//------------------------------//
// Amulets, Agreements, and Apples 
// Story: The Mighty Warrior of Epicness 
// by shinigamisparda 
//------------------------------//

"YOU WHAT!?" Celestia shouted from her private quarters.

"Sister, please-"

"NO! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD DO THIS! YOU JUST GAVE HIM ONE OF HIS WEAPONS! HAVE YOU GONE INSANE!?"

"IT WAS THE ONLY CHOICE TO MAKE!" Luna shouted back.

"'THE ONLY CHOICE!?'"

"HE MAY BE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DEFEND US!"

"'MAY BE'!? YOU GAVE ONE OF OUR MOST POWERFUL OPPONENTS ONE OF HIS WEAPONS BACK, SOME OF HIS POWER BACK, BECAUSE HE MAY BE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DEFEND US!?" she asked, chuckling a bit in disbelief.

"CELESTIA, JUST-!" Luna began before taking a deep breath and calming herself. "Celestia, please listen to me."

Celestia was about to shout back only to use the same technique to calm down as her sister. "Very well. Explain to me what compelled you to perform such a ludicrous action. And you had best not tell me it was because you were assaulted by that creature."

"Sister, please don't insult me. The attempt on my life merely cemented my decision. Besides, don't try and tell me you weren't affected by his reaction."

"THAT DOESN'T MEAN-!" *ahem* "That doesn't mean I was willing to simply let him do as he wanted."

"Celestia, did you perhaps consider that what he wanted is not what you think? He seeks battle only to test himself, like an athlete who wishes to improve his skill. He doesn't take pleasure in seeing others in pain, you know this."

"It doesn't matter what he wants what matters is what he does! And how can you claim to know how he thinks!?"

"BECAUSE I'M SIMILAR!" Luna shouted in frustration. Celestia could only look on in shock as Luna gathered herself. "Celestia, I understand because over the Great War I too began to share a certain view of his, if only to some extent. I too learned to enjoy the thrill of battle, of competing with another in strength, skill, and strategy. Of course I never let it consume me, as I had our subjects to think of, but I did take pride in it because… because I felt I was better at it than you were." Luna looked away in shame. "I was always second best to you sister, our subjects always looked to you before me, and because of that my jealously always existed. But I always kept it at bay because I knew there were things I could do better than you, things that I could do to aid our kingdom. But when you moved us away from military might, I… I felt that you were taking away one of the few things I excelled at, like you were trying to cripple my power in favor of your own."

"L-Luna. I… I had no idea," Celestia said with tears in her eyes.

"Of course you didn't. I went out of my way to hide it from you. I knew you were only doing what you thought was best for Equestria, so  I kept my complaints to myself. And so, without combat as an option, I poured everything into my night. And when that also went unappreciated… well, you know what became of that."

"Sister… I'm so-"

"It doesn't matter. It's in the past. What matters is the present and the future," Luna said before steeling herself. "And what I know for a fact is that there is something out there, something beyond our ken of knowledge, that is coming to our world. A threat that we do not understand, but Gilgamesh does. He has pledged to me to fight against it for our sake, not merely as a promise but as a vow upon his very honor. And I believe he will uphold it."

Celestia sighed. "Luna, even if this threat exists, even if it did attack you, even if he knows what it is, I still can't just entrust the safety of Equestria to him. Even if he doesn't wish harm upon our ponies, how can I believe that he-?"

"He bears the Badge of Honor, sister."

Celestia stopped to process that for a moment. "W-What? Why would he take such a thing from us?"

"It was not taken from us, Celestia, it was given to him. Given to him by Princess Luna, a different Princess Luna from another version of Equestria." Celestia stared at her like she was insane, but Luna kept going before she had a chance to respond. "I know it sounds absurd, but I saw his eyes. I believe every word he said. In this other world he protected our ponies, alternate versions of Ponyville, the Elements, and myself, with the aid of another like him. One who does not belong in that world. A 'Displaced', as they call themselves. That version of Luna trusted him, and I intend to do the same. And if you require more proof, read this."

Luna reached into her saddlebag and gave Celestia the folder from the one named "Auric Fulcrum". Celestia took the item and began to read the papers, shocked at what she read.

"Discord!? He wants to use Discord!?"

"I understand. I was frightened by such a notion too, but you must admit there would be none better for altering the very nature of our reality to shield ourselves."

Celestia was about to retort, but stopped and then groaned. She couldn't deny that logic.

"Sister, this is the only copy of this he has. He asked me to make more so he could inform the other 'Displaced' of their options. He trusted me with this, as I trust him. I only ask that you do the same."

Celestia paused to think before levitating the folder back to Luna. "I'm sorry, but I have think on this. It's too much to take in at once," she sighed. "For now I need to focus on the meeting with the horses of Saddle Arabia." She glared at her sister before continuing. "Do not give him any more of his weapons, Luna. At least not until I've decided on this. You may be my dear sister, but I will not simply stay my hoof and allow you to empower one of our oldest enemies any more."

Luna sighed. "Very well, Sister."

"In the meantime, I will have the royal scribes copy that folder and it's content. I can see no harm in that much at least."

"Thank you. Now go back to bed, Tia. You still have time before you must raise the sun."

"Yes, thank you. And Luna?" Celestia again, her eyes turning softer. "Please don't run off on your own again. That creature came so close to… I couldn't bear to lose you again, especially after finally getting you back."

Luna smiled. "I understand. Goodnight, Tia."

"Until tomorrow, Lulu."





I munched on some more hydra jerky as I looked over Ponyville. I could've gone after my next weapon, but I wanted to be close to Canterlot for when Luna returned with those copies of Auric's letter and formula. However, there was one other thing I was waiting for, something I could use to endear me to the ponies just a little bit more, one lavender unicorn in particular. 

And there it is. 

The giant fishbowl-like barrier descended upon Ponyville. Looking closely I could see a red aura carting something outside. 

Alright Twi. Time for you to get two mentors in the ways of magic. 





"Your tale of woe upsets me so," the shamaness began with a sip of her tea. "No wonder you're dour, it's an abuse of power!"

"I don't know what to do, Zecora. I feel like I've abandoned my friends, but I can't take her on horn-to-horn," Twilight explained.

Zecora took another another sip of her tea. "If you train with me, so good you'll be. I'll show you the way to make sure she won't stay."

"You'll train me in magic?" Twilight asked excitedly, not noticing she tipped over Zecora's tea cup. "But she was doing age spells, weather spells, you name it!"

Zecora picked up her tea cup and with a flick of her fetlock replaced the liquid. "When it comes to magic, it would be tragic if some pony licked me, especially Trixie."

"You really think I can beat her?"

"Mmm-hmm," she replied as she took another sip.

"Ok, when do we start?" Twilight asked eagerly, accidentally knocking over Zecora's teacup again, smiling sheepishly as she realized.

"There is one thing I must confess, before we begin your many tests. I will not be alone in teaching you. After all, why have one teacher-"

"-When you can have two?"

Twilight turned to face the doorway and was shocked at who she saw.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"G-Gilgamesh?"

"Hi, Twi. Hope you don't mind me lending you a hand."

"Wh-Why are you here?"

"Let's just say that I don't like seeing people- er, ponies forced under other's will."

"But what about… last time?"

"Luna and I reached an understanding."

"And Celestia?"

He winced for a moment. "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, we've got a show mare to stop. So let's turn you into a show stopper."





"Ah, no noise, no sound, no din, no fuss must interfere with your focus. Unlearn what you have learned. Only then can victory be earned."

Zecora and Gilgamesh watched as Twilight kept herself above the water in the pond as she levitated orbs of water around her. She was doing well until something seemed to break her concentration. She dropped the water orbs and fell into the pond herself.

"There is much, much that I can teach, but the answer you need may still be out of reach," Zecora chided. Gilgamesh simply sat silently and continued his meditation.

"I'm sorry, Zecora. I'm trying my best, but... I can't stop thinking about Trixie. There was something different about her. It's like she's gone from high and mighty to mean and nasty," Twilight apologized.

"Your thinking needs a readjust. Total concentration is a must."

"I know, I know, but it's just… ugh…"

"If I may, Zecora?" Gilgamesh butted in. "Twilight is a scholar, the type to do research and follow instructions. Perhaps she needs a framework for this new way of thinking?"

"Hm. You may be right. Go tell what you must to Twilight."

"Thank you. Now Twilight, though I'm not too familiar with the processes behind unicorn and alicorn magic, I'm guessing you spend an immense amount of concentration to preform your techniques, yes?"

"Um yeah, something like that. Which reminds me, how does yours work?"

"I know what I want to happen, and then I will it into happening. For me, all of my techniques are as natural as breathing or walking, and that is what you must do with your own spells."

"What? How can I just 'do' spells?" Twilight asked, looking completely befuddled by the very idea of such a thing.

"When you walk do you think 'lift this leg, move it, drop it, lift other leg' or do you just 'walk'? Do you focus on every time you blink or does it happen on it's own? Some things we do come naturally to us. Some things we learn to do automatically. You must learn for your magic to be the same."

"But how? Magic is a complex science, with so much preparation and thought and-"

"Twilight, do you like quotes?"

"Huh?"

"I find that being able to quote others, to refer back to what those before us have said, helps to put our thoughts and perceptions into perspective, and maybe even give us some new ones. All progress is based on the achievements of the past, and having a base can help us build from there."

"Um… I guess. And yeah, I guess I do like quotes. Are you saying you have one for me?"

He nodded before closing his eyes. "'Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless. Like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.'"

"W-Wow. That sounds… deep. Who said that?"

"Bruce Lee, the most recognizable and perhaps the most revolutionary martial artist in my world. He changed martial arts more in a few decades than it had in hundreds of years."

"'Martial artist'? You mean he was a fighter? But he sounds so… eloquent."

"Being a warrior and being an intellectual or a philosopher are not as opposed as you might think. In fact, many of the greatest poets are those who have experienced the heat of battle. After all, who would be best suited to write stories about war than those who have seen it themselves?"

"I… I see. I never thought of that…"

Gilgamesh chuckled. "Already I can see you dropping some of your preconceived notions. Let go of what you have been taught, Twilight. Pick what still works and let the rest flow away, be open to new ideas and new methods. Be ever flowing, ever changing. Stop thinking and just do."

Twilight sighed and floated to the water's surface, standing on it before quickly casting a spell to dry the water off her. She began to levitate the water orbs again and circle them around her. She furrowed her brow in concentration before seeming to catch herself. After a long deep breath her facial muscles relaxed. Her ears flickered back and forth, but otherwise her expression was completely neutral.

Zecora turned to Gilgamesh and smiled before nodding. The warrior responded with the same, understanding passing between them without words.





A few hours later Fluttershy, dressed in her adorable 'dangerous mission' outfit, came to tell us about the Alicorn Amulet. Amazingly, she wasn't afraid of me, although I did have to keep my voice down a bit. But damn if my heart didn't near explode when she asked me if I could scratch her behind the ears with that cute little embarrassed blush.

"I can't believe I didn't recognize the Alicorn Amulet!" Twilight yelled. I could see her beating herself up inside her head.

"The more she, oh, uses it, the more it ooh will corrupt her," Fluttershy warned between pleasant moans from ear scratching.

"But how am I supposed to beat that amulet? My magic's not good enough!"

"Twilight Sparkle, much work have you done. You learned all of my lessons; all but one," Zecora began. "If Trixie's tricks have you in a fix, you must nix your magic and use the six."

"'Use the six?'"

"Twilight, you haven't already figured it out?" I began with a smirk. "I would think you of all ponies would know."

"What do you mean?"

"Twilight, I have the strength to crush mountains, the speed to outrun even some of the most agile fliers, and my magic could level entire cities. And yet, for all, that, you have one weapon that is stronger than anything I have. Ask any soldier, and they'll tell you there is one thing that is more important than any weapon."

"What would that be?"

"Someone to watch your back. Someone you can trust."

I saw that spark in her eyes before she smiled. "I get it! Zecora, Gilgamesh, you're geniuses!" she exclaimed before levitating a quill and a page over to her. " Now we'll need to get you back inside Ponyville, Fluttershy."

I smiled as she scribbled away. Even if I knew what would happen, I did take some pride in helping it along.

And with any luck, I'll be able to help somepony else very soon as well.





Trixie trotted back down the road away from Ponyville, thankful that in their celebration of freedom the citizens hadn't noticed her slip away.

I can't believe I did all that. I just wanted to show her up, I didn't want to hurt them all. she bemoaned, realizing just how lost in revenge she had become.

"Well well, what have we here?"

Trixie looked around for the voice, seeing nothing, until she looked up into a nearby tree, instantly recognizing the armored figure just lying on a branch.

"It seems we have a unicorn, the same one that caused a small village quite a bit of trouble, if I'm not mistaken. And she looks, dare I say, sorry about it?"

"Wh-What do you mean? Wh-Why do you care?" she stuttered. She tried to run but found she couldn't.

"Why I just saw a mare in need of a bit of guidance, and thought I could lend some aid. You feel bad about what you did to Twilight Sparkle and her friends, correct?"

"W-Well… yes. I mean, I wanted to show her up, but I never thought about enslaving Ponyville like that."

"Then why don't you go and try to make up for it? At least an apology."

"B-But there's no way they'd accept it. I mean, after all I did-"

"Young mare, I think you'll find that as you grow older you'll regret the things you didn't do much more than those you did. So what if they won't accept your apology? At the very least you tried."

"You… you really think that could work?"

"Twilight Sparkle is Equestria's premier researcher on friendship. She'd be quite the hypocrite if she didn't at least consider your apology."

"I… suppose you're right. Yes, Trixie will go apologize! It is the least she can do to show how magnificent she is!" she proclaimed with bravado before realizing who she was in the presence of and losing it again. "Um… thank you."

"You're quite welcome. And Trixie?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Meet me in the Everfree Forest after you talk to her. I'd like to give you something that I'm sure you will appreciate."

"Like what?"

"It's a surprise," he said simply before falling off the tree and in one quick motion cutting a hole in the air before falling though it and disappearing.

Trixie took a few minutes to recover from her shock before turning back to Ponyville. With one last grunt of determination she galloped back towards the town.





Twilight carefully levitated the woodland creatures in formation as the crowd looked on. She heard their "ooh's" and "aah's" as she did, as well as Fluttershy's whimpers. As she neared the end of the performance fireworks suddenly lit up the sky. The crowd cheered and Twilight gently set the animals down before looking for the source of the spectral blasts, surprised at what she saw.

"Trixie?"

The blue mare levitated her magician's hat back onto her head. "It's the least I could do," she said with sheepish smile which left her face as she continued. "I treated you and your friends so horribly when I was wearing that Alicorn Amulet. I just couldn't control myself. You can forgive me, can't you?"

Twilight saw the look of desperation in her eyes and that was all she needed. Even still, she pretended to think about it before answering.

"Hmm. Sure."

"Oh, good," she sighed, before regaining her more familiar boastful personality. "Don't you think the Great and Apologetic Trixie is the most magnificent humble pony you've ever seen?!"

Twilight couldn't help but roll her eyes. She watched Trixie unleash a puff of smoke that barely concealed her galloping away, only for her to trip and continue running.

Maybe she'll finally be a better pony from now on.

Twilight turned back to the crowd, only for something to catch her eye. She saw a bipedal creature that appeared to be resting on what looked like two giant snakes. Before she could even fully process this the creature disappeared. Twilight looked back and forth but it was nowhere to be found.

Did I just imagine it? Seems like a strange thing to hallucinate.

"Well done, Twilight Sparkle."

The unicorn turned to face Princess Celestia, who radiated pride from her smile. Twilight quickly bowed before rising again. "And it seems your magic has improved recently."

"Thank you, Princess. Actually, it improved very recently, with help from Zecora and Gilga-urp!"

Twilight cut herself off, fear growing in her eyes as she saw her mentor's shocked expression. After a moment it changed to a serious expression, but not the one she used when she was angry or disappointed.

"I am not upset with you, Twilight, but I will need to talk to you after I am done with the Saddle Arabians. Please make sure to keep yourself available."

"Y-Yes, Princess Celestia," Twilight replied with a short bow. As she watched her mentor trot away she couldn't help but think of everything that might happen now that Celestia knew.

Oh please don't let this turn into a fight.





Trixie trotted apprehensively through the Everfree Forest, not wanting to be in the dangerous woods, especially at night.

Oh please don't let this be a stupid idea, she thought to herself.

"So you came after all."

Trixie squeaked in surprised before whipping around to face Gilgamesh.

H-How did he sneak up on me!? He's huge!

"So, how did things go with Twilight?" he asked in a friendly tone, doing little to put her at ease.

"F-Fine. Sh-She forgave me, like you s-said she would."

"That's good. You've taken your first step. And now, I would like to point to you towards the right path."

"Wh-what? What are you talking about?" she asked, her curiosity beginning to get the better of her.

"Trixie, I would like to point you in the direction that will gain you power. Not the kind that comes from an amulet, true power, the kind that you can say belongs to yourself."

Trixie's eyes widened, not only in shock but anticipation.

"On one condition."

The show mare was brought back to her senses with those words and braced herself.

"I want you to promise to use this power first and foremost to aid others before yourself. Promise me you will not use it for your own selfish reasons."

Trixie could only stare. "That's your condition? I thought you'd want me to, I don't know, be your servant or something!"

"I have no interest in ruling over others. Anyway, can you promise me?"

She took a moment to decide before inhaling deeply. "Yes. I want to make up for what I did. I want to do more than just apologize."

Even with his face guard, she could tell he was smirking. "Then follow me. There's a shamaness I need to introduce you to."





It had been a few days since I left Trixie to take lessons from Zecora. With any luck she would soon become the true "Great and Powerful Trixie", or at least something that she could actually feel good about. To be honest I had little doubt that if she put her mind to it she could become great at something Twilight didn't seem to know much about: illusion spells. It did seem to be her forte after all.

At the moment it was night and I was waiting inside the Castle of the Pony Sisters for Luna to get back with those copies. Soon I heard the flap of wings, bringing me out of my meditation… two sets of wings. I opened my eyes and rose from my meditative position to see both the alicorn sisters land in front of me. Luna did her best to hide her hesitation while Celestia glared at me harshly. I noticed the saddlebag on the older sister.

"Well well, I didn't expect both of you to arrive."

Luna quickly looked at her sister before turning her gaze back to me. Celestia's glare was unwavering.

"You, um… I was surprised to hear about what your sister told me. Are… Are you feeling better?" I asked awkwardly, not sure how to deal with this situation.

Celestia's glare softened for a moment before returning, though not at its full intensity. "…Yes."

"Good! Good. Uh, it's just that, um… I didn't… I didn't mean-"

"Twilight tells me you helped train her," Celestia cut me off. "She told me of the role you played against this 'Trixie.'"

"Well Zecora did most of the actually training, honestly. I was just providing a little advice here and there," I admitted.

"That's a rather… humble thing for you to say."

"Nah, just the truth."

"And why did you do such a thing?"

I chuckled. "For the same reason I do pretty much anything: I wanted to."

"You wished to train my student?"

"I wanted to stop Trixie. I felt this solution would be better in the long run."

I was expecting more of a reaction out of her than her continued glare. After a few moments she trotted up to me and levitated several folders out of her saddle bag, before shoving them into my chest and getting in my face.

"You get one chance. One. I won't help you, but I won't get in your way either. But if I find out you've so much as scratched any of my ponies, I will take you down. I don't care if you're stronger than me, no matter what it takes, I will defeat you once and for all."

To be honest, the only thing that was keeping me from cowering before the sheer amount of malice coming from her tone was the knowledge that even at her best in the past she couldn't handle me. Because let me tell you, I could practically taste the venom in her tone.

I took the folders and tucked them away before answering. "I get ya. I promised Luna, and that promised extends to you too," I replied simply.

She growled for a moment before backing off and shooting off into the night sky. As I watched her fly back to Canterlot Luna approached me.

"I'm sorry, but she's still not very trusting of you. Even I was unable to convince her fully, as it was the knowledge that you helped Twilight that finally made her consider the option."

"It's alright. Honestly I'm thankful she's even willing to trust me this far. It's more than what I've earned from her."

"I must ask though, in the letter, are you truly willing to resort to using Discord? I do not think you understand what he is capable of."

"Oh I've got a pretty good idea, even if I never faced him before. As for getting his help, I think it would be better to befriend him than try and bargain with him."

Luna's eyes widened. "'Befriend him?' And just how do you suppose that would happen?"

I smirked. "You'd be surprised what you can accomplish with a little… Kindness."

She stared at me for a moment before smirking herself. "You know, I never realized until now, but you have quite the tendency to avoid giving a straight answer, don't you?"

"I think it's something any creature as old as us has the right to do, as far as I'm concerned. As much as I'd like to invite you to a nice cup of tea under the stars, I'm sure you have your own duties to attend to."

"I'm afraid so. Speaking of tea, I think you might find it amusing that Celestia exclusively drinks Zebafrican red tea when she's on her own. She keeps trying to pretend you have nothing to do with it."

"Heh. Somehow I'm starting to sound like the mature one here. That can't be good."

She actually giggled for a moment.

Goddamn, there's the cute behind the elegant, and it is heart-melting. Maybe when this is all done I'll finally try and ask her out on a date.

"I wish you pleasant dreams, Gilgamesh."

"I'd say I can't wait to see you in them, but I think you've learned better by now than to try."

Her smile faded as she winced. "Ugh. Please don't remind me."

"Oh come on, I know you happened to enjoy one of them," I prodded with a smirk.

Her face flushed red before she shot off into the night sky without even a word.

Holy shit. It may not be Fluttershy level moe, but the rarity of it makes it even more amazing… heh, 'rarity.'

With that last stupid pun I decided to try resting on one of the old thrones, Luna's of course, before waiting for Celestia's sun to begin the next day.

And then the hunt continues.






Two Days Later


This is where my nearest weapon is? I thought as I looked over the nearly barren desert before me. I pulled out Prosperity's Guide once more. No, not quite here, but definitely nearby… and considering how I could never go in a straight line on my jog, it must be moving. Ah, so they must have it. I guess I'll have to wait for them to roll into town and- oh, never mind here they come. I thought as I noticed the telltale signs of a large group of something barreling through the desert, the rise of dust as they went.

I checked my guide once more and saw that they didn't have it with them right now. Which means I'd have to convince them to get it for me or at least take me to it.

Now, how do I want to make my entrance?… Oh, that'll be good.





"Welcome back to AAAAAAAAAAPLELOOSA fellas! What can we do ya for?"

Little Strongheart giggled. "Are you ever going to stop greeting us that way, Braeburn? It isn't as though we're new here."

"Aw, ah can't help it. Just got so much pride for the town, ya know? So, here for the apple harvest, fellers?"

"As if you needed to ask," Chief Thunderhooves replied with a smile as the rest of his tribe cheered.

"Well come along then! We'll get things started and- SWEET CELESTIA, WHAT IS THAT!?" he pointed.

Everypony, and buffalo, turn and their eyes widened in shock as they saw a massive cloud of sand heading for town.

"A SANDSTORM!" Thunderhooves shouted.

"All the way out here!?" Sheriff Silverstar asked in disbelief.

"WHO CARES HOW! EVERYPONY INSIDE, QUI-!"

"Wait, is it… slowing down?" Litte Strongheart asked.

Sure enough the massive cloud was slowing down and actually stopped before it entered town. Soon it began to disperse, revealing a tall figure as music inexplicably began to play.

"Who and what in tarnation that?" Braeburn asked. 

As the being began to walk towards them in a particularly dramatic manner Chief Thunderhooves began to shake. "It is him."

The creature stopped and posed dramatically.  "CITIZENS OF APPLELOOSA! BEHOLD MY GLORY FOR I AM-!"

"IT IS THE STORM BRINGER!" Thunderhooves shouted, causing all the other buffalo to gasp and shake in terror. 

"The what?" Silverstar asked. 

"The one you call 'Gilgamesh'," Little Strongheart whispered. All the ponies shook in fear as well, the news of Princess Celestia's improbable defeat still fresh in their minds. His reaction, however, was not what they were expecting.

"GAH! You threw off my intro!" he shouted in a frustrated tone before huffing and crossing his arms, the music cutting out as he did.

No pony moved or made a sound for a full minute before he spoke. 

"Oh well. I guess I can let it slide. It's not like you were trying to make me angry."

"Wh-What are you-" the chief began, only to be interrupted.

"Chief Thunderhooves, pleasure to meet you. I'm afraid you have something of mine, and I'd like it back."

"What? What's he talkin' about?" Braeburn asked.

"I will not," Thunderhooves replied firmly despite his fear. "I know what you seek. They were given to our ancestors personally by the Princesses eons ago. We vowed to keep them away from your evil grasp, and we will not relinquish them now."

"'Them'? Oh, I wasn't aware you had more than one," Gilgamesh replied. The buffalo winced, realizing his mistake, before recovering and steeling his haze again. "However, I'm afraid this changes nothing. I need my weapons, and you're going to give them to me. Let's not make this hard, huh? Just give them to me and I leave, simple as that."

"No!"

"You're making this difficult. I don't like difficult," he replied, his tone darkening.

"NEVER! THE BUFFALO WILL NOT GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!" the chief declared, preparing to charge, the rest of his tribe readying with him despite their fear.

Gilgamesh growled in frustration. "So troublesome," he muttered before closing his eyes, thinking. After a moment he opened them. "Ok then, let's make a deal."

"'Deal?'"

"Breaburn, is it time for the apple harvest?"

"Whuh? Now jus wait a darn minute, how do ya know who ah-?"

"I know your cousin. Answer the question."

"W-Well, yeah. Actually we were gonna start the harvest today."

"Well, then let's make a wager. I bet I can harvest your entire orchard in one day."

All of the Appleloosan citizens looked at him like he was crazy. A few even chuckled at the absurdity of it.

"If I win, I get back everything of mine you have," he said to Thunderhooves. "If I lose, I never bother your tribe or any of Appleloosa ever again."

The chief scoffed. "And just why would I agree to that?"

"Because if you don't, I'll burn this entire town to ash."

Everyone blanched not only at the threat but the completely casual matter-of-fact tone of his voice.

"LIKE WE'LL LET THAT HAPPEN!" Silverstar shouted.

"Heh. As if you could stop me. Don't forget I beat Celestia. And I wasn't even trying," he retorted. The town flinched once again. "And besides," he continued, turning to the buffalo, "You don't have to do anything. This isn't your town, and if I'm not mistaken, you actually wanted these settlers gone not too long ago."

"THAT WAS IN THE PAST! THEY ARE OUR FRIENDS, AND WE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TAKE THEIR HOMES FROM THEM!"

"Then you've only got one option. Bring me my weapons, all of them, tomorrow by noon, or I will destroy this town. When I can ascertain that they are indeed the genuine articles we will begin the wager. And Chief Thunderhooves?" He leaned in and his eyes glowed red. "I'll know if you're trying to trick me."

And with that he cut a hole in the air with his spear before disappearing though it, leaving the stunned and fearful ponies and buffalo behind.






The Next Day


"Almost noon," Braeburn muttered, looking up at the sky.

The town and the buffalo tribe was waiting for Gilgamesh's return, most too terrified to go against his demands, others just not seeing another option.

"Chief Thunderhooves," Sheriff Silverstar began, turning to the buffalo. "Ah 'preciate ya doin' this to help us, but if it really is such a bad idea we'll… we'll just settle somewhere el-"

"No. You are our friends, and we will not abandon you," the Chief replied firmly. The sheriff nodded in response, thankful.

"Such friendship! Truly you've come a long way."

Everyone turned to see the warrior on top of the Salt Lick, somehow appearing with no one noticing. He hopped off the roof and landed in front of the Chief.

"Now then, my weapons, if you please. The agreement was you brought the real thing."

Thunderhooves growled and motioned to his tribe. A cloth was brought forward and unwrapped, revealing six katana blades. The warrior grabbed one of them, inspecting it from several angles and even taking a few swings. Then, in a flash of light, it disappeared.

"Yup, these are mine."

Before anyone could react the five remaining blades leaped at him, pulled by an unseen force. He caught them and they all disappeared.

"Thanks for keeping your promise."

"DECEIVER! YOU DARE TRICK US!?" the Chief shouted.

"Oh calm down, I'm still keeping my end of the bargain."

"What? But you didn't do anything yet!" Braeburn shouted in protest, pointing to the orchard.

"Yeah, not yet, but I'll get it done."

"W-What?"

"These weapons were integral to my goals. I had to get them no matter what. Did you actually think I'd make a wager like I did if I wasn't positive I'd win?" he asked, chuckling.

The town just stared at him like he was crazy. The only time they had ever come close to harvesting the entire orchard was the fight they had a few years back, and that took the whole town helping to do so.

"Now stand back and be amazed!" he proclaimed, music starting to play as he turned towards the apple trees. He reached down and grabbed a lump of pebbles before grinding them to dust in his hand and tossing them to the wind. He then lifted one foot into the air before stomping and did the same with the other foot. He held both arms out in front of him, palms open before shouting "DOSUKOI!". He then dashed at the orchard.

Everyone simply gaped at the spectacle before them, watching the giant figure spin like a top as he weaved between the trees, knocking the apples out with quick strikes to the trunks, some which left handprints. Soon he reached the back of the orchard and all the apples suddenly floated and followed after him. Moments later, a large mass of something could be seen flying back towards town. 

"Are those... barrels?" somepony asked. 

"SCATTER!" somepony else shouted. 

As the ponies and buffaloes flees the barrels landed in the center of town, perfectly placed next to each other and stacking themselves up towards the sky. Moments later, the deed was done. 

"Minutes," Braeburn whispered in shock. "He took down and packaged the entire orchard in just a few minutes."

"Like I said, I don't make bets I'm not sure I'll win," Gilgamesh reiterated, suddenly behind them. "However, I'm afraid our business isn't quite finished." He then levitated about fifty barrels, almost a quarter of the crop, off to the side. "There, that should be enough."

"NOW WAIT JUST A CELESTIA-DAMNED MINUTE! YOU AIN'T TAKIN' A SINGLE ONE OF THEM BARRELS FOR YOURSELF!" Braeburn shouted. 

"Oh give it a rest, it's for charity," he replied calmly, pulling out a quil and a scroll.

"'Charity?'"

"Yup. Starving villages in other dimensions. I promised I'd send them something when I could," he explained as he finished the scroll and stuffed it into the creases of one of the barrels.

"Oh right, like we're all supposed to believe your doin' something like that when you said you'd burn down the town."

"Oh that? Empty threat. Just something to make sure Chiefy here brought my weapons. I wouldn't have destroyed anything even if you outright defied me."

The citizens were too stunned by that answer to protest when he cut open a massive hole in the air and used his power to send his portion through.

"And I do believe that accounts for everything, so I guess I'll just head-"

"YOU WILL GO NOWHERE!"

Chief Thunderhooves stood in front of Gilgamesh, ready to charge.

"I CARE NOT FOR YOUR TRICKS! YOUR EVIL WILL NOT BE SPREAD! THOUGH I MAY ONLY BE HIS DESCENDANT, I STILL BEAR THE BLOOD OF THE GREAT HERO OF THE BUFFALO TRIBE IN MY VEINS! I AM THE HEIR OF CHEIF WHITEWIND, THE BUFFALO WHO FACED OFF AGAINST YOU LONG AGO!"

The warrior stared at the chieftain before simply asking "Who?"

Thunderhooves looked like he was just slapped for a moment before returning to his glare.

"THE GREAT WHITE CHEIFTAN, WHITEWIND, WHO STOOD UP TO YOU AS YOU RAVAGED THESE LANDS! IT WAS HE WHO FOUGHT YOU AND FENDED OFF YOUR WIND POWERS, IF ONLY FOR A TIME, MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND YEARS AGO!"

The warrior stood there for a moment. "Nope, not ringing any bells. I don't think I've really met too many… wait… This is probably going to sound like a stupid question, but was Whitewind… white?"

"Yes! So you do remember-!"

The chief was cut off by the last thing was expecting, the warrior laughing. It took him a moment to recover.

"WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT!?"

"HAHAHA! Oh man, I hate to break it to you Chiefy, but that 'epic battle' Whitewind and I had in the past was greatly exaggerated!"

"Wh-What?"

"Ok, here's what really happened…"






1527 Years Ago


Man, it is so damn hard to find my way around without a map. Where am I?

"YOU THERE!"

The armored human turned to face an oncoming herd of buffalo, led by a curiously white colored one.

"YOU DESECRATE OUR SACRED STAMPEDING GROUNDS WITH YOUR PRESENCE! MOVE OR BE TRAMPLED!" he shouted as they continued to charge.

Gilgamesh didn't move an inch as they approached, waiting for the last moment before unclipping his naginata and swinging hard, unleashing a blast of wind that sent the buffalo herd tumbling, many of them over the horizon.

Well, that was a thing. Ok now-

"YOU DARE ATTACK US! I, CHEIF WHITEWIND, WILL STRIKE YOU DOWN, MONSTER!"

The white buffalo jumped at him only to be smacked aside. He quickly rose again and charged forwards only for the warrior to step aside. Whitewind turned only to have a foot shoved into his face and send him tumbling again. He still rose and charged once more.

"Ok, this is getting annoying," the warrior muttered before grabbing the buffalo by the head and lifting him up only to hurl him over the horizon with a toss, screaming as he sailed through the air.

"Finally. Now… what was I doing?"





Everypony was stunned, none more than Chief Thunderhooves himself, who looked like something he just held dear was just smashed.

"B-But… The tales spoke of how Whitewind dodged your lighting, and braced your winds, how he charged against your strength. He… The fight was long and-"

"'Fraid not, pal! That fight barely lasted a few seconds! My guess is he trumped up the whole thing to save face, and it just so turned out that those things that he made up actually were things I could do!"

Thunderhooves fell to his haunches. "Then… Then…"

"Aw, cheer up, Chiefy," Gilgamesh said with a friendly pat on the back. "So what if he wasn't as strong as he said he was, he was still brave. If nothing else, you've certainly carried on that legacy. After all, you stood up to someone you couldn't possibly hope to beat for the sake of your friends! That in itself is worth praise!"

The Chief turned to the warrior, first shocked, but then stopping to think on his words.

"Anyway, I got things to do. See ya'll later, everypony! Maybe one day we can do tea! Or rum, if I ever get my hands on it. Toodles!"

And with that he cut open another hole in the air and disappeared.

The Buffalo tribe and the citizens of Appleloosa just stood still, trying to process everything that happened.

"Ah dunno 'bout everypony else, but Ah could use a trip to the Salt Lick after all this," Braeburn said, breaking the silence. Nearly everypony (and buffalo) agreed.

"Ah reckon so, too. It's been a strange couple of days," Silverstar added.

"Wait… did he say 'starving villages in other dimensions'?" Little Strongheart asked.

Everyone stopped to stare at her for a moment.

"A very strange couple of days," Thunderhooves finished.