//------------------------------// // A Crafter's Dream Ch. 14: Lost and Found (Part 2) // Story: A Crafter's Dream (Discontinued) // by ruthim345 //------------------------------// Now, without further adieu, I present, “A Crafter’s Dream” Steve ran, his furious form quickly making its way down the road. His feet pounded the road as he rushed to the most likely place Derpy probably was. The Ponyville Guard Camp. Ponyville itself didn’t have a guard barracks, for whatever reason. So the guards that were in town had set up a series of tents at a campground just outside Ponyville. After he had dropped Dinky off at her home, making her promise not to open the door at all until he came back, he immediately rushed off towards the campground. He wished he had time to go back home and pick up some battle supplies, but Derpy was in trouble, and time was of the essence. Making his way out of town, Steve’s gaze was met with the dozens of tents that made up the guard barracks. To his chagrin, a large, gray dome had surrounded the camp. Steve’s eyes narrowed. If they thought a simple barrier would keep him out, they were sorely mistaken. Pulling out his pickaxe, Steve didn’t stop, running full force at the shield. When he got within a short distance, he moved. X: Jump Leaping, Steve raised his pick above his head. In mid-air, he slammed it down with all the destructive force and anger in his body. There was a loud CLANG!! as it hit home, utterly shattering the shield, causing the rest of the dome to collapse. Landing in a roll, he set to work, storing his pick and dashing forward, eyes looking all around. He was immediately met with three guards, all earth ponies, all wearing their gold armor and wielding spears. D-Pad Up: Sword Not bothering to stop, Steve withdrew his sword. Circle: Dodge Square: Slash Square: Slash Triangle: Kick Steve dodged a swipe, then dashed forward, slamming his blade into one guards head. Slashing the other across the chest, he stepped forward, kicking the last hard in the barrel. Not bothering to finish the fight, Steve rushed off, searching for his missing friend. Circle: Dodge Steve slid under a magic blast, not stopping his momentum, nor attempting to fight the attacker. Running, Steve looked all around, in desperation, but he couldn’t find his friend anywhere. Suddenly, a loud blare sounded through the entire campground. This blare was quickly followed by a loud voice yelling. “ATTENTION!! ALL GUARDS!! THE CREATURE HAS BEEN SPOTTED ON THE CAMPGROUNDS!! STOP IT AT ALL COSTS!!” The voice boomed. “Shit.” Steve muttered under his breath. “Looks like I’m getting the full welcome party.” Looking through his inventory, he saw he only had one piece of armor on him. Some diamond leggings. Sighing, Steve put them on. Armor equipped. Max health increased to 26. Rushing through the camp, Steve came across a group of guards. Two unicorns, a pegasus, and two earth ponies. Gritting his teeth, Steve raised his sword. “If you try to stop me, I will break you.” Steve stated simply. This sent a shiver of discomfort through the group, but they held. The unicorn’s horns glowed, the pegasus and earth ponies reaffirmed their grips. Steve sighed. “Alright. Your choice.” X (Hold) + Square (Hold): Sword Slam Leaping high, Steve slammed his sword into the ground, creating a shockwave, sending the unicorns and earth ponies flailing. Circle + Square: Counter The pegasus charged at him. Sidestepping the attack, he whirled around, slamming the flat end of the blade into the guards head, dropping him like a sack of potatoes. The earth ponies, upon getting back on their hooves, both simultaneously thrust their spears at him. Circle: Dodge Triangle (Hold): Roundhouse Kick Leaping over the stabs, he twisted his body mid-air, bashing one of the earth ponies in the skull with a vicious roundhouse, sending him to the dirt. Suddenly, a beam of magic flew by his head, reminding him of his unicorn opponents. Landing in a roll, Steve whirled around to look at his adversaries. The pegasus was out cold, and one earther was struggling to get to his feet. The other earth pony and the two unicorn guards were both up and glaring at him, horns glowing. Steve pulled back his sword in a stance, and the fight began anew. Circle: Dodge Square x 4: Sword Slash Combo Steve immediately rolled to the side as another beam of magic shot past him. Steve rushed forward, sword raised. Slicing it forward, Steve felt the satisfying clang of metal against sword. Whirling the opposite direction, he smashed the blade against a unicorn’s muzzle. Grabbing the dazed pony, he lifted him up, having the guard wonderfully intercept a beam of magic from his fellow guard. He felt the body jolt and the unicorn give out a strangled gasp, before the body went limp. Tossing the (hopefully) unconscious unicorn to the side, he leapt at the other unicorn, swiping twice, knocking him back. Damage Received - 3 damage. 23 health remaining. Steve felt hooves buck him straight in the back, sending him forward into the dirt. Hitting the ground, Steve rolled over and got to his feet. Looking up, he saw much to his frustration, a vaguely familiar earth pony standing where the other guard once did, both earth ponies having seemingly disappeared. One that, in the lighting of torches, had his eyes closed. “I told you creature, you would fall before me.” The earth pony said with a smirk present on his lips, wood staff clenched in his hoof. “Aw, fuck.” Steve muttered. Ready? Fight! Circle: Block Circle: Dodge Circle: Block Steve swiftly blocked a hit from the staff, then rolled under a swipe, coming back onto his feet to block another attack. Pushing against the staff, which was still pushing on his blade, Steve was quick to force the earth pony back. The guard may have skills, but it couldn’t match his raw strength. “Get out of my way. I’m getting to her, one way or another.” The earth pony’s mouth grew back into a smirk. “Who, Miss Hooves?” Steve’s blood went cold as the earth pony laughed. “Don’t worry. We've taken good care of her.” Steve’s heart seemingly stopped as he heard the words leave his mouth. “After all, you know how males are, away from female company for so long. They get, urges.” Something inside Steve broke. It wasn’t his will, nor his strength. No. It was his patience. Roaring in a bellow that could be heard for miles, he pushed through the earth pony’s defense, snapping up a hand, he gripped his neck, clenching tight. Pulling the staff out of the guards hooves, he slammed the pony into the earth, tightening his grip, cutting off his air. Roaring again, he slammed him again, and again. Over and over. Until he felt something break. Breathing heavily, he released his grip and stood, looking down at the broken body of the pony. Steve couldn’t tell if the guard was even breathing, but he couldn’t care less. Suddenly, Steve’s ears heard the sound of hooves coming towards him. Looking up, Steve saw at least dozen guards, varying in species, all standing a short distance, all glaring at him with anger and hate in his eyes. Steve felt a grin overtake his features. Standing straight, he held his blade calmly by his side. Putting up his hand, he made the traditional ‘Come at me’ gesture, and the battle began. * * * * * Derpy was many things. A weather mare, a part-time mailmare, a good baker and friend to Steve and many ponies in Ponyville. But right now, she was mostly terrified. And in pain. Whack! She gave a cry of pain as the General smacked her across the face again, for what felt like the dozenth time. “I’m starting to lose my patience, Miss Hooves. I just want to know where the creature, the bipedal lives. But you have made this process much more difficult than it needs to be.” “But I don’t…” Whack! She let out another cry as the hoof struck her hard against her muzzle. Tears slowly dripped down her cheeks. “You tell me that again, and I’ll make sure the guards on duty get their way with you after their shift.” General Trench said coldly, eyes narrowed. “My guard caught you talking with the creature, and by what he heard, you both have known each other for some time now. So don’t try to tell me that…?” “Sir! We have a situation!” A guard interrupted the general. Turning to the guard, his expression turned into one of confusion. “What situation?” “The alarm has been sounded! The creature has been sighted on the grounds.” The guard exclaimed. Derpy’s heart lifted. Steve was here?! Was he here to save her? “What? Why couldn’t I hear it?” The General inquired. The guard pointed to the roof. “The sound-proofing spell you requested works both ways, sir.” The General blinked. “Oh. Anyway, get on it, see to it that the creature is…!?” He was interrupted again as the wall of the tent blew up. All three ponies in the room gave shouts of surprise as they were blown back. Except for Derpy, still tied to the chair, who barely managed to stay upright. Shaking her head, she looked to the new opening. What she saw caused her eyes to widen. It was tall, and bipedal. It was huffing, taking short, shallow breaths. It’s shirt was torn and blood was splattered across the front of it. It’s eyes were deep indigo, and filled with a whole mixture of emotions. She didn’t know why, but she immediately knew who this being was. It was her friend, Steve. The guard recovered well, and flew at Steve, but a bright blue blade knocked him on the face, rendering him unconscious. Taking a quick look at Derpy, she saw Steve let a small grin appear for a moment. Before a groan from somewhere else in the tent made it fade, and anger reappeared. Walking over, Steve stood before the groaning General. Kneeling down, Steve gripped the front of his golden chestplate, lifting him up to eye level. Silence reigned for a moment, which felt like hours to Derpy. Finally, Steve spoke. “Are you General Trench?” It was strange. His eyes were filled with many emotions, but his voice was deadly calm. The General hesitantly nodded. “Did you or did you not let the guards use Miss Derpy to their whim, for their perverted urges?” A hesitant head shake. Steve nodded to himself. “Good. You’re not lying. But you’re not telling the whole truth.” Steve raised his blade and put the edge against the General’s throat. “What did you do?” The pony gulped. “I, threatened her that I would, if she didn’t tell me where we could find you.” Derpy saw Steve’s grip tighten. His lips pulled up in a snarl. He pulled back his sword. “I have no words for a disgusting creature like you. You don’t deserve to live another second.” Steve thrust his blade forward as the General’s eyes widened. “Wait!” The blade stopped, just millimeters from the earth ponies throat. Steve took a deep breath. “Derpy, this pony, he…” “Please. Don’t.” Steve turned his head to look at his friend. He saw her terrified eyes. He saw the bruises and scrapes on her body. He grit his teeth. Every fiber of his being wanted to end the life of the pony in his grip. But he didn’t want to do that in front of his friend. That was a line he would never cross. Growling, he turned back to his hostage, then threw the General to the floor with enough force to make a deep impression on the ground. Towering over his prone form, Steve gave a parting message. “If you ever come within ten feet of Miss Derpy, Miss Dinky, or their household, I will come back here, and I will kill you and every guard here. Just know, you only keep your life today, because the very mare you beat and threatened wished it so. Goodbye.” With that, Steve cut the ropes holding Derpy, and with out a word, picked her up as one would a baby, and ran off.