//------------------------------// // The Melee and Canterlot’s Departure // Story: Phantom War VI: Bounty Hunter Saga // by Danny Eclipse //------------------------------// I was returning from my third and final bounty, which took me a while to do. I had arrived to the Ponylorian Enclave where I could finally compete in the melee. When I did arrive, I was greeted with some shock expression soldiers who began to whisper among themselves. I went inside and was greeted by Mako, who began to hug me. Mako shouted with happiness “I thought you were dead!” “What made you think I was dead?” I asked her curiously. Mako answered “I got word from some of the guards that you died in the Temple you were assign to do.” HK-47 said “Statement: The trip went rather well. We had a lot of fun blasting monsters left and right. However, in the end, we had to kill our client since he tried to kill us.” Mako ignore the last part “Come on! We need to tell Starlight in order to get into the melee! Hurry!” I nodded and we ran to Starlight, who was equally shocked as well. “You’re alive! Some Ponylorian big shot named Tarro Blood said you were dead. They’re about to start the melee without you!” Starlight shouted in shock. “Can you still get me into that melee, Starlight?” I asked her. Starlight replied “Yeah, but just by the coat o’ your hooves. All the other hunters who survived are already inside! Get in there! The Royal Family, Mane 5, and Demented 6 along with the Ponylorians who are in the Great Hunt are watching. So give them a show they will never forget!” “If I die, give my credits and crew to Mako.” Mako did ‘awwww’ and replied “That’s sweet of you.” I began to head to the arena. I had arrived and from what I could see, Charming was sad and Cadance was trying to comfort him. I could hear the Huntmaster Assistant talking. So far, no one hasn’t noticed me. The Huntmaster’s Assistant said “-and the last hunter left standing joins the Great Hunt. Simple as that. All weapons are allowed, but you fight alone. No assistants-“ That was when I came into the arena with my helmet on. There was a lot of gasps and I noticed Charming was up and had a surprised expression. I could swear he was crying happy tears when he saw me. “And it looks like we have a latecomer!” “I just like to make a big entrance.” The Huntmaster’s Assistant replied “Coming back from the dead IS a big entrance, all right.” He turned to where the Huntmaster was at, “Huntmaster, will you do us the honor?” The Huntmaster declared “Today, many hunters earn glory in death and defeat. One hunter earns eternal glory in victory. Good hunting to all!” I smiled and that was when I heard the hunter to my left start talking to me. The Hunter said “We all heard tales of your exploits, hunter. Perhaps I’ll turn them into a song to commemorate your death.” “That confident, are you?” The Hunter replied “Confidence breeds victory.” “Some would say that, but confidence can also create your doom if careless.” The Hunter replies “I’d wish you luck, but it wouldn’t help. So, I’ll just say goodbye.” The Huntmaster’s Assistant shouted “Enough! You hunters are the best that the world’s goons and thug lords could send us.” He began to walk out of the arena. “Now show us which one of you will join the Great Hunt. Fight!” We all pulled out our blaster pistols. Me and the Hunter to my left face each other, our blasters out. I activated my personal shield bubble and she fired at me, only to hit my shield. I aimed my blaster at her forehead. “Goodbye.” I pulled the trigger and the fire was shot, hitting her forehead and killing her. I aimed my pistols at the Minotaur across from me and fired a missile then shot at it. The Argonian fired at the Griffin across from him and killed him. The pony to my right fired at the Argonian and killed him. I rocket punch the pony and shot his face. I was the last hunter standing now. The Huntmaster’s Assistant shouted “The melee is over! One hunter remains!” I heard cheering all around me. Most of it came from the Great Hunt Hunters and I was surprised to see that the others in the audience were cheering as well, mostly from Charming and a rainbow mane Pegasus. The Pegasus looked very beautiful for my opinion and she was crying as well, but these tears were tears of happiness. Later… The others, Huntmaster, and his assistant were there in the Huntmaster’s office. I was with Mako and HK-47. The Huntmaster’s Assistant said “Quite a show you put on. Blasted fun to watch. How do you feel, hunter?” “I just stomped my competition into the dirt, I feel great.” The Assistant replied “Enjoy it. Things only get harder from here.” Huntmaster declared “Let the hunter stand before me.” I walked up to the Huntmaster “He is honored beyond all common hunters. Let it be known that-“ “This is simply ridiculous.” We heard a familiar voice say, interrupting the Huntmaster. “I mean, really-this needs to stop right now.” I turned and see Tarro Blood walking into the room. Rage boiled in my blood and I felt darkness rising in my heart. All I wanted now was to tear Tarro down, limb from limb. Underneath my armor, my medallion began to glow purple, however no one could see the glow. I see Charming’s medallion beginning to glow as well and his eyes looked at me, his eyes were widen with shock and surprise. “Are we starting the hunt already?” I pulled out my blasters and aimed them at his head. The Assistant shouted in protest “No, no! No unsanctioned kills in the Great Hunt!” I growled in anger towards him but put my pistols away. Tarro said “You see? That’s a perfect example. I object to this farce. This ignorant thug does not deserve to enter the Great Hunt! His credentials are a lie fabricated by his little gutter rat of a sidekick! He deserves no honors!” Mako shouted with rage “You lying, cheating, murdering scum!” Mako was about to leap at him but she was being held back by the rainbow mare and blond cowgirl earth pony. The Assistant replied “We know this hunter’s history, Blood. The Huntmaster has ruled!” Tarro shouted “You fools! This is a place of honor, a competition of elites. Ponylore will hear of this!” Charming threaten “Go ahead and flee to them. The Equestrian Empire has seen this Bounty Hunter as honorable as they can be. Ponylore will not deny the opportunity to allow a honorable hunter like him compete. You’re just a coward who wishes to have the Great Hunt for yourself!” “I’m ready to settle this right now. How about you?” Tarro shouted “Enough! Before this Great Hunt is over, I will have your skull in my hooves!” Tarro turned and left. The Assistant declared “Well, I think The Great Hunt just got way more interesting. Sorry for interrupt, Huntmaster. Please continue.” I turned to face the Huntmaster. The Huntmaster continued where he was interrupted “The Great Hunt proves talent, resolve. Ponylore calls it to bring him the most skilled hunter in the world. Each hunter will hunt the other’s prey. Then each hunter hunts the other. At the end, there is no prey and only one hunter.” The Assistant replied “You got all that, hunter? You’ll be hunting targets spread across the world. There will be at least one other hunter going after them, too. You not only have to take down your target, you have to eliminate the other hunters.” “That seems simple enough.” Huntmaster said “Today, you are truly the hunter, and all else is your prey. Welcome to the Great Hunt.” The Assistant answered “Your handler, Starlight, will fill you in on the rest of the details. She’s waiting for you.” I nodded and left. The darkness had subsided but I had the feeling Charming was going to be something different now. I arrived to Starlight, who was enjoying the sight of me. Starlight shouted with glee “Hoooh! What a thrashing! The other handlers are all bug-eyed jealous you won! Now on to the Great Hunt. I expect you want to hear about your targets.” “Tell me everything I need to know.” Starlight explained “Here’s how it’s gonna work. You already got step one done by having your own starship. On your ship’s computer you’ll access two holorecordings, both with specific details on who and where you hunt.” “View holorecordings, take out targets. Got it.” “Each target will have another hunter assigned to it. You have to locate that rival and take ‘em out, too.” Starlight explained. Mako said with pleasure “Maybe we’ll get lucky and Tarro Blood will be on our first target.” Starlight stated “I’ll pull together your holorecordings for the Great Hunt targets and transmit them when you hit air. Good luck for you, hunter.” I nodded and began to leave to the port. We were almost to the ship until we heard some hoof steps behind us. We looked and see Charming, the mane 5 and demented 6, a black alicorn mare, and a squad of troops. “Hold it right there Phantom Lord! We’ve been looking for you for three weeks now, we are going to capture you!” Charming shouted. “So you know…” I slowly took off my helmet, revealing my true identity. Everyone, besides Charming, gasped at my appearance. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you figured out it was me, King Charming Thunder.” Mako said in confusion “Wait, you’re-“ “Silence Mako, we have enemies we need to take care of. Get to the ship, you too HK-47.” I ordered my companions. Mako didn’t object and left to the Ship. HK-47 left as well and it was only me. Charming said “Alright, it’s just you and us now.” Rainbow shouted with glee “We can restore your memory Phantom Lord! Just come with us!” “What makes you think I will come willingly, beautiful?” Rainbow blushed at the comment “I enjoy this life now. And I’m not going to let you ruin it.” Charming began to show hostilities and shouted “You’re outnumbered!” “Oh really? Mecha 6, come to my side!” That moment, 6 lights left the ship from the landing ramp and came to my side, revealing the robot versions of the Mane 6. “Let me introduce you to the Mecha 6, designed by Soundwave to serve me and him. Now you will have to excuse me, I have targets to eliminate.” I began to walk away. Charming attempted to attack but the M-Twilight used her magic to push him back. Rainbow tried to dash past them but M-Rainbow intercepted her and tackled her to the ground. Applejack tried to charge but M-Applejack kicked her away. Before the others could do anything, the Mecha 6’s eyes began to glow red and they withdraw back into the ship. They prepared to charge until a turret appeared from the ship and began to fire at them, making them take cover. The ship began to take off and left the hanger.