Child of the Grave

Sheesh... there some things that just don't sit well with me. One, being judged before even being met. That seems to be a common thing in this world. Most think me a fool, or some sort of conniving moustache twister that should be locked up at the first chance. Two, racism. I don't need to go into that. And finally, the dutch. Nah, I'm kiddin'. Austin Powers on the brain.

Anyway, what I meant was that last night, I had met another human. Along with the ruling sisters of this country. Which I've found is called Equestria.

God these puns will be the death of me... Moving on, originally I had went back to met back up with Joshua, maybe make sure she doesn't overwork herself. Don't know why, really. Guess that chivalry thing that my mom beat into my head kicked in. Either way, it was the right thing to do.

Imagine my surprise when I see her, another human, and six ponies leaving in the opposite direction.

When I had caught up with them, they were in another town. Ponyville. God that hurts just thinking about... at least the village I live in is creative with their names. Anyway, when I arrived in town, I was met with some fearful stares.

 Like I give a shit. In fact, their fear will probably be a good thing for me. Makes them easier to predict. People, or ponies in this case, tend to do stupid things when afraid.

Makes them easier to deal with.

Anyway, the make this long story short, I was questioned about who I was as a person,  and if I would be a threat to their ponies. Despite how much I wanted to say to go fuck themselves, I couldn’t. Yeah, these princesses seem to think that because I'm in their, lands, that makes them my rulers.

Fuckin' yeah right. I'm a free man, dammit. So, beyond that, I had found that Joshua was indeed alright. I was at least happy for that.

After their inquisition was done, they had to leave for something, leaving the purple unicorn to let me rest for the night. I told her that I lived in Sapphire Grotto, and to try and get there in the middle of the night at this time would be suicide. I don’t know the way back completely, but I get the gist of where to go. I know it’s past the old castle that is pretty much fucked beyond recognition.

When we were all asleep, I found myself waking up in the middle of the night. There was Profion.

Nah, it isn’t that hammy motherfucker from the movie, but another human. Like me. He looked relatively harmless enough, he was a tall son of a bitch though. Red hair, somewhat of a beard, and he wore these dumbass looking robes. I remember that sword of his quite well, and chuckled. His power has crystals in it, fun. So far I’ve found that I can summon shit with necromancy, and lift myself with my mind.

But one thing is plaguing my mind, and I hate thinking about it.

I don’t know what sort of person Profion is. I don’t know if he’s gonna turn into a sociopath and start some shit. Since from what I understand, Grogar and whoever he got his power from had a history here.

What if he decides he’ll become something more than what he is now forcefully?

Then I’d have a tyrant to worry about, and I ain’t in the mood for that shit ever. Should I deal with him now? Save the future from that possible outcome?

No. I don’t know the future. This is just me being paranoid beyond all belief.

Funnily enough, when it was time for everyone to get up, I guess I was staring at him while he slept, and he woke up to find me glaring at him.

I would have laughed, if the thoughts I were having weren’t serious.

When I finished breakfast, I quickly left to go back to Sapphire Grotto. Finding the town was easier this time around, especially during the day since I didn’t have to worry too much about any predators sneaking up on me from behind.

When I came back, a good number of the ponies greeted me with a smile and a wave which I returned.

(OST)

I suppose I should report to the Mayor right about now. Things are calm, there’s no trouble to be worried about, all is good.

Yet… why do I have a bad feeling going back to Sapphire Grotto?

I shook my head and finally passed the treeline, placing myself on the trail towards the small village I’ve already begun to call my place of solitude.

Even though I’m not alone there.

And it isn’t in a frozen region of the world.

Ok, I’m just gonna call it my place. It’ll be easier, and I won’t confuse myself so much. I looked at the trees, which interestingly enough, was actually rather calming. Something about nature makes me feel collected.

“I miss air pollution.” I cried to myself quietly. “This clean air sucks!” With that bout of stupid out of the way, I continued on my merry way to get to Sapphire grotto.

Ten minutes of walking, and the village was in my sights. Smiling, I sprinted towards the gate, and was greeted by one of the guards.

“Ah, hey there.” He said in greetings.

I waved a hand, “Yo. The mayor in her office? I need to report to her.” The guard, who now that I got a good look at, was a beige coated plain pony with a bronze shield for a mark, nodded.

“Yes. She actually gave me orders to make sure you go to her.”

I sighed, and scratched the back of my head as I head into town, guard right next to me, “Geez, she doesn’t trust me enough to go straight to her?”

“It’s not that, she’s just been rather paranoid lately. Ever since we found the mines that this town was built on, she’s been… strange, to say the least.” He replied. He nodded to me, “Bronze Kite, you?”

“Grent.” I grinned, but it soon fell. “And what do you mean? I’ve only been here for a day, so I wouldn’t know how she’s supposed to be.”

“Well,” Bronze began, “She’s usually been calm and collected, you know, what you would expect from a mayor/prospector.”  Not really since I’ve never met a prospector/mayor, but sure! “Nowadays, she’s… shifty. I guess that’s the word I’m looking for, shifty.”

“How so?” I asked, wanting to get some more details on the mayor.

“Well, she’s been more paranoid for one. She has upped security ever since the first raid by the monsters.” He began, “But what has been confusing for me, and I haven’t really mentioned this to anyone else…”

“Well don’t leave me hanging Bronze, what is it?” I urged him to continue. If I was gonna be living here, I needed to know about any inside threats I would have to worry about.

“Her house. Even when the raids first began, her house was always untouched. Everyone elses was always attacked or the monsters attempted to break through the doors and windows.” He said with a grim frown, “Hers, however, untarnished.”

“I’d appreciate it stranger. I know it isn’t your problem, but-”

“Nonsense.” I interrupted with a smile, “I’m living here too, you know. I should defend my new home with all I got. even if it’s from the mayor.”

Bronze smiled and laughed, “If we had more ponies on the guard like you, I don’t think we’d have to worry about these raids. Some end up locking up on the spot, too terrified to move.”

“Can you blame them?” I ask as we walk through town, looking at some of the ponies go about their business. Though you can see a perpetual sense of fear in their eyes, a sort of caution that shows that they’re either ready to run or defend themselves at a moments notice.

They’re afraid. They’re afraid that one of them might not make it the next day, should the monsters come again.

“Everyone is afraid,” I began, “They don’t want to die. No one does, really.” I shrug, “It’s natural to want to live…”

“It’s like a dark cloud hanging over this town.” Bronze sighed, “I’ve been trying to let the mayor let me go into the mines with a team of my two most trusted guards and try to find the source, but she’s been stonewalling us since the very beginning, saying that it’s too risky.”

I saw a bit of the market place, seeing them trade. I couldn’t help but smile a bit. “Hm. Maybe we just need a good reason.” I turned to him, “I’ll help you out on the night guard. Once I give my report to the mayor, I’m gonna head home and rest.”

Bronze smiled and nodded, “Right. I’ll see you then.” We had stopped in front of what I guessed was the Mayors house. Bronze held out a hoof, which I shook firmly with a grin.

Letting him depart, I knock on the door, waiting for any shout to let me in. “It’s open.” I opened the door, and I saw the mayor at her desk. Hm, despite it being her house, she put her office on the first floor? “Ah, Grenth. I take it you’re here to give your report.” She said it more as a statement, really. Her office looked like what you would expect a mayor to have, a window to look out into the town, a large desk with what I assumed was plenty of drawers, and some paperwork scattered all over it.

I nodded, “Yeah. Nothing too big was happening at the crater, nothing that will affect Sapphire Grotto anyway.” Not telling the full story, but still the truth. “No monsters were riled up, and when I got there, the princesses of this nation seemed to have it under control.” That seemed to get her attention.

“So given that, it doesn’t exactly sound like nothing. Are you sure it wasn’t something big?” She asked me with suspicion. I rolled my eyes and sighed with annoyance.

“Given that I live here too, It’d be in bad taste to not say something about a situation that could affect the town.”

“Indeed.” She said shortly, and nodded. “Very well. You can go now.” I nodded, and exited her office.

        When I was out of earshot, I grimaced with annoyance, “Bitch…” Well, slightly. I can see why she’s cautious. I’m an unknown species, and I get to live here for free. She’s going to be keeping tabs on me for as long as I’m here.

        I don’t know what made her seem like that, but I’m gonna have to keep an eye out for anything strange.

        Yeah, that ain’t hard at all.

        Making my way through town, I found Diamond Trail’s house rather easily, since she was standing right outside of it. The silver coated unicorn spotted me and waved with a smile on her face, “Grenth! You’re alright!” I grinned and nodded as the mare trotted over to me. “How was the trip? Anything interesting?”

        My grin actually grew at the question. “Lets go inside first, before I tell you anything. Things have gotten interesting because of this, and I’m rather excited for this predicament.”

        DT raised an eyebrow at my reply, but followed me inside regardless. We got inside, and we went into the kitchen, sitting at the table. I cleared my throat, and began to recount my tail of last night.

        Meeting the princesses was eventful… Turns out she can communicate telepathically.

(9 hours ago…)

(OST)

I stood there talking to the ponies, and replying to the solar princess as truthfully as I could, all while trying to hide what my true motives were.

I wasn’t exactly willing to give myself away just yet. As I talked with the others, I saw the sun princess, Celestia, I believe her name was, staring at me intensly.

I would have cracked a joke, as was my usual reply. But I felt like she was studying me.

‘Just who are you, Grenth?’

Then I heard her voice in my head. I damn near shot out of my seat, but I held my composure well. ‘Depends on who you ask, I suppose.’ I had voiced in my mind.  ‘Was my statement not enough for you?’

‘Compared to Profion, you are more unknown. A wild card, so to speak. I don’t know what you plan, and I cannot get a feel for your personality. You are just as much a threat as he is… but I cannot simply jump to conclusions.’

‘Hm. Saving your conclusions…. good. Well, to assure you, I can say this. I have no plans for being some sort of villain. That isn’t my style.’ I don’t know what I want to be. But some evil bastard? Not high on my list of things I want.

‘And how can I be sure?’ Her eyes narrowed, ‘How can I be sure you speak the truth?’

I turned to her and smiled. ‘Look in my eyes, and tell me that I’m lying.’

For a few tense moments, we had stared at each other before I turned away, ‘Well?’

‘Perhaps you are right.’ She conceded. ‘Still, you must understand where I’m coming from.’

‘Of course. But you have to understand where I’mcoming from.’ I sigh as I lean my back into a chair, ‘Being accused of something I would never do isn’t exactly nice. But, let bygones be bygones I suppose.’

‘Thank you.’

(The Present)

(OST)

“That’s pretty much how it went, really.” I shrugged, having finished explaining my little venture into Ponyville.

DT was silent for a moment, before smiling widely, “Well, at least you made it back okay. You even got to meet the princesses to boot!” She giggled, “I’d say that’s more than the average pony can say in their lifetime.”

I smiled and shook my head, “Yeah, I guess you could say that.” I heard my stomach growl, and I chuckled sheepishly as DT laughed, “Yeah yeah, laugh it up. Got any grub in there?”

DT rolled her eyes and moved out of my way so I could get in, “I’ve been shopping recently, got some eggs and milk. I could cook up an omelette for you if you’d like.”

My stomach spoke before I could reply. I looked down at it, then pointed forward, “The king hath spoken! To the kitchen with you!”

DT rolled her eyes once more and began walking to the kitchen, “Yeah yeah Grenth, whatever you say.”

Today was gonna be a good day. I could tell.

But that left the concept of what me and Bronze Kite planned on doing. Hopefully we can find what we need.

Till then, I think I’ll just enjoy the rest of the day.”