> Shipwrecked
>  by Sparrow Knight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Day 1. Washed Up
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sound of crashing waves and creaking wood, coupled with the strong smell of sea water were the first thing strike the man as he regained consciousness. He was propped up against a wooden wall dressed in a dirty dress top, which had all but two buttons missing, a badly damaged, open grey vest and a pair of dirty black dress pants.The man blinked for a second as he took in his attire, from the stained shirt to the foot long piece of wood sticking out of his thigh. The sight of the foreign material gave the man multiple questions like “Why was there a foot long piece of wood sticking out of my thigh?” or “Why can’t I feel said piece of wood or the rest of my body for that matter?” and most importantly “Why aren’t i wearing shoes?”

These thoughts troubled the man for a few moments before he decided he wouldn’t find out what was happening until he looked around, which proved difficult as his neck felt tight and wouldn’t move properly until a loud crack was heard and a sensation of relief rippled out from his neck. The sensation caused the man to take a deep inhale and taste the salty air. Though the sensation would soon be replaced as a sensation of pins and needles filled his body for several minutes until that too was replaced. Replaced with an intense, piercing pain radiating from his thigh. The pain caused him to grasp and cry out in pain as he seized his wounded leg in his hands, causing even more pops and cracks to sound from his shoulders and arms. Though the relief was masked by the horrendous pain.

After what felt like an eternity, the man managed to regain composure enough for him to look around. He was in a small wooden room filled with crates that were strapped to the walls with netting. The man rubbed his chin while in thought only to discover that he was wearing several rings. One, which was located on his right pointer, had a jade on the centre while surrounded by moonstones while made of silver. Another, that was located on his right ring finger,  was a platinum ring with a dragon head which held a fainting glowing blue gem within. One, which was located on his left middle finger, was an onyx black ring with raven engravings around the entire band. The last ring was on his left ring finger and was a simple Platinum band with a language engraved on it which was familiar to the man.

Faint beams of light streamed through cracks in the boards above his giving dim light though barely enough for the wounded man to see. Some of the boxes were broken open and their rotting bounty strewn across the stained floor. Shattered wine bottles, jars of spices and pickles were  broken and scattered across the deck around the man.

“I… I need to figure out where I am” He groaned as he looked to a stack of secured boxes and reached out to grab the netting. Testing how secure the net was for a few moments, the man nodded and took the netting with both hands and pulled himself towards it while using his uninjured leg to help push his body. After several long moments, he had successfully pulled himself out of the stack. “O-okay first part is done,” he said panting softly before he looked up the stack then back at his leg. “This is going to really hurt” He complained before shifted and turned his body as he was resting his chest against the netting while putting the most of his weight on his undamaged right knee. A few long seconds go past before he reaches up as far as he can to grasp the net and began to pull himself up. “Don’t collapse, don’t collapse” He prayed as he strained his arms while pulling his body up to his feet. 

Once standing and clutching the netting tightly the man smiled and gave a half hearted chuckle. “That  wasn’t so hard” He panted before he looked around as best he could, stopping when he noticed a door behind a loose broken box. “Now the hard part” He said rolling his eyes before he began to slowly shift along the netting, clenching his teeth as his leg pulsed with pain. The task was slow and painful, with the spike in his leg catching the netting a few times but after around five minutes the man reached the door.

He stood with his hands against the broken box panting from exhaustion, his body telling him to just collapse but he pressed on. Mustering as much strength as he could, the man pulled the broken crate aside before moving to the door. His victory was short lived as he heard and felt glass crunch under his bare feet forcing a sharp gasp of pain. “Come on” He growled as he fell against the door. "This day just gets better and better," he complained while glancing to his feet, which were now bleeding heavily. "Can this day get any worse?" He asked before waiting a couple seconds.

Several long moments went past with nothing happening, allowing the man to exhale the breath he was holding. "Good, that's what I like to see," he said, chuckling to himself before he attempted to open the door. As his hand found the latch and turned it, he discovered that the door was jammed. 

"Damn it" he growled in annoyance as he headbutted the door gently. "Just had to say it" he added as he stood there for a few moments contemplating his next move.

After about ten minutes of thinking, the man looked around for something that he might be able to use. Within the room was only secured crates of wine and preserved foods. "Guess I could get hella drunk" he muttered to himself. 

He reached out to grasp the netting and pulled himself to the broken box and fished around its damaged contents carefully. He recoiled his hand a few times when the ship rocked  hard a few times to prevent his hand getting injured but finally found an undamaged bottle of wine. "Score" he exclaimed with a smile. "Finally something going my way" he chuckled and uncorked the bottle. 

He went to drink from it only for the ship to collide with something hard, sending the man the man forward into the damaged box and sending his bottle flying off towards the place he awoke, landing with an ear piercing shatter. The man howled in pain as he had several small pieces of glass and wood pierce his arms and torso shallowly as he lay prone. The sound of stone and wood shattering and being destroyed drowned out his cries as the entire ship shook violently. 

After what felt like an eternity, the ship went still allowing the man to push himself out of the destroyed box. "Did I kick puppies in another life or something?" He asked aloud as he propped himself against the hull of the ship while he picked the pieces of glass from his chest and arms. As he removed them he noticed a golden light sparkle over the wounds, causing them to heal without a scar.

"Wait, what the hell?" he asked confused as he rubbed the areas that had healed. "They are healed… wait does that mean I could have had an easier time if…" he started as he glared at the chunk of wood sticking out of his leg. "Motherfucker" he growled as he wrapped his hand around it tightly. "Okay so just gotta rip it out and the weird light will fix it… hopefully" he said as he hesitated slightly. "Come on mate, just a quick tug and we are golden" he said attempted to ready himself. "One… two… nope I can't, that's gonna bloody hurt like hell" he said as he released the spike. "I need to be drunk to do that" he added as he looked around from another bottle. 

As he looked he heard a faint sound of footsteps outside the door. "Let's hope that is the sound of my rescue" the man said as he attempted to listen to figure out how far away they were.

"This ship is amazing" a masculine voice stated faintly. 

"Its ah wreck" another masculine voice stated.

"Yea I noticed but do you understand what some of these marking are?" The first voice asked.

"Doctor, I'm a guard… all I care to understand is that some huge ship just crashed into docks and nearly killed several ponies" the second voice answered as the ginger man raised an eyebrow.

"Why would they care about horses?" He questioned silently.

"Yes yes, I can see that would be of great concern but these markings are from the Pre-Equestia era" the Doctor explained.

"Wait so this ship is over a thousand years old?" The Guard asked with a curious tone in his voice. 

"Maybe, or maybe it was made more recently… look at this woodwork, this is relatively new in comparison to that estimation" the Doctor continued. 

"What am I looking at?" The Guard asked confused yet intrigued.

"Well scanning this, it has informed me that this plank was put here as far back about twenty years ago." The doctor finished.

"So what you're saying is that that piece of wood here is twenty years old?" The Guard questioned.

"At the latest, which means that this ship was either building within this century or it was at least repaired within that time frame." The Doctor answered.

"I am lost" the ginger man stated. "What does this matter? And what is Equestria?" The man muttered to himself.

"Can't you get a more exact date, I thought stuff like this is your specialty?" The Guard asked.

"Yea that is true but it would appear that the wood or at the very least, the resin coating the wood is somewhat magic resistant… it's making it difficult to analyse it properly" the Doctor replied as the wounded man glanced at the large piece of dark wood sticking out of his thigh. He didn't have much time to think on it before he heard something shifting behind the door. "By Celestia this is heavy, Steel Wing would you mind giving me a hand?" The doctor asked.

"Of course Doctor Spade" the guard replied before the sound of grunting and swearing was heard from the pair. A few minutes passed before the sound of wood scraping against wood was heard. " This is really wedged here" Wing grunted.

"Most definitely" Doctor Spade replied as the sound of the two pushing continued. This went on for another few minutes passed before a loud crash was heard just outside the door. 

"By Celestia that was heavy as heck" Wing groaned as he painted hard.

"I can attest to that… I should hit the gym" Spade replied panting just as hard. "Well at least we can check out this room now" he added. 

"What ever… just gonna catch my breath seeing I was doing all the pushing" Wing stated while continuing to pant.

"Sorry about that" Spade replied as the door latch began to rotate followed by the door swinging open. "I am an archaeologist after al…" Spade continued only to stop when he turned his head to look inside the room and saw the ginger man.

"Howdy" the Ginger man replied with a sheepish grin. He understood now why they were so concerned about a couple of horses. The Doctor was a 5 foot 9 chestnut brown anthropomorphic stallion with a short, well maintained cream mane and tail. He was dressed in a blue polo shirt, like green cargo shorts and a pair of tan boots. He had a pair of round, brass framed glasses on the tip of his muzzle and a long horn on his head. He had a look of utter shock and confusion on his face as his violet eyes scanned the man.

"Hel...Hello, how are you?" Spade replied still in a state of shock.

"Not the best, got this piece of wood in my leg" the ginger man replied as he gestured the wound.

"Oh my stars you do, how did that happen?" The Stallion asked as he quickly approached the man and knelt down next to him, being careful not to kneel on glass. 

"No idea, just woke with it in my leg." The man replied as a 6 foot silver stallion with large wings. He was wearing a navy blue mane that was shorter than Spade's. he was dressed in a red coat, a brown shirt, faded jeans and a pair of black boots. He had a shortsword strapped to his side, which he drew and pointed towards the wounded man.

"Doctor! What are you doing?" Wing asked as he moved forward quickly towards the pair.

"Easy Wing, It is hurt" Spade replied in a annoyed turn.

"And? It is an unknown creature which has trapped in here, maybe for good reason" Silver replied as he gave the man a harsh glare.

"I'm right here" 

"You can't be serious, that debris was part of the collapsed deck right above the door." Spade replied as he rolled his eyes.

"We we don't know what the buck this thing is!" Silver added.

"I can tell you if you like?" 

"Yes and this is our opportunity to find out but we can't do that if we leave it here" Spade retorted.

"Well you can analyze its corpse, cause what if it is hostile!" Silver replied.

"I'd rather you didn't" 

"What!? Your going to kill a random sentient creature that hasn't shown any hostility towards you on a what if?" Spade replied in a disgusted tone.

"Well then what do we do with it?" Silver replied. Doctor Spade was about to answer when a loud whistle was heard from next to them, making the pair jump and look to the man.

"Alright now that I have your bloody intention…" the Man said before looking to Silver. "You, I have no intention to hurt anyone or cause trouble or just be hostile to anyone who doesn't threaten me…" he then looked to Spade. "I am a guy so stop calling me it, and I am more than willing to tell you guys whatever I can after I have had that removed from my leg" he said pointing to the large shard of wood in his leg.

The Stallion looked at each other for a few moments as if having a silent conversation before Wing sheathed his sword and knelt down next to the man. "Alright fine, let's get out of here" he grumbled as he shifted around so he had the wounded man's arm over his shoulders.

"Thank goodness you saw reason" Spade said as he did the same on the opposite side.

"This isn't over yet" Silver replied as the pair stood up, lifting the man carefully. "Just didn't want to be stuck with you bitching  at me for the rest of the project" he added as they slowly and carefully exited the room with the man.

Outside the room was a complete mess of chunks of wood, boxes and large holes throughout the room. "How did this ship not sink?" The man asked curious.

"Well that answers one of the questions I was gonna ask" Spade replied making the man look at him confused. Noticing the look Spade gave a chuckle. "I was gonna ask how this ship didn't sink but if you don't know then no point in asking" he stated.

"And you just believe anything he says?" Silver asked as the trio began to climb a set of stairs.

"Innocent till proven guilty" Spade replied with a soft smile. Climbing the stairs took several minutes but eventually they reached the deck, where the crimson haired man, who had gotten used to the dark interior, flinched at the sunlight hitting him in the face.

"Doctor Spade, there you are. I need you to sign …. What the buck is that?" A new voice called out. The man blinked a few times to let his eyes adjust before looking in the direction the voice came from.

Standing about 10 Feet away from the trio was a 5 foot 5 cream unicorn mare, she was dressed in a flora blouse that covered her b cup breasts and was tucked into light brown cargo shorts. She wore several pouches on her belt and tan boots. Her cherry mane was tied back in a braided ponytail which made the man smirk at the thought. She was holding a clipboard, which had been dropped to the deck.

"Ah yes Doctor Heart, this is our discovery from within the hold of this ship." Spade explained with a smile.

"Howdy" the man said.

"It talks?" Heart replied in shock.

"He not it, he was very annoyed at being called it earlier and yes he does." Spade replied with a smile as the mare's shock quickly shifted to curiosity as she quickly moved to the man to inspect him closer. The man was quickly overwhelmed by the smell of lavender

"Do you know what species he is?" She asked as she placed her hands on his neck and felt around. "Please speak" she instructed as the man cocked his eyebrow.

"Ahhhhh" 

"Interesting" she said as she moved her hands to his open mouth and forced it open and inspected inside. "Most interesting" she added.

The man attempted to speak but it proved difficult with someone holding his mouth open.

"He has prominent canines but also molars, premolars…" she said as she quickly went off on a tangent about teeth and what their functions are.

After nearly 10 minutes of talking Silver cleared his throat. "Look you can have a go at him later, because he is currently in a lot of pain at the moment with his leg" Silver explained as Heart looked down and gasped.

"Oh goodness, yes lets get him to the medic and get that seen too" she said as she removed her fingers from the inside of the man's mouth. 

"Thank you" he said as he shifted and stretched his jaw. The pegasus simply nodded before the trio headed off the ship while Heart collected her dropped clipboard and followed. The area surrounding the ship was a pretty barren desert save for the ruined remains of a town. The buildings being used had tarps covering any holes while tents were set up in the streets or leveled buildings. "What happened to his place?" The man asked.

"That's what we are here to find out" Spade replied with a smile as the ginger man noticed that there were several dozen other ponies who were giving him curious looks. They soon arrived at a large stone building with a red cross painted by the doorway.

Inside the building was a dimly lit room with several beds, desks and cabinets strewn around the room along with several more ponies. 

"Just place him over there" Heart instructed as she pointed towards a far bed as she walked over to a desk and collected a stethoscope and another clipboard.

As she collected her things, Silver and Spade placed the man in bed gently. Once there Silver walked to a nearby chair and sat down while Spade went over to Heart and began talking to her. The mare handed him a clipboard before the stallion left the building. "So how about we start from the beginning, how did You end up in that room?" Silver asked.

"Honestly I have no idea, I just woke up there as stiff as a board… thought I was dead for a few moments but the most annoying thing is that I can barely remember a thing. Like I remember my name and that's about it." The man explained.

"Hmmm kind of sounds like something I have seen a few times before but we will have Doctor Heart take a look over you first." Silver said before he stood up and walked over. "Anyway I guess I should introduce myself, my name is Sergeant Silver Wing" he said offering his hand.

"Alexander or just Alex or Lex for short" the ginger man replied. 

"Alright at least you have your name" Silver said with a smile as he shook Lex's hand as Heart arrived at the other side of the bed. 

"Hello, my name is Doctor Cherry Heart, I'll be putting you back together," she said with a chuckle. "Now let's get a look at you" she said as she inspected the piece of wood in his leg. "Alright so I'm gonna have to cut open your pants so I can fix you up" she explained.

"Yeah, that's fine," Lex said as he watched the mare pull a pair of fabric scissors out of one her pouches. 

"Alright I'll do my best not to agitate the area too much," she said with a warm smile before her horn glowed a dull red colour a few seconds before Lex felt his leg being seized. He looked down to his leg to see that his leg was surrounded in a similar glow. 

"What… How are you…. What is that?" He asked confused as the mare started to cut open his pants leg above the foreign object.

"I'm using magic to hold it" she said as she glanced up at him. "Why? Haven't seen it before?" 

"I think so but not in this way before" Lex explained as he furrowed his brow. "But for some reason I can't remember properly." 

"There could be multiple reasons for that, how far back do you remember?" She asked as she her horn began to glow again and a small steel table wheeled over. It had several small dishes, tools and a two foot long bag.

"I can clearly remember back to when I woke up, which I'm guessing was maybe an hour ago, after that it's just bits and pieces but nothing really solid" He explained as the Doctor jotted down some notes on her clipboard and nodded along.

"Alright, what was your condition when you awoke. What did you feel like?" She asked as her rose coloured eyes looked at him with concern.

"Ah well to but it honestly, I was questioning if I died, my body felt numb and was locked. I didn't even feel like I was breathing until I managed unlock my neck, which is when everything came back… including feeling that?" He said gesturing the foot long piece of wood.

"Alright, I think I'm getting a clearer picture of what your dealing with, tell me was there anything abnormal that occurred after you awoke?" She asked curious as she finished writing down what Lex had just explained.

"Well there was this one thing, when I fell over and landed on some glass. It hurt like hell but when I pulled them out, a weird golden light sparkle over where I was cut open and they closed." He explained as she raised an eyebrow.

"Alright, I think I have a solid idea of what happened to you, but first I just need to check your chest" She said as she placed her clipboard down and retrieved her scissors again.

"What are you checking?" Lex asked curious.

"Well if you are suffering from what I think are, then I need to find bruising around where the wound that killed you was" She explained.

"Wait. Killed me?" Lex asked concerned.

"Yes because I believe that you are suffering from Resurrection Sickness, and if I'm right then I can treat it" She explained as Lex gave a hesitant nod.

"Is it common?" Lex asked.

"Not really cause to bring back somepony with magic is quite difficult, the most skilled unicorn doctors at best can bring somepony back who has been dead for ten minutes at best" she explained as she cut open his tattered top. "But there was a case when the Princess, who is a powerful user of magic, managed to resurrect a group of ten ponies who had been killed in a cave in a few days earlier. Apparently it left her drained for several days but the ten ponies were suffering for similar effects to you but to a lesser degree" Cherry explained.

"So what does that mean?" Lex asked as Cherry put her scissors down and opened up the man's ruined shirt. His chest was toned and coated in a few scars. On the left side of his ribcage was a large tattoo of a constellation of stars. on his right side was a tattoo of a disc which is divided into four sections, each representing each season, the outside of it was surrounded in vines and stars. But what caught the attention of the doctor was the tattoo of a three inch ring of an unknown language that was on his sternum.

"Could you please get Doctor Spade and Doctor Scroll?" She asked as she helped Lex sit up. 

"What's wrong?" Silver asked concerned.

"Just go grab them please" She asked again as looked to him for a few moments before returning her gaze to Lex. "We have to get this off you" she stated as she pointed to his top.

"Alright" Lex replied with a shrug as the pair pulled off his vest and destroyed shirt while Silver left the building. Once off Doctor Heart grabbed her clipboard and began jotting down notes. The man's arms were muscular and also decorated with tattoos.

On his left forearm was a tattoo of a longsword that was wrapped in the same unknown language. Down his right arm was a coiling tattoo of a platinum dragon. 

"Okay so this is what I was looking for" she said causing Lex to look down to where she was pointing. The place she was pointing was directly over his heart.

The area was covered in heavy bruising with the occasional spark of golden energy coming off of it. 

"It seems that the restoration magic is still in effect so I should be able to…" she explained before she pulled the piece of wood out of the man's left, causing him to cry out in pain.

"What the fuck?!" Lex growled.

"What? You were distracted and if I'm right then this should mostly heal." She said as she placed the chuck of wood on the table while she put on plastic gloves and placed gauze against the wound. "Also I was corrected you died and were resurrected" she said with a wide smile.

"How is me dying a good thing?" Lex grumbled as Cherry pulled the gauze up a bit to inspect the area.

"Well your not dead which is a good thing and also your wound has closed up mostly but you will still need stitches" she explained as she held the gauze against his leg again. "Also your other question about the effects being greater on you. my only guesses are that either you were dead much longer or your body isn't as durable as a Pony's." She explained as she used her magic to bring over a small metal jar. "But again this is speculation and if the former is correct the question would be who is powerful enough to do so and why you… no offense".

"Non taken" Lex replied with a half hearted chuckle as he watched her. "So I take it I'm keeping my leg?" He asked.

"Unfortunately" she said with a smile as she opened the jar with her magic as she removed the gauze. She inspected the wound carefully. "Seems that the restoration magic has repaired as much as it could but not enough," she said as she dipped her fingers into the white gel.

"What's that?" Lex asked.

"It's a rain relief substance just to numb the area i'll be stitching" She explained before she began applying it the the area with extreme care. As she began and Lex gritted his teeth in pain Silver returned to the building with doctor Spade and an older alabaster unicorn Mare in tow. She was dressed in a knee length skirt, white dress top  which hugged her c cup breasts , black boots and had a resting bitchface. 

"Well it us quite interesting but I don't see why It was required to pull me away from my work" The new mare as she brushed a few strands of her vibrate yellow mane out of her face. 

"Have a look at HIS chest" Cherry said as she began stitching up Lex's leg.

"Why? What is so important about his chest?" She asked as she walked over while projected an aura of sass and self righteousness. "Yes he is a fine looking specimen but I hope you didn't call me here just to… to…" she began only to trail off as her neon blue eyes locked on the tattoo on the middle of his chest. "Oh I see why you wanted me to come," she said as she immediately got uncomfortably close to Lex, to the extent that she was leaning on his as she rested her hand on his chest inspecting the tattoo.

"I'm lost?" Lex said as he looked between the four ponies.

"Shush" Doctor Scroll said as she continued to examine the tattoo. "Interesting, yes this is the same as the language we have found around the town" she explains to the other ponies.

"What does it say?" Doctor Spade asked.

"Nothing really, it seems to be more of a placeholder for something" she said before her horn glowed a sun yellow colour and a similar aura surrounded Lex for a brief few  moments. "Interesting, it would appear that this…" she said pointing to his chest before moving to grab his arm with the sword tattoo. "This and…" she then moved to hold each of the man's hands. ,"These the most, seem to be magical in nature" She explained as the rest looked flabbergasted and looked between her and Lex with great curiosity.

"Can you remove them so we examine them?" Spade asked and almost on some unknown instinct, Lex retracted his hands. 

"How about we don't take my few things" Lex said in a harsh tone as Cherry finished bandaging his leg.

"They will be returned to you, we just wish to examine them" Spade replied as Lex glared at him.

"I can't really say no to the guys that saved me but still... One at a time and if they aren't returned then you are not getting another" he growled as Spade nodded. "Alright let me get one off" Lex said as he wrapped his fingers around the raven ring and tugged on it lightly. The moment he did the ring refused to budge as if it was too tight on his finger. "What the hell?" He asked as he tugged on the ring more. "Come… on" he growled as he pulled but to no avail, the ring refused to budge.

"What's wrong?" Spade asked.

"It doesn't want to come off" he said as he showed him the ring, which appeared to sit comfortably on his finger. He then looked to the dragon ring and reached to remove that one but as his fingers wrapped around it and pulled it slightly. The Man felt a wave of anger rushed through him and the feeling that removing the ring would not be a wise choice as he could faintly hear the sound of growling. The sound caused him to glance around for a moment. 

"What's wrong?" Silver asked.

"I thought I heard an animal growling" Lex said as Spade placed a hand on Lex's though he immediately recoiled his hand. "What?" 

"Leave those on" Spade said with a slightly paler face. "Scroll, they are definitely magical" Spade said.

"Are you okay?" Cherry asked as Spade nodded.

"Yes I'm fine. Anyway Sir, I would like to ask that we examine you over the next while to determine if you in fact are a threat to Pony kind. While we do so, you will be given as much aid as you need to recover and are more then welcome to wander the town… as long as you don't leave it." Doctor Spade offered with a warm smile.

"Well I'm not keen on wandering a desert so yea let's do that then" Lex said as he offered his hand to shake, which Spade politely refused.

"Alright I'll write up a contract for you to read over, i'll be back" Spade explained as he quickly left, leaving Lex there as Cherry and Silver talked while Scroll continued to look at the writing on his body with great intrigue.

"I get the feeling I'm gonna regret this" Lex said with a frown.
> Day 1.5 Medical Check
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Alright blood pressure is slightly below average of a pony but again you are a completely different species so I'll  have to repeat over the next few days" Heart explained as she removed velcro straps from the device on Lex's arm. "Next i just need to take some measurements to jot down" she explained as she placed the device on top of a monitor and carefully pushed it aside.

"Measurements for what?" Lex asked as he watched the mare. 

"Well until we find out if your the first of your kind to be discovered, I am cladding you as the average" she explained.

"Alright… what do you have to measure?" The man asked as the mare collected a measuring tape.

"The basics like chest, waist, upper arm thickness, length of your arms and legs… basics" She said with a smile.

"As long as it doesn't get too invasive" Lex replied a bit unnerved by the mate's smile.

"It won't be… unless it turns out you are the first of your kind to be discovered then everything has to be measured," she said with a sly wink, causing Lex to cross his legs, biting back the sting of putting pressure on his wounded leg. The sight of him doing so caused the mare to burst out laughing. "I'm kidding," she said as she laughed for a few moments. "Ah, no that's something really weird to do" She said as she wiped her eyes and composed herself. "Alright could you show me your arm?" She asked.

Lex silently agreed as he stretched out his left arm, while Cherry stood parallel to his arm. "This may be a tad cold" she advised as she wrapped a length of the measuring tape around his bicep and tricep. "Hmm a lot more solid than I thought." She muttered to herself as her horn ignited again. Lex noticed her pen and clipboard floating next to her while writing. She moved the measuring tape down to his forearm and tightened it. "You know, I once dated a stallion who's forearms are 4 times thicker than his biceps and triceps" she said with a chuckle.

"Your attracted to that?" Lex said as he looked confused.

"Not really, we were together for a month, got sick of him always going on about his muscles being awesome" she said with a shrug. "I was going through a phase at the time as well where i was a bit of a gym slut" she added.

"I guess we have all done shit we regret" Lex replied with a chuckle.

"Oh you remember something?" Cherry asked as she wrapped the tape around his upper torso, crossing over his nipples, causing him to jump slightly at the cold.

"Ah, sort of. I was helping someone with a group of friends and we were stuck on the roof of a burning building…" Lex explained while straining to remember as Cherry wrapped the tape around his shoulders.

"Oh no, how did you get down?" Cherry asked.

"Well we were right next to the bay so we decided to jump… even though if we checked around first we would have noticed the ladder leading down to the ground." He continued to explain.

"So what happened?" She asked as she measured around his stomach. 

"Well out of the five of us… well let's just say I'm not great at long jumping" Lex stated as he pulled up his pants leg and showed the scars on his lower right leg.

"Well ow" she said cringing.

"Yea, was not fun," he said with a chuckle as Cherry wrapped the tape around his right thigh.

"I'd like to say that I've never don't something so stupid before but I can't" She said with a smile. "Alright now for the part your gonna hate."

"I have to stand up, don't I?" He asked as the Mare gave a hesitant nod. "Oh fun, but yea I've been trying to remember more but it's not working" he groaned in annoyance before he slowly lowered his feet to the floor, making sure to put more weight on his right leg. Cherry placed her hands on his torso to help balance him while he kept his hands on her shoulder and the bed. 

"Alright stay like that for a few seconds," she said as the measuring tape floated next to him before extending to measure his height. After a few long seconds the tape moved in front of Cherry's face so she could read it. "6 foot. Alright cool let's get you back on the bed" She said, helping the man keep balance as he pulled himself back onto the bed.

"Thanks" He said with a chuckle. "So is that everything?" 

"Almost, just need to jot down eye colour and… Well only eye colour I guess" she said as she looked at her paperwork as she added the measurements.

"What was the other thing?" He asked as the mare grabbed a small silver cylinder. 

"Your age but seeing as your memory is not in the best condition, we will skip that" she said as she very gently held his eye lips open. She clicked a small lever on the cylinder, causing a beam of white light to shoot out the end. " This will be annoying so sorry in advance" she said before she shone the torch in his left eye. Lex did his best to keep his eyes open for the couple seconds she shone the light in his eyes.

"Alright interesting, you are quite unique in comparison to anything have seen before" Cherry said as she stopped shining the light in Lex's right eye as the man rubbed his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Lex groaned as she blinked a couple times.

"Well your left eye is blue while the other eye is an unnatural gold, which seemed to reflect the light like actual metal would." She explained as she finished writing down notes.

"That's weird" Lex said as he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes it is, hopefully the princess will have more information about you if there have been other instances of your species." Cherry explained as she began packing up her instruments. 

"Should I be worried?" Lex asked.

"No Princess Celestia is a very nice Mare, many believe her to be perfect also." Cherry explained.

"Wait the same Celestia as the one some ponies referring to in a similar matter to a god?" Lex questioned.

"Yea some ponies believe her to be a god… kind of helps that she is untouched by time and can move the sun and moon" Cherry said offhandedly.

"Wait what?!" He asked in shock.

"Yea she can move the celestial bodies" Cherry explained to the man, how continued to look at her in utter confusion. "Look she may come here either because you are one of a kind, the magic that resurrected you far surpasses what she has done before or because the ship you arrived on is a design that hasn't been used in over 1000 years."

"Wait so the entity that used the magic that revived me is more powerful then someone who can move a FUCKING SUN!" Lex said in disbelief. 

"Pretty much" Cherry replied as she leaned against the bed. "A lot of us are probably trying to figure out what could have done this"

"But why me?" He asked her, as she looked at him.

"That is one of the major questions… my only guess is that you must be important" She replied. "And I don't know whether to be nervous or relieved"

"I guess we will have to wait and see" Lex said as he rested his hands on his knees. "Any idea how long until she arrives?" Lex askes.

"Ahhh well seeing Spade hasn't sent off the letter yet and the fact that the Summer Solstice is in a couple of days… may be a week or two depending on how busy she is afterworlds but she shouldn't be too busy. " Cherry explained.

"I'm guessing seeing she would make a big thing about that seeing she can control the sun and it's the longest day of the year" Lex stated.

"Right you are, now I'm gonna check if we have anything in your size" She said as she gestured the man's ruined clothes.

"Thank you, it's getting a bit drafty" he replied with a chuckle as Cherry smiled and walked off with her tray of tools. As soon as she was out of sight and the man was alone, Lex leant forward and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index fingers. "What the hell have I been thrust into?" He asked himself. He looked at his bandaged leg and tilted his head slightly. "Could be worse I guess, could have lost the leg" he muttered. A few minutes went passed of waiting without anything happening before the man groaned.

"Well this is boring as batshit" he grumbled as he placed his hands on the edge of the bed and gently lowered his feet to the floor. Doing his best not to put too much pressure on his injured left leg. He felt a faint burning pain in his leg as he slowly put more and more weight on it. 

It took a couple moments for Lex to adjust to it but when he did, he slowly made his way over to the exit that Cherry went through. As He reached the door, he glanced around and cocked his eyebrow. "You'd think they would have someone watching me" he muttered as he opened the door and stepped outside. Once outside, it took him a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the much brighter exterior.

Once his eyes adjusted, he looked around to see that there weren't many ponies around, and fewer that took any notice of him. . The few that noticed him watched him for a few moments before approaching as Lex leant against the wall right of the doorway. He could feel the heat radiating from the wall he was against as he watched a pair of mares in similar outfits to Silver Wing along with steel chest plates, leg and arm armour and shields.

The first was a unicorn with amber mane and saffron fur around six foot 3, the other was a five foot eleven, aqua pegasus with a braided lime mane. Most of the mare’s other details were difficult to determine with their armour on. The unicorn mare stopped next to the wall to the right of the man while the pegasus stopped a few feet in front of Lex with her arms crossed. 

“And what do you believe you are doing?” the pegasus mare asked as she looked the man up and down. “Your a couple of threads away from public indecency” She joked with a coy smile as her Violet eyes met his.

“Oh you know, just getting some air” Lex replied.

“Right and nothing else?” The unicorn asked in a deep rustic accent as he emerald eyes seemed to pure into the side of his head.

“Well i can’t bloody run off with this leg…” Lex stated as he gestured his left leg. “and besides, looks like we are in the middle of a desert…” He continued as he gestured pasted the Unicorn at the sand dunes in the distance.” and also i doubt those wings are just for show” Lex finished as he pointed to the pegasus.”

“He makes a solid point Star” The pegasus states with a smile.

“Yes he does, though I doubt Doctor Cherry will be too happy with her patient going for a walk.” Star replied as she leant against the wall.

"Besides I needed to stretch my legs, all the sitting is murder on them" Lex added.

"Yes but Lieutenant Silver Wing did instruct us to make sure you didn't try anything" the pegasus explained.

"Yea but I don't really have any intention try anything against the people who got me out of that ship" Lex explained.

After staring at him for a few moments the pegasus mare nodded. "Alright I believe you" She stated.

"You can't be serious Dancer" Star said as she turned her attention to the pegasus.

"What I believe him, is that so hard to believe?" Dancer replied.

"Yea it is, he is an unknown creature with unknown capabilities… buck he could think we are food!" Star growled

"Standing right here"

"Well what can I bucking say, he has an honest face and isn't giving off major murder energy!" Dancer replied.

"Murder Energy?!" Lex asked concerned and curious

"Doesn't matter, remember when we worked on at that dig site way up north and that Doctor tried to kill everyone?!" Star replied.

"Wait what?!"

"If I recall he got controlled a freaky sword that was talking to him" Dancer stated.

"What happened to him?" Lex butted in.

"Oh well, things got really crazy with weird creatures coming out of the dig site. We thought we were all done for when suddenly we were teleported away. And i mean all 250 ponies who were alive, save the crazy doctor. Then we watched from where we were, the entire dig site was surrounded in golden energy." dancer explained before Star butted in.

"It was the princess, she must have sensed a disturbance or something and arrived… and when she did, all that was in her magical aura was incinerated." Star explained.

"Although as we watched it burn, we witnessed the Princess fly into the flames and retrieve the Doctor and the sword, which was now encased in crystal" Dancer added. "The Doctor was fine after a few days but resigned, while the sword in probably within the Royal Vaults so nopony can be corrupted by it" 

"Holy shit, you know I was nervous about possibly meeting the Princess, but now I think I should probably try and leg it" Lex said with a nervous chuckle.

"Don't worry, she is quite nice if she deems you not a threat to her people" a new voice added causing Lex to turn to see a 6 foot 4 muscular bronze stallion with large bat wings, a short steel mane and tail. He was dressed in a blue flannel top and green cargo shorts. He was holding a small bundle in his arms, which shifted occasionally. Standing beside him was Cherry, who looked less than impressed with Lex. She had a bundle of clothes in her arms, along with a few containers.

"Hey Doc" Lex said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Why are you out of bed?" She asked In a calm yet annoyed tone.

"Well I needed to stretch my legs and get some air" he said replied with a nervous chuckle.

"Right and what if you broke your stitches?" She asked him.

"Well then I'm sure you would have killed me" Lex replied.

"Yea she probably would" the bat winged stallion replied with a chuckle, gaining a glare from Cherry.

"Really Forge?" She asked with a grumble.

"Really" the large stallion replied with a chuckle.

"Sorry to come off as rude but how come you have bat wings?" Lex asked the stallion.

"Oh that's alright, I'm a Thresal or Bat Pony. What about you, what are you?" Forge asked.

"He doesn't remem…" Cherry started before Lex cut her off.

"I'm an Aasimar" Lex said to him before giving a confused look. "Damn, that was automatic" He said as he placed his hand on his lips.

"A Assi what?" Star asked.

"I know right, No idea what one is but I guess that's what I am" Lex explained to her as he shrugged.

"Might be that your memory requires triggers in order for it to return" Cherry explained as she offered the bundle of clothes and containers. "Here, they are my husband's clothes from when he was younger" Cherry stated as Forge smiled.

"Hopefully they fit you, though looking at you, you are a lot smaller, width wise then I have ever been" Forge explained.

"Thanks I guess… What are the containers for?" Lex asked as she inspected them.

"Well Cherry told me that she believes you to be omnivorous, and seeing as Thresals are as well, I gathered up some jerky I made for you in case you got hungry" Forge explained.

"Thank you, you both are incredibly kind" Lex said.

" No worries, anyway my name is Steel Forge, is shake your hand but I'm holding this one" Forge said as he nodded down to the bundle in his arms.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Alexander or Alex or Lex for short" Lex explained.

"Pleasure to meet you" Forge said with a warm smile.

"Oh crap we didn't introduce ourselves." Star said as she offered her hand. "My name is Morning Star" she said as Lex took her hand in his right while holding the bundle to his chest.

"And I'm Ocean Dancer" Dancer said shaking his hand next.

"Nice to meet you both." Lex said with a smile.

"Alright let's head inside so you can get changed then we shall see if we can jog any memories" Cherry said as she opened the door and gestured the man in.

"Sure, let's try" Lex said as he entered the building.
> Day 5. Dragged into Trouble
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been several days since the crimson haired man had awoken, he had been picked and prodded but the number of different scientists. Almost every detail of him had been recorded and sent off in a report while giving the man barely a few moments to himself since he awoke.

The wound on his leg had healed quickly but had unfortunately left him with a nasty scar. One benefit of the examinations conducted on him was that the ponies had become more relaxed around him. While this did assist Lex in getting comfortable with his surrounding it also caused lose even more of his time alone.

Two days after he had awoken, he was given a temporary lodging with the Star and Dancer much to his grumbling. During the nights Lex had discovered that he wake up periodically breathing hard and on edge, his body tight coated in a cold sweat while panting hard. It irked him that he had difficulty remembering what he could only guess were nightmares.

During the early hours of the fourth day, Lex had once again been awoken by unknown nightmares. The man could only give a growl of frustration as he sat up and placed his face in his hands. 

"I hate this" he growled quietly as he attempted to control his breathing. The small room he was in was room decorated with a simple single bed, a small trunk that held the few clothes he had been given. The man looked up into the dark room and simply let his eyes wonder as he let his thoughts wander.

His thought train came to a sudden halt when he noticed a pair of slitted cyan eyes watching him. He watched them for a few seconds while he slowly shifted to the edge of the bed all the while the eyes never left him. As he reached the edge of the bed, a soft silvery feminine voice spoke out.

"Do you truly believe that you have a chance to escape?" The voice said in an almost mocking tone.

"No, but I reckon my chances of defending myself are better while on my feet" Lex replied as he got off the bed and faced the set of eyes. The man was dressed in a pair of navy blue boxers.

"And do you honestly believe that you have a chance against defeating me without any weapons or magic?" The voice asked with a soft chuckle.

"Well you never know until you try" Lex replied with a toothy smile as he shifted his body in preparation for an attack.

"Confident aren't we?" The voice replied as the eyes began to rise until they were about a foot and a half higher then Lex's head. "Most would be begging for mercy if presented with the possibility of fighting one of my kind" she continued. 

"What can I say, I'm either really brave or really stupid" Lex replied with a chuckle, which the voice replied with a chuckle as well.

"I guess we shall find out" the voice replied as a dark shape began to materialize in the space around the now glowing eyes. "But if I wanted you to die at my hands…" a more defined form began to take shape among the dark shape. "... this conversation would not be happening…" the form took the shape of a nearly eight foot tall Cornflower blue Unicorn mare with a flowing ethereal mane resembling the night sky. Her form was coated in steel armour which had a blue hue to it. She had a long sword strapped to her hip but the most noticeable feature that she had a large set of wings. "... Lucky for you, you are far too interesting to slay just yet." 

"That's interesting" Lex said somewhat ignoring her while pointing towards her wings. 

"Hmmm?" She replied while raising an eyebrow. "What is so interesting?" She asked as she looked behind her.

"You have wings" Lex replied as the Mare glanced at her wings.

"Yes I do… you are quite observant" she replied sarcastically. 

"Why do you have wings?" Lex replied curiously.

"Well because I'm an Alicorn" she stated as if it explained everything.

"Right… questions for later, why are you here?" Lex asked while making a mental note to ask Cherry If he survives.

"Straight to business well alright then, after imprisoning my dear sister I noticed that she was part way through reading a letter…" The mare was explaining before she produced a piece of paper from seemingly out of nowhere. "...which simply explains to her that a possibly new species has been discovered on a Pre-equestrian Ship, and how could I not investigate?" She asked with a toothy smile, revealing a pair of large fangs similar to a Thresal.

"Oh so princess Celestia is your sister?" Lex asked.

"Ahhh yes… wait don't you know who I am?" She asked a little offended.

"Not a clue sorry" Lex replied with a shrug.

"Oh… Well my name is Nightmare Moon, Queen of the Night" She stated proudly as Lex walked over to her and offered his hand which caught her off guard.

"Pleasure to meet you, my name is Alexander or Lex for short" he said politely as Nightmare hesitantly took his hand.

"Your honestly not frightened of me?" She asked confused as Lex shook her hand.

"Nope, I feel like I should be but I'm not" He stated as he noticed the Mare visibly relax.

"Oh well… that is actually a nice change of pace from normal" she said with a smile. "Normally ponies are terrified by me"

"Well I'm obviously not a pony" He replied sarcastically.

"You know what I mean" she said as Lex chuckled while the Mare scoffed. 

"Anyway so apart from a letter reaching Celestia in only a few days from apparently the very edge of the country. Why did you imprison your sister?" Lex asked as he leant on his right leg while crossing his arms.

"Because she imprisoned me for one thousand years and so I believed it was only fair that I do the same to her because…" Nightmare begun explaining before Lex cut in.

"That sounds fair" Alexander stated causing the Mare's exposition dump to come to a screeching halt.

"Wait what? You think that is fair?!" The Alicorn asked a bit in shock.

"Of course, look if I was imprisoned a thousand years than I would be hella angry as well" Lex replied as the Mare looked at him for a few moments.

"I… I… okay wow I honesty wasn't expecting anypony to defend my choice…" She said as she rubbed the back of her neck.

"Look I'm just trying to understand both sides really and I'm sure she had a good reason in her eyes to imprison you." Lex stated. "So anyway how did you find me with the site?" He asked.

"Well I sensed your nightmare and entered it… which is a thing I am capable of doing as I used to assist ponies with nightmares bit I digress… once within it I discovered that the dream belonged to a Nonpony and then put two and two together and tracked you down." She explained as Lex nodded slowly not really following. "I sensed your dream and used it as a beacon to find you because that's my thing" She explained.

"Okay fair enough, wait you can sense dreams?" He questioned.

"Well more like enter and assist in dissolving nightmares And also understanding them" Nightmare explained.

"Oh cool… would you be able to help me cause I haven't slept properly since I got here" he asked her as the mare smiled.

"Of course, though you'll have to do something for me first" She replied with a wicked smile.

"Hey I just met you, I may be in my undergarments but I have some standards" Lex replied as Nightmare blinked at him confused for a few seconds before it clicked.

"Oh my stars no I didn't mean that… I mean not that I don't need something like that after being imprisoned for a thousand years but I need help with something else first" She rambled as Lex could faintly notice a faint change of colour on her muzzle. "What I mean is… it'll be easier of I show you" she said as she grabbed Lex's wrist while her horn ignited.

"Wait what are you doing?!" Lex asked concerned.

"Be calm, I am simply teleporting us" She explained.

"Wait! Don't I'm half nak…" The man begun before the pair vanished in a flash of indigo light.

(Everfree Forest)

"... ked don't teleport… Oh come on!" Lex finished as the pair suddenly appeared in a decaying cobblestone room. The room appeared to be an entrance hall of some kind, the windows were stained glass portraits of events unknown to the man. Half rotten banners hung from the ceiling and walls of a pair of Alicorns, one white and one blue. There were several bits of destroyed furniture and fallen banners around the room. Near the back of the room was an odd sculpture with several stone orbs attached to it but Lex paid it little mind as a wave of cold area hit his body. The arid hot summer area of the desert was gone.

 "Stars above it's bloody cold, where the fuck are we?" he growled as he wrapped his arms around himself and shivered.

"Well i simply brought you to my former castle deep within the Everfree Forest." Nightmare explained.

"And you brought me here from a bloody desert… in my boxers when I have no fur to keep me warm" Lex growled at her. "I deserve an explanation" Lex growled his annoyance quickly turning to angry as the cold made several of his joints hurt.

"Well it's quite simple, I need a distraction for a small band of annoyances, and what better way to distract them then a completely unknown species." Nightmare stated smugly.

"A-and w-what of the part about you helping me?!" Lex almost snarled as his teeth began chattering from the cold.

"Well if you survive then maybe" She laughed before she vanished in a flash of light.

"Cunt" lex growled in anger as he looked around the room. "Utter Cunt" he growled as he noticed a fallen banner. "Fire… Fire is good" he muttered as he walked over, each step against the cold cobblestone made the man almost wish to be walking on glass again… almost.

After the seeming eternal walk over to the fallen Banner, Lex knelt down to inspect it. While the material had some signs of decay, but mostly it was in good condition. The material was thick that tearing it seemed out of the question from the half awake freezing man. 

"O-okay that is just great" He grumbled as he looked around the dimly lit room from something to cut. After a few minutes of strained searching a sudden thud was heard in front of Lex, causing him to jump. 

Looking forward, Lex noticed that on top of the banner was a large rucksack that had an emblem identical to the seasonal ring on his body. Caution filled his head but also a great feeling of relief flooded his mind as well.

The caution quickly vanished from the man as he pulled the heavy bag towards him and began unbuckling it. Within the bag wear what appeared to be a large jacket made of an unknown grey fabric, a pair of boots, socks, pants, a shirt, a small box and a eight inch dagger. "Okay ahh thanks?" Lex called out as he looked around himself looking for anything out of the ordinary. The room was identical as before causing Lex to frown before he pulled the clothes out of the bag.

"Let's hope these fit" he muttered as he quickly got dressed. It didn't surprise him that the gear seemed to fit him, it surprised him that it fit perfectly. "Not complaining" he chuckled as he felt his body slowly begin to warm up. He glanced around as he pulled on the socks and boots now that he could focus more. "Oh right I'm about to have a possibly hostile group of people rocking up… fucking fantasic" he grumbled as he checked the bag again. Now that he removed the larger objects, he noticed several small vials of crimson liquid. "Not the best selection of weapons but it'll do" he said as he grabbed the dagger and placed it by his side. "I must have really pissed off someone upstairs to get such bad luck." Lex said as he inspected the box and opened it to reveal several matches. He nodded with a smile as he pocketed them in his heavy jacket before he pulled out a vial. 

"Now what are you?" He asked, curious as he gave the vial a quick twirl only to notice it's viscosity was similar to that of blood. "I hope this isn't blood" he said cringing slightly as he popped the cork and smelt it. Instead of the copper smell he was expecting, he received a more earthy floral scent. "Okay so not blood… maybe" he muttered as he recorded the vial.

Lex placed the 4 vials next to the dagger as he gave the bag a once over. Upon finding nothing in any of the other pockets, he returned the vials to the bag and strapped the dagger to his side. "Alright now just have to wait until trouble arrives." He said as he rolled his eyes. "If the sister of a being who can move a fucking celestial body is worried about this band of individuals then they must be powerful… fuck me I feel like this isn't a new occurrence for me" he grumbled as he got to his feet and slung the bag around his shoulders. "Diplomacy it is than" he added. 

"Because honestly who would be stupid enough to fight someone who is capable of imprisoning someone who can move a star… they guys must be utter unstoppable" he muttered to himself as he drew his dagger, inspected it quickly before he knelt down and began slicing up the banner into rags. "Best get a fire going, some light would be good" he muttered as he made a decent pile of rags.

After several minutes of stripping the banner and breaking down the furniture, Lex carried his fuel over to a corner of the room next to what appeared to be an exit to the forest. The man quickly built up a small stack from the wood and dumped the remaining sticks and rags a few feet away from it. Even though Lex was expecting trouble to come his way, he was strangely calm. He dumped his bag next to the wall before he knelt down and used the matches he had to ignite the stack. Once lit, Lex moved the pile of sticks and rags near the wall opposite to his bag.

After igniting the fire, Lex sat down against the corner, between his bag and the stack of fuel. He watched the fire burn for several minutes while occasionally adding sticks and rags to it. 

Nearly an hour passed without much happening, making Lex wonder if nothing would happen. As if on cue, a large cloud of indigo smoke flowed through forest entrance before it ascended towards the ceiling.

"Well that was ominous as fuck" Lex stated as he continued to tend to the fire. Several minutes passed with not much changing, Lex could make out the swirling smoke sweeping through the rafters. Lex was about to stand up and get a better look when suddenly a Violet unicorn mare with a dark sapphire mane which had a raspberry and purple streak through it. Said mane was tied back in a bun as the mare entered. She was dressed in a knee length indigo skirt and a light grey vest over the top of a white dress shirt. She was quite petite in comparison to the mares Lex had met and the mares that followed her into the room. 

"Look girls the elements of Harmony!" The unicorn exclaimed excitedly as a sky blue pegasus with a rainbow mane followed. The pegasus was dressed in a kind of jersey and skin tight leggings. Following her was an orange  earth pony mare with a golden mane that was tied up in a ponytail. She wore a scene in, a red flannel top with sleeves rolled up and jeans.

"Twilight wait!" The orange mare called out in an odd accent as a three more mares entered after. The first was an alabaster mare with a stylized deep purple mane and tail, though the tail was cut incredibly short. She was dressed way too fabulously to be running around in a forest, and the state of her opal coloured dress proved it. It was covered in scratches, bits of mud and the bottom was visibly dripping. The next mare was another a bright pink earth pony mare with a darker pink mane. She was wearing floral top and jeans. Lex couldn't focus much on her as she was literally bouncing along which made Lex unconsciously cringe and rub the scar on his leg.

The last mare was a butter pegasus mare who timidly hurried after the group. She had a pale rose mane which she seemed to let free hang. She was wearing a light green turtleneck sweater that seemed a little too big for her and a a Violet skirt that went down to her calves. Said skirt appeared to be ripped slightly and covered in dirt. Thanks to what appeared to be how nervous she was, the pegasus was the only one to notice Lex sitting in the corner still looking after his fire.

"Aaaah girls?" She asked quietly but her friends didn't notice as the Violet unicorn ran towards the strange orbs while the Blue pegasus and Cowgirl followed behind. "Girls?" She asked louder as she didn't take her eyes off Lex, who smiled warmly and waved at her. This caused her to suddenly run to the alabaster Unicorn.

"Fluttershy Darling what's wrong?" The Alabaster mare asked as the pegasus pointed to Lex. The unicorn followed her friend's finger until she noticed Lex. "Oh" She stated.

"Hello" Lex called out, causing the remaining mares look at the man. The room quickly fell silent save for the crackle of the fire in front of Lex. "Nice night?" He asked while giving a nervous chuckle. Quickly the group seemed to shift, the alabaster Unicorn and Fluttershy moved away from Lex while both the Blue pegasus and orange earth pony moved in between the group and Lex.

"Don't come any closer" the Blue mare growled as she got into a fighting stance.

"I literally haven't moved from this spot for maybe an hour" He replied sarcastically.

"Don't ya get smart with us" the Orange mare retorted.

"Hey easy there, I am not here to cause harm" he replied as he used the wall to push himself to his feet and grunting in the process. "In just waiting for some group of individuals to rock up that are after a Nightmare Moon" Lex explained.

"And what are you gonna do to them when they rock up?" The Blue mare asked as Lex noticed Twilight creeping towards the sculpture.

"Well i just want to talk, because if they have Nightmare Moon running scared then I have no chance against them" Lex said with a nervous chuckle that caused the Blue and Orange mares to relax slightly.

"Yea and we'd have no trouble kicking your flank!" The Blue pegasus retorted as Lex raised an eyebrow.

"Wait so you girls are the group that are here to defeat Nightmare Moon?" Lex asked curious as he noticed the Violet mare inching closer and closer to the step up onto the raised platform next to the sculpture.

"Yes we are, gotta problem with that?" The Orange mare replied as her eyes seemed to scan Lex.

"Not at all, I'm kind of relieved actually" Lex said with a toothy smile. 

"And why is that?" the Alabaster Unicorn called out causing Lex to lean to his left to look at her. As he did, he noticed the large curvy butter pegasus hiding behind the mare.

"Well you see my dear…" Lex started as he began slowly walking around the group. The two defensive mares kept pace with him, keeping themselves between Lex and the rest of the group. " … an individual that you probably know as Nightmare Moon rocked up in the room I was staying in, said she would help me with an issue I was having with my sleep and then proceeded to teleport me here to be a distraction for you lot" Lex explained as he stopped thirty feet from the Alabaster Mare.

"Not another step!" Shouted the sky blue Mare.

"Easy there, I'm only talking" Lex said as he drew his knife and flung it away towards his campfire. "See? I'm unarmed " Lex said with a kind smile.

"Ah don't care! Stay away from Fluttershy and Rarity!" the Orange Mare growled as she clenched her fists.

"Easy there, again I have no intention to hurt any of you… I'm not here by my own volition, I got snatched from my incredibly warm bed and dumped into a freezing cold forest." Lex explained in a calm tone that unfortunately seemed to unnerved the mares slightly. 

"Ah have no idea what Volition means but ah don't care, ya workin' for Nightmare Moon" the Orange Mare replied.

"It means he didn't come here by any choice of his" a voice said as a sudden wave of pink filled Lex's view and a heavy weight suddenly connected with his body and hung on. It took a second for Lex to process what happened as he suddenly locked eyes on an uncomfortably close pair of baby blue eyes. By the time his brain caught up, the man quickly backed up a few steps but the pink and weight followed him. "Wowie your strong" the voice repeated with a giggle.

"Pinkie what are ya doin' !" Lex heard the Orange mare call out as Lex felt around for this 'Pinkie'. His hands quickly found what he guessed was a waist so he wrapped his hands around it and began to try and push the Pink away from him.

"I'm making friends!" 'Pinkie' replied as Lex felt felt a sudden tightness around his waist and neck while he pushed. 

"Let… go…" Lex grunted as he tried his best to free himself.

"Not until we are friends silly" Pinkie replied as her grip on Lex tightened to the point that it was becoming increasingly difficult to breath.

"Pinkie! Stop it could be like super evil!" Lex heard the Blue mare shout out.

"I think he is good" Pinkie replied.

"How do ya even know that?" the Cowgirl called out as Lex continued to try and free himself.

"We it's really simple, you see…" Pinkie started only to be cut off by a deafening explosion that knocked Lex onto his back. He gave a grunt of pain as the wind was knocked out him. 

 A piercing ringing sound filled the man's senses as he felt the mare attached to him loosen up enough for him to shove her off of him. 

After a few moments, Lex sat up and glanced around before his eyes locked on Nightmare Moon.

The mare in question was standing on the pedestal with the five orbs floating around her while she seemed to monologue. It would have been sinister but Lex couldn't even hear his own thoughts. By the time his hearing began to comeback, he could only watch as Twilight charged the Alicorn. Shortly before the pair vanished in a flash of light.

"Oh no! Where did they go?!" Lex heard a course of voices ask as his hearing return.

"There! A flash in that tower" the Blue pegasus stated as she pointed out one of the windows. "Let's go!" 

"What about him?" The Alabaster mare asked as Lex looked to them as the group all looked at him.

"Well I have no intention to get in your way or work for someone evil" Lex said as he pushed himself to his feet with a groan. "And I am getting a feeling that Nightmare Moon is evil." He explained as the Orange mare walked right up in front of him.

"So ya gonna make a promise ta help us then?" The mare asked as her eyes watched his with her sap green eyes.

"I didn't say th… " Lex started as he looked into her eyes and sighed. "Sure fine but I'm not doing this for free" Lex grumbled as he crossed his arms and leant back on his left leg.

"That can be arranged" She stated as she offered her hand. "Do we have ah deal?" She asked.

"Yea sure" Lex said begrudgingly as he took her hand and shook it. "My name is Alexander or Lex or Alex for short." He introduced himself.

"The names Applejack" she said with a smile while giving him a firm handshake. After releasing his hand she pointed to the Rainbow maned Pegasus. "That's Rainbow Dash" She stated as the mare in question cracked her knuckles in an attempt to threaten him.

"Don't try anything." Dash threatened.

"That's Rarity" Applejack stated ad she pointed to the alabaster Unicorn who walked over and looked the man up and down.

"Pleasure to meet you" she said with a coy smile.

"Pleasure is mine" The man replied with a nod.

"Fluttershy was here a second ago…" Rarity stated as she looked around before noticing the mare hiding behind a pillar. " Oh there she is… don't mind her she is quite shy" 

"Never would have guessed" Lex muttered to himself sarcastically. "And I take it you are Pinkie" Lex asked as he pointed to the pink mare.

"Yep" she said as she darted forward towards the man but Applejack quickly grabbed her. 

"Easy there sugarcube" Applejack grunted as she did her best to hold the squirming Mare.

"But…" Pinkie started before Lex cut her off.

"Look this is nice and all but your friend is in danger, if that Alicorn is as dangerous as what I'm thinking… even though it would appear I have been wrong once today… they that Unicorn won't stand much of a chance" Lex said as he walked over to his fire, which had been extinguished by the explosion of energy earlier. "We need to get to her fast" Lex said as he knelt down and collected his Dagger.

"Why the buck are you grabbing that!" Shouted Rainbow Dash.

"Because I doubt the Alicorn has left this place undefended" Lex replied as he sheathed the dagger and stood up. 

"Well you weren't much of a threat so why should we worry about anything else?" The blue mare replied with a cocky smile.

"Because my dear, I wasn't expecting a bunch of unarmed, unequip individuals to rock up… and besides, I wanted to try diplomacy rather than brutality" Lex explained. 

"We are equip to deal with anything" Dash replied in a headstrong tone as she leant against a stone pillar. Lex had a sudden idea came to his mind as he placed his hand on his dagger. "Especially pushovers like yo…" Rainbow boasted until Lex drew his dagger and threw it at the pillar beside her head. Lex was expecting the weapon to ping off the solid stone but much to the surprise of himself and the mares, the dagger hit the stone and pierced the full length of the blade deep into the pillar. "WHAT THE BUCK!" Dash shouted in shock as she darted sway from the pillar.

Without missing a beat, Lex walked over to the pillar. "Never judge a book by its cover" he replied as he reached the pillar, drew the dagger free and sheathed it. He noted the subtle blue flashes light as the blade made contact with the stone while he pulled the blade free.

"Lex we 'ad a deal!" Applejack shouted.

"I promised to help you, and that is what I am doing. Your friend needs a wake up call! Being headstrong only leads to you being unprepared so stop your whining and let's go save your friend's life" Lex growled as he gestured towards a hallway.

It took a few moments for the mares to agree but to the surprise of everyone in the room it was Fluttershy who spoke up first.

"H-he's right, we can't waste time in such a dangerous place" she said barely loud enough for Lex to hear.

"Alright but no more funny business" Applejack said as she pointed towards the man.

"Alright" he said as he rolled his eyes. The group then began to move towards the hall with Lex staying near the front of the group. Rainbow Dash moved close next to Lex with a stern look on her face.

"You try that again and I swear to Celestia…" she began before Lex turned to look at her.

"Darling are you honestly threatening the guy you just made a dagger pierce 6 inches into a stone pillar that was next to your head from about fourth feet away?" He asked her with a raised eyebrow.

"I could easily do that!" She replied in her cocky tone of voice as they entered a long hallway lined with suits of armour. Surprisingly each of the suits of armour seemed to be untouched by time and each wielded a different weapon. There was no dust on the suits and a faint red hue on their weapons.

"Stop!" Lex called out as the group stopped and looked at him confused.

"What's wrong?" Applejack asked as Lex drew his dagger.

"I have a bad feeling about those suits" he stated as Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and moved forward.

"They are just suits of armour, a design choice" She said in a belittling way as she stepped in front of one with a great mace and banged on it's chestplate. "See nothing to worry abo…" She started as the suit's visor flashed with and began burning with green energy. "Oh buck" she said almost wincing as the suit of armour changed its grip on it's weapon. Rainbow Dash was watching shock as it raised its made above it's head before she was pulled aside as it attacked. As the made slammed into the cobblestone and shattered the stone, Rainbow looked to see who pulled her aside only to see Lex.

"Oh my stars, how can you be so headstrong?" He growled as he let go of her. "Find a way around if you can" Lex ordered as Dash nodded before flying away from the animated armour as it stepped off its pedestal and turned to face the group. "Alright you lot let's lure this hunk of junk into that room so we can attempt to get around it" Lex shouted only to watch as the other seven suits of armour stepped down from their pedestals and raised their weapons. 

"Well Shit"
> Day 5.5 A New Enemy, An Old Ally
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"New plan… back into the hall" Lex said calmly as he ducked under the first construct's mace, letting it slam into the wall beside it. The area which it struck seemed to shimmer with blue lightning for a second before fading.

"Already in here!" Rarity called out, causing the man to glance behind him to see the mares watching about fifty feet behind him. 

"Watch out!" Pinkie called out, making Lex look forward just as a vibrant blue bolt of energy slammed into his chest and sent him several feet backwards and onto his back.

"Th-That's different" he groaned as he quickly scrambled to his feet while clutching his chest where he was struck. He didn't have much time to contemplate his next action as a construct lunged forward with a pair of falchions. The man managed to dodge one of the blades only for the second to clip his arm. As it did, Lex felt as if a surge of electricity rushed through his arm making him cry out in pain. "Not good" he growled as he quickly exited the hallway while clutching his bleeding arm. 

"What do we do?" Applejack asked rhetorically as Lex looked around the room as the eight constructs entered. First the one with the two falchions, then the mace wielding one which was quickly followed by one with a greatsword. The four one out wielding a battle axe and shield while the fifth greataxe. The sixth was cloaked in robes over the full plate and wielded a long staff which had a diamond at the end which crackles with energy.

The seventh construct had a flail with an extraordinarily long chain that was wrapped around it's left arm. And the last one had no weapons but it's fists had large spikes on its knuckles. The construct with the staff and robes appeared to be different, it's body had wooden parts and it moved more naturally then the others.

Before a second thought passed through Lex's mind he threw his dagger at robes construct, watching it pierce it's shoulder effortlessly. The construct stumbled back and sank to its knee while clutching the dagger. "I'll keep them distracted, you lot go around" Lex said as he moved forward towards the greatmace construct.

"Are ya crazy!" Applejack shouted as the man sidestepped attack of the mace wielding construct. 

"Probably" He called back as he slammed his shoulder into a hunk of metal in an attempt to off balance it. This didn't work as intended as the man side tackled the construct but only succeeded in shifting it a few inches. 

"Behind you!" Rarity called out as Lex stepped to the side just as a greataxe zoomed down passed him and sunk deep into the mace construct. 

"Thanks but get going!" He responded as he watched the greataxe construct rip it's weapon free, severing one of the arms of the mace construct as a surge of flames erupted around the weapon. "Well aren't you a great friend" Lex teased.

The greataxe construct quickly continued his attempts against Lex as the mace construct swung wildly at Lex. Again Lex managed to evade the attacks, allowing for the greatmace to slam into the side of the greataxe construct. As the great weapon slammed into the construct, I brilliant flash of lightning surged out moments before the greataxe construct fell apart into pieces. The mace construct then seemed to stumble over by the momentum of it's attack and fall prone. 

"You managed to trick them!" Pinkie shouted out from behind Lex, making him turn to see the group still standing in the hall.

"Oh my stars, fucking go I have this!" He growled as four white glowing projectiles slammed into his body. "Motherfucker! You lot just go and save your friend!" He growled as he clutched one of the areas struck and felt his burnt skin. "Great" he grumbled as he turned back to the constructs. As he did, the duelist construct had managed to get up close and lunged at him. By sheer luck, the construct managed to barely miss impaling the man and only grazed across his torso. Lex gritted his teeth as he felt the lightning surge through him while he moved passed it and ran towards the greataxe on the ground. 

He managed to wrap his hands around it and lift the great weapon with a decent effort. "Okay now I can fight back!" He stated as he moved towards the Mace construct as it was pushing itself up off the ground. The construct barely got a few feet off the ground before Lex slammed the greataxe down on it, causing it to fall apart into pieces while an explosion of fire rippled out from the weapon. The flames didn't afflict Lex but seemed to force the duelist construct backwards.

"Wooo you got another one" Lex heard, making the man groan once more.

"Holy shit can you lot just go save your friend already instead of watching me!" He shouted at them without looking at them. He focused all his strength into his arms and groaned as he lifted the weapon. His body was burning from the cuts that afflicted his form but he pushed through the pain.

"But I thought…" Pinkie started before Lex interjected and pointed towards her.

"We are not friends as I have just met you. I barely know you or your friend's… " he began his rant before it was cut short by a sharp pain ripple through his body. The pain changed quickly as the sound of ripping cloth and flesh was heard as two feet of steel punctured his abdomen just below his liver. The sudden impairment occurred in a matter of milliseconds as the man, with all his strength, swung the great axe around in his right hand and cleaved the duelist construct's head from its shoulders.

The man fell to his knees as the construct crumbled, the constant electrifying of the sword that had pierced his body made every movement agony. He figured it was a bad idea but he couldn't focus while being electrocuted, so he wrapped his hands around the blade before he began pushing the weapon back through the wound.

"We're coming to…" someone shouted but Lex couldn't make out who through the sparking of lightning.

"NO! JUST FUCKING GO… YOU LOT KEEP DISTRACTING ME" Lex shouted as he did his best to reach around behind him. He managed to find the other side of the weapon, where he tried his best to remove it. He was so focused on removing the weapon that he failed to notice a set of iron boots stop in front of him.

"We leave you alone for a single moment and look what happens." A silvery female voice echoed within Lex's head causing him to look around him. The entire world seemed to be frozen in time mid action. 

"W-what is this?" Lex asked as he painted hard.

"An intervention of sorts" the Silvery voice replied again within his head. the voice seemed so familiar but he couldn't place it. 

"W-wait… w-what are you helping me" Lex asked concerned while doing his best to ignore the pain within him.

"Well it's simple really." The voice replied as Lex felt a pair of soft hands rest on his shoulders. "You are an incredible asset to the Court and so it has been unanimously decided that you must not die… especially since we went to such effort to resurrect you" the voice explained as he felt on of the hands drift down his wounded arm, stopping at the laceration. "Really? We just gave you this as well, Kora spent hours making this" the voice scolded.

"S-sorry… didn't intent to be attacked" Lex stated as he felt the being behind him press two fingers into the wound, causing him to growl in pain for a second before the pain vanished. "W-what did you do?" He asked as he turned his head to see the wound and saw that a thick layer of hardened sap had formed over the wound. "Is that sanitary?" He asked only to watch the sap disintegrate, revealing undamaged skin. 

"Of course it is" he heard the voice state as he felt the hand return to his shoulder. "This will hurt" she warned as her other hand drifted down his back.

"Wait! Let me…" Lex started, realizing what was happening but he couldn't finish his sentence before the sword was fully torn from his body. The man unconsciously tried to curl up from the pain but being behind him held his tightly.

"Now to fix you up" she replied in a sing song tone as she placed her hand against the wound. As she did, the injured man looked down to the exit wound. He was taken back as a vibrant green light glowed through the wound shortly before vines emerged. The vines writhed for a couple seconds before they latched onto the edges of the wound and began pulling it closed. 

"What the fuck?" He asked as he noticed he couldn't feel the pain from the wound or the skin around it at all. After a second of holding the skin together, a thick translucent green sap began seeping from the wound and forming a kind of seal.

"There we go" the voice said as the sap hardened. "Good as new" she stated as the sap fell away, revealing undamaged, unscarred skin. 

"Why are you helping me?" Lex asked confused only for a sigh to echo through his head.

"I told them, use a more powerful Resurrection spell so we wouldn't have this problem… I'm getting sidetracked… just know that you are incredibly important to the Court" she explained.

"Wait, what court?" He asked as the falcon that penetrated him was placed in front of him. As it landed deep blue energy coiled around it before it was sucked into it, inscribing the blade with depictions of the seasons, fairies, plants and stars. "What the hell happened to the sword?"

"The weapon is now temporarily empowered with my magic and I shall answer your questions when you are not surrounded by enemies." The voice stated.

"Huh? Why is…" Lex asked as he looked behind him. As he did, he noticed the greatsword construct attacking in a downward strike. Lex dove to his left as the sword came down and slammed into the cobblestone and causing a thunderous roar to emanate from where it struck. 

"Are you okay Lex?" He heard one of the mares call out as the man got to his feet while picking up the sword. The man shook his head and grumbled as he glanced around the room at the remaining enemies.

"Shit how am I meant to do this?" He muttered to himself as he kept his distance from the greatsword construct.

"I recommend dealing with the Warforged" the silvery voice advised inside of his mind.

"The what?" He replied quietly as he dodged a magical bolt of fire.

"The caster" The voice advised as Lex looked to the robed construct that seemed to be looking at him with malice. "It would appear that it is controlling the constructs and making them focus on you" 

"Why me?" Lex asked confused.

"Well you did injure it" the voice explained.

"Oh right" Lex grumbled as he remembered. "Better finish the job," the man said as he ducked under the greatsword construct as it swung horizontally. The man slashed across it's hip, letting the magic weapon cleave through the metal effortlessly. The suit of armour stumbled off balance for a moment before twisting its body to strike the man with its fist bit as it did, it's hip buckled mid turn from the sheer weight. 

"How?" a voice that resembled stressed metal groaned out of the Warforged. "How are you able to move?" The voice demanded as Lex looked to the caster. 

"What can I say? I'm a badass" Lex chuckled as he glanced to the Construct next to him which was trying to keep itself together and prepare another attack. "Maybe we can talk this out buddy?" He asked the caster as he beheaded the greatsword construct. 

"And why should we talk? You have invaded my master's home!" The warforged explained.

"Do you honestly think we can talk on Nightmare Moon? We just want to talk to her" Lex explained as the caster cocked its head and raised its hand causing the remaining constructs to stop.

"Who?" It asked confused.

"Nightmare Moon… your master?" He replied.

"There may be other forces at work here" the female voice theorized in Lex's mind.

"My master is no Nightmare Moon… no my master is a powerful user of magic which is beyond your comprehension meat sack" The Warforged explained in a high and mighty tone of voice… well as best one can with a voice that sounds like a grinder against sheet metal.

"Did you just call me Meat sack?" Lex asked.

"That is what your concerned about?" The voice asked him.

"Well you are frail and covered in meat… and kind of a bit overweight" the Warforged explained while pointing to Lex's belly.

"What the fuck!" Lex growled.

"Please focus on the real threat here"

"Motherfucker it's the jacket that making me look wider than I am!" Lex shouted.

"A common excuse" the caster retorted with a chuckle. "Besides if you are having difficulty with me then you have no chance against my master" It continued to laugh as each of the remaining constructs gave weird chuckles. Gritting his teeth in anger, Lex launched himself forward toward the Warforged. 

The caster seemed to take a second to realize the danger and attempt to raise a barrier by rotating his glowing staff in a sequence but Lex slashed at it mid sequence. The magical sword again effortlessly sliced through the staff and for a moment nothing really happened. that changed in as a microsecond later a piercing white light began to radiate from the staff as the staff began to splinter and ripple.

"I forgot you are an idiot" the voice stated in Lex's head as the brilliant radiant white light began to expand before erupting in an explosion. Lex noticed this, dropping the sword as he used his arms to protect his head from the blast.

The blast had enough force to send the Warforged tumbling back hard a couple feet while Lex kept his footing and slid backwards. He was completely unharmed save for being blinded by the light. Over his arms and torso was a white translucent barrier that was smoking from the explosion but seemed intact.

"Thank the stars you have that ring" the voice stated as Lex rubbed his eyes, causing the barrier to dissipate. 

"What? What happened?" He asked quietly as he rubbed his eyes.

"You managed to activate your ring that has a protection spell attach to it." She explained. "Good thing or else you would have ended up like your opponent" 

As Lex's vision returned he watched as the caster struggled to prop itself up and seemed to glare at him. It's body was a wreck as glowing fluid poured from its body from where it's left arm was. Parts of its chest, face, neck, 80 percent of its left arm and parts of its legs were completely disintegrated.

"Y...you inso… Kill...im" the ruined being attempted to scream with its damaged voice box. It's voice sounding like tearing metal mixed with nails on a chalkboard.

"Time to move Lex" the voice advised, gaining a nod from Lex as he noticed the heavily damaged floor begin to crumble. "Run!"

Lex turned and ran away from the crumbling floor only to find a metal palm slammed into his sternum with enough force to knock him onto his ass. The attack forced all the wind from the man's lungs, leaving him gasping and trying to regain his composure as the unarmed Construct stepped up to him as prepared to kill him. Well it would have if the floor around twenty feet from the explosion gave out, causing the caster, the remaining constructs and Lex to begin falling.

The man dropped about fifteen feet before a rainbow blur sudden tackled him midflight and pulled him up out of the pit. He didn't have time to comprehend what was happening before he landed on his back by the group of mares with a familiar blue mare on top of him.

"There… now we're even" She panted as Lex gave her a thumbs up. "Your surprisingly light" she added.

"Thanks" He said with a groan. "I'm just gonna lay here in pain... you take your friends to save the other one" He said as clutched his sternum.

"Good plan… we'll be back soon" She said as she climbed off of him. "And try not to run off" She advised as Lex gave her another thumbs up.

"Lex are you okay?" Rarity asked.

"I'll survive, just go help your mate" he grumbled.

"You heard him, let's go" Dash said as there was a group confirmation before they left the room while Lex rolled his eyes.

After several minutes the sound of faint footsteps were heard approaching him. "Thankfully your bag didn't fall into the random bottomless pit underneath a throne room" the voice stated with a hint of concern. 

"Yea I was wondering about that" Lex said with a cough.

"Yea it's weird but not my problem," she stated.

"Thank you for helping me" Lex said with a thumbs up as a woman with braided chestnut hair with flowers, vines and thorns mixed through it. She had glowing golden eyes a slender face with a similar tattoo on her neck as the one on Lex and the bag. her body was covered with plants and vines which barely covered her bronze skin. One of the things that Lex noticed was the set of pointed ears she had. "Amara" Lex said with a smile.

"Finally remembered me" She teased with a warm smile. "I'd love to stay and help some more but I have to go. she said before she vanished in a flash of green light. Lex watch the spot where she was before he looked up at the ceiling.

"I think my sternum is broken" he groaned whole holding his chest. "I guess this is better than getting impaled… wait how am I gonna explain that to those mares… do I really need to?" He muttered to himself as laid on the floor, feeling the coldness begin to spread up from his back.

"N...No i cant…" he growled as, with great strain, pushed himself up into a sitting position, feeling a sharp pain on the side of his chest as he did so. "and she didn't heal that" he growled as he propped himself up on his left arm while allowing his right arm to explore his side. He gave a hiss of pain as his fingers came into contact with where the caster had blasted him. "Damn that is gonna leave a mark" he grumbled as he attempted to get up off the floor but failed, falling onto his back hard. He gave a sharp gasp of pain while laying there. 

"Talk to them, there is no need to fight… fucking great plan." He said sarcastically as he pushed himself up again while resting on his arms. "Well talking did help… up until metal boy and his merry band of iron assholes rocked up" he grumbled as he tired once again to stand up, managing to get onto one knee. "And then those bloody mares are like 'Oh we will be your cheer squad.' Star a-fucking-bove i don't just tell people to get lost cause im a dick… I hope" he ranted as he managed to get to this feet. "No it's to make sure I don't have to watch out for you… and also so I don't get distracted" he continued to rant as he rubbed the area he was impaled and flinched. 

"Amara… thanks for the heal but you just gave me so many more fucking questions to not sleep over" he groaned as he rolled his eyes. It took a few minutes but the man managed to calm himself down to a degree. "Alright battle plan, what do I do now?" He asked himself as there was a crackling sound emanating from the pit. "Oh great, it's not even fucking morning yet and I have to deal with my crap." He growled as he looked around the room for a weapon but to his surprise, it appeared all the weapons had fallen into the pit. "Just my luck" he sighed angrily as energy began to arc out of the hole, completely eviscerating sections of the floor and wall around Lex as he prepared himself for whatever was to come.
> Day 6. Finishing the Fight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crimson lightning continued to spawn from the pit as the Lex did his best to avoid being struck. Everything the energy touched seemed to be either superheated or downright turned to dust. Each arc seemed to have a destructive aura which Lex discovered as one of the bolts just missed him but ignited his jacket. Said jacket was quickly removed and tossed away as Lex tried his best to get injured further. 

Several seconds passed of this is the intensity and quantity of the hazard steadily increased as Lex suddenly noticed the sound of heavy wing beats rising from the pit. "Ahh shit, here we go again" Lex grumbled.

As the wing beats grew louder, the lighting intensified greatly which made it harder and harder for Lex to dodge. After a few more seconds the lightning ceased as a winged figure rose from the pit. 

The figure was clad in partially destroyed armour that covered all but parts of the left side of its body. It's neck and left part of its face was exposed, the majority of its chest was exposed. The skin that was exposed with a bright red that reminded left of a sore wound. It's exposed left arm had strange writing up the length of the limb. It's exposed eye with black with glowing yellow pupils. A pair of red large batlike wings protruded from the creatures back. 

Part of the entity's mouth was exposed, revealing a series of black needle like teeth when the being pulled it's lips apart. "YOU THINK DROPPING ME DOWN A PIT WOULD END ME!!" The creature roared in anger as Lex realized that the being in front of him was the caster from before.

"Well in all honesty…i was kinda hoping for that" Lex said as the monstrous caster launched a volley of magic bolts at the man. Each bolt of energy was no bigger than a bottle and glowed purple. Each bolt made an unnerving whistling sound as it ripped through the air. They had a long trail, tracing the path they took as they raced towards Lex.

The man managed to dodge most of them, failing to avoid one as it hit his right shoulder in a small explosion of purple energy. "Damn" he growled in pain as he noticed the remaining missiles had changed course and were heading for him again. "Shit!" Lex said as he attempted to avoid being peppered by the remaining eight bolts. This proved to be ineffective as one hit his knee, forcing him to drop to his knee while the rest zoomed passed over head. A sickening laughter filled the room as Lex pushed himself off the ground as Lex heard the missiles coming around.

"THIS IS QUITE ENTERTAINING" as Lex narrowly avoided the remaining six. 

"Come on Lex, think" He muttered to himself as he watched the missiles coming around again. "Wait maybe I can recreate what I did earlier" He muttered as he crossed his arms in front of him and prepared from the missiles to slam into him. As his arms crossed, the man felt a vibrating sensation from his hand so he squeezed his hand tightly moments before a partly transparent barrier formed around him. Just as the barrier went up, the missiles slammed into it and harmlessly detonated against it.

"YOU RUINED MY FUN!" The caster roared as it appeared in front of Lex and slammed it's leg into his side, shattering his barrier and sending him tumbling backwards a few feet. Which wouldn't have been too bad except the man had unfortunately moved near the exit and began tumbling down the stairs. The man groaned as he looked up the stairs of what appeared to be a massive castle. "JUST GIVE UP, WHAT'S THE POINT IN STRUGGLING AGAINST AN OPPONENT WHO OUTCLASSES YOU?!" The caster asked as Lex pushed himself up to rest on his undamaged knee. He spat a small amounting blood as he wiped his mouth, wincing as he felt the sting of pain of his lip being split. "This is honestly just me being mean" the creature said in a calmer tone as Lex looked up the stairs to see it standing about ten metres away from him.

"So question?" Lex said as he struggled to get to his feet, feeling his wounded knee screaming at him. "Why didn't you look like this when I blew you up earlier?" Lex asked.

"Simple, this is my true form but it cannot survive in the realm for too long without killing me, and using magic hastens that." it stated as Lex smirked. "What?" It asked.

"So all I need to do is stay out of range out your melee attacks and you should just die." Lex stated. 

"You make it sound so simple" the caster stated as it rushed forward. "But its not" it said as it threw a punch, which narrowly missed but it followed up with a kick. It's armour leg slammed into Lex's side, resulting in a few audible cracks to be heard. The force from the attack caused the man to be moved several feet to the side as he struggled to keep his footing. " Face it, you are going to die" it said with a wicked smirk.

"Your cockiness with be the end of you" Lex retorted as the monster took a step forward before forcing it's fist forward through the area. The move sent a deafening shockwave of thunderous energy towards Alex. 

Lex could only guard as the wave of thunder slammed into his form before it launched him fifteen feet backwards and onto his back. The wave of energy ripped apart the dirt, rocks, small trees and general debris and scattered them.

Lex groaned in pain as he forced himself up onto his arms. "Okay don't do that again" Lex stated as he noticed that the monster had dropped to its knees while clutching it's chest. Seeing this, Lex pushed himself to his feet and moved towards the caster. The man's entire body cried out in pain as his top was quickly becoming soaked with his blood.

The man spat a decent amount of blood from his mouth which he felt eas quickly replenishing. "Wonderful" He growled as felt it seeping out the edges of his mouth. As he got his barings he managed to notice a thick broken tree branch which seemed sharp on one end just sitting not far from the caster. 

"Don't you see that what you are doing is killing you?" Lex stated as he slowly approached. "What do you possibly achieve from this crap?" He asked only to dodge sideways as the caster threw a small chromatic orb towards Lex, which flew off and collided with a tree a few metres behind the man. The tree began to bubble and decay while Lex continued his approach. 

"You don't know anything… you are just a pathetic insect that deserves to be crushed under heel" It retorted as it glared daggers at the man.

"Well you nearly did… but then you kind of screwed yourself over" Lex explained as the being before him extended its hand out and pointed at Lex with its index finger. "You are barely holding yourself together, don't try it." Lex explained as he watched a vibrant green energy begin to grow at the tip of the casters finger.

"You… underestimate my po…" it said with a wicked grin until Lex quickly moved forward, grabbed the branch and struck the caster's hand away. As he did, the energy surrounding it's finger launched off to the right of the pair and vanished off into the forest. A few seconds later a massive tree in the distance slowly began to fall. The caster cried in pain as it collapsed onto the ground while clutching it's chest tighter. "H-how dare you" it snarled as Lex looked down at him with a saddened expression.

"I am offering you the chance to live, leave now and never return… Don't hurt anyone and just live out the rest of your life in peace" Lex ordered as the caster bore it's teeth at him.

"I don't desire your mercy… nor shall I accept it… I shall watch you die in agony… ev-even if it costs my own life" the caster replied as it pushed itself up onto it's knees. 

"Please don't make me do this" Lex replied as his grip tightened on the sharp branch.

"Coward" the caster taunted as white energy began to encapsulate it's arms and torso. "you are pathetic" it snorted as energy sparked from it's form only for it to vanish in a flash of light as the caster lost concentration as Lex slammed the chunk of wood into casters face. 

"Shut the fuck up, your going to fucking kill yourself! So stop this whom 'oooh look at me I'm so edgy and evil' i never wanted to fight you and I don't want to kill you!" Lex shouted not noticing the eruption of rainbow energy from the castle.

"But I'm evil and your go…" the Warforged replied before Lex cut it off.

"Enough with that shit, the world isn't black and white. You have the chance to live if you simply surrender. Like if you don't kill anyone while proper reason and such" Lex explained as the caster frowned and looked down at the ground.

"Do you really think I have that choice? The chance to vanish and live my life?" The caster asked in a quiet tone, barely audible.

"Of course everyone has that…" Lex replied in a calmer tone only to be cut off instead.

"Well then you are a damned fool!" The Warforged shouted as he grabbed the collar of Lex's top. The monstrous creature moved so it's yellow eyes were level with Lex's. "Do you honestly believe that my master would allow me such a luxury of choice? A chance to be free?! No I am his fucking fodder to be used and discarded at his whim!" The caster shouted as Lex noticed tears begin to well up in its eyes. "I am not trying to die for him… death is the only freedom from him" the caster explained as he released Lex and dropped to his hands and knees. The man took a step back and looked down at his opponent.

"I am just a slave to his whims" the caster explained as it shook faintly as it looked down at the dirt. 

"So that's it? You were egging me on to kill you?... but why? Why not do it yourself?" Lex asked as he frowned. 

"Don't you think I have tried?" It asked without looking up, tears streaming down it's face. "i-i can't do it" it continued while weeping.

After sighing, the man moved forward in front of his opponent and knelt down. He then placed his hand on the caster's shoulder and smiled softly while giving it a soft squeeze.

"What if I swore to you that I would free you from your imprisonment? To free you from this damned existence without you being forced to die?" Lex asked in a soft voice as he gave a kind smile, locking his gaze with the entity.

"How could you possibly do that… if you are dead?" It remarked before slamming it's metal palm into Lex's damaged sternum, sending the man backwards onto his back with a pained gasp. Lex didn't get a chance to catch his breath before the metal demon had mounted his chest, its right leg squeezing the large second degree burn on left side. The creative's left leg pressed into Lex's broken ribs on the right side of his body. The new sensations of pain made the man cry out in pain before he felt his cry cut short as the armoured entity wrap it's hands around his throat. "Pathetic" the caster snarled with a wicked grin as Lex tried to pull its hands off his throat.

"I'm going to...take… my… time" the caster said as it loosened its grip just enough for Lex to inhale before tightening its grip again. "I'm going to enjoy watching you die… and then I'm going to present your corpse to my master" It stated as it squeezed tighter to the point Lex thought his windpipe would be crushed.

Lex's mind was in a panic as he grew closer and closer to passing out from a mixture of pain and lack of oxygen. The panic lasted for a few seconds until he felt warmed from his left arm that seemed to melt the panic and fear away. As his mind calmed, he noticed a massive ripple of rainbow energy filled the sky overhead behind the monster atop of him.

"I would say that you fought admirably, but you didn't." the caster said mocked as it squeezed and began cackling loudly.

"F-fuck you" Lex choked out as he snarled at his aggressor as his hands searched the ground near him for anything to help.

"Those are you last words?" The demon asked with a cackle "That's sad" it mocked as Lex's hand brushed against the sharp branch he was using earlier. "Come on, give me something better" it smirked as it put more weight onto Lex's neck.

"Cunt" Lex growled as he rapidly moved his right arm up after he grabbed the branch and plunged it into the soft flesh of the Demons neck. The caster's eyes went wide in shock and pain as it gave a giggled cry as the branch sunk deep into its neck. "Get the fuck off me" Lex said as he twisted the branch and shifted it inside of his opponent so the tip was pointing down. Once correctly orientated, Lex pushed with all his available strength, plunging the three foot long branch deep down into the soft body of the creature attacking him. Lex felt the Demons grip vanish from his throat as it choked and gagged on its black blood.

Lex met some resistance as the tip touched the inside of the Demon's ribcage so he jerked the branch upwards and pushed. With the remaining amount of strength he had within himself, Lex forced the demon off of him and onto the ground next to him. Once it was off of him, Lex was finally able to breath with as much ease as someone with broken ribs and an injured sternum could. "Fuck sake, are you gonna die this time?" Lex asked as he turned his head to look at the caster, who was too preoccupied with dying to pay attention. Lex turned his gaze to the sky as he panted, his body was coated in sweat, blood and dirt. His entire form burned with a mixture of complete exhaustion and pain as Lex watched the dark sky slowly be filled with orange, red and blue as the sun started rising.

As he laid there, Lex could hear birds chirping, trees rustling and other fauna waking up. "This is kinda nice" Lex said as he felt the adrenaline slowly leave his body, allowing him to feel his injuries. "Scratch that" he groaned as he held his chest in his arms and groaned in pain. He felt the exhaustion also beginning to set it as he fought to stay conscious but it was a losing battle. The man glanced at his foe to see that it had fallen still and it's breathing had stopped. The sight made the man groan as he didn't want to kill it.

"I got to move or else I'll pass out" Lex said as he attempted to sit up but was stopped do to the immense pain in his chest. "Shit" he groaned uncomfortably as he attempted to roll over onto his side. As he finally managed to roll over, he braced himself with his injured leg. With what finesse he could muster, he managed to get onto his hands and knees even though his body seemed to be actively fighting against him. He pushed through and gritted his teeth as he got up onto one knee. "Okay… Okay now what?" He asked as he looked around only to see the group of mares coming down with two extra Alicorns.

"Well look at that? They were successful" Lex said with a smile as he waved to them, gaining the attention of a few of them as Lex suddenly felt dizzy and faint. "What the fuck… oh right  blood loss… fuck" he muttered as he collapsed face first into the dirt hard sending a new wave of pain through his body which was somewhat dulled due to his new state. "Fuuuuuuuuuuun" he groaned as he felt his consciousness fading. 

"Lex!" He heard Dash shout as she landed by him.

"Morning" Lex groaned to her without looking.

"Oh my days, what happened?" Dash asked concerned as Lex pointed to the corpse of the demonic Warforged. "Ah alright yeah that looks kinda nasty… how are you doing?" She asked as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Dying… mostly" Lex groaned.

"Oh no! Princess Help!" She shouted as he heard footsteps approaching. "Hang in there Lex, you'll be fine" she said trying to comfort Lex as he gave a thumbs up.

"Well this is not a good sight, hello are you alright?" Lex heard a new divine voice ask him.

"Not really" he groaned painfully. "I think I'm dying." Lex explained as he suddenly felt his entire body begin to go numb.

"That's no good, let's get you to a hospital" the voice said as Lex gave a thumbs up moments before his strength failed him and he passed out from a mixture of exhaustion, blood loss and his injuries.
> Day 27. Partial Restoration
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lex began to regain consciousness as the sound of waves crashing were heard accompanied with the sound of a crackling fire and crickets chirping. He was greeted with the smell of sea water and faint smoke causing him to stir and awaken. 

The man awoke to see a vivid nightly brimming with stars, constellations and a massive full moon. The sight caught him off guard as the man sat up to find himself on a beach of white sand. He noticed he was dressed in the same attire he had on before passing out.

 Looking around, the man noticed a small wooden dock that had been partially overtaken by the large forest behind him. "Okay great, gotta love waking up somewhere random again… at least this time I have a decent view" He said with a chuckle as he looked to the crackling fire by him, watching it burn bright as it fed on the several branches within it. 

"Thank you, I tried to make it as comforting as I could" I feminine voice said from Lex's flank, causing him to look over to see a Blue Alicorn mare standing beside him. The mare was easily seven foot tall and dressed in a deep blue dress that revealed her fifty percent of  her breasts.

"This is a dream then?" He asked as he watched the mare. She had cyan eyes, a long flowing mane similar to Nightmare moons, she had a cup size of minimum double D, one of which had a black patch of fur with a moon on it.

"Yes this is" she said with a soft smile. Lex noticed that unlike Nightmare Moon that she didn't have sharp canines.

"Alright, so I take it you have the ability to manipulate dreams like Nightmare Moon?" He asked, curious, watching the mare deflate as she held her left forearm with her right hand. "You must know her well to have similar abilities"

"Yea I do… though it's a bit more complicated the just knowing her" she said visibly uncomfortable.

"Sorry" Lex said making the mare look at him confused. 

"Wait why are you sorry?" She asked l, her cyan eyes locked on him.

"The subject is obviously something you don't want to talk about, and I really don't want to pry in business that isn't mine unless I need to. So I'm sorry for mentioning her, i just did because she is the only other Alicorn I have met" Lex explained.

"I-its fine… it's really complicated though and not something I really want to talk about with someone I have only met twice," she said as Lex cocked his eyebrow. "Heck I haven't even talked to my sister about it yet… even though she keeps trying... like Damn Celestia give me some time to get over all the stuff that I have been through first" the mare ranted as Lex simply watched and listened. "But that's siblings for you, always trying to help where they can, you know?" She asked with a smile, which Lex returned.

"Yea I guess so" he said with a chuckle. "So anyway, I remember vaguely that I was really hurt… how bad?" He asked her, watching her ears fold back against her head.

"The damage is… significant, you have been in a drug induced coma for a few weeks as you have been in and out of surgery constantly… which also has been difficult as you are an unknown species and my sister had to stop them and simply rely on using magic to heal you instead." The mare explained as Lex nodded, not really following. 

"Okay so let me get this straight, instead of constantly cut me open and such, your sister has decided to just magic me better?" He asked as the mare looked at him odd before shrugging. 

"I mean yea kinda" she replied.

"Alright… And how has that gone?" Lex asked as he leant back, using his arms to prop himself up.

"Quite well actually, all internal bleed, damaged organs and broken bones have been healed… to the best of my sister's magical ability" She explained further. "However you are still in a bandaged state" 

"Guess can't get everything, but tell her thanks" Lex said as he turned his head forward and looked over the water. 

"I will" She said as she approached the man and sat down next to him. "You're probably wondering why I am here talking to you?" She asked as Lex shrugged.

"It did cross my mind" he stated as he continued looking out at the water.

"I sensed you were suffering from nightmares and wanted to see if I could help?" She stated with a smile.

"I'm right" he responded gaining a confused from the mare. 

"Wait why?" She asked him confused.

"Until I understand the intentions of your sister and yourself, I will remain on guard seeing the last Alicorn I met nearly got me killed." He said in a cold tone of voice. Lex stated as the Mare's ears flattened against her head again. "And besides." He added before sighing, gaining the attention of the mare. "I'd hate for them to be used against me before I have the ability to defend myself against any accusations" he explained as he looked to the mare. "Cause from what I've seen, there are plenty of Ponies who are quick to judge" he stated.

"Why would you think that?" She asked looking him a little offended.

"I have my reasons" He replied as he returned to looking forward. 

"Please I am just trying to help" She said in a sympathetic tone.

"I know but at the moment I don't feel like dealing with that kind of shit." He explained.

"I understand, well I am willing to help you if…" the mare explained before she stopped and suddenly looked out onto the horizon.

"What's wrong?" Lex asked as he followed her gaze to see the horizon was disintegrating.."okay cool, that's not suppose to happen?" He asked as the mare shook her head.

"No… it means your waking up but that would be impossible as you are in a drug induced coma at this time" she said confused and concerned.

"I mean you could have taken me off whatever you put me on and given me something else to wake up" Lex suggested as the mare shook her head once again.

"No that would take an excessive amount of time, which time hasn't passed at all… it would take at least half a day for the drug to work its way out of your body enough for you to wake." She explained as the disintegration escalated to the point it was seconds before engulfing them.

"So what does that mean?" Lex asked.

"Somepony is using magic to wake you up" She said in an alarmed tone of voice as she vanished in a flash of light.

"Wait? What?!" He asked before frowning. "Well that was rude." He said as the disintegration engulfed the man. The world went white as Lex found himself falling in what seemed like an endless void of incoherent noise until he saw that he was fast approaching a grass covered platform. "Oh shit!" He shouted as he braced himself for impact only to feel himself stop falling a few inches from colliding with the platform. "W...what?" Lex asked as he suddenly dropped the remaining distance face first into the grass and dirt. 

"Okay starting to hate this" Lex grumbled as he pushed himself up onto his feet and loomed about the large platform. "Great somewhere new" he groaned as the edges of the platform glowed white. As he prepared for something to happen, he noticed that he was only dressed in his damaged pants and a pair of leather straps were bound to each wrist. His body was covered in bandages and his ring were gone. " Just trying to fucking help are ya? Help yourself to my stuff" Lex growled angrily as the glowing gave off a brilliant flash of light and Lex found himself in a forest clearing.

The clearing was roughly about 25 feet wide before it turned into a dense forest on all sides save for one which lead to what appeared to be a town. Lex couldn't make out anything within the town as beyond the clearing was a dense fog that made the man uneasy. "3...2...1…" Lex began counting moments before hearing a familiar voice.

"Sorry for that Alexander" A feminine voice stated within Lex's mind. 

"It's alright Amara" He said as he turned around trying to look at her but discovered she wasn't in sight. "What can I do for you?" He asked.

"Nothing… Just helping my little brother out of a situation" She explained as Lex was taken aback.

"Wait we are related?" He asked confused.

"Of course… although there are a few centuries between us, we have the same mother" she explained in a hurt tone of voice.

"Sorry… still trying to get over this fucking memory loss" he grumbled.

"It's alright, this would take time for how long you were dead for" She stated as she materialized before lex and watched him attempt to remove the leather binds from his wrists.

"Speaking of that… how long was I dead?" Lex asked as he got his left wrist free.

"Around 18 years" she stated causing Lex to stop and look at her in shock. "I know what your thinking but no, I'm not messing with you" She stated as the man looked dumbfounded. 

"Well damn… I… fuck how am I meant to respond to that?" He asked confused.

"Yea that is understandable," she said as she placed her hand on his shoulder and gave a soft smile before it vanished."so anyway, those Alicorns were doing stuff to you… which is the reason I have brought you to the outskirts of a quiet town" She explained before she suddenly noticed something. " Oh wonderful, it is being attacked" She said sarcastically as she crossed her arms.

"Wait? It's being attacked?!" Lex asked concerned as Amara looked back to him. 

"Yes I don't think this town will survive without any intervention… but from what I have seen, towns like this on the outskirts of the Pony nation rarely get support" She explained with a frown. 

"Damn it… isn't there anything you can do to help them?" Lex asked the woman, who looked at him surprised.

"Me? No I don't have enough energy to do so at this current time… but why would you care? They are Ponies." She said as she watched her brother.

"I don't give a shit who they are, there are innocent lives in danger!" Lex shouted agining a smile from the woman.

"Still the same aren't you… look i may not have the current capabilities to do so right now with the current restrictions, but you would be more than capable of saving it" she explained as Lex looked at her confused.

"How? I'm dressed in pants and still badly hurt… which I have just noticed I can't feel" He said as he looked down at the bandages.

"I healed you significantly… but yes you may be underdressed at the moment." she said as she opened the satchel on her side and drew a pair of boots, socks and a shirt as Lex watched with amazement.

"How did all that fit in there?" He asked confused.

"Bag of Holding, here put these on." She advised as Lex nodded and took the items. The man sat down on the ground as he pulled on the socks and boots.

"What am I meant to do now?" He asked as she got to his feet and pulled the blue shirt on.

"No… I'm going to forcefully return some of your memory." She explained as she moved in front of him and placed her hands on his temples.

"I feel like forcefully doing so may do more harm than good." he replied.

"Yes, it would mean that the rest of your memories will take even longer to return." She stated.

"Oh great… what memories are you trying to retrieve that would be worth doing this method?" He asked her as he raised an eyebrow.

"You combat ability, how to use some items and lastly, you magic." She explained.

"Oh… Yea that might be useful." He said as Amara nodded before her hands begun to glow. "Is this going to hurt?" He asked.

"I believe so, are you ready?" She asked.

"As I'll ever be" he replied as her hands flashed and Lex's mind felt like it was on fire. He could feel pulses of intense pain through the burning sensation as he gritted his teeth trying to stay standing through the incredible pain as sweat formed on his body. It seemed to drag on for what felt like an eternity before it suddenly vanished as Amara removed her hands. 

"How do you feel?" She asked as Lex panted as he rubbed his temples. 

"Okay remind me never to do that again" he replied to her as he groaned.

"Yea sorry, there is a lot more mental damage then I was expecting" she explained as Lex gave her a thumbs up. "Anyway, I managed to retrieve one of your rings" she said a she produced Lex's jade and moonstones ring. 

"Give me a sec" He said as he composed himself before he took the ring and returned into his finger. "Thank you"

"You are most welcome, now summon your armour" she asked as Lex gave her a confused look. "I want to see if it worked" she added. 

"Ah okay, give me a sec" He said as he stepped away from her and focused for a moment. After a few seconds, he tapped his sternum, on the ring tattoo, with a significant amount of force. The impact seemed to ripple through his body as green glowing arcane writing coiled around his entire body, shift around him before vibrant green light surrounded his entire body for a second. As the light vanished, Lex saw that his body was now encased in full plate armour the armour had a faint blue hue to it and was significantly lighter then Lex expected. He was also taken aback as a great helm suddenly formed around his head.

He looked down to see that there was a bright blue tabard with a platinum dragon woven into it with actual platinum thread. Two bags similar to Amara's were fastened to his sides along with several small axes and a small pouch that jingled when moved.

The metal of his armour seemed to shimmer with faint magic as the man inspected the small pouch, revealing a significant amount of gold coins. The only part of the armour which had any significant weight was the heavy hooded cloak on his back that hung down to his ankles. 

"This is awesome" he said as he inspected the cloak to see it was covered in metal scales, primarily Silver, Brass, Bronze, Copper and Gold scales. "Really? Why do I need a decorative cloak? It must weigh at least at least a twenty kilos" He asked the woman.

"It's not decorative, it is… Well it kinda is decorative but at the same time it is useful" she said as she smiled. "It's dragon scale" She stated.

"Right… And that means what?" He asked as Amara rolled her eyes before walking behind him. 

"Stand still" she said as a small ball of fire erupted in her hand.

"What are you…" Lex started before the woman threw the orb into his back. Instead of ignoring the man, the flames seemed to fizzle out against the cloak. "Okay that is kinda cool… do I want to ask how I came into possession of such an item?" He asked curious and slightly concerned.

"Well it's simple really, you and your companions managed to appease a very power dragon who actually gave you and your friends gifts" She explained.

"Oh nice… are any of those people in this world?" He asked her as she sighed.

"I'll have to check but it may take some time." she replied gaining a frown from the man.

"Alright… anyway let's deal with this attack." he said as Amara nodded. 

"Good luck… And don't die please" she said as Lex gave a thumbs up, causing her to roll her eyes as magic surrounded her hands. "Ready?" She asked.

"As I'll ever be" Lex exhaled as Amara nodded and forced her hands together, causing the fog and herself to vanish. In the wake of the fog was a small town which had plumes of smoke rising. Screams filled the air as Lex could smell the smoke and a familiar smell that seemed to fill his body with disgust and anger. "Undead." He growled as he noticed about one hundred and ten feet away, a mare in half plate armour run out of a house carrying several children as a pair of rotting ponies wielding crude rusted weapons chased her. "Well… no need to worry about negotiating" He said as he stretched out his left hand and focused. As he focused arcane writing coiled around his hand before a metal Javelin appeared in his hand. The javelin was about four feet long with both ends resembling lightning bolts.

"Let's see if my aim is still alright." he muttered to himself as he took aim and threw the weapon. Thewas the weapon flew, Lex muttered an arcane word which he himself didn't understand as the Javelin turned into a beam of lightning. The beam was about five feet wide as it roared into life and continued forward, engulfing the first undead. The second looked over just in time to engulfed by in as well. As the lightning faded, the first undead was laying on the ground as a charred corpse while the other was also charred but was pinned to the wall by Lex's weapon.

 "Well… didn't expect that" Lex chuckles as he ran over to the shocked mare and foals. 
> Day 28. Undead Invasion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The howls of monstrous creatures, clashing steel and cries of pain filled the air of the town of Honeywood. The southern part of the town had been all but overwhelmed by monsters and fire, sending thick pillars of black smoke into the sky, blocking out the night sky.

The streets were filled with the fighting between the towns Guards and Militia and a horde of animated corpses of Ponies and monsters. The guards were separated between three different decorated uniforms, majority were from Honey wood while the remaining were from nearby villages which had already been destroyed.

The militia was made up of able bodies Stallions and Mares wielding spears, wood cutting axes, pickaxe and other weaponized tools. They wore a variety of armour, from half plate armour to thick leather vests. While the militia did little against the larger monsters, the addition of addition unicorns unleashing basic spells seemed to give just enough to hold the tide of undead at times.

The defenders had set up several barricades every few hundred feet, although the barricades were being broken through as fast as they could be constructed. The leader of the defenders was a plate wearing Unicorn mare known as Captain Iron Song. Her violet mane was cut short while her fur was a steel grey colour. She directed the mares and stallions around her with a frightening amount of efficiency while occasionally grabbing a javelin and throwing it at the horde. She had sent off a pegasus to get aid a few days ago when refugees of one of the nearby villages began to arrive. She had been preparing soldiers for a counter attack to retake the village when the next wave of villagers arrived. It made her realize that the town was next so she prepared.

On the first morning after the first raid, the Captain sent out a party of twelve of her guard to try and find where the horde was coming from. Only a single guard returned, stating that half a days travel away was a massive castle which the horde swarmed like it were a hive of wasps. Fast forward several days later and every night so far a horde of undead swarmed the town, slowly working away at the defences. Dragging away civilians and guards alike, dead or alive. 

Each night the Captain began to lose hope of surviving when on the third night, after she had given the order for ever pony within the city  to retreat into the keep. She had gone to a balcony in the keep with a pair of binoculars to see the extent of the horde when she saw a brilliant flash of blue light. Dread filled her heart as she inspected the area with her binoculars. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary save for a group of her guards attempting to protect civilians until she saw it. 

A being coated in full plate armour march out down the road away from her guards before stopping and placing a maul down on the ground and standing there. The captain was confused as she watched before she noticed the large group of zombies closing in on it. "What are you doing you fool?" She asked moments before the large group of zombies detonated in a fiery explosion. "Holy Shit!" She shouted in confusion as she watched the warrior picked up its weapon and charge into the crippled horde.

She stood there dumbfounded as she watched the warrior make little work of a group before it charged into another group as the guards nearby retreated to the keep. She lowered her binoculars and stood there in shock at what she just witnessed.

(Town outskirts, a few moments earlier)

The Zombified charred corpse growled and hissed as it tried to pull itself free of the javelin that had impaled it to the wall. The one on the dirt was slowly crawling towards the five foot four indigo unicorn mare as she looked around for what dealt the attack. Her attention quickly returned to the undead before her when one of the foals screamed. 

She looked forward just as the zombie had forced itself back to its feet and retrieved it's weapon. 

"Stay back" She ordered as she drew her shortsword and used her off hand to keep the children behind her.

The zombie gave a growl as it moved towards her, but as it took it's third step towards her a small orb of fire slammed into the side of its head. The zombie didn't get a chance to react as it collapsed on the ground with smoke rising from it. The unicorn took another step back as she kept her blade trained on the now static corpse while she looked to the direction the blast came from.

Her eyes widened as she saw a six foot tall, plate armoured entity marching towards her. She moved around the foals she was protecting in order to put herself between the foals and the new creature as she leveled her sword towards it. Her ears flattened against her cobalt mane as her horn began to glow sky blue.

Seeing the Mare's defensive posture, Lex raised his hands while stopping at least fifteen feet away. The mare was preparing herself to fight against the larger being as she tightened her grip on her weapon. 

"Easy there, I'm not here to hurt you" Lex said in a calming tone of voice as the mare glared at him. "I'm here to help" he added.

"Right? And how can I trust you on that?" She asked him as she scanned him. 

"Because if I wanted you dead then I wouldn't have thrown that javelin and also could have done it without getting close" Lex explained as he turned his head to look at the Zombie that was impaled against the wall, which was moaning and trying to reach him from a fair distance away. "Per example" he stated extended his right arm out to the zombie. He opened his hand out so it was flat facing undead as the jewel encrusted ring on his hand flashed with static electricity.

Before the mare could question what was happening, an aura of blue-white light formed around his hand before a frigid beam of the same colour shot out from his hand and hit the Zombie. The undead began to rapidly freeze from the area it was struck until it stopped moving. The mare could only stare in shock and awe as she looked between Lex and the undead popsicle. "I… what…" she tried to say as her words kept getting muddled before she shook her head. "Please help us" she asked in a desperate tone causing Lex to turn his head to look at her. " Please, i...i am willing to…" she continued until Lex interjected.

"It was my intention from the start," he explained as arcane writing surrounded his arm, causing his javelin to vanish in a flash of light. The weapon reappeared in his hand as the frozen corpse hit the ground, causing its legs to snap off. "Now is there somewhere you can hide safely?" Lex asked her as he opened his bag and put the long weapon into the small bag, making the mare do a double take.

"How did…" the mare asked distracted.

"Focus, is there a safe haven?" Lex asked, snapping the mare out of her confusion.

"Ah yes, most likely the keep is the best bet." She explained as Lex nodded and pulled a decorated maul from the small bag. "Okay, how the heck did you do that?" She asked intrigued.

"Bag of holding" Lex said with a shrug as if that was meant to explain everything as he rested the weapon on his shoulder as he began walking towards the alleyway the lead into the town. 

"Wait!" She cried out as she went after him with the foals following her. "There is a huge group of them out there!" She said as she grabbed his shoulder. "Don't be foolish!" She exclaimed. 

"I'm just having a look, calm your farm" He said as he pulled his shoulder from her grip and entered the alley and moved down it, stopping a few feet away from the entrance to the street.

"Your gonna get yourself killed" she added as she stood next to him.

"Been there, done that" he said gaining a confused look from her as the sound of fighting could be heard. "Looks like your comrades are holding firm against that pack" he said as he pointed to the group of ten guards finishing off a small group of zombies while protecting fifty civilians. 

"Thank Celestia" The mare said with a sigh of relief as she saw it. "Come let's go with them to the keep!" She said as she went to step out, Only for Lex to hold his hand out infront of her. "What are you doing?" She asked confused as Lex pointed down the opposite end of the street at the group of forty zombies approaching, about two hundred feet away. Seeing the horde, the mare went visibly paler as she tried to comprehend when to do.

"Go to your comrades, I'll buy you time" Lex said in a rough tone as he stepped out of the alleyway and marched towards the horde before the guard could stop him. The man walked until he was about fifty feet away from the horde and got into a stance. He placed his maul down on the ground, hammer end on the ground with the handle facing upwards.

"So your approaching me, that is a foolish mistake" Lex said as he pointed his right fist into his partly open left hand. He focused for a second before a small orange bead formed an Inch from his left palm. "Fireball" He declared as he took a step forward and flung the bead at the horde. The bead straight and passed several undead until it stopped twenty feet into the horde. 

For a second nothing happened before the orb suddenly detonated, engulfing everything within twenty feet of it in brilliant orange flames and filling the street with light. A deafening explosion was heard as a wave of heat moved down the street. Through the flash explosion Lex could see a large amount of Zombies being instantly incinerated. As the spell finished, the street darkened and all that remained was ash, two dozen charred skeletons and a dozen damaged but still moving zombies. 

"Now those are better odds" he said to himself with a chuckle as he picked up his weapon and charged towards the remains zombies. As he reached the closest undead, it turned to look at him only to find a great hammer in its face. A loud visceral crunch was heard as it's skull, face and brain splattered across it's comrades as its body was sent tumbling away. Lex didn't wait another moment to inspect his work as he slammed his weapon into another three. Loud crunches, cracks and gory splattering could be heard as Lex made short work of the zombies as they tried in vain to pierce his armour.

The remaining zombie lunged forward at Lex with its spear made of several stretched out spines, managing to drive the point of the weapon into the man's thigh. Lex gave a shout of pain before grabbed the spear and pulled it from his leg as the zombie struggled with it. "That's not very nice" Lex growled as he shoved the weapon away, sending the zombie off balance. The corpse stumbled a few feet before it was introduced to Lex's hammer, crushing it's torso and sending it several feet back where it simply laid there limp.

"Bastard" Lex growled as he placed a hand on the wound. "Of course it had to be the fucking leg" he grumbled as he watched a pack of twelve zombies come around the corner. "Looks like I'm in for a long night" he sighed as he focused on the wound, causing a faint golden light to engulf it. The pain quickly faded as the light did and allowed the man to move unhindered as he snapped his fingers. "Mending" he commanded, causing the hole in his armour to seal. "Gonna have to repair that properly when I get the chance." he muttered as he walked towards the new pack of zombies approaching him. 

He took a deep breath and charged the new pack, slamming his heavily armoured body into a fragile looking Zombie before swinging his hammer around. The weapon struck the first zombie and tore through it like paper, sending gore spraying out onto Lex as the hammer continued, cleaving through several more in a similar fashion. The pack attempted to overwhelm him but before they had a chance to organize, Lex had worked his way through eighty percent of the group. In a few moments more, the remaining undead was splattered against the stone pavement as Lex moved on to the next fight. Both his weapon and body was coated in blood as he marched.

As he marched he stopped when arrived at the town centre of the town to see a group of civilians and guards running from a nine foot tall zombie a wicked looking morningstar. Unlike the other zombies, Lex new of the creature which was now the undead beast. It was a zombified Ogre. Before Lex could react, he watched the monstrosity turn a pair of guards to blood paste before curb stomping a wounded third guard. 



Not wanting anymore people to die due to his inaction, Lex drew his javelin from his bag and threw it. The weapon once again turned into a beam of lightning before embedding itself into the gut of the Ogre and forcing the monstrosity onto it's knee. A smoking hole was present in the monster’s chest.

 The Ogre raised was slowly getting back to its feet as Lex reached it. "Down!" Lex ordered as he slammed his hammer into it's left knee, shattering it and sending the zombie tumbling down onto it's left side. The zombie gave a heavy guttural groan as it began getting up until Lex turned the Ogre's head into a shower of off coloured red paste on the stone road. 

The weapon was now coated in the viscera of the zombie along with the grim smell, which made Lex hold the hammer away from him as he clicked his fingers. “Prestidigitation” he choked out resulting in sparks of light fluttering around his hammer, cleaning it. Once clean, Lex heard someone call out to him, making him look towards several waving ponies. 

"No! Look behind you!" One shouted as Lex heard a heavy foot landing behind him moments before he felt an intense pain fill the left side of his chest. He was lifted off the ground and sent tumbling away into a stall, sending produce in multiple directs as his Hammer flew away in a random direction. He laid there for a second, his mind spinning as his left side burnt with pain. He could feel side growing wet and sticky as he managed to focus his mind. Focusing his strength, he pushed himself onto his right knee while holding himself up with his left arm. He coughed loudly, filling the inside of his helmet with blood making him growl in frustration. He pulled the helmet off and threw it away as he pushed himself to his feet. 

The Orges slowly approached him as he wiped his blood from his lips before he focused his mind more. As he did, the pain in his side quickly dulled as if he had been given a second wind as he felt revitalized even if his breaths were shallow and laboured.

"Run away!" He heard one of the defenders cry as the monsters approached him. As one reached several feet away from Lex, the man extended his right arm as Arcane writing coiled around it. He could feel the tattoo on his right arm heat up as he focused a second before a large decorated Claymore materialized in his right hand. The sudden appearance forced the man to grab the handle in both hands due to the weight. It made the man stumble for a moment before regaining his composure. The blade was five foot long and was decorated with a dragon engraving and a nine point star, it simmered with golden energy which seemed to make the engravings move slightly. Lex didn't have much time to marvel at it as he lunged towards the closest Ogre. 

The man managed to avoid being struck again as he weapon in an upward strike. Lex expected the attack to cut the arms off the monster but his aim was off. Instead of hitting the Ogre at the elbows, the weapon struck the zombie on a forty five degree angle just under it's pecs. The blade seemed to ignite in radiant fire as it cleaved through the moving corpse with little trouble, sending its top half falling away to the side as the remaining part simply collapsed on the ground. 

Lex heard a chorus of cheers from his flank as he rushed to the last zombified giant-kin and cut it in two as well. As the last monstrosity stopped moving, Lex drove his greatsword into the ground and rested against it. He gritted his teeth as he panted whole gripping the handle of his weapon tightly. He was in his own little world as he heard someone clear their throat behind him.

He turned his head slowly to the group he rushed in to help had now moved up to him. One of the guards was holding his maul and another had his helmet. "Thanks" Lex said with a cough as he pushed himself off his sword and took the hammer. "You all should head to the keep" Lex said as he put the hammer away, much to the surprise of the ponies.

"What are you gonna do?" A Stallion asked as he handed Lex his helmet.

"Keep… keep fighting" Lex explained, stopping mid-sentence as coughed up more blood, which he wiped away. 

"Not in your condition" a unicorn Mare guard stated as Lex pulled on his helmet. 

"I… I am fine" Lex stated as he clutched his left side.

"Yea not happening" the mare stated as she crossed her arms.

"Too bad" Lex said as he began walking away from the group only to feel his entire body begin to slow as a cobalt aura surrounded his body. "And what is this?" He asked as he turned to see the mate's horn glowing with a look of strain on her face.

"Y...you a… are coming with us to help… help defend the keep" she groaned out as she focused on trying to restrain the man.

"I think it would be best if…" Lex started when he heard a faint popping noise from behind him shortly before something struck him in the shoulder. The ponies in front of him loomed horrified as only black tendrils coiled around his body while a few pierced his armour and his flesh making him cry out in pain. The aura quickly vanished as the man collapsed to his knees as the tensile burrowed and squeezed his body as it slowly necrotized his flesh. 

"Oh my Celestia, I'm sorry for holding yo…" the mare said as she ran up to him to help him, but he pushed her back as he got to his feet. 

"Get to the damned Keep, I have work to do." he growled out through clenched teeth as he looked around for the caster. He eventually spotted a cloaked figure with a strangely familiar wand roughly sixty feet away. "Found you" he said as his left hand glowed with purple energy. The figure seemed to be alerted to being detected but made no attempt to run as Lex felt another pulse of pain go through his body as more tendrils pierced his armour and skin. "Dimension Door!" He declared as his left hand seemed to grab an invisible object in front of himself before pulling it open. A purple doorway seemed to form before Lex, which the man moved through and teleported behind the Caster. the caster had a moment to react as Lex summoned his greatsword and brought it down in a downward slash.

His weapon struck a inches from Lex's intended target as instead of cleaving into the caster's shoulder and down through their body, the great weapon only brutally removed the caster's right arm. The caster gave a scream of agony as they stumbled a few feet away before collapsing onto the ground holding the wound. As they did, Lex felt the tendrils vanish from his body along with the pain they were causing, causing the man to drop to a kneeling stance. Lex did his best to catch his breath as he watched the caster produce a familiar looking wand that made Lex's heart sink. The Wand appeared to be made of a spine with a human skull on the top that had a sickly green glow emanating from the eyes.



He didn't know why exactly but he felt he knew what the wand was and who the wand belonged to as he had brief flashes in his mind. The flashes were too brief to gain much information from save for one. 

The memory that filled his mind was of a creature that stood at least three times as high as Lex. The creature had the lower torso of a goat, and a humanoid upper body with a corpulent belly swollen with rot. Great bat wings sprout from his shoulders, and it's head is like the skull of a goat, the flesh nearly rotted from it. In one hand was the wand before him only easily seven foot long. The memory of Lex's encounter with the Blood Lord Orcus had left Lex shaken to the point where he was in his own little world.



Lex managed to break himself from the memory to see the caster before him had pressed the skull of the wand against it’s heavily bleeding wound, resulting in wisps of vile green light to penetrate the pony. Lex cringed as he heard the caster cry in pain as their arm began to reform fast and brutally, showering blood across the cobblestone. As the limb reformed, Lex pressed his attack and aimed to end the madness in one fell swoop.

Lex soon realized that sometimes plans don’t go properly as a wicked crackle of energy slammed into his chest, throwing him ten feet backwards and onto the ground hard. “H-how dare you wound me!” the caster growled as Lex finally noticed it was a stallion.

“Oh don’t be like that… I was aiming for your neck.” Lex chuckled as he got to his feet and leveled his greatsword with the stallion, who retreated a few paces. “Let me fix my mistake” Lex said before rushing forward. 

“Oh hell no” The stallion said as his wand began to glow. He was unable to finish his spell in time before Lex had driven three feet of steel through his torso. “Y-you missed again” The stallion said as he coughed blood.

“You say that” Lex replied as he changed his grip on the weapon and prepared to rip it skyward. Once again, his plan didn’t go accordingly as the caster finished his spell and the pair vanished in a flash of light.