//------------------------------// // Messenger of Plight // Story: Equestria, What kinda World is that? // by Nater-Grey //------------------------------// Enjoy. ======== Nathan stood smiling at the three fillies as they conversed among themselves about what to do today. Scootaloo had ideas revolving around sports and physical activities, while Apple bloom wanted to build stuff, and Sweety bell wanted to do something with singing and dancing. They couldn't figure out exactly what it was they wanted to do, but they turned to Nate and jumping up and down asked him. "Do you have a cutie mark?" Nate smiled, and in a swift motion, revealed to them his mark, in the air above them. "I do, I am the Magical Protector of Equestria. I earned this for what i did many years ago." They were dazzled at the neat looking mark, and eagerly asked to be told the story. Reluctantly Nate obliged and sat them down beside the tree, and started to spin a mystical story for the young fillies, leaving out a bit of, M rated material, he gave them the kid friendly version. The three jumped up after the story ended and looked at each other. "Maybe we are like Nate! Defenders of Equestria. Cutie Mark Crusaders, Defenders of Ponyville!" They all said in unison. Nate chuckled as he watched the kids fight their imaginary battles, and pretend to be great hero's. "How bout you three go run along and see what you could do to defend ponyville. but stay out of trouble. I don't want to hear somepony got hurt." He said slightly concerned, since he kinda put the whole idea in their heads not a moment ago. "Don't worry Sir Nathaniel! Cutie mark Crusaders always stay safe!" and with that the three ran off, their little red capes fluttering in the wind. He stood up, brushing his pants off as he grabbed his staff and bag, heading into town. "Hmmm what to do today... wonder what kinda shops they got round here, maybe pick up something new..." he said pondering as he walked the trail to ponyville, only as he neared the walkway a zebra stood there in front of him, mouth agape. "Tell me my eyes, they do not lie, for i see in my wake by no mistake. A creature that has appeared, one i did not know was here." she was quite the curious zebra to. "Oh hello there, Haven't met you before." The zebra nodded and with a small bow, continued to speak aloud "I live in the forest Everfree, and only venture when in need. Today i am off to shop, for my herb stocks are low. But to see such a sight as you, i would no sooner have my tongue turn blue. I am Zecora, and it is a pleasure to meet you." She held a hoof for him, and he took it with a gentle smile. "i am Nathaniel." That brought the eyes of the zebra wide. "Sir Nathaniel, the one who stopped, the most festering of rots? That which wanted to hurt the princesses?" He nodded, seemed like only the older Ponies, and zebra's knew of the story. But such is the tale of time. "Aye the same one." She looked curiously at him. "But to do such a feat, no younger could you be. tell me how old you be?" He replied with smirk. "Im 24." The zebra did the math in her head. "But to be such young of age, that makes the time of peril, set within the age of 17. One so young could surely not fight a monstrosity of such great plight." He chuckled and rubbed his head. "Its complicated, but how bout we go to town together, and i tell you the rest?" She nodded. "Indeed this plan you make, is most great. The story of ages old, i will love to be told." He smirked, she was a good rhymer, He'll give her that. So as they set off he retold the story, but left nothing back this time, to the zebra to behold. It took a bit longer to get to town, since they were walking and talking, but they arrived at Zecora's Destination, and she smiled as he finished his story. "i thank you for such a tale, woven with such detail. But alas, i must go. May your day, be filled with joy, and laughter bright." she said as she walked into the store. Nate waved her off and continued walking. A certain Pink pony had a certain cookie he just loved. He opened the door to Sugar cube corner and found a certain pink bouncy pony hopping about. "And what is pinkie pie up to today?" Pinkie looked to Nate and smiled a big old smile and bounced around some more. "I'm not sure yet, but i know its gonna be a good day!" He smiled, and Looked about. "so, you got any of them... "cookies" She stopped and got shifty eyed.. "you mean them cookies, yea i got some, but i need to go get them." He nodded as she slinked away to the kitchen. She came back out with a un-marked box. "These are them. you got my payment?" He nodded as he set a small box of his own down on the counter, and they exchanged. "Good doing business with you. Hope you enjoy your cookies." He smiled, and nodded. "and you be careful with that." She smiled. "im always careful! That's just me!" She said going back to hopping around wildly. Nate just rolled his eyes at her insanity, and walked out with the box. Nathaniel Returning back to his Tent, Witnesses a Disturbance on the edge of Everfree. A Rather Large Shadowed Beast lies on the edge, its Fangs dripping with blood as is has its claws on a body. Grinning it is preparing to devour its meal. At first Hes confused why it would be at the edge of this forest, but a glint of red, flashes into view, and he drops his box as he realizes that particular red was not blood. It isn’t but a split second before he has already slammed into the beast, its awaiting jaws bit down right on Nate as he covered the body it was about to feast on. Pain seared his entire body as he pulled the thing off him, struggling for life as his strength started to fade. As he pulled it off barely managing to push it away he grabs his staff from his bag, as the creature charged at him once more with a grin of now even a bigger feast. With a slowish movement the staff came down across the creatures face with a smash. The Sapphire Shattered into thousands of tiny pieces across the ground and in the creatures face. Pure magic swirled from these shards, as they erupted in small explosions around him. The creature staggered back confused but only for a moment as its face erupted in a explosion splattering half its skull across the ground around Nate. He fell to a knee as he clenched his side. Blood oozed from his open wounds as he felt a burning sensation spreading up from the bites. He stared at the body lying on the ground and bit his lower lip. Softly he spoke out. "Human? What is another one, this is just crazy. One and now another?!" He sighed as he looked at the shattered remnants of his Foci gem. He grabbed her side and gently flipped her over so shes no longer face in the dirt, and nearly fell backwards in shock. Serina awoke with a fright and nearly fell off the couch. "Wahh!!" She breathed heavily, only remembering some large creature hitting her and it all went black. She clenched her chest, bandages wrapped around covering her wounds from earlier. She took a few deep breaths, as she took note of her surroundings. “The Near dead has awoken, glad to see you're okay.” She shot her head to the left, that Voice... “It can't be...” She growled softly, seeing that dark brown hair she so fondly remembers... “Of all the people to find in the universe, Seraphina sent me to you...” Nate looked up and then swiveled himself on the chair he sat. “Well, that answers one question I had. Glad to see you still taking care of her at least. But then, you still got one last question to answer, What brings you here?” Serina Huffed, her red hair a mess, and her attitude not so friendly at the moment. Grumbling she crossed her arms and huffed... “Need your help you grumpy old mage...” she said softly. He chuckled, “I'm far from grumpy..” She pointed to him, nearly falling off the couch. “You are grumpy! You're still sour sera likes me!” He held a blank face. “Maybe.” She rolled her eyes and just shook her head. “I need your help though... And it wasn't easy to ask.” Nate grabbed a cloth, wiping his hands off, having just finished stitching himself up. “Whats the problem?” He asked her, walking to the couch and sitting beside her. She sighed, “They are coming. I thought they would stay in that universe. Stay away from the rest of the worlds.. But apparently something caused a rip. It torn open a door. There was nothing I could do... So many worlds fell before them without even a chance. No matter how many I killed, more just kept coming... They are unstoppable.” She quivered gently out of fear, remembering the silver eyes piercing her soul... “they spoke to me before I ran... millions of voices all as one... “Darkness is pure and infinite, We will not stop, we will not Relent. We will Hunt all until the light is gone. We will remove the plague.” She sighed, “They are going to be here in a few weeks. They will be beyond any you've ever faced in numbers. They will kill everything.” She balled her fists up. Nate looked at her, and then stood up, stretching. “Seems to me, we need to prepare. I know a few ponies around here who just might have the ability to stop them.” Serina looked to him confused... “Ponies? What will horses be able to do against them?” Laughing Nate offered her a set of clothes. “You'll find out in a moment.” He said to her with a smile. And at that very moment, a Knock was heard on his Door. "Well what do you know." He chuckled, going to the front door, he opened it up finding lucious standing there. "Well, not exactly who i was expecting, but none the less, glad to see you here sir." Nate invited the man in. "Well, its getting a bit late, I found a box of cookies... on the way here, was curious why someone would just drop a box of these delicious delights."" He handed nate the box, it was now half the weight as before. With a chuckle, "Well My good sir, I had an unexpected visitor arrive." Raising an eyebrow Lucious looked about, Before Serina walked into the main hall brushing her hair. "I'm not unexpected you should know this by now." She huffed. The cool night air blew gently into the home, as nate stood by the door looking out into the fields before him. "This isn't what I wanted to happen here of all places. Not now.." He sighed, in the sky stars began to disappear slowly, Luna stood on the balcony of her room, looking up beads of sweat ran down her forehead... "By the moon, what is happening..." She spoke worridly, running to Celestia's chambers...