Chapter five

‘Those ponies in Ponyville can’t help but attract trouble.’ Robert thought, gripping the metal pot full of well water, then pouring it onto Gilda. Who openly protested.

“Pfft! Hey! Pft! What’s the big idea? Just because I need a bath doesn’t mean you pfft! drown me!” She squawked, just as more water washed over her body.

“I’m going to claw your eyes out once I’m out of here!” She decreed, only to remember the current situation, making her release a noise of aggravation. “Ah! Who am I kidding?! I’ve been stuck in this blasted cage for who knows how long!”

Robert turned to look at her, seeing now was his sixth time to shine. “You’ve been with me for three weeks, calm down, you’re acting like I don’t allow you to see the sun. I also give you three meals a day, including baths. If you want to try the pit fights, I’m sure I can arrange something with the ponies.”

After letting her drip for some time, her fur and feathers clung to her body in a damp mess. Robert placed the metal pot down, pushing in some small furs for her to dry herself with, however, she was currently dumbfounded to what just transpired.

“Am I going insane or did you feed me something that’s making me hear stuff!”

Robert loved messing with the griffin, the name he learned by asking Zecora the origins of his guest. “No, I’m going out for a bit of maintenance, you stay here,” he said,

“It’s not like I can go anywhere, even if I wanted to, you, freak of nature!” Gilda snapped at him.

This just made Robert roll his eyes. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me, Griffin.” He shot back before going outside of the castle to do some work on the courtyard and other open grass areas.

As he walked, Robert thought back to what he was able to witness the past three weeks: the elephant in the room, a giant bear-like creature with a see-through body from what the man could see.

It was floating in a lavender aura, holding some kind of animal he had never seen before. Robert saw that the beast had bloodied claws as it floated off.

The next event was smoke coming from a single mountain west of the castle and North of his small quarry.

‘Never a dull moment, in or around Ponyville I guess. I’m just glad I don’t need to help them. They handle themselves surprisingly well. If I’m being honest, I have no idea why they stay there if ponies are constantly being killed.’

Moving toward a tree, Robert gripped the base before pulling it upward, slowly uprooting it. Placing the tree on his shoulder, he carried it toward a corner he deemed as potential materials. Weeds and other forms of plant life were tossed into the cart he had acquired from the bandit ponies to be used as compost.

Right, I’ve cleared three courtyards. I swear if there’s a fourth I’m going to put gravel in my eyes.’

Going inside, Robert spotted a mirror. Though its frame of refined wood was rotted, the centerpiece was still reflective. Taking hold of it, Robert gave himself a once over.

‘My body isn’t cannibalizing itself, which is a massive positive. I think more muscle mass has grown too.’ To test this, he flexed his free arm, and it most definitely showed. ‘Shoot, I think Zecora needed me today, might as well walk over there to see if she still needs me for a few errands.’.

Robert grabbed his bow and quivered. He finally decided to make one after seeing the massive star bear. “The last thing I need is to run into that thing with no arrows.”

Lastly, grabbing his club, which was just a tree, he peeled the branches off and tied leather at the bottom to form a better grip.

‘Alright, that’s everything. Time to move.’ Robert traveled out of the ruined castle and headed toward Zecora’s hut

Soon the familiar-looking tree came into view and so did a zebra mare wearing a cloak. Getting close enough, Robert spoke up.

“What’s up with the cloak this time? You’re not handling a poison joke, are you?”

Zecora turned to face him, shaking her head. “No, I am preparing for the day’s travels. Why do you carry so many weapons of war? We are going into town, not battle.” Zecora chastised,

“You know why I don’t like the Ponies, Zecora,” Robert paused, setting down his club against a tree. “I told you what happened and the things I have seen, some of my actions were forced by ponies. True, I saved a child, but I took a life shortly after.”

Zecora nodded her head and simply walked over.

“Lay down.”

Seeing her request a reasonable one if only slightly confounding, Robert got down onto his knees and laid down. He listened to her footfalls or hoof falls, until he felt a pair of hooves pressing against his side; soon she made it on top of him. Looking down, he watched Zecora walk up the manticore fur that covered his chest.

She stopped at the upper part of his body, pressing firmly where Robert’s heart was, almost inspecting him like a doctor would in a physical check-up.

Slowly, the zebra laid down, pressing her head against his chest and listening. There was a long pause before she got back up.

“Your heart is of gold, Robert. Including its size, a large heart made of gold is bound for goodness and kindness in this world, so take my advice and leave your weapons here.” The zebra hopped off and trotted away.

Getting up, Robert spotted her walking down a path in the forest. “You can tell I have a kind heart just by listening to it?” He asked.

She nodded.

Sighing, Robert took off his quiver and propped his bow up against a tree, just to be safe, though he took his club in case they ran into trouble in the forest;

“So what kind of errands are you planning to finish today?” asked Robert as they neared one of the many exits to the Everfree.

“I need some roots, they do not grow in Everfree. The closest place to my home is the town of Ponyville.” Zecora rhymed out, making Robert deadpan.

“I don’t understand some of your rhymes, Zecora, and this isn’t one of them.” Robert softly spoke as they entered Ponyville from a park entrance. His response just made her lash her tail in slight irritation.

“Just zip up your mouth and follow.” Still following the zebra, Robert just shrugged. ‘Can’t argue with that kind of request now, can I?’

The town seemed completely abandoned, which was odd for a town this size. “You weren’t kidding, Zecora,” Robert muttered so only she could hear him.

She didn’t respond, she only lashed her tail more aggressively before finally speaking."Go ahead and explore. I’ll be near the far side of town. Do not worry the Pony-folk here will not bother you with me about."

Seeing this as a chance, Robert left the Zebra to investigate the town of Ponyville proper. ‘What in the hell are some of these buildings? Some of these aren’t even reliable Structures, Tents at most.’

The only thing that bothered him was the feeling of being scrutinized, by the hiding ponies while they silently studied, and judged him. He did the same to their town.

‘All this town needs is one wildfire, really any kind of flame and it’s going to smolder like a fire pit.’ not that Robert had planned to, but still these ponies don’t understand how a fire can spread. Soon he found the tree again where he found Twilight sleeping in.

‘Was she technically inside a tree or on it?’ Saving the question for another time, Robert lifted some leaves spotting the balcony. ‘Any more free books?’ He reached his hand up and over, feeling around in hopes of more books.

‘I see Twilight’s a fast learner, good for her, but bad for me.’ His hand grabbed hold of something metal. Pulling it out without trying to crush it, Robert discovered it was a telescope.

‘Never, took her for a Stargazer, She’s just full of surprises isn’t she?’ gently reaching back up, the giant placed the telescope back not in the same position mind you, but at least he didn’t drop it, and potentially break it.

‘Now, which way did Zecora go? I can’t exactly ask for directions.’ Looking around, there were multiple paths for him to take, seeing this as a wing-it moment, so he went left.

Traveling down the gravel path, Robert didn’t find much life. It was quite literally a ghost town. ‘On the bright side, this town is quite nice to stroll through during the day and not like some burglar under the cover of darkness.’

Looking ahead, Robert spotted a strange-looking house, picking up the pace, it soon became clear what kind of building it was. ‘Is that a fucking Gingerbread house?’ Not wanting to demolish some poor pony’s home just because of the design of another building.

He decided to squeeze through an alleyway that shouldn’t have been possible due to his bulkier build. ‘This is so stupid, but I can’t back out now. I’m halfway there; there we go slow and steady, don’t accidentally kill a pony by falling over.’

Finally, Robert made it past the two buildings, and, shockingly enough, he found Zecora digging at the ground. He made his way over, passing the Gingerbread house on his right, and heading toward his friend.

Upon reaching her, she jerked her head toward the Gingerbread House glancing towards him before softly smiling and going back to digging, she simply stated, “Somepony is watching us. From the dwelling at your back. But first, can you help me? My mouth is quite parched.”

Grunting, he gently undid the leather straps on his club. If Robert was going to help, he didn’t want to destroy his hard-earned leather. Moving Zecora while tossing the straps toward her to hold, he gripped both sides of the tree log and slammed it down into the disrupted earth below.

Holding it in place with one hand, Robert used the other like a hammer, before slamming it down hard onto the top of his club, going far deeper than Zecora ever could.

After a few heavy slams down, he would test the log to see if it was still loose. After that, Robert gripped both sides before pulling the dirt-covered club out of the newly made hole.

“Many thanks, to the creature of old,” Zecora said gently, sticking her head into the hole to drink the fresh groundwater, while he just gave a simple grunt to show he heard her.

“Time to leave. I have what I need.” The zebra mare said, licking her lips to clear any remaining water, then started to walk off. Robert merely followed, taking the leather from her back and tieing the straps back to give him a better grip.

Unrevealed to them, a filly was tailing them. Things came to a head when Robert and Zecora were walking past one large patch of Poison joke when a southern voice rang out.

“Applebloom! You get back here right now!” yelled a familiar face. Turning his head, Robert spotted Applejack and the other five mares. ‘I See you’re still alive after the thrown apple; which is a good thing of course I rather avoid killing animals that can talk, if I can.' Robert mulled.

Slowly turning his body toward the ponies, to protect Zecora while releasing a growling noise. 'that should keep them at bay, hopefully'

“Back off, you Freakishly large Thing! I’ll show you what! for messing with Ponyville and the Fastest flier in Equestria!” Rainbow Dash said, taking to the air and speeding toward him.

“Rainbow Dash, stop!” yelled Twilight, but it was already too late.

The cyan mare slammed her front hooves against his head, making Robert stumble a few steps back, the earth below shaking from each heavy foot fall. ‘Damn, that was a solid hit!’ While she went in for another attack, Flutter shyly tried to reason with her.

“Rainbow Dash, stop it!” Fluttershy pleaded. However, she was ignored.

She struck him again and again in the head repeatedly. His eyesight did go blurry, but Robert was staying in it despite her high speed. ‘If she keeps this up, I’m going to get a concussion. I need to stop her.’ Thankfully Rainbow Dash grew cocky, thinking she could strike him anywhere now because of how slow and big he was.

“Come on, you lumbering thing of myth and boring stories, fight back!” Rainbow Dash mocked, before she slammed into his chest, thinking that would hurt him. However, she was the one who got bruised.

“Stop your foolish mission! This is most unwise to attack the Giant-folk. Your actions will be your doom!” Zecora warned, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

Taking this chance, Robert grabbed the rainbow-maned Mare firmly in his grasp. This made her gasp and struggle. He began to squeeze her. Not enough to break bones or snap Rainbow in half like a crouton, but enough to make her hard of breathing.

“C-can’t breathe! It’s C-crushing me!” Rainbow Dash coughed out. He was just about to release her, seeing Rainbow had learned her lesson before he was blasted in the face, with a beam of soft blue magic, blinding him.

“Unhand her, you ruffian!”

Rarity sneered with disgust and revulsion. ‘Oh, they’re just begging for a fight!’ Robert hissed mentally, dropping Rainbow Dash. With a thud, she started coughing and wheezing, for air. Finally able to breathe properly, while a lasso made it around his hand.

“How about ya try an earth pony on for size, partner!” muffled Applejack. She pulled his hand hard and Rarity kept blasting him with bright flashes.

“Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash! All of you, knock it off! You’re going to provoke him into attacking!” Twilight snapped, using her magic to undo the lasso, along with stopping Rarity’s magic casting.

Applebloom had gotten scooped up by her elder sister, during the brawl between three of the main six and the giant. Zecora finally interrupted the fight, trying to be the peacemaker.

“Beware! Beware! Pony-folk those leaves of blue are no joke!” Finally, being able to see again without feeling like he stared at the sun for an hour, Robert spotted the main six they all were standing in the poison joke patch, except Applebloom.

This made him grin inwardly, as one sentence filled his mind. 'Karma's a bitch, you all are going to learn that real soon.'

“You keep your mumbo jumbo to yourself, ya hear?! And take your Giant freak with ya!” While Zecora made her way deeper into the Ever-free, Robert tailed behind, and still, some of the six mares kept taunting the two.

Zecora decided to stop short. Being the nice zebra, she still tried to warn them. “Beware! Beware!” Unfortunately, they didn’t listen. ‘I think fear will make them see reason.’

Breathing in deeply, Robert filled his lungs with as much air as possible, before giving a mighty roar. That seemed to have silenced them. He even heard hooves running away.

‘You may have magic or wings or even strength, but all ponies are prey animals. I felt like I had to remind them’

Pain shot out from his head. Reaching up a warm liquid covered his fingers, and pulling his fingers down, Robert saw the crimson-colored fluid covering his fingers.

‘Crap, I need to see Zecora again, but I’m going to head back home first and get her something.’’

Arriving back at Zecora’s home, he gently knocked on her door afterwards he took a seat; after some time, she unlocked her door and stepped outside.

“Are you here for me to treat your ailments?” she asked while he offered her a horn.

“What is this you gift me?” she asked, not knowing the reason why he gave her a horn. He pushed the horn into her chest, reaching up, and she took the offered item.

“If those troublemakers show up, all you need to do is blow the horn once,” Robert said while showing her his wounds.

“Think you can patch me up this time, Zecora?” She gave him a gleeful nod. “Of course! For a companion like you, I can do many a healing trick!”

After getting his wounds treated, it turned out Rainbow Dash decided to give him a few stitches on his noggin. Rarity’s magic still left spots in his vision. And Applejacks lasso gave his hand rug burn. “I hope this vision blindness isn’t permanent.”

Deciding to explore deeper into the woods, those six mares seemed like the type to fight if it came down to it. The only problem was that, if Robert fought back with his full strength, he no doubt would kill them.

‘I need to find a second place to settle down. Better to just avoid confrontation with them.’ In his travels, Robert discovered a cave entrance. Surprisingly enough, it was adequately big for him, The only issue was him needing to duck down to enter.

Making it to the end of the cave, Robert spotted a large drop with faint glowing from the bottom. ‘The hell is that at the bottom? And how am I even supposed to make it there without breaking my legs?’

Feeling around, he found some stone steps way too small to hold him. ‘You gotta be kidding me.’

Getting to the bottom was nearly impossible for Robert, but when there’s a will, there’s a way. planting his feet firmly into bedrock, Robert looked up into the utter blackness above, finally able to stand upright.

‘This better be worth it. If I get myself down here for nothing, I’m going to flip.’ Entering the glowing cavern, Robert spotted — a tree. Not just any normal tree like those of the Everfree or in general. This one was made of crystals.

The feeling of Peace, and Tranquility, washed over Robert. Almost like nothing could or would, harm him here. Moving closer, to the glowing crystal tree Robert studied the strange form of life. “Is it even alive?” he muttered, and it seemed to glow brighter softly in response.

Reaching out slowly toward it, Robert would touch the outer shell of the tree before everything went black.

“Can you hear me?” asked a feminine-sounding voice. Opening his eyes, Robert found himself sitting down with a very glittery pony in front of him. She had a white coat, with neither wings nor a horn. “You can. I can tell intelligence when I sense it. Go ahead, speak, Freind. Your secret is safe here.” Seeing that the jig was up, Robert gave in and finally spoke to a pony.

“What’s going on? What happened to the tree, and who are you?” Shooting his questions out like rapid fire to her, the mare simply chuckled, answering each question back at lightning speeds, almost like the moment he stopped talking, she knew already what to say.

“You’re somewhere where we both can communicate easily. I doubt you would like seeing me glow brighter for yes, or dimming for no. I’m the tree if you couldn’t tell by now, and this pony is just a projection. I can change it into other ponies if you like. All you’ll need to do is describe them to me.”

“Hold on, you are the crystal Tree?” Robert asked, looking down at the mare who simply nodded, “Yes I am, I’ve been waiting for you to arrive here. I’m surprised it took you this long to find me.”

“Can Nightmare Moon enter this place?” Robert asked while the pony shook her head. “No. We have a physical link. The only way for her to join us is if she comes here physically. Then I could connect her to this mental state. And her name isn’t that anymore. It’s now Princess Luna.”

Stopping for a moment, the pony began to move toward Robert as a soft glow appeared on her back. Suddenly two wings appeared and she took to the air floating in front of his face.

“Would you mind lying down? Or at the very most kneel, You’re making my neck hurt.” Tilting his head to the side in confusion before shrugging, Robert lay down in the void. Soon, the pony slammed onto him, snuggling deeply into his fur-covered chest, giving a gentle sigh.

“I’ve missed the feeling of a Giant against me. Your kind knows how to care for a tree correctly,” she muttered, sighing. This made him even more confused.

“Can you tell me why you dragged me here?” Snapping out of her dream-like state, the pony got back to her hooves and started to walk across his chest to his head.

“Oh, of course! Forgive me, I don’t get many visitors down here. The last time someone visited me was; a long time ago.” Plopping down with a gentle thump, she looked down at him, smiling.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Giant,” she asked, looking over at him to see if he would allow her to explain. Giving a gentle nod, she proceeded.

With a gentle pop of magic, a seed appeared. Floating in the air while the tree mare spoke. “Long ago, I was asked by an old friend who isn’t of this world anymore. They had instructed me to give this seed to you. In their words: When the day came, and the Giants roamed the world once more, give this seed to them; they will handle the rest.”

“Can I trust you with this seed?” She asked inquisitively while tilting her head to the left.

“May I ask what it is?” Robert asked as she knocked the surprisingly hard seed against his head.

“This is a Weirwood seed, the last of its kind. It shares the same predicament as you,” she said solemnly before making the fake seed disappear.

“I need to know if I can trust you fully. How about a promise?” she asked. Just as Robert could make a response, the pony interrupted again. “Do you mind telling me your name, please? No doubt you have one.”

Seeing no harm in it, he licked his lips, then answered her. “My name is Robert. But why do I need to make a promise?” the giant human asked, as she simply chuckled nervously.

“I have kept that seed safe for so many years. I just want to see if I can trust you with this task. I’m laying out for you.” Seeing that as a good enough reason, he gave a slight nod that made her squeal in delight before a flash of light blinded him.

Now he was in a kneeling position. However, his hand was connected to the bark while her voice rang out once more. “I ask you. Robert, the last of the Giants, to swear by Earth and Water, by Bronze and Iron. and by Ice, and Fire to protect. and nurture this seedling I will impasse onto you?”

Giving a gentle nod, the tree continued, “Once the tree has sprouted, and it survives the cold of fall and winter. I will deem your promise fulfilled along with your reward.” Robert could almost hear the tree grinning at the last part. ‘I Don’t Like where this is going.’

With a few grunts and gasps, the mare spoke up. “The seed is in your hand. I wish you luck, and you might want to leave. You’ve been down in this cave for twelve hours.” Before Robert knew what was going on, he was back in the cave proper, with something round, smooth, and, thankfully, dry in his left hand. ‘Thank God, I thought it was going to be something more — physical.’

Twilight’s POV

“Shessppfft! Shssastew!” Pinky Pie half shouted while spraying spit everywhere, rolling her eyes as Rarity asked cautiously. “She stole your song?” The hyper mare nodded furiously,

“Pinky pie, that sounds nothing like your song.” Pinky looked toward the various members of their group, then she threw herself at Fluttershy, giving her puppy dog eyes and even giving a small pout.

Sighing, Fluttershy began to sing Pinkie’s song while sounding like sompony’s father. Shortly after finishing her song, Rarity piped back in, “Now that you saw those terrible things, now do you believe us, Twilight?”

Going over the facts, the bookworm mare started piecing things together, trying to think reasonably. “This does make her look bad, but what if she’s just making soup?” That, of course, was poorly timed, while Zecora hummed in gentle delight.

“The perfect temperature for ponies, I presume, now. Where is that Applebloom?” That single statement sent the main six into a frenzy after roughly five minutes. Rainbow Dash and Applejack slammed through the front door so hard it closed behind them.

However, using her body Twilight slammed the door back open, the element of magic and the rest of her friends could see what was going on, Rainbow Crash still. Couldn’t fly slamming into walls, glass bottles, and even into furniture;

Rainbow Dash crashed into, the metal cauldron, spilling out the mixture inside and causing her to crash land, into that very wall that held a sentry's horn. due to the force of Rainbow Crash’s landing.

She grunted, holding her head with a blue hoof, until the very same horn fell, and connected with her face, making an audible thudding noise, "Ow!" the cyan mare muffled out.

“You know not what you do! You went and spilled my special brew!” Getting close, Zecora seemed to be checking on the Liquid to see if it could be salvaged.

“We’re onto you, Zecora! I didn’t want to believe you were an evil witch in the woods, but the proof is substantial!” Just then, Rarity spoke up again. “You made me look ridiculous!” Shortly after Fluttershy added to it, “You made me sound ridiculous.”

“Pppfrtoff pttf!” Pinky Pie half stammered because of her enlarged tongue with blue dots. Twilight barged in pointing her head toward the zebra showing her flimsy horn. “You ruined my horn!”

Getting back onto her hooves, the zebra mare looked pissed. “How dare you! You come into my home and destroy my brew! And then accuse me of being a jerk?!”

From the other side of the main room, Rainbow Crash yelled, “You’re the one who put this curse on us! Now that we caught you, uncurse us!”

Putting her hoof down, Zecora snapped at them, “It is most unwise to go down this road, your actions will make my anger explode!” Stepping forward, Twilight prepared to charge the shaman.

“Where is Applebloom?!” she demanded to know as Rainbow Dash decided to get back onto her hooves.

“I’ll use the horn! Maybe we can find Applebloom that way?” The rainbow-maned mare offered as Applejack agreed with her tiny southern accent, “Do it, Rainbow, I got ya covered!” Zecora’s face changed, to one of surprise and dread.

“Ponies, do not blow the horn! Applebloom will not show!” Not listening to her pleas again, Rainbow ran outside with the horn dangling from her neck. Zecora moved to follow, but a lavender force field stopped the zebra dead in her tracks;

Soon, the first blast of the horn rang out. It was loud, making most of the main six’s ears hurt slightly, but Twilight remained focused on keeping the barrier up.

Robert POV

Ducking out of the cave before standing up, Robert looked down, seeing the seed still in his hand, deciding to head back toward his friend’s tree hut.

‘What the hell did I just encounter? A talking glowing tree in the shape of a pony, who forcefully snuggled me, and then made me promise to grow another tree for a reward later?’ Shaking his head, he kept traveling. Then he heard the horn blast.

‘Zecora is in trouble. Time to scare some cocky Ponies off!’ Soon, a second blast of his gifted horn was made, and Robert shifted into second gear, from a calm and orderly jog to running like a raging bull. His stomps made trees shake, leaves would fall from their branches, and small wild animals hid.

After approximately ten minutes of pure running, Robert soon was able to hear Zecora’s voice. “Maybe next time you first will take a second look, instead of judging by the cover of the book.”

“If you’re willing, Zecora, would you mind making another batch for us?” Hearing a soft chuckle, his zebra friend responded.

“Mix it up, I certainly will! But I’m missing something from Ponyville.” There were tiny hoof steps and suddenly, a new voice was picked up. “But every time Zecora goes into town, all the shops are mysteriously closed.”

“We can handle that.” Twilight’s voice rang out as hooves on wood left the tree and we’re back onto earth.

Grinning; Robert stood perfectly still, waiting for the Ponies to pile out of the home. Not wanting to lose the seed, he gently placed it into his shirt so it wouldn't get lost. ‘Just a little more. Come on!’

Moving quickly, Robert snatched Rainbow Dash off of her hooves while covering her muzzle. “What the?! -Mmmmm!” before the giant human pinned her against his chest, grabbing Pinky Pie and doing the same thing to her.

“What in Ponyville is that?!” That grabbed everyone’s attention fully as Twilight’s floppy horn instantly ignited, the sounds that were making a smile creep onto his face.

‘Poker face, Robert, keep your cool, you’re supposed to scare them, not make fun of a limp horn.’ creating a shield around them and a flash of lavender magic teleported Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie back to safety.

“We can not fight this, this monster!” Rarity said with disgust toward the large human. “I told Princess Celestia, what happened yesterday. She has informed me we aren’t allowed to attack him anymore, unless in pure self-defense. So no starting fights, Rainbow Dash. “

This didn’t sit well with the cyan mare, but she finally composed an answer to fire back with.

“Why not? He almost crushed me, Yesterday! And he tried again today!” Twilight was going to defend his actions, but Fluttershy beat her to the punch.

“Rainbow Dash, you attacked him! Everything he did was in self-defense, remember? You walked away with hardly a scratch on your coat, he left bleeding!”

‘Even though she sounds like a man, she’s still my verbal defender. Color me impressed, I guess she noticed my head bleeding before even I did.’

At this moment in time, Zecora stepped outside confused at the current scene in front of her. “Ponies, what is the meaning of this?” she asked, confused.

“Zecora, go back inside. The Giant is here!” yelled Twilight. This only made Zecora giggle while walking toward Robert’s side. “I told you before. It appears the lesson was lost on you.”

Getting to his feet, she gave a gentle pull to grab his attention, making the six mares and one filly gasp and for Applejack’s case, shake in fear, watching him bend down to pick up the zebra. “Never judge by the cover of the book.”

She stated before pressing her side against his shoulder as a silent signal, approving her request, he went under her cloak and began scratching at her fur.

“My tall friend here wouldn’t hurt a zebra or pony. Just manticores aren't not so lucky,” Zecora mumbled, the last bit as her tail began to gently swish about.

“I-it’s true when G-gilda was in town I had run for the E-ever free for safety, he f-found me and brought me out of the forest. If you don’t trust it, I’ll go out there. He’s an oversized Angel!” Fluttershy said, blushing.

“You did what?!” exclaimed Twilight. "You could have gotten hurt! Or worse! Why didn’t you tell anypony?"

“Because his trust toward me was more unpredictable than Angel Bunny. Even when Angel bit him! He stayed calm and gentle.”

‘I never thought I would be called an angel by a pony whose voice fits more in line with a football coach than a gentle mare of the woods.’ Soon the lavender field dropped and Fluttershy zoomed straight for him, planting herself, against his shoulder and beginning to babble.

“I’m so sorry for what happened! We were so focused on getting Applebloom back, that I forgot to check on you,” Fluttershy whined, teary-eyed, Making Robert simply reach over, to begin scratching her back.

Now that he was making two mares coo, one sounded like a stallion and making hums of delight, she spoke up again, this time not in a disorderly manner. “Sweet Celestia, how I’ve missed this.” The shy mare muttered, trying to get scratched almost all over her body.

‘I still can’t get over the fact she sounds like she’s able to host a pretty solid playoff party.’ After roughly ten minutes of scratching their backs, or stomachs; Robert placed Zecora back down, while the zebra started walking toward the group, then past them.

“Come everypony, we need herbs from Ponyville, then the hardship we can face.”

Just as Robert was about to move forward until a filly got in his way, much to an extremely tiny pony’s dismay. “Can I get a ride?” She asked nervously, giving him the biggest form of puppy dog eyes to complete this. She even pouted, completing the silent plea. “Applebloom, did you eat something you shouldn’t have? He’s too big for us to ride!”

‘Just to be spiteful, she gets to ride on my shoulder now.’ Reaching down, grabbing the filly who seemed ecstatic about riding him, and placed her on the now free shoulder, Fluttershy currently was hogging the other one, not wanting to leave his side or shoulder in this case.

‘Wait, I remember her. She’s the filly I hid from that day while silently threatening her farm dog.’ Placing her onto his shoulder, she squealed in pure happiness.

“Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, are going to be so jealous when I tell them I rode a Giant!” Rolling his eyes, Robert began to trek back to Ponyville following close behind the group of ponies and one zebra;

Arriving at the edge of the Everfree Robert gently lifted Fluttershy and Applebloom from his shoulders, placing them onto the solid earth. “Y-you aren’t coming?” Fluttershy said, saddened that he wouldn’t leave the forest.

“Leave him, darling, I think it would be best that thing, stays out of Ponyville. It also needs a bath, It makes my head hurt having to breathe in its smell,“ the massive ball of white fuzz and purple mane said, which annoyed him.

‘Ok Rarity, for being the element of generosity, you hate me an awful lot more than possibly Rainbow Dash.’ Giving Fluttershy and Applebloom a farewell head pat, Robert began to walk back to his haven;

Shortly after arriving, and checking the time by looking at the sun’s place in the sky, it was roughly late afternoon. “Might as well use the remaining time of day to plant this tree seed.”

Going toward the most recently cleared courtyard, Robert began planning out the use, of the inside patch of earth. “What if I planted the tree in the corner?” Looking over the corner it didn’t fit the idyllic spot, for a tree. Reaching up his hand began to stroke his beard in a thinking manner.

“Mm no, what about the far wall side?” Shaking his head that also took up a decent amount of space. looking toward the center, it would do just fine. “Perfect!” Walking toward the chosen area, Robert would go and use his club similar to how he gave Zecora water.

but after two downward strikes, he removed the log from the earth and dropped the seed in. “Good luck little buddy, I haven’t grown a tree before.” Now that he planted the seed, Robert went back into the main rooms he lived in.

“Gods! I thought you were dead!” Yelled a very angry female griffon, walking over to her. Robert grabbed her cage, lifting her up .

“Odd question. Is your name Gilda?” This confused the caged animal to growl in annoyance.

“Who’s asking?! Surely not you, Cattle!”

“I’m asking, so answer the question, or you won’t be getting fed.” As if on cue, her stomach growled at the thought of food making her groan in defeat;

“Alright! Alright! Fine! My name is Gilda. What’s in it for you?”

"Nothing, at all I just wanted your name." The newly named Gilda looked up at him expectantly. “Now, where’s food?” She even looked around his bulky frame to find the food that he talked about.

“We need to start storing food. Autumn is almost here and Winter is coming.” Robert reasoned, but she simply roared and bit his finger.

“Fuck that! I haven’t eaten for a whole day! Either feed me or let me go!” she muffled out at him

Biting his lip in pain, slowly he reached over with his finger and then flicked her forehead to stop her attempt at eating his finger. “How many times have I told you to stop trying to eat my fingers? You know I’m going to flick you each time, Gilda.”

“I will not deny, my instincts for hunting! Especially since you’re not feeding me!” she snarled, setting the cage down.

Robert went and tossed her the last of his goods. “Be careful not to choke.” He offered while she snapped at him again.

“Blow me!” she exclaimed, before tearing into the apples and other grown foods.

“Not willingly, no.” This annoyed Gilda, but since she had nourishment, she couldn’t care less.

Sitting down, Robert reached over grabbing
his. ‘Borrowed,’ book and gently flipped through a few pages going to where he last left off.

“Is the ritual ready to begin?” Asked the Queen of the Changelings walking into the large cavern, symbols, and incantations, carved into the many different stones While a Changeling nodded.

“Yes, my Queen, we have the remains.” Taking this as an incentive to proceed, her uneven horn came to life, sickly green magic, enveloped her horn while the mass of bones and rotting flesh glowed the same color.

The symbols flickered to life, circling the long-deceased remains; slowly they began to build the shape of a large human, using her magic as best she could to keep the powerful spell going while studying the undead creature.

It wasn’t moving, or breathing; it was just standing there, having old and long-since Rusted cuffs on its wrists. Even the neck had a collar, giving her head guardian a sideways glance. “Did you receive, the samples I asked for?” the old Warrior Changeling would nod.

“Are you positive? Infected humans won’t attack them?” Chrysalis asked, while a jar filled with black moss, and particles, was produced. Enveloping the jar within her magic, Chrysalis would open its Protective seal, before fusing the deadly virus into the half fleshless body.

“I’m most certain, my Queen, the necromancy spell doesn’t make the undead produce heat, if anything. The samples we have will act as a masker toward infected humans.”

Not a moment later, the remains were animated; it jolted every so often while the chains jingled ever so slightly with each move. Deeming this worthy, she gave her full attention to her advisor.

“Bring me the sword. The others will need to use a club.” She gave a nod, to the warrior who left to retrieve the stolen relic. “The test will begin soon, and that will determine the usefulness of the living Giant!”

Using her changeling magic, she casted a simple light spell. Upon seeing her creation, She frowned, disappointed at its height compared to the last living giant. “This one is far shorter than him. Is he a mutant Giant? Or is he a youngling?”

Thinking mother Equus was at work here. The female Queen, left this train of thought alone as her ears picked up, Metal screeching. Grimacing she turned her ears away, in hopes of reducing the ringing in her ears.

‘Useless grubs, don’t know how to carry a blade.’ Finally, they had entered the cavern, and deciding enough was enough, she enveloped the massive blade floating it toward herself, inspecting this ancient blade.

“Old Griffin steel. If the history lessons were correct, this blade can slice through nearly anything.” Such weapons were deemed priceless relics to the Griffin Empire.

Now that the Queen of the changelings possessed one, she figured since the last living giant had more of a brain then, these smaller and undead giants. ‘and this is why I’m giving them an edge~ or at least one of them.’

Floating the old blade toward her, Chrysalis produced some goo around its handle ‘now to attach it to the giant’s hand.’ Using her powers, the queen had managed to glue the blade to its left hand.

“I will raise the last two. Gather the drones for this one's transport.” She commanded while her transparent wings flicked in annoyance, watching the undead beast be magically guided toward the exit. Seeing that it was time for another dead giant to be resurrected, she repeated the same spell.

Shining Armor’s POV

Currently, the Captain of the Royal guard was doing the one thing he hated to do. “I hate paperwork,” he muttered in his office; from Canterlot as far as Appaloosa, ponies were reporting humans being stolen. The current number was unknown to the stallion, hence him doing the paperwork to find out. ‘I think the number is close to 80, maybe even almost a hundred.’

Getting up from the hardwood floor, Shining Armor made his way toward the small tower of files and reports needing the Captain’s review. ‘I think this might be another long night of working. Thank Celestia I’m given tomorrow off.’

Using his magic, he grabbed the oldest ones on the top before making a small outgoing pile and headed back to his desk. “I swear I should stash coffee in this office.” Out of nowhere, a familiar voice graced his ears.

“Working late again, I see.” This made him jump, dropping the significant documents. “Jasmine, how did you get in? The door was locked?” Shining asked the Bat Pony mare, she simply shrugged.

“True, the door was locked, but the windows were not.” The night Commander suggested, walking past him while he began picking up the thrown documents, her tail swishing, “Now I have a favor to ask you, friend.”

“Here we go again. Every time you ask for a favor, either A: somepony is sent to the Infirmary or B: I get yelled at for allowing it. Did you forget the last time I allowed you to train Day Royal guards with you and some Night guard officers? You nearly made half of them quit! Or they needed time in intensive care.”

Smiling, Jasmine chuckled nervously, scratching the back of her head with her armored hoof, “It’s not my fault bat ponies are tougher than normal ponies.” Shaking her head, she spoke again, “But no, it’s not that kind of favor.”

Raising an eyebrow, she snagged him with interest. “Color me surprised, Commander Jasmine doesn’t have one of those kinds of favors to ask.” Sitting back down at his desk, Shining Armor arranged the folders before looking back up at her.

She gave him a deadpan stare, making the stallion sigh, and roll his eyes. “Fine, go ahead, and ask.” Igniting his horn, he lifted a mug on the far side of his desk closer over to him, with that inventive. Jasmine slowly walked toward his desk and sat down on one of the two pillows within the office.

“Princess Luna has demanded access to all documents regarding the Last of the Giants.” Shining wasn’t prepared for what the thestral was going to ask, making him send cold coffee into his windpipe instead of the other part of his throat.

Coughing for nearly five minutes, Jasmine sat there simply waiting for her day counterpart to stop; after getting his breathing back under control, the Stallion took a few deep breaths before speaking.

“I’m sorry I don’t think I heard you correctly. You said Princess Luna is asking I give her all documents regarding that tall thing?”

“It’s a Giant,” Jasmine Corrected, while Shining spoke again.

“Whatever.”

Rolling her eyes, she resumed. “So, do you agree to give me everything involving him?” the Captain of the Royal guards just reached up, rubbing his forehead and mane.

“I can not,” he simply stated, which made her narrow her eyes. “Are you refusing an order from the Princess of the Night?” Jasmine asked in a cold but calm tone. Shining armor knew that trick.

Wanting to avoid getting into a fight with Jasmine, he raised his hooves to stop her. “You’re mistaken, Jasmine. I can not give her documents. That’s because there aren’t any. The only report we have, you gave it to her personally, remember? It is like he vanished from the world.”

Leaning slightly closer, the mare studied his complexion for any kind of trickery. However, he was able to hide it from her, thankfully. ‘She may be an expert in extracting information, but not studying.’ Still, she was studying his face.

Shining started to sweat. ‘Hay-seed, this isn’t good if she sees so much as a droplet, I’m done for.’

Rolling her eyes, Jasmine answered his fears for him. “Drop the act, Shining, I know you are withholding information.”

A look of fear crossed his face while she gave him a toothy grin. “H-how did you know I was lying? I thought you only knew interrogation.”

Jasmine softly laughed, “Shining Armor, you and I have known one another for years. From being Princess Celestia’s ward, just like my predecessors before me, until Princess Luna’s return, you still keep mixing me up with another thestral mare whose name is Sky Star. Just tell me the truth. I don’t want to have to bend your forelegs in different directions or make your face meet the window.”

This stunned Shining, but quickly snapping out of it, he retorted. “Assaulting an officer of Princess Celestia’s Royal Guards is a serious crime, Jasmine.”

With that, she lifted her wing slightly, producing a scroll and offering it to the Captain of the Royal guard. “What is this?” Shining asked nervously while he took it into his magical grasp while the mare said only two words.

“Open it.”

Moving the scroll to face him, it had Princess Luna’s royal seal on it. 'I wasn’t the best history student, Twilight can attest to that, but isn’t this before her banishment?'

“Correct me, if I’m wrong, but this was her original seal, is it not?” Jasmine nodded gradually at the question.

“Her Highness wanted to keep the seal for traditional reasons. But I believe she just doesn’t know how to ask to make a new one. She speaks, old Equestrian when it’s her Officers and her, yes she tries to speak more modern, but nobles do not care nor some day Officers.”

Opening the letter, Shining began to read the contents inside.

“I, Princess Luna, hereby decree that all actions that my Night Commander has done are sanctioned.” To top it off, there was another royal seal confirming what the Princess had written.

“I’ll ask again; have you received anything about him?” Jasmine was flexing her wings gently, working them to be ready in the event she needed to. ‘Work,’ information out of him.

Seeing no other choice, Shining Armor had to spill the beans. “Princess Celestia received a report from Twilight just yesterday, that’s all I know.”

Seeing this as truthful, Jasmine rose to her hooves. “How disappointing. I wanted to fight with you. But alas, I have what I need.” She began making her way toward the door to the office.

“Jasmine,” Shining called out, making her stop and turn her head toward him, tilting her head at what he wanted.

“Do you think the Giant would willingly come here to Canterlot?” This just made Jasmine shrug while responding.

“If he doesn’t like Canterlot, there is the Royal Zoo in Manehattan, which is under the direct management, of a hoof-picked pony. By both Princesses; is that all, Captain?” the thestral mare asked as he shook his head.

“No, unless you want to help with some of this paperwork.” Using his magic, Shining Armor attempted to float a decent amount of documents to Jasmine, in hope's she would help, but Jasmine had other plans.

his office door was left open and said Bat Pony was nowhere in sight, signing and redoing the same process for the last four hours. ‘Seems everypony hates this part of being a Royal guard, doesn't matter which Princess you serve.'

With a flash Shining, calmly closed his office door along with shutting the clasps of his windows effectively locking them.

'Maybe I can sneak in a quick nap?' looking around he quickly moved the blinds closed, so no pony could see inside, and pulling out a spare pillow.

"Just a half-hour sleep and back to work." laying his head down Shinning armor drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note

This was supposed to be a Valentine's Day chapter but I'm what half a day late?

But hey better late than never right?
I hope you all enjoyed your holiday

Also, I was supposed to post it last night but I kinda fell asleep while editing 😅

But please enjoy!