Equestria's Unexpected Hero

Chapters

Prologue: a Divine chat, a Divine choice.
Chapter 1: New World, New Adventures
Chapter 2: Fighting Nightmares and bringing back the Sun
Ch 3: Memories, Recovery, and Introductions pt.1

Prologue: a Divine chat, a Divine choice.

In the ethereal realm that lay between worlds, where beings of divine nature resided within the infinite expanse of the multiverse, a small group of three sat gathered at a table. The room was bathed in the warm glow of a roaring fireplace, casting shadows and flickering light upon their faces as they spoke earnestly to one another. The air was filled with an otherworldly energy and a sense of ancient wisdom, as if time had no meaning in this mystical place.

"Are you sure this is a wise course of action brother?"

The first woman, with a complexion as pale and pure as freshly fallen snow, spoke up hesitantly. Her voice was soft, like a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves. She stood tall and regal in her forest-green gown adorned with delicate gold trimmings. This was Kynareth, also known as one of the Nine Divines in the Cyrodilic pantheon. The golden strands of her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back like rays of sunshine in a deep green forest, adding to her ethereal appearance. Despite her hesitation, there was a strength and grace about her that was undeniable.

The words seemed to hang in the air, heavy with a sense of guilt and hesitation. "We... that is... the other Divines and your predecessor," her voice faltered, "we promised him that he would be sent back home after his trials." Her eyes pleaded with him, silently begging for understanding. "What you suggest... it would be breaking his trust," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Surely," she implored, "you wouldn't do that to your old friend?" The weight of their shared history and friendship hung heavily between them, as if it could somehow sway his decision. But the gravity of the situation and the responsibilities placed upon him weighed even heavier on his conscience.

Beside her sat a man, his form constantly shifting between that of a human and a dragon. The firelight danced across his red and gold scales, casting shadows onto the walls of his home. Despite his ever-changing appearance, he appeared to be in his middle years - his tanned skin occasionally replaced with the shimmering scales of a dragon. His eyes, a piercing glacial blue, seemed to see both the present and the unknown as they gazed into the flames. The fabric of his robes reflected both him and his divine sphere, with a pattern resembling scales woven throughout. And upon closer inspection, one could see small timepieces and hourglasses floating and drifting along the fabric, symbols of his mastery over time.

This was Martian Septum, or as he's more commonly known after the third era's end, Akatosh. the dragon god of time, and the chief of the nine Divine's.

"I know of the promise you speak dearest Kynareth...we could send him back yes...but from what you remember of our brief time together...he has already said that he had nothing to truly come back to there." spoke Martin, shaking his head.

Akatosh's words hung heavy in the air, causing a deep furrow to form on Martin's brow. But among his thoughts and doubts, a gentle voice intervened. "That may be true, Akatosh...Martin," she said, a tinge of worry and concern evident in her tone. Martin paused his musings, turning to face his fellow goddess with a raised brow and a light smirk playing on his lips. The soft glow of the fire illuminated the contours of their faces, adding depth to their conversation.

The corner of Martin's mouth twitched up in a wry smile as he posed the question, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Yes...but do remind me...who was it that introduced her daughter's children to him during his trek through the treacherous lands of Skyrim?" A mischievous glint danced in his eyes before he continued, "the same girls that ended up rescuing our battle-worn hero and taking him under their wing as a little brother? I believe it was you, my dear friend." The memories of his old friends past adventures with those two flooded back, bringing a warmth to Martin's heart as he teased his companion.

Kynareth let out a heavy sigh, her hand coming up to cover her face in frustration. "Fine, I'll give you the Septum," she conceded, her voice tinged with annoyance. Her worried frown only deepened as she asked, "But surely he has someone back home who would miss him?" Her heart sank as he shook his head, revealing the sad truth of his situation.

"If you cannot recall, that is precisely the reason why you and the others forcefully brought him into Tamriel..." Martin's voice carried a tinge of anger as he spoke, before letting out a heavy sigh. A bottle, shimmering with a crystal blue light, poured its contents into a delicate glass for him. "Please forgive me...and thank you, niece," he uttered softly to the third woman, her face still concealed by the cloak and hood of rich parchment brown she wore.

"You need not thank me, Uncle," she replied, her tone soft and gentle like the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze. "I can sense the weight of this burden on your shoulders, knowing he was once your dear friend. And though I appreciate you taking my request into consideration, I also understand my mother's concerns." Her words were a soothing balm, like a warm blanket after a cold winter's night, comforting and calming in the midst of turmoil.

"I've had discussions with her about this before," she began, her voice gentle and understanding. "She does agree on the matter, but she has concerns about how he will feel in that environment. Despite my daughters being there to support him." She paused, searching for the right words to explain her mother Kynareth's worries. The goddess gave a small, somewhat sad nod, her brow furrowed in thought. But her confusion was evident when Martin's lips curled into a small smirk, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Thank you for explaining, my dear niece," the man said with a genuine smile, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "I would be lying if I said I didn't have concerns as well... which is why I've taken some liberties over these millennia, dear Kyne." He admitted, his aged face creasing with amusement. He took a sip from his glass of Brandy, relishing the smooth taste of the liquor from his homeland of Cyrodiil. The flavors danced on his tongue, a perfect blend of sweetness and warmth. Letting out a contented sigh, he settled back in his seat, basking in the comforting atmosphere of his niece's home and the indulgence of this fine drink.

“Liberties?” asked the goddess in confusion, looking over to her daughter who had looked away if the way the woman's hood shifted was anything to go by. “What liberties are you talking about?”

Savoring the smooth burn of the Brandy, he gently placed the crystal glass back on the ornate table. “It took some convincing for those who were hesitant…a few clever trades and deals, nothing dubious of course…although one did require a bit of an altercation,” the mortal turned avatar nonchalantly shrugged. “But with time and the assistance of my dear niece here, I was able to transcend several souls into her realm.” He provided simply, snapping his fingers to summon a few more glasses to the table before the two goddesses. The bottle of brandy reappeared as if by magic, pouring a generous serving for each of them. The air around them seemed to shimmer with otherworldly energy as they indulged in their drinks amidst hushed conversation.

Her eye twitched in a subtle display of annoyance, Kynareth would let out a weary sigh as she accepted the offered glass. The liquid within burned slightly as it slid down her throat, causing a slight grimace to grace her features. "How long have you two been planning this?" she asked, breaking the silence that had settled between the three of them for a few moments. Her voice held a hint of curiosity and perhaps a touch of irritation at being left out of the decision-making process.

“It was my idea, Mother…” the cloaked woman said softly, looking down as she reached for the glass, a pale-skinned hand reaching out to take it so she might sample the offered brandy herself. “Mmm…slight burn, but a wonderful flavor. Anyway, I had brought the idea up to Uncle Akatosh…Martin…after the incident with that beast Harkon. After the loss of his companion during that fight…and in such a…violent fashion that it was…” she paused, a shudder going through her as she remembered the tales her daughters had told her, and the nightmares they had had afterward…it was a moment she would have rather been forgotten. “My daughters…my adopted little boy…they hurt so much…together they were able to pull through, yes, but from what I've been told and seen, there was always something…missing. I know that each of you was going to reward him in some way when you eventually send him back…and with the only way for him to go back home and live a normal life, you'd be forced to remove his memories of what he's done.” She stated simply, swirling the glass of brandy about, eyeing the dark reddish brown liquor in thought.

“And that is something Martin and myself would HEAVILY be against…as well as the few Daedra that have decided to keep their eyes on him. To give him access to your afterlife would mean splitting his soul amongst Akatosh, your own realm, and the say…five Daedric princes he's caught the interest of? Technically six but…you know how it is with old Sheogorath.” She added, counting each name off on her fingers. “And doing that, you might as well just send him to the mad god with gift wrapping…but…then something happened on my end of things…my youngest daughter's banishment…for a thousand years now she has been alone, blaming herself for her sister's fall, and unable to seek solace from myself, or her adopted brother..” she ended with a shaky sigh.

Placing a hand on his niece's shoulder reassuringly, Martin gave a weak smile. “It's alright…I'll continue, when she had told me of this…I'll admit that I had considered asking this before…but, I wanted to make sure that when and if he got there, he wouldn't be alone…as such, with permission, I tampered with the past a little. Allowing a few select souls a chance to reunite with their…our old friend.” He admitted, sighing softly as he downed the rest of his brandy.

“I see…in hindsight, that is a wise decision I suppose…fair enough.” She relented, pushing her glass to the side. “Tell me brother…daughter, how many souls is a ‘few’ as you say?” She asked simply, her brow furrowed a bit.

Martin glanced over to his niece, who let out a soft sigh and shifted in her seat. "Out of all the souls we could find and reach out to, only five have accepted our offer," she explained. "It may be a small number, but we are still making our way through the rest, thanks to Akatosh's influence over time. And if these individuals happen to remember their pasts before they are ready, we have a simple solution. It will merely seem like a series of vivid dreams or nightmarish visions until he arrives to jog their memories." Her voice was gentle and warm, with a hint of amusement in her smile that seemed to dance through her words.

Sighing yet again, Kynareth shook her head in mild exasperation while massaging her temples. “Alright…I'll make the preparations…I hope you know what you are doing Martin, Faust.” She relented, voice firm towards the end as her daughter finally lowered the hood of her cloak.

“Do not worry mother…we've planned this carefully and have taken precautions.” The woman, now revealed to be Faust, was obviously the youngest of the three, skin free of wrinkles, but covered in a soft layer of silky white fur, her eyes were larger and more expensive than a human, but fit her more equine-like features perfectly. Flowing down to her mid-back was a mane of straight if somewhat messy, crimson red hair with bangs that would have covered most of her eyes, if they were not parted by the long, slender horn that rested in the middle of her forehead.

“All we need now is for our dear hero and friend to sleep…when he wakes, Talon will be in his new home, together with his family…”

Chapter 1: New World, New Adventures

After a long and intense battle, we finally succeeded in driving back the forces of the East Coast enclave. I cannot be sure if they have been destroyed. Still, the brotherhood and I managed to put up a strong enough defense to ensure the safety of the people of the Capital wasteland. I had managed to complete my mission of destroying the mobile weapons platform that was causing so much damage and destruction, the last thing the enclave needed was access to a mobile missile and nuclear warhead launching platform. Finally, I could take a moment to relax and let my guard down, as I sat back in the vertibird seat and felt the weight of my helmet hit the back of my head. It was a satisfying moment, knowing that this damned fight was over, at least for now.

"Nice job out there kid." called back a blond-haired woman who sat across from me. Her hair was tied up in a bun, to help keep it out of the way of her face while she was fighting, or when she rarely decided to put on her helmet. attire-wise, she was wearing a set of heavy, and admittedly a bit cumbersome mechanized armor. This was the standard issue BoS, T-45d power armor. Arguably one of the few best sets of power armor that can be found here out in the Capital Wasteland. At her hip rested a Plasma pistol, a recent acquisition from a fallen enclave soldier who had almost gotten the drop on her. "The Enclave will think twice before showing their faces around here again, Elder Lyons wants us to keep an eye on the borders in case they call for reinforcements, but I think it's going to be a long time before that happens."

"You'd think that they would learn after...how many defeats have they faced again, Sarah? All those years back at the oil rig out west, then their base in Navarro, Project Purity, and now this stunt? again, you'd think that they would have learned their lesson by now. I'm just glad this fight is over...I need a fucking break after all that.” I said with a sigh.

“...I'm guessing that Elder Lyons will be wanting a debriefing as soon as we arrive?” I asked after a moment, earning a nod from Sarah. “Right…no rest for the wicked and all that…alright, I'll fill him in as best we can...but I'm going to just…take a nap before then..we still got a couple hours before we get to the citadel.” I managed to say with a yawn, feeling myself starting to pass out from my fatigue.

(location: The Citadel, Talons Bunk room. Time: 23:50)

Grumbling to myself as I started to undress for the night, leaving my armor in its stand as I sat on my cot.

“Fuck, that took longer than I wanted…” I muttered with a groan as I ran a hand through my hair, pausing with a grimace as I felt the little ‘souvenir’ I'd gotten from my trip to Point Lookout. Sighing softly, I looked over to the mirror in my room. My normally well-kept black hair was a mess from today's events, framed against my lightly tanned skin from all these years out in the wasteland, while it hadn't been a kind place to me these past seven years, thanks to the ‘miracles of pre-war technology’ and Stimpacks, as long as the wound is treated fast enough or isn't too critical it shouldn't leave a scar. Yet a few are visible, each of them I've been able to explain away as something I'd gotten during my journey through this hellhole. Each scar and mark bore a story of my actual travels, each scar was a memory of something, someone, I'd never get back. A knife wound between two of my ribs, a large burn scar that covered most of my left arm up to my neck, lacerations along my back, a deep scar along my right cheek, and now the nasty scar that was along the back of my skull…that one, in particular, wasn't the proudest moment admittedly, but it reminded me of what had driven me to abandon the Capital Wasteland for Point Lookout four years ago…only to come back and finish what James…what my ‘father’ started… that's still something I'm getting used to with every time this has happened…then again, to my memory, this is only the second time id been reborn into the world, and still had a family up to a point. But this time…something was different.

See I've had either the blessing or curse, of being reincarnated into new lives as this world passes through the sands of time. Save for the first two times that this had happened, the first being me waking up in this world inside a prison cell in the Imperial City of Cyrodiil, and my second adventure being started when I crossed into Skyrim after a 500-year-long trek through the continent. After those two adventures, I'd wake up in a new time, with no memory of anything about those adventures. My only solace is that at some point during the adventure, I'd manage to get my memories back. Well…that, and during my second and third adventures, I had my ‘sisters’ to look forward to. However…during my trip through Albion, it was only Tia who accompanied me, for the life of me I don't know what happened with Lulu..she’d never say why…anyway, I'm getting off-topic.

Any time I tried to talk about this with someone, people dismissed my story as the ravings of a madman or the product of some sort of substance abuse. Despite the negative reactions you faced, you didn't give up hope that someone would eventually believe you. That opportunity came after an admittedly harrowing incident on an alien ship when I regained my memories, and my father finally took notice of my…change of personality. He listened to and believed my stories.

We spent two years working together to fix up and clear out Project Purity, which was a very welcome change from the hell of the wasteland when I was all alone. But just when things were starting to look up, the Enclave arrived, putting us in a dangerous situation as they killed anyone who was not essential to the facility. James…no, Dad sacrificed himself so that the other scientists and I could escape. It must have been an unimaginable loss, leaving me alone once again in a brutal and unforgiving wasteland.

It’s…not that bad…I still have the few companions that have stuck with me…but…as the saying goes, even in a crowd, one can feel alone. I know they are friends who would help and protect me…but I'm still weary when it comes to sharing this otherwise outlandish tale about my life.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I flick the light switch before lying down. Relaxing into the comfortable cot, I began to drift off into dreamland… tomorrow will be another day…

(Location: ???, Time: ??? (Night))

‘Wake up Talon…'

feeling myself starting to rouse from my slumber, I can't help but notice that something felt…off about the room I was sleeping in…I could feel a bit of a draft, but I can swear for the life of me that I'd left the door to my room shut, and the AC units here in the Citadel had never been fixed as far as I was aware.

‘It's time to wake up, Child…welcome home…’

That voice again…I swear I remember it from somewhere but I cannot tell for the life of me. Vision blurred, I opened up my eyes to realize I was no longer in my room…in fact, I was in a place I'd never seen before. I was no longer in my cot, but simply laying in a bed of lush, green grass in the middle of a small clearing surrounded by tall trees with limbs that sagged with the leaves that burdened them. It was so…alive, not even the grove or the forested area of Point Lookout was this vibrant and…well…alive.

“The hell…where am I?” I wondered to myself as I looked about the cleaning, before peering up at the night sky. It too was different. As if the light pollution from pre-war days hadn't been a thing, the sky was alight with countless stars and nebulae, stars I didn't recognize. And stranger still was the moon itself, for one it was a bit brighter, bigger as well…or was it simply just closer? I couldn't tell. But the more notable changes was its light blue coloring, as well as the…for lack of a better term, emblem of an equine of some sort with a horn stamped along its surface.

‘Okay…this is VERY weird…was I moved to another time again? No, I can't have been…I can still remember everything clearly…and that voice, “Welcome home”? What did they mean?’

As he sat there, looking up at the moon deep into his thoughts, he gave a light shiver at the slightly warm night air. 'well…whatever the case, I know three things. There's definitely a time difference, because last I checked, it was mid-autumn when I was in the wasteland, this forest looks too alive and green to be that time of year. I'm in a new unknown location and need to be careful. And most importantly, I need to take inventory, and find a safe place to camp out for the night.'

With a task in mind, I picked myself up from my resting place on the grass and began to have a quick look at my surroundings. Seeing my old, beaten-up backpack hanging on a low branch of a nearby tree, I went over to see what all I had on hand. “Let's see…six bottles of purified water, twelve stim packs, combat knife, bandages, and gauze in the medical pouch. Food storage has…four brotherhood MREs, not looking forward to those, two bottles of Cola, a couple of cans of beans, a can opener, and…a bottle of Brandy?”

I paused as I held the light pink-ish purple bottle of liquor, before shaking my head with a sad smile. “Missed you too, old friend..” I said softly before putting the bottle back in the bag. “Alright…gear wise I have…the combat knife from before…” I pulled the blade from the makeshift sheath I had for it, taking a look at the slightly rusted blade. “Going to need to get this thing to a whetstone…” back into the sheath it goes, and onto my pants belt. “Next up is…my 10mm? Thought I lost this thing..” I gave it a once over, giving a small nod at seeing it was in decent condition, but winced a bit as I ejected the magazine. “Alright…going to have to use this sparingly and carefully, four shots are not the best I could be left with, but I've handled worse…”

Placing the gun back into the bag, and putting the magazine in a separate pouch to help prevent any accidents, I moved to the last compartment of the bag…only to pause at what I was seeing inside. Pulling out the objects revealed a battle-scarred suit and helmet that I had picked up somewhere at the beginning of my journey. Despite it being a light material, the gray and black suit was decently armored thanks to the flexible gray plating around the chest, neck, legs, lower arms, and back. Connected to odd little devices attached to the suit were thick wires that ran along the suit's frame. The helmet was not much to look at at a glance, it was designed to be tight-fitting, but still breathable so the wearer could have a more protective piece of headwear over it. It was mostly gray, like the armor plating, but for vision, a good half of the face area was taken up by a thick, protective, one-way orange visor.

Again, it wasn't much to look at, and admittedly it wasn't the best armor available, but what its strength truly lay, was in the devices on the suit itself, while wearing both suit and helmet, clicking a button found on the left hip will render the user of the outfit invisible save for a slight mirage-like shimmer in the air. “My stealth armor? Not my first choice but hey, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.” Shrugging I'd give the suit's device a look over before cursing my luck. “Alright so at best I have a half hour's worth of invisibility left before this thing needs to be charged. Great..” I grumbled to myself as I slipped the helmet back into the bag, and took a bit of time to pull the suit itself on so I'd have at least some form of protection. Slinging my pack onto my back, I turned back to look up at the moon, feeling a sense of…familiarity…before turning back towards the forest and starting to press deeper into it, hoping to find a safe place to camp for the night.

(Location: ???, dark forest. Time: ???, estimated two hours till dawn.)

It had taken some time, and a few close calls, but I'd managed to safely find a place to rest for the next few days if need be. Hopefully, the monsters I've run into so far stay far away from this place, I mean seriously, a pack of wolves made out of wood? Alright, fine, I can handle that. I've dealt with something similar before, so it should be easy enough as long as I don't get outnumbered. But a manticore? Fuck. That. I may not know much about them, but I've faced enough saber cats, and mountain lions in Tamriel to know that going after something like a friggin MANTICORE with only a rusted knife is NOT a good idea.

But, I digress. I'd safely managed to find a safe place to rest in the ruins of some sort of castle. The masonry was in shambles. timber, rock, and stone everywhere. Yet despite its abandoned and seemingly long-forgotten state…nothing seemed to grow along the stone, not even a single vine or patch of moss. From my times running around tombs, dungeons, and old ruined forts I got a sense that this place was very old. Most of the castle damage seemed to have occurred over the years…but as I got closer to, and finally entered what I'd assume to be the throne room, I could see markings and damage that could only have occurred during a battle of some sort.

Scorch marks, craters in the floor, broken windows, and holes blasted out of the walls and ceiling…one of Which perfectly framed the moon, letting its light shine into the dilapidated chamber.

“What happened here…?” I muttered and stepped deeper into the room while careful of the floor's damage. Looking about, I noticed at the far wall sat a pair of thrones, one of which was knocked over and bore the most damage of the two. The once-red fabric of the thrones cushions was ripped in places, while burned in others. The actual cushion itself, or what remains of it that were left, was nothing more than charcoal. The throne itself, if the other one was anything to go by, used to be a masterpiece, but now its once golden lacquered wood was scorched, splintered, and covered in soot. All signs pointing to whoever had been sitting here previously were the main target of this attack. The other throne, painted in a dark blue, was mostly intact if a bit lopsided due to a blown-off leg and missing armrest. Examining it closer, I could just barely make out the now faded emblem of a crescent moon stitched into the cushion with the help of the light that the actual moon provided. Getting back up, and having a look about, I gave a shake of my head.

“I can explore and investigate this place more in the morning. I need to get some rest if I'm going to be useful for anything.” I said with a sigh, the fatigue from the battle earlier today still fresh, added to all the running I'd had to do when the Manticore made its presence known. “But to do that…I'm going to need to find a room without a draft…wonder if one of those towers is a good place to start?”

(Talon PoV)(Location: ???, abandoned castle tower #2. Time: ???, why is it still night?)

I was startled awake by the sound of thunder, it had taken me a little bit to find the place to sleep I was after, and thankfully, somehow, it still had a perfectly fine bed. It could have been done with a bit of dusting, but in the wasteland alone, there were a lot worse places one could sleep. But due to how dangerous the wasteland is, I quickly learned to be a light sleeper to avoid getting ambushed by raiders, or the damned Talon company.

Quickly rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I took a look out the window of the tower…only to pause when I realized that the moon was still high in the sky, but this time, the ‘mare on the moon' was gone. “Well that can't be good...” I started to mutter to myself before noticing a bright flash of light coming from the tower across from mine. Eyes narrowing at this, I grabbed the helmet from my bag, pulling it on. I started quickly making my way to the tower, only stopping just outside the stairway entrance so I could activate the suit's invisibility function before continuing on.

Chapter 2: Fighting Nightmares and bringing back the Sun

Heading up, I could swear I was feeling the familiar hum of magic in the air as the sound of a fight could be heard above me. Cresting the top of the stairs, but staying hidden within the doorway's shadow, I pause as I take in what was before me.

Two women were in the room, they appeared to be Human, at least the general shape anyway. But that is where the similarities ended. Yes, they had hands, but judging by the footwear they did not have regular feet, many things screamed that they were not human. Their skin was covered with a coat of fur, their faces equine in appearance though somehow in a way that they were still as expressive as a human ‘flat’ face, and finally was the addition of tails, horns, and a pair of wings on one of the two.

The first woman had lavender purple fur, her hair and tail were a darker purple with a lone pink stripe that parted them down the middle. Attire-wise, she wore what had been a simple, light blue shirt that accentuated her figure coupled with a ruffled dark blue skirt that went just an inch above her knees. Beneath that was a set of white leggings that stopped just before the end of her hooves. It would have been a good, possibly even ‘cute’ look, if not for the damage it had taken. Cuts and scrapes cover the outfit, thankfully just along places that would not be inappropriate, as well as stains of green, light brown, and a bit of red in some places…. When I had entered, she was standing at the far end of the room kneeling on a raised dais, surrounded by a grouping of five stone spheres as she knelt, the horn on her head, and her hands glowing briefly in pink light, with her back towards my hiding space. “Just one spark…Come on…come on!” I could hear her call out in frustration as magic gathered and surrounded the orbs before her.

With a rush of starry blue smoke, and a cry of “NO!!” the second woman rushed the first, forcing her away as she reformed. By this time, I had managed to get deeper into the room, making sure to hide behind a broken pillar, as well as a bit closer to the center of the room. Having blasted the lavender-furred woman back across the room with her burst of magic, the second woman stood tall, much taller than the first woman. The woman standing in front of me was quite an imposing figure, towering at an impressive height of six foot six. She was dressed in a full suit of armor, which covered her entire body from head to toe. The armor was made of heavy-looking materials, with a combination of light blue and silver plates that gleamed in the light. On the breastplate and shoulder guards was a black splotch with a crescent moon. Her fur was a deep, almost black, blue color. Seeming to just..absorb the very light -given off by the moon- that filled the room, leaving all but her face, armor, and mane/tail shrouded in darkness. As I observed her, I couldn't help but notice the color of her eyes. They were a shade of turquoise blue, with no visible whites, which was a bit unusual. Her pupils were thin slits, which gave off a sense of mild fear and anger as she looked down at the glowing stones in front of her. The mare's mane and tail are a breathtaking sight to behold. They have an almost ethereal appearance as if they were crafted from a piece of the night sky specifically for her. They appear to be constantly moving, swaying, and fluttering as though they are caught in a gentle breeze, even though there is no wind in sight. The stars that decorated them twinkle and dance like tiny galaxies, adding to the magical aura that surrounds the mare. While fixing her gaze on the young lady in lavender, she bared her teeth and clenched them tightly, and I couldn't help but notice the sharpness of her fangs as I mentally noted them, getting a sense of familiarity.

While I was busy taking in details of the two women, I guess I had zoned out, as the magic around the orbs had faded, the two’s conversation going one ear and out the other as I watched her smash the orbs with a stomp of her hoof before drawing a blade I was VERY familiar with. The weapon that lay before me was a sight to behold. It was crafted out of a blackened metal material, which gave it an ominous and intimidating aura. The sword was about two and a half feet in length, with a double-edged blade that gleamed in the moonlight, the razor-sharp edge only visible as a dark red outline thanks to the light. The hilt of the blade was circular and ornate, featuring an emblem of a raven with wings spread over a black backdrop. Above the emblem, a moonstone gem was embedded, which had been engraved with a starburst pattern. The pommel of the blade was equally impressive, reminiscent of a trio of black feathers, which added to the overall dark and mysterious appearance of the sword.

‘Nightingale…?’ As I watched from my hiding spot, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. The woman in armor charged towards the lavender girl, who looked terrified and helpless. I could hear distant voices, but my focus was on the unfolding scene in front of me. Without a second thought, I sprinted towards them, grabbing a piece of the broken door to use as a makeshift shield. It was as if time stood still as I closed in on them, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I got closer, I could see the woman floating above the girl, her wings spread out menacingly. Her sword was raised high above her head, ready to strike down on the helpless girl below her. The dark mare's face bore a manic grin, and her slitted pupils were dilated as she stared down at her victim. The sight was chilling, and I knew I had to act fast to save the lavender girl. ‘I need to stop this…this is going to fucking hurt!’

And so... I raised my arm.

(location: Castle of the Two Sisters, Everfree forest-Equestria. Time: 6:00 am. POV: Nightmare Moon/????)

In a moment of sheer triumph, I had emerged victorious in my relentless pursuit. My 'dearest sister', who had always been a source of irritation, had vanished into thin air. The world was now cloaked in eternal darkness, a testament to my unbridled power. After a long and agonizing imprisonment, I was finally free. However, my newfound freedom was now threatened by a small but significant problem. The only means to send me back to my wretched prison was now reduced to nothing but dust and broken shards of stone. As I surveyed the scene of my triumph, I couldn't help but reflect on how it all began. It was all thanks to the foolishness of little Luna, who had unwittingly helped me further my own goals all those years ago. Her act of desperation and naivety had unleashed me upon the world, and now, I was the master of all I surveyed. I knew that I had to deal with this little nuisance before anything else. For even the slightest hint of weakness could mean returning to my prison, and I couldn't let that happen. “Good little magic tricks, Foal. but I’ve had enough games for tonight. But don't worry little one...while you won't get to enjoy my rule, I'll be sure to give your well wishes to your precious princess…” I let out a low, throaty chuckle as I reached for Luna's blade. The weapon was a thing of beauty - sleek and deadly, with a sharpness that promised swift and final justice. I couldn't help but wonder where Luna had acquired such a fine weapon, but the thought was fleeting. In my hands, the blade was a tool, a means to an end, a symbol of the power I wielded. Luna had sworn to use it to protect her beloved ponies, but in my grasp, it would be used for a very different purpose.…and as such… “but not before sending you to the grave!!~” I will use it to end the first threat to MY new rule! Lunging forward, I couldn't help but grin evilly down at the pathetic whelp, her eyes wide with fear, tears stinging them as the sound of more fools, likely the ones she had been traveling with, came up the tower stairs. ‘Good, I always did like the idea of an audience…~’

I roared with victory and anguish, holding the blade with two hands as I brought it down…only for it to stop several feet from my intended target with a heavy sound of metal meeting wood, burying itself a few inches in…something, taking most of the damage as it was knocked away with the weight behind my swing, whatever it was, I felt something large and heavy slam into my armored chest, pushing me a few feet back away from the whelp with a grunt. Glaring at the unicorn before me, a low growl escaped my throat as I glanced about the room. “What trickery is this? A last-ditch effort to save yourself?” I asked the mare, only to feel what felt like a fist slam into the back of my knee, bringing me down on one knee from the force. Teeth gritting, blood boiling, I pulled myself up, ears perking up and swiveling about the room I'd slash the blade just in time to catch something.

“AGGHH!!!” cried out a distinctly male voice.

There! A shimmer of the light, and…sparking? Yes, something was sparking briefly before the ‘blur’ of the light seemed to phase back into existence. They were pony-in-shape for what I could tell, but past the general shape, I couldn't tell past that strange armor of his, two of the tubes on his chest being the source of the sparking. And looking him over, I took note of his make-shift shield, a broken piece of an old swinging door which was now nearly cut in half, the Stallion holding onto it by the handle. “Ugh…and here I thought I'd be able to get a few shots in before this happened…” The mystery stallion grumbled to himself as the two of us stared at him with confusion and a bit of surprise, one of his hands hitting a box on his waist that stopped the sparking before grabbing hold of a knife in his hand. “Anyway…let the woman go, and whatever the hell you are, leave her alone…” He stated firmly, voice calm and full of confidence. But the way he spoke…so curious, it was as if he somehow knew of my 'borrowing’ of this body. But surely not, only the little princess knew of us as far as my knowledge went.

Smiling darkly, I let the sword hang low in my grip, by all rights, I was furious that this lowly colt had managed to harm me, even though it was only a few weak blows. 'but…for an individual able to become undetectable to even myself…I'd prefer to have that sort of power by my side..at least I can learn it for myself and THEN deal with him.’

With my hand held up, palm facing him in a show of dominance, I scrutinized his curious armor for any potential weaknesses. "I commend your bravery, little colt...but surely you understand the consequences of striking royalty," I remarked, glancing back at the foolish group behind me. The purple unicorn had managed to pull herself up and escape to safety, leaving us alone to face each other. "And not to mention interfering with an execution..." My voice remained low and calm as we circled each other slowly, our eyes locked in a tense stare. He positioned himself with his back towards the small group of six, still clutching onto his tiny dagger. Suddenly, he reached towards his back and tossed a blue and white box bearing a red cross on the front to the group.

"Do you want to die, little one?" I offered, my words laced with deception as I lied through my teeth. "Why not pledge yourself to me, join forces, and help me dispose of these insignificant pawns? In return, I will forgive your crimes." In reality, I was already planning a suitable way to get rid of this insolent brat once he outlived his usefulness.

But instead of falling for my deceitful offer, he stood his ground and tilted his head slightly to the side. He stayed silent for a while before finally speaking up. "You..." he started, causing me to smile in anticipation of welcoming yet another follower into my ranks. But then he cut me off abruptly. "...are NOT my queen. And you certainly do not rule over this land...I can already tell that much." With that statement, he threw his 'shield' aside and clenched his fist, releasing a burst of white fog from it as his strange gauntlet began to lightly frost over. "A true princess or queen is a kind and benevolent ruler," he declared firmly, growling out the last word. "Not a power-hungry, bloodthirsty tyrant...especially not HER." The venom in his voice was palpable. "Whatever you are, whether from Oblivion or the Nine Hells, I will not rest until you are defeated and my friend is freed from your grasp!" And with that, he lunged towards me.

I inwardly sighed at his futile attempt to resist me. "Oh well, I suppose I'll just have to learn his secrets from his cold corpse," I thought to myself as I went to sidestep his blade. But to my surprise, I felt like I was rooted in place. Confusion washed over me as I looked down and saw the slow build-up of ice climbing up my legs. Before I could react, a searing pain shot through my muzzle, and everything went white for a moment. When my vision cleared, I staggered back, the ice finally shattering around me. My hand moved instinctively to my nose and when I pulled it away, I saw Lunas' silvery blood staining MY hand. Enraged, I rose to my feet as the sound of approaching footsteps filled my ears. With a wild swing of my blade, I yelled out, "ENOUGH!!"

Gripping my sword tightly, I channeled all of my energy into it and began to conjure powerful magic through it. The weapon crackled with electricity as I prepared to unleash a devastating attack on this defiant fool before me. With one swift and decisive motion, I unleashed a destructive wave of lightning that crackled and surged through the air with an awe-inspiring force, leaving destruction in its wake. "Block that heathen...~"

Looking on, I couldn't help but grin as he tried to duck under the wave only to mistime his movement and get a chest full of voltage, sending him to the ground in convulsions. “You dare think you can get away with what you've done you pathetic little creature?!” My voice was a low growl as I stepped closer, my gauntleted hand grasping the idiot's leg with force. The hard metal claws dug into his skin, eliciting a sharp cry of pain from him. With a swift motion, I flung him towards one of the remaining pillars, the impact echoing through the room with a sickening crack. My anger boiled over as I launched myself at him, my armored hoof connecting with his chest and slamming him back into the unforgiving stone. He crumpled beneath me like a broken doll, but my rage burned hotter than any star as I looked down at the pitiful excuse of a man before me. “you should have accepted my offer, foal…now…” I pressed down on his chest, earning a sharp exhale of air and a satisfying crack as I drew my blade once more. “Any last words?”

As I approached the stallion, I noticed that he was struggling to breathe. He let out a weak groan and lifted his head, his eyes meeting mine. His helmet was unlike anything I had seen before, it’s visor that was cracked in several places. Some pieces had fallen off, revealing one of his eyes, which was a curious shade of gray-blue. In the dim light, I could see that he was struggling to stay conscious, while a faint glow behind me cast him in my shadow. Despite his obvious pain, he managed to whisper, "Yeah...I do…”

‘What in the..?!’ I turned around just in time to witness it, my eyes growing wide in fear. ‘The elements…but I-’

I was dragged from my thoughts as I felt something grip my leg. Looking down quickly I noticed that the whelp had wrapped his arm around my leg. “...good guidance…whoever the fuck you were…and sorry Lulu.” he growled weakly before slamming a piece of rock into the back of my knee, once again bringing me to my knee as the light of the elements slammed into me. “No! NOOOOOoooo-!!!” I cried out as I could feel my hold on the little princess's body weaken, my vision blurring in rainbow light, and then everything went white…

(pov: Talon)

As I struggled to stay conscious, every fiber of my being consumed by a familiar, searing pain. It felt as though my chest was ablaze, my lungs screaming with every shallow breath. My vision was hazy, flickering in and out of focus, and I could hear voices around me, but they were muffled and unintelligible. The coldness was creeping into my limbs, and I could feel my fingers and toes growing numb. Through the haze, I noticed a change in color- a blurry, indistinct shift from the dull grays and blacks that had dominated my vision. Despite the increasing exhaustion that gripped me, I was grateful for this small sign of life. My eyelids grew heavy, and I knew that I was losing the battle to stay awake.

And then…my world went dark.

Ch 3: Memories, Recovery, and Introductions pt.1

((Location: Dragon-borne Hall safe room, Solitude, Skyrim. Time: 7:45 AM))

With a violent jerk, my eyes snap open and I find myself gasping for air. The red-painted walls of the Museum safehouse come into focus as I frantically scan the room, trying to make sense of where I am. But something feels off, wrong even. This isn't where I fell asleep...or is it?

“Talon, are you alright?” I heard a woman ask from my right. Her voice was soft but commanding, and her words carried a slight hint of concern. I turned to face her, noting the fine lines etched into her features that spoke of a life filled with battles and triumphs. She was clad in a heavy suit of Steel armor, its weight evident in the way she shifted her stance. A gleaming Elven sword hung at her side, its blade imbued with potent magic that could exhaust an enemy while boosting the wielder's stamina. It was a valuable weapon we had acquired from a failed Thalmor assassin and it had proved its worth time and time again. “You weren't answering the door when your friends came by to wake you…” she added, her brow furrowing in concern as she looked me over.

I groggily rubbed my bleary eyes as I sat up in bed, the sheets sticking to my sweat-drenched skin. “Sorry, just a bit worried about tomorrow,” I mumbled as I swung my legs over the edge of the mattress and pushed myself upright. “Harkon's plans won't wait for us and Isran knows it. We have to stop him before it's too late.” My voice was barely audible, but determination coursed through me as I spoke.

As I stretched and yawned, my gaze fell upon the nightstand where my prized possessions lay. The intricate gold and malachite armor gleamed in the soft light, its detailed engravings catching the eye. Next to it, my trusty blade, Chillrend, stood proudly against the bedpost. Crafted from the same material as my armor, the sword's silver hilt embraced a beautiful ice-blue crystal, starkly contrasting the dark green stone in my armor.

This weapon held more than just physical value to me; it held memories of a time long ago. I had been gifted this sword over 500 years ago for aiding a farmer and his sons in protecting their family farm. it was lost at some point during my travels, but luck had recently brought us back together.

But what made Chillrend truly remarkable were its twin enchantments. With a single swift strike, it could freeze an opponent in their tracks and render them paralyzed for a brief moment.
Lydia's head shook slightly as she made her way towards the door, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls. "I Know Talon...but we've got this, okay?" Her voice held a note of determination, trying to reassure me. "We've already faced much stronger adversaries than some dusty old bat, right?" She teased, attempting to lighten the mood. "Or do I need to remind you about the fire-breathing dragon we took down just last week?" Her arms crossed over her chest as I hurriedly suited up. I could feel her unwavering confidence and trust in our abilities radiating towards me.

With a slight roll of my eyes, I secured Chillrend to my hip. "Seriously, they're like cockroaches lately...ever since the one in Whiterun," I grumbled to myself in frustration. The thought of potentially encountering three dragons on our journey to the shoreline weighed heavily on my mind. Before we could continue, I knew we needed sustenance; a thought further solidified as I recalled how long it took to restock the pantry after Tia's last visit here. "Shall we head down for breakfast before Tia devours all the sweets?" I teased with a bright smile, following Lydia out the door. The smell of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, tempting me with memories of past meals and laughter shared in this very kitchen. Despite the daunting task ahead of us, I couldn't help but feel grateful for these small moments of joy with my small family.

((Location: Ponyville General Hospital, Equestria. Time: 10:40 AM.))

As my consciousness returned, the chirping of birds broke through the fog in my mind. Slowly opening my eyes, I squinted against the brightness of the sun's rays. After a moment of adjustment, I was able to take in my surroundings: a hospital room, with soft mint green walls and a floor tiled in a warm brown and tan checkerboard pattern. The only furniture besides the medical equipment I was connected to was a wheelchair and a few chairs for visitors. A medical curtain hung by the doorway, offering privacy for patients. As I shifted my gaze, I noticed another bed pushed against the wall, empty and waiting for its next occupant. I gingerly glanced down at myself and winced at the sharp pain that shot through my right arm. it was encased in a white cast, stretching up to my elbow. The sight of it reminded me of the fight that had brought me here.

The room was steeped in a serene silence, only broken by the gentle chirping of birds perched on a nearby tree. Through the open window, I could see a bustling community of winged creatures going about their daily activities. Some were gracefully soaring through the air, while others worked together to transport objects from one place to another. In the distance, a group of carefree people played with a ball, their laughter echoing through the tranquil landscape.

“Oh! You're finally awake.”

As the door creaked open, a warm voice pulled me out of my dazed state. Turning to face the newcomer, I was struck by their appearance. it was a middle-aged mare, or at least that's what I assumed based on her delicate features and pristine white fur. Her hair, a light pink hue, was neatly tied in a bun adorned with a nurse cap that added an endearing touch to her appearance. Her eyes were a soft shade of blue that seemed to invite you in. Dressed in a loose-fitting set of baby blue doctors scrubs, she exuded an air of calm professionalism. A closer look revealed the absence of both horn and wings, making her just a regular...pony? Horse? I couldn't quite place it

’I faintly remember being told something about this by Tia last time we talked…gods, that was a LONG time ago though…’ I wondered to myself, before shaking my head. ‘something to ponder or ask about later.’

“Yeah…sorry for the wait, I guess.” I joked, chuckling a bit, only to wince in pain. “Ngghh…but in seriousness…thank you guys for patching me up…that was admittedly not my best idea…but it was not my worst either.” I admitted as I pulled myself up a bit to properly talk to the mare as she went about checking the equipment I was attached to.

“You can say that again,” she stated with a sharp edge to her voice, her tone laced with concern and anger. “You’re lucky you escaped with as little damage as you did.” Her scolding tone turned into a litany of injuries: “Four fractured ribs, two broken ones, a dislocation of your right arm, and three separate breaks in said arm…not to mention the bruising to your back.” Her frustration boiled over as she demanded, “What in all of Tartarus possessed you to challenge an Alicorn to a fight? And without any means of defending yourself, no less? Are you insane?!” Her eyes flashed with worry and fear for his well-being.

My gaze dropped to the floor as I braced myself for the verbal lashing that was coming my way. Despite feeling angry and defensive, I knew deep down that I had done the right thing by intervening. After all, if I hadn't, what could have happened to that poor girl? But that wasn't my nature - getting aggressive or raising my voice in a situation like this. Especially not when it was the doctor's job to ensure the well-being of others.

"I apologize, Miss...but I couldn't just stand by and watch as that...creature took that girl's life," I spoke softly, my voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I know I may have caused stress and worry for everyone, and for that, I am truly sorry. But I couldn't just stand back and do nothing while someone's life was at stake. It goes against everything I believe in." My words were firm and resolute as I settled back into the hospital bed.

We spent a full minute gazing intently into each other's eyes, my steely gray-blue meeting her piercing cool blue. The tension between us was palpable, like two opposing forces locked in a silent battle. Finally, she broke the stare and let out a resigned sigh, a small shake of her head indicating defeat. But even in that moment, I could see the fire still burning behind her eyes, ready to rage at any provocation.

"At least your heart is in the right place, I suppose," she said with a small hint of frustration. Her words carried a weight of worry and caution, like a mother scolding her child. "But I need to tell you this now: do NOT make this a regular occurrence. Alright?" I gave a hesitant nod, feeling guilt settle in my stomach like a lead ball. It seemed to satisfy her for the moment, but I could tell she was still holding back frustration and disappointment. "Good. And I apologize for raising my voice, but let me also add that I am grateful for your help in stopping Nightmare Moon." She paused, her expression softening as she gazed at me with concern. "However, you need to take better care of yourself. We don't want to see you stuck here in the hospital for more than a few weeks again, do we?" The reality of her words hit me like a bucket of cold water, bringing my racing thoughts to a screeching halt as I realized the gravity of my actions.

“I…what? How long have I been in here?” I asked, a bit worried. ‘Just how fucked up WAS I after the fight?!’

Her lips curved into a sad smile as she reached for the chart at the foot of my bed. With a delicate touch, she flipped through the pages. "You've been out of it for about a month and a half," she paused, turning to face me with a sympathetic gaze. "It was mid-August when you were brought in, and now, it's the beginning week of November." The weight of her words hit me like a ton of bricks, suddenly realizing just how much time had passed while I lay unconscious. "You were in very rough shape when the princesses and other girls brought you here," she continued, her voice filled with concern. "While your minor breaks, like your arm, have healed nicely, we need to keep you here for another month or so to ensure that your ribs and back heal properly without any complications." My heart sank at the thought of being stuck in this place for even longer, and I let out an annoyed groan, causing her to chuckle softly.

“Oh wonderful…just perfect…” I grumped, before muttering. “I could have spent those years in Skyrim learning restoration, but NOOOO, you just HAD to focus on destruction and conjuration magic instead Talon, way to fuck yourself on that one….”

“Now now, none of that mister. Just lay there and try to relax alright?” She chided. “I'll have something for you to eat brought out to you soon, I'm sure you'd like some actual food before the night is out after being asleep for so long.” she teased, only for her suspicions to be confirmed by my stomachs rumbling at the mention of food, much to my embarrassment. “That answers that, I'll be back soon.” She chuckles before shutting the door behind her as she leaves.

As the quiet crept back into the room, I looked back out towards the horizon outside the window, listening to the tune of little songbirds as I could feel myself drifting back to sleep.

((Location: Haafingar Hold Wilderness, Skyrim. Time: 4:58 PM))

'First chance I get, I'm going to find this Elenwen woman, and I'm going to shove Chillrend so far up her-!’ I started to think as I plunged my blade into the chest of a Thalmor soldier, only to have to jump back to avoid an Ice Spike shot by a Justiciar. “Lydia! Lulu! Deal with that jackass!” I called back, not paying attention to the mage while I sent an Ice Spike of my own into the shield arm of another soldier who was fighting my friend and ward.

She was dressed up in a set of heavy bronze armor we had acquired from a Dwemer ruin, she didn't wear the helmet, letting her pink hair flow freely as she ducked under, and batted away the strikes of the soldier with her heavy tower shield. “Thanks Talon!” She shouted out as she drove her own sword into the now defenseless soldier's chest.

Her blade was a special one. A Daedric artifact known as Dawn Breaker. Just like her armor, the blade was of a dwarven design, the pommel was a round guard with a white gem in the center that glowed with a bright sunlight-like glow. While most Daedra are to not be trusted, even avoided, Merida was actually one of the few that I think I actually liked. Her domain being that of light and life, she utterly despised the undead and those that would create them, something that Tia and I completely agree with.

“For fucks sake…” I heard Lydia mutter from behind me, the sound of our clash fading, giving way to the cool arctic wind. Fresh snow started to fall onto the would-be Thalmor assassins' cooling bodies as we started to wind down after the surprise ambush. “When will they get the hint to leave us the hell alone?” she asked, dumbfounded while she whipped the blood off of her sword with a bit of snow and a small cloth she kept in her belt pouch. The woman beside her was no less dumbfounded but was more irritated than anything.

“I don't know, but the first chance we get, we need to deal with this Elenwen woman.” She grumbled to herself, sheathing her own blade which seemed to be untouched by the same blood.

The sword was about two and a half feet in length, with a double-edged blade that gleamed in the moonlight, the razor-sharp edge only visible as a dark red outline thanks to the light. The hilt of the blade was circular and ornate, featuring an emblem of a raven with wings spread over a black backdrop. Above the emblem, a moonstone gem was embedded, which had been engraved with a starburst pattern, the symbol for Nocturnal, the Daedric prince of darkness, shadow, and luck. Matching her blade, she wore a rather form-fitting and sleek set of black armor, on the chest there was the same emblem placed upon the sword, though it was mostly hidden by her cloak. Despite how thin it seemed, and the fact it looked like it was made of simple leather, it was a very durable set of armor. It also had a hood and face cover, but it was currently down, giving a perfect view of the dark tan-skinned, blue-haired, ‘Breton’ woman with piercing cyan eyes which were currently glaring down at the corpse of the justiciar between her and Lydia.

“Don’t worry sister, we’ll be sure to handle that little issue when we have a free moment,” Tia spoke up, carefully stepping around the body of the one who had tried to get her. “As much as I'd prefer not to have to go through this as often as we do…we must also be careful. We don't want them to convince the legion that we are working for the Stormcloaks, right?” she asked, hand resting on her hip.

If not for what little I knew of them, I wouldn't have thought the two were sisters since their temperament and appearance were vastly different. In the beginning, when they were put under my watch, Celestia, er- Tia as she preferred, was cautious, but kind and trusting. Luna on the other hand…she did not trust me one bit, hell, there were a couple of times we got into verbal fights that…sometimes moved to actual ones. But in the end, after a heart-to-heart and an…unfortunate state of affairs involving a temple to Vermina, the Daedric prince of nightmares and dreams. But appearance-wise, where Luna had tanned skin, her pink-haired sister's skin was a pale, fair white. Giving her the appearance of a Nord with oddly colored hair.

They obviously weren't human. Well, Lydia and I knew that at least. But we were not going to openly share that. It was better to just let people think what they knew as the truth was just that.

“That's something we can talk about later, right now we have a vampire to slay, and after that, Aurien wants us looking for another artifact.” I chimed in, drawing everyone's attention. “For now though, pick up anything light or important looking that you can find, then we’ll get these elves off the road.” I instructed before helping my three friends deal with the corpses.

((Location: Ponyville General Hospital, Equestria. Time: 12:00 PM.))

I could feel something nudging me, bringing me back from my nap. Giving a bit of a yawn, I slowly opened my eyes to see the nurse from before was back, her hand on my shoulder, indicating he was the one to have woken me up. Beside her was a small metal table on wheels with a food tray atop it.

“Sorry for the wait, sir. Unfortunately, the kitchen was a bit…empty, I had to wait until lunch to bring you something.” she explained, setting the tray of hospital food before me. “On Top of that, I had to send some messages before I came back, I hope you rested well.”

Smiling a bit, I gave a small chuckle. “It's perfectly fine Miss…oh, right. Sorry, but I don't think I caught your name during our…discussion. My name is Talon.”

She blinked a bit before facepalming. “Right, sorry about that, that was rather rude of me. Red Heart, my name is Red Heart, I'm one of the Head Nurses here at Ponyville General.” she introduced herself, taking my good hand when I offered it to shake.

“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Heart, though I wish it had been through different circumstances.” I joked, getting a slight glare from the mare…and a small smile.

“Indeed…and though I'd like to stay and chat, I have a few more patients to check up on.” she said, giving a small nod before making her way out of the room, and leaving me to my meal.

((Location: Castle Volkihar cathedral, Skyrim.))

‘I couldn't think straight.’

There was screaming all around me, but I could not hear it. All I could hear was the ringing.

‘This can't be happening.’

My vision was stuck on the growing puddle of crimson beneath the shattered steel armor, I felt numb...

‘This isn't real, it can't be. Not again!’

I finally looked up, Tia was just batted away into a pillar by that… that…

I could finally hear something other than the ringing…his laugh.

“You…”

I picked myself up, I no longer felt numb, I could feel a dark chill building up inside me. He just slammed Luna into the statue of Molag Bal.

I took a step, my vision was red, redder than the blood draining away from…from Lydia.

“It's a pity she had to die so young…such a pretty face…ah well, can't change anything now…barely any blood left in her to turn her into a thrall…” Harkon spoke, his voice dripping with venom and mockery before a wicked look graced his face. “Altho…I could always make her a different kind of thrall..” he leered mockingly, an orb of sickly, pale blue light appearing in his hand. Necromancy.

“Don't you DARE TOUCH HER!!!!” I roared out, the red blinding me completely

There was the sound of ripping and crackling…and my entire being could only register the blinding red and the bitter cold.

((Location: Ponyville General Hospital, Equestria. Time: 6:00 PM.))

I jolted up out of bed in a cold sweat, my eyes wide as I awoke from reliving one of the worst memories I’ve ever had during my travels, tears streaming down my face as I sat there, pulling my legs close to my chest, not even caring about the pain it caused as I hugged myself close, trying to banish the memory, but could not succeed. All I could focus on was the laugh, and the shade of red that the setting sun had made the room.

“It’s all my fault…it's all my fault…” I muttered to myself between sobs, eventually finding myself passing out from exhaustion.

The next morning, I was greeted once again by Red Heart who had brought me breakfast, and the news that sometime today I'd be having a small group of visitors.

Author's Note

ugh..sorry for flip-flopping between past and present. I'll do my best to try and limit it if it becomes too much for you guys. Also, a small heads up, the next chapter may take a bit longer than a week cause I wanna try and stick in character with the mane six as best I can. hope you enjoy, peace out!