Canterlot was still in a state of constant repairs when the sunlight broke through the stained-glass windows of its renowned castle, which, if you asked certain people, really chose a terrible place to be built along the side of a mountain.

Maids kept up their work, ensuring not a speck of the castle’s halls were left unpolished or dusted, guards stationed and patrolling in neat, orderly rotations that had been mapped within only a day. Everything had a system that was easy to exploit, to plan around accordingly.

“No wonder I broke out so easily, idiots have learned nothing, surprise,” Rolling her eyes, a single creature like none in Equestria roamed those halls, expertly evading everyone, her eyes squinting from how bright some halls had gotten.

The human woman’s silvery hair reflected rays of light away from her demonic, ember-tinged eyes, the crosses for pupils wide with boredom. Curling up, her red-tipped, onyx tail flicked the antenna-like, red strands away from her face, brushing by the similarly shaded horns framing her temples.

Despite her most recent setbacks in saving the ungrateful world, her attire was spick-and-span. A pair of charcoal sneakers with red soles, grey leggings, and her black combat skirt with splashes of red over each side and on the underside. Her favorite black jacket, adorned with two red buckles dangling from each shoulder, a red arrow running down each sleeve to a red cuff.

Lastly, a grey t-shirt and a black scarf tucked around her neck, oh, and her weaponry, can’t be too careful in this day and age.

“W!”

“That’s my name,” She gave a lazy reply, turning slowly on a heel to meet… someone special. Possibly the only other human in this world to boot. “What does Prince Sora of Equestria want with a merc like me, hm?”

His skin was tanned with freckled cheeks, a nice fit to his aqua eyes to contrast her fiery gaze. Warm black hair with a short braid running down the left cheek, fading to an aqua colour. His outfit consisted of an olive coat, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows with shoulder pads, and a dark grey belt.

A collared shirt and light red bandana laid beneath, as well as a pair of black trousers tucked into dark red boots. And poking over each shoulder, a matching pair of silver longswords. Practically the image of an adventurer.

W continued with a flirty expression. “Or did you just want to see me?”

“No- yes, not the point, you should be resting,” He sighed, and watched her slowly turn to continue walking, tail gesturing for him to follow. “Your injuries-”

“Are perfectly healed now, Mom, I just wear them to keep these walking glue factories off my case,” She smirked, patting a flexed arm. “Fit as a fiddle, so you can stop having a mild panic attack when you see me going outside to touch some grass, ‘kay~”

Shaking his head, he tried not to look too stubborn about it. “Just take things slow, for me?”

Her eyes froze up for a moment, a softer smile forming. “Y’know, the pouting only works with Astra,” But she glanced at him, winking. “I’ll take things in stride, Fly-Boy, alright?”

Finally, he smiled again, finding her hand inviting his to hold it. “Thanks.”

Their comfortable silence wouldn’t last forever, taking only another left turn, heading for one of the castle’s gardens when W’s ear twitched, yanking Sora back, whatever question he had fell to silence, seeing the steely expression etched into her face.

In an instant, W drew her grenade launcher in the direction of the presence, directly in front of them. “You got about five seconds before I bring half this corridor down on your head Zer0, come out, now.”

A blue circular portal swirled into existence, humming and pulsating with power. It hummed a little bit more before the portal rippled and out came a humanoid figure. They landed on the floor with a: “Superhero landing,” The figure said, their voice indicating to W and Sora that this humanoid was a girl. The girl stood up to their feet, revealing them to be standing at a height of five-foot-nine. The girl wore a pink patchy potato sack as a hat and around her torso, acting like a shirt, was a closed pink vest. She had baggy shorts that were the same color but her shoes were a nice black. The girl had tan skin, black hair, and shiny cyan eyes. “Hiya!” She waved eagerly, a grin plastered on her face.

“Another one?” Sora murmured under his breath.

“Dunno, don’t care,” She whispered back, keeping her sights trained on the girl. “Smart not hiding like another pain in my ass entity I knew, still, who and what are you?” Not even a week and W was dealing with more cosmic BS, must be her birthday.

The girl continued waving, “Hi, I’m Tina and I,” she took a bow towards the duo, “Am an Eliatrope. It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance,” she raised her head to look at them, “Mercenary W and Sora.”

Staring at her for several seconds, W lowered her weapon, giving Sora a pat on the shoulder. “Well, bud, this seems like a job for the Prince of Equestria, Imma take up that suggestion and rest.”

“Wha- W, you’re not really gonna leave, are- and she’s already walking away…” He deadpanned as the Sarkaz began to walk.

“Wait, don’t leave!” Tina exclaimed, her hands outstretched, “I’m here because you were invited, W!”

“If that invite ain’t a way back to my realm and far from this nightmare of a realm, not interested, even if you are from a cool French anime.” W waved over a shoulder.

“The reward is a wish!” The Eliatrope yelped, “It can be anything! As long as it’s not evil. Also, you get money, a lotta money!”

Sora slowly pressed his hand to his face. “Oh, you said the ‘M’ word…”

Like gears grinding to a halt, W spun slowly on a heel, brow raised. “Not one but two things you just said that rings well in my ears… alright… Tina, what’s the catch? Always a catch with this stuff.”

Tina waved a hand, “There’s no catch, perse… Ya just kinda…” she put her hands in her pockets and pursed her lips together, “...Well, ya just gotta fight in an eight-man fighting tournament with other people like you; Displaced. Removed from Earth and placed in Equestria as fictional characters.”

Her words slowly digested in W’s half-awake brain, blinking slowly, then she snorted a laugh. “Okay, that’s totally not sketchy and out-of-the-blue…” Rolling her shoulders, she clicked her fingers. “Astra, come out, no threat.”

A charcoal filly poked her head out from hiding behind a curtain, looking at Tina for a moment. “Okay,” She hopped around to stand between the two semi-humans. “She looks like you two…”

“Yeah, lucky us, at least it ain’t another Goddamn equine,” Pinching the bridge of her nose, W sighed. “Alright, you got my attention. So this… competition, I just have to kick the crap out of a handful of guys that got saddled with this-” She gestured to her own, inhuman body. “-and if I win it all, I get whatever I desire. That about sum it up?”

“Yes, you get whatever you desire… From a magical talking dragon that is totally dope and cool,” Tina nodded, “Yes. But, I will get this out of the way before you ask; every hour in my home – where you will be fighting – is one minute here. So, at most, you will be gone for ten hours. You can bring guests too, and everything is paid for when you arrive. You have rooms, you have all these other fancy stuff, food is free, the bar is free–”

As Tina listed everything off, Sora whispered to W who stared blankly at the Eliatrope. “This sounds more like an all-paid-for vacation than a fighting tournament.”

“Yeah, that’s the part that’s sketchy to me, I mean, come on, when has life been anything but a stick up the ass for us?” W murmured back, shaking her head. “I mean, a chance at a ticket home, money to boot? That screams ‘trap’, right?”

“It does sound like fun…” Astra perked up between them, the merc looking down at the filly, her silver eyes staring deep into Tina’s soul. “She’s been honest, her spirit isn’t giving off anything malicious. I think… it could be a good idea.”

W considered this, tuning back into what was being said. “Tina-” She cut her off mid-sentence. “I win this, and ask to go home, no strings attached, right?” But this time, a fire was burning behind W’s eyes, the kind that weren’t meant to be crossed.

Tina’s smile dropped and she nodded, taking in the serious air and absorbing it like a sponge. “No strings attached at all. And if anything endangers you, and especially your friends while you’re staying, our Commanders will rise to the occasion and protect you. By any means necessary.” She put a closed fist over her heart to emphasize.

All three considered this, Sora glancing at the pensive woman beside him, tapping her tensed hand. “Hey, your call,” Offering a soft smile.

Staring between him and the filly hugging her leg, W met with Tina’s eyes again before letting out a deep breath. “What’s a fighting ring to a realm devourer, am I right?” Slowly, a kindling smile tugged at her lips, giving the little visitor a sharp smile. “Alright, hell with it, I’m in.”

Tina clapped her hands together and brought a fist to her side, “Yes!” she cheered to no one but herself. “You’re not gonna regret it, it’ll be fun, the people are nice, and there’s a lot of cool things in my world. Including the internet and music from the human world, so you can jam out to some stuff, anyway, portal!” Her palms glowed bright blue and the portal behind her grew bigger to fit the trio. She stepped aside, giddy, “Ooh, I’m gonna win the race, I just know it.”

“‘Race’? Y’know what, I’ll figure it out,” W replied, turning to look at Astra and Sora. “Have no clue if I can win that golden ticket, but wanna find out? I’ll try not to destroy this world too, Sora.”

“You saying that worries me more,” He grimaced. “But sure, lead away.”

“I’m coming too!” Astra hopped forward. “I don’t remember much of my world, so seeing another is exciting to think about.”

Tina’s grin grew ear to ear, “Ooh, man, this is gonna be fun!” the portal hummed and swirled in different patterns before making a rippling effect. Inviting them in.

W stood at its edge, contemplating her choice. She just got done saving this world, reluctantly, now she’s off to fight in some crossover tournament? Being stuck in this world wasn’t boring, at least. Even if there was something to consider a threat, she’ll just handle it like she’s always done

“Let’s do this…” Cracking her neck, she leapt through first. “Goodbye, Equestria, thank God!” She vanished in a flash of cerulean sparks.

Tina winced and turned back to them, “...I probably should have mentioned the tournament takes place in an arena in Ponyville, shouldn’t I?”

“I… apologize now for anything she does,” Sora bowed his head quickly to her. “But, I guess you might’ve already figured that if you came to invite her personally, I guess?”

“Shit, man, our King invited her because she’s unapologetically her. He expects explosions. I hope she blows up Justin, though,” Tina chuckles, “Can’t wait to wipe that grin off his dumb, stupid, ugly face.”

Not quite the response Sora expected, but it did get a chuckle from him, watching Astra hop through after some hesitance. “That so? I might sound biased, but you'll certainly be in for a show with her around.” If his own experiences have taught him anything. W doesn’t do things halfway.

Tina shrugged, “She might find something in common with some of the participants, or one of the Commanders, I know a few that like bombs. Explosions especially.”

“W’s right… too good to be true,” Sora sighed but resigned himself to this. If W needs it, he’ll be there, same for Astra. “See ya on the other side then.” With a quick jog, he leapt through after the girls, the first time in years leaving Equestria.

Tina smiled, “Ah… She’s gonna love Bullet,” the portal closed and she created another portal under her. Without flinching or screaming, she fell through.

Author's Note

TRenegade

• MLP: FiM
• Romance
• Dark
• Adventure

Equestria welcomes a new stranger, though 'welcome' is a strong term. But it's not like they gave them much of a choice. That was fine, neither will she. The Mercenary W will prove them wrong.

• Sex
• Violence
• Profanity
• Crossover
• Human
• OC
• Other

Slendy · 136k words  ·  229  22 · 4.1k views

The Bombing Queen is back for some mayhem! Who would’ve thought after two years I’d be brought back to this fandom for a multi-story tournament? Not me, that’s for sure, but I am more than happy to throw my hat into the ring. To any that have met W, time for some more anarchy, and to those new to the mercenary and her story, I do hope you enjoy! Let the tournament begin! - Slendy.