> Dark Souls:the descent into friendship > by star dust pony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > chapter 0:strange dreams (EDITED VERSION) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Surrender you fool, I have defeated larger than you, the power of THE SUN is with me." I felt myself speak these words as my blade collided with Lord Gwyn's, sparks dancing and his grey beard flowing back sharply from the force of our swords clashing in THE battle. I gripped my blade and gritted my teeth, closing one eye to stop my own blood from entering my vision and damaging my eye, we both wavered, I had weakened him but he had proven to be a valiant fighter as well. So I opted for the final thing available to me, as I back-stepped he did as well, our blades clashing as we did so, casting even more sparks of brilliant white into the air. I groped at my bag and it seemed my opponent had a similar idea...I gazed at my blade as it now sparked with the power of lightning, shinning it's magnificence in the dark room. I gazed at the fires of my enemy's blade, this was going to decide this battle. "You cannot defeat me, undead, you lack the skill and you lack the heart to face lords." Under normal circumstances I would have been mocked by his words, but I knew they were not true... I have defeated Nito, First of The Dead, Seethe the Scaleless, and many others before this day... It was time that this SICK game ended. "Perhaps not before, but now I carry Souls of the Lords, dispense of your prattling and let us be done with you!" I felt my remaining eye twitch as I stared down Lord Gwyn as he charged, bringing his sword back to prepare another fierce attack. "Not today." I felt the words escape my lips, a mere mumble, I swung the weight of my shield into the oncoming blade, throwing the Lord from his balance in a effective parry. "YOU SHALL FALL BY MY HAND!!!" Both my eyes shot open as I rammed my sword into his chest, forcing it through his would-be heart. I was panting and exhausted. I looked upon my blood stained blade then at the Lord I had felled, the Lord of Sunlight, dead by my hands. And as his body started fade I could feel his soul, as powerful as it was... I did not care for this... I sheathed my blade and put my shield on my back as I remembered my last dream, similar to this one, only victored by different methods... Hehehe perhaps I was seeing the future. Regardless, I brought my hand forward. "...May you find your sun my friend." I cracked a smile, remembering my closest brethren, the one I was fondest of, the being Solaris...as I wished his soul it's dues into the bonfire I gazed upon it and felt my body fade. "At last...peace..." I felt my lungs burn like an inferno in the blackness, I felt panicked. My body numb and stiffened, was this death? True death?...I received my answer when the burning stopped and my eyes fluttered open. Through my visor I was allowed a view of the sky, a beautiful, blue sky... was everything before this... just another dream? I did not know but chose to rise, pushing on my hands and pulling my feet beneath me, to examine my surroundings. The breeze felt upon my face was rather nice, calming and... relaxing, really. I cherished the moment before taking in my surroundings. What I was greeted with was odd, but welcomed. It did seem to me that I had awoken in the middle of a forest path. My blade and shield and all my other worldly possessions from the dreams seemed to accompany me. "Quiet a beautiful young place..." My voice was filled with gravel, making my voice come as more of a growl. Most peculiar, It wasn't like that when I last heard myself speak. Though, that was a dream. Facts are likely subject to change between dreams and reality. The forest around me was a maze of great trees. Dark, cracked bark shielded the wood beneath and deep green leaves sprung from the branches, creating a thick canopy over the clearing, except for the very centre, which afforded a glimpse of the deep blue above, from which a mess of vines hung limply and were just inches above even my tall stature.The sun's piercing rays didn't quite penetrate the blanket of leaves but was filtered through the leaves, becoming a dim, slightly greenish light, while the light also seeped through tiny gaps between leaves. The narrow shafts of sunlight slowly grew, shrank and shifted as a light breeze rustled the leaves. I felt myself crack my first smile at the beauty of the trees around me; something I haven't done since the last time I saw Solaris... But now was not the time to celebrate for I had not yet truly escaped danger it seems for as I turned I caught sight of a strange new creature. "Ah, a simple wolf,this should b- Wait...is that wolf made of...wood!?" As I gripped my blade and looked the figure over, I yet again received a answer through a roar and wolves made of hard wood jumping out to surround me, my shield was not going to help me block all of them however they were mere animals... And the best part is that they are made of wood... This gave me an edge. "My my, looks like its time for some fun for once..." I put my shield away as a spark ignited in my hand and I held the ember of a close friend. I sheathed my blade and charged the flame just as the wolves charged me. "RRRRRAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!" I threw the powerful flaming energy onto the floor, unleashing a storm of pure white brilliance and unfettered heat which set them ablaze, in their tracks, and then making them fall apart only for the pieces to be engulfed in more flame and incinerate. I now stood in the centre of a circle of small, yet intense flames and embers as the nearby trees creaked under the heat of the flames that sprang up around their thick trunks. "Ohhhhh that does not look good..." I slowly backed away from the small mess of flames and wood; hoping no one was around to see that. "Lets hope this forest is not significant; otherwise I have much explaining to do." I made off at brisk pace down the wide path, which was flanked by overgrowth. I kept walking for what felt like hours, though it was welcomed. After many dreams of constant running it felt amazing to have a nice, relaxing walk on my way to wherever it may be that the wind takes me. Proceeding in my travels, humming a jolly tune that reverberated within my helmet, I saw a large red building in the distance. I thought this to be a barn, although painted in a color that's fitting but uncommon in my home of Lordran. "Ah, civilization at last." I took a moment to gaze at the sun in thanks, praising its magnificent light before I started forward, towards the barn... Only to be stopped in my tracks... For what I saw kicking the apples down was no man... but... but a small... orange... equine. > chapter 1:creature at Apple Jack's farm (EDITED VERSION) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apple Jack was bucking apples from one of the many trees of the East orchard and the sweat on her forehead started getting intense "Boy howdy today has been a loooong day." She says as she uses a hoof to wipe her brow, only succeeding in spreading the sweat over the top of her head rather than removing it, before picking up a basket of apples on her back and hauling it to the rest of the apples she had previously bucked. Moving to her big brother, who was holding a mug of fresh apple cider in his hoof, she greeted him with "Howdy Big Mac, ya got the north orchard right?" "Eyup." Is all the big red stallion said as he took a sip of his cider. Right before going wide eyed and sputtering, spitting the cider out through his mouth and nose, at the sight of something in the distance."ENOPE!!" He dropped his mug to the hard ground with a clatter as its contents sprayed the dry dirt and rushed inside. "What in the-." She looked to the direction that her sibling was before he fled only to see a tall, metal... being with cloth hanging from its chest staring at her farm in a odd position, standing on its back legs with long, strange appendages. "W-WHAT IN TARNATION?!?" The orange mare jumped back, a movement created from her shock and surprise, and rushed towards Ponyville. Or, more specifically, the library; in hopes of getting assistance to deal with... whatever the bloody hell that was. "Okay,now ple- GAH." Twilight was cut off by a certain panicked mare bucking down the door, startling, no; frightening the lavender unicorn within along with Spike. The two were just about to practice a new spell that involved some rocks and a orange transforming into clothes for Spike but some ponies just don't get the importance of a fabulous tux and an absolutely spiffing stovepipe hat... Some ponies... "APPLE JACK WHAT ARE YOU DOING JUST BARGING IN HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF DELICATE MAGICAL EXPERIMENTATION?!?!" Twilight yelled out, a little miffed about the unexpected interruption as her concentration faltered and the spell imploded on the tip of her horn. She panted heavily and gathered up the dropped papers in her magic and Spike who was in a daze from the small rock which had... Forcefully returned to it's place atop his head after the spell was canceled out. "Is it an emergency, at least?" Twilight slowly asked after a few deep breaths, a simple but effective way of calming herself as to avoid another 'Want It Need It' incident. Apple Jack panted for a few moments before putting a hoof to her chest, mumbling and trying to collect her words. "M-meta- crea-... Oh, I'ma little outta' breath..." She shook her head and gathered herself before speaking. "I-i-its a monster from the E-everfree forest, i-it was starin' at mah farm." This news caught Twilight's attention as her mouth slowly made an 'O' shape. "A monster? From the Everfree? And it was staring at your farm?" She blinked and started levitating books around, wrapping them in her purple nimbus of magic and circling them about herself, skimming titles at the speed of sound. It was also mixed in wit a lot of 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, 'How Babies are- NO, Dear Celestia no, no, what is that doing in the nature section? No, no and no and no and no and more no... Spike, why is a 'How to Play the Harmonica' hand book in the science secti- never mind." She looked to Applejack, "What did it look like Applejack?" Applejack start thinking, trying to recall it all. "Well... it was metal... and it had a blue fancy, schmancy chest thingy... an' it looked really tall." Twilight flipped through her books, deep in thought. "I...don't have anything matching that description in my books, and made of metal? I've never heard of such a thing... Except ancient steel golems used by the Old Minotaur Imperium..." "WELL THAT'S WHAT AH SAW!!!" Apple Jack shouted , catching the attention of her rainbow maned friend outside. "Hey, whats going on in here? I heard AJ shoutin' about something." Rainbow dash peeked her head in from the door, a rather amusing look of confusion plastered to her face. Great timing, too. Apple Jack snapped her attention to the pony in the doorway. "A-ah saw a monster coming from the Everfree; ah wanna know if its gonna try ta' hurt us..." Rainbow dash chuckled after hearing Applejack say that. "An' what're ya'll findin' so funny, Rainbow?" AJ frowned, concerned about how Rainbow Dash could be so dismissive of the current situation.. Rainbow dash hovered a few seconds before lowering herself to the WOODEN FLOOR of the library, tucking her wings to her sides and landing in front of The other three in the room. "Your afraid of a monster? HA! well I can see if its dangerous, I'll just fly over and see what it does. Be back in 10 seconds fl-." Applejack cut her off by stuffing a good bit of a hoof between her jaws. "We don't need that meme starting up on the internet again." Apple Jack glares at you. "And we don't ya'll startin' it up either." "Oh fine, I'll just go see what the thing is and be right back." Rainbow deadpanned. Right before shooting out of the library, fast enough to leave a classic Pinkie Pie style dust cloud that was perfect model of the cyan pegasus. As Rainbow dash soared over Applejack's farm at a lazy speed of only eighty kilometers an hour. Only.. She saw a figure just on the path to the forest, convenient. "Gotcha." Just as Rainbow swooped down, in hopes of getting a closer look, she failed to notice the rather sharp projectile of steel tipped wood coming straight for her until it pierced her right wing, tearing the muscle, severing tendons and splintering bone with a sickening crack and crunch with a spray of blood being thrown from the wound and into the sea of trees below. "AAAAGGHHH!!!" Her flying quickly spiraled out of control. Transforming from a graceful dance of high speeds and high wind to a horrifying crash, flinging dirt and dust from the large skip mark which had been the result of her wild decent. As she slammed into the floor, blood flowing out of her now broken and bloodied and bent and twisted and mangled wing as she shakily lifted her blurred gaze to the tall metal beast towering over her like a Reaper composed entirely of metal, ready to strike her down with its piercing eyes. "GAAAHHH! G-GET AWAY FROM ME!!!!" > chapter 2:opened to new colors (EDITED VERSION) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "G-GAAAHHH GET AWAY FROM ME!!!!" ...I could not believe my eyes... As a light blue Equine screamed out for me to get away. I don't even know anymore. T his was not natural, and here I thought the object hurtling towards me was yet another Demon, as is to be expected in my life or un- whatever. But no... this is not a demon and yet I don't know what to make of it; it isn't a steed as far as can see because steeds don't have wings... And its eyes... they were too wide to be from my world (not counting a basilisk's horrifying imitation of eyes) and I only found out this when it looked up at me with its creepy eyes now open, I assumed wide in shock but I couldn't really tell. "W-what in Equestria are you?" "Wait, Equestria?" Now, this probably got my attention the most, well aside from the oddly colored horse whining in pain in front of me. "...What species lives in Equestria?" I seemed to have confused it just as much as it confused me by now, it probably expected me to kill it. Or kick it between those bloody eyes. Or maybe look at it harshly. I would so love to do the second but it might be more... productive to settle with number three. "...Y-your not g-gonna' to kill me?" It still had tears on its face and blood oozing from its oddly small wing. Wait a second... Nope. This horse is impossible. I mean, how can something fly on such disproportionately tiny wings!? This world makes my head hurt. "No." I started having a feeling that this was yet another dream... PLEASE let this be a dream! Why does this feel so real? I fell asleep after eating something bad, RIGHT? Or I've been drinking. A lot. "I must apologize greatly for... Shooting you. With an arrow." I then added, more to myself, "I shot a flying horse with an arrow and now it's talking to me." I began to worry due to the pony's Expression only getting more panicked. And the fact that I was still talking to a horse. "Wait, Y-you speak Equestrian? J-j-just what are you?" She didn't trust me, I knew this much for when she got up she took a step towards the barn instead of towards me...and to be honest...I didn't trust her either, I just knew I could defend myself. And kick it between the eyes, added a small voice in my head. I felt a sigh escape my lips as i began thinking, I'm assuming Equestrian is the local language, only makes sense since the name matches the...wherever I am. "Yes I speak...er...Equestrian? Was it? My name is Sparks." Out of instinct I put a hand to my heart and got on one knee before bowing my head, a common tradition when introducing one's self. "I am a warrior of sunl-." Wait...what was I saying? I don't even remember what that was...was it...yet another figment of my dream? "I...am a royal knight." As I rose the Equine suddenly seemed...relived. A rather strange reaction if you ask me. "Oh, soooooo you're a creation of Celestia?" And now it was my turn to be confused. "I beg your pardon?" "Celestia, you know, She's the princess of the-OW." She flinched, fell to her knee and tried to clutch at the wound I had inflicted on her by 'mistake'. "T-the princess of..." I could hear her hissing by now, I wish I had something to help mend her wounds. "The sun...shes the princess of the sun...ooooowwwww... What the heck did you even shoot at me?" I was thinking about a llot of other questions that would be more appropriate to ask right now. "Its an arrow, made of steel and no, I have not heard of this 'Celestia' you speak of, I am nothing's creation." While this was true I probably should have said other wise because once I finished she flinched further away with even larger lack of trust. I may have just alienated the first individual I have met in this damnable place. Yay! "O-oooohhhhh...well..." She seemed to struggle to hold in her nervous chuckle but my ears are far too well TRAINED to not notice something as obvious as- "RAINBOW DASH!!!!" A third voice, one of intelligence...now another question was: 'why am I talking to Horses and not assuming that I am completely crazy? ...It's a dream... It has to be... Just a dream. As I turned to face the new guest it surprised me although not by much that it was yet another Equine, I have a feeling that there will be a running theme with this dream and I was about to wave in greetings to show I mean no harm when a large group of white Equines with horns and armor of GOLD (Wait gold? How would that even work?) came out from behind her and charged at me... an almost fatal mistake they made, and I nearly made one there too. That voice in the back of my mind wouldn't stop screaming 'The eyes! Oh god the eyes! Make them go away!' "You might wish to consider taking cover, friend." The warning I sent to the... rainbow maned Horse caused a puzzled look but she did as told. Apparently I was considered to be effective cover. "GET IT BEFORE IT HARMS THE ELEMENT OF LOYALTY!!!" One of these male steeds spoke out to the rest, not yet noticing the talisman I took out. Oh, how I love thee, so small and insignificant yet so much potential is held within. "Okay... lets see if I can still do this." As they all began to get closer I began to do one of the very few miracles I knew of, which thankfully was harmless as far as I knew. I hope. "RRRRAAAAGGGHHH!!!" I felt my core nearly burst as a force tore from my body, sending everything not in cover flying back in the direction they were coming from, hitting trees, dirt, a barn, a cloud. A horse just impacted a cloud. Thankfully the rainbow maned one was not visibly harmed... Rainbow Dash... that's what one of them called her... Rainbow dash. The grunts and groans of the steeds before me made me open my eyes seeing that the force, in fact, did not kill them...they still however had their armour ripped from them. "W-what is that thing?" A very familiar sounding guard spoke out in aching pain. I wonder where I've heard a voice like that before... As I panted, out of breath from the force I had to unleash I saw another Equine, I also noticed the stallions and the lavender one approaching me all had horns on their heads...only the lavender one's was not only glowing but she seemed furious. "STAY AWAY FROM MY FRIEND!!!!" She must have noticed that...'Rainbow Dash' had a injury. As I reached for my shield an incredibly hard-hitting force hit my chest, scorching my skin through my armor as my vision nearly goes completely black. "A-aaaaahhhh." Was the most i could mutter out as i watched the lavender pony pull out the one that I harmed...ponies...now I remember the name for them, children used to call small Equines ponies. "T-twilight, how did you know something was wrong?" Rainbow dash spoke and I could only vaguely hear her through the loud RINGING IN MY EARS. The one she calls Twilight spoke but I could not hear a single word as I was too busy focusing on trying to return to my feet but all I could MANAGE was a pathetic crawl towards the two. "Stay BACK!!" I finally heard the lavender one say again just as i screamed out from another blast to my left shoulder. "Wait, Twilight he may not be all that bad, a-at least I don't think so, he apologized to me and he didn't try to kill me when he had the chance...and...it speaks our language." As much as I questioned why Rainbow dash was speaking out for me, I was glad and wished to thank her...when I RECOVERED. The mumbles through the rings sounded like mere nothings being whispered in the blur of the abyss, the only words I could make out from 'Twilight' were:"How do you know if its even a he?" And. "We'll have Celestia judge it-" Everything after that descended into blackness... We done talking? Yes? Yay, sleep now. > chapter 3:Celestial greetings (EDITED VERSION) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight tried to using magic to knit together Rainbow Dash's torn muscle and flesh, causing pained hisses to come from her friend, she then, having succeeded after nearly an hour of exhausting concentration and painful fidgeting on Rainbow's part, drags the large creature apparently called 'Sparks' behind her as they make their way back towards town. Needles to say: his armour isn't quite so shiny anymore. "So... you're sure it talked?" Rainbow attempted to face-hoof but the pain shooting through her flexing tissues and the slight reopening of the wound just caused her to wince. "Yes, for the millionth time Twilight, that thing talked to me, his name is Sparks and...well...he said he was a knight." Rainbow dash looked over her shoulder, examining the armor and only just know noticing that this being is definitely sentient, no monstrous animal could carry around so many different things without the knowing of their functions, maintenance , and it's quite clear it definitely knows how its own gear works. Or coherently string together multiple sentences of speech. "Well I won't trust it until Celestia has had a look at it. And possibly a talk... but I really don't like this." Twilight starts using her magic to cause the being's body to become invisible as she entered town so no pony else could see it as she made her way back to her library with absolutely no concern as to what happens to the creature. Or cursed lump of metal/some kind of steel construct. "Hey! Be careful Twilight, do you really think its going to appreciate waking up to notice its body is all dented?" Rainbow slowed her pace for a moment to get behind Twilight and check to see if any of the bumps had hurt it, and if it was even still alive. Well it didn;t seem to breathe but steel doesn't need to breathe, right? "Its probably not even a real thing, I, personally, think it may just be an enchanted suite of armor." As she tries to fit the creature through the door it seemed as if it was going to be impossible. But Twilight posses an abundance of common sense and uses her magical teleportation to make it move to the middle of the room. "There... and now to prove my theory I am going to-." Twilight's smile quickly faded when she lifted the creatures helmet, not enough to reveal its whole face but enough to show the flesh. "Nope, this is armour being worn." She quickly drops the helm back onto it's head. "See? I told you its a living thing." Rainbow says as she closes the door to the library just as Apple jack's hoof steps can be heard descending the stairs. "Howdy y'all, what ha-" Apple Jack froze mid-way down the stairs as her pupils dilated to the size of plates. "WHAT IN TARNATION IS THAT?!?!" Apple Jack's pointed hoof at the metal creature caused Twilight's and Rainbow's heads to turn and the yelling caused Spike to fall out of bed. Painful is the injury but more so is the fact that he was woken up. Everyone likes a lie-in. "Oooooowwwww....keep it down you guys I'm trying to sleep!" Spike's voice called from upstairs, It was starting to get late in the day almost to the point of darkness. OK, maybe some of prefer to not wake up at all. Twilight stepped onto the stairs. "This is the 'monster' that was watching your farm." Rainbow dash poked the creature causing a jolt of panic from Apple Jack. "DON'T YA'LL TOUCH IT RAINBOW!!! who knows what that thing can do, and look at yer' wing, That was probably its work." Rainbow raised a eyebrow while not stopping her constant poking. "Yes it was BUT it said it was sorry and then Twilight brought guards to try to kill it, But it did not hurt them either, even though it was trying to protect itself! So I'm more for givin' it a chance. I have doubts that this thing is evil." Both Twilight and Apple Jack started giving apprehensive looks but Twilight was the one to speak out. "I am going to go contact Celestia, she'll judge if it's evil or not, if it is we'll imprison it. If not... Then I have no idea." Twilight makes her way past Apple Jack and to her desk with spike. Apple Jack slowly trotted to stand next Rainbow Dash, examining the design of the armor. "Holy over weighted armour, batma- uh, Rainbow! This thing has a lot of endurance to be able to carry all this and still stand up straight, let alone walk." She tried to lifting the metal arm and only resulted in a struggle to get it more than a couple inches from the ground, she wasn't sure if she was getting weak, the armor was really heavy or she was just too short, the creature was noticeably taller than her while standing up. It had to be at least six and half feet tall. Twilight comes back down with a proud smile on her face. "The princess should be here any se-." In a flash of brilliant light Celestia was in the room, her beautiful multi-colored mane flowing as she smiled down at her subjects. "Ooooorr she'll just do that." Twilight comes down from the stairs as she, Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash all bow to Celestia, causing her to giggle slightly. "No need to bow my little ponies, and besides I am not here for any ceremony, I am here to see this new cre-...oh my." Celestia's smile turned into a face of curious but cautious interest. "This is new, this certainly isn't like anything I have seen before...Rainbow Dash, Twilight said you're the one that had the most interaction with it? What did it do?" Rainbow stood up and took a deep breath. "Well at first when i flew towards it it shot me with a arrow to my wing BUT, before you judge it on nothing but that alone, it apologized when I landed, it could speak Equestrian and not only that but it defended itself without harming others and even told me to take cover! I think that shows it has concern for other living creatures...Twilight doesn't trust it though." "Yeah... because it SHOT you." Twilight gave a slightly cold glare at Rainbow Dash but it was also filled with poorly concealed . Celestia gave a soft chuckle. "Well I am sorry Twilight but from what I'm hearing this creature may not be that bad, perhaps when it wakes up we can speak with it, to see if we can get a few more answers from it." Celestia lowered her head down to the creature's helmet, looking into the holes to examine whatever might be inside, only to be greeted with too much darkness to make out anything. As Twilight gave a sigh and nodded Apple Jack was making her way to the door. "Well ah'd love to stay and see where this goes but mah brother is probably gettin' real worried." She trots out of the room, making sure to close the door behind her. Rainbow dash just shrugged. "Well I got nothing to do, mind if I crash here for tonight?" Twilight decides this moment to make the most obvious joke in history of Equestria. "You never asked for permission all those other times you crashed here and didn't stay long enough to clean up your mess." By now the reader is probably doing a major face-palm because this joke was so Obvious a blind rat with eyes made of lemons saw it coming from a mile away. And the editor is wondering why she's having to help break the fourth wall while the author rambles on about the physical impossibilities of a rat having eyes which are actually lemons that have been rammed into it's skull. Rainbow dash just sighed. "I'll sleep on the cloud outside." She goes to the window and jumps to do a very short but very painful dash towards a cloud and gets stuck inside of it in that apparently comical way in which her back end is exposed to the skies above. "...Close enough." Celestia chuckles yet again. "I really do find it quite amusing here, I should really come and visit more often. Come now, Twilight You should probably be off to bed, it's getting late. I shall meet you in the morning." Celestia leaves in yet another flash of light, causing Twilight to release a sigh before going up to her bed. Spike is asleep and Twilight feels just as tired causing her to instantly flop onto her bed and fall into her dreams as her head makes contact with the pillow. "Aaahhhh...." A smile comes across her sleepy face as she begins a new dream... not knowing that in the morning their will be questions needing answers for those on both sides of the coin. > chapter 4:questions (EDITED VERION) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I felt my blurred vision return to me, though I was in a great amount of pain I reached for my flask... where it came from..? I cannot fathom but as I gulped from the neck of the small bottle I felt strength return to me. "Will you look at that, awake already?" A female voice rang through my ears and this one was simply beautiful. A soft, melodious hum that carried through the air with the gentleness to soothe a dragon. When I opened my eyes to look for the source, however... "...Bweh?" Really Sparks? By the sun you sounded like an idiot. The large, rather Beautiful goddess of an equine trotted towards me wearing GOLD horse shoes that ran upward to cover her entire hoof and similar regalia with a... crown? "I see you are rather tired, can you still understand me?" I gave a shaky nod which triggered a light chuckle from the female. "Do not be afraid I know we are strangers but I mean you no harm, unless you mean me harm, of course, I am princess Celestia, and you are?" I wanted to answer but my voice was- PRINCESS?!?! I quickly jumped to my feet and bowed on my knees. coughing from the sudden burst of strain on my body "I am knight Sparks." I said each word through yet another powerful cough of pain. "No need to bow young knight, is their a reason you are in our lands?" She was smiling at me... it warmed my heart through for some reason but perhaps its because I was a stranger and yet she was treating me kindly, and she is royalty as well. I shake my head rapidly. "N-no I merely woke up in a forest." I slowly got up to my feet with a slight struggle. "I found myself here after a dream...I am thinking this is another one...but most people don't wake up from a dream into another dream, fall back asleep and are still in the same dream... please, tell me... is this too, a dream?" The large winged pony I now knew as Celestia shook her head. "I am afraid not, this is all very much real." I should have known, this had to be real. "...What time is it? I at least want to know if the sun ever sets, as it was not so inclined in my homeland..." The mare, which is what my father calls his female horses, if I am remembering correctly, looked outside at the moon. "Hmm it's almost morning... soon I shall have to raise the sun, do you have people who do that in your world?" I shook my head but I was glad their were different times of day...back in my world...time moved in circles. 'Time in Lordran is convoluted...' Rather, it did not move at all. "Time usually seems to move in circles your majesty." I don't know why I was not shocked that I was saying these things to a horse, maybe I just got used to it after seeing four of them talk and saw that they can, frankly, kill me rather easily...now that is just embarrassing. But still something bothers me . 'Right between the bloody eyes' was the response from the small voice in my head. "I see...oh and I'm very sorry about my student, Twilight, she was merely protecting her friend, I wish she used a less painful means of getting you here but what is done cannot be undone." I wanted to say I didn't mind...but I would be lying since I could have died and there would be no bonfire to br-...bonfire...why are those important...why am I mixing up my dream with reality? Either way; I could have died. To a unicorn. "Its fine really, I have been through worse." I think. Celestia turned to me and gave a smile as her horn glowed a brilliant aura and light began shining on the land as the sun rose. "My student should be waking up soon, hopefully she will apologize for harming you." I gazed in amazement, she was not lying that she could truly raise the sun. "I am sure she will." I needed answers and I needed help, I needed to get home...but...why must I return home? What was so important there?...These dreams are truly beginning to confuse me. "Are you...alright knight Sparks?" I had not noticed that I was clutching my own head the entire time, since I started thinking. "Did one of my student's shots hit you in the head?" I shook my head rapidly. "No, It was in the chest and shoulder but not the head...I just...have a slight HEAD ACHE." I overheard sounds of movement from upstairs and something similar to hooves walking on wood. "Good morning, prince-" Celestia's student had awoken, and by now she was probably thinking of a new way to silence me. "...Oh...It's awake." Celestia nodded and walked to her student, if I remember correctly her name is Twilight...odd name. "Yes, I have spoken with him and thus far he is peaceful, If anything the only danger he is to us is only when...well...you attack him with spells." I could see a slightly ashamed blush on Twilight's cheeks...those were her cheeks, right? "I'm sorry princess, I did it out of panic." She scratched the back of her head with her hoof. "Its fine my student, but first go get Rainbow dash and meet me at the castle were going to test his skills to see if he can be of assistance...and im sure through my judgement and yours perhaps presenting him to the public as a new guardian wont be a problem." Celestia looked at me and yes it was true, with her wise judgement and the seemingly importance of her student would make it ea- I'm sorry, test my skills to do what now? Celestia trotted towards me, took a final glance to her student and nodded. "Should I be worried about whats going to happen to me?" I felt one of my eyebrows raise as her horn began glowing. "No, we are merely going to the castle, please do not panic." I braced myself as she closed her eyes and I felt as if my body was being lifted and in a blinding flare, that I could only describe as sunlight, I was on my back, on the floor starring at the roof of a beautiful castle...it looked as if it was made of a ludicrous amount of marble and GOLD. "Welcome to my throne room, I gave everyone a day off because I had a feeling I'd have to bring you here." I was left breathless, not even the castle I worked for had anywhere close to this much beauty all contained in one building. "...This...Is simply beautiful..." I rose to me feet and looked around. "I have never seen such a design." Celestia let out a chuckle and a blush. "Thank you, and while were here I would actually like to see what your capable of." I looked at her, ready to see what she had...and I saw her horn glow yet again. "Very well...what do you have in store for me?" I knew something was about to be summoned, so I gripped the hilt of my blade. "This." She smirked confidently as out of a sudden smoke came out familiars of creatures, Equine warriors and Demons...I was trained for this...'Grip firm...' I pulled my shield from my back, bracing it against my arm. 'Move fast...' My feet shifted as the muscles coiled like springs in my legs. 'Strike first...' Steel met flesh. > chapter 5:test his might (EDITED VERSION) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I could not believe what I was seeing, the knight I had brought to my castle was not only trained to fight but he was skilled and resilient with no shortage of experience. "My, my, you are quite the fighter." I still hadn't stopped summoning creatures, By this point I had created other copies of him with the same fighting style and yet even then he managed to surprise me... He would wait for them to strike before throwing his shield arm into their weapon to stumble them before... well, finishing them. He would hold back their arm as he drove the tip of his blade clean through the thick cloth on their chest and past the chainmail beneath to force his way through their ribs and spine. His foot pushed them from his blade and to the floor. They didn't get back up. "Thank you, Princess." He put away his sword, I would have demanded he draw it again but from what I saw already, this may be a plan. His hand twitched and an ember set his palm singed, it seemed to glow in his hand as the ember suddenly became a flame, I could see much power in the ember and in the flame even more... Then he did something I did not expect, he set his hand ablaze and pressed it into his chest, glowing almost flame like energy seemed to make him grunt in slight pain... But even then another flame formed as one of the demon creatures, which were shaped like a minotaurs, attempted to strike him down... Only to be greeted with a swirl of fire engulfing it in the SEARING embrace of a small sun, burning it away. "You... Are quite powerful, when it come to magic." "It's Pyromancy... I learned from the best." I could feel him smirking so just as a bit of fun I did something simply to rile him up: I giggled as he looked behind himself only to notice a large monstrous creature I had pulled from my mind, I specifically designed it to make it appear as much as like him but with the armor of my guards and with great chains around its massive wrists... Perhaps the most disturbing thing is that he did not react. "You... Are not afraid?" I was nearly wide eyed by this point and my eyes were larger than plates by the time he shook his head. "...No... I don't see a reason to fear it, if it will bleed like any other pig..." He braced his legs and leaned forward, focusing all of his weight into his front... "RRRAAGGGHHH!!!" If I were to see his eyes I feel as if I would see them bloodshot and hungry, it's as if the threat of something larger and stronger than him did not strike fear into his heart, but filled him with blood lust and rage as if it's less of a threat, and more of a devotion to toppling whatever is larger than him. As he put the final rending blow, with very minimal hits taken on this part, I was left amazed; nothing I threw at him had a chance of even SLOWING him down. "...Mother of me." "Was that satisfactory, princess?" He wiped his blade clean before returning it to the sheath and turning to me for judgement. "...You were simply MARVELOUS." I snapped out of my trance just as I heard my faithful student arrive with her rainbow maned friend, the others would have to wait to be introduced to this new warrior. Twilight trotted down the hall and it was quite pleasant to see her again, as always is the case. "Greetings princess, have you already tested the... Uhhh...The thing." I could tell Rainbow Dash was getting annoyed. "He has a name, you know!? And just 'cause he's not a pony doesn't mean you have to be a jerk about it." I decided it best if I were to step in before this gets out of hand. "His name is Sparks, and yes, I already tested him. He is incredibly resilient and versatile; he passed through all the tests with ease... Whatever he fought in his home land- it was definitely worse than Tartarus." Twilight seemed to go wide eyed. A natural reaction, of course, when getting news like this. "Really? Worse than that- that vile, foul pit that requires not one, but eight of the strongest magical wards in all of Equistria and the three-headed gate keeper, Cerberus?" I nodded. Sparks returned to my side. "We may need him in the future, I'm going to plan out an... act, of sorts, to make it seem like we made contact with a peaceful race to help us., Hopefully the ponies will be accepting of our new found friend." I looked to my right to gaze at Sparks' steel face and knew that he had so rarely been called that with sincerity. > bonus chapter (Editor made chapter) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "So, Knight Sparks, how do you like the tea?" Celestia had proposed that we have a chat in her 'tea room'. Yes; a single room just for drinking tea. But only when a guest is present, it would just be ridiculous to have a room just for tea if you only have it for personal use, right? But, either way, I accepted and was ushered into a rather open room in the East wing. It was a long space with a door at either end. The doors, like all in the castle, were large, purple double doors with intricate patterns carved into the wood and were adorned with curling, snaking strips of gold which wrapped about the heavy things like vines. Upon entering I had found the walls to be the same pearly marble that made up the rest of the buildings. To my right was a set of three arches, lovingly cut from the stone, which led to an East-facing balcony. It afforded a simply beautiful view of the thick forests and vibrant plains and meadows and great, rolling hills of emerald. Beyond the hills was the coast. The hills flattening out to sands which ran into a great, deep basin to hold the still waters of the cerulean oceans. Celestia told me that the Griffin Empire laid yonder, past the seas. To the North-East was the Minotaur Imperium in the mountains as well as scattered Cloven-hoof tribes. Down to the South-East, through the Badlands which were inhabited by the changeling hives, was the Red Wastes. So named for the great Drakes, Dragons and Wyverns and Wyrms that owned the mountains and deserts. The Mountains were massive spikes of reddened rock that jutted upward, t'wards the ash filled, crimson skies. The sands were glassed by dragon fire and the trees are charred and twisted and dead. Though, according to The Princess, their Lord, John, was a very pleasant and gentlemanly fellow. Now, though, we are sitting at the small table in the centre of the room. The breeze washes under the gaps in my armour and cools my skin. The sun is still early in it's ascent of the sky and light floods through the room. "I must say, Princess, it is... a little sweet for my tastes, but quite delightful nonetheless." Throughout the entire ordeal I have kept my helmet on, the steel mask making me feel safer in the unfamiliar environment, only lifting the visor enough for the small, round-bottomed tea cup to reach my dry lips. "Oh? But you haven't even added a single spoon of sugar. Perhaps there is too much milk?" She looks to my cup, peering at the dark brown, almost black liquid it contains. "O-or it's simply a kind of tea which is naturally sweet..?" "I won't complain, Princess. As I said: it is still very good tea." "Thank you, Sparks, I am not used to making tea myself, but, as there are no staff in the castle, I have had to flex my rather rusty skills in the kitchen." Celestia gives a light chuckle. "Princess, there must be a more proper reason for you to invite me here than to discuss your tea." My tone is a little flat, though still brimming with gravel. I still don't know why my voice is so... It has never been before, I think. "I can take the wild guess that it has something to do with my earlier performance?" The Princess' smile shrinks a little but doesn't disappear, "Sparks, to be quite Frank, I have never seen such ruthless or brutal efficiency. Your prowess on the battlefield is something only developed exactly there, through experience. And I very much doubt that any of my ponies could survive some of the lessons that you have learned. "Your technique is fascinating but dangerous. You... Your style of fighting mixes patience with chronic aggressiveness and lustful brutality. Wether your foe is two feet or twenty you only focus on either striking it down before it can act, or avoiding it until you can exploit even just the tiniest weakness. You throw yourself at them with reckless abandon and tear into them like a madpony..." She shifts in her chair, the smile already gone. "I need to know if I can trust you." I was, naturally, taken aback by the rather blunt statement. "If you are to be allowed to walk among my ponies... I-" The door behind Celestia opened with a creak. An unnaturally loud creak that seems to jar my very soul, shaking it to the core and tearing all reason from my mind with the kind of torture tha- Anyway, the door went https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLWEL6HeHK8 ... That door took a while to open. In through the door steps a large, blue alicorn. She was not quite as tall as Celestia but was by no means any less beautiful. Her coat was a blue that reminded my of dusk, the early night and it's cool winds. Her flowing mane looked like an ethereal image of the night sky when the moon is at it's highest and the stars shine the brightest. The horn atop her head was sharp, like Celestia's but her wings were larger and her coat and feathers held more of a sheen to them while Celestia's coat was simply so white that the light made it glow and shine under the sun. "Tia? Are you speaking to someone? And where are all the guards and serva-" Her eyes landed on me. I say, there has been a lot of interruptions, hasn't there? The silence in the room becomes thick and heavy as the new arrival stares at me. Until it was broken by the clanking of my armour as I raised my left hand in a simple wave. "Greetings." And then she squee'd. > chapter 6:equestrian announcement (EDITED VERSION) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Eat up little critters." A shy timid voice floated through the sounds of small animals as she set out their respective foods. "Fluttershy, dear are you home?" The elegant and familiar voice of Rarity chimed from outside. Fluttershy slowly, carefully cracked open the door, chain still in place, to greet her rather REFINED friend. "Ah, their you are darling, are you ready?" "R-ready for what?" Fluttershy shifted her eyes this way and that in an attempt to see if what Rarity was referring to was nearby. "I wasn't expecting anything today." "Why for our new 'guardian' of course, did you not hear about it? Everypony is talking about it, apparently Celestia found and made allies with a new race and they said that they'll give a token force for service alongside the Royal Guard, as a sign of their friendship." Rarity giggled at the thought of what it might be. "Help us? Wi-with what?" Flutter shy started looking worried. "I-is their something evil happening?" Rarity almost immediately regretted her decision to mention that part. Rarity tried to give her most reassuring smile. "Uhhh- no dear, they sent it for just in case, sort of like...a bodyguard, only for all of Equestria." This calmed Fluttershy down a little, bringing a sigh of relief from the mare's lungs.. "O-oh what a relief, I can't wait to see what race we've made friends with." Flutter shy stepped out of her house. "I-is the announcement right now?" Well, it's in a few hours, but we have to allow time for travel to Canterlot, don't we? Come along now dear, we don't want to be late." She waited for Fluttershy to close the door before they both went trotting towards the train station. After the long train journey into Canterlot and navigating through crowds and the many streets and dwarfing buildings of the city, they finally arrived in the gigantic plaza overlooked by the magnificent palace. Celestia would be giving her announcement from the balcony used in all royal addresses, so all the ponies who had gathered waited below in crowd while the anticipation was thick in the air. "I wonder how it will protect us." A brown mare off to the far left said. "Do you think it'll be scary?" A little filly not far in front said. "Why do we even need protecting?" The very Sun dimmed its rays as the sky became ablaze with orange. Trumpets were heard from indiscernible locations and everypony looked up. Celestia strode into view of the crowd, smiling down at her subjects as they all hushed themselves into silence and gave all their attention to their benevolent, kind and graceful leader. "Greetings my subjects, we are here today for a momentous occasion. There is a race of beings, yet undiscovered by us ponies- or any other race, that we have made contact with in hopes of a steady, friendly and mutually beneficial relationship. As a sign of their well wishes and they have given us one of their own, a new ally who has shown to me his skill and excellence in many forms." The chatter of the crowd began again as Celestia leaned back slightly and whispered to something which returned with a, presumably, positive ANSWER as she nodded and returned to her regal position just as somepony raised their hoof in Question. "Ummm, excuse me your majesty, but do you even know what this race is called?" A brown pony with thick rimmed glasses asked while trying not to get too nervous. Celestia chuckled slightly. "A good question; yes I do know what they are called, he calls himself a 'human' And he is here right now, Please, present yourself." Rarity and Fluttershy looked up as everypony's jaws slowly opened and dragged their chins to the floor just as the tall, slightly dirty, rusted metal creature walked onto the platform next to Celestia. It's finely shaped metal head looking like it could impale a pony and all the things it carried made it look quite imposing, looking as if it could take over a city should it so wish. "T-t-that thing is scary." Flutter shy squeaked out, trying not to panic, knowing that Celestia deemed it safe. "A-agreed, I mean look at it, It looks like a it can smash down a wall." Rarity's pupils were tiny at this point as the. 'Human.' Hopped down from the platform and landed on the sort of stage below. Celestia began to worry, seeing fear in the ponies eyes. "Uhhh, please, introduce yourself, human." The big metal creature put one of its a four appendage groups that are on the end of its long arms to what was assumed to be its chest and it lowered itself as it spoke to everypony's surprise. "I am knight Sparks, I do not wish to harm anyone nor anything, even in my own home I am a protector, a guardian. I do hope not to strike you with fear, for mine is a peaceful race, should circumstances permit. I have been sent to you as a token of good will and faith that we may trust one another and flourish alongside each other in harmony." The creature named 'Sparks' rose again to be greeted with a few smiles and sighs of relief as even the most shy and timid of ponies seemed more welcoming than they were a few moments previous. "Yes, I am sure that all my little ponies are glad to hear your words on the matter, knight Sparks." Celestia gleamed a smile. "Please, everypony do spread the word for those who have not yet joined us because this young knight shall be permitted to walk freely among us." All of those gathered in the plaza, a fair few thousand, nodded and murmured in confirmation. "Very well, Thank you. You are dismissed, everypony." Mares, stallions and foals begin pouring out of the plaza, eager to tell those who missed the speech, though some stay to ask a few questions with the knight and a few colts and fillies ask their parents to take pictures of it. "Wow Rarity, do you think we'll ever work along side it? ... Uhh... Him?" Fluttershy looked to her side at Rarity as she nods. "If we do I just hope we don't get in its way by mistake." Rarity looks forward and doesn't realize that she was about to walk into a wall while Fluttershy was actually at the plaza's exit. "Well, that was a close one." She giggles out nervously before readjusting herself to follow Fluttershy out. > chapter 7:you can try to run (EDITED VERSION) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After the announcement, I felt a lot less worried and, not only that, was much more welcomed. Ah, and here I was, thinking 'Celestia's plan shall only make those pastel-coloured-eyes-on-legs shun and fear me'. "E-excuse me sir." I looked down at the small, little pony in front of me, I wished to smile, but I knew he wouldn't see it and I honestly was still far too tired from my last fight to be able to move. Holding myself straight is becoming a challenge. "Can you show me what kind of magic h-humans use?" I let out a chuckle and was about to nod, despite my lethargy, when Celestia stopped me. "I'm afraid that he can't, at least not here. But later, if he allows it, we'll perhaps find some way to demonstrate such things." The young pony looked down in disappointment, but nodded. "Again, I am very sorry and, Sparks, you should be getting used to Equestria. You will be here for a... long time." As in: 'Yo, Sparks! You is, like, stuck 'ere, innit? Coz' you is gonna' die and EQUESTRIA SHALL BURN. -ahem.' I simply nodded and rose, walked towards the exit and out into the crowd as they all stared at me. I stuck out like a giant's sore thumb. All attention was either on me or referring to me and yet I simply walked. That is until... "Run." I felt my heart stop at the ghastly, scratching whisper. "We're coming for you." I looked up, seeing a shadowy hooded figure flit past, just out of my line of sight as a sign came into view. 'Califoalnia.' I was not sure weather to laugh at the terrible pun, or draw my sword toward the figure. I exited into a more open and grassy place, attempting to give myself an advantage. I am in no way scared or cowed by this... Thing. "You wish of me to run? I shall see you hung, drawn and quartered before I submit! Stand and fight me, knave!" I drew my blade with a metallic ring bouncing about the clearing and hefted my shield just as I heard something jump out behind me. I turned only for something to flip over me by grabbing my shoulders and vaulting itself up and over. Then it grabbed my sides in a vice grip; rendering me unable to move. It had a large, rusted and serrated shard of metal which almost resembled a knife. The blade was promptly rammed into a spot right above my heart and right under my neck, if it were any higher or any lower I may have ended on the spot, but it missed and pushed me to the floor. The damage was rather serious but didn't prevent me from turning a rough tumble into some semblance of a roll, setting me on my feet once more. Looking at the hooded thief... a thief... it was a hollowed thief... the dreams I know are leaking in. The eyes were sunken, empty pits and the skin grey and rotting and peeling clinging tightly to the bones. I put my shield between us as it slashed at me, blocking it's strike to thrust my weapon forward, cutting its leg before kicking it down and when I tried to shove my sword down, through its head, it rolled left. "HOLD STILL!!!!" I slashed at it did as our blades repeatedly collided and eventually we were in a lock, I had reach but it had flexibility. "Die." The ghastly voice spoke out again as it tried pushing my blade away only for me to kick its legs and thrust my swords through its chest. The flesh stretching around the gaping tear and the great steel spike, disgusting ichor bursting about the blade to stain my hand... I wont die so easy... but, it seemed, neither would it because it kicked me away, my blade still in its chest as it pulled it out. I growled and rose to my feet, thankfully that was not my only sword but now what I was concerned about is where this thing came from...my question was answered when I looked to my right and saw the faint wisps of a horrible darkness that pervaded the realm of my dreams... I looked all about me: finding only more of the vile taint. I drew my rapier and pointed it at my opponent who charged at me recklessly with my own blade. "Only a fool telegraphs himself so stupidly." With one side step and a quick, brutal punch to the things side I found an opening which would fit the steel needle in my grasp quite nicely. I put my shield on my back, grabbed my blade from its hand then rushed into the swirling, corrupt mist which had settled... I felt the many presences of many creatures in my mind and knew that they would be here. Where from I cannot tell but they would be here. And I knew I couldn't let them through. I yelled rage to the heavens and whipped my head about to look for what might constitute an entry point or gateway into this plane. Only to find nothing. Not the fog, not the corpse of the creature, not even the sense of a presence. ===== The station of old cobbled flooring and lop-sided buildings bustled with activity and trains sat, billowing great gouts of steam into the air above the indiscernible murmur of many garbled conversations mixing into a buzz of liveliness as ponies pushed each other and shoved their way onto the trains. "LAST CALL FOR PONYVILLE!" That was Sparks' que to wade his way through the crowd and onto the train. Finding a free seat, directly across from a lavender unicorn and a cyan, rainbow maned pegasus. Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash respectively. Barely a greeting was exchanged before the steel-clad biped fell into his seat and was out like a light. > chapter 8:rudely interrupted (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight pokes Sparks with a stick after seeing him simply collapse. "Did he...fall asleep?" She listens closely and hears a very soft snore. "Yup, he's asleep." She tosses the stick out the window as Rainbow dash chuckles. "I didn't even know he needed sleep, I just thought he fell asleep when he got hurt too much like by your spells." Rainbow lifts up Spark's arm and puts the shield on the table. "Now lets just see what we can figure out about this big guy." "Uhhh Rainbow dash I don't think he'd appreciate having his things touched." Twilight says while furrowing her brow. "Oh calm down egg head, I'm not taking it im just examining it." The rainbow maned Pegasus starts looking at the design of the shield which is mostly made up of a dragon with not much details drawn on its side, but this one was more ferocious looking than any dragon she has ever seen. "Wow I guess one thing we have in common is that both our kinds have dragons in their world same as us." Twilight takes a look for herself. "Huh I guess your right." Twilight takes a closer look at it, noticing a slight glow. "Wow...its enchanted I guess Humans and Ponies think alike when it comes to magic." She gently removes the shield to look at it closer. "Yea I told y-." Suddenly the Train shakes violently as it starts up and the lights go out for a moment and when they come back on both Sparks and Rainbow are gone. Twilight's eyes go wide as she jumps up. "RAINBOW DASH?!?! SPARKS?!?! WHERE DID YOU GO?!?!" Her eyes dart around looking for her friend. "...We're down here." Rainbow's voice groans out from the ground with sparks on top of her, still asleep. "Keep this in mind:always check below you..." Twilight chuckles nervously as she levitates Sparks off Rainbow dash and put him back in his seat. "Are you okay?" Twilight hands her a hoof which Rainbow takes and gets up. "Yea im fine, Thanks egg head." She smirks and returns to her seat. Twilight rolls her eyes and sits down, looking out the window and after a few moments...her eyes go wide..."...R-Rainbow dash...we have a problem." "What?" Rainbow looks outside only to have the same reaction as She sees swarms of changelings rapidly making their way towards ponyville, The same place the train is going. "WE GOT TO GET THEIR QUICK!!!!" "Wait, RAINB-." Twilight couldn't finish as Rainbow dash zooms towards the conductors room and a few moments later the train is speeding faster than ever. "GAH!!" Sparks jolts awake, Looking around. "Whats going on?" Twilight gulps and points outside. "The changelings are back for payback, we'll tell you what they are later." Sparks only slowly nods as the train arrives in ponyville and he gets up. "...I'll be right back." He walks off the train with ponies starring at him, most of which know his new role...and now they were seeing if he can do what he was instructed. Sparks walked into the middle of town as the black cloud like swarm slowly approaches...then stops when they catch sight of him, now curios they surround him and stare at him. "What is it?" A changeling poke out as it levitated up to Sparks's face. Sparks looked at it through his helmet. "...I'm your new worst nightmare." He smashed the changeling's face in with the sharp end of his shield as he pulls out his trusty sword. "You dishonorable insects are too weak to even face your old nightmares...now just imagine what im going to do to you." The changelings did not seem phased as they hissed at him, very few of them actually showing fear...but that was only thanks to the queen controlling them from the hive. "It works with the ponies, KILL IT!!!" As a changeling yelled out the others charged their horns...crack Sparks's metal foot smashed into one of their heads...shlink and his blade beheaded the one next to it as he gracefully dodged the rather slow moving magic blasts, Countering each one with ether a smash of his shield, a kick to their heads or using his sword to remove their limbs. "You are soft and weak, the most you can hope of doing is irritating me." He used his arm to clean the blood off his blade as the changelings he struck are laying ether dead or in incredible pain as blood pours, their internal intestines sloshing out as the others quake in fear. Twilight stared in shock at the scene as one of the changelings whimpers out. "D-don't just stand their GET IT!!" One of the ones behind sparks snapped out of the fear and rammed its horn in his back. "GAH!!!" He looked behind him. "...Cute...your horn may hurt me but i'v experienced worse." He grabs the changeling's horn and snaps it off as it screams. "Wow your horns are not very sturdy...no wander it merely feels like a jab...I was impaled by bigger and sharper." He turns to the others. "Now, pleas leave, because I was resting and thanks to you im still sleepy, now you can ether leave..." He lights the ember in his hand. "Or I set you all on fire." "WAAAGGHHH RETREAT RETREAT RETREAT, WE NEED MORE CHANGELINGS!!!" One of them yelled out as it flew away, the others soon to fallow. "...Good...now if you'll excuse me." Sparks falls backwards and flops on the ground and is sleeping again. Twilight trotted through the mess of changeling carcasses, never have seen such a gory and vile sight, everyone else was already vomiting or gagging...she was not far from joining him. "Well...as disgusting as this is...and I hate this kind of violence...it still helped I guess." She finally gave in and cringed as the contents of her digestive system decided to make a violent exit through her mouth. "Ooohhh this is still disgusting." Hours later after the mess has been cleaned up and Twilight left sparky to rest in her house the town gathered to discuss what they had just seen. "Pleas pleas everypony just calm down theirs no need to panic, Pleas remember that the...eh 'human' was only doing his job." The mayor spoke out to the crowd. "YEA BUT AT WHAT COST?!?! IT JUST KILLED THOSE THINGS AND I DON'T WANT MY FOAL TO SEE THAT KIND OF VIOLENCE!!!" A angry stallion yelled at her from the crowd. "Yes yes I know but their was no other way, The changelings would have done worse...and frankly, not to sound cold hearted...but this violence is reality, we may live in a land of peace but remember their are still ponies and now humans that go through the worst of life to make sure we are living a life of happiness, its the cold truth, im sorry." The mayor gives a small sigh. A little filly on the head of her mother raises her hoof. "Is the human going to do the same to us?" She buried her head into her mother's mane for a little comfort. "Ummm no sweetie, hes a good Pearson and only wants to scare the big bad scary things away." The mayor says with a re-assuring smile. A cloaked stallion in the back speaks out. "...Yea...but we can fix more problems if we say...just send him to the changeling hive." Everypony's attention turned to the grey stallion in the dark hood...as he grinned...and both Twilight and Rainbow dash knew that this...was not going to be good. > chapter 9:not so sweet dreams (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As I felt myself falling into a sleep I began falling into a new dream, now I could confirm it...I was not in a dream filled with ponies I was in reality and I was awake, but now I temporarily left it and my new eyes in a different world. I gazed into the flame before me as I sat near its kindled flame, I felt no heat but in a way the fire gave me warmth and new found strength and as I rose I knew that I was no longer safe which made stepping towards the lift even more horrifying since this place has been the bane of my existence. "...Don't back down...Don't give ground...Don't let yourself fall." I repeated in my head as the lift brought me up. I stared up at my crystal foes as they turned their monstrous heads towards me, One fired a arrow right at me which thankfully was slow enough for me to get out of the way...But I know im going to take a hit...Because I charged directly at it, I know it was reckless but I don't care for a I sliced my blade through the first crystal hallow it fell with a screech of pain and I almost did the same when a sharp arrow pierced my armor. I believe the others creatures were shocked when I rammed into their room with one of their friends and didn't stop until I impaled the grave lord's sword through the caster...wait...when DID I get this? I can't dwell on this though, I was surrounded by archers with only a shield to protect myself. "Grip tight, move fast, strike first." I mumbled the steps to myself quickly, Block the arrows, swerve through the others and with one quick slash the first archer was down. "Psstt...down heeeerrreeeee." A light whisper of what sounded like a ghost rung through my ears as I took cover and looked down to see a glowing white sign and as I slowly touched it. "Good, I was getting bored." A white phantom with the oddest armor i'v seen rose from the ground...what was that? what was he wearing?...well...uuhhh...he looked like an onion...nope stop scrolling down to the comments to make the shrek jo- nooooo stop ty- oh damn it i wanted to go through with this bit without a shrek joke about onions. "Its been a while since i'v seen a summon sign." I felt a chuckle escape me. "Yea well its about time i'v seen some action, This sword and shield are not just for show." The onion knight and im just going to keep calling him that because he is a motherfucking onion, no shut up I don't care what his real name is ANYWAY the onion knight charged in for me, the arrows hitting him but not breaking his stance as he went up the left stairs and I went up the right and we tore through the crystal horde. "HA HA I MISSED HAVING JOLLY CO-OPERATION!!!" The things I said in my dreams were simply odd to say the least but that didn't matter as I...took out my talisman? what use would I have for that?...my own question was answered by myself...as a deathly swarm of swords leaped up from the ground and impaled every creature around me. "My my that was one amazing spell." It was labeled as a miracle...it felt more like a hex. The phantom fallowed me as we made our way through the library, slicing through multiple crystal monstrosities. "Hey...Hey wake up." wha-? My eyes slowly lifted themselves as I saw the face of one of the ponies outside...their was a crowd around me...this wont end well will it? > chapter 10:journey towards the hive part 1(WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I got up from the cushions under me to gaze at the crowd of ponies looking at me. "Is their a problem?" I felt like I would regret asking that. A hooded pony with a smirk that made me uncomfortable stepped forward and spoke. "Oh no no no, not at all, we were just going to plead that you do something for us." His voice even made me want to draw my sword but I resisted. "...What is it?" I kept a hand close to my blade's hilt just in case. "...You remember those insect ponies you killed not long ago?" I gave a small nod in response which caused his smirk to widen. "We need you to go to their hive and exterminate them all." Exterminate them all? I cant take a swarm of them making bad choices but a entire hive?...but I couldn't say no could I? I took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well...just point me in the correct direction." I saw Twilight looking worried far into the crowd and Rainbow dash was trying to take deep breath...I couldn't reach them so I looked at the hooded pony. "Its in the north...now move, knight." He demanded me to make haste so thats what I had to do, Celestia told me I would be a protector...those insect like ponies attacked...they are a threat...therefor now I must obliterate them. I walked through the crowd as they made a path and made my way to the forest path and the very moment I entered I felt eyes of monstrosities watching me. "They are only eyes sparks...you have felt this before." Miles into my journey I heard a loud stomping sound and as i looked up from the now heated air I saw what I felt like was a demon, its skin covered in burning flames, its mouth with no lips and stretching from one side of the head to the other with sharp teeth revealing as it stood 16 feet tall as it ran in ramming speeds with its orbs of eyes glowing. "RRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH DIIIIIEEEEE!!!!" It spoke with a loud- OH CRAP!! I ducked under its claw slash and jumped over its ground sweep before rolling away from it trying to smash me into the floor. "BY THE SUN THIS THING IS QUICK!!!" I drew my swords as it roared and pounded its bulky chest like a ape, rather fitting since its muscle resembled a rather large one and whatever this demon was called, it is a quick little shit. "NO ONE PASS, ME KILL!!!!" It jumped up and I was only left gazing up at it as it slammed down onto the floor causing a the earth to shake along with a blast of heat that spread rapidly like a explosion as it sent my flying further back into the path with a now burning sensation in my body as I laid on the floor.groaning. "C-curses." I rose as it charged towards me yet again but as it swing its punch i ducked under it and then between its leg and sliced its shins making it kneel for a moment before kicking its ass, and im not saying I killed him i quiet literally kicked his ass so he'd fall on the floor and as it fell down I ran my sword through its chest. "Grrrr puny sword is weak." I felt slightly insulted but I agreed when I pulled my blade it did almost nothing to it. "DIE PUNY BEING!!!" It rose both arms to smash me down but I would have none of that so as it smashed its fists down I hopped back out of the way before pulling out my back up sword...the one I consider a sin to use but love it non the less. "Then lets see how you enjoy facing a grave lord." I honestly stopped questioning why I keep saying stuff that I remember from my dreams and frankly I came to terms that most of my life is ether a dream or I think it is. "Ha ha ha, grave lord cute, grave lord pu-." I did not even let it finish its sentence as I pulled out my grave lord's sword... shlink I felt the large blade rip into its fiery flesh and it looked down at my blade now impaling its shoulder. "No no, grave lord blade deadly." I smirked under my helmet as I kicked it off of my blade and put it on my back and took a swig of estus to heal myself as it returned to its feet. "RRRRAAAAAAAHHHHH PUNY CREATURE ANNOYING!!!!" it snarled through its lizard like nostrils and got on all fours, scratching the floor like a angry bore...this will be fun. I drew a ivory talisman and my hand began to glow as it charged. "...Goodnight." I threw the glow into the floor as 20 large orange grave lord blades rose, the grave lord sword dance, it was not just in my dream then. As the blades rose they created a wall that it ran into and was stopped dead in its tracks as another four blades rose from under it as i heard its chokes. "N-nooooooo." Its body went limp as the blades lowered back into the floor. I felt its soul enter my body making me feel empowered as I put my grave lord sword away and returned to using my old friend's sword...the path ahead seemed to fear me, all those eyes from earlier, they were now frightened of me...good...the evil of this world should fear me...because im coming for it. > chapter 11:journey to the hive part 2 (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The forest cleared out as i continued, slowly shriveling down and becoming colder and it looked more moist...then more iced...and soon I myself got cold as I stepped in snow but I pushed forward, I was on a mission and i wasn't going to stop just because of snow. Soon the snow became a blizzard making me cover my face and go forward even as the wind pushed me I fought it with the same strength I used against the demon however I soon needed that strength as I saw the snow...move. "So...you kill little brother." Two glowing blue eyes were at my feet before moving up to the moving mountain of snow before me. "Now big brother kill you." My arms fell to my sides as the snow formed into ice, becoming a ice golem...ten times bigger than i am. "He tried to kill me...its his own fault." Reasoning didn't seem to help as it drew its arm back and swung it down towards me but thankfully i leaped out of the way just in time to only receive a gust of snow. "I KILL PUNY CREATURE!!!" What are these things protecting? whatever it was, it was none of my interest...but regardless...I had to kill it. I brought out my ember and held it in my palm,gripping it just as I moved away from the ice golem before it struck, it was made of ice so this should hurt it. "IF YOU WONT REASON THEN YOU WILL BURN!!!!" I focused and in a single mere second a powerful orb of chaos and fire formed in my hand as the golem rose its arm again...too late for it though...As soon as my fire ball hit its leg it fell to its side and roared in pain as it's leg was now molten away along wish much of the nearby snow. "PAIN, PAIN!!!!!" It clenched its leg...I was not one to show mercy however, I aimed my ember as chaos and fire formed yet again, this time not in a ball...but in a stream and I swirled it causing a chaos fire whip which made it scream louder and its torso melted into water, the storm cannot help it now for the fire cannot be stopped by the cold. "You are a fool to face someone you have no knowledge of." Is the last thing it heard me say before I threw a small, simple fire ball into its mouth, causing the rest of it to melt away. I walked past the puddle of water that used to be my foe and continued through the storm as it ragged on. I was growing weak, slow and tired as I was still in the snow, stumbling and falling but I kept getting back up...cold...so cold..."M-m-must...reach...the hive." I wanted to reach for my ember to warm myself but I would have to burn myself to do that...I started collapsing...and lost consciousness. My body was cold, my mind numbed and my heart was slow, was this what it felt like to be at the brink of death?...maybe...but then I started moving but I myself wasn't moving a muscle, soon I began to awaken from my chilled slumber...the warm touch of cushions touched my head as my helmet was on a table nearby...where was I? "You ok their sir? you nearly froze out their." A elderly voice spoke to me from a seat nearby. "Y-yes i am fine..." I looked over to the one who saved me only to find that most of his face was covered by a big hat and he had a long grey beard and a cape similar to his hat. "Thank you." I couldn't help but cough from the cold that was still in my lungs. "Don't mention it, Those damn golems can't do anything right." The elderly pony sighs. "I make them to keep people from going any further by telling them they are not allowed and then they just charge in head first against something that has a sword." I raised my head and rose a eyebrow. "You created those things?" I thought that it was ancient magic. The elder pony nodded. "Yes I did and sorry they attacked you, so where are you headed?" He didn't ask my name, he didn't ask my reasons why I was their...why is he helping me then? "I'm...headed to the changeling hive, im on a mission to obliterate them...or thats what they want me to do." I told him as I put my helmet back on my head. The elder pony nodded. "Aaaaahhh I see, well I never liked being part of the hive anyway."...Excuse me? "Excuse me?" My head jolted my head towards it as it looked down at itself. "Whoop, forgot I still look like Star Swirl the bearded." A green flame engulfed it and I drew my sword as i saw the changeling that had disguised itself from me. "Ah their we are...yes im a changeling but I left, so lower your sword boy." I didn't completely trust it but after seeing it save my life and show its true self to me I steadily returned my blade to where it was. "...Okay...so do you know where the hive is?" I could tell just by looking at him that it was a very old changeling. He nodded and went outside, he lived in a swampy area with a bridge leading to land and I steadily fallowed him over the bridge. "Their it is, careful in their...i'll be watching." I gazed in amazement at the castle made of eggs, green slime and changelings that swarmed around it...and i was supposed to go in their and kill them all? "T-thank you...whats your name?" I turned to him a he stopped and turned to me. "Call me nightmare light, a little name I made for myself." He chuckled and returned to his home. I turned and faced the hive and felt my heart pound like a drum as I moved forward, slowly catching the attention of nearby changelings as they landed and starred at me but did not strike...I walked...I walked for what felt like forever as the giant gates of the hive stared at me with their hate filled, evil eyes...the eyes i would have to destroy... "Its the creature that killed our last swarm." I heard one of the younger ones say...children...little hatch-lings...I have never...ever in my life killed the young...but now I have to and it worries me. "You dare enter my hive?" A powerful female voice spoke out as a tall changeling walked down the steps and towards me, glaring as I gripped the hilt of my sword. "So you are the one causing all this trouble for me and my hive." "Yes...and im here to finish the job." I drew out my sword but she dodged my swing as all the others leaped at me in attack ether in groups, one by one or in small teams but regardless I simply struck them down, Dodged their horns, kicked them away or occasionally took a hit from one which caused great pain but I gave it no thought as I continued my fight. "You are out numbered a million to one...its time to fall."...No...it wasn't time to fall... > chapter 12:Fighting the hive (INCREDIBLY short chapter) (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I cut and slashed and fought through the burns of magic on me and i seemed to have annoyed the queen...hehehe. "ENOUGH, I SHALL FACE HIM MYSELF!!!!" All the other changelings backed away as she strapped on some kind of changeling armor and drew a rather large sword, a bit impractical but seemed functional. "You come to MY hive and kill MY children...I shall not take this laying down." "And I wont let you win laying down, now draw your sword." I got prepared as she flew up...now thats just unfair. "Oh it is already drawn." She dove down at me as our swords met in a clash and sparks of metal colliding spread out and she tried striking me from below, I stopped her strike with a kick, I tried striking her from above, She stopped it with her horn and tried stabbing me with it as well, she fought fast but inexperienced.and I was trained and better equipped. "IS THIS ALL THE STRENGTH YOU CAN MUSTER?!?!?!" I felt my blood lust build and it was about to be quenched as I saw the rest of the hive armor up. "AND YOU DARE ATTACK MY HIVE?!?! SOLDIERS, ASSIST ME!!!" Others joined in, it was time for me to use my quick feet to my advantage. I kicked the queen away, moved to another that was striking me, knocked his sword away and be-headed him then turned just in time to block the queen's strike before kicking her again, dodging another attack from a different changeling and impaling its side before knocking it away and parrying one of the queens attack and slicing her cheese legs."You cannot fight what you do not know." The queen hissed in pain as one of her legs is now gone and she could do nothing about it. "And yet you fight me but know nothing about us? how do you know WE are the evil ones." Rather obvious why I think your the evil ones. "How do I know how to kill you?" I chuckled. "Simple...you leave your weak spots wide open." I took this chance to create a lightning spear and kicked her away before throwing it at her...and i turned to the rest of the hive as their queen laid roasted by lightning on the floor. > chapter 13:The waiting game (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hiya Twilight." A bouncing pink mare said as she bounced upside down, using her mane like a spring. "Hi pin- PINKIE HOW ARE YOU DOING-...you know what?" Twilight sighs and puts a hoof to her head. "I'm not going to question it." Twilight put her hoof down and shook her head. "So what are you doing here? your usually allot more active around pony ville." "Oh I was just looking for the new super duper awesome friend that arrived in Equeastria, I'm going to throw him a HUUUGGGEE Welcoming party." Pinkie leaped up into the air and spread her arms in a opening fashion to describe how huge its going to be. Twilight chuckled and nodded. "Alright pinkie but first your going to have to wait until he comes back first, hes on a mission right now." Twilight gave a vaguely serious look to imply that its a serious mission. "Ooooooo a mission, when will he be back?" Pinkie pie tilted her head in curiosity. "Well hes going to get rid of the changelings for us." Twilight started to look a bit concerned, it had been hours since the knight left, almost a full day. Pinkie pie flips back onto her hooves rather than being upside down. "Wowsa so the changelings wont be coming to steal our love?" Pinkie shoved her face close to Twilight's with only a little two inch gap separating them. "Uhhh no they will not come to steal out love and Pinkie pleas don't get so close to my face...especially with your body in the same position." She leaned to the side to see that Pinkie's neck has extended two whole feet by some pinkie logic. "Okie doki lokie." Pinkie retracts her head to the original position leaving everyone who saw it tilting and scratching their heads. "So how much longer are we going to wait huh?" Pinkie looked around and began thinking of a party set up. "I think maybe a few hours...perhaps a day?" Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. "PERFECT, JUST ENOUGH TIME TO SET UP A PAAARRRTAY!!!!" Pinkie leaped up and zoomed around and started a song and da- NOPE SORRY I CANNOT THINK OF A SONG PINKIE PIE WILL SING nope, sorry i spent too long trying to understand her while shes bouncing around. The whole town started getting a bit more enthusiastic after Pinkie pie logic happened and they started getting to work on getting the whole town ready for one big party. "Alright everypony ARE YOU READY?!?!" Pinkie yelled out to the crowed. "YEA!!!!" the crowed responded. "ARE YOU READY TO MEET A ENTIRELY NEW PAL!?!?!" She yelled out again. "ACTUALLY WE ALREADY MET HIM, YOU MISSED OUT!!!" The entire crowed responded in surprising unison. "Oh..." She looked a bit disappointed "Well ARE YOU READY TO THROW THAT NEW FRIEND A HUGE PARTY?!?!?!" "YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The crowed cheered. "I THINK I SEE HIM!!" Rainbow dash yelled out from the sky as she saw a moving being in the distance. The whole town hides as Pinkie starts the count down. "...3...2...1." The whole town jumped out-. > chapter 14:a party for me (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was near the town again, pony ville the first town in this new world i'm in that i ever visited and the best part was that it was nice and pea- HOLY PYROMANCY!!! "SURPRISE!!!!!!" What seemed like everypony in the entire town leaped out and yelled out that one word as I fell back on my ass just as a Pink fluffy maned pony zoomed up to me. "HIYA SPARKS, I'M YOUR HOST PINKIE PIE AND I'M THE ONE WHO THREW YOU THIS SUPER DUPER FANTABULOUSELY FANTASTIC PARTY!!!!" Who that did what in the what now? "OOOO MIND IF I CALL YOU SPARKY?! I KNOW YOUR NAME IS SPARKS BUT SPARKY IS MUCH CUTER AND I THINK THE READERS MAY START CALL-." I shoved my hand in her mouth to get her to zip it for a moment. "First off:take a breath, secondly:What are you saying?" I had no idea what in the living Sun she was saying...wait, readers? She just giggled at me for a moment. "I'll explain later for now LETS PAAAARTAY!!!!!" Out of quiet literally nowhere music started playing as ponies started dancing, eating snacks, talking and all around enjoying themselves. "C'MON BIG GUY LETS HAVE SOME FUN!!!!" ...What kind kind of music was I listening to?...whatever it was...it wasn't that bad really. "Hmmm what kind of music is this?" A white unicorn with a rather wild blue and neon blue mane trotted past me as she said. "DUBSTEP, I'M THE DJ, THIS STUFFS AWESOME RIGHT?!" She yelled through the music while bobbing her head to the music...what the heck is a DJ? what was that? oh...oh someone who makes music huh?...oh alright that was a fast explanation. I slowly nodded in agreement and walked around as three very small very bright eyed ponies zoomed up to me. "HOWDY YA'LL AHM APPLE BLOOM!!!!" A little filly with a incredibly light Tan colored coat and a bow on her head said. "AND I'M SWEETIE BELLE!!!!" The white unicorn with a Pink and light lavender mane said, gleaming with a smile. "AND I'M SCOOTALOO!!!" The orange filly with...rather small wing and a purple mane and tail said as she jumped up slightly. "Uhhh well nice to meet you Apple bloom,Sweetie belle and Scootaloo, I'm sparks." I looked at them each and they all gave even wider smiles...I think my heart may have nearly stopped. Apple bloom was the first to step forward and say something again. "Ah heard mah sister saw ya near a farm, DOES THAT MEAN MAH SISTER DISCOVERED YA?!" "NO IT WAS RAINBOW DASH APPLE JACK ONLY FAINTLY SAW HIM, RAINBOW DASH IS THE ONE WHO TALKED TO HIM!!!" Scootaloo stepped forward and I assume was speaking for Rainbow dash's behalf...or shes just a fan girl. "NUH UH IT WAS NEAR MAH SISTER'S FARM, SHE FOUND HIM!!!!" Apple bloom's nose scrunched slightly...Why do I find these two arguing just adorable? "NO IT WAS RAINBOW DASH!!!!" Now Scootaloo's nose was scrunching. "NO, MAH SISTER!!!!" Apple bloom's face was going red...I should probably step in before its too late. I put my hands between them then separated them before their faces began absorbing one another. "Girls, calm down it was both Rainbow dash and Apple jack who discovered me." They both just huffed and crossed their arms...why are these little fillies just adorable? I chuckled and got up as I went to one of the tables to see what kind of food they had...some kind of...strange miniature cake...I picked one up and it had a little wrapping at the bottom. "Its cupcakes." "GAH!!!" I fell back as I looked up at pinkie pie who would have been inches from my ear if I had still been standing up. "Awwww you dropped it." She looks at the cupcake on the floor and then hands me another one. "No worries theirs always more." She gleams another smile at me as I slowly takes it. "Uhhh thanks?" I move my helmet up and take a bite...by the sun...THIS IS DELICIOUS!!! I could tell she saw my eyes bulge at the first bite but I think what surprised her is that I didn't scarf it down, no I enjoy savoring delicious foods but if scarfing things down is the norm here then perhaps I should teach them how to enjoy their food allot more. "Wowsa most ponies just gobble up new food that they just tried." "Not me, I prefer enjoying it because for all I know their could be a spear coming straight at me and I wouldn't know it." I chuckled jokingly, reassuring her that wont happen to me or her. "Well glad your enjoying the party sparky." She smiled yet gain...this pony likes smiling doesn't she? I got up to my feet yet again and I just now realized...this is probably the first and only party where its to welcome me or even be about me to be honest...I guess I could break my 'no alcohol' promise for just one day. "Oh hey sparks I didn't know you drank alcohol." Twilight was right next to me as I drank my first cup, even without looking at her I could tell she was disappointed that I never actually took my helmet completely off so she could see my face. "I don't really but this once, i'll make a acceptation." I smirk and drank down the rest of my cup, I was not sure what this was, I just enjoyed it even though my vision was already hazy. Hours past like seconds all I can really recall is cheering, Occasionally a slight image of something in the forest and seeing a much smaller and blue version of Celestia. My eyes opened in a haze and my body...well...Lets just say I felt like shit. "Uuuugggghhh...where am I?" "Mmmmm...I think thou is in Twilight's bed." Alri- WAIT WHO THE HECK?!?!? "Than-." My heart nearly froze as I looked down and saw...Luna...Celestia's little sister. "BY THE-." Before I could finish my sentence I accidentally rolled out of bed. "WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?!?!" "Huh? wha?" Luna who was in Twilight's bed...with me...woke up and I think she had realized our situation too."...Pleas for the love of all that is good tell us that we did not help pleasure thou while we were intoxicated last night." Well my leg armor was on for one and to take them off I would need to take off my boots too and doing that requires you to be sober at the very least...and I still had my armor on...soooo. "No, you didn't." I took a deep sigh of relief. "I think we just wound up falling asleep while hugging, for us to do more than that would wind up requiring me to take this armor off and its damn impossible while drunk." The...well...im going to assume her sister isn't here so I took a deep sigh of relief before going wide eyed and worried. "Uhhhh...thou really should look behind thee."...Before I do that I'd like to say I love the way she talks and...gulp. I slowly turned around seeing the hooves of Celestia...I took a deep breath...and looked up at her. > chapter 15:a party for me...IS STILL GOING ON?!?! (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I found Celestia looking down at me, I'm not sure whether or not she was angry at me...she had a complete blank face. "Uhhhh...hello Celestia." I gulped out...ooohhh this will be painful. "Hello knight Sparks." She still ha no emotion or if not that then she is she was really good at hiding it. "What were you doing with my dear sister Luna?"...Bollocks... "Nothing much...we just fell asleep in the same bed...and you know she and I didn't do anything because well....i'd have to take my armor off you know." I tried to chuckle but only let out a gulp as Celestia looked at Luna. "Sister pleas, thy knight did no wrong to us." Luna got up from the bed and praise the sun she is standing up for me or i'd be dead. Celestia seemed to smile a bit. "Very well Luna, if you believe him to have done nothing then I shall believe so too...but were still going to have a talk later." Celestia took her sister under her wing as they walked away, leaving me feeling relived that she did not decide to scorch me. The pink pony from before bounced into the room. "Hey what are you doing in here?! Your party is outside silly."...ITS STILL GOING ON?!? I sprinted outside seeing the sun went down and the party has not stopped or even toned down."...You have got to be fucking kidding me." I mumbled out under my breath, Taking a sigh to allow some air into my lungs. I got up and began walking around again...how long has this party been going? "Hello." I looked down to see a mint green pony with a...sheesh...crazed look in her eyes as she starred at me. "Heheh...heh heh heh...a-are those...hands?" Her eyes were sparkling now as she brought her face closer to my hands. "U-uhhhh yes?" She began reaching for my hands. "C-can I touch them?...heheh...hehehehhe."...I NEED AN ADULT!!! wait I am a adult...I NEED ANOTHER ADULT THAT KNOWS HOW PONIES WORK!!!!! "How about no and BYE!!!" I booked it away from her as she chased me...with an ax...WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PONY?!?! "HANDS!!!!!!!" She leaped at me while i was pressed up on a tree but then she stopped. "NNNNOOOO BON BON I NEED HANDS!!!!!" I praised the sun for the one she calls 'bon bon' "Damn it Lyra, I knew I should have made you stay in your room...now not only are you going to brag that your right but your going to kill the poor thing." Bon bon dragged 'Lyra' away to what i assume is their house. I fell to my knees as I sighed and panted in relief. "Excuse me, are you quiet alright darling?" A elegant voice spoke to me as I looked up seeing a rather pretty unicorn with a wonderful mane. "Yes...I'm quiet fine, Thank you...my name is sparks." I decided to tell her my name right off the bat instead of waiting and this seemed to make her smile. "I am Rarity, Pleasure to meet you." She extended a hoof and I took it and did a hand/hoof shake. "Pleasure to meet you as well." She seemed rather polite so I would do the same, I got up and dusted myself off...and felt...a hand...touch my shoulder. "Why do you look so afra-." Rarity froze with me...I didn't want to look behind me...but I have to. > chapter 16:my world coming to haunt me (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I turned around and I bad already had my hand on my blade. "RRRRRRAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!" A dark wraith swings at me but just as it does I draw my blade and block it as I kick it away and leap back. "EVERYONE GET BACK!!!!!" It had used a red eye orb...and it decided to come to me...shit. Everyone stopped and gasped as the music halted but it seem the DJ wasn't so shocked. "...Aaaaahhh buck it, TIME TO PLAY SOME BATTLE MUSIC TO THIS SHIT!!!!" She switched the track to something that sounded like a end of the world battle...seriously? I kept a eye on the dark wraith as we circled each other like angry doges and we both leaped at each other, I tried a back hand slash at it and it tried a downward slash on me causing our blades to collide but it did leave itself wide open for something...I don't often do this but I rammed the sharp end of my shield in its stomic, not piercing anything but stunning it. As it was stunned I kicked it in the skull only to be greeted by a ear splitting screech. "GAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!" I fell to my knees as it was about to ram its sword into me. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!" I could hear Twilight yell out just as the dark wraith gets slammed into a tree and I get up and looks at you. "Thank you." I could spot a smile just before I looked back at the monster...and four more rose from the ground just as everypony backed away...weeeeellllll fuck. "Oh you are joking." I put my sword away and took out my ember as the dark wraiths surrounded me...this wasn't going to kill them...but. "BURN YOU SOUL SUCKING MONSTERS!!!!" I threw the building energy into the ground causing a small fire storm which scorched them and defiantly hurt them but didn't kill them, but all I needed was for them to be weak. Their skins hissed and one leaped at me with its sword risen to the sky, by then I had already swung my shield and staggered it and rammed my sword right through its chest, little knowing that the one behind me had leaped at me and was mere seconds away from putting me on the tip of its sword. "SPARKY WATCH OUT!!!!" That pink pony yelled at me just in time. I throw myself back over its sword as my own gets pulled out and I roll backwards and land on my feet as it tries grabbing my face to consume my humanity...good...these things are easy as hell to dodge. "Yoohoo." I was already behind it and my sword met its heart with brute force and I twisted it in its flesh before kicking it off...two down...three to go. I lightly panted as the other three circled me, they all decided to attack at once...I couldn't do a thing their...it was too quick and the three swords impaled me making the crowed gasp. "S-SPARKS?!?" Twilight covered her mouth with her hooves. As my body began going cold and limp I gripped my sword again before it fell out of my hand. "...I'm not dead yet." I dropped my talisman as I used 'Force' to blast them and their swords off me and yet the wounds were still their, wide and gaping but no matter. "It takes more than just that to put a end to me." They all struck again but this time I was prepared. I rolled out of the way causing two to miss and the last one to trip and fall as I take the chance and stab its head and I took a deep breath, the closer one to the right tried to take advantage of me not having a shield by thrusting at me but its arm was only met with cold of my blade before its neck met the same fate. I starred down the last dark wraith. "Well? what are you waiting for? strike me already...or are you afraid hmm?" I took a step forward and it took a step back...I made a promise to make evil feel fear...I was not lying. "Oooohhh is the evil dark wraith afraid?" I kept approaching it until it was backed into a wall and it tried to use its dark and shield only for me to kick its legs and ram my elbow into the side of its head. "Good...because im letting you go...under one condition:you tell your little buddies if they ever attempt to come here again...I will obliterate them." It was shaking by this point and it warped off as the crowed was silent for a moment then cheered...then immediately panicked again because when someone who was just stabbed falls to the floor it usually isn't a good sign...like...what happened to me. My vision was black for what felt like forever and my body felt cold...very cold, I hardly knew what to do at this point, I could not move and I could not see...I never thought i'd call those...ponies...this but...its up to my friends now. I started hearing faint voices. "Is he going to be alright doctor?" It was hazy and muffled but I know it was Twilight. "It looks like he'll be fine, Hes very resilient, if I had to say I think he'd actually be able to survive far worse." I assume it was the doctor's voice, he sounded nice. "OOOOHH GOODY IT WOULD BE AWEFUL TO LOSE A NEW SUPER DUPER AWESOME FRIEND!!!!" OK, WHO IS THIS PINK PONY AND WHY IS HER VOICE ALWAYS SO LOUD?!?! Ahem, sorry about that, anyway I felt my vision slowly return to me and most of what I saw was the comfort of my own helmet...I don't know why...I just always felt so safe in my armor, like the sun is a father and my armor is the mother who holds her children to keep the safe...by fuck that was horribly worded. "Uuuugghhh...I feel like a boulder made of swords ran me over." I saw Celestia, Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow dash and that pink one all looking at me a I rose fro the rather nice be-...this is ether not a doctor's building or this is just how they designed it here... "Oh thank goodness your alright." Twilight smiled at me. "Of course I am." I chuckled before looking at the princess. "Greetings princess, again sorry about the uuhhh...'snuggle session' With your sister...well technically it isn't as bad as...other things." Celestia chuckled. "Its alright, shes the one who left, although I did have to find a punishment for her." For a moment things went silent and...the room went dark? but it was morning...wait... I looked out the window and...the moon was...gulp, its blocking out the sun. > chapter 17:nightmare's moon (part 1) (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor and by bloody hell I may have to find another one because the one I have now is too busy) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "HA HA HA HA!!!!" Now this was something different, as the booming voice shook the building causing me and everyo-...uhh...every 'pony' in the room to fall back their was a figure outside in the center of the moon. "FOALISH SISTER, YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN BANISH ME YET AGAIN?!?!" A slight distance away from the window was a large pony similar sized to Celestia only this one had armor...wait, sister?...aaahhhh fuck I think I figured out whats going on. Celestia's eyes were wide and her pupils small. "N-n-no sister, I didn't really mean it when I used that word, I wasn't really going to bani-." She was interrupted by the booming voice outside that broke the window. "SILENCE!!!!!!" I blocked my face so no shards o glass would get into my helmet by any chance and I made sure the rest of the shards were blocked by my body so the others didn't get hurt. "I CARE NOT FOR YOUR SPEECHES AND APOLOGIZE, I SHALL MAKE SURE THE NIGHT LASTS FOREVER!!!!!" What I assume would be called a evil Luna laughed and flew off into the night...shes getting help...isn't she?...crap. Celestia rose and sighed, she had a few tears in her eyes. "I really am a fool, I should have watched what I was saying to her." I do not know why and I do not know how, but I think I felt my heart crack when I saw that. I gently placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Its fine, we all make mistakes some are big and some are small...hell the biggest mistake I made got me killed." Aaaaand now everyone was starring at me. "...Don't ask, I don't remember how I came back I just remember I died...allot..." Twilight trotted up next to me with a look of confusion for a moment. "...Aaallllrighty then." She then turned her attention to Celestia. "And its going to be okay princess, we still have the elements of harmony and we also have Sparks in case Nightmare moon has others helping her." Celestia gently nodded and stood tall, returning to the elegant and majestic form I met her in. "Princess, if you don't mind I would like to find her on my own for now." I picked up my sword and shield from the corner of the room. "What?" Celestia looked at me. "Why is that?" I turned to her. "I personally want to find out what im dealing with." I began cracking my neck and stretching the rest of my joints to the point of cracking as well. Celestia looked at me for a moment. "Very well, just pleas do not bring any permanent harm to her, I understand if you must do something to defend yourself but pleas, Nothing that could possibly kill her." I nodded in agreement. "Of course princess." I opened the window and jumped out Because fuck using the door. "I'll be back soon." I looked up at the concerned ponies on the second floor of the building. "Uhhhh you know theirs the door you could have went through?" Twilight looked a bit annoyed from the way I simply jumped out of a window. I chuckled and shook my head. "I know Twilight, I just love living dangerously." I turned and began running in the direction I saw 'Nightmare moon' fly off to. As I ran through the brand new night I saw up on a hill just as she turned and stopped me dead in my tracks with her magic before lifting me up. "Aaahhh knight Sparks, Pleasure to see you again." She grinned her sharp teeth at me. "Like wise." I tried moving my hands but they were stuck in her magical force. "Thought you could sneak up on me? thats cute, but i'm glad you'er here." Oh no, that grin doesn't look good. "For you see, I have an offering." Even worse. "...Well I always have a open mind." This was mostly true but it pleased her. "Good...how about instead of working for that weakling Celestia, you come work for me? You are quiet powerful and unlike Celestia and the ponies of Equeastria me and my ponies will appreciate and welcome your work." A tempting offer...nope i'm actually talking out of my ass, that is a bull shit offer. "Hmmm i'll think about it, but it would help you if you put me down." Her smile remained as she gently put me down. "And now..." I took out a ivory talisman and pushed her back using a emit force that i had learned from...well...I wouldn't call him a friend, more like a dick. "GRAH!!!" She slammed her hooves deeper in the ground to stop herself as I kicked her in her chest plate and flipped back before she could blast me. "YOU FOALISH KNIGHT, YOUR TRICKERY SHALL GET YOU KILLED!!!!" Big words for such a slow creature. "That is adorable, it really is...only problem is I do not fear death." I didn't take out my sword but I did shield myself with a force spell to knock her magic blasts away. "JUST.DIE!!!!" I began getting tired fairly quickly, this spell was not easy to use but she eventually did get me, not kill me but she did blast me into a tree. I groaned and got up as she tried to fire another blast, thankfully I rolled out of the way...iv seen enough of what she can do with one blast. "I guess we'll meet again soon." I turned and sprinted as fast as I could back to the hospital...darkness had already came to the land...and it needs to see the light and fast. > chapter 18:nightmare's moon (part 2)(WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sparks had left quiet a while ago and he left the building by actually jumping out of a nearby window leaving me and Princess Celestia behind. "Alright, how are we going to deal with this princess?" Celestia looked at me with concern in her eyes. "I...I don't know Twilight...we could always use the elements of harmony but those are back in canterlot." She slid into deep thought, trying to think of a plan same as me. "Well...maybe we can use Sparks as a distraction? he knows magic and hes pretty strong and fast so maybe as he distracts nightmare moon we can get the elements of harmony." My suggestion defiantly brought consideration into Celestia and that hopefully means it was a good plan. "Well perhaps we can try that...but that would mean sparks would have to put his life on the line AGAIN for us, are you sure you and the others have even gotten to know him well enough for him to go through with this plan for us?" Celestia was right, we never got much of a chance to talk to parks and see what he is on the inside because all we know of him is that he is loyal and efficient at his work. I looked down slightly, scratching behind my horn. "Uhhh...I guess we haven't huh?" Buck...but its still the only chance we have. Celestia gave a sigh same as me. "We must try it anyways." I nodded in agreement as we both headed out the door and down for stairs. I looked into the path towards the forest and saw the unmistakable figure of sparks as I waved a hoof at him and he finally arrived. "Well hello their Twilight, you may not want to go down that path." I simply rolled my eyes at him. "Riiiiggghhht like I was planning to go visit the big evil nightmare moon." He chuckled at me, well at least thats some sort of friendly gesture. "Uhhh sparks...were going to need your help with something." He rolled his shoulders in a stretch. "Sure Twilight, What is it?" "We need you to go back and distract nightmare moon while we go get the elements of harmony to defeat her for good." He turned to me and I could tell one of his eyebrows was about to jump off his face it was so high. "Aaaaand you could not have told me this before I left?" Hehehe, whoop. "Anyways, i'll do it regardless." "Thank you Sparks." I bowed my head in thanks as he took this weird thing out of his pocket and went back down towards the path as I looked at Celestia again. "Should we go now?" Celestia nodded rapidly. "Lets go my dear pupil." We both made our way towards the path to canterlot. A few minutes later we both wound up dozing off as the constant sounds of thunder and different magic spells clashing filled the air...,masking the sounds of what was behind us. We slowed to a stop as we heard a short snarl in a gap of the fight. "...Celestia...I think we have timber wolves." Celestia nodded as we slowly turned around and their defiantly were timber wolves...or just one...a big one...a really really REALLY big one that made even Celestia gulp. "I'm going to need a bigger fire spell." It roared at her causing her mane to go blown back and stiff. "...Not amusing." Celestia's horn began to glow and I wondered wha- HOLY MOTHER OF CELESTIA!!!!! "GAH!!!" I jumped back as I noticed that their was a even bigger wolf made of flames and solar raise behind the timber wolf and as the timber wolf turned its ears folded back and it whimpered just before it was set on fire...you do not piss off my teacher. "...I'm guessing thats one spell your not going to teach me?" Celestia just chuckled. "Nope, and i'll banish you to the moon if you try to steal it from me." I could tell she was joking but I know she was vaguely serious. As we approached the castle the darkness made it hard to see but at the gate their was...another human, this one looking like he has a fancy bucket on his head and a sun on his chest for some reason. "Hmmm...hm? ah greetings, are you able to speak?" Aaaaand it spoke...another human? "Ummmm yes we can speak." I approached it, going in front of Celestia in case it attacked. "Ah, wonderful, pleasure to meet you I am Solaire of Astora." He seemed rather nice. "Well I am Twilight sparkle and this is my teacher Princess Celestia." I pointed a hoof at Celestia who simply smiled at him. "Hmmm...well mister Solaire, mind telling us what your doing their?" Celestia went in front of me...thankfully I trust the guy a bit more now, no one evil dresses like that. "I do not know to be honest princess, perhaps fate has brought me here to find my own sun, but what im most concerned right now is my friend in the distance, I see his mighty lightning spears are constant in his current battle and I fear for his life so I stand here, gazing at my options on which path to take that will lead me to him." Looks like Sparks already has a friend and this is one thats willing to search for him to help him combat a possibly unstoppable force...is today designed to just make me feel like a horrible friend? "O-oh hi Twilight." Flutter shy's head peaked out of Solaire's side...i'm guessing she was napping next to him. Celestia looked at the paths and thinks for a moment. "Their." She pointed at the path on the far right. "That should lead you to your friend Solaire, pleas do take care." "Ah, thank you princess, I pray to the sun that your burdens are light and you remain with a heart of gold." Solaire takes his first step down the steps but Flutter shy grabbed his shoulder. "W-wait Solaire, promise when you get back you'll show me that s-spell you told me about?" Flutter shy gave her signature shy look which I am pretty sure is just her face whenever she asks a question. "Of course Flutter shy, I made a promise to show you once I get a talisman back and if I do not find mine i'm sure my friend Sparks has plenty to spare." Solaire chuckled and walked off into the path Celestia gave him. "Well...lets get the elements of harmony." Me and Celestia went up the stairs towards the vault where the elements are kept...and it began to unlock. > chapter 19:We will fight or we will fall (WARNING:oh you know the drill,still waiting for the editor to find time in his schedule) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "YOU CANNOT DEFEAT ME HUMAN!!!!" Nightmare moon laughed out as I stumbled back, panting and feeling my body ache. "Your end is near and since this was so fun...I will end you swiftly." Was I really going to die so soon?...looked like it. As she fired a beam at me i dropped my sword and shield and closed my eyes...the warmth was getting closer...it felt like it was taking forever. Clink clink clink clink. Wait, whats tha-. BZZZZTTT "Trying to hurt my friend are you? HA HA I think not, Righteousness shall prevail." That...voice...SOLAIRE?!?! My eyes shot open as the unmistakable man I call Solaire stood before me with a very faint burn mark on his chest from the spell. "...Solaire." "Ah greetings my friend." He looked back at me and chuckled. "I do believe you require assistance do you not?" I nodded with a smile under my helmet and picked up my sword and shield, I thought he was just a dream before but now i know he is real...so im going to keep fighting, now with my brother by my side. "Yes, I do." We both looked at Nightmare moon who scowled in anger. "No matter, I shall end you both." She aimed her sword and fired at us both but we simply rolled away in unison and we both charge our lightning spears, hehe brothers think alike eh? and as we launched them the confusion of two objects to dodge was too much for her this time because they both electrocuted her. "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!" She fell but immediately got back up, more furious then ever. "HA HA, AMAZING AIM BROTHER!!!" Solaire glanced at me, he was always such a happy man...but I can remember...n-no, that thing doesn't exist here, I wont find him like that. "SAME TO YOU!!!" I glanced over to him but this time it nearly got me hit by a dark beam. "Silence." Nightmare moon hissed out at as she charged at Solaire as he rose his shield and while he was pushed back he did not waver his stance and she kept pushing him but he was like stone, only moving location but not form. I ran back to where I believed she was going to stop and I tripped her causing her to stumble and Solaire tried slashing down at her but she thrusts her head at the sword, her helmet and horn blocking it. "SOLAIRE GET BACK!!" I grabbed his arm and pulled him back before she had a chance to fire a beam at him causing it to go past where his face was supposed to be. "You...foolish...mortals." Nightmare moon was panting in a fit of rage and her horn began to glow again as more armor covered her body and she levitated a double sided moon sword which a human would not be able to wield at all. "I SHALL END YOU!!!!" Her voice boomed so loud it nearly caused us to fall back but we stood our ground. I took out a smaller shield since my main one was too large to keep up with the fast movement, slash left, slash right, down and up wherever she struck from I swiftly put the small buckler in its path, these things really are under used to be honest. "You cannot win, as Solaire said." I kicked her away and switched back to my main shield. "We shall win this, ether from us knocking the evil out of you...or your sister coming to pull it out of you...pleas princess Luna...come to your senses." She snarled and blinked as Solaire remained silent for a moment. "Their is no more Luna...only Nightmare moon." Solaire stepped in front of me as we both took our stance. "Then allow us to show you the light, for the glorious light of the moon could not be here without a sun and we shall show you why you need it in your life." Nightmare moon's annoyance to caused her to attack Solaire this time but as her blocked the strike I struck the back of her head which did daze her for a moment, giving my ally enough time to swipe her legs. As she swiftly leaped back up with her wings and lunged at me I felt her horn go through my torso as she lifted me up and filled me with dark magic and threw me down onto the ground, her horn now dripping with my blood...needless to say it was painful but as Solaire fought more aggressively out of anger I still got up, I was hurt, not dead. "You will not get away with that." I mumbled out as I took a flask of estus and gulped it down and set my blade alight with solar energy. Nightmare moon leaped back before Solaire could get a direct hit but i charged past him and first cut her right arm's front knees and another slash cut her cheek as she hissed and I tackled her onto her back causing her to struggle against me. As Solaire stood next to me as Nightmare moon now looked at us in fear and I put the tip of my blade to her throat. "Pleas, if you kill me my sister would destroy you." I had a plan but if it doesn't work yes her sister will obliterate me. "I never said anything about killing you...I am merely going to show you the might of the sun." I thrust my sword in with the enchantment still active as her whole body began to glow in a blinding light and she screamed as I could hear the galloping of the other ponies behind me. "SISTER!!!!" I could hear Celestia scream out as she charged at us, Solaire getting in her way and stopping her with a hand. "Pleas...he knows what he is doing princess." Celestia stopped and nodded at him slowly as Nightmare moon still screamed and her body shattering and chipping away as Celestia gulps. "Pleas...work...pleas..." My arm quaked as the bones in my hand began to crack and I had to hold my sword with both arms and eventually the light finally blew up causing everyone to cover their face with their arms and ether sent them flying back or made them stand their ground like Celestia and Solaire, as for me it caused my right arm to shatter completely as I flew back and hit my head onto a tree and stumbled to the floor, everything going black for a few moments...blood slowly coming out of my helmet. "It...worked..." My vision went in and out as I saw Solaire crouching over me, worried as Celestia went to see her sister, Princesses Luna now in the form she usually was. "SIR SPARKS!!!" I could only faintly hear Luna's muffled screams as she rushed over to me with her sister, She was clearly fine but the point of the spell is that the power of the sun removes the evil and she comes out perfectly healthy...praise the sun i was not lied to. "No no no, thou's pain is our fault, sister we must help him." I have a knack for losing consciousness don't I? The last thing I could just hardly hear was Twilight's and Rainbow dash's argument over something, I am not sure what because after that point I completely lost consciousness...I almost felt...dead...almost. > chapter 20:Returning to town (WARNING: not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It pained me greatly to see my fellow brother of the sun laying on the floor the way he did but from what the two princesses were doing I know he is in good hands. "Pardon me m'lady." I approached the large white princesses who had a image of the sun on her rear, ah even as a image the sun is a graceful being. The white sun princess turned to me just as I bowed. "Yes Solaire?" "I just want to ask:Will 'Luna' and my friend be alright? I have deep concern for them." I rose from my bow. The white sun princess gleamed a smile as brilliant as the sun itself. "Of course, Luna has returned to normal and Sparks...well...he shrugged off being impaled, shot at and fighting a hive of changelings so im guessing that this is just a matter of waiting until the pain is dulled." I nodded and smiled but i'm sure no one saw it, regardless I was happy to know both of them were alright. "Princess Celestia." The lavender pony from before who was with Celestia came up to her from behind me. "What did Sparks just do? I swear I saw his sword INSIDE her throat, how did she not die? i'm greatful but...was it a failed assassination attempt?" I wanted to explain to her what happened but the princess beat me to it. "No Twilight, his sword was enchanted with a magic force that reverted Nightmare moon back to Luna." Celestia looked at her sister who was tending to Sparks with magic spells that healed him slowly. "Come sister." Luna rose to her hooves as she levitated sparks unto her back, surprisingly she didn't immediately flop to the ground with all her limbs broken due to the massive amounts of equipment Sparks was carrying. "We need to give sparks a spot to rest." I decided to chime in and agree. "I agree, wounds like that need rest, a mighty knight of the sun may be very strong but they are not invincible." Now everyone was starring at me...did i say something wrong? "Did you just say knight of the sun?" Celestia's eyebrow looked like it was about to hop off her head. "Indeed, we fight for all that is good and righteous." I chuckled lightly. "So their are sun knights in your world?" Princess Luna started seeming a bit...excited. "Ooooohhhhh are their moon knights as well?" Her wings were now outstretched in curiosity...well I can't tell her no, it'd break her little heart. "Hmmm yes, their is and they use magic same as we do." I'm pretty sure if I said no she'd be tearing up about now. She made a rather adorable 'Squee' noise and for some reason as she blushed their was a squeaking noise. "We are most pleased by this information." "Well, we should all get going, Sparks must be in deep pain." Celestia looked at him with concern, with the graceful eyes of one who cares for her people. My little friend Flutter shy walked up next to me and looked at my friend with concern before looking up at me as I nodded in Re-assurance which made her smile. "Its going to be fine, Trust me I have seen sparks go through much worse." "R-really? like what?" Flutter shy's ears perked up a bit, concerned on how bad Sparks actually had it. "Oh well he was:set on fire,eaten,crushed,smashed,slashed at,blown up,rolled over oh and also demons seem to have a fetish where they fly up and slam their butts onto them." The last one turned her concern into a slight giggle. "W-w-well if he went through all t-that then he must be pretty s-strong." Her light voice was very hard to listen to but I didn't mind, she was the first to accept me here so im happy to listen to her no matter how hard it is. "Yes he is a very brave and powerful knight, the only problem is that he rarely has concern for himself which is why I do my best to protect him when I can." I began to fallow Princess Luna and Celestia as we walked through the forest with Flutter shy sitting on my head and these other five ponies behind me, one of which was Twilight. Flutter shy gazed at the sky as we traveled and the moon went down and the glorious sun rose to the sky again as Celestia's and Luna's horns finished glowing. "Look S-Solaire theirs the sun you like so much." She giggled and pointed at the sun as I gazed at the sun. "Ah yes, the sun is like a magnificent father oh if I could only be so grossly incandescent." I kept gazing up at the beautiful rays shinning upon me. "You have nice eyes Solaire." Flutter shy looked into the slits of my helmet and I chuckled. "Thank you flutter shy, I appreciate it." I reached up and poked her nose making her adorable little nose and mouth scrunch a bit as she curled up on my head again. As we began to reach the town their were ponies watching us in concern but they Started cheering when they saw Luna but only for a few short moments before they saw Sparks and started looking grief stricken, but what angered me is that some of them were only sad because they considered him nothing but a guardian, not a friend. "It is fine everypony." Celestia rose her voice to catch everypony's attention. "Knight Sparks has not left us, he was merely exhausted from the battle with Nightmare moon and now we have a second protector, a Knight of the sun and a friend of Knight sparks, He assisted sparks in defeating Nightmare moon, Knight Solaire." I instinctively stepped forward as ponies cheered, some for me being a new guardian, some because Sparks was not dead and many for the well being for the princesses. A rather grumpy looking pony rose his hoof. "Hey how did you do it without the elements of harmony? im calling bull shit, the whole thing was staged just to show off these 'Knights' I bet they can't even fight."...I felt my eye twitch...He can insult me...but saying my friend cannot fight? "Listen here you piece of dragon fecal matter, my friend broke a limb and was impaled trying to protect your-." Okay im pretty sure you don't want to hear the profanity and insults so lets just jump to where i was making my point. "And now he needs to be in the hospital because the spell he used to remove Nightmare moon blew up in his face, so you can shut your weak, honorless mouth and go get Orinstine's spear shoved nicely into the hole of your ass." By now literally the entire town was starring a bit wide eyed as the grumpy pony looked most shocked as he backed away and out of the town entirely. "...Wow...you know how to verbally beat someone down." Luna blinked, a bit amazed someone like me would even use suck unpleasant profanity. I chuckled and scratched the back of my neck. "Sorry about that, when someone insults my friend I snap a bit, my deepest apologize princess." Just before the princess could respond...Sparks groaned, hmmm...looks like hes waking up. > chapter 21:recovering (WARNING:no yet filtered through editor and is also a short chapter) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I opened my eyes with a groan as the water in my eyes leaked from the pain. "Sir Sparks? are thou alright?" I could recognize that way of speech anywhere at this point, Princess Luna is the only one who talked like that. I felt around for my surroundings "Ugggghhhhhh where am I?" To be honest I couldn't see shit from the pain but I defiantly felt something. "Uhhh we could tell thou if you let go of our mouth." huh? I looked up and forced my eyes open and saw that what i was grabbing was Luna's muzzle and i was on her back. "Oh dear, im sorry." I got off and dusted myself off and saw I was back in pony ville. "Aaahhh its good to see you again, friend." I turned to see Solarie had joined us, I smiled at him and nodded as Twilight stepped forward. "So I guess your alright since you seem like you can move without much pain?" Oh ho ho she has never been so wrong. "Actually, I am in a excruciatingly awful amount of pain and i feel like screaming...Princess Celestia, may I pleas scream?" Celestia slowly nodded and it was almost a relief to scream out all my pain and all down but I think it was worse than I thought since some trees fell down and Solaire fell flat on his ass. Once i was done I was on the floor silently swearing to myself as I gripped my arm and princess Luna's ears folded back in slight shame. "W-we are sorry for causing you this much pain sir Sparks." "I-its fine princess, I'v been through worse, besides you weren't you." I hissed out as I rolled on the ground. "See? told ya he can't-." Whoever that was got interrupted by Solaire throwing a lighting spear towards him before starting to chaise him with a sword. "GET YOUR UN WORTHY ASS BACK HERE SO I CAN WHOOP IT YOU UNGRATEFUL SCUM!!!!" By the sun I love having him as a brother. Celestia used her magic to put me back on my feet. "T-thank you princess." "Is their a faster way for you to recover?" The sun princess looked genuinely concerned. I slowly nodded as I took out my talisman, this old thing saved me more than once, as I kneeld and a shimmer came from my body as I felt myself slowly healing with warmth, it wasn't fast but still felt good. "Ahhhh that a reli-." Boom...boom....boom...boom ...That doesn't sound good. > chapter 22:great beasts (WARNNG:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I look behind me and the entire town feels like its backing away as my heart feels like it stopped as my arms shake. "Knight Sparks...what is that?" Celestia turned her head to me and worries as she saw me backing away and stumbling slowly. "No...not him...not...him." Solaire rushes to my side and draws his blade. "STAY BACK YOU BRUTE!!!!!" His words didn't seem to affect the being at all as its hammer rose to the sky and its sick laugh filled the air. I jumped up and grabbed my sword and shield as the hammer came down and nearly smashed Solaire flat, almost. "SPARKS!!!!" I hadn't noticed that it had swung again until Twilight yelled my name just in time to have my face smashed and thrown into the window of a building. A pink mare with a flower in her ear screams as I crush through her table and groan. "Sorry about that." I jumped up and ran out again as Solaire was dodging the strikes from the hammer. "COME ON YOU GIANT, TRY TO STRIKE ME DOWN!!!!" Solaire also began slashing at its legs whenever he could. I began a sprint directly towards the cruel being only to receive yet more powerful blow than the last and i went flying through the trees and towards the way it came from. I felt a shiver as I was sent flying into the air and landed on my back...wait...in the air? I was hit side ways and-...A-...Anor londo? what? "What on earth is this?" I quickly got up and looked around and saw Smough's and Orenstein's lifts and the chamber of princess up above...wait...Smough was alone when he showed up...does that mean-...oh no. Dash,shkting. I turned quickly as my Shield blocked the brutal spear of Orenstein and our eyes met...this was not a battle of hate...it was one of honor and for me...vengeance. I looked down at where i came from and saw what looked like a gigantic humanity but with a image of a path that leads straight to the battle of Smough and Solaire's battle as it drew closer to what seemed like another portal between this world and my new home...wait...what did I just say? "This will not be a easy battle without your friend will it?" I glared into Orenstein's helmet as he braced himself and charge-pushed me into the portal and lands on top of me only for Solaire to run over to kick him off. "Just like old times eh?" Solaire stood next to me as I rose...the terrible duo...was back. "Oh yes...but this time we are deadlier than ever." Solaire nodded but I had to pause for a moment to notice the purple aura inseminating from from Orenstein. "Hmmm...go after Smough first." Again my friend nodded as we sprinted over to Smough, Orenstein not doing at thing as his fighting ally was being struck from two directions and Smough could do little but attempt to strike one of us, fail then get stunned from the strength of both our blades. Orenstein began struggling to move,slowly beginning to move one muscle at a time. "S-Sparks...Solaire...h-hurry." Twilight's voice sounded strained in my head...she was holding him back. I put my main sword away and with a spin I drew out a black knight's halberd which I quickly began putting to work on Smough and this proved to hurt him allot more, almost tearing apart his armor. "SOLAIRE, STRIKE HIM WITH A LIGHTNING SPEAR TO FINISH HIM OFF!!!!" Solaire leaped back. "YES SIR, HA HA!!!" He draw his arm back as a Lightning spear formed and he threw it into Smough's head just as Twilight lost her grip on Orenstein and I leaped back before his spear could meet with me. "This shall be a easier battle I say." Before Solaire could charge I put a hand in front of him and shook my head. "No...this would not be honorable towards someone like this." "What?" I threw my shield on the floor and put down the halberd as Orenstein only watched. I took a bow as Orenstein surprisingly put his spear to the side and did the same as I picked up the halberd again. "If i'm going to fight him...I want to fight him fair and at his best..." I stepped to the side, taking Solaire with me before gesturing to Smough's body...and Orenstein gave another smaller bow as he walked over to his fallen partner and put a hand on him, praying before growing to a larger state. "But Sparks THIS IS SUICIDE!!!" Solaire got in front of me but I gently pushed him to the side. "I know...but I want to do this...I may be a worrier of the sun but I still fight with a knight's honor." I took a deep breath and got ready and so did Orenstein. Just as he zoomed forward and I prepared for impact...he stopped, just moments before impaling me. "DO NOT HURT HIM!!!" I heard a familiarly elegant voice just under my field of view. "YEA, WE WONT LET YOU HURT HIM!!!!" That was Twilight's voice next to it. "YEA YOU BIG MEANIE, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF, YOU AND YOUR FATTY FRIEND!!!!!" Aaaaand that was the crazy pink one's. I looked down and saw:Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie pie in order from left to right. "What are you three doing?" Twilight spoke first without even turning to look at me. "We are protecting you just like any friend should, we would have done it with the big guy but he clearly shows no heart, reason or brains, this guy can therefor he knows that what hes about to to do is horrible." Orenstein surprisingly just stood their for a moment before putting his spear on his back. Rarity levitated a rolled up news paper and...bopped Orenstein on the head repeatedly. "Bad...bad lion...bad cat." After each word she gave him another bop...Okay yea I admit that was actually silly enough to get a chuckle out of me. Oreinstein looked at me and Solaire, returned to his normal size and held Smough's soul in his hand before giving it to me as I heard a faint whisper in my ear. "...You need him more..." As I took the soul, Orenstein dashed off into the Forrest and to the portal as I fallowed quickly and as we looked at each other through the portal...it felt like starring at a mirror. "...Good luck..." We both reached for the portal and as our fingers almost touched the wish from both of us closed the portal and it left a small humanity speck floating on the floor as I took it. Solaire walked up behind me and stayed silent for a moment. "...That was very honorable of you to allow that...I'm not sure how many others would be strong willed enough to face a stronger opponent alone by their own choice." I merely nodded and started walking back to the town...with my brother by my side. > chapter 23:technology part 1 (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) (and also a short chapter due to time crunches) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As I returned to town Celestia was gone, I assume she went home...and I finally felt relaxed as I flopped down, flat on my face, feeling like i'm safe at last. "Aaaahhhhh....I think i'm finally safe." Solaire sat next to me. "Well, I have only been here one day and this is already pretty exciting." He chuckled and pats my back. I slowly got up and went to Twilight's...er...tree library and ducked my head as I entered. "Oh hey Sparks." She seemed to have been just coming down form her room. "What brings you here?" "Welp." I shrugged a bit. "I guess I have nothing else to do since I got rid of the big guy and you verbally chewed out his lion friend." "Oh, well if you really have nothing to do you can just relax and listen to music." She nodded her head towards a chair as i rose a eyebrow. "You know how to play music?" I looked around, wondering if their were any instruments. "Uhh no, but I do have a record player." She levitated out this sort of black disc. "A record what now?" I had no idea what she was talking about...what is a...'record player'. "A record player, you know the things that you put these round music discs in and it plays music?" She started looking worried as my confused expression didn't change. "...You have no idea what a record player is do you?" I shook my head as she sighed and levitated the disc over to this box thing with a thing coming out of one corner and a needle. As she put it into the little slot a calming yet powerful song with a beautiful piano and some sort of string instrument began playing as I began moving my head, If this song were to constantly play in my head as I was in my old world I may wind up becoming part god. "This is...surprisingly nice music." I sat in front of the strange contraption. "Yea well this is just one of many songs and how do you think we played songs at your welcoming party?" She giggled like I was the silly one. "Uhhhh...hidden band? My people did it all the time." I got up and sat on a chair. "By the way do you have anything to sharpen blades?" I didn't actually expec-. She tossed me a square grind stone. "I keep a little bit of everything, be sure to give that back though." I nodded and took out my sword as I started sharpening the edges of my sword and it worked surprisingly better than any grind stone I used. I gave back her grind stone and she neatly but it back where it was. "Hmmm...nice." I swing around my sword and it felt allot smoother, sharper, faster and hell even felt like I could rip through Smough again with this. "I usually try practicing my magic on grind stones and give it to the blacksmith just out of town." She defiantly had the ri- BLACKSMITH!!!! I Jolted over to her, almost shoving my face into her's. "Did you say blacksmith?" She jolted back, away from me and nodded slowly...time to put these shards I have to good use. > chapter 24:A Challenger has appeared. (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia and I were gazing at the sun, I convinced her to join me but she still seems confused on why I like doing this. "...Solaire...my eyes hurt, is that supposed to happen?" "Eh, you get used to it." I didn't break my line of sight with the sun as its warmth filled me with happiness. Celestia closed her eyes and shook her head. "I really don't know you find this enjoyable, I like my own sun of course but starring at it for hours on end is not very healthy." It isn't? I simply shrugged. "Whatever you say princess." My gazing was interrupted when Celestia used her magic to pull me by the hand. "Well I really don't think the sun will help you get used to this world, I want to make sure you and Knight Sparks get adapted to this world, you still don't seem to know the basics." No argument their, I had no idea what the flying lightning spear I was doing. "Hmmmm, quiet true." I chuckled and Celestia brought me over to a table so I took a seat which caused the chair to creek. "Hmmm...your a bit big." Her horn began to glow the same brilliant aura of the sun as the chair grew to support my size and weight. "Their we go, much better." She checked the time before levitated 3 trays over to me. "Lets see if you have proper table manners first."...Okay, now THAT felt a little insulting. "I am a knight princess, I may be of a different species but I still have my manners." I looked at her with a straight face that im not very used to giving. ".........Okay I guess we can skip this step." She chuckled a bit nervously, a bit ashamed that she forgot she was dealing with a KNIGHT and not a animal. "Well lets move on then." She moved the trays away. "Listen, princess I know you are concerned for me fitting in but I am sure someone like me is going to stick out like a dragon in a crowed of drakes regardless of how well I know your worlds laws." She began thinking of other things to teach me. "Hmmm...well how are you in unarmed combat?" ...Why would she ask that? "Uhhhh...I prefer a sword but I like too think i'm not too bad with my hands." She smirked...this wont end well. "Then how about a challenge Solaire?" Well I can never resist a challenge. "Very well, what kind?" I really hope it isn't going to end up with someone hating me by the end. "I want you to have a sparring match with one of my 3 top ranked officers." And this is where my cockiness gives me a disadvantage. "HAH bring on all three." Celestia raised a eyebrow at me. "Very well, just know that they are a force to be reckoned with." Doubtful. "Your ponies, I'm human, thats enough of a advantage for me to be willing to take on all three, while you have strength i have stability." I chuckled and I think Celestia was going to get angry before she realized that yes its true I have much more control over my stability during a fight. "Fine, fallow me then." I fallowed her through the castle as she took me outside and towards a rather oddly designed 'restricted area' and their are guards everywhere, training and going through courses. Their was a large group of ponies in a circle and as I peeked into the large sparing ring they were looking into I saw a female guard pinning a Male by wrapping a hoof around his throat and repeatedly slamming him down whenever he tries to get up and after a few seconds she flings him out of the ring and right over my head before I catch him and pull him down, for some reason they all move really slow in the air. "Alright, whos next?" The mare smirked with a air of confidence as Celestia went up on the stand, making everyone go into attention. "We have a challenger actually." She spoke to the mare as I stood right behind Celestia. The mare smirked again, I can't say I hated her smirk, she was just confident but I certainly did prefer seeing her looking like she was having a challenge...and if i'm facing two others...I may need to give it my all. "Oh yea? someone still thinks they can take on one of the top three?" "Actually...he believes he can take you all on at once." As soon as Celestia finished the mare went wide eyed and laughed. "WOW this kid has guts, lets see who he i-." I walked past Celestia and dropped down into the ring. "...Ummmm princess, who is this? and what is it?" "This is knight Solaire, he is the challenger." "Greetings." I Gave my best tone of voice and bowed, if this was going to be a sparring match then I was going to show respect and thankfully the mare thought the same for she bowed back, losing her smirk and gaining a tone of respect towards me. "Pleasure to meet you Solaire...and...are you sure you want to take on all three of the highest ranking officers?" I nodded as she nodded slowly back and 2 Stallions, one looking part black with armor shinning purple and his coat a light black with bat like eyes that glowed bright. The second stallion was a unicorn with had a white coat with armor bright gold and gems put in specific spots in the armor as they looked like they were enchanted and the mare had a similar set up only one extra, much larger lavender gem on her chest plate. Celestia went up to the stand of the announcer. "Alright, you all know the drill by now:no weapons, no killing and most importantly no black magic." We all nodded as I got into my fighting stance. "Hope your ready for a big can of ass whoopin." The 'bat-pony' chuckled as the other two rolled their eyes...and the bat was also the first one to charge at me. > chapter 25:The spar (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As soon as the bat-pony's head came within range he attempted to head-butt me so I simply stepped to the side and slammed my knee into the bottom of his jaw before grabbing his head, tossing him up and slamming my fist so hard into his face he gets sent flying back to his friends, leaving a black eye for him and a bruise on my knuckles for me as the other two starred in slight shock. "...You...little...shit." The bat-pony groaned as it got up and shook his head,growling at me. The mare got into a more stable fighting stance and got ready. "I have not seen anyone pull that off before..." She smirked and so did I. "Good." They all stood in different spots and all rush me at once, A bit unfair. I ducked over the bat-pony's flying kick which nearly smashed my head in and I swiped the stallions legs with mine as i balanced on the only arm i could but between the two stallions I had no defense against the mare who proceeded to slam both her back hooves into my back and I felt a sickening 'CRUNCH' as I was sent flying across the ring but not out quiet yet. The crowed cheered for a moment but immediately stopped as I got up. "...Well...that may have been the most painful hit I have ever taken." I was not lying, If it wasn't for being in a fight that moment I may have been screaming. "No...way...he shouldn't even have been able to get up after that." The mare was wide eyed but then got a serious face. "Now THIS is what i'v been waiting for." I chuckled but the stallion decided to be a complete un-cuth little shit and zapped me with a beam that knocked me back. "OOF HEY IS MAGIC EVEN ALLOWED?!?!" It was truly unpleasant. "Just not dark magic or weapon magic." Celestia smirked as I groaned and this time I dodged the stallions second magic strike before rushing him and ramming my foot into his face. "GRAH!!!!" As he hit the rope of the ring as I jumped back before the other two could strike me which made their hooves only connect for a moment. before Turning to me and they all get up and get prepared again but this time in a different forma- OKAY THAT IS NOT A FORMATION THAT IS JUST RUSHING ME!!! As the bat pony tries slamming me down I moved out of the way and I rolled past the unicorn stallion before he threw me around with his magic but this lead to the bat-pony managing to slam both his back hooves into the back of my head which knocked me down just as the mare and stallion shot me with painful red beams as I groaned in pain. "Well...this isn't going as well as expected." They momentarily got distracted with a air of confidence. CRACK, SNAP, CLANG. My first strike was on the bat-pony who received my boot into his jaw and the other was flipping over the unicorn stallion while pulling at his horn and it cracked as I threw him down before running and sliding under the mare and behind him, flipping her up and slamming her back down by doing a downwards kick on her helmet. "But that doesn't mean I wont still fight." The mare was the first to get back up and then the bat pony, it seemed like those two were the most eager to try to kick my ass but the stallion was too busy checking if his horn was okay. "Ooooohhh you wont be lasting long you little fuck." The bat pony honestly looked like a complete lunatic. I felt a sudden rush of imbalance as I fell backwards then was slammed down as the mare held my face down with one hoof and smirked at me. "Stay down big boy." Well she was quick. "Ha ha, I think not." I rolled in her direction and completely under her making her fall on her side just before I turned and blocked the bat-pony's punch with my arm as I retaliated by punching him in the throat. I quickly began to get tired as I had to constantly block and counter the bat pony as the other two took different positions...this will be hard to pull off, first I had to pull off enough dodges to tire out the bat pony just as much as me. "JUST.HOLD.STILL.YOU.FUCK!!!" He yelled at me after every swing and every ether dodge or block. I always countered by ether punching his face or throat and then if I could I would kick his gut and just as the Mare charged at me with her horn aimed for me I managed to knock the bat-pony down just in time to just barely make it out of the way of the mare but not quiet out of the blast of the stallion's which sent me flying straight into the mare's grip and both other stallions just started beating me while the mare held me their. "SHE NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT HOLDING YA!!!" I could almost hear the mare laughing at me. I felt my nose start bleeding even though my helmet took most of the hits to my face, I eventually managed to jump my legs up and slam each foot into one or the other stallion's face as a sickening CRUNCH could be heard as a bone or more in their face broke or cracked and blood started spilling from their nose and mouths. "AND NO ONE SAID I COULDN'T BREAK YOUR JAWS!!!" A bit of a stupid retaliation in words but doesn't matter. The mare struggled to keep me in position as I grabbed her by the back of her armor and threw her off me and to the floor just ass...the other two...instantly healed. "Hehehe." The bat pony had a smirk of confidence in him. "Our armor's enchanted to keep he-." Nope, fuck you and your words. I stopped him mid-sentence by using all my force to kick the gems of their armor so hard the only way the armor could have survived is if it was made of magic and thankfully it wasn't so the gems did indeed break, also shattering the enchantments...but now there is a new problem...they fully healed while I am still injured. "GAH YOU LITTLE SHIT!!!" The mare's face almost looked like a troll...was the white unicorn stallion the only one who just kept his mouth shut? he hasn't said a thing, just fought rather fairly. I chuckled and did a taunting shrug before seeing the faint blur of the bat-pony go behind me, allowing me to turn and block him just inside and out of the corner of my eye I saw a glow and turned just in time to catch the bat-pony in his comrades blast. "GGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!" I then tossed him up slightly and uper-cutted him in the jaw then kicked him in he groin when I intended to hit him in the gut but ether way he was sent flying and flopped onto the ground, unconscious in pain. I panted and cracked my neck slightly. "One down." I chuckled slightly. "Two to go." The stallion gulped slightly. "Commander, can we ju-." The stallion was cut off by the mare which is apparently a commander. "SHUT UP AND GET HIM!!!!!" She seemed to be in a fury by now and with each swing of her hooves is another simple back step or hop to the side until she tired herself out enough to just be randomly swinging by this point, rather cute really. "You done?" She didn't like my little taunt because she blasted a volley of little magic arrows which I blocked with my arm, they hurt like hell but not unbearable...yet... She swung up at my gut while I was blocking her arrows and by fuck it hurt so much I fell to my knees as she grabbed my head and slammed her head into mine. "SHUT UP BUCKET HEAD!!!!" A wee bit rude but alright. "Hehe, no thanks." I slammed both my hands on the sides of her head like I was clapping on her head and I had to strain my body to jump up from my knees and slam my knee into her muzzle and then slam her head down just hard enough to knock her unconscious with the bleeding nose of hers. "Aaaahhhh...two down." I looked at the stallion who calmly shook his head. "No need, i'm a big smarter then those two, I may be a tough fighter but I defiantly know when I am out matched." I guess he doesn't want to fight then. Celestia rose up from her seat as the rest of the crowed was watching in shock that they actually saw me pull that off. "It is settled then, Solaire of Astora is the winner." The crowed all shook their head and while they did cheer they were still incredibly shocked...heh...even I had my doubts I was going to pull that off. > chapter 26:lets try this again (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I fallowed Twilight through the forest as she moved branches to the side with her magic. "Where are we going again?" I looked towards her. "We are going to a blacksmith, he knows how to improve your blade, besides it looks like it needs sharpening." She was right too, my sword was getting pretty dull. "Come on Sparks, Its just ahead." I wound up coming up to what I thought was a big grey block of cement at first until I noticed the sides were hallowed out, their were windows carved from the stone and a large smelter just outside the door with a big grey stallion with a long messy white beard. "Ummmm thats him?" The Stallion stopped his work and looked at me. "If your talking about the blacksmith in the forest then yes...thats me." He glared into my helmet, not even flinching at my appearance while his milky filtered eyes made me shiver slightly, I think his eyes were the most frighting thing iv seen thus far. I drew out my blade. "Could you...pleas make some improvements to my blade pleas?" As I handed it to him he simply nodded and took it from my hands, examining everything from the hilt, to the blade, to the guard and he even checked the pommel as he levitated out some strange bar like objects, I'm assuming ingots. "Give me a moment...but I hope you have a spare blade." Aaaaand here comes the catch. "Uhhhh why?" I reached for a different blade. "Because the magic i'll be using may attract some feral beasts to here." The blacksmith and Twilight looked at me as I sighed. "Very well then." I took out a rapier that had a long guard and probably the longest rapier blade I have seen and I prepared myself. The growls of beasts began filling my ears and I saw...many...many red eyes glowing and the first thing I saw shocked me the most...it wasn't a timber wolf...it was a giant damn armored scorpion with a golden poison gland and it had a armored head. Twilight gulped and backed away. "Uhhhh....good luck with that?" I could only roll my eyes but she was a pony without a weapon...so I as a knight must face this. I snapped my attention just in time to raise my shield before the stringer nearly impaled me and it kept pushing, Putting hard strain onto my arm but regardless of this I pushed it back as now I had a feeling this was only luck that saved me. "A knight versus a giant scorpion...not what i'd call fair but I'v fought worse." Another big mistake I made was talking because like a dumb-ass I didn't notice the pincers about to strike me so I wound of falling to my side but even then I managed to get up and in a slightly annoyed rage stabbed my rapier into one of its many eyes making it screech and trying to grab me. "Your friend is pretty brave to pull stunts like that." The blacksmith was speaking to Twilight. I back-stepped from its second attempt to impale me and through natural instinct I charged into a thrust and while I did just jab its eye the damn thing grabbed me. I could hear Twilight's worried gasp. "SPARKS!!!" Both she and I could hear a loud 'CRUNCH' as its pincers attempted to crush me and throw me down, assuming im dead...it made a mistake to make that assumption. I got up and rose my visor just enough to receive a sip of my estus flask. "That was a large mistake." I put my shield behind me as I set my Rapier ablaze with some pine resin I had with me and with a slight too much confidence I charged at it, swerving between its pincers and taking jabs at its eye sockets and back stepping each stinger jab. "C'moooon sparks..." Twilight was biting her bottom lip in worry and she was right if I made one slip up I would most likely be dead. "GAH!!!" Through the lack of paying attention I ended up getting sent flying back a few feet by the giant stinger, not impaled but not killed poisoned perhaps...but this only made me smirk regardless weather i was groaning on the floor in pain. Twilight gulped as the Scorpion turned to her, now with plans on ending her...only to receive a face full of magic lasers which I personally found hilarious. "Stay BACK!!" Now her worry was more like anger as she kept blasting the scorpion further back slightly. "...Twilight." She stopped and looked at me as I rose. "Let me handle it...I faced it first, so i'll be the one to face it last." My body began to emit a very bright glow as the 2 rings I just put on began to take effect and due to these effects regardless of how weak I was at the moment I charged forward as it turned its attention back to me but it did so just a bit too late. I thrust-ed my rapier into its last eye socket as it screeched and began flailing providing only enough time to exit its reach...and for the finishing blow I decided to get rid of it all together. "Sparks be careful it can still hear you." The sound of the ember in the hand where I once had my shield could be heard as it began to glow with the power hidden deep within the user and as I unlocked this power I felt myself begin to hurt. "I will be." It felt as if my soul had been ignited by this point and as I put the ember in my other hand and charged the strongest fire ball I know the stinger of the scorpion went back to impale whatever is in-front of it. "Die foul beast...may the gods find a way to redeem you into nature." I threw the fire ball just as it thrust-ed forward, my hand meeting with its skull plate. "SPARKS?!?!" The blast had engulfed both me and the creature and I could feel the heat and I could still hear Twilight's voice. "I'm fine." When the flames subsided I still stood but the scorpion...well...it was missing its pincers and upper half of its body. "What did you expect?" Now Twilight just looked annoyed...still funny. "...I'm beginning to wonder why I even worry about you I mean you are perfectly able on handling yourself and you survived...that." She used her hoof to point at the giant limp stinger. "And really by now its no surprise that you can take a very very massive hit." "True." I popped my neck slightly as I rose my visor to take another drink. "Your blade is done." I quickly hopped over to the blacksmith who handed me the new blade that seems to be glowing now. "Try not to abuse it." I took a nod and swung at a tree...and to both me and Twilight's shock the blade sent out a line of magic fire that sliced down three more trees behind the one I just cut down. "...This is simply amazing." I smiled. "Come Twilight I wish to show this to Solare." I picked up Twilight and she let out a tiny adorable squeak as I went full sprint towards canterlot where I assume Solare must be because its the closest he can get to the sun...now if only I noticed that one sound behind me. > chapter 27:returning to the castle (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight was asleep now as I kept carrying her over my shoulder, I have no idea why she was asleep at this point but I didn't really mind she must have been tired so as a knight I will gladly help...however for such a small pony she was rather heavy. "Are you sure you can carry her." A voice that came out of nowhere spoke out and i instantly felt like I froze for a moment. "...Who said that?" I looked around hopping to get a proper response. "I did, I'm here." The voice came from my left. "Now i'm here." Then it came from my right. "Now i'm up here." And now its above me. I groaned and put down my lavender coated friend and then I looked up and around. "You tell me where you are and yet I cannot see you...what are you really?" The rather deep male voice chuckled almost like a jester toying with his audience. "I'll give you a hint, I am rather large." "Very large? What a giant?" I had a feeling that the real answer was going to leave me in allot of shock for a long time so I did not even bother trying to go for my most wild guess. "Heh...Yea...until I tell you what I am you can call me a giant because I would hate for your mind to blow up as soon as you hear what I am...just know that you are the only one who can hear me at the moment, you don't have to be but right now i'm focusing on YOUR story...just consider me sort of like...a audience." A audience?...really? my life has become a play? "...I do not know what to feel about this but alright...I guess...its going to take me a while to wrap my head around this one." I have...a audience that fallows my every move and talks to me when they want to...I am starting to wonder if I haven't already gone hallow. I heard a groan from Twilight as she blinked awake. "Welp...where are we." I would say we were on our way home but I honestly forgot where our original destination was, I was just going to go to Celestia's castle...was that our original destination? doesn't really matter i guess. "Well right now you are laying on your side in a forest." I then scooped her little pony body up in my arms so she doesn't have to bother waking up her legs. "And now i'm picking you up." "Are you going to tell me everything you do after you do it?" I wasn't but maybe i'll start doing it more often...maybe. "Maybe." I gave a light chuckle and continued walking as she gave a small roll of her eyes and a smile at the rather 'Lame' humor. As we walked the silence became not only deafening but boring and I guess Twilight felt the same. "So Sparky, I'v been meaning to ask a few questions about your world since...i'v been getting curious." "Go ahead and ask away." I suppose a few questions couldn't hurt. "First off, what is the world like? is it like Equeastria...or is it different?" "...different...far different...your world is happier, more held together and my world theirs war, demons, hate and chaos and it has been like that for a very long time." I had a flashback for a moment back to the first battle I fought when I became a knight...it was no where near as bad as lordran. Twilight looked at the floor for a moment. "...Oh...well..lets move on anyway, What kind of magic does your world have? I noticed you did a few spells earlier." This was a bit less painful of a question. "Well their are 4 kinds of magic, well 3 since one doesn't count as magic their is:Pyromancies the art of casting fire, Miricals which are praying to the gods for assistance at least from what i can tell, Sorcories the art of using souls as weapons and tools and then their is hexes which is forbidden magic, I myself don't know any hexes but I know they exist." Twilight gave a small smile and nodded. "Well thats interesting...mind showing me one of them?" I shrugged and nodded before putting her down. "Alright, just don't get in the way of it." I took out a standard catalyst as I focused into and the area where I gripped it began to glow as I tried aiming for a tree and fired a soul spear that seemed to tear through the wood and leave behind melted wood. Twilight's eyes started to sparkle in amazement. "Wow...that is some powerful magic." I chuckled and put it away before picking her up again. "Come...I see the castle." I began walking again with a bit of worry that I may have needed that cast...but I may find out soon regardless. > chapter 28:knight's duty (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had finally let Twilight walk on her own which took allot of weight off my back and finally let me breath in the cool air of the forest. During our little walk back to the castle I saw her face start turning worried and I felt the same, the air had turned heated. "...U-uhhh...knight Sparks?" With a small clang of my helmet's movement I looked at her. "Would you mind if I go on ahead?" I saw that she felt guilty asking that but she knew better than to think i'd be left defenseless on my own both she and Celestia saw how I fought and i'm positive in my own abilities. I took a short breath to steady myself before speaking. "Go ahead, I don't mind and besides...I could use some time to my own thoughts." She took only a bow of her head before her horn began to glow a brilliant lavender and in a warm flash of light she was gone. When she left the air started sinking and the growls of the forest began to grow behind me, making my body feel cold under my steel plated armor. I took a slow turn and looked into the darkness and saw a multitude of eyes starring at me in a fiery anger. "...Well? What are you waiting for?" The sound of metal grinding out of hardened leather echoed through the trees as I drew my blade. "Come fight me...i'll send you crawling back into the darkness." My voice had a slightly deeper tone than it had before, making me sound more intimidating than I really should. "Ask...and you shall receive." I felt my pupils shrink as a red glow stepped through the darkness the unmistakable armor of the dreaded sentinels partnered with the green hue of a shield that I myself have somewhere...and its all topped off by a the mask made of what looks like copper or gold and designed with holes and lines creating hair like curls. "Well, What is it?" He mocked me by stepping forward with his arms spread out, showing off his Zweihander. Hate began to fuel me as not even the cool winds going under my armor could stop my body from nearly bursting into flames but no matter how powerful my rage I tried to maintain a calm voice. "...You again...I guess I should have guessed you'd be here after the dark wraiths arrived." Just as I finished talking the clang of his armor signaled my time to move. "RRRRRAAAAGGGHHH!!!" His deep, almost vibrating voice let out a roar that made my armor plating shake as I rolled out of the way, his sword just missing me by a few inches and just allowing me to feel the heat of the chaotic metal. I let out a small sigh, looking at my right hand for a moment, deciding quickly that two rings wouldn't be enough for this so I quickly slipped on Havel's ring and the ring which I hadn't put on yet:Ring of favor and protection, as the metal wrapped around my fingers I felt all four of the effects of the rings in both hands, the steadiness of the wolf ring, lightness of havel's ring,the goddess of love's blessing along with the red tear stone ring for when I mess up too much. The 'Sentinel father' turned and sprinted at me for a moment before slamming down at me with enough force to break a table, This one I couldn't dodge in time leading me to feel the spiked parts of the great-sword digging deeper into my armor and flesh causing a major burning sensation deep in my shield arm. "GAH....Get...OFF!!!" I managed to hold in my shaking scream, thats trying desperately to get out, then with all my force put into my legs I kicked the fool in the face getting him and the great-sword off of me as I got up as swiftly as I could. This was not going well for me to start with but even now my muscles shake and strained to hold my shield up as the invader came in for another attack only this time as he swung side ways I managed to roll with beautiful lightness over his sword and right behind him giving me time to cut one of his legs and run my sword through his chest. As the 'Father of giants' I suppose he can be called, was getting up I gripped my blade with both hands, if my sword had been improved it should show it here. "Come on you lumbering mass of metal...you may be called a legend....but even legends can die." I started feeling the sword's energy violently course through my veins, making my arm jolt and bulge under my armor platting. I heard his laugh under his mask. "THE LEGEND.NEVER.DIES!!" Oooohhhh now hes flying too close to the sun...and its going to burn him. "Then prove it..." I twisted my sword's hilt causing it to make me glow with a red power, whatever that blacksmith did, its defiantly worth the fighting...for now I could feel my body burn with energy and strength. We both charged at each other with as much recklessness as I ever have only this time during the swing I didn't roll, I grabbed his mask and slid behind him and pulled his head back, leaving him locked for a moment before pulling him to the floor and impaling his smug face with the burning blade in my hand and watched as he screamed out in pain and then whispers his last words in frustration. "The legend...never....dies...i'll be back..." The dark spirit began to fade. I let out a bitter scoff and lifted my visor just enough to spit where he was. "And I will gladly tear you apart yet again." After I said that I slowly realized something...I need to calm myself down before I turn into Laurtrec...the thought of it shivered me but I needed to keep going, The castle was not far...And im sure Solare is waiting for me. > A knight's inner thoughts (Sparks) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. under bludgeonings of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years shall Find me unafraid It matters not how strait the gate how charged with punishment the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." > chapter 29:simply exhausted (WARNING:not yet filtered trough editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I limped up the stairs to the castle, my armor clanging and vibrating with each step as I felt my breath rapidly leaving and re-entering me, the journey back was allot more tiring than I thought. "How much...more steps...does this FUCKING place have?" My light headed-ness could no longer cope with my heavy armor and I fell to the floor like a armor wearing manikin that got bumped down. I heard the clopping of hoof-steps descending the stares to meet me before letting out almost a brain melting giggle. "My my sir Sparks, what defeated you? is walking your secret weakness?" Normally i'd be happy to hear Celestia's sweet and elegant voice...at the moment however...I was not in the mood for jokes. I let out a pained groan as I tried to get up only to have my back flare up in pain and my arms collapse. "S-...shut up princess...im in FAR too much pain to have any pleasant conversations at the moment." Even with my warning she still chuckled and I felt my limp body get lifted up by a warm force that didn't seem to have a physical form...telekinesis. She began carrying me up the stares as my head and limbs hanged limp in her tight grip. "Its alright Sparks, even I occasionally have a bad day." She opened the gate with a similar telekinetic push. "Just try not to overly strain yourself in this state." She clearly has not seen me at my worst condition. I let out a cough which burned and itched my throat and caused dust to kick out of my helmet. "Believe me princess...if need be...I can still fight." As she slowly put me down and the tight grip on my armor loosened as I slowly rose from my hands and knees. She walked in-front of me with a slightly skeptical look in her eyes...with a little concern for me as well...how sweet. "Regardless of your fighting abilities, if someone is going to be fighting for me I don't want them to risk themselves any more than they already are, I know you have faced allot worse than what iv thrown at you but i'm positive that somewhere outside the're things that even you cant face and come out alive." As soon as those words entered my ears through my metal shell of a helmet I felt my inner barbarian punch my mental wall...and fucking sunlight spears does it hurt. I fixed my off-hand's gauntlet before turning my head to her, slowly as the creaking of my helmet seemed to cause silence around us as with a few clanks of my armor I turned to face her. "Never doubt my princess...believe it or not but I have many things that killed me and yet I learned and I came back to fight again..." I saw her eyes flare with a worried panic as she moved her head forward to get closer to mine. "Listen, I don't care what you say, your not in your world any more, for all we know you could die and we never see you again..." She slowly calmed down enough so that her worry let her speak elegantly again as she let out a sigh. "I know your a powerful fighter but when it comes down to it I don't want to risk having someone die because I allowed them to be reckless...to me its the same as sending someone on a suicide mission..." I could see tears slowly welling in her eyes, it wasn't just me she cared for it was everyone who was under her rule...but I was still going to remind her of what kind of person I am. "...Do you remember our conversation princess? you said it yourself, the way I fight is brutal, reckless and I basically throw myself at the enemy and cut them down without a second thought, that itself would be a suicide mission in any condition outside of a war zone." Her eyes that were still shinning from freshly built up tears looked up at me as she blinked and some of them dripped down her cheek. She slowly nodded and wiped her eyes clean. "True...I suppose...but still, you are a guardian of Equeastria and if it comes between risking your own life or protecting the others...pleas be careful and maintain your own life just as much as the ones you protect...if they are caught in a position where your their only position losing you may mean ponies lose their lives...and I don't want anyone to lose their lives to be honest, not even the wicked...but I suppose with you things can't be avoided." She rose her head again, allot calmer as I gave a small nod. "Very well princess, if that is what you want then I will do so." The tightness of my helmet pressing against my rather thick yet soft scarf made it hard to bow my head but I did so regardless...aaaand then I felt my legs shake and collapse under me,making me fall over. "...Ow..." As much as the princess tried to hold in her laughter I could still hear her chuckle then laugh for a moment. "I-i'm so sorry but that was simply too funny." She laughed a bit more and the rather elegant voice she maintained at least made her laugh lighter and more bearable than most. "Here, allow me to assist you." As she picked me up again...I felt my eye lids grow heavy and within moments...I felt myself fall into a deep...dark...sleep. > chapter 30:slip up day (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Well sir Sparks is asleep." I heard the Princess of the sun exit out into the balcony with me, yet I still paid little attention to the sound of the clopping hooves as I gazed at the sun. I turned my head to acknowledge her as not to be rude but the stiffness of my neck from being in one position too long made it quiet difficult to do so. "It is good to know he is resting but how are you princess? I know its not common to have two new creatures from different worlds in your kingdom." The clopping of her hooves eventually reached next to me as he long flowing mane and tail seemed to reach out from her head beautifully. "I...am doing fine Solare the only thing that truly concerns me is my sister..." Her look truly was worried as she looked up at the sun. "...It should have been night a long time ago, I merely hope she does not feel cross with me for forgetting." I looked up at the sun again and started hearing another set of hooves making their way here and it felt allot like they had allot more...'umph' in their step like they were quiet agitated. "I'm sure your sister doesn't mind, she seems like a patient mare and you have been busy dealing with...well..me and sparks!" I let out a good heart'ed chuckle in hopes to lighten the mood. "...Sister." That voice was unmistakable and I honestly should have guessed Luna would be slightly agitated. Celestia rapidly turned to face her sister and since I did not want to interfere, I simply decided to listen. "Oh, Luna, how are you?" Celestia was starting to get nervous...why do I get the feeling this rarely happens? or am I just insane? "Sister the sun has been out for far too long, I thought we got this problematic feud in the past." Luna was thankfully not as angry as i'd thought but she was more agitated than a Catarina knight with their armor full of sand. "My greatest apologize sister...but I have been rather busy with our two new knights." She glanced at me for a moment and I could see it just out of the corner of my eye. "And yet you can still eat cake between talking to the two?" Even I could feel Celestia gulp slightly. Celestia simply let out a nervous mumble for a moment...so I had to speak up before things got worse. "Pleas Luna, remain patient, your moon will rise soon but first your sister must arrange how we are going to live here because in case you have not noticed both me and sir Sparks are homeless and don't really have ideal living conditions." The sun princess let out a sigh of relief as her sister just let out a sigh of acceptance. "Exactly what Solare said." "Very well sister...I shall wait a little longer for my moon to have its time...I just hope with it being gone so long that SOME ponies will appreciate it slightly more." She seemed slightly calmer now which will not help what happens next at all. And then I said the stupidest thing that has ever come out of my mouth without even thinking this time. "Probably not really, their is very little that can beat the magnificence of the sun, it is like a magnificent father to all, shinning his protection onto its children." A moment later I remembered who I was talking to and my limbs stiffened and my muscles tighten as I felt a bit of cold sweat trickle down my head. "...I...see...thank you for telling me." Luna's voice was sounding shaky and disappointed, I almost felt like I accidentally stabbed her through the heart...and every inch of me told me I had made a MASSIVE mistake. Princess Luna slowly walked away with her head tilted down and I could feel Celestia starring at me in shock. "...Uhhhh...i'm sorry princess, I didn't mean to do that to your sister." "...Its fine Solare, I just hope she knows that too." Celestia seemed to just walk back inside and leave me to my thoughts. I simply returned to gazing at the sun but now with a heavy heart and my eyes burning ever so slightly in its rays. It felt like hours passed with me simply gazing at the sun, Only occasionally hearing a argument between the Princess of the moon and the Princess of the sun...and then it all stopped as I heard Celestia quietly panicking...and then the sun was blocked out entirely...eclipsed...by the moon...and it became dark...oh so dark... > chapter 31:Nightmare's moon part 1 (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My sleepy eyes were having trouble waking up, even with Solare trying to shake me awake but just as I asked for a few more minutes he threw a lightning spear into my ass "YYYEEOW!!" I leaped up involuntarily and fell down. "THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!?!" Solare took no time to show much sympathy before grabbing my hand and pulling me onto my feat. "Listen, Sparks their is no time to explain but princess Luna...well...she isn't Luna anymore, I MAY have pissed her off slightly." My eyes blinked in disbelief. "...Solare...how would you EVER piss someone off?" I really couldn't believe that the most optimistic person I know could actually make someone angry. He took a moment to have a awkward cough and scratch the back of his head. "Well...uhhhh I told Luna that the sun is better than her moon....well...something like that." I felt myself pinch between my eyes under my visor. I sighed, of course the only way Solare can make the princess of the moon angry is by insulting her moon. "Well what has happened to pri-." "Nightmare moon..." "...Uhhhh...what?" "Her name is Nightmare moon, that is what Celestia told me, she is no longer princess Luna." Well he could have just explained that earlier. I nodded and looked out the window noticing that the sun seems to have vanished and has been replaced with clouds and the moon. "Ohhhh thats not good." A loud crackling laugh sounded into the castle as I instinctively drew out my sword. "Come on brother, we have got to stop this." Solare gave me a rather worried look before I nodded and fallowed him through halls and halls of unconscious guards. I looked at each one as we past and it looked as if they could hardly put up a fight against whatever was waiting for us. We eventually sprinted out into the cold, dim night as a second laughter, this time much closer, caused vibrations through out my armor. "Where is she? and what did she even do?" Solare looked up at the sky for a moment. "Uhhh...you know...eternal night and all that." ...I didn't know what I was expecting. I saw the chilling glare of a figure standing on the roof of a tall watch tower and as soon as our eyes met the massive, dark creature spoke. "Ah look at who has awoken, the little knight that my sister hired as a mercenary to do her dirty work." I stepped forward to at least TRY to seem challenging. "I am no mercenary and i'm not so little ether, I'm even taller than most po-." And before I could even finish, the figure known as nightmare moon flew down and landed with a thud in-front of me before rising to her full height and looking down at me with a smirk. "...Oh...well...shit." "You were saying, Little.Knight?" She laughed at me before flying back Slightly. "You should simply return from whence you came, you cannot challenge me, petty mortal." Solare took a look at me as I sighed and nodded, looking back at Nightmare moon. "Then at least answer me a few questions." I slowly reached for my Ivory talisman. Nightmare moon simply scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Fine...ask quickly before I FORCE you out of Equestria." "Why are you jealous of your sister's sun? does it really matter who is more appreciated? I am sure their are ponies out their who prefer the moon too." I gripped my talisman and took a deep breath. Nightmare moon took a moment to think before returning her gaze to me. "I suppose it is simply my SPITE for the sun, So many ponies enjoy its rays and play during the time of day and at night they ignore the moon and sleep through its beauty and those who despise the moon greatly outweigh the ones who embrace it." I start focusing on the spell I wish to cast as I take aim with my eyes. "Alright...and one more thing:how do you know people wont simply hate you more if you erase the sun entirely?" This caused her to think slightly longer but even her answer seemed unsure. "Hmmm...I'll...I'll simply dispose of the rebellion." She took another moment to think and just as she did. "NOW!!" I pulled my talisman back, creating a great lightning spear as Solare created a lightning spear as well and just before the electric bolts could strike nightmare moon she used a dark magic to whack them to the side and fire a beam of pure dark, causing me to roll away with a clank of my armor and a slight hit on my head. "HAHAHA I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO PULL TRICKERY!!!" She laughed yet again as if I was a joke. "I always knew that you would never give up so easily, I would have been more shocked if you simply left without a word." "We both know I can't do that." I rolled out and stood, starring up at her. "And you and I both know...that you cannot think straight...you are overcome with dark...I can sense it in your soul, but the moon is not made of dark...are you going to betray your own moon?" She gave a slightly concerned look to herself. "You...you don't know what your talking about." Solare decided to step in and add to my little speech. "The moon is nothing without the sun and the sun is nothing without the moon, You cannot take one away and expect the other to rule...its allot like dealing with the dark sign...no matter how much you hate it, you cannot get rid of it because it will always come back and its your choice to ether embrace it and use it to help reach your goals or reject it and live in denial." I'm not entirely sure Solare worded that correctly but i'm just going to roll with it. Nightmare moon simply began to growl. "I WILL find a way to be rid of the sun...but I see your point...I shall return when I find a way to destroy the sun entirely and then I shall truly be the victor." With a few strong flaps of her wings she vanished into the sky and away, the clouds leaving as the sun slowly returned upon her absence. "...Not a permanent solution...but at least now we have time to make a plan."...Celestia is not going to be happy when she hears about this. > chapter 32:in the eyes of a decedent (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My head was aching as all I could see around me was the wood of the cold room...the only two people who mattered in-front of me who were supposed to give comfort only filled me with fear as I reached for them but my muscles tried to retract away as I saw their bodies and souls melt away while the world around me began to crumble and shatter along side with my sanity in a powerful crunching sound. "No...no...pleas..." Any words I tried to so much as think of didn't escape my lips as I was forced to watch the old world crash into nothingness. My vision started to vibrate violently as my pupils went black with my vision soon fallowing. I jolted up, clenching the chest piece of my armor as I panted in fear at the re-accruing nightmare as I quickly scooted closer to the bonfire for comfort, not caring how many eyes I attract. 'It was just a dream...its in the past now.' I tried to repeat to myself as I kept hitting my helmet...I started to let out a silent cry as even the herald showed pity. I took off the helmet piece by piece and looked at the silver markings on the sleek black, not giving in to the shine of the sun giving it a oddly comforting feeling especially considering its origins was in the depths of a poisons kingdom. "...Why was I chosen?...why was my ancestor taken from the undead asylum but I was simply plucked from the streets?" I was simply talking to myself by this point but hearing the sound of my own voice was still very comforting. I took the hilt of my sword that leaned on the rock next to me and got up while taking my shield off my back and placing my sword on my shoulder where it belonged due to the weight and length of the whole blade, no wonder Vendrick had to drag the thing around. "...You'v only got Nashandra in your path...are you ready?" The herald's voice came from right behind me...I wanted to say yes but i'v had enough of the dark to last a long time. "No...I just need to move around a bit." I walked to the massive hole in the center of majula and looked down into the abyss, feeling my heart race and my hands shake. 'Do it.' A deep voice whispered into my ear with a gold chill running along my skin. 'Join us spawn of dark.' The voice...was strangely attractive...I felt my legs unwillingly move closer to the only spot that doesn't even have any wood under it. My heart began to slow as the world began to slow around me again, the feeling was familiar to when I first received the dark sign but this time I was the one falling...and I was falling into the abyss. ...CRASH... My vision slowly flickered back on as I laid flat on my stomic, same as when I arrived in Drangleic only this time...I was not laying upon a old alter, I was laying upon the soft, cold ground. "Well well well, another human." A voice similar to the voice in my head from earlier but this one was more feminine came from just above me as I hear the...clopping...of...hooves? I used what force I could to push myself off the chilling ground and blink my blurred vision back into normality before looking up slightly and seeing the deep abyssal black coat of a long equine like leg. "...Who...and what are you?" "Oh? Humans give females the same armor? hmmm intriguing." Well at least I knew that I wasn't the first human so maybe this is...normal. I looked up and saw a large armored horse with a horn and two very large wings, not to mention dagger like teeth in its grins. "You have met other humans besides me?" The large horse began walking around me, starring down at me as if examining me. "Yes, I have met two other humans besides you so you don't have to worry about being treated like a alien in this world...welcome to Equeastria." She offered a hoof to help me up and I took it with a nod as I got up and picked up my blade and my shields. "Equeastria eh? interesting name." The pony gave a chuckle and nodded as I looked around at the mountains, beautiful trees and wonderful darkness and the moon was simply hypnotic. "The night here is simply beautiful." I don't know what I said but when I finished that the pony seemed to be absolutely delighted looking for some reason. "You have a appreciation for the night?" "Of course I do, its one of the few times I can think because it so calming." It seems that whoever this pony was seemed to have a affiliation with the moon because I noticed a moon on her flank. "Then it is a even larger pleasure to meet you, I am Nightmare moon." ...Interesting name. "Nice to meet you, my name is Ruby...although the only things resembling the color on me are the cape and my eyes." "I see...well I have a favor to ask of you Ruby, are you willing to listen?" I gave a nod which caused my armor to clang and rub on itself lightly. "Very well...since you enjoy the night so much then perhaps you wouldn't mind working along side me to help...spread the beauty of the night?" That pause made me raise a eyebrow but I considered the offer. "Hmmm...Very well...I shall work along side you, just don't put me in a dress I may be a woman but that shit does not fly with me." Nightmare moon chuckled then nodded at my request. She put a hoof onto my shoulder and looked down at me. "Very well Ruby...Welcome to the children of night." I bowed to show some respect as she then let go of me. "Come...your first assignment will be very well suited to your strengths...or I believe it will." "If you mean fighting or breaking the chains of fate then I certainly can do that..." I replaced my shield for my poison stone twin blade in case the assignment is a fight. Nightmare moon gave a short laugh and started to grin. "Excellent...I can simply tell you will be a powerful warrior...I'm glad to have you by my side." > chapter 33:Light and Dark (WARNING:not yet filtered through editor) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My legs wavered as I walked through the castle, still with my sword in my hand as it scraps along the floor making a loud, dragged out scratching sound behind me. "Sir sparks, what happened with my sister? Is she alright?" Celestia exited the throne room with hope and panic in her eyes as I lifted my visor slightly to rub my head as I felt the dark sign remind me what its purpose on me is. I rubbed my soar eyes before shaking my head and closing my visor. "We couldn't get her to return but we did manage to buy some time to prepare and hopefully think of a way to make her come to her senses." I saw the small fragment of hope simmer away from Celestia's eyes but she still tried to keep her face straight. "I...see...That is fine I suppose, but pleas do your best not to use your weapon, I'd prefer my sister to be whole rather in cut up." I nodded as I heard a clanging behind me making my head perk up, I wasn't walking or running so it couldn't be my armor making that much noise. I turned and saw what I never thought i'd see in this world:Another knight that isn't Solare, a black knight with beautiful silver markings and a majestic red cape with a rather impressive almost king like sword. "Who...are you?" I turned my whole body, creating a clanking sound from my armor plating. "I'd like to ask you the same." To my surprise the voice that responded to me was completely female as she walked forward. I gripped my sword slightly tighter and walked toward her, down the long hall, with caution. "I am Knight Sparks." The black knight rose her blade slightly. "I see...my name is Ruby...and i'm sorry for doing this." "For doing wha-. " I soon realized what she meant as I ducked under her swing and rolled backwards before she could stab where i was. "Oh thats why." I get up and raise my shield. Celestia gasped and took a step back. "Sir sparks, pleas be careful..." She leans in and then whispers a plan into my ear which still manages to get through the metal around my head. "I'll be back...just remember okay?" She galloped off into the Throne room. Ruby stared at me as she Pointed her sword at me. "Looks like its just us..." We began to circle each other like enraged dogs, waiting for the other to strike first. "Just two knights born from dark...in a world where they don't belong, each one with a mission that requires them to strike the other down." I felt my breath go cold when she mentioned the dark..."I am not born of the dark...and I'm Guessing your undead as well." We both stopped in unison like we were in sync. "Then I guess whoever wins here...it will not be the last we see of each other." I heard a small chuckle exit her helmet. She put one foot back. "I guess it wont be...now enough talking." She gripped her sword with two hands as she got ready to strike and I got ready to counter it. She and I didn't speak another word as Ruby sprinted forward and as she thrusted her sword at my chest as i just barely back stepped away from the range, feeling the force of the swing hit me like a powerful gust of wind. I slammed my shield into her sword, knocking it out of the way before thrusting at her head only for her to lean to the side and try to do the same to me with the same result causing us to be locked for a moment. "For a great sword user you are surprisingly quick." I rolled away from her and put my shield up again. Ruby backstepped then rushed forward, striking my shield and getting locked in a struggle. "Thanks." She kicked my leg so that I wound up kneeling and I felt my guard leave me just as she swung her sword directly at my head... CLANG My helmet shattered onto the floor, the visor dented and the hinges broken off while the head piece rolled on the floor as I panted, my exposed hair hanging from my head. "Well...that wasn't very fair now was it?" While i was on the floor I kicked both her legs in and kicked her helmet as she fell forward, causing her to crash onto her back. I got up as we both heard a groan and glared at each other and predictably...she saw my eyes. "What the-?" She jolted back up and took a step back away from me. "...how far have you hallowed?...your eyes...their white..." I Chuckled as I wiped the blood from my nose. "Oh my eyes?...you'll just have to guess how much I died to get them." In all honesty I was born with them, since birth my eyes always lacked any visable pupils...guess thats why I enjoyed frighting everyone by pretending i was a ethereal ghost...heh good days back then. I heard Ruby's armor chatter as her hands shook for a moment before shaking her head and running at me as I quickly picked up my sword and shield and swung at her as she swung at me, only this time I put a shield with my sword to keep her sword at a further distance. She took a step back again and then three steps forward, using the pommel of her sword to knock my shield out of the way and just as she took a swing I leaned back and panted from having to maneuver so quickly and I realized just how close I had gotten to being blind when I saw a strand of my own black hair fall down in-front of me. "Well that was closer than I thought." Ruby took out a small shield thats round and black as it glowed in the middle and I took out a Talisman and mine began to glow as well and as we ran our tools across our blades they both became sunlight blade-infused. I heard Celestia's hoof steps ahead as I gripped my sword with both hands and dashed forward same as Ruby but instead of swinging at her I slid under her and kicked her in the back of the knees and rolled to the side. "See you when you revive." I gave her a short wave as she looked at Celestia and the six elements of harmony as a powerful glow appeared on the sun Alicorn's horn. Ruby seemed frozen for a moment. "Oh you fucking little basta-." FLASH