Once again awakening and getting on his feet, the Knight shook his head, still shell-shocked about what had happened.
‘First I can feel, now I can talk!’
“This is going to be a weird day...” the Knight said.
Hearing voices behind him, he turned and listened, standing out in the open in case these were hostile creatures.
“It’s this way, everypony!”
Eyes widening as he realized that whoever these creatures were, they knew where he was, he pulled out his trusty Nail, which had been reforged into a Pure Nail.
Shouting out a warning, he said, “Whoever you are, I would suggest you leave!”
“And why would we do that, punk? Huh?!”
Jumping into the air like an idiot, he whirled around only to see the the strangest thing he had ever seen here.
It was a... flying creature, but its’ wings were flapping slower than the normal speed needed to fly, at least for a bug.
“What.. are you?!” He asked, bewildered.
“And just what are ya, huh?” It countered.
Hearing rustling behind him, he whirled around to see five more of these.. things.. burst from the bushes.
“Oh no ya don’t!”
Dashing backwards, the Knight just barely manages to avoid the flying creature’s grab.
“Stop! There’s no need for conflict!” He shouts.
“Rainbow, stop! He’s right! He doesn’t mean to hurt us!” The purple one says.
“But he whirled around like he was going to attack, Twilight! And how can you believe him! And how do you know it’s a him, anyways!?” The creature named ‘Rainbow’ shouted back.
“Alright, Alright, break it up, all o’ you. Ya’ll need to calm down!” The one with a mask on her head said,
The Knight watches while the one with a mask-hat drags Rainbow, by her tail, all while trying not to snicker.
“Alright, now that no one’s trying to kill each other, who are you?” Twilight asks.
“Just call me... The Knight.” He answered.
“The Knight? Are you a royal guard?”
Bewildered, the Knight responds with a no.
“Well, then, let me introduce myself and my friends. I’m Twilight Sparkle, the pegasus over there who fought you is Rainbow Dash. The one with the Stetson is Applejack-“ Twilight is cut off as the last of the group introduce themselves.
“Little one, I am Rarity. I must say, while that cloak looks horrible in that slate grey, and it looks to be in bad condition, I can fix you a new one,” The one with purple hair says.
“I’m quite alright with my cloak. Thank you, anyway. I will allow you to fix it, though,” The Knight replies.
“Dear, I must insist, your cloak is a crime on fashion!” Rarity begs.
“Bugs don’t really care for fashion. Not when they had a job to get done.” He coldly replies.
“Wait a minute... y-you’re a bug?” A voice says.
Looking around, confused, the Knight jumps into the air, startled, upon seeing the timid yellow pegasus in front of him.
“Eek!”
“Wah!”
Both parties fall on their backs, their limbs flailing.
“Ow...” he groans.
Immediately, the timid pegasus rushes over to him.
“OhmyCelestia! Are you okay!? Oh you poor thing!” The pegasus asks, concerned for his safety.
“I’m okay..” he groans.
“I’m Fluttershy. May I check to see if there are any injuries? I-i mean, i-If that’s okay w-with you, I-I guess,” she questions, blushing.
“Sure, I don’t mind,” he says, getting up.
Examining the bug, Fluttershy gasp at the extent of the scars the little bug has.
“Oh... my....”
“What is it, Fluttershy?” Twilight asks.
“He has so many scars... Oh MY! Is that dried blood!?” she screams.
Immediately upon hearing this, Applejack and Rainbow Dash get into defensive stances, with Dash giving Twilight a look that said ‘I told you so.’
“Wait! Yes, that is dried blood, and yes, I have killed. But they were trying to kill ME. They were infected, and it was my job to purge that Infection. In fact, I just saved Hallownest, my home, from the Radiance, the source of the Infection,” he says, attempting to do damage control.
At this, the ponies relax slightly, but Rainbow is still tensed up.
“And how do we know you’re not lying?!” she says, suspicious.
“Because Ah’m The Element of Honesty, Dash. I believe him. If he was lyin’, Ah’d know,” Applejack says.
“Okay. But I’m keepin’ my eye on you, punk,” Rainbow says.
“Noted,” The Knight says.
Looking around, the Knight asks, “Where might the nearest settlement be? The last one I knew of back in Hallownest was Dirtmouth, the fading town...”
“Right this way, Knighty!”
“Ah! Who are you?” He asks, startled for the umpteenth time that day.
“I’m Pinkie Pie! I need to throw you a welcome party!” The bubbly pony says.
The Knight watches, bewildered, as Pinkie runs off to Ponyville to prepare the ‘welcome party.’
“Well, she certainly is hyperactive,” he quips.
“You have no idea,” Twilight says.