Twilight POV
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I look to strange pony in front of me, Snapshot. ‘Who is this pony? How is he stronger than Big Mac and Applejack? How does he have that armor?’ Many thoughts flew through my mind as I stared at him. Turning my head to Fluttershy who was seated next to him, I just watched her speak to him. Walking closer I heard him speaking back.
“Where I come from dragons are myths, legends, told by the children of the city, those with innocent unbroken minds. Dragons are ferocious fire-breathing beasts who could melt the hull of a star-ship. With a hide that could deflect even the most powerful of energy bolts from our enemies. The children tell stories of a grand dragon sent by the Traveler, enhanced with the power of the light. This dragon shall keep the darkness at bay, protecting the city as we rebuild what we have lost. These are just stories told by civilians, they haven’t traveled into the darkest depths of the world, so they don’t know the horrors, and I’d like to keep it that way until they’re old enough. Unlike me.” At the last of his description I could feel he was hurting deep inside as if he remembered something. “I hope my friends are okay, now that I’m not there to rally them for battle I don’t know what would happen.”
Fluttershy spoke with a soft comforting voice. “I’m sure your friends are doing just fine. They’re strong right?” Snapshot only nodded in response. “So despite you not being there I’m sure they will remember you and use your thoughts to help them through this darkness. I loved hearing about your worlds’ version of dragons, if you don’t mind could we talk about the Cabal so Twilight could have something to learn?” She chuckled as a blush formed on my cheeks.
Snapshot nodded and turned to me. “What would you like to learn about the Cabal? Any questions and I can answer.” I couldn’t answer and ask a question.
“Just… Tell me about them.” I was nervous to hear about the Cabal.
He seemed to relax, but was still tense and nervous. “Cabal, they are an alien race who is hell-bent on capturing the Traveler and harvesting its’ light for their own selfish needs. They are a very militaristic species and they build strongholds by burrowing into large mountains and setting up an almost impenetrable defense. Their armor and weapons leak an oily liquid substance that I do not know, often times you will see it when they die.” He decided to leave out the large part of slaughtering all humans in their path, especially guardians.
“That’s fascinating! I can’t believe you managed to befriend an alien species and learn so much about their worlds and how they live their lives.” I was excited and happy that this pony had managed to befriend aliens but at his saddened look I was confused. “What’s wrong? Was it something I sa-”
“All of the Cabal need to burn alive for what they’ve done.” Me and Fluttershy just gasped at this. “The Cabal are not a friendly race, they are hell-bent on not only taking the Traveler’s light, but they are hell-bent on destroying whatever stands in their way. Whether it be a living creature or a wall of living beings. They see them all as a plague to the universe that needs to be purged. Heh, I’ve killed my fair share of the Cabal and I still remember every single surprised and scared face as they realized that these ‘pathetic, weak, humans’ were the only thing that could decimate armies without much trouble. I remember laughing in the face of a Phalanx General as his shield broke, he screamed in pain and rage as my knife slipped into his neck, that black oil like substance just rushed over my hand as he slumped to the ground, dead.” He seemed to smile at remembering death. “Haha! I’ve killed thousands, no millions, no billions of Cabal! They have all been felled by my hand and light!” He calmed down and slowly looked up at us. “Is that all Miss Twilight?”
I could only nod in fear as the train came to a stop signifying that we were at Canterlot. “W-we’re at Canterlot. Let’s go.” I quickly stood up and trotted off of the train with Snapshot and Fluttershy following closely behind. I didn’t know why he had to kill, but there had to be a way to befriend them. He didn’t have to kill them. After a few minutes of walking we made to the palace.
“Welcome Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy.” They let me and Fluttershy but hearing the clank of spears and a loud halt I turned around to see the guards blocking the path from Snapshot. “What is your business here?”
“He’s with me guards, let him pass!” They seemed surprised that I had an armored strange pony with me, and reluctantly brought their spears up, letting him pass and walk next to us. He seemed to be entranced at the walls and the windows as if he’d never seen a palace before. “What’s the matter? Never seen the palace to a Princess before?” He only shook his head although I could sense a bit of sadness coming from him. Why was he so sad at this, it couldn’t be that bad, could it? My thoughts were interrupted as the large doors leading to the throne room opened up and revealed the two Princesses. With a bow I walked in and greeted them. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, thank you for letting my come and talk to you.”
“Rise My Little Pony, there is no need for you to bow to me. I am quite curious as to why you were in such a hurry that you had Spike write the letter without you telling him what to say. Is it because of this strangely garned pony situated behind you?” I nodded softly at her as she slowly stood up striding towards us. As she grew closer I could sense he was getting more and more tense and before I could react he had stood on his hind hooves and snapped his right foreleg to his head surprising everypony there. “He seems to be a soldier of some sort, is this right pony?” With a nod from him, she nodded in return and sat back up in her throne. “Where do you hail from ‘soldier’?”
“I hail from a place far away from here, you shall not know the name of this place.” He stayed in his form until she told him to relax. ‘If he was a soldier why hadn’t he told her where he came from. Surely he would want to get back to his home?’ My thoughts were stopped as a guard came up with an angered face.
“You will respect the Princess and tell her where you come fr-” He was cut of by Princess Celestia as she held a hoof up to him.
“Quiet Private, I understand his caution for hiding where he roams. He may just be a pony who roams around and lives wherever he stops at night. He’s a soldier, maybe higher rank than you. So you will respect him as such, but I would like to know why you won’t tell me where you hail from?”
He hesitated at first but soon relaxed and got back on all four hooves. “I hail from a different planet Princess, we are at a war with multiple alien races. One such race is known as the Cabal, Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy here know who they are.” At that me and Fluttershy had paled slightly as we realized he was in a war, something Equestria hasn’t seen in quite some time. “Another race we are fighting is known as the Fallen, scavengers, their footsoldiers, Dregs, usually only have two arms or hooves in your case. They haven’t grown their upper arms yet from age and being granted by their Kell, god. They have heavier troops known as Captains, they have energy shields and wield heavy weaponry that could destroy one of your ballistas in a single attack. They have stronger troops, these next ones could destroy this castle with little to no help, they are called Archons, they only listen to the Kell. They are their god’s speakers, whatever the Kell says to do, they relay it to the troops. The Fallen worship machines, electronics, as their gods. The next group is called the Hive. An insectoid species that is hell-bent on wiping out all life, and I mean all life. The Cabal and Fallen just want my species gone, but the Hive want everyone dead. They have a hive mind and are usually able to get resurrected by wizards, magic users that are able to kill a person quite quickly without the right protection. Finally are the Vex, a race of only machines. They have organics in their system but they’re just machines. They travel through time and throughout all of the different realities and make sure that whatever reality they end up in, gets destroyed. They are like the Hive except they want to assimilate the planets into their likeness.”
Celestia looked saddened at this and nodded softly. “I apologize for the pain you have gone through soldier. You will be welcomed here with open hooves and a caring society. Although I may ask, what is that banner you are wearing?” As she said this he seemed to freeze up remembering something that happened to him. “I am curious as to what it means.”
He looked back at it and sighed loudly. “This, this is my house.”
Snapshot POV
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I looked back at the Banner of the House of Kings on my back. “This, this is my house.” At their confused looks I sighed and began to explain. The Fallen have different Kells, gods, and each god is in control of a different house. Before I came here, an Archon told me I was a brave and experienced soldier who deserved to be honored as such. The highest honor you can get from a Kell or Archon is to be accepted into their house. I told him my last wishes before leaving, I told him I wanted our house to make peace with my species and he told me it would be so. I know he has fulfilled my wishes, because the Fallen are a species who respects a soldiers’ wishes, no matter what race that soldier comes from.” He looked up at the Princess. “I told him before that I would bring honor to the House of Kings and that I would be honored to be accepted into his house.”
The Princess seemed to think over this then with a smile she nodded. “You said you were a soldier correct?” I nodded in return and told her my name was Snapshot so she wouldn’t have to keep calling me soldier. “Well Snapshot, what was your rank of guard where you come from? I don’t feel honorable if a highly experienced soldier is a high rank and is demoted just ‘cause he has fled from a war and joined a different guard.” I nodded at her and thought about what to say next. I knew what I was going to say, but would she accept it.
“Princess, with all due respect I am what is known as a Guardian where I come from. A Guardian is the highest ranking person around, no one outranks a Guardian except a higher ranked Guardian. Seeing as you have no guards by the rank of Guardian I’m assuming you won’t grant me my rank?” She just smiled and shook her head.
“On the contrary ‘Guardian’, you will be given your rank and full control of the guard. You will be outranked by nopony else, you have full control over even Luna and myself. I trust you will not abuse this power? I would hate to send you to the moon.” I just chuckled which gained a confused look.
“Princess, I have been sent to the moon before to protect my species home, the vex, Fallen, Cabal, and Hive are nothing if not persistent. Sending me to the moon will just be nostalgic, relaxing even.” The Princess and everyone in the room seemed surprised and shocked at this.
“Very well, you will accompany Twilight back to Ponyville, her home, and you will live with her to assist her in anything she needs help with, do you accept these conditions?” As I told her that I accepted she seemed happy and turned to Twilight. “I trust you and your friends will accept him whenever you return? I have a feeling that he will not act hostile, but if he is provoked and threatened I fear he may not be stopped. That not even the Elements would be able to stop him.”
“I will make sure that our friends accept him, and that they won’t threaten him in any way Princess. You can count on me and Fluttershy, we will make him feel welcome, trust us.” As Twilight finished speaking she turned and motioned me and Fluttershy to follow. As we exited the castle the guards outside stood more rigid as they saw my approach. ‘I guess word travels fast around here.’ “At ease guards, return to your positions and continue your duty.” With a nod they returned to guarding the gates of the Palace as we walked off. After a few minutes, we made it to the Train Station and boarded the train with little to no stares. ‘I guess I can get used to living without my Light. I hope Little Light is okay, and I hope they are fighting the darkness and winning.’ I sat down across from Twilight and Fluttershy as I began to meditate.