Prologue: Feet First into Hell (the actual prologue)

Prologue: Feet First into Hell

Hello, my name is or at least used to be Tristan, but ever since I went to the 2013 E3 convention to see the Halo 5 reveal, and bought an item from a shady merchant, which caused me to arrive on a planet of Anthropometric ponies where I had been encased in stone for over a fifteen hundred years after helping a chimera named Discord fight against the leaders of the country I was on. My allies call me Master Chief, my enemies call me Demon and this is my story.

I entered the building quite relaxed and happy that I could finally go to E3. I decided to go as Master Chief, complete with the Assault Rifle, and Halo:CE Magnum. I even brought a combat Knife Replica that I put on the left arm of the costume.

For the most part I browsed through the items being sold buying a Energy Sword replica in the process, when a vendor caught my eye. He was an odd fellow wearing a hood that hid his face, he apparently saw me. “I have some interesting trinkets for sale, care to take a look.” He said emphasizing the word “interesting” more than usual. I decided to see what he had not seeing any harm in it.

The trinkets were various items that were in many different games ranging from the Apple of Eden, to a couple rings. That was when I saw a replica of the dog tags Chief held in the Halo 5 teaser trailer I just saw awhile ago, complete with Cortana's chip. I pointed at the dog tags and asked, “How much are you selling this for?”

The Man seemed to be in thought but eventually replied, “I’ll sell it to you for let's say, Twenty-five dollars.”

I flinched at the price but thought it would be neat to have and agreed, digging into my wallet where I put my cash saved for this event, drawing out a twenty and a five dollar bill I gave it to him and he happily gave me the dog tags and said, “I hope you have an exciting day sir.”

I thought nothing of it, and put the dog tags around my neck and continued to look around the booths and even got to try out a few future releases. At the end of the day I went back to my hotel exhausted, I fell asleep not even bothering to take off my costume.

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I woke up the next day falling and only one word came to mind. Fuck!, a word that I screamed out without hesitation, not noticing my voice change. I would have flailed my arms and legs but I couldn’t even move them. It was then that something came to my attention, There was a heads up display on my helmet was showing a radar, blue bar at the top, a compass and a note on the lower part of the visor saying “Armor Lock engaged, shields diverted to head, spine, and joints.” I after reading this just closed my eyes and braced for impact. I landed on the ground two seconds later.

I found that I was still conscious and the bar on the top of my hud was flashing red. I tried to find a way to disengage the armor lock, several minutes later I found that all I needed was to make a mental command. I got up and looked around to see I was in some jungle.

It was then my mind connected the dots, and I realized, and said “I was transformed into a Spartan.” I looked at myself to confirm and indeed I was, the sage armor on my body showed that. I then realized that my voice wasn’t the same as it was before and that I recognized it from somewhere. I decided to see if talking again would jog my memory, “Testing, testing.” It was then I connected being a Spartan and my new voice together and realized I was the Master Chief.

With the new knowledge, my mind was doing flips and I was stuck between wondering how it happened and thinking how cool it was to actually be the Master Chief.

It was a few minutes later my thoughts cleared and reminded me that despite how cool this is, I would not see my family here, deciding I needed to find a way back to Earth no matter the cost. I explored the jungle hoping by luck that I would run into someone, that could help or at least tell me where I was, and who could help.

It seemed luck was with me, I spotted what looked like a medieval camp from the distance I could make out a banner with a laser red background the emblem itself was the oddest part It was a rough shield shape with a swirling green and tan. outside of the emblem had a deer antler on the left and a twisted unicorn horn on the right these sat on top of the shield. On the sides were a purple dragon wing and a light blue bird wing.

I put the banner in the back of my mind, once I figured out how to use the zoom function on my visor I was able to clearly see the camps troops. It was weird they looked like Anthropomorphic Pegasus, Unicorns, and normal horses if you call a horse with dyed fur, mane and tails ‘Normal’. Griffons, dragons and a few other mythological beings there were all Anthro, except for a single Chimera that reminded me of the banner, so I figured that the chimera was the leader or at least the general.

I set my visor to a normal setting, I take a look at my weapon replicas, and to my surprise the Assault rifle, Magnum and Knife were real, and my HUD displayed that I had ammo for the guns. I wanted to see one more thing, I took out the Energy Sword and activated it after a few minutes of figuring out how. I figured out that it activated upon squeezing the right side but applying less pressure on the left. My HUD told me the sword was at full charge. I was about to walk over to the camp before I noticed that I had Active Camouflage installed in my armor. Like most of the functions on my armor it was activated by a thought.

I finally made my way to the camp. I was about three hundred meters away when three of these Anthro People confronted me, crossbows aimed at my face. One of them stepped forward and shouted, “Put your hands in the air, or we shoot right now creature!”

I complied with her demands. Looking at her I saw that she wore green and tan leather armor in a camouflage pattern if Camoflage had swirls in it, her armor unlike the others had a single gold swirl on it, I guessed that it had something to do with rank. Her fur was grey, she had purple leathery wings, and her mane and tail both were brown with red running down the middle.

A minute later she made her next demand, “Turn around and walk forward, if you draw one of your weird items we will kill you.” I compiled yet again.

It took ten minutes to reach the camp and yet another ten minutes to reach the commander's tent, where we stopped and waited. The chimera dismissed the guards with a wave of his talon, looking at me the Cherma smiled and held out his paw in greeting, “Hello there human the names Discord, what’s yours?”

I look at Discord ignoring the fact he knew what I was and I replied, “You may call me Master Chief, or Chief for short.”

Chapter 1: Back in Black....err Sage

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Chapter 1: Back in Black… err Sage

I was encased in stone and put in a hedge maze for fifteen hundred years with my only company being Discord. He used some of his remaining power to create a link that we could communicate through, but after a few hundred years the amount of random things to talk started to run thin.

The only thing that kept us relatively sane and entertained for so long was the fact we could still see and hear the world around us and we saw some interesting things in that garden. They ranged from arguments between couples, to hearing the myths about Discord and I that would change every few years.

Our favorite to date was that I was a demon from Tartarus that Discord summoned. I entered battle with flames of blue and orange around me, shooting them from my hands while laughing like a psychopath, and all attacks against me were blocked by a wall of flames.

We also heard that Luna was banished after her transformation into Nightmare Moon fueled by her jealousy pointed towards her sister. This bit of information came from a drunk guard

In reality, I almost broke down on my first two kills until I told myself that I had to do it to get home and see my family. I then later almost mentally snapped and quivered from the nightmares I received from the experience, PTSD is not fun to live with but is dulled down to just a distant memory after five hundred plus years.

Anyway, on year one thousand five hundred I was freed due to a purple burst of magic being deflected by a rainbow shockwave hitting my stone encased body. Both of us knew that it would free me, “Lucky bastard” Discord said through the mental link.

“Shut up grandpa, you’ll get out in time.”

The stone encasing my body crumbled, as the magic that sealed me in the stone was disrupted by the blast. I deactivated the energy sword that still was in my grip when I was encased in stone and shook off the remnants of stone that still clung to me.

I walked through the garden wanting to find a way out of my current location. After a little walking I found out that I was in a hedge maze, not wanting have to solve it I activated my energy sword and cut my way out.

My exit lead me to end up in the guards training yard, wanting to find out my new location. After being moved from ‘Greyfort Castle’ or as most called it ‘Castle of The Royal Pony Sisters’ the conversations near us grew rare. So to find out, I just found the nearest guard. The pony was a white unicorn stallion with a navy blue mane and tail with a lighter blue going through it, and before the guards noticed me I grabbed him by the neck catching the attention of the others.To my surprise they did not attack like I expected, instead just looked at me stunned. I turned my attention to the struggling pony in my hand “Where in Equestria am I?” I interrogated, My voice was even and devoid of emotion.

His hands grasped at my own as he tried to get free, “Buck you!”

I punched him, making sure I pulled it so he would not be killed “Again where in Equestria am I?”

“You're in *cough* Canterlot *cough*.” He answered back still struggling a little but not as much as before.

I was a little surprised myself that he relented so easily instead of another verbal insult I hashed it up to the long period of peace but did not pay anymore mind to it. Instead focusing my attention back to the pony in my grasp

The next question was obvious but I just wanted to be sure.“Is Canterlot the capital of Equestria?” I replied, ignoring his attempts to escape.

Before he answered my motion tracker detected someone moving towards me. I turned my head and saw the pony charging at me a spear held in their magical grip. I just rolled my eyes inside the helmet. Once he was within reach of my energy sword, I decapitated the guard and watched as the body collapsed and the head rolled off. The kill was bloodless, the cut cauterized by the blades heat.

The energy sword still activated, I looked right back at the pony in my grasp, he fully gave up his struggle after seeing what I did to the guard that attacked me. “I ask again, is Canterlot the capital of Equestria?” The pony nodded and I let go of him, the guards were not even scared anymore but instead demoralized after I killed the attacking pony with such ease. Finished here I walked away to find the Princesses or Princess in this case.

They were my enemy once but that was only because Discord would get me home if I helped. With some luck I could convince Celestia to tell me if she could reverse the transformation and send me back home, and most importantly actually do it.

At the same time I was scared, multiple questions flooded my mind, What would I do if I could not go back? Would I carve a home, or continue a legacy of blood and death. What would my purpose be then? I would be doomed to be on this planet with Ponies, Griffons and other races that possess a similar shape to a human, just enough to remind me that I was the only one of my kind to exist on this planet, that I was the outsider and the freak.

I found it ironic, Celestia and I were in the same boat now, she lost her sister, the one she held close, the only one that understood her and now she was alone. I too lost my family and friends when I was brought here, I also was alone in this world, and finally both of us wanted things the way they once were. I shook myself out of my thoughts and musings really not wanting to think about the what ifs and other distractions from my goal.

I noticed that I was in the castle, and in front of two giant gold doors with many engravings and what seemed like runes written across them guarded by two ponies I presumed that this was infact the throne room. I put my badass mask back on and looked at the guard on the right, “Tell Celestia the Demon wants to speak to her.” The guard was shocked from his stoic facade, now forced to notice me his eyes dilated to a comical size as his spear dropped from his hand and did nothing I assumed the other was doing the same. “Well there goes my dramatic and cliche entrance.”

With an exaggerated sigh I push open the doors and entered. This was not unnoticed by Celestia who conveniently was not busy at the moment. She looked at me with shock and rage, a snarl present on her face, her wings spread out and magic charged in her horn, “How did you get out?!”

Chapter 2: Blocked Path (unedited)

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Chapter 2: Blocked Path

Celestia’s POV

I was back from taking the filly Twilight Sparkle as my personal student after her magical burst and the earning of her cutie-mark. Other than that excitement it was just another regular boring day in the castle, nobles voicing their petty complaints, the previous one, Blueblood complained about the statue of a strangely armored pony in the castle gardens and how it should be destroyed. I ignored his complaint, knowing statue like most of the others contained an enemy of Equestria and the elements spell petrified them, but made the stone invincible.

But this one was unique, unlike all the others it did not have any kind of magical signature. Instead it possessed strange armor and weapons, Luna and I found out about it fighting with the chaos army during the last part of the chaos war about fifteen hundred years ago. It stood about fourteen hooves tall (7 feet) only two hooves shorter than myself.

It usually attacked in small raids at night that hit vital areas in our ranks, targeting our captains and generals and retreating as soon as their target was dead. This lasted for a week before our final victory leaving some of the troops tired and weary.

We learned what the creature was on the final day of the war, when it introduced itself as a Spartan upon Luna’s demand. During that fight between us Discord decided to explain why the Spartan was on his, it was something about, “Being from another universe.” and “Making a deal with him to go back to his home, once he won the war.” Luna and I ignored Discord chalking the new enemy up to one of his creations.

I was stirred out of my thoughts when the door opened and a familiar figure came through, I lit up my horn and my wings fanned out in an instinctive stance. “How did you get out?!”

Back to Tristan

Unfazed by the sign of aggression from Celestia, I stood still. “Your magic lost it’s hold. Anyway to the matter at hand, we all know Discord told you both about me, and my one goal during our battle.” I started to walk forward sending the princess further on edge.

“So here's the deal, you get me home in my actual body, I will do one task for you despite the difficulty and never bother you or your kingdom again. You don’t, I will find someone else to get me there, and do whatever they want in return.”
I waited for Celestia’s reply to my Ultimatum, when a guard barged in “Princess, a guard was killed by some strange green two legged creature….” I ignored the rest of it catching that the pony mentioned what I did to the pony with the blue mane. All that was on my mind was getting out and figuring out how the guard did not notice me.

I found the best exit was out of a stained glass window, and before Celestia could even give the order to arrest me I was past them and heading for the window and ready to jump out, in the next second I jumped out the window got into a diving position, and locked up the armor focusing my energy shield on to the front of my body where I would land, and a lesser amount to the exposed under armor to keep the stronger spells from cutting into those areas.

I landed thirty seconds earlier and was glad I adjusted my shields when I did or I could have had even more trouble getting up, I was okay, just recovering from the vibrations of the landing. A minute later I got up and looked around and found that I was near a stream and a small hole was made from my impact. I made the decision to move before the first wave of guards found where I landed. I decided to head in a direction and it so happened to be south-east towards the place I would learn later was called ponyville.

Celestia’s POV

I watched as the Spartan burst through the window and plummeted down to what would be death for any other being, but experience reminded me the Spartan has survived many things that would have killed anyone else. “Guard, send a pegasi patrol to find where the creature landed.” The guard bowed and was off.

In the meantime, the day of the return of Nightmare Moon the corrupted form of my sister to return was in only nine years. I only had my single gamble that Twilight was one of the destined wielders of the elements of harmony, and that she would find the other five elements and I could finally see my sister once more for the first time in a thousand years like told to me by the now long past royal diviner five hundred years ago. That’s if the Demon did not mess it all up.I was not pleased with the possibility that this unplanned event occurred, and not only had he escaped he killed a guard of mine.

The only upside was that he decided not to use his ranged weapons. But in the end it did not make too much of a difference, during the chaos war he did plenty of damage with just his melee weapons and hands alone, so it was only a small relief at best. I pronounced the day court over and made my way to my personal quarters to think further on this new development, and how it would affect my plans further on.

Tristan

Hours passed as I walked and jogged to an unknown destination. Eventually I reached a small town but due to the hour it was empty, I made the decision to just go around it using the alleyways to stay in the shadows, unknown to me a certain mint green unicorn saw me and rushed off to her home to write down what she saw.

It was about another hour till I reached the edge of the infamous Everfree Forest, as a statue I heard many spook stories about the forest speaking of how “Unnatural” it was to ponies. I figured this would be the best place to hide. The story’s around the forest discouraging most explorers, and therefor making it less likely for me to be found. The biggest threat was the wildlife, but I could handle most of it. With this in mind I entered the forest and started my explorations for a place to live.

Chapter 3: Haunted Memeories

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Chapter 3: Haunted Memories

I spent an hour walking in that damn forest even had to sneak around a manticore and timberwolf pack, at the same time this place felt familiar as if I had walked here before. It was not until I saw the ruins of a castle that I realized where I was. “Wait this forest is The Sacred Woods, and this is the same castle that Discord and I fought Celestia and Luna. It was destroyed during the battle between Nightmare Moon and Celestia, I think I’m forgetting something, anyway it is most likely of no importance.”

I’m sure I’m one of the few that remember this places old name, well it was named The Sacred Woods because it was believed to be where the connection between the pony gods and ponies were the strongest through the tree of harmony, thus why this place was chosen to build the castle. Before I was stoned, the forest was much less densely vegetated and lived up to the name woods, mostly due to ponies maintaining this place constantly, from what I could guess it had once been this way before the ponies came but they tamed it enough to be inhabitable.

Anyways back to the story, I crossed the old bridge that went over the ravine and entered the castle the second I entered I swore I could still hear the clash of swords, screams of agony and my voice shouting commands over the battle cries of the two armies clashing. I immediately saw the battle replay around me.

***

Bodies littered the floor, both my own soldiers, and the enemies. I stepped over them, hearing the crunch of bones and armor below my feet.I killed any in our path with my pistol or my energy sword. My advance, no my mere presence served to improve morale in the ranks and crush our enemies. I just knew that once we won I would return home, at long last.

***

The images disappeared and I continued on inside besides some of the castle crumbling with age and disuse but it was still in decent condition. I went further in and saw the throne room, it had two tattered tapestries representing the Lunar and Celestial diarchs their thrones also fit their own themes Luna’s being made of a dull and dark metal while Celestia’s glittered even through the sheets of dust. The rest of the throne room was no less grand or it wouldn’t have been if it weren’t for centuries of neglect.

I walked further into the castle recalling schematics that I studied for two weeks before that attack so long ago. I decided to visit the highest floor of the castle, it was a short climb up the stairs before I reached the upper most level of the castle ruins, it was quite empty except for five perfectly round stones just sitting down on the ground, they were interesting but did not draw any large amount of interest. I continued look around and saw the characteristics of any ruin, chipped and cracked brick, ivy standing proud, and entire chunks of the wall fallen, not in sight. my curiosity was piqued when I spotted several scorch marks on what was left of the ruin, before I realized that it must have been from the fight between Celestia and her corrupted sister a little less than a millennium ago.

It was this floors second fight I remembered, after seeing several smaller scorch marks from my own energy sword. I could still see it now.

***

I blocked a blow from Luna’s blade not at all surprised that the blade was not melted into slag from the plasma swords heat. I learned during a fight with a squad of Luna’s Elite troops that carried blades made of the same material apparently called Alicornian Steel named by ponies for being virtually indestructible like what they thought the royal sisters as. Anyway where was I, oh yes here we are. I caught glimpses of Discord fighting Celestia his normal carefree cheer gone replaced by hardened resolve to win this war. In the next second his face went completely expressionless, his blade shimmered a wide spectrum of color in the night sky. The image sent a shiver down my spine, before my mind turned back to Luna who took advantage of my distraction and attacked fortunately I caught it in the corner of my eye, I instinctively jumped back in response, and the sword passed through air and kicked up dust.

She then followed her attack with a dark blue bolt of magic that I could not dodge instead my energy shield flared and took the damage my indicator showing half charge.
Before she could cast another bolt, I jumped forward and stabbed at her, as expected she dodged able to come close enough to my reaction time to do so. I just swiped at her forcing her back further, I continued my swipes and stabs forcing her to the wall, where I stabbed at her heart. She barely dodged singeing some of the fur on her sword arm and my Plasma Sword scorched the wall. We were back to square one trading blows until another opening could be found. To be straight up honest she looked beautiful, her mane a light blue cut short so it could not get in the way by flowing like it usually did or being too long. I could see the sweat on her fur and her sword glowed a soft blue in the moonlight as we gracefully danced across the room. But it still did not stop me I needed her dead so I could go back home in my own body on my own planet.
Later, Luna was finally starting to show further signs of fatigue and so was I but to a lesser degree, I finally got a opening so I took it punching Luna in the gut putting a dent in her midnight blue armor and knocking the breath out of her as she staggered back, before she could recover I took her hand and threw her into the wall, the wall unlike in movies did not break or crack. But I could hear her right arm snap her armor was the only thing keeping it in place, she cried in pain and I saw Celestia’s face contort into a controlled panic, as she and Discord fought. I ignored their fight and quickly moved up to Luna to finish her. She crawled back tears streaming from her eyes and blood from her mouth, seeing that her end was near, and repeated, “Please don’t kill me. Please, I beg you!”

I looked at her the once proud warrior princess was now cowering before me begging to be spared, her tears mixing with her blood, as she begged for her life saying she would do anything if I spared her. I shed a tear inside my helmet. “If it means anything I gain no pleasure from killing you nor anyone else, but I made my choice, I want to go back home and it made us enemies, I’m sorry.” I was about to end Luna before a flash of light blinded me causing me to hit her shoulder instead of her heart, neck or head. She screamed in pain but was alive and when I was about to try again I felt myself turn to stone. I looked back at Celestia to see six gems hover around her, and Luna’s injured body sitting there looking at me in surprise was the last thing I saw before my vision went black.

***

I walked down the stairs and back to the throne room taking notice of the rain splashing down on some of the broken and exposed parts of the castle, as I heard thunder in the distance. I took off my helmet and held it to the side as I felt the wind blow through my short brown hair.

Over time I got used to being in the body of The Master Chief even knowing his ventures and skills as if they were my own. In a way I was two people combined possessing the memories of my actual life, and John’s life as a Spartan,in a way both sets of memories were my own.

I still kept my goal in mind, to get back to my original reality with my original body. but first I had to find someone who could. I pondered on who that could be as Discord was still imprisoned in stone. I filed that thought away for later, I put my helmet back on and looked for some kind of bedroom if one still existed.

The hallways were decorated by banners and torches lit with a blue flame that according to my armor gave off no heat. Eventually I stumbled across a room with a crescent moon on the silver gilded door. Opening it I saw that the room was sparsely decorated in midnight blue and silver, I almost automaticly could tell it was Luna’s quarters from so long ago. The memory of the time I almost killed her still fresh in my head. I opted to look around the room I was about to sleep in, I could see the walls were most extravagantly decorated, figures of the moon and all its phases were carved into silver squares and lined the walls along with murals to deeds that Luna herself had done.

I walked over to a simple wooden desk that sat alone in a corner of the room to the far right of the door. On it was an old and dusty journal, I left it alone and sat in on the edge of the bed, dust jumped up in response. “Well here I am, so what next?” I knew that I didn’t have anywhere to be or anything to do but to look around the forest and check if there were any sources of food were, as I already knew that the water in the ravine was safe to drink.

I put the goal in mind and walked out of the aged castle, marked it on my hud and walked down the hill behind it to river to find that to my fortune there were. Fish, rabbits, birds and other sources of meat, along with some fruit bearing bushes with sourberries, they were red and roughly textured fruit that was true to it’s name sour as hell and half the size of a small apple, but ten of them were usually decently satisfying. I walked around the ravine and looked for caves, burrows and other places I could find animals and if necessary hide in.

Once I found five within the half kilometer that I explored I called it good and went to the edge of the forest and found the sun setting, casting an orange glow on the sky and ground. I remembered I hadn’t ate and even remembered where I saw an apple orchard on the way here. I jogged towards it while I kept to the forests edge. Upon arrival I took five apples off of five different trees and made the walk back to the castle noting my path for later. It was an half hour walk back to the castle where I sat back down on Luna’s bed took off my helmet and ate the apples I stole.

Chapter 4: The Second Day

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Chapter 4: The Second Day

The light of dawn shown through a lone stained glass window showing a elegant image of Princess Luna raising the moon. With my helmet off, the light invaded my eyes, and with a yawn I opened my eyes, the last bit of drowsiness quickly leaving me.

I felt refreshed for the first time in over fifteen hundred years, not having to worry about who may try to kill me in my sleep, the soldiers that I was going to lead into battle the next day, or talking to Discord about war strategy.

Wanting to take advantage of my current state of relaxation I decided to further explore the area around the Castle seeing that much of the area had changed over the centuries and it seemed that a town was nearby, if the apple orchard on the forest’s edge was any indication. With that information, I made a quick decision to scout the town figuring that it would be good to know the place in the event I had to navigate the town quickly or identify abnormalities like number of guard patrols or guards suddenly increasing.

My objective in mind, I went to the ravine to eat some of the berries, and drink some water, put my helmet on and jogged to the edge of the forest, the jog took an hour but fortunately for me the moon was still in the sky hovering over the horizon indicating it was about six AM. Now on the forest edge I looked out, a quarter mile away was a small cottage with animals gathered around it. I decided to skirt around that incase someone lived there.

I advanced further away from the treeline to get a look at the town, fortunately I was not spotted but I kept a careful eye on my surroundings and motion tracker. Now having a clear view on the town, I layed down on my stomach and enhanced the vision on my visor to act as a pair of binoculars.

Looking at the town I saw a bridge crossing a small stream leading into what I presumed was the town square with some various straw roofed homes behind it, but to my surprise no guards walking around, the bridge did not even have a building of any type that would indicate a guard post. I walked to my right to continue my recon.
______________________________________________________________________

Two hours passed and I circled the entire town that i found was named ‘Ponyville’ not spotting even a guards barracks or ‘Police Station’ much less any guards. This baffled me I expected the town to at least have signs of a militia, but it was completely unprotected.

At that time, if it weren't for the small fact that I did not kill anything that did not pose a clear threat to myself or any allies. I could have killed every citizen in the town and until word spread to Canterlot and the Equestrian Army arrived I would have faced little to no opposition.

Now of course with the Elements there and the ponies aware of the Changelings the town had a heavy guard presence. But that is for another time.

Anyways to say I was surprised was an understatement, the idea that Equestria had not kept a security force in a place as close to the capital as Ponyville said that either Celestia was growing soft, or there were not enough volunteers to support a active guard in the town.

I did not pay attention to my surroundings during my musings and only when I glanced at my motion tracker did I notice someone was approaching behind me. I pulled out my Magnum, got up,and pointed it at the presumed threat all in the span of a few seconds.

The pony in question jumped back and burst in sickly green flames. Before me was a bug like creature, with solid blue eyes, insect like wings with thick black chitin that was jagged on the body and littered with holes on the arms and legs, most impressive was the spiked horn on its head and the claw like ends of its fingers that looked like they could pierce flesh quite easily.

While the creature was still stunned I kept my weapon level with its face and said, “What the hell are you and why are you here? Move and I’ll kill you.”

The creature before me stood still, emotionless and otherwise unresponsive to my threat as it gave its response, “I am from a race called Changelings, and our Queen heard about your escape and disappearance into the Everfree Forest from the scouts placed in Canterlot and Ponyville. I was sent to give you a message from our Queen. I assume you would like to hear it?”

“You would be correct Changeling.” I replied, skeptical about why this ‘Queen’ would want to give me a message and the way the person in front of me was talking more like an electronic voice then a actual sapient being.

“The Queen wants to meet you face to face to give you a proposition that she believes could benefit both parties...” The Changeling droned on

“Okay, tell your Queen to meet me at the Greyfort Castle ruins in the Sacred Woods at noon tomorrow, any perceived hostilities towards me will be met with force.” I interupted with a evident edge to my voice. Without waiting for a reply I left, headed back to the castle ruins I dweled in.

Celestia’s Diaries

One day after The Demon’s escape

985 years after Nightmare Moon and my Sisters banishment

I write this now to organize the events that happened thus far and clear my head for my royal duties. Anyways I’ll begin, to say I’m angry that my guards could not find the Demon was an understatement, the captain of the royal guard could only tell me that the Demon went into the Everfree forest, I wanted to chew that stallions hear off and then backhand him for his incompetence!! But in this day and age I fear that ponies have become soft and it would just break the perfect facade I have with the citizens of Equestria.

There have been no more than a thousand new recruits brought into the Equestrian Guard for the last five hundred years, the peace has been too long lasting not counting the occasional riot by some of the lower class or a handful of crimes each year. I fear what will happen if I’m wrong about Twilight’s destiny and Nightmare Moon is not defeated or the Demon returns allied with one of our enemies. If those come to pass I don’t think the country and its military is ready.

Speaking of the Demon, I remember after his and Discord’s imprisonment how shook up Luna was, clutching her injured shoulder and crying as blood caked her armor and mixed with her tears. She just looked so defeated despite the victory, when she saw me leaning over her she hugged me and cried into my armored shoulder. I patted her back and said, “It’s over dear sister, it’s finally over.” I even shed tears of my own but as I later found out, we cried for different reasons.
Luna had always been the more sympathetic one of the two of us being more in tune with others and how they felt then I was. When she told me that she was not shook up just because of almost facing death by the Demon’s hand but because of what he said before he struck. The words Luna swore he said, have stuck with me even now, “If it means anything I gain no pleasure from killing you nor anyone else, but I made my choice, I want to go back home and it made us enemies, I’m sorry.” At the time I could not believe her. That a being that I had come to know and hate as my enemy could have said those words. When she swore on our parents graves I still had a hard time believing her and even when she showed her memories from that time, I just believed they were by the demon made up to make Luna feel sorry for him.

Now that I have thought on the Demon’s Ultimatum with a clear head and what he did and could have done. I am starting to think that my sister could have been right and the Demon could have actually meant those words. But it still changed nothing, he still tried to kill my sister and left her with a scar that despite an alicorn’s healing factor it did not go away, he fought and killed many of our soldiers in the Chaos war, he still killed a guard of mine and interrogated another threatening him with death if it was not answered.

Luna it is times like this I miss you, times like this that I regret just paying attention to ruling and pulling Equestria back together after the war with Discord and the Demon, instead of you. Regrets aside, I hope that I’m right about my new students destiny because if I am, I will get to see my sister again and possibly make up for my mistakes.

Chapter 5: The Meeting

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Chapter 5: The Meeting

My dreams were filled with the horrors of war. I saw each and every pony that I slain during the Chaos War, I saw the friends I made and lost because of war or time and I saw and heard vividly Luna pinned to a wall crying begging for mercy before I was encased in stone.

It was then a dark feminine voice spoke up as the images continued to flash before me, “Was it worth it? The hundreds of lives you took in those four years and for what, just to get trapped in stone not any closer to going home? Now you continue your search for a way to go back to your own body and home.” The voice snorted, “Pitiful that you still think you can go back to how thing were before you came to this universe, that you can forget every kill and every cry just by running away?”

My eyes snapped open and I woke up sweating in my armor, my mind busy with what that voice in my dream said and who It could belong to, it sounded faintly familiar but distorted. I shook my head pushing the thoughts away like I always would do after these recreations or Nightmares, and busied it with thoughts of the meeting with the Changeling Queen and breakfast.

I cooked some the meat that I stored in the deeper and cooler parts of the castle along with fruits that I gathered . When I finished eating I looked up in the sky to see the location of the sun, I guessed it was nine or ten in the morning so there was time to hunt for fresh meat and check the movement of the local predators.

As I walked through the forest following game trails that would lead to hopefully a lone Manticore, A lion, scorpion, and bat hybrid that was created as organic multi-purpose siege engines for the Chaos War. They were very loyal to Discord and with time their assigned handler, now without Discord they grew wild and in time became the most feared predator in the Sacred Woods.

Anyways, I did manage to find a Manticore next to a clear river surrounded by small trees and shrubs along with the occasional patch of flowers, the sun’s position illuminated the area nicely letting larger shafts of light through the usually thick canopy. Spotting my prey drinking water I pulled out my energy sword and activated it the sudden noise of the sword coming to life disturbed the Manticore causing it to look around for the source of the noise softly growling as its hackles raised. I was still in the shadows behind a tree waiting for the Manticore to make it’s move, my luck held out and it turned around and went back to drinking from the river.

That’s when I made my move I sprinted to the Manticore, jumped on its back and before it could do something in retaliation, I severed the Manticore’s neck and jumped off as the body fell with a thud and the head splashed into the water. My hunt was successful and not a single drop of blood was in the water.

I took an hour to drag the body to a safe place within the castle where I could process it like I learned from the Threashals during the first month of since my arrival. Before I could start processing the Manticore I heard a resounding knock.

I put on my helmet with practiced ease, went to the large oriental door and pulled it open with my magnum in my right hand in the off chance it was a bunch of Royal Guards here to try and capture me. Instead of the guard though was greeted with a Changeling woman. She had smooth black chitinous skin. She was about six foot eight. Her slender frame was covered in a sickly green dress that showed every curve of her body while her head was adorned with a simple crown of chitin and pearls around her jagged horn. Her green slitted eyes were intriguing, they had a certain flame to them, that spoke of a persistent and ambitious person, someone who has seen many trials and survived. I made my guess that this was indeed the Changeling Queen.

“You are the Changeling Queen your scout told me about yesterday.” I stated.

“ You are correct, I am Queen Chrysalis. Queen of the Changelings, and after my spies found out about your escape from Canterlot they came to me. From there I sent scouts to find you and tell you that I wished to meet with you. Now here we are and I come with a proposal.” Chrysalis said, her voice smooth but with strength behind it.

I waved the Changeling Queen to follow me. I lead us through the hallways into a somewhat intact dining room that had parts of its walls missing,old faded tapestries representing both Princesses hanging off the intact walls while others were on the ground in tatters, dust coated everything in the room but a medium sized wooden table with some wood chairs surrounding it both were simple in design telling me that it most likely was a servants quarter. I pulled out a seat for the Changeling Queen and sat on the other side of the table. “So what is this proposal that you mentioned?”

Queen Chrysalis smiled, “I am having trouble, you see there are multiple Changeling hives of course they vary in power but my hive happens to be the most powerful hive in Equestria, with that power comes rivals. This is where my problem begins, one of these hives have raided many of our outposts and stolen our supplies. Information from my scouts and spies have revealed the identity of the hive.” Chrysalis took out a scroll and handed it to me. I took the scroll from her and opened it. The scroll gave names aliases, disguise descriptions and much more about what I assumed was the hive that she was talking about. “This is every detail my spies have on Changeling Queen Exo’s hive ranging from information on her generals, top advisers, and herself to information on her plans and meeting schedules.” Queen Chrysalis folded her hands together. “What I want you to do is go to the location of Queen Exo’s next meeting with her most trusted personnel and kill them.”

“This is no small favor. I want to know why you want me to do it and what I gain from this deal.” I plainly replied.

Chrysalis smiled, “Why I want you to do this is because of the legends that surround you Demon. As for your gain, whatever you request.”

“Okay then, you have yourself a deal just tell me when to start.” I replied having my want for a reward in mind. I believed that this was my chance to get a way home. That with their large spy network they could find a way, but I would later discover I was wrong.

Chapter 6: Regicide

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Chapter 6: Regicide

It was September twentieth year nine hundred eighty-five of the fourth era. I sat at a table in the same dining room that I talked to the changeling queen in. I put the Assault rifle and Magnum on the table and disassembled them carefully laying each part on the table as I had taken it off. I then looked at and with a rag torn from a old hole ridden banner cleaned the dirt and grime from each individual part of the weapons before reassembling them. Finished cleaning my weapons I put the Assault Rifle on the magnetic holster on my back and the magnum on my right hip.

Having my knife, rifle, Energy Sword and Magnum on my person reminded me of the times I did the same thing during the Chaos War before every mission. I shook my head and banished the memories, I did not want the distraction. I looked at the information that Chrysalis gave me once more. Queen Exo’s hive happened to be located deep in the Everfree Forest, knowing my destination I set off to perform my first Regicide and hopefully get myself a way home.

2 Days Earlier

Princess Celestia

It was two in the afternoon an hour after day court ended and Princess Celestia was in her office filling out various paperwork ranging from as she liked to say, ‘the stupid to the reasonable.’ She was writing a letter of denial to a Noble’s request to increase the Grand Galloping Gala budget and decrease the funds for government funded small business loans when a knock sounded. Celestia finished the last bits of the letter before acknowledging the knock. “Come in.”

Celestia heard the door open and behind it was Iornhide the captain of the guard. “Ma’am guard patrols in ponyville found and captured a changeling today but what’s important is what this changeling says he was there for.”

Celestia kept a calm demeanor, but beneath the mask she was puzzled, a changeling being spotted was unheard of much less in ponyville. “Ironhide, what did the changeling tell you?”

“After some convincing the changeling told us about his task to give the Demon a message from Queen Chrysalis herself. He also told us that the Demon wanted him to to tell Queen Chrysalis to meet him at the ‘Greyfort Castle ruins in the Sacred Woods.”
Celestia immediately recognized the old names of the castle and the forest it resided in. Both were names that she had not heard for over nine hundred years and thought were forgotten after the forest grew over the castle. “Thank you Ironhide, feed the changeling and prepare to release it, you may leave.” She said with a wave of her hand before going to her desk and prepared a letter for Queen Chrysalis.

Present Day

Tristan

I had been traveling for eight hours making sure to take small breaks and avoid the wildlife as I jogged, when I checked my course I saw that I was about two kilometers away from Queen Exo’s hive if the scale was correct. With that in mind I put the map away and continued my jog at this rate I would be there soon and early for the meeting between Queen Exo and her advisors. I took a breath and started creating a basic plan, ‘Once I get there I will kill all the advisors that I can then go after the Queen. If Queen Exo is as strong as I think she is then I will have to do it by hand. I shouldn’t forget about the likelihood of having to get through the guards first.’ I recalled never being alone in a mission except for entering the infected remains of High Charity to reclaim a lost friend. I hung my head in sorrow the recollection of Cortana's sacrifice, and the feeling of desperation to save her coming to the surface. It was then I snapped back into reality and realized that those memories were not mine. “What the hell? H- no what just happened there I just remembered events from the Halo games but how? They felt so real, but I just played the games.” I shook my head “Nevermind I can deal with that later right now I need to kill a Queen.”

I glanced at the map again and saw that I was only a few hundred meters away, so I slowed down and started to look for and entrance to the hive. The search did not last long when I saw a small group of armored changelings emerge from the ground where I guessed an entrance was. I got down and let them pass before carefully proceeding to where they came from. I found a hollowed out rock and carefully entered.

The walk down was tedious, I had to move slow to minimise noise on top of having to avoid patrols. After many long minutes the inclined hall turned into a room with armor stands holding the changelings chitinous armor and weapon racks that held swords, maces, daggers and many more weapons also made with what looked like chitin but a dull grey color instead of the black of the armor. I moved on walking the halls of what looked like the barracks, which seemed to be empty until I heard a female voice. “Fade, hurry up we’re due to be guarding Her Majesty in ten minutes. We can’t afford to be late, last time we were we got lucky.”
I heard another voice reply this one male, “Sister you worry too much it is only an eight minute walk to the throne room” It was quiet for a minute before the male said something else. “There lets go.” I hid as I heard footsteps coming my way but decided to let the two pass and then followed them through the dim hallways to the throne room committing the path to memory and if all went like planned I could quickly kill the queen and any guards in my way as I exited the hive before I was swarmed.

The two changelings talked as they walked but mostly about their personal lives so I did not give the conversation much attention but instead looked around. The hall to the throne room was wide enough for about four ponies, and tall enough for two side by side to fly in. The torches that lined the hall were just enough to not bump into others and not much more while banners bearing what looked like a forest green crown with a black sword point down through it on a field of crimson red, all hanging from the walls and ceiling at regular intervals as if to remind everyone who they were approaching.

I saw that the hall was coming to an end and kept even further back wanting to look at the throne room before I made my move. The throne room was a stark contrast to the plainness of the hall, with four large chandeliers that gave light to the massive room the walls covered in shields with different crests on each and a cliche red gold trimmed rug that ran to the throne . Then there was the throne itself a large black seat covered in a royal purple and gold cushion, backrest and arm rests. A very large banner identical to the ones in the halls hung just behind the throne with two large Changelings in full armor on either side both almost as tall as I was. I knew I couldn’t carry out the assassination in this open of an area where I could be easily surrounded and captured or killed. With that in mind I waited in the dim hall for my chance.

I watched Queen Exo and her guards exit out of the throne room and into an adjacent hall keeping my steps quiet I slowly walked towards the hall making sure to keep the group in sight I prepared the energy sword grabbing the hilt but did not apply the pressure to activate it. As I followed I paid attention to the direction the Queen and her guards went. After about five minutes of walking I felt that it would be best to kill the Queen and her guard then and then make my way to the exit. So I squeezed the hilt of the sword and with a crackle the weapon activated and the blue energy meter on my HUD appeared showing the energy sword at full charge. upon the blades activation my target and her guards turned around to see the glowing blade and myself sprinting towards them. The guards immediately started to fire on me with bolts of green magic half missing while the others were absorbed by my energy shield taking a quarter of it’s charge. The Queen’s horn lit up as I plunged my blade through the first changeling’s chest, the armor offering no protection and then I took care of the second guard both dead before they hit the ground.

Unfortunately the Queen was able to charge her spell and released a beam of energy that I dodged, the heat of it alone taking a tenth of my shield’s. I faced the Queen and she charged her magic for another round but this time I was close enough to cut off her head, the stored magic in her horn created a shockwave that threw me on my back. I got up and used my memories of how I came in to make my way to the exit. I switched to my assault rifle not wanting to chance that the blast was heard. This paid off as changelings swarmed the halls. Before they could react I started firing bursts into their large eyes. I advanced at a jog and repeated the process and reloaded as needed. I silently thanked Discord for the ammo enchantment even if the one minute charge time per magazine felt like an eternity causing me to have to switch to my Magnum.

I can’t recall how long it took to make it out of the Hive and into the Everfree forest but I managed and after I killed more of them, the Changelings demoralized and without a leader fled back into the hive. With my primary target dead I made my way to the Castle Ruins to wait for Chrysalis to arrive and her part of the deal to start unaware of the trap set for me.

Chapter 7: Betrayal

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Chapter 7: Betrayal

2 Days earlier

Queen Chrysalis

Queen Chrysalis was sitting on her throne thinking of the things that would have to get done to grow her hive and even about the chance that the infamous Demon would fail the task she wanted to give him, then the question of if he even existed in the first place. She did not dwell on those questions too long seeing that she could just resort to an attack or finding someone else to do it. She was about to go back to looking at the storage of love the hive had when her messenger ran through the throne room doors panting when he stopped. “Ah, I see you are back though over an hour late.” She emphasised ‘hour’ with some irritation and a snarl before it vanished into her usual bored demeanor. “Anyway, you may explain your tardiness later. So did you find this demon that the legends speak of?”

The messenger bowed, “Yes my Queen I found what myself and some other scouts believe to be the Demon, the creature fit most of the description of the legends and the better news is that he accepted your offer saying to meet him in the ‘Greyfort Castle’ ruins in the ‘Sacred Woods’ noon tomorrow. But that brings me to my tardiness your Majesty. Shortly after the Demon and I parted ways I was captured by the royal guard. Later I was questioned and after many hours of questioning and waiting I was released and given a letter with the instructions to give it to you.” The Messenger fished for the letter in his brown coat's pockets and handed it to his queen’s guard for the Queen to receive.

The guard took the letter and gave it to his Queen. Chrysalis read the letter and then once more to make sure she was not misreading anything. Chrysalis looked at the changelings in the room and said with a wave of her hand “Messenger you may go guards prepare for the flight tomorrow.” The mentioned parties bowed and did as they were asked leaving the Changeling Queen alone in the sparsely decorated throne room. “Oh Celestia so desperate are we to go to me for help but for the price of enough love to last me and my subjects for over a decade how can I refuse, besides I will be rid of Queen Exo and get the love supply if he does succeed and if he fails I would still be able to get the reward from Celestia for getting rid of him.” The Changeling Queen burst out in laughter at her sudden fortune. She prepared her response and called the messenger and told him to get it to Princess Celestia quickly.

Present day

Tristan

After many hours of trekking the Sacred Woods the Greyfort Castle was in sight. I jogged the remaining distance not wanting to delay the possibility of finding a way back to my normal life for any longer than necessary. When I entered the castle I was greeted with Chrysalis sitting in one of two chairs at a faded wooden table that was not in the castle's front hallway before. She was dressed in the silky toxic green dress she wore during our first meeting but unlike then she had two Changeling guards wearing with black chitinous armor with several toxic green markings painted on, along with a sword on their hip and a spear in hand standing at full attention behind her.

Upon seeing me Chrysalis smiled as if she was seeing an old friend, it was odd and slightly unnerved me. “So you survived and managed to slay Queen Exo but did not see her advisers whom are probably alive right now.” Chrysalis sighed, “That is of not bother it will just delay the assimilation by a couple days. So you filled your part of the deal to satisfaction now it is my turn, so what do you want of me?”

I took a breath as I ignored the sultry look and tone that the Changeling Queen spoke with as she asked for my wish. “My request is simple, I want to go home to my own planet in my own body.”

I saw the Queen’s eyes widen for a moment before she regained her composure quickly enough that most would have never noticed. “So be it, I will see what I can do but I can make no guarantees that such a thing exists.”

I nodded putting my armored hand on the chin of my helmet, “Keep me up to date on your research.” I pulled out my knife and in a blur of motion I slammed it into the table with just enough force to crack it through the middle, causing Chrysalis's guards to crouch down and point their spears towards me. I ignored their gesture, “If I think you lied to me about any progress or lack of it I will personally find and tear your hive apart.”

The Changeling Queen smiled in response waving off her guard, “Of course, I would expect nothing less.”

“Now that we are at an understanding this meeting’s over, I’m sure that you know your way out.” I watched Crysalis get up and exit the castle with her guards silently following.

Once the Changeling Queen was out of sight I headed to the castle's second floor back to where Discord and I fought the Royal sisters so long ago and looked through a broken hole in the stone wall overlooking what used to be a garden behind the castle. I remembered leading troops through the garden to surprise and block in Celestia, Luna and whatever troops were inside the castle, while Discord lead troops into the front gate. I even remembered the plan, Discord was to distract the Sisters with a heavy frontal assault while my troops and myself went in through the garden. Alongside the small detachment of troops I commanded, I was to take down the wards suppressing Chaos magic in and around the castle, surprise Celestia and Luna and put a bullet in both of their heads.

If I was unable to kill them that way then I would use a panic rune that would notify Discord and he would give up the distraction and appear behind them and then kill them. Once the Princesses were dead we would finish off any who did not surrender, and Discord would fill his part of the bargain. Well we did not know about the Elements of Harmony or the damn Changeling mercenary that found out about the plan and sold the information to the sisters.

******

Myself and four of our best stealth units walked through service tunnels used by the maids to deliver room service to each room quickly and without disruption. I looked at a copy of the castle’s blueprints and mentally traced a path to the Magi’s chambers. The walk through the service tunnels was quiet but we made it to the Magi’s chambers where ten of the best mages that were in the sisters army maintained a suppressive ward that prevented a lot of Discord’s magic from doing any real harm while a group of five Alicornium armored and armed elite guards stood to prevent the mages from any threats. All of the pony’s following me drew their blades and I drew my combat knife, I held three fingers up and counted down. “On my command, three..two..one.. now!”

I kicked the opened the door and we all rushed the five nearest unicorns. I plunged my knife into the neck of a nearby mage and before they could react put the knife away and activated my energy sword, lunging for another mage. The weapon found itself inside the mages chest. The confusion cleared up by the time I killed the second mage after taking a quick look around I saw that there were enemy’s left in the room. This time the guards drew the swords out of their scabbards and charged us sword hands raised in the air eager for blood while the mages fired bolts of magic one hitting one of my soldiers the pain causing him to be open for a guard’s sword to pierce his neck.

The guard blindly lunging at me tried to put his sword through my neck, I effortlessly stepped to the side and with the momentum and my own strength, slammed the guard down on the ground with my free hand hearing the snap of bones and pained scream of the the guard just before I put my energy sword through his unprotected neck. The fight ended soon after with all the guards and mages dead and one of four of my soldiers dead. “Captain!” I called out.

“Sir?” replied Shadow Flame, a Bat Pony mare with a purple mane and tale both with a orange tint to them, wearing the grey-black armor that signified her position in my strike team.

“I want you and the rest of the fireteam to go back to camp.”

I got a response of “Yes sir” and the fireteam picked up the fallen soldier and left through the way we entered I disliked the idea of dismissing my squad but the next part of the plan would be risky at best near suicidal at worst and I didn’t want to put others in the way of certain death.

Before I left the Magi’s room I got out my pistol and checked its magazine despite the enchantments on it to automatically replenish over time. I holstered the pistol and left the room with a path to the war room in mind nothing that got in my way survived.

******

I remembered how the attack on the sisters went down. I entered the room shot at them they blocked the shots with magic and together used their magic to pin me to the wall. I was able to use the panic rune and after a rant about how things could have been different Discord appeared surprising the sisters and stopping their hold on me, then we fought.

My musings were stopped by three red blips on my motion tracker and the clanking of metal armor coming from the stairs behind me. Responding in turn I pulled out my magnum and aimed it at the intruders, the two to appear at the top of the stairs was a guard and much to my surprise Princess Celestia herself.

We had a small staring contest for a moment, my weapon trained on her head. “It seems the Changeling Queen did betray me after all, should have seen it coming.” I mused before getting back on topic. “Well we both know what side of the fence we stand and therefore will happen so let's get to it.”

I pulled out my magnum and before it was even possible for Celestia to react her guards had two large holes in their heads the gold plated steel doing nothing to save them. I just as quickly put my magnum on my hip and took out my Energy Sword and just as I hoped the Princess was enraged.

I briefly wondered why guards did not rush up when I fired my gun as I watched as Celestia drew her sword and lunged. I caught the blade with my hand and shoved her to the side. I took that moment and dashed to the exit. My question was quickly answered when a group of thirty guards were waiting for me in the throne room. “Shit” Upon seeing me the guards raised their sword hands and charged with some of the unicorn guards firing spells. I did not wait for an invitation and charged the group blocking my exit.

Once I reached the first line of them I slashed with my sword two fell, another attempted to attack my back I elbowed him and a crunch and a gargle in response. The fight continued like that for about ten or so minutes slicing and punching through the guards. By the end of it my Energy Sword was depleted and I gathered a couple of small burn marks when my shields overloaded and a couple of spells hit me.

Knowing that there were more than likely more I put the Energy Sword hilt on my hip to let it recharge and drew out my knife. “You have something waiting for me Celestia that’s why you're not here after you have lost thirty-two of your guard.” I mused before exiting the castle and sure enough there were what seemed to be hundreds of guards with spears and swords in hand. I knew that I could not fight them all and win but I did not need to I just had to get further into the forest. Though I was quite interested in the fact that Celestia was willing to risk this many troops to defeat me.

With a goal in mind I found a place with slightly less guards blocking my way into the forest and charged assault rifle in hand, firing bursts as I went and when one got too close bashing them with the but of the gun It was working and I was able to move quite quickly through the mass of troops but then Celestia once more got in my way.

The solar princess landed right in front of me and as I was about to barrel through her I saw the flash of six familiar gems and before I could attempt to destroy one I found myself turning to stone then the world faded to black.

Chapter 8: Worried Thoughts, Escapes and Plans

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Chapter 8: Worried Thoughts, Escapes and Plans

Celestia’s diaries

It has been three hours since the Demons reimprisonment and as I write this I think yet once more about what happened. He killed or severely injured over seventy guards. Some with his projectile weapon, from his energy blade and the rest with various shattered bones that even for the survivors would never fully heal even with the best healing magic available to date. To make it all worse it is partly my fault that I lost so many to death or injuries, and even more to honorable discharge because of mental trauma.

I jumped too quickly in my attempt to trap and recapture him that I underestimated his abilities thinking that it would be a simple matter of surprising him and using my weak waning connection to the Elements to imprison him once more. But he proved to be as good on the defensive as he was when he attacked Luna and I almost killing us if it were not for the freemind changeling that sold us information on the attack.

I lost myself once he killed my guards with no hesitation after his short musing. Something that still clearly remembered watching countless die from him and his strike teams in sudden surprise attacks that kept half the camp up at night snapped and worst of all for all my anger, magic and strength he simply grabbed my sword in his armored hand and threw me to the side like I was just something in his way. I was knocked unconscious upon my impact hard with the ground and if it was not for my Alicorn endurance the force of my landing could have at best split my head open and at worst shattered my skull.

I woke later to see several dead and severely injured, and perhaps several more if I didn’t use the Elements when I did. But now he has been imprisoned once more though I fear when he will be free once more. Then there is the issue of Nightmare Moon and what will happen if she decides finds a way to free him, strike a deal and use him to continue her conquest.

The Demon is an unknown that will make my gamble even riskier. If I am wrong and Twilight and the other candidates that I have been watching over do not bond or are not close enough to embodying the Elements or he manages to stop them, then I will have to kill Nightmare Moon and in extension my sister.

Now where to put him? Leaving him here is not ideal but having him near Discord may worse if The Demon breaks free again. I’m sure that the chaos caused in Canterlot strengthened Discord and lessened the Elements hold on him and any more chaos around Discord could break him free at last. So perhaps I will put him in one of the castle ruins still surviving rooms deeper in. Yes that seems best. So it has been decided After I finish this entry I will hide him in the castle ruins and hope that the Nightmare does not find him.

15 years later

12 hours before Nightmare Moon’s appearance in Ponyville

“Atlast the stars align at last, just right for my ritual to be completed.” Nightmare Moon muttered as she inspected the runes that would prove to be her escape, before standing in the circle and chanting indecipherable words. The runes started to glow an eerie midnight blue and impossible winds kicked up dust from the moon’s surface and in a flash of midnight blue Nightmare Moon was no longer magically bound to the moon but on the surface of the planet she planned to one day rule.

The light faded from around Nightmare Moon revealing the ruins of the castle that used to be the seat of power in Equestria before the Nightmare was banished along with her host. Nightmare Moon entered the castle with a smile. “Perfect this place should keep me safe from Celestia’s gaze.” Nightmare Moon walked the castle halls her armored feet echoing through the ancient halls as she felt familiar magic, it took a moment to recognize that it was from the elements of harmony the same artifacts that imprisoned her. “Hmm lets see, who else Celestia used the Elements on?”

It took an hour to follow the faint and waning magic of the Elements but she found it hidden behind false walls centuries old. It lead her to the statue of a recognizable figure something that was clearly remembered as a threat by the Nightmare’s host. With an hours worth of undoing the heavily weakened magical enchantments of the Elements of Harmony the creature that her host recognized as the Demon was freed.

Tristan

10 hours before Nightmare Moon’s appearance in Ponyville.

The stone of my prison started to crumble around me, allowing me to move and flex my arms and legs shaking the loose bits of stone off in the process. I had finished shaking off the last bits of stone when I looked up and noticed an Alicorn standing in front of me seeming to study my every movement. The Alicorn wore dark purple armor that completely covered her form except for the open faced helmet and gaps in the armor to allow for movement which were protected by chainmail under the armor, her mane and tail bellowed out looking like stars in the night sky. Remembering what I could about the events I overheard during my first imprisonment I spoke. “You of all people free me, it seems lately I am greeted by interesting company.” I flicked my hand back. “Anyway you must have a reason to have freed me Nightmare Moon so what is it?”

Nightmare Moon started to walk circles around me her steel boots clacking on the stone floor. “Perceptive are we. I aim to overthrow Princess Celestia and take rule of Equestria for myself. The one problem I face is the Elements of Harmony, I’m sure they will choose six new bearers who will most certainly be the ones to confront me. I aim to capture them and take the Elements effectively getting rid of the danger they posses. I need you to distract the bearers but not kill them or that will risk the Elements choosing another set of bearers and I do not need to worry about unknowns and once the bearers are captured I need you to keep watch over them.”

“Okay then what is in it for me?”

Nightmare Moon smiled widely “I will give you a way home if such exists if it is impossible then a place as my personal bodyguard and head of military along with all the perks that brings.”

The helmet partily hid my surprise but the rest of me stiffened up and I clenched my fists, “How did you know about that particular subject?”

Nightmare moon stopped in front of me. “Simple I watched you converse with the changeling queen from my prison on the moon, by the way I can help you strike back at Chrysalis as well if you so desire.”

I looked at Nightmare Moon with no lack of skepticism but remembering the oddities of the world I shook my head. “You have yourself a deal.”

“Good then I will start preparations for my takeover, if you have things to prepare then do so. The Summer Sun Celebration Sun raising ceremony will start in about ten hours and that’s when everything will fall into motion.”

As Nightmare Moon was about to walk away I pulled on her shoulder spinning her to face me. “Just so we’re clear, you betray me in any way shape or form I will kill you.”

Nightmare Moon just smiled, “I don’t plan to, unlike the changeling queen I know how valuable of an ally or dangerous of an enemy you can be I have little Luna’s memories to thank for that.”

With a last nod I let go of Nightmare Moon's shoulder and walked away to one of the castles bedrooms to check my weapons and get some rest.

Chapter 9: Execution

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Chapter 9: Execution

I woke up and checked the time it was currently four hours till Nightmare Moon and I put our plan into motion we spent two hours discussing finer points of the plan and backups in case things went wrong. The jest of my part of the plan was that I would incapacitate each of the six who would arrive at the castle tie them up and watch them till Nightmare Moon took care of Celestia and then she would teleport me to Canterlot and announce her rule. I ate and by the time I finished it was time to get ready. I quickly checked my ammo and my weapons before walking to where Nightmare said the Elements would be and waited.

Nightmare Moon

It was the time that Nightmare Moon had been waiting for centuries everything was lined up and with her new help the chosen Elements of Harmony would be taken care of letting her take care of Princess Celestia. She could not kill her unfortunately, running the risk of sparking a strong emotion in Luna’s otherwise subdued mind and getting forced out. Subduing Princess Luna’s mind took years of seeding uncertainties and trickery that she rather not waste. Nightmare Moon flared her horn and turned to mist before heading to Ponyville and so it all began.

Tristan

Nightmare Moon returned an hour ago telling me to be prepared for the new chosen bearers arrival telling me the descriptions of the five mares she thought would come to confront her. I was going to face a powerful unicorn librarian, prissy seamstress with a skill in precision, pegasus athlete, shy pegasus with some odd magic gathered around her eyes, an odd earth pony with erratic magic surrounding her, and a earth pony farmer with more magic than average.
From what Nightmare Moon told me they were all civilians so I figured this would be interesting seeing as all of them were odd in their own way but still untrained or minimal training at best.

The wait was uneventful but I passed time by checking equipment. I had just finished putting my magnum back together when I heard the door to the castle open and six pony mares walk in, like Nightmare Moon predicted, a purple unicorn with a mane and tail of various shades of purple, white unicorn with a purple mane and tail, cyan pegasus with rainbow mane and tail, tan pegasus with a pink mane and tail, pink earth pony with a cotton candy mane and tail, and a orange earth pony with a blond mane and tail. All dressed in civilian clothes not even prepared for any kind of fight.

The group seemed to finally notice me and the purple mare had a sudden spark in her eye, but miss rainbow jumped to the front and spoke up first. “Who they hay are you?”

“Why are you here?”

This time the purple unicorn stepped up putting a hand on the cyan pegasus’s shoulder. “To get the Elements of Harmony and stop Nightmare Moon.” I could see the slight quiver the unicorn tried to hide.

I looked at the group “It seems she guessed correctly.” In a blink of an eye I attacked the purple unicorn, but the pegasus was able to block the attack in the nick of time. I saw ms rainbow grunt in pain the force nearly breaking her arm. Purple’s horn glowed as she fired bolts of magic at me slowly depleting me shields with each hit. I quickly charged her but was once more blocked by the rainbow mare who once more blocked the hit at cost of her arm snapping I then kicked the mare to the ground and broke her leg, the mare screamed and promptly blacked out. Before the others could react I ran towards the purple unicorn and punched her in the chest making sure to not cave it in but I heard a couple ribs break anyway when the mare was winded I gave her another punch to the face then punched her horn causing it to break and the mare to black out.

The others were stunned for a moment but the orange mare recovered and charged me I blocked the punch feeling the force overloaded my shields. The pink one just threw random objects at me each coming from seemingly nowhere while the other unicorn just threw magic bolts at me they did nothing to me but at times could be distracting. I focused on the orange stenson wearing pony and returned my own punch, she blocked it only wincing and I continued building on my momentum each impact letting out a thwack but in the end she could only take so much and I was able to cause her to stagger back, using my opening I kneed her in the stomach, she doubled over landing on her knees like the pegasus I broke one of her legs before moving on.

The remaining three fell quickly, the pink Earth Pony being a bit more annoying to deal with because of the seemingly impossible way she moved but I was able to track her well enough to knock her out and keep her from moving. The unicorn I just chiped her horn and she blacked out and the peach pegasus just cowered in fear and I simply hit her in the back of the head to take care of her.

Nightmare Moon

Nightmare Moon heard the fighting stop almost as quickly as it had begun she did not expect anything less from what she knew of the Demon. She knew that he was efficient in dealing with problems. It seemed that she would have to honor her deal after all. She walked down the castle stairs carrying a suave air around herself a smirk showing as she looked at the scene of the fight. “I must say I’m impressed the myths and legends surrounding you summarize your fighting ability quite well. The title of Demon is quite fitting.”

Tristan looked at Nightmare Moon and shrugged, “My part of this process is over I trust you can take care of Princess Celestia yourself while I make sure these six are not going to get away?”

Nightmare Moon waved him off, “Trust me I have built sufficient power to take care of her why do you think I kept the moon from rising?”

“Good, tell me when you are done then you will carry out your part of the deal like we agreed.”

Nightmare Moon nodded with a smirk before the air around her distorted and she teleported to Canterlot Castle's entrance. She killed the guards with ease years of peace and lax training making them ill fit to fight even a basic soldier. She walked through the castle virtually unopposed. Walked through the throne room door armor and sword painted red in blood some dripping onto the floor like tears.

“We meet again Celestia, this time you do not have the elements to defeat me.”
Celestia looked at the corrupted form of her sister saying nothing. She was dressed in a similar armor but colored white and gold, the emblem of a rising sun on the breastplate her own sword in hand shining with a soft white light. Not wanting to wait Nightmare Moon snarled and closed the gap between the two starting the second fight between Celestia and Nightmare Moon started and the throne room rung with the sound of steel and magic.

Tristan

I watched the now unconscious forms of the six mares that were tied up in front of me and watched as they all started to wake up. ‘Great I was hoping that they would not wake up. Now I get to deal with the whole Celestia will get you for this and all that dribble.’ By the time they all were able to to see clearly they noticed their pain and started to groan. The purple one was the first to speak, “Ugh what happened?” she seemed to remember and it was almost as if an exclamation mark appeared over her head as her eyes focused intently on me. “You did this! My friends are hurt because of you Demon!”

I nodded my head, “Yes that is correct.”

The purple unicorn seemed to be surprised by what I said or maybe how I said it. “That’s it that’s all you have to say after severely injuring myself and my friends?” The unicorn shook her head and rubbed her temples with her hands. “That doesn't matter Princess Celestia will defeat Nightmare Moon and make you pay for hurting her subjects and student.”

“Is that so?” It was then the others woke up, all of them grunting in pain from their various injuries while the peach pegasus just cowered. Orange, White, Rainbow, and Pink started saying various things about getting me back, how I was lucky they were hurt. I just tuned them out and watched them. After so long it seemed a chance to get home was soon at hand.

Nightmare Moon

Nightmare Moon was slowly gaining the upper hand the extra power gained by keeping the moon up had helped her greatly while hindering Celestia. Celestia started on the offencive but as the fight raged on she started to show signs of weariness. Nightmare used this and forced Celestia to expend more magic and energy to defence. Now Celestia was tired and drained. Nightmare finally found the opening to finish the fight when Celestia over extended one of her swings allowing Nightmare Moon to bat the blade away and put her sword into Celestia’s lightly armored side causing the sun princess to scream in pain crumpling to the ground.

The blow while normally fatal was not so to an Alicorn, as the only way to kill one was a short ritual to consume an Alicorn’s core of power, essentially their soul and take on the slain Alicorns aspect and power. If the sudden influx of power did not burn up the one that consumed the core then the Alicorn would never be able to come back, if it did then the core would be intact and given time the alicorn would come back even if their body was destroyed.

With Celestia incapacitated Nightmare Moon quickly pulled out a rock inscribed with runes and broke it, using her magic to direct and fuel the spell encasing the Princess in a magical cage just big enough to let her move around a little. With Celestia defeated it was time to contact the Demon and prepare him for the teleportation spell she was going to use.

Tristan

A little over an hour and a half had passed and his prisoners had their pain override their anger not long after their outburst, I knocked them out to quiet their pained groans. I suddenly felt a strange feeling prod me and shouldered my gun looking for the source. Ihe prodding grew more frequent and I remembered a similar feeling during my time fighting for Discord. Having remembered how to respond to the feeling I opened myself up mentally and an annoyed huff sound in my head, “About time, didn’t Discord use a similar way of contacting you?”

I sighed, “Yes but it has been a long time since then. Anyway I guess you took care of Princess Celestia.”

“Indeed as I imagine you have taken care of the would be Element Bearers, In anycase stand next to them and I will prepare a mass teleportation spell to bring you and them to me. Once they have been properly secured we will see about sending you back to your world as I promised.”

I walked up next to them and soon after a large circle appeared on the ground shining with a dark purple light. My vision turned white and then I was suddenly dropped on the ground. Having recovered I saw Nightmare Moon standing in front of me with her arms crossed her armor covered in scratches, dents and a fair amount of blood. “You really don’t have to kneel for me.” She smirked for a moment showing a personality beyond her want for revenge and power.

“Well let's get these six mares to the dungeon and under lock and key I will get some worshippers of mine to guard them. Quite the surprise that some actually worship me but it makes creating a guard easier and decreased the amount of guards that I had to fight through.”

I got up and nodded, Nightmare Moon snapped her fingers and suddenly ponies wearing dark purple robes with the image of the moon walked forward from the shadows and began to drag each of the mares towards the dungeon. I followed the cultists along with Nightmare Moon holding a magical cage containing Princess Celestia. Each of the mares were fitted with magical inhibitors made for their respective pony type before being put in six separate cells guarded by two cultists each.

Nightmare Moon progressed further down in the dungeon beckoning me to follow Celestia was then placed In an empty corner with various magical devices that almost immediately attached to the cage.

With Celestia and the six mares taken care of, we headed back to the throne room the cultists quickly took over as guards some putting on the armor of fallen royal guards. Nightmare Moon walked up to the throne and with a glow of her horn the room darkened changing from gold and whites to midnight purples and shades of grey along with the image of the mare on the moon replacing the sun on the banners. Nightmare Moon looked at the changes her hand on her chin and slowly nodded seeming to like her handiwork.

“So now that I have helped capture the would be bearers as was our deal I believe you are to see if you can get me home and back to my previous body.” I said arms crossed

Nightmare Moon looked at me as she sat back on the throne with her legs crossed, “I did didn’t I. Seeing as you have fulfilled every one of your parts to the letter it is my turn.” Nightmare Moon stood up infront of me and put a hand on my shoulder, “Stay still and do not resist my magic, this scan your soul to look for a connection to your home the trade off is I will know you on quite a base level, memories, experiences emotions will be shown to me and possibly some of mine and my hosts will be shown to you. Knowing this do you want to continue. Nightmare Moon’s voice was like listening to a list of facts there was none of that smug confidence she usually held.

I nodded my head, “Go ahead with the spell the invasion of privacy is something I can live with for a chance to go home.”

Nightmare Moon nodded her head and began the spell my surroundings turned black and moments later images flashed before me, images of the Nightmare’s birth from Princess Luna’s slowly growing jealousy. How she slowly gained awareness and wished to be freed from Luna and her desire to rule. The nightmare’s manipulation of Luna and eventual take over and her new goal to finally split from Luna and gain her own form. Even some of Princess Luna’s memories leaked out, childhood memories, my fight against her and how much she was scared of dying, her growing jealousy and conversations with Nightmare. It was then my awareness was returned.

Nightmare Moon

Nightmare Moon cast the spell knowing she would learn all of the man’s history down to his private secrets and momentarily entertained the idea of using it to try and control him but quickly dismissed the idea seeing too much chance for backfire. Having pushed that line of thought back Nightmare focused back on the spell scanning each part of the Demon’s soul to find a connection back to where he came. As she scanned his soul she noticed that she was receiving memories of not one but two beings one was of a human going through life surrounded by family and friends. The other was very different this Human was kidnapped at a young age and trained in combat and strategy before going through some sort of surgery and later fighting what appeared to be rebels and then aliens.

Nightmare finished her scan not seeing any path to the Demon’s home but she now knew that the man before her had two different souls fused together something so rare as to be almost unheard of. Nightmare terminated the spell and prepared to tell the Demon what she had found.

Chapter 10: Unforseen Events

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Chapter 10: Unforseen Events

I shook my head as my awareness was returned to me, spots covered my sight for a moment before I blinked them out and looked towards Nightmare Moon awaiting her findings. Part of me was excited that there was a chance to go back home and put this world behind me like a bad dream. Another part of me reminded me about how real the lives I took were,how many, and how easy it had become. Even what I knew was my first kill barely phased me, the act of fighting and killing just felt familiar, just another threat. I closed my eyes for a second to chase away the dark thoughts.

“So what did you find?”

Nightmare Moon walked back to the throne and sat down letting out a sigh, “There is no magical trace to your home, to put things simply there is no way for you to return to your home.” Before I could speak, Nightmare continued, “One more thing, I don’t know if you believe in the existence of souls but regardless your soul is fused with another. This can lead to memory leaks from the soul that fused with your own. I’m sorry it is not the answer you hoped for but it is the truth, and like I said you may have a place by my side as an advisor if you so wish.”

I was silent, processing what was said, unable to speak. When I finally regained my senses I responded, “I would like a place to be alone with my thoughts.”

“Of course.” Nightmare snapped her fingers and one of the cultists immediately walked up to her and silently bowed. “Escort this stallion to one of the guest chambers.” The cultist bowed once more and motioned for me to follow.

It was a quiet ten minute walk through the castle to find a room that did not have a dead guard or cultist in or around it. Once we found a room the cultist left without a word. I entered the room and took off my helmet, placing it on the bed. My anger finally got a chance to bubble up and I punched one of the walls cracking the stone.

“Damn it! I’ve killed hundreds, did every fucking thing to give myself a one way ticket to hell in hopes to get home and for what?! To find out that there was no way home to begin with or if there was it was long gone and just to spice things up my soul is fused with the Master Chief’s a character in a goddamn videogame that is supposed to be fucking fiction! So that makes those odd flashbacks real damn memories and me for all intents and purposes two different people in one damn body. All because I went to a damn E3 and bought a fucking set of dog tags along with a AI chip replica from some damn creepy vendor. FUCK!!” I punched the wall again granting it one more crack.

All that I could think about is my separation from my family and friends back home, what I gave up for the hope of returning and the futility of it all. My anger burnt out and turned to bitter sorrow. I had nothing to motivate me to go on and my life was without any purpose. Going home was what kept me going, what justified breaking the bones of what were essentially civilians, why I sided with Discord and killed so many, why I helped Nightmare Moon with her coup. I couldn’t even bring myself to care about Queen Chrysalis's betrayal.

Nightmare Moon

Nightmare Moon watched the Demon follow her cultist guard. Though he did not show it she could feel his anger and sorrow, she was created from such emotions after all. She knew that if he was to become a proper advisor he would need a clear head. Though she did not know what to do about the negative emotions surrounding him.

Nightmare thought about the problem for several minutes thinking about how she could approach the situation and settled on the idea that she would visit him and remind him of her offer and perhaps it would at the very least distract him.

Nightmare ordered two of the cultist guards to follow her and moved toward the only source of negative emotions not located below the castle. Eventually she arrived at the door of the room that the Demon occupied and opened the door. The Spartan only lifted his head and glanced at Nightmare Moon. If it weren’t for her ability to sense strong negative emotion, the cracks in the wall, and the slackness in his shoulders as he sat on the bed it would be impossible to tell that he was upset at all.

“My offer still stands. You may become my personal advisor on military matters if you wish. If not then tell me where you want to go and I can fund the trip and the position will still be waiting if you ever decide to come back.”

Tristan

The remainder of Nightmare’s offer gave me a momentary pause though this time she added the choice to get a fully funded trip to whatever place I chose. Problem is that I did not know how much the countries had changed since the Chaos War. On top of that, what would I do, wander and do odd jobs for the rest of my life? So the best choice was to take the position of military advisor, it would be a distraction from the turmoil in my head.

“What would you have your advisor do?”

Nightmare Moon closed her eyes and brought a hand to her chin “Hmm, ah yes.” Nightmare Moon looked back at me, “The cultists are decent at fighting but only semi organized, if I am to have a place as Queen then I need a proper army to enforce my rule where necessary. Though most will submit to my rule, I’m sure there will still be rebellions and riots once I announce myself as Queen. I want you and some of the ex-Celestial Guards that pledged themselves to me to train the Cultists and any who volunteer to be proper soldiers.”

I nodded my head but at the mention of the cultists I only had one thing that struck my curiosity. “If I may ask, how did you acquire the aid of the cultists you never left the old castle till it was time and you never before mentioned them in your plans?”

Nightmare Moon grinned a little, “During my last year on the moon my power was returning enough to not only let me see what was going on in Equestria but also communicate for short bursts. Over time I used this to find and gather many small cults that worship me as a deity into a single group as well as give them a way to respond, a task that had to be carefully done over several months or Celestia would have discovered this and brought all my plans to ruin. When I broke free I sent a message to get ready across the cities of Equestria to take care of the royal guards. When I attacked Canterlot I simply sent a final attack message and all the cultists worked to overpower the guards in every city and thus how they came into the picture. Now I have other business to attend to namely getting the nobles to shut up.”

Nightmare Moon was about to walk away before she seemed to freeze and turn back towards me. “That reminds me In five days I want you to go city to city and confirm the status of the cultists in each one they sent messages of success but I need to be sure a group did not lie to avoid my wrath.”
“Anything else, Nightmare Moon?” I asked.

“No, that is all.” Nightmare Moon then turned around and walked away commanding the guards to follow with a simple wave of her hand leaving me once more alone in the room thinking about how to prepare for my new task.

I got up off the bed with a new purpose and emotionally spent and with the help of a guard walked to the training yard and guard barracks the bodies from the fight that occurred only a matter of hours ago, with the bodies mostly cleared and maids grimly cleaning any blood on the floor or walls the castle was starting to look as if nothing had happened.

The training yard was full of cultists of all races sparring, doing various training exercises, or drinking and sometimes an odd combination of the three. The Nightmare was correct. I saw no discipline or signs of a chain of command. It was just the strong held power over the weak until they were eventually toppled.

With a sigh I walked through the training yard, most got out of my way, while the “leaders” looked at me with a glare. When I got close one of them walked over to me breaking a circle of females surrounding him vying for his attention. This one was an Earth pony stallion the others a pegasus, griffin, and bat-pony or threshal as they call themselves.

The Earth pony walked up to me, his hand on the hilt of his sword, “What brings you to confront four of her-majesty's finest and most devoted?”

My helmet hid my puzzlement and my experience kept a few thoughts related to their ego silent. “Simple, I am here to make proper soldiers out of every one of you.”

The thestral dressed in light leather armor jumped up in protest “You dare try to undermine our authority!”

I shook my head as all four of the “Leaders” drew their blades. “My authority comes from Queen Nightmare Moon herself but if it is proof of worth you want then I invite all four of you to try to fight me with nothing held back.”

I took a moment to look over my soon to be opponents. The Earth pony stallion carried a one handed longsword and was dressed in plate armor that seemed to have come from a defeated solar guard if the fresh scratches and dents were anything to go by. The Thestral also had a longsword along with several daggers and a pair of wing blades she continued glaring at me as if I would melt from her gaze. The Griffin carried a two handed great sword and was in plate armor as well. Then finally the Pegasus was in chainmail and carried a longsword.

In the few moments it took to analyze their equipment it seemed that the Earth pony spoke up, “We accept your challenge and will fight till submission or death, so draw your weapon stranger and let's begin.”

I nodded and activated my energy sword, the weapon hummed and with our weapons ready the fight began.

The Earth Pony was the first to attack his weapon making a horizontal arc towards my neck. I raised my energy sword and as expected the steel blade was vaporized where it made contact, causing the Earth Pony to stagger. I returned with a full force punch to his face. The breaking of bones was audible and only his Earth pony resilience prevented even worse injury than a shattered jaw and unconsciousness.

I looked at the others who this time decided to attack all at once this time using their wings for extra momentum. The Griffin attacked from my left, the Threshal my right and the Pegasus from the front. The Pegasus was first to arrive I blocked and similar to the Earth Pony’s blade the Pegasus’ blade was vaporized at contact and I was about to take advantage when the Griffin and Threshal made contact I blocked the Thestral’s blade this time it did not turn to slag and I smiled finally some form of resistance.

The griffins greatsword bounced off my energy shield and I gave him a direct punch to the chest sending him reeling back the force breaking several ribs, he started wheezing, a clear sign of a punctured lung. The Pegasus attacked using the remainder of his blade as a dagger. I blocked the blow with my arm, the Pegasus recoiled and I punched him holding back as to not kill him and once he was on the ground I stomped on his leg shattering the bone.

I looked towards the Thestral and the fear was clear in her eyes, “Surrender and acknowledge my authority and I will not harm you.”

She nodded, throwing down her sword and daggers, I picked up the sword and attached the Alicornium blade to the magnetic holster on my back next to the assault rifle and deactivated the now slightly depleted energy sword and put it on my hip. “Good now get some medics to take care of your Pegasus and Earth Pony friends and clean up the Griffin’s corpse”

The Thestral ran off to do just that, later bringing back several medics and surprisingly Nightmare Moon I gave a polite shallow bow, “What brings you here?”

“To check on you of course I got word that you entered the training yard and fought two of my followers putting them in critical condition and caused another to surrender. You could have waited for me to give the announcement to the cultists you know.”

I shook my head, “Yes but I wanted to make sure they knew what makes me qualified to train them, less resistance that way.”

“Makes sense I suppose. Anyway I’ll make the announcement you may stay or leave your call.”

I gave one more polite bow and wordlessly walked back inside the castle, asked a guard to give me directions to the Dungeon and adjusted myself accordingly.

Former Princess-Celestia

Celestia forced her eyes open and was greeted with the dim light of a torch illuminating the bars of her cell letting her see a bed, some gruel that was trying to be food and a wooden cup filled with water. Celestia’s mouth was dry and her stomach empty so with the lack of silverware she ate the bland mixture of hay and mashed vegetables, the bits of food sticking to the fur on her mouth and the back of her hands, fortunately she was left with a napkin to clean up with. Now with some sort of nourishment she took a look at herself and noticed she was dressed in a brown prisoner's tunic made of rough cloth and then she felt a pressure on her horn and with further investigation she could feel a ring around her horn confirming her magic was indeed blocked. Her wrists were decorated with bracelets to sap her strength and with a test of her wings she found they were bound to her back. “Nightmare Moon held nothing back it seems.”

Celestia heard the clank of armor on the stone floor outside her cell and briefly hoped that some of her guards managed to sneak in to help her. Those hopes were dashed when the armored figures stopped in front of her cell wearing dark blue armor with the emblem of a moon eclipsing the sun. One was a unicorn stallion the other a earth pony stallion all other details were lost to the armor’s enchantment making them look almost the exact same.

The Earth Pony gave an impish grin, “All behold the great and mighty Princess Celestia.” Both guards gave a mock bow

The Unicorn spoke next, “So this is it? I always wondered how the Princess looked beneath all that makeup and fancy dresses.” He looked at his Earth Pony companion.”I always wondered what Alicorn blood looked like, how durable they are? I heard it was gold, care to find out with me?

The earth pony’s grin got much wider and his eyes scanned Celestia hungrily the Unicorn took the keys out and Celestia still weak from her fight with Nightmare Moon backed up eyes wide, she would have a hard time fighting one off, the second one being a earth pony no less would be impossible.

The Unicorn unlocked and opened the door the creak was deafening, Celestia’s hands and legs trembled as she tripped on her bed and fell on the ground eliciting a laugh from her soon to be attackers. The unicorn propped her up by the arms with his magic. The earth pony struck first his fist drove itself into her stomach without the magic that gave her her durability and no way to shield herself the blow drove the wind out of her. Another landed on her chest hard enough to break multiple ribs. She looked at the ponies eyes burning with defiance but it only caused the group to laugh. They continued to beat her blood leaked from her mouth when a blow to her right wing caused her to bite her tongue as she let out an involuntary scream as she felt the sensitive appendage break. The pair spurred on my her pain continued their torture the only sound in the dungeon was her grunts and later screams of pain when she could raise no more resistance.

Tristan

I was three hundred meters from Celestia’s cell when I heard a scream. I sprinted down the dungeon corridor hoping that it was not what I thought it was. The screaming continued as I ran and in moments I was at the source. My fears came true when I saw one stallion, an earth pony and the other a unicorn. I felt cold rage. I took out my knife and shoved it into the back of the Unicorn’s neck. Celestia, no longer supported by the unicorn's magic, dropped to the ground. This caused the Earth Pony to turn around in surprise as he was about to hit Celestia once more. I ripped it out of the Unicorn’s neck and put my knife through his neck. The blood splattered all over Celestia and hit my shields before sliding off. The offending stallions grasped their throats gurgling blood before they finally died.

I Pulled the offenders off of Celestia and threw them out of the cell, their skulls busting open upon contact with the wall behind me. I took a look at Celestia lying in front of me her wings were bent wrong in many places and from experience i recognized several broken bones all over her body with blood seeping from many shallow cuts clearly made to be as painful as possible from the look of it they either worked fast or had been at it for over an hour

“Don’t hurt me please Faust don’t hurt me.” Celestia muttered, repeating it over and over.

The sight broke me a little inside I never preformed torture on prisoners personally nor did Discord have a reason to preform it during the war, it was easy enough for him to get information by lifting it out of their mind sometimes literally with no permanent harm done.

The strong defiant mare that fought me several times now was nowhere to be seen, replaced with a hollow shell quivering in fear and pain. Without thinking much of it I took off my helmet. Using a communication crystal I called for medics and waited as I tried to reassure Celestia medics were on the way and that everything would be all right.

Ten minutes later a medical squad came. Putting my helmet back on before they got close, I explained what had happened. The medics nodded and immediately went to work. I got out of their way telling them to send someone to tell me where they were taking her.

Celestia

Celestia felt herself collapse on the ground as the magic that held her faded along with the splash of blood. She heard the pained gurgles before the weight of her now dead attackers lifted off her. She weakly looked up to see the Demon looming over her his expressionless helmet looking at her then at her torturers and back at her. She lowered her head before she heard a click.

Looking up she saw the Demon this time without the helmet, his short hair and lightly freckled face somewhat seeable in the darkness. A small frown dressed his mouth and she saw to her surprise worry and concern something she never thought he could feel. His face was flat, with a protrusion that she assumed was his nose and two on the side that were his ears. She could barely hear the Demon saying help was on the way and to stay still, his baritone voice somehow calming, she passed out not a few minutes later.

Chapter 11: Tacet Nox

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Chapter 11: Tacet Nox

Tristan

I was in my room, my thoughts zipping through my head about the events half an hour ago. I made sure to bring the bodies with me and ordered two cultists to hang them over the training yard with the word ‘disobeyed orders’ written boldly above what remained of their heads.

I would not have a repeat incident with any of the prisoners. I would later talk to Nightmare Moon about installing surveillance wards or something similar around the prisoners so either one of us or a future captain or lieutenant could keep an eye on them and the guards with them. I shook my head and walked out of the room, after asking around for the location of Nightmare Moon I later found her in the castle's main dining room.

Nightmare Moon sat at the head of the table a meal of salad, bread, red wine, and most surprisingly a few types of meat, something that I never saw very many ponies aside from some pegasi and threshals partake in though I did not mention it.

“Welcome, I was going to send for you but that is besides the point, take a seat and you can request what you would like from the chefs. Though I have one question, one I failed to ask after the scan. How would you like to be addressed?”

I took a seat to the right of Nightmare Moon on the side of the five chair long table. “Just call me Master Chief or Chief in front of others and Tristan only if we are alone I rather not share that name with just anyone.”

Nightmare Moon nodded and in that moment a griffin chef approached and asked what I would like. I requested a steak, salad and some water. The chef quietly walked off.

Nightmare remained quiet for several minutes taking bites of her meal before swallowing a bite of her steak and speaking, “Well then Tristan, I imagine you came here of your own accord for more than just idle chat so what is on your mind, you are my advisor and have played a large part in the overthrowing of Celestia as such you may speak freely.”

It was odd being called by name after so long the last memory I had of someone calling me by name was fuzzy and muted at best. I shook off the odd feeling and spoke what was on my mind. “I went to the dungeons to check on Celestia. Given my history with her I was not too far away when I heard screaming , as such I ran to investigate.”

The griffin came back with my food and water and set it before me then promptly left. I took my helmet off with a hiss that caused Nightmare to look up, she looked at my face with expected curiosity that I ignored in favor of continuing my story. “I found the two stallions that were supposed to be guarding her torturing her for fun, they are now dead, their remains hanging in the middle of the training yard.” I nearly growled out the last half of the sentence.

Noticing my own rising temper I took a breath and managed to push some of it back well enough to keep a level head and continue. “Anyways I want a scrying ward or some equivalent put up at Celestia’s cell and the cell holding the would be bearers as you call them. As well as better lighting and a way for you, myself and perhaps some future guard captains to view what is going on in those wards at any time. Celestia and I are not friends but I will not have guards trying to take advantage of the prisoners ever again, if I had come any later Celestia would have been in worse shape if not dead.

It was only after I was done speaking that I started eating my meal, the food's taste muted in the wake of the day’s events.

Nightmare Moon

Nightmare Moon did her best to keep her face from contorting into looks of disgust and astonishment, she was not nice nor good by any stretch of the imagination but she did have some lines that she never crossed and torture for the sake of it was one of them. After hearing Tristan out she thought about what he recommended for her to do. She felt Luna’s mind stir and feared Luna would regain control if she received news that Celestia’s mental condition lead to suicide or create a situation in which a similar being to herself will be created in Celestia’s mind but potentially much worse.

“I will do better than that, Tristan. After she recovers I will move Celestia to her former room. Of course it will be covered in powerful wards to prevent escape, and she will keep the magic, strength and wing inhibitors. Further I will put in wards to let myself and you through a scrying lens, to watch Celestia and any guards posted there. Finally I will have you move to occupy a room directly next to hers so that when you are not busy training future guards, doing missions or advising me you may keep watch over her and hopefully make her feel safe. Do you find this agreeable?”

Tristan nodded his head before continuing to eat the meal before him.

Celestia

Celestia woke to the beeping of monitoring machines and the creek of a door opening, a sliver of fear found its way into her mind, events repeating themselves in her head. She forced herself to look at whoever just opened the door. To both her relief and disdain it was Nightmare Moon and The Demon that stood over her.

Nightmare Moon was the first to speak, “Well once you recover some more you're getting your old quarters back. Of course you will still be my prisoner, just in a much nicer cell.”

NIghtmare Moon whispered something to The Demon before leaving to which he nodded. The Demon stayed in the room leaning against the wall next to the door.

It was The Demon that broke the silence, “The troops guarding the Elements will be reevaluated there will not be any repeat incidents.

Celestia could only give the Demon a weak nod.

Celestia’s first night was spent reliving her own helplessness, as the two cultists took their time inflicting as much pain as they could sometimes the nightmares would force her to watch her student undergo the torture instead, a group of cultists cackling as they watched Twilight scream in agony and Celestia’s pleas for them to stop.

After the first night in the castle infirmary, Celestia woke up screaming the guards charged into the room frightening her further Celestia’s eyes darted wildly around the room in tune with her rapid breathing and roaring heart. The Demon ran into the room followed by a doctor. He demanded the guards and the doctor to leave immediately.. When Celestia and the Demon were the only two in the room he sat down on the floor next to her bed. Some time later Celestia was able to calm herself down.

From that day the Demon would come to the infirmary and they would speak about some mundane topic be it weather, or just some new restaurant that opened up. Anything to keep her mind free from the memories and to ease the inevitable nightmares, it seemed to work.

A month passed by with doctors checking up on her, commenting on how quickly she was recovering. At the end of the month the doctors gave Celestia a clean bill of health.

Tristan

I started searching around the room for anything that the Cultists could have missed when looking for hidden doors or weapons. This garnered a curious look from Celestia that I ignored. My search brought me to Celestia’s bed. I felt for any hidden doors or buttons and just as I was about to call it good I spotted an uneven bump on the head board. I paused then lifted up the cover revealing a very familiar sword.

“Seems that the Cultists missed something after all.”

I lifted the Sword from the compartment and took it out of the scabbard the hilt was a midnight blue with some runes across the crossguard, the pommel was a round circle with writing in Old Equestrian a language identical to Latin, It said ‘tacet nox’ or Silent Night, the one that she used to fight me before I was turned to stone. I took the blade out of the scabbard and the familiar sheen of blue Alicornium reflecting off my visor.

“You missed Luna greatly don’t you.” I put the blade back in the scabbard then looked at Celestia.

“Yes I did and still do but it seems I will be cursed to see her other half and reminded of my shortcomings, all because of my own mistakes.” Celestia sat on a chair looking out the tower’s window.

I nodded but stayed quiet, once again forced to remember what I had done just to find out I could never get back home. I put Tacet Nox on my waist adjusting the strap to fit around my armor. Shaking my head of the dark thoughts once more I took a glance towards Celestia and left the room the magic of the wards tingling a little as I passed through.

After a while of asking for the location of the princess's personal armory I stood in front of it. The magic protecting the lock sealing the doors shut was overwhelmed by the energy sword’s power, though cutting the lock took the weapon’s entire charge and rendered it useless for at least a day. Once the doors were opened I looked around the room, a layer of dust covering everything, ancient armors and blades started to rust after hundreds of years of neglect. The only places unaffected were where Celestia’s personal armor and blade rested. I took the plain Alicornium blade I found on the cultist and placed it on the weapon rack in front of me keeping Tacet Nox on my waist.

Once more I drew Tacet Nox, the blade humming with magical enchantments letting the wielder summon the blade to their side once more, something that Luna used quite often when I disarmed her, barring when I was just about to make the killing blow. A second enchantment let it be used as a magic conduit by Luna, something useless to me and the final enchantment gave the blade a sort of awareness. An awareness that I felt even when I was just looking at the blade. It seemed oddly accepting of me, though magic had always been odd and fickle.

I put Tacet Nox in its scabbard once more, placed it in the armory and headed to the training yard, it was time to start looking for leaders in the group to train.

Chapter 12: Clean Up

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Chapter 12: Clean Up

Tristan

All in all the first training session went as well as I could have hoped. After finding out what they knew already I found most only knew the basics of military discipline if only barely, some caught on quickly to what I was teaching them then there was the ex Royal guard. The Royal guards knew the basics and knew them well, as well as some combat training but as expected it was shy of what the Equestrian military was capable of during the Chaos War. In the ranks of the Cultists I spotted some that stood out from the rest. Ones that helped out their peers in various ways from correcting stance, to staying with some of the cultists that were lagging behind during cardio encouraging them. I kept them in mind before ending training for the day and getting some rest myself. There was no disturbance from the room across from me.

I watched the sun peek over the horizon quickly illuminating the sky. Soon I would go to three major cities in Equestria to make sure that things went as planned but what does. It was an hour later I was summoned to the dining room to eat with Nightmare. We did not speak at all, there was no reason. In another hour I found myself on a chariot made specially for heavy loads. Half of me was afraid that I was going to fall and the other half told me that I had dropped to Delta Halo in a drop pod while under heavy fire and another time dropped from space with nothing but my armor to protect me. It was then I started to realize how much the soul fusion would affect me and how it had and would change me, the implications scared me.

The ride was uneventful, taking several hours. We arrived in a city called Manehattan where I was greeted by a couple unicorn cultists bowing to me. The unicorn mare on my right spoke up, “Greetings Demon we were given word of your arrival. It is an honor to meet you.”

I waved the mare off the honorifics, having done nothing but annoy me. “Then you know why I’m here so speak up.”

This time the unicorn on the left spoke up, this one a stallion, “The guard here is either dead or imprisoned and the populace is passive going about business as if nothing has happened with a few small riots sparking up on occasion. Nothing we can’t deal with.” The stallion reached into his pocket and pulled out a scroll. “Here is a report of everything that has happened thus far.”

I took the scroll and the pair both bowed and backed off. I entered the chariot ready to head off to the next city. Fillydelphia, Las Pegasus, Dodge Junction, Vanhoover, Baltimare, and several other towns and cities were quite the same with no large issues with the population. It took two days to visit every one of the towns and cities to get their reports including rest for the pegasi piloting the chariot.

The final stop was a city in the sky called Cloudsdale, quite literally a city of clouds. When we arrived a unicorn gave me a gold necklace saying it was to let me walk on the clouds. Of course my brain fought the idea and it was several moments till I stepped off the chariot, and much to minds dismay I actually walked on the clouds, the sound my boots made sounded like I was walking on stone. More sure of myself, I got to the point of my visit, the ponies in charge of securing the area had their hands up in a salute and they were sweating bullets while quaking in their armor.

“At ease,” the cultists broke the salute but their nervousness still showed. “Report.”

I waited a full minute till one of the cultists spoke up a tan pegasus mare with an orange mane and tail. “The pegasi are fighting back under the lead of a group called the Wonderbolts, an elite unit in the royal guard, and as such they actually have proper weapons training, weapons and very good discipline.” Then a stallion walked up to give me two scrolls that I took. “The first scroll you have contains details we know on the Wonderbolts and their leaders, the second is the report of events so far.”

I stood quietly reading the information on the unit. The biggest thing of note was their leader Spitfire and her second and third in command Fleetfoot and Soarin. According to the report they were the most dangerous of the unit.I paid special attention to the dossiers of the leaders, learning as much as I could in a short time. Spitfire used a longsword, Soarin a battle axe and Fleetfoot used twin daggers. According to the report the leaders of the Wonderbolts received magical enhancements to increase strength, endurance and speed. Aside from information on the rank structure of the unit there was little more of use in the report.

I gave the scrolls back to the pegasus mare. “Have your fastest flyers take this to Canterlot and get it to the Queen.” The mare nodded and called forth some of the ponies under her. After a brief discussion the cultists took the scrolls and took off. “Now get everyone that can fight ready to march out in ten minutes.” The mare saluted before walking off. I did the same entering a nearby building as I waited for the attack to begin.

It is the moments before deployment that are the most nerve wracking as your mind thinks of how everything could go wrong, the people that will inevitably die under your lead and what led you to this point in the first place. After fighting for so long and my dual experiences it was hard to imagine the person I once was. How I used to be some random person of no real significance, then one purchase later I was in the body of a fictional super soldier and wanted to go home, over a thousand years later I ended up helping a coup of the Equestrian government and finding home was the one place I could never see again. At the time it was a lot to take in, now it is just one of many things on my mind.

A cultist was sent to notify me that the group was prepared for the attack. I got up with a sigh and walked outside, a few hundred cultists in various states of armament looked up at me as if they expected a speech or rallying cry fit for legends. What I gave them was neither, “Follow and give each other room to fight. Pegasi take to the air, earth ponies, surround a unicorn group and protect them, unicorns ground as many of the enemy as possible.” My orders were obeyed as they adjusted their formation to my specifications.

I wordlessly grabbed my rifle and moved forward towards the large wonderbolts base. As expected enemy pegasi took to the air, I leveled my rifle and fired at the first one I saw, the burst putting three holes in the target’s lightly armored chest. The battle had begun.

My goal was to fight my way to the leaders and kill them, they would be on my level at least with strength and speed. As I advanced more and more wonderbolts would charge me in a futile attempt to end my life. The world around me moved in slow motion as I saw ten or so charging pegasi come towards me, rage etched onto their faces. I noted I did not have enough ammo in the assault rifle’s magazine to take care of them all and reloading was out of the picture. I put the rifle on my back and raised my hands in preparation.

The first enemy arrived trying to put a sword in my neck, I ducked, took their hand and threw them into two of their comrades with enough force to rip the first attackers arm off and cave in the chest cavities of the two unfortunate enough to be in front of the living projectile. The others came as expected. I caught one and broke his neck and stabbed another with my combat knife. During the fight I only suffered a few hits that resulted in my shields flickering and the death of the defenders.

Behind me the cultists fought surprisingly well, something I partially attributed to the formation I put them in, though they were still taking heavy casualties. I moved up towards the fort-like base the leaders were most likely holed up in. Over twenty to forty minutes later I was in front of the fort, my armor having gained a couple of new scratches when the pegasi managed to get through the energy shield. I walked in a hail of bullets meeting any in my way.

Another ten minutes of walking through the fort, I had finally found the command room where the Wonderbolt leaders resided. I kicked in the door and wood splinters flew forward, two guards rushed at me intent on running me through with their spears though all they got for their efforts was a magnum bullet to each of their heads, spraying a pink mist as the high caliber explosive rounds detonated inside their skulls. This act stunned the leaders long enough to let me speak.

“Surrender, I will not kill you and further bloodshed will cease, don’t and you three will die and the rest will surrender anyway. I have no desire to kill anymore then I must, we are both just following orders and that is respectable, now make your choice.”

I watched the leaders look at each other with a nervous determination clear on each of their faces. The leader of the group spoke up, “You can tell Nightmare Moon to fuck right off Demon.” Spitfire drew her longsword and the others followed.

“I have no time for this.” Time slowed, as they charged I fired three magnum rounds one into each of their heads turning the inside into paste the deaths quick and painless. Once I was out of “Spartan Time” I looked at the three corpses in front of me and shook my head, “You three thought I would play by your rules? Now look where you are.” I dragged all three bodies outside, the battle having already stopped. The shock on their faces when I threw the bodies of their leaders out of the fortress door. “Guard, spare those who surrender and kill any who resist.”

The remaining pegasus forces made no move to fight just staring at their dead leaders then at me as if it was some joke. Even some of the Nightmare cultists looked at me as they corralled the prisoners' whispers could be heard around me. “Who is this stallion?”, “He killed the Wonderbolt leaders quickly and with no other injuries but a hole in each of their heads.”, “A demon indeed.” Eventually I ignored the whispers and walked to a chariot waiting to take me to Nightmare and entered, the flight group nodded and took me to Canterlot.

Chapter 13: Thoughts

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Chapter 13: Thoughts

Nightmare Moon

Nightmare Moon sat on her throne as the sun started to near the horizon. She had received the news about the resistance in Cloudsdale including the Demon’s plan to lead an attack. But now she waited for news of the attack's success or failure. During that waiting time the nobles had no shortage of petty problems to bring to her attention. Each problem growing more and more absurd, to a point that she declared court over.

Nightmare was nodding off when she heard the distinct clack of the Demon’s boots on the castle’s marble floors. The Demon robotically stood in front of her, “The conflict in Cloudsdale has been settled, the leaders of the Wonderbolts are dead and the resistance being corralled and dealt with. Hostilities are being met with equal force as I ordered.”

“Good, now with one of the largest open resistances taken care of the ponies herd mentality will cause most to fall in line and at most resent me. Only a few will openly rebel now. I’ll let the papers say what they will but any hostile behavior will be met with force.”

Nightmare Moon lowered her head in thought, “Now we have to deal with the other countries as expected, several have heard of my coup by now and I have received word that the Griffin King wishes to speak to me. Presumably to make sure trade will continue as it has, I suspect he wants to size me up so I want you by my side. The meeting will be noon tomorrow. Nightmare Moon waved a hand, “You may go, get some rest you’ll need it.”

With a respectful nod the Demon walked away his boots clacking behind him with only the soft rustle of the armored plates making any further noise. The Demon turned the corner and was out of sight. Nightmare walked off to her quarters to get some needed rest herself dreading the necessary but tedious world politics she would get to deal with the next day.

Celestia

Celestia was distracting herself with a book from her personal collection, when she heard the distinctive clanking of armored feet come down the hall and the door next to hers open up. Celestia figured The Demon was getting back from whatever mission he had and going to rest.

Once more the conflicting images of The Demon fought in her mind, one of the heartless killer and the other image of the odd stallion that rescued her from further abuse when he could have easily just left her to her fate. The pained look she saw for a moment when he took off his helmet further complicated her image. She considered herself a good judge of one's motivations yet she could not figure out The Demon’s. On one hand he would kill without hesitation when ordered, and side with tyrants, and on the other kill two stallions to stop a rape in progress, proceed to lend a literal shoulder to cry on. Then later have a polite chat about her sister, after having her moved to better quarters and have wards to prevent another incident. Celestia looked at the sky her mind heavy with thoughts she put her book down marking the page she left off on, before laying in her bed and letting sleep take her.

Tristan

I walked to my room after giving Nightmare Moon my report, another day of fighting and killing something that came so naturally and the next day would require me to stand and look dangerous. I thought for a moment about what I was doing helping Nightmare overthrow the nation's ruler in hope for a way home and when that was shown to be impossible accepting the position of being Nightmare’s right hand, her personal assassin. All because I felt I had no other purpose and this gave me one. I tried recalling my mother, my father, friends, and my mind came up blank. I realized they were now impressions and voices, even if I did make it back would I have even recognized my old life? The answer scared me, “No.” I said out loud the word echoing in my mind as it did the halls.

I found my room and opened the door sitting down on a chair, as I realized I had been killing for others for so long that everything I once knew was only an impression in my head. Other names came to me clearer. Halsey, Cortana, Johnson. They somehow felt more familiar clearer yet part of me thought them fiction like the person whose body I possessed, yet the faces were also slightly blurred. Was I even Tristan or even John or was I The Demon a combination of the two. One an average young man getting by in life and a deadly supersoldier. It was a scary question so I rushed to my bed and laid down with the hope all these thoughts would settle down, so I closed my eyes and the world around me faded away.

Chapter 14: Griffinstone

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Chapter 14: Griffinstone

Tristan

The sun was only starting to show dimly through the windows when I woke up. My sleep was haunted by the faces of the dead and my own worries. I just let the nightmares fade like they always did and headed to the castle dining room.

The walk was quiet with the occasional guard saluting me as I passed. Upon entering the dining room I spotted Nightmare Moon eating her own meal only a glance in my direction letting me know she noticed me. The staff brought out some oatmeal with several pieces of fruit a glass of milk and some sausage, I curtly thanked them before taking off my helmet to eat.

Nightmare and I ate in silence for several minutes before I decided to break the ice. “Anything that I should know before we meet with the Griffin King?”

“Not much outside what I have told you or you know already. I just need you to keep an eye out for any sort of attackers and to look imposing, I will take care of the rest.” Nightmare paused for a moment before continuing, “Though I would not be surprised if they either recognized you or the king addressed you, you are a myth come to life much like myself.”

I nodded “Sounds good to me, I imagine the King is wanting us to meet him?”

Nightmare Moon just nodded before going to finish her meal. I did the same and at about nine we departed on one of the royal chariots this one painted with the deep purples, blues and blacks the guards wore. We arrived at the griffin capital of Griffinstone, a city named Lightfeather. The city was built into a mountain much like Canterlot though it possessed towering stone walls and the grey stone architecture of the stereotypical medieval castles.

A griffin guard escort met us at the air docks and lead us to the meeting room. I could feel the eyes on us as we walked through the castle grounds posh nobles muttering obscenities when they thought we could not hear and the guards commenting on the lack of any guards but myself.

Some minutes of walking through torch lit corridors our escort stopped at a large door and opened it, the room before us was decorated with oak tables and chairs, several heads of bears, manticores, and even a hydra mounted on the wall and above a crackling fireplace a greatsword by griffin and pony standards. Sitting at the head of the table was King Steel Talon with four guards in polished steel plate wearing a red cape standing behind him at attention. On either side of the table were two nobles in fancy clothing.

“I King Steel Talon of Lightfeather welcome you and your guard Queen Nightmare Moon, before we start would you like some refreshment?” The king raised a brow when his eyes met me.

“It is an honor to meet you King Steel Talon of Lightfeather, your hospitality is welcome.” Nightmare said looking the King in the eye. I dipped my head in a courteous nod watching a flash of surprise come across the King’s face. I smiled knowing he did not expect me to know any of the griffin etiquette when greeted by one of higher rank from a foreign kingdom.

Nightmare Moon

Nightmare Moon watched as servants brought in wine and honeyed bread. She smiled and took a sip of the wine and a bite of the bread right before the King did causing a brief flash of anger from the surrounding griffins, when she basicly just asserted herself as higher, more powerful and more important than the King in his own castle.

“Let us begin,” Steel Talon began expertly keeping his posture even with the blatant insult. “I called you here to both meet the new ruler of Equestria and in hopes to keep relations peaceful between our nations despite the sudden ‘change’ in rule. I would like to start with our current trade agreements with Equestria and make sure both treaties enacted during Princess Celestia’s rule are still agreeable and can continue without any objection on your part.”

Nightmare Moon remembered the agreements in which Equestria traded gold, platinum and gems for silver, copper and titanium that Equestria used in its current production of modern conveniences seeing as silver and copper were very conductive of magic and titanium was used to make magic resistant items. “I find our current trade treaties to be fair so far.”

The Griffin King nodded, “Good, good. I believe it is safe to assume you still respect the mutual protection treaties as well.”

Nightmare nodded.

Steel Talon nodded once more before looking at her guard and adviser. “Who and what is the armored creature that guards you Queen Nightmare? I have never seen one such as it.”

The Demon decided to answer for himself. “Most know me as The Demon as for what I am, I am a human.”

Nightmare noticed a guard or two tense up upon hearing the name of a being that was supposed to be nothing more than myth while others did not seem to know the myth or thought it was just a sham.

The Griffin King however tilted his head down for a moment. “I recognize that name from many myths and legends of a nigh invincible warrior that fought against the Alicorn Sisters during the chaos war. Legend has it that he came close to killing Princess Luna. But was defeated with the Elements of harmony along with Discord. I find it a funny ploy to have your guard, more than likely a Minotaur with enchanted armor made to look like the mythical warrior.”

Nightmare Moon looked at the king with a smile as an idea formed in her head. “Well I’m sure he disagrees. So I propose after this meeting that a duel take place between my guard and five of your best soldiers.”

King Steel Talon paused before a smile appeared on his beak. “If you wish a duel against my best and your guard then so be it. But let’s get back to business.

For another several hours the two discussed treaties and trade agreements, revising some while completely changing or getting rid of others. Overall both parties were satisfied with the results.

Chapter 15: Sleeping Arrangements

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Chapter 15: Sleeping Arrangements

Tristain

After watching the long session of negotiations about treaties and trade agreements I was relieved when both parties shook hand and claw. It was dark by the time the negotiations were over so King Steel Talon offered for us to stay the night saying he would send a servant to gather them for breakfast before the fight.

A couple guards escorted us to the room we would inhabit for the night. The room was quite large with a king size bed in front of us . A night stand stood on both sides of the bed with a candle on each stand. A dresser stood to the right of the bed while a desk sat on the wall right of the dresser with it’s own candle. A couple chairs sat around a coffee tale in the center left of the room.

Nightmare examined the room before walking towards the bathroom door on the left hand side of the room, I decided to test one of the chairs with a hope it would support my weight and thankfully it did. I was sitting there looking out a window on the back wall when Nightmare came out of the bathroom in a thin night gown with her underwear being the only other article of clothing keeping her decent.

Nightmare motioned for me to follow her out to the balcony where she lit up her horn and raised her hands towards the waning sun. At her command the sun lowered and the moon rose tendrils of dark blue magic flowed around her and in moments it was finished. The moon had taken it’s place in the sky. This was the first time I saw Nightmare transition the night and day and I admit even to this day it was one of the most breathtaking things I had ever witnessed.

I was still looking at the night sky when Nightmare spoke. “Beautiful isn’t it? After a millenia of planning after my first attempt to take over failed now I have a kingdom with myself as the queen my enemies are taken care of and I am eventually going to fully assimilate Luna then I will not have to worry about her resurgence.”

Nightmare looked up at the sky then back at me once more, “Thank you for coming with me, tomorrow you can show the Griffins that you are The Demon and stop any questioning of our legitimacy. Once you win the word of your existence will spread and I would find it unsurprising if some fools decided to try and attack you or myself to claim fame. This is the first showing of the change of power to the world and I reckon we will make waves.”

I shook my head, “I’m aware and like I said I will make sure no slimy prick decides to kill you in your sleep as for me I’m not worried if I die I die, if I live I live, I don’t care either way. Anyway how are sleeping arrangements going to work, I can sleep on the floor since a second bed was not provided.”

Nightmare chuckled, “You have done much for me over the past days and the bed is big enough for the both of us.” Nightmare flared her magic and it washed over the bed,\ “There now it should hold the both of us with no trouble.”

I looked at Nightmare quite confused, “Wait, you want me to sleep next to you while in armor despite how uncomfortable it would be if I made any contact with you while asleep or vice versa?”

Nightmare Moon smiled again, “What if I told you I could create a way for you to remove the armor or sections of it at will without even touching it?”

My confusion deepened, I started to wonder why she wanted me to sleep next to her so much that she would use a spell to let me take the armor off at will. “Doubtful it takes a half hour with a host of special equipment that is hundreds if not thousands of years more advanced.”

Once more Nightmare gave a coy smile. A wave of magic encased me before dissipating. “Now try thinking of yourself without the armor.”

I complied and almost jumped when I was in nothing but the armored bodysuit and the armor was nowhere to be seen though I felt very vulnerable. “I’m guessing another thought will put the armor right back on?” Nightmare nodded and I decided to imagine the armor encasing me once more and the familiar weight was once more around me and upon running a test of the armors systems nothing was wrong.

“Well now you have no excuse I command you to sleep in the bed with me.”

I nodded, willing the armor off I climbed on the bed and pulled the covers over me, Nightmare did the same, I sighed before closing my eyes and going to sleep.

Chapter 16: Fight!

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Chapter 16: Fight!

Nightmare Moon

The next day

Nightmare Moon slowly woke up to feeling herself pressed against something. She opened her eyes and noticed she was pressed against Tristan, her arms wrapped around his muscular form.

She remembered last night asking him to sleep next to her even granting him a way to take off his armor and when he did she remembered how form fitting the jumpsuit was highlighting his every muscle. She felt a heat build on her cheeks and quickly dismissed the invasive thoughts

Nightmare thought about why she made the request, Tristan even stated he was fine sleeping on the floor. The more she thought about it the quicker she realized that Tristain was the only one that followed her for a reason other than fear or reverence. Even if that reason was to distract himself. That and thanks to searching his soul she knew him more than any other could. He was somepony that could be trusted to watch her back. Somepony that would be there if every guard and noble around her betrayed her.

Nightmare glanced at the man once more, remembering that he would be fighting to prove himself to be the mythical Demon spoke about in hushed whispers. Nightmare had little doubt he would be victorious and it would be something she would undoubtedly use to her benefit, keeping all but the most daring assassins from trying to kill her while she slept.

A knock sounded from the door, Nightmare groaned having hoped to lay down awhile longer having just raised the sun a little over an hour ago. “Who is it!?”

“Your escort, the King wants to see you for breakfast before the duel begins.”

Nightmare huffed once more and noticed Tristan standing up and stretching his arms and legs before he willed the armor back on once more. “Understood, give me some time to get ready.” Nightmare Moon responded before turning to Tristan. “Good you're up, let me get cleaned up and dressed then we will meet the King for breakfast before your duel.” Tristan nodded and Nightmare entered the bathroom with her choice of clothing for the day.

Fifteen minutes later Nightmare came out of the bathroom wearing a simple navy blue sleeveless dress that highlighted her figure quite well, exposing a modest amount of cleavage. On her head was her crown and her feet were covered by matching shoes. Tristan opened the door and followed the guard walking next to Nightmare till they got to the dining hall where he sat to her right.

“Welcome Queen Nightmare Moon, I figured you and your guard would like a meal before the duel.” Said King Steal Talon

Nightmare gave a polite smile, “I am grateful for your generosity.”

From there the group ate in silence except to ask for a dish to be passed down or some trivial small talk.

Tristain

Breakfast ended and the Griffin King got up, “Follow me to the coliseum.” With those words his guards lined up and surrounded him three in the front, three in the back, and one on each side.

Nightmare and I complied and followed the King through the winding castle halls till we exited out a door and into a large field with a very Roman like coliseum right in the middle. I was directed to a different entrance by another guard.

When we entered the smell of days old sweat and blood the inside reflected this as old stains could be seen, the walls were cracked and covered in moss.

The griffin guard lead me to another exit leading to the center of the coliseum where five griffins glared at me. The outer sections of the coliseum were a stark contrast to the fighters quarters. Pristine white marble free of blood stains sparkled in the morning sun. I could see that the Griffin King had invited plenty of nobles to oversee the fight, while Nightmare sat to the left of King Steel Talon. I briefly caught a smirk on her face only visible thanks to the zoom on my visor.

My thoughts were interrupted by the booming voice of an announcer. “Welcome ladies and gentlemen to this once in a lifetime fight. Before you are the empire’s finest soldiers of our glorious leader’s personal guard and fighting them is the mythical Demon of the legends!”

The audience cheered for a minute before quieting down as the announcer continued. “This fight is so special that the Griffinstone mages guild is charging the runes so these contestants can go all out!” More cheers followed.

“Now fighters this means you can go all out. Any killing blow will knock you unconscious though you will still feel any and all pain!”

The five griffins in front of me readied themselves, I just smiled deciding to make a show of this fight.

“Fighters, are you ready?!” The announcer paused before continuing “Begin!”

Two of the griffins charged another pair took to the air and the last one was holding a staff crackling with arcane energy. I focused on the mage first not wanting to chance his magic being able to do damage to my armor.

Drawing my energy sword I sprinted towards the mage, who started firing mana bolts at me that either dissipated upon contact with my energy sword or hit my shields steadily draining them.

The two charging griffins were dealt with quickly enough I sent a punch to the griffin on my left that would have caved his skull in, but instead knocked him out, the griffin on my right received my energy sword.

Less than twenty seconds had passed since the start and mage had my shields to ten percent now I elected to deal with them next. I was three meters away from the mage when I lashed out with my energy sword. The mage tried to block with their staff but it was simply cut in half, the mage collapsing soon after.

The airborne griffins dived at me I punched one away while the other tackled me. Now on the ground I simply leveraged my raw strength and pushed my attacker off, his friend just now recovering from the rough landing and charged at me. I shook my head and caught the griffin’s blade in my gauntleted hand and yanked it away before I slammed the blades pumble into the griffin’s head hard enough to snap the blade. The final griffin I simply walked up to, lazily dodged his sword, disarmed him and beat him over the head with the pommel of his own blade. The fight took all of two minutes.

I looked around me and five unconscious griffins surrounded me. “Well it seems much to my surprise the challenger won against our kings finest.” The announcer said with a gasp.

A gate was opened medics pouring out and I took it as my signal to leave the arena. A pair of guards lead me back to Nightmare and the Griffin King. “Well i’ll be damned, you beat five of my best guards barely taking any sort of hit yourself. Pretender or not you proved yourself Demon.” The king whistled and several guards came to his side. “I will be going Negotiations are finished seeing all our matters were settled yesterday evening so I thank you Nightmare for settling things. May the winds carry you to victory.”

“It has been an honor to be here King Steel Talon.” Nightmare replied before gesturing me to her side and speaking only after the King had left. “You held back didn’t you?”

I nodded, “The King and nobles wanted a show so I gave them one. Luna’s memories will tell you that an alicorn is one of the few being that can keep up with me.”

“I am well aware Demon, but anyway let us be off I am scared to see what the nobles have screwed up in my absence.”

The rest of the day involved getting in the chariot and the flight back was just filled with silence and small talk.

Chapter 17: Days Turn to Weeks, Then Months, Then Years

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Chapter 17: Days Turn to Weeks, Then Months, Then Years

Tristan

When we arrived back at Canterlot, one of Nightmare’s appointed officials met us to talk about the events since our absence. All in all not much besides outrageous demands made by the nobles and a few basic concerns that could be taken care of easily enough by local guards. I looked at Nightmare, “So back to the usual grind hmm?” Nightmare just sighed and nodded.

Nightmare took her position on the throne and I got back to training the guards making the day quite uneventful. So I decided to see Celestia. She quickly took notice when I entered the room “So what brings you here?”

I shrugged, “Boredom, I’m a soldier so when everything is calm I have nothing to do besides train the guards and practice with Tacet Nox. Might as well learn to be decent with a blade of this age. So how about you?”

“I’m fine, I have just been reading some books from my personal collection.” Celestia replied neutrally as she peeked up from her book

I saw that facade break for a second making the bags under her eyes more noticeable and a certain mix of sadness, anger and fear evident in her eyes.

“I rather doubt that, something has you upset.”

Celestia put her book to the side and was about to protest before a wave of sadness seemed to wash over her and she tilted her head down, “I could not fend off those stallions' with my magic drained. Me, the solar princess with the power to raise the sun itself, and even worshiped by some ponies, could not fight off a few stallions.” Celestia broke down into tears every memory of that moment played in her head. “If It weren't for you they could have killed me, and I was powerless.”

Celestia just hugged me and sobbed, seeming not to care that I was in armor. It was sad to see the very same woman that fought me once, broken down in tears. “Don’t worry they won’t do anything to you ever again.” I said in a weak attempt to comfort Celestia, though it seemed it worked at least in part. Part of me wondered why I did this, by all rights she was my enemy, a prisoner but then I reminded myself that nobody deserved what she had done to her.

We eventually parted ways wishing each other well. I walked back to my room to rest after such a long few days. I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes, Sleep soon overtaking me.

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My dreams were uneventful and the days of training troops and doing a mission or appearance with Nightmare here and there started to bleed into each other as they turned to weeks and eventually months and before I knew it Nightmare had been on the throne for two years. Two years of relatively quiet rule. Most of the protests calmed down after a year and no sign of any drastic change to the ponies' daily lives causing them to lose the wind in their sails.

The military was much better trained than it had been in years under Celestia’s rule and a couple of improvements on the equipment were made by Nightmare’s request, putting the Equestrian Military on par technologically with other kingdoms . Like better armor, the introduction of a magic based musket even if some other countries had black powder based ones for a while now. Even improvements to the Navy’s water and air based ships. Though it seemed I still could not get the herd mindset trained out much to my dismay.

After a year when the first few batches of recruits finished training, I was able to let others do the work of training, letting me focus on military actions and even create a special operations group like I had when I fought alongside Discord.

It was also when I fulfilled my Promise to Chrysalis after so long. I said I would tear her hive apart if she betrayed me like she did and I always kept my promises. Suffice to say the operation was approved and the first bit of action tasted by my newly made special operations group, and they performed spectacularly.

Once spies found the hive Chrysalis was located in, it was not long till we attacked. Like promise, her hive was in ruins with Chrysalis’ dead body before me. Her army gave up soon after that and the next in line King Thorax surrendered to us. We escorted him to Canterlot and some political negotiations later the rest of the hive was free to go if they were willing to become Equestrian citizens under the condition that if in disguise then they had to have at least one distinct feature that put them apart from other ponies. Nightmare even let King Thorax become the political representative of all changeling citizens in Equestria, with an official baronship, land, and a seat in the circle of Nobles

Nightmare and I were close friends and allies and she would talk about her days to me and I would talk about mine, sometimes even walking about after day court. Then we would both be on our way to continue our respective duties.

As for the relationship between myself and Celestia became that of close friends over the course of months, however Celestia seemed to want to make it more. I ignored the advances knowing I could never return the feelings. Though months of ignoring advances lead to the dreaded point of Celestia telling me directly.

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Tristan

One year three months since Nightmare Moon’s coup

I was visiting Celestia Like I always did and like most visits we talked and vented. Though this time she requested to let her walk in the gardens under my supervision. Finding nothing wrong with the request I gave her my approval and I led her there.

The gardens were in sight when she spoke up. “It sure is nice out you should rid yourself of the armor, it’s not like you're defenseless without it.”

I shrugged as I thought about the idea, it was not the first time she requested such a thing and not the first time I had done it around her and though it was like a second skin sometimes it is nice to be able to feel the wind a bit through the under armor. So with a thought I activated the spell and the armor vanished into whatever place it went to when it was not on me. “Are they happy?”

Celestia nodded, “Yes I am quite happy.” Celestia leaned on me a little and I just let it happen seeing no real harm in it.

It was about five minutes later that Celestia led us to a part of the gardens with a nice bench overlooking the entirety of Canterlot and we both sat down. “I always liked coming here every night I could during Luna’s banishment, a reminder of what happened and because I just liked how relaxing it was at night. The city rests with a few walking about here and there.”

Celestia leaned into me some more, the suspicions of her feelings towards me rising up once again.

“I just wanted to share this little place with you and….” Celestia paused a small tinge of red on her cheeks as Celestia seemed to be searching for the words to say. “I wanted to admit something.”

I motioned for Celestia to go on dreading what was to come and my inevitable reply.

Celestia took a deep breath, “I think I might have feelings for you, maybe even love you either way I want to know if you might feel the same way.”

Celestia looked at me expectantly, I just sighed, “I’m sorry but I don’t and I doubt I ever will.” I sighed, “I have been fighting battles and wars for too long and for half of my memories I was fighting enemy troops as early as fourteen. Even if I consider the half of my memories of a young man that got sucked here I still have been in so much fighting for so long.”

I looked at the ground for a moment gathering my thoughts while Celestia was on the verge of tears. “Sometimes I wonder if I even qualify as human, I follow orders, fight, kill and move to the next battle almost mechanically. Part of me says that is not normal or a good thing then what seems to be the dominant part of my being since I came here tells me it is normal that it is just what I do. I wish that I could feel more than just pity, a bit of sadness and some anger when I watch someone under my command die. The best I manage is frustration and anger if I fail a mission.”

I bitterly laughed. “Funny thing is if I was around my family or the others of Blue Team maybe I would be less detached. As your friend I hope you find that one person that feels special to you but I’m not the one, I’m sorry.”

The walk back was quiet and I walked away from her room hearing her cry on her bed.
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Celestia and I did not talk to me much more than necessary after that and that was only during the few times I would even see her. Even now I wish that day could have gone differently, or that by some miracle I could feel actual love or even lust. I had always liked talking to Celestia and Nightmare. It made me feel human again if only for a moment and now I lost connection to one of two people that let me feel that way.

It would be nine months later that Nightmare and I would find out we missed one big detail about the Elements of Harmony, and that our prisoners had devised just the plan to overthrow Nightmare.

Chapter 18:Confrontations and Returns

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Chapter 18:Confrontations and Returns

Two years after Celestia was overthrown

Tristan

A guard ran up to me and Nightmare as we were discussing current events with a panicked look on his face “My Queen the prisoners have escaped!”

This caused myself and Nightmare to end our conversation quickly as I asked what was on our minds. “Which prisoners?”

“The six mares and the former Sun Princess sir.” The stallion's ears were pinned back.

“So how did they escape or at least how do you believe they did?” I asked,my tone even while Nightmare was holding back an enraged yell.

“They got hold of a key, somehow unlocked the door and forced a rookie to take the inhibitors off. Then they found where Celestia was and freed her after getting past the guards.”

At this point I was quite angry. They seemed to either have help or were lucky because very few knew the location of Celestia. I was willing to bet on the former. That meant that our intelligence network was useless and missed a lot of information. Though I should have remembered that they tended to do that. Both the CIA and ONI.
“Okay you may leave, gather as many guards as you can and continue the search.”

The stallion’s gaze shrunk even more as I spoke the orders leading me to believe they just had come to us and never created a search group. I let the stallion leave the room before Nightmare put up an anti eavesdropping spell and we both yelled our respective curse’s.

Nightmare looked at me and spoke. “They are more than likely at the castle ruins with the Elements right now and planning to confront us and since Celestia is free they can get past our guards easily even in her weakened state.”

“Seems even we overlooked some things though a two year take over with the restraints you had I’d have to say was a good run.” I replied with a laugh.

“Yes it was a pretty good run considering.” Nightmare says with a nod. “It has been nice to have a friend like you.”

I smiled under my helmet as panicked screams could be heard from the guards.”You have been a great friend to me since we learned I could not return. Thank you.” I pulled out my assault rifle as the doors were blasted in. I saw the six mares five with necklaces and the last one with a tiara, Celestia. I fired my rifle and a shield was put up just in time by the purple unicorn though she winced with every round that hit.

Celestia immediately attacked me and I was able to dodge a magic bolt before she punched me causing me to stagger a little and bring a sword out. I was able to block with my energy sword, and just as I was about to attack she backed off and I saw why instantly. The elements were active and Nightmare was trying to stop them but invisible energy protected each of the six mares. I tried to dodge the beam but like the other times I was locked in place, Nightmare was in a similar position and we looked at each other and simply nodded accepting our fate.

The rainbow beam washed over us and I saw the pony that was once Nightmare Moon shrink down a foot, her mane and tail turn to a light blue and before me was the familiar face of Princess Luna. Though I was unable to focus on her for long as I felt a black smoke hit me in the chest causing me to grunt as I was forced onto my knees by the impact. I felt another presence in my head and the feeling of molten lead being poured down my throat. What felt like an eternity was merely a minute, then the world turned black.

Celestia

Celestia watched as the Elements of Harmony went to work purging Nightmare from Luna though something unexpected happened a black mist hit Tristan in the chest and she heard him scream for an agonizingly slow minute before she watched The Demon collapse, seeming to be out cold.

A group of guards charged into the room only to stop and bowed to Celestia when they saw no indication of Nightmare Moon and The Demon on the ground, just as quick to follow Celestia as they were in following Nightmare Moon and The Demon.

Celestia took note of this tendency to quickly follow the most powerful figure. “I want any earthpony guards to help carry The Demon to the room across from mine. Use as many as it takes. The rest of you spread the word that I and my sister rule Equestria once again”

All of the earthpony guards did as their Princess commanded, lifting the over a half a ton Spartan up with four earthponies on each side, while the rest of the guards set out on spreading the word of Nightmare Moon’s defeat.

Celestia then walked up to her slowly waking sister and once Luna opened her eyes said, “It is nice to have you back.”

Luna hugged Celestia as the six mares smiled. Tears welled out of both of the Sister’s eyes and Luna spoke. “I am so glad to be free of The Nightmare as well. Though I will always remember the results of my choice. The war so long ago and then her escape. Then the collaboration with The Demon to take the throne. Even the deal they made though the attempt proved impossible.” Luna held Celestia there for a minute before speaking again. “I find myself curious about what the Element’s did to The Demon.”

Celestia sighed, “I’m not exactly sure he screamed in pain then collapsed, unconscious. However, we can find out what happened later. I just want to be with you.” Celestia looked at the six mares. “You six girls have done wonderfully considering the circumstances, and in the end your friendship let you hold strong for two years, and strike the blow to stop The Nightmare’s continued rule and free my sister.”

Twilight looked at her mentor and sobbed. “I thought I lost you when that thing defeated us that I had failed you. It is only because of my friends here and my brother’s help from the outside with a few loyal guards that we managed to escape. I do have one thing I want to ask if it is alright with you Princess.”

Celestia nodded, “Go ahead my student.”

“I would like to stay with my friends in Ponyville, and continue my studies from there. I just can’t imagine life without them now.” Twilight replied.

Celestia smiled, “You may, from here on out you are Ponyville’s librarian and you will study friendship. I look forward to reading what you learn, Twilight Sparkle. I want you six to stay here at the castle for the evening you will take the train back tomorrow

Twilight beamed, “Thank you so much Princess Celestia, I will not disappoint you.”

Celestia smiled, “I know my student. Show your friends to the guest quarters after getting something to eat.”

With that Twilight gleefully led her friends to the dining room leaving Celstia and Luna alone

Celestia guided her sister to what would be her room and they talked about events though Celestia did not mention what had happened to her in the cell on the first day of her capture. The sisters talked at length discussing changes over the past one thousand two years and Eventually Luna became tired, having Nightmare pulled out of her it took a lot from Luna.

Celestia said goodnight to her sister and went to visit Tristan. She had an idea of what may have happened but had to do some scans to see for herself. When she entered the room and saw Tristan laying there the only way she could even tell he was alive was the rising and falling of his chest.

Celestia stood there a moment wondering how she fell for him and even several months after he verbally rejected her advances she still found herself pining after him, and it confused her to no end.

Celestia shook her head free of the thoughts and just focused on using her magic to scan him for any magical signature at all. As she expected she found Nightmare’s magic resting in his chest and it seemed to flow weakly through newly made mana pathways. More detailed scans showed that the magic seemed to be taking root in him as well, effectively making Tristan her new host.

Celestia stopped the scans and left the room, her suspicions confirmed. The Elements had forced Nightmare out of Luna and placed her inside Tristan and Celestia could not figure out why.

Chapter 19: Revelations and A Chat with the Night

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Chapter 19: Revelations and a Chat with the Night

Tristan

Soon after I felt the black smoke hit me and I blacked out. I found myself in my apartment. Everything was where I last had it and I saw a few books and games scattered on my coffee table in front of the TV with my xbox one. I sat on my couch and looked around. The place was decently clean though some areas could use some sweeping.

Part of me hoped that all my time in Equestria was some sort of nightmare and I ran to the bathroom to take a look at myself and much to my dismay I saw the image in the mirror fluctuate between my appearance before I was taken to Equestria, and the Spartan I had seen every time I looked in a mirror for several years now. Before it settled into the Spartan.

It was then I quickly realized this was the dream and my mood quickly soured, I walked to the couch and sat down and sulked. “Sulking never looked too good on you Tristan.” Said a voice I quickly recognized.

In a fraction of a second my head turned to see Nightmare right next to me with a grin. Nightmare sat down next to me dressed in the armor she wore when I first met her. It was then I remembered the black smoke hit my chest. “Well it seems the elements saw fit to shove you in my head with me. They never were good at destroying their targets.” Nightmare just nodded.

“So what now you have control of my body now or you just a passenger?” I asked.

“Nightmare chuckled, “No you're still in control when you do wake up but you do have access to some magic, you now are immune to most known diseases and poisons. and any mortal I inhabit tends to stop aging so as long as you are not killed you will continue to live, you won’t die of starvation or thirst as long as ambient magic is around but you will feel it, and that I believe is the entire package thanks to the element’s forcing me inside your head.”

It took me a minute to process the fact Nightmare just said I had access to magic and was as close to immortal as I could get and I felt a mix of emotions wash over me before I put my fist through the coffee table, then kicked the coffee table into the TV and did much the same with a lot of the things in the living room and before long there was debris from my rampage everywhere.

I looked around and just broke down crying. I half noticed I had changed back into my original body though the crying did not stop. “The one thing I was waiting for is not able to happen to me. My body was fifty some years old even if physically I seemed to be in my late thirties. After finding I could not go home I was counting on the fact I would age and die in fifty or so years, that my anguish would be over. I just had to wait it out.”

I paused for a moment gathering my thoughts and Nightmare put a hand on my shoulder before wrapping her arms around me and bringing me into a hug, the warmth felt amazing and even calming as I sobbed into her shoulder. “Now it seems I am doomed to never age. I can’t bring myself to commit suicide and most beings on this planet have no hope of killing me.”

Nightmare continued hugging me, “Look on the brightside Tristan, you won’t spend eternity alone, and you can use magic, something you have told me was impossible for you to do.”

I smiled a little letting the idea of using magic occupy my thoughts like many people. The idea of magic was a childhood dream right up there with becoming a firefighter or cop. The idea of having access to such a thing was just enough to keep my mind off the whole outliving the universe problem I had. I thought of all I could do with magic from levitation, to fireballs and raising an undead army.

Nightmare laughed, “You will have a ways to go before you can use such powerful and forbidden magic like necromancy. Your mana capacity is small but with use will grow bigger.”

“I have all the time I please and there are only three I know that can kill me with little effort, Celestia and Luna fear the collateral while Discord is in stone and even if he escapes he wouldn’t kill me.

Nightmare nodded and before she could speak everything started to fade in and out and suddenly my eyes opened and I found myself in a familiar bedroom with my arms and legs magically bound.

I looked around and it was the same plain bedroom dressed in Celestia’s colors of gold and white. The door clicked and my head spun, and of all people that could have come through it was Princess Luna. She seemed younger than she was when I was fighting her, her mane and tail were a pale blue instead of the image of space and stars, she was dressed in a simple blue dress a couple of shades darker than her mane. Though her age was still apparent in the eyes that locked on to me like a steel trap.

“So what brings you here to my little corner of the castle? Here to execute me, send me to that hidden prison you like to call Tartarus. Though if you are here to gloat then you are wasting your time.”

“No I just want to see you with our own eyes. Nightmare and you caused quite the mess in just two years. The leaders of the Wonderbolts died when the pegisi rebelled. The same with any other rebellion leaders. Changeling Queen Chrysalis and her hive slaughtered by your own hand even the military was better trained. It was a stroke of luck that freed the Elements of Harmony from thy custody.”

I chuckled. “So what is the point? It doesn't matter if everything turned out good on your end. The good guys despite all odds saved the day. What happened for two years will be a footnote in say, a generation. Ponies tend to try to forget their problems ever existed and then when they come back they are not prepared for them. It took forty years and the battle between you and your sister became only a bedtime story and that was for a two year war. Hell Discord was a myth in a generation and the war lasted a good seven years.

Luna seemed to scan me over with her eyes, arms folded across her chest. “You intrigue us. You said you took no pleasure from killing us once you had us at your mercy. Then once you and Nightmare met you helped her in exchange for finding a way for you to go back. That isn’t what draws my eye but the fact you stayed with her acting as her right hand when you could have just walked away. I must ask, why?

I looked Luna straight in her eyes. “Simple my only purpose for so long was to get home once I found that to be impossible then. I latched on to what I was familiar with, continued fighting for Nightmare because I had been fighting for years, and it gave me both a purpose and a distraction.”

“I see.” Luna said plainly. I watched as Luna continued to stare at me.

“So what is it that you and your sister want with me. Your elements forced Nightmare inside of me effectively taking my ability to die to any and all poisons and natural causes away including starvation and dehydration and I just can’t bring myself to commit suicide.” I chuckled, “All on top of being stranded here. The only positive is that I can use a little magic, yay fucking me.” I shook my head. “Enough of my complaining though my question still stands. What do you and your sister want?”

Luna shook her head and sighed, “With Nightmare locked away in you and seemingly unable or unwilling to escape and you now at our mercy Celestia has saw fit to have you taken to ponyville where you will reside under the custody of the Elements of Harmony tasked with protecting them any time they go out to combat evil. You are to keep them safe at any cost even if you have to kill any threats to their safety. Though if you must do so it is preferred you find a way to keep the knowledge from them seeing as ponies of this age are much softer and are not used to death even after the past two years.”

I looked at luna my eyes trying to stare a hole through her skull to find out why they decided this was a good idea. “So let me get this straight you and Celestia want me a killer and one of the most dangerous men on the planet to protect six mares that I called my prisoners for two years, requested by the rulers of the kingdom I helped overthrow that just now reinstated their power and the only reason the kingdom is not in a panic is because as far as I can see Ponies are still heavily affected by a herd mentality.

Luna stared at me blankly, “That is correct.”

I continued staring at her before continuing. “What the hell keeps me from up and leaving or hell just taking my gun and shooting all six in the back of the head or just letting them die. Those six can’t stand up to me, they were only able to get me with the elements because Celestia had me and Nightmare busy and I was still under orders not to kill any of them?”

Luna gave the most shit eating grin in response. “Simple because if one of the elements dies there is a rune on your neck that will blow your head clean off. If you run there will be guards that will notify myself or my sister and I will personally hunt you down. Good news is it will go away in four years and only then are you free to go. Besides you make a point not to hurt civilians, you made it clear in the war against Discord and when you helped Nightmare Moon.”

I sighed and shook my head. “Well you two are not as foolish as I was thinking, and it seems that I have no choice so I have one last question. Why let me live? Don’t feed me that we want you to protect the Element’s bullshit either.”
Luna just sat there for a second, “Because we know beneath the stony exterior you put up you are broken inside. First it was the desperation to go home, then it was because of the news that you couldn’t and a resulting loss of purpose, the feeling that all the bodies you amassed to get home were for nothing. So far you only have confided in Celestia, Nightmare and partially in me. That is why, my sister and I do not believe you are an evil remorseless killer.”

I wanted to yell and shout at her to tell Luna that nobody understood what it was like being ripped from your life after going to an event that was to be enjoyable. To search for a way back and pay the price in blood just to find out it would be impossible. Then go through life with a couple friends that managed to be just enough not to jump off a cliff. Then get blasted by a fucking rainbow and find you can’t even succumb to time.

I wanted to say all that and more but I just felt drained. I couldn’t even be angry that I was essentially forced on the pain of death to protect six people that were once enemies. I just found myself not caring. I would protect the ‘Elements’ for four years and then if that did not kill me walk the world until something did or I went insane and someone put me down.

“I guess I will be on the next train to ponyville with the ‘Elements’ and go from there.” I said plainly

“That is correct.” Luna replied with a sigh, “I better go, I have business I must attend to.” With those words Luna left the door clicking behind her and the room filled with silence once more.

Chapter 20: Discussions and Ponyville

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Chapter 20: Discussions and Ponyville

Tristan

It was a half hour from my conversation with Luna that I decided to get up and head to the Dining Hall. I arrived in the dining hall to see both princesses and the Elements eating at the table. When I entered the princesses did not give much but a glance towards me. The six mares that embodied the Elements however gave me glares of various intensities with the cream pegasus shaking like a leaf. I took off my helmet and put it in my lap and I could hear a couple of surprised gasps that I ignored.

I took several items from the table from pancakes to fruit avoiding any items with hay or flowers. The nice if tense quiet was doomed to be broken by a cyan blue pegasus with rainbow hair. “Why is this monster here! He was with the Nightmare for two years while we were forced into cells. He should be rotting in Tartarus right now!”

“Want me gone all you have to do is die, my head explodes and everyone else is traumatized.” I replied in a dead tone.

The six young mares gasped, Celestia gave a disappointed look and Luna glared at me. “You didn’t have to scare them.” Celestia looked at the girls with a sigh, “I tasked him to protect you six from anypony that would wish you harm.”

The cyan pegasus regained more of her bravado, “We don’t need anyone to protect us together we can take anypony on!”

The orange earth pony spoke up with a deep southern accent. “Rainbow Dash is right, we kin protect ourselves well ‘nough , we don’t need some darn bodyguard.”

Soon enough all six were affirming what Rainbow Dash and the orange earth pony said moments prior.

“I hospitalized all six of you by myself in barely more than a minute, with no magic and was trying to keep you alive. You have little to no fighting experience and you six were lucky to escape and lucky every guard was trying not to kill you!”
Before Rainbow Dash or the others could protest Luna spoke up. “He’s right the six of you stand no chance to fight a foe that is ready to kill you and you will not always have the Elements to save you.”

Rainbow Dash and the orange earth pony continued to insist that they could defend themselves.

I looked at all six of the mares in front of me, making sure they were looking me in the eye. “You may be able to fight, perhaps I’m not a fair indicator of what you may face. Now I must ask, if it came down to it, to choose you and your friends over your attacker could you kill your attacker, watch their life fade from their eyes and forever know you have blood on your hands. Then go back to your life and try to live with the sleepless nights, the flashbacks and the what if’s?”

All six of the girls looked at me with their eyes wide full of shock and even small hints of sympathy. I shook my head as I got up and put my helmet back on. “I’ll be in my room just send a messenger when they are ready to depart.” With those final words I walked off.

Rainbow Dash

Rainbow Dash looked at the odd looking stallion before her shock replacing any feeling of bravado she once held. As she looked into the Demon’s eyes she was surprised by what she saw in the pale blue orbs.

She heard guards speak of his actions in Cloudsdale, how he killed Fleetfoot, Spitfire and Soarin and dragged their bodies for the rebelling pegasi to see. She had heard of the legends surrounding ‘The Demon’ as a filly. A stallion with the ability to cut through armies with ease whose presence inspired fear during the war against Discord. She even watched him take down herself and all her friends with ease.

She was prepared to see the eyes of an unfeeling monster but instead she saw the eyes of a broken and defeated stallion carrying countless scars. His words rang with experience. She found it hard to carry the hatred she once held even though she had every right to hate him. ‘Why did he have to take off his helmet? Why does he have to be so much like a pony?’ Rainbow thought to herself and from the looks of it her friends had similar revelations.
When the Demon walked off she sat there gawking her eyes trained at the spot the stallion once sat in. Her confused mind bouncing between anger and pity. Rainbow and her friends ate in silence. Though after several moments the ever so curious Twilight spoke up. “Princess Celestia I mean no disrespect but is there another reason you want him to guard us besides just protection?”

Princess Celestia bowed her head for a moment, taking a deep breath, “Yes there is. As you girls can tell he is deeply troubled, carrying scars that run deep. I am hoping with time you six could possibly help him put himself back together. I know you girls will not like him, he is the one who led to you being imprisoned for two years but I just ask you to give him a chance.”

All Princess Celestia got in response were hesitant nods and murmurs.

“You girls are free to go, your train should be here in an hour.” Princess Celestia said with a quick wave.

Rainbow Dash and her friends all left the dining room. Twilight was the first to speak, “The request at the end there felt odd, it just felt like… I don’t know, like she was asking us to do a personal favor.”

“But why would the Princess care that much about his mental health? He was part of the reason she was imprisoned.” Rainbow Dash commented

“I honestly don’t know the answer to that.” Twilight said with a shake of her head.

Princess Luna

Luna watched as the six mares responsible for ridding her of Nightmare Moon left the dining hall then promptly turned back towards her sister. Luna noticed her sister look at The Demon quite often during the breakfast with a longing gaze. With the Elements out of earshot Luna cast a quick spell to keep any curious ears from overhearing the pair. “So sister, I saw how you were looking at The Demon. You're smitten with him aren't you?”

Celestia gave her sister a shallow nod. “His name is Tristan if you want to know.”

“Despite expecting the answer, Luna still was shocked by her sister’s confirmation. Part of her did not want to believe it. Luna knew The Demon… Tristan was not evil in the sense of killing innocents, that he had his goals and followed orders given. But he still played a large part in her sister’s capture and her own inability to be free of the Nightmare for two years.

To think that Celestia could have suddenly fallen for her jailor was a hard pill to swallow, “Why, what made you start falling for the same stallion you called an enemy even hated for the longest time?”

Celestia looked at her sister blankly before speaking. “I was at first Imprisoned in the dungeons before being brought up to my room you know this right?”

Luna nodded, having seen glimpses while she was suppressed by the Nightmare.

Celestia sighed, “Then you must not know the reason why that was…” Celestia hesitated to speak further but took a deep breath giving her a little courage to continue. “Three stallions entered my cell and started beating me. With my magic sealed, they could have killed me.” Celestia choked the sentence out.

“What!!”Luna shouted “Why didn’t you say anything before?” Luna paced back and forth in the bubble. “I’ll find the one responsible if they are still in the dungeons or free it doesn't matter, I’ll find them then I’ll kill them.”

“Sister listen!” Celestia said only just able to push past the memories. Though her words were enough to gain Luna’s attention. “The three who harmed me were killed.”

Celestia started sobbing, the memories hitting full force. “It was “The Demon” that killed them, he was going to check on me and heard my screams and pleading. He killed all three when he threw them off me. I sat there begging for him not to hurt me as I sat there bruised and bloody.. And for some reason took his helmet off and held me.

“I was taken to the medical wing and there he would spend an hour or two just sitting on the floor next to the bed and I thought about what he did and how it contrasted to what I first thought of him.” Celestia calmed down a bit, her tone lightening a little. “That was when it became a possibility. During my imprisonment in my room he would often come to speak to me. We would discuss a number of things, even some events he could disclose. That was the time I started falling for him. Though I did confront him about my feelings nine months ago but he refused them saying he held no such feelings for me beyond that of a friend. That he forgot how to love someone he compared himself to a machine even.”

Luna spent a long while processing everything her sister told her, “I see why now, it makes sense why you supported my action to have the Elements watch over him and he would protect them in return. Though I did create a few precautions to keep him in line just in case of the worst.”

Celestia nodded, “I see.” Celestia wrapped her arms around Luna. “Thank you for listening to me. It’s good to have one other know what happened and to know my feelings, thank you Luna.”

Luna shook her head and put a hand on Celestia’s back. “It is no problem Celestia now that I am back I will always be here for you.”

The two sisters sat there both glad to see and speak to each other for the first time in over a thousand years

Tristan

I was in my room for only a few minutes when a guard came to give me a ticket and tell me the train would be leaving in an hour, I quickly dismissed him and the guard walked off the light dancing across the golden armor. Dreading the inevitable barrage of questions that would come from the six mares once they get over the shock he gave them during breakfast.

Not wanting to delay any longer I walked out of my room and towards the castle exit. It did not take me long to get to the market district a half kilometer away from the castle proper and it was there I saw the six mares I was supposed to be protecting. I opted to stay at a distance and quieted my footsteps all around me ponies stopped and went quiet staring at me. Taking a quick look around and I saw the expected expressions of hate and fear. Funnily enough the Elements did not notice this as they talked amongst themselves.

Thanks to a clear path We made it to the train with plenty of time to spare.The conductor took my ticket and let me in without question. The Elements found their own seats sticking to a group in the back of the first passenger car. As they sat down they seemed to finally notice me. The pink mare flagged me over like some over eager child saving a seat for their best friend. I sat in an empty seat near the group.

It was quiet for a while until the purple unicorn spoke up. “We did not really introduce ourselves at breakfast so I can do that right now. My name is Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity.” Twilight pointed to each person as she named them. “So what’s your name?”

“One-one-seven, Spartan, Demon, Spartan one-one-seven, take your pick..” I saw Twilight sigh but she did not push any further.

The rest of the train ride was mostly quiet, the girls talking amongst themselves while I deflected most of the personal questions occasionally asked. An hour later the train lurched forward and came to a halt. I followed the girls into the town proper, it was no surprise that the streets were cleared quickly upon first being seen. For two years seeing me without the Nightmare being close by was a sign of certain doom or at the very least imprisonment for someone.

The Elements seemed to notice the empty streets and Applejack commented on how fast the town cleared out. The group eventually stopped and I found myself at the Ponyville Library which just happened to be a living tree with a door and some windows.

I entered the building ducking my head and looked around inside. It was nothing impressive, just a standard library but with living quarters for the librarian on the top floor and a kitchen near the central room.

Twilight looks at me and then at her friends. “He will stay here, it is near the center of town and I am the most likely to be able to subdue him.” None of the others argued but they all looked ready to go to their homes, each left saying goodbye to Twilight.

Soon enough Twilight and I were the only ones in the room until I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I instinctively pulled out my rifle but quickly put it up when I heard the startled yelp of a boy and saw before me a small purple and green dragon hatchling.

“Twilight, why is the Demon in our home you guys won right?” The boy asked.

“Yes we won Spike and the Demon here is now tasked with protecting myself and my friends. The princesses put a spell on him to keep him cooperative.”

Spike shrugged, “I’m just glad everypony is fine.” Spike walked to the door. “Twilight Mind if I go to Rarity’s?”

Twilight nodded her head and Spike walked out the door. “So…” Twilight trailed off “I have a guest room upstairs across from mine you can get yourself situated and I have some questions if you don’t mind. Oh and before I forget I should come with you to reinforce the bed.”

I shook my head, “You don’t need to do that, the armor will not be a problem.” Not wanting to take my armor off just yet I sat on the floor. “So what is it you want to ask something about the war between Discord and your Princesses or perhaps another one of your personal questions?”

“A mix of both if your don’t mind.”

I shook my head, “Let it out then.”

“So, How did the Discordian wars start? Historians only have guesses, and the Princess has never said anything about it to historians beyond Discord’s reign of chaos had to be stopped.

“Now that leads to my second question, how did you get involved? It is another thing that is only conjuncture at this point.”

I thought about my answer for a moment, “I was not there at the start of the war but I was told the war started because of land disputes between Discord and the Princesses, resources and numerous other things. The war was never about Discord spreading chaos with his magic. Though he would do that a lot during the war to spread chaos throughout the Equestrian army.

“As for how I got involved, well I was wandering around a forest, I don’t recall the name or location and Discords soldiers found me and told me to surrender. I did so because I was unsure of their capabilities at the time.”

Twilight finished her notes and stared at me for a moment. “I see. Well that is all right now I have more for you later but I want to get a proper list going before I start.” Twilight then left the room leaving me alone in the living room.

Chapter 21: Magic Lessons

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Chapter 21: Magic Lessons

Tristan

After an hour of doing nothing, I looked at the time and found it to be nearing noon so I took it upon myself to find something to eat and realized that I would have to go hunting at some point for a source of meat. I found some lettuce and various vegetables so seeing nothing else I made a salad.

Lunch now over I found myself without anything to do. I could not go outside without a widespread panic and the few fiction books I picked up felt like they were written for a younger audience, so I retreated into my own mind.

After several minutes of trying to reach my mental space I found myself in my apartment once more with Nightmare on the Xbox playing what seemed to be Dark Souls Three. She noticed my presence shortly after a mob of enemies managed to kill her.

“Nice to see you again Tristan, what brings you here?”

“Nothing to do at the moment so I managed to get myself in a state to go inside my mind after trying for several minutes, kind of odd to be in what is essentially a lucid dream and headspace I guess.” I replied, taking a seat next to Nightmare.

“Headspace is a decent term, everyone has them but only some can access it and only through meditation. With me here I act like a shortcut and give a tether for you to easily enter your headspace. Anyway here you can recall everything you have experienced with near perfect recollection and since I am also here I can access it all as well.”

I mulled over what Nightmare said, “Well that sounds both useful and quite convenient, so with that in mind what do you want to do? We have access to numerous books, games and even a fair few things I have seen on the internet.”

Nightmare turned off the Xbox and snuggled into the side of the couch. “No need just sitting here and talking is enough.” Nightmare was quiet for a time, “You know oddly enough, you’re to blame for my disinterest in revenge. When I first was made self aware from the strength of Luna’s negative emotions all I knew was anger and a desire to make the night appreciated. So I pressured Luna to let me act on that resentment in small ways, making the night a few minutes longer than a half hour, an hour.

“Overtime I also desired to be my own being, so I took over completely and declared myself Nightmare Moon and tried to usurp Celestia. I of course failed. I kept myself in charge through pressing Luna’s vulnerabilities, telling her that Celestia would never take her back and other such things.

“A thousand years later I broke free and found you remembering you though Luna I broke the weakened spell and you know the rest.”

Nightmare sighed, “I never thought you and I would become friends but I guess we both wanted someone to treat us like anyone else. It was then my interest in ruling actually started to diminish, though the Nobles did not help.”

Nightmare and I both shared a laugh very much aware of how annoying the nobles were for those two years. When we calmed down Nightmare continued. “Anyway, I guess when I realized I had a friend, someone to just talk to, to understand me. Ruling over Equestria slowly became less important. I must thank you for your friendship. It means a lot to me.”

Much to my surprise Nightmare wrapped her arms around me,after doing nothing for a second I finally returned the hug. “It’s no problem Nightmare I am glad to be your friend you know this.”

Nightmare reluctantly broke the hug. “It seems it is getting late. You should move to your current room and get some actual rest.”

I just nodded and did just that when I laid down I smiled to myself the conversation with Nightmare filling me with a pleasant warmth. Soon enough I drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

The next day I woke up ate breakfast and the day started off uneventful, that was until the purple dragon belched up a letter and Twilight read it and immediately panicked shouting out something about Princess Celestia and a task before she set out to gather her friends telling me to meet her at the train station in ten minutes.

So with a shrug I made my way to the train station and as expected saw all six mares gathered there by the time I arrived thanks to my leisurely pace. Twilight got the tickets and we boarded the train and an hour later arrived at Canterlot, The girls talked about what it could be that caused Princess Celestia to summon them. I ignored the conversation, choosing to play sentry. Any guards I passed gripped their weapons tighter, while the civilians made sure to stay out of the way, whispering all along. Twilight showed the guards at the castle entrance the paper from Celestia and they let us in with no issue though they eyed me wearily.

We walked through the castle for about five minutes before arriving at the throne room once more the guards opened the doors once Twilight showed the letter from Celestia and tensed up the second they saw me. Beyond the door was Celestia with a motherly smile on her face and worry in her eyes though I was the only one it seemed that could even tell she was worried.

“We’re here Princess, just like you requested.” Twilight announced as her and her five friends bowed down till Celestia requested them to rise. Twilight did notice I did not follow suit and glared but I ignored her.

“I have called you all here to tell you that the Crystal Empire has reappeared in the Frozen North after disappearing a thousand years ago. I am sending you girls and your guard to investigate and find out why it has appeared after so long.

“The seven of you will take the train north in a few hours to meet your escort who then will take you to The Crystal Empire proper. Till then you are welcome to go to the kitchen and get something to eat.”

The mares all bowed before heading out to the kitchen to get some much desired food though as Twilight and I were about to leave Celestia called out. “Twilight, Chief. I want you both to stay for a moment. I have something to show you both.”

I looked back and Twilight asked for the both of us. “What is it Princess?”

Celestia waved us to her and we complied. “I left out a couple details. First is that I am worried that the reason for the return is an old enemy of mine, a stallion named Sombra or King Sombra as he likes to call himself.

“Shortly after I banished my sister he took over the Empire in a coop and declared himself King, of course I responded as soon as I got news from some refugees. So I brought an army to combat the King. We were winning then the ground shook, and a dome encased the city. I and most of the surviving troops were able to get out but a few got trapped when the city disappeared.” Celestia shook her head

“Anyway I know the type of magic Sombra uses and it might be useful for you to know Twilight and I’m sure it might be a decent excuse for Chief to learn to channel the magic he now possesses.

“Anyway, Sombra uses what most refer to as Dark Magic aptly named for its tendency to become more potent when cast by a mage with many “Dark” emotions in their heads and hearts.”

Celestia looked at me, “I should cover a little bit of the foundations of magic. One Magic is in all things in one form or another. Two Magic is heavily influenced by emotions for example healing and shield spells will be much easier to cast when focusing on positive emotions like happiness or love. While offensive spells tend to be easier when focusing on Negative emotions like Anger. While utility spells like teleportation are not heavily influenced by emotions.

“Now to “Dark Magic” Is achieved when a user is letting their negative emotions to the forefront of their mind as they cast and is able to produce very potent offensive spells, while very ineffective when casting healing spells.

“As for why it is different from, say just casting a magic arrow while angry, dark magic requires the user to focus on their dark emotions almost exclusively. As one may guess this may cause a pony using this type of magic to lose touch with their other emotions and that is what causes ponies like Sombra to rise.”

Celestia took a breath and seemed to be thinking about something before she continued. “I tell you this because I believe that Sombra will have places only accessible with the use of dark magic so I want to teach you both how to use said magic. Let's start with you Chief first. I want you to feel the energy right around your chest.”

I closed my eyes and tried to feel for some sort of energy around my chest like Celestia instructed, it felt like a good couple of hours till I found the energy pulsating in my chest but looking at a clock only fifteen minutes had passed, focusing on the energy I nodded waiting for the next step.

“Now let the energy flow from your chest into your hands.” Celestia instructed.

I complied and in another ten minutes of trying and failing I saw my hand glow a faint dark blue for a moment before I lost grasp of the magic and it disappeared, the effort had me sweating but I was grinning like an overeager child I had just channeled magic a thing of fantasy. Maybe only for a second, but I had done something that I would have thought impossible not terribly long ago.

“Very good. Now onto dark magic. It is similar to channeling normally but I want you to focus on your anger, sorrow, loss, sadness and so on. Let it empower you.” Celestia once more Instructed.

I focused on my inability to go home, being stolen away from my friends and family so long ago, the blood I spilled. It was only moment’s this time and I felt a flare of power, and saw my hand covered in a green and purple aura. Wanting to cancel the magic I cleared my head, and immediately felt another wave of fatigue wash over me. Twilight seemed to grasp it after a minute though she looked less worn out once she let go though the magic seemed to take quite a bit of effort to conjure on her part.

“Very good for both of you. Now you can join the others. They are probably still in the dining hall if you want to find them and you should have some time to eat before you leave.”

Twilight bowed and I nodded before we both let ourselves out and Twilight lead us to the dining hall. The trip was spent in silence till Twilight glanced at me. “So how do you do it?”

I looked at Twilight with mild confusion. I easily figured out the subject but could not for the life of me figure out why she asked.

Twilight must have taken my silence as a sign of uncertainty and asked again, “How are you able to kill so easily without any hesitation?

I sighed wishing she did not ask such a heavy question. “I had a purpose, a way to justify my actions, a voice in my head that I was not killing in vain. Though I seem to have lost that purpose, now it is hard to ignore the echoes of the dead. I can't remember the faces there are too many but I can remember the blank look in their eyes and the pained screams. It comes down to who goes home at the end of everything you or them, one will bear the scars while the other will leave their families behind.” Twilight stayed quiet after my answer.
I thought about what would be the thing to finally kill me in a world where there was very little that could even threaten me. It felt like I was the unbeatable character in a story with plenty of plot armor though in my case I just had better reflexes, armor that was shielded and made of a titanium alloy, and everyone else had at best magical bolts, and the beings who could kill me refuse to and held back when they had the chance.

We reached the dining hall and Twilight immediately saw her friends and smiled. While they talked and ate, I sat a small distance away and ate a quick lunch of salad, bread and water.

Some time later we boarded the train and found ourselves on our way to the Frozen North destination, the Crystal Empire.

Chapter 22: The Crystal Empire

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Chapter 22: The Crystal Empire

Tristan

The train ride north was long and uneventful the six mares talked for hours on end, while I tried to relax for a moment but failed as my mind wandered about how to deal with this “King Sombra” I was hoping for a nice and simple shoot in the head and be done with it but something told me he would not go down that easily.
“Now arriving at the Frozen North!” The Train came to a grinding halt, the girls and I all got out of the train and I was greeted with the sight of snow everywhere around the small train platform, the light of the sun reflecting off the snow forced my visor to dim slightly. On the platform was a unicorn stallion with a white and blue mane and tail covered in heavy winter gear much like the six mare’s behind me were.

The stallion glared at me while I chose to ignore him, though it seemed Twilight recognized the stallion as she ran up to him shouting, “Shiny!”

The stallion dropped his gaze from me, “Twiliy, It’s great to see you again you will have to introduce you to your friends.”

Twilight enthusiastically introduced her friends then asked why he was there Shining Armor as he introduced himself and explained that he was sent with a mare named Cadence, someone that apparently babysat Twilight when she was young.

It was soon after that we set out into the winter wasteland we were walking for several minutes before we saw a crystalline city surrounded by a large pink dome that seemed to be under siege by a large black shadow with red eyes, and were green where they eye would usually be white with purple smoke coming from his eyes much like Celestia and Twilight when they used dark magic.

It was not long till the black mist spotted us “Run!” Shining Armor exclaimed when he turned to fire his magic at the cloud the magical beam passed through and the cloud rushed towards us. Without thinking I pulled out my pistol and fired three shots at the cloud it did nothing but stun it, but it bought enough time for the girls to make it past the barrier.

I sprinted towards the barrier with shining Armor behind me. That was when I heard a yelp and a thud. I turned to see Shining Armor dazed with black crystals on his horn. I picked him up, threw him over my shoulder and finished the sprint zigzagging to avoid further blasts that kicked up the snow around me. I passed through the barrier moments later.

A large castle composed entirely of crystal sat a kilometer ahead of me, as I jogged towards the castle I saw no sign of anyone living in the city, market stalls were empty, the houses had no lights on, not even the sound of ponies muttering about the strange monster.

The castle is much like the town before it was empty. I walked through looking for a way to the castle tower where I saw Twilight and her friends and a pink alicorn. It seemed just going up worked as I found myself behind the small group.

Twilight was the first to notice me walk in and noticed her brother over my shoulder. “What happened?”

“Your brother tried to distract the cloud and as we ran for the gate he got hit and now he has these black crystals over his horn.” I put Shining Armor down gently to show the extent of the damage.

It seemed Twilight was not the only one severely worried about Shining Armor as the pink alicorn stumbled forward to check on him. I figured her for another sister until she gave him a kiss which seemed to be the trick to reviving him. The white stallion looked at his marefriend with a small smile.

“Nice to see you too, Caddy.”

“I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried when I saw Twilight and her friends come in but not you.” ‘Caddy’ paused and turned towards me and did a sloppy curtsy. “I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, princess of love, you may refer to me as Cadence. Auntie Celestia talked to me about you and your situation, so I’ll give you a chance seeing that you saved my Shiny and Auntie Celestia and Auntie Luna believe in you.”

I took a look at Cadence, and immediately saw the dark bags under her eyes and they way her mane and tail were frazzled, her pink dress a little damp with sweat. “Great, so any idea to get Sombra out of his smoke form, some magical mcguffin or something?”

Cadence shook her head, “So far we have nothing to combat him with. I have been using my magic to keep Sombra at bay, Love and other such positive emotions seem to keep him away.”

Shining Armor looks at Cadence with worry. “Keeping the barrier up has been taxing on her. You all should hurry and find another solution. I'm afraid this one won’t last forever.”

Cadence muttered something about being fine that convinced no one. Twilight nodded, “We’ll find a way to stop Sombra.” The others gave their nods and agreements.

As the group was about to leave, Shining Armor put a hand on Twilight’s shoulder, “We haven’t got a chance to ask around and figure out if the crystal ponies that live here know anything, you may want to start there.”

With that the six mares in front of me walked out of the castle and to the town with me following. They agreed to split up to ask as many residents as they could in a short amount of time. I decided to stick with Twilight. We walked door to door asking about a way to defeat Sombra. The first saw me and shut the door shouting “Demon!”

After that I stayed out of sight and still the crystal ponies either ran back inside and slammed the door, or said they remembered nothing from when Sombra took power.

After a half an hour with no nothing to show Twilight and her friends gathered near the castle to share what they found. Everyone there came to the conclusion that there was widespread amnesia in all of the crystal ponies. Applejack however seemed to be the only one that gathered even a small tidbit of useful information. She heard mention of a library in the castle. It was agreed to go to the library to investigate the lead further.

We made it to the Library rather quickly. An older mare presumably the librarian sat at the desk looking around and rubbing her temples with her hands. I decided to walk around and away from her vision seeing that despite the amnesia they seem to recognize him from the legends.

Twilight walked up to the mare.”Ma’am would you be able to tell us where the history section is?”

The mare looked at Twilight then closed her eyes as if trying to remember something. “I-I don’t know, I don’t even know if I’m the librarian here, sorry that I can’t help you.”

Twilight puts a hand on the older mare’s shoulder. “It’s alright, we will just take a look around then thanks for helping”

The group then headed off to look for the history section of the library. As we searched I looked around and noticed the numbers on the sides of the bookcases, getting an idea and glad I somehow conveniently remembered enough of the dewey decimal system that I remembered the number for history.

Unsurprisingly Twilight also had the same knowledge as she encouraged the group to follow her and as expected we were greeted with the history section. It still took a good fifteen minutes to find a book on the history of the Crystal Empire, but we did.

Twilight opened the book and skimmed the contents humming when she found what she was looking for. “It says here that a Crystal Faire is held each year to restore the spirit of Love and unity and protect the empire as a result, it even gives a list of activities that take place. A crystal heart is involved but I can’t seem to find anything else besides where it is put.”

“So what are we waiting for? Let's go and start this Crystal Faire!” shouted Pinkie Pie as she bounced endlessly around the area.

I myself looked at the book myself and felt it was too easy, then my mind thought about the mention of a crystal heart and then back to the Elements and the fantasy-like tendency this world had. Coming to one conclusion I raised my voice. “Wait a moment everyone, the book mentions a crystal heart and a location of where it is traditionally placed couldn’t it be possible that this crystal heart is some sort of artifact like the Elements of Harmony?”

As expected everyone stopped as my voice boomed inside the library, and the girls paused to consider what I said, though Rainbow Dash being the definition of confrontational, and perhaps not really trusting me as one should when a former enemy is suddenly your ally spoke up, jumping in front of my face. “Hey, how do we know you are just misleading us? You did help Nightmare Moon!”

I sighed she bordered between smart and stupid with that question but ultimately the answer was quite obvious. “Because if you paid any attention at all, you would know if any of you die I will die.

“Since I can almost guarantee either at least one of you will be killed or used for his pleasure and then killed if he wins. It is not in my best interest to betray you. Do you understand that?!” I got louder with each word and by the end my helmet was touching the cyan mare’s muzzle.

Rainbow Dash quickly backed off trying to keep her stance but I could see her shaking slightly and the other girls were in a similar state. Twilight was the first to recover as she took another look at the book, “Girls! He might have a point. I missed it in our rush to find answers but looking at the book again a page was torn out. So here’s the plan: Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow,and Fluttershy set up the fair and try to keep them happy while The Spartan, and I look for the Crystal Heart.”

“Hey I want to come with you and the Demon!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

Twilight sighed, “You are better off with the others since you and Applejack are two of the best fighters besides Spartan here.”

This seemed to work as Rainbow Dash’s chest puffed as she hovered in the air. “Alright I will keep everyone safe on my end you do your thing Twilight.”

Twilight nodded, “Good, let’s get to it girls.”

The others wished Twilight good luck and we headed to the throne room figuring that it was the best place to start.

The trip did not take too long though it was helped by our running as we noticed the shield fade and reappear just in time to keep Sombra out. when we entered The throne room, it looked like I expected crystal and grand. “So where do we start. I’m sure someone like Sombra would have a trap or something in place to keep the location a secret.”

Twilight nodded, “You're right.” Twilight looked around the room. “When reading the book it had a short passage About how the empire spreads love and happiness around Equestria but is capable of spreading other emotions like hate and fear.

“The castle being made of crystal changes in the presence of differing emotions as well. So I imagine this place looked a lot different with him in power. And like Princess Celestia said some places may be accessible with Dark magic.”

Twilight started concentrating struggling to channel dark magic when I patted her on the shoulder. “Here let me.” Twilight stopped and nodded signaling for me to try. I focused on my darker emotions and within seconds my hand was encompassed with the sickly green and purple aura. I decided to release the magic into the throne figuring the king would be vain enough to put the switch there.

My guess was rewarded with the magic wrapping around the throne and emitting a long shadow that revealed a long staircase made of gray crystal in the middle of the room. “Well here we are, let's get going.” I walked down with Twilight following after me.

I activated my armor’s flashlight before it got too dark. The ground suddenly started to shake beneath our feet. “Well it seems we don’t have much time we need to go now!”

We both started running down the stairs as fast as we could, when I saw Twilight trip on some crumbling bit of the staircase I managed to catch her before she could fall down and after seeing her trip once more I just carried her over my shoulder much to her displeasure.

I put Twilight down at the bottom of the stairwell and she just glared at me. Before the both of us was a door, the door was actually quite simple though the frame was a onyx black with a red gem above it without thinking I tapped into my dark magic and flung a bolt at the gem. I suddenly felt weakness overcome me and the world around me went black.

I suddenly found myself in my old apartment wearing a tee-shirt and some jeans on the couch that sat in front of the TV. I ran to my room and on a desk sat my laptop I opened it up and checked the date, it was a month since I suddenly disappeared. I felt my pockets and pulled out my phone rushing to the contacts page and taped on the name Sam.

“Who are you and how do you have my Tristan’s phone?” Sam demanded

“Hey bro, chill out it is actually me.”

“Wait Tristan that you? What the hell happened? It’s been a month since you just vanished. Hell part of me is thinking this is a joke or i just got drugged hard. So how about this if this is not some joke then meet me at Nick’s bar in ten minutes and explain what the hell is going on.”

“Sounds good,” I replied, “See you in ten.” I hung up the phone and checked for my keys. Thankfully they were in my pocket. A short trip down a few flights of stairs and I was in the parking lot and in my car a simple beat up chevy truck. Keys in the ignition I make the short journey to Nick’s bar.

When I arrived I smiled as the old brick building on the corner of the street had not changed at bit. I looked over and noticed Sam’s car was parked as I walked inside. Inside the building there were a few of the early birds seeing it was only four thirty in the afternoon.

Sam quickly spotted me and waved me over. I smiled and took a seat at a table, “See I’m real bro.” Sam chuckled and handed me a beer. I opened it and swallowed a mouthful. “So I suppose you want an explanation. Well long story short and you won’t even believe it.

“But first I must ask since when did you work out Tristan? You are a bit buffer then I last recall” Sam asked

“My story may explain that. Anyway I ended up buying a replica of the Master Chief’s dog tags with a replica of Cortana's chip attached to them from a man dressed like the Resident Evil four merchant and next thing I know I am falling down from several miles high in the air and I survive the fall. Turns out I am wearing the MJOLNIR mark six armor and have Chief’s voice. That is not the weirdest part-”

“Wait a minute,“ my brother interrupts. “You're saying that buying an item from a shady merchant had you transformed into the Master Chief and falling several miles and it gets weirder? You're right I am having a hard time believing this.”

I shook my head, “Just let me finish.” I told the rest of my story from start to when I touched the door and then let Sam mull over what I just told him. Like a bad story it was then some rough group of large loud men came in causing trouble I recognized as part of a small biker gang that would sometimes visit cause a ruckus trash the place and leave there were only three of them but most including me usually just let them do their thing and leave this time however I wanted to test something and maybe prove myself to my brother and they posed the best way to do this.

If I was right I still had the muscle memory, fighting knowledge, and instincts from my time in Equestria even if I did not retain the superhuman strength and reaction time. Looking at myself once more I did notice I was a great deal stronger, looking like an army vet fresh from deployment. Though if what I went through was not just a dream then it was not far off.

Sam seemed to recognize what I was about to do and put a hand on my shoulder. “Man what are you thinking? Just because you worked out a lot doesn't mean you can suddenly fight worth a damn and even with some lessons it takes more than a month to be able to take on three large men at once.”

I ignored him and got up anyway, walking over to the men, “Look at who we have here, a goddamn hero so got a little stronger little guy and think you can take us?” The leader of the trio laughed, sounding akin to a dying pig.

I looked at the men with a blank stare. My mental state and body shifted.

“I see how it is then come on then come at us then.” The trio got into their own fighting stance

I lunged my fist coming straight at his stomach, the man dodged and chuckled till he noticed my other fist catch him in the jaw.

“You little shit.” The man spat out some blood.

He and his friends came at me. I kneed the first minion, a slightly smaller man in a leather jacket, in the gut then elbowed the second one in the gut almost simultaneously. The leader’s fist I deflected and punched his gut with my other fist.

One of the minions tried to take me by surprise and I simply blocked his fist and sent my own into his gut following it up with a swing into the side of his head knocking the man out cold.

Minion two and the leader both gave an enraged cry that I ignored the minion managed to get a punch in hitting my face but I quickly shrugged it off and returned the favor with an elbow to the stomach and then swept his legs from under him before finishing the second minion with a hard strike to the face, I ignored the crack that came from the man’s nose.

“So sir please turn around and take your friends here and get them home before it is two late. Sound good?” I offered.

“So you challenge me and my friends here to a fight and beat them into the ground and expect me to back down. You know what fuck it I was willing to just beat you into the ground but for that insult-” The leader brought out a gun. “I will fucking end you.”

Once I saw the flash of the gun I reacted almost instantly lunging for his gun hand to move it before he could get in a position to shoot in those seconds all I noticed was my hands on his gun arm and after a brief struggle and a loud bang and before me was the corpse of the leader and the screams of several patrons.

I looked at Sam and he gasped, seeming to notice my lack of a reaction. “Who the hell are you? My brother could not look at the body of a man he killed and not even flinch, your eyes are empty, how can you just kill a man and not even react even if it was in self defense?”

I knew the answer and it seemed he realized it as well as his eyes widened. I walked towards Sam and he just backed away “Brother what have you become?”

The question hit me like a hammer and when I looked at my hands they were covered in blood. I looked back up to see everything before I turned to a field of ashes.

I walked forward and in the middle of the field of ash, was a pool of red water with ponies, griffins , minotaurs and several other races trying to claw their way out their mutilated bodies showing deep cuts, bullet holes the clean slice of my energy sword leaving only their upper half. Faces of those that I fought beside could be recognized in the crowd.

I found myself forced to the edge of the red lake and the cries of the desperate sounded as every one of them tried to grasp me in some hope that they would not be sucked down into the crimson depths I felt myself cry as those I once called friends tried to climb up to reach my hand only to touch me and slip away leaving a trail of blood on my arms.

Shouts of why and pleads for help sounded as they all fell away unable to be saved.

“You wanted to go home and yet all that followed was death. You killed for one reason and that reason has escaped you. Though what if you could go home? How long till what you did to get there caught up to you? How long till your family and friends realized you were not the same man they knew, till they realized what they got back was a walking corpse? How long till your guilt consumed you as you pushed them all away.

“You almost turned a stalemate into a victory though at the cost of hundreds and many of that by your own hands as you killed foes with technology and skill thousands of years beyond their basic foot soldiers unable to be touched by any but the Alicorns themselves or a few powerful unicorns.

“Now before you is eternity and you are forced to live with it unable to muster the ability to take your own life so you hope to find a fight you can’t win where you can finally die and the number of opponents that can put up that sort of fight refuse to do so seeing some good in you, a good you can't even see.” I listened as my own voice echoed each and everyone of my fears.

Then suddenly I felt an oddly warm feeling and the familiar voice of Nightmare shouted, “Stay away from my friend!”

Chapter 23: The Crystal Empire Part Two

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Chapter 23: The Crystal Empire Part Two

Nightmare

I watched through Tristan’s eyes as he touched the wooden door then blacked out. Moments later I was thrown on my back into a blank void. When I found myself unable to feel Tristan’s mind my eyes went wide. I realized quickly Sombra had managed to either separate me from Tristan cutting the connection the Elements of Harmony made or more likely and just as worrying. He managed to trap me in a section of Tristan’s mind and keep me from reaching him.

Either way I quickly got my answer when I saw Sombra standing ten feet away. The stallion was wearing a shirt and some pants both made from a royal purple silk, a golden crown sat on his head and on his back was a red cape lined with white fur. The stallion would have been quite handsome if it were not for the unsettling smile etched on his face.

“I’m glad I found you Nightmare, you could have made taking control of the Demon so much harder. Now with you out of the way I just have to weaken his mind enough to let my spell take hold and I have the perfect puppet to help me take on Celestia and Luna.”

Sombra walked closer to me, smirking, “As for you dear, every king needs a queen by their side. We can even watch my spell break the Demon together.” Sombra summoned a viewing portal that showed Tristan walking in a field of ashes as Sombra’s hands traced my sides and stopped near my flanks.

I pushed him away with a snarl, “How about you stuff your offer up your own ass. Even if the Elements did not tether me here I have no interest playing your lap dog ”

“I have always loved when they fight me.” Sombra said with a cruel smile. “Makes it more satisfying when I break them.”

I readied my magic before glancing at the image showing Tristan now at the edge of a red lake. “Hold on my friend.” I muttered before summoning my sword and charging Sombra.

The bastard just smirked and blocked my strike with his magic, I lashed out once more scoffing as he used more magic to block the strike.

I rolled my eyes as Sombra decided it was a good time for a little chat. “I am powered by the fears of the Crystal ponies you- agh!”

I smiled as the magic blast shut Sombra up. Sombra summoned a sword to his side letting the fight truly begin. Sombra was the first to attack this time with a downward diagonal slash, something I easily batted to the side and retaliated with an uppercut that Sombra barely managed to dodge.

I smiled as I realized how bad Sombra was with a sword, not letting up I kept him on the defensive mixing in the occasional magical blast. The smile Sombra once wore faded into a desperate grimace, he released a few bolts of dark magic that I blocked with a magical barrier, the opening was long enough for me to bash him with the flat of my blade then impale him while he was stunned.

As Sombra faded away I knelt down beside him with a grin. “You really should have stuck with your magic dear Sombra,” I got up and swung my sword one more time. “One last bit of advice, Sombra. Stay away from my friend!” I finished the swing and Sombra’s head was taken off his shoulders. It did nothing special but it did make me feel better.

Tristan

I got up with a groan as the world around me came back into focus. The first thing that caught my attention was the concerned look Twilight was giving me, “I’ll be fine, just need a second to get my bearings.” I answered the unspoken question.

It took another minute but I was able to shake off the lethargic feeling. I made a mental note to ask Nightmare about what just happened to me though I got an unpleasant feeling that Nightmare was prevented from helping me. I shook my head, and waved Twilight over. “Let’s get going no telling how long we have till Princess Cadence’s barrier fails.”

Twilight just nodded giving me another concerned look, no doubt not completely sure that I was fine. Ready and eager to get the day over with, I hesitantly pushed on the door and this time it opened, to reveal another set of stairs. “Of fucking course.” I muttered. I was sure I also heard Nightmare’s laughter echo somewhere in my head.

We spent at least five minutes climbing stairs only to look up and see we still did not make any real progress. I looked over at my charge to see she was panting and a sheen of sweat covered the fur on her face while her shirt clung to her torso.

It was then she groaned and muttered something that sounded like “Buck this.” Next thing I knew Twilight activated her magic, everything flipped upside down and we were sliding down a slope that used to be the staircase and somehow we were going up the tower.

It took us only a minute to reach the top where the Crystal Heart floated in front of us above an image of a crystal star. Twilight started to run towards the artifact before I stopped her. “Slow down there, something isn’t right.”

“But the Crystal Heart is right there all we have to do is get it.” Twilight moaned

I was honestly surprised she did not suspect a trap but I decided to let it go for now. “Exactly.” I sighed, “Anyway how about I go in and get the Crystal Heart just in case that way if something happens I can take care of it and you can get it to Cadence and your friends. Got it?”

Twilight reluctantly nodded. With the plan set I walked towards the heart as soon as I stepped on the crystal star the area around me suddenly turned gray and I saw a beam of purple and green magic shoot towards me and I found myself surrounded by black crystals with the Crystal Heart now outside of the barrier I found myself in. “Twilight, get the Heart to Cadence I’ll be fine!” I shouted

“O-okay!” Twilight shouted back her nervousness clear.

Sure the Crystal Heart would be fine. I worked on breaking out. The first kick didn’t seem to do much, the second created large cracks in a portion of the crystal wall, upon my third kick the wall of my impromptu prison shattered and I was greeted by the sight of King Sombra rushing to reach Twilight who was rushing down a spire of black crystal.

Before he could reach her I pulled out my magnum and fired a few shots his way. The bullets landed right in front of him cracking and then shattering a tiny part of the platform he was using to get to Twilight.
With Sombra now looking in my direction I pushed my advantage and ran towards him. I used the crystal spires as platforms to launch myself even closer to the mad king as I used my magnum to keep his attention and by the time he refocused on Twilight I was in front of Sombra.

Sombra snarled at me, “Insolent pest! You have been a thorn at my side today, first saving that white unicorn, then the bitch inside your mind keeping me from finishing the spell to control you. Now this!”

Sombra drew out the longsword on his hip. “Now would you kindly die?!” Sombra released a wave of magic when he shouted creating a convenient circular platform to fight on while at the same time the force of the magical wave caused me to stagger back.

With no time to reload my Magnum I holstered it and with another motion pulled out my energy sword. Sombra threw a magic bolt my way that I dodged. Following it up with a swipe of his sword which I blocked.

Not looking forward to an extended fight I stepped forward swinging the energy sword as I moved. This was rewarded with Sombra dodging and rapid firing magic bolts forcing me to get back he was able to keep it up for a good three seconds before he stopped and I took another chance and rushed at Sombra my weapon clashing with his sword as he was forced to block or get impaled.

I kept up the pressure swinging the energy sword every which direction forcing my opponent on the defensive. My advantage did not last as I took a magical bolt to the chest forcing me back a couple of steps. A quick check showed my shield to be at three quarters charge.

Emboldened Sombra sent more magic blasts which I was able to bring the energy sword up to block. As the bolts dissipated as they hit the energy sword I started moving forward. I had to cut off his horn quickly or risk a lucky barrage breaking my shields and in the unlikely case he figured out that enough plasma like heat could compromise my armor then I could be done for.

As I moved forward I decided to take a quick gamble and summoned dark magic to my hand then quickly shot it at Sombra.

It seemed to do the trick as his magic barrage stopped so he could summon a crystal spike to block and I was able to move forward much quicker, smashing through the crystal spike and barrel into Sombra knocking him onto his back.

I stood over the former king as his smirk turned into a panic and he flung spell after spell that was absorbed by my shields. Without another word I thrust the energy sword into his chest, the weapon ignoring his armor and piercing his heart. Not even giving the stallion a chance to scream.

I took a glance at the corpse before me, Sombra’s mouth shaped into a permanent silent scream. Finished, I walked down the ramp Sombra made deactivating the Energy Sword and reloading my Magnum before putting it away as well. I was at the base of the ramp when I saw a burst of light and all the black crystal’s shattered.

It was a short walk to the front of the castle but as I walked I noticed the ponies all staring at me, their bodies looking as if they were made out of crystal presumably from the magic burst earlier.

The closer I got to the castle the more tired I felt as the adrenaline faded. I didn't even notice I was at my destination till Twilight spoke up, “You okay Chief?”

I looked over to see Twilight next to me, her hand on my armored shoulder. I noted she and the other girls all took a crystalline appearance. “I will be fine, though if I may ask what took you so long? Last I checked you were halfway down the spire by the time I confronted Sombra.”

Cadence, appearing to have recovered a lot of her energy, answered me. “Twilight got the Crystal Heart to us quickly thanks to your distraction but the Crystal ponies noticed both you and Sombra's fighting when the fight reached the edge of crystal platform and made it harder for the crystal ponies to think about love and happiness while they worried about the outcome of the fight between the tyrant and the legend told to scare foals, not exactly sure who they wanted to win.”

I nodded. “Fair enough. Well it has been interesting meeting you ma’am.”

Cadence giggled. “You can call me Cadence you know, saying ma’am makes me feel old.”

I just nodded, “I’ll keep that in mind.” I looked at Twilight and her friends noting that besides Twilight the other five seemed to be weary of me. Rainbow and Applejack were on guard, Pinkie Pie’s mane and tail looked a bit straighter and less vibrant while Rarity tried to hide her own fear and Fluttershy was trembling slightly . It made me wonder why Twilight was not acting similar to her friends.

Before I could think about it much longer. Shining Armor approached me. “I don’t think I can ever forgive you for the guards you killed when you were working alongside Nightmare Moon but I will thank you for helping me outside the city gates and defeating Sombra, next time we will be ready for him.”

I was about to speak up, surprised that no one had seen me kill Sombra but I thought better of it when I looked at Twilight’s friends. Though it did explain why Twilight was not worried or scared of me. She did not realize I killed the tyrant and trusted Celestia’s judgment enough to alleviate any fear of me.

“Well I’m guessing we should get on the next train to Canterlot and let Princess Celestia know what happened.”

Cadence nodded, “The train should be waiting for you still. Shining and I will be staying here seeing as Celestia appointed us as the princess and prince of the Crystal Empire.”

Cadence then whispered something in Twilight’s ear causing Twilight to smile, hug Cadence and jump up and down pumping her hands in the air as she did. “Congratulations we will be there. But Goodbye for now.”

With those parting words we left the Crystal Empire the locals giving myself and Twilight various thanks and even a few gifts in the form of flowers, treats and even some mares rushing up to me and requesting to have my children while doing the same to a very red Twilight I was able to push through ignoring the occasional mare trying to seduce me.

Thankfully it was not long till we were out of the city and onboard the train, heading back to Canterlot once more. With nothing more requiring my attention I laid down on a seat and closed my eyes.

Chapter 24: Reliving the Past

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Chapter 24: Reliving the Past

Tristan

Heavy rain poured down from the sky while it could be quelled by pegisi it was deemed a waste of resources and we could tough it out. We were part of a unit of a hundred of the best tasked with gathering data on enemy movements sending the information back to Discord on a weekly basis.

I was patrolling around the camp with Nightshine, a thestral mare with a light gray coat, dark purple mane and tail, and blue eyes. She was wearing standard plate armor with a mail shirt over gambeson with her sword hanging on her left hip. We had been working together for nine months now since she took the liberty of showing me around and testing my capabilities when I first arrived.

A gust of wind blew past that caused Nightshine to shiver despite all her armor and fur. I was just thankful that my armor had internal temperature control, and my partner was not afraid to voice her displeasure. “Fuck.” she shivered again as another wind gust blew past. “Your a lucky son of a bitch, you know that Tristan. Your fancy armor keeps you nice and cozy while I get to freeze my ass off.”

I chuckled, “With how much you brag about all the males that want a piece of that ‘sexy flank’ I thought your sheer ‘hotness’ would keep you warm Nighty?”

“Fuck you.” Nightshine pouted

“That would require you to successfully seduce me.” I snarked.

“I would have by now if you had some sort of actual sex drive, asexual bastard. I’m tempted to see if a love potion can get you to at least normal. Then I could just find a way to get that damn armor off so I could fuck you silly.” Nightshine slapped me with the tip of her tail. “Hmm, maybe I could get King Discord to help with both once we get back to the main camp in a few weeks, everyone knows he would get a kick out of it.”

I laughed, Four months after I arrived, Nightshine got drunk one night after patrol while she was in heat and came on to me getting inside of our tent and striping down to nothing. Doing all she could to get a reaction out of me and failing before passing out.

Ever since that night we made a little game out of it she would occasionally flirt and make several advances trying to get a rise out of me and if she ever did I made a promise that it would be the day I would talk to King Discord about a spell to remove the armor and we would go at it. Of course as I expected, try as she might she never was successful. But she was persistent.

In hindsight I believe she had a thing for me but I never saw it, my mind focused on my goal to help win the war and go home.

Nightshade shook her head. “Still you're the one who had the great idea to volunteer for the double shift.”

I nodded, “Yea and you weren't begging me to do so when they mentioned a bed upgrade for the volunteers.”

Nightshade huffed, “My wings still hurt from sleeping on that piece of shit of a cot, better than the ground, my flank.”

The memory sped forward an hour and we were about to go back to camp to wake the next watch up so we could get some rest. It was then I saw a blip on my motion tracker besides Nightshine. I tapped her a couple of times and immediately her casual stance shifted into full combat readiness even if she appeared to not have even moved to outside observers.

It was then I saw motion and a glow in some bushes to the right. I lifted up my rifle and fired a burst into the bushes. My action was rewarded with a grunt and gurgle as a unicorn’s body fell forward into the open horn fizzling out.

Nightshade threw a small stone on the ground making a hissing noise as a magical flair shot up into the air and exploded. She then took my magnum and ammo off my hip knowing we could use the firepower. Something we both discussed in overwhelming situations I even taught her how to use both my assault rifle and magnum.

Now we had to wait for the camp to get up and combat ready in only a minute but when I saw the enemy troops that just poured from the forest, I knew we did not have that sort of time. I fired my rifle into the crowd of enemies as we both backed up trying to get closer to the camp as we bought time.

Soon after the attack began the enemy unicorns started firing magic bolts at us forcing us to take cover while others brought up magical shields to cover their melee troops and buy them time.

It was then I heard other flares go up, that could only mean one thing: we were surrounded. “How did they find us? The camp is covered in plenty of illusion spells and on top of a ley line we should have been almost impossible to even notice!” Nightshade shouted.

“I don’t know but they did and now we’re surrounded.” I said as I overwhelmed a magic shield and killed another unicorn.

It felt like forever when we managed to move the fifty meters back to the camp proper and were joined by fellow soldiers engaged in combat already, the sound of steel clashing with steel as magic and arrows whizzed back and forth. I would be fine for a while thanks to my armor but it was Nightshade I was worried about as we were crouched behind wood walls next to the friendly mages and bowmen returning magic fire of their own.

I looked to the air to see a group of our fliers meet theirs as a friendly lone pegasus raced towards the main camp a day’s march away. We would have to rout this wave of attackers and several others for a day before help arrived. There were at least three hundred enemies that opposed us.

We were well dug in and made them pay for every inch but I wondered how long that would last even with our group being among the best and myself being almost invincible to their weapons.

The fighting was constant and I eventually had to pull out my energy sword and Nightshade pulled out her sword as we waited for the spell on my magazines to finish creating ammunition.

We never got a chance to use the guns by the time the enemy got too close for ranged attacks. It felt like we were fighting for an eternity, before the fighting ended and the enemy was sent retreating.

I looked to my side to see Nightshade smiling at me, “We did it, we repelled this attack just a hundred more to go till we get help.” She weakly chuckled before I noticed blood coming from a hole burnt through her side armor by a nasty magic bolt, the blood pouring from a deep gash.

It was then she collapsed and I shouted for a medic. In an instant I was by her side, my helmet detached, trying to hold the wound closed, even deactivating my shields so I could better try and stop the blood pouring from the wound. “Come on Nightshade stay with me, a medic is on the way.”

Nightshade just smiled and shook her head, “Wounds too deep. Sucks too. I was looking forward to seeing what a love potion would do to you, maybe even getting to see what is under the rest of that armor. Just seeing your face leaves plenty to the imagination. I would be the first to see what a human dick looks like.” Nightshade weakly chuckled. “Tristan, take off my gauntlets. I want to at least die feeling your face.”

I complied freeing her hands and felt the fine fur on her palms brush the stubble on my face. I tried not to cry as I started to fully realize I was losing my first friend since I arrived. “Crying doesn't suit you well Tristan. Hey maybe we will meet someday in the afterlife and I will finally be able to get to see you without all that armor.” Nightshade smiled, “I’m glad I got to meet a stallion like you Tristan, it has been some of the best eighteen months of my life.”

I managed a weak smile not noticing the field medic’s presence near me. “I’m glad I got to meet a mare like you even if you did try your best to fuck me through my armor that one night you were in heat and drunk.”

It was then Nightshade went limp face graced with a small smile. I solemnly got up after gently putting Nightshade’s head back down onto a cloth the combat medic put down under her.

My sadness quickly turned to anger as I lost my professional composure and I picked up my weapons, placed my helmet back on my head and started heading in the direction the enemy retreated in. My walk quickly turned into a run, my anger fueling my actions and adding to my superhuman-like speed and endurance. “You fuckers will all pay!” I shouted letting my helmet's external speakers amplify my voice.

__________________________________

I woke up in a cold sweat. I felt my heart pounding at a hundred miles an hour wondering what dragged up that memory and why Nightmare couldn’t stop it. Suffice to say I got little rest from my nap and when I woke up we were already pulling into Canterlot.
When the train stopped I got up and quietly made my way out trying and failing to push the horrid memory to the back of my head. I noticed Twilight’s concerned glances as her friends were talking amongst themselves.

The trip to the castle was uneventful, we just met a group of guards that happened to be waiting for us at the train station and were escorted to the castle. I felt the eyes of every civilian on and even looked up to see a few glaring at me as their fear gave way to anger.

My surroundings faded as Nightshade’s death played in my mind over and over. I did not notice we had made it into the castle and were in the throne room till Celestia spoke. “I see that you completed your task and that Sombra is of not threat.” Celestia looked up from the letter in her hands and gave everyone a warm smile, her eyes showing her relief. “I knew you and your friends would manage to restore the Crystal Empire to its former glory Twilight.”

Twilight immediately and almost literally brightened at Celestia’s words. “Thank you Princess Celestia, with the help of my friends and even Chief we rid the Crystal Empire of Sombra!”

“This means we should have a ‘Meany King Sombra is Gone party’ as soon as possible.” Pinkie Pie burst out as she jumped up with enthusiasm that would be reserved for winning the Olympics with all gold medals, a level I never thought possible, and I swear I saw her literally vibrating in excitement.

Celestia laughed, “That sounds like it would be quite fun but right now it is getting late, I need to lower the sun shortly. So how about the seven of you stay here for the night as royal guests. That way you can get back to your homes nice and fresh.”

A small group of three guards approached us before bowing to Celestia. Their stance got rigid once they saw me. “What do you need, Princess?” A unicorn guard asked as he stole a glance my way

“Escort these six young mares to the guest rooms in the Solar Wing.” Celestia responded her motherly tone seeming to quickly relax the guards

“Yes ma’am,” The group said in sync as they saluted. Turning to Twilight and her friends the unicorn guard spoke up once more. “If you would follow use we will take you to to your rooms.” The six mares all nodded though Rarity seemed to be loving the special treatment a bit more than the rest.

It was not long till the guards started leading the six mares to their respective rooms leaving me and Celestia standing in the room alone except for a few night guards that were now starting to relive their daytime counterparts. Part of me was wondering how many were actually thestral’s and how many were just under the armor’s spell.

My errant thought was interrupted by Celestia, “Follow me if you would Tristan, I want to talk to you for a moment before I lower the sun and Luna raises the moon.”

I nodded, “Okay.”

Taking my acknowledgement Celestia walked towards her room with me falling in line right next to her, our steps echoing in the large hallways. Celestia broke the brief silence, “So tell me what really happened to King Sombra.”

The question was very direct, taking me off guard for a moment, “I killed him.” I watched Celestia tense up for a second. Don’t worry, none of your ponies were able to see anything but the fighting that reached the edge of the platform I’m sure Cadence described.” Celestia quickly relaxed even gave a relieved sigh

“That is good the peace has made ponies unaccustomed to one killing another no matter the reason. That brings me to yet another question: how are you doing?”

“Besides my right ankle being sprained and a small fracture or two from a couple rough landings I am fine.” I responded remembering the self diagnostic test I ran on my way from my fight with King Sombra

Celestia’s horn glowed a gentle yellow and I stopped myself from instinctively attacking though I felt every part of me go tense until Celestia’s spell finished as I kept reminding myself that she was not an enemy anymore. “There your legs should be perfectly fine now. But your physical health is not what I was worried about. I know Sombra I managed to banish him and he favors exploiting the fears of his enemies.”

I shook my head, dismissing her worry with a chuckle. “Don’t worry I’m tougher than your ponies, I’ll be fine.”

If Celestia believed me or not I couldn’t be sure but she did not ask anything else. We walked for a bit longer before we were at the door to Celestia’s room. The two guards readied their spears when they saw me.

“Guards thank you for the vigilance but please stand down, he is with me.” Celestia requested a benevolent smile never leaving her face.

The guards reluctantly obeyed lowering the spears and allowing Celestia inside. I was about to leave for the room I slept in last time I stayed at the castle when Celestia called out. “Tristan please come in, I want to show you something.”

I complied, even though I wanted nothing more than to get some proper rest after my memory dream on the train denied me that much, but the look on Celestia’s face told me whatever she was about to show me meant a lot to her.

Celestia smiled brightly when I entered her room and closed the door behind me. She motioned for me to wait for a moment before going into her bathroom after selecting a simple white nightgown. Minutes later she emerged and I had to admit she looked beautiful in it. The nightgown modestly accented her slim figure

“Like what you see Tristan?” Celestia said giggling while doing a small twirl.

I just smiled, “You know I can still appreciate beauty when I see it, I just don’t drool over you like most guys would right?

“I know Tristan, but I am still a Lady thus I like compliments. Though maybe one day I will have you drooling over me like so many stallions already do.”

I failed to hold back a pained wince as Celestia said that, reminding me about the countless promises Nightshade made saying she would get me to blush one day.

Celestia put a hand on my shoulder and looked at me, the worry very apparent in her eyes, “What’s wrong, was it something I said?”

“Didn’t you have a sun to lower, Celestia?” I quickly said, trying to dodge the question.

“Okay then I will lower the sun but you will answer my question afterwards. Something I said bothered you and I want to know what’s wrong, you have been detached for the most part since you first entered the throne room.” Celestia said sternly a tone that quickly told me she was not about to let this drop.

“Okay you win for now, after you lower the sun we talk.” I replied with a defeated sigh.

“Good now follow me. I still want to show you the nightly ritual myself and Luna once did and can now do again.” Celestia said with excitement charging her voice.

I followed Celestia out to the balcony, it was actually the first time I had been on the tower’s balcony seeing as the door was magically locked during the time Nightmare ruled.

The first thing I noticed was how beautiful Canterlot and the valley’s below looked during the twilight hours of the day. I could see Luna standing on the balcony in the tower next to us. It was a second later I watched Celestia’s horn light up and suddenly she was surrounded by soft yellow light her mane and tail blew around as if in a gale and the sun started to lower as the moon made its ascent into the sky the stars showing themselves as the sun’s powerful light faded away.

Celestia’s magic faded away leaving her mane and tail its natural pink color. Celestia looked at me and I just found myself without words. I had seen the day night cycle before but when Nightmare did it she just lowered the moon and rose the sun it was nothing special. I could almost feel the care put into the action when I watched Celestia and it somehow made it different.

Celestia knowingly smiled as she walked over to her bed and sat on it patting the spot next to her. I sat down next to her once I willed the armor off myself so as to not snap the bed in half.

It was quiet as we sat there for a minute saying nothing but Celestia ended up being the first to say something. “So what’s wrong? Please don’t say nothing is wrong, I have properly known you for two years, besides I’m your friend you can confide in me about anything.”

I sat there for a moment, part of me so desperately wanting to admit my dream memories of how I watched Nightshade die in my arms, blood pooling around us. Another part of me decided I could figure it all out myself, that I didn’t need help, that I did not have to burden others with my personal demons.

The two conflicting thoughts fought for dominance in my head, one arguing that Celestia would understand, while the other reminded me that it was her troops I killed. I looked up at Celestia once more and the concerned look on her face made my decision for me as I realized it would hurt Celestia more to try and dodge her question. That despite my promises to myself to not get close to anyone, I had made not one but two friends since I got out of my stone prison.

“Okay I’ll tell you.” I sighed “You're teasing reminded me about a thestral mare named Nightshade. When I first arrived and was found by a patrol in Discord’s army. At the time I was afraid wondering what happened to me and where I was. After I made the deal with Discord It was Nightshade who decided to show me around and even test my fighting ability, turns out I was suddenly a great fighter as if I had been born to it.

“Since then we stuck together going on the same patrols and campaigns. We grew to be friends quickly and I’m sure you heard about our feats. It was when I was first called Demon by your forces Nightshade was often referred to as The Demon’s Bride. How she got that title I can only guess, but it caught on among my fellow soldiers as well.”

I took a deep breath to prepare myself. “Well anyway to the point Nightshade was the ultimate catch among the male troops even if she denied them all the time. With us being such close friends she would always tease me and even asked after a while why I didn’t get flustered like other male’s she teased. I told her about the augmentations and their affect on my sex drive.

“Since that point three months since we first met, she promised she would get a rise out of me one day. That is why I reacted the way I did, what you said reminded me so much of Nightshade’s antics.”

I felt the tears run down my face and then Celestia wrapped her arms around me. I had no real will to refuse as both parts of me took immense comfort in the contact. I realized that the countless years of fighting had taken a large toll on me, helped even less when combined with my conflicting memories of two different lives.

“Tristan, I will gladly give you a shoulder to lean on whenever you need it. Even if I wish you shared the feeling I still have for you.” Celestia said as she tightened the embrace a little and I could feel her body heat through the skin suit.

I sat there being embraced by Celestia for an unknown amount of time and even found my arms wrapping around her as I let out the years upon years of bottled emotions unravel. Though that little part of my mind that constantly doubted my ability to be forgiven for all I did in the name of returning home then in the name of repressing my demons.

I looked into Celestia’s eyes, “How did you manage to forgive me after almost single handedly killing entire platoons of your troops in the Discordian wars including when I launched a one man counter attack on the Celestial Hill camp after Nightshade died. I believe it is now known as the Celestial Hill Massacre though I imagine the story was changed a little to make it look like a group led by me attacked when the event was officially recorded.

“Then there are the more recent events over the past two years. I quelled all those rebellions during Nightmare’s brief reign. So how did you do it, how do you find it in yourself to forgive me?”

Celestia, sighed. “For the longest time I hated you for killing so many without mercy. That massacre cost me over five hundred troops on top of the assault you and your group routed. I thought of you as a monster, an automaton created by Discord to gain an advantage.

“Even when Luna told me what you said to her moments before you attempted to end her. I just thought it a ploy to garner sympathy as part of some long term game of Discord’s. I never believed once that you felt even the tiniest bit of emotion.”

Celestia’s eyes teared up, “It was not till you saved me from those guards.” Celestia shivered as she said the word. “and even let me hug you. doubts slowly surfaced and even then I tried to tell myself it was just a ploy. The more I tried to figure out what your goals were the less my assumptions made sense. It was a week after I was placed in my room that I started to try and let myself forgive you, and another week till I could say I forgave you to myself without feeling like I was lying. It was then I felt I understood your actions and fully realized you were a thinking being and not some mindless automaton.” Celestia finished her ears lowered closer to her skull while her pink mane and tail seemed a little less vibrant.

“I see.” I took a breath before continuing. “I don’t know if I deserve forgiveness. I have killed for no noble cause, but just because I wanted to go home. I convinced myself the mountain of dead would all be worth it if I could see my family again. Now it’s easy to see I was wrong.”

I bowed my head. “How do you do it? How do you go on after all the blood you have seen from the Discordian war and probably many wars after it. Living with all the blood for centuries without breaking into a mess of depression?”

Celestia put a hand on my shoulder saying nothing for a moment before breaking the brief silence, “Find something to fight and live for. I fought the Discordian war, the griffin rebellion, and several others for my subjects. So they could have the peace they have now. I don’t know what you will find but once you find something hold on to it. Having someone to talk to will also help.”

I did not speak as I thought about what Celestia said and nodded even if I was not sure there was anything for me to care about. Silence dominated the room, I felt Celestia’s grip around me tighten a little before a wave of tiredness washed over me and before I knew it I fell asleep.

Chapter 25: Ponyville Scare

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Chapter 25: Ponyville Scare

Celestia

Celestia at her personal desk just to the right of her bed. She and Luna had already brought about day. Now Celestia made use of the brief moment of free time before breakfast to write in her diary.

It has been about four days since Luna was freed and the two of us have taken back our positions as rulers of Equestria. It has also been over two years since Tristan saved me when I was powerless against three stallions that sought to use me.

What almost happened still bothers me to this day and my sister even had to intervene with my most recent nightmare the night Tristan left for Ponyville. The day Nightmare Moon was defeated I changed my room guard from unicorns to pegasi. I also avoid going near the dungeon entrance even if it means taking longer to get somewhere.

Celestia sighed as she paused for a second to put more ink on the quill tip.

This all brings me to Tristan. My feelings for him confound me, nine months ago I confessed my feelings for him and he told me he did not feel the same, going as far as saying he may never be able to return them. The rejection hurt and thought that he felt he couldn’t even feel romantic love was heart wrenching. I cried myself to sleep that night and we did not talk very much for over a month.

Yet here I am finding my heart pining after a stallion that I could never have. It was not the first time I felt attraction or love in my life but it was the first time a rejection hurt so badly and the first time I could not completely get over it. Everything was not helped by the fact I had not had a lover since before Luna’s banishment.

So after a thousand years alone I felt I found someone, but find it was near impossible to be with them. Ironically enough he did not even feel the normal levels of sexual attraction most stallions would have. Out of curiosity I did a scan on his hormonal levels just after I got out of the shower, wearing nothing but a towel and there was only a miniscule change.

Diary, I have someone with every good quality I could ever want in a stallion sleeping in my bed and to add insult to injury he couldn’t die of age like so many of my previous loves and yet I was doomed to be just a close friend. It is a maddening feeling, but he needs someone to be there for him if yesterday was anything to go by. Tristan is starting to crack from the weight of all he has done.
Myself and Luna are perhaps the only two that can even come close to understanding his pain, so I need to help him no matter how much being so close to him makes my heart ache. I should count myself lucky that he came to me for help in the first place, I have seen plenty of soldiers try to just go on their own and watched as they slowly withered, their families unable to do anything.

Celestia took a glance out the window and where Tristan was sleeping and soon enough he started to stir. Celestia closed her diary and put it in a magically locked drawer in her desk.

Tristan

I did not remember my dreams that night only that I didn’t wake up in a cold sweat. I opened my eyes and realized I was in Celestia’s room laying on her bed. My talk with Celestia last night came back to mind and I figured I just fell asleep before I could go to my room.

I looked around quickly finding Celestia still in her nightgown sitting at her desk. She looked back at me, “Sleep well Tristan?”

I grunted as I got up to a sitting position on the side of the bed and stretched. “I slept better than most nights.”

“That’s good. Breakfast should be in the process of being made so we should get going. We can eat in the private dining room where my sister and I usually eat when we don’t have any guests over.” Celestia said with a grin.

“Even though Twilight and her friends are here?”

Celestia nodded, “Yes talking to you I don’t have to pretend at all something I have to do even with Twilight.” Celestia smiled mischievously. “Besides I don’t feel like changing quite yet I’m plenty comfortable as is.” Celestia gestured at the nightgown she was wearing.

I can’t help but smile. “Ah so the real reason comes out, the princess is lazy.”

“Hey, I have to run a country everyday I have a right to be lazy.” Celestia shot back.

I raised my hands up as I stood up and walked to the door. “Okay you have a point there.”

Celestia opened the door and we walked out, our conversation bounced around as we walked to the private dining room. When we arrived Celestia opened a simple wooden door and before me was a simple dining room like most households would have. A modest wooden table with four equally modest chairs.

“Well here we are Tristan, the castle’s private dining room where myself and Luna usually eat when we are not hosting dignitaries or groups.” Celestia announced as we both sat down.

“So what will Luna think when you leave her at the mercy of the Elements?” I said as maids brought out a large plate of pancakes along with a tray of fruit, pitchers of orange juice and milk, syrup and even a platter of bacon.

Celestia made a plate with a little bit of everything even bacon while I did the same. She took a bite of her pancakes before speaking. “My sister already knew about this, I told her in advance.” When she noticed my confusion as she ate some bacon she blushed. “Alicorns are able to digest meat just fine.” She defended, “besides meat, especially real bacon happens to be a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. One that I can seldom enjoy.”

I chuckled as Celestia pouted a bit. “That’s fine with me I just am surprised I was always under the impression that only thestral’s could eat any type of meat and pegasi were limited to fish.”

Celestia laughed, “You are wrong, all pony tribes can eat meat. Pegisi, alicorns and thestral’s however, can eat as much as they want without getting sick”

I nodded, “The more you know indeed. So I guess it will be a normal day of nobles complaining with a few cases of legitimate concerns here and there. With a whopping serving of excessive paperwork that can range from important to pointless?”

Celestia was drinking orange juice when she did a epic spit take that launched the liquid a few meters into my face. From there she erupted into laughter. “You are actually spot on.” Celestia said as she calmed down

The rest of our breakfast consisted of small talk and eating and soon enough it was time for Celestia to host day court and for me to head back to Ponyville with Twilight and her friends.

We met up in the lobby, said our farewells, Twilight giving her mentor a hug. The trip to ponyville was rather uneventful and once we were off the train that was when things got interesting.

The first thing I noticed was despite it being midday the streets were eerily empty. Fluttershy was the first to comment, “H-hey girls was there something planned today? It’s frighteningly quiet.”

“Not that I know of. Pinkie?” Twilight replied her ears swiveling around.

Pinkie Pie grabbed a calendar from her mane “Nope, no surprises today. Though I have a retirement party in a week. Hmm have to remember if Ms.Honey Bun like vanilla or chocolate cake.”

We ignored Pinkie as she pondered the question of cake flavors. A hushed “Hey over here.” came from a slightly ajar door in front of us. Everyone quickly entered the house confused.

Twilight asked the vital question. “What’s going on? The streets are empty, some sort of attack or something?”

The random stallion shook his head. “No everypony is hiding from the odd pony wearing a cloak.” The stallion pointed out the window and sure enough a zebra wearing a hooded cloak was walking through the streets. A few gold bracelets around her right arm. “Everypony is saying she is Zecora, some sort of evil enchantress from the Everfree Forest.”

Almost immediately everyone except Twilight and I bought into the hysteria and started a panic. Applejack and Rarity voicing their concerns for their sisters Applebloom and Sweetie Belle respectively.

In a cartoonish fashion Zecora took the hood off and another collective gasp filled the room. Twilight groaned, “She’s a zebra.”

A dramatic “What?” resounded from the ponies in the room. It is when I decided to take over the explanation. “A zebra, quite similar to ponies actually she is most likely from Zebraca.” I groaned as I said the name. “If it still exists as I remember it that is. So besides not knowing an entire race exists anything else got the town on edge.” I asked the random stallion.

“Well, as I said before she is said to be a evil enchantress.”

“Doubt it.” I quickly replied. “I might be wrong seeing as my knowledge is a couple thousand years old but she seems to be a shaman if the bracelets are anything to go by. I knew of a zebra shaman he supplied healing potions among other things for the army had a couple of students as well.”

I looked around and saw that everyone around me was now much calmer than before, now looking at Zecora with curiosity instead of fear. “Well we should go and see what she wants.”

Everyone but Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash agreed the latter claiming not to trust the zebra enough. With that I lead the remaining ponies to greet Zecora, idly wondering how they got her name while hiding in their houses.

Zecora noticed me and immediately jumped back, grabbing something from under her cloak when it was revealed to be a bottle of some brown liquid she spoke up. “Run away my friends before this fiend sees you to your ends!” The others ran back as I decided to defuse the situation I foolishly created not thinking about the folklore that must have spread after the war by the shamans and zebra warriors friendly to the princesses.

I put my hands up. “I see my legend spread far, but I am no longer working under Discord and as for the Nightmare Moon. Luna has been restored and the Royal Sisters have me under a tight leash.”

“You are said to be sly how do I know truth from lie?” Zecora challenged

“Easy the legends probably tell of my speed. Of all things that is actually true. Yet here you are threatening me with some sort of potion and you live. I’m even surrendering to you.” I calmly replied.

Zecora hesitantly put the potion back. “Okay Demon for now I will take your words at face value.”

“Good,” I sighed “so what brings you here?”

“I was hoping to get a few thing from this town but I find the streets empty and shops closed, why, I don’t know.” Zecora shrugs as she starts to walk away.

I lead the group back to the place Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were still hiding. I enter the building last and the thunk of the door sounds out like a gunshot in the quiet room.

“So why was she here to place some sort of curse on us or to find ponies to take?” Rainbow Dash blurted out

“No Dash,” Twilight massaged her temples with her hands. “She just was looking to buy some things and go back home.”

“So what? How do you know that she was telling the truth?” Rainbow countered.

“She was telling the truth Rainbow.” Applejack intervened

“We should still follow Zecora just to make sure.” Rainbow Dash asserts

“Wait where’s Applebloom?!” Applejack exclaimes causing everyone to look around before someone spotted her following Zecora into the Everfree.

“Well seems we will be indulging Rainbow Dash anway.” I sigh

I followed Twilight and friends as they followed Zecora and Applebloom with the grace and subtlety of a angry minotaur. It seemed the zebra and filly were having a pleasant conversation though we were a bit too far to hear everything. It seemed Twilight’s and my own attempt to avail the fears of the group had ultimately failed.

Eventually we stood in front of a field of blue flowers that I Immediately recognized as Poison Joke with Zecora and Applebloom on the other side. Zecora looked at our group and said. “Beware! Beware, you pony folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!"

I myself knew she was referring to the flowers in front of us and was about to warn the group when Applejack stepped into the flowers. “Hey! Stay away from my sister!”
The others much to my exasperation did the same. I stepped into the patch knowing I was immune to the pollen from prior exposure when Discord first demonstrated the plant as a nice little sabotage weapon by blowing the pollen on several volunteers.

I decided to not say anything, wanting to see how it would affect everyone and figuring this could make for a decent life lesson and I could just stop things before they went too far.

It was late when we got back to Ponyville so everyone said their farewells and headed back to their homes. I followed Twilight back to the Library found the guest room willed my armor off and went to sleep.

Chapter 26: Ponyville Scare - Body Swap

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Chapter 26: Ponyville Scare - Body Swap

Nightmare Moon

I opened my eyes and yawned stretching my arms. I then immediately paused realizing that I was in Twilight’s guest room. “Wait shouldn't I be in the mindscape?” I asked myself. “Tristain you hear me?”

“Yea I hear you Nightmare.” It only took him a minute to realize what I was finding out. “Wait, I’m on the moon and I see the room I fell asleep in in the sky. What the hell is going on Nightmare?”

“I think we somehow swapped places I’m in control of our body and you are in my mindscape.” I replied

“Ah fun, you have any idea of how it could have happened?” Tristan questioned.

“Only explanation is the Poison Joke did this but usually the plant changes the victim in some physical way.” I got up as I spoke and as my vision cleared I found that I was In the same form that I had when I was possessing Luna. Wearing the jumpsuit that Tristan wore under his own armor.

“Well that answers another question.” I walked into the bathroom to take a better look at myself and I had to say the jumpsuit was very form fitting the only thing It did not cover was my head.

I took several minutes to admire myself and enjoy the feeling of moving in a physical body “Well Nightmare if your done admiring yourself we have to worry about our hostess and the inevitable panic that comes with seeing Nightmare Moon in her guest room.”

I quietly laughed, “Someone’s getting a little flustered.” I dug through Tristan’s memories and found how to take the jumpsuit off. Having a body again I wanted to take a shower and feel the hot water seep through my fur and into my skin seeing as I may not get another chance for awhile.

“Wait we have a risk of a huge misunderstanding and you are going to just take a shower?!” I turned the hot water on as he was about to start talking again and I felt his embarrassment skyrocket. “What the hell is happening?” Tristain sighed as I scrubbed the soap on myself. “I suddenly got pulled into the sky and now It feels as If I am in the shower washing myself. Having fur, wings, a horn, and a tail feels weird and don’t get me started on the female thing.”

I laughed. “You lost the focus needed to keep your mind completely separate and are now feeling and experiencing everything I am. You know many stallions would die to be in your position.”

I felt Tristan’s embarrassment once more peak. “It seems that whole bit about you sex drive was just bullshit after all.”

“Hey, it was partially true I just focused on going home for so long it was fairly easy to resist women trying to seduce me and I have great self control as well thanks to the training.” Tristan countered.

“So how is this different Tristan.” I teased rubbing soap over my chest then proceeding down my stomach and then bent down to wash my legs making sure to rub over every curve I had while following my hand with my eyes. Tristan was very quiet for every second of it, I could feel his emotions go haywire.

Finished teasing the poor man in my head I quickly finished washing up and used a spell to dry off before putting the jumpsuit back on.

It was then Tristan spoke up. “That shower was all kinds of weird for me knowing I’m a human male and then feeling my hands wash myself and what I saw was the body of a alicorn female.” I heard Tristan sigh before he continued. “Well you won that game and discovered my secret to abstiance for all these years.”

“Good to know you can admit you lost. Anyway I’ll teach you how to keep you consciousness from bleeding over into mine after we sort all this out then next time you can choose if you want to experience what it is like for a mare to shower.” I could almost feel Tristan’s glare.

As fun as teasing Tristan was, I had to admit that I rather liked the idea he found me good looking enough to react as he had. But that was something I had no intention of ever telling him.

“Well now that your done Nightmare lets take care of the Purple Bookworm.”

It seems in that moment fate decided it did not like us very much and Twilight ran to our room and barged in yelling “Something happened to my horn, it’s floppy and I can’t use magic!” This was then followed by “Nightmare Moon!!”

As if that was not enough, it just so happens her friends were right outside and heard her. Rainbow Dash crashed right through the window in a failed attempt to tackle me, sending her into the dresser. While Twilight’s other friends ran up the stairs and into the room.

I was ready to try and explain the situation when I saw the state Twilight and her friends were in I bust a gut as the saying goes Tristan’s own laughter and amusement echoing in my head alongside my own.

Twilight had her horn flopping around with dots on it, Rarity was covered in an absurd amount of fur, Pinkie Pie’s tongue was literally twisted into a knot, Applejack was the size of a action figure, and Rainbow Dash was crashing everytime she tried to fly. Though I did no know what happened to Fluttershy until she spoke in the most baritone voice I had heard in a long time.

It seemed Spike was just as amused coming up with little nicknames for each one of the group but Twilight. Though limp dick came to mind.

The little bout of amusement was over when the group focused back on me. “Well girls before you fire your friendship cannon at me at least let me explain-.”

“What is there to explain? Your suddenly free and Chief is nowhere to be seen! So it seems to me either you did something to him or he is helping you out somehow.” Rainbow Dash declared eliciting nods of agrement from her friends.

“Or the Poison Joke plant that is affecting each one of you since you stepped in it had an effect on Tr-Chief that lead to this appearance change and my control of our body.”

Looking at the group I knew they did not believe me much to my disappointment “Okay since you refuse to listen what are you six planning on doing? Having a witch hunt against a lone zebra for warning you about the poison joke.”

Rainbow Dash was the one to speak up once more. “Well we need to confront Zecora and get her to remove whatever little curse she put us under.”

“Okay I give up, you six go do that. I will stay here, wait and tell you I told you so once you come back.” I replied exasperated at the sheer levels of stupid and stubborn I was witness to. It seemed even Twilight had not put two and two together and got poison joke and it probably was not helped by the fact I told them what was affecting them.

Though I could be a little hopeful that logic would prevail seeing as Twilight still did not buy the whole curse’s were real thing. She did not have to know how real curses were seeing as their existence was very much irrelevant right now.

Twilight was the one to speak up next, “No, you will follow us so we can keep an eye on you while we figure out what’s going on.”

I raised my arms up with a sigh, “Fine I’ll follow not like it will change anything.”

“You got to admit this might be entertaining to watch besides you can make sure they get through the Everfree alive.” Tristan noted

So the group was off to Zecora’s home and on the trip I had to kill a dozen timberwolves, a cockatrice, and a manticore that wanted the group for lunch without anyone but myself and Tristan even knowing about it.

It was great practice but It would be nice to get recognition for saving the Elements of Harmony from a severe case of dead but this was the Equestria that would cower if you punched a thief.

When we got to Zecora’s home the zebra mare could be seen inside with the foal Applebloom seemingly helping her but present company panicked for no good reason and even Twilight became convinced Zecora was up to no good.

The mares broke through the door damaging manythings in Zecora’s home and spilling the cauldron of some sort of herbal potion all over the ground. It took the filly to talk sense into Twilight and her friends and Zecora very much annoyed reprimanded the group.

Now that they knew there was no curse and the effects of poison joke were easily curable with the recipe in a book Twilight dismissed as folklore. We headed back to town with Zecora where I cast a quick illusion over myself of a young pegasus mare with black fur and a dark blue mane and tail wearing jeans and a t shirt.

In ponyville the group headed to the spa with the antidote and Twilight made a quick announcement about how Zecora was not a threat. With that done we entered the spa were the antidote was put into a large public bathing area and a much smaller private one at my own request. Mostly for the sake of Tristan, while the others probably agreed so I did not cause panic.

“Well that was quite the day wasn’t it Tristan? I got to be in control of my own form, tease you and we got to witness the hilarious effects of poison joke and their over reaction to a zebra trying to help them.”

“Yea it was interesting to say the least now I will always have the memory of witnessing myself as a woman taking a shower and how it feels. Frankly magic is fucking weird, though we should collect a little poison joke so you can stretch your legs every once in awhile. Even if it might play merry hell on my psych.” Tristan replied ending with a chuckle.

“I’d like that.” I grinned at the idea of not being trapped as a passenger in Tristan’s mind all the time. Getting a chance to enjoy a physical presence

By the time he finished speaking I dispelled the illusion, was undressed and submerged myself into the bath sighing alongside Tristan when it dawned on me. “I forgot to teach you the trick to keeping your mind from partly merging with mine while I’m in control. Sorry I can do that now if you want?”

“Nah I’ll be fine for now, it’s a weird feeling like I am a female alicorn and not being in control of my movements even if I believe I should be. But this feels too damn good female body or not to skip out on enjoying this bath and as long as you don’t try something I should be fine.” Tristan explained.

So that is what we did enjoyed the bath that was until a flash of white blinded me and before us was Celestia and Luna both looking less than happy and both in full armor. “At least let a girl know that you would like to see them naked before stopping by hmm?” I said with a grin.

Luna pointed her weapon right at me while Celestia cast a sound proofing bubble around us. “Silence wretch! We demand you to free Tristan immediately or we will have the Elements pass a second judgement on you!”

I stood up from my bath, not even bothered by being naked in front of the diarchs. Their slight blushes made me quite happy that I could fluster the princesses themselves.

“Well Twilight probably did not tell you that this is the result of poison joke and we are currently undergoing the remedy. You will get Tristan in his own form and in control of our body in about eight hours due to the extent of the plant’s effects.” I countered

Celestia looked to her sister and nodded causing Luna to reluctantly stand down. It was apparent Celestia had a truth spell active. “Well,” Celestia started “You are telling the truth or are just very good a lying.”

Celestia stepped an inch away from my face, her eyes daring me to try something. “I will just give you the benefit of the doubt for now since you have not tried anything since we took back power, but keep in mind you are on a very short leash Nightmare. If I find out you are trying something I will find a way to end you.”

I grinned and leaned forward my chest now touching Celestia’s chestplate and whispered “I won’t do anything with your coltfriend. I do have a bit of advice though, Tristan’s whole sex drive thing is false he just has a crazy high control over himself so keep at it you may have hope yet.”

Celestia blushed and Tristan was quite annoyed that little detail shared. I resubmerged myself into the bath water wanting to continue enjoying this moment. “Well better let Twilight know everything is fine before we get hit with the Friendship Laser after that your welcome to leave, join me, or just watch either way I’m going to enjoy this.”

And enjoy it I did I laid back for some time doing nothing but teaching Tristan the trick to not getting pulled by another’s mind. It was rather simple pick a event that you find important to you and hold on to it. Tristan will never admit it but I think he let our minds merge a little just to enjoy the bath alongside me.

The rest of the day was unremarkable everyone said goodnight and headed to their homes. Of course I followed Twilight who was still casting suspicious glances that I ignored. We reached the library and I headed to the guest room immediately, laid down on the bed, and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 27: The Ursa Incident

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Chapter 27: The Ursa Incident

Tristan

Nothing that required my attention happened the day I regained my control and my own form. So I just made a trip to Zecora’s home told her a little about how poison joke affected me omitting Nightmare Moon’s name and asked if I could commission a potion that I could use to induce the poison joke’s effect at will.

Zecora told me she would require payment and that it would take about a week to research and then create. I gave Zecora a hundred bits for her trouble and twenty more for a repellent charm and bid her farewell.

From there I started on hunting for some meat. The hunt ended with a fallen manticore and a steak dinner with the rest of the meat drying in a shack I managed to roughly put together using the charm to keep out guests.

Besides a parasprite swarm that was taken care of by music only after half the town was in ruins and the little bastards tried to eat my gun along with several other events that I paid no mind to. Not much happened that I needed to involve myself in even if there was a problem every other day.

That changed upon the arrival of a stage magician that called herself ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie’.

The day started quite normally I woke up at the crack of dawn, ate then took my daily jog around ponyville. It was during the jog I saw a wagon parked in front of the town hall Curious I walked over to the wagon and on the side was ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie’ painted in bold letters punctuated with a light blue crescent moon crossed by and magic wand.

“Well it seems this little town is getting a visit by a stage magician might watch a show it’s been a long time.” I thought back to the last magic show I had been to, I didn’t remember the name but I had found it fascinating how the magician performed so many tricks and sleight of hands he even ‘Impaled’ my brother on a sword for one trick.

With nostalgia filling my head I grabbed a flyer from a stack on a table in front of the town hall and now armed with a time and location of the show I continued my jog.

My day from there was very uneventful with Twilight practicing some spells in her library and I really did not have any real friends in town I decided to sit on the park bench to jump into my mindscape and play some Halo with Nightmare which then evolved into one of the fiercest competitive matches I had ever been apart of involving no shortage of “Bullshit”, Fuck You” and other swears thrown at each other to seemingly no end.

Nightmare ended up the victor by a hare’s breath and that was when I learned that Nightmare Moon was born in the wrong time on the wrong world. So after a brief celebration on her part we turned off the xbox and just sat next to each other and talked. The topic was just whatever came to the duo’s mind.

Several hours had passed and it was almost time for Trixie’s show so the pair stopped the conversation and I snapped myself out of my meditation. Taking another look at the flyer I noted the location and walked there getting myself a few apples on the way.

By the time I arrived the seats were starting to fill up and the area was filled with the chatter of curious town folk. I took a seat in the back and the show began shortly afterwards.

“Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!” Upon her deceleration the stage folded out and Trixie came out of the wagon sparklers and fireworks going off above her. She then started sher tricks starting with simple ones like endless chains of handkerchiefs, turning one object into another and many others keeping the crowd oohing and awing for several minutes.

I was liking the routine before I heard the familiar voice of Rainbow Dash boo. Trixie didn’t even let it phase her as she called out the dissenters daring them to challenge her all the while she exaggerated every movement.

“Now let me tell you how I vanquished an Ursa Major by myself.” An image of an ursa major appeared above her as she spoke. Trixie started by telling of her arrival in town with the intent to put on a show for the townsponies.
“I was halfway through my show when it appeared hungry and looking for its next meal.” Above Trixie the Ursa Major roared at the miniature town. “It was then I knew I couldn’t just run like the rest of town, you see I was the only one that could face such a monstrosity! So we fought long and hard my magic against its claws and fangs.” Trixie showed an image of her fighting the Ursa flinging spells and dodging it’s swipes.

“Eventually I prevailed and only with my powerful magic did I last long enough to land the final blow and send the Ursa Major back to its cave!” A final image of Trixie standing victoriously while the Ursa ran off shown above her head.

The crowd cheered and I clapped enjoying the little story with the light show it came with. I applauded the stage magician. Much to my disappointment Twilight’s friends called her out on the story and from there it became a slapfest of who was the best with Trixie trying to get rid of the dissenters so she could get on with the show.

Eventually they did leave and Trixie toned down the arrogance act a lot. The rest of the show was like any other even had the rearranging body sections box trick that he had seen so many times and still did not know how it worked. Eventually the show came to a end with Trixie bowing and thanking ‘everpony’ for attending.

It was then the day took a one-eighty. It started with a roar and panicked ponies running for their homes shouting “Ursa Major!” I drew my magnum and sprinted towards the threat.

The creature was not an Ursa Major, thank God for that. But rather an Ursa Minor. Still it would be a bitch to take down even with my weapons. I briefly wondered where the Ursa Minor came from and my question was quickly answered when two colts ran past me shouting something about the Great and Powerful Trixie being able to save everypony.

Trixie looked at the Ursa rampaging through the town with fear. “I never intended for my story to be taken seriously.” I was able to take Trixie to the ground before the Ursa smashed the area she was standing in.

This served to knock her out of her shock. “Ma’am get to safety and get a message to any guards you can find. I’ll hold it back.”

With the area cleared for the time being I raised my magnum and fired. The weapon caused it pain but did not seem to do anything to slow it but it was focused on me and that meant I could get it away from Ponyville.

“Well Nightmare, this is it we live or die right here.” I thought as the Ursa charged at me. I dived between its legs and fired another couple shots from my magnum, the miniature rifle barking with the fury of hell behind it.

“Indeed it is my friend remember if you need any magical help we have of the potions Zecora made for us we just need a sip and a few seconds of a lot of pain and I can fight it.” Nightmare helpfully reminded me of that little trick and the painful test we took it on.

We found that the poison joke worked so slowly to avoid causing any sort of pain from any changes, however with a concentrated dose it worked very quickly and painfully not helped when the effect is a full body transformation and forced swapping of who was in the driver's seat.

The Ursa faced me once more and roared this time I could see a substance that I could equivalate to blood flowing from where I hit it. I started sprinting towards the forest firing my magnum to make sure it was staying with me. “One mag used four to go.”I muttered.

I was halfway to the Everfree when I watched a familiar purple glow surround the Ursa Minor lift it up play a lullaby, take the water tower off of its structure fill it with milk and use it as a bottle before teleporting it to parts unknown.

“Holy shit Twilight just, holy fucking shit.” I said to Nightmare very much impressed.

“Element of Magic indeed, I see why Celestia took Twilight in as a student.” Replied Nightmare.

Behind me was Twilight panting while a crowd cheered her on. I started looking for the stage magician and found her next to her now ruined wagon weeping. “Ma’am you alright?”

Trixie looked at me her eyes red and puffy, “No, no I’m not I just lost my livelihood even if I manage to get my wagon repaired good enchantment gems cost a fortune, then there are the props and countless other things that did not survive.

“Even then word of events here will spread and make it harder for me to dazzle a crowd. It all relied on an image of power and ability that took years to build.

“Buck Twilight and her friends who worked so hard to disprove my ability in a bucking stage act! Buck those kids that took the story too seriously and got an Ursa Minor out from it’s cave and ruined my image and buck this Celestia damn town!” With those last words Trixie picked up a bag in her hands and stormed out of town.

“Well it seems Twilight and company just made their first enemy.”

“It would seem so.” Nightmare agreed.

I walked over to the library spotting Twilight sitting down with a book in hand. She glanced up at me. “Oh hello Chief how was your day?” Twilight asked unironically.

“Was great until two foals decided to pull a damn Ursa Minor from the Everfree. Fucking took a story meant to entertain too damn seriously.”

I paused before deciding to just give my warning. “Oh yea thanks to your friends trying so hard to disprove and act and those two colts you made an enemy of Trixie. Hopefully it doesn't bite everyone in the ass but knowing this place it will.”

“I’m sure everything will work out Chief don’t worry.” Twilight dismissed

“It is my job to worry I have to keep you lot alive. I recommend you learn some proper combat spells. I can’t be everywhere and I really like my head on my shoulders. You can probably get Celestia or Luna to give you a starters book, If not I can just let Nightmare take over for awhile and train you but you might not like the methods.”

Twilight shook her head seeming quite appalled by the idea. “I know some basic stun spells, I don’t see myself needing much more than that. I don’t see the Princesses giving me a book on combat spells typically restricted to guards. Not to mention why would Nightmare help me?”

“God why is such a smart mare so stupid?” I mentally pleaded

Nightmare did not respond we both already knew the answer. I decided to not waste words with Twilight and instead headed to the guest room to shower and rest. The shower was short enough and I felt the toll the Ursa Minor encounter had taken on me and promptly fell asleep.

Chapter 28: Talks With the Other Side

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Chapter 28: Talks With the Other Side

Tristan

Sometimes I wonder why I was assigned to protect Twilight and her friends when most of their problems are small even if they happen at least once a week. The most I did in the past month and a half was play pest control with the Everfree. While it got me a source of meat and something to do I still felt restless.

Sure I could talk to Twilight and her friends but I really did not connect real well with any of them. Twilight would play a hundred questions, Rainbow Dash didn’t like me because I put a bullet in her idols. Fluttershy was scared of me, Pinkie Pie was just unsettling, Rarity was way to posh and constantly wanted to make me some sort of clothing if she was not calling me uncultured, and Applejack kept trying to read me.

Sure there were a town full of ponies but I couldn’t find it in myself to bother making friends. So most days I wasn’t hunting I talked to Nightmare who even helped me learn the whole magic business and in a month and a half I was able to briefly move my magic to my hands and hold it there but I still could not repeat what I did in the Crystal Empire.

Well it seems the world knew about my boredom as Twilight gathered myself and her friends at the train station saying we were summoned by Celestia for something important.

One uneventful train ride and walk later we found ourselves in the throne room with Celestia and Luna standing in front of us talking about something and Luna popped away.

Celestia noticed our group and the girls all bowed. “So what’s the issue?”

Celestia rubbed her forehead, “Earlier today I was informed that an old foe of mine Discord escaped. It seems that the spell trapping him was severely weakened and he got just the push he needed to escape.”

“Heh surprised he didn’t break out sooner, probably could have but…” I was then interrupted by Discord appearing in front of us drinking a glass with milk in it.
Throwing the milk after finishing the glass Discord spoke. “You are very much correct my friend.”

Every pony in the room with the exception of Celestia looked at me with a shocked expression and as expected Rainbow Dash exploded, “Wait! You mean to tell me you and Discord, the Lord of Chaos himself were friends!? Wait that means how can we trust you not to just join him again!?”

“I fought as one of his inner circle for years the only others that called him friend are long dead .” I turned away from Rainbow Dash with a wave of my hand. “There’s no point in continuing this line of dialogue you won’t believe me anyway.”

Discord rolled his eyes. “If you two are done I have one announcement to make… Listening? Good. Since our armored friend here has provided me with plenty of entertainment and I trust more is to come and because ruling is boring after the first pass at it. I will go into the Everfree and watch. Send a monster or two out for kicks when things get too dull and I won't make Equestria my playground for the time being.

Celestia stepped up tightening her stance. “How can we trust you to keep your word?”

“I was planning on taking the Elements, turning the bearers into a twisted version of themselves and making ponyville my personal playground and once that got boring torment you and your sister.” Discord scoffed

“That does not inspire confidence Discord.” Celesta said with an edge in her voice

“Remember it was the elements that save you the first time or I would have crushed your pitiful kingdom for trying to “liberate” mine. I am still upset that I had to fight a war for years because you and your sister believed I was oppressing my subjects. I was content messing with pretentious nobles, initiating pranks on citizens at random and making deals with the foolish, sure some died but I can’t control everything.

“But no you had to have your embargos, and send your priests to stir up the discontent. So many died in a pointless war over how you thought I should run my country.

“Anyway you will just have to take me at my word won’t you?”

Celestia teleported away then back again with a small chest. She opened it only to find it empty. “What have you done with the Elements Discord?” Celestia was seething at this point wisps of smoke coming off her mane and tail.

Discord just laughed. “Like I said without the Elements you are powerless against me so I ask you again do we have a deal?”

Celestia stood silent taking a glance around the room and then the box in her hands before she sighed. “Yes, we have a deal.”

“Good, pleasure doing business with you.” Discord said as he disappeared in a puff of gummy bears that Pinkie Pie immediately ate.

I turned to Celestia, “Well that went surprisingly smooth considering.”

Celestia shook her head, “I still don’t trust him to keep the deal.”

Twilight and her friends with the exception of Pinkie Pie were blankly staring at the spot Discord once was in.

Twilight looked at her mentor confusion evident in her eyes. “Princess, how much of what Discord just said was true?”

Celestia sighed, “All of it was true in hindsight the war was pointless but Luna and I were young and when we first visited it was so unlike what we knew. So when a group of residents claimed Discord a tyrant we bought into it and the oddness of how Discord acted did little to make us think otherwise.”

“Thank you Princess” Twilight said evidently trying to process the new information.

“You and your friends may go if you wish rooms will be ready for you and just talk to one of my staff for lunch.”

Twilight and her friends took that as their queue to leave leaving Celestia and myself alone in the throne room.

Luna teleported into the room in a flash of blue magic. “Sister I-” Luna paused as she looked at her sister. “I presume Discord was here and your student and her companions now know the details of the war?”
Celestia solemnly nodded, before walking out of the throne room. Luna and I both watched Celestia leave.

“The idea that Twilight may doubt her must hurt, but that is something between them.” I shook my head. “All in all things could have gone worse. Discord’s still pissed about the war but finds my little adventure so far to entertain himself enough to be willing to look past that for now.”

Luna gave me a look between worried and relieved, “Good, one less problem to deal with.”

I shook my head, not sure of what to say next the last time I talked to Luna I just found out about my new situation. Now here we are just awkwardly standing around. “So, how has reintegrating into society going?”

The break in silence grabbed Luna’s attention. “Fine, the castle staff don’t run as soon as I enter the room or stutter as often when addressing me.” Luna sighed, “Most nobles insist I am still Nightmare Moon or try to get into my good graces but tis to be expected.

“You’d think they would know that it is hard to manipulate someone with hundreds of years of ruling on their belt” I huffed

Luna grinned, “Indeed, so how has Ponyville treated you?”

I had to admit the familiarity threw me for a bit of a loop seeing as I tried to kill her and was the reason that she was trapped for two extra years, yet here we were talking as if we were two old friends. I couldn’t complain but I still expected some anger. Then there was Celestia I saved her from a fate arguably worse than death and not long after she warmed up to me.

We went from brief conversation. A month later I was checking on her and she suddenly cried on my shoulder while I was out of my armor holding me like I was going to fade away. That was when we started becoming more like friends. I still didn’t know what makes them so receptive to me but it was as it was.

Luna

Tristan was silent after I asked my question, his eyes unfocused. “Are you alright? Hello? Tristan?”

He reacted after saying his name rapidly blinking and shaking his head. “Huh? I’m sorry I zoned out for a moment what was your question again?” He snapped his fingers, “Ah I remember now you were asking about my time in Ponyville.”

I nodded my head gesturing for him to continue.

“The town has an issue every week it seems, but most of the time I am not needed. It is boring to be honest. The locals have gotten used to me and don’t pay me much mind though they still don’t go out of their way to talk to me.” Tristan sighed. “I understand why but it results in me lacking any real friends there.”

“How about the Elements? By now I would have thought you to have befriended a couple of them.” I asked

He snorted, “Twilight is more interested in what I know, Rainbow is waiting for me to mess up, Rarity is very passive aggressive towards me. Applejack avoids me, Pinkie Pie calls me a friend but I really don’t know her and Fluttershy shakes like a leaf if I am alone around her.

“So as you can see I am acquaintances at best with them. If it were not for Celestia’s word and my job as their guard they would be likely to just confront me or just find out if the first time they blasted me with the Elements was just a fluke.

“Doesn’t help they know Nightmare is sharing my mental space with me or that at a drop of a hat and a bit of pain I can essentially trade places with her now that I have those potions that I had Zecora make for me.”

I was very curious, he could switch places with Nightmare at will. I knew about the body swap incident but the potion was new. “Pray tell why you had a potion made to let you and Nightmare swap around?”

“Simple, she is more powerful and all around better with magic than I am so when such an advantage is needed I can let her take over.” Tristan sighed, “She won’t try anything the rune on my neck carries over. You should know that if Celestia told you anything.

“It’s just now we have one more trick up our collective sleeve, besides after two years as a military advisor slash right hand man I consider her a friend and felt it would be nice to let her stretch her legs and see the world through her own eyes.” Tristan explained

I honestly did not like the idea of the being who possessed me walking around as she wished but he was correct she stepped out of line she was under the same threat as Tristan. “Okay I don’t like the idea but I will trust you. Even as our enemy you were always the sort to keep your word. But first I want to speak with Nightmare Moon.”

Indicus was quiet for a moment before nodding. “Okay she’ll talk with you, give me a second.” Tristan grabbed a bottle out of thin air, it was a moment before I realized it must have been the same pocket dimension his armor was stored. He then opened up the bottle and drank a fourth of its contents.

The effects were immediate as the man before me transformed into the familiar form of Nightmare Moon the transformation itself took but a minute.

Nightmare Moon

The transformation was uncomfortable as we expected but the potion worked. I was standing before the mare that was responsible for my existence clothed in the same jumpsuit Tristan wore. “So what-”

Luna slugged me before I could finish, I clutched my muzzle the pain already fading. “Huh kinda expected that.” Indicus commented

I did not respond instead I looked at Luna. “I deserved that considering the aftermath. So what did you want to talk to me about?”

“First I will take us to my quarters so we can both talk without causing panic and rumors and so I can get out of this armor” Luna said waving her hands down her sides showing that she still had her battle gear on.

“Fair enough.” With a flash of Luna’s magic we were in her room. Little had changed since I last saw it in fact the biggest difference between Luna’s room and Celestia’s was the night sky themed paint on the ceiling and the dark blue walls as well as an empty armor stand and weapon rack next to a writing desk on the right side of the bed.

Luna motioned to a sitting area consisting of several chairs and a couch around a table located immediately left of the entrance. I took my seat and Luna put her sword on the sword rack and started removing her armor. Starting with the helmet and working her way down not paying me any mind as she did so.

“Is it entirely appropriate for her to do this while we are here sure you and her are both mares but I am also able to see everything you are?”

“Simply look away if it bothers you that much while I enjoy the show. Besides you have seen mares in less before now sush.” I could imagine Tristan’s glare but I was right. Nightshine had ‘shown off’ in front of him dozens of times in her attempts to seduce him and he even was roped into helping her clean herself several times when she had an injury that needed to be still for a few days to heal.

By the time our conversation ended Luna was now in a plain white shirt and similarly plain brown pants both loosely draped over her. “That feels much better.” Luna stretched.

“So what is it you want to talk about? Well what is it you want to ask might be a better question.” I smiled when she blinked a few times telling me I was right. “I was born from your sadness, anger, and jealousy of course I can read you. So out with it.” I said rolling my eyes.

Luna sat down on a chair in front of me. “So you and Tristan became friends how did that start?”

I laughed, of all things she was wondering how Tristan and I became friends. “So that is your question huh? Fine. It started with a respect for his dependability. Then I used him as a military advisor and personal guard on top of important missions. Of course we spent a lot of time around one another so naturally we talked. From there we had enough trust built up and we started considering each other friends.”

“So it just happened?” Luna asked seeming confused.

“Yes it just happened, like most friendships. You will do yourself a favor to remember while I was created from your negative emotions given life through magic I still can feel any emotion you can. I just happen to feel negative emotions as we are calling them more strongly. Did I mention plain clothes look good on you?” I teased licking my lips for added effect.

“Don’t torture the poor girl she’s blushing up a storm already, though it probably did help her self esteem.” Tristan commented.

“But her reaction is adorable!” I shot back, Tristan did not reply.

Luna must have regained her composure while Tristan and I talked and was looking at me head cocked slightly to the side. “Something wrong?”

“No, rather I am looking to confirm a suspicion. So can Tristan and yourself communicate with each other without being asleep?” Luna asked.

“Yes we can, in fact he can see what I am seeing right now, hear what I hear, even feel anything I do, physically of course, if he so chooses.” I responded.

“So he…?” Luna abruptly halted her sentence but I easily put the blush on her face together with what she said.

“Yes he could see you get out of your armor.” I sighed as Luna’s blush intensified. “There is nothing to be embarrassed about you did not strip naked, and you are still clothed.” I put my hand on my forehead. “Your acting like a schoolfilly with a crush.”

“Is it just me or…” Tristan started before I interrupted

“I believe for whatever reason Luna might have a childish crush on you.” I finished.

“For fucks sake, since when did someone switch Luna and Celestia to infatuation mode I thought killing many of somebody’s subjects while helping their enemy kinda pissed them off. But no they forgive and forget at a drop of the hat because I was nice. Like some kind of bad anime.” Tristan ranted.

“Nothing like that!” Luna exclaimed

I shook my head, “No matter, anything else you want to talk about?”
“No, nothing else in particular. Nonetheless thank you for this talk between it and hitting you I have calmed my reservations about your continued existence. You may sleep in any room in the Lunar wing if you so wish.” Luna offered.

I nodded, “Thank you Luna I will do that we do have a train to catch tomorrow.” Without another word I walked out of the room and into a room further down the hall. The room was large with the necessary furniture and a writing desk as well as a balcony.

I walked onto the balcony spread my wings and took off. I flew with no destination in mind enjoying the wind whipping past me. I could feel Tristan’s enjoyment as he let the experience take him.

I flew for about an hour before landing back on the balcony. “Wow that was fun, humans can only dream of flying under our own power like that. If you go out on flights like that I will have to let you have control more often.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed that as much as I did. You will get control back tomorrow for now I’m going to sleep.” I said before I climbed in the bed and let myself drift off to sleep.

Chapter 29: Demos and Options

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Chapter 29: Demos and Options

Nightmare Moon

The sun peered through the curtains hitting my eyes and forcing me awake and temporarily blind. Once I regained my vision I took a quick shower before sitting on the bed and taking out the potion, downing the substance.

In a few uncomfortable minutes Tristan was back in control and it was evident he was still not awake as he flopped down onto the bed. Eventually the light did it’s job and he woke up.

Tristan

“Good morning Tristan” Nightmare’s voice greeted me as my eyes fluttered open disturbed by the sunlight pouring through the window. I quickly realized Nightmare made the switch already.

I got up and headed out and by some cosmic coincidence Luna left her own room dressed in black sweatpants and a navy blue tank top much to my suprise. Luna only acknowledged me with a nod as she deliberately walked down the hall.

The walk did not feel horribly long as Nightmare and I talked about the magic behind flight and pegasus magic in general. It boiled down to making flight possible, protecting them from high speed crashes then weather and air manipulation.

We walked into the dining room where coffee awaited Luna’s shambaling walk turned into a sprint as she poured coffee into a mug and downed a quarter of it’s contents in one gulp.

Now visibly awake Luna looked at her sister, myself than Twilight and her friends. “Sorry I really needed that.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle while Nightmare was laughing. “It’s fine, not everyone is a morning person.” I said waving my hand. “So what’s on the menu?”

“Pancakes, fruit, hay bacon, hashbrowns and coffee, tea and various juices” Celestia replied waving a hand over the food laid out before us. I took the gesture as an invite to start eating. I gathered a little bit of everything but the hay bacon and dug right in.

Twilight and Celestia were talking about some sort of magical experiment while the others talked amongst themselves leaving myself and Luna quietly eating our food.

That silence was broken by none other than Rainbow Dash. “So I saw you use that odd hand cannon thing of yours on the ursa minor and since then I have had this itch to ask you about it.”

I was of course surprised that Rainbow Dash of any of them bothered to talk to me she was the closest to outright hostile towards me of the six mares. I would see her in the sky lingering around my general location like a sentry.

“The weapon is called a pistol and no I will not allow you or your friends to shoot it. I don’t trust any of you enough for that.”

It seemed I grabbed Twilight Sparkle’s attention and the Inquisitive mare was about to speak up before I stopped her. “No I will not let my weapons go under any study, even by royal demand I will not lose one of my advantages so quickly. If you are so interested in such weapons then look at the griffin flintlock musket and pistol is the closest thing to my equipment even if it is hundreds of years behind what I have.”

Twilight deflated and she gave a disappointed nod. “I understand.”

“I can be convinced to give a quick demonstration to you and your friends, the Princesses and the guard captain's maybe the possibilities will either spur on development or stop it all together.” I suggested.

Twilight’s eyes glowed while I gained the interest of her friends, especially Rainbow Dash who looked ready to go right there.

Celestia and Luna on the other hand knew very well what my weapons could do and were a little apprehensive though Celestia seemed to notice her student’s anticipation. “I will approve this demonstration as long as proper safety measures are observed.”

---------------------------

An hour and a half later the training yard was set up eight mannequins four wearing the best armor the guard had with all of the protective enchantments and four without. Four were the Night Guard’s armor and the other four were the Solar Guard’s armor. Both made out of the finest quality steel available with some of the best stable strengthening enchantments conceived. I was assured the enchantments were newer than the ones that the guards used when I was working with Nightmare Moon.

Because of this the Captain's along with Twilight and her friends were doubtful of my weapons ability to pierce the enchanted versions of the armor. The observers were all behind a shield maintained by Celestia with a sound dampening effect upon my request. The training yard was cleared with the armors being in front of a thick brick wall.

“Range is hot!” I shouted drawing my assault rifle. With practiced ease I fired a four round burst into each suit of armor into the chest of each target. The action took less then five seconds.

I replaced the spent magazine placing it in it’s compartment on my armor before putting my rifle on my back and shouting, “Range is cold!”

With my declaration the shield was dropped and we walked over to check the damage. As expected the non enchanted armors received a tight grouping of holes that entered the mannequins with no problem while the enchanted variants faired better if only because two or three rounds made it into the mannequins deep enough to kill.

My audience was aghast as they saw the best armor they had with the best enchantments reinforcing them pierced by my weapon. “Here you have eight dead targets.” I said plainly “Granted the enchanted armor would do wonders to protect from a musket shot so it is very much relevant”

“Hold any question till after the demonstration.” The group walked back behind the range and the shield was erected once more.

“Range is hot!” I shouted before raising my sidearm and fired a single round into each mannequin’s head taking less than ten seconds.

“Range is cold!” I shouted as I reloaded and holstered my weapon.

Upon inspection of the Mannequin's the magnum did even more damage.

“Well there you have it my weapons demonstrated for all of you.

I left the training yard leaving a baffled group of ponies behind me while Luna and Celestia shook their heads

----------------------------------------------

We had a few hours till the train to ponyville would arrive at Canterlot Station. Twilight and her friends were talking about my weapons the words dangerous and scary coming up more then once.

The guard captain's whispered to each other, I could only assume my weapons were the topic of that conversation.

Luna and Celestia were both silent during the walk. After everyone split off to do their own thing Celestia and Luna both approached me. “So what do you two want?”

Luna spoke first, “As you can imagine after we took back the throne we had to take care of anypony sympathetic to Nightmare as well as restore order before the confusion boiled over. Even now much of our guard is very busy finding and apprehending any Nightmare Sympathisers. This leaves…”

“Okay can you skip this set up and please get to the point Luna?” I abruptly interrupted causing Luna to flinch.

“We have multiple problems from bandits wildlife and even possible spies looking to find any weaknesses to give to their respective countries. We want you to become an agent of the crown.

“While you would still be responsible for the protection of the Elements. You will also be given various missions from time to time. Mostly for clearing bandit dens, and hunting monsters giving towns trouble. But you may also get tasks for missions in foreign lands ranging from sabotage to assassination.” Luna paused to catch her breath.

“Of course you will be paid for each job.” Luna looked at Celestia who nodded. “We have also decided that the rune on your neck is no longer necessary.” Luna said as her horn glowed, I felt the tingle of magic on my neck before it disappeared.
I felt where the rune was and the scar that made it was gone. I looked at Celestia than Luna. “You should take this opportunity, it will help the restlessness and let you see the world for yourself. Besides we both know the Princesses are good on their word.”

“I assume if I am compromised in any way I will have nobody looking for me and Equestria will deny my employment correct?” I asked knowing the answer.

“You are correct.” Celestia answered with a moment’s hesitation.

“Good so when do I begin?” I asked

“You will receive a letter once you reach ponyville, the letter will contain any details you need to know about your assignment. You will be put under another agent, her name is Shadow Rose.” Luna grinned “So what do you know about Vampires?”

That was the moment I began to question my life choices.

Chapter 30: Spartans and Vampires

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Chapter 30: Spartans and Vampires

Tristan

“What do you know about vampires?” At the time the question threw me off after all I never once saw or heard of a vampire. All I knew was the several myths from my past, the story of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and other reimaginings of them in fiction.

I was not given time to answer before a brick red mare wearing sunglasses, a white tank top, plain blue jeans and tan boots approached. Her eyes traced me giving me the feeling I was being analyzed.

I took the time to take in her appearance, she was taller then most ponies measuring right around five nine rather then the five five, five six average. Her crimson and forest green mane was cut midway down her neck drifting freely in the light breeze. Then I saw two marks on her neck. “So that’s the reason for the question, you must be Shadow Rose.” I shifted my gaze between Luna and Celestia “You two planned on me becoming an agent for awhile now.”

The two princesses did not answer as the train’s whistle blew and the squeak and groan of metal skidding on metal covered the area. By the time the noise died down the princesses had already disappeared in a flash of light.

I looked at my new supervisor for a moment. “So you’re my boss now.”

“Seems that way.” Shadow Rose replied.

When I caught up to the six elements they all looked my way curiosity easily read in their eyes as they saw my new retainer. “The mare’s name is Shadow Rose, she is a new guard for you girls.” I explained leaving out the agent of the crown and vampire bits.

Shadow Rose shallowly bowed. “As he said I am Shadow Rose, your new bodyguard. By the Princesses orders the both of us will be given new accommodations in a house near the center of Ponyville so that we are better able to respond should anything happen.”

With their curiosity mostly sated the group boarded the train and walked to a set of empty seats. Shadow Rose stopped me as I was about to take a seat near the group of friends and pointed to the car in front of us. Shadow Rose excused us from the group giving some explanation of discussing our task in private, which the girls all accepted.

When we entered the next train car and Shadow glanced around ensuring privacy. Her horn glowed and the mare sighed. “Good now we can talk about a few details that were left out.”

“Besides the change of address there was never much to leave out. Your a vampire, and I’m paired with you to do missions ranging from monster hunting to shady political assassinations.” I answered plainly.

Shadow Rose sighed and took a seat gesturing for me to sit across from her. “You know the stories about vampires correct? Drink blood to live, die from too much sun exposure, unable to die from age or disease, generally hard to kill etcetera.”

I nodded, “I know some of the legends and stories about vampires and that about sums it up.”

Shadow Rose put her hands in her lap. “Good that is mostly true. Sunlight just suppresses our abilities, our eyes are very sensitive to the light and with enough training a vampire can choose to not spread the curse.” The mare sighed, “Anyway, the reason for our partnership is because I have chosen you as a candidate for the Blood Pact.

I did little to hide my confusion, “So I assume this ‘Blood Pact’ is a big deal, and I am not the first candidate you’ve had.”

“Correct, There has been many candidate’s I have considered to form the pact with but so far in the last one hundred seventy years not one has made the cut. Be it because they refused to partner with me when they discovered I was a vampire, did not survive the missions I went on or a handful died from the ritual’s strain when they did survive long enough for me to make a final decision.”

Shadow groaned as she realized she did not fully relive my confusion. “I haven’t told you what the blood pact entails. So where to begin?” Shadow Rose paused, “The pact binds the vampire and their partner’s soul’s for as long as the vampire lives and can never be reversed as a result the partner’s blood satiates the vampire’s thirst for longer but it also causes blood from another source to be less potent. The partner will live as long as the vampire does and vice versa. As well as both parties will be able to locate each other and communicate regardless of distance. Depending on the bonds strength the partner will gain vampiric abilities, the vampire and partner may observe things through each other sense’s at will. There are even legends of the Blood Pact bond being strong enough to allow body swapping”

I listened to Shadow Rose describe the effects of the pact but my mind turned back to the mention of death from the strain of forming the pact. “But the caveat is that if the strain is too much I could die?”

Shadow Rose’s ears peeled back, “Yes if our souls are not compatible they will reject each other and your soul will be ripped apart erasing you with no chance of coming back.”

“So how does a vampire even know if a person even has a chance of surviving?” I asked

“It is a feeling that there is a possibility of success. My teacher told me that fate will bring the vampire and their partner together eventually, though there would be plenty of false or close matches along the way.” Shadow Rose explained.

“I’ll decide after an assassination or two from the crown see how we work together first.”

Shadow Rose smiled and did not say anything else. The train ride was uneventful and before long we arrived at Ponyville. After getting off the train everyone went their separate ways.

“Come on our new home is not too far from here,” Shadow stated. Starting at a jog we went by several homes and businesses and after a few turns Shadow Rose stopped and pointed at a modest blue two story building with a basement. Shadow took a key out and with a click the door unlocked.

The inside of the building was just as plain as the outside, though it was fully furnished the living room had a couple of tan couches facing each other with an oak coffee table between them. The kitchen was to our left and from what I saw it had the common appliances for a modern kitchen on Earth. With the kitchen doubling as a dining room it had a small table and a couple of chairs. The cabinets and fridge were fully stocked with food and cooking implements.

Continuing to look around opposite of the kitchen I found the hall to the bathroom, master bedroom, and a guest bedroom all fully furnished.

“Well seems Celestia had this place prepared well in advance. I can guess upstairs we can find offices and a conference room and in the basement some place for an armory and training room?” I guessed.

“That is mostly correct of course there are a few other things in both areas but they matter little right now.” Shadow walked over one of the couches and sat down, I sat on the couch across from her.

“So you fought in the Discordian war over a thousand years ago?” Shadow asked her stoic look seemed to become nervous.

“That is true I was one of Discord’s commanders during the height of the war. What about it?” I replied.

Shadow Rose’s nervousness flipped into excitement and I knew then I was in for a long night. “The few books containing records of the ‘Demon’ talked about a fearsome leader in Discords army who was invincible wielding strange weapons particularly his blade.

“I just never thought I would see you in person much less work with you or find my instincts telling me you are a good candidate!” Shadow Rose took a deep breath calming down a little. “You see before I became a vampire I had an interest in the DIscordian wars, Though most records were lost during Nightmare Moon’s rise. I once asked Princess Celestia about that time but she always changed the subject and Princess Luna refused to talk about the events, always holding her left shoulder.”

“So you wanted to ask me about the war, surprised that there are ponies interested most pretend it never happened. Anyway keep in mind I became involved four years in so I know only a little about what sparked it through what I was told by other soldiers and Discord.” I took a breath to prepare for the inevitable resurgence of memories. “So What do you want to ask?”

Shadow Rose lowered her head and soon raised it with a toothy grin. “The books I read mentioned your role as a saboteur, scout and raid commander. You lead several attacks that slowly turned a stalemate into a slow crawl forward for Discords army. I want to know about some of those attacks.

I shrugged, “Not much to say about them generally. I usually lead a group of four or five snuck in, killed a commander as loudly as possible and we tore our way out. The panicked soldiers would be mopped up by the small army waiting outside, survivors served to spread fear.”

“So nothing much to say that the books haven't.” I noticed at some point Shadow must have managed to produce some paper and a quill. “So how about the mare known as The Demon’s Bride?”

The question came suddenly forcing up memories I wanted to stay buried. “Nightshine… she was my closest friend. We first met she was leading a patrol and found me wandering nearby. Soon after I found myself in front of Discord. I told him my situation and we made a deal I fight with his army in their war and he would help me.

“Nightshade adjusted very quickly to me and within a week we somehow behaved like we had known each other for years. I started under her command but within a month I had proven myself and Discord put me as Squad commander. At that point where Nightshade was I was not far and vice versa, even in battle and that was where her title as The Demon’s Bride took root.”

I took a deep breath before continuing, “Nightshade and I had known each other for a year and a half when during one of our guard patrols we and our scouting camp was attacked, during the fighting Nightshade took a magic bolt to the stomach, she later died from her injuries. I’m sure you have read about the Fort Radiance Massacre.”

Ears flat on her head, Shadow Rose looked between me and her paper, “So that was the cause.”

The curious energy that surrounded Shadow disappeared in an instant.

With the depressing mood in the air I got up. “So it seems to be about time for lunch any preferences?”

“Hmm? Oh yes just get me the A positive blood from the fridge.” Shadow Rose never quite made eye contact with me as she spoke.

I fished through the fridge until I found the blood packs, confirming it was A positive I grabbed it and placed it in front of Shadow Rose. “Enjoy.”

Nothing more was said as I made a ham sandwich. The two of us just quietly sat there and Shadow Rose retired to the master bedroom, leaving me alone in the living room. Finishing the sandwich, I wandered the house and as expected the basement contained an armory with various suits of armor, swords, spears, bows along with other types of weapons.

The training area contained a variety of archery targets and practice dummies but in the center of the room was a fighting ring and on the left and right were two crystals I walked to the crystal on the right and touched it in front of me appeared a holographic panel with various settings. After tinkering around with it for several minutes I found it was to generate an opponent to practice on in the ring and with further investigation I found that it could even simulate different battlefields pulled from the users' memories. After experimenting with it for some time I set up a fight and began training.

Chapter 31: Pest Control Day 1

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Chapter 31: Pest Control Day 1

I woke up to the sun poking its way into my room from behind the curtains. With a sigh I rose from the bed and walked to the bathroom connected to the bedroom. One quick wake up shower later I was in my armor running a system check while cooking an omelet and some bacon.

Minutes later I heard Shadow Rose come down the stairs, dressed in a tank top and sweatpants sporting an almost impossibly bad bed head. She shuffled forward like a zombie. Wordlessly I grabbed a mug and poured some coffee in it. Shadow Rose grabbed the mug and downed the contents.

“Not a morning person are you.”

Shadow Rose shook her head, “Never have been, vampirism just made it worse.”

“Well breakfast will be done soon, you can eat normal food can’t you?”

“Not as filling or satisfying as blood but yes.” The vampire opened the front door and picked up a newspaper on the porch before going back to the couch and sitting down.

The room fell silent as I finished up our breakfast. With the two omelets and bacon finished I brought the food to the living room and we began eating. Shadow Rose was engrossed in the newspaper so I began talking to Nightmare.

“So it occurred to me, is there any way for you to manifest yourself outside my head without switching who’s in the pilot seat?”

I felt Nightmare’s presence stir “You miss seeing me already?” I could hear her smirk.

“No, I just want to see the ponies' reaction to the Boogie Man walking next to a demon.”

“Hahaha… Give me some time, I might be able to whip something up.” I felt Nightmare’s presence fade to the back of my mind.

Soon enough Shadow Rose and I finished breakfast and Shadow went to get ready for the day. As she did that I picked up the mail, and read the newspaper aptly named The Equestria Daily. It was mostly rumors about celebrities. But an article about a high profile thief being caught in Manehattan was there, it even mentioned my presence in Ponyville and that Celestia told the newspaper that I was working for them and that the Demon had seen the error of his way and wished to make amends for past wrongs.

I heard the thud of heavy footsteps and looked to see Shadow Rose walking down the stairs, a helmet under one arm dressed in dark gray plate armor, a sword hung from her hip.

“Well what do we have for today?”

Shadow Rose grabbed a wax stamped envelope in her magic and quickly opened it. “Pest control, monsters have been getting close to the edges of the Everfree lately. Guards have been sent to clean up in other areas, and we are responsible for Ponyville. The Ponyville guards will keep an eye on the Elements while we are gone.”

We spent the next hour packing supplies to last a week. Food and water for me, blood for Shadow Rose, Tent, Medical supplies, poison joke cure and concentrate, along with various other miscellaneous items needed for hunting trips in a magical forest full of monsters.

Packed and ready to go we walked the streets of Ponyville towards Sweet Apple Acres. Not many were out so early, and those that were avoided us. It was not long till the Everfree Forest was in sight with Sweet Apple Acres to our left and before long we made it into the edge of the forest.

The moment we arrived we were alert with weapons drawn. My helmet adjusted to the low light making it easier to see. I mostly ignored my motion tracker, as it lit up for every little critter that scuttled about. Seeing Shadow Rose glide through the forest reminded me she was a vampire, much like the human stories she moved with an effortless grace. Fortunately experience and training kept my footsteps quiet if not graceful.

We walked for fifteen minutes before numorous glowing green eyes surrounded us. I put my magnum on its magnetic holster and raised my fists. The timberwolves charged at once, I met the first one to reach me with an armored fist to the head then all hell broke loose.

Half a dozen of the timberwolves harassed me at once, quickly overwhelming my armor's energy shield as I punched and kicked at the timberwolves bits of wood and sap exploding like shrapnel. The timberwolves claws and teeth failed to find much purchase on the outer shell of my armor, and made a few shallow marks on the armored bodysuit. The fight was an easy one when I was effectively invincible, it was getting used to fighting alongside Shadow Rose that proved troublesome as we had to pull some punches and kicks as to not incur friendly fire and even then a glancing blow from her kick would send me stumbling when I failed to account for her supernatural abilities or vice versa.

I snatched one lunging timberwolf out of the air by its forelegs and with its own momentum threw it into the green glow of one of its brethren breaking the exposed core and dazing the timberwolf that just got used as a projectile. This action was followed by attacking another of the creatures with a straight punch and not fully registering the blurring figure rushing to do the same to that poor timberwolf. Our fists went through the creature and met each other and I felt pain lace through my hand and into my arm as my fingers fractured in a few places.

With that timberwolf obliterated, the few remaining ran off, leaving the area of the forest we fought in full of bits of wood and green sap along with much of the vegetation in ruins from the brief skirmish.

As my adrenaline faded the pain in my right arm came full force causing me to grimace just as Shadow Rose ran up to me, her ears flat on her helmet. “Sorry, let me see if I can heal it.”

I nodded. Shadow Rose’s horn glowed and I gritted my teeth as I felt the bones in my right hand align and fuse back together.

I flexed my hand. “You're used to fighting alone?”

Shadow Rose nodded.

“That makes two of us.”

Drawing my magnum, I stepped past the remains of the timberwolves

The forest was silent, our careful steps sounded like gunshots as we walked. Despite the eerie silence we walked for another hour without incident. After several more hours our path brought us to another clearing where we decided to set up camp. Shadow Rose set up some warding talisman that would keep most of the forest’s inhabitants out. I took the role of setting up the tent

As the night sky shone with countless stars. I sat by the campfire, my hand surrounded by the dark blue glow of my magic. It flickered like a dying lightbulb before I lost my grasp and it disappeared. With a sigh I tried again. Once more I willed mana from my core and into my hand the mana sluggishly obeyed before finally materializing, looking at my hand the glow was fainter but more stable. I couldn't take the strain for long before I released my hold on the mana.

At that point my head was pounding from the many attempts to stably manifest magic and on the last attempt I had managed to partially succeed.

“For only having used your mana pathways for the first time only weeks ago you are making good progress. Given time you will knock the metaphysical rust out of your pathways then it is only a matter of practice and building up your capacity and you will make for a decent mage.” Nightmare complemented

“How did I end up with magic? During the war I was incapable of any magic, lacking the capacity is what Discord’s scholars told me.”

“Simple, between getting blasted by pure magic and well over a thousand years imprisoned by said magic in areas saturated with magic it was only a matter of time till it crystallized into a magical core.” Nightmare explained.

“Simple sure, Just get hit with the harmony laser, turn to stone then wait over a thousand years in magic rich environments and presto magic. I’ll make sure to tell anyone else that ends up thrown here from across space and time.” I deadpanned.

Nightmare’s eye roll was audible “Simple in theory you ass. Now wake up Shadow Rose, your watch is almost done.”

“Okay okay.” I put my hands up in mock surrender.

I put another log in the fire before getting up and walking over to the tent half a dozen meters away. Entering I saw Shadow Rose still in full armor minus the helmet with her sword close by.

“Shadow Rose, it's your turn.” Moments later Shadow Rose stirs and steadily rises off of the bed roll still bleary eyed; she puts her helmet on and fastens her sword to her hip before standing.

I lay down on the bed roll placed next to Shadow Rose’s and close my eyes hearing Shadow Rose say “Sleep well” before I drift off to sleep.

Chapter 32: Pest Control Day 2

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Chapter 32: Pest Control Day 2

“Wake up Marcus.” I woke up to those words echoing in my head. I groaned as I got on my feet before pushing the tent flap aside. Out of the tent I briefly took my helmet off to let the cool morning air blow across my face before putting it back on.

Shadow Rose was standing by the dead fire looking at me. “You're up, good.” Shadow Rose smirked as she tossed me a rectangle package with granola yogurt written in big blocky letters.

“Anything exciting happen?” I asked as I took a bite of the ration and the cardboard taste did not disappoint.

“No, the talisman did its job.” Shadow Rose walked back to the tent and entered, I heard the rustling of fabric inside. I quickly finished the ration and joined Shadow Rose in breaking down the camp.

Soon enough Shadow Rose and I were back to walking through the Everfree Forest. The only sounds that filled the forest were our footsteps, insects and distant roars. I held my magnum in my right hand, my hud displaying the twelve rounds in the magazine and the hundred and twenty I had in spare. I always was thankful to Discord for the enchantments on my weapons that dealt with any ammunition problem I would have otherwise had.

“So how did you end up as an agent of the crown?”

Shadow Rose turned her head towards me. “Short of it, I had no one to help me learn to control my hunger when I first became a vampire and I went on a hunger induced rampage. After just waking from a haze, guards captured me and took me to the Princess for judgment.”

Shadow Rose idly kicked a small rock in front of her, sending it hurling into a tree. “After I told her what I remembered from that rampage and the events around it, the princess gave me a choice. Become an agent of the crown and get training in my new abilities and help control my hunger or be executed for my crimes.”
“Celestia seems big on the forgiveness thing, though I have only our stories to go on.”

“Yes, the Princess likes to reform criminals and give them a way out of life imprisonment or execution. It has led to Equestria always having numerous agents able to carry out a variety of tasks that the normal military and guard in this more peaceful age are ill suited to.”

“Wait then where were you and the other agents when Nightmare and I took over the country?

Shadow Rose kept grasping and releasing the hilt of her blade while clenching her right hand “We were given orders to not interfere with Nightmare Moon and sent to neighboring countries to monitor them and make sure Equestria was not taken by a surprise invasion in a time of perceived weakness. Even if she was overthrown, if invasion was inevitable we were to alert Nightmare Moon in whatever way we could preferably without exposing ourselves.”

I stopped in my tracks dimly aware of my surroundings as I absorbed what I heard. I knew Celestia was a good person that cared for her subjects. I learned that much when I acted as her captor. But to hear she had her best stand by to act as an early warning system even if Nightmare Moon was victorious was a level of dedication to her people and country that I couldn’t imagine.

“Chief watch out!”
“Tristan watchout!”

The shouts from both Nightmare and Shadow Rose snapped me back to reality. I looked to see a manticore midair about to pounce me from my right. I threw myself back and fired my magnum. The roar of the beast echoed through the forest like the three rounds that left my gun before the Manticore and I crashed to the ground.

I was lucky, I managed to dodge just in time to not get trapped in a contest of raw strength with a manticore. The Manticore was not so lucky, Shadow Rose was able to use those short seconds to sprint back and before the Manticore could recover she plunged her sword through its throat, twisted then ripped the sword out. The manticore could only helplessly thrash and gurgle as blood poured out of the messy hole in its neck

I was able to quickly get up and back far enough to avoid the manticore’s flailing about before it stilled seconds later.
I looked over to Shadow Rose standing a couple meters to my right. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Shadow Rose turned to me concerned, “what happened there?”

“Got careless, lost in my head. I won’t let it happen again.” I started walking in the direction the manticore came from before I could see her expression.

Armed with serviceable knowledge that like many predators manticores do not tend to range far to hunt, we looked for signs of where the manticore came from. A task that we both found surprisingly annoying. Still we had a job to do so we carefully combed the area looking for any tracks, claw marks, kills and whatever else we could think to keep an eye out for.

The effort was slow going taking us well over an hour what a skilled tracker probably could do in half that time. The forest was humid and hot so by the time we found what seemed to be the den Shadow Rose looked miserable the fur not covered by her armor was matted with sweat. I could not imagine what it felt like under the armor. I silently thanked the armor’s gel layer for its temperature control properties.

Shadow Rose took out her canteen and swallowed a couple mouthfuls of water. “How are you unaffected by this heat?” Shadow Rose groaned.

“Simple my armor has a layer that regulates temperature and deals with moisture. It keeps me comfortable in any conceivable temperature”

“Lucky.” Shadow Rose grumbled.

“I thought there were enchantments for climate control?”

“There are, I just had the great idea to have them reduced in favor of better defensive and self repair enchantments.”

At the mouth of the cave we readied our weapons before carefully entering. The cave entrance was about two and a half meters wide and five meters tall

The rancid smell of rotten meat hit us all at once as I engaged my helmet's night vision. The further we walked into the cave the bigger it got with the occasional stone pillar connecting the floor and ceiling. After only a few minutes of walking we saw a manticore curled up like a cat, its chest gently rising and falling.

Shadow Rose and I slowly and carefully creeped towards the beast. I carried my magnum in my right hand with the unpowered energy sword in my left. Once we got within a couple meters of the manticore we both sprung into action.

Shadow Rose drove her sword into the manticore’s neck before twisting the blade and ripping it out. The beast's roar came out as a gurgle as blood entered its damaged windpipe. Before it could even attempt to get up or thrash about I activated my energy sword and jumped plunging the blade into the other side of its throat, the plasma blade cauterizing the area as I dragged the weapon across the back of its neck severing the spine. To make sure the manticore did not suffer for long I aimed my magnum at its head and rapidly unloaded the remaining nine rounds into the manticore’s skull.

By the last round the face of the manticore was unrecognizable but I was very sure the beast was very dead. I reloaded my weapon and deactivated the energy sword

Covered in blood from the kill, Shadow Rose looked at the corpse. “Two manticores in a day, not bad.”

“I hope your armor is self-cleaning.”

“My armor is, my fur is not.” Shadow rose grumbled turning towards me. “How is your armor spotless?” Shadow Rose pointed at me, her cat-like eyes widened.

“Discord.” I replied as if it explained everything which it kind of did.

Shadow Rose slowly nodded. “So your armor is in fact a magical artifact.”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I guess. I never thought about it.” I waved my hand forward. “Let's get out of here before the smell gets worse.”

Shadow Rose looked at the manticore’s corpse then the path towards the exit and nodded.

The walk out of the cave was just as quiet as it was on the way in and before long we were at the cave’s mouth. Both of us were ready to search out a place to set camp for the night
Just as we were about to back track to a nearby river we found on our way to the manticore den the ground below my feet rumbled, seconds later my motion tracker lit up with a large red dot on the edge.

I could only shout “Incoming!” as the trees in front of us exploded sending bits of wood in every direction before us was a four headed hydra it’s draconic eyes looked everywhere at once before spotting us it’s charge did not stop.

As time slowed adrenaline and instinct took over I was only vaguely aware of Shadow Rose springing into action sword in hand. I pulled my assault rifle off my back and dived out of the path of the Hydra spraying its torso with bullets, some ricochet off its scales sending sparks through the air, some hit and dropped to the ground, but a few found flesh.

As the monster stopped and turned towards me for another attack I rolled out of my dive and reloaded my spent weapon. I saw Shadow Rose attack the beast, two of the heads and the tail whipped and lashed out at her as she danced around the monster while the two middle heads focused on me snapping at me with furry burning in their eyes.

This time I fired my rifle in bursts aiming at the heads. I could see the frustration and anger of the hydra increase as the seconds went by, its faces and necks sported minor wounds.

One of the heads lunged for me, teeth bared, I moved out of the way like the other attacks before it but this time it did not retract its head quite as quickly. I smiled as I took advantage of the moment and my fist connected with the head's jaw in a brutal uppercut.

The hydra was stunned by the blow, all the beast's actions pausing for a moment. I unloaded the remaining ammo in my rifle into the stunned head’s eyes. The head went slack, the other three forgot about Shadow Rose and attacked me with reckless abandon.

I weaved between the striking heads as I swapped my rifle for my magnum. I saw the beast’s left leg suddenly buckle then Shadow Rose appeared at my side. The fight was almost over, I could see the fear and rage mix in the hydra’s eyes as the world seemed to stop for a moment. Then everything snapped into action.

Shadow Rose jumped up and over one head’s lunge and grabbed onto the back of its neck. I jumped towards the strike aimed at me twisting my body to avoid colliding with the beast's open maw, then with my free hand managed to find a rough enough patch of scales to act as a handhold. To my surprise I managed to put enough force in my jump that my weight and forward momentum countered it’s own and jerked the head’s neck back far enough that I heard the spine snap. The two remaining heads cried out in pain and thrashed about

With only some of my momentum slowed I continued forward and bounced off the hydra's back and tumbled onto the ground, my magnum falling out of my hand.

Fortunately the hydra could not capitalize on my vulnerability as the remaining two heads were busy with Shadow Rose who was hanging onto the side of one of the heads. It desperately tried to shake her off but her grip was solid. In one fluid movement Shadow Rose flung herself towards the front of the hydra’s head using the motion to drive her sword through the head’s eyes and into its brain.

I had gotten onto my feet and picked up my fallen weapon as Shadow Rose jumped off the now faltering hydra and gracefully landed. I jogged towards her as the ground shook from the hydra’s collapse.

As the adrenaline faded all the abuse I put myself through make itself very well known.

“You took a nasty tumble back there. Need any healing?”

“Hand is fractured in multiple places, a couple of bruised ribs, I probably tore up the muscles in my arms and legs from that jump.” I listed

Shadow Rose’s horn glowed and I felt the bones in my hand align and fuse back together while the pain in my arms, legs and ribs dull. ”Thanks.”

Shadow Rose grinned, “No problem Chief, though if I knew this would be a regular occurrence I would have brought more blood.”

“Next time I’ll be sure to write a note.” I shot back

“I’ll hold you to that Chief. For now let’s get to that river. I think some of the hydra’s eye seeped under my gauntlet.”

We walked through the forest side by side, avoiding roaming groups of timberwolves, some short chicken lizards that Shadow Rose called cockatrices and a damn gorgon.
We arrived at the river without incident. The shallow river sparkled under the sunlight, both sides of the river had a five meter semi circle devoid of trees though the branches of the massive trees on the edge of the clearing still blocked most light from entering, keeping the perpetual twilight the Everfree was known for.

“Come on Chief, the sooner we set up our tents the faster I can clean up.”

Before I could respond or help Shadow Rose was already at work and I could only watch as a camp complete with a campfire started to appear before my eyes like a video was being fast forward at four times speed. Finished setting camp, Shadow Rose started taking off her armor like there was a bomb on it..

I shook my head and dismissed all of my armor leaving me in shorts and a sweat soaked t-shirt. I walked over to the pack with our supplies and grabbed some soap and a towel then walked to the edge of the river.

Shadow Rose was already in the river, the water coming above her navel as she used soap and brush to furiously scrub off all the blood that soaked into her fur.

I undressed and stepped in the river ignoring the sudden chill of the water. I was lathering myself with soap when Shadow Rose noticed me. “Hey, help me get all the manticore blood off my back. It's a pain to do myself.

I walked up to Shadow Rose, “Sure,” I held out my hand. “Find a place to sit and give me the brush.”

Shadow Rose quietly handed me the brush before she walked to a slightly shallower part of the river and sat down. I started scrubbing her back with the soap while I used the brush and water to free the fur of the loosened blood.

As I did, I was reminded of helping Nightshine do much the same. I never learned how, but after a battle she would get blood on herself in the oddest of places not to mention her wings.

Nightshine would always ask me to help free her back and wings of blood. The first time she asked it had been a month since my arrival and she pulled rank, after that I just helped without protest or like with many things she would pull out the puppy eyes and damn if it didn’t work.

“You there Chief?”

My trip down memory lane ended there as my mind came back to the present. Standing in front of me was Shadow Rose wearing a grin. “Ah there you are Chief, enjoy your trip down memory lane?”

I felt the smile still on my face and nodded.

“Good,”

We both wordlessly finished washing up. Once finished Shadow Rose walked out of the river and started to dry herself off with the towel she left with her fresh clothes.

I followed her out of the river grabbing my own towel to dry off with before throwing on my clothes and heading to the tent.

Shadow Rose soon joined me in front of the tent, dressed in a t-shirt and shorts “Get some rest Chief, I’ll take the first watch.”

I was too tired to object so I crawled inside the tent, laid down on my bed roll and was out like a light.

Skyfall

by Shadow-Dancer

Prologue: Feet First into Hell (the actual prologue)

Chapter 1: Back in Black....err Sage

Chapter 2: Blocked Path (unedited)

Chapter 3: Haunted Memeories

Chapter 4: The Second Day

Chapter 5: The Meeting

Chapter 6: Regicide

Chapter 7: Betrayal

Chapter 8: Worried Thoughts, Escapes and Plans

Chapter 9: Execution

Chapter 10: Unforseen Events

Chapter 11: Tacet Nox

Chapter 12: Clean Up

Chapter 13: Thoughts

Chapter 14: Griffinstone

Chapter 15: Sleeping Arrangements

Chapter 16: Fight!

Chapter 17: Days Turn to Weeks, Then Months, Then Years

Chapter 18:Confrontations and Returns

Chapter 19: Revelations and A Chat with the Night

Chapter 20: Discussions and Ponyville

Chapter 21: Magic Lessons

Chapter 22: The Crystal Empire

Chapter 23: The Crystal Empire Part Two

Chapter 24: Reliving the Past

Chapter 25: Ponyville Scare

Chapter 26: Ponyville Scare - Body Swap

Chapter 27: The Ursa Incident

Chapter 28: Talks With the Other Side

Chapter 29: Demos and Options

Chapter 30: Spartans and Vampires

Chapter 31: Pest Control Day 1

Chapter 32: Pest Control Day 2