Fallowing the directions Strong Steel gave me I walked through town headed towards the Carousel Boutique with the empty bags tied to my belt. During the walk several people stared or whispered to each other. This went on until a tall flat chested woman with long purple hair, a blue-green shirt, solid gold necklace, and a wavy dress the same purple color as her hair marched up to me and snarled. “What do you think you’re doing here you flee infested Monster? Don’t you know that your kind aren’t welcome here or are you too stupid to understand me you mangy mutt?”
(Oh boy, I doubt this is going to end well.) I thought before saying. “All I’m doing is getting to know my new home. As long as I’m not bothering anyone I don’t see a problem, Miss…?”
Holding her surprisingly pointy nose in the air she scoffed. “Spoiled Rich, although I guess I shouldn’t expect a dumb brute like you to know Nobility when they see it. But getting to know your new home? Please as soon as the Princesses or the Guild know you’re here you’ll be put down like the beast you are.”
“Actually Miss. Rich.” I said doing my best to be polite. “Princess Celestia already knows I’m here. In fact she let me join the Monster Hunter Guild if that’s the one you’re talking about, and I’m supposed to meet a representative later today.”
“SHE WHAT?!” Spoiled Rich shrieked drawing everyone’s attention. “Has she lost her mind? Why would she allow someone like you to join the Guild, let alone live!” At this whispers spread throughout the crowd like a wild fire in a forest that hadn’t had any rain in a year. “I mean what new kind of werewolf are you considering those horns?”
“I can’t claim to know her thoughts but perhaps it’s because I’ve been living in the Everfree for two months and I spent that time killing beasts that were trying to leave the forest and attack the town? And I’m not a werewolf. I’m a Lycan-Scale, perhaps the only Lycan-Scale in existence.” I said trying to calm the raging storm my emotions were quickly becoming as a new wave of whispers started. (Mother Nature if you’re listening, I beg you. Give me the patience to deal with this.)
“Who cares what you are you mixed breed monstrosity!” Spoiled Rich yelled as I took a step back surprised by the hatred and venom in her voice and the crowd gasped making me wonder if they also heard it. “How do we you’re not lying or hiding something? You’ve probably killed several people before moving into the forest, the Hunters sho…”
As Spoiled Rich spoke a loud commanding voice echoed throughout the area cutting her off mid word. “ENOUGH!” Everyone turned to see a giant of a man. Standing almost eight and a half feet tall. Wearing a gleaming suite of gold and silver plate mail with spiked shoulders, his short obsidian black hair cut a militaristic style and a giant axe strapped to his back. I was shocked to see he was a foot taller than Princess Celestia who was already about a head taller than me. “I will not have you harassing our newest member Ms. Rich. Please desist before you’re placed under arrest for disrupting the peace.”
“ME? What about him?!” Spoiled Rich asked indigent. “Surly you don’t believe his lies.”
“Do you think that either of the Princesses would willingly put their subjects in danger or choose someone who wasn’t suitable to defend this town?” The man asked walking up to stand beside me.
“What? No of course not. It’s just…”
“Just nothing.” He said with a frown. “From what I witnessed he’s done a remarkable job controlling his temper despite your best attempts and he’s even been polite to you regardless of how you’ve been treating him. Now I’ll ask you again to leave him alone.”
Spoiled Rich looked between me and the giant for a moment before muttering “This isn’t over.” And walked away.
Shaking his head he looked down at me. “Well lad I’m impressed and not just from what the Princess and Captain Armor told me about you. Not many can talk to her and stay courteous the way you did.”
“It wasn’t easy.” I said unclenching my hands when I noticed that my claws were staring to dig into my palms. “She’s worse than any banshee I’ve ever heard of.”
“On that we agree.” He said before holding out his hand. “I’m Mighty Swing the Monster Breaker. I’m in charge of Ponyville’s branch of the Monster Hunter Guild.”
Taking hold of his armored hand I gave a toothy grin. “Ajax but you already knew that.”
“Well Ajax I assume you’re doing a few errands before our meeting in a few hours. So I’ll be off and you can get back to what you were doing. Just remember to be back at your new abode around five.” Mighty Swing said before walking off.
Taking a calming breath I looked around and saw a town clock saying it was 1:45. Continuing on my way I soon came across the Carousel Boutique. Walking in I heard a few bells ring deeper inside the store. “I’ll be with you in just a moment.” Letting Rarity do her thing I walked around the room looking at the different outfits. When Rarity came out she cried. “Ajax, I wasn’t expecting to see you. What can I do for you darling?”
“I need some cloths and Strong Steel told me that you’d be the best choice.” I explained.
“Say no more. Fallow me and I’ll take your measurements. Now how many sets were you looking for?” Leading me to her work room she quickly grabbed measuring tape and got to work. “I also heard that the Princess gave you the house across from the tavern.”
“That’s correct. It’s a little bigger then I’m used to but it’s not that bad.” I said. “And I’d like three sets for now.”
“Just three? Alright.” Rarity said. “And at least the house is comfortable. I don’t even remember how long it’s been since anyone’s lived there. By the way I heard someone yelling a few minutes ago, do you know what happened?”
“I on the way here I met a woman named Spoiled Rich and…”
“Urgh, her. She’s one of the most obnoxious people I’ve ever met. I do hope it wasn’t too bad for you dear.” Rarity said grimacing.
“She screamed like a banshee and insulted me.” I explained. “Obnoxious isn’t the word I’d use. She’s by far the most vile and hateful creature I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. Seriously I’ve fought Chimera’s who had more nobility in their manes then she has in her entire body! She could probably turn a cockatrices to stone.”
“She probably could.” Rarity agreed with a chuckle. “So what kinds of outfit were you thinking of?”
“Well a normal shirt is out thanks to my claws so some vests and some pants for when I need something a little more formal but I’ll probably just use the armor Strong Steel makes for me more often.” I said looking down as Rarity jotted a few things down in a notebook as she hummed to herself. “By the way what time is it? Mighty Swing’s going to arrive at my home around five to tell me more about being a Monster Hunter and I want to pick up some soap and shampoo before then.”
“It’s three fifteen.” Rarity said glancing at a clock. “Sorry this took so long but don’t worry I’m almost done with the measurements. Then you can be on your way. Also if you’re going to get some health care products I’d suggest you stay away from the local superstore ‘Rich’s Barnyard Bargains’. Spoiled’s husband Filthy Rich owns it and chances are she’s on her way to talk it him if she hasn’t already. Instead I suggest you drop by the Ponyville Day Spa, they should be able to help you get everything you need, and I don’t want to be rude by saying this but they also started carrying shampoos for pets a year ago. So if the normal kind doesn’t work with your fur and scales you still have options.”
“Thanks for letting me know about that. Ca you tell me how do I get there?”
Just after Rarity finished giving me directions we heard a door slam open and the bells jangled. “RARITY I’M HOME!”
“I’m working with a customer Sweetie.” Rarity called back.
“Who’s that?”
“That’s my sister Sweetie Bell.” Rarity explained as a shriek filled the air.
“R…R…Rarity why is a monster in the house?” Standing in the doorway, trembling in fear is a young prepubescent teenaged girl wearing a peal white dress, a soft pink backpack had been dropped at her feet.
“He’s not a monster Sweetie, despite what his looks tell you. This is Ajax he’s a new member of the Guild.” Rarity explained. “Aaand done. I’ll need to do a few sketches first but I should have something for you tomorrow afternoon and I’ll get the measurements over to Steel before I start anything.”
“Thanks, Rarity. How much do I owe you?” I asked reaching for my bag.
“Think nothing of it Ajax. Anything for a friend.” Rarity said waving her hand as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Rarity we’ve only talked twice. We barely know each other. As I told Captain Armor were not friends, we’re acquaintances. Now how much do I owe you?” I said my hand hovering over the bag just waiting to pull out the money.
Rarity looked at me for a moment as if she was trying to read something in my expression. Finally she nodded. “If you feel that strongly about it. For the three sets you ordered it will be fifty-five bits.”
“Here you go.” I said handing over the money. “One more thing, Princess Celestia left a letter at my house signed it as ‘Monarch of the Day, and Co-Ruler of Equestria’. Does that first title mean anything who who’s the other Ruler?”
“Celestia uses her magic to rise and set the sun each day and she rules Equestria along with her sister Princess Luna who raises the moon. I’d go into it a little more but I don’t want to take up to much of your time right now.” Rarity explained as I headed towards the door where her sister was still trembling.
“Thank you Rarity.” I said before looking at Sweetie. “Can you please move? I’ve got an important meeting soon.” Sweetie quickly grabbed her backpack and scooted out of the way. “Thank you.” As I headed out of the Boutique I heard Sweetie rush into the room and started bombarding Rarity with questions.
On my walk to the spa a girl who I guessed was around Sweetie’s age with wind swept purple hair a black jacket, forest camo pants and a rainbow band on her left wrist. “So you’re the guy I heard is the newest member of the Guild and the one assigned to protect Ponyville.”
“That’s me.” I said. “I’m…”
“I don’t care who you are. Just know that I don’t trust you or your kind and I’ll be keeping my eyes on you.” And with that she walked off.
Sighing I shook my head and continued on my way wondering why what this young girl said hurt just as much as what Spoiled Rich had yelled at me. When I found the spa I saw a large sign hanging above the door. ‘Ponyville Day Spa, Where We Work To Ease Your Body And Mind.’ Walking in I found a soft blue room with a few shelves with various plastic tubs on the left wall. After looking through the shampoos for a few minutes I found a few I liked. Taking them up to the counter the yellow haired woman wearing an ivory white outfit looked up from her computer. “Ah you must be Ajax. Miss Rarity called ahead and let us know you we coming. Did you find everything you were looking for?”
Nodding I placed the bottles on the desk. After checking the four bottles them she said. “That will be fifty bits. Thank you and we hope you see you again.” After making my purchase I stopped at a fast food restaurant called ‘Hay Burger’ to grab a bite to eat and luckily I got it without any problems. When I got home I saw that the furniture the Princess ordered had arrived and put in place so now I had a couch and a few chairs along with a table with a bronze candelabra on it. Heading up stairs I put the shampoo and soap away before checking on the rest of the bags full of monster parts and was pleased to see they hadn’t been touched and that the old bed had been replaced with one large enough for me to sleep in along with a bedside table and electric clock that said it was exactly four o'clock.
“Gonna need to buy groceries tomorrow… and a few more clocks.” I muttered as I walked back down stairs just as someone knocked on the door. “Be right there!” Opening the door I saw a smiling Twilight with a teenage boy with short spiky forest green hair a fire patterned hoodie and blue jeans but I noticed that his eyes were similar to mine only instead of silver his eyes are light green. “Hello Twilight. Who’s this?”
“Hello Ajax, this is Spike. My LBBFF and my number one assistant.” Twilight said as Spike waved.
“Nice to meet ya. Sis told me a lot about ya, and just so ya know LBBFF means ‘Little Brother Best Friends Forever’. Trust me she can come up with some dumb nicknames.” Spike said only to get a quick glare from Twilight.
Chuckling I stood back to let them in saying. “Family, can’t live with em. Don’t know what you’d do without em… something I learned the hard way long ago.” Twilight and Spike went to sit on the cough while I leaned against the wall.
“Soooo… how was your first day in Ponyville?” Spike asked.
I shrugged. “Some good, some bad. I took the Chimera pelts and Cragadile hides to Strong Steel to get some armor made along with the Mantistaur blades so I can have some proper weapons. On the way to Rarity’s to order some cloths I met a nasty piece of work named Spoiled Rich.”
“The biggest bitch in Ponyville.” Spike muttered.
“Spike don’t call her that!” Twilight scolded.
“It’s true though!” Spike countered. “Don’t you remember how she treated Zecora when she moved into the old watermill?”
“To fair a lot of people were…cautions of her for quite a while.” Twilight said.
“But who was the one who got the mob together that the Guild had to stop?” Spike deadpanned.
“…point taken.” Twilight sighed.
“Anyways Mighty Swing appeared and chased her off then when I got to Rarity’s she told me about Princess Luna and introduced me to her sister before directing me to the spa to get shampoo considering Spoiled Rich’s husband owns the superstore. After getting the shampoo I went to grab a quick bite to eat and a girl around Spike’s age came up, told me she didn’t trust me and walked off, and if I’m being completely honest what this girl said hurt just as much as what Spoiled Rich said.”
“What did she look like?” Spike asked. After I described her Spike’s face fell.
“Someone you know?” I inquired.
“Her name’s Scootaloo. She’s friends with Sweetie Bell and Applejack’s sister Applebloom.” Spike explained. “I never thought she’d ever say anything like that, but how did Sweetie Bell react when she saw you?”
“She dropped her backpack, screamed and didn’t move from the door way until I asked but as I was leaving she started to ask Rarity questions.” I explained.
“That’s good… I guess.” Twilight said.
“How much did it cost you to get the monster parts turned into weapons?” Spike asked.
“Five hundred bits but if he can’t do it I get a full refund.”
“Only five hundred? Wow Strong Steel gave you a huge discount.” Twilight gasped. “I mean no one’s ever thought to do that before so he doesn’t even know if it’ll work.”
“He did say it would be an interesting challenge, so perhaps part of the reason is he wanted to make sure he’s the one who got the job being the first smith to work with monster parts.” I said shrugged. “But who’s this Zecora?”
“She’s a shaman from Zebrica who moved to Ponyville to be close to the herbs that only grow in the Everfree.” Twilight explained.
“So she’s a potion maker?” I asked.
“Among other things ya.” Spike nodded.
(And now I know where I can find healing potions.) I thought. “Interesting, I’ll have to go meet her soon. So is there anything else about the town or this world that I should know?”
“Well almost everyone falls into one of three categories. Magi like Rarity and I have the ability to use magic, Wind Walkers like Rainbow and Fluttershy have the ability to sprout wings and take to the air and control the weather and Earth Talkers like Applejack and Pinkie can commune with the planet to help plants grow or in some cases know how to grow crystals and gems like fruit.” Twilight explained. “The Princesses are unique in that they have aspects of all three categories.”
“Interesting. Wonder how they managed that.” I mused.
“No one knows.” Spike said. “I mean they’ve been running Equestria for over fifteen hundred years.”
(Is it immortality or longevity?) I wondered. “So what about the town?”
“Well Mighty Swing is in charge of the Guild which a few blocks away and is the largest building in town and you’ve met the town’s smith Strong Steel. You’ve also been Carousel Boutique and is working to get a shop in Equestria’s capital Canterlot. Applejack’s runs the town’s apple orchard Sweet Apple Acers when has been in her family since the towns founding. Pinkie works at Ponyville’s bakery ‘The Sugarcube Corner’. Fluttershy runs an animal sanctuary just out of town, and Rainbow’s the town’s Weather Manager.”
Hearing what Rainbow did I frowned. “So it sounds like Equestria basically enslaved the weather to do exactly what they want.”
Twilight’s and Spike’s eyes went wide. “What? No! It’s not like that!” Twilight protested.
“You said that Wind Walkers control the weather and Rainbow’s the Weather Manager, so what does that say?”
“There were those in the past who tried to make the weather fully bow to their will.” Spike started. “But no matter what they did they couldn’t fully control all aspects of the weather, so those in the weather business are more like… shepherds I guess? They do their best to make it so the weather is just what the towns and city’s need but sometimes a storm brews that they can’t stop so when that happens we just wait it out.”
“That makes me feel a little better.” I said. “But how come the only places apart from the Guild that you told me about are those where your friends live or places I already knew about?”
“Well I thought since they’re your friends too you should know.” Twilight said with a small grin.
“As I told Captain Armor and Rarity we’re not friends yet. We’re acquaintances.” I said shaking my head.
“That’s what I said!” Spike exclaimed as there was a knock on the door. Opening the door I saw Mighty Swing and a woman just a little shorter then Celestia in a midnight blue dress with a silver tiara and necklace, both of which had blue stones embedded in them and like Celestia’s her hair blew in an ethereal wind but unlike Celestia’s her hair looked more like the night sky.
“Hello Ajax. I am Princess Luna. Can we come in?”