Chapters I don't know how it happened but I'm the last one left, Human anyway. I hate conflict, but ever since the others vanished I've found the wildlife savage. The open field my family's cottage had looked over on had grown overnight into a dense forest, The peaceful wolves had grown into monsters, becoming one with the trees, The dragons left me alone as long as I didn't bother them but they were always like that. Hydras however were another story entirely, if they so much as saw something enter their territory, I don't want to think about it.
A loud screaming jolted me out of my slumber. "Help me!" A woman could it be another, I can't take any chances. I grab for my greatsword and run outside. I scan the treetops for signs of movement, there in the clearing I couldn't quite make the figures out but I could hear the cries for help. My cottage laid on a plateau on the outskirts of the forest. I stepped onto my sword and pushed off the mountain. An old past-time of mine was snowboarding, easiest way to get down the mountain. The wind flowed through my waist long hair whipping it around. In seconds I slid into the forest and ducked under branches.The screams grew louder as I began to hear growls. Whoever she was she was being attacked by those Wolf creatures. As they came into view I reached for the handle of my greatsword and whip it out from under me and skid into a horizontal slash. The sword went through the Wolf like a knife through butter, drenching it and the damsel in red slush.
"Are you alright Ma'am?"
"Yes, but did you have to make such a mess?"
"No I guess not, don't move." I take my sword in hands and spread my feet. The Wolves circled around sizing me up. Their eyes drifted to my blade, longer than each one of them and ran away tails tucked between their legs. "I apologize, to both of you." I kneel down at the two halves of the Wolf creature and draw a crucifix in the dirt. "Rest in peace my friend, may you find what you were searching for in life." Tears fell from my eyes.
"What is wrong my child, that animal was rabid and wild."
"I don't like to take life regardless of what is wrong with them." I turn my head to the damsel and find my hopes dashed to pieces. "Are you a Zebra?"
"Yes my Shining Knight, and more than most I respect your plight."
"Why do you speak like that, and how do you speak?"
"I was born able, and taught this way since the stable."
"Where do you live?"
"About a mile down this path, I did not mean to cause Canine wrath."
"Let me carry you, it's the least I can do to apologize for staining your coat." I raise the
"It is quite alright, you saved my life my Shining Knight."
"That is not my name."
"Then what is, what is the answer to this quiz?"
"Malicious, I hate my name."
"Then why not change a name you spite, It better suits you Shining Knight."
"You make a valid point, Ma'am."
"Zecora, is the name with which I am tasked, If you wanted to know you could have just asked."
"You may call me Shining Knight. Are there others like you?"
"Yes if you mean others that can talk, after we rest I'll take you on a walk. I was under the impression, that Human numbers were in recession."
"They are, I may be the last." I cringe at the thought of being the last human on this plane, and the weight of my passenger didn't help. "I don't know what to do, my friends and family disappeared years ago,"
"Oh my Knight so very Shining, now is not the time for whining. There is no need for self treason, when everything happens for a reason." Her words were truly sincere, she reminded me of my mother. "It is not much further the end of our quest, in a few moments we will be able to rest." The path ended abrubtly at a hut carved into the trunk of a large tree. She slid down my back and trotted around to the door. "I am sorry for being a heavy load, you are welcome to stay in my humble abode."
"Thank you for your hospitality, but I wouldn't want to impose."
(Somewhere in the settlement of Ponyville,)
A Lavender Unicorn slowly opens her eyes. "Another crazy night of studying, huh." She rolled out of bed and levitated a brush to comb her mane which was a darker shade than her coat.
"Here Twilight," A purple dragonling said as he held out a steaming mug. "Black two sugars like you like it."
"Thank you Spike." The mug took on a purple aura as it floated from his claws to her lips. "What time is it?"
"Almost lunch-time, and you have a scheduled lunch-date with Rainbow Dash in twenty minutes."
"Oh I completely forgot, thank you for reminding me." The Unicorn bolted down the stairs but tripped over an encyclopedia at the bottom. "Ow,"
"Twilight are you okay?"
"Yes I'm fine, could you clean this up for me, Please?"
"Sure Twilight, bring me back something okay?"
"Of course Spike, if anything comes up that can't wait send me a letter." She yelled as she galloped through the door.
"Of course Twilight." The Dragonling started to pick up the books and re-shelve them. He felt a pang in his stomach, in a large belch of green fire a letter appeared on the floor in front of him, bearing the Royal Seal. He slowly broke the seal and unfurled the scroll.
My Dearest Twilight
There have been reports of a strange bipedal creature on the outskirts of the Everfree. I humbly ask that you and your friends speak with Zecora, to learn if she knows anything about said creature, or it's whereabouts. I know this is short notice but if you can find the creature bring it to me so I may extend the Olive Branch of Peace.
Princess, Celestia.
This confused the Dragonling. "Bipedal, means walks on two legs." The Dragonling wondered, and reaches for a dusty tome on a top shelf. "Legendary creatures," He slowly flipped through the pages, but kept stopping at one in particular.
Humans are fur-less creatures that once ruled the world, their world was split into several factions over the years. In the 1400's the settlement now known as Canterlot, was the home to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in Camelot. During the 10th century forward, the land now known Toqilin, was home to the feudal lords known as Shoguns warred for control of Japan. Warriors under these Shoguns would follow their leaders to the end of their lives. From -800 to 600 A.D. Grecians had many fierce warriors like the Spartans of Troy.
But Fierce though they were these warriors had several downsides like they were quick to anger, and were quite gullible, proven by the so-called Trojan Horse that was given as a present to their leader. The giant construct was filled with soldiers that after sunset stormed the city.
During the course of the first five centuries China was split into three major factions, Wei, Wu, and Shu, Cao Cao was leader of Wei and wanted to unite the country under an iron fist, While Sun Quan, led Wu for a more subtle aproach but later grew more violent, Liu Bei took the needs of the citizens in consideration and eventually succeeded with the help of Jhuge Liang.
"I gotta tell Twilight, these human things sound dangerous." He knew that Twilight's lunch with Rainbow was near Fluttershy's house. "She could run into that thing." Spike grabbed the scroll and ran as fast as his little legs could carry him. As soon as he ran out the door something swept under him. "Pinkie?"
"Hi Spike, whatcha in such a hurry for." The Pink cotton candy smelling pony threw him onto her back.
"It's Twilight,"
"What about her?"
"Just take me to Fluttershy's it's important."
"Okay hold on tight." The Pink mare bolted off toward their destination, and in seconds skidded to a halt on top of the picnic table between the two ponies.
"Pinkie?" Twilight's eyes narrowed.
"Pinkie Pie you are so,"
"No time for Random, this is important." Pinkie slammed her hoof into the potato salad.
"Pinkie did you hafta go so fast?"
"Spike, are you okay?" Twilight was worried about her little assistant.
"I'm fine, Twilight but this came right after you left." Spike held out the scroll as it glowed purple and was ripped from his claws and opened in front of her face.
"What's it say Twilight?" Rainbow placed her hooves on the table.
"Princess Celestia wants us to visit Zecora and ask about a strange creature that's been sighted."
"What Kind of creature?" Fluttershy asked calmly after trotting over to greet Pinkie.
"A human." Spike replies after taking a drink from a glass of water.
"A WHAT?" Everypony asked never hearing of that creature before today.
"I read a book about them,"
"When, I don't remember a book on Humans."
"It fell when you tripped into the bookcase."
"Give us the abridged explanation while we get AJ and Rarity." Twilight
"Okay you know what year it is right?"
"Of course 4012," Twilight answered."
"Back in time the ones who ruled the land before Celestia and Luna, were these things called humans, they were really smart, fast, and strong. They were all really powerful."
"How po'erful?" Applejack caught up pretty fast.
"Stronger than Big Macintosh, smarter than Celestia, and faster than Rainbow Dash."
"That's impossible, nopony's faster than me,"
"And there ain't nopony stronger than my brother."
(Zecora's Hut.)
"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask Zecora through the bathroom door.
"I am fine Knight get some rest, from here on out you are my guest."
"Thank you," I walk around her hut, it was strangely bigger on the inside. It was decorated with tribal masks and herbs. I find a small chair in the corner and sat down. I shut my eyes and calm my mind, a male voice echoes throughout my mind.
"My Child what is wrong?"
"I do not know where I am or how I came to be here."
"What do you intend to do to find out?"
"Do not patronize me, great one."
"I mean no disrespect Son of Gawain, I just think you should find out on your own, rather than being told by a higher being."
"I see where you come from All-Father, but why only now do you show yourself?"
"Only now have you contacted me."
"Touche, All-Father. Is there anything you can warn me about."
"There is one you must, Discordus he is how you say, of questionable intent."
"What does that mean?"
"He means no harm, yet he means no good either."
"So he has a neutral alignment?"
"You could say that."
"My Shining Knight, do you feel alright?" Zecora's voice snapped me from my consult, her Mohawk was damp and limp as wet noodles.
"Yes, my maiden fair,"
"That is good that you feel better, here you are it's a letter."
"A letter," I grab the scroll that she handed me and open it.
Dear Zecora,
We will be stopping by later this afternoon, so expect guests soon,
From, Twilight Sparkle.
"Who's Twilight Sparkle?"
"A dear friend, she lives in the town at the forest's end."
"Should I be worried." She shakes her head.
"There is no need to feel unnerved, her confusion will be well deserved."
"When will they arrive?"
"My Knight of great power, they shall arrive within they hour."
I slowly tap my fingers on my sword and ponder whether or not to wait for this Twilight to show up, or to find her. The odd sound of clanking stirred me back to reality. Steel gauntlets adorned my arms, the engraving of a Raven head glowed purple. "Where did I get these?"
"Your arms were always clasped, why is it now that you gasp?"
"It's just I've never noticed," My sentence was interrupted by knocking on the hut door. "They're here aren't they?" She remained silent and opened the door as six others shuffled in.
"Zecora have you seen a strange creature around these parts." An orange one who wore a hat with a wide brim asked.
"That depends on what you describe, then I can give you the information you prescribe."
"Ai'll never get used tah that?" Her accent was peculiar to say the least.
Each one was strangely coloured, Two Unicorns one Lavender, another a very pale blue, Two Pegasi one Cyan another a pale yellow, and a very light red miniature horse. The light red one, seemed suspicious, it was like she knew I was here. "I found him, I found him, I found him!!!" She hopped around me screaming at the top of her lungs. She lifted the tablecloth to reveal my hiding spot.
"Why are you afraid, these ponies only bring aid?"
"I am not afraid, I just think it's a little unwise to have others walk through the door unto a creature which whom they have not seen," My speech pattern took on my father's.
"You can speak?" The lavender Unicorn seemed dumbfounded.
"Of course I can, what do you take me for, a soulless beast?"
"No I guess not," The lavender Unicorn scratched her chin with her hoof.
"Well if Zecora Trusts 'im, that's gud nuf fer me." The orange one held out her hoof. "Ai'm Applejack, what's yer name?"
"I am Shining Knight, I discarded my birth name long ago."
"Its a pleasure ta meet ya Shining." She grabbed my hand with her front hooves and shook rapidly.
"What was your real name?" The pale yellow one asked quietly.
"Malicious,"
"Oh my, I like Shining Knight better,"
"I as well," I slowly reach for the timid Pegasus and place my hand on her head. "What is your name timid one?"
"Fluttershy." She whispered.
"Kind and gentle spirit, there is no reason to be afraid I mean no harm unless you mean it toward me."
"I would never hurt a peaceful creature."
"Thank you for being cooperative." The lavender one spoke up. "My name is,"
"Twilight,"
"How did you know?"
"The way you carry yourself, it shows in your handwriting." Realizing that these creatures did not have hands I stumbled over the proverbial elephant in the room. "Hoof writing,"
"You can tell a lot about somepony by their hoofwriting." The pale blue one was admiring my fashion from afar.
"Come closer," She oblidged. "My, my,vous êtes vraiment une rareté, the Unicorns where I am from were not as beautiful
"Vous parlez français?"
"Oui, it is my native tongue."
"Where are you from?"
"Camelot,"
"Never heard of Camelot,"
"I know where that place is." A small purple Dragonling spoke up.
"Well hello Dragonling, you know of Camelot?"
"Yep, we can take you there,"
"Do you speak the truth Dragonling?" He smiles and nods.
"Please take me there, I must speak with the King,"
"The King, does he mean Sombra?"
"No he means Arthur, the one who wielded Excalibur." The Dragonling seemed to know much more about me than the others. "I'm sorry sir Knight but the king is no longer with us."
"That is grave news indeed, may I speak with the current King?"
"We have no King, power is shared between two Princesses."
"When the royal family has only daughters upon his death bed the two eldest will share the throne," I wait for a response but they remain silent. "Is that correct?"
"Yes," Again the Dragonling answered my question.
"I wouldn't want to impose any longer than I must," I turn my head to Zecora who looked more beautiful each time I looked upon her. Such a strange feeling to feel for one not of my species.
"If you wish I could come as well, along the way I have stories to tell." It was apparent that she also had these feelings but just barely.
"Okay," I walk to the corner where I had laid my blade and slid it through the metal rings on my back. I lean down and lift her onto my shoulders, to my amazement everyone's jaws dropped but the Dragonling's.
"You weren't kidding Spike," The Cyan one thought out loud.
"He shore is strong."
"Shall we depart?" I ask nonchalant.
"Of course, follow me." Twilight shook off the confusion and led the group out the door.
(In Canterlot.)
The sun's light shone in on the Moon Princess through her window, she had slept in once again. Why do I always oversleep? The princess racked her brain for an answer. Could it be that she still has not adjusted to the earth as quickly as she thought. It had been two years since her return, but her sleep schedule had only changed slightly. A quiet knocking fell upon her door as it was pushed open by a yellowish aura. Upon the doors full opening a regal white horse stood with a smile and a raised eyebrow. "I am sorry Sister," The Moon Princess rolled off her back and onto her knees.
"It is fine, Luna your plight is justified." The Sun Princess was very forgiving and understood her sister's troubles. "Come, let's get some breakfast." Luna smiled upon hearing this and sprang out of bed, she always enjoyed eating with her sister each morning, or afternoon in this case. Her bed was made with her own blue aura and they departed for the Castle Cafe. Luna loved the Castle Cafe, while at first open only to the castle help it had grown into a bustling business, where she could meet new faces and become more in tune with the changes that occured during her banishment.
She held no grudge against her Sister, but the Sun Princess still hated herself for what she had done to her only family all those years ago. "Big Sister,"
"Yes?"
"Why are you still sad?"
"I'll never forgive myself for what I've done to you,"
"But I do, shouldn't that be sufficient?"
"For you maybe, but I was out of line."
"I love you big Sister,"
"Me too Luna," They arrived at the Cafe and sat at their private table.
"What can I get our Princesses this fine day?" An ash grey Unicorn asked with a slight french accent.
"Could I have a glass of orange juice, Garçon?"
"Of course Madame Luna, and for you Madame Celestia?"
"Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Garçon."
"I should have guessed as much, they shall be out in a moment, would you like menus or just the drinks today?"
"Two menus Garçon."
"Here you are, two menus," His horn sparkled and two fancied menus floated and laid before the Princesses as he went off to tend to the other patrons. Only a moment later the two drinks floated by covered with Garçon's aura and were gently set down.
Luna looked over the menu floating in front of her. "What do I want today?" She looked over the different sections and found something that sounded delicious. "I think I may have a Steamed-Lobster, it sounds appetizing."
"It is very delicious." Garçon stood at their table and patiently waited to take their orders.
"One Lobster, for me please."
"And for you Madame?"
"Crab salad, Monsieur Garçon."
"Very good choices, your food will be out soon." Garçon trotted off to the kitchen leaving the two to talk with themselves.
"He is a very nice stallion, and a good listener." Luna smiled at the fact somepony treated her like a pony, rather than royalty.
"That's why he works here, it's his special talent," Her big Sister replied. Luna looked at Garçon closely and found his Cutiemark was a pad and pen in a frying pan.
"I never noticed his Cutiemark before."
"It's because you weren't looking at it." The Sun Princess tried to hide a wry smile.
"Tia, you're twisted." Luna was shocked at her Sister's perverted accusation
"Am I wrong?"
"No," Luna knew her Sister was right and hung her head in defeat.
"It's fine to be a little twisted," The Sun Princess Giggled.
(In Toqilin)
A dark presence is felt all over the city ponies have been found wounded and dangling on the edge of life during the past few days. The culprit remains in the shadows as do his motives. "I must keep grandfather's teachings alive," The mysterious Woman thought to herself. "They may have conquered my home, but they are far from worthy," The woman was deep in thought, kneeling at her ancestral shrine. "Grandfather, I seek your guidence."
"How do I know what I am doing is right?"
"The main weapon of the Fuhma are the shadows, you should learn to listen to them," The Spirit knelt down and ran his hand through the woman's hair. "You are my granddaughter, Speak with the shadows they will teach you what no mortal should know, I will be watching, and waiting for your answer."
"Thank you Master Kotaro,"
"I will await your call, until next we meet Fuhma, Kali." The Spirit bowed to his student granddaughter and flowed away in the breeze.
"Until next we meet." Kali was always confused by his words but his simple actions made up for his complicated manner of speaking. Kali was glad the Fuhma Shrine had not been discovered by these four legged invaders. She wonder to herself how did these miniature horses defeat every human on the entirety of Japan in one night, let alone discard their bodies.
(The Other Side of Toqilin.)
Another mysterious woman hangs from a neon sign that reads Toqilin Police Department. She spots an open window and slips inside unnoticed. The room was eerily dark just the way she liked it. She heard hoofsteps in the hall that stopped at the door. The door opened and two ponies walked in and sat down on padded thrones. "I just don't know how this could be possible, I mean who would do this, and why."
"I don't know," The elderly beige one seemed suspicious and looked behind his chair. "I coulda sworn there was,"
"Somepony there, you must be getting senile in your old age." The blue one scoffed. "They shoulda put you in retirement years ago."
"Leave this senile old stallion alone,"
"Whatever, jeez." The blue one trotted out the door and shut it behind him.
"Not many can sense the presence of someone of my calibur," The woman dropped from the rafters and kneeled before the old stallion. "You must be one of sound mind." The woman stood about six feet tall, her face hidden under an armored headband and a teal face cloth.
"What are you?"
"My apologies, I am Hanna Hattori, I am a human. I have power over the shadows." She bowed to the stallion. "I have reason to believe this culprit you seek is someone too powerful for you to stop."
"Who is the culprit?"
"Kali Fuhma, the last remaining master of the Fuhma clan."
"What can I do to help?"
"I need you to give me any new information you find, like where and when you found the victims, and their witness testimony."
"I think I could manage that."
"Thank you for your cooperation." The woman walked to the window and pulled out a chain scythe, she threw it to wrap around a lamp post and swung into the trees in the park across the street.
(In Canterlot.)
"We're almost there Knight." Twilight still seemed a little unsure whether to trust me, but that is justified since I carry a sword bigger than her.
"How are you able to carry them both?" The Cyan Pegasus hovered around me in circles.
"You mean Zecora and the sword?"
"Yeah that sword's gotta weigh at least a ton."
"One moment," I lift Zecora and set her on the ground, I reach for the hilt. The blade slid out of the rings and I wielded it in one hand. "Try holding it." I hold out the hilt for her to grab it between her teeth.
"Mah Celeshtia this ishn't heavy at all." She spit it out into my hand.
"Gee thanks,"
"Sorry, name's Rainbow Dash,"
"It's nice to meet you Rainbow Splash." Every one else giggled.
"Where did you ever get that armor, it's so ostentatious."
"Yes it is very flashy, My uncles gave it to me on my twenty-first birthday."
"Where did they get it,"
"I don't know,"
"The sword looks weird,"
"Of course it does it's five put together."
"What do you mean?"
"I have a feeling I'll have to show you later." We had arrived at Camelot Castle. It had not changed at all, I slip my blade into the rings and push open the door. I ran through the halls to the throne room doors. I quickly push them open. "Is anyone here, I need to speak with the rulers!"
"What are you,"
"Malicious Gawain, Squire of The Round Table." I kneel leaving myself completely open to attack.
"Squire of The Round Table," I hear a faint sound that resembles spell casting, but not normal spell casting, forbidden spell casting. A green flash of light shot at me. In a second my sword slashed through the giant black skull.
"Death Magic,"
"You have been warned, leave this place." The white Unicorn yelled.
"You have no right to use magic," This unicorn had desecrated the only things I respect, Chivalry and Magic. My heart was filled with rage, Dagda as my witness I will teach him the true meaning of Magic. My blade sprang open and Percival's Dragonslayer was set ablaze. His eyes were filled with fear. "When on the business end of Magic you soil yourself. 'tis punishment enough." The blades slowly collapse on one another and return to their previous form. "Where are the Rulers of this land?"
"They are right behind you." A melodious voice sounded from behind.
I turn to find a majestic Allicorn was the owner of the voice. "I thought Allicorns were extinct."
"I could say the same about Humans."I could feel her judgemental gaze pierce my very being. "What brings you here Round Table Knight, other than causing my nephew to soil himself."
"My apologies." I kneel before her regality. "He used Forbidden Magic, I was merely defending myself." I lower my head expecting her to stomp my head in, but instead her hoof lifted my head to hers. Her judgemental gaze shifted to sincere and comforting. I found compassion in her deep purple eyes. "You are very beautiful."
"No wait!" Kind Fluttershy raised her voice obviously misunderstanding the situation. "Don't hurt him." I begin to say something but the Allicorn's eyes said play along.
"Why not?" Her tone drasticly shifted to morbid.
"He just ran off, we were all coming here together but he just barged in headstrong."
"Were terribley sorry but we hadn't seen hide nor head of 'im since the entrance,"
"Let him down he means no harm, you will learn he has a certain charm."
"He went poof, I mean not like poof poof, more like whoosh poof, or maybe like a phwoop bloop."
"What happened to him?" Rarity, leaned to the side to see the Unicorn backed into the corner scared shitless. With that the Allicorn and I could no longer keep up the charade and burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing at me?" I move my hand one inch and he runs for the back door, and I hear this female screaming.
"Was that?"
"Yes, I don't know what is wrong with that colt." The Allicorn shook her head. "Now back to my original question, why are you here Round Table Knight?"
"My apologies but I am only a knight by blood. I came here to ask of you information."
"What kind of information?" A blue Allicorn stood beside her.
"I take it that you are the Princesses of which I have been told."
"Yes."
"My home sits on the plateau overlooking the forest, my question is how it grew overnight?"
"Overnight?"
"Did I say something profound?"
"I regret to inform you but, this is not the time of Knights you are accustomed to."
"Well I gathered that your Highness,"
"What I mean to say is the current date by your calender is November Thirteenth Four-Thousand and Twelve."
"Excuse me Four-Thousand and Twelve?"
"That is correct."
"But it seemed like only a night, wait is Merlin still alive?"
"What does this Merlin look like?"
"Tall, long beard, speaks in riddles,"
"Yes I know of one like that."
"Did he leave anything here?"
"I'm not certain but there is one room that we found in the castle blocked by a very powerful spell, One-Thousand years ago and to this day it has remained sealed, maybe if you could open it you'll find what you are looking for."
"Lead me to this room, I may have the key." She slowly canters through the halls to a room that I had seen only once before, the Round Table Room. I draw my blade and it splits apart Lancelot's Lancer glows blue and the door slides into the floor. "As I thought." I look down into the dark tunnel, the steps descend deep into the mountian. "There's something down there I need." I try to step down onto the staircase but my feet feel glued to the ground.
"Are you crazy, I barely got out of there the last time." Twilight's horn and my greaves were covered in a lavender aura.
"But you didn't have a compass."
"Compass' don't work down there,"
"You didn't have this did you?"
"Well no,"
"These weapons are enchanted, they resonate with my emotions and with each other. If they shine a certain way it's their way of telling me to keep my eyes open."
"Weapons can't talk,"
"Have you never heard of the singing sword?"
"No, I haven't,"
"What would a sword sing?"
"I don't know you'll have to ask him. May I be released to journey into the underneath?"
"You must think we're stupid," Rainbow floated there forelegs crossed.
"Would you like to join me?"
"It's a yes from me, I've heard that many splendid gems line the walls."
"It's gotta be dark down there, and I need to practice night flying."
"Dark," Kind Fluttershy shied away behind Applejack.
"Don't worry none I'm sure Twi'll keep a light on."
"Come on Twilight it'll be fun."
"I don't know if that's a good idea."
"Then it is settled, we descend the stairs."
Each step I took the light grew fainter, as we reached the bottom of the corridor the complete darkness was overrun with a lavender glow. The lighting refracted off of many different gems. I would be captivated by the utter beauty of this moment but something feels off. My sword splits apart and I draw Lancelot's Lancer.
"What's wrong?"
"Shh," I peek around a corner to find strange dog-like creatures. "Loup-Garou," It had been years since I had seen one up close. "Stay here," I slowly creep closer to them.
"Are you sure it's here,"
"Yes I'm sure, the mines are the perfect place to hide valuables,"
"It's scary down here, it's too dark."
"Cease your whining, it is here, we just need to look in the right place," The Alpha Male crouched down on all fours and crawled around. "Ah ha," He reached under a gem and the wall behind the other two lifted. What I saw dropped my jaw, King Arthur's tomb. "We have found it, the gold alone will have us living like kings."
"I cannot let these grave robbers defile my uncle's resting place." I throw a small stone between them.
"What is that?" The brute was jumpier than the frog prince.
"Relax it's just a rock."
"But rocks don't jump at you."
"He's right." I whisper.
"Someone must've thrown it."
"Really what gave you that idea?" The Alpha paused and turned to me.
"Who are you?"
"The owner of this treasure,"
"Really, one monkey could gather all this treasure."
"I can prove it."
"Show us," The Werewolves sharpened their claws and bared their fangs. "If we win we get this treasure, and you come with us."
"And if I win, you agree to do whatever I tell you, whenever I tell you?"
"Agreed,"The Alpha held out his paw.
"Agreed," I take his paw and shake it.
The Alpha, whistled for his pack, the two along with seventeen more stood by his side. "Whahahaha," Rarity screamed. "Diamond dogs, there's so many of them,"
"Ya'll can't take 'em on yer own."
"Don't worry, if I know anything about Werewolves is they they are honourable," All I wielded was the Lancer a blunt weapon one foot wide, and four feet long. Though I never personally got along with Lance, I always admired his way of treating his opponents as if they were greater than him.
"Not many know what we really are,"
"So you can drop the charade, Loup-Garou."
"Ah a fellow Frenchman."The Alpha's body twisted and turned as his bones snapped back into place. His fur receded into his skin and his muzzle shrunk to a human face. He stood six feet tall, his long blonde hair dangled to his waist as did mine.
"We had decided to take on our bestial forms,"
"So not to be hunted by the new natives."
"Wait a moment." The Alpha sniffed at the air. "You are not entirely human are you?" He stepped closer and took in another huff of my scent. "You reek of something else entirely, am I correct in these assumptions?"
"You could say that,"
"Well back to the matter at hand, our agreement, shall it be a friendly duel, or one to the death?"
"I owe debt to none and none is owed to me."
"A friendly duel of points. Swordplay, or clashing of blades?"
"It is your challenge, therefore I choose the way of battle."
"Correct,"
"Clashing of blades."
"Bon chance, Monsieur."
"What happened to that Diamond dog?" Fluttershy asked Twilight.
"What did he call it?" Twilight wondered.
"A Loup-garou, it's French for Werewolf," Rarity explains.
"But I thought they could only transform under the light of a full moon."
"Do you see their pendants Darling, those are very rare gems called Lunar Diamonds, legends say that Lunar Diamonds have extensive healing properties because they fall from the moon every so often. They also say that they have strange effects on Werewolves and Vamponies. I've been wanting to get my hooves on such a treasure but like I said very rare."
"Your pony has quite the eye for gems."
"No not her," Three of the pack members hid behind a large monolith.
"You must be the one," The Alpha kneeled down in front of her and took her chin in hand. "Vous êtes vraiment une rareté." She smiled her cheeks a slight shade of red. The Alpha stood and turned to me. "Shall we get started?" Fluttershy tugged at his leggings.
"Please don't hurt Knight,"
"Do not worry timid one, no harm will be done, our weapons will be sheathed," He held his blade and tapped her head.
"Did that hurt?" She shook her head. "No harm, no foul." He smiled revealing his fangs.
"How many points?"
"Five, deadlock rules."
"Right." I held Lancelot's Lancer
"What're deadlock rules?"
"I know that one." Rainbow answered. "It's like hoofwrestling but with your whole body and a sword."
"So first to five points wins?"
Our blades clashed his Claymore against my Lancer, he put his weight into his slash catching me a little off guard, it had been three years prior that I had last deadlock dueled. His power was overwhelming and forced me to one knee. This angle gave me the edge I needed, I tilted my Lancer so his blade slid down and while he was off balance I swept it under his legs, and he dropped onto his rear end. "That's three points for me." I stood and helped the Alpha to his feet.
"Why three points Rainbow?"
"You score one point for winning one point for a hit and another if you leave your opponent open for a followup attack."
"Oh I git it now, so all Shining needs is a win and a hit."
"Right,"
This time I put all my weight behind my blade, strangely each individual blade weighed more than them all put together. The Lancer alone was twenty pounds, while The Dragonslayer weighed fifty. I'll never understand Merlin's enchantments.
The Alpha was down on his knees but kept his blade steady. I took a page from Uncle Lionel's book and sprang over him, the Lancer caught his belt and threw him over my head and slammed him under the Lancer on the ground. "Sorry for that I got carried away."
"You fight like Sir Lionel."
"You know of Lionel?" I lift him onto his feet.
"Of course he was the first pack leader."
"I doubt that Lionel, would even speak with a werewolf. He was more of a cat person."
"You have won fairly, now I will keep my word and send my pack away, as promised, and enter a life of servitude under you my liege." The Alpha kneeled before me and pledged loyalty. "Sir Clarvious Moonfang, pledges total loyalty, do with me what you wish."
"Arise Clarvious, there is no need for formalities." I hold out my hand.
"My apologies, Shining Knight, it has been many a year since I have met another honorable one, it is difficult to calm our instincts."
"I owe to none, and none is owed to me, we are friends nothing more, Sir Moonfang."
"You will not regret having me in your employ," He turned to his pack. "You three,"
"Yes Alpha," The cowards poked their heads out.
"As punishment for disobeying my orders, you will do whatever she asks, until the sun rises once again."
"But,"
"I am the Alpha, and you listen."
"Yes Alpha,"
"Get away from me, ah oh, that's nice, you've had a manicure." They run their hands through her coat and mane. "Much better, and you've bathed. But you still lack manners, come I will teach you all how to be proper Gentlemen."
"Yes Miss Rarity." The three hung their heads in defeat. "Anything you wish."
"Well I'll have my work cut out for me, Twilight would you mind lending me Spike for the evening?"
"I don't see why not if Spike's okay with it."
"Now I have to ask, what were you doing down here?"
"I had heard that the whereabouts of the map may be here."
"The Map as in?"
"Yes, the last crusade."
"Now this one I know," Twilight was ecstatic that she knew something her friends didn't again. "Daring Do's Last Quest.
"I haven't read that one yet,"
"But I never thought they were based on true events." Twilight's pride was once again shot down with a crossbow bolt.
"You better believe it buster," A dark brown mare stepped out of the shadows. "And I applaud your knowledge of this culture humans,"
"Omygoshomygoshomygosh. It's really her." Rainbow rubbed her eyes over and over.
"Of course I would know, it's my culture."
"As it is mine," Clarvious crossed his arms.
"You hail from Arthuria?"
"Why yes."
"Forgive me if I don't believe you."
"I can prove it," I reach for my blade and it splits into the five pieces and I lay them on the ground. Lancelot's Lancer still glowed blue, while Percival's Dragonslayer radiated heat. "These are five of the pieces of the X-Calibur."
"The Peace Keeper." She leaned her head down and took the Lancer between her teeth, and swung it side to side. "Intereshting, ow!" She spit it out and reached for her canteen and poured it down her throat. "Definitely the Shadow Lancer, It's really hard to get the charcoal taste out of your mouth." She coughed black smoke. "And the Wave Crasher, the Mace which belonged to Tristan." She squinted at the Dragonslayer. "The legendary Slayer of Scales, Percival's weapon of choice," The last two took her by suprise. "Are those Galahad's Machetes?"
"Correct,"
"Where are the other pieces?"
"Scattered across the land."
"I could help you with that."
"Treasure hunter?"
"The best, but I only hunt treasure that deserves to be seen or needs to remain unseen."
"So not for your own gain then,"
"Of course not."
"So the remnants of Arthuria are safe?"
"The world is still not ready to behold these magnificent artifacts, and don't bother searching for the map I already have it." She stuck her nose into her saddlebag and pulled out a scroll. "And I think Lancelot left something here for you," She trotted to the mausoleum centerpiece and reared back placing her front hooves on it. She took a deep breath and pushed the lid to off to the ground. The lid shattered on impact causing an enormous amount of dust to fly into the air. She hacked and waved her hoof to clear the air. "Oh god." She coughed "I hate that." She flapped her wings and floated above the box.
"Ah here they are."
She stuck her head in and threw out a pair of golden boots. "Blech Charcoal." She stuck out her tongue, and spit. The Lancer glowed brighter the closer I got to them.
"Are these?" I slip them over my feet. They shrink to fit me. "Lancelot's cavalry boots."
"What are those?"
"They give me the ability to run as fast as a horse at full gallop."
"So that's how Lancelot could joust without a mount." Clarvious scratched his chin. "But why would they be buried at Arthur's tomb rather than his?"
"I have no idea but I think we need to get out of the dark depths and into the light." Daring fluffed her hair. "Because I have to report to the Princesses my findings."
"Everyone follow me." I walk at an increased pace to the exit a hundred yards to the east. Each Pony and Wolf funneled through and Moonfang and I stepped up into the castle. The door rose behind us and not but two steps forward I was tackled by Zecora. Her forelegs squeezed tightly around my chest. "Did you miss me that much?"
"You indeed have that certain flair, would you let me be your mare?"
"Well, um sure, I guess." She made this strange sound like a pup's squeaky toy. "That was both cute and twisted," She smiled and kissed my cheek.
"Now reveal to us your true nature," The Blue Allicorn stamped her hoof on the ground.
"Why should I?"
"Because if you are to work with us, we need to be on equal ground." The White Allicorn said calmly.
"If you insist," I shut my eyes and concentrate, My shoulder blades sharpen and rip out of my back, my eyes open full of tears and to horrified faces. My nails sharpen, my legs snap out of socket and take the feline equivalent. My lower half grows fur, while my top half is covered in feathers. My face stretches and colours to that of a Raven's.
"A Gryphon?"
"Not quite, he's a Panther Raven, a higher echelon of Gryphon."
"Ow that hurts, so much." I fall onto my stomach reeling from the pins and needles transformation. "Ow, ow, ow, oh god."
"My Shining Knight, how are you are you alright?" Zecora wrapped her forelegs around me.
"Yeah I'm fine just it hurts to do that," "
"My Knight with will of steel, I know how to heal." She set me down on my stomach and stood on my back. She kneaded her hooves slowly down my back, her weight fell in just the right places and made me shudder. "My Knight with will of steel, tell me now how do you feel?" She leans down and lays on my back, her warm body and heartbeat made me feel at peace.
"Perfect, Princess may I ask your name,"
"I am Celestia, this slack jawed one next to me is Luna my sister."
"How did your armor change with you?" Luna was wide eyed as well.
"Like I said before they are enchanted like my weapons."
"This armour was made to be used by a select few and for some stupid reason I am one of them." I turn my head to a window to find the sun setting beyond the horizon. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble if we could borrow a room just for tonight?"
"Of course, after all you once lived here, and tomorrow morning I can show you the archives,"
"Thank you your Highness," I slowly rose careful not to throw off my 'Mare' and lower my head to the others. "I will see you tomorrow morn."
"Bye Knight." Pinkie skipped around.
"Have a good rest Shining." Applejack tipped her hat and trotted out the doors with Pinkie.
"Princess may I ask for the use of the ballroom tonight."
"Yes, the castle is yours to do with what you wish, and you Twilight?"
"I wish to sleep here tonight and get an early start on studying,"
"You may use your old room Twilight,"
"Thank you Princess." She bowed and trotted off to her room.
"I gotta get up early, so I can get work over early."
"Night Knight." Fluttershy and Rainbow flew off, to their homes, or home who am I to judge.
"Shall we retire for the night?"
"Though the hours may be creeping, I doubt we will be doing much sleeping." She whispered into my ear in a seductive tone.
"You like being carried don't you?" She made that Squeak sound once more. "Yes it is then." I bowed to the Rulers and searched for a vacant room. "Which do you prefer?"
"While this is one I would take home to Mother, I have grown quite fond of the other."
"Hold on tight," She wrapped her forelegs around my neck. This transformation was faster and less painful than the one before but still left me incredibly sore. I could tell she was a little dizzy from the sudden altitude change. "Are you okay?" She sighed and put her nose to my neck. Her cold nose sent chills down my spine.
(In Toqilin,)
Kali meditated on her predicament. "What should I do, Master Kotaro said to listen to the shadows," She knew not how to speak with them, but she knew they could.
"Kali," A dark tone echoed throughout her mind. "Kali, listen,"
"Where are you,"
"I am everywhere,"
"Who are you?"
"I am known by many names, to these invaders as you call them," Kali was shrouded in shadows and dark green eyes stared into her golden ones. "I am known as Sombra, to you I am your Grandfather's Shadow." The deep voice did sound like her grandfather's.
"What are you,"
"I am Shadow, I am Sombra," The eyes moved forward to reveal a demonic version of one of those horned invaders. His horn curved upward and was colored blood red, same as his mane. "You seem surprised, were you expecting a Human to be the great Kotaro Fuhma's Shadow? I have been with him the entirety of his life, and I plan on shadowing you whether you like it or not,"
"We shall see if you are worthy of becoming my Shadow." Kali Took her stance.
"Yes we shall," Sombra's shape shifted into a razor clawed shadow demon. His eyes glowed dark green and emitted trails of grey. "If you win I will teach you the true way of the Shadow Warrior."
"If you win?"
"You will become my Shadow,"
"I accept your terms Shadow."
(Toqilin P.D.)
Hanna hung from the lamppost and knocked on the window. The old Stallion walked over and opened it.
"We just dispatched three squads to the Park in the center of the city."
"What? Three squads, she could obliterate an entire army without breaking a sweat. Tell them to abort mission."
"They won't listen to me,"
"I cannot condone any more bloodshed,"
"I wish to help,"
"I admire your enthusiasm, but I cannot bring you with me."
"I don't care, tomorrow's my last day,"
"I cannot guarantee your safety, or even survival."
"I would be happy to die, serving the city."
"It is rare to find one as honorable as you, Pegasus."
"My name is Li,"
"It is a pleasure Li," The woman lept out the window and landed in the darkened streets. Li just soared above her.
"This way!" She just nodded as Li shot off toward the park.
(The Park.)
Each of Sombra's attacks were blocked by Kali with relative ease. "You are indeed a great adversary." Sombra backflipped and took a new stance. "But the shadows are all powerful." Sombra calmed his mind and he was surrounded by shadows. "The Shadows know all, just listen to us." The shadows took humanoid form. "We are the only salvation, there is no other solution. Embrace the Chaos," Kali took a moment to consider the deal on the plate before her, but only took her stance once more. "Then you leave me no choice, I must take extreme measures."
Kali stood surrounded by ten Shadows, waiting for the moment to strike. An apple fell from a branch above, and she took the distraction as an opening. She swung her left leg and it whipped into the apple, embedding it in one's face. She knew however dark they may be Shadows are very much solid. Kali swung her leg again as it stretched sending her toes deep into one's jaw, she ripped her foot out of it's face sending dark red slush all over the ground. She drug her heel through the dirt in a wide arc until she came full circle. "Kayakujutsu!" A giant explosion rumbled the entirety of Toqilin, and as the smoke clears Kali was nowhere to be found.
(Three blocks east.)
The ground shook under the hooves of the three squads. "What was that?" The blue one yelled.
"What ever it was it was huge."
"I gathered that much,"
Li looked down and saw the officers and signaled Hanna to stay hidden. "You can't go in there,"
"Li why are you here?"
"I can't let you go she'll kill you."
"She?"
"Yes She will kill you without a second thought." Hanna was going to take no chances and revealed herself. "I must stop you here, there will be no arguing go home to your families,"
"What makes you think we'd listen to a freak like you?"
"Because I can do this. Kage Bunshin No Jutsu!" With that several copies of Hanna surrounded the officers. "Leave her to me," She paused as a sharp pain shot through her head, her outward reaction was nothing more than an eye twitch. "Go now!" The officers were a little frightened by the sudden outnumbering and the outburst, and turned to return to their homes.
"Li I cannot allow you to come any further."
"But,"
"I will come for you in the morning,"
"She'll kill you, you said so yourself."
"You have my word, I will come for you."
"I'll hold you to that." Li walked off head lowered and tears in his eyes.
"Did you have to lie to him?" One Hanna asked another.
"I didn't, I am fully confident that Grandfather's teachings will at least help to capture her."
"But still, the fact remains, that dark presence with her, it could be possible,"
"I have already taken that into consideration, and it seems like they are on different terms."
"You do realize that,"
"I'm talking to myself yes."
"Okay," The other Hannas disappeared into thin air.
Hanna swung from a lamppost and vaulted onto a rooftop.
(Death Valley.)
Deep underground there lies a very dark place, the walls were made of cold metal. A cold air filled the entire complex, a young man tossed and turned in his bed he was having nightmares again. "Martin!" He could hear his mother's voice screaming for him. The last time he saw her was months ago, before he was taken. A loud blaring jolted him from his slumber.
"Proximity Alert," He rolled out of bed and ran to check the camera feeds. He saw nothing but desert and rocks. "Must've been another lizard, get my hopes up then shoot me out of the sky." He plopped down into his armchair then something caught his eye. The date stamp on the camera. 11/14/4012... "That's impossible forty-twelve," He bit his finger and thought, he looked down and found wires attached to his person. "I've been in suspended animation for 1820 years."
He quickly ripped them out and put on his headset. "This is Death Valley Outpost, HQ, do you read?" He heard nothing but static. "Is there any one on this frequency, Over," Nothing. "Answer me Dammit!" He shuffled through frequencies to no avail. "Goddammit!" He slammed his fist on the desk.
The screen next to him lit up. "If you are seeing this, then we lost the war." A somewhat familiar face appeared on it. "It may be possible that whoever gets this message, is not human."
"Not Human," Martin chewed at his knuckles.
"However if Martin is alive and is watching this, you must journey to Apalachia Outpost."
"Appalachia Outpost what could be there?" The video cuts out. "Well it's a long way to Appalachia from here. So I better get started." He shook off the whole not Human thing and walked to his closet. He pushed a button and the door slid to the left, and opened to his favorite wardrobe Black jeans, white t-shirt, and black leather jacket. He quickly slipped into his outfit, and walked to the door. He paused wondering if he really should do what the Professor asked. "Meh why not, he never steered me wrong before."
The door sensed motion and opened to a face full of sand. He spit out the gritty Death Valley Desert sand and found his old garage. "Please let it be here." He pressed his thumb to the scanner and the door slid upward. A tarp was draped over something. He stepped in and whipped the tarp off. "Thank God, did you miss me." He hugged his motorcycle. "Of course you did." He swung his leg over it and placed his feet in the rests. He slammed his foot and the motor began to pur like a kitten, no growl like a jaguar. "Hell yeah baby, Wagons East!" He tore out of the garage and whipped onto the highway.
(Appleloosa.)
A strange man in a cloak steps out of the glare of the sunrise. Tumble weeds crossed his path and he could hear harmonicas but he did not know what they were. One creature was brave enough to speak up to him. "What are you?" The small buffalo asked curious about the tall creature that entered her town.
"You could say I'm a wanderer, and did you just talk?"
"Well yes, I am known as Little Strongheart." She was taken aback by his lack of a grasp on the situation. "And you are?"
"Kai," The man towered above her by several feet, and his mouth never moved. A very light green stallion stepped next to Strongheart. "And this is?" He remained silent.
"Braeburn," She elbowed his side. "Be nice." He looked at her with a 'Really?' look.
"Wow you're quite the conversationalist." Kai shrugged his shoulders and scoffed. "Dammit Gilda."
"Welcome to Appleloosa Kai,"
"Thank you for your hospitality Strongheart."
"It is no problem,"
"Apparently it is for him."
"He's not used to outsiders, after all it took him a week to get used to me." She put an upward affliction on her sentence, which made Braeburn blush. This made Kai think, but the only thing he could come up with was 'to each their own.'
"Well I thought I could find a place to stay for the night and to find some food here,"
"Well we'd be happy to give you a place to stay for the night, and some food to eat. As long as you don't eat us."
"No strictly vegetarian,"
"Phew, that's good I was afraid you were a Wendigo,"
"A What Digo?"
"A Wendigo, Buffalo legends say that there are a few creatures that are cannibals, and they anger the Great Spirit so much that they are changed into monsters."
"Like Werewolves?"
"Kinda, but Wendigo's are forever cursed, day and night."
"It must be hard for them." Kai sympathised with the legendary creatures, he felt like every creature was afraid of him. But this one known as Strongheart, had the courage to ask his name. He knew if he were in her situation he'd try to run away.
(Las Pegas.)
"Las Pegas," Martin whipped around the sunset streets of Sin City, but he felt something was wrong. "No cars, no motorcycles, not even people." He scanned the neons for any sign of life and found one, El Caballo Boracho "The Drunken Horse? Sounds promising," He parked his Cycle in the alley. "Now Harley, don't leave this spot. I'll be right back." Martin still felt uneasy about Sin City being practically deserted. He put his hands into his jacket pockets and walked around the corner and into the bar. The atmosphere was typical for a place full of deadbeats.
"Give me another Jose," A female voice shouted as a glass slammed against a table.
"I think you've had enough G." The barkeep seemed to be a reptile hybrid of some sort and sported a lovely Spanish accent.
"Jose Cuervo?"
"That's my name, and how can I help you?"
"I need some information."
"What kind of Information fleshy?" His feeble attempt at an insult made Martin laugh.
"Why are the streets void of life?"
"It's still the week yet, this place ain't much for day life."
"So Sin City's still one for the night life."
"Gimme another dammit." The woman shouted catching Martin's attention. He turned not to find a scantily clad dunken woman, but a Lion Eagle hybrid, or Gryphon.
"You know what, fine but if I have to carry you out again, so help me."
"You'll what, take me home, Fuck you, I don't need your charity, I'm just here for the beer."
"Well put my fine feathered friend, one for me as well."
"What're you looking at punk, you wanna go a few rounds."
"Why should a beautiful lady like yourself be in a place like this, No offense."
"Some taken,"
"Try to smooth talk me all you want, I ain't soft."
"Let's start over with a name, I'm Martin Fredrico de la Deltore."
"Gilda,"
"Where are you from Gilda?"
"Oh here, there, everywhere, never found a place to nest."
"Could it be that maybe," Martin grabs her chin and pries her away from her teary beer to get a closer look in her eyes. "You've never found someone to nest with?" Her eyes did nothing but stare back into his. "I can tell you have a broken heart, but" He paused a moment to choose his next words carefully. "It wasn't broken by a loved one."
"How did you know?" She sobered up in an instant.
"The eyes are a gateway into the soul, however troubled it may be. You feel worthless, don't you?" She nodded. "You have no reason to sulk, everyone needs help eventually."
"But,"
"Buts are for sitting." This comment made Gilda smile. "There's that smile keep your chin up, if you want I could help you with this."
"I don't think you could help,"
"Am I not cool enough, am I unfit to hang wit yo crew?"
"Well, if ya don't got anything better to do."
"Then it's settled you are coming with me."
"Woah there Speedy, at least buy me dinner first." She took that older sister tone Martin knew well.
"Well if you insist,"
"We'll see,"
"Ooh I think she likes me, I coulda danced all night, I coulda danced all night."
I opened my eyes as the sun crept in through the window. Zecora was fast asleep under the blanket, her head rested on the pillow. Her mane was limp and strewn out. I thought it best not to wake her, and slowly rolled off the bed. I made my way to the window, and looked out upon the place I once knew as Camelot. The gardens were as lush as they were two thousand years ago. Zecora stirred awake and stretched in the bed. "Good morning my Shining Knight, I trust you slept well last night."
"When I got around to it." I sighed with a smile, as a knocking fell upon the door. "One moment," I opened the Armoire and found a robe, and put it on tying it shut. "Come in." A beautiful mare came in in a frilly black outfit, with some folded clothes.
"Sir Malicious, here are some fresh linens." She set them down on the nightstand and bowed.
"My thanks,"
"Au revoir."
"Au revoir," I replied as she left. "Sir Malicious," I walked to the nightstand, and looked at the linens, pure white leggings, with gryphon heraldry on the coat back. "These linens are fit for a king." I felt honored that such fine craftsmanship was given to a commoner like myself. They breathed like the finest silk that Uncle Arthur would import from the east. I found a ribbon and tied back my hair. I couldn't help but feel proud yesterday I awoke in rags and in a strange place, but now I am living like a King, I stood and modeled for her.
"My Knight who's heart does shine, I must say you look more than fine." Her mysterious mannerisms were quite charming. She rolled out of the bed and went to style her mane.
"You come from the Southlands don't you?"
"While I have a strange way of mouth, I do not hail from your South."
"You are indeed beautiful,"
"I can say you are as well, Ice to the Eskimos your looks could sell."
"Shall we be on our way?" She smiled and nodded. "Let's gauge the damage that our friend did to the wolves." I opened the door, and stood face to face with the White Princess. "Good morrow Princess."
"I trust you both slept well?"
"When we got around to it."
"Lovely, I was wondering if you would join us for breakfast, before I show you the archives."
"Thank you for asking, We would most certainly love to join you."
"Follow me please, I usually let my Sister sleep in, but she has taken quite a liking to your personality."
"Looks like You'll have some competition," I patted Zecora's head.
"The best memories are made where, there are ones who love to share."
"Where have you been all my life?"
"When you find one so perfect for yourself, it's best not to put them on the top shelf."
"Wait here," Celestia knocked on a door I remembered well, my old room. I would sleep there when father was out on crusades with the other Round table knights. The door opened and Luna walked out in a night gown.
"Sister why are you waking me so early, it is only nine o' clock."
"I could have woken you upon sunrise." Luna yawned and stretched like a lion, and cracked her neck.
"Good morning, Shining Knight will you two be joining us for breakfast?"
"Yes,"
"Give me a moment," Luna retreated back into her room and came out a moment later wearing a large sapphire necklace. "Now we can leave." She had gone from tired and groggy to blushing and beautiful in seconds. I kneel down and throw Zecora onto my shoulders, she got comfortable and Celestia led the way to the food providence. We sat at a rather large table complete with padded chairs.
"I feel obligated to ask, how did two Allicorns become the rulers of Camelot?"
"It was about seventeen-hundred years ago, the Equestrians stood side by side with the humans, living in a time of peace but something strange happened, an alien disease that affected the humans only."
"Without any knowledge of how to use their complex technology it was lost to the progression of time."
"So you opted for magic,"
"Precisely."
"What makes you different from all other Equestrians, other than your stature."
"For some peculiar reason the alien virus did more than kill off the humans, it stopped time, the sun never moved, and the moon never rose, we were stuck in eternal twilight, then we read about the gods Susano'o, Amaterasu, Helios, and Selene and their abilities to move the sun and moon."
"We took the responsibility of marching time on."
"So you raise the sun, and you raise the moon, who taught you the spells?"
"Starswirl the Bearded. The human you described shared several similarities with him."
"Merlin, you time travelling son of a she-wolf."
"Time travelling?" A brown stallion, overheard and interrupted. "Who time travels?"
"Time Turner, how have you been?"
"Yes, answer the question please."
"Merlin, an old friend of mine."
"I haven't seen another human in years."
"And you are?"
"I have to leave, i'll be back in ten seconds." He trotted around a corner and a man came walking back around exactly ten seconds after.
"I am the Doctor, if you know Merlin that means you know Arthur, how did you survive the virus, who are you, where are you from." This man was bombarding me with questions.
"I don't know who you are, but if you mind, I was going to find out."
"I'd like to hear this."
"Anyway," Celestia continued. "While I don't know how you survived, after we began to raise the sun and moon each day and night our power made the citizens believe we were fit to rule, and we took the responsibility to heart. we had our share of close calls but the Elements of Harmony have never failed."
"Elements of Harmony?"
"They are the core of our power, Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Laughter, Kindness, and Magic."
"The requisite for any knight, to make it past squire, minus the laughter part." A breakfast fit for five kings was served before each one of us, comprising of crab, eggs, and smoked salmon. It had been years since I had even smelled such delicacies let alone have them served to me. The princesses began eat their food which was levitated to their mouths. "I thought Equines were vegetarian." The salmon melted in my mouth, and I could taste the birch it was smoked on. The eggs were boiled, and went down easy in two bites. The crab meat was delicious but it lacked the certain flair that I remember having as a child.
"Whoever gave you that idea?" Luna asked between bites of her lobster, that she had ordered special.
"I fed the horses in the stables oats every morning."
"Well, you tend to get tired would you say, of something given everyday." Zecora made a good point.
"Well I must be off," The Doctor man waved to the waiter. "Oh Garcon, can I get a doggy bag?" The waiter came and took his food and came back shortly after with a box. "Grazi," He stood and bowed. "I shall see you later." He walked off and around the same corner, a few seconds later the same brown stallion trotted off.
"I thought you said humans were extinct."
"He is by no means human."
"So the archives, they are in the south wing, correct?"
"Yes, they are."
"I know my way around, if you wouldn't mind could you tell me where you train the guardsmen, i can see you turned the armory into an eatery."
"The west wing, ask for Shining Armour,"
"Thank you both for the wonderful meal." I bowed and headed for the south wing. The paintings had changed but I could still navigate the halls with ease, I had forgotten how large the castle was. After a few moments I found the library door cracked open and that Twilight pony inside fast asleep using a tome for a pillow. I decided not to wake her and began searching for any tome that could explain my situation. "Time travel spells, close but not quite,"
"I believe you are looking for this," A rather large creature knocked Twilight to the floor and handed me the tome. Kinder- und Hausmärchen "The Tale of the Little Snow White may hold an answer." I heeded the creature's words and looked for the tale of Little Snow White. Evil mother no, Dwarves no, tight lace no, poison comb no, Poisoned apple, After taking a bite she fell into a deep sleep, until a prince falls in love with her, upon convincing the dwarves to let him have her, the servants trip and cause the piece of apple to dislodge and she was awoken. Twilight's eyes opened as she stood to shake herself awake. The creature vanished as suddenly as it appeared.
"My head," she groaned as she massaged where the table had hit her. "I must've fallen asleep again."
"Good morning,"
"What's so great about it?" I could tell she was tired, and frustrated. "I stayed up all night, and I didn't find anything that shed any light on your situation."
"Read this," I set down the tome on the floor before her. "You were using this as a pillow."
"Poison?"
"It may be, but I have no way to be sure, if it was an apple there would be a tree in my home at this very moment."
"It's a possibility, but who would want to poison you?"
"I have an idea."
"It doesn't matter now,"
"Who?" Twilight pleaded.
"My Uncle,"
"Why would our uncle try to kill you."
"He wasn't that nice, and one night I overheard him thinking out loud."
Clarvious leaned against the doorway. "So you are informed enough to crusade with me?"
"What for?"
"It appears that there are others among us." He held up a paper with a drawing on it. "It seems that there are two creatures in a place called Toqilin. that bear a striking resemblance to our women."
"Where is this Toqilin?"
"The Far East, edge of the world."
"We will need someone familiar with that territory."
"That Daring Do Woman may be able to help."
"You like her don't you?"
"that's absurd."
"Is it?" Twilight and I looked at him with raised eyebrows and waited for an answer.
"She has a genuine interest in foreign culture, and as a former ambassador to the east I have the right to say their customs are unquestionably different from ours."
"You have thought your excuse through." Twilight giggled.
"Think whatever you want, I will be waiting for you at the settlement known as Ponyville." He left in a huff.
"Woof."
"So you're leaving?"
"After I meet with this Shining Armour, whoever he is."
"He's my brother."
"Is that so?"
"He's the Guard Captain."
"Interesting, he must be quite the knight. Could you introduce us?"
"Of course," Twilight said with a smile and showed me to the training grounds.
(Apploosa.)
Kai stretched his arms and yawned as the sun shone through the leaves of the apple tree he had spent the night under. The chirping of birds fell to his ears. His whole life he had been taught to wage war, and he felt slightly out of place. His mask laid on the ground by his hand. He placed the mask back over his face and stood. "Time to say goodbyes." He sighed as he left the orchard and went into town. Sheriff Silver Star gave him the Stink eye. Silver star seemed suspicious of the masked man. All Kai could do was nod in his direction. Kai walked past and arrived at the door to Braeburn's house but he heard something he didn't want to. His imagination ran wild trying to shut out the obscene images that popped into his head. He decided he needed tea, lots of soothing tea.
(Las Pegas.)
Martin had stayed up all night drinking with Gilda. She had passed out after twenty minutes. Jose was surprised that he could hold his liquor so well, here he was five hours after last call barely buzzed. "So Jose, what's your story, you obviously know a lot about living."
"Not much to tell, I was born six hundred years ago, before today I'd never seen a human."
"How long have humans been y'know."
"Seventeen,"
"Seventeen hundred years, long time."
"Yeah,"
"You must be a Drakon."
"Yes I am,"
"What's the best way to sober her up?" Gilda was fast asleep drooling her claw still wrapped around a half empty bottle of, Martin couldn't help but chuckle, Dos Eques.
"I got a spark shooter,"
"Perfect, throw it here." Jose smiled and obliged. "I hope it's still here." Martin reached in his left inside pocket, pulling out a square with a handle. "My good old gun, exchange the blaster cartridge with the spark shooter." Martin took aim after doing so. "And fire." A blue light shot out of it and Gilda began convulsing. She opened her eyes and rubbed her head. "Good morning."
"What's good about it?"
"I dunno," Martin shrugged his shoulders. "I have some business to attend to in," He paused for a moment to look at a map. "Apploosa?"
"Apploosa,"
"Yes and you're coming with me."
"Why would I?" Her question was answered by Martin's gun placed flush to her head between her eyes.
"Does Gryphon taste like Chicken or Lion?"
"That's a pretty good reason." Martin holstered his weapon with a smile and walked out the door with her.
(Training Arena.)
Twilight had shown me to the training grounds where her brother was instructing several squires. We kindly waited for the lesson to be over, which didn't take long. After he dismissed them he motioned for us to come closer. "So who's your friend?"
"This is Shining Knight, he used to live here."
"Really, he seems a bit scrawny to be a knight."
"You want to test me?"
"Why not?"
"X-Calibur, To me!" A spark lit up the sky above my hand as the very fabric of space was cut open, and through the rift my blade did appear. "Forever the sword shall sing, Do not ask for whom the bell doth ring."
(Apploosa.)
"What was that!" A female voice shouted in Kai's Head causing him to drop his tea."It's here?We gotta get there now!"
"Where?"
"I don't know what it's called, but I know where it is."
(Training Grounds.)
"Both of you knock it off!" Twilight had light shifted between us. "We have more important things to do than stand here trying to kill each other!"
"Fine," Armour sheathed his blade as did I.
"Merde," I was so looking forward to this engagement.
"Good, we're on the same side. Armour have you been in contact with Toqilin P.D. lately?"
"No, but Cloudsdale P.D. keeps close tabs on all their affiliates, they'll be able to shine more light on the situation than I can."
"Thanks.
(Las Pegas.)
Martin led Gilda to the alley where he had left Harley, His bike was surrounded by ponies. "Hey get away from my Bike!" The loud outburst scared them out of their skins, and they scrambled for cover as he sat on the bike seat. Strangely it roared to life almost instantly. Gilda hid behind a trashcan with the other ponies. "See what you foals did, you made her angry." He traced the dash and a square hole opened. He slid his gun inside it.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN! A female voice emanated from the motorcycle and she sounded angry.
"Calm down."
It's been damn near 1850 years!"
"I know, I'm sorry."
"I'd punch you if I had any arms."
"I love you too Harlei."
"Don't take that tone with me."
"I need your help."
"Damn right, now let me access... Shit the satellites are down."
"Las Vegas, Nevada. but that map states the the Pangaea contingency went off without a hitch."
"What's the Pangaea contingency?" Gilda asked after she gained the courage to come out from behind the trashcan.
Who's your girlfriend?"
"The Pangaea Contingency was a last ditch effort, to return Earth to it's original state before the split. While keeping the individual climate states intact. The Arctic would stay frozen, The Sahara would remain a paradise for cold-bloods. A way to Unite Earth's forces literally and metaphorically."
"There would be only one reason to enact the plan,"
"A threat to the galaxy."
(Apploosa.)
Little Strong Heart finds Kai pouring another cup of tea from a fresh pot. "Good morning."
"Good morning," He replied. "I'll be leaving soon."
"Oh well, here." She hoofed him a paper. "Breaburn wanted me to give you this."
"An invitation to the Apple family reunion?"
"They have one twice a year, if you're going through Ponyville give that to Applejack she'll give you a place to stay for a while."
"Thanks but I don't think I'll be going there."
"Yes we are. We really need to work on your people skills."
"I just remembered, I do have business there."
(Las Pegas.)
"Hold on a minute, a threat to the Galaxy?" Gilda was unconvinced. "There's nobody out there."
"Okay let's say you're right, what makes soldiers band together?" Martin crossed his legs and took a psychiatrist point of view and a slight Austrian accent.
"A common Enemy,"
"Now if all the soldiers on an entire planet stood together who is the common enemy?"
"Aliens."
"Correct, plus the creatures all over the Galaxy stood by the humans, The Drakons from Mercury, through the Equestrians of Uranus. After that it was changed to Poseidon,"
"Who was the threat?"
"I was put under before I could find out."
"What do we do now?"
"Appalachia outpost, we might be able to get the info there."
"Apploosa's on the other side of Ghastly Gorge." Gilda said.
"What the Hell is Ghastly Gorge? And where is Apploosa?"
"Remind me to Try to hack the VLA while we're in New Mexico. She means the Outpost is on the other side of the Grand Canyon. Did you know it was a mobile base?"
"I feel like an idiot."
"It runs in the family, let's ride." Martin picked up Gilda by the scruff of her neck and gently placed her on the bike.
"So what's your name?" Harlei asked.
"Gilda," She was still a little hesitant to answer.
"Obviously you've met my brother Marty,"
"What happened to you?"
"It's a long story." Martin sighed.
"I'm a little fuzzy on the details myself."
(July 4, 2185.)
It was Independance Day I had just turned twenty and was off to join The LRT. Everything was going fine until after I landed. The lab was empty and some kind of interference was jamming communications with Earth. I feared the worst so I went to the armory and loaded up. The scanners picked up movement after hours of silence, but it wasn't human, at least not entirely. X-od an advanced polymer that had the ability to shape itself into any form desired by the programmer. But it needed to be in near zero gravity, for density, and expansion property testing. Someone must've reprogrammed the polymer to be parasitic. The entire Lunar Research Team had been exposed to X-od and were turned into monsters.
I was the only wall between them and Earth, and I wasn't going down any time soon. The Earth Forces sent search parties but before they could get to me they were taken by X-od. After three months I finally got the transmitter working and sent out the warning. But they assured me that the best warrior they had was being sent up to bring me home. I begged them not to send any more reinforcements but they insisted on sending you Harlei. We actually held our own until we got to the Hanger and found our ship completely gutted. I blacked out after that, later I woke up on a table, next to me was Harlei's lifeless body on another one. A familiar face appeared with an eat shit grin over me, Crystal Wilkes my girlfriend.
Crystal had completely changed, she used to be nice. But something happened to her. "Happy birthday." Her voice was garbled almost cybernetic. Her blonde hair was then I have to admit a very sexy shade of dark green. Her skin was charcoal black with hunter green circuitry all over like tattoos. Her emerald eyes still had the same twinkle as the day we first met. "I've been trying to talk to you for three months."
"Why didn't you just say so?"
"I thought I did, filling the entire base with little rats for you to exterminate, I figured sooner or later you'd look for me."
"What happened to you?"
"The X-od happened, after the testing of it's ability to Alchemise was a complete success the scientists thought that maybe it could be used not only to repair buildings but also flesh and bone. Weeks of meticulous animal experimentation proposed mixed results. The amount of Bio-radiation caused the subjects to mutate. it made them stronger, faster, smarter."
"But gave them a sense of Megalomania."
"Correct, they asked for my Entomology experience to find a way of calming them with several mixes of hormones and pheromones, giving them complete control of their own devices." She went on to say that Harlei had a fatal injury she had sustained against the X-od LRT and that she had transferred Harlei's mind into a computer.
(Route 60.)(Present.)
"How'd you get off the Moon?" Gilda asked over the loud motor and wind.
"For the life of me I can't remember much after that. It'll take some time to remember. I'm 1847 years old I'm damn lucky to not have Alzheimers."
"I can't believe it, after all the shit I put her through she still saved my life."
"I told you I'm a great judge of character." He kept watch on the roads. "There's our first destination."Martin pulled over at a large satellite complex. "If I'm right the Lunar Array might still be functional and if they are I might be able to piggy-back off them and hopefully get GPS Alpha up and running."
That's a pretty big if Marty."
"In the words of Steven Tyler, I'm livin' on the edge. Get you're hopes up, maybe we'll find you a ManneKin."
"You think so?" Harlei seemed happy after hearing this.
"What's a ManneKin?"
"A Mechanized Apparatus Neural Network Engine Kinetic Interface, essentially a body made of metal I could reprogram it to take an AI,"
"An AI?" Gilda's IQ level annoyed Martin.
"OH God, Is everyone here that low-tech?" Martin took his gun out of the dash loaded it. He took out an earpiece and put in a micro-chip. "Okay gotta calm down, Harlei can you hear me?"
"Yeah loud and clear, hey what's that, a peanut? Nope it's your brain."
"Alright let's get in there." Martin strafed up the stairs keeping his gun readied on the door.
"The security here's got to be pretty tight, the panel has to be around here somewhere."
"Or I could just do this." Martin grabbed the knob and turned it, the door creaked open. "It's called a door knob Big Sister"
"Megabyte my ass." She replied through the earpiece.
"Alright we're going weapons hot, no tellin' what's in there. Gilda take this." Martin pulled another gun off his back and tossed it to her. This one was considerably bigger and had a green tinge of light across it. "Works like a crossbow with automatic reload. Aim and shoot."
"Got it." Gilda took off the safety, and pulled the levers and flipped the switches relatively quickly.
"I go in first, cover me,"
"Right."
"You ready, Harlei."
"Let's do this...
"LEEERRRROOOYYY JENKIIIIINS!!!!!!!!" Martin shouted as he ran in.
Martin rolled through the door and fired at a strange creature and it fell limp. It must have been the only one because he heard no other movement. "Clear, but keep your wits about you!" He found a light switch and flipped it on. The generators took a moment to kick themselves into gear and bring the room to life. He went back to the body which had stayed motionless. What laid at his feet seemed familiar. He knelt down and once he saw it's face, his went white.
"What's wrong?" Gilda ran in and found Martin on his knees and looking like he saw a ghost.
"It's an X-od."
(Ponyville.)
Clarvious had found his way to Carousel Boutique the home of the one known as Rarity. He wanted to see how she had done in reforming his pack. He knocked on the door and it was promptly opened by his son Shepherd now, like the others, in human form. "Oh Mademoiselle are you home!" Clarvious shouted.
"I'm in here," Rarity replied. Shepherd led his father to the back of the shop. "Good morning Monsieur Moonfang, I trust you slept well."
"I did,"
"I couldn't bear to see them in such rags, I had to bring them all here for a brand new wardrobe. But I must admit your clothing seems splendid where ever did you attain it?"
"My wife made it."
"Where is she?"
"Home,"
"Why isn't she here?"
"She's pregnant."
"Oh that's nice, it's good to have a family to go back to."
"These things are cool," A small Unicorn filly slid down the banister and landed in Clarvious' arms. "Sorry."
"Sweetie Belle how many times do I have to tell you."
"If you slid down the banister, stick the landing with finesse." The filly groaned. "So who's this?"
"This is Clarvious."
"His mane is so soft and silky." Sweetie climbed over his broad shoulders and looked through his hair and back. "So is this an Earth Human?"
"Earth Human?" Clarvious was a little confused.
"Yeah three kinds Earth, Pegasus, and Unicorn, that's what we go by." Before Rarity could tell her that all humans were the same Clarvious answered.
"Humans are a bit more complicated, Our Unicorns are called Magi, our Pegasi are called Angels, and our Earth Humans are just Humans."
"Which one are you?"
"I would say I'm a Magi."
"Where's your horn?"
"That depends on what your horn is."
"It's what lets us use our magic."
"Humans have vast amounts of energy stored inside them, but it takes special training to harness it. The eastern peoples used their minds and special movements to harness their magic called Chi. Using it to strengthen their muscles and extend it out through their arms and legs." He paused for a moment. "The ones from the south had herbs and potions that they created to heal and enhance their own bodies."
"Like Zecora."
"I however use a combination of what they called Tai Chi, and this." He shows Sweetie Belle his Lunar Diamond Pendent.
"What is Knight?" Rarity asked.
(Outside Carousel.)
"Yes what am I?" I wanted to know what he thought of me.
"An Angel," He replied. "You have the purest soul of any creature I have ever met."
"That is nice of you to say."
"But where are his wings?" The filly jumped off of his shoulders and onto mine. "If you're an Angel where are they?" She walked all over me strangely sticking to my clothing. "Nope not here,"
"Sweetie Belle, where did you learn to do that?"
"Twilight gave me a book of basic spells, this one is a level two levitation spell. Nope can't find them anywhere."
"That's because I'm hiding them."
(VLA NM.)
"You mean those things on the moon?" Gilda kept the blaster readied in case of an ambush. Her Gryphon instincts must have taken hold.
"The X-od must have followed us back."
(October 31 2185.)
As I came to the realization a big flash of light blurred my vision. "Get him on the table stat we need to get this thing out of him before it takes over completely." I heard voices as I watched light after light pass by. "It's too late he needs to be quarantined."
"What's going on?" I manage to ask.
"No he's waking up, get him in there now." They threw me in a small room.
"Contact the World Leaders, engage the Pangaea Contingency, we've screwed ourselves royally."
"I'm the threat to the Galaxy. By bringing the X-od back to earth, It's all my fault."
"Marty calm down, Crystal would've brought it to Earth anyway."
"You don't know that."
"I do, the years of loneliness would have gotten to her and she would've come back down anyway."
"I hate to ruin the touching moment but this thing is still alive." Gilda flipped it over and it opened it's eyes. "Talk or I'll blow your brains out!"
"Okay whadaya wanna know?" The creature held up his hands and asked with a Bronx accent.
"What are you doing here?"
"Stakin' out da scene makin' sure nobody's gonna try and figure out shit they shouldn't know."
"Who do you work for!" Martin lunged at the X-od and pinned it up against the wall.
"I don't know his name okay, I'm just the middle man."
"How does he contact you?"
"He jacks our brains man, implants instructions subconsciously, gives us payment incognito, he's a mystery. Nobody knows who he is." Martin grew angry and his eyes grew dark green.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you;" Martin placed his gun flush to it's head.
"Don't do it Martin!" Gilda grabbed at his arm.
"I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna blow his God damn head clean off." Martin's voice grew panicky, as his hand began shaking beads of sweat fell down his brow. "You're gonna die and no one's gonna care," The X-od's life began flashing before it's eyes, as the grip of reality finally caught him. This guy was crazy, and that somebody was going to die. Martin let out a nervous laugh, as he pulled tighter on the trigger.
"I-I-I-I'll talk, just don't blow m-m-my brains out." The X-od stuttered.
"Give me an answer, my trigger finger's starting to itch."
"He goes by C. he deals through middlemen, backtracks, and leaves no paper trail."
"How does that help me?"
"Whatever's here he didn't want anyone to find it, he's gotta be afraid of something. Whatever it was he made it clear that no one sees it."
"Martin." Gilda turned around and dropped her jaw.
"What?"Martin turned his head still keeping his gun trained on the X-od. "Mother of God." A large Glowing green pod was hanging from the ceiling. "Gilda get him out of here,"
"Are you nuts, that thing'll hatch any minute."
"I'm not worried about that one." Martin brought his gun back in front of him and grabbed the blaster from Gilda. "It's them I'm worried about." Martin lifted his gun and the X-od fell to the ground scared out of his mind.
"We've got multiple hostiles enroute. ETA five minutes."
"Slag it." Martin ran to a console and began typing.
Search Martin Wildes
.....
....
...
..
.
Martin Wildes (Deceased.)
Age 27.
COD: Natural Causes.
"Natural Causes My Ass, Typical GCU."
Search Crystal Wilkes
.....
....
...
..
.
Crystal Wilkes(Missing.)
Age Unknown.
Presumed Dead.
"Are you sure this is the best way to use our time?"
"You know we can't run from X-ods, they're the perfect killing machines, ruthless, night and day
"He knows, everything Man!" The X-od Shouted. "He's gonna Kill all of us!"
"Shut up, make yourself useful. Barricade the door." Martin took the Blaster and set it on the console. "Override Command 666."
Command Acknowledged Firewall Activated. Ran across the computer screen.
"What will that do?"
"That'll give us a few hours,"
"Anything that crosses the barrier line will be burnt to a crisp unless one of two things happens, the first they have a firewall of their own that's stronger, or they can withstand temperatures above 600 degrees Kelvin." Martin walked to the wall and flipped a switch, causing the wall panel to fall forward revealing hundreds of random shapes. "This is enough fire power to take out several flag ships. Harlei I'm plugging you into the mainframe, send out an SOS, better make it Morse code. Considering how low-tech everyone is."
"Wait can you send it in a high frequency?" Gilda asked.
"What are you getting at?" Martin Took the earpiece at plugged it into the computer. A female face came onto the screen.
"There's a Dragon that I know who might can get help."
"Should I send it on a Drakon Frequency?"
"Go Ahead they're the only ones that can help."
"Transmitting now."
(Ponyville)
Spike came running down the spiral staircase. "This is big!" He shouted as he stopped before me. "We need to go!"
"Slow down Spike what's wrong?" Twilight heard the shouting and came from across the way.
"Someone's in trouble,"
"Who?"
"Gilda!"
"G?" Rainbow Dash flew down through a cloud. "What has she gotten into this time?"
"They're near Las Pegas surrounded by stange creatures with the intent to kill."
"They?"
"She's with two humans, they only have a few hours."
"How do you know this?" Lady Dash asked confused.
"I'm afraid we have to postpone the Crusade, my friend." I placed my hand on Clarvious' shoulder.
"No Worries,"
"But Las Pegas is two days away on hoof, and ten hours by train."
"How long by wing?" My Shoulders ripped through again and my black feathers found their way through the holes made for them.
"An hour and a half." Rainbow Dash smiled.
"Lady Dash and I will take Spike and rescue them,"
"They're so pretty." Sweetie Belle sat in the window looking on in awe.
"If we do not return by nightfall send word to the Princesses."
(Toqilin.)
"I lost him," Kali laid on a rooftop panting. "That took a lot of energy."
"I'm sure it did," Sombra's voice still lingered in the air. "Everything has a shadow, only made stronger by shining light on it. Your Grandfather knew this, so did Hanzo." Kali rolled to dodge Kunai that ripped through the roof. "Even Akechi Mitsuhide fell victim to the shadows and betrayed his master."
"You are not the shadow I was told to follow, you are no more than a tool, an extension of a man who has been lost. You are a weapon, nothing more nothing less." A shadow man stepped onto the roof and clapped his hands.
"You have passed the test,"
"Grandfather?" She seemed surprised as Sombra slid through the tiles on the roof, taking once again the form of the Unicorn and stood next to the man.
"I admit that we were worried, that after all this time you had forgotten your roots." The Shadow man knelt down next to her. "This is not the time to forget, you must stay true to the teachings the have been passed on. They are the only things that set you apart from these invaders from the stars."
"Ninjitsu and Bushido, are very much alive, It appears that Japan has stayed steadfast in it's ways."
"You may reveal yourself." Kotaro shouted. "Both of you." As he turned Hanna crawled onto the roof. "And where is Hanzo?" At the Shadow mans call a slender figure appeared next to Hanna. "Now is not the time for battle though I regret to say."
"It pains me to say I agree. our past must be put aside."
"The calm before the storm, is upon us."
"What storm?"
"The Battle for Earth, Heaven fallen, Hell raised,"
"The End of Days." Sombra finished. "Truthfully, I at one point tried to hasten the process. I still wish to, the top of the world holds the most powerful artifact known to any kind. With it the Equestrians as so they call themselves, have veiled the true condition of the world and shown the inhabitants false hope."
"The true condition of this land is far from what they are led to believe. There is only one who can help us." Kotaro shuddered at the mere thought of working with Hanzo once more. "He is known as, Ronin."
(Hokkaido.)
A man stands in a cherry orchard gripping tight to the sheath of his blade, his long black hair flowing in the wind as the blossoms fall to the ground. He is joined by a Stallion who seems to respect him. "Kon'nichiwa Bushi."
"How goes your search?" Bushi stood 10 hands high, making him almost the size of a full grown. His blood red fur almost completely covered in armor like the man. His mane was black and fell down well past his shoulders.
"No matter where I turn, I still find myself with more questions. What purpose do I now serve, it is no longer a fact of honor. It is pride which I seek, an answer to all my questions but I would settle for just one."
"What you ask is nigh impossible, unless you have the right connections. My father may have such connections."
"After all you have told, he appears to be quite the man, among horses." The Samurai laughed, as they embarked on their new quest.
(VLA NM.)
Martin pieced together an advanced turret sentry, the ground began to shake as what he knew as Zerkers surrounded the complex. "They'll break through eventually," He had an unusual calm about him. "From what I gather the Polymer has evolved, judging by the ooze dripping from the egg, they've become organic."
"You can't be serious Marty, it took humans billions of years to evolve from monkeys, how could they be organic?"
"Cross-Organic Darwinism. X-OD, The parasites can not only take over their hosts they can assimilate and alchemize remember. Becoming completely organic was the goal of the research team,"
"It all makes sense now."
Firewall at fifty percent.
"That backup better get here soon." Martin wheeled in his bike. "Two laser pistols, two blaster rifles, and a Cyber-blade. The only things that can hurt them are themselves and magic. So I'm going to take them out one by one, you three cover me, got it?"
"Whatever keeps me on the trigger end."
"You can't go out there alone," Gilda grabbed Martin's arm.
"You don't have the training."
"I'm a Gryphon that's all the training I need."
"Alright don't act..."
"React."
"Harlei, we won't be able to get you a new body."
"It's fine, I'll take the motorcycle any day,"
"If things get too hot after the firewall goes down book it."
"What about you?"
"I got a Gryphon, finest warriors in the galaxy, we'll be fine. But you can't fight, even if we keep them at bay I can't guarantee the one won't slip by, and fry you."
"Marty don't die." Martin plugged Harlei into the motorcycle.
"This thing has enough firepower to carve you a path. Once clear activate the Holographic rider. Go to the Arthurian Mountain. We'll meet you there."
"But Marty."
"I lost Crystal I won't lose you!"
Firewall fifteen percent.
"Gilda, follow me,"
Warning Firewall breached,
"Let's squash some bugs." Gilda cracked her neck and claws, and readied to pounce.
"Let's make 'em Swiss."
"What the heck are those things?" The Dragonling shouted. I looked at them closely from the air, as my blade began reacting. It glowed a faint green, but the closer we were to the giants.
"I don't know the look like ten foot tall Changelings!" Lady Dash seemed to know about them and stayed the course, Coming out of the building were two creatures. A man and a Gryphon, the man was struggling to keep them at bay. "There they are!"
"Let us assist!" I dived and readied my blade.
"I've fought them before, they're stupid. easy to take out."
"But they were your size,"
"X-Calibur, to battle!" I landed back to the man. "Lord Gawain, at your service."
"You're a sight for sore eyes, I thought I was alone here." He took out a strange crossbow and fired it. Its arrows seemed to have little effect on them. "That sword work?"
"Of course."
"Then use it." He drew a black blade almost exactly like mine, instead of runes it glowed in long green lines. "Onward my brother!" His blade pulsed with magic, as it almost doubled in size. "Five for you, five for me, and five for them." He charged at the giants, almost taunting them. Long graceful strokes, carving through them, he was an artist. "Come on don't make me kill yours!"
"Dragon Bane!" X-Calibur was engulfed in a green blaze, the giants seemed to laugh. The weight of the blade added to the force of the downward slash, cleaving one in two. From that moment on they actually tried. The Cavalry Boots gave me enough speed to clear their swings, slow and lumbering they were their speed was still far greater than a human. One left itself wide open as it swung down upon me. Its folly gave me the chance to sever its massive arm, and with a quick roundabout X-Calibur ripped through its neck. With each slash X-Calibur grew more and more heated, as if this oddly colored blood reacted with it. What are these creatures, and why have they come here?
"A little help here Knight!" Lady Dash and the Gryphon were cornered.
"Lady Dash!" I burst for them hefting my blade to counter a downward slash from a bladed arm. "Are you harmed?"
"I've been hurt worse."
"That is good to hear, are you able to continue?"
"Yeah." The giant's bladed arm swung once again, but our new human ally pounced onto it and sent it to the ground.
"Y'know, let's leave one alive, I need someone to interrogate." He had pinned the giant, and sat on it.
"What is your name warrior?"
"I am Martin Wildes, from the year 2185, this is Gilda."
"Wait, your eyes," The Gryphon seemed to notice something strange about my eyes. Her eyes went wide as she bowed. "I know them anywhere. You're an Elite, you may have a human body but your soul is Gryphon 100%."
"So, how did you know to come here? Not that I don't mind the assist."
"I told them," The Dragonling appeared from behind a rock. "Something told me to come here."
"A Dragon, how old are you?"
"Seven,"
"You should be bigger,"
"I was once, I didn't like it."
"Huh, okay I got it. No time for pleasantries, we've got exactly ten minutes before the next wave. We either run or stay and fight."
"These things are pansies, I say we fight." Gilda shared Lady Dash's enthusiasm.
"I have to disagree, though the code says to fight, it says to fight honorably, you cannot fight something which you know nothing about, it may have a separate Honor code."
"These things have no Honor, they don't even have brains." Lady Dash shouted.
"What do you know about them?" Martin scoffed.
"I've taken out fifty at least, these were just bigger that's all."
"Did they have green eyes, black skin, the same size as you, incredibly stupid?"
"Yeah,"
"They always attack in waves, like sonar if they find you they send a stronger signal, the waves get stronger and stronger, until you're destroyed. That's how they killed all the humans, they hunted us down, trapped us like rats. the ones you fought were drones, weakest of the weak, these were just mutated Minotaurs."
"They didn't wipe you all out, you're here he's here, even werewolves."
"That doesn't matter they are programmed to assimilate and eradicate. They take control of a host body and create a plague designed to destroy all that fit the profile, they take control of a human slowly the plague will affect the humans and humans only. To weak to even scream the humans didn't stand a ghost of a chance."
"Then how are you still alive?"
"The only explanation is that hybrids are unaffected by the virus unless it is created with both strands of DNA." Martin looked at each of us. "I can tell this is going above all of your heads, I'll dumb it down later." He whistled. "Harlei drive through the turret. It will merge with you." A loud roaring came from inside the metal castle and a strange two wheeled chariot sped out.
"We've got hostiles coming in hot, we don't have enough firepower." The chariot spoke as he mounted it.
"Appalachia will have to wait, I need to get to Arthurian Mountain,"
"But it's ten hours by train!"
"I ain't riding a train, Harlei engage Hummer Bird." The chariot reshaped itself into a metal bird. "I'm flying, race you Pegasus."
"That thing can fly?"
"Mach ten easy."
"Wait, don't go!" A familiar voice shouted. Twilight had found her way here obviously through a teleportation spell. "Knight, something happened,"
"What?"
"Pinkie had another Doozy, we need you back ASANOW!" Whatever this Doozy was she seemed awfully concerned about it, enough to risk life and limb for such a long distance.
"You're wasting my time Kid." Martin was closed inside the bird, but he saw something. "Wait that mark, how on earth do you have that!"
"What Magic, it's my Element."
"Shit, I got to go, we'll meet again." The Metal bird blew flames from its backside and launched itself at tremendous speed."
"Where is he headed?"
"Camelot Castle."
"C'mon you guys we have to get back to Canterlot." Twilight's horn began to glow and in a flash of light we were thrown into the throne room of the castle. "Whoa, I hate it when I do that,"
"What a rush," Gilda shook herself out of her daze.
"Good day Knight, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Gilda." Celestia's ears perked up. "Do you hear that?" The roaring of the metal beast came closer. It burst through the doors and skidded to a halt. Martin stepped out and had wide eyes as he was embraced by the Princess. He kissed her forehead lovingly and laughed. "I thought I lost you,"
"I knew you lived long, but 3,000 years, you don't look a day over 200."
"Such a charmer, as always."
"Uh, I, what?" Twilight was once again speechless.
"C'est la vie," Rarity chimed in after picking her own jaw off the floor. "C'est magnifique, finally a Prince for our Princess."
"My apologies, this is Martin, we were dating before he disappeared. What happened to you?"
"I can't remember,"
"Maybe I can help?" Celestia asked.
"Be my guest." Martin turned and stretched his neck.
"This won't hurt a bit."
"It's gonna hurt a lot." Martin braced himself as she stabbed her horn into the base of hiskull. He let out a whimper as the foot long horn slowly sunk in. I have heard of magic to unlock memories or pass them on, but it always sounded painful. Celestia's eyes widened as she was thrown across the room and Martin fell to his knees.
"No, you couldn't have, why?" The Princess tured to tears. "This has to be a mistake, those memories can't be yours, they aren't yours,"
"What are you talking about, what did you see?"
"I wasn't there, at all."
(Deep in Martin's mind. )
What am I, my trip to the moon screwed me over. What happened after that is all a blur. What happened before that is a blur. The, Moon... Luna she's the answer. But what will she say when she sees me, I remember something bad happened between us but I can't remember what. The leader of the X-od might know, Crystal's most likely dead, but you don't leave an army without a leader. What the hell do I do, Pangaea, and Rosetta have already been engaged, the world's gone to shit.
I watched as he tossed and turned in the bed. Nightmares of the same severity plagued myself as well. For years I would struggle to keep my warrior's instincts in check. And for the longest time I couldn't bear to see myself in the reflection glass. My black eyes, fangs. I would lay awake at night wondering what I was, only now I found insight on my true heritage. "We should wake him up, he looks bad." Kind Fluttershy was justifiably worried for the total stranger.
"Leave him be, I must speak with the Princesses."
"But he's in pain."
"He will be fine, it is just a matter of time." Zecora placed a potion bedside. "His wit sharp, his aim never miss, will be returned when he drinks this. But now to the answers that you seek, in his dreams we can take a peek."
"How?"
(Martin's mind. )
Luna stood alone on a mountain tears in her eyes."Why did he come back, what made him change," Martin climbed up and sat beside her.
"What happened to us?"
"The darkest day,"
"New Years Eve, I can remember something bad happened, and that I remember the war but I couldn't have been there, the chemicals, everything says I was asleep since 2192."
"You were indeed there, I remember that day, like it was last night. The X-od long since renamed and legends fabricated, as not to scare the populace. That day three warriors led the charge against the alliance, Crystalisk, Nightmare, and Deceit, before Nightmare could strike the final blow Deceit lived up to his name, and struck her down. But not before doing something I don't want to remember."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Deceit then proceeded to topple the entire regime of the enemy, before disappearing. Ever since that day something felt off." She brought a hoof to her chest. "He infected me, with a virus, an organic AI."
"I know Deceit, I remember, bits and pieces."
"Sister never put it together, but one look through the visor it all made sense, to me. I couldn't bear to tell her that the one she loved was the one who was second in command of the enemy forces."
"But I didn't kill you, I saved you, that has to count for something,"
"That doesn't matter, you betrayed her, Earth, me. we were friends, you chose to serve them."
"I chose to change sides when it counted."
I couldn't help but wonder, as I watched the Sun Princess finish her work, why she had called me to an audience. She set aside the last of the scrolls and I sat myself across from her, on a rather large pillow. "I wanted to talk in private, about where you found him."
"I do not know the particulars, Lady Dash would know where."
"I'm not interested in where, I want to know how."
"He was locked in combat with ten unidentified creatures, Dash called them ten foot tall Changelings, but he referred to them as mutated Minotaurs. He also seemed to be surprised by the mark on Madame Twilight's backside."
"I was afraid of this, he has more memories bubbling below the surface, Twilight holds the mark of something I've kept secret, the mark of Seven Six. One star surrounded by five, and a sixth which is awarded after becoming a true warrior. Little by little he is remembering what he was born to be."
"You know it isn't nice to talk about somepony behind their back." The creature from earlier appeared, his mismatched body dangling from the chandelier. "And while I love dishing dirt I forgot my shovel,"
"Discord, I've told you to knock hundreds of times." He rolled his eyes and tapped on the ceiling.
"There happy?"
"More or less, what brings you here?"
"I've got an idea, you know those starving foals in Saddle Arabia? What if I gave them magic beans?"
"What happened the last time?"
"Beanstalk, giant, golden eggs, blah, blah, blah, but this time, I was thinking more along the lines of cocoa beans, who doesn't love chocolate, they could grow overnight, pick them, sell them, buy food and ration it, in a few months they would have enough money to build new buildings to better house themselves and better hospitals to treat the sick. Sure there would be the fact that the trees could grow to be five-hundred feet high , and sure some buildings may be uprooted that's expected, but the benefits far outweigh the risks."
"I'll see what Aamir has to say about it. Don't start without the Okay, or it's strike one."
"Alright. Say I heard Prince Charming's back, that's true?"
"Yes, he is."
"That's great, I knew he wouldn't be gone forever, and I was right." He walked out the door with a devious grin.
"Discord?"
"Yes Celestia?"
"Gather everyone and bring them into the throne room."
"By everyone you mean the six, and any human I find, do you need them to bring anything? Scratch that, Elements. Be there in six to eight weeks."
"Let's go, It's time for the truth,"
Author's Note
Dear Princess Celestia
Discord stole the Elements!
Twilight Sparkle.
Discord ran in almost out of breath, in his claws he held what looked like royal jewels. "They're almost here, take them before Applejack bucks me in the face." He threw them at me, just as Twilight and Applejack burst through the doors. "Please don't hurt me."
"Why not Y'all stole them, don't know how but you did."
"It is of no concern I asked him to bring you all here."
"But how did he take them?" Twilight asked.
"Well I stood there for about five minutes, and then it hit me, my magic doesn't work on them but what was stopping me from picking them up and walking out the door with them "
"That's what I said," Pinkie appeared from behind a curtain.
"Hey guys," Martin limped into the room potion in hand, his arm around Princess Luna for support. "I got bad news and worse news. Bad news, I got twenty four hours to live."
"And the worse news?" Applejack asked, like I wondering what could be worse.
"He forgot to tell us yesterday," Celestia rolled her eyes. "That's the Martin I remember."
"I'm hungry, haven't eaten in two days," A rather large bird landed on his shoulder. "Hey you're still alive, fry me a fish please?" The majestic bird nodded before flying off. "Can't believe she remembers me," A moment later she returned with a cooked salmon. "Thanks." He swallowed it whole which surprised most of us. "Down to business. For those who may not know I am Martin Wildes, the man who took out seven Minotaurs single handed. I possess skills of the highest caliber. Awarded with the Seven Six." He removed his cloth gauntlet and revealed an exact copy of Lady Sparkle's mark. "My question to all of you is where did she receive the Seven Five?"
"The Seven Five?" I knew what this meant but I thought it best to let him explain.
"The Seven Six, one star surrounded by six others, the Seven Five is one star surrounded by five. The middle star represents devotion, the others represent teamwork and true courage." The Dragonling read aloud. "Upon receiving the sixth star you gain heightened senses, strength, and stamina through genetic mutation."
"She earned it the way you did, hard work, and dedication."
"Wait humans get cutie marks?" Fluttershy asked.
"You're mutated?" Lady Dash asked.
"I may not look it but how else could I kill Minotaurs."
"All of you listen, I have some information that should have been made public all of those years ago."
"You wanted to see us?" Shining Armour walked in with another Allicorn.
"Good you are all here. As you all know Changelings attacked the wedding last year. though it pains me to say that this was not the first time we dealt with their kind. We almost lost the war had it not been for one of their own. Deceit lived up to his name and destroyed their pods and hive. Before leaving alone, the entirety of the Equestrians. Back then this planet was called Earth, now known as Pangaea."
"What comes to mind when I sat the letters X-OD?" Martin paused.
"Cross Organic Darwinism." Discord replied. "The assimilation of species and technologies to create the perfect being."
"Very good Chaos hopper. In order to defeat these so called Changelings, what did you do?"
"Magic barrier around the city enforced by love." Twilight said.
"Okay, how did they get in?" Martin's serious tone grew grave.
"Their Queen disguised herself as my Fiance and I was told she fed off love."
"Fed, sent only drones, she wasn't planning a hostile takeover. She was searching for something, something important. A power source,"
"The Crystal Heart!"
"Wait you mean the heart of Crystalos?"
"Yes."
"What is this Crystal Heart?"
"The Heart of Crystalos is an ancient Plutonian artifact that resonates with the electricity present in the body amplifying it outward. if focused correctly it can power virtually anything, It's part of the Seven Six mutation."
"You have a Crystal Heart?"
"In a sense yes, just please tell me you have the original kept safe."
"Of course, we wouldn't want what happened 1000 years ago to happen again."
"Harlei!" Martin shouted, as an armored woman came from behind.
"Right behind you, you don't have to yell!!"
"But how?"
"That one Doctor guy had a dead Cyberman and let me have it. I walked him through the steps to fix it so it would accept my AI. It's still creepy, but I'll take what I can get until I get that ManneKin"
"At least it's not a Dalek." The Doctor man walked in. "So telling the story, fascinating." Martin's fist flew into the Doctor's face.
"I hate time travel."
"I deserved that."
"Damn right you did. You're a nice guy, but I hate time travelers, risking it all for some sick thrills. Just because there's one guy that does it for the right reasons doesn't change my feelings about it."
"Have you stopped once these past two days and thought for half a second?"
"Here catch." He threw the Doctor a pear.
"I hate pears."
"I know. Harlei where would you hide if you were biding time?"
"Well I would hide somewhere the locals didn't know existed, or didn't want to go near. Like the Bermuda Triangle, or someplace like..."
"The USS Enterprise, a nuclear powered super carrier, armed with surface to air missiles and turrets. Definitely worth checking on." Discord spoke after a moment of silence.
"They could thrive of the nuclear power cells, for decades before them running out. But their innate knowledge of biochemistry would essentially lead them to use drones as living power supplies. The Doctor snapped his fingers. "You're a genius John."
"I try, wait how do you know my name?"
"Oh really I've said this hundreds of times, I'm the Doctor. Well everything seems to be handled here no need for divine intervention just yet. I'll check back in I don't know a week maybe, sure that'll be seconds for me, but you get the idea."
"I don't," Fluttershy raised a hoof, as did Twilight.
"Twilight you have a time travel spell that you can only use once right, well I can use that spell whenever I need it, or rather when it needs I, all I have to do is be in that box over there. I'll take you with me sometime, just not right now. Cheerio then, Allons y," With that he disappeared into the room, which further piqued my curiosity of this Doctor person.
"That was strange." Rarity cocked her head. "He said let's go, but he didn't take anypony with him."
"He was talking to the TARDIS, the box didn't you see those letters written in bold. How the hell did we get so off topic, well I'm off to kill my way to some answers."
"Martin wait, I'd say something along the lines that killing is wrong, if it would change your mind, but it won't" Her calm manner of speaking those words filled the room with gasps of shock and disgust. "Mind spells won't work, interrogation is out of the question. You could just sit here with me and just let the memories come back, but you never were one to stay still for long, even when you were asleep you still had so much energy. It's dangerous out there, if you insist on going on this quest take Knight with you and any other you see fit that is in this room right now."
"Luna, Seven-Five and Rainbow, gonna need a scout."
"Agreed Luna, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Knight accompany Martin to this USS Enterprise, and Knight keep him safe I don't want to lose him again." I answered her request with a subtle nod, and like that we were off. A crusade for knowledge, justice, and new allies.
Martin pulled me aside away from prying eyes and ears. He seemed worried. "How did you just filet that thing? Your blade has no edge."
"It is enchanted," My simple answer didn't seem so simple to him.
"Even though I believe in magic I believe that science has just as much a hand in this."
"Why do you wish to know?"
"Call me eccentric, but I like to know if my squad can keep up with my kill count,"
"How many lives have you taken?"
"My kill count is 999, at least the ones I remember." A warrior that has taken so many lives.
"It is an honor to meet a skilled warrior such as yourself,"
"My kill count is nothing compared to any of the X-od warriors. And you better be ready, these things are ruthless. They will not waste time, they will not face you on equal grounds, they will not hesitate to kill you using anything and everything in their arsenals. and that's only the soldiers. Among the Generals the Spy named Deceit is the most deadly."
"Deceit disappeared long ago."
"He's back I'm sure, I'd bet good money that The Nightmare gene is still active. I'll need that."
"What's the Nightmare Gene?"
"The Nightmare Gene is what Deceit did before leaving, it was what turned Luna into Nightmare. The thousand years on the moon was supposed to drown out the virus."
"What you didn't take into account that the X-od species thrive in low gravity environments. An attribute untested due to the rapid growth of the species."
"These creatures sound nigh indestructible."
"Human ingenuity at it's finest, It was designed to be indestructible but we were paranoid, we put several fail safes in place, such as it's weakness to itself in case our enemies were to steal some, even tested different forms of magic, only Equestrian magic, and Drakon magic are able to affect it. Creatures that have immigrated here thank god. I'd take yours if he was stronger."
"What do you mean stronger?"
"I mean if he was in control of his emotions, he'd have the strength of a full grown dragon and only be the size of me." His eyes darted to and fro. "You hear that?" He shifted side to side. "There!" He turned around and fired his crossbow. The beam of light struck something. Most likely an invisible creature of some sort.
"You're as good as they said you were Wildes." An armored man stepped out of the shadows his vital points were clad in black plating while the rest was covered in green fabric. "The legend." His breaths were labored. "The one man Army."
"You."
"Yes me, Or should I say you." The man removed his helmet revealing another Martin. "You tried to make it all better,"
"It's Deceit, he's just trying to fool us."
"And you, pretty little Luna, how was that little gift I gave you." I hefted my blade before the Princesses.
"Lower your blade Lucius, this is my fight."
"You want me back?"
"No," Martin lunged at the man, placing his hand directly over his face. "I want what she wants. The real Deceit, not a clone. You will never be half as good as him, Organic!" My blade grew hot under the green aura from before as did the Man's armor. "Give me back my armor!" The armor began floating and attaching itself to Martin. "I know where they are."
"What just happened."
"A clone, using DNA to make an exact copy of the subject, this Deceit was a clone of the original."
"Wait the warrior of legend, the one pony army? The only one to match the Great Commander Mustang Hurricane?" Lady Dash was awestruck.
"The Traitor," Martin spoke the title with mixed feelings. "The Bringer of Nightmares."
"The Lover." The Pink Allicorn stated. "There is a reason only few know this, is that the only archive old enough is in the Crystal Kingdom." With the whole room's attention she recited the legend. "It begins as the war escalates one man torn between two women, each on opposing sides, in the end he cannot choose one or the other, and chooses to stop the war himself so he would never see either die. It's a very touching story."
"That's so sweet." Rarity exclaimed. "Giving up his happiness so that they could have a chance to find new love."
"That also is why the Queen wanted me. Upon my marriage I inherited the Crystal Kingdom, in turn it would reappear."
"Her primary objective was to find the archives find any information on me."
"Why would she want you?"
"Put it together, he was second in command to the X-od Army, cloned from my DNA, I can't remember everything." He looked to Celestia who stayed quiet. "Les, you okay?"
"I can't believe it,"
"The entire species thrives, on assimilation, thankfully when I was cloned the had to clone my brain, keeping my memories and love for Celestia intact."
"We were engaged, and you disappeared. I was heartbroken. I was afraid you had died.
"I'm a warrior at heart, you knew that when you said yes. I can't tell you how sorry I am, because I can't remember what I did. I just want to find out together." He wrapped his arms around her as tears fell from her eyes.
"If you're lying to me, I'll execute you personally."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
