//------------------------------// // Welcome to Canterlot and First Bounty // Story: Phantom War VI: Bounty Hunter Saga // by Danny Eclipse //------------------------------// The Ebon Hawk landed in one of the landing bays in Canterlot. We were intercepted by a Star Destroyer but thanks to the passport, we got through with no trouble. I was signing us into the list to tell the crews not to touch the Ebon Hawk. Mako and HK-47 was with me. Mako complained “Ugh. Landing Bays all smell the same. Engine exhaust, coolant fluid, and pilots who haven’t battled in a week.” I finished signing us in and I walked over to them. “Let’s get out of here. Whatever the rest of Canterlot is like, the air’s gotta be fresher than here.” “Still smells better than the Hutta Swamps.” I assured her. Mako nodded and we began to walk away, heading to the Ponylorian Enclave that so happens to be at the Canterlot Castle. We were on a transport that was heading to Canterlot Castle and we got off it when we arrived. I showed my pass and the guards let us pass. We got inside where we were greeted by three ponies. Their names were: Shining Armor, Charming Thunder, and Princess Cadance. HK-47 was nervous but didn’t show it. Mako and I bowed to their presence, but I felt something attracting towards Charming but clearly ignored it. “It’s an honor to meet you three in person, Princess, Prince, and King.” Mako greeted. Charming replied “Pleasure to meet you as well. Who are you two?” “I am Phantom Lord, a Bounty Hunter looking to join the Great Hunt.” I answered with my introduction. Mako introduced as well “And I am Mako, intelligence for Phantom Lord and his left hoof mare.” HK-47 greeted “Greeting: Hello again Charming Thunder. It’s been a while.” Charming replied “Hello to you too, HK-47. I thought you were with my brother…” HK-47 said, lying but no one but me knew “Statement: I was abandon by Danny and both found and rebuilt by Phantom Lord. Danny had left me, T3-M4, HK-50s, and core program less Soundwave. Phantom Lord found us and rebuilt and gave us a purpose. We have a lot to own to my new master.” ‘That’s not true…But then again, HK-47 must want to stay with me so he would lie to do that. Who is Danny?’ I thought in wonder. “I see…” Charming replied, disappointment in his tone. I heard the disappointment in his tone. I felt sad towards Charming and I felt a hint of darkness at my chest. It was, no doubt, my medallion. I noticed Charming’s medallion slightly glowing but no one but me noticed, I think. Charming said, all of a sudden “You know; I’ll take you to the Enclave.” I nodded and we began to walk away. We arrived and we walked into the Huntmaster’s Office where the other Bounty Hunters were at. Charming watched and we went to listen. The Huntmaster was a Centaur, he was black and blue. The assistant was a stallion, he was dark grey with brown mane and tail. We were all talking about how this is going to go until we were interrupted by the assistant. The Huntsmater’s Assistant shouted “Quiet! Quiet, you dogs!” We all silenced “The Huntsmaster is about to speak. Pay attention and show some respect for once in your lives!” “The Great Hunt is upon us! Many will hunt, many will die. All will win glory and honor! Today, we have too many hunters. All most compete. Only one joins the Great Hunt!” Huntsmaster declared. The Huntsmaster’s Assistant added “You heard the Huntsmaster. You’re competing for the last spot in the Great Hunt by taking down three bounties in Canterlot and surrounding areas.” One of the Hunters asked “You expect us to hunt here? With Equestrians crawling all over us? And Jedi?” “Let the stallion talk. I want to hear this.” I told him. The Huntsmaster’s assistant continued “For all you overblown, useless, notalent cowards, we installed a handy exit door. Use it now.” Two hunters left “The rest of you, the real hunters, go see your handlers. They’ll get you oriented to the city and assign you three unique bounties. Everypony who takes down all three of their bounties wins a spot in the final melee. Anypony who doesn’t get all three is out.” Hunters began to leave to head to their handlers. The same hunter from before looked at me. The Hunter said “Hunting in Canterlot? That’s suicide. I’m grabbing the first shuttle out of here. I suggest you do the same, friend.” “Do I look like a coward to you?” I asked. “No, you look like a colt with fire in his eyes. The kind who gets himself killed.” The Hunter scorned. “…I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that and you better start walking before I have to kill you.” I threaten to the Hunter. “May your quarry fall before you, hunter.” The Hunter said before leaving. The Huntsmaster’s assistant said “What are you standing around for? Your handler is a mare named Starlight Glimmer, new blood.” I nodded and turned to leave. As I reached the exit, I noticed that Charming was eying me suspiciously. I left and he followed me until we reached the main bounty hunter lobby where I see Starlight Glimmer. Charming’s eyes narrowed with hate and he walked over with me. Starlight noticed us and also sees Charming and looks nervous. Starlight greeted nervously “Hello Charming…” “I thought you were still in your cave.” Charming replied darkly. Starlight answered “I thought about a new life and became a Bounty Hunter handler.” She turns to me “I take it you are my hunter?” “You are my handler, if that is what you mean.” Starlight said to me “Good. Now, you’re first target is-“ She pulled out a datapad and her eyes narrowed. “Whoa, this isn’t right…You got enemies in the Ponylorians or something?” Mako answered “Just Tarro Blood, the killer of my friends and our crew. Why?” Charming asked, curious “Tarro Blood?” “A Canterlot noble who became a member of the Ponylorians. While he is charge with nothing because of the rules, he deserves death for killing my crew and friends. He’s a coward and he calls himself a Ponylorian…” Charming noted that he would look up Tarro later while he watched me. Starlight explained to me “Ok, you’re first target is an Horde noble, named Draco. While he is a pony, he is a consider a traitor to the Equestrian Empire so he was sent to prison. However, he was later send to build a statue of Charming and Danny fighting together but the prisoners there rebelled. Place is heavily protected, no pony could get in. We don’t even know if he is alive or not.” “Why wasn’t I informed about this?” Charming asked. Starlight replied “Because word of it never goes around in Canterlot since it is just shortly outside Canterlot. The militia is station there and never call for reinforces since they have a staging point.” Charming groaned and said “I really need to get over there and retake the blasted place…” Starlight said “Anyways, if you do find him alive, his family will pay big.” “Easy jobs bore me.” HK-47 added “Agree.” Starlight told me “If he is alive, then freeze him with the Carbonite freeze ray you have there. When you finish your first bounty, hurry back here for the next one.” I nodded and began to walk away with HK-47 and Mako. Charming followed us and began to walk next to me. “Well, I’m not bothering you or anything, but why do you have the helmet on?” Charming asked, curious and suspiciously. “Personal reasons and it helps my equipment. Now if you excuse me, I have a stallion to hunt down and freeze.” I left Charming in a hurry and saw he regrouped with Cadance and Shining. He was talking with Cadance and Shining, who both gasped after what Charming said something I didn’t hear. They chat short and Shining saluted before rushing away. We left and the royals didn’t know I noticed their chat. I wonder what Charming was saying, that was what got my attention.