“You are very well informed for someone who’s been cooped up inside of a cottage and hospital for nearly two weeks creature,” The shadow in front of me spoke in a condescending tone. It sounded like a guy had said it. Soon the shadow formed into a pegasus stallion. He was on the leaner side of the body scale but he still had quite an athletic build under his dark purple and black vest and pants that were accented with dark golden lightning bolts around the wrists of his gloves and ankles of his boots, and chest area. The dude had slicked up spiky dark blue hair and was wearing yellow lensed goggles over his eyes. From what I could see from what skin was exposed he had a fair complexion. A lightish tan like when you get just the right amount of sun from a day at the beach.

The other two were wearing the same getup but one was clearly a girl while the other guy was stacked up more than Cpt.Yami from Black Clover. The girl had the same color hair like the guy in front of me but she had like a bob cut and her skin tone was pale pink, as if she’d stayed inside all summer and played video games in the dark. As I mentioned before, the other guy was huge and muscle-bound all to hell. He had a dark tan skin tone with a blond buzz cut hairstyle. All three of these Shadowbolts were wearing the same dark purple and black outfits with dark golden lightning accents. They all also wore the same pair of dark yellow tinted goggles making it so you couldn’t see their eyes. They all had blackened feathery wings on their backs and their tails were black too.

“Eh, what else is there to do when cooped up but read and talk. My owl would bring my old books from I don’t know where and they held all sorts of cool and interesting tidbits on this land's history,” I shrugged. “Also, I believe formal introductions are in order as I have a name and it isn’t creature.”

“Very well,” The leader of the group from what I can guess by the way he presents himself. “We are the Shadowbolts. We are the black ops unit created by Princess Luna that is the equivalent to the Wonderbolts that answer to Princess Celestia. I am the leader of this outfit Cpt. Free Fall.”

“I am Nightingale as well as Free Fall’s twin sister,” she lifted her goggles to reveal a pair of piercing golden eyes. “The big guy is our muscle and a big softy for little fuzzy things,” Nightingale pointed at the big fellow playing with butterflies. “His name is Dark Haze.”

“My name’s Asta. Hmm.” I never really put much thought into a last name till now. I do remember my original last name thanks to being able to remember my brothers. “ Yea, the name’s Asta Ferris. Younger brother to Allen Ferris and older brother Garrett Ferris.” I clapped my hands together to get everyone’s attention on me. “Now that we know each other's names what do my overseers want?”

“How did you know we were following you?” Nightingale looked at me in a serious manner.

“A few things need to be said,” I glared back at the ponies. “One. I’ve known you’ve been watching me since I left the hospital because I sensed you in the room when I was talking to the princesses. Two. I’ve known about you because even the animals knew of your presence when you were nearby. Three. I’ve told the princesses that I want to live in peace and yet here you are spying on me.” I sat down on the ground and placed my head on my fist. “What is that you want from me?”

“First off, how is it that you knew that we’ve been following you? We’ve concealed ourselves in the shadows anytime we’ve been around you. We even dampened our magic to practically nothing. Not even the most sensitive of unicorns can detect us in this state,” Cpt Free Fall looked at me with wariness in his eyes behind his goggles. The big fellow was watching me but while trying to get Nero to come to him.

“I’m not telling you how I sensed you,” I crossed my arms. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told the last guards. If the princesses want to talk I‘m for it, but they further prove my point of distrusting them by having you watching me.”

“So, you’re saying that you’re willing to at least speak with the princess?” Nightingale gestured.

“Yes, I am, “I got back up. “But it will be on my time and on my terms.” I leaned back against the tree behind me. “I meet with them the next time the Elements of Harmony are summoned to the capital.”

“You… Bastard… You take the Element of Harmony as hostages!” Nightingale yelled at me in anger. I quickly moved behind her and grabbed her by the wrist and twisted it behind her.

“Don’t you ever say that again.” She moved her head back to look me in the eye only to meet an angry glare. “The Elements are my friends and I will never use my friends as a shield. They are the only ones other than the animals I care for that I trust completely in this world.”

“Release my sister now!” Free Fall started to step toward us but was stopped by a giant hand suddenly placed on his chest. He looked over to the other Shadowbolt,” Haze?”

Haze slightly shook his head from the side. With his other hand, he pulled his goggles up to reveal his ice blue eyes. “If he really wanted to hurt Night he would have done so immediately following his move to get behind her.”

“So, the princesses fears are confirmed,” Free Fall gritted his teeth.

I released his sister and leaned back on my cane. The sudden quick step put more strain on my leg then I thought it would. I think my time limit has shortened from four hours to either three and a half or three hours at the minimum if I have to fight them.

“Look I’m more than willing to see your princesses but I’m not going to them now. I want to live here peacefully. Should my friends need me I’m more than willing to help them. If the princesses need help and I’m asked to help then I can’t turn that down either,” I released Nightingale and she jumped at the chance to get next to her comrades' sides. She readied herself for a chance at a fight.

“Haze. Night. Keep your guard up. This guy is no joke. The princesses were right about him,” Free Fall murmured to his companions. “Night,” he looked to his sister. “Me and you will turn into shadows and charge him from behind. He’ll sense us and be distracted,” His head turned slightly to Haze. “Then you came in and land one of those signature punches to his face and knock him out. Then we take him to the Princesses.”

“Princess Luna said not to engage unless he got hostile,” Haze shot a serious glance back at Free Fall who looked at me in anger.

“He did get hostile towards my sister,” Free Fall growled as he and Nightingale readied themselves to dive into the shadows.

“Very well but if the Princess asks I will tell her the events that unfolded as they have happened,” Haze firmly stated as he lowered his goggles and took up a tackling stance.

“The blame is on me Haze,” Free Fall growled through his teeth. “Besides, he came after us by calling us out into the open.”

I could feel his ki becoming agitated and directed at me. He wasn’t wrong to be made at me though and he was right. I had also technically assaulted his sister and the would make any brother angry.

“That may be Free Fall but look at where he brought us to,” Haze mentioned cautiously. “The middle of the Everfree where no pony can see us much less stumble in and get hurt if a battle were to ensue. Not to mention he has limited our flying to nothing more than a short burst of speed. The only advantage we have is our Shadow Movement Skills and our numbers.”

“Ke, always the level headed one. I still don’t know why you’re not the captain?” Free Fall smirked as he’d calmed back down from the big guy’s word.

‘He’s the one to look out for the most. Strength and experience all in one.’

“I hate titles and you know. The usual start?” Haze questioned.

“Yep,” Free Fall confirmed.

“Got your back bro,” Nightingale smirked.

Suddenly Nightingale and Free Fall turned in to shadow and disappeared into the forest. Haze charged at me and pulled his massive arm back making a fist. Just before he thrust his punch straight at me Free Fall and Nightingale came straight down from above in a combo-heel kick. I used the cane in my right hand holding above my head to block the twins' attack while I blocked Haze’s punch with my left forearm. I immediately retaliated and threw the twins off with a thrust on backward with the cane. I whirled around and land my own heel into the ribs of Free Fall and sent him and his sister flying into the trunk of a tree. Haze staggered back trying to get his footing. I looked at the brother and sister as they staggered to their feet. Free Fall holding his side. I’m pretty sure a cracked a couple of ribs with the blow. “You two are very skilled but Rainbow Dash can still kick your asses on her worst day.”

Haze looked at me. “You truly are a skilled fighter to be able to take on three attackers like that at once and then counter so well.” He smiled as if he’d actually enjoyed that.

‘I get the type of person you are now Haze.’

“You're one of those types that been around for a while,” I smirked at the big guy. “I’m guessing you’re far older than you appear. You look for strong people to test yourself against but at the same time you go through life while enjoying living it your own way.”

“It’s true I’m older than most ponies,” Haze readied himself with a stance I read about in one of the books Nero had brought me. “Normally ponies can’t live past a hundred years old unless they’re unicorns and even they must be extremely powerful to do so. I and the others here belong to a group of ponies that have gained the lost ability to tap into our ancestral magic,” He charged at me and began to unload a barrage of blows at me. “Thus, I have gained an extended life span.”

Haze was extremely fast for such a large guy and judging from his first blow, he’s much stronger than Applejack. I was staying on the defensive and either dodging or blocking his attacks. I felt him start to let up from having to catch his breath. l concentrate on my breathing and increase my heart rate pumping my blood through my body reeling my arm back I thrust it forward into Haze’s chest area but he managed to bring his arms up crossing them to block my attack.

*CYUCK*

I heard Haze coughing a bit. He was spitting up blood.

“That was quite the blow. It was a form I’ve never seen before,” Haze wipe his mouth. “I'm going to go out on a limb and say you not a traditional fighter and have no single Discipline or Path you specifically follow,” He cracked his neck and back. “But your ability to quickly learn and mix is what gives you an edge in everything you do. From what was seen in the park you have several styles you can fall back on.”

“Is this gonna keep up like at the park? Cause if it is, it’s not gonna end the same way this time.” I scowled at the huge pegasus.

“I wish we would’ve stepped in before that private charged forward,” Haze looked down in disappointment. “If we had things wouldn’t be how the are now. Perhaps we could’ve met in the arena for a real match and learned from one another. I could tell you were doing all you could to hold back your strength in the park.”

“Yes, well, at the time I didn’t have a grasp of how strong I was and I didn’t want to truly hurt anyone,” I scratched the back of my head.

“I understand this and that is why you dawned those gauntlets,” Haze looked to me and then to his comrades in concern. “But you don’t wear them now. Why? Are they not to limit your output of power. I can tell from the one blow you a so much stronger than you let on. If I hadn’t blocked I’d be fading into the unconscious world that my Mistress's rules.”

“The gauntlets allowed me to defend myself from my opponents' weapons while also giving me the option of defending myself with my fist at the time," I explained. “If I were to wear them now then I would only put you and the other in danger. Like my other weapons, they’re made to channel my anti-magic and in turn, they’d cancel out your own magic that strengthens you.”

Haze and the others face told me they were in utter shock. ”I now see why the Princesses were so concerned from the very start. And now I truly wish to face you, Asta Ferris, for that very reason. You are probably the most powerful being in all of Equestria in terms of pure physical power. You’re most likely even stronger than even the Minotaur King”

“But it spawns the question,” Nightingale looked at me as she supported her brother. “How did you gain control over your strength in such a short time? We’ve been watching you from the time you were in the park to now and we saw you barely do any training at all,” she yelled throwing her hand out to the side.

“Gale is right,” Free Fall called out in a strained yell. “How could you have gained such control over your monstrous strength when even you yourself have barely had time to train? You’ve said that you didn’t even have the best control or know how at the time but now you do. How?"

“There is more than just your ideas of training, Free Fall.” Haze interrupted. “His time in the hospital. His mind was inside his Grimoire. I’m guessing it allowed you to train in a manner similar to realistic imagery training.”

“I just know I trained in my book with stuff that felt real to me,” I brought my cane up and dropped it behind me taking up an offensive stance I took in a deep breath and concentrated once more speeding up my heart and blood flow. I charged forward at Haze and laid in my own barrage of palm thrust and kicks trying to keep him on the defensive but he still got several good hits back in. I tried to keep the use of my left leg to a minimum but found it very difficult to do so. The other two Shadowbolts weren’t even on my radar as I no longer considered them a threat and that was a big mistake on my part.

“Gale while Haze has him distracted,” Free Fall winced from the pain of his cracked ribs. “I’ve got enough fight left in me to do a combo spell with you.”

“Are you Free Fall? He landed a solid kick to your side. I know I heard at two of your ribs crack,” Nightingale looked at her brother with worry. He only nodded in agreement. It would be long before he’d circum to the pain and pass out. “Alright, let’s use the Dark Tornado.”

“Our signature,” Free Fall broke off from his sister and threw his hands out to the left while Nightingale did the opposite and threw her hands out to the right mirroring her twin brother. A dark wind started to gather and swirl between the two pegasi. The wind spun and twisted faster and faster until the twin had created a massive shadowy twister between the two of them.

“Haze move!” Nightingale yelled out frantically. The larger pegasus quickly flexes his wing shooting back. I saw the massive tornado the twins had made. “DARK TORNADO!” They called out and the spiral of death came straight for me. I didn’t have time to bring out a sword but I ran straight at the storm and I kicked up my cane along the way. I held the cane in my left hand and drew the hidden blade from its sheath with my right. I held the cane up to the tornado and concentrated on my anti-magic causing the blade to emitted the black aura until it was completely covered in the anti-magic. I raised my weapon above my left shoulder and swung it hard.

“BLACK CRESCENT!” I sent a crescent slash into the tornado dispelling it into nothing. The twins looked at me in disbelief. I walked over to them resheathing my sword back into its cane. I stood over them. “Nice try but no dice.” I then land two blows directly into their guts at the same time effectively knocking them unconscious.

Haze flew over to me and his comrades. “Stupid kids. I’ll have to take them to the doctor and get their wounds treated. I’ll give a formal report on this to Princess Luna and no doubt she’ll tell her sister.” He picked up the twins. “If the circumstances had been better it would have been much more pleasant meeting Asta. I’ve been meaning to ask. What is someone with your powers called in your world?”

“Technically, I’d be called a Magic Knight,” I said sternly hold out my hand. Haze took my hand and shook it. “It has been a pleasure to meet you Shadowbolt Dark Haze. You have my respect as a Fighter and my trust as a pony. Tell Princess Luna that I will meet with the Princess next time the Elements are in Canterlot, You wouldn’t happen to know when that would be would you?”

Haze let go of my hand. “The princesses were going to have the Elements of Harmony return to Canterlot in the next two weeks after this week. I don’t know why.”

“Thanks and let’s have an official match next time,” I smiled as he nodded in agreement before flying off to the hospital and out of site. ” I then sensed a nearby ki that I’d never sensed before. “Great, more spies,” I murmured as I headed in the direction I’d sensed the ki in. “I think Fluttershy will kill me before I even get the chance to ask her out.” I walked on.

Nero flew from where she’d been hiding and landed on my shoulder. She looked at me concerned from the battle.

“Hoo?’

“I’m fine, just have a twinge in my leg. Put more strain on then I would have like-” A surge of searing pain shot through my left leg and I hit the ground hard. “YAHHH!”

I clutched my leg in pain as I laid on the ground waiting on the pain to subside. Eventually, it died down enough to where I was able to crawl over to my cane. Unfortunately, it was starting to get dark and there was no way I was making it back to the cottage before the sun was completely set. I notice the ki from earlier was moving in this direction. Maybe they’d be willing to help me, even if I did just kick their co-workers’ butts. I could manage to walk on my own so I propped myself up against the nearest tree and decided to wait.

“I hope nothing comes along that wants to eat me,” As I said this I heard howls off in the distance. “Great?”

Hoo. Hoo.

“Be my guest,” I sighed. “At this point, I ‘d welcome even the Princesses’ help to get out of here.”

“Feels good to be out of the book. As much as I like tormenting your demon,” I saw Dissy appear. “I do wish I could help you my dear boy but I’m more or less a ghost without my physical form.

Nero flew off to find the nearby pony or whatever it was for help. Me and my stubbornness. I’ve never been one to ask for help unless I had to but I know when I need to. I’m not as bad about it as my older brother who never asks for help and takes everything on himself.

“Oh, company will be here soon. I’ll see you later Asta. I’m going out to see the world. Keep an eye out for someone dear to me please,” Discord looked at me with a look of concern and trust. I nodded and he flew away.

"Gonna miss ya, buddy." 'Wait, someone dear to him?’ I thought on this while I waited for Nero come back.

Soon Nero flew back follow by someone in a brown hooded cloak.

“Hello there. Out in the forest for a stroll and fresh air,” The cloaked figure giggled as it spoke in a rhyme theme. It sounds like she. ‘Wait, wasn’t there a pony that lived here in the forest?’

“Your little friend brought me here as she said you were in need of assistance,” She held out her hand. We turned our heads to hear more howling. “I would say I got here just in time, give the circumstance.”

“If you could stop the rhyming, please?” I rolled my eyes. “I just fought the elite pegasi and now my earlier wounds are acting up. I’m in too much pain to deal with minor annoyance right now. Very sorry about the rudeness.”

“It’s quite alright,” She pulled me up while I tried my best to mask my pain by gritting my teeth. She pulled my left arm behind her neck while Nero brought me my cane. I then recognized the woman as the ki I’d sensed earlier. “My name is Zecora. I am a Zebrican Shaman and I call this forest my home. I moved here for access to all of the rare plants and herbs that grow here.”

“Name’s Asta Ferris the Wandering Magic Knight,” I smirked as we moved along a pathway. Nero following in from tree to tree. “Ironic name as I can’t wield magic at all.”

“So you are one I sensed in the forest those many days ago,” Zecora looked at me with intrigue.

I sensed I familiar ki from above us. “Hang on,” She looked at me as I reeled back and flung my cane hit a low floating cloud dispersing it. With a hard thud, a small multicolored blur hit the ground.

“OW! Who’s the wise guy?” Rainbow Dash shot to her feet looking around frantically for her gaze to rest on me and Zecora. “Asta and Zecora? What the hell man?”

“Sorry Dash but this was a convenient opportunity. I need you to go to Fluttershy and tell her I’m with Zecora and I’ll be staying with her for the night as I can’t make it back due to overexerting my leg,” I explained as Nero brought me the cane again to her annoyment.

“Oooookay,” Dash looked at me raising her eyebrow. “Why is your leg messed up again?”

“Had a big fight with the Shadowbolts alright,” I huffed as we started to move again.

“Woah, woah, woah! Hold up for a sec. You… “ She pointed at me as we walked and she flew alongside. “fought the Shadowbolts Princess Luna’s Elite team, that are on par with the Wonderbolts.”

“That is what he just said. Now we must go or to the Timberwolves we will be fed,” Zecora interjected.

“Alright Asta that settles it. You’re going to have to teach me some of your moves. I mean the Shadowbolts. Facing them makes you almost as cool as me,” Dash thumped herself on the chest.

“Alright. You can join in with Spike when I feeling better. Now, just go tell Fluttershy what went on so she doesn’t flip out,” I shewed the pegasus away.

“Fine,” Dash huffed. “You better ask her out when you get back,” she pointed at me with a smirk. I only went red as she laughed flying off.

“You are in pursuit of dear Fluttershy's heart, are you,?” Zecora smirked snidely.

“Yea yea rub it in. You do have a potion for fixing the nervous system in my leg right?” I asked half-heartedly trying to turning any redder.

“That I do but as most say. You will be in for a long night,” Zecora remarked as we trudged on.

“Great and then I’ll have an angry and worried Pegasus in the morning to deal with. But, I’ll deal with it if I can ask her out and have my leg back without the pain,” I huffed as we went on to Zecora’s hut.

Next Chapter: Warm Welcome and a Bathroom Estimated time remaining: 47 Hours, 5 Minutes