It's been a week since the party for us, and, thankfully, it was an uneventful one, unfortunately meaning Sunset Shimmer had yet to awaken, as well as those Knights. Well, relatively speaking, that is. Chrysalis, Chitinia, and Shade had fully begun their training, as well as met their team mates. One was a familiar rainbow pegasus, my least favorite of the mane six, by the way, and two unicorns, one being forest green with a brown mane and tail named Shadow Specter, the other one being a dark blue unicorn with a black mane names Azure Shadow.
It was thee days, about eight days after the party, into the training when things got interesting. I was with Chitinia and Rainbow, the two with the most Hunter potential, the others having Warlock, and were with Cybis, in the training room, looking to see how agile the two were in the air and be able to adapt, and both actually had a good flight agility. Noland, record that.
Done.
Right. So, yeah, the two were almost finished when Nolandroid appeared.
"What's up," I ask. "Normally if you have something to tell me, you don't show up."
"Something Legion found," Nolandroid said. "Inside the Everfree, close to you know what. There's a small group of Vex there as well as half of Disciple to make sure nothing happens."
"What did they find," I ask.
"A portal to the mirrorverse next to the Tree, even draining some of its energy."
"What," I ask in surprise. "Okay, reschedule everything, this takes priority for me."
"Right," he said, bobbing. Rhino and Cybis were informed too, and plan on leaving in an hour."
"Right," I said, nodding. "Okay, Rainbow Dash, Chitinia, that's enough for now! Something just came up, and it needs my attention."
"If you say so," Chitinia said, hovering in the air. "If you don't mind, we're going to practice a little more."
"If you guys want to," I said, shrugging. "And Rainbow, that means no showboating, got it?"
"Yeah, yeah," Rainbow said. "Do what you need to do."
"Right," I said, turning to leave the training area. "Nolandroid, tell Nightmare she and the others are in charge for now until Rhino, Cybis, and I get back. I have a feeling the three of us are going to go through hell."
"Right," Nolandroid said. "By the way, Rhino and Cybis are out in Ponyville at Sugarcube with Chrysalis and the others. Something about down time and a reward."
"Hey, fooling around is the Hunter way, not Warlock or Titan," I said. "Tell Cybis I'll shoot him if he does this again."
"You could do so yourself when we get there, you know," he said.
"Yeah, I know," I said. "Tell them to meet me at the edge of the forest in ten minutes. Whatever's going on, I want to see it first hand, and as soon as possible."
"On it," he said.
Ten minutes later- Everfree edge
I was at the trail into the Everfree, checking over my gear, just in case we were attacked by anything, when Rhino and Cybis, carrying their respective weapons, showed up. "You guys ready," I ask.
"Yeah, we are," Cybis said. "Have to admit, I'm eager to see the mirrorverse."
"Yeah, same," Rhino said.
"Then let's get a move on," I said. "And Cybis," I say once we start walking to our destination, "the goofing off and relaxation when we're supposed to be doing work is a Hunter thing, not a Warlock."
"So," Cybis said. "Not like we're normal Guardians."
"Touche," I said. We walked through the forest with out any incident, surprising, I know, eventually coming to a familiar chasm, where we encountered Legion.
"Guardians," he said. "We were anticipating your arrival."
"Noted, Legion," I said. "Anything happen since you informed the Ghosts?"
"Affirmative," Legion replied. "One organic came through the dimensional rift approximately five minutes after Ghost Designate: Nolandroid informed us of your arrival. He has not spoken except to request an audience with the leaders of this nation. As pony designate: Celestia is missing and her replacement has yet to to wake, that technically makes you three the leaders."
"Great," Rhino said. "Politics." He then sighed. "Take us to him."
"Affirmative. Follow us," Legion said before it turned around, and went down the steps. I looked at my fellows, and shrugged before stepping off the cliffside, and using my blink to land safely. Yeah, you can survive a fall using blink. Helped save my ass a few times before coming here. Rhino hovered down to my left, Cybis to my right. Legion walked down soon after, and made no comment.
"So, where's the guy who came through," I asked.
"Near the Tree," Legion replied. With that, we followed. Once we got to the cave mouth, Legion informed us, "He has surrendered every weapon we could detect. However, we recommend caution."
"We always are," I say. "Come on, guys," I said, and the three of us went into the cave. I still get a sense of surprise at what I saw, I'm not kidding.
At the base of the Tree, in a meditation position was a normal, much as possible, human sized Crota, I shit thee not. His back was turned to us, and, out of instinct, I raised my weapon, as did the others, clicking sounds being heard, but we didn't fire. If the reports were right, after all, then he was from the mirrorverse, and you don't need me to explain my train of thought here. "What are you doing here," I ask. Doesn't hurt to play it safe.
"So," this Crota said in a deep, but not gravelly, voice, one would think of with a warrior prince that wasn't Prince Charming. Okay, that's not a good one. Okay, look, his voice showed he was an experienced warrior, and was knowledgeable. "You three are the leaders of this Equestria?"
"Right now, yeah," I said, keeping my Vanity on him. "Why do you want to know?"
"Because my mother and sister, as well as the Equestria we rule, need help," he said. Note, given the fact we're dealing with Oryx here, I know who Crota is talking about.
A little Hive history for you guys. But first, anyone reading who does not like trangender people, you won't like this. Don't say I didn't warn you. Okay, so, you all know how evil Oryx is, right. Well, and this was a mind fuck for me too, don't get me wrong, Oryx was once known as Auryx, and, I swear I'm not kidding, was a girl. Basically, it goes back to the whole Traveler thing, where, as he was known then, Auryx and her sisters, you heard that right, made a pact with their gods, which made their people into the Hive. Along the way to now Auryx became Oryx. Apparently in the Mirrorverse, that did not happen. Don't believe me about the Oryx/Auryx thing, go to planet destiny on youtube, and watch their books of sorrow videos, if not go read them yourself if you have all the book pieces. Anyway, back to the story.
"And why is that," I ask.
"Because my mother's old enemy has arrived," Crota said.
"And why should we help you," Rhino asked.
"Because we know, from the Traveler's own admission, that it will come here if and when if finishes with us, and take this world as well. The only chance you have is to stop him and his daughter while they are in my world, when they have not yet gained all the power they can."
"And why is the portal you came through draining power from the Tree of Harmony," Cybis asked.
"Quite simple," Crota said, standing up, making the three of us tense up. "It is trying to keep our Traveler's light at bay." With that, he turned around, and, well, he didn't look like a Hive. Yeah, he had the armor, but that was it. His face was much more human, and he had two eyes. Glowing, sure, but two.
"And how do we know we can trust you," I ask.
"Because," Crota said. "My mother is willing to give her support when this world's version of us arrive. Seeing as how we are well loved by our subjects and the Equestrian's, it stands to reason the opposite is true here."
"Will be," I say. "This world's version of Auryx has yet to arrive, and this world's version of Celestia is well loved. For now, that is."
"Celestia," Crota said in confusion. "Oh, you must mean Sekana. My sister did not know of her true nature until a week ago, as with the name, but she has adapted well to it. So, will you help us?"
I looked at Rhino and Cybis, not that I needed to. I say yes, they both said after a few seconds, and I could see their reasoning, both because of our link, as well as because, well, I knew he was being truthful simply because he's from the mirrorverse. I looked back at him.
"Sure," I said. "Give us a few minutes, though."
"Of course," Crota said with a slight head nod. "I will wait."
"Thanks," I said, putting my hand cannon on my waist. "If you don't mind, would you wait outside?"
"If that is what you wish," he replied before making his way out of the cave.
"What are you planning, Josh," Cybis asked as he lowered his weapon.
"You know," I said, making my way to the Tree. "I doubt it'll work, though," I said before placing my hand on the trunk of the Tree.
So, it said in a feminine voice. Looks like I was right. Yay. You are the new Element of Kindness?
Hello, Harmony, I replied in my head, using the name i had come up with for the entity in the Tree. Yes, I am the new Element of Kindness.
I had thought so, she replied. Why do you wish to talk with me?
Because I figured you should know me and the Elements of Loyalty and Generosity will be going to the mirror universe of this world, ad I do not know what might happen.
If you fear for hurting me, do not worry, Guardian. Ye,s I know who you are, Josh, as well as your past. That's why I chose you three to be three of the Elements. Regardless, unlike most, I do not feel what happens to the me in the mirror universe, as she and I are the same, one being split among many universes. In fact, it was I who convinced Auryx to seek your help, and the one who opened the portal. You need this, Guardian. There is a trial in your future, one this will help you face. You are more important than you think. You are not the chosen one, but important.
I'll keep that in mind, I thought. Still, I'll see ya later, I guess, huh?
Indeed you will, Guardian. Indeed you will. With that, I removed my hand from the trunk of the Tree.
"Well, Cybis said, "that was interesting."
"Oh yeah," Rhino said. "So, should we let him know we're ready?"
"Nolandroid, do that."
"On it," he said before appearing, and heading to the mouth of the cave.
"Josh, you do know that the only way for us to help them," Cybis said, "is to kill ourselves, if not imprison us, right?"
"Yeah," I said. "I also know none of us care if it means keeping everyone here safe. We're Guardians. It's our job to give our lives if it means protecting our home."
Rhino sighed, much as an Exo could. "Yeah, I guess you got a point there, Josh." It was here that Crota came back into the cave, Nolandroid hovering by his head.
"Your Ghost says you three are ready?"
"Yeah, we are," I said. "So, where's the portal you came through at?"
"On the other side of this Tree," he replied. "Come, I do not know how much time we have before they find out."
"Who," Cybis asked.
"Is it not obvious," Crota asked. "The Traveler's dogs, the Raiders. They're led by my world's version of Nightmare."
"And what about us," I asked. "The us from your world?"
"Oddly enough, they are with us already," he said. "I do not understand why when you three are as well."
"Might be because we don't exactly stand for justice," I say. "Justice and doing what's right aren't always the same. If doing what's right means stopping justice, we will do so. The three of us don't just fight for the Light here, nor the Darkness. We use both, and simply fight to protect innocents. If I had to guess, I'd say the reason we fight is gray enough to not be changed."
"I suppose that makes sense," Crota said.
"Aren't you going to get your sword," Rhino asked.
"Your robotic ally gave it to me before I returned here," Crota said. "If you three are ready, we must go."
"Lead the way, your highness," I said, which, I am not kidding, got a chuckle out of this Crota.
"You need not call me that," he said. "We practically have the same role if you are the leaders of your Equestria."
"Fair enough," I said, and with that, we made our way to the back of the Tree, where there was a small, swirling portal, which we stepped through, Crota being the first, Cybis the last. Really, for the four of us, Nolandroid having merged back into my body, still sounds weird, before going through the portal, the portal was the same as the Displaced void, each view being that of another universe. I wonder how many of those have displaced.
Anyway, we came out of the portal outside the mirrorverse version of the castle of the sisters. "Something is not right," Crota said, drawing his blade from a different dimension. Cool. "The escorts my mother sent with me should be here."
"Maybe they're in the tree line," Cybis said as we scanned the area, weapons drawn, and I saw something that caught my eye. Something red. Something like a snipeeeeer's. . . shit.
"GET DOWN!" Each of us ducked as a bang was heard, and an orange trail passed over Crota's head.
"The Raiders," Croat growled as we got back up. "They're already here."
"Indeed we are, Crota," a voice said from behind us, and we each turned to see this world's version of Forge. She wore the same armor style in basic, but it looked much more, well, nightmareish, and the colors resembled blood. "We did not think you would actually go to the weak universe to gather more allies." As she spoke, I heard hoofsteps around us. Clever little ashholes, they got us surrounded. "Still, I suppose I should thank you," Forge said. "But, then again, she would rather do so herself."
"Luna," Crota growled before another voice, coming from above the castle spoke.
"Indeed," Luna said, making each of us look up to see a female Warlock in the King's fall raid armor with the Vena Cava shader before she flew down, landing beside Forge. "You made not only our job of killing you easier, but of conquering the other world as well by brining its leader here."
"Yeah, well, guess what, bitch," I said, pointing my Vanity to this Luna, whatever you throw at us, we will take, as well as our home. And before you try to guilt trip us that attacking you would also injure our friends, if they knew we were here, they would gladly give their lives. And any upstanding citizen here is probably an ass back home for us."
"So, the other world's protectors are that version of the renegades, then," Luna said. "Perfect. That means two birds, one stone. You see, every Raider is here. We knew you would go to that world, and decided to lay a trap. After killing your escorts, that is."
"Yeah, well," Cybis said, his armband glowing. "It's not going to work."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"Ever heard of the Elements of Harmony," I said before throwing a smoke grenade down, rendering each of us invisible before we ran off, weaving through the crowd before reaching the forest. "Where do we go," I asked Crota.
"Canterlot," he replied. "Not even the Raiders are strong enough to attack there yet."
"Then let's beat feet, people," I said. "But Crota, just who is the Traveler's daughter?"
"You do not know," he said as we ran through the forest. "It is Luna."