//------------------------------// // Chapter XVIII // Story: Papa Gehrman // by SolidArc5542 //------------------------------// Gehrman had always been fond of children. He adored their innocent smiles and their cheerful attitude. Most of the hunters who entered the dream had people they cared about, people they loved. There was one he cared about, but she eventually departed. He had no idea why he hadn’t told her about his feelings towards her. Even that ‘How to pick up fair maidens’ book didn’t help him. Was it the difference between age? Was it because she was beautiful and he was not? Did he regret his decision? No, he did not. Lady Maria was many things to him. Whether it be another hunter, or his long lost love interest, he would always be proud of her. She was one of a kind, that’s for sure. Her Rakuyo was an elegant weapon, and a very deadly one at that. Hunting beasts, that was her calling. She was trained by Gehrman, she was given the rank of hunter by Gehrman… but she would eventually leave Gehrman, and go to a place he could never visit. She always took his advice very seriously. She was trained to use every trick weapon the Old Workshop had crafted. Her beauty and elegance stood out when she used the Threaded Cane, her immense power and determination when she used the Hunter’s Axe, and her hatred towards beasts came into play when she used the Saw Cleaver. Gehrman had even offered her his Burial Blade for her to use during a nightly hunt, but she politely declined his generous offer. Her Rakuyo always came first. It was her pride and joy, just as Gehrman’s Burial Blade was his. Of course, this all happened before he vowed to watch over the Hunter’s Dream. He wished she had stayed with him. He should have told her how he felt from the beginning. Perhaps if her feelings were mutual, he wouldn’t have made such a selfish decision. But alas, the hunter would never know for sure. She left and he stayed behind. But in all his years of being a hunter, he had never been this stressed as he was now. Sweetie Belle and her friends were proving to be quite the challenge. The continuous onslaught of different kind of games they wanted to play with him combined with the questions they kept on asking, even though he had told them to ask no more questions, was taxing to say the least. “Children, please,” Gehrman said, looking down at the three bouncing fillies on front of him. “No more games.” “Just one more, please?” Sweetie Belle pouted. “Yeah, you’ve proved you’re really good at hide and seek,” Scootaloo added. Gehrman shook his head, wiping away some drops of sweat that had begun to form on his forehead. “Is this what candy does to children these days?” he asked himself, bowing his head. “Just one more game,” Sweetie Belle said, looking up at him. “Alright,” Gehrman said, giving in to their pleads. “But no more hiding, running, or any form of physical exercise.” Sweetie Belle tilted her head in confusion. “Then… what are we supposed to play, if we can’t even move?” she asked in confusion. “I want to play hide and seek.” Gehrman shrugged. “Where I come from, children used to lay down and stare at the sky. They would talk about the clouds, and what kind of figures they saw in them. You could try that,” Gehrman suggested. “But that sounds boring,” Scootaloo whined, earning nod from agreement from her friends. “Can’t you think of something else to do?” “Unfortunately this old geezer it out of ideas,” Gehrman replied. “But what do the three of you usually do, when you are not playing games?” “That’s simple,” Apple Bloom smiled at him. “We try ta earn our cutie marks.” Gehrman raised his eyebrows. “A cutie mark, you say?” he said. “Yeah. I’m guessing you don’t have those were you’re from,” Apple Bloom replied, earning a nod from Gehrman. “Well,” she continued. “A pony earns his or her cutie mark when they find their calling. Their cutie mark tells them what they’re good at, sort of,” she replied, bowing her head in shame. “As you might have noticed, we haven’t earned ours yet. We’re the only ones in our class who haven’t earned their cutie marks, and it’s getting’ really annoying.” “And why is that?” Gehrman asked. “Because of our ‘blank flanks’, ponies like to pick on us. Specifically Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They call us blank flanks just because we haven’t earned our cutie marks yet,” Apple Bloom replied. “Is earning your cutie mark really that important?” Gehrman asked. “Yes!” came the reply for the three fillies in front of him. Gehrman shook his head. “So basically, cutie marks tell what you are good at? You are to do what your cutie mark tells you, even if it’s something you don’t like?” The three fillies turned their heads to one another. Sure, cutie marks did tell a pony what his or her calling was. But they had never heard of a pony having a cutie mark, but not wanting to do the thing his or her cutie mark was telling them. Not getting a reply from the fillies, Gehrman continued. “I think that out of all the children from your class, you three are the lucky ones.” “And why is that?” Apple Bloom asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. “Because you can do anything you want. You don’t have a cutie mark which tells you what to do and what not to. You shouldn’t be sad or angry because you don’t have a cutie mark. You should be happy because you three can do anything you want up to this point,” Gehrman replied, looking down at the fillies with a smile planted on his face. “You three can do anything you want.” “Anything?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Yes,” Gehrman replied. “Anything you can imagine.” “That… sounds pretty awesome, to be honest,” Scootaloo commented, earning nods of agreement from her friends. “I never really thought of it that way,” she said, looking up at Gehrman with a curious, yet confused expression. “But… what if we get picked on again?” “Then ignore them,” Gehrman replied, getting on one knee. “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you. If you ignore all of those mean things others say about you, they will eventually stop.” “Are ya sure?” Apple Bloom asked, a hint of hesitation in her voice as she took a quick glance at her friends. “Ah mean, about the whole ‘they’ll eventually stop’ thing.” “I give you my word,” Gehrman said, bowing his head. “Now, what do the three of you want to do?” he asked. “Ah think we’ll try the thing you mentioned,” Apple Bloom replied. “Very well,” Gehrman said as he stood up. “Hide and seek it is!” “Hide and seek?” Apple Bloom asked, tilting her head in confusion. “I thought you said--.” “I am old, Apple Bloom,” Gehrman replied, turning his head to her. “I tend to forget what I said.” Gehrman happily walked through Ponyville, a smile planted on his face as he greeted any pony who he walked by. His time with the Crusaders was rather fun. Never would he have thought that three little fillies could hide as well as they did. They used the cover of the shadows to their advantage, like a hunter would do on the nightly hunt. It surprised him that time went by this fast, even though his time in the dream seemed to move very slowly. His peg leg proved to be quite annoying. It constantly sunk deep into the murky, grassy ground of Ponyville. He would have to find and alternative solution, perhaps even a wooden prosthetic. Maybe he should ask Twilight for help. Who knows what magic could do for him. Heck, perhaps if he asked politely, she could make him a new wheelchair. He tapped his sheathed Burial Blade, happy that it decided to tag along with him in this new world. He had no idea how things would have gone if he didn’t have his trusty trick weapon with him. A hunter’s weapon showcased what a hunter was capable of. Though every hunter started off slow, they would eventually come to effectively utilize whichever weapon they had trained themselves in. The hunters of the Healing Church showed their immense strength and hatred towards beasts by using the Holy Blades and Kirkhammers. Saw Cleavers, Threaded Canes, and Hunter Axes were common amongst hunters of every rank. The Executioners brandished their Logarius’ Wheels, showing their contempt for those with ‘tainted’ blood. The weapons of the Powder Kegs reflected their love of intricate designs and ‘big booms’ as bluntly stated by others. The Hunter of Hunters, who also took on the task of killing hunter who had gone mad with bloodlust, would show off their incredible dexterity and speed with the Blade of Mercy. There were many different factions of hunters, each specializing in different weapons and areas of expertise, and even though their individual goals may have been different, they were all bounded by a shared duty: fight back against the plague of beast. A duty that hunters usually carried on until they died, or in special cases, just gave up. Looking off into the far distance, Gehrman saw the outlines of an all too familiar oak tree. Gehrman quickened his pace, desperately wanting to tell Twilight about his time with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. After a minute or so he reached the library. Knocking on the front door, he grabbed the doorknob and twisted it. Opening the door and stepping inside, the hunter spoke up. “Twilight, I’m back,” he called out to the lavender mare. Staring at the empty library in confusion, Gehrman continued. “I have something to say to you. I hope you aren’t too busy.” Slowly walking further into the library, he looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of the lavender unicorn he had grown rather fond, even if it were just a couple of hours he had spent with her. Gehrman blinked twice in confusion, and for the very first time in his life, was caught off guard by a lavender blur passing him. Gehrman quickly turned his head, his eyes following the blur wherever it went. Suddenly the hunter felt something tugging his leg. “Oh,” he said, looking down at his leg. “Young Spike, how may I assist you this fine afternoon?” “You can start by telling Twilight,” he said, pointing his claw towards the lavender blur. “to calm down.” “What has gotten into her?” Gehrman asked, receiving a shrug of confusion from Spike. “I don’t know,” Spike replied, shaking his head. “Ever since she read the letter Princess Celestia sent her, she’s been collecting dozens of quills, blank scrolls, and bottles of ink.” He said, holding up said letter. “May I be so blunt as to ask if I could read this letter?” Gehrman asked. Spike nodded, handing him the letter. Gehrman rolled down the scroll, his eyes scanning the letter intensely. To my faithful student, Twilight, I’m sorry if this letter seems rushed, but I need you and the other Elements of Harmony in Canterlot as soon as possible. There has been an incident, which I need to discuss with you. I fear that your brother and his wife may be in grave danger. There is also something else, but that will be explained once you arrive in Canterlot. Please don’t make me wait, Twilight. Your ever faithful mentor, Princess Celestia. Scrolling up the scroll, Gehrman let out a sigh as he handed it back to Spike. “Spike,” he said, looking down at him. “Have you read the letter for yourself?” “Not really,” Spike admitted shamefully, rubbing the back of his scaly head. “Why?” “It appears something has happened to her brother,” Gehrman replied, taking a quick glance at the lavender blur. “Twilight!” he shouted. Twilight, however, completely ignored Gehrman and continued zooming through her library, grabbing several scrolls and quills along the way. “This isn’t good,” she said to herself. “Who knows what might have happened to my BBBFF and Cadance.” “Twilight,” she could hear Gehrman’s voice enter her ears. She decided to ignore him again, not wanting to be distracted. Spike glanced up at the old man. “I don’t think she’s listening,” he said, his gaze returning to Twilight. “Does she do this often, or is it just this particular situation?” Gehrman asked. Spike shrugged as a reply. Shaking his head and thinking of what his next move would be, Gehrman let out a sigh of defeat as he walked towards the chair he had slept on a few hours ago. Grabbing hold of the chair and pulling it back, Gehrman seated himself and rubbed his temples. Glancing to his side, he saw Spike walking towards him, a bored expression clearly present on his face as the young dragon took a seat beside the hunter. “So,” Spike said. “What have you been up to?” “Well,” Gehrman replied, looking down him. “I have spent some time with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.” “Oh, that’s nice. They’re cool,” Spike said, fiddling with his claws. Gehrman cleared his throat, an awkward silence following soon after. Gehrman took off his top hat, staring at it intensely as it brought up pleasant—instead of the usual bad—memories. Memories of old hunters whom he used to talk with. Hunters who he used to train. ‘To think they all died because of the plague of beasts,’ Gehrman thought to himself, regret and remorse clouding his mind. ‘Was it really all my fault? Laurence led the expedition into the Old Labyrinths, but I approved of it. So am I to blame as well, or was it all because of Laurence’s doing? I am afraid I will never know, nor will I see the day that Yharnam will finally be freed from the accursed plague.’ “Gehrman, you okay there?” Gehrman’s eyes widened in shock as his thoughts abruptly ended because of Spike. Looking at the young dragon, he smiled. “I am all right," he replied. “Something just crossed my mind, that is all.” Spike raised his eyebrows in curiosity. “What crossed your mind?” he asked. Seeing the look of disappointment on Gehrman’s face, Spike continued. “Sorry, shouldn’t have asked.” “No. No, it is quite alright,” Gehrman replied, placing his top hat back on his head. “I… didn’t… I just thought back to Yharnam, that is all.” “You talk a lot about this Yharnam, and you told us what happened to it,” Spike said, placing a claw under his chin and stroking it. “But what was it like?” “It was a beautiful city. Full of merchants, a few black smiths, bakery’s, butchers, and many other things one would expect to find in a city,” Gehrman replied, smiling as the thought of Yharnam before the plague of beasts crossed his mind. “But all of that came to an end,” he admitted somberly. “Those beasts are the cause of it, huh?” Spike asked, earning a nod from Gehrman. “Beasts were once like me, human. But when the lust for blood becomes too much, one is surely to turn into a beast,” Gehrman said. Spike looked at the old hunter with a mixture of sadness and pity. Whatever he had been through and whatever he had seen must have done a number on him, because Spike had never seen such an expression of regret on anyone’s face. Were these beasts really that bad? Probably. But he would never know for sure, because he had never been to Yharnam. “Are you happy being a hunter, happy when you became one and got to fight against those beasts?” Spike asked. “Spike,” Gehrman replied, staring down at the young dragon. “One does not simply become a hunter. It is a duty we humans have to fulfill because of our own sins. Our greed, our lust for power, everything lead up to this. The plague of beasts.” The old hunter let out a sigh before continuing. “You should know that not every human being is as polite as I am. There are humans who only desire one thing: Power. Power to rule over everything and everyone, even if it means sacrificing their own humanity. They will not stop until they have achieved their goal, and they will kill anyone who stands in their way. We humans are a very strange species. One day we are your most trusted ally, the other day we are your greatest adversary.” “Will you become our greatest adversary?” Spike gulped, a bit of sweat dripping down his face. Gehrman shook his head. “No. No, I will not. I have sinned enough.” he replied. “What do you mean--.” “Spike, please,” Gehrman interrupted the young dragon, shaking his head. “There are subjects of my past I would rather forget.” Spike slowly nodded his head. Turning his head to the side, he noticed Twilight had stopped zooming around the library, probably to catch a breath. “Hey,” he said, looking back at Gehrman. “I’m going to get a few friends, because with Twilight this stressed out, I believe she’ll need all the help she can get.” Nodding his head in agreement, Gehrman turned to Twilight. “I will keep an eye on her. Just make sure you get back as soon as possible. Whatever happened to Twilight’s brother and his wife has top priority,” Gehrman said. “Make haste, young Spike.” Nodding his head determinedly, Spike jumped off his chair and ran for the library’s exit.