This is a Destiny/MLP Fic. This story is after the Guardians have defeated Gauhl and returned the Traveler to it's earlier state, free from the hold of the Cabal.
This is a Destiny/MLP Fic. This story is after the Guardians have defeated Gauhl and returned the Traveler to it's earlier state, free from the hold of the Cabal. After a mission sent out by the Vanguard fire-team to a certain Guardian. The task appears to be too much for him yet as he dies in the world with the Traveler, he is inexplicably appearing in a separate world, free from the Cabal, Vex, Fallen, Takes, and even untouched by the Darkness itself. Will he survive in this new world with his new body or will it prove to be too much for him much like the last mission he was sent on.
Guardian POV: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Guardian! You’re coming up on heavy fallen reinforcements, be careful!” I heard Zavala’s voice echo through my comms. “They have taken the location from the Red Legion and are currently setting up an outpost for a defensive position. We decoded some of their transmissions and they are arming it up for a frontal assault on all hostiles, us included. We can’t handle that firepower until the Red Legion is taken care of. We need you to sneak past so we can save the traveler, then we’ll take care of the Fallen and become the Guardians we once were. I’m counting on you!
“Will do Zavala, you can count on us! We will not let you down.” My ghost replied for me as he flew next to me. We were just rising over the ridge of a mountain when I shrunk down so as to not be seen. Looking over the ridge my ghost let out a soft sigh. “We won’t be getting past that easily, without being seen much less.” In front of us was an army, Fallen Captains littered the open ground flanked by their Zealots. Pike patrols raced around the field watching the perimeter so as to not get surprised by a flanking assault force. Fallen were everywhere, Dregs lined the crumbling walls of a long abandoned house looking for anything their Vandal counterparts may overlook. “This is going to be a problem. We can’t sneak past them and I highly doubt those Servitors and Heavy Shanks are gonna let us roll over them.” We sat in silence for a moment before Zavala’s voice filled my ears.
“Guardian! What’s taking so long?! Have you been engaged?” He sounded angry at first but that quickly changed to concern. I was always his favorite of the guardians outside of his fire-team. “Guardian! Respond! What is taking you so long?!”
“We have not been engaged Zavala, but Fallen forces are heavy in numbers. There is no way we can sneak through the entire outpost and the Servitors flanked by Heavy Shanks aren’t exactly gonna let us roll over their position without putting up a heavy counter. I’m counting ten Captains flanked by five Zealots for each Captain. Pike patrols are circling the outpost so there’s no way of a surprise attack. Vandals are on every floor of the outpost and on every floor of the abandoned houses that line the sides of the outpost. The Vandals are flanked and covered by four Dregs each. Those Dregs seem to have two Wretches behind them for close engagements. I’m also counting four Queen Servitors flanked by ten regular Assault Servitors. Heavy Shanks are filling the sky, easily a dozen maybe two dozen. They are preparing for an assault though, they’re moving in their Walkers, artillery Zavala. They’re going to attack soon, maybe even by tonight.”
There was silence for a few tense moments before Cayde contacted us. “Hey you two ummm… Zavala is currently occupied with updating his vocabulary, my my, quite harsh words. These Fallen would be quite upset if they heard him right now, I know I would. Thanks for the update though you two, keep up the good work and please, be safe. I’d hate to see my favorite Guardian hurt, or worse, killed. I know you have your light and all, but I just don’t want you to take that chance, please.” Cayde always went serious when it came to another Guardians life. He never played around or joked about that stuff. “Contact us when you get past that compound and please do try to make it back with your light.”
“Thank you Cayde, we won’t let you, or Zavala down. You all can count on us, we will get through this compound and eliminate the Red Legion threat, then return quickly to decimate the Fallen.” I smiled under my helmet as I heard my ghost quote Cayde. “As a great hunter once said, It’ll be a short date.” I could tell Cayde was smiling or, what an Exo equivalent of a smile would be. “This will all be over soon and you can get back to annoying Ikora all day, everyday.”
“Thanks for that you two, I needed that, Now. Go show them what an enlightened Guardian can truly do. I believe in you, You’ll make it back to us in one piece and with more light than all Guardians combined.” He cut the transmission off leaving us to look back at the outpost.
“Are you ready Guardian? I’ll be by your side the entire way.” I nodded in confirmation as I slowly hopped over the wall and crouched behind a rock. Not seen yet, I mentally sighed and slowly risked a look over the edge. My breath hitched as I saw the forces moving forward, right towards our makeshift HQ. “Zavala! Fallen forces are marching on your position! We will hold them off for as long as we can!” I nodded and hopped over the rock pulling out The Wardcliff Coil. The first Captain never stood a chance as the projectile impacted his head instantly killing him. The forces quickly came over their surprise and fired upon me, the Servitors and Heavy Shanks were two of my main concerns. I quickly reloaded and took aim at the first Walker with one thought running through my head, ‘Kill them all, leave no survivors, must protect the city, protect the city.’ My shot came true and exploded upon impact on the leg. The walker stumbled a bit as the leg crumpled under it due to the impact, but it quickly righted itself. Seeing what my target was, the forces moved around the Walkers to keep them safe. I silently cursed and hilted the Launcher pulling out the Suros Regime. The auto rifle melted through the Wretches and Dregs pretty quickly but an energy shot impacting my shoulder made me curse myself, how could I have forgotten about the Vandals? I kept firing round after round into the forces of the Fallen. I’ll take care of the Vandals last, for now my main focus is the Walkers. I broke through the first life of Fallen only to get blasted to the side. On my right were two more Servitors, or, that’s what I thought they were. I quickly got up and retreated to a rock as the blasts impacted it instead of me. I summoned my ghost and pointed towards Zavala’s location.
“Go. I’ll hold them. Just warn about the assault.” I spoke to him, he heard me talk before and knew I wasn’t one to talk unless it was absolutely serious. His light got dimmer showing that he wasn’t in the mood to joke either and spoke in a soft tone.
“Be careful out there… Snapshot.”Not even my ghost knew my true name, hell, even I didn’t know my true name but this nickname was given to me by the Traveler, only the Traveler and my ghost knew it and could call me by it if needed. I gave a smile under my helmet and returned the gesture.
“Goodbye Little Light, my friend no, my brother.” His shell opened up then closed and a small drop of light fell from it, I knew what it was from watching the citizens from the city, and knew it to be the ghost equivalent, a tear. I could only bow my head in response, letting out a quite and despair filled moan sounding like a ghost who has lost its’ way in it’s own ethereal state. A small flash was all I needed to know that my ghost had gone to where I ordered him to go for I couldn’t feel his presence enter my mind again. Looking over the edge of my rocky cover I say the Servitor charging up another attack, the void ball rushed toward me and demolished my cover as I was forced into a defensive position retreating deeper into one of the abandoned buildings. Arc shots from the Dregs welder pistols raced past me as I turned on them with my auto rifle slicing through their bodies as if it were paper. Dreg after Dreg fell to my rifle, soon switching from the Dregs and turning to the charging Wretches, my auto rifle trained to their heads just from years of experience. After what seemed like hours my auto rifle had finally run out of ammunition, cursing myself I switched to my sub-machine gun, I ran upstairs and pulled out a small hunting knife, jabbing it into the neck of the Vandal as he crumpled to the ground in a lifeless heap. I smile a short victory as the Walker aimed right at my window, I only saw the flash of its main cannon before being blown back from the impact. I groan and slowly stood instantly knowing I had broken ribs, I grabbed my side and slowly exited the building bringing up the rocket launcher and shot towards the Walker, my victory was short lived as a lone Vandal had rushed out of his hiding spot and took the blast. All Fallen forces were alerted and I could only saw one thing before being bombarded by every arc, solar, and void blast from the Fallen. I quickly ducked behind a rock and pulled out a small piece of paper with a pen so that I could write down something, anything for whoever or whatever found me, hopefully they could understand what I was writing. My hand was shaking and trembling, blood soaked onto the paper, but you could still see what I had written. A Dreg had rushed my position and once he turned the corner he let go a squawk of surprise as he took the full amount of buckshot to the face. I could hear their footsteps and I smiled having one thought that I had said out loud. “IF I’M GOING TO DIE… I’M GOING TO DIE AS A GUARDIAN!!!” I hopped over the rock ignoring the flaring pain in my side as the buckshot obliterated the head of a Fallen Captain. The rest of the Fallen forces had become enraged at the death of one of their Captains, becoming suicidal hoping to overwhelm me. I headbutted one away and cleared the way to the Walker, with a loud cry I rushed forward and pulled out the rocket launcher, seeing what was about to happen all of the Servitors and Heavy Shanks rushed forward, but they weren’t quick enough. The Rocket hit true and exposed the reactor core of the Walker. I quickly loaded another rocket and smiled victoriously as the rocket hit the core, having an instant effect, the Walker crumpled and fell to the ground in a heap of burning scrap. Hearing the hum of another Fallen ship I looked up to see an Archon deploy right in front of me, he looked at me then the Walker. He held a hand to stop all of the Fallen forces from rushing forward and killing me. I turned to the Archon and tilted my head in confusion, the Fallen never gave up a chance of killing me.
“Guardian, you have defeated many of my Captains and many of my followers, I respect you for that, not many are able to do that but you have. You have earned the respect of the House of Kings. Come here Guardian, I will give you a warrior's’ death.” He backed up and allowed me to do whatever I needed to do, soon turning to him I spoke softly.
“I want you, Archon, to take my weapons and wield them to fight the Darkness, but do not use them on the Guardians, that is my last wish Archon, please don’t deny me this.” I placed the weapons at the ground beneath the Archon and sat on the ground tilting my head down. I waited for it and calmed my breathing. “I also want my body to be returned to the Tower, tell them that I wish to be buried under the Traveler so that I may live under it’s peaceful light so that I may stay protected by the darkness.”
The Archon knelt beside me and lifted my head. “Your dying wishes will be granted with honor and glory. We will never deny a true warrior their last wishes just by race.” He was handed by me a small device.
“This will let the Guardians know that you are friendly, there’s a hologram with my voice and body on it, it will tell them that my wish was being carried out and that if my wish was denied then the Guardians will be at the unforgiving mercy of my ethereal state. It will let them know that I wish for you to be the one to bury me Archon. Please, I want a warrior’s death and burial by none other than the one who felled me.” The Archon nodded his approval by pocketing the device and placed a clawed hand on my shoulder.
“FALLEN! TODAY WE ARE WITNESSING NOT THE DEATH OF ANOTHER GUARDIAN, ENEMY, OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE HATE BUT THE DEATH OF A FELLOW WARRIOR! HE WILL BE SUNG FOR GENERATIONS ABOUT HOW BRAVE HE WAS IN THE FACE OF DEATH! EVEN AS AN ARCHON STOOD BETWEEN HIM AND HIS ONLY SALVATION! I HAVE BEEN GIVEN HIS FINAL WISH AND AS OUR RITES I CAN NOT DENY HIM THIS! I ALONE MUST DO THIS! TREAT HIS BODY AS YOU WOULD A FALLEN BROTHER OR SISTER! GIVE HIM A PROPER GOODBYE!” And one by one the Fallen walked by and either nodded their heads or kneeled to the powerful warrior before them. Even the Servitors that flew close would dim their lights in respect as they materialized flowers from the Fallen’s home-world as they would never die, ‘nor decay as time passed. The Fallen surrounded my body in a matter similar to the funeral, they had dropped their weapons at my feet and asked if I could bless them with my words. I was not going to deny them their wishes and did just that. As they took their weapons a few tense moments passed before I heard the Archon spoke as the House of Kings’ banner was placed around me. “You have earned our respect and will be buried as such, should we see you in the ethereal state, we will graciously welcome you into the House and you will be one of the highest respected. You are now, even more respected than the Kell warrior. I will grant all of your wishes, do not believe I would disobey your command for such simple tasks. Goodbye… Brother.” As he said that last word my vision faded to black as I heard the distinct sound of a sword swinging through the air. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3rd Person: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Tower was quiet as the Archon stepped off of the Star-ship that once belonged to the unkillable Guardian. Every gun in the tower was trained on him as he pulled out the hologram and placed it on the ground. The hologram of the Guardian lit up and expanded a bit to show the full view of the Guardian that had proved himself too strong to die on countless occasions. Lowering the weapons confused the Tower listened to the Hologram.
“My friends of the Tower, if you are hearing this then i have felled in battle. The supposed enemy that was carrying this hologram has been given this to ensure his or her safety. They are to go beneath the Traveler and dig a hole. In this hole I will be placed as my burial site. If you are hearing this then the enemy has considered me a warrior worthy of their wishes being granted. I do not want Little Light to revive me. I will already be ethereal and watching over you all. This enemy will be welcomed into the Tower to visit my grave any time it feels like it. Only this one though, no one else for my grave will be dug right beneath the Traveler so that I may protect the light in my ethereal state much like it had protected me in my mortal state. This enemy has been given my weapons, ship, and everything else I own, even my quarters in the Tower so that they may fight the Darkness with my legacy ongoing. I am sorry to everyone who thought me as unkillable, I was very much mortal like you. I let the honorable combatant take the speech. Thank you all for being here for me.” As the hologram fizzled out the Archon cleared his throat and began to speak.
“He has been accepted into the House of Kings and will be known as the greatest warrior to ever live. He has taken out a Walker on it’s way to destroy you all, equally decimating half of the assault force before giving in, alone. We Kings will not attack you Guardians as this one warrior made us think. If we fight just like him and clear our wrongs could we be gifted by the Traveler, and if not then at least we will defeat the Darkness and live in peace. He has given the Kings, even the Kell of Kings a new sight on our future, a sight of peace between the Kings and Guardians.” He extended his lower left arm while placing his right upper on his chest as a sign of respect and trust. “Do you accept not only the help and alliance we are requesting but the protection within the Cosmodrome, and any other land held by the Kings? The Lost Sectors will now be free to open the chests, just ask the Captain there, if he denies then do not pester, for the Captains still own these Sectors.” As he ended the talk no one stepped up, but one ghost floated up much to surprise of the Tower. They thought that the ghost would become enraged after seeing the enemy who had killed his Guardian. He simple projected his guardians hologram that he could control and did the same manner as the Archon. Right hand over his chest and left in a handshake. The entire Tower moved as one and put their right hand over their chest, lowered their head, and reached out with their left as if to give what light they could spare to the fallen friend. The Archon smiled and roared with a huge ferocity towards the sky shocking everyone. “THE DARKNESS HAS MADE A NEW ENEMY AND THIS ENEMY WILL FIGHT TO THEIR FULLEST IN ORDER TO FOLLOW THE WISHES OF THE GREATEST WARRIOR OF THE KINGS!!” Soon a huge roar responded from below and as the lights trained on the mass, it was the entirety of the House of Kings and even the Kell, All Servitors let loose a few bursts of void attacks at the sky near the Traveler and much to everyone's surprise a loud groan came from above and to the right, right where the Traveler was. The Traveler was glowing and so did the Archon with the Kings below. The Traveler bellowed a loud groan as it’s own burst of light attacks reached the sky. The sky of dark clouds seems to dissipate as the Void and Light arced together. The Archon and Kings became warriors of the light as the fallen Guardian was buried by the Archon turned Guardian with a last few choice words as the Tower and city went quiet. “FRIENDS! COMRADES! ENEMIES TURNED ALLIED! WE STAND HERE AT THE FALLEN GRAVE OF A MIGHTY WARRIOR! I MAY HAVE KILLED HIM BUT I DID SO ON HIS WISH! HE WISHED TO BE PUT OUT LIKE A WARRIOR AND A WARRIOR HE WENT OUT BUT HE IS NOT GONE! NO! HE LIVES ON IN ALL OF US! THE TRAVELER GRANTED US WITH LIGHT AND I THINK HE GAINED THE LIGHT FROM THE WARRIOR WE NOW STAND ABOVE! WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE LIGHT OF A FIERCE AND HONORABLE WARRIOR! THE DARKNESS MAY BE ADVANCING BUT IT WILL NOT BE READY FOR WHAT COMES NEXT! FOR THE HOUSE OF KINGS DOES NOT GO DOWN QUIETLY NO! WE KINGS AND GUARDIANS ALIKE WILL BECOME WIELDERS OF THE FIERCEST LIGHT EVER KNOWN! WE WILL PUSH THE DARKNESS BACK TO THE HELL FROM WHENCE IT CAME AND WHEN IT PUSHES BACK AT US WE WILL PUSH BACK HARDER AND HARDER UNTIL IT FINALLY UNDERSTANDS THAT WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP OUR HOLD ON LIFE!” the crowd roared in response and the Traveler pulsed with Light, all of them ready to fight everything that had taken over world, constellations, and galaxies, and even universes. Thus the fight was brought to the darkness, ready to rid their universe of the terrible curse that plagued their system. The Darkness had taken everything and now with their new warriors, they were ready to take everything back.
3rd person ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Celestia’s sun shone over Ponyville and brought the colorful town to life as the residents began to exit their homes and begin their way to their jobs. The sun shone through the windows of the Ponyville Library and awoke a lavender unicorn. “Wake up Spike!” Twilight told her small dragon assistant as a groan came from the bundle of blankets on the floor. “Come on Spike we’ve gotta meet the girls at Fluttershy’s today, unless you wanna clean the Library today?” Spike leapt from the bundle and saluted.
“Ready to go meet the girls Commander Twilight!” She giggled at him and motioned for him to follow her. Walking through the town every pony they passed by gave them a friendly smile and wave as she did the same back. Soon, after a few minutes of walking, the two made it to Fluttershy’s cottage. Inside were the others, she was about to trot forward and hug them but a howl from the Everfree Forest interrupted her. “Fluttershy? I thought the Timberwolves never made it this close to town except when chasing something and even then, they usually don’t chase it near your cottage.” The butterscotch pegasus shrugged when they heard a yell and a sickening crack. Outside stood the strangest pony they had ever seen, this pony seemed to be badly injured as the bleeding side was anything to go by. The next strangest thing was the pony seemed to be in some kind of guard but it didn’t like the Solar or Lunar guard. This armor covered the entirety of the body. They soon found the sound of the crack was a Timberwolf lying in front of the strange pony with its’ neck spun completely around. The pony nudged the wolf then turned around and froze upon seeing the six mares, they both stood frozen in place as they looked they were having a staring contest.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, and you are?” Twilight had spoke to the pony, if they heard her they didn’t make any notion they had except for a small turn of their head. She went to move towards them when the pony backed up and took a defensive stance, upon seeing this Rainbow Dash and Applejack had taken fighting stances. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Snapshot POV ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I awoke with a jolt in the middle of a clearing surrounded by a dark forest. “W-where am I? Am I near the Shard of the Traveler? No, I died, I died there’s no way I’m there.” As I stood I fell down and looked down surprised to see not hands and feet but hooves. “What in the hell?” I stood on all fours and started to walk, it wasn’t hard, especially after that time I had been crushed by the Walker on Nessus. I looked around and slowly started walking towards the only light I could see through the trees. After reaching the end, I saw what seemed to be a small cottage but before I could take a step forward a howl stopped me. I slowly turned around and saw easily a dozen wolves, but they weren’t like the ones I would hear from the children of the city, these were made completely out of wood and seemed to be stronger than the stories on Earth. I looked between them and saw what looked to be the Alpha, he had darker bark and was twice as big as the others. I backed up after a second howl and the Alpha pounced, being pushed out of the forest, I was put on the defensive, I ducked under his attack and lifted him up. Wanting to end this soon, I slammed him onto the ground and grabbed his neck, it was hard and gave resistance but soon the neck gave way as a loud crack followed suit, the head being yanked to the side. His body went limp and slumped to the ground in a heap of sticks and twigs with tree sap leaking from his mouth, looking up I saw the other wolves staring to retreat back into the woods after the death of their leader. “Finally, at least they have the same rules as the childrens’ stories.” Turning around I was half expecting but still surprised at seeing six multi colored pastel horses. The closest one seemed to be a lavender one with a horn on its’ head, the second one had a cyan coat and a rainbow mane, wings adorned the sides of this one. The next one seemed to be wearing a country Stetson, its’ coat was orange and an extremely blonde mane was visible under the stetson. The fourth had a pure white coat with a violet mane and had a horn. The next was a bright pink one with neither a horn ‘nor wings, same with the orange one. The last one was a butterscotch winged horse and seemed scared.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, and you are?” I looked at it shocked, it, it spoke? The obvious mare now due to the voice and I took a defensive step back getting ready in case things got ugly. The rainbow maned one and the orange ones stepped forward and looked ready to attack. We stood staring at each other for what seemed like hours before the lavender one spoke again. “Girls, calm down! Please!”
“We can’t trust ‘em Twi, he easily took out an Alpha like it were nothin’!” The orange one spoke out and I smiled under my helmet. At least she’s right, don’t trust strangers who are stronger than you. I took a step back, but kept my focus on the six mares in front of me. ‘Good, none of them are looking, now’s my time.’ With a quick turn I bolted into the forest, not even daring to look back when I hear a faint yell. “He’s gettin’ away! Get ‘em!” I just smiles, they wouldn’t catch me, I may not have my light, but at least I didn’t rely on the Traveler when I was just running and doing obstacle courses daily. With a clearing ahead, I looked back and could barely make out the six colored horses, with a nod I sat down on the ground and waited. ‘If they can see my in this bush, they can talk, otherwise they better not bother me after they leave.
“He just disappeared girls! Poof!” The lavender one stated and huffed softly before looking at the bush I was at and squinting. “Girls...” She nodded to my bush and I sighed standing up.
“You got…” I quickly ducked and delivered a lightning fast jab into the stomach of the winged horse that had tried to attack me. “You wanna fight instead of talk? Easy enough, I’m sure I can beat you without the Traveler giving me light, shouldn’t be too hard.” I said getting into another defensive stance ready to counter any attack when the lavender one yelled again.
“STOP!” The five mares stood and stared at her surprised and I just tilted my head. “Why did you attack Rainbow Dash?!”
“Well, I just thought he was… well… dangerous you know Twilight?” ‘So that’s her name.’ I thought to myself. Twilight looked upset and a bit angry.
“Does that give you the right to fly at him at one of the fastest speeds Dash? No, it doesn’t. Apologize and maybe we can speak, after we get out of the Everfree.” The other mares nodded, but I shook my head softly.
“We speak here or we don’t speak at all. I want to speak where I know the location best, I’ve done that my entire light-filled life. Either we speak here or you can leave and never bother me again.”
Rainbow Dash and the other mares seemed angered at this but the one known as Twilight nodded. “I understand, unknown ponies, and a town you are unfamiliar with. You only want to stay where there is some kind of history to you, you want to stay at a place you may know than anypony else.” I nodded gently, this wasn’t the weirdest encounter I’ve ever had. The others tensed but the butterscotch one whimpered as a howl rang out. Taking off my helmet, I showed my scarred face and let out a much louder howl back, I had been able to do this to scare Dregs and Legionaries, and some of the War Beasts away. The howling stopped and left me to smile at the darkness.
“Still afraid of me and not my light I see darkness.” I turned and looked at the six, and thought for a bit. “Let’s introduce ourselves…” I froze up after a few seconds and looked down. “Let me introduce myself…” I cleared my throat and spoke softer as nostalgia had rushed into my mind. “Snapshot, my name is Snapshot.” I looked up at them and waited.
The one who introduced everyone was Twilight. “Well, I’m Twilight Sparkle, this is Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy.” As she said that she pointed to the rainbow maned mare, the orange coated mare, the pink poofy maned, then the pure white coated, and finally the butterscotch one. “Welcome to Ponyville.” I only nodded in response as my mind started to wander. ‘I’m not on Earth, Little Light isn’t here, I don’t have my light, the Traveler isn’t anywhere near me.’ I just sighed sadly and stood.
“I’m guess I have to go to Ponyville?” twilight only nodded and motioned for me to follow them outside the forest. As we walked I could only think about the Vanguard, Ikora, Cayde, Zavala, Amanda Holiday, Sloan, Hawthorne, Devrim Kay, Little Light, the Traveler, the Tower, all of the guardians that I had to train, and the Fallen Archon. I looked to my left and gasped quietly upon seeing that I still had the House of Kings banner on my armor and I felt a smile tug at my lips as I spoke quietly. “I shall honor my house Archon, I will not let you down.” I quickly caught up as I had seen I was falling behind and soon after a few minutes we entered what looked to be the Farm.
“This is Ponyville Snapshot, welcome.” Pinkie Pie had just zoomed off as soon as we entered the town and I just shrugged. “If I may ask you, what is it that you’re wearing? I’ve never seen anything like it I mean, it looks like armor but, only the Solar and Lunar guard are allowed to wear armor, and yours covers the entirety of your body, it’s fascinating.” I only chuckled and told her that I couldn’t tell her what it was but I affirmed it was indeed armor. She only pouted at hearing I couldn’t say what kind it was, but she nodded in understanding. Rainbow Dash, and Applejack didn’t seem to like or trust me, Rarity kept looking at me disgusted and Fluttershy just stared at me terrified out of her mind. I just sighed and walked next to Twilight.
“So Twilight, where exactly are we going in Ponyville? Your friends don’t seem to like me or trust me like you do Twilight. They are scared, angry and disgusted.” I shook my head and glanced back at them as they stared right back at me with those same looks. I just scoffed and kept walking.
“I know they don’t trust you Snapshot, but after Princess Celestia meets you I’m sure they’ll lighten up to you” I didn’t know who this Princess was but if she could help with my predicament or at least the looks then I will gladly accept the help. I nodded and just sighed feeling the looks from everyone in this town. “We’re here Snapshot, SPIKE!” As I looked up, I saw we were going to enter a tree. A small dragon walked downstairs and froze at the sight of me as a thought ran through my head. ‘The children’s imaginations would be a dream come true here.’
“Uhhhh… Hey… Who is this Twilight?” The dragon who I suppose is Spike spoke up and I could only stare.
“This is Snapshot, and I need to visit Canterlot so make sure to send her a letter warning Princess Celestia, we’ve gotta leave now. Come on Snapshot!” She turned and motioned me to follow as Rainbow Dash sped in front of us.
“Twilight don’t you want us to go with you, y’know, in case we need the elements?” She glared at me but I already had my helmet back on as I chuckled quietly. She turned to Twilight with a hopeful look.
“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash but I think me a and Snapshot have to go and do this alone.”
“Ummm… T-twilight? Could I go? I mean, if it’s…” I put my hoof up and silenced her.
“If Twilight is fine with it them it’s fine by me, I don’t exactly know anyone here so I’m guessing you’re a shy, quiet pony who loves to be with animals. You keep to yourself most of the time except when it comes to your friends and animals and that’s when you put yourself on the line. You’re a helper and a medic. You know how to take care of someone or something and you do your best at what you do. C’mon. I’d love to talk to you about the childrens’ stories of animals back from where I come from.” Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy only stared before Twilight spoke again.
“I guess it’s settled then Fluttershy, we’re going to Canterlot, come on.” I nodded and slowly followed Twilight ignoring the glare from Rainbow Dash and Applejack. After a couple minutes of walking and I saw a train at a station with the name ‘The Friendship Express’. ‘Primitive’ I could only think that as we on Earth was way past transit stations and trains. 'Well, time to go meet the Princess of this world. I wonder if she's like Zavala, or Ikora.' I smiled at the thought. 'Or maybe Cayde.'
I look to strange pony in front of me, Snapshot. ‘Who is this pony? How is he stronger than Big Mac and Applejack? How does he have that armor?’ Many thoughts flew through my mind as I stared at him. Turning my head to Fluttershy who was seated next to him, I just watched her speak to him. Walking closer I heard him speaking back.
“Where I come from dragons are myths, legends, told by the children of the city, those with innocent unbroken minds. Dragons are ferocious fire-breathing beasts who could melt the hull of a star-ship. With a hide that could deflect even the most powerful of energy bolts from our enemies. The children tell stories of a grand dragon sent by the Traveler, enhanced with the power of the light. This dragon shall keep the darkness at bay, protecting the city as we rebuild what we have lost. These are just stories told by civilians, they haven’t traveled into the darkest depths of the world, so they don’t know the horrors, and I’d like to keep it that way until they’re old enough. Unlike me.” At the last of his description I could feel he was hurting deep inside as if he remembered something. “I hope my friends are okay, now that I’m not there to rally them for battle I don’t know what would happen.”
Fluttershy spoke with a soft comforting voice. “I’m sure your friends are doing just fine. They’re strong right?” Snapshot only nodded in response. “So despite you not being there I’m sure they will remember you and use your thoughts to help them through this darkness. I loved hearing about your worlds’ version of dragons, if you don’t mind could we talk about the Cabal so Twilight could have something to learn?” She chuckled as a blush formed on my cheeks.
Snapshot nodded and turned to me. “What would you like to learn about the Cabal? Any questions and I can answer.” I couldn’t answer and ask a question.
“Just… Tell me about them.” I was nervous to hear about the Cabal.
He seemed to relax, but was still tense and nervous. “Cabal, they are an alien race who is hell-bent on capturing the Traveler and harvesting its’ light for their own selfish needs. They are a very militaristic species and they build strongholds by burrowing into large mountains and setting up an almost impenetrable defense. Their armor and weapons leak an oily liquid substance that I do not know, often times you will see it when they die.” He decided to leave out the large part of slaughtering all humans in their path, especially guardians.
“That’s fascinating! I can’t believe you managed to befriend an alien species and learn so much about their worlds and how they live their lives.” I was excited and happy that this pony had managed to befriend aliens but at his saddened look I was confused. “What’s wrong? Was it something I sa-”
“All of the Cabal need to burn alive for what they’ve done.” Me and Fluttershy just gasped at this. “The Cabal are not a friendly race, they are hell-bent on not only taking the Traveler’s light, but they are hell-bent on destroying whatever stands in their way. Whether it be a living creature or a wall of living beings. They see them all as a plague to the universe that needs to be purged. Heh, I’ve killed my fair share of the Cabal and I still remember every single surprised and scared face as they realized that these ‘pathetic, weak, humans’ were the only thing that could decimate armies without much trouble. I remember laughing in the face of a Phalanx General as his shield broke, he screamed in pain and rage as my knife slipped into his neck, that black oil like substance just rushed over my hand as he slumped to the ground, dead.” He seemed to smile at remembering death. “Haha! I’ve killed thousands, no millions, no billions of Cabal! They have all been felled by my hand and light!” He calmed down and slowly looked up at us. “Is that all Miss Twilight?”
I could only nod in fear as the train came to a stop signifying that we were at Canterlot. “W-we’re at Canterlot. Let’s go.” I quickly stood up and trotted off of the train with Snapshot and Fluttershy following closely behind. I didn’t know why he had to kill, but there had to be a way to befriend them. He didn’t have to kill them. After a few minutes of walking we made to the palace.
“Welcome Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy.” They let me and Fluttershy but hearing the clank of spears and a loud halt I turned around to see the guards blocking the path from Snapshot. “What is your business here?”
“He’s with me guards, let him pass!” They seemed surprised that I had an armored strange pony with me, and reluctantly brought their spears up, letting him pass and walk next to us. He seemed to be entranced at the walls and the windows as if he’d never seen a palace before. “What’s the matter? Never seen the palace to a Princess before?” He only shook his head although I could sense a bit of sadness coming from him. Why was he so sad at this, it couldn’t be that bad, could it? My thoughts were interrupted as the large doors leading to the throne room opened up and revealed the two Princesses. With a bow I walked in and greeted them. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, thank you for letting my come and talk to you.”
“Rise My Little Pony, there is no need for you to bow to me. I am quite curious as to why you were in such a hurry that you had Spike write the letter without you telling him what to say. Is it because of this strangely garned pony situated behind you?” I nodded softly at her as she slowly stood up striding towards us. As she grew closer I could sense he was getting more and more tense and before I could react he had stood on his hind hooves and snapped his right foreleg to his head surprising everypony there. “He seems to be a soldier of some sort, is this right pony?” With a nod from him, she nodded in return and sat back up in her throne. “Where do you hail from ‘soldier’?”
“I hail from a place far away from here, you shall not know the name of this place.” He stayed in his form until she told him to relax. ‘If he was a soldier why hadn’t he told her where he came from. Surely he would want to get back to his home?’ My thoughts were stopped as a guard came up with an angered face.
“You will respect the Princess and tell her where you come fr-” He was cut of by Princess Celestia as she held a hoof up to him.
“Quiet Private, I understand his caution for hiding where he roams. He may just be a pony who roams around and lives wherever he stops at night. He’s a soldier, maybe higher rank than you. So you will respect him as such, but I would like to know why you won’t tell me where you hail from?”
He hesitated at first but soon relaxed and got back on all four hooves. “I hail from a different planet Princess, we are at a war with multiple alien races. One such race is known as the Cabal, Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy here know who they are.” At that me and Fluttershy had paled slightly as we realized he was in a war, something Equestria hasn’t seen in quite some time. “Another race we are fighting is known as the Fallen, scavengers, their footsoldiers, Dregs, usually only have two arms or hooves in your case. They haven’t grown their upper arms yet from age and being granted by their Kell, god. They have heavier troops known as Captains, they have energy shields and wield heavy weaponry that could destroy one of your ballistas in a single attack. They have stronger troops, these next ones could destroy this castle with little to no help, they are called Archons, they only listen to the Kell. They are their god’s speakers, whatever the Kell says to do, they relay it to the troops. The Fallen worship machines, electronics, as their gods. The next group is called the Hive. An insectoid species that is hell-bent on wiping out all life, and I mean all life. The Cabal and Fallen just want my species gone, but the Hive want everyone dead. They have a hive mind and are usually able to get resurrected by wizards, magic users that are able to kill a person quite quickly without the right protection. Finally are the Vex, a race of only machines. They have organics in their system but they’re just machines. They travel through time and throughout all of the different realities and make sure that whatever reality they end up in, gets destroyed. They are like the Hive except they want to assimilate the planets into their likeness.”
Celestia looked saddened at this and nodded softly. “I apologize for the pain you have gone through soldier. You will be welcomed here with open hooves and a caring society. Although I may ask, what is that banner you are wearing?” As she said this he seemed to freeze up remembering something that happened to him. “I am curious as to what it means.”
He looked back at it and sighed loudly. “This, this is my house.”
I looked back at the Banner of the House of Kings on my back. “This, this is my house.” At their confused looks I sighed and began to explain. The Fallen have different Kells, gods, and each god is in control of a different house. Before I came here, an Archon told me I was a brave and experienced soldier who deserved to be honored as such. The highest honor you can get from a Kell or Archon is to be accepted into their house. I told him my last wishes before leaving, I told him I wanted our house to make peace with my species and he told me it would be so. I know he has fulfilled my wishes, because the Fallen are a species who respects a soldiers’ wishes, no matter what race that soldier comes from.” He looked up at the Princess. “I told him before that I would bring honor to the House of Kings and that I would be honored to be accepted into his house.”
The Princess seemed to think over this then with a smile she nodded. “You said you were a soldier correct?” I nodded in return and told her my name was Snapshot so she wouldn’t have to keep calling me soldier. “Well Snapshot, what was your rank of guard where you come from? I don’t feel honorable if a highly experienced soldier is a high rank and is demoted just ‘cause he has fled from a war and joined a different guard.” I nodded at her and thought about what to say next. I knew what I was going to say, but would she accept it.
“Princess, with all due respect I am what is known as a Guardian where I come from. A Guardian is the highest ranking person around, no one outranks a Guardian except a higher ranked Guardian. Seeing as you have no guards by the rank of Guardian I’m assuming you won’t grant me my rank?” She just smiled and shook her head.
“On the contrary ‘Guardian’, you will be given your rank and full control of the guard. You will be outranked by nopony else, you have full control over even Luna and myself. I trust you will not abuse this power? I would hate to send you to the moon.” I just chuckled which gained a confused look.
“Princess, I have been sent to the moon before to protect my species home, the vex, Fallen, Cabal, and Hive are nothing if not persistent. Sending me to the moon will just be nostalgic, relaxing even.” The Princess and everyone in the room seemed surprised and shocked at this.
“Very well, you will accompany Twilight back to Ponyville, her home, and you will live with her to assist her in anything she needs help with, do you accept these conditions?” As I told her that I accepted she seemed happy and turned to Twilight. “I trust you and your friends will accept him whenever you return? I have a feeling that he will not act hostile, but if he is provoked and threatened I fear he may not be stopped. That not even the Elements would be able to stop him.”
“I will make sure that our friends accept him, and that they won’t threaten him in any way Princess. You can count on me and Fluttershy, we will make him feel welcome, trust us.” As Twilight finished speaking she turned and motioned me and Fluttershy to follow. As we exited the castle the guards outside stood more rigid as they saw my approach. ‘I guess word travels fast around here.’ “At ease guards, return to your positions and continue your duty.” With a nod they returned to guarding the gates of the Palace as we walked off. After a few minutes, we made it to the Train Station and boarded the train with little to no stares. ‘I guess I can get used to living without my Light. I hope Little Light is okay, and I hope they are fighting the darkness and winning.’ I sat down across from Twilight and Fluttershy as I began to meditate.