Okay, that's bad. Think fast. Guide then and don't let them pa-
ROAR
-nic, "... ... Have I heard a roar like that somewhere before?"
Noctis shook my arm snapping me off my thought, "What in the name of Equestria was that?!"
First a rumble, like at the lake, and then a roar... a familiar roar... I went into my pip-boy and equiped my good armour and Achilles, my indestructable sword, "I'm not sure, but it's certainly trouble," I did a quick scan of the area and noted everyone in town was present and terrified. Another thing I noticed was that a good section of my compass was red, and a misc. quest appeared 'search the area for enemies', which was not a good sign, Get everyone to safety... I jumped from the crowd and landed on stage
"Prince, what was that?!" Mayor Mare panic-whispered
"Guide everyone that way," I said pointing away from the marked area, "I'm not sure what it is, but it ain't friendly," I turned to the crowd and took the microphone, "Okay everyone, I need you to keep a leveled head and follow Mayor Mare's guidance," I then spotted Lighning and Thunder in the crowd, they were putting on their armour. That raised a few questions in my mind, but I couldn't worry about that, "Please stay quiet and orderly, I'll take care of things," I nodded at Mayor Mare
She didn't hesitate to take command, "Okay everypony. Follow me"
I stepped off the stage and made my way to Noctis and Nimble, noting Blueblood helping the kids find their families. Both Luna and the brothers walked up behind me as I told Noctis to go with the others and take care of Nimble. I honestly don't remember what I said, my mind was still racing. First Knight, then the noise from the lake, and now the roar... That familiar roar
Anyways, Luna and the twins were armoured-up and armed, the former with a big halberd-like scythe. No idea we had those... While Lightning and Thunder had a greatsword and warhammer respectively, with some added pouches to their waist, Wonder what's in them. As I looked over my equipment one last time, the low groaning happened again but closer, a lot closer. Then, another sound, well, sounds, almost like clicking. I looked back at my pip-boy and focused on a single piece of armour: The Minuteman General. I know what we're fighting... Then, another roar. "I hope I'm wrong..." I whispered, "...Please..."
Walking to the front of the formation, I informed everyone else, "I think I know what that is, well, those two are," I readied Achilles. I felt them look at me, almost as if wondering if something changed in me. To be fair I was terrified. Terrified of the implications of those things being here
Suddenly something came crashing through one of the far buildings, it had some blood on it's scales, but it got up nearly unphased. My mind raced even faster, I was right for the roar. This thought was solidified even further when the creature roared back from the direction it came from. And through the dust and rubble came a creature more than twice the size of the first one
"Fuck"
"What in the name of Equestria is that?!"
I felt a hand on my shoulder, but I didn't react, I was too confused and alarmed, ... Did I do this?!! Was it a module I installed?!! ... where just a couple of thoughts that kept repeating, it was my fault they were here, even if indirectly
Next thing I know, I was spun around and slapped across the face, hard. I saw Luna's face, I didn't even focus on her expression, her moving mouth, anything. We were FUCKED and it was my fault... somehow... it had to be. I was frozen, not in fear, but guilt. Something I had done had caused this... it had to be... there was no other way these could be here
I was on my hands and knees, What... just... happened... There was blood dripping from my mouth, my teeth felt fresh from surgery. I turned back to see Thunder waving his hand, trying to relieve pain, Right... get my head on straight
I got up and immediately Luna wrapped her arms around me and scowled at the pained stallion, "Who does thou think-?!! What do YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING??!!!" she growled out
I noticed the creatures turn their attention to us, "SHHHH!!" I stepped back from Luna keeping my eye on the enemy group, both seemingly ignoring eachother now, Shit... "Thunder's right, I need to get my head in the game," I said still staring at the mutated animals, "Let's do this... before they decide to team up," I pointed at the former sparing partners in the distance
"Okay..." Lightning stepped up to me, the creatures on the background now both looking our way, "So, what are th- DANG!!" he noticed the oversized animals looking our way and jumped into a defensive position
"Small one, Deathclaw. Big one, Mirelurk queen," I focused on them for a second, Stars... fuck... "Small issue, they're legendary variants," I picked up my sword and got ready, "When they hit half health they'll get stronger and will fully heal"
Luna picked up her scythe-berd and got ready too, "We shall follow your lead"
I let out a nervous chuckle, Too bad I never made a melee build... "Okay... The deathclaw, it's weak spot is it's stomach. The mirelurk, anywhere that isn't armoured. Otherwise go for the legs, they can't get us if they can't reach us," stepped up to the front of the group, "Another couple of things. It's very possible they're both immune to magic and the mirelurk can spit acid. Well, it actually has some acid spouts at the to of it's-"
I got blasted with enough sand to send me off my feet, and as soon as I realized that the deathclaw got close and no one cared to tell me, the large lizard had already grabbed me and thrown me towards where the other guys were. I slowly raised to my feet and dusted my self off, "I would've loved a heads-up, you know?"
"Sorry. There was no time," Luna said while shrugging
So... both over and under reacting... interesting attention dynamic, I reached for my sword, but got nothing, "Uhhh... right..." I turned my attention back at the deathclaw and down towards its feet, "Shit"
"Language," Both brothers droned out
"Get used to it," I think these two should be on my team... Now, if only I knew how to shapeshift my hands into blades... I turned my right arm into a whipfist with the single purpose of getting my sword back, after all, it had a better DPS. Besides the fact that the whipfist has poor piercing damage
I was the first one to make a move. I ran full speed at the deathclaw, and planted my feet into the ground transfering all my momentum into my arm. The deathclaw managed to dodge my attack, and by that I mean it swatted my whip while moving out of the way. Luna took the opportunity to gain a bit of the element of surprise as she dived down from the skies and swing her massive blade onto the lizard's head, missing it my mere milimeters as it ducked
While she did that, I retracted my arm with the sword in tow. Turning to the brothers, I told them, "Help Luna with that one, I got the big guy," my only thoughts were on ways to minimize any future damage, Go for the legs
I sprinted toward the mirelurk, as fast as I could. Gaining as much momentum as possible, I had to maximize the force for my attack. As I got close, I took one last leap foward with the sword by my side as I slashed as the overgrown crutacean's legs. The sword felt like a warm knife through butter
I was sorely mistaken on the amount of damage I had done though. The queen turned my way, unfazed by any damage I might had done, "Video game logic is it?" I got ready to attack the same set of legs again when it hit me, FUCK
I turned to the other battle sceene, Thunder and Lightning had just been bashed out of the way, but Luna took the opportunity to attack
Her scythe went cleanly through the deathclaws leg, but was taken off guard when no wound appeared only a blood splatter. The deathclaw seemed to notice Luna was confused and grabbed her from the air and threw her away like a ragdoll
"Goddamn it!" I yelled as I rushed the mirelurk again, Just die!!, this time I jumped as soon as I finished slicing through and aimed my pip-boy at the mirelurk, shooting a grappling hook at it to attach my self right on it
*Stab Stab STAB*
"God DAMN YOU!!"
*STAB STAB STAB STAB*
"WHY?!! WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU GUYS HERE?!!"
*STAB STAB STAB*
Acid Spouts Crippled
Immediately, the mirelurk cried in pain and started to shake trying to get me off. I just kept stabbing and cursing it at the top of my lungs. That is until the hook slipped off its shell and I tumbled down, getting a faceful of dirt
I managed to roll away as a giant claw came crashing down on the ground. I jumped, and with as much force as I could do, I thrusted my sword straight into its mandibles
Enemy Has Mutated
I hanged there for a small while, punching its thorax, chipping at its health bit by bit, "FUCK YOU YOU GODDAMN CRUSTACEAN!!"
Meanwhile
==[POV - Lightning]==
I managed to get up in time to see Princess Luna get snatched out of the air and tossed aside like a dirty rag. My blood boiled at the sight. The disrespect!
I reached into my pouch and grabbed the potion I had in it. As soon as I downed it, I felt the effects. Dry mouth and tunnel vision were side effects, but they let me know the potion was working, and I needed the strength
"Really? A potion?" Thunder yelled
I tightened my grip around my sword as I felt the potion reach it's peak, "At least I use my brains to fight," I rushed towards the giant lizard and jumped into a spin, If weapons can go through without resistance... As I went over the monster, I felt my sword connect several times with little loss in speed
Perfect landing, I jump over its tail as it turned to swing at me, "Pony feathers!" I barely had time to manouver my sword to block the hit. I went flying backwards and came to a halt next to a smirking Thunder
"Imagine if those brains of yours had been smeared all over the ground"
"Oh yeah, laugh at your brother's pain," I tried to sit up, but the pain had other plans, That thing can hit hard...
"With pleasure," He smirked just before he rushed the lizard. I managed to get back on my hooves as Thunder slid next to the lizard and swung his warhammer at the creature's legs, but it turned around and slammed it's tail into my brother's chest. He came to a stop next to me, his chestplate was caved in. He dug his fingers into the top of his plate and ripped it off, taking a deep breath, coughing hard, "How's that for using your brains," he said in between breaths
I was about to scold him when I noticed his pouch was opened, immediately taking my attention back to the lizard
*FOOSH*
A fireball engulfed the creature's back side, "You never use your scrolls..." I said in disbelieve
"Your potions usually make quick work of EF's," He said getting back on his hooves
Wait... I looked around, Where is she?! "Bro... the princess..."
He realized the same thing as he began to look around
The fire on the creature started to die down and it got back to its senses. My arms were sore, and I could barely move my right, looking over my brother- Holy Shhhhh-!! Even with his underarmour, I could tell his ribs were broken, I couldn't tell how many, but it's bad, very bad
I turned back to the monster, its panic stopped and it was looking at us. "Brother..."
"Yeah?"
"We don't have time to use it, do we?"
"Even if we did... imagine the teasing"
"I know," I sighed, "I'm sorry"
"I'm sorry too. *Chuckle* You weren't the favourite"
"Maybe, but at least I was the smart one"
"Maybe"
*FOOWSH- PFFF*
Suddenly something fell in front of the creature, creating a giant cloud of dust. Without warning, the lizard went flying upwards, something following it at blinding speeds
Moments earlier
==[POV - Luna]==
I opened my eyes, feeling the pain of the hit. The speakers on the stage were on me, It threw me aside!! I got up, moving everything on top of me aside. Getting up close, I saw my little ponies risking their life. Lightning Hooves blocked the claw of the large creature and he was sent flying backwards, But my halberd went straight through... Maybe. Maybe thought matters? I flew up high into the sky, overlooking the battlefield. Thunder Guard rushed in, "No!" I yelled into the air as he got slammed by the lizard's tail
I started to dive when a fireball erupted from behind the creature. The magical signature was a familiar one, it was a rune I created oh so many years ago, modified with a vortex but mine nontheless. I've got ten seconds... I got ready, If I want my weapon to catch... thought might matter, I started to dive down, as soon as the spell wore off, I gave a powerful flap of my wings speeding up more, I'm sorry little ones. I'm sorry for using you as pawns, I thightened my grip on my halberd, holding back tears of remorse
I noticed hope leave my ponies' faces, my blood boiled even harder at the cause of their dispair. I increased my speed, I might not be able to withstand the impa- NO! My subjects are in trouble! My well being comes second!
With a forceful landing, I swung my halberd into the creatures stomach, hoping for it to catch on its sternum. I felt my blade catch, I have you now, pushing with all my strength, the creature felt as light as a feather just before throwing it high in the air. I jumped at the creature, ready to cut its neck, then I noticed something, Why is the creature smoking?
==[POV- Luis]==
That sounded like an explosion! What was it? I kept punching, Thinking about it now... I'm doing virtually no damage. I really need to get myself in check, fuck, I hoisted myself up and pulled the sword out of it's gullet spraying blood on me, "Oh fuck me! That reeks! FUCK!"
Enemy Has Mutated
Wait wha- "Ugh!" I got smacked by the mirelurk, sending me tumbling backwards
"Hi, prince. Nice of you to drop by"
"Lightning-" I stood up, "-there's no need to-oly shit..." I noticed the damage they had recieved, Lightning's arm was visibly bent and Thunder's ribs were most definetly broken, I have three stimpacks left... Fuck it, I took the stimpacks out on each hand, and injected them into Lightning's arm and Thunder's chest, "This will hurt a little"
"How much exactl-" Thunder managed to say before clutching his chest
I know the feeling, "It's going to take close to a minute for you guys to heal as much as they can," I said picking up the bothers and my sword and taking the ponies to the edge of the town center, "Don't try to help. Sorry", they game me an nod, "Rest up", I jumped back into action and returned my sights back on the mirelurk, "As for you..." I started to rush the crustacean
Suddenly the deathclaw came crashing down on the mirelurk, I stopped dead on my tracks, speechless. "Nephew," Luna greeted me as she landed next to me
"Aunt Luna" was the only thing I could think to say
"I must ask, why are the creatures releasing this... vapor?"
"They mutated. They're stronger now," Luna nodded in response, How do we kill them... "I don't like that we're barely doing damage, our swords aren't cutting it... ... Cutting..." Prototype arm blades... "Tia, I have a request... Can you cover me, I need to try something"
"I shall give you as much time as you need"
"Thanks," I jumped back next to the brothers, Thunder had passed out from his ribs healing. Lightning in the other hand seemed drozy, I still have one stimpack, it has to be a last resort, "Lightning, don't worry, we got this. Rest up"
"I have to help," he tried and failed at getting back on his hooves
"It's fine, I still have an ace," If I can take it out that is, I started to concentrate trying to match the feeling of the tendrils forming but adding a blade to it. I opened my eyes and looked at my arm, Looks ok... I drove the blade to the ground, "ARGHH!!" I yelled as pain shot through the blade, Not strong enough!! FUCK! I tried again
==[POV = Luna]==
I shot forward, ready to slice the bigger one as the lizard got in position to flank me. The crestacean blocked my halberd with a claw, the blade deflecting off its exoskeleton. Wasting no time, I jumped back focusing this time on the lizard, bringing my weapon directly on its head. That is, if it hadn't dodged. My blade came crashing down on its tail, pinning it to the ground
"I have you now" I whispered as I charged a magic burst. They creature tried to claw at me, but given our positions it couldn't reach me. The crustacean was to far away to worry about, so I made my move. The blast was more powerful than what I had intended, but it was expected given my current mood
The force of the impact threw the creature off its feet. Then it did something I would have never thought any creature would do, it saised its sharp claws and brought them down on it's own tail, cutting it off completely
==[POV = Luis]==
Arm blade hasn't work, and the claws should be easier to make, I sighed, "One more time, come on," I whispered as I started to change my hands again, Come on, COME ON... I looked up to see how Luna was doing. Her seemingly lifeless body flew by me, crashing through the stage as it all fell on top of her
I snapped, stopped thinking. Everything faded out of focus. Nothing mattered. Nothing but the mutants
"AAAAAAAAAAARRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH," I let out a guttural scream. Something enveloped me, a layer of black biomass curtasy of the blacklight virus
I rushed the enemy, they had to pay for what they did. I dropped to the ground, sliding at max speed directly towards the deathclaw's legs. Then grabbing them, digging my own claws into its flesh hitting bone in the process. I planted my feet firmly in the ground, using my momentum to stand up and pull the lizard off its feet. And before it even had a cahnce to touch the ground, I was already pulling it over me. It hit the ground with as much force I could give
I didn't let go, though. I started pulling it again, swinging it around directly into the mirelurk's center of mass making it slide backwards a couple of meters
The deathclaw stumbled trying to get up but it seemingly couldn't. I stepped over to gawk at it before the mirelurk regained its balance. But before I could do anything, the deathclaw grabbed me, smashed me to the ground while getting up and threw me halfway across the town center into the remains of the stage. Groaning, I got up, God damn it... pushing my self up, my eyes snapped open. Blood. I was on blood. It wasn't mine, where the trail led told me as much. Luna was under the rubble, her own blood was covering most of her face, thankfully she was breathing. I don't remember much after this moment, my brain just stopped, all I remember is rage. Pure. Unadultarated. Rage
==[POV = Lightning]==
My body was shocked awake, jolted by my own instincts, THE EF'S!!! I tried to stand up, but pain stopped me. "Ughh. By Celestia..." I raised my right arm, "The prince wasn't lying," my arm looked as good as new, but the pain said I was still ways to go for a full recovery
I painfully crawled my way to my brother, he was breathing, "That's good"
*BOOM*
Prince Luis came crashing through the wall next to us. His hand bloodied the wall as he climbed out of the rubble. He looked completely different, his face resembling that of a wolf, his body was bigger, more muscular. But most importantly, the armour that had suddenly appeared on his body was broken and outright missing in some places with thick fur soaked in blood
I've heard rumours of the prince turning into a wolf hybrid and losing control, to think that those rumours were true... But with him losing control? I doubt it
He let out a gruesome roar
Or maybe he did... "Oh no..." If he isn't thinking tactically... Those EF's are stronger than him, without tactics he's going to- I couldn't even finish my though as the prince got grabbed by the legs and whipped around like a ragdoll
I took my helmet off, "I'm never going to hear the end of this," I ripped the padding off it, revealing a small scroll. I took it, 'Emergency only' written on it. I sighed "Let's do this" and ripped the paper, releasing the stored spell high up into the air
The prince once again crashed next to us, the black armour was gone on half his face, He's unconscious!! I frantically looked around for a weapon, tool, anything! The creatures were closing in. I painfully stood up with a rock in hand, "Don't get any closer!" I looked back at the prince, his body was back to his normal size, but still covered in fur with a wolf face and tail. The creatures were less than 15 meters away, my legs buckled as I took a step back falling on my rear, Darn it! WHERE THE BUCK IS MY BACK UP!!! 10 meters! "Oh dear Celestia... Fuck me..." The lizard lunged at me, "We're dead..."
A hoove connected firmly with the creature's jaw chaniging its course by almost 90 degrees
"Lady Noctis!" I shouted in hald joy, half worry, "You shouldn't be-"
"Lightning, I didn't earn the title of Specialist for nothing," her voice was stern, but kind
"But you don't have any weapons!" Her response was just to give me a smirk
==[POV - Noctis]==
That was too close, I ran directly at the large lizard before it ragained its balance, taking a leap and thrusting with my wings into an axe kick. Using the creature as a springboard to direct myself at the crab-looking monster which swung it's claw at me. I dodged down and aimed several kicks to it seemingly hurt legs as I slid under it
Planting my hooves on the ground and kicking myself back to the air, I aimed once again at the lizard, driving both my hooves at the base of it's neck, not letting it regain its balance. Not letting my movements go to waste, I returned to the crab and made a similar move as I pushed it as hard as I could, driving all my energy to the side with its already damaged legs
"Move in protect the prince! Medics, to the wounded!" I heard the General from behind me
Several gaurds surrounded the two creatures as Rookie approached me, "Lady Noctis, please leave this to us," I nodded as I made my way to Luis, Rookie followed me, "He's alive"
All there was around me was the shouts and orthers, muffled by my worry. My heart stopped for a second when I saw him. Luis was being lifted onto a strecher out of a pool of blood. The black substance that he had was falling off. I pushed past the medics and caressed his cheek
"We found the princess!"
Luis's eyes snapped open, he was unfocused. He stumbled out of the strecher, "Luis!" He slowly crawled away
"Prince, please stop," one of the medics said while trying to grab him, Luis used him as leverage to stand up and continued limping his way to where Princess Luna was found, "Prince, you're not well," this time Luis pushed the medic away. Other medics tried to get to Luis, but the first medic stopped them, "He's still unconscious," he dusted himself off, "Let's follow him"
I followed behind. Slowly, Luis approeached the strecher with the princess, "Let him through," the medics sround Princess Luna let Luis through. He reached into a pouch and took out a syringe which he delivered just above Luna's collar bone, then he collapsed, "Did anypony bring the strecher?"
"Behind," I moved aside as another medic brought the strecher
"EF's are under control!"
I walked up to the group of guards, "What's going to happen to them? I've never seen anything like this before"
"They'll be processed and send to the lab, research will catalogue them"
"The prince knew what they were, sir," Lightning stated as he joined in, "We did not get a chance to hear much"
"Rookie!" the general called out, "Inform Princess Celestia the emergency has been dealt with"
Rookie saluted, "Yes, sir!" and was about to take off, but the General stopped him
"Also inform the princess that we have encountered new creatures. Even unknow to a Tartarus guard," he pinched the bridge of his nose and sigh, "Tell the Princess Princess Luna suffered great injuries as well"
"Princess Luna will be Okay," I intergected, both guards looked at me incredulously, "Luis used his... a potion on her"
"What type of potion exactly?"
"The kind that can fix anything but a disease"
==[POV - Luis]==
I woke up to a familiar ceiling, "Canterlot infarmiry," I panicked for a second before almost passing out again, Wait! If I'm in the hospital... Then the deathclaw and company were dealt with, right? my leg was in a cast, and I was almost fully covered in bandages. I raised my pip-boy to look at my stats, Less than 60%?!! I souldn't even be conscious!
Noctis was sleeping on a chair next to me with Nimble in her arms, I smiled to myself. "Glad to see you awake," Luna stepped out of the shadow in the corner. She had bandages around her head and probably around her torso too judging from the creases on her dress
"How long was I out?"
"Just one day," she said, sitting down on an open chair. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed to face her; a bunch of letters flew out of the bed with my movements, "The citizens of Ponyville have been very grateful of your actions," she chuckled, "'The Town Prince' is one of the titles you have earned"
I reached for one of the letters, but stopped, the whole night hitting me like a train, "What about the houses?! The damage?!! I have to-" I tried to stand up but Luna kept me down with magic
"Do not worry, my dear nephew. Everything has been taken care of," she said with her very own version of a motherly tone, and it was just as relaxing as Celestia's. It did wonders for my nerves
"I'm still going to-!"
"Luis, shhh," I turned around to see Noctis running her fingers through Nimble's mane, "He's still a growing colt, sleep is important for him," she whispered
I turned around completely and caressed both their cheeks, "I'll be more careful," I noticed my hands, Great, I'm a furry again
She returned the gesture with a lovning smile, "You know? You have very soft fur on this form"
"Are you telling me you want me to stay like this then?"
"Depends," she said with a sly smile just before kissing me. "Maybe"
"If you do decide to stay like this, you might want to announce your decicion"
"Oh, but where's the fun if that?" she chuckled, I felt my tail get grabbed, "Hey hey hey! Watch the goods!"
Nimble hugged my tail tightly, still fast asleep, "It seems the decision has been made for you"
"God, you're turning out like Celestia. Both of you," This is going to be a long day, isn't it? I sighed
"Once you are ready to leave, head to the war room. We need more information about this 'deathclaw' and 'mirelurk' creatures"
Noctis put a hand on my shoulder, giving me a sympathetic smile, "I surely don't miss debriefings"
All I could do was sigh even harder, A very long day...