=Flashback: 953 years ago=

I hummed softly to myself, relaxing on my living room couch as I awaited for a package I ordered last week. Despite me being a grown man, I still had those childish moments that I adored. Bobbing my head to my humming tune, I eventually zoned myself out of reality and into my own little fantasy, only...

*Ding Dong*

Doorbell! Almost jumping up from my couch, I opened my door and went through the standard process of taking my package, giving my signature for proof of delivery and bidding the delivery guy a nice day. Shutting my door with my right foot, I placed box on my coffee table and opened this sucker up so that I may claim my prize.

Though, I should probably introduce myself, shouldn't I? Well the name's Jake, and I am a 24 year old man with pale skin and long ginger hair (long enough that my friends often compared it to a lion's mane, which I took as a compliment), as well as having a surprisingly deep voice that my friend Alice often said was "very pleasing to listen to". I was in pretty decent shape, often going for runs to burn off calories but didn't necessarily workout to bulk up. When standing tall, I measured at a pretty good height of 6ft, 2 inches-which placed me first in my friend's group in tallness. Right now, I was clad in a black tank-top and grey sweatpants for comfort and relaxation.

Going back to my little package, I should let you know in on something about me: I fucking love playing Terraria, more specifically the Calamity mod (with some little additions of course, just to spruce things up some more). I've always found the bosses and all the items you could obtain to be the mods strengths, but I did see what kind of lore the creators put in place. Long story short, I may have spent an embarrassing amount of time looking into what Calamity lore there was whilst making my own little headcanons.

But, as is what happens when someone gets addicted to a franchise, they attempt to bring their love for it into reality, which leads me to my package: in my hands was a custom made replication of the Auric Tesla helmet that the antagonist Yharim wears; a nice regal-if not divine-gold helmet that comprised of a somewhat flat facial structure that led to a pointed design at the back of the head with two points coming up halfway to the back to resemble horns. On the front of the helm, a long vertical stripe of a blue film that almost looked like it was glowing like a neon sign was running along the center facial portion of the helmet. At the back of the helmet, the gold metal ended off with a black inside covering poking out thanks to a hole that allowed for one's hair to slip through.

This little sucker wasn't cheap, I'll tell you that, but the fact that I have it made it so that I didn't care at all. See, the whole design of the helmet was a custom online order I submitted to an apparently up-and-coming freelance merchandise producer that catered to cosplayers or simple franchise-trinket collectors, which I found odd since the craftsmanship was almost godlike on the finished product but I chalked that up to having done some metal-working study at a University or some such. Funnily enough, the dude used the Merchant from Resident Evil 4 as a profile picture, which I found amusing.

Regardless, I went to my room to put this on a mannequin head I had bought specifically for this, when I had a thought. Sure, I mainly wanted this for decoration, but wouldn't it be a shame if I didn't at least try it on once? Thinking to myself about this, I eventually shrugged and began to slip it onto my head (ignoring the strange feeling in my gut that told my this was a bad move).

The moment I got the helmet completely on, with my hair nicely threaded through slit in the back of the helm, I was immediately overcome with immense pain and soon blacked out.

I would later look back on this memory, lamenting on the loss of my youthful ignorance after everything that would follow...

=Present time=

I was brought out of my trip down memory lane by a commotion, the noise sounding like a gang of children with one adult voice reprimanding them. Of course, with my situation, this wasn't exactly uncommon to experience in the middle of the day. As the noise got closer to my position, I watched as a group of school children and their teacher approached-the aforementioned teacher pointing to all the other statues and explaining their history and significance; the mare herself a nice maroon coated with a pink mane that had a near bleached white stripe down the middle-same for her tail.

If you've figured out exactly what makes this woman different than all others, than congratulations, you contain basic intelligence. Of course (for those unaware), this means that the woman and the school children are in fact ponies-the anthropomorphic kind at that. From what I make note of, the teacher had a white blouse and flower patterned skirt that left her equally marron legs on display, leading down to brown dress shoes. Before I could begin to describe the appearances of all the fillies and foals following behind her, they came to a stop before my pedestal.

"Now, can anypony tell me what this statue represents?" A bit of a redundant question in honesty, since there's a plaque on the pedestal's base telling anyone who'd take the time to read it what I stood for (or at least, what I'm historically painted to stand for anyway). Interestingly enough, three fillies in the back began to bicker between themselves in hopes of getting the answer, with the whole situation so oddly competitive that it made almost no sense to me.

"Strength?" "Brutahlity?" "Awesomeness?" Flattering, really, since I doubt anyone else would've came to that last conclusion when gazing upon my statue and its pose. The pose in question was my armor clad feet flat on the ground (pedestal in this case) with my arms held high with my sword pointed to the sky (my sword being a thick blade that had a red lining that ended with a semi-circle. The handle had a gold ornate piece on the bottom with more gold intricate designs along the guard, with some gold higher up the blade towards the tip almost like an insignia), ready to swing down for maximum bloodied separation of body parts. This pose I was locked in was during the last clash between myself and her, the horrid mare I planned to kill having caught me by surprise with that spell of hers.

Petrification truly is an uncomfortable imprisonment.

Nevertheless, on and on they went with answers tossed between the three fillies, myself noting that each of seemed to have a bit of a theme: one looked like she was from a family with ties to High Society thanks to her fancy white blouse and lavender skirt, another resembled a stereotypical Country Girl due to her yellow shirt-denim overalls combo, while the third and final one looked like a Skater Girl with a black hoody and torn grey track pants.

"Actually, you've quite close with your answers, much like before." Wait, before? Why does that implication make me mentally tense up? "This statue represents 'Dominion': control over magic, strength, or even a Nation and its citizens."

Not completely wrong, when regarding one such as myself, but also not completely right. After all, when the events of History are recorded by her, there will always be important facts missing. Nevertheless, I listened as the mare continued regaling tales of myself to her students.

"This statue depicts a stallion known simply as the 'Jungle Tyrant', with his name lost to History but his exploits known to all. Its often stated that when he became the tyrannical lord over what is known as the A-mare-zon Jungle or Rainforest, he faced down many opponents that were often times much bigger than himself. Despite that difference between himself and his foes, he has always emerged victorious thanks to a combination of his physical strength and knowledge over fighting techniques and his magic, marking him as a versatile and dangerous foe." The children looked up at me, faces locked in awed expressions as they developed a new appreciation of my feats.

I myself was reliving some of those battles, some with actual hostility and others no more than friendly spars. I mentally smiled as I recalled my spar with Tauros the Minotaur King-a very large individual with many claiming that his muscles had muscles themselves (something that always made both Tauros and myself chuckle during our drinking games).

"Now, let's move along everypony." Off they went, escaping my sight while I relived better days in my prison, though I couldn't help but recall that mare's words from earlier. She said that those three bickering fillies were closer in there guesses of my representation than "before"-a harmless statement, all things considered. But something about it had me off put for some reason or another.

"Oh hello~. What do we have here?" A flamboyant and somewhat annoying voice enquired, mismatched eyes of red and yellow coming into rather close view (especially since they were now the only things I could see). Despite my view of the rest of his body being unviewable, I could easily recall the voice.

...*Sigh* Hello Discord.

"Gasp!" He mocked gasped-literally, he just said the word 'gasp' instead of making the sound, "So you're the one who's been my roommate for nearly a millennia? Oh splendid, I can finally see your ever so handsome face! Although..." Discord trailed off, scrutinizing my appearance as he rubbed his chin with his lion paw.

Let me guess: my helmet?

"Oh what a shame." He draped his mismatched serpentine body over my petrified one, leaning back dramatically in a sort of "woe is me" vibe. "Here I am, wishing to gaze upon the face of the one who's kept me company for so long, yet I cannot. Oh Life, why are you so cruel?" He continued like this for a good minute, situating himself in a myriad of poses atop me.

If you're quite done.

"Oh fine." At last he stood in front of me in full view, the jigsaw puzzle that was his body standing a bit hunched over with lion paw and eagle talons resting on his hips, "Tell you what, my good lad. Since you've kept me company for so long, I'll do you that favor of removing that pesky rock from you and call it even. Sound fair?"

No catch?

"None whatsoever, Draconneques' honor." He stated, standing straight with his talon and paw pressed together whilst an Angel's halo glowed above his head and circling his horns.

Hmm... It would be idiotic to pass up such an opportunity.

"Splendid!" With a *snap* of his fingers, a small crack soon emerged on the chest portion of my prison, "You'll be out about in a minutes time my good chap! Until then, I'm off to spread some chaos. Ciao!" Before I could say anything in response, he vanished in a flash of light as I awaited my eventual freedom. A minute later and true to his word, my stone prison began to crumble into bits and dust and even some chocolate.

Bringing down my arms, I sheathed my sword behind my regal blue cape which left the handle exposed. Jumping down from the pedestal, my armor clad form landed with a *thump* as I rolled my joints, relishing in my freedom for the first time in nearly 1000 years. Sunlight reflecting off of my golden armor, I began to make my way through the garden and, hopefully, out of the city proper. Of course, with all the armor I was clad in, it was to be expected that the loud *thumps* of my footsteps would attract the wrong attention, and Fate didn't disappoint.

"HALT!"

Turning to the voice, I spotted a squad of guards (7 total) holding golden spears in the golden armor reminiscent of the Spartan Hoplite armor. One stallion, a unicorn, seemed to be of higher rank since his armor also featured more intricate details and seemed to have the gold aesthetics for lining with the main coloration being a lavender purple. Additionally, he also lacked a helmet which allowed his mop of a cobalt-blue mane to remain exposed which contrasted rather nicely against his marble white coat, if I'm honest.

Unfortunately, I didn't bother with any pleasantries as I wanted to leave immediately, and they were in my way.

"Move." I commanded of them, my baritone voice full of authority and clear to hear despite my helmet which made some of the lesser guard lose confidence, but the lead figure remained unintimidated. That, or was remarkably good at hiding nervousness, which I respected.

"I can't do that. I am Captain Shining Armor and you're being taken in for questioning." The now known Shining Armor stated, horn glowing purple in preparation for any signs of combat. Tilting my head to the right almost tauntingly, I responded with a question of my own.

"Tell me Captain, on what charges am I being questioned for?"

"The charges of which you're an armored unknown individual found in the castle grounds. For security purposes, we have to take you in as to make sure you're not a threat to the Princesses."

I raised an eyebrow under my helm, "'Princesses'? Wasn't there only one?" I recall something from my earliest days in this world about a conflict between her and a supposed sister, but I figured that clash ended with the other one being struck down. Either that ended in banishment of some kind, or there is a new princess lurking around.

As if troubles with one was enough.

"Th-there's three, actually." One of the other guards nervously replied, my stoic visage looking to him whilst Captain Armor looked at him with a disappointed expression, as if conveying the idea that perhaps that was information best left unsaid in front a highly potential enemy.

"To think," I said, my voice catching their attention again, "Despite all the gossipers that often lurk these gardens, there are key pieces of knowledge that I lack after nearly a millennia as a garden decoration. It seems I've a lot to catch up on in absence."

Shining Armor stepped forward, horn glowing as a transparent lavender shield conjured on his raised right arm, "Sadly for you, that'll have to wait. Take him." He commanded two of the guards, both of them nodding as they raised their spears to chest height as they approached with slow and measured steps. Before they could reach me however, I grabbed the handle and drew my sword with the blades tip pointed to the ground, the massive blade making them tense up in fear.

You see, I now viewed these guards as trees-remain to the side of my path, and I'll leave you be. But get in my way, then I'll cut you down.

"I say this again, move." A part of me hoped they'd listen and let me continue on, but the larger part of my conscious thoughts knew they wouldn't back down despite my intimidation display. Knowing this, I steeled myself for what is to come as I watched the two stallions approach me-one a Unicorn, the other an Earth Pony.

And when they were naught but 3 feet from me, I struck.

Quicker that what most could be able to see, I had raised my sword into the air one handed and swung downwards diagonally, bisecting the Unicorn into two from his left-shoulder to his right-hip with one last gasp of air being taken before the life left his eyes. As the other guard stared at the horrifying image of his comrade's internal organs spill out onto the ground below, I swung right and separated the stallion into two at the hip-his death being slower than the one before but no less quick.

"GET HIM!"

Looking over to Captain Armor and the 4 remaining guards, I began to advance on them with calm and measured steps. When two guards broke formation and rushed forward with spears raised to skewer me through my armor, I simply held up my trusty sword and let the spears break against it almost instantaneously. With shocked faces, these two poor souls could do nothing but watch as my weapon descended upon them in a bloody shower. The stallion on my left was ran through in the torso by my sword, only to be raised up and then slammed onto the ground with a *thump*, myself not wasting a beat and pulling my weapon from the corpse and fluidly separated the others head from his shoulders in a shower of blood.

Not paying mind to the collapsing body and head, I decided to pull a trick out of my metaphorical hat and conjured a fireball in my raised left hand to the shock of the three remaining guards. Saving Shining Armor for last, I thrust my arm forward and let loose a stream of hateful red flames that proceeded to consume the two unfortunate souls. The Captain, in a vain attempt to save whoever he could, tried to cast what I could assume to be a spell that extinguishes fire, only for it to fail to his horror as the two guards soon burned to ash that blew in the wind-their armor scorched with some pats melted crashing to ground.

Anyone with decent magic control can put out fire, but it takes a powerful and talented magician to extinguish the Brimstone Flames of Hell itself.

"Tell me, Captain," my voice drew his attention, his once cautious but brave eyes now filled with an instinctual fear and horror, "Was this what you anticipated what being a guard would be? Losing friends and comrades alike to a superior and dangerous foe, or perhaps something more akin to a fairy tale-being the ever strong and loyal knight that would soon claim a princesses' hand in marriage?"

As I spoke, I advanced on the pony with slow yet no less intimidating steps with the stallion too consumed with fear to begin making an attempt to escape. Now directly in front of him, I bent down and grasped him by the neck and hoisted up into the air-his armor clad feet swinging and kicking at the air whilst his arms attempted to pry my grip from his neck to at the very least breathe.

"Just know, Captain Armor, that I never wished to do harm by you and your comrades. You simply got in my way." With those words spoked, I snapped his neck with a sickening *crunch* and dropped his limp corpse by the remains of the other guards. Flicking whatever dust and blood caked my armor off as best I could, I continued my march to escape Canterlot proper.

Hopefully before she realizes I've escaped my entrapment.

"Know this, Celestia," I spoke to myself, "You will not catch me off guard a second time. And when we next fight..."

"...I will enjoy ending your oh so benevolent existence."

Author's Note

Greetings everyone, Red here!

Its been sometime, hasn't it huh? Well, no doubt you've got questions and that, but know this. Whilst I'm not continuing my others right now, I will simply put them on Hiatus instead of cancelling them.

For now though, I sincerely hope you've enjoyed this introductory chapter.

Until next time, Redsummer out.

(P.S: The armor [with cape and no cape] and sword as depicted)