I followed the path to Ponyville, tonight should be enjoyable. At the very least it should be a nice distraction from my incoming chase across this world. Tonight would be the last night to relax and unwind, tonight I would say my goodbyes, tonight I would play the innocent one last time, tonight I would be a friend to these ponies one last time.

For tomorrow, a red dawn rises and in a week the hunt begins.

The residents of Ponyville had really gone to town decorating. I gazed around, pumpkin lanterns, rubber bats, fake eyeballs, slime. It was...familiar. It reminded me...of home...

I shook my head, "Get your head out of the dirt, boy." I told myself. "Tonight is a time for enjoyment. Make the most of it."

"Err..." A voice behind me uttered. I turned and saw Twilight, wearing some kind of Dumbledore costume, staring at me. "Were you...talking to yourself?"

I chuckled nervously, "Er...yeah, about that..." I shrugged. "Yeah. I was. I do. Got a problem? Don't care."

She blinked. "Yes, well...anyway," She muttered. "I was wondering if you could tell me more about your kind or the Changeli-"

I set off on a walk, "Nope."

She trotted beside me, "But if you tell me we can better defend against them if they attack again!"

"You mean hunt them to extinction?!" I said harshly. "No."

"But if we-"

"Goodbye, Purple!" I yelled, storming off.

"Wait!" She yelled. "We'll talk about something else then!"

I sighed and stopped, after she caught up I groaned, "Fine. But just what are you wearing?"

She grinned proudly, "It's my costume of Starswirl the Bearded! He was a brilliant unicorn and created several books of spells!"

I doubled over laughing, "A...a...Hahahahahahaha!!! Oh! Oh, that is rich! Old Stary? A brilliant unicorn?!" I wheezed, unable to breath through my laughter. "Yeah...likely story!"

"WHAT?!" Twilight screeched. "Starswirl the Bearded-"

"Was a wanker!" I interjected. "A playboy and a drunk! Not exactly the literary type. He had no reserves about sleeping with a woman, or man, and leaving them before they woke up!" I chuckled, my laughter dying down. "Guy wouldn't know a Transmogrification spell from a Elemental Ice Beam spell!"

Twilight glared at me. "And just how would you know? If that had even the most remote possibility of being true. Which it doesn't!"

"One simple thing you seem to have forgotten, luv." I boasted.

"And what is that?"

"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "What?"

I shook my head, "I mean, I was around eight hundred years ago. Stary was using Age spells, the only spell he did know, to keep himself young and virile."

"You...you're lying!" She yelled. Ah, well. You try to tell someone something and they throw it in your face.

"Am I, luv?" I said, walking away. "Am I?"

"Yes! You said you've been frozen in time for eight hundred years! Starswirl was around around before Princess Luna was trapped in the moon, one thousand years ago!"

That gave me pause. "Hmm...Well...fuck you, I know what I know. He was useless, for the most part. Now, unless you start spouting some bullshit about being able to forget spells, I'm going this way." I sighed as Twilight made to follow me. "You," I pointed in the opposite direction. "Go that way."

Wandering through town, smiling as I saw children in their costumes giggling and laughing, I came across a white Earth pony mare wearing a mummy costume walking with a brown unicorn stallion dressed as a house. "Oh, hello!" The mare said, cheerfully.

I nodded politely, "Evening. You've probably already heard of me, but let's make this simple. I'm Wesker."

"I'm Nurse Redheart. This is-"

"Doctor Horse." The stallion interrupted moodily. "I'm still quite able to introduce myself thank you." He snarked.

Nurse Redheart sighed, "I'm sorry, for some reason he's been this rude since he put on that costume.

"Let me guess," I said. "You two work at the hospital."

"Oh, wow!" Doctor Horse gasped mockingly. "Did you figure that out all on your own? We have a new genius in town!"

Nurse Redheart jabbed him in the side. "Yes. We do."

"Right. Well, I best be off." And away from this dickwaffle.

Nurse Redheart smiled kindly, "Have a good evening!" As we parted ways I noticed that Doctor Horse walked with a slight limp in one of his hind legs.

I walked around, listening in to ghost stories and watching the children prank each other. With quite a bit of surprise I spotted Luna and grinned as she stumbled as she began to run then stopped suddenly and decided to walk. "Good evening!" She smiled.

"Princess." I nodded. She grinned and opened her mouth but I interrupted before she could speak and ruin my disguise. "My name is Wesker, I am new to these lands and hope to bring mutually beneficial peace for our countries. But that is for another day." Keep the lie going. You never know who's listening.

She frowned for a second before realisation crossed her face. "I see. Well then, Wesker, I feel that my attention may not be totally on the party tonight. You see, I was due to see a caged beast with my sister in a week, but she has moved it up to tomorrow evening. Quite a large inconvenience, but the plans have been made. Still I am glad she set it up for the evening." Hmm. That puts a dampener on my plans. I'll have to set off either late tonight, or early tomorrow.

I must have looked troubled because Luna gave me a concerned look. "Oh! I'm fine. Just...lost in thought." I gave her what I hoped was a comforting smile. "Although..." My smile faded. "How do you feel about this holiday? After...what's it's based on..."

"B...Wesker. If I could not let go of the past and embrace the present I would have lost myself long ago. Because, after all, no one knows what the future holds. Perhaps war. Perhaps peace. Perhaps someone my sister once saw as one of her most detested opponents by her side as a dear friend."

I got what she was saying. Sorry, Luna, but there's no way that would ever happen. But you can hope, because we all need something to hope for, no matter how small or impossible. I smiled, "Maybe. But some things just don't happen. I'm not saying that they won't in time, but things don't change in an instant. After all...if I were in your place, I don't think that I could forgive someone who was so oblivious to her own sister's suffering."

Instead of taking any offence Luna just gave me a soft smile. "And just how do you think I could forgive myself if my sister couldn't?" That gave me a pause. "But if the circumstances where different and she regarded me as a monster even after I had been purged by the Elements and ordered a nationwide hunt for me, I don't think I could." She paused and gave a faint smile. "Though I think that I would put my trust in my friends to help me."

"Well...that's food for thought, huh?" I chuckled. "So...what's it like being a princess?"

Me and Luna talked for several hours, about what brown-nosers she'd had to deal with and what survival skills I'd picked up, until she had to rise the moon. I stared in awe as the moon peaked over the horizon, it was...strangely beautiful. The sky blossomed with sparkling stars and constellations. It was beautiful, Celestia had never put this much effort into the night sky, but to Luna it was a canvas and she was the most talented artist in the world.

"What does that feel like?" I asked softly.

Luna glanced back for a moment before finishing her job and turning back to me. "Well...it feels like I...like I have...hmmm. It feels...as if I am finally whole. Like I've been missing something my whole life, yet I never noticed. But more than that. It's tranquility." She frowned. "But words alone don't do it justice." She lowered her horn to my head. "If I may?"

I gave her a small nod before her horn lit up and...peace. I shivered in comfortable pleasure. It was...it was like being at the centre of the Circle of Tranquility. But...so much more. Like I was part of something more. Something bigger and more important. Like...I was, at long last, one with myself.

Luna moved her horn away and the feeling left. It took a few moment for me to compose myself. "Th...that was..." A tear fell from my eye. "Beatiful."

Luna smiled, "Thank you." She then grinned mischievously. "So...I hear there's a rainbow maned prankster in this town. Want to show her how to really prank someone?"

I snickered to myself as I hid beneath a cart filled with hay as Rainbow Dash sat on a cloud just overhead, stuffing her face with sweets. This'll be fun! I glanced up from beneath the cart as Luna approached Rainbow from the cover of shadows. She glanced down at me and I nodded.

This is Delta Four Niner. Operation is a go. I repeat, operation is a go.

Luna shot a beam at the cloud Rainbow was sitting on, blowing it to smithereens. Rainbow let out a squawk as she fell from the sky, her wings locking up as a second beam of magic from Luna hit her. Scrambling out from under the cart I maneuvered in so that she landed perfectly into the hay. And immediately back into the sky as she hit the springs hidden underneath the hay, soaring through the sky, yelling as she went she landed directly in the apple bobbing well, emptied by Applejack earlier when we'd explained our plans.

I headed over, laughing as I went, as I got closer I noticed Applejack chuckling to herself. I grinned at Rainbow as she crawled her way out of the apple bobbing tub. "Well, looks like you're," I slipped on my aviators. "All washed up."

Then came the dance. And Twilight...heh, well, ponies can't dance well, it's due to their anatomy, but Twilight was terrible even by pony standards. But everyone went quiet as Luna took the stage and I cheered as she blew them away with her style and elegance. I could barely suppress my laughter as she grabbed Big Mac and used used him as a dance partner, swinging him to and fro like a ragdoll with a look on Big Mac's face that told the audience that he had no clue what was happening.

As she gave a bow I cheered and clapped from the comfort of my seat. Which lasted until she beckoned me to join her. Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no! I do not dance. Not well. And certainly not in front of others. "COME, WESKER!!! JOIN US IN A GLORIOUS DANCE!!!"

"No, no. I don't dance." I called over. The crowd began to boo and stamp. "Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!" They chanted.

I sighed. Damn them. Chuckling, I stood and headed over to Luna, reaching her I spun on the spot and called out to the band playing, "Give us something a little slower. Something with some class." The grey Earth pony mare with a Cello gave me an appreciative smile before the tune being played turned to something a little more...classical.

Smiling I turned back to Luna. "Stand on your hindhooves and follow my lead." I instructed, guiding one of her forehooves to my back and took the other into my hand.

As we glided across the ground gracefully performing twirls and spins. "What do you call this dance?" Luna asked.

I gave a small smile, "It's called a Waltz." And for the next hour we danced a beautiful dance.

But, as all thing must do, it came to it came to a crashing end.

Between dancing, having fun, and ignoring Twilight's questions, I noticed a shadowy, cloaked, figure exit the Everfree. I would have put it to the back of my mind, but this date...may indicate something bad. I doubt it, I mean, what are the chances?

...I didn't just ask that, did I? Shit. Better watch this arsehole. As Mum always said, 'You think a guy's going to cause you trouble, watch his arse like a hawk and be prepared to act. Run or fight, it all all comes down to who's on top.'

She was the smart one. Me? I'm the kind of guy who rips off a jerk's head for pissing me off. The type of guy you want watching your back in a battle, not the type of guy you spend more time with than necessary.

Still...it's probably nothing, just paranoia.

"Don't be silly!" A high-pitched voice next to me giggled.

I shot into the air, "Shit, shit, shit!" Glaring at Pinkie I contemplated kicking her in the face. Wait, did she call me silly? "What?"

"It's only paranoid if you're wrong." Her smile faded slightly, but quickly sprung back up. "But...I hope you're right."

I guess she's right, after all...wait...DID SHE JUST READ MY MIND?! "How did you...?!" I started before realising she wasn't there. What? I started scanning the crowd for a trace of the pink headache. Nothing. How did she...?

I shook my head tisking, "Whatever. Now, where's that fucker?" I caught sight of him standing in the middle of the crowd a second before the screaming started as he sunk his teeth into a stallion's neck, blood spurting from his wound and splattering the ground.

Shit.

The freak threw off his cloak and revealed his twisted form. Shaggy fur replacing his brown coat, teeth, stained with blood, as sharp as a blade, tail turned to a canine's, more pointed ears and paws with claws replacing hooves.

In short, a pony Lycan.

As the beast stood in place the crowd shivered in fright. Damn it, they're going to lose it any second! "...You!" The Lycan yelled. "Shall all die! We are finally free to do as we please and desire! And what we desire...IS YOUR SKULLS!!!" It roared with sickening laughter, its tongue lolling from its mouth, spraying spittle everywhere. "Soon my brothers and sisters will storm this town! And you'll all die! And then you'll join us in the undeath! Killing your family and friends!" I clenched my fist. Bastard! Fucking SCUM!!! "Then we will eat your corpses! Hahaha! Your entrails will-" I didn't give the bastard any more time to abuse the ears of everyone here with his grating voice. I drew Roxy from my back and flung her through the air, she spun elegantly in a perfect arc right into his skull.

As he fell I walked over and wrenched Roxy from his skull. Cue screaming crowd. It got real annoying real quick, so I hauled myself up onto the stage. "PONIES!!!" I roared over the screaming. They stopped where they were and locked their eyes on me. Good. I still have presence. "THESE MONSTERS COMING TO YOUR TOWN ARE NOT ALIVE!!! THEY ARE DEAD!!! THEY MAY LOOK ALIVE BUT THEY COME FROM THE OTHER WORLD!!! NOW TELL ME THIS, WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO TO PROTECT THIS TOWN?! WILL YOU STAND AND FIGHT?! OR WILL YOU COWER BENEATH YOUR BEDS AS YOUR HOME IS OVERRUN?! MARES!!! STALLIONS!!! LOOK AROUND YOU AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE!!! DO YOU SEE LOVED ONES?! CHILDREN?! FAMILY?! FRIENDS?! WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE CLUTCHES OF DEATH?! STAND WITH ME AND FIGHT FOR THIS TOWN!!! FOR YOUR FAMILY!!! FOR YOUR FRIENDS!!! FOR YOUR LIFE!!!" I raised Roxy into the air. "TONIGHT WE ALL STAND TOGETHER!!!" I was answered with the thundering roar of the crowd. "PEGASI!!! TAKE TO THE SKIES AND STRIKE LIGHTNING DOWN UPON OUR FOES!!! UNICORNS!!! PREPARE YOUR COMBAT SPELLS!!! THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW HOW TO CAST A BARRIER GO WITH LYRA AND MAKE THEM ENTER THE TOWN THROUGH A CHOKEPOINT!!! THOSE OF YOU THAT CANNOT USE COMBAT OR BARRIER SPELLS GO WITH THE EARTH PONIES AND FIND A WEAPON!!! BIG MAC!!! YOU, ZECORA AND CHEERILEE TAKE THE CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOLHOUSE AND DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO REINFORCE THE DOORS AND WINDOWS!!! TAKE A GROUP OF OTHER PONIES WITH YOU!!! LUNA!!! WE NEED YOU OUTSIDE THE BARRIER!!! TAKE TO THE AIR AND CUT THEM DOWN AS THEY LEAVE THE FOREST!!! THOSE OF YOU WHO CANNOT FIGHT GO WITH FLUTTERSHY AND NURSE REDHEART!!! THEY WILL NEED ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET WITH THE WOUNDED WHEN THE COMBAT STARTS!!!" An idea popped into my head. "USE WHATEVER ARMOUR YOU CAN FIND!!! I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A FEW PANS ATTACHED TO YOUR BODY!!! IF IT MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE, USE IT!!! WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME SO LET'S MOVE!!!"

As they ran I stopped and sighed to myself. If they didn't fight they would die. If they did fight they would die. But these bastards won't get through unharmed. This won't be an easy meal. I turned back to the scrambling ponies and prepared myself for battle.

This was one fight that I would not lose.

I stood on top of the stage. The ponies of the town that were to battle were amassed behind me as a blue shield encompassed the town, leaving but one entrance. They had their weapons. I had Roxy. No matter the number on my side, nothing was more comforting than the feel of her gripped tightly in my hands, the beasts we've slayed, the armies we've slaughtered, the blood of hundreds, if not thousands, was on my hands. My soul is stained a deep red and that stain will never be scrubbed out. But it matters little, this is my place in the world, fighting the losing fight. Fighting not for the protection of others, but for the pure and simple rush of it all. This is who I am! And those that oppose me, I pity them. They have no idea of the fate that awaits them.

"PONIES!!!" I roared. "TONIGHT THESE MONSTERS ATTACK US!!! THEY ATTACK YOU!!! BUT YOU ARE NOT THE SNIVELING COWARDS THEY EXPECT!!! WE SHALL DRIVE THEM BACK WHENCE THEY CAME!!! WE SHALL EMERGE FROM THIS NIGHT, NOT CONQUERED, BUT THE DEFENDERS OF OUR OWN FATE!!! TONIGHT, WE BATHE IN BLOOD AND STEEL!!! IN ASH AND ORGANS!!! PONIES!!! TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!!!"

It put a smile on my face to hear the roar of the crowd, no, the militia. The ponies with weapons pounded their shafts on the ground, sounding the drums of war.

A thought occurred to me. "PONIES!!! YOU KNOW OF THE LYCANS, BUT IF THEY ATTACK THEN THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE GHOSTS!!! DO NOT WORRY!!! TONIGHT IS THE ONLY NIGHT OF THE YEAR THEY CAN TOUCH US, OR WE THEM!!! TONIGHT THEY CAN DIE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CREATURE!!! DO NOT LET FEAR STAY YOUR BLADE!!! LET THEM FEEL OUR JUSTICE!!!"

As I ended my speech the attack began. I saw Ghouls, Lycan, zombies and ghosts of all species, but mostly ponies, flooding out of the Everfree. Some of the Ghouls, those at a midway point between life and death, and zombies that had hands or claws were holding all kinds of weapons. As they charged the barrier, striking it with either weapons or their flesh.

"HOLD STEADY!!!" I cried. "HOLD STEADY!!! IF THAT BARRIER FALLS WE HAVE LOST!!! IF THE BARRIER FALLS WE SHALL BE SWARMED AND THE TOWN OVERWHELMED!!!" I spotted the first of the hoard stumbling through the opening to the town, quickly followed by the rest of the swarm pouring through. "PREPARE YOURSELVES!!! STARTING THIS MOMENT, THE BATTLE BEGINS!!!"

As the hoard approached I tightened my grip on Roxy. This was it. This was it! THIS WAS IT!! Roaring, I charged the first wave, followed by the ponies determined to defend their home, Roxy cutting through them like a hot knife through butter, blood splattered my body and face as their bodies were sliced to ribbons. The adrenalin pumping through me, the rush of battle invigorating me, the sound of steel on flesh, the beating of my heart, the scent of blood, the howls of my enemies death crys! THIS IS WHO I AM!!! Laughing I decapitated a zombie Griffin, its head flying through the air and landing with a thud, blood beginning to slowly pour into a puddle.

Roaring, I slammed Roxy into the head of a nearby Ghoul, before its tainted blood even splattered the ground I had forced her out of its skull and was off cutting my way through the hoard again.

Reaching a clearing I stared out over the wave after wave of monsters. Time to play.

Charging headfirst into a fresh wave of zombies I swung Roxy, blood splattering both me and the ground as I sliced through them. It wasn't long until Roxy got stuck in a particularly thick skull. Before I could pull her out I saw an incoming bite. Leaping backwards, letting go of Roxy, I just barely voided the puss and disease ridden bite. I pulled out my daggers, giving quick stabs to the body while the head was still out of reach. Throwing caution to the wind as it tried to take another chunk out of me, I sidestepped and slammed a dagger into its brain through the eye. As it collapsed I spotted yet another zombie charging me. I took a breath before pulling my arm back and throwing my last remaining dagger.

Bullseye.

The dagger sunk itself into the zombie's skull, sending it crashing to the ground.

Making sure that no other beasts were lurking in the dark I dashed to the bodies regaining my weapons and Roxy.

The plan was working. With the shield forcing the monsters and beasts to enter Ponyville through our entrance we were able to cut them down easily. Struck with lightning, battered with weapons or blasted with magic they were cut down. Of course there was the occasional injury on our side, but the worst so far was a gash down a leg, it would heal, but that stallion wouldn't be fighting again tonight.

I gave my chest a pound of my fist, roaring, "COME ON!!!! COME GET ME!!! YOU WEAKLINGS!!! FIGHT ME!!!" Snarling with blood pumping through my veins I charged the hoard again. GIVE ME A CHALLENGE! GIVE ME SOMETHING STRONG!

I looked up from the dead Ghoul when I heard a scream. A pegasus flew past with an injured stallion, blood pouring from his side. I looked in the direction he'd come from and saw the cause. A gigantic armoured Minotaur zombie, standing easily two feet above me, with what must have been a short sword for it, but to a human would have been a thick longsword.

A...really nice looking sword. With a proper handle and good quality smithship as well. Is that a fucking ornament skull on the handle?!

I ran over, leaping over, and weaving through, the other combatants and beasts. Reaching the Minotaur mid-swing. A lazy swing, ponies were easily dodging its blade with the occasional duck, but were unable to get past its thick armour. "HEY, HORNHEAD!!!" I roared. It slowly lumbered in my direction. "I WANT THAT FUCKING SWEET SWORD!!!"

I used a nearby zombie as a springboard and delivered a flying kick to the Minotaur in the exposed face, sending it stumbling backwards. Roaring I pressed my advantage, smashing Roxy into its armoured arm again and again, the armour chipping and flaking off. I ducked under another swing of the sword before resuming my attack. Eventually its arm, freed of armour, fell to the ground, the sword following a second later. Instead of attacking further, the beast just stared at its blackened, bloody, stump as if confused.

Snatching up the fallen blade, sheafing Roxy onto my back as I did so, the blade was in bad shape, and almost too large for me to use, but a good blacksmith could fix that problem for me. Letting out a feral roar, I jumped into the air, my eyes locking with the Minotaur's for a moment before I drove the sword forwards into its face. The conquered beast fell backwards and I landed on its chest as it hit the ground. Yanking my new sword out of its face I raised it to the sky and let out a wordless, victorious, bellow.

I faced the wave of undead converging on my position, attracted by my roar. Laughing I charged them, brandishing my new blade and grinning. Time to see what this baby can do! "LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!"

Dashing forwards to a zombie, I thrust my blade through its chest impaling both it and a Ghoul directly behind it. Smirking I ripped the sword out of the both of them, spinning and slashing through the body of a second zombie sneaking up behind me. I stared at the Ghoul in front of me, staring fearfully at me. "Fuck you." I slammed my boot into it's face, spinning the sword in my hand I spun it around my body, cutting down the freaks surrounding me. "Heh. Now, ain't this a fucked up night, huh?" I asked the Lycan before dodging her claws and cutting off her forelegs. Grabbing her body I spun, moving her in front of me, right into the jaws of an awaiting zombie. Chuckling as she screamed I rammed my blade through her body and into the head of the zombie.

As they fell to the floor I checked my surroundings. Damn, I was utterly surrounded by beasts. Zombies, Ghouls, ghosts, Lycans. All here. Grinning ferally I pulled Roxy out with my free hand and spun both around my body, cutting down the freaks nearest to me and giving myself some breathing room. I held both blades away from each other at opposite ends of my body.

"So." I said. "Who wants to die first?"

The question was answered as a Lycan charged me just to be cut down by my sword. That was the signal for the rest of them to charge. I sliced and diced, cut and impaled, maimed and eviscerated through the miniature hoard.

Blood pooled all over the ground, causing the battleground to become slippy and slick. Booting a Ghoul over I jumped onto its back and pushed off, as we span through the group I held out the sword and Roxy, cutting any resistance we encountered to shreds, all while laughing and whooping. Leaping off my makeshift sled I kicked a ghost in the face before sinking Roxy into a nearby Ghoul as I crushed the ghost's throat.

As I began slicing through the greatly diminished group I saw beams of magic flying through the air, and as seeing as Ghouls, ghost and zombies are dead and therefore cut off from magic, which is the essence of life, or at least most are, some ghosts can still use magic, those that are more placid, calm, peaceful or just don't work for evil and mindless bloodshed can still use magic. And Lycans are different, for some reason they can't touch magic at all. One theory is that their transformation takes over all other magic. Which would explain why some Lycans are more wolf-like than others.

"FOR PONYVILLE!!!" A green unicorn mare cried, diving into the crowd blasting anything she saw that wasn't uncorrupted. Fortunately for her the crowd only had a few stragglers left and we quickly dealt with them.

Panting slightly I raised an eyebrow at the mare, "Well, that was fun."

She shook her head, "You're not normal, you know that?"

I grinned, "Oh, where's the fun in that? But don't you feel it? The pounding of your heart, the drumming in your veins, the rush of battle, the wonder of adrenaline surging through your body? Don't tell me you don't like it."

"Uh...well, I..." She stammered. "Alright, fine!" She relented. "It's amazing! It's like I'm more alive than I've ever been! Even my old job wasn't as heart pumping as this!"

"Your old job?" I asked, wiping away some blood that had dripped in my eye.

She nodded, "I was a Royal Guard. I thought that I'd be fighting threats that Celestia kept out of the light, maybe even do some investigating. But no. None of that, I was just a glorified decoration!" She growled. Interesting, so Celestia isn't as completely loved as I've heard. "So I quit and turned my attention to Private Investigating. With...a little bodyguard for those that want to explore dangerous places."

I nodded, "A good profession. You help people, unlike the other people I've seen in this town."

She sighed, "You must mean Brick Breaker." I glared at his name. "Honestly I wish somepony would get him arrested. But he has connections in the Canterlot Nobility. I wish he'd get the-zombie behind you!" I turned and cut its head off with my sword. "I wish he'd get the message that I'm not interested in a jerk like him, but no matter the amount of time I send him to the hospital for trying to cop a feel he just keeps coming back." She shook her head. "But you don't want my life story. I'm Gleaming Shine." I glanced at her Cutie Mark. A magnifying glass with an eye behind it.

"Wesker, good to meet a capable combatant, Shine."

She shook her head, her short, shaggy mane flopping slightly, "I'm not fighter, I just spotted their weak points."

I smirked, "Don't put yourself down, kid, that's a useful ability to have on the battlefield."

As I ran towards a groups of Earth ponies that needed my help I heard Gleaming mutter, "I'm not a kid."

I saw a mangy Lycan about to take a chunk out of an Earth pony, acting on instinct I jumped him and bit the back of his neck, blood flowing through my mouth as he howled in pain. I released my jaws just to clamp them down harder, giving his intended target to turn his head into mush with a kick.

"Thanks!" The pony yelled before turning back to the battle.

I roared and dived headfirst into the fray, swinging Roxy left, right and centre. I slaughtered the hoard like a madman would. Screaming and hollering as I rained death all around. Those who stood in my way were vanquished. I roared and screamed in primal victory. They wanted to fight? I'd give them the best fight of their pathetic lives! Their blood would stain my flesh until they were naught but a bloody stain on the ground.

This is my destiny! To be a warrior!

Is it? I don't know what I'm meant to be anymore. Am I a destructive monster of death? Or am I a Dark Saviour? Hell, it's not like I even care anymore. All that matters is survival.

And revenge.

Blood. Blood surrounded me, like frosting on a cake. Like snow around an icy lake.

I was the monster. And this was my playground.

I was snapped out of my inner monologue by a scream for help. Setting off in a run I headed to the scream's origin.

I looked around and realised that a certain orange coated wankstain was nearby a hoard of zombies. I made my way up to him, defending him from attack from the rear. Brick Breaker was completely focused on his enemies from the front to realise I was there. I thought back to how proud he was for beating an innocent to a bloody pulp. How fearful Scarab was. How he wanted to burn him alive. Just look how close he is to that pit of zombies.

But would I really sink to his level and push him in? I'm not the best example of moral righteousness, but to push him in when there's a town to protect would just be wrong, I mean, it's not like I'm a complete monster is it? Would I honestly have no qualms about-

I slammed a foot into his side, sending him screaming into the pit before he was quickly torn apart and silenced.

...Nope! No regrets!

Smiling happily I went off to slay more undead with a spring in my step.

As Roxy sliced through the head of yet another zombie I heard a cry of pain directly behind me. I spun around only to see the body of a dead Lycan laying at my feet. I frowned, this wasn't the first time that something like this had happened. The last time it had happened I caught sight of a beam of magic shooting through the air, but when I had looked around I saw that there were no unicorns around.

As I looked over the warzone I realised that there were fewer monsters coming from the Everfree. Looking over to the forest's entrance I was surprised to see large, thick, vines sprouting up out of the ground all along the forest, forcing the beasts to exit one specific point making them easy pickings for Luna. Though some still filtered through it was now much more controllable.

I gave a soft laugh, "Thanks, buddy. Glad to see you're not missing this." I muttered before pouncing back to the action, diving at a Lycan, driving a dagger into its head.

This was the life! The rush! The clashing of steel on steel! The power of steel on flesh!

I was too distracted by my inner thoughts and just barely caught the sword aimed at my throat with Roxy in time.

Grunting I pressed against the sword the Griffin Ghoul held, managing to force the sword back towards her. Just as I was about to push my advantage a searing, fiery, pain scorched my back. I dashed to the side, the Ghoul's blade shooting past me and embedding itself into the neck of the Griffin Lycan that had clawed me. I spun around, swinging Roxy as I went before slamming her into the Ghoul's head, jerking her out I slammed my elbow onto the end of the sword suspended in the air by the neck of the Lycan, sending the sword all the way through the Griffin's neck.

Stumbling away, wincing at my wound I made for the clear zone to grab a drink and get some air. I cried out as the bottom of my left leg exploded in pain. Instinctively looking down I saw a ghost attached to my leg by its teeth. Roaring I stomped on it's spine, sending it screaming in agony. Good, scream you, fucker! Taking the opportunity I yanked my leg out of its range and slammed my boot into it's face, pinning it down. I grinned. "Ow. Oh, you little bitch." I snarled, showing off my teeth. "That hurt." Its eyes widened in fear as I raised my foot and brought it down again and again onto its face. Squeals of pain and anguish fueled my reign of pain and only served to make my increase the force behind my blows.

When I had eventually finished ghostly blood poured from the little fucker's face and body. Bones were broken, muscles ruined, and it still lived. I chuckled, pulling out Roxy, "You're a resilient little fucker, aren't you? You know what this is?" It simply shook its body. I growled, gave it a violent kick and raised Roxy above my head. "Talk!"

"T...the...bl..." It coughed. "...Blade...of the..." It's eyes widened. "N...no...! You...yo...u're...meant to...be dea...dead...y...you're...the...Kn-" I let Roxy fall silencing it.

"That's not who I am anymore." I muttered, sullenly before stumbling off the let my wounds stop stinging.

I climbed up onto the top of a nearby building to both get a vantage point and to give my injuries time to settle down. "Well, this takes me back." A voice next to me said. A familiar voice. An impossibly familiar voice.

I turned my head. My throat went dry and my heart missed a beat. "Ritual...?"

"In the flesh...well...not really." She chuckled. "My, how you haven't changed. It makes a girl jealous. What's your secret? Timberwolf sap?" She snarked. "Bathing in the blood of a thousand virgins?" Her slightly transparent form shimmered slightly as she chuckled.

I blinked. "Ritual...?" She...no...impossible.

"Yeah, it's me, tough guy." She grinned. "Zombie Griffin 6 o'clock."

I spun on my feet, bringing Roxy down on the zombie's skull before turning back to Ritual. "Ritual...?" I blinked. "You're...you're..."

"Not alive if that's what you're about to say." She smirked.

"...You're young." I finally muttered.

She blinked. "What?" She shook her head. "No. No, no, no! I have come back from the dead! And the first thing you notice is that I look young?!" She fumed. "You...you...YOU..." She stopped and chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit. Maybe a little softer, I mean, why did you spend so long with these ponies? You know they're going to turn on you within the week."

I shrugged. "You coming back as a ghost...kind of expected, we never leave each other hanging. Especially with your little 'Zap them while invisible' trick you've had going for the past few hours.

"Yeah, never leave each other hanging." Her eyes hardened. "Except, apparently, when going off as a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter!" Her hoof flew through the air and connected with my stomach. I doubled over, winded, spittle flying from my mouth as I gasped for breath. "IDIOT!! We were a TEAM!!! Did that mean NOTHING TO YOU?!"

I wiped the saliva from my mouth. "It mean everything to me." I looked away. "That's why I went alone. Don't think that I don't regret it, but I had to make sure you had a chance. That's the path I chose. Look! I'M SORRY, ALL RIGHT?! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR?! ALL THOSE YEARS..." I choked back a sob. "All those years alone...it was crushing. My spirit shattered, my hope broken. Thoughts of you living a happy life was the only thing that kept me going! You have no idea..." A tears fell from my eyes. "No...idea what I'd have given to have you there with me, by my side. I'm sorry...I just wanted you to be safe. You...would never have let me go. I'm sorry..."

She wiped at her eye. "That was beautiful. Really fucking beautiful. I...if I had the choice I would have been there with you till the end of time. Now, clean yourself up and let's kill some fuckers. We're missing the party here! What was it you used to say? Ah, yes. Let's kill us some bitches!" She launched herself into the fray, blasting beasts and ghosts left and right with a mad crackle.

I grinned, wiping off the last of the tears. I'd needed that. Seven hundred and fifty three years since I last has a good cry. I watched Ritual turning Ghouls into dust and grinned. We're a team. Now and forever. With that I gripped Roxy tight and jumped.

As me and Ritual cut, bashed and blasted our way through the beasts. We were back together at last we were, as the Minotaurs used to call us, The Duo of Death. Rage and Skill. Passion and Apathy. We were an unstoppable force then, and time has merely given me an even greater bloodlust and need for a fight. Together with Ritual I was unstoppable, we watched each others backs and protected each other while providing support. We we're the ultimate team.

A team forged in the fires of war and survival. Being together and doing all I have with her creates a bond.

A bond that can never become undone.

We're the ultimate team! The invincible duo! These names are starting to get corny, so I'm going to stop right here!

Smashing our way through the hoard we approached Rarity's Boutique, as we closed in we heard sounds of battle from within. "Let's do this!" I yelled, charging through the door. As the door gave way I saw a large group of ghosts and ectoash, the substance given behind when a ghost dies. But what caught my attention was Spike holding a sword, cutting down ghosts with skill and finesse I would never have thought he had, Rarity and Sweetie Belle huddled behind him, Rarity occasionally sending off blasts of magic.

Ritual glanced at me and I nodded as we charged the ghosts from behind, catching them by surprise and cutting them down quickly.

After the last ghost had turned to ectoash I turned to Spike, "Nice blade. Didn't know-" I was shouldered aside by Ritual. "Oh, THANKS!" I yelled as I hit the ground.

"Where did you get that?!" Ritual shouted. As he raised the blade she blasted it back down. "No! Fuck you, no! You do not do that! No! You don't do that to someone who just helped you in battle!"

"Spike, knock it off." I grunted. "She's a friend."

"Oh." He blushed and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Ritual said quickly. "How did you get that blade?" What's the big deal? It's just a sword.

Spike shrugged, "A ghost knight gave it too me. She...said something about my heart being one after her own."

Ritual chuckled. "The Knight of Hope. You were respected by the Knight of Hope! HAHA! That stuck up old hag finally found someone to pass her legacy onto! HA!"

"The...WHAT?!" I yelled. No, the fuck?! The fuck?! How does something like this just happen?! "No! What are the chances something like that happens?! Seriously!"

Ritual shook her head, "Well, she'd been moaning about not finding a successor for a while now. She kept coming to me because...of who you were."

I groaned, "Well, that's just fucking perfect. A Knight. Fuck this I'm out." I headed to the door. "You coming?" I asked over my shoulder as I reached the door.

"Yeah, let's kick these fuc-"

I grabbed her muzzle. "There are children present, Ritual. Watch that mouth."

"Since when did you care?" She mumbled through my hand.

I blinked. "Good point. Now let's go!"

My arms burning, I barely deflected the blade from my chest. Panting, I shot Roxy into the Ghoul's head. As it dropped to the ground I called over my shoulder, "R...Ritual...some help...would be nice!"

Ritual dropped in next to me and blasted a clearing. "Feeling tired?" She taunted. "And I thought you could endure the worst of it. Such a shame."

I flipped her off, "Fuck...fuck you...I've been...in stone for the last...seven hundred and fifty years...I'm not...going to be as fit as I was!"

"Yeah, yeah, excuses, excuses." She grinned.

Whatever I was going to say was drowned out by the clocktower striking 12. But the moment the clock began chiming all the beasts and freaks froze in their tracks before beginning a mad scramble back for the Everfree.

"Uh...what's going on?" I questioned Ritual.

She shrugged, "Well, you see...shit, don't have the time for an in-depth explanation, long story short, all the beings of the Everfree have to be back in there for midnight. So, yeah, it's been fun, but, uh, see you!" She dashed back with the remaining hoard. Wow. We actually took out quite a lot.

As the clock chimed for the 12th time all the beasts outside the Everfree froze and howled before crumbling to dust.

"Whoa. That's interesting." I muttered before groaning and dropping to the ground. "That...sucked." I panted.

Luna stumbled over to me. "Bl...Wesker...are...you...injured?" She gasped out before collapsing next to me.

"I'll be...fine. But..." I forced myself up and took a firm grip on Roxy. "I'll make sure there aren't any stragglers hiding around."

"I'll come with you!" Luna shot out.

"No. But...help me over to the stage." With Luna's help I climbed up the stage and upon reaching the top I held Roxy into the air and yelled, "VICTORY!!! WE HAVE VICTORY!!! THE BEASTS HAVE RETREATED AND WE ARE VICTORIOUS!!! REJOICE!!! REJOICE!!! WE HAVE WON!!!" As the cheering began to slink my way towards the Everfree, sneaking under Luna's gaze as she was distracted by the cheering public.

I took a deep breath as I relaxed under a tree, not too far into the Everfree but still deep enough in that I couldn't hear the town. Man...that was intense. After a minute of deep relaxation the air grew chilly. I opened my eyes and noticed him.

A young pony, a colt, made out of dirt and stone. A mysterious aura surrounding him. A dark, mysterious, ominous aura. And a plain feeling of wrong yet right emanated from him.

"Guardian. It's good to see you again." I said, tipping my head slightly.

He nodded back at me, "Blood. I see you have escaped. At long last."

"Yeah. Not going to turn me in are you?" I chuckled.

He shook his head, "No. It is not my concern. Although...you have my thanks." I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "The filly you rescued several weeks ago. I would have done so myself, but I was...preoccupied." He then muttered something I almost missed, "Again."

I chuckled, "You always are. Something's always keeping you busy." Hard to believe I once considered him an enemy. "So I'm guessing something was keeping you more busy than normal tonight as well."

He nodded. "The Blanks and Blood Hooves tried to escape again. They do not learn their lesson. The Everfree Forest keeps them in for good. But they keep trying."

"Back up a little. What did you mean, 'again'?" I asked. "You've been too busy to save Apple Bloom before?"

He stared at me before nodding with great reluctance, "She...made her way to Sunny Town." He muttered.

No. No, no, no! My eyes widened in shock. "She...Sunny Town? How? Why?"

"Ruby. She just wanted to see living ponies when...she was seen by Apple Bloom. I was...busy," He spat the word. "Dealing with an undead uprising. The spirits were restless and wanted to possess the living yet again. I had to remind them of their place in the Everfree's plan."

I sighed softly. At least she escaped. That's the best possible thing. "She...didn't spend too long in there did she?" I asked quietly.

"No. She spend...from entering that accursed town...a maximum of seven minutes there. She's lucky she's fast and smart."

I thanked whoever was listening. She doesn't deserve such a fate as those that were unable to escape. I decided to change topics. We needed a happier conversation. "We have a new Knight of Hope."

"I know." He stated calmly.

How the hell does he do this?! "Care to explain?" I offered, growling slightly.

"You know I can't. It is forbidden."

I sighed sadly. "Yeah. I know. The good stuff always is."

"Do not be worried, all will become clear in time. As I once told you, your purpose is constantly shifting. You are the only one who is truly a master of their own destiny."

"Blood?!" Luna's voice called through the trees. "Are you here?"

"Over here, Luna!" I yelled. "Goodbye, Guardian."

"Goodbye, Blood, Knight of Rage." He replied.

I winced, "I don't like titles, Guardian. Especially that one. You know that."

He glanced at me. What the hell is he truly thinking anyway? "You know that I don't give them."

"Yeah, yeah. The Everfree Forest itself gives the titles, I know the story." I cut in. "Maybe I'll see you around, Guardian Spirit, Avatar of the Everfree Forest." If he's going to call me by my title I'm going to call him by his.

"Maybe you will, Terry, maybe you will." He replied ominously. Has he always got to be as mysterious as possible?!" A word from the Everfree for you: When all hope seems lost, look to the Forest and your hope may be restored."

I snorted, "I hate riddles."

The sound of hooves started to get louder and Guardian started to back away into the forest. "Good luck, my old ally, you have many trials on your journey."

"Journey? I'm not on a journey!" I yelled out.

He smiled softly. "You will be." He disappeared into the darkness.

"Blood." Crap. I turned and saw Luna standing just inside the clearing. "What was that? I thought I saw-"

"Nothing." I interrupted. "You saw nothing. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing suspicious. The worse you saw was me talking to myself."

"I...I see. Of course...but if I had seen something unusual..."

"No, Luna. You didn't see anything. Got it?" I growled. "I'm sorry, but you can't know. Searching won't do you any good. Some things aren't found unless they want to be or they find you. Some things...you just aren't meant to know. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a filly I need to talk to."

Approaching Sweet Apple Acres was...worrying. So much innocence lost. How could she have coped with all that knowledge locked up in her head? Could it have been avoided? Was Ruby at fault? I know I can't blame her. She's just a child. She's scared and lonely. Was it no one's fault? No. If it's anyone's fault it's the residents of that damn town. I recalled my own stay there. It's unnatural. It's not right.

Though Mitta...she seems to have taken her stand. It's about damn time, she was always different than the rest of them. I wish her luck.

I spotted the filly I'd come to talk to relaxing under a tree, just I'd sometimes find her sister doing.

"Apple Bloom." I breathed as I reached her.

"Oh! Hi, Mister Wesker!" Apple Bloom chirped, jumping up. "It was real scary tonight, huh? But I think everything's fine now!"

I looked at her sadly, kneeling down I looked her in the eyes, "Apple Bloom...I know you don't want to talk about this...but you have to."

She cocked her head, "What are you talking about?"

Damn it! Why's it got to be me to do this?! "...Sunny Town."

Her eyes filled with fear, "I...I don't know what you're talking about!"

I sighed, "Apple Bloom..." Damn it. This is getting me nowhere. I need to tell her the truth. "Apple Bloom. I've been to Sunny Town. I was trapped there once, like you." She stared at me. "But you got away quickly. You had help. I...didn't. I was stuck there for three hours, trying to avoid those Blanks and their Blood Hooves. But you don't have to worry! I had help from a friend and escaped. And that friend? He's protecting the forest making sure that something like that never happens again. I bottled it up like you are. I almost got killed because of it. Now, I'm sure that it won't be that bad for you, but...you need to talk about it. It doesn't have to be to your sister, or Twilight or Cheerilee. They won't understand. Not truly. But you can talk to me, Luna or you can go into the Everfree and just talk. My friend will be there, he always is, and he'll understand, he won't ask questions, he knows what happened...and I think he blames himself for not stopping you from entering that accursed place."

She stared at me for a moment before wrapping her hooves around me, "I WAS SO SCARED!!" She sobbed. "THEY WERE...THEY WERE..."

She just sobbed and sobbed as I stroked her head, tears running down my jacket. "There, there." I soothed. "It's okay. They're gone. They can't get you. You're safe."

Hours had passed since the hoard had retreated back into the Everfree and Ponyville had its ground soaked in blood. And me? I had gotten a few hours of sleep, however little it was. The hospital was crowded with the injured and the wounded. Most would make a full recovery. Some would have a significant injury for the rest of their life.

Forty six died.

They tell me that it could have been worse. That if I wasn't there it would have been worse.

But I should have done better.

Forty six dead. Forty five shouldn't have died.

Nine new orphans. Six foals lost a parent.

Damn it all. Damn it. DAMN IT!!!

The room the hospital had given me was pristine when I had gotten here.

It was now trashed. Another victim of my rage.

But no children had died.

Thank heavens for small mercies.

The scent of blood and death invaded my nose.

These ponies think they now know what war is.

No. They don't. If they did then they would know that was but a small skirmish.

Battles in war last for days and weeks, not mere hours.

...

I need some air.

The Everfree Forest was, ironically, free of the stench of the battle.

Could it have been avoided? Were they attracted by my presence? Was it my-

NO! DON'T THINK LIKE THAT!!!

I sighed and slumped to the ground. Maybe I should-

NO! I WON! IT IS NOT I SHOULD BEAR!!! I LED THEM INTO VICTORY!!! I SHOULD BE REJOICING!!!

But I am not.

"You always blame yourself. Haven't you learned by now?"

I sighed. Guardian's right. He always is. I stood up. "So many children with lost parents. So many innocent lives lost. All my fault."

"No." Guardian intoned, rising from the dirt. "It is not. Do not blame yourself." Before I could react several tendrils of dirt swarmed around my head. Memories of my years as stone floated to the surface of my mind. "So alone. The silence and loss of senses almost drove you insane." He sighed. "You are alone a no longer." My memories started playing before my eyes.

Me and Ritual laughing and drinking after destroying a squadron of Royal Guards. Talking to Zecora, both with a smile on our faces. Lazing around with Applejack in the peace of the orchad.Me and Ritual regailing each other with tales of our solo adventures. Scarab thanking me. The Battle of La Uniomoda, an army by my side. The sands of the lands of the Minotaur Tribes, sharing a meal with Tribe Steel. Sharing tales of battle and blood with the Minotaur warrior Skarlak Leopek. Helping Ensure the survival of the Changelings. "You will never be alone."

The town was, unsurprisingly, empty, save for a handful of souls mopping up blood and gore. Sighing I left the hospital behind me and began for the Everfree. I had to leave. The hunt will begin soon.

Although Rarity had held me up, insisting on repairing my clothes with a spell and making some firm, durable, straps for my weapons attached to my back. She...would regret that as soon as the news hit. Tch, whatever, it's not like I'm ever coming back here.

The Hunt begins soon, and upon that momentous occasion, the ground and sky will turn red with blood and righteous rage of the Monster that is me.

I shook my head, damn it, I don't need that poetic shit right now.

I headed towards the market, the main battleground last night. As I arrived I caught sight of Twilight helping with the cleanup.

"Oh, Wesker!" She smiled. But there was something hidden beneath her eyes. Self-loathing. Damn it, Purple.

"Purple, don't blame yourself." I said softly, stroking her head as I had done to Apple Bloom earlier.

She started crying. "But I...I...I KILLED!" She sobbed. "I'm a monster! I took five lives last night! How could I..." Tears soaked her fur.

"Twilight, you defended yourself. You didn't go out looking for them, it isn't your fault. They were already dead."

"But...but...they begged me to not do it!" What? Oh, fuck. She must have had to kill newly created Ghouls. I pitied her. New Ghouls still have their minds, but no control of their bodies, it's only after their mind is twisted and corrupted that control of the body is given back to them. So new Ghouls tend to beg for help. I can't let her know that, she'll see it as murder.

"Twilight...those beings can mimic voices and feelings, but they're really just dead inside. It may seem like they're alive, but they died long ago."

Her eyes brightened. "They...they weren't alive?"

I shook my head, "Not in the slightest." I lied.

After a few minutes of Twilight recollecting herself she smiled at me, "Thank you, Wesker. I...feel much better now."

I smiled, "Maybe I'll see you around, Purple. Some day. I'm leaving town, there's a whole world out there, I need to see it."

"WAIT!!!" A certain mint blur cried before it jerked to a stop in front of me.

I groaned, "What do you want?" I snarled at Lyra.

She rubbed the back of her head, "Uh...eheh...funny story actually. See..." I gave me a sheepish grin. "I kinda made you this for...well...the whole 'hands' thing." A smooth wooden hiking stick floated up to me, suspended in Lyra's magic.

Grabbing it out of the air I looked it over. Nice, solid wood, sanded down well, strong enough to take my weight and for usage on rough terrain. Overall, a good, personally made, piece of equipment. I let out a small smile, "Thanks." Turning on the spot I headed off towards the Everfree. "See you guys. Possibly."

Returning to the Mirror Pool cave I sat, grabbed my radio and sighed. Placing it back down I paced the room. What to take, what to take, what to take? I was about the punch a wall when I caught sight of a small bag with a large opening. "No. Freaking. Way." I muttered, picking it up. Is it...? Ha! It is! I grabbed some fallen straps from the floor and tied the pack to my side, opposite the daggers. Oh, this'll make things easier! I chuckled to myself. Ritual said she was going to make me another...but...I never really expected her to.

This was a small side-pack with a 'Bigger Inside' spell placed on it! I'd lost mine not long before I was stoned, but Ritual said she'd make me another, but I never thought she'd get around to it. I gave a soft smile, "Thanks, Ritual." I muttered.

Well, no time like the present! I opened the pack and smile as I saw a note inside. "Dear, fuckbucket." Yeah. That's her all right. "Seeing as you're back now, I thought you'd like to know about what spells this thing has on it. Let's see...besides from the Bigger Inside spell, there's also the...Preserving spell, No Wear No Tear spell and the Conversion spell. Good luck, Shithead!"

I grinned. "Oh, yeah. This I got."

Those other spells should make things easier. For one thing the No Wear No Tear spell made it so the bag would be almost impossible to damage, at the expense of being really stiff, so it couldn't be used on armour or clothing, and the Conversion spell, also know as the...uh, what was it, ah, the Junker spell, made it so I could scrap old junk and weapons I didn't like and, after scrapping the equivalent of something 10 times the size what I wanted, it'd appear in the bag. Unfortunately it's pretty much useless for weapons that aren't throwing items. Try for a sword, for example, and it'll snap on the first strike. Plus, food! Yeah, it makes no logical sense, scrap an old bow, get a chunk of Manticore meat! But I'm not going to complain. I doubt I'll use this much though, maybe after a battle to get more arrows if I get a bow, but probably not.

I stood just inside the Everfree Forest, I wouldn't be seen unless someone was looking for me but I could see the town, and sighed. Goodbye, hope. Goodbye, dreams. Goodbye, friendship. Goodbye, stable life. "Goodbye, friends." I whispered. "Goodbye...peace." I should have left, but I just stood there, adjusting the makeshift sheath on my back for Roxy and my new sword, staring at Ponyville.

I don't know how long I stood there, but I snapped out of reverie as a chariot landed...and she stepped out. I flinched away as her eyes swept over me for a split-second. Did she...?! ...No. She was just looking around in horror. She hates me. I can't ever go back. Give it a few hours and the whole town will despise me. And Zecora...well, she's the wild card. Maybe she will, maybe she won't. It doesn't matter. I'm never coming back.

...Though I wish I could.

I turned my back on the town, gripped my wooden hiking stick firmly and began my trek. My path. My life. No. Not even that. It's survival, not life. There's not going to be any happiness or joy where the path takes me, so I'll have to make due with what I have. I have to focus on what I do have, not what I've lost. Not what could have been.

I stared at the path in front of me, quivering slightly and I lifted a foot. The first step of a journey...is always the hardest. The foot came down. Then another. And another. And another.

I gave a sad smile and started humming as I walked.