Chapter 3: Falling Weather

My work is the only thing that distracts my mind in this world, Equestria. For 110 years, I have served at Celestia’s side, the Sun Princess, the alicorn of the day, the Monarch of this great kingdom, nation and her castle, being the best that I can offer, be and serve. I have done so without regretting accepting her offer to me those years ago. Yet, I knew it was only a matter of time, my mind was slipping slowly, but surely, and I always worry, as my body shook at times and my memories clouding my thoughts, it was nerve wrecking…

But, I kept myself calm, kind, polite and honorable outside, keeping a positive image as I now serve two Princesses, my workload doubled as I have now Luna, the Moon Princess, the alicorn of the night, now standing as co-ruler of Equestria. I stood my ground as always and with it, the days passing by, unfortunately, Luna has changed very drastically so, even with her recent change, from the young blue to the dark and mature blue alicorn princess she is today. She has returned to her older setting, much to Celestia’s annoyance, her use of the Canterlot Voice has… increased and her vocabulary degrading to the older setting.

I serve, protect and follow the two ponies the best I can. I want to do it all, to be true and to be there for them. But recently, I have asked both Princesses for me to take a vacation, one very long and very excruciatingly painful one at that. I have asked for me to leave to my own destination and that I shall return as soon as I can or when they send me a letter to return. Celestia at first was reluctant to let me leave, knowing her and the both of us having known each other for so long, it was expected of her to worry about me, her questions appearing so with a dip of the same worry.

“Will you be alright?” She asked as I stood there in my spot, not looking at her directly, as I felt ashamed to ask such a thing and worried myself as the memories now started to invade my thoughts more and with it, me being distracted. I sigh as I did not want to look at Celestia, her tone clearly worried about me, this time not as her companion but as a friend, the first friend I have ever made in this world. My heart panged in pain as I thought that, I was about to do something to protect them if something overcame me.

“Yes Princess, I shall be fine, one vacation with an unknown duration. I’ll be sure to keep alert if you send me a letter.” I said, though not convincing as my voice wavers at intervals, mirroring her worry. I can hear the faintest of sighs from her but she kept her calm look still, the glance I got when I looked away once again. She kept silent from that point as I felt her gaze at me. I stood as still as I can yet the chills of fear was etching closer and closer to me, demanding me to do something. Though there was a silence of unease I was the one who broke the chain as I sigh hard, getting the attention of not just her but the two guards and the note taker.

“I need to do this… For my sake Princess…” I spoke with all my emotions as it were. That is when I gave in to letting my emotions out. I closed my eyes tight, trying to suppress some of the emotional spasm, yet my body shivers, making chattering sounds from me, the clangs and the shivers I have visibly show. My fist clenched hard, as I try to again suppress the emotional output, the feeling of anger to myself for not knowing about me, the frustration that I have summoned with it, the fear that resulted to what I may discover, the doubt that etches slowly into my very being and the despair that my body does not want to act on, yet my mind knows so much about.

I heard the gasps from the guards and the note taker, the three surely looking at me as I kept still, trying my best to keep my role still in place as my eyes tighten ever so. I admit, the shaking feeling in my head starting to start as I try and suppress more of myself. Recently, when I was sure alone and no one would see, I would just shake and shiver, the fear edging closer into me as my memory kept sparking within me, annoyingly. I waited for an answer as I kept my eyes shut, tightly.

I hear a gasp and a sigh, from the same voice I have known for so long and with it she spoke, Celestia spoke with worry, “Then… please take care, Daybreak…” I nod once and bowed next as I shakily move out of the throne room. Before I got out, I stopped and answered, my back turned to the four ponies, Celestia included, “I’ll be gone early tomorrow, I need… to rest…” I told her as I open the doors as I left and closing them, without looking back. The two guards outside glanced at me, and showed concern as my armor continues to click, clang and shake, the emotional surge annoyingly forcing me to suppress as much as I can.

I wave the two guards, regardless of my circumstance and walked away, headed down to my room, planning to finally sleep. I haven’t slept for so long, the many weeks that Princess Luna has returned. I have a nagging feeling in the back of me, ever since Luna returned to her real self, like my body feared o ever close and for me to slip into unconsciousness, the dreams surely being watched. I had that sinking feeling in me that I would be watched while I sleep, my dreams invaded, like there would be no private place anymore for me. But I continued on, walking my way to my bed looking out to see the sky in the afternoon. I would need all the rest I can… and finally sleep…

_*_*_*_*_*_

I stood alone in the darkness as the flickers of my memories play, my dreams start. From one flickering form to another, shouts screams and even explosions ring out as I watched with blur and with uncertainty. I watch as the form move about and I can hear my own voice being used. My body shaking as I try to just forget about it all.

“Why do they have life?” My voice spoke in anger, jealousy at the tip of my tongue. “What about us? Are we not good enough?” This time, a flicker of light, on white, and a mix of yellow move behind me, as if walking and pacing in front of me. This one was much taller, than I am, and longer even, matching a form that seems familiar, but I did not pay heed, I was interested in why this is showing.

“We don’t know that, WE all don’t know that…” spoke the voice of my ‘brother’ who I still haven’t heard for so long, even when there were times he could have been there. “But, I suppose we are stuck here… in this place, in this world, or the shadow of it.”

Then, in an instant, there was a flicker of a form, one similar to mine but this time, it stood beside my white flicker, and with it, a more blue and grey form look on with a white flash on the top.

“But, why, why must this place put us here. There are so many, others who are not like us, yet they all know our pain?” ‘I’ started to question. “All of them don’t know us, we don’t know one another, yet, we all know the anger, the jealousy, the envy and even the sorrow we feel…” My voice spoke, wavering now. Soon roars, shouts screams and screech of pain anguish and even suffering.

“Why?!”
“Are we not good enough?!”
“Why do they have it all?!”
“AH!!!”

The shouts came from those around us and with it, slowly fading as the memory moves to the next as the darkness dominating me once more. The next line sent shivers to me like a tidal wave of suppressed emotion.

“They’ve started to kill!!!” Shouted my brother as we ran, many of our fellows, those in obscure blurs, flickers of flame, similar to us, though unknown to me as to what they were and what I am. There was screaming and pain, the shouts as if the life out of many of us were killed. There were others screaming behind us, beside us, running and in panic as many of us were slowly fading, many off the light vanishing.

Soon, a large red flicker hovered over our own and with it, a dark predator tone spoke, “I’ll kill you all!!!” Soon a glowing red light, started to shine brightly in its maw. But before that, a small grey light leap from out group and somehow, landed on the head of the thing and started to cut through.

“No you don’t! We haven’t finish yet you DRAGON!!!” Spoke a lighter, courage and regal tone as a slicing sound came, and with it, a large splatter came from it. In a loud scream, the large red flicker soon collapses. “Get moving now, I’ll- AUGH!!!” He started but his voice turned to pain, and again, the splattering of flesh and with it, he collapses to the ground beside the red. A snickering called off to the side as many of us shout in terror and in strife. It was chaos, chaotic, it was killing as many more flickers, and colors flew, down on the ground, my memory obscuring many of it, as I stood there.

My body was cold, wanting this to end yet as it continues did I hear a slow but very familiar trot of hooves, dominantly sounding off against the screams, the shout and the killing. Then it stopped, as if worried as the view was still obscure and that was when, she spoke.

“Knight Daybreak?” I heard Luna’s tone, this one filled with surprise, fear and uncertainty. I did not look back, as my mental body did not waver nor did I shook as I kept still, watching the events continue, the images obscure, and I was hoping to her, it was as well. “Good night Luna, and a surprise you have… entered my dreams…” I spoke, my voice cracked, even sounding sad.

The pony I spoke to did not answer, she continues to look at the flickers and at me, I can tell, as my dream continues to play, very audible to me, the terror the turmoil, the chaos, the genocide that seems to demand it all from all of us. I watch on as I waited on Luna, who did not speak, watching my ’nightmare’ as it were. I kept looking and with it, the image of me, being impaled sent the pang of hurt through my body, seeing a large prominent red pierced through the white flicker that was I, that was pinned to the ground and my body soon slumped…

Then there was darkness, silence after that, as if my memories was fixing itself. “I never thought you dreamed… my knight…” She spoke slowly, trying her best to keep on her hooves as her voice betray the surprise she wanted to create, as I can tell she was worried and very disturbed. But that only increased when the dream started, this time, drowning her dominance of her tone, “WE can’t DIE!!!” This revelation in my dream sent ‘my’ eyes to open and with it, flickers, the dancing lights of form, again blur, obscure and unnatural.

I heard the faintest of gasp from the moon princess, as she watched. Then the sound again as many of the flickering flames, lights and the form once more run, scream, into the empty blackness, like it was the only place they can run to. “Thou dream is filled with hate, malice and death knight Daybreak, tis what you dream?” Luna asked, her own voice shaking this time as the screams overpower her own as worry ebbed its way into her. I stood silent as I let the dream move me around, as I had no reason to doubt about this. Then, as if by a long run of things, the cycle repeats over and over, the shouts, screams, the anger, the rage and even the sounding of death. It was like genocide being done over and over.

I could not answer her, I cannot say if this were true or fake, I cannot even tell her if this is the only dream I had as I keep returning to my daydreams that demanded my attention. There was a silence for the both of us as she stood still, but that was until something, in the dream changed, as if the cycle, that somehow repeated a million times over, a door opened hard and with it a golden flicker appeared, this time, prominent and demanding attention, making many of us stop.

This got me and Luna’s attention as the form, very small at first now stood at a door that did not stand before. “Ah, it would seem I have entered at the right moment…” It spoke lie it wanted to be there, yet it sounded more of a challenge than a mere coincidence. But before any of them could act, the flickering form of gold whirled, VERY similar to mine, a very dominant shaping came over this flicker of golden flame and soon it grew and some protrusion came out of his body.

“Mind if I cut in?” It asked first with a regal yet proud and self-centered scruff. Many of us stood but the larger of us went to lunge at him but the sound he made, dawned to me, he was ready. Soon fire being shot out of a tube sounded, similar but louder and more precise than any firework launch came and with it the largest forms among us were falling. Many of them roaring as if they have been bested easily, the lot of us, the smaller we were, started to sun, afraid, very afraid. But soon there was wisp, buzzing noises as small objects that zoom past us kept going towards us. One more the screams of pain, sorrow, death and such continue, yet the golden flicker did not move, as if guarding the door behind him as it kept going, firing it’s weapon, firing everything like there was no tomorrow.

Then, when all were down, including I who now was covered in a red of my flicker did the golden form stop and waited, expecting us all to stand from the recent hurt that would kill hundreds, thousands, millions of us and it did as we all groan to stand.

I stood there, watching this all as Luna was backing away some, trying to escape this scene, as if the violence finally sink into her form. I did not waver as I watch, I wanted answers yet, this, and this dream kept it still and kept me from any answer it can really offer. I can hear the small gasping breath of Luna as she tries to look away; I can tell from the clop of her hooves that she was afraid, as if watching this would be her greatest nightmare.

Once more, many of us, who were supposed to be down, dead like how obvious that was, should be stood ready once more, but the golden flickers question came up, which snapped many of the forms around ‘me’ to stop and so was my ‘brother’. “So, are you beings interested to live a life?” It asked, again, proud but this time, the question sink in… many of my fellows stood still, unsure why such a question… and with it, did he continue, through the silence.

“I’m in need of an army…“

_*_*_*_*_*_

My eyes fly open. Awake from that dream, my room was filled in darkness but with a trail of moonlight. I glance up into the sky through my mirror to find the moon starting to leave. I quickly made my way out, having one saddle back, not for me to put on but for me to hold on as I quickly move through the castle. I glance to find the Night Guards, those new bat ponies, looking at me weirdly but nod towards me. Ever since they have arrived those weeks ago, just shy of the autumn season, they quickly adapted and have done the training.

As I was now at the castle courtyard, I quickly dash to the front gates of the castle, to the bustling streets of Canterlot. All the while I can feel the gaze pointed directly at me, no not the ponies in the streets, they were a given, the one very itching gaze was the one that made my back shake. Princess Luna was watching me, I was sure as I made my way through the calm but early waking morning of Canterlot, as very few ponies were getting out of some of their homes or trying to enter the shop. I especially passed the newpaper pony and the mailmare as I made my way out of Canterlot proper and into the open road.

I thought hard, long and considering all possible things to do before I slept but… after the disturbing dream, I chose, “The Everfree Forest…” I spoke silently as my pace lowered to a crawl. I look right and left as I wanted my own privacy right now yet the dream was demanding me to know more about myself. Still I sigh as I walk through the slowly brightening path towards Ponyville, this time however, I carry the saddle bags with one hand as I walked on, not wanting to stay until I can… break the painful cycle, the terror screams I keep having and even, the painful hearts I keep having looking at Celestia.

____

I made my way into Ponyville, and with my entry did I find their mornings to be… less active than I initially thought for a farm based community, or at least, one that had an agricultural edge. The sun was now lifted up slowly, daybreak being my most favored moment of any day. I took a pause, watching the sun rise, admiring the work of Princess Celestia… and how her form, elegant and very poised she was. I have served her to the best of my abilities and I have to admit, I may have had… an attraction to the alicorn princess after serving her for about 10 years. True that I have been by her side for so long, but the longer I stayed with her, the better I felt, like… I can be with her…

I shook my head in that thought as I look over myself. “Like she’ll love a walking armor…” I told myself, unimpressed as it is since I knew she views me as… just another strange but interesting thing to her. I sigh hard for that as I knew nopony would ever like a thing they have no knowledge off. Sometimes, I’m worried that ponies would soon be against me when I crack open the box of my thoughts, memories and even my TRUE self. When I start to remember, to adjust and act. I worry that I’ll change the things I have gained here, in Equestria, the friends I have, my… relationship with Celestia.

It is true she is an immortal being, though vulnerable, she remains beautiful, very elegant and… majestic. She is very experienced and a lot of time, not surprised by some new thing that came up in our time together, yet I admitted to her, several instances of my century service, “You are a beautiful mare, just looking for the right… stallion.” I remember telling her that, pausing greatly for effect as to emphasize the stallion part. Though her reply was with giggles and a slight blush about my complement, I still value her as my top priority, Luna replacing Twilight as second.

But I sigh, shaking away the thoughts that plague my mind. “Keep it together Daybreak, your sanity first, then… just maybe that next…” I told myself as the sun has now stood firm and up away from the horizon, the morning now evident, shining at the town or village and this time more ponies were starting to open their windows and some were out and about. I sigh once more frustrated that my mind was one annoying labyrinth as gaps of it tend to be very hard to crack open. Still, as I walked through Ponyville, seeing the slight widening of eyes from some of the ponies, I expected to go through here without a problem.

I sigh as I walk on through, one step at a time, trying to appear less threatening, though my brows were in anger, I kept a calm body signal, so as not to alert them. My grip on the saddlebag straps tighten as I walk on, nearly half the populace, finally opting to get out of their homes saw me. As I went on, I passed the library, the tree being the one other peculiar building in this little town. I sigh to myself as I know seeing Twilight now would be unproductive, or counterproductive to my current condition. My insanity, if I should say, is increasing as I bottle it up for so long, the voices in my mind demanding that I do something, something specific, something that I cannot fathom what.

I quicken my pace, not caring how I appear now and what my bodily language show as the fear once more builds up inside me, sending shivers through my body, my skin crawling behind this armor as I quickly move to a run, seeing the faces I pass by giving me odd looks. I move south, as fast as I can, not minding the words the Ponies try to speak to me, trying to be as scarce as possible. I made sure to keep going, not stopping for anypony or any question they had for me. I ran, as fast as my legs can take me as I zoom past the colorful buildings of this town. I have made great time when I reached the edge of the Everfree forest, but what I did not expect was… the cottage, having grown since I last saw it.

“It grew? But it looked like a cottage from the start of it.” I spoke to myself as I move on, seeing the animals that are scattered all about in the vicinity of said cottage. I could not help but just sigh as I kept moving through but I quickly stop as I saw the yellow Pegasus pony, Fluttershy attending to the woodland creatures that are now eating on the nuts that she has offered to them.

At first, it was weird to see it, but as I saw the happy smile on her and the animals, I could not help but just smile at it and stop in on my tracks. I stared, I admit, stared at her without a care in the world as I watch the young mare do her job, as depicted of her Cutie Mark, three pink butterflies. As I waited, I can feel myself warm up inside, my worries trying to leave as I watch but the instant she saw me… my fears return without another second. She gasped at the sight of me and quickly tries to slink away, making herself smaller than I, which was not hard to do.

My own eyes wide as I look at the young pony squeak out in fear but as she glances up at me more, did she relax some. “You are one kind pony…” I comment quickly as I walk slowly towards the forest, not wanting to scare the pony more until she spoke, though weak, I can hear her. “Are you Daybreak?” She asked me as I stopped in my tracks, the tree line of Everfree forest just in sight and a distance away. “Yes, I am Daybreak, Miss Fluttershy.” I answered to her, as I turn around looking down at the pony. I try my best to keep calm and just think this would be short.

Looking down at her, I notice that she had a very soft stature, one that seems to show she was more grounded than I first initially thought. Her eyes look up at me, even through her mane of a shield as I waited for her to respond. “Why are you here, if I can ask?” She spoke meekly at me. Her innocence was very prevalent and her own curiosity was just a product of her worry. “I’m just passing through I plan to explore some place for the time being.” I told her as I turn around once more, seeing the Everfree forest. I continue to walk now, ignoring the yellow Pegasus’s warning about the forest, when she herself won’t even scream about.

Everfree Forest is one of the uncontrolled places in Equestria. They say there are monsters, beasts, predators and such that can kill a pony, bite a pony twice their average sizes in one go, and others that scream kill. Raw energies seep out of this place, magical properties that cannot be explained nor examined from fear of the place it resides and the danger such power can pose to anypony, but I was not anypony.

I step in, not caring what lies in side, I needed to vent, to exhaust my anger, hate and even anguish. I was emotional, I know that but I had to do it, for the sake of keeping me sane. I walked on, not caring about my surroundings just yet as I walk on, my body making such sounds of whirl, alerting many, if not, creatures that prowl and prey in this domain. But I sigh still I was not impressed by the foliage, the fauna, the flora and even the ground itself. Though this forest demanded fear from me, I did not give in. I was making my way here… to rest my doubts once and for all.

_____

It took me some time, the place was dark, dim even, as I look up, seeing the trees, their branches forming a roof over the morning sunlight. I move on as I wanted to be deep in the forest where nopony, nothing, can hear me as the grip on my saddlebags just tighten ever so, clenching the straps harder. As I walked on, I can feel the gaze of many creatures, looking at me, waiting on me, others were in wonderment, others hunger towards me as I kept on, the emotional gate starting to open as I deem myself far enough, a clearing in my line of vision.

Once out of that tree path, I found a bright clearing into the forest, its space being lit by the morning sun, unhindered by the trees as I set the saddlebags down near the center on a rock while a boulder stood a few paces away from there and I made sure to use that now since I have nothing else to do, I was bored now but I knew, once the emotions flow, I won’t know how long my boredom can last. I look up to the sun, making sure to watch it carefully waiting to see if I was being watched, but by the creatures but by Celestia herself. I deemed myself secluded and out of hearing range for miles around me and then, I faced the rock, the large boulder of a rock, one that towers over the front gates of the castle…

I let go, of my control, my disposition, my focus and my hold on my emotions. I sigh in relief, holding it all in was hard and now, I was going to let it out… the first of my emotions, the one quickest to arrive was my anger.

“WHY!? What am!?” I quickly shouted, scaring away any avian creatures as my blood boiled within me, heating my body so, muscles tensing inside me, my fists formed and with it I start to punch on the rock, the anger, the rage, the whole lot of it poured out of me as I kept punching the boulder with enough force to break any pony’s neck with one. My fist connect to the boulder, the crumbling sound echoing throughout, around me as my knuckle sink in the rock, making a large gap grow on the surface. I withdraw my fist, checking it, to see my armor having no damage again, this boiled within me, ass my fist shake as I sent my other fist on the boulder, again, the crackling sound of force waved around me sounding off.

“What the FUCK AM I!?” I asked again, my voice crackling with such rage, as if a fire burning through my throat, my head feeling tight as I sent punches once more at the poor boulder, breaking the boulder slowly, breaking chunks of it, flying around me as I continue. I roared in my anger, the hate seeping in me. “Why am I here? Why the fuck!? I’m strange I admit that, but why? WHY? WHY!?” I shout to no one in particular as I made progress in my boulder breaking business, the boulder clearly starting to shatter but I continue, not caring about the thing, not caring about anything else as I continue to break the damn boulder.

“For the love of Shit, Why am I here?!” I said last as the anger, though fueling my strength was starting to seep out of me, the anger quickly dispersing out of me, like a flame, it was strong at the beginning but given time, it will die. With the last ounce of my rage, the fire in me disappearing, my body cooling off now, my right fist sink into the gaping chunk of rock, I quickly got down to my knees as I start crying…

The second emotion that appeared to take form was my sadness, the sadness that seems to demand me of the right answer, as oppose to my anger, hate and rage who only wants the answer, my sadness, sorrow and lonesome wanted a reason, not just an answer. A reason to my predicament was all I asked even with answer, it will be useless if a given reason can justify it. I started to shiver, my own sadness gripping my heart, as the pain started to give my heart some ache, some…. Discomfort as I kneel down on the ground.

I look up to the blue sky, as I start to cry. “What is my purpose here? I know I’m here for a reason, but please give me that so I can understand…” I pleaded up into the sky, wishing that my answer can be given to me as my body shake and shiver, the tears inside my armor, trickling down, yet my armor did not allow tears to be shed. I shout in anguish, defeat as the answer was not given, my voice did not crackle but more of drown in the sorrow, making a gargle noise of pity. “Please, tell me, why? What am I suppose to be? Suppose to do here? Suppose to?” I begged pleaded and even choked as I kept crying, my body shook, shake and shiver as my body felt weak, very weak.

I swallow hard, trying to suppress the pressure in my throat, but the more that I do, the more it seeps out of me as I start to sniffle, the thought of me being unknown, being me, was filled with pity and with such loneliness. Very alone… as the sad, lonesome ebb away, did the last emotion surface through me, the one thing that has rendered me to do the shouts the screams that I have done were nothing comparable. My fear…

The fear, the chilling and very frightening thought pass through me, the sadness was quickly killed off as the creeping darkness of me start to happen around me. “What would they think of me? I’m an unknown being, I may have lived with them for so long, but 110 years still cannot fill the gaps…” I spoke as I bow my head in defeat, not really thinking of the positive of things as I kept sobbing, slowly. “I know I’m alive, but they, they do not know. They think of me as a damn walking enchantment, created to just be a companion. Others think I am a monster, one who has killed its creator and try to blend in. But I know my creator, my dreams are there yet… they always bring me grief, the thought of it all, I don’t know what I need to know…”

I kept speaking, not really thinking, yet the negatives kept going, sipping in me as I continue my fearful scenarios. From me being a weapon, to me being a beast waiting to strike when Celestia was done… it was a fearful thing to think, yet when my thoughts return to Celestia, I could not help but feel joy, sadness, self-pity on to me but one feeling kept crawling back, one emotion that seem to persist, even through my three major emotional outburst.

I soon lie down on the ground, not really knowing how long I have been doing this, the anger the sadness the fear, all three repeating into a cycle though this time, I was just lying on the ground, not caring about my surrounding. When I look up, my back on the grassy ground, I found the sky filled with white little flickers of light, the night sky…

I watch the sky, watching it as best as I can, not really caring what I am right now, trying to find tranquility to my predicament as I look on. It was soothing, the chills no longer creeping through my spine; the burning rage in my throat killed and finally, the sadness, sorrow in my eyes and my lips was killed. My heart no longer pumped hard into me, as I look closely into the scenery before me. “Beautiful…” I whispered out as I felt some ease onto myself.

I look on into the starry night sky, admiring it for a time… my stay would be something here, but I need to stay out of Canterlot, no telling what I might do if I don’t release all the raw emotions I keep having, I just hope it’s enough for me to suppress it.

_____

1st day in Everfree forest

I haven’t slept last night, that’s for sure, I took my time, relaxing and then returning to my punching bag, which was breaking apart with each fist I kept sending, unfortunately, there was a rustle coming from the bushes which stopped me from the morning activity I randomly chose to do. I stopped from what I was doing as I look over to the bushes my clearing was a very prominent spot to be attacked though I wondered why now that some kind of predator would try.

Then very canine like growls coming from not just a bush, but bushes that started to shake and rustle. I took my time, waiting, looking at the direction. My anger being fueled as these damn predators was taking their time. I was punching a damn boulder and right now, it looked like one very crude looking pyramid, filled with inward grooves from my fists.

I stayed quiet, hearing them move and finally they appeared outside of their hiding spot, their paws moving into the light where I can see them. At first I thought, wolves, not really sure why but that’s what they looked like to me. But as they were in full view, about 10 of them, did I know what they were. “Oh, Timber Wolves… I’m shaking…” I mockingly spoke to myself as I relax some.

Timber Wolves are very territorial creatures that reside in the Everfree forest. These creatures have hides and bodies that are constructed from wood, stone, sticks and other small greens that they are made from. It is unknown, even today, on why such a creature would prowl the forest land in search for food as they are easy to crumble to pieces, as some would say, back into their main pieces.

Strange enough, they lack organs which contradict their need to feast on flesh, as many ponies have fallen to Timber Wolf packs before. The only speculation, that I have read was that they are a form of beast, that was a victim of the forest and have manifested themselves into magical entities. In translation, they think these are ghosts or magical residues of said beasts and in need of nourishment to keep their magical lives alive.

As they surround me, slowly, one paw at the time, they kept looking at me, staring me down as their bodies crack and shift, the wood evidently moving to their will. I just wait on them, seeing if these creatures were really just what the speculation say. But before I can try to observe them, three charges at me, a smart move on their part as they saw I was taller than the average pony.

One at my front quickly lunge towards me, I stayed calm for the moment, my body reacting smoothly and with ease, as if this was no alien event to me. One step forward, my arms raised as I catch the creature in my arms, his front legs being grasped by mine. Quickly, my body turned, using the wolf’s momentum, I spun him, knocking the next attacker in midair, of his lunge. I heard both wolves cry from the attack, while my right leg stayed on the ground, to let me swing and fling the wolf in my hands, my left was lifted, swinging hard to kick the third attacker to hear it yelp in pain.

As I finished the move, my body became stiff, as if steeling myself for the upcoming storm, of wood, nails and teeth. I stood once more, looking down at the wolves, my body was… happy, to say the least as my heart did not race under me. My own form still and waiting as they charge as one, surprising me for a moment but I quickly punch and kick each and every one of them. They stumble and shatter to pieces as they fell, really, it was surprising to see.

I sigh, “Wow… for predators they really look so fragile…” I comment at how the fight was, 10 wolves and I’m still the winner. I was about ready to just leave deeper into the forest when the timber wolf pieces started to shake and rattle. Before I can inspect about this, all the pieces start to gather into one pile. Quickly as they have started, they form and arrange themselves flawlessly, making a massive beast of a monster, towering me, about three stories high. I glance up, unsure on what to do as the beast, the timber beast, roar out growling at me like, ‘What do you think now?’.

At first I was impressed but my body, quickly moved, my mind poised into a plan and quickly I turn around, grasp the pyramid of a boulder, lift it out of the ground with all my might, my hands gripping the base as chunks of the ground, grass and dirt fall onto me but I quickly threw the sharp end towards the beast’s mouth, making the collective whimper sound off from it. As I glance up, I quickly raced towards the beast’s mouth, where the boulder has lodged itself, by climbing its body. The form was clearly thrashing, rock being tougher than wood and stone.

Then, when I was in position, my body on the dirtied side of the boulder and my face visible for the canine beast to see, I raise a fist high up, for the thing’s eyes to widen. “Yeah, I think I win…” I slowly said, my eyes looking unimpressed as I punch the rock with enough force, power that I did not know I possess, force the stone to sink deeper into the beast’s mouth and pop out from its throat where it soon stumble down in defeat, shattering to the pieces once more. The only thing special about this was that I enjoyed that… the emotional uncertainty returning to me as I found pleasure in trying to kill such a thing…

_____

1st week inside Everfree Forest,

I haven’t slept really, considering I have continued to tread through the forest more. I had to admit, I have been doing my best to keep sane, the voices, of my past, kept demanding me to kill and to fight, like I have always done. I snap at myself at those moments, speaking to myself, cursing myself as I shout out in anger, frustration and even the demands of it all. “I’m fucking dead already stop messing with me. How am I supposed to know what I don’t remember? Leave me alone, I’m fighting here!!!” My voice jumble here and there as I continue to shout my thoughts the bodily response returning to me, demanding me to know, to know everything yet I cannot, my heart racing with my insanity spasms as I argue within me. But all that was changed when another predator found me again, about the 10th this time at least.

Out came a lion… with wings that span twice his width, bat like, his tail with a prominent scorpion tail and two horns that are sprouting out of his heat. “A Manticore? Really?” I said, unimpressed once again as I find it laughable but that came from deep within me. Though I wanted to run, my body reacted very differently, very differently.

The manticore’s move, lunging at me, swiping its front paws. My arm raise up letting the claw collide with my forearm, blocking it. With that, my other arm reaches over to the beast’s mane pulling it towards me as I headbutt it. With the design of my helm, the two horns quickly draw blood from the beast. It whimpered in pain as I saw I have caused a wound at its lips. It recoiled out of its attack that I took advantage off by moving behind it, grasping its tail with both of my hands.

The beast was flailing still, but it continues to fight back. It tries to raise his tail, trying to lift me and smash me to the ground if it could but my body was tough and so was my strength, one factor I did not know, one that I like and feared about myself. I stop it from trying as I yank it off, literally yanked the tail out of his body, the crimson paint of his blood splattering against me as I discard the now twitching dead limb that was its tail.

The beast roared in anger, pain surely surging through its form, but I did not care, my body was shaking in joyous glee, my smile under the armor was widening and an urge called upon me to do what I do best… KILL…

With one punch, I snap the beast’s hind legs, by the knee hearing a well sounded crack, again the beast roaring once more. It spins around, even with its back legs broken, trying to defend. I just smile at it, seeing it cower ever so slightly. I move quickly to it, meeting it face to face as the crimson trail on the ground was getting darker and damper than it should be. I smile still seeing it try to live. It swung its paw, trying to scare me back but I catch it once more and with one great twist, and resonating cracks of its bone, I have broken this beasts limbs, letting it bleed profoundly on the ground. I marveled at the sight, its form looking like a broken rag doll, demanding it to be free from the pain and the torture.

The ground was painted a crimson red below it but I did not show mercy, no, I enjoyed the look of fear in its face. My mind was buzzing with thoughts of murder, killing and Bloodshed. My body shook with glee and with joy as I grip one of its horns, keeping its face still. Then the bloodbath, my fist pummels its face, making it roar out and whimper further. Again, again, again, and again, I punch it hard, hearing the bone of his head crack with each blow, its eyes red. I can see it, the fear that crept to its face. Oh, I just shivered with joy as I continue to punch its face, my knuckles sinking deeper and deeper into the skull.

I was in my own little world, my mind lost for a second as I kept punching it, the blood starting to spill out, the impacts I gave it made the blood jump and land on my body. I did not care, I did not stop, I kept my actions to continue even when I heard it’s last breath leave it as I continue to do so with glee. Then, when I have deemed myself done… I let the form go… the limp body landing with a solid thud on the ground as the remainder of its blood pool out from the face of the beast, contorted, broken and wide open, the inside of his skull no longer filled as I move along, snatching the saddlebags back to me as I search for a stream to clean myself.

_____

2nd week in Everfree Forest,

I… I really don’t know what to do now… I’ve, I’ve killed so many creatures in here that I’m starting to lose my sanity, as odd as it is, I cannot help but glance up into the night sky, as I try to keep calm and not act as I have done. I felt sick, sick of myself as I regain consciousness from my murder high. Oh Gods! I don’t know what came over me. I took down so many creatures, each one preying on me, looking smug at first about me, but when we fight, the scene just… quickly shifts and I find myself in favor of the encounter, killing them with ease, seeing their looks of shock, worry and such. It was… haunting.

The night wasn’t calm, it was…. Haunting me as I look around me, the feeling that I was being watched never left me. Just about 5 days before, I knew something was watching me, looking at me, but now, now it was different. Something else is watching me, and this time, it was not hiding. There was a resonating sound, an echo of giggles and laughter, no, not directed at me, more like, hearing it being done so, like a memory of the past. The echoes of the forest, some would say.

I wanted to know why the forest was doing that now, even if this place was unstable, unnatural by pony standards, it still held a cycle, an ecosystem and it was home to creatures that knew how to traverse it. I wanted to know why I am hearing such sounds but the fear was overpowering me now. And as quickly as the ghostly voice started, did I want to be… unseen. My body sparks and crackles out the telltale sound that I have gone and disappeared.

As I was now unseen, invisible did the forest silence itself as I stood still, not wanting to know why but the fear in me was edging me to find out, a reason to be fearful still. I look around me… slowly, masking my presence along with the saddlebags were now non-existent with me. The forest became deadly silent, as if… the ghost did not know I was there anymore. The innocent childish laughing stopped; the darkness in the forest, the evening light was not enhancing the moment as I glance around me. I look at every possible direction when my eyes fell onto a pony… Deep in the Everfree forest….

I stood there, looking at the filly, as its round snout made it evident, including her small stature. This filly was gray, a light gray if you please, and has a kind blonde mane and tail. What struck me as strange about this little filly are her eyes… a pure, opaque and solid color of gold. It was surreal, just as surreal as I am yet as I stood there, the filly was glancing on and about where I was taking a glance here and there. I slowly made my way towards her, seeing her raise a brow as she moves towards my spot and what made me jump in the deep recesses of me, though my body did its best to contain my fright was her, slipping past the bushes and parts of the trees and soon was floating in front of me.

This took me back, I was surprised, one REAL ghost but for some odd reason my body was bored, as if, this was nothing new. I watched the ghost filly, glance and look, trying to find me. As she turned around, I saw her Cutie Mark, perplexing enough that she retains it in death, a magnifying glass… one can be said about inquisitor, a detail enthusiast or most-likely, a finder, considering her form and age of her ghost.

At first she huff, thinking that her joy was over, but I wanted to humor her as I removed my shroud of deception. And as she was about to turn, to face me, I look down at her, my eyes showing how unimpressed I was that she showed herself. She looks up at me, thinking first that I want to check her reactions but her sudden laughing caught me by surprise.

“Wow Mister! That’s some trick you have.” She said joyously, looking up at me, and not that much of hiding. I was still in a state of wonderment, she was not afraid, nor did she show any sign of disappointment, just pure happiness. “So, what are you mister?” She started, her young and carefree tone telling me she was happy, odd to find onto a ghost who should have passed on. “Sorry little filly, I do not know… though, why were you following me for so long?” I asked her, as I had the feeling she was the spying eyes that followed me these past few days.

She smiles wide, hard to decipher her expression as her eyes were just an empty gold, “Wow, you knew I was watching you too? You are some neat… thing!” she paused to get the right answer, but smiles once more, looking up at me with a very warm and kind smile. “Well, I admit, it was scary, but seeing you now, I’m glad you are what you are…” I said happy at first but the sinking feeling of regret sinking in as my memories of all the creatures from the past weeks, Manticores, Cockatrices, Hydras and the occasional timber Wolves who seem to be everywhere…

This got her attention as she knew what I was trailing about. “Don’t worry mister… it was never your fault, you just defended yourself…” She said, trying to keep me happy, as if I would leave her quickly, I caught on into her worry as I try to banish my own. “Don’t worry, if you have been watching me for so long, you would know I’m happier to listen and talk to somepony else, even if she were an apparition.” I joked which made the two of us smile and chuckle some.

“Glad to hear that!” she said, this time, her eyes close to strengthen her joy. “Yeah, but really, why have you followed me?” I asked her, which she instantly spoke in a foreboding kind of way, dramatic like any filly would in telling ghost stories, which was, ironic when I think about my predicament, “You were headed straight from where I came from…” She said, now a pang of sadness in her tone. “Were you headed somewhere mister?” She said, looking up at me and her position suggests she was… giving me the pout, all fillies had, cute but not very effective with the lack of eyes.

I sigh as I look towards her, “No, I was not in any interest to be anywhere, nor was I looking to stop anywhere. But, tell me, where did you come from?” I asked her, waiting on her response as I caught her sigh of relief. But her frown was still evident, her tone suggesting something else. “I’m from Sunny Town. I forgot to tell you, my name is Ruby!” She said with a cheer as she spoke, but under that cheer, undertone of sad and worry, once more. “I’m Daybreak, Ruby… So, can you tell me why you are sad?” I asked her straight on, surprising her as she tries to deny it.

“You may say no, but your voice betrays your worry. Tell me Ruby, what can this strange being do for you?” I asked her, finding my own courage start to build finding one good deed in a place filled with danger for pony kind. “Please, don’t go there, I’m here because of them, but they are… angry at me…” She said, “Except for one…” She spoke more with hope, the same outlining that Celestia had all those years ago.

My body burned with a renewed vigor, finding myself to think about how stupid I was, leaving Celestia and Luna for so long! “I won’t, I won’t Ruby, but tell me, who is that friend you are worried about? I’m sure I can ask a reliable friend to help, but tell me, why don’t you want me to go to Sunny town?” I asked her, thinking that I was trying to run away from my problem when I should be doing my best to help everypony since that is what keeps me doing his best.

_____

Walking out of the forest, walking to a path very familiar to me, I breathe a sigh of relief as the bright shine of the morning autumn sun. I felt a renewed vigor in me as I walk through Ponyville only to see… it in a bustle as the red, orange and yellow leaves high above in the trees were fragile, ready to fall. I at first took in the sight as I walk to the town square to see it… vacant. I look left and right, not seeing a pony, leaving me at odds at what is happening.

I try to double back only for me to look at Princess Celestia, who I did not sense approach me as she had a kind gentle smile on her, looking down at me. “Greetings Knight Daybreak, it is good to see your return. How goes your vacation?” She spoke, as if there was not a problem in me, a sign that I may have averted my emotional crisis… I hope. “Good evening Princess Celstia. I am well for now and I have cleared my mind for now and hope to return to service.” I spoke with all the honorifics returned which made the alicorn princess smile at me.

“It is good to hear from you once more, my knight. The castle has become… silent without you, you being the playful haunt as you both scare and guard it.” She jested as me as we both gave a light-hearted laugh for a moment. “Oh, it’s good for me to be with you once again Celestia.” I spoke, my tone clearly hinting on to her, but she just looks at me without worry. “I do too my knight, but can I ask for a favor from you?” She spoke softly, her joy being outlined with her tone as I bowed to her, nodding at the least.

“I want you to participate in the upcoming event, I am sure you have seen how… scarce the town looks at the moment?” She started which I quickly agree to do so. “I will join this event I only ask what it is for I have lost my bearings in the seasonal calendar.” I spoke as best as I can. “Splendid, now, I want you to participate in the Running of the Leaves, you remember this do you not?” She spoke calmly and with a smile at me as we move to the nearby forestland, one filled with trees of red, orange and yellow.

“I shall participate as you wish.” I spoke with enough joy as being back with Celesita, I can feel myself ease up some more… and taking enough time to forget my experience in the Everfree forest. As we both enter to the starting line, did the ponies of Ponyville appear, crowding over the galloping ponies or they the audience themselves. “I have taken the liberty of registering you.” The princess spoke to me as I chuckle at her. “Always prepared I see Celestia, then, I shall do my best in your favored season.” I spoke with a bit of brag in my tone as I took the number offered to me.

I move behind the herd of ponies so that I could not just bump into them when the start would begin. I could hear Pinkie Pie, the pink party pony and with a familiar voice, Spike commentate high and up above. As I move and wait did I hear Pinkie Pie and Spike announce of my entry.

“What’s this? Daybreak, the knight of Canterlot is joining our Running of the Leaves?” Pinkie spoke out, getting the attention of the crowd towards me. I just wave to the audience and some of the gallopers as I bask in the curious but joyous cheers from the ponies. I saw at the front Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Applejack, looking at me with a smile there. Before long, all of us were ready, waiting for the signal… when it sounded off, did we all start off, past the starting line. I did my best to keep track of them all… to keep with the herd as I have known very well that being in the group yields optimum effect to rock the leaves but for a marathon of such, I needed to conserve my energy and wait behind them all.

_______

Being in this event was giving me odd feelings. I ran as fast as my legs can take me. With each step against the ground, the whirl of my legs making a shockwave of sound as I took each step as I zoom past the autumn trees, those who's branches were early bare, their greens were now red, yellow and orange. I quickly made my way through with the ponies, their steps doubled for them as I only had two. With each step I made loud clangs and my body extended to shift my weight. I made sure to keep going, my body in overdrive as it were. I paced myself, step-by-step, as I look around to the ponies around me.

They were all enjoying their time, some were with pained expressions, those that were trying, some were smiling to one another, enjoying their moment and many of them just smile warmly at the competition as if it was never one. As we ran, or gallop for them, past the trees many of the leaves were raining down on us and I continue to pace with the herd. It was something, to be part of the event, seeing the happy faces of the ponies and all I can do was smile inside my armor and look like I was competing. As I admired this feeling, this new found love for the ponies, even when I have lived within Canterlot for so long, I cannot help but respect them, and of course Celestia herself, who I cannot keep forgetting...

But as I continue to run, the world seem to slow down, very quickly, the colors fading to gray as a booming sound came about behind me. My body shook and my form shivered, a chilling yet familiar feeling washed over me as I stopped in my run, as my mind screamed to defend myself. My heart was racing, this time not at the race but at the events that is happening around me. My surroundings became grey, all the ponies still, mid-air, frozen and all that can move, was I...

For the first time, even when I stood guard over Princess Celestia and now Luna, for as long as I can, I now stood alone, very alone as the world around me has stopped and fear started to crawl into my very being. The surrounding though stopped felt as if I belonged here, here in a place no one can see, yet I wanted it to stop, I wanted to live with these ponies and I was not happy with it.

Then a sound, one that sounded like a wisp of air, sounding like whispers threatening me. My body was in full alert, my mind raging on to defend myself, but my heart was in pain and the emotions surround me, stopping me from following my mind and body. I was bolted to the spot, and I wanted to cry, them, as if there was something behind me, I felt the chills, the familiar but faint chills that started to engulf me... But I did not care, I did not act, as the despair was now the only thing left for me to think... the darkness was inviting... emptiness was the feeling... and soon, I felt like I belonged here more...

...

...

"BROTHER!!!"

Preview:
Chapter -4- Nightmare in the Night (Possible Gore Warning)

I snapped out of my stupor, my thoughts racing as the fear and the negative energies fading away as my 'brother' called out to me. "What?" I spoke out as I look around the paused world only for me to flinch, jump and dodge, rolling away from the darkness that was surrounding me. I look back seeing a smog, a puff of smoke, one that can rival the size of a manticore, but when I glanced at it... my fear was inching closer to me but I shook my head to wipe the fear away, but the odd thing that is happening was that the black smoke, smog, whatever it was, moving.

A familiar rage was edging towards me, as I looked at the black that soon formed into a large clawed hand. The movement continuously moving yet I kept my stance steady as the world around us was oblivious, paused and stuck. Then, as if a crashing wave of wind came down, I look up to see a set of armor very similar to mine, descend down from the sky.

"IN COMING!!!" He shouted as he soon as it produce a large blade, one that reaches his complete width and the length matching nearly his own height as he slashes down. The isosceles looking blade crash down on the ground making the black smoke retreat some as I look at the look-a-like me. He stood at a stance, ready for battle and his own body whirling with his moment, just like mine.

He looks back, holding the triangular large blade, one that had the same sheen of gold, he looks at me and I can sense my body to relax in relief and with an increased vigor. Then, he spoke to me.

"Well, best to repel this annoying claw before we have a brother to brother talk." He chuckled at me, his voice similar to mine but with a hint of youth in it as he holds his large blade, one as thing but the blade as large as he as he held the hilt with both hands.

"FIGHT ON!!!"

Author's Note

Okay, I may have dipped into a bit of insanity for the brutal, or the mild bloodshed here.
I also forgot to mention,

Disclaimer:
MLP is under Hasbro, Sunny Town and characters mentioned and used here belong to their rightful owners. This is a work of fiction and made only for entertainment and not for profit.

And I just remembered, the preview for this chapter was the end. Oh that was evil of me.
Mwahahaha!!!