking softly on the floor as she cleared her throat. "Ahem."

The stallion froze, his ears swiveling toward the sound. He whipped around, his wings snapping out in alarm. His wide eyes darted between Jasmine and Shining Armor, the sight of them filling him with dread.

"Y-you’re not supposed to be here!" The stallion yelped, stumbling back a step. His wings fluttered erratically as panic set in. "How in Celestia’s name did you get back here so fast?!"

Shining Armor, still recovering but unwilling to let that show, stepped into the room with deliberate authority. His raspy voice cut through the stallion’s ramblings. "Neither Princess takes kindly to operations like this. Stand down, or this ends poorly for you." Though his voice was strained, the commanding tone remained unmistakable.

The stallion faltered, his gaze shifting nervously to the safe as if debating his options. Jasmine caught the subtle glance and smirked. "Don’t even think about it, I don’t want to harm a civilian; if it can be helped." She warned, her wings flaring slightly readiness.

Shining Armor moved to block the door ensuring stallion’s escape route was blocked, his movements slower than usual but no less precise. "Make it easy on yourself," he said, his hoarse voice adding an edge of menace. "Whatever’s in that safe isn’t worth what happens next."

The stallion’s eyes darted between the two officers, panic consuming him. Suddenly, he bolted upward, his wings flapping furiously in an attempt to flee. His desperation was palpable, the air kicked up by his frantic ascent rustling the papers scattered around the office.

"Stop!"

Shining Armor barked, his raspy voice booming despite his lingering discomfort. He moved to intercept, but his slowed reflexes gave the pegasus the opening he needed to get airborne.

"Why do they always flee? It never works with me."

Jasmine uttered, a predatory grin spreading across her face. With a powerful leap, her bat-like wings unfurled, propelling her into the air. The dim light of the room caught the leathery membranes as she shot upward like a missile, closing the distance between them in an instant.

The stallion barely had time to register her approach before she collided with him, her superior aerial agility giving her the advantage. She wrapped her armored hooves around his torso, locking his wings down. The two spun briefly in the air before Jasmine expertly flipped them and drove him down, slamming him onto the cluttered desk with a crash. Papers and trinkets scattered in every direction.

The stallion groaned, winded and disoriented. He tried to wiggle free, but Jasmine’s grip was strong enough to keep him still. She pinned him down with one hoof pressed firmly against his neck while her other clad hoof held her hidden blades; rested nearby his head.

"Really?"

Jasmine drawled, sounding almost bored with his failed attemp."You thought you could outfly me? Especially at this close of a distance? Truly a civilian mistake."

Shining Armor approached, his breathing steadying as he surveyed the scene. Despite his earlier discomfort, he couldn’t help but smirk. "Nice takedown." Shining muttered, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

Jasmine glanced over her shoulder, flashing a fang-filled grin. "Thank you, Captain. Somepony had to remind him that flight isn’t a constant free pass toward freedom."

The pegasus squirmed weakly beneath her, but it was clear the fight had gone out of him."Go B-buck yourselves!" He snarled, through a strangled weeze.

Shining Armor leaned in closer, his expression hardening. "You should be careful that Mare ontop of you can be quiet; 'Dangerous.' When she wants to be. My advice for you freind, is to answer what she asks." His horn glowed faintly as he levitated the fallen papers and inspected them.

Jasmine, still perched atop the stallion, let out a haunting, predatory giggle that sent a chill through the two other ponies in the room. Her slitted pupils gleamed in the low light, and her leathery wings remained partially unfurled, casting an imposing silhouette. She leaned in closer, her voice dripping with menace.

"You seem like a Stallion who knows exactly what goes on here." She began, her fanged grin widening. "So understand this: your little 'operation' ends tonight. You’ll find I’m not nearly as forgiving as my counterparts. Especially when I don’t get what I want."

She bared her fangs, her tone shifting from mocking to deadly serious. "I’ll ask only once, so you’d better listen closely." Slowly, she raised a hoof, the sharp *SNIKT* of her hidden blade flicking out just inches from the stallion’s muzzle.

"Where is the Giant?"

The stallion’s breathing grew ragged, his wide eyes fixed on the blade hovering dangerously close to his face. His struggles ceased as fear rooted him in place. For a moment, he seemed paralyzed, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly.

Jasmine tilted her head, her predatory grin never faltering. "Not much of a talker, are you?" She teased, inching the blade closer. "Maybe I should find another way to 'loosen' your tongue. Maybe cutting it out of you're mouth will do; there Highnesses might lecture me for it later, but I’m sure they’d understand. Why I did it, to such an unruly subject."

The stallion finally cracked. "Wait! Wait!" he stammered, his voice trembling as he recoiled from the blade. "The Giant—he’s in the Pit! I swear! The arena up the steps at the end of the hall."

Jasmine’s expression didn’t shift from its predatory calm. Her eyes narrowed, and she hissed softly through her fangs. "Liar," she stated coldly, pressing the gleaming lavender blades closer until they gently kissed his neck, the chill of the metal making him flinch.

"I’m not lying!" he cried, his voice growing more frantic. "I swear on both Celestia and Luna’s Crowns; and their Horseshoes!" He trembled beneath her, his wings twitching uselessly in his panic.

Jasmine tilted her head, her sharp, slitted eyes studying him with an unyielding intensity. The tension hung in the air, thick and suffocating. After a long pause, she finally pulled the blade back just enough to give him a fraction of breathing room.

"Swearing on their Crowns and Horseshoes?"

She began mockingly, her voice low and dripping with menace. "You must be truly desperate." She flicked her blade slightly, the motion deliberate and threatening. As they left faint scratches on his neck; as the wounds began to bleed, but not enough to do any serious damage.

"But desperation doesn't make you trustworthy. If you’re lying to me." Her fangs flashed like daggers in the faint light; leaning in her voice dropped to a whisper. "You won’t get a second chance to plead for your pathetic life. When you least expect it, I’ll find you, slit your throat, and let your blood nourish the palace gardens—fitting fertilizer for something far more worthy than you."

The stallion swallowed hard, his throat bobbing against the spot where her blade had pressed moments before. "I’m not lying," he repeated, his voice barely above a croak. "The Pit. Up the steps. Please, show mercy!"

Jasmine held his gaze for another long moment, then finally retracted her blades fully, though her fanged grin remained. "We’ll see," she said coolly, moving back a bit allowing Shining Armor to secure the stallion with his magic.

She glanced over her shoulder at Shining Armor, who was standing nearby, reading papers and scrolls his expression stoic but his horn faintly glowing in case he needed to intervene. His voice cutted through the tension.

"Jasmine, enough. He’s cooperating; despite looking like hes seen a ghost. Let’s move on."

Jasmine smirked toward shining, before slowly glancing back down at the pinned stallion beneath her she gave him one last toothy grin.

"Lucky for you, Captain Shining Armor has a softer heart than I do." She leaned closer again, her voice dropping to another whisper. "But if I find out you lied to me, I’ll be back. And next time, my blades will soak in you're blood."

The stallion nodded frantically, his trembling so severe it rattled the desk beneath them. Jasmine stepped off him, letting Shining Armor's Guards take over. "Secure him," she said curtly, flicking her tail in slight annoyance.

'Ponies crack too easily,'

Jasmine mused, her thoughts dripping with disdain. "Oh, how I miss the thrill of 'extracting information' from Griffons and even Minotaurs. But ponies? You apply the slightest pressure, and they crumble like a poorly built house of cards."

Despite her isolated brooding, a dark smile played across her lips as she turned toward the door, that held the stairs.

Her haunting giggle echoed through the room chilling the air as she gently ran her tongue over her fangs, savoring the thought of the potential information gathering ahead.

"The Pit, huh? I've never been to a human pitfight before; in the sense of watching, actual combat is far more rewarding then watching." She murmured, toward herself her voice laced with a sharp edge.

'Let’s see if this Giant lives up to the rumors.'

Two Royal Guards finally entered the room, without the Thestral noticing them, as they swiftly cuffing the trembling stallion. He thrashed and kicked, screaming protests that fell on deaf ears as they hauled him out. His desperate cries echoed faintly as the guards dragged him away, leaving Jasmine and Shining Armor alone in the aftermath. Jasmine stretched much like a cat, her smirk sharp and predatory, while Shining Armor wore a look of resigned irritation.

“Do you want to get court-martialed?” Shining asked, his voice sounding less horse yet still strained from the earlier incident. “Because I would’ve been hauled not front of a tribunal. But Celestia herself if I tried something like that.”

Jasmine arched a brow, her smirk widening. “Good thing I’m not you, then. Unlike your gilded-colt-scout approach, I have...Methods for getting answers.”

Shining closed the office door behind them with a faint shimmer of magic, shaking his head in disapproval. The faint musk from earlier still clung to the air, making his nose twitch in annoyance.

He glanced at Jasmine, the uneasy clear in his expression. “Please don’t remind me, from what little Celestia has told me; I rather avoid fighting most Thestral's if possible.” He muttered. After a beat, he added, “But seriously, you wouldn’t have actually killed him...Would you?”

Jasmine tilted her head, her tufted ears flicking as though she were savoring his discomfort. She tapped her chin with exaggerated thoughtfulness before giving a large grin, her fangs peeking out faintly in the hall light. “Let’s just say...If they don’t tell me what I want to know, they end up 'begging' for death instead~”

Shining suppressed a shiver, his coat bristling slightly at the eerie sing-song tone of her words.

“Luna help us all,” he muttered under his breath, unwilling to press the issue further.

Jasmine chuckled softly, the haunting sound reverberating down the corridor. “Relax, Captain. I get results don't I? And isn’t that why the Night Guard is here for?” Her eyes gleamed with real amusement, as she began walking toward the next objective, her hoofsteps measured and deliberate.

Shining sighed heavily, muttering to himself as he followed, “Results. Right. I just hope Celestia and Luna never see what kind of results you get; in person."

Jasmine didn’t even break her stride. Her voice, calm yet tinged with her usual sharpness, echoed down the corridor. “Princess Luna is very aware of the results I provide, Captain. That’s precisely why I was chosen for this mission. Efficiency, resolve, and a certain...Flexibility in standard methods.” She glanced back with a sly smile.

“Perhaps it’s something you could learn from.”

Shining rolled his eyes refraining from responding. He knew better than to argue with her when she got like this. Instead, he focused on keeping his composure as they led their now-smaller group of guards toward the stairwell.

As the team began their ascent, the eerie quiet was shattered by the distant sound of panicked screams echoing down the stairwell. The cries were muffled but unmistakable, filled with raw terror.

"Sounds like the party’s still going strong,” Jasmine quipped, her ears swiveling to pinpoint the source of the chaos. Her tone casual, but her eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of amusement and anticipation.

Shining, ever the professional, stiffened at the sound. “Stay alert, things might get more hairy beyond these steps. Watch potential corners for threats, or hidding suspects."he barked to the remaining guards behind them, his magic already gripping the hilt of his sheathed blade.

The group continued upward, the screams growing louder with each step. Jasmine moved with a predatory grace, her sharp senses attuned to every creak and groan of the staircase. “What do you think?” she asked Shining without looking back. “Ponies lacking spines? Or maybe our Giant making a scene?”

“Let’s hope it’s the former,” Shining muttered grimly, his voice laced with slight annoyance. “Because if it’s the latter, we might have more than just a search and seizure job on our hooves.”

Jasmine chuckled, her haunting laugh echoing softly. “Oh, Captain. Don’t you know? The messier the job, the more memorable the outcome.”

Shining kept moving. Whatever awaited them at the top of the stairs, he wasn’t sure if Jasmine’s confidence reassured him or made him even more uneasy.

The screams of terror from ponies filled the air as they scrambled to flee the advancing Royal Guards; who's main focus was arresting all those who witnessed this 'sport.'

Jasmine’s sharp, green, cat-like eyes scanned the scene, eventually settling on the arena pit. The sand below was stained red in several places, marked by the grotesque remains of bodies—human limbs, exposed organs, and scattered body parts littered the ground like discarded refuse.

Rusty utility items laid among them, and even a few knives. As the stench of death was overwhelming, a sickening reminder of the horrors that had taken place here.

Around the pit’s edges, mostly the staff area were even more cages, hidden behind falls walls. Some empty; and only some held rabid humans to be dumped in if it got too boring. But what caught Jasmine's attention most was not the gore; not the violations against her princesses precious laws.

it was the small group of fillies and colts cowering in the stands.

They were huddled together, trembling and wide-eyed, their small forms pressed against one another for comfort. Their tear-streaked faces told a story of fear and abandonment. It was clear they had been left behind in the chaos, likely deserted by the very ponies who should have protected them.

'This is no place for children.'

Jasmine thought grimly as she surveyed the scene.

She turned to Shining Armor, her voice cutting through the clamor. “See that group of children, Captain?”

He followed her gaze and frowned, his expression darkening. “I do."

“Make sure they’re taken somewhere safe,” Jasmine instructed, her tone firm and unyielding.

Shining Armor nodded. “You have my word, Commander."

As she turned her attention back to the pit, Jasmine allowed herself one final glance at the foals. The sight of their frightened faces stoked a flicker of anger within her—anger at there families, who had allowed this to happen.

'I couldn’t care less what anypony does in their free time—it’s none of my business. But the moment it breaks the laws of Princess Luna or her sister, it becomes my business. If it’s not illegal and doesn’t disrupt public peace, fine, do as you please. But when it involves colts and fillies? That’s when it stops being tolerable and starts becoming personal.' Jasmine seethed internally,

But there was no time for reflection; the mission was far from over. Out of the corner of her eye, Jasmine caught a sudden movement—a small filly stumbling forward, not by her choice; she was instead shoved into the pit by a panicked mare scrambling to escape. Her high pitched scream tore through the air, sharp and full of terror, as she fell toward the blood-stained sand below.

Jasmine's heart clenched as she watched the filly tumble through the air, her small form flailing helplessly. She knew the child’s life would end the moment she hit the sand—or worse, at the hands of the ravenous humans below, and possibly her target; who were already swarming toward her like predators sensing easy prey.

'May Luna's stars have mercy on her soul.'

Jasmine thought grimly, closing her eyes to steel herself against from the site; and to begin a slient prayer for her 'Right of Passage.' But then the ground beneath her hooves trembled.

Her eyes snapped open, and her sharp Thestral senses locked onto the source. It was him—the Giant. He was moving. His massive form thundered across the pit with a speed that defied reason, his long strides closing the distance with terrifying efficiency. For a creature his size, such speed and control were unthinkable. And yet he moved like a Harbinger of death.

The first of the two pitfighting humans reached the fallen filly, their bloodied weapons raised to cut and slash her open.

But before they could gut her, the Giant’s enormous hand shot out and seized the closest attacker. Without hesitation, he hurled the human with bone-crushing force into the concrete wall behind him, the sickening impact was drowned out by the on going chaos through the arena. The second lunged slightly at the fear pinned filly, only to followed the first humans fate, yet. Instead of hitting the solid concrete barrier; the poor human struck the magical fence.

With the immediate danger gone, the Giant crouched down to her level.

And there they sat for a while, he cleaned his bloodied hands on himself; and the clean sand below and somehow convinced the filly to get into his hands with great care he lifted up the filly, his massive hands were surprisingly gentle with her. As he placed her on his bear shoulder.

Jasmine stared, her eyes wide with disbelief.

'Did he just…Protect her?'

The target she had been sent to capture wasn’t the mindless brute she had imagined. He was from what she witnessed...Something far more "complex" and possibly far more dangerous.

'Why would a Giant risk himself further harm, to save a young fillies life? She was mere moments away from meeting Oblivion, yet he stepped in to stop it. Fate, it seems, has a twisted sense of humor. Perhaps the 'Mistress of Destiny' truly delights in playing her tricks.'

Jasmine shook her head, snapping herself out of her thoughts. This Royal mission came first, and the Giant was right there—a rare opportunity they couldn’t afford to miss. It didn’t matter that he had just saved a filly; that act of mercy didn’t negate the objective she was tasked with.

The real question was how to capture something so massive and seemingly unshakable. He didn’t behave like the frenzied or broken creatures she handled in the past. This Giant wasn’t from what she could tell. He wasn’t mindless or battlehungry. This Giant clearly knew the difference between saving a life and taking one.

"Maybe that’s why Princess Luna wanted him alive," Jasmine murmured to herself, her tone thoughtful.

As she remained on her perch, her sharp green eyes caught sight of the Giant gripping the pit’s fencing, the fencing had fallen loose thanks to is most recent kill slamming into it.

His massive hands effortlessly tore it from its concrete foundations.

“What are you planning, Giant?” she muttered, her ears twitching as she focused on his every move.

Her heart stopped as he began pulling himself out of the pit, the wall cracking slightly as he went. The way he climbed out, slow and unyielding only confirmed what she already suspected: this wasn’t a mindless beast.

It was something extremely;

Unique.

Dangerous potentially, but still very unique.

"Sweet Celestia, that thing is huge," Shining Armor muttered as he proped up beside Jasmine, his voice filled with a mix of awe and apprehension.

Shining Armor blinked in surprise, then stammered, "How the hay do you even know that?"

Jasmine arched a brow and gestured subtly toward the Giant. "It's obvious. Look at how broad his shoulders are, how thick and bulky his frame is. If Human males and male Minotaurs are anything like him, they bulk up with muscle. Trust me, he's male."

Shining Armor shook his head, as though trying to process her logic. "Fine. Let's assume you're right. The real question is, what's the plan? We can’t exactly drag him anywhere, and knocking him out would be pointless unless Celestia or Luna themselves can assist."

Jasmine tapped her chin, her gaze never wavering from the Giant as he moved. "He's calm right now, rational even. The fact that he saved that filly proves he's not completely mindless. If we’re smart, we won’t need to knock him out. The best approach might be to reason with him—or at least try to."

Shining gave her a skeptical look. "Reason with him? You seriously think he’ll just waltz out of here with us because we ask nicely?"

Jasmine allowed a small, predatory grin to creep onto her face. "No. But I think he assumes we’re not here to kill him, hopefully. And that gives us a small chance,"

Shining sighed, his ears twitching nervously. "Great. Just what I wanted: to be part of a negotiation with a Giant."

"Your negotiation skills aren’t exactly stellar. Leave the talking to me," Jasmine replied coolly.

Before Shining Armor could retort, she spread her wings wide and leapt into the air, her body slicing through the air with practiced precision.

"All Guards capable of flight, with me!" Jasmine commanded, knowing Shining Armor would be on there heels with the rest.

Several Royal Guards and Lunar Guards followed in her wake, their armor clinking softly as they took to the sky.

Shining Armor shook his head and muttered under his breath, "I have a bad feeling about this." He motioned for the grounded guards to follow, his thoughts clearly preoccupied with the uncertainty of what was to come.

As Jasmine and the sizable aerial formation closed in, her sharp eyes never left the Giant. She watched closely as he gently lifted her from his shoulder and placed her down among the spectators stands, his large hands careful despite their imposing size.

The filly, oblivious to the danger she'd been in moments before, trotted away, completely unaware of the tense guard raid unfolding around her.

'I must be careful. If they’ve drugged the Humans here, they likely did the same to him.' Jasmine’s thoughts raced as she flew, her keen eyes scanning the Giant’s every move.

'Despite his calm demeanor, anything could trigger him. And if it does... we may not be prepared. Nor the city of Canterlot.'

Upon landing with a soft thud, the ground beneath her feet seemed to tremble slightly, a reminder of the sheer size of the being she now faced.

Yet he seemed unaware by her presence, as he seemed to be zoning out for some reason.

'That's strike one for being drugged.' Jasmine thought grimly, as her mind raced with possible illegal narcotics he had in his system.

Jasmine steadied herself, pushing aside the rising tension in her chest. With a steady voice, she called out.

"Giant!"

That seemed to have worked, as he slowly turned to face the Thestral.

"Oops. A bit too loud," Jasmine muttered under ber breath, blushing sheepishly before quickly composing herself. She studied the Giant now, taking in every detail of his imposing form.

'Will this work?'

She wondered, her thoughts racing. 'The situation was already delicate—Giants were unpredictable especially since she hardly anything about them, more so if he's been drugged... A gentle, calm approach might be what I need...'

The Giant locked his gaze onto her, his towering form still and imposing. Jasmine took a slow, measured step forward, unfurling her webbed wings in a way that conveyed both assurance and warmth.

She smiled softly, her voice carrying a kind yet firm warmth. "You don’t need to be afraid," she said, her tone steady and soothing. "You will come with us, in the name of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia."

Her words filled the air, calm and confident, as she patiently waited for his response. The Giant stood motionless, his expression unreadable, but Jasmine could feel the weight of his gaze on her.

Behind her, Shining Armor sighed, his voice tinged with unease. "I don’t like this."

Jasmine ignored his words, her focus entirely on the Giant. She softened her tone even further, as though speaking to a frightened child. "There’s no need for violence," she continued, her voice gentle. "Come with us willingly, and no harm will come to you. We’re here to help you, not hurt you."

Back to present time: with Robert's POV

'The hell happened to Nightmare Moon? Did she get smaller after that blast? This might be my only chance to leave. Do they really think I would risk my freedom?' Robert thought inwardly, his mind foggy from the lingering effects of starvation and whatever substances had been in his body.

His stomach twisted painfully, the gnawing hunger making it harder to focus, the world around him seeming to blur at the edges. The drugs they had put into him and the others; he could feel their effects, in the way his thoughts had trouble holding together, in the strange disorientation that made his limbs feel heavy.

The only thing he could hold easily, was rage.

'I’m not sure what’s real right now, do not attack ponies, they control food and such be smart Robert don't give in.'

He thought, blinking rapidly to clear his vision. 'Everything feels like it’s slipping away...But this might be my only shot at freedom. If I don’t take it now, I might never get another chance. I doubt I can even trust these Princesses; I never met royalty before. I especially wouldn't want to meet them like this...'

The growing delirium made everything feel surreal, but the sight of the small group before
him—their presence now like a looming threat in his muddled mind—reminded him of the only thing that mattered: freedom and survival. His thoughts were fractured, but one thing was clear: he couldn’t let them cage him.

The bat-looking pony moved closer, her wings unfurling wider as she gently spoke, her voice soft yet filled with a caring authority. "Come on, big guy, let's take you to the palace. It's safer there."

Then, the golden unicorn spoke up, his voice laced with concern. "Jasmine, I don't agree with this plan in the slightest!"

She turned toward him, offering a calm but reassuring smile, her eyes filled with warmth. "Please, just trust me," she replied calmly.

"If we approach him with kindness and patience, he may follow us willingly. Some Human males respond to gentleness positively. And I believe he’s been drugged, so raising our voices might only frighten him further."

She hissed the last bit out softly under her breath, her frustration barely contained at her day counterparts foolish move.

'Are you serious? She's talking about me like I’m some stray animal. Screw this, I’m out.'

Turning away, Robert began moving toward the wall. If he couldn’t find an exit, he’d make one. And the mounting rage wasn’t at all helping him; as thoughts of slaughtering these guards crossed his mind. Yet, the group followed him closely, while more guards set up a perimeter around him.

"Where are you going?" Jasmine called softly, her voice laced with fake motherly concern. "Please, don’t run. I’m not here to hurt you. None of us are, we just want to help."

'Bullshit.'

He ignored her, his focus entirely on the wall in front of him. Raising his arm, he cocked it back and clenched his fist. With a deafening slam, his fist collided with the stone wall, sending shockwaves reverberating through the building.

"The bucking hell is he doing?!" one of the guards shouted in alarm.

The golden unicorn, wide-eyed, quickly assessed the situation. "He's going to bring that wall down! Just like in the stories!" he called out, his voice filled with urgency.

Despite the chaos around him, Robert continued his relentless assault, ignoring the voices behind him. He swung again, his powerful fist smashing into the wall once more, cracking the stone.

Even now; he felt no pain in his hands, and this fueled his second wind of rage.

With a grunt of effort, he punched through, his hand now buried deep in the crumbling structure. He pulled back, chunks of rock falling around him, as he began tearing through the wall, his movements frantic and despite for slaughter.

Hovering just out of reach, Jasmine flew close to his head, her wings beating softly, her voice filled with gentle concern. "Please, stop. This won’t help you." She called, trying to reach him despite the growing chaos.

"Come on, Giant, there's no need to do that," Jasmine said softly, her voice coaxing as she floated near him. "I know you're hungry. Just trust us, and I can get you as many warm meals as you want, until you're full."

She noticed the three pulsing red welts on his arm, immediately recognizing the signs. Her expression shifted to one of shock. "Sweet merciful stars above! Everypony, back up! He's been drugged!"

Robert’s mind churned, a storm of exhaustion, rage, and bitter frustration threatening to consume him.

'I gave you Ponies a chance. And look where that got me.'

His fists clenched as his memories surged forward, each memory of his first few weeks whipped back at him like fresh wounds. 'I have been bitten, stabbed, slashed, beaten, whipped—nearly every week without fail. Starved, shocked, drugged...Nearly raped.'

His glare hardened, boring into the ground as his fury roared like a wildfire. 'And now you think I’ll just trust you? Trust any of you're kind; just like that? After living a literal hell?'

The anger bubbled inside him, his fists were trembling under the weight of his own thoughts. Every injustice, every moment of suffering fueled his resolve, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation.

'No thank you. But thanks for the late offer of a warm meal...I'll make it and get it myself.'

Jasmine fell silent, her eyes wide with amazement as she watched the Giant. With incredible force, he punched through the solid wall once more, and now, he was tearing it apart piece by piece.

'The stories were true.'

She thought, her gaze lingering on him in awe. She could only imagine the panic that was spreading among the Reserve Guards outside.

The wall crumbled beneath Robert’s strength, and with a powerful kick, he sent chunks of stone flying in every direction. He stepped back, giving the wall one final kick that shattered the remaining concrete barrier, freeing himself from the pit. Dust and debris swirled around him as he stood in the opening he’d created.

Slowly the dust began to escape from the nealy made entrance; showing the night sky through the dust.

Only one word came to mind for Robert.

'Freedom.'

Yet as he approached the hole Jasmine stopped him seemingly snapped out of her stupor, quicker then many others; and planted herself firmly between Robert and the open city beyond.

"Giant, I command you to stop this!" She called out, her voice laced with authority.

Robert didn’t even flinch, his towering form completely ignoring her presence as he prepared to move forward. Jasmine’s eyes narrowed as a pang of frustration filled her face. Her attempts at using a motherly, gentle tone had failed to make even a dent in his apparent stubborn nature.

She took a breath, steadying herself. And this made Robert puase.

'This outta be good.' He thought placing bets on what she might do to stop him.

Her wings flared wide throughout her flapping, and she hovered just a few feet from his face, a rather ballsy move; her tone hardening as she spoke again. “Enough! I don’t care how strong or stubborn you are. You will stop this, or I will stop you. By order of Princess Luna, and that of her sister. I demand your compliance!”

She pointed a hoof toward the guards taking formation outside. “Look at them! Do you think we’re unprepared for this? You may be powerful, but we’re trained, disciplined, and ready to stop you if you force our hoof.”

Her voice, was now sharp and unyielding like the night itself. It wasn’t a plea or an attempt at negotiation, this time—it was a warning.

'My answer is still no.'

Robert didn’t even give her a second glance, as he reached up with a bleeding hand and casually pushed the Thestral mare to the side, her protests meaningless to him. With deliberate steps, he crossed through the shattered wall he’d created.

The reactions of the guards stationed outside were nothing short of priceless. Their wide-eyed stares and gaping mouths told the story—they hadn’t expected 'this.' For all the noise and destruction they’d heard inside, to his entrance back out into the open world; and the sheer size and presence of what emerged from the rubble froze them in place.

Robert paused for a moment, assessing the scene ahead. Just beyond his man-made exit was a short drop. He didn’t hesitate. With a heavy grunt, he leapt down.

The impact was earth-shaking, both literally and figuratively. The ground trembled beneath the force of his landing, a small shockwave rippling out that left cracks in the paved street below sending nearby guards stumbling to keep their footing.

The terror some of there faces was undeniable, their once-confident postures now reduced to trembling stances as they stared at the towering figure before them.

Robert smirked inwardly, amused by their reactions. 'Damn, I wish I had a camera for some of these faces. Some of these are definitely fridge worthy.'

Breathing in the fresh air after what felt like years trapped underground was a moment of utter bliss for Robert. The cool breeze kissed his battered skin, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of freedom. He closed his eyes, letting it wash over him.

'I missed this. A nice breeze, fresh air…Now’s the time to get the hell out of this city.'

But his fleeting moment of peace was shattered when he felt the unmistakable weight of armored hooves landing on his shoulder; there cool smoothness pressing down into him.

Openimg his eyes, he turned his head to the side, Robert watched the same bat pony from earlier. Her green, slit-pupil eyes stared back at him, a mix of determination and apprehension flickering in their depths. Jasmine clung to his shoulder with practiced precision, her wings flared slightly for balance.

“Don’t think you’re leaving this city so easily, Giant.” Jasmine stated, her voice firm and commanding, though it still carried the remnants of the motherly tone she had tried before.

'Nice try, but I’m not sticking around. My mind’s made up, and there’s nothing you can do to change that. Persistent little thing, though, I’ll give you that. Sorry, but whoever you’re reporting to is in for some disappointment.' Robert thought, his irritation mounting.

As he moved further into the open, Robert turned his attention back toward the guards the growing fear etched on the faces of them. Their stances betrayed unease, those who didn’t hold weapons were fidgeting as they exchanged nervous glances with one another.

'Disciplined my ass. Half of these guards look ready to bolt.' Yet The bat pony clung to him, aware of his internal assessment; however, shdseemed determined to keep things from escalating.

Jasmine took a breath, before her voice cutted through the tense atmosphere, "Royal Guards, hear me! Hold your fir—*THWACK*

A sudden, sharp pain tore through Robert’s left side, just below his ribs. Releasing a low grunt of surprised pain as his hand instinctively moved to the source. Warm fresh blood trickled beneath his fingers, staining them in a fresher coat of crimson.

Jasmine’s head snapped toward him, her cat-like eyes widening in alarm. She scanned his body with a sharp, practiced gaze, searching for the cause of his reaction. As her eyes landed on the wound, the realization dawned, and distress flashed across her face.

"You petulant fools!"

She yelled, her voice ringing with panic as she whipped her head toward the group of guards responsible. "He's been drugged with Rage Toxin!"

Her words sent a ripple of unease through the ranks of the guards. Some hesitated, their weapons faltering, even a few turn tail and ran; while others exchanged uncertain looks, realizing they might have just signed there own death warrents.

Robert’s hand instinctively moved to his side, brushing against the foreign object embedded in his flesh. His fingers closed around it, and the sharp sting confirmed what his eyes already told him—a crossbow bolt had pierced his skin.

His jaw tightened as he felt the rough shaft, his blood dripping onto the ground below. Slowly, his expression darkened, anger boiling beneath the surface.

'Those fuckers, shot me.'

Without hesitation, he gripped the bolt and yanked it free, the searing pain only fueling his calming rage. Blood smeared his fingers as he examined the bolt, his mind roaring in fury. Turning his gaze to the assembled guards, he made sure they were all watching as he snapped the bolt clean in two with a sickening crack, letting the broken pieces fall from his open hand.

'You're ass is grass.'

https://youtu.be/DizVvjLuAcY?si=1qw-TVGTXiXhNSg1

His piercing glare swept across the crowd until his eyes locked onto the culprit—a stallion whose pale face betrayed his terror. An unloaded crossbow in his hooves; for a brief moment, the guard froze under the weight of Robert’s gaze, and the realization of his mistake set in.

Then Robert growled—a sound so primal, so deafening, that it reverberated through the air and shook the ground beneath him.

The stallion flinched, his steps thunderous and unrelenting. The other guards scrambled to get out of the way, their shouts of panic lost beneath the deafening roar of rage and pounding footsteps.

"Don't just stand there. You idiot! Run for Celestia's sake!" Jasmine shouted, barely hanging onto his shoulder. Robert surged forward, grabbing the stallion who shot him, lifting him by one of his hind legs.

The terrified guard’s panicked voice rang out, "Sweet mother of Celestia, it’s got me!"

Robert’s massive hands gripped the stallion firmly, one on each side, as the guard flailed helplessly. With terrifying ease, he began to pull, the golden armor screeching under the strain. At first, the enchanted plating held firm, but Robert’s raw strength was relentless, and cracks began to appear in the once-impenetrable metal.

The guard’s screams grew louder as the pressure increased. His armor, now bending and tearing like paper, until it gave way entirely, exposing the fragile body beneath. Bones began to crack audibly, the sickening sound mingling with the stallion’s cries of agony.

With one final surge of power, Robert’s hands wrenched the guard apart. Blood sprayed into the air as flesh and sinew gave way, the stallion’s body torn into two gruesome halves.

He flung the upper torso toward a group of Royal Guards, the mangled remains landing with a wet thud, splattering them with blood and entrails. The lower half flew in the opposite direction, smashing into a restaurant banister. The regal fence buckled under the force, now bent and dripping red, a horrifying contrast to its pristine design.

The street fell silent for a moment, save for the quiet dripping of Robert's and this dying guards blood.

"In the name of Princess Luna, I command you to stop!" She shouted reaching up and pressing her forehooves into his face to grab his attention.

'Alright, that's enough.'

Robert reached up and grabbed the Thestral, lifting her effortlessly off of his shoulder as if she weighed nothing.

Jasmine froze, her panic intensifying as she realized she was now held by a creature who had just ripped a fully grown stallion in half with his bare hands.

She wriggled in desperation, but his firm grip on her body and legs ensured she stayed put. She braced herself for the worst, but the tearing never came. Instead, Robert kept walking, his massive strides carrying them both away from the scene of carnage.

To her surprise, his rage seemed to have abated. The wild fury that had driven him to such brutal violence moments ago now appeared subdued.

The tension in her muscles had eased slightly, and there was a calmness in the way he moved, as if the violent outburst had slightly calmed the storm within him.

Despite this, Jasmine’s mind raced. She figured any sudden move could reignite his drugged mind.

She considered her options—biting or using her hidden blades—but quickly dismissed them. She’d witnessed what happened to the guard who had provoked him. No, this called for patience and tactical planning.

Though his grip was unyielding, it wasn’t painful. He wasn’t trying to hurt her—at least, not yet. For now, she was his captive, carried along like an afterthought as he pressed onward, his focus set firmly on his escape.

Robert saw her fear, and her growing desperation and decided to try and calm her now that his rage was not in total control.

Gently, he flipped her over and moved his free hand to the bat pony, he began rubbing her stomach in an attempt to calm her down. Her body tensed at first, but the motion seemed to have a strange effect. Her protests faltered as her webbed wings twitched in response, and her voice wavered with uncertainty.

"G-giant! This is highly irregular. I order you to put me down at once!" she demanded, her tone a bit shakier than before.

Robert paused for a moment, sensing her discomfort, but his hand continued its soothing motion. He watched as her posture softened, her initial defiance waning under the unexpected action.

Despite her commanding tone, she couldn't help but release a soft, unexpected sound—a mixture of surprise and something else—as the gentle touch continued. Her body relaxed slightly, though her mind still resisted.

"Aahhh!~ I… order you to continue!" Jasmine shouted, her voice tinged with surprise, though there was little conviction left in her words. Her body went limp as she slowly melted into the sensation, caught somewhere between her duties and the overwhelming calm that spread through her from stomach rubs.

Robert paused, after sometime; she wasn't breathing nor was she moving this prompted his confusion as he looked down at the bat pony in his hand. 'Did I…Did I kill her?'

Jasmine jolted in his grip, her voice sharp and panicked. "Why did you stop?! You weren't told to stop!" she half-shrieked, her dazed eyes still trying to focus.

Robert blinked, before resuming her request. 'Can't argue with that kind of request.' He thought to himself, shrugging off any uncertainty as he continued, his grip firm but more gentle as before

"Yesss~ Aahh~ right there!" Jasmine exclaimed, going limp again, from how good this Giant was rubbing her exposed barrel.

'Jesus, do all ponies have this?' Robert thought as he made his way toward the city exit; as she began to purr, not exactly like a cat. But it was pretty close.

As he neared the gate, however, the guards stationed there didn't seem to share his indifference. They looked alarmed at the sight of a towering human carrying what appeared to be a lifeless pony, flanked by a small regiment of Royal Guards. The scene alone was enough to make them uneasy; as he neared he heard what commotion was going on with the gate guards.

"What in blazes is that?!" shouted a guard.

"Sound the alarm! We need more hooves on deck for this one!"

A bell began ringing above the battlements.

"Sweet Celestia, it killed a Lunar guard! Get magic casters on the double!"

'Shit, I need to move fast!' Robert thought, already calculating his next steps.

Jasmine stirred from her daze, blinking as the bells rang, snapping her back to reality. "Huh? What?"

She muttered, glancing up just in time to see Robert dropping her onto the gravel below. She landed with a soft thud, the weight of her armor and body causing a minor jolt. "Ow! What the buck was that for?!" She demanded, rubbing her head and barrel, then pausing as the sound of metal scraping caught her attention rather painfully.

Robert gripped the portcullis, his fingers slipping into the gaps of the heavy metal bars. With a primal growl, he heaved with every ounce of strength he had.

The metal groaned in protest, chains snapped, and gears ground against each other, the screech of the gate cutting through the air. The deafening noise rattled his ears, and he could only imagine how the ponies were faring with the chaos.

Slowly, the gate inched upward before suddenly jerking free, slamming into the stone above with a thunderous crash, sending cracks spider-webbing across the bricks. The portcullis now loosened, Robert braced himself, pinning the bars in place. With a swift motion, he ducked under the raised gate and stepped into the outskirts of Canterlot.

"He’s heading for the residential districts!” Jasmine shouted, trying to warn the Guards all around her; but they too were stunned by his actions. To make sure he had more time, Robert dropped the broken gate, causing it to fall with a deafening metallic slam.

“What?!” Several guards yelled, their voices tinged with confusion and pain from the ringing in their ears.

Now free from the inner city walls, Robert sprinted past homes, a quiet marketplace, and even a park.

‘I think I need a hearing test after that damn gate. But you've gotta be kidding me. There's more to this city?"

The few ponies still outside were greeted by the terrifying sight of a giant human charging toward them. His footsteps shook the ground beneath, causing most ponies to flee without a second glance, scrambling for cover in fear.

‘How big is this damn city?!'

Robert thought, frustration seeping into his soul as he sprinted full-speed ahead. His massive form tore through the streets like a runaway train, until he finally spotted what he’d been searching for.

‘Thank God! A way out.'

Before him stood a second massive stone wall, but like before a massive stone arch gave cover to large wooden doors, unlike metal wood was less difficult to open up.

‘Better yet, I’m going to charge right through them like a battering ram!’ Robert decided.

Once again, the alarm bells rang out from the stone towers, their clanging echoing through the night air.

They were simple large wooden doors, easy and straightforward enough for him to break.

"It's going to ram the bucking doors!" One Guard shouted, "Hit the deck and hold onto something!"

The force of Robert's body took the two large wooden doors clean off their hinges and shook the whole wall it was connected to.

Splintered wood and rubble rained down around him, besides pelting him with the small debris he stumbled a bit, needing to stop his large body from falling over along with the recently destroyed gate doors.

"Sweet mother of Celestia! It brought the doors down!"

'I’m finally out of this crap hole! Sweet God almighty—freedom! Zero out of ten—would not recommend!'

Robert thought as he sprinted, leaving the city and its guards far behind. Not that they seemed eager to follow. His breathing, despite his relentless pace, remained surprisingly steady.

"How far can I run?" he asked aloud, his voice deep and resonant after months of forced silence. Hearing it startled even him. "No wonder I scared Water Lily," he muttered, a small, humorless smile tugging at his lips.

He pushed forward, his massive strides carrying him down the mountain face and onto the open plains. Gigantic footprints were left in his wake, a testament to his escape. He ran tirelessly, putting more and more distance between himself and the mountain city.

Eventually, a small town came into view, its darkened buildings faintly illuminated by scattered lights. Beyond it lay a dense expanse of woodland.

"Perfect," Robert murmured, his lips curling into a grin. "The only downside is that town, but beggars can’t be choosers."

Glancing up at the night sky, he mentally calculated how much time he had before dawn. 'Four hours, maybe less. I’ve got to keep moving.'

Without hesitation, Robert resumed his sprint, his powerful frame tearing through the quiet night as he raced toward freedom.
.

.

.

Three hours had passed since Robert’s escape from Canterlot. The adrenaline that had fueled his breakneck sprint had long since faded, leaving him trudging through the night with aching legs and a body that screamed for rest. The mountainous city now appeared as a faint glow far in the distance.

"My legs are killing me," Robert grunted, glancing back at how far he had come. The pain flared with every step, a reminder of his grueling journey. Ahead, a wooden sign caught his eye, illuminated faintly by the moonlight.

'Welcome to Ponyville!'

Robert paused, reading the sign before continuing forward, this time at a slower, deliberate pace. His legs burned from overuse, and the drug cocktail he'd been pumped with had worn off, leaving him drowsy and acutely aware of every sore muscle in his body.

"Ponyville, huh?" he muttered, the deep rumble of his voice breaking the silence. "Sounds quiet enough. But beyond this point, to avoid waking any town residents; I'm just gonna stop speaking." Robert spoke to himself, before shrugging.

'Talking basically can wait, being forced to wait a few months to do so; isn't as rewarding as I figured. But I think I can wait not even an hour to speak again.'

The town before him was as quaint as the name suggested—modest homes, cobbled streets, and no signs of movement from the darkened homes. It was almost unnervingly peaceful. He decided to cut through the towns center, ignoring the protests from his body as he pressed on toward the dark silhouette of the forest beyond.

'Just a little farther,’ he thought, urging himself on. ‘Make it to that God-forsaken forest, and you can rest.'

Step by step, he trudged through the sleeping town, each movement a heavy, deliberate act that reverberated through the silence.

*THOOM*

The ground would quaked beneath his massive weight, the sound rolling through the empty streets like distant thunder. He winced, trying to soften his steps, but the ground below seemed to betray him, responding to his every motion with a deep, resonant thud that shook the very foundations of the town.

*CRUNCH.*

'That's not gonna be cheap to fix.' Robert grimaced at the small amounts of damage he was accidentally making.

Stone and debris crumbled beneath him despite his best efforts, the sharp, brittle sound slicing through the stillness. He shifted his weight, lifting his foot with greater care, but even his attempts to lighten his steps were met with a low, rumbling tremor that echoed beneath him. Each footfall, despite his caution, still carried the weight of something vast and unstoppable. The town seemed to shudder in his wake, each step bringing him closer to his forest hidding spot.

Spike stirred awake sometime around three or four in the morning.

He grumbled, about the intrusion rolling over in his basket and trying every trick he knew to fall back asleep: readjusting his pillow;

Check.

Fnding a cozier spot to fall back asleep on.

Check.

Ignoring the faint, earth-shaking vibrations.

Check.

"Wait, the ground is shaking!'

The baby dragon shot up, his heart thudding in his chest as the realization hit. His wide, panicked eyes darted to the larger bed in the room.

“Twilight!” he called seeing if the mare was indeed up.

But Twilight slept soundly, completely oblivious to the quaking floorboards; and tree Spike groaned, running a claw down his face. She wouldn’t wake for anything until six, so that left Spike as the sole defender of there treehome.

Reluctantly, he climbed out of his basket, muttering to himself as he padded to the bedroom door. “Guess it’s up to me to figure out what’s going on…Holding down the fort and all."

His small footfalls echoed out into the dark hallway as the wooden stairs to his left greeted him.

Spike gave Twilight's sleeping form a salute, 'I am the last defender of this; I will not let it fall into enemy claws I will burn it dowm before letting them take this library.'

Twilight would have murdered Spike literally, so it was better that She didn't hear his mind.

As he descended, each step was accompanied by a slight tremor beneath his feet. By the time he reached the front door, the earthquakes were unmistakable. Spike’s heart raced as he unlocked the door and pulled it open, stepping out onto the library’s front step.

“What the hay is making the ground shake? An earthquake?” he whispered, his voice trembling.

Then he saw it.

A massive shadow lumbered past, blotting out the sparse and fadding moonlight. Spike’s jaw dropped as he tilted his head back, and back. his lizard green eyes drinking in the sight of Robert’s towering figure.

Each of the giant’s footsteps sent fresh tremors rippling through the earth, making the ground beneath Spike quake. He froze, clutching the doorframe for balance, his mind racing.

“S-sweet C-celestia…” Spike stuttered having been throughly shaken.

Robert didn’t even glance his way, his focus locked straight upon the library as he continued past the library. Toward the side, each thundering step shook the very roots of the treehouse.

Spike took a cautious step backward, his heart pounding. “I-It hasn’t noticed me…” He muttered, barely daring to believe it. Slowly, he backed into the library, his eyes never leaving the known sighting of this legendary creature; which was to his left.

Yet as he stepped back to hopefully inform Twilight. His tail bumped the doorframe. The loud creak shattered the fragile silence.

It had been touching the tree by this point in time; but after the door creaking it...Stopped.

The giants towering silhouette looming right beside the library’s doorway. Spike’s breath hitched as the weight of Robert’s presence seemed to press down on the baby dragon.

Panic surged through Spike. He threw all caution to the wind, he spun on his heels and bolted, screaming as he scrambled up the stairs.

“Twilight! Wake up!”

He dove onto her bed, shaking her with all his might. “Twilight! Get up, get up, get up!”

Twilight let out a groggy grunt, barely stirring as Spike threw himself over her covers in a desperate bid for safety.

After the constant shakes and pressure she woke up "S-Spike what the hay are you doing up this early?" asked Twilight, using her magic to push him off to the foot of her mattress, so she could sit up a bit before he started his barrage.

"Twilight! Thank Celestia you're up! there's a Giant thing, creature, entity, outside!"

Rubbing her face with a hoof she sighed, "You know Giants aren't real Spike; they never have been." She said, lying through her teeth but getting up and all the same. She squinting in the dark, as it was rather hard to see him to begin with.

"Please Twilight, I know what I saw! You gotta believe me!"

Sighing, the purple pony threw off her covers and got out of bed. "Fine, I'll check. But if I find nothing you better head back to sleep."

Her dragon assistant most likely had a nightmare, or possibly sleepwalked, and the front door that he opened made him think a 'Giant' was there. walking slowly down the steps, Twilight could see that Spike had left the front door wide open, letting in the cool night air.

She sighed, he knew better than to leave the door open. Stepping outside, Twilight ignited her horn, casting a simple light spell while walking around the Library. Looking around; she continued around again before stopping and sighing.

"As I expected, nothing is out here." She said, quickly making her way back inside, the light faded from her horn, and she locked the front door back up.

'Sadly only one did exist, but i think the force of him going threw the stone walls might have killed it, if not that landing might have.' Twilight said while her tail twitched, "Thank Celestia he didn't see the Giant poor Spike would have had nightmares about it for weeks."

Back upstairs, Twilight found her little assistant knocked out cold on her bed, making her shake her head.

“It was just a nightmare Spike, nothing more.” She whispered, using her magic to gently lift the sleeping baby dragon and place him onto his own bed.

Twilight didn't want to lie, to Spike, but he was and is a baby dragon, he needs his rest and him seeing a Giant human after the stories she told of what. giants did too bad foals and baby dragons, if they misbehaved so this was her fault in a way.

Robert had enjoyed the small town of Ponyville, but the moon was getting close to setting. If he had to guess, he had two hours of darkness left. He then stumbled upon a massive tree, way taller than he was. Walking around it a few times, he inspected it closely.

'The hell kind of tree is this?' He stopped at one of its sides, feeling the large tree bark.

Then he heard a door creak slightly, and a moment later a boy's scream.

'Shit! I woke someone up! And they saw me! Time to go!' he thought, stepping away as slowly as possible, then tip-toeing away so as to not wake up anyone else in the town.

Thankfully Twilight, wasn't able to see the Giant hiding behind a home that blocked her view of him.

'If anything, or anyone, is looking out for me in the great beyond, please throw me a bone here!' he mentally screamed as he peeked over the thatch roof. She walked around the tree house a few times before speaking.

"As I expected, nothing is out here."

Her words made him mentally rejoice, and sigh softly, 'Whatever deity heard me, thank you!' He didn’t dare move until he heard the door close and lock. Robert slowly peeked back out, seeing the owner of the female voice, was gone. 'Right now is the time to get the hell out of here!'

The trees of the woodlands, were just barely taller than Robert was, he had to duck just to enter the forest, but the further in he got the taller the trees became, allowing him to stand to his full height.

"This is it. Time to find some basic shelter." Robert said, continuing inside the Everfree forest.

There were many signs of life, from bugs making their calls, to small animals sleeping in their dens, or burrows, to the more Nocturnal creatures hunting and scavenging.

"I need to watch my step here, anything could be here for all I know."

Growling came from behind him, and as he turned he saw wolves made out of wood, which stunned him slightly.

"Why am I surprised? I have encountered flying, magic capable horse's or 'Ponies' who speak, this shouldn't surprise me."

The wolves lunged forward.

They went for his legs, seeing as that was the only thing they could reach. Robert simply grabbed hold of one, and gave a mighty yell, bellowing deeply. This scared the pack of wolves, and they all ran off, wooden tails between their legs. He shook his head, dropping the last wooden wolf onto the ground, it quickly followed its packmates into the foliage.

'I don't think they will bother me again, if I had to guess.' Robert shook his head again, a small smile on his face. He then continued into the dense woods, eventually finding a spot to rest, the Giant sat down on the uneven ground underneath a large tree and sighed.

"I'm gonna crash here for awhile finding a proper shelter will definitely be on the list priorities.” He said to nobody, then his stomach growled, and the feeling of hunger returned, “I'm also going to need some food, but first, sleep."

Resting his head against a rotten log, it served surprisingly well as a pillow, and Robert soon found himself closing his eyes, and falling asleep in the middle of the forest.