Note: Due to length, this "report" has been split into two sections
Name: Smithy Strike (Nicknamed Smith or Strike)
Species: Pony – Pegasus
Gender: Male
Coat Color: Brown
Mane Color: Gold Intermixed With Silver
Eye Color: Green
Cutie Mark: Hammer and Anvil
Abilities: He is a master at making armors and seems to have an innate sense for how metal will act or react. This is probably just the skill and intuition that comes with his cutie mark. He is much stronger and tougher than any pony I have seen (even Cobalt) though it is hard to know if this came from his life-style, genetics, or something else.
Unique Features: He is slightly larger than the average pony. Physically, he’s probably the most normal out of all of us. Unlike most other ponies, he prefers to wield a weapon. In this case it is a war hammer which he holds in his mouth. He also has a few scars on various places on his body. (I offered to remove them but he considers them important.) He does not look particularly built but his muscles are abnormally dense and pound for pound they are more efficient. I think this is genetic rather than magical but I would need to find other family members to prove this.
Recruiting Smith: Revelations and Anger (Year 988)
While training Elly, I began to note an unfortunate annoyance: Our armors were fantastic but they were not quickly improving and they were getting destroyed or damaged far too often. None of us knew anything about armors. I had copied all of my designs and information from the drafts made by the soldiers of the Nine Unknown Men. The best we could do was reinforce areas with better materials and make guesses as to what would improve our designs. Sometimes this only made the armors worse.
We tried to pick up Equestrian texts on the subject but they were always trying to compensate for the weaker metals of Equestria. It did not help that combat materials were not a popular area of study. Even with magic boosting their capabilities, they were at least one hundred years behind Earth’s armor systems. By their knowledge, the armors we were using on a day-to-day basis were impossible.
The human materials were not that much more helpful. I thought I just needed a base knowledge to work off of like I did for other subjects. Instead, it was far too nuanced and I learned we would have to start from scratch. It would take years of experience to perfect a craft none of us were good at and none of us particularly enjoyed.
We needed someone who was an expert in metal working and who could quickly pick up on and work with our differing materials but would not likely give away our secrets. Moreover, they would have to be willing to risk the dangers of associating with us.
We looked at many candidates but most seemed to either not be good enough at their craft for our purposes or did not look like they would be up to the challenges that would be placed against them.
It was about three and a half years into my solo stay on Equestria (around two years after the formation of the Unknown Guardians) when I exhausted all of my options and lamented my frustration to Princess Celestia.
She questioned why I did not ask sooner (I thought I had) and told me of a reclusive pony by the name of Smithy Strike. He came from a long line of metal crafters. He focused primarily on combat armors and weapons. His creations were of the highest quality but he keeps trying to prefect his craft and is never satisfied. Even she had to specifically request a “demo” of his current armor sets just to get one for her own personal use. And the only reason why he agreed to that was that he needed the funds to continue his endeavors. He always complained that Equestrian metals were too weak for his ideas and that other ponies could not help him since they were not good enough. He was also known for being amazingly strong, having battled and defeated several monsters to get the items he wanted. He was stubborn and secretive.
It would be a tough sell (that proved to be an understatement) but there was potential. We had what he needed but the question would boil down to whether he would want to work with us or not.
Smith lived on top of a mountain on the very borders of Equestria. It was hard to access by foot and had winds that made it difficult for all but the most skilled fliers to pass through safely. And the mountain was infested with monsters. If not already evident, he chose this location on purpose. On top of everything else, though none of us were surprised to see it, the satellites showed a dark signal on Smith’s position.
Esper and I over-packed on weapons to compensate for what we knew was going to be a troublesome expedition. I only brought Esper along so that she could produce the desired metals we wished to show him. In hindsight, it would have been a better idea to bring the others but I felt that Smith seeing a human and the Royal Seal would be convincing enough. Everyone else was sent to deal with some of the other dark signals.
I can’t recall exactly how long it took us to get to the mountain, and apparently I did not keep the record of those travels, but I do know it took Esper and I three days to climb the mountain. Part of that problem was the constant assault by the dark golems and natural inhabitants of the location. But we had been through worse and years of fighting had made us experts in the field of combat.
We also had no effective automated support. The drones were almost useless because the explosives risked damaging the mountain and causing an avalanche. They could however, provide some cover-fire with their MAPAERs though, even then, the weapons were still experimental and the amount of ammo they held was limited. It was only after this battle that I perfected the MAPAER design and outfitted all drones with both MAPAERs and other energy weapons to prevent their uselessness in similar situations.
Anyways, in the middle of the third day we got to the top and found Smithy Strike battling a group of golems led by another Shadow-Pony. This time it was an Earth Pony which was pretty much the size of a large horse. It was probably even bigger than Celestia.
But to be honest, Epser and I sighed in irritation rather than getting worried or scared at the sight of the creature. We had been through many days of combat. Using video games, the best analogy I can give is being stuck in a certain area and saying “Oh look ANOTHER wave of enemies but this time they have a DIFFERENT creature with them. Doesn’t that just put the F U in FUN?”
Ergo, I lazily readied my sickle and Esper lethargically prepared her magic and we literally walked into battle. We causally sliced and shot anything that tried to challenge us. We greeted Smith and told him we were here to help. He proved that he was pretty strong and tough but so was the Shadow-Pony. Nothing we tried could penetrate its hide but Smith’s attacks with the war hammer seemed to at least stun it if not wound it. Unlike the other shadow creatures we had fought up to that point it was not really that fast. Nevertheless it did buck me so hard I was embedded into a rock wall. It also had the normal magical attacks. Fire, ice, lightning, energy blasts, the usual.
In the end, I pulled out my MAPAER and switched it to the railgun setting while attaching the additional pieces of equipment necessary for that setting. I charged the weapon and set it to maximum force. I loaded it with one of Esper’s customized DU slugs. I had Esper tether me to the ground with metal cables. I aimed at the shadow creature and fired.
The DU slug left the chamber, nearly tore me up from the ground, and dislocated my shoulder which I soon popped back into place. I forget how much energy the slug had in it but it was enough to practically vaporize the thing’s body when the slug hit it from the side and continue on to visibly impact the nearest mountain. It was probably overkill but it did the job.
Smith looked at the thing’s decaying body and smashed its head in with the war hammer. He went back inside of his cave, not even thanking us. We heard him continue with his hammering.
Esper and I looked at each other, shrugged, and went in after him to begin negotiations.
Smith’s place was rather spartan. In spite of living in this environment for many years, Smith did not alter the natural cave all that much. His den, a former dragon keep, was still mostly rock with an absurd quantity of supplies and finished products scattered about in large piles. It wasn’t exactly messy but it looked more like a workshop than a home.
Stratos: So, you don’t care that a human appeared out of nowhere to help you?
(Smith did not respond until he put the piece of metal back into the fire.)
Smith: Not really. You are either real or a figment of my imagination. Either way there is no reason for me to get worked up over it.
Esper: Are you at least going to thank us for helping you?
(Smith checked to make sure the fire was at the right temperature.)
Smith: Might need more coals. No, I could have handled that myself and you are not helping me because you are nice. You are doing it because you want something from me.
Stratos: Fair enough. You’re right. We are here on official business from the Princess herself.
(I pulled out a piece of metal with the Royal Seal on it. Smith looked at it indifferently and went back to work.)
Smith: Tell her that she is not getting another set until I am satisfied with the results.
Stratos: It’s not for her.
Smith: Then I care even less.
Esper: Oh, I know, how about this? You were just attacked by a group of strange monsters, would you like to know why?
Smith: I can’t say I do.
Esper: *Confused* … You sure?
Smith: I have had that happen to me many times in the past. I don’t care why. They are just a nuisance that takes up my time.
(Smith looked at the metal and grumbled. He took out the hot sheet and dropped it into a bucket of water.)
Smith: Such as now, when they interrupted my work, making me have to start over.
Stratos: Okay I can see that asking you to join us is pointless but how about a business proposition?
(Smith stopped in the middle of sifting through a pile of ores and sighed.)
Smith: You’re not going to leave are you?
Stratos: Nope.
Smith: Say it.
Stratos: I’ve heard from Princess Celestia that you are working on new designs of armor. We are part of a royal secret organization known as the Unknown Guardians. We are involved in a lot of battles. *I tapped my chestplate* As you can see from our own armor sets, we have metals that are far stronger than you can create. Not only that, but you do not have the equipment or magic *Esper produced a piece of metal and put it into my hand* necessary to produce these metals. We can provide you with the equipment, supplies, and techniques necessary to improve your craft. We can provide you with anything you need.
Smith: In return?
Stratos: You just have to make armor for us. And keep our secret. That’s it.
Smith: No.
Stratos: OH COME ON! What possible reason could you have for rejecting that offer?
Smith: If I work for you that gives me even less time to work on my armors. Besides, now I know stronger metals are possible. I just have to find out how to do it.
Stratos: It will take you hundreds of years to do that.
Smith: I can’t trust your word on that and I don’t need metals of your caliber, just stronger ones than are currently available.
(It took everything I had not to call him a moron or do something else to get on his bad side.)
Stratos: *Through gritted teeth* Any ideas, Esper?
Esper: Maybe we should just collect the cursed item and leave.
(At the mention of this, Smith stopped in his tracks. He lightly bounded into the air and glided over to us.)
Smith: Cursed item?
Esper and I almost did not respond. This was the first time he had shown any interest or concern in anything we did. Esper and I looked at each other. I communicated in sign language, something I knew Smith would not know. I told Esper my thoughts on the current situation and she nodded, agreeing with my ideas and knowing to speak in my place.
Esper: Uh… yeah. Whenever the dark signals appear it is either following a pony or an item. I don’t think it is following you because our records don’t seem to show that. I’d say your family has a dark secret. An item that nopony should ever see otherwise trouble will befall them?
(Smith stared into Esper’s eyes and snorted. He motioned for us to follow him with his head.)
Smith: Follow me.
(We followed him into the back of the shop, down a series of stairs, and through a false wall into a secret chamber. Inside, that chamber, was a glass case surrounding a book bound with chains and a lock.)
Smith: I never told anypony about this. None of my family has. There is no way you should be able to know.
Stratos: Let me guess, a journal of one of your ancestors who just so happened to meet an unpleasant fate. Ever since then anyone who tried to read it found themselves prone to the same end.
Smith: These items are not that uncommon are they?
Stratos: The Unknown Guardians have already collected one hundred of such objects, each with their own story of misery. Who was it in your family?
Smith: Master Strike. It was over four hundred years ago when he noticed something was wrong. Some of his clients were disappearing. He was not like me. He had a deep connection to each business partner. He took the matter into his own hooves and investigated their fates. He discovered that not only were his friends disappearing but so were entire civilizations.
Esper: How could nopony know of this?
Smith: They were all isolated. Everything was very different hundreds of years ago. Equestria was not as connected and the land was less settled. The kingdom had been recovering from a disaster. Disappearances and death were far more common. Even then, this was different. It seemed too planned. Everypony he met outside of Canterlot would be killed.
Stratos: And after investigating it too long he came close to an answer only to be eliminated himself.
Smith: It was a most unpleasant end. My parents dare not speak of it until I was older. And I wish they did not tell me.
Esper: From then on the journal was cursed.
Smith: We decided not to destroy the item for fear of the repercussions. It was our family’s responsibility. We trained and honed our abilities across generations. We passed the journal down to the next child telling of the story behind it but warning to never open it ourselves unless we accepted the fate befalling those who do so. Many of my ancestors have fallen. We preserve the line just to hide this item. That there are others out there concern me.
Stratos: So I take it that you are the last member of your family.
Smith: No. But I decided to end it once and for all. I took the journal and brought it to this place. Since then, monsters have plagued my home. If I died no one would find this place and it would be lost to time.
Stratos: And your smithing?
Smith: *Chuckles* That? That is my dream. Someday I want to make armor and weapons that even the legends cannot match. I will complete that, I will become a legendary smith, I will be known for my efforts. Others will not be able ignore my achievements. Yet, I will admit, I have an ulterior motive to it. I plan to use my abilities to equip the royal forces allowing them to combat this evil. Then my name will spread across Equestria as a hero and legend.
Stratos: What if you cannot complete your ulterior goal?
Smith: So be it. I never thought it was likely that I would succeed. But I have to try.
Stratos: So you either succeed and become a legend or die alone in this hovel?
Smith: Something like that. What about you?
Stratos: My goal is to destroy this evil and make a legend out of myself through saving Equestria.
Smith: Sounds easy.
(The two of us laughed.)
Stratos: Well then, it seems we have a common desire.
Smith: Indeed. Though I would prefer not to add my name to the many legends who fell in their prime.
(It was at that moment that Esper’s eyes went wide.)
Esper: Who were these clients of Master Smith?
Smith: Legendary warriors who were quite valuable to the kingdom. Many were just starting families. It’s sad really; you don’t get many ponies like that anymore. With the deaths of the many masters over the years, martial arts and magic are not what they used to be.
Stratos: Esper, what’s wrong?
Esper always seems to be one step ahead of me. She had realized something. I tried to figure out what it could be. I thought back to all the information we had gathered. Each document, each battle, each friend I had made, each individual who had lost their life. When I connected the dots, I nearly went into shock. The implications of this were almost too much for me to handle. Moreover, that they had to have known about it made me furious.
Stratos: No… No way. They knew. Those despicable…
*I punched the wall breaking off a great deal of stone*
Stratos: I can’t stop that. They knew that! That result... Is that how this ends?!
Smith: What do you mean?
(I will admit, I did not handle myself well. I walked over to the journal and smashed open the case. I ripped off the chains and began speed-reading the writings.)
Smith: WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? GET AWAY FROM THAT!
Smith bolted towards my position. I spun around and using all of my adrenaline-fueled physical, magical, and technologically enhanced might, struck him in the head slamming his skull into the floor. It was probably only due to his toughness that the attack did not kill him. Still, it knocked him out for a second and left him dazed. Esper was stunned speechless. I held up the journal.
Stratos: Come on curse, strike me! I dare you. Or wait, you won’t, because you’re not real. You’re just an abominable monster.
Esper: Stop it Stratos! It won’t help.
Stratos: You’re right. It’s just text. The deed’s been done and those liars… Cowards! They thought they could hide the truth from me!? Just get rid of me. Make it look like I could help. Keep me from telling others. Delegate me to insignificance! Well I’ve got your data. I’ve got proof!
(I charged out of the Smith’s home leaving Esper with Smith.)
Esper: *Somber* …Are you alright?
(Smith was not angry, he was concerned.)
Smith: That look in his eyes. What could bring on that fury? Is it the curse?
Esper: It’s not a curse.
Smith: It isn’t?
Esper: No. Even if it was, the Unknown Guardians have never been targeted. He’s fine.
Smith: Who are you two?
Esper: Actually, there are six of us so far. We told you… but I will say it again. We are an organization called the Unknown Guardians. We work for Princess Celestia. Our goal is to seek out and eliminate the source of a series of dark-magic disturbances across Equestria. We have fought many battles and slain many opponents.
Smith: But you’re just a filly. Why would they do that to you?
Esper: They did not. I was the one who thought of creating the Unknown Guardians. I had been tormented by a curse… which I now realize can be traced back to this dark magic. I have survived. I am not helpless. None of us are. We are individuals with special talents and abilities backed by all the collected knowledge and weapons of this world and the inconceivable knowledge of a world beyond.
Smith: The world of humans? The scientific heaven is real? That exodus was real?
Esper: I don't know the legends you refer to but yes, their world is real. Stratos comes from that place. But it is not the world of dreams that so many imagine.
Smith: Tell me. What is happening? What could spark such an outburst in your friend?
Esper: …I’d rather not say. We have our secrets.
(Smith steadied himself and began to follow after me.)
Esper: Where are you going?
Smith: Regardless of whatever reason he had, Stratos still stole my ancestor’s writings. It is my responsibility to watch over them.
Esper: Will you help us?
Smith: I do not know if I should.
Esper: …Let me ride on your back. I’ll show you where he is headed. Just please promise me you will consider helping us in the future.
Smith: That I can do.
They followed me but it took days for them to catch up. I had left as fast as I could, not caring that I had just stolen something or that I had left a friend behind. I ran straight home, taking needlessly dangerous paths and not even trying to hide my presence. I was so focused on my goal that I took no rests or breaks. The pain of overexerting myself and my equipment only amplified my irrational anger.
As soon as I got back, I checked the theory with the computer. Everything panned out. The Unknown’s collective data matched to the hypothesis. It was the likely explanation. And if I figured it out, of course they had. There was no other reason they would focus so intently on the decline of the Equestrian military.
I won’t say it now because the audio logs I have for later will explain it anyways but I will say that this discovery shattered my perception of what was going on. I simply thought we were combatting evil wanting to take over the land. I had no idea the extent of this thing’s desire or how close it was to accomplishing it.
I could not win. It was impossible. That fact pushed me off the deep end. I cursed the Unknown and all of humanity and locked myself in my room, only coming out for the barest of necessities.
Esper came back to the base, along with Smith, and told everyone of our discovery. They took it far better than I did. It makes sense; they didn’t think they were betrayed.
They all agreed to tell Princess Celestia but no one could work up the courage to do it. We would be telling her that her entire civilization was in trouble. That’s not the kind of news you want to give to someone you are close to.
It was my job to do that and everyone knew it, especially me. But no one dared to disturb me.
And so we waited there. For days no one was sure what to do. Well, except for Zed. The knowledge just made him triple his efforts. He resolutely went from signal to signal eliminating any evil that dared challenge him. He did not stop until finally his body completely gave out. He required extensive repairs afterwards.
Meanwhile, Smith took in the knowledge of our facility and the knowledge of the world of humans. We probably should have limited him in some way, since he was not a member at the time, yet no one cared enough to stop him. Even so, eventually Smith’s relative idleness got to him and he decided to help Zed. His presence was probably the only reason why Zed came back as intact as he was.
As for the others:
Plum, Barn, and Elly couldn’t keep up with Zed but they tried their best. They quickly learned to assign missions for themselves. They would not give up either.
Esper focused on some experiments and studies. She began searching for ways to contact Earth and the Unknown, mostly to hopefully get in touch with Nick.
As implied, I did almost nothing except for grumble in anger.
This only ended when I received a visit from a frustrated Barn. It did not end in a good way.
I really don’t want to include this. I have a hard time looking at it. I don’t want to think I used to be like this but I was. I can’t even laugh about it. But it needs to be shown. It would be dishonest if I didn’t.
*Barn used his magic to unlock the door and enter my room*
Barn: Stratos.
Stratos: Yup, just invite yourself in. I don’t mind.
Barn: You have to tell Celestia.
Stratos: … Do you understand what we discovered?
Barn: No, not really. I am not as smart as you or Esper. I just know it is bad.
Stratos: Bad is putting it lightly.
Barn: Really? Why is that?
Stratos: Why? *I sat up* Here let me spell it out for you. It has already won. All it is doing is consolidating its inevitable victory. I can’t do anything.
Barn: You could try.
Stratos: How’s that going for you guys? Zed was screwed up pretty bad and he made all of *did fake calculations with my hands* oh yeah, jack-all progress.
Barn: And what you are doing is so much better.
Stratos: Well, at least it’s easier.
Barn: *Gritting his teeth* If you don’t want to fight, you could at least try and help Esper.
Stratos: *I laugh and wag my finger* You just don’t get it. She’s trying something that is impossible. She’s trying to use the quantum entanglement of my quantum radio and the Spectrum Generator to contact Nick’s radio across realities. Not only is that a stupid idea in the first place just because of feasibility but— *Chuckling* Those damn Unknown. You know, they threw me into a battle that was lost well before anyone had arrived. They knew that. They aren’t coming back. Even if she succeeded, which she won’t, they don’t care. And Nick won’t be able to change their minds.
Barn: You really think that? You think it is hopeless?
Stratos: Yes. We are going to die. Everyone is going to die. Because there is nothing I can do. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing! And you know what is the best part about all of this? *pointing to myself* I’m supposed to be important. I’m supposed to be able to do anything. I’m always right. I always win. I am the best thing that ever happened to that God-forsaken planet and they threw me away because they didn’t like my attitude.
Barn: Don’t—
Stratos: Those wretched humans. They couldn’t stomach doing the right thing. They would let Eden burn if it meant escaping with their miserable lives.
Barn: Stratos.
Stratos: They will let this world decay just like theirs. Useless humans. Why couldn’t I have been a pony?!
Barn: STRATOS SHUT UP!
(I was briefly speechless. I had never heard Barn raise his voice in anger.)
Barn: This isn’t their fault. Stop blaming humans for everything. Why do you hate them so much? How can you hate what you are!?
Stratos: You haven’t seen them. You haven’t seen what they do.
Barn: Yes, I have. And not just what I’ve read from your world.
(Barn pulled out a book from his saddle bags. “Defenders of the Ethereal World: The Humans of Equestria” By Deus. )
Stratos: A book? Fairy Tales? Great evidence! Not like they could lie or anything.
(He threw the book at me and it hit my head. It didn’t hurt. Years of training and fighting made such impacts negligible. I barely even flinched.)
Barn: You spoiled… Don’t you ever think about anyone else? Do you realize how good you had it?
Stratos: *Snickers* Oh wait-wait-wait. I see where this is going. This is the part where you tell me how crappy your life was and how I don’t appreciate what I had. Well you know what Barn; you know jack-all about my life.
Barn: And this is the part where you tell me?
Stratos: BINGO! *I got up to begin pacing around the room* You see, just like you, since the time I was young, I lived by myself. I had to do everything by myself.
Barn: You think you’re just like me?
Stratos: Oh hardly. Unlike you, I didn’t need someone to rescue me. I succeeded. It was great. I was smart enough that school and money were hardly issues. No, that was not the problem with my life. The problem was that I thought like a child in those clear good-evil dynamics. Certain things are right, certain things are wrong, always do right thing, and always help those in need. Then you will be looked up to. You will get your happy end.
Barn: And your point?
Stratos: That kind of manufactured simplicity our society throws at our youth. It didn’t work. I tried. I tried to stop bullies. I donated money. I worked for charities. I offered to help classmates. I tried to comfort others. I stood up for what was obviously right. *Laughs and abrupt cut off* No appreciation. Everyone hated me for doing good things. It’s amazing I didn’t get myself killed.
Barn: So you gave up?
Stratos: Eventually. You see, I thought it was just the States. But then I went to Canada, Britain, Japan, China, Russia, Sweden, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, anywhere really, and I saw no difference. Everyone was like that. Everyone was selfish. Everyone was miserable. It wasn’t going to change. So, I decided to not let them drag me down.
Barn: How’d that work out for you?
Stratos: Pretty good actually. I was a prodigy. No one could stop me. No one could match me. They still hated me, but who cares? They hated me before then anyways. Besides, by that point, I knew the only thing that would make me happy is getting the recognition I deserved. But, by college, I realized that’s not going to happen. They refused to acknowledge me. Humans can… no, they should burn. Every one of them. All of them. Even the children.
Barn: Even Nick?
Stratos: … Out of all the billions of humans on the Earth he is the only one that lived up to that ideal my species set forth. That was why he was the only person I could consider a good friend. He is an exception.
Barn: You’re an idiot.
Stratos: The IQ tests say otherwise.
Barn: *Deep breaths* What happens when you get rid of humanity back on your world?
Stratos: *Shrugs* Everything goes back to normal. Nature’s in balance. Yeah, things appear to be pretty good.
Barn: No, Stratos, nothing would be better. In millions of years nothing would change. All of those ideas, all of those devices, all of that intellect, all of that art, all of that history, all of those stories, all of that possibility, it would be gone.
Stratos: Meh, good trade-off.
Barn: Stratos, I do not say this lightly, you are the worst thing I have ever had the displeasure of knowing. You have no idea what you had and obviously you are unwilling to learn.
Stratos: Barn, I feel sorry that you are this old and that naive. Our lives really weren’t that different except for the fact that I realized idealism will only get you killed.
Barn: No, our lives were different because you… you at least had Nick. And I know you had others you could talk to. I didn’t have anypony. I didn’t have anything besides a few books about humans.
Stratos: *Sniggers* Inspirational?
Barn: More than you could imagine. *He used his front hoof to point to the book on the floor* I remember the first night I opened that book and read those pages. I recall every detail. It was dark, cold, windy, rainy, the worst storm I could imagine. I had evaded the village mob only to be attacked by monsters. I escaped but they inflicted several deep wounds. I couldn’t stop the blood. In this storm there was no way to cover or clean my injuries. The pain was unbearable. I found a small ledge to hide under but it barely helped keep the water off… You have no idea how hungry I was. It had been days since I found anything to eat and anything clean to drink. Muddy puddles could barely quench my thirst. I was deathly tired but I couldn’t sleep because of the pain. I was cold. I was lonely. I was scared. I couldn’t stop crying. I didn’t want to die but I didn’t see any other future. On a whim, maybe as the last thing I would do, I decided to read the one book I had with me. *Chuckle* I don’t even know where I got that book. I was so young but, under that tiny flicker of magical light, I’ll never forget what I read.
*PAUSE*
(Even though he paused here, I didn’t say anything. I’m glad I did not. I would have regretted it. I did however pick up the book and examine it. I noticed a great deal of dirt and dried blood on many of the pages.)
Barn: It was the tale of the Athereal Knights back in the times of Discord. This group of ponies, griffons, Diamond Wolves, dragons, monsters, and most importantly humans made a last stand against Discord to prevent his reach from spreading. But only the humans were immune to Discord’s influence. For humor, Discord turned their allies against them. He threw the land into chaos and made jokes out of their best efforts. Even though it was hopeless, they fought on, never giving an inch. Eventually, the nine human Grand Archmages and the Four Divine Winged Unicorns of Sunset came to the aid of the human knights. They turned the tide and helped the repel Discord from the town. This force continued to challenge Discord and was able to keep some areas of Equestria free of him before the Princesses were able to permanently seal him away. When Discord fell, only the humans and the Diamond Wolves remained as part of the Athereal Knights but they vowed to defend this world against evil for all of eternity.
*PAUSE*
Barn: I kept reading. Learning of their exploits and actions. Many times they were treated poorly due to the sigma their species’ had. Yet, no matter how they were treated, they never compromised their ideals. They always acted in the best for all. I wanted to be like that. Be like those heroes. I wanted to be a human. So I vowed to emulate them. Always do the right thing, always tell the truth, always help others, be that noble warrior. The story gave me just what I needed to push onward and survive. From then on, whenever times would grow hard, I would read one of their stories and bolster my resolve. I never gave up, just like they didn’t.
Stratos: *I closed the book* Barn, they aren’t real!
Barn: *Stamps his hoof* YES THEY ARE! I asked the Princess. They were history books. Deus was a historian. The Athereal Knights and the Nine Grand Archmages were the some of the first secret defenders of Equestria and its allies.
Stratos: …
*I dropped the book*
Barn: Oh, oh, look, now you understand? You thought you were unique. You assumed you were the only human of any worth. You assumed you were the first human that asked to aid the Princess? You never wondered why she agreed and trusted you so easily? She thought you were one of their lineages. But you can’t live up to that.
Stratos: They are—
Barn: When I first saw Zed, you have no idea how happy I was. I saw a human. An actual human dressed in the armor of a knight. I couldn’t believe it. The legends were true. And when I met you, you weren’t perfect but you said you wanted to defend Equestria. You wanted to create the Unknown Guardians. I thought I was going to join a new Athereal Knights.
Stratos: Well you were wrong.
Barn: Obviously. I knew you had flaws but you still looked like you had your heart in the right place. I thought that maybe you would change you attitude.
Stratos: You were trying to live a fantasy Barn. It’s time you realized that.
Barn: You’re wrong. Zed is every bit the human that you should be.
Stratos: The fact that he’s an android should alert you to the problem with that statement.
Barn: He was made by humans. He acts like a human. He does not need the body of one to be one. In fact, I’ve read many of the documents your colleagues left with you. Humans have so many wonderful inventions. Cross-world communication and travel. Revolutionary medicine and science. There are plenty of good humans out there.
Stratos: Of course it sounds like that. They always sound like that.
Barn: You need to stop living in your own little world and realize you are a problem. You said you want to be a pony, but that won’t change who you are. You complain about everyone else’s faults but you’ve never cared about your own. You’ve always been the problem. You are a terrible person.
Stratos: If you can’t handle me than leave.
Barn: I don’t hate Elly, or Esper, or Zed, or Plum… by the way, I’ve been meaning to say this for a while, nice job forcing Plum to join us. Real classy sticking her in front of the Princess like that.
Stratos: It worked. Who cares?
Barn: Oh that’s… Stratos, I don’t hate anypony else. I still look forward to the day I can meet actual normal humans. For all their faults, humans are fine. I just hate you.
Stratos: *I scoffed* Aw, don’t worry, you’ll hate the others eventually.
(That was when Barn lost it.)
Barn: Dear Celestia! You insufferable bigot! Do you know what the worst part about you is? I can’t even hate you for being evil, because you’re not. You’re just annoying! You know you’re wrong and you don’t care! Out of all the humans in existence, WHY THE HELL DID I HAVE TO MEET YOU!?
We glared at each other.
In the lull in our argument, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that all of my friends, even Smith, were watching through the open door. I saw their looks. They were horrified. Not with Barn, but with me.
I should have felt ashamed, instead I was angry. I picked up a nearby desk and threw it at Barn. The pony barely jumped out of the room in time to dodge the object. With that failure, I picked up his book and chucked it back at him, striking him in the eye, just as intended.
With that, I closed the door to my room and relocked it.
I didn’t come out for four days.