//------------------------------// // Morning of Understanding // Story: Forever Roaming // by Yuki Harima //------------------------------// Forever Roaming Chapter 4 Morning of Understanding The Sun was barely rising and the Moon was setting when William walked from the small balcony he had. He was dressed in black shorts and a t-shirt the same color as Luna’s main coat color with the Lunar Guard emblem on the front with ancient Equestrian characters on his back. He looked like he had just done some exercise as he was sweating a little. he moved to pick up one of the soft fluffy towels and began to dry his face. He paused as he heard a soft knock upon his door and he looked towards the door before walking towards it. Still in shorts and a T-Shirt. He opened the door to look outside to see who was knocking at his door. “We are sorry to bother thee, but we must ask a question that has bothered us. We can feel our own magic seeming to come off of you, how could this be if we have only just met?” Luna questioned. William opened the door fully for her to enter into the room, he goes and sits on the bed as he took on a faraway look. Luna meekly followed as well, her eyes wanting the answer to the question as she stood waiting for William to speak. “In, I hail from two worlds, my home world, Earth, and another Equestria.” He shivered a little. “From the first Equestria of my viewpoint. That world’s Equestria saved my life, with, some interesting side effects.” He blinked back tears as he shivered. “I was given equipment to fight nightmares, creatures that created Nightmare Moon.” he sighed, “They even gave me means to hide among ponies.” He sighed. “I, it is hard to explain, I, I cannot fully explain it to be honest.” He paused and shook his head. “No, you, not they.” He looked up at Luna. “You gave me the means to fight, to be a force for good to keep the monsters at bay. I became a shadow in the night, to hunt shadows. I am one of only two that fought the nightmares. The other was you, well other you.” He smiled with pain. “My Luna.” He spoke as if speaking of a leader that has his upmost respect. “We see...” “That was the best sleep I have ever gotten.” Chris said in utter bliss. “It felt like I was sleeping on a cloud.” “You haven’t felt sleeping on a cloud until you actually slept on one.” Rainbow Dash added. “Those things are the most comfortable things you can ever sleep on.” Chris was dumbstruck with the news of being able to sleep on a cloud. “That sounds awesome! No more back problems for me if I can get a cloud for a bed.” William smiled. “I am sure we can enchant some sleepwear for you to wear while sleeping on it, Cloud walking is a natural pegasus ability, which allows them to sleep on the clouds as well.” “Damn...I really wish I can sleep on a cloud...for the rest of my life.” Chris hoped. “I know, why do you think I do all my work so fast and so well, so I can get back to napping on those wonderful Clouds.” Rainbow Dash gushed towards the human about the superiority of cloud support. . Princess Celestia’s horn was lit for a moment, signifying something was happening. “He should be here in a minute.” She said, a small smile on her face. “Please try not to overwhelm him with questions, he is being sent here as a reward for what he had dealt with.” William nodded his head. “Understood your Majesty.” A small orb of light seemed to materialize in the center of the room, slight sparks were coming off it. It began to rise, slowly becoming more and more intense. It got to the point where most had to close their eyes, within a moment the light had darkened, seemingly finished. In its place was an older looking man, kneeling at the spot. He wore a blue overshirt and underneath was a white long sleeved white dress shirt, the sleeves of the shirt seemed pulled up slightly showing a bit of his forearm, brown fingerless leather gloves were on his hands. On his brown messy hair was a pair of goggles, the lenses seemed to be changeable, his eyes were closed and had a slight bit of a beard.  He had a darker grey pair of pants along with belt buckled boots, brown and leather once more. He had a satchel at his side, and on the other side was a sheathed sword, along with another sheathed sword on his back, this once seemed different however, it had a slight glow to it. The man opened his eyes, revealing his darker blue eyes. Slowly he began to stand and take notice of those around him. In a swift moment, he began to bow. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna it is an honor.” “It is an honor to have you be a guest of our land.” Celestia spoke with a small nod of her head. Slowly he began to stand tall once more. “Might I ask a question though. I am curious to the others of my kind being here, for I was told I would be the only one.” He placed a hand on his chin in thought. Luna looked at the other two creatures. “As for that question, we do not know ourselves. We were preparing for your arrival when they, appeared in a dangerous part of our lands.” Her words slow, and deliberate. “Nevertheless it is quite interesting to meet others. Pray tell, what kingdom do you two hail from? I myself am from the western land of Yalin, though I was born in the land of Olvin.” He said while facing the two others. “Well, this is the first time I talk to someone using ‘Ye Olde English’” Chris started, “ Well I hail from a small town in New Jersey. Not just plain old Jersey; but New Jersey in America.” Chris put emphasis on the word new. William looked at Chris with a look of, well it was not of disdain but it was not one of amusement either. “I am William Jefferson Howard and I hail from the United States of America on the landmass of North America, on the Planet Earth.” The man seemed puzzled. “I have not heard of the United States of America, or of the town New Jersey.” He crossed his arms in thought. “Planet Earth, do you mean Sera?” William looked at Chris. “I shall handle this I think.” William looked around a little. “Uh, can I have a Chalkboard or a paper?” To his surprise Celestia had one appear behind him. “Ah, right.” He turned to face this new comer. “May I know your name?” He moved and picked up a piece of chalk. “Okay, this for purposes is Sera.” he drew a circle. “This,” he drew another circle. “This is this world.” he pointed the chalk to the circle he drew. He drew two more circles. He put CE on one and WE on the other. “This is Chris’ Earth, and this is My Earth.” He paused. “Welcome to interdimensional travel. Each of these circles represent the worlds we come from.” “I feel a bit foolish, for two reasons it seems. My name is Rick Fuoco, and I am sorry to say I have not read about dimensional travel in quite a while, it takes too much power to create a portal and I am afraid I can not support a full portal. I have not used my magic to the fullest for quite some time and I can not support powerful spells like I use to.” “Wait you have magic and weapons!?” Chris pointed out, a little bit annoyed that the new human can do things in the books he reads. Rick looked to the sword sheathed at his hip with a grin and then to the one on his back. When his eyes reached the sword on his back his eyes dilated slightly. “Er...uh, yes...” He turned towards the group with a small smile, Chris seemed to be studying Rick like a scientist on a new specimen. “As for magic.” He raised his right hand palm up and a blue fire like glow around it. “I do not use it daily and thus I am not as strong with it as I use to be in my youth.” He clenched his hand into a fist and canceled out the magic, returning his hand to his side. Chris and the ponies were shocked at Rick performing such a spell in front of them. “Hey Chris can you do that fiery hand thingy?”  Pinkie Pie gleefully asks. “No...no I can’t.” Chris stated in a depressed tone. William looked on in shock. “You, you know, but,” He shook his head. “Magic, just, of all,” His face fell a little. “Oh Luna what will thou doest without me?” he turned around and walked away a little. “The Nightmares,” he bowed his head as he furrowed his head and fell into muttering ancient Equestrian. “You seem to be in a bit of distress friend.” Rick said tilting his head slightly. “What is the matter?” William turned and snapped at Rick actually. “The matter is that me being out of my dimension may very well disrupt the entire world I came from... the Nightmares can, they, She is,” he was tripping over his own words so he stopped took a breath to calm himself. “I understand some of your pain, but...” Rick exhaled. “Would you like to talk with someone from your home?” William looked and shook his head. “My home? That would.” he had a deeper longing look before shaking his head. “No, I need to speak to the other Equis, the one I first came from... complicated story already.” He paced a little. He pulled an amulet out from his shirt. “I was told to protect her, and to defeat the nightmares amassing.... I, I need to return, or... stop myself from being brought here.” “Do you have something from there, or with the essence of said person you wish to talk to?” William blinked and held the amulet. “As long as it remains safe, I cannot let this be destroyed.” Rick nodded. “This is going to drain me for some time. I can only perform this once.” Rick grabbed the amulet. “You will be placed as a projection to the one you are talking to, they can see you, hear you, and even feel you but you will not be seen or heard by any other. Your body will stay motionless until you are finished or I run out of energy to supply it. I would say you have a few minutes.” Rick’s hands began to glow once more. “Are you ready?” William nodded his head as he moved to a military stance. “Ready.” Rick placed his hand on William’s forehead, and began to make the connection. The amulet and William seemed to have a slight glow around them. William’s eyes closed and Rick seemed to be focused on what he was doing. William blinked as he found himself on Luna’s personal viewing balcony. Luna was looking into the night sky with a worried face. She sighed and turned around and froze upon seeing William. William saluted her. “Your Highness, the nightmares attacked and, I am talking from another plane, another Equestria. This is new magic I have seen.” He spoke quickly and with worry that his time was short. Luna only smiled a little, “Are you alive? Or are, is this the Equestria of the afterlife?” Her voice showed worry. She laughed a little as she realized the last part. “Same here, but I shall commission Twilight right away to study this interesting idea, this is new magic indeed.” “No, This is not the afterlife, unless you have a twin that controls the moon as well.” He began to pace along her balcony. “But first off, the amulet that grants me the disguise ability is burned out, the second assault in the Everfree forest went well, but we might have a new foe, one that can send others to other planes of existence, no clue how many, or how powerful they are.” He seemed a little agitated at those words. “Be careful, I, I have failed in my duty in protecting our worlds from the Nightmares.” Luna looked saddened. “Please, be careful, and I shall then charge you with a new order, find any means possible to return, I can keep the Nightmares thinking you are still here, but I do not know how we can keep them, how do you put it? Wool over their eyes?” William smiled a little. “Yeah, that works, keep an eye on the Mane Six, and, please, don’t fret, this is rather,” he felt some pain and Luna gasped. As she saw his body flicker. “Your, the time is short?” Luna queried. William nodded putting a hand to his head. “Yeah, I am guessing. I do not know the next time I can talk, but I will do my best to keep you up to date. As well as getting back in one piece.” He saluted again. “I shall see you again Luna.” He smiled but the pain in the head was hurting again. “I better go I think this pain is connected with the Nightmares.” Luna smiled. Before yelling as he faded. “Be sure to ask my counterpart if she knows about master hiding spells.” “So what do you think is going on” Chris whispers to Pinkie Pie. “No idea, but do you know what this means.” Pinkie replied back. “No what does it mean.” Chris answers. “I’ll have to throw an even bigger party!” Pinkie Pie shouts which startles Chris. Rick winced slightly at Pinkies loud shout. “Pinkie Pie, not so loud. He is trying to focus since this spell cost a lot of magic to use. that type of magic is taxing to the body and the mind as well.” Twilight informs. “Sorry” Pinkie Pie sheepishly apologized. “It is... Perfectly alright. It is just a little, tougher, with loud noises.” Rick said, slightly straining his voice. “Wait, how, how can you still be creating that spell? The focus required,” She paused as she began to mutter to herself with different equations and as Rainbow Dash would put it. Egghead talk. “I... Can not explain at the moment. Most of my mind is focused on this... I can not fully explain with, only a piece.” “Sorry” Twilight apologies with a slight blush on her face, embarrassing herself in front of the new guest. “Well now we found somepony...some...human...who can actually keep up with Twilight’s egghead talk.” Rainbow Dash joked. “Hey Twil, he might know more than you about magic.” “Ha ha, very funny Rainbow Dash, I am sure his magic is different from our magic so there is no comparison between me and him.” Twilight tried. Rick seemed slightly off balance slightly teetering on the spot. The aura around his hands seemed to flicker for a moment. Celestia and Luna noticed this and used their magic to help Rick stand up straight; the other group of ponies unaware of the situation at hand. Rick shook his head. “No, stop... This might cancel, it out forcibly... I can hold it for a bit longer...” Celestia and Luna nodded, accepting the fact that this might make this slightly worse. After two minutes Rick removed his hand off William’s forehead, he wobbled slightly as he took a step back before coughing into his hand. William blinked took a step, clutched his head groaning and fell to the ground pain on his face. “That is one of the side effects to a first time.... It should subside in a minute...” Rick said before coughing more into his hand. William shook his head. “No, that is, this is, the nightmares were trying to force my location to take me over.” William growled through the pain. His hands balling into fists from the pain and the surge of anger. Rick turned towards William once more. “I could feel that, but it is a bit weak, it seems to struggle. It may have a chance to be too weak to find you. I am not certain, but...” He coughed more. “Ah... I used all my reserve... I had to draw from the planet and now I can feel the side effects...” Twilight asked, “What do you mean you can draw from the planet? Shouldn’t your magical reserves be low?” “That might be where we differ.” He paused to calm his breathing, coughing slightly here and there. “After my reserve is out if need be I can pull from the planet itself, which is pulsing with power, and force it to go through me to continue what I was doing. Though it does have problems, I was willing to deal with it to make sure he could finish what he was doing.”   “So if you need to use your magic as a last resort, you can take some of the magical aura that exist on the planet and use it as your own.” Celestia understood with the magical abilities of the new human. Rick only nodded in response. Celestia looked to her left. “Guards, I need to speak with the Elements for a moment, if you could take our guests to a room to rest, we can figure out these items at a later time.” The guards saluted and gently led the three humans out of the throne room. As they were leaving Celestia spoke to the six remaining Ponies. “Now, as my letter might have suggested, I need some help with the upcoming wedding.” The three were lead down hallways to the residential portion of the castle and were placed into a single room with almost three of everything, bed, chest, cabinet, but sadly not three bathrooms. “Um...this isn’t the same room I was in before and why am I sharing it with them?” Chris speculated. “Due to guests arriving today, the castle is at peak capacity, this room was reserved for Sir Rick here.” the guard ignored the look that Rick gave the guard, as it was similar to the looks he got from other royalties who didn’t like their titles spoken. “Since there are three of you. You all get to share the room.” He turned around. “We shall have guards at the ready if you need anything. Good day.” He paused, “Oh, don’t be afraid of the Night Guards, they don’t bite, much.” He blinked in confusion as William just broke up laughing as he left. Rick shrugged towards the other two. “Oh well, still no matter, company was always welcome in my book.” Rick said as he took of his satchel, placing it on a bed and beginning to examine its insides. Chris groans, “Fine I guess I can room with these two.” Then an evil idea hatched in his head. ‘And afterwords, I can try to sneak in and take scandalous photos of some of the guest here and send it to their equivalent to TMZ.’  Chris walked to one of the beds and proceeded to take out the contents of his messenger bag. William while Chris moaned, moved to a bed that gave a good view of the room and placed his rucksack on the top of the bed. “I claim this in the name of the Lunar Guard.” he blinked and sighed, “Sorry, forgot you weren’t my unit.” He shook his head and sat down as he opened up an outer pouch to remove some smaller items. “Lunar Guard you say, you did seem to match the foundation of a Knight.” Rick said while placing his swords at his bedside, still in their sheath. “Well, thank you, but,” he sighed, “It’s complicated.” he moved and pulled a smaller satchel from the top of his Rucksack before tying it back up and began to unpack the satchel, of what looked to be sleepwear, a Ruger, a Magazine for said Ruger and, a book. “I am in a world where a guy can shoot fire from his hands and talking magical ponies...nothing can be as complicated as that.” Chris stated. Rick shook his head. “Things can always be complicated, some have just hit the slowly rising elevation, others are near the fall.” Rick said while glancing at one of the swords once more. “and some have already fallen...” He mumbled. Chris picked up on the body language Rick was sending him with the depressed look Rick gets from looking at his sword and the choice of words. “So are you going to tell us a little bit about yourself mister magic man like why you get so sad when you look at your sword.” Chris started to interrogate.”You also had eyes that were dilated and your face was of that you seen something terrifying earlier in the throne room.” Chris became a little bit more hostile to Rick. “So tell us, about your past cause frankly I don’t trust you as much as I can throw you.” “Hold on...” William held up a hand. “Please, slow down. Let’s not, we all have our secrets, I am sure you don’t want us to know about your life, so, let’s just take this easy.” He looked at Rick. Before bearing his gaze upon Chris again. “You are talking to a vet of a war. I have seen the look myself, guards that faced an...” His face paled. “Mother Russia.” He muttered. “I got to,” He moved to stand up. “I could, if I can get, I could prevent, but, should I? If I do, it would not draw the two closer to-” He was muttering and here he slipped back into Ancient Equestrian or to him, normal equestrian as he tried he did his best to make sense of what was going on. He stood up fully and was pacing the middle of the room. Concern and worry on his face. “And another thing. William, can you speak the same language. I don’t know if you are plotting some evil scheme right in front of us or saying mean things to us. I mean...I just met you but I am not one to trust others so easily.” Chris confronted William. ‘Except for that pink pony who reminds me of a friend I use to have in college.’  William paused and looked at them. “Oh no, I assure you, I am not talking evil about you, I am talking about the changing of the space time frame. I mean...well...nevermind. Just, look after a few days of speaking a language you associate with one place, and have it change, I am still working on that.” He frowned. “Also, Chris, in Equestria, I will say this, you can trust the ponies, you can trust me, okay?” He paused and looked around. “I think, if we are to get along, we should lay some ground rules of trust for one another, is that okay with you all?” Rick nodded in response, sitting on his bed. “Well of course I can trust those ponies. They looked like they wouldn’t even kick a puppy.” Chris went to his bed to see if his camera needed any batteries. Rick stood up, grabbing one of his sword, the one that didn’t invoke any negative emotion, and headed towards the door. “I am sorry, I need to think, I am headed to a park or garden or even if need be, a forest.” Rick said shaking his head. “Please tell me of anything that transpires while I am away.” He said to the two. “If should a situation arise, have one of the knights, or guards, come and get me, I will make post haste.” He said while walking out of the door. Once Rick left the room, Chris started to rummage through Rick’s satchel. “Alright...what’s he hiding. I need to see if he is hiding anything suspicious or dangerous. William blinked and moved in with a look of anger on his face. “What! Are! You! Doing?” His voice was level, calm, but there was an emphasise on every single word. He also had a small growl to his voice as well. “That is private property, do you have a search warrant?” His hands were moving to take hold of Chris’s dominant arm. “No but neither did the paparazzi who took candid photos of Princess Kate and Prince Williams on their own private beach.” Chris grabbed onto the strap of the bag and all the contents fell down on the ground, making a loud thud as it hit the ceramic tiles. “Jeez, what was in that bag.” The contents of the bag were scattered on the floor, what looked to be spare clothing, the exact same color and all, were scattered along with a pair of leather gauntlets. There was a decent sized metal hammer that looked as though it had cracked one of the tiles. There was two decent sized books and a wooden case containing items to maintain swords and tools. Chris tried to free himself from the grasp of William. He manages to get free from the grip by making him lose his balance; a trick that he used to escape from guards at celebrity's houses. William tried to fix his balance but in the end actually fell to the ground hitting his head on the wooden case, causing him to curl up as he clutched his head. Most likely surprising the reporter in how easy it was to break free of the other man's grasp. “Okay now time to see that sword that is put in a metal plated sheath looks like.” Chris took of the bag covering the top of the sword to reveal a very different sword. The swords handle looked to be made of richer metals. Gold and platinum made up the grip of the hilt. Two forms of diamonds were into the bottom of the hilt, one pure and the other dark. the handguards sides swirled and contained two marbles, slightly glowing. One was swirled with darkness and the other pure white. In the center of the hilt sat two rose petals, one black the other red. “Geez” Chris eyed the hilt of the sword. “This sword must have costed him a fortune. I bet you there is over 20K in jewels alone.” William groaned as he sat up and his eyes narrowed. “Put, That, Down!” He tapered off from pain in his head, He swayed a little, and one could see a goose egg forming on his head. “That is not yours, that is a man’s weapon and depending on the culture, you just insulted him greatly.” he coughed and it looked like he might actually throw up but he staggered to Chris. “If, you do not step away from that gear, I will be forced to intervene.” “Don’t worry about that. I have some standards and I am above stealing what isn’t mine.” Chris still looks at the hilt in wonder. “You are still touching, private.” He swayed and stumbled forward, resting his body on the footboard of the bed. He groaned as the hinges of a door swung open. “Stop Criminal Scum.” He wheezed. Rick walked into the room a small smile on his face in which slowly dropped upon seeing the sight before him. Chris seemed to be messing with his sword, the contents of his satchel were scattered about on the floor, and William seemed to be injured. “What in the name of Clarity is going on?!” William looked like he was going to answer before he turned green and raced to the bathroom where one was quick to hear noises of one losing the contents of his meal. “Dude, learn how to fight. I didn’t even hit you that hard.” Chris still looked at the hilt, being unaware that Rick just walked in. Rick cleared his throat to get the attraction of Chris who nervously smiled and hid the sword behind his back. “So how was the walk.” Chris said as if a child was trying to hide the fact that he took cookies from the cookie jar. “Fine, until I had arrived to the door hearing all this nonsense. What are you doing? Why did William have what seemed to be a swelling bruise, and why in the name of Purity are you searching through my stuff?” Rick questioned, sounding as though he was worn out. Then he noticed the handle slightly sticking out of Chris’ back. “My word... must- must you really know about that sword?” He said, sounding slightly worried. Chris started to feel slightly guilty for going through his things. “Well it is part of my job. I have to get information about other people and...well it kinda makes me invade other people's privacy. It is a bad habit of mine but still. Curiosity gets the best of me.”  Chris stated as William walked out of the bathroom having a wet cloth pressed to his head. “I miss cloud ice, that sooths the head.” William moaned. Rick faced the floor, his eyes closed. “Do you really want to know?” His voice breaking ever so slightly as he spoke weakly. “Yes, as it will help us understand each other better.” Chris stated. Rick began to mumble slightly, shaking slightly. “What was that?” Rick raised his head and faced Chris and William, his expression full of pain and sorrow. William groaned and shook his head. “If it hurts you, I do not need to know, I,” he moaned as he clutched his head. “I wish my pendant didn’t burn out. My head is killing me. Do you have anything that might help? Or can you get one of the guards?” “I think I have built up enough...” Rick mumbled, his hand starting to glow a more red hued color. He raised his palm upward and a small sphere began to slowly form. It seemed to be a small ball of pure red fire, no other colors seemed to mesh in with it. “Here... Just, place it on the place it hurts and...” He exhaled. “Should feel better after a minute.” William grunted taking the ball of light and placed it on the rather large bump on his head. There also as what looked to be a little bit of blood from where he hit his head. “Sorry, I, I got hurt trying to protect your privacy.” Rick looked towards him. “No problem, I should have brought my stuff with me in the first place...” He closed his eyes. “I might as well say what I must now, less this question burn in our minds.” “The reason I am here is not a happy tale, though I wish I could forget it I must hold onto it and try to get past it. That sword-” He said, grabbing the sword from Chris and unsheathing it to reveal its glass like blade, swirled with a fogged glass into a interesting blade. “This sword... It was named the Bane of the Spirit, it is blessed by our gods and cursed by our demons.” He placed it back into its sheath. “The reason it hurts to look at it is... Well...” He took a breath. “I wielded it... After watching hundreds-If not thousands of knights, guards and even citizens fall to the corruption the demons set forth... I was the last one left...” “This sounds like a long story.” Chris interrupted, “I might as well sit down.” Chris went to his bed and sat down on it. Trying to get as comfortable as he could.