//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Trusts and Doubt // Story: The Hunter Guardian of Equestria // by Kitsune_Kenshi //------------------------------// Outside the throne chamber, Twilight was lying on the ground, pieces of the broken cage scattered around her. The Storm King was shooting lighting bolts at Tempest, just not long ago, Storm King betrayed Tempest and attempted to kill her, the raging broken-horn pony realized that everything Storm King told her was a set up. The two fought, but clearly Tempest is no match for the magic of every princesses. She was blasted by a bolt and went crashing through the ruins. "I'm so done with your pony stuff, this ENDS now!" Storm King bellowed as he raised his staff, the pointy crystal was charged with deadly magic bolts, Twilight closed her eyes, waiting for the end. But before Storm King could stab her, a strange red dot appeared on his chest armor, he glanced at it curiously. Then, out of nowhere, a bright blue beam shot him and send him flying across the room. Twilight heard the noise and opened her eyes, only shocked and surprised to find Skystar and another... creature landed beside her. "Are you okay princess?" Skystar asked as she helped her friend up. "Yeah I'm fine, thanks Skystar," her gaze fixed on the massive creature stood beside her. "Who's that?" " Oh no worry he's a friend. He saved my life while I was fighting the guards." Skystar said. "Skystar, I want you to get your friend to safety," the creature suddenly spoke, which surprised Twilight, "I'll handle the Storm King." "He... He can talk?" Twilight stammered. "Yes, he can, now let's go before things gets nasty." Skystar said as she and Twilight flew away, she saw what Apex did to the guards, so it is better off giving her friends a warning. (~) The Storm King scrambled out of the piles of rocks that buried him. He shook the dust off him, his eyes in rage. He grabbed the staff of Sacanas and glanced around to find his attacker. But he saw nothing. "WHO DARES TO ATTACK ME?" he roared, "SHOW YOURSELF WORTH FIGHTING ME!!!" "Right here." a deep, cold, deadly voice suddenly spoke behind Storm King, before he could react, a pair of blade pierced through his leg. The Storm King grunted in agony as he was grabbed in the neck and thrown into the wall. Then, the attacker showed it self. Storm King gulped. This creature was at least 11 feet tall, strange armor was wore by him. A weird yet creepy mask was on its face. Its eyes flashed in red. Then, a pari of blade was fired from his wrist. It begin to walks towards him. Each step felt like he was stomping his heart, Storm King was scared for the first time in his life. This creature is unlike anything he encountered. "Who... Who the hay are you?" he asked, stammered. "Ugly Motherf***ker." it answered. Then, it stabbed Storm King in his stomach. Storm King spit blood as he was lifted up like a toy. The creature was very strong. Storm King knew hw heavy himself is, but this creature was waving him around as if he was a feather; or an animal waiting to be butchered. The creature then threw Storm King onto the ground, he then got a spear from his back. The creature waved it, immediately more long sharp edges extended from each edge. The creature raised his spear, pointing at the Storm King's head. But Storm King quickly calmed himself down. His eyes fixed on the creature's legs, without hesitation he kicked him in the ankle. But to Storm King's surprise and shock, he broke his own ankle. The creature's leg was literally made of steel. It chuckled darkly. "Pathetic fool." Then he stabbed Storm King by the head and ripped it clean off, including the spine. (~) Skystar reunited with the mane six at the bottom of the castle, Twilight was asking Skystar about that mysterious creature, since she made the first contact. "So you're saying he can go invisible without using magic?" twilight asked, clearly becoming an egghead, like what rainbow Dash would say. "From what I saw, yeah. He just clicked on this weird thing on his wrist that flashes lights and poof! He's gone." Skystar said, trying to make sense. "Weird, indeed very weird..." Twilight muttered, but her thought was interrupted by a scream of pain and agony from the top floor. It's clearly Storm King's. Skystar was expecting this, but the mane 6 and their friends wasn't. Then, a loud, unknown roar was heard. It was so loud and frightening, everyone flinched, even Skystar. Before anyone can react, a large figure landed in front of them with a head in its grip. Storm King's head. "Apex! You... You killed Storm King?" Skystar asked in disbelief. "Hmph, you mean this head... not even worth fighting. Weak as shit." Apex scoffed as he threw the dead king's head aside. "Who... What are you?" Twilight asked, still terrified of this creature who just killed a powerful villain. "No need to be scared, I don't bite. Not when it's unnecessary." it said. "Whoa it talks?" Rainbow dash asked. "Girls I think it's rude to not introduce ourselves first, second you girls are confusing him." Skystar interjected. "Yes, of course, my name is Princess Twilight Sparkle, these are my friends: Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Captain Celeano, Capper, and you already knew, Skystar." Twilight said. "I'm Subject 0967, call me Apex." The Predator spoke through his bio-mask. "Weird name." Rainbow Dash said, Twilight glared at her. But Apex remained calm. "No, it's okay." he said. "Um... guys, I don't think this is a good time to talk." Spike said, nudging Twilight as he points towards an army of Storm Guards. But Apex just simply chuckled darkly. "No need to move my friends," he said while unleashing his weapons, "they're just toys." Then, he opened fire. Tons and tons of guards were been wiped out by his Plasmacasters and Plasma Gun Howitzer. The Shuriken flew through the crowd, cutting off heads, slicing them in halves, and harvesting the Storm Guards. Apex tossed a few grenades and Pulse mines into the crowd, blowing them into pieces. Finally, after he used up all his energy in the Plasma weapons, Apex charged into the remaining guards, slaughtering them using his wrist blade and combi stick. The mane 6 and their friends stared in complete shock. Never in their lives have they seen some creature this powerful. It's literally one against an army! On the top of the throne chamber, Tempest also witnessed everything, she was also in complete shock and frightened. Though Tempest can be violence and mad sometimes, but she never saw anyone this brutal before. Now she's really scared. Not to mention this Apex creature killed the Storm King in a single blow! The one that contains the magic of every princesses! Finally, the slaughter is over, not a single living Storm Guard were standing. All dead, limbs, heads, organs, and blood scattered everywhere. Surprisingly, no wounds were spotted on Apex. "You... You... You just..." Rainbow stammered. "Why did you killed all of them?!" Fluttershy said, tears started to form up, "Not all of them were bad!" Apex tiled his head in confusion, "They tried to kill you." he asked, "Don't you guys hated them for what they've done?" "Everycreature deserved a second chance." Twilight sighed. "Well, to me, none of these bastards." Apex shrugged, "Besides, I was created for killing." "WHAT?!" Now Apex was covering his ears from all the shouting. "Here, let me explain----" but Apex was cut short when he saw a dark purple mare with a broken horn dashed into the forest behind him. "Tempest!" Rainbow yelled, "She's running away!" "Do you want me to hunt her down?" Apex asked. "I'm not sure..." Twilight said. Apex frowned, but no-one saw that since he's waring a mask. "Are you doubting my hunting skills?" "No! It just, you might kill her." Apex was about to say something when Skystar suddenly shouted, while pointing at the edge of the forest. "Look! There's a platoon of Storm Guards! They're following Tempest!" "All right let's go get them!" rainbow Dash said as she prepared to fly, but was pulled down by Apex. "No, leave them be," he explained, "let them gain some force, then I'll hunt them down one by one." "You think killing is... Fun?!" Applejack took a few steps back. "At leas let them die in an honorable way." Apex said, "And no, I don't kill unless its necessary." (~) After this, the mane six freed the princesses and returned the magic back to Equestria. Princess Celestia, Luna, and Cadence learned about Apex from Twilight, and she introduced them to the Predator. "Can I ask what are these gears you carries?" Celestia asked. "These, your majesties, are my weapons I used to hunt down my preys." Apex said. "So you're a hunter?" Luna asked. "Indeed, we kill our preys and take their skull as a trophy. But that only happen if our opponent is worthy to fight off. Or in my way, destroying a skull of the ones that seemed strong, but weak inside. Like the Storm King." Apex explained, but the Princesses slightly winced at the taking their skulls part. "One last thing, do you always wears that mask?" Cadence asked. "Yes, I wore the mask for too reason. First, it allows me to see in seven types of visions. Second, I don't want to frighten you all." Apex said. "But you might have to take it off one day for some reason." Celestia said. "Fine, but please, don't judge." Apex sighed as he removed the tubes connecting to his mask. Then, he took it off, revealing his face. The mane six gasped, so did the Princesses as they took a step back. Apex sighed, he knew this is coming. "Don't worry, we won't judge," Celestia seemed to know what he's thinking, "after all, you saved my student, her friends, and our lives. You have our thanks." "I can't possibly leave all of you helpless, it's one of my code; help those that cannot defend themselves." Apex said. Soon, they adjusted Apex and slowly accepted him, however, there's one mare who wouldn't take it. While the others talks excitingly, a certain dark blue Alicorn is in the shadow. Luna. From the moment she saw his face, she doubted this monster. From what she'd heard from Twilight; this Apex murdered an entire army. What if one day he turns against them? It'd be hell for them. Luna was watching, but unamused. I still don't trust you, monster, she thought, and one day... you might take over Equestria... and have our heads on your claws... Unnoticed by them, a pair of blue eyes were looking at them from the forest. Tempest is struggling, should I surrender and join them? No! They'll never accept me. But if I don't... that hunter creature is going to butcher us all.... She sighed. Welp, here goes nothing... Clearly Tempest wanted to live... and most importantly, to have friends. She walked out of the woods, towards the mane 6.