Child of the Grave

by Serpenti

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Dark, Human
Length: 8675

A simple highschool graduate finds a strange bell in an alley. When he picks it up, he receives a vision of a malevolent being. Grogar. The Demon Necromancer

C. J. Robles. Barely out of highschool, normal life, has a loving mother, all around average. Well, if you call a deadpan snarker with mild sociopathic tendencies normal. On a walk home, he spots a shiny silver bell on the side of the road. Curious, he picks it up to inspect it. What he doesn't expect though, is that it contains an ancient evil not of earth.

Lets rock…

This is a crossover with Jimmy the Grape's story Nocturne of Shadows

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-01-30 15:34:53 UTC

A proposition that can cause pause

Alright, let's get this out of the way. I'm six feet tall, I have short black hair, a goatee, thin, out of highschool(THANK GOD), and that's just about it. No long intro's on my part. As for what I'm currently doing? I'm walking home in Arizona on a HOT. SUMMER. DAY. And the damn weather forecaster said it would be freaking rainy, so of course I brought a friggin' jacket! But I digress, I'm not going to gripe about it too much.

Have you ever had a trail that you followed, and you know it by heart? So whenever you get on said trail, you already know where to go, what turn to make, what alley leads where, even the time of day best recommended to travel down said alley? That's how I am with this one. Get off the city bus, and then with a few twists and turns, a bit of hops, some more twisting, I'm home. But unlike the much more preferable normal day, fate decided to give me the finger and add a little spice to my life. And by a little, I mean enough to choke a monkey. It all started with a single silver bell. Yeah, a bell screwed up my day, yuck it up. I took a shortcut through an alley to cut down on walking time since I'm such a lazy prick and there was construction going on on the road so it smelt like tar (ALSO KNOWN AS ASS!).

Now in the alley was the usual suspects. Broken glass, furniture, garbage cans, you know, normal stuff. When you see a pristine silver bell sitting there screaming "PICK ME UP YOU INSUFFERABLE TWAT!" You can't help but want to. Doing so like the gullible little monkey I am, I began to feel a slight numbness,,, like my arm was just... dead. Being a dork, I decided this required more investigation. At that thought, I began to feel a lightheadedness, and then the scariest fucking thing in existence happened. Skeletal arms popped out of the ground, and started dragging me down into the cold earth. Screaming like a little girl, I tried to beat the little fuckers off of me, but damn if their grip wasn't rigor mortis tight.

As my head started to submerge, I began to lose consciousness.

Well this sucks.

Okay, waking up was an incredibly bad idea. But... well... it's kind of hard to stay asleep when your alarm clock consists of nothing but "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" and lots and lots of blood along a circular tunnel. What the hell is this, Doom 3? It's still pretty fucking scary mind you, and I'm seeing faces upon faces of a lot of beings... some I don't even know what the hell they are! It wasn't long, until the manson family rollercoaster finally came to an end, that I was hovering in a black void that beheld plenty of skeletons and carcasses that would make a gravedigger soil himself at the amount of work, and heard a deep rumbling chuckle. Looking around, it wasn't hard to see a spot of land soaring towards my location at a rather alarming pace. So, being the man that I am, I proceeded to scream like a bitch and hope that I don't get hit. The land stopped a little bit below me, and I gently floated down from some unseen force.

"Come to me..."

Okay who the hell is that? That voice is rather gravely, and sounds rather sick and old. All of a sudden, a grand castle appeared before me, with gates and... undead? Okay, that's pretty cool. The gates opened, and a single zombie mouse rose from the dirt and looked at me; it then began to skitter to the castle. It stopped at the gate, and looked back at me.

I guess the little fucker wants me to follow him... Probably not the smartest idea, but damn does it sound fun. Shrugging to myself, I run after what could be my ticket out of boredom and enter the castle. With a loud bang, the gates crash down behind me, sealing my way out. Wasn't planning on leaving anyway, so lez do dis! I follow the mouse further into the castle, and see some paintings of a cornflower blue ram with crimson eyes and... THAT FUCKING BELL!?! I look at the bell in my hand in shock. I guess this must have belonged to the ram. I am now feeling that I should have stayed in bed today.

The mouse stopped in front of an open door that when I listen closely, I could hear the crackling of a fire place. The mouse looks to me, then to the room. I stare at the mouse with a deadpan glare, "Seriously? You want me to go into a room that seems to be occupied in a creepy, albeit rather awesome castle?" The mouse nodded and I shrugged, "Oh. Just checking." Fuck me...

"Enter." The voice from earlier said without the echo-y bit. Gulping and steeling myself, I enter the room. To my surprise, I was greeted by a rather withered old ram laying on a lot of pillows. I do mean a lot. I stare at the ram a bit.

Slowly, I begin to form words, "I... take it your the ram in the paintings I saw." The ram chuckled.

"So you do think. Good, I would hate to have summoned a complete simpleton." The ram cleared his throat, "I have summoned you here human, to ask of you a favor."

I shrugged, "Okay... I don't exactly know what I could possibly give you... but sure. Lets hear it." Honestly, I doubt there's much I could do.

He smiled creepily, which made me shiver slightly, "Willing. Even better. Now, for you to understand what I am going to ask of you, you must know this. I, Grogar, am a demon necromancer." And shit just got real. "Unfortunately, I am... fading away, so to speak. I will no longer have any pull anywhere in the world."

"Well that sucks..." I say somewhat sadly, "Anything you want to make the transition more... well, manageable?" I ask.

He laughed, "How naive... Yes, there is one thing." His horns glow with a sickly green color, and the bell in my hand floats out of my grip and hovers in front of him. "I wish to pass on my power to another. I refuse to be forgotten, and I refuse to let Equestria believe that they are safe from dark magic..." He growled. He then began to have a translucent green trail come out of him, and enter the bell. After a while, he let the bell go, and he was panting heavily. I caught the bell in time, and stared at him.

"So you don't want to be forgotten huh?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. He's a necromancer, so I'm guessing the place he's from he wasn't well liked. With a growing, slightly evil grin, I nod, "Alright. I'll do my best."

Grogar returned the grin, "Good. Know this, now that you have my magic, you will have to train to get used to it. And it is only a fraction of what I have. The rest that you develop with have to be of your own power." I nodded in understanding, which seemed to please him, "Also... the world you are going to will be home to... beings unlike you. They are ponies."

I deadpan and sigh, "Seriously...? Don't tell me there-"

"Yes. There are puns."

"FUCK!" I curse loudly, and sigh. I look back at him, "Alright... may as well send me away." I look down, then back at him, "Thanks I guess... for the powers and all that."

He smirked, "Not a problem. You are doing me a favor after all." With that, the same portal that brought me here blasted me out, sending me to god knows where as I blacked out... again.

I'm beginning to see a freaking pattern here.

I woke up again, this time laying against a tree in a nasty ass area that smelt like shit. Pinching my nose, I look around and see that I'm in a freaking bog of all places. Honestly Grogar, you could have at least sent me somewhere nicer. I get up and put my hands in my pockets, and surprisingly, I feel the crumble of paper. I grab the note in my pocket, and unfold it. It read this.

"Put on the bell." I raised an eyebrow, and stared at the bell in my hand. I then noticed it had a black cloth through the loop, and shrugged. This honestly wasn't the weirdest thing to happen to me today, so I won't complain. As I slowly put it around my neck, the bell began to glow ominously, and I was then encased in a bright light. I shielded my eyes so I don't go bloody blind. When I opened them, I was greeted to something that nearly made me cream myself in total happiness at my new clothes that appeared.

(A/N: Sorry, I know it's a bit lazy, but it saves time. Also, remove the skulls and you'll get the idea. And the staff needs to go too.)

The clothes seemed to be made out of some kind of leathery material... I'm not going to ask, I'll probably hurl. I shift the hood a bit, letting me see more in front of me. I look around and sigh. I guess I better look around. I decide to head north because reasons(I have no idea what I'm doing).

After a while, I begin to hear voices far off. Smiling to myself, I move closer to the direction they came from, and surprisingly find a small village. And Grogar was right... these are ponies. Except he forgot to mention one thing. These fuckers eyes are HUGE! Seriously! I've never seen eyes that big! I shook my head from the shock, and look closer and I could hear their conversation.

"So Gear, how's that project of yours coming along?" A all white pony with a green mane and a donut tattoo on her flank.

"Well, It still has its kinks, but it seems to be doing rather well. I'm going to try putting more magical output, see if that does anything." The steel grey, I guess its a stallion, replied. Fucking hell they talk too. I turn away and sigh.

This is going to be a long... LONG... LONG career.

Not exactly a Zombie Apocalypse

Chapter 2: Not exactly a Zombie Apocalypse

I was currently sitting in the bog, thinking to myself one thing.

How do I Necromancer? I've got to think on this one... Okay, so here's what I got. Necromancers can do their trade, like, well, necromancy, raw magic powers like levitation, tamper with souls and slightly drain them, mess with bones(I am going to have sooooo much fun with that...), make organic material rot, disease (Which also explains why I'm not sick from being in this damn bog), ectoplasm, Make zzzzzzombies, and teleport like a baws.

Oh this is going to be freaking awesome... But then again, Grogar did say I have to train to use reach my full potential. What better time then now? I'm going to need a good place to practice... how about some magic practice first? Actually, it would probably be better to see if I can at least manifest it. I get up, and look around the bog. I hear plenty of wildlife, like bugs, frogs, snakes, the basics. Sighing to myself, I leave the area, stepping over various roots that would have made me trip. As I walk, I stare at the bell in my hands in puzzlement.

Now, let me recap some events from an hour ago. I put the bell on, got some amazing cloak/hood thing, and when I took off the bell, it left me back in my black t-shirt and jeans. Okay, so it creates... I guess is an illusion? I'm going to have to figure this out by winging it aren't I? I sigh once more, and duck under a branch.

Then there's the issue of the... ponies. Ugh... I can't believe I'm saying that now. I get the feeling they won't be quick to trust me, given what my powers are. And knowing my luck, Grogar has a history here that'll probably screw me over. I look around the area, and it seems to be a forest now rather then a bog. Alright, that narrows things down a bit on terms of where I am... now to search for a good place to start training. It wasn't long that I found a small clearing with a tree in the center. I look around and see that there's thankfully no animals in the area, so I begin to walk over to the tree and stop in front of it. Now that I'm close to it, it seems pretty damn tall... cool. I turn around and sit cross legged. What should I levitate?

How about myself? That's at least guaranteed something. Before I tried though, I froze.

How the hell do I use my magic...? Maybe it's like the force or something... just think...?

And what do you know! I begin to glow a dark green, yet I didn't move. No matter how much I tried to will myself to lift off the ground, I just wouldn't. After a couple of minutes, I began to feel rather tired, so I stopped and breathed deeply. And the realization of the fact that I have no idea what I'm going to do for food has now hit me.

OH FUCK WHAT DO I DO FOR FOOD!? What do I- Wait... wait. There was those ponies earlier... ponies must mean food. Food means sustenance. Sustenance means... okay that's it. I guess I'm making a trip into a small village. BACK TO THE BOG!

(OST)

Thank god I remembered my way, otherwise this would have been freaking annoying. I snuck behind a building and held my breath as an earth brown pegasus passed by. I peeked my head slightly past the corner and saw that this village looks like one of those frontier towns... just in a forest. Almost a lot like old tucson. I love that place... Back to the subject at hand, I shake my head and move behind another building. I peek around the corner and see a dumpster. Then, a grey unicorn with a white mane walks into the alley and sighs as she just waits.

Goddammit would you just leave! I need to find sustenance!

"I wish we would just go back to Balitmare..." DAMN THOSE PUNS. "It's almost every week that we get attacked by that... thing, it's just getting so hard to live here in peace." She said with depression written all over her face. Seriously, these ponies are very expressive. "But after so long... we finally found something worth digging for in this Celestia forsaken forest. If we can just get rid of that crea-"

(OST)

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!" A shrill scream pierced the air and made my blood run cold. Holy hell what's going- "THE BASILISK IS HERE!" The same voice screamed. I heard a deep hiss that actually carried over the screams of the other ponies. I felt sweat run down my forehead as I actually felt... fear. This is what fear feels like... Hehehe... Oh my god this horrible...

Not long after that... the damn thing came through the alley. It was basically a giant snake about the size of me, maybe even bigger. The unicorn froze in shock as both she and it stared at each other. Feeling fear taking root in me, and I guess a sense of heroics, I grabbed the pony and lifted her onto my shoulder, surprising her. I ran the other direction, and when I turned around... OH FUCKAROO THAT BITCH IS CHASING ME NOW! Doubling my pace, and having to deal with the unicorn over my shoulder screaming her head off this wasn't making things easy! I duck under a branch, and grab it. If I'm correct, and I really hope I am, he'll rise from the ground to try and eat us in one fell swoop. I reached about as far as the branch would go, and thankfully my hypothesis was correct. I let the branch go, and it struck the fucker in the face! YES! Oh shit I think I pissed it off...

With increased vigor, I take off like a bat out of hell with the thing still after me. "Who are you!?" The unicorn shouted as I swerved past the trees.

"Grenth! Nice to meet ya'!" I reply as I jump over a log, "What about you? What's your name?" I ask. I wasn't going to give out my name just yet.

"Diamond Trail!" She replied, "And you might to hurry it up Grenth, The Basilisk doesn't look too happy!"

"No SHIT!" I snap as I could practically feel the rage from it! We finally made it into a clearing, the same one I was in earlier, and I saw the large tree. Getting an idea, I run over to it, and place Diamond Trail on a branch, "Climb up! I'll distract it since it's me he's after!" WHAT THE FUCK BRAIN! I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT!

"What about you!?" I pause for a second before realizing one thing.

I have no idea what I'm doing. At all.

I am so fucked right now.... I heard a hiss from behind me, and I nervously turned around to see the basilisk staring me in the eyes. I chuckled nervously and said, "You're uh... not mad about the branch thing, right...?"

Surprisingly enough, the bastard nodded. I 'ahh'd and sighed, "Oh. Okay then." I then pointed in a random direction, "What the fuck is that!?" He turned in that direction and I ran away laughing happily "You're so stupid..." Damn my mouth because sure as anything it turned and began to chase after me. This time though, he was able to catch up to me and began to constrict me tightly.

Oh my god... I'm going to die. I'm going to die!!! I tried wriggling my way out of its grip, but it tightned, making me shout in pain, "FUCKER!" Nonononono! Not this! I began to feel a large amount of power come from the bell, but I didn't pay attention, I was too caught up in the fact that I was about to be fucking eaten!

If the snake could, it would have smirked as it opened its gaping maw and slowly and tortuously lowered his head.

NOTLIKETHISNOTLIKETHIS!!!! The power reached a crescendo and I felt a green light encompass me, "NOT LIKE THIS!!!!!" I screamed, and shockingly, a giant fleshy fist erupted from the ground and grabbed the basilisk by the head and crushed it, splattering blood all over me and I lost all consciousness.

What da fuck just happened...?

(OST)

Hours later, I woke up feeling very fatigued. I couldn't even get up, but I could look around. I seem to be in a bed that was barely big enough to hold me, and I can't feel my body at all. That leaves me to think... what the hell was that arm? It was huge! Seriously... Did I do that? I glanced down at myself, and saw that I wasn't covered in blood anymore. I heard the door open, and I immediately closed my eyes to fake sleeping. I heard the sound of hooves on a wooden surface, and it stopped right next to me.

"I... I just wanted to come in here and thank you. You saved my life... if it wasn't for you, I would be in that basalisk's stomach. If you can hear me... thanks."  I heard the pony trot out of the room, and I felt manly man tears fall down my face.

I'm a hero... I'm a damn hero. It's even more amazing that no one has raised an eyebrow at the use of necromancy from me! Blending in, SUCCESS!

Perhaps my life here won't be so bad after all...

I guess I'm not Alone

Chapter 3: I guess I'm not Alone...

It wasn't long after I woke up that I was finally able to get out of bed. It was a bit difficult, since my legs felt a bit shaky. I managed to get to the doorway and used the walls to balance myself. Looking down the hallway, I don't see anyone coming through it nor do I hear anyone. Alright, let's try to get out of the hallway at least... okay, so far so good, a bit shaky but good. I then come across my now most hated enemy in existance.

A flight of stairs. I narrow my eyes as I stare at them, challenging me to climb down them. How dare those stairs... I sighed to myself as I prepared to climb down them. Okay, one step... good. Two steps... even better. three ste- OH SHIT! "OH SHIT!" I both thought and screamed as I tripped and fell down the stairs. I heard galloping in another room and Diamond Trail popped through the door and stared at me in concern.

"Grenth! You're up!" She crouched down in front of me as I sighed in annoyance.

"Oh yeah, just thought I'd check out the floor, it looked so interesting that I just couldn't help myself and FUCKING FACEPLANTED!" I snap as I try to get up, "Seriously, get me up!" I sigh as she crouches low enough for me to wrap an arm around her neck and use her to balance myself. "Thank you." I say as she guides me into the room she was in, which turns out to be the kitchen/dining room.

"I was hoping you'd wake up soon, so I made you something to eat..." She said as she made her horn glow and brought in a chair from the living room and placed it behind me, "Here." I nodded in thanks and sat down. Hold up... why hasn't anyone bothered her about me yet? I mean, I figure the town would be deep in discussion about some random creature saving them from the asshole snake.

Diamond Trail caught my stare, and asked, "Is something wrong?" she sounds concerned. Even weirder...

I nodded, "Yeah. Why haven't any of the other townsfolk tried knocking down the door for the inquisition?" I asked sarcastically, yet honestly. She must have caught on, because she nodded in understanding.

"Well, I told the Mayor Dust about you taking care of the basilisk and saving me, and he was more than happy to help you out..." She trailed off, "I.. may have also volunteered to look after you."  I stared at her with a raised eyebrow, and chuckled.

"What, falling for me already?" I honestly couldn't care less, and I'm only joking here.

Damn, I could see a blush even through that light grey fur of hers! "That's not why!" She snapped. I laughed and raised my hands in defense.

"I'm kidding! Thank you DT." I smile. Seriously, she could have just left me in the forest. I gotta respect someone who's willing to help me when I'm vulnerable.

She returned my smile with her own, somehow looking rather adorable doing so, "You're welcome Grenth." Ah... I'm so going to milk that nickname for what it's worth...

We sat in silence for the most part, just me enjoying... well, it looks and tastes like oatmeal, and as much as I hate oatmeal, I'm grateful for getting something. I look back at Diamond Trail and ask, "Like I said before, how'd you convince the townsfolk to let me stay?"

"Well, they were much more willing when I told them you killed the basalisk." She deadpanned. I nodded in understanding and motioned for her to continue, "That, and I said that I would watch over you while you stayed here. I owe you that much at least since you saved me." She explained as she got up and got a banana. Heh, banana.

Whoever said it is right, you can't watch a girl eat a banana and not think about a... I'll just cut that off there... I finish my meal with a sigh, as I actually feel some of my strength return to me. Whatever was in that oatmeal, seriously, I feel much better. I look at DT with a grin, "Thanks for the food, you've successfully made oatmeal taste good to me."

She giggled, "That would be because I put a bit of potion in it. It's kind of like an energy drink for unicorns, and you looked tired from magic exhaustion so I put some of that in there." Huh. So I can has energy drink for extra magic.

Oh fuck yes... I look at her with a grin, "Since you put it like that, could I have a couple of those? I want to practice my magic in the room you gave me."

She nodded and pointed a hoof to a drawer, "There's some in there. Try to leave some for me." She says jokingly as I take at least five of them. I am going to be so~ hyper after this...

"No promises cuz' this stuff tastes amazing." I smirk as I can actually walk up the stairs normally like nothing. I guess my magic is more a part of me then I originally thought if just rejuvenating it can make me feel better. "I'll be in my room if you need me." I call to her and heard her affirmation that she heard me. I made it to my room and sat down on the bed. Now that I got a good look at the room, it's actually quite nice. I got a nice view of the moon, the stars, everything! Grinning to myself, I get ready to start practicing.

Now, what should I start with? How 'bout some levitation? I close my eyes, and try to concentrate. I felt my power manifest on my form, creating a sickly green aura around me. Alright, my power's ready to be used. Lets see what I can even lift. I try the pillow, and am met with some most excellent results. I could feel it begin to hover in the air, my aura covering it completely. Okay, lets see what happens when... AWWW YEAH! I can lift myself now! I felt myself hover in the air, slightly above the bed. Lets try moving, cuz' I want an excuse to be a freaking jedi at this point.

I was able to move a couple of feet forward, but I ended up falling on my ass due to getting too tired to keep myself in the air. Panting heavily with a grin, I reach for a potion and down some of its contents, feeling my exhaustion creep away.

Now that I think about it, maybe that arm summoning was a blessing besides the obvious saving my life. Maybe because I went with something so... "Heavy" I guess is what I'm saying, that the "lighter" stuff is a bit easier.

Can you see the gears full of cobwebs finally turning in my head?

I finish the first potion and feel amazing. Alright, lets try so- Whaaaat daaaa fuuuuuuck...? The... the sky just went all fucky! The stars disappeared for a moment, and I think I saw the goddamn moon move! Is that a meteor!? Oh shit it's heading pretty clo-

BOOOM!

The house shook from the impact of the meteor, since it appeared to have landed pretty damn close. What the hell was that?

"Grenth!" DT's voice called from downstairs. Downing a potion, I brace myself and head downstairs to see another pony in there with her. It was a mare, from what I could tell, and she had a deep red coat with a black mane. She's also a bloody unicorn.

How many of these am I going to run into?

"This is Ruby Dust, the Mayor of Sapphire Grotto." DT introduced the mare. I nod and hold out a hand. She sticks her hoof in it and we shake. I turn back to DT.

"What's going on?" I ask, feeling slightly uncomfortable standing here.

"Well, I was talking with the mayor about you... and... well..."

"I would like for you to check out the crash site." The mayor finished for her. I don't know why... but I don't really trust her. Still, I owe her for letting me stay in town, so I can't really complain.

"Okay..." I sighed, "Give me a moment to get my bearings and I'll head out." I then walk back up the stairs.

"Darn it mayor! Can't you at least let him rest? He's been through a lot in just the past few hours, he deserves a break!" Diamond Trail exclaimed as I walk into my room.

"We are letting him stay for free, if he wishes to continue to do so, he has to start pulling his own weight." The mayor replies as I tie my first shoe.

"By sending him on a dangerous mission to check out a meteor crash site!?"

"I have to place the safety of the town over some random person just walking into town! Besides, he agreed to it anyway, so he understands!" No I don't, I want to go to bed ya' damn cunt. I can't even charge her since I owe the damn sleep depriver for letting me stay! I finish tying my other shoe, I get up and walk back down the stairs, my bell in my pocket. I look at the two of them and nod.

(OST)

"Alright. I guess I'm heading out." I say as put on my jacket and walk out the door.

"Be careful!" Diamond Trail called out, I waved in reply as I head in the direction of the meteor. I just now realized that I still have a potion in my pocket on the inside of my jacket. Oh well, at least I have some pots. I begin my long trek to the crash site, whistling to myself as I walk through the forest.

It's honestly rather peaceful here. Whatever those ponies did at Sapphire Grotto to make the area hospitable for them worked really well, cuz' I haven't seen a single predator yet.

Now that I get onto that subject, I seemed to have been doing rather well with my magic now that I know that there are mana pots to help me out. I should probably go lightly on them, this isn't Diablo 2, so I probably can't down it like it's water. I duck under a branch as I continue uninterrupted. It wasn't long until I come across a very large ruin that was basically turned into fuck. Seriously, rubble errwhere. I sigh to myself, preparing myself for whatever was at the epicenter. I walk further and further, until I spot a single woman standing amongst the rubble in all black clothing.

Huh, I guess I'm not the only human in this world after all! Awesome!

Seriously, black hoodie, black pants, black shoes, at first I thought she was a goth. I decide to speak up, "Who the hell are you?" I are eloquent, shut up. I seemed to have caught her attention as she turned in my direction, and i have to admit, she's rather pretty. Not my type though, so eh. She put a hand on her chin in thought for a while as she looked at the sky. Er... okay, any day now lady.

She sighed and shrugged her shoulders, then waved at me. Seriously? Alright, I'll just go to you then, "Yeah, cuz' a wave tells me who you are..." I pinch the bridge of my nose as I sigh, "I'll just call you Jane." It's better then freaking nothing anyway.

I saw her eye twitch slightly, and she began to search frantically for something. She finally found what she was looking for in the form of a bag as she walked towards it. I followed her, and offered my assistance, "You need any help?" She shook her head, and produced an ID that she handed to me. On the ID was the usual shit, and I saw her name. Joshua McDowell.

"Joshua McDowell, huh?" I ask as I hand it back to her. I sounded like cop... ugh... Huh, she seemed to be writing something. She handed me the notebook and on the page was a sentence.

'Sorry for the inconvenience, but I am mute, I cannot speak. And yes, my name is Joshua McDowell' Well now I feel a little bad!

"Shit... sorry to hear that. And don't worry about it... it's just really early for me..."I grimace and scratch the back of my head. I should say late, but still, the meaning is there.

She quickly wrote something down and turned the notebook for me to see, 'The one who brought me here, her name was Nightmare Moon. Apparently an entity with magical powers, which she used through a hat/helmet of hers to bring me here in her place.I imagine something similar must have happened to you too, no?’

I chuckled, “You could say that. Demonic Ram that also happens to be a Necromancer.” I pulled out the bell, “Gave me this since this was his medium to use his power.”

‘Interesting. I don’t believe I got your name?’ She quickly wrote and showed to me.

“C.J.” I replied with a smirk. I think I can trust her with my name.

She looked around after a bit, then showed me what she wrote ‘Nice to meet you, C.J.Any idea what this place is like? This world, I mean.’

I shrugged, “Decent people from the ones I’ve met. Just have to get past the fact that they’re ponies.” Tis true.

‘I guess that would be linked to the image I saw on Nightmare Moon’s moon, which was a depiction of what seemed to be a unicorn. Possibly a counterpart to the Man in the Moon, just with a pony.’

I waved a hand, I really am not in the mood to discuss coincidences... “Who knows. There isn’t really a way to be sure right now anyway.” Looking around the area, I turned back to her and said, “You want to get out of here? Because I don’t want to be around here when whoever is in charge of this area sees the mess your arrival made.” Because lets face it, there's bound to be someone or something who called this place home.

I scratched my head in thought, then wrote, ‘No, I will stay here for now. I am curious as to what may remain of this place and wish to find out. Besides, if the explosion did not scare them off, they are too wary to come here, as I can tell I had been here, unconscious, for at least an hour, and I still remain.’

I shrugged, “Suit yourself. I won’t force you to change your mind.” I paused in thought then said, “If you’re ever heading north, and find a small village called Sapphire Grotto, look me up. I’ll try to help you out.” Let it not be said that I wasn't nice.

She nodded, ‘I will, though I may be here for a while. Something tells me that, if I look hard enough, I may find something interesting. I will have to wait and see though.’

“Don’t overwork yourself, and make sure you at least eat. I made the mistake of training my magic without figuring that process out first, and almost came to regret it.” I advised. I don't want anyone repeating my mistakes.

‘Thank you for the advice.’ She then picked up her stuff and moved to the center of the crater, giving me a wave as she does so. Alright, guess I should head out then.

“Adios ya Lunatic.” I shouted back as I walked away and moved back to town. Well, I guess my job is done. Time to head back!

(OST)

Damn it all, not even an hour in bed, and I already feel guilty for leaving her there! I tossed and turned in bed as I tried to not feel my conscience beat me up about leaving a girl alone in the woods in the middle of a giant crater.

Son of a bitch that isn't helping! I sigh to myself and get up from bed.

I hate myself for depriving myself of sleep, but you know what!? If it helps me feel good about myself, screw it!

I quickly get dressed, and sneak out into the forest, taking the trail I took to the crater.

Ugh... why can't I be an all around asshole and just forget about it...?

Summarizing a Death Threat and Searching the Mines

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.”