It had been a few days since the diamond dog den and we had learnt quite a bit about each other during that time. I learned the reason why Fenrir had been imprisoned down in that cell a mile below the ground. Apparently the gods were afraid of a prophecy that described that he would swallow Odin whole.  My thoughts kept me occupied while we traveled along the rolling landscape, closing in on Stalliongard. The wind whistled in my ears as I rode Fenrir. The sound as gravel landed after being dug up by Fenrir's paws as he kept up his moderate pace. A few song birds flew beside us on our journey. The river the path ran along glittered with the reflections of sun light.

I decided to end our silence, "Fenrir may I ask you something?"

"What is it Celt?" He replied unwavered by my distraction.

"Do you feel any hate towards the gods that locked you up in that prison?"

"I feel no scorn toward them imprisoning me, they had just cause to fear me being free to roam. I do however hold anger for the manner in which the trapped me."

I shift my gaze from the scenery to him, "What do you mean?"

"They tricked me, no honor or valiant fighting jus  the deceit of the gods."

"Last time I checked your father was the god of tricksters...."

"He is a coward that has no honor. How would you say it? He is a giant asshole?"

I chuckle, "Yah that sounds about right."

A moment passes before Fenrir breaks the peaceful tune of nature, "Celt may I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why do you want to get your old arm back? Why not keep the mechanical arm my father gave you?"

"It's kind of hard to explain Fenrir," I take a moment to collect my thoughts, "I already told you I lost my arm when I was young, well back then I was too young to appreciate what I had. It’s not exactly me not wanting this mech arm but more to feel what it’s like to have both of my naturel arms again, to know what things feel with both hands."

"I see, it is like the old saying. You never know what you have until it's gone."

"Exactly Fenrir, you hit the nail on the head."

Fenrir continued our journey, striding across the path. Several moments past and the breadth of the river slowly increased until it split in two separate streams around a large island. Birds flew over the island occasionally landing on the large watch towers on the wall of the city. Moss and vines encrusted the grand stone wall like snakes slithering across the stone surface. Guards watch stone faced in the towers ready to stop any violence in the city and out of it in an instants notice. We continued down the dirt path until we came across a large stone bridge leading to the island city. Stone rails on the bridge to stop any ponies from falling into the water bellow rose about 1 a foot or so high. Large black pole that hold flickering lights were spread across the bridge. Loose stones were pulled out of their homes as Fenrir's claws dug into the path. We came to a gateway with guards checking every passerby.

A guard walked up to me, "Sir, you are not allowed to enter the city with your pet," The guard flinches as Fenrir growls, " unless you muzzle him and pay a 'fee'."

"If you dare put a muzzle on me, I swear by the gods I will spade and neuter you." I turn toward Fenrir, to see the seriousness on his face. Better save the guard before Fenrir eats him."

"Does the exit on the other side of the city lead toward the Great Southern Rainforest?"

"Yes it does."

"Fenrir walk around the island to the other exit, I'll meet you there after I deal with some 'business'"

"Fine." Fenrir begins to march off.

"Sir, we also need to check you for weapons. Don't worry we will give them back after your visit."

"Fine be quick about it." The guard begins to pat me down to check for any weapons. He stops and pulls out my crossbow.

"It doesn't have any strings, it is completely harmless."

"Fine, I'll let it pass for a fee."

My eyebrow arches, "You want a bribe?"  

"Yes, you don't have to give me one but if you want your weapon to come with you in the city you'll have to."

I pull out my coin bag or should I say Twilight's coin bag, "What's the fee?"

"Hmm the whole bag should be fine." He reaches his hoof to take the bag before I stop him.

"You  can have 20 bits, it isn't negotiable."

"Who are you to make demands? I am a guard, I am the fucking law here!"

He shrinks down as I stare down at his pathetic life, "I am a guy who can break every bone in your body just as easy as snapping a twig in half." The guard nearly wet himself from the tone I used.

"T-t-t-t-twenty bits is fine," He chuckles nervously as I hand him a few bits," go right on in sir...."

"Come try that shit again when your balls drop."

I walk inside of the city, there were no large stone towers or fancy designer shops. The entire city was similar to the industrial district only without the grand factories and mechanical wonders. The stones that made the paths and streets of Stalliongard were mismatched and broken. Small pebbles bounced around to the stomping of hooves and rolling of carts. Bars littered the streets, each with its own variety of patrons that came in short and small, thin and wide, male and female. Each patron yelling and cheering even though the sun was still high in the sky. Must be one of those places that's motto is "its five o’clock somewhere." I continued down the street looking for something important that I needed. The medieval feel of the town was evident as I walked by the buildings made of stone and timber. I surveyed the area in hopes to find the one thing I needed. I spotted the thing I was so desperate for and made a mad dash for it, another pony had the same idea and galloped towards it. We both closed in, each of us desperate for it. We both reached it at the same time, he looked up at me with determination in his eyes.

"Sorry buddy but you must be this tall to enter." I raised my hand over his head. "So instead you can have a free flying lesson. Unfortunately I teach via experience.

I grab him by the back of the neck and lift him high. I walk out of canopy, the sun blazed down on. I look around for a good target to hit with pony. I stop searching and aim towards a bar a distance away. I pulled my arm back, placing my legs in a stable position. I shoot my hand forward causing swooshing noise as the stallion flew through the sky. I turned as the poor stallion flew into the bar causing a ruckus among the patrons as he crashed onto a table. I opened the door to building, shutting it behind it.

A few moments pass before I exit the building released and refreshed. "God it's been like a week since I last took a dump? Christ."

The wind whistled as it was being cut. I look forward in time to see a scythe heading toward me. I jump to the side, landing against a support beam making it creak. I stare at the scythe now firmly planted in the door.  The scythe was double bladed, the shaft was about 5 or 6 feet long. The entirety of the shaft was black, the black covered the blades for the most parts. The edge of the blade had worn the color of the blade making uneven coloring between the silver colors of the edge.

"You aren't supposed to dodge the damn scythe." Exclaimed in rough gravelly voice.

I look over toward the source of the voice. A griffin walked over and started to pull on the shaft of the scythe. The griffin stood about as tall as me maybe a little shorter. His feather were unorganized and ruffled from the large leather band that most likely was to hold his scythe when not in combat.. His face was much more aged then Griffin's was but still had the same shape. A small scar went along his beak and his eyes felt almost hallow. He yanked the scythe out of the wall and turned to face me. He stared at me with cold dead eyes, like a butcher looking at his new fresh venison to chop up.

"Your Celt the Bugbear?" I stand up and prepare to face my new foe. He turns his head to the side and spits, "I've seen scarier things in my bathroom. Ponies always over exaggerate this kind of shit."

He cut the air as began to twirl the large double ended scythe with one of his hands. The blades reflected the light hitting them giving the appearance that his weapon was glowing with divine power. He stopped the spin and launched forward screaming.  A moment passed before I could raise my arm in time to stop the blade from taking my arm off. The force of the blow pushed me back piling up some dirt behind my feet.  Slowly a bemused smile formed on his face. What's he so happy about? He quickly pulls the blade away from my arm sending the other side of the pole upward hitting me in my jewels. A low baritone moan escapes from my mouth as I cup my jewels in pain. The griffin thrusts his leg up into my jaw knocking my backwards against the support beam. I gaze at the griffin standing so confident with a smug smile.

"This will be easy money, I've fought small frys stronger than you with a eighth of your bounty."

"Oh yah? Well I guess I better step it up then."

"I guess you do." He returned to his stance.

The support creaks as I lift myself off of it and stand. My blade swing out its hidden sheath ready to take another life. We both charge letting out our howls of combat.  He swings low in an attempt to take out my legs. I stop just time and begin to use the pole at a straight to him. I duck downward and strike at his legs, before my arm could make contact he jumps in the air and flies. He comes down with his blade acting like a guillotine. I roll out of the way of the blade. I recover from the roll and prepare to fight again. Pebbles falls off the blade of his scythe as he wrenched it from the ground. I can't beat him up close. I'll have to use my crossbow but at the speed he moves I'd never get the chance.

"You know, it's considered honorable to give the one you’re about to kill your name. My name is Maelstrom."

I spit on the ground, "Mine is Celt."

He smirks and twists the pole section of his scythe. What's he doing? I pull the two ends apart revealing a chain that connects one end of the scythe to the other. Oh fuck! That's a Kama! He pulls the two ends making the chain go straight. The wind screeched as the kama flew through the air while Maelstrom charged. I lift my arm to block the blade forgetting about the other end. He pulls the kama back into his hand and uses both in a swing. I sidestep to avoid major damage but he slashes my side, drawing blood. I hold my side to try and stop a bit of the pain.

"You may think your tough, but you’re really just an inexperienced kid." I stare at Maelstrom cursing him.

"You’re almost not worth the money. In fact if you didn't have such a high bounty I wouldn't even bother with you."

A low growl emanates from my mouth. I stood up straight and pulled my crossbow out of its holster.

"Ah that must be Spellslinger, huh I expect more..."

"IGNIS!" The bolt appears releasing its heat while I aimed.

The twang noise as the string stopped sending the bolt flying echoed around the town. A small cone formed around the bolt, creating small amounts of steam when cold air met the bolt's fiery power. Bolt met Maelstrom’s kama but it did not melt through the metal, it simply moved along the edge as he deflected the bolt to the side. The bolt turned and smashed against a cart creating a torrent of flame.

"Much more." He pushed forward.

His wings unfurled, during his run. Each beat of the wings pushed him further, faster. He brought his kama down against my arm. The power of the strike caused me to sink into the dirt. Eventually the force blew me back. He slowly walked up to me reattaching his kama together. Shit shit shit shit! What do I do?!?! He is going to kill me! I pull my crossbow out as I laid down on the ground. I softly whisper the words that I needed, i grab the bolt as it appears and hide it in my palm.

"Any last words?"

"Yes, please take this to Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville." I hold the bolt out to him.

He bends forward inspecting the object, "What is it?"

"Nothing much," I crush the bolt, "JUST A SMOKE SCREEN!" I shout as the steam explodes sending Maelstrom backwards.

I use my hands to gain my balance as I begin to sprint from the fight. I dodged and sidestepped out of the way of oncoming traffic, slowly making progress towards the gate where Fenrir was waiting. I look behind me to see several guards. Why the fuck are they fallowing me? I take a moment to think. Oh yah the bounty thing.... I take a sharp turn causing most of the guards to fumble as they collided trying to turn. I close in on the gate while more guards from the gate charge toward me.

I grab the first guard's head use it a as a stepping stone to jump over some guards. My side bled as I landed but I pushed forward, toward my escape. More guards charged me, I dodged and weaved past them careful to not allow them to hit my wounds.

"Fenrir you furry bastard get over here!"

Rocks jumped as Fenrir dashed toward me. He stopped in front of me and released a low growl at the guards making them back away a little. I climb on to Fenrir's back careful not to bleed on his fur. Fenrir turned and began taking long strides, easily out running all the ponies. After we were clear from danger, I took a large cloth from my bag and wrapped it around my wound. I guess watching all those survival shows wasn't a waste of time. Soon we set off toward the Great Southern Rainforest and my next ingredient.

A/N The bathroom scene was specificly for Father Night's tumblr question. Your welcome. If you don't know what we are talking about go here! Next Chapter: Being Snipers (16) Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 22 Minutes