> The Ever Walker > by Sleepyted > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I saw it. I heard it. I felt it. The misshaped stone door in front of me and my throne which I sat in let out a grating noise as the gap between the slabs of stone slid open slowly, light flooding the chamber I was in. I slowly blinked my sore and aching eyes, trying to see more clearly. My muscles felt stiff from the years of disuse and my mind clouded from the years left for it to hollow. I could see through the whole in my helmet that the chamber I was in was still the same as it was last time I opened my eyes, but I wasn’t able to move yet, not matter how hard I tried. “It’s opening!” I heard a voice call out. “Wait, I think I see something inside it!” Someone else called out. I used my eyes to look down and what I saw made me slightly raise an eyebrow. Before my feet was a wide eyed quadruped. It was dark gray colored with purple hair sprouting from its head and behind, it had small webbed wings held at its side and it also wore some type of dark colored armor with a crescent moon branded on the front. “Damn, that thing’s big.” It said looking my over. Suddenly an urge I couldn’t control washed over me. Before I even relised it I lunched slightly forward, startling the creature in front of me, causing it to jump back in shock. I pushed myself off the Throne of Want, seeing my midsection. The exposed part of my torso was green with muscle and bone showing through where there wasn’t any skin to speak of. On its own accord my body stood up, grabbing my sword and shield from either side of the stone throne, before slowly hobbling out of the chamber. As I walked I saw a large group of these creatures in a semicircle around the chamber I was in, all but two pointing spears in my general direction. But one thing they all had was either gold or black colored armor strapped around their bodies. “What in the Tartarus is that!?” One of them yelled as I continued to hobble forward. “I don’t know captain but don’t do anything rash, I don’t want to see what it’s like when it’s angry.” One said, it was large and white with both a horn on its head and wings on its back, its hair seemed to sway in a nonexistent wind. But one thing that stood out is that I could practically feel its should, the power it held inside, causing a near animal instinct inside me. It was wearing an elegant suit of armor. “That looks like armor, just look at its middle. Maybe the armor’s enchanted, there’s no way that thing could still be alive with its innards showing like that.” One said. “Is it a zombie?” Another said. “No, the first would be more likely, necromancy has been outlawed longer than I could remember.” The large white creature said. “If that’s the case than it’s no more than a golem, unable to think for itself without being told what to do.” Another large one said but this time it was dark blue, also with an elegant suit of armor covering it. This one also had both wings and a horn and its blue hair swayed in the nonexistent wind like its counterpart. “Armor!” The white one yelled. I turned my armored head to look at it, that being the reaction the white creature seemed to have wanted. “Good, now go dormant.” It said calmly. I just stood there, stock still. “Has it done anything?” I heard someone whisper after a long while. “No, I haven’t sensed any change in its magic.” The blue one said. “Armor, go dormant!” The white one yelled, a little more commanding this time. I felt my mouth open as I began to speak words I had no power over. “Keep the fire bright.” I whispered. “I can see your breath, as the cold creeps in, I am beyond death, take a leap of faith, unless you’re scared to try, now brace yourself for me.” In a deep booming voice I finished. “AND PREPARE TO DIE!” Before any of them could say anything I brought back my sword and stabbed to blade into the ground, pouring my magic over flame into the blade. After a few short moments a jet of fire blasted out from the ground, shooting high up before it was followed by a dozen others. “SPLIT!” One of them yelled. I pulled my sword from the ground and my body snapped toward the closest target to me. It was white horned creature wearing the gold armor with a frill of blue hair coming out of its helmet. A spear was floating right next to it and a shield was floating on the other side. With a sweep of my sword I flung a wall of fire at it. It pulled up its shield and blocked most of the blast but due to its small size it didn’t stop all of it. It let out a pained yell as it dropped to the ground, burns all over its body. I ran over to it; bring back my sword to deliver the finishing blow. Before I could bring down my blade I felt a mental warning go off in my head. I ducked down behind my shield as I spun around in time to block a shot from a yellow ball of light shot at me. Before I had time to perform a counter attack I got hit in the leg with an arrow from above. I didn’t pay it much attention as I spun around and preformed a sweep with my sword, sending a wave of flame at the creatures trying to attack me from behind. I rolled to my left as I avoided a spear that went sailing over my head as I stood up. I brought back my sword again and stabbed it into the ground, again, pillars of fire erupting around me, hearing cries of pain as the creatures got burnt with the flames. Before I could finish them with the killing blow I felt a massive blow it me in the side of the head, causing me to go flying to the side. As I fell I heard a chime noise break through all the noise of the armored creatures running around. Dropped on the ground were all my soul gems and an effigy. I surprisingly didn’t react like I thought I would, all I did was look at them before continuing to fight. I brought around my shield behind me and blocked a blow from a downwards moving spear, shattering the wooden handle just below the head. The creature that delivered the blow stumbled backwards. I took advantage of this and as he stumbled I brought around my sword and sweeped at its legs, and with a satisfying cutting sound its leg detached from the rest of its body. “SWIFT!” I heard someone scream from outside my field of vision. I felt something hit the side of my head as a warm feeling washed over me. I turned my head to the side to see one of the horned creatures standing there defiantly, several life gems floating around it. I started my charge towards it as its expression changed to one of fear as the life gems fell to the tiled ground, clinking as they did. Before my sword could dispatch its head in a single swing I was flung to the side yet again, slamming into the wall of the throne’s dome. When I got up I saw that the creature whose leg I cut off was being dragged away by two others, constantly groaning. Without warning I was hit with a blast of dark magic as it tore my sword from my hand and broke the arm it was held in. I let out a gasp of pain as I stumbled to the side, looking around for my weapon. While I was looking around I got struck in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me, making my hunch over in pain. And before I could catch my breath I was hit in the back of the head, knocking me onto my face. I slowly looked up, trying my hardest to get back into the fight, to see three spear floating inches away from my face. “Surrender now fiend and you won’t be hurt.” I heard someone commanding say from behind me. I growled before springing up as fast as I could, bringing my empty hand back before bringing it around, fire erupting from my hand as I burnt the spears to ash. I spun around a shot my hand out, grabbing onto the first thing my hand came into contact with. I looked up to see I was gripping the large blue winged and horned creature by the throat. I slowly called upon my power, my hand starting to glow and heat up. “LUNA!” I heard yelled. The creature in my grasp began to scream in pain, trying to claw at my hand to let go. “HEY, BUCK FACE!” I heard yelled at me. I turned my head to see the horned one who was floating my soul gems before was stood there, with the human effigy hovering next to it, it was wearing a determined scowl on its face. “CATCH!” It yelled. The effigy was flung at me at break neck speeds, flying right at me. With a familiar sound the effigy broke upon my chest piece, a faint white glow washing over me as something felt like it was being torn out, causing me to drop the creature I was hold by the neck and making me drop to my hands and knees, gasping for air as I was restored to humanity. I didn’t have long to ponder the though as I fell over, unconscious. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- *DRIP* *DRIP* *DRIP* *DRIP* I was trying my hardest not to beat my head against the stone wall of the cell I am in till either my head or the wall breaks in hope of getting away from the constant dripping sound that has been the only sound I have heard for the past several days besides the sound of a tray filled with food sliding through a hatch at the bottom of the metal door. A small pile of shiny trays in the corner of the small cell, food starting to rot, untouched besides being thrown into my room. *DRIP* *DRIP* *DRIP* I could feel myself start to shake and my blood pressure rise. *DRIP* *DRIP* *DRIP* *CREEEEAK!* *SLAM* My near pitch black cell was flooded with light, stinging my eyes, causing me to slightly wince. Two dark outlines casting shadows around the room. “Get up criminal!” One of the shadows commanded. I turned my attention to the guard that commanded me to stand, which I did, before slowly walking up to him, causing his ears to fold down as I gave him my most intimidating glare. I felt my leg buckle under me as I was hit in the knee with the blunt end of a spear, making me forcefully kneel. “Any act of violence will be met with force.” I heard said in a commanding tone of voice. I felt tempted to tell the equine that the only reason I attacked in the first place was because of being hollowed but decided to just turn my now barely contained rage towards him instead, this time him leaning back slightly but I had to give it to this one, at least he tried to keep up his stone face expression but the bead of sweat going down his forehead gave away his fear, I don’t blame him, I’m stronger than I look. I saw in the corner of my vision another one of these horses and turned to look at him. He was fairly well built, with a white coat and a two shade blue mane. He was wearing armor like the other’s I’ve seen but the frill on his helmet was different and the design of the chest plate was more detailed. He must be an officer. “I’m Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Day Guard.” He stated. I just gave him a look. “Are you going to give me your name?” He asked. I didn’t answer. “Okay, you’re going to have to come with us weather you like it or not.” He said, looking a little nervous. I stood there motionless. He started walking down the hall and just as I was about to follow I was hit in the back with the bottom of one of the guard’s spears, causing me to let out a small grunt. I glared back around at the guard as I got up and started to follow down the dark hallway. “You are currently in Canterlot Castle, home of the two alicorn princesses.” The Captain said as we walked down the halls, passing dozens of empty and un-used cells. “While we were exploring the caverns under the castle we found a small chamber which you walked out of but you probably knew that already.” He continued. He looked back over his shoulder at me to see I was looking at him blankly. “Can you understand me?” He asked. I just looked at him blankly. “Sir, I don’t think it speaks Equestrian.” One of the guards said from behind me. “I think you might be right Corporal.” The Captain said with a sigh, continuing at the head of the pack. After a few minutes of walking through the dungeons we reached a large metal door with rust and disuse clear over its surface. The captain opened the door and walked through, a guard shoving me causing me to follow. The hallway I was now in had changed from the dark and badly cut stone work to smooth and clean white marble tile, the whole room seeming to have an un-natural glow to it. The room was extremely tall, the ceiling seeming to go on for miles, all covered in that white marble, along the left were huge windows looking over a large and sprawling valley of sorts with what looked like a small village off in the distance. I was escorted through the building, more of the small equines looking at me in fear and some even in awe. I was taken all the way up to a large set of doors, another pair of the guards stood on each side. The guards saluted to the captain before one of them opened the door slightly and stuck his head in. “Your highness, its here.” He said into the room. “Send it in.” I heard a familiar voice say. The large doors were opened and I was escorted in. The room was what seemed to be a meeting room, a large table took up the center and going on for a few meters, dozens of chairs surrounding it. The chairs themselves were occupied by a large verity of creatures and the table was covered in my equipment. One of them that were sat in a chair was what looked like an oversized bird, its talons rested on the table, on its head was a golden crown, and sat next to him was another bird but with a slightly more curved body, they had a silver tiara on their head. Stood behind them were other birds but on closer inspection they didn’t seem fully bird, their lower half’s seeming to made out of a lion, they like the equine guards were covered in armor but this time a light gray color. Further away was what looked like a large bull, its body being too large for its chair. He was wearing a large bronze colored chest plate. Behind it stood a set of three highly armored guards, not a bit of skin showing through. Another creature at the table was a large dog looking thing, only an off red vest on its body. Stood behind it were two larger dogs with large helmets that covered everything but their muzzles. And finally there were the two large equines I saw right after leaving the Throne of Want. The white one wearing a gold crest, tiara and shoes, its mane seeming to flow in a nonexistent wind. The other much like the white one was wearing a crest, tiara and shoes but this time made out of a dark purple metal, and around its long neck was a set of white bandages from where I grabbed it. “You mean this is what almost bested you?” The bull bellowed out, pointing an arm at me. “We assure you that it was much more powerful without the magical restraints.” The white equine said. “But look at it, it’s so scrawny.” The dog said. “How was it even able to lift this?” The bird said, running a talon along my ultra-great sword situated on the table in front of him. “And with all this, I find it hard to believe.” The other bird said, looking at the rest of the table. “We think that it was under a curse of some sorts, it spoke during our engagement but hasn’t made contact ever since.” The white equine said. “So that must be why it was able to lift this stuff.” The bull said, picking up my sword in both arms, his arms straining under the weight. “If you could please step away from the table we’ll see what it does.” The white equine said, pushing itself up from the table. Everything stepped away from me and the table and once they did a large purple bubble appeared around the me and the table. Not a moment later the binds around my hands clicked and fell off and landed on the ground with a metal clang. I let my magic build up in my body, my hands erupting in flames before flinging it at the bubble with all the effort in my body. Flames washed over the bubble’s walls and due to the curvature it folded over me. The fire dispersed after a few moments and to my dismay nothing happened. “It seems to have a high tolerance to heat.” I heard a muffled voice say. I could feel my blood boil, they were observing me like a test subject. I ran over to the now slightly burnt table and looked it over. All my stuff was there, not a thing missing. With a deep breath I began to do something I’ve never heard done before. I grabbed the small pile of homeward bones on the table before dropping them onto the marble floor and started stomping them down a bit with the bottom of my naked foot, the bone shattering easily. “What’s it doing?” “I don’t know, just keep watching.” I could feel my fist clench in rage, small bits of flame appearing in my hands. Once some of the bones were reduced to dust I swept it all into a pile on the floor and ran back over to the table. “Is it making a shrine of some sorts?” “That might be it.” I grabbed my secondary sword from the table, the thin blade gleaming in the light. I ran back over to the pile of bones before impaling the blade into the pile. With much hope I raised my arm out and held my palm just above the sword, after a few moments a small flame burst from the bones upwards. I felt myself smile after years of not doing so. “It’s definitely a shrine, but to what.” I walked calmly over to the table and picked up one of the serrated throwing knifes and held it up with an evil smile on my face. “You should have never awakened me.” I said before plunging the dagger into my gut. They all looked at me in shock as I pulled out the blade before stabbing myself again and again, more and more blood pouring out of my abdomen. “Stop her!” The white one yelled. I saw the bubble fall and heard the sound of metal rubbing against metal but that didn’t stop me. I raised the blade and ran it across my throat, my neck pouring out blood onto the marble floor. I felt the blade pulled from my weakened grasp as my vision started to fade to black. I could see that some of the equine guards were trying to stop my bleeding, a few clutching at my gut while one trying to stop my throat from bleeding. I would have pushed them away if I weren’t so weak but the deed was already done. I died. I could feel the calmness of death, the lack of feeling and the all-around pleasant feeling. But like every other time I was pulled from my peace and thrown back into the world of the living. I opened my eyes as I stood up. The fire pit I made greeting me with its lack of warmth. I turned around to see everything all huddled around the puddle of my old blood, many looking sick while others still not knowing what just happened. I crouched down slightly before sprinting towards the group before jumping. While in midair I kicked down on the back of the bird-lions, launching myself through the air. I landed in such a way the one of my feet crushed a human effigy, gasping as I felt its effects on my body before I turned to the surprised looking group. I leaned down and picked up my sword in one hand and my shield in the other. “Let’s have some fun.” I said, cackling before diving forwards at the large group of creatures. > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Every fight has for me has things in common. There’s always weapon, always an enemy, always great pain. But this was a surprise for me, there were weapons and a fair few amount of hostiles but barely any pain. I had a few nicks and scratches but other than that I was fine. I had a small smile on my face, my fighting becoming more fluid after years of being unused, getting back into the tactics I used in battle. The three bull-man hybrids turned their helmeted heads to each other before giving a quick nod. I guess that was a signal between them because two of them started to circle around me, forming a kind of triangle with me in the middle. I took deep breaths to calm myself, not wanting to be caught off guard with an attack I know was going to come. I crouched down slightly as I began slowly spinning, trying to keep them all in my field of vision but with them all around me that was near impossible. The only warning I got that something was headed my way was the sound of metal boot thumping against the floor. Not even turning around I dropped to my side and rolled away from the blow that could have taken my head off. As I turned around to face the armored attacker I swung my sword around in a large on handed arc. I felt the blade impact with something but whatever it was didn’t slow down the blade much, just cutting through it with great ease. I looked at what I hit and smiled. On its knees was one of the bull-men, clutching at a long jagged cut in its chest plate, blood seeping out quickly onto the ground. Ignoring it for the time being I raised my shield and blocked a mace swing coming at me, the force going up my arm and staggering the bull who didn’t expect to feel like he hit a brick wall. Quickly I thrust my ultra-great sword forward, impaling the first two feet into the bull’s torso and out its back. I tried to pull my sword back out but with it buried into the bull’s and it slumping to its knees made that quite hard so I let go of the sword and grabbed its mace and ducked under a sword swipe from the last armored bull. He seemed to have been thrown into a frenzy about his fellows getting cut down by my sword if the mad slashes and hacks were any indication. I’ve faced enemies who have no real attack besides trying to get as many blows as they could in the shortest amount of time and those types are the ones who give me the most trouble, not letting me to even get a single attack in. I felt every impact against my shield, each one pushing me back little by little. “You die now!” it yelled and just like I hoped he sounded like he was already tiring. “That’s the thing.” I grunted out, my arms starting to hurt and his attacks coming slower in speed and less force behind each swing. “You can’t kill what’s already dead.” With as much force as I could muster I pushed my shield forward as he swung, jarring his arm and causing him to stumble back. With an overhead swing with large mace the helmeted head of the bull crumpled in with a sickening crunch. Dropping the mace I walked back over to the bull impaled on my sword, finding the bull hunched forward and the only reason he wasn’t laying down was the sword keeping him up. Letting out a small sigh I bent over and grabbed the large handle of the sword before pushing it back and putting the bottom of my foot onto its cold chest plate. With a hard push from my leg and an equally hard pull with my upper body I wrenched the sword free, a downpour of blood spraying around. I looked up at the shocked faces around me, I guess none of them thought I was going to survive that. Before anyone including myself could do anything the last bull, the one in copper, let out a roar that even made me feel slightly fearful before he started thundering towards me, I’m surprised that the ground wasn’t cracking underneath him as he ran. I didn’t even get time to blink before he was onto me, ramming his horned hear into my chest. I could feel ribs crack and skin rip under all the force put onto me. All the air was pushed out of my lungs and I was flung back several feet and into one of the walls, cracking the marble tiles behind me. Peeling off the wall I fell to the ground with a soft thud. My joints felt stiff and unmoving. My bones felt like broken glass under my skin. With much protest from my body I pushed myself up onto my knees, then my feet. Everyone, including the bull looked at me in either shock or disgust. Looking down to my aching midsection I saw a large hole going all the way through my body, small dribbles of blood pouring out in a thick consistently. I smiled at the bull, him returning an uneasy look. I looked into the recesses of my mind and began to summon a spell which I rarely use. Bringing back my arm I threw a ball of fire that rapidly expanded into the size of a boulder as it hurtled through the air at the bull. I continued to smile as it exploded into a wall of fire, burning everything in its wake and washing over me. Once the fire dissipated the smile fell from my face as I saw a shimmering bubble around everyone else. Before I could say a word I felt something impact into me, my back cracking the stone underneath me. I looked up to find the blue horse looking at me, it using its hooves to hold my arms down as it slowly lowered its head down with its horn glowing. I struggled the best I could but as soon as its horn touched my head everything went black. _______________________ My head whipped around but all I could see was pitch black, little white dots floating in the nothingness. “It’s quite majestic, isn’t it?” I heard a voice say from behind me. Spinning around I brought back a fist and punched the blue horse behind me right in the muzzle. I managed to hold a straight face for all of two seconds before I collapsed to my knees, cradling my broken hand. “Please, no hostilities, I just want to talk.” It continued, not even flinching from the blow. “What is this place?” I asked softly, looking around slowly. “It’s my mind, I took us here so we could talk and stop with the violence.” She said. “It’s empty.” I state. “I can have us converse anywhere we want, I just thought that it would be calming somewhere which has no obvious location.” She said, looking around. In a flash we were on the top of a mountain and after another we were at the side of a lake. My mind wasn’t able to process what I was seeing and I quickly found myself flat on my back staring up at a clear sky, very little in the way of clouds and the golden glow of a sunset to the side. “Are you alright?” the horse asked me, popping into my field of vision. I only let out a grunt before I push myself up to my feet, finding that we were on a very small sand island, water sounding us on all sides. “Sorry, I should have warned you before I changed where we were.” The horse said sheepishly. “What do you want?” I say forcefully, having had enough of all this. “What I and I think everypony else wants is that well all stop the hostilities, I give you my word that if you lay down your weapons no harm shall come to you.” She says “What is your word to me?” I ask. “I have no clue who or what any of you are, why should your word have any weight to me? I trust might over word.” I say. “What does that mean? Are you saying a duel?” She asked a little surprised. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” _______________________ Celestia’s POV We all stood with held breaths as my sister was on top of the beast, horn glowing and eyes closed as she hopefully conversed with it. “How long is this meant to take?” I heard the Minotaur ruler ask as he tried to help my doctors heal his guards. “It never normally takes too long, they should be finished soon.” I say as I closely watch them. No sooner did I say that Luna opened her eyes and climbed off whatever it was, standing back. I prepared a spell in case it was to attack but Luna held up a hoof to stop me. “Wait sister, I have made a deal with our ‘friend’ here.” She said calmly. “What is it?” I heard the griffon king ask as I watched the beast walk over to the table and start to put on its ghastly looking armor, starting with its chest then working its way down and putting the helmet on last. Altogether it was a rather frightening sight now that I knew it could fight with much skill. It picked up its sword and shield, giving the sword a few test swings before it rested it on its shoulder. “She has challenged me to a duel.” Luna said, letting out a sigh. My eyes went wide and my blood went cold. “No, I can’t allow it.” I said, stomping a hoof on the ground. “But that’s not how it works.” The beast said, turning to face me with its blank helmet. “Once the duel has been accepted it’s not over till one party is dead in one way or another.” It said coldly, grabbing random things from the table. “Then duel me, you will not harm my sister!” I yell. “You weren’t the one to accept the duel, she was, and thus she is the one to fight it.” It says. “I’m sorry Tia.” Luna said solemnly before her horn glowed and a dark blue bubble formed around them. “No!” I yell as I slam a hoof against the shield, trying to brake it but it was no use, the shield was too strong and I wouldn’t be able to destroy the shield without hurting Luna. Luna’s horn glowed and after a bright flash a set of dark armor and a spear made of a dark metal appeared on her, spear floating at her side. The beast did something unexpected and bowed to Luna, limb across its chest. Luna awkwardly returned the bow, probably expecting the beast to choose that moment to attack but I was surprised when it waited for her. Leaning its shield against its legs it held out its sword in such a way it would be useless in an attack as it rubbed its empty limb across the chipped metal blade and before our eyes it burst into an inferno, dripping slag to the ground where it burned. Bringing its burning limb to its chest her armor caught blaze as well. Once it was done it seemed the being itself was made from fire and brimstone, like a demon from Tartarus itself. With a roar it charged, leaving burning footprints on the white marble floor and swung its sword in a sideways slice. Luna flapped her wings and jumped away from the swing before stabbing forward with her spear only to have it glance harmlessly off the shield of the beast. The beast went for another swing but the burdensome weapon was slower than Luna’s spear and before it knew it the beast was stabbed in the stomach by the spear, gasping in pain. Expecting it to go down Luna pulled out the spear but let out a yelp as the sword came about again, the beast seeming unfazed. Luna was only able to get out of the way from most of the power of the blow but the tip of the blade cut across the front of her armor. Letting out a hiss of pain from the shear heat of the blade she jumped back and narrowly avoided a second downwards blow, the sword’s blade sinking into the ground. Luna chose that moment to go for another attack but instead of using its shield the beast stepped to the side, letting go of its sword and grabbing the shaft of Luna’s spear and slamming it down on its knee, bending the metal of the shaft to an odd angle. Luna meanwhile stepped forward and slammed her hoof into the burning helmet but yelled in pain as her metal shoe heated up and burned her. She scrabbled for the clasps to try and get it off and when she did the beast managed to pull its sword free of the ground and started storming towards Luna. The beast went to impale the burning sword through Luna. My sister rolled out of the way and I could see that the hot shoe managed to burn the fur off her hoof and must be causing a large amount of pain to still use. The beast managed to stab the sword halfway into the ground and tried its hardest to pull it free but wasn’t doing it fast. Luna picked up her bent spear in her magic and thrust it forward, at the beast exposed back. The spear struck true and the entire blade went through its back and out its stomach. The beast yelped in what I guess was pain and reached for the spear behind her back, grabbing the bent shaft as it tore the spear from Luna’s magical grasp. It tore the spear out before grabbing the spear in both its limbs, dropping its shield to the ground. Luna pulled out her sword from her side and held it out, ready for an attack but she didn’t expect the beast to throw the spear. The spear flew through the air and grazed Luna’s shoulder, the armor bending but not braking. The beast used Luna’s confusion and punched her across the muzzle with a burning fist. Luna fell to the ground, blood running from her nose and the fur on her face slightly burnt. The beast leaned down and picked up Luna’s sword before standing over Luna’s prone form. “Well fought, but not good enough.” It said coldly, bringing the sword back. I saw Luna’s horn glow and her small dagger went flying from its scabbard and buried itself hilt deep into the hole at the front of the helmet. “I may have been mistaken.” It said in a gravelly voice, sword dropping to the floor as it stumbled back. Before it even hit the ground it turned to what looked like ash and disappeared, only a puddle of blood and Luna’s dagger showing that it existed at all. Luna lay on the ground, her breathing heavily, adrenaline wearing off. She shakily stood up, floating her sword and dagger back to their scabbards. “That was unexpected.” A voice said. We all turned to the campfire and saw that the beast was stood there, the skin around its stomach green and sickly, arms crossed with its armor still on. “I am known to be one of the best swordsmen.” It said, its voice sounding like it was sick. “But neither the less you won, I have died and you have won.” It said, walking over to the table and picking up one of the weird twig things it crushed and when it did its skin turn back to its normal light cream color. Luna let that information sink in, lowering her magic shield. I took that opportunity to rush forward and wrap my hooves around Luna’s body. “Don’t do that again.” I cried into her shoulder as she returned the hug. “Well, I won didn’t I?”