Guardian Chap 30

by ~Sunjian54

The Equestrian Guardian

Chap 30

David opened his eyes to the sound of someone devouring something. (Oh great I'm probably getting eaten by a wild animal) he though as he opened his eyes. Instead he saw a blue pony with spiked hair nomming on what looked to be a pie, and making a pig of himself while he was at it. "C'mon on Soarin we just bought those pies. Can't you wait?" Another voice said. David turned his head to see an orange pony with flaming hair walk toward the one called Soarin. "Can't help it! These pies are great!" He said as he stuck his muzzle back into the pie and continued to eat.  David strained to open his mouth and speak, but the word "help" was all that escaped. Thankfully it was enough. The orange pony gasped and ran over to him.

"You're awake, thank Celestia. Soarin get over here and help!" She said as the blue pony hopped up and ran over to David as well. Upon closer inspection David realized who the ponies were. "Hey… You're Spitfire and Soarin right? The leaders of the Wonderbolts?" He asked to clarify. "Yeah that's us." Spitfire said propping him up against a tree. "Rainbow Dash talks about you guys all the time." David said as he slowly began regaining his senses. He tried to stand but pain shot through his chest. "WOAH! You're in no shape to move dude." Soarin said catching him as he collapsed. "Hey wait a minute… You're the Guardian aren't you?" Spitfire said looking at David's scratched and pierced armor. "Yep" he replied once again struggling to stand up. This time he did, but walking was impossible. Every time he tried to walk the pain from his wound stopped him. "What happened to your stomach man?" Soarin asked slowly walking beside him to prevent him from falling over. Horrible images of the fight with Nightmare Sol rushed through David's brain. The shadow creatures, Captain Bio's sacrifice, the tendril piercing his armor, and being thrown from the castle itself. "Yeah and a better question would be how'd you fall out of the castle?" Spitfire added.

"Didn't fall. Got thrown out." David said. "You're lucky we were flying by, we had Wonderbolt practice at the Canterlot airfield and we saw you falling. Glad we made it in time." Soarin said with a huge smile. "Where am I?" David asked since he still had no idea where he was. "You're in the Whitetail forest." Spitfire said pulling a map from her saddlebags she had on. "Right here." She said putting her hoof on an area south of Canterlot. David immediately turned and began hobbling north. "Where are you going?!" Spitfire said running up to him. "You're hurt!"

"Not for long I'm not." David grunted as he used his magic to heal his injury. A bright light glowed over the injury and it healed quickly, but the hole in the armor remained. "Wow, you're pretty impressive." Spitfire commented as David continued walking. "Hold up Guardian." She said stepping in front of him again. "MOVE! I need to get back to Canterlot! The princess is in danger!" He said shouting. "Well whatever you need to protect her from really kicked your flank dude, and that's when you weren't hurt." Soarin said not bothering to care about David's feelings. "Soarin's right. You'd have less chance of stopping that thing now, then you had earlier. You need to go to Ponyville for medical attention." Spitfire said in a soft caring voice. David had to admit she was right. His body ached from exhaustion and he was covered in cuts and bruises. Not to mention the gaping hole in his armor.

"Alright then lead the way." He said stepping back so they could get in front of him. "Follow us and you'll be there in no time." Soarin said with a voice of pure enthusiasm. As the trio walked through the woods, David kept looking back toward Canterlot. Dark red and black clouds were beginning to form above it and he could feel the evil and darkness even though he was miles away. His mind flashed to Twilight and the others. What would Nightmare Sol do to them? What if she had tortured them for information? Images of the ponies being whipped and beaten tore at his heart. Or worse…? He shook his head, forcing himself to not even think about what that could mean. Still… he couldn't shake that he had failed to protect them. He unhooked his scabbard from his armor and looked at the base of the Guardian blade. Attached to two different pieces of cloth one blue, one lavender, were tiny dolls of Luna and Twilight. They had been given to him by the Princess of the night, and his little sister, so that he would never forget them. Now… as he stared at the small dolls that could fit in his hand, sadness crept into his heart.

Celestia had given him one job. To protect Luna and Twilight. "And I went and totally messed that up." He whispered to himself as the trio kept walking. The trio emerged out of the woods to see Ponyville in the distance. David's relief ended however when he saw smoke rising from the town. "Aw crud… we need to move fast!" Soarin said as he took off running. David didn't need another hint; he followed as closely behind Soarin as he could. The horror continued inside the town itself. Buildings were destroyed and burned; ponies were out in the street. Some were crying, others would never cry again. The town that had once been filled with life… was now a town of despair that reeked of death. David's attention was suddenly diverted by a brick hitting his shoulder. It bounced off the armor, but had knocked him off balance.

"THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!!" Lyra screamed as she through another brick at him. He quickly caught it and crushed it with his hand. "What are you talking about?!" He screamed.

"The Canterlot Guard came through here looking for you!" Lyra said through tears. "We told we didn't know where you were, but they didn't listen! They burned and destroyed almost the entire town looking for YOU!!!" A sudden army of ponies came out of nowhere and started hurling bricks, rocks, and insults at David. Soarin and Spitfire were quickly restrained as the mob moved closer. A sudden blow to the back of the head caused David to fall to the ground. The mob took this opportunity to kick and beat him with anything they could get their hands on. Rocks and bricks pummeled his already crippled body, but what hurt him the most was the cries from the ponies harming him.

"MENACE! FREAK! DEATH BRINGER! MURDERER!" The cries and pain continued until a voice suddenly spoke up. "YA'LL BE QUIET!!!!" The mob suddenly quieted down as a large red pony pushed his way through to David.

"NOW I RECKON YA'LL IS BEING AS BAD AS THOSE VARMINTS THAT BURNED THE TOWN!! THIS BOY HERE HAS DONE NOTHING BUT BE HELPFUL TO EVERYONE SINCE HE GOT HERE!! AND ONE LITTLE MISFORTUNE IS GONNA CAUSE YA'LL TO TURN ON HIM?!?!" The red pony continued to talk down the mob as David noticed the CMC putting him under a stretcher and taking him away from the mob. David smiled and started talking; "Gee Applebloom. You didn't tell me Big Mac was so scary." "He ain't being scary. He's just being tough!" Applebloom replied as they continued to carry him.

David sat up when they put him down at Sweet Apple Acres. "Why am I here?" He asked confused. "Because I need to talk to you." A familiar voice said from behind a tree. The voice stepped out from behind the tree, but David knew who it was immediately by the green fur and long tail. "BIO!! YOU'RE ALIVE!!" He said quickly throwing his arms around him. "Yeah I'm alive now let go of me and get your act together." He growled with no emotion. "I need to talk to you about raising an army." He said walking toward the Apple family barn. "An army? Why would I need an army?" David asked scratching his head. Bio turned and looked at him with a fire in his dark eyes. "Haven't you heard? We're at war." Next Chapter: Chapter 31 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 17 Minutes