Several of the guards came at me with the spears pointed straight at my stomach. I sidestepped and turned, allowing them to continue on their path. The spears went straight passed my back and I raised both of my arms up slightly and once the tips were a safe distance from my body I brought my arms down catching the spears by their shafts in-between my arms and my back, Al it was a little bit of pressure from yours truly and.

SNAP!

The spears of have the guards laid on the ground in pieces. I smirked at the commander but a didn’t realize he’d charged his crystal horn with magic. He shot a beam of magic at me hit me in the shoulder knocking me down. Man, it hurt like hell. Have to remember there are still a lot of these guys and I can’t get distracted by a few well-timed moves and luck shots.

I jumped to my feet and rubbed the spot on my right shoulder where the bastard shot me. I then turned my gaze on the commander. I glared at him and he started to shake.

“Geez, dude. That really hurt man,” I looked at my shoulder. My shirt and cape had a huge burn hole in it. “Come on. Do you realize this is my only set of clothes.”

“But how are you still moving? That Stun Spell can bring down a fulling grown Manticore,” He started to back up.

“My gauntlets, numbnuts. They’re made from my anti-magic which negates and or nullifies anything magical or magic related from spells to even the most powerful of curses,” I cracked my knuckles. “I needed them as a handicap so I didn’t go overboard with my raw strength and accidentally one punch you and your men to death. But it also means as long as I’m wearing them your spells won’t affect me at all”

“Anti-magic, but that’s only ever been theorized,” he said as he looked like he was about to wet himself. “Guard no holding back kill this thing before it has a chance to hurt any pony.”

I readied myself for a brawl talking up my stance. I’d have to use a softer technique thanks to these gauntlets due to them canceling out those guys’ protection spells on their armor and a closed fist so they won’t be hit with as much force. Here they come.

‘I’ll be gentle guys but I can’t guarantee you won’t go home without a missing tooth or broken nose.’

Asta was fighting the guards. I could tell he really didn’t want to fight but at the same time, he was letting off a little bit of anger. The guards though, they were honestly trying to kill him. I could tell even if the spells that hit him didn’t affect in the way they were supposed to he was still taking the full brunt of the physical damage from them. I came over here because Asta told me to and to check on Rainbow. I can see now why. Dash has pretty much recovered from passing out and was watching Asta fight the guards. She was amazed at how he could fight with nothing but his fist and a pair of armored gloves. Not to mention Me and everyone else. But this was getting out of hand. The guards went supposed to kill Asta just bring him to the princesses. I looked at Twilight and Spike then got an idea that we should have thought of and done first thing.

“Spike!” He looked at me. “We need to send a letter to the Princesses telling them to come here immediately. Tell them it’s about the guards and the creature they want to talk to.”

“But why?” He tilted his head at me.

“Spike, Why else?” Twilight pointed to the fight. “Just do what she said,” She caught on to my idea. She wrote out a letter to the Princess and gave it to Spike. He let it on fire with some of his green flames and it was gone.

‘I hope we don’t just cause more trouble by having the Princesses show up.’

I sitting in my room recovering from the events of last night and this morning. I should’ve listened to Luna more carefully about the creature but I let my fears and anxieties run rampant in my mind. I never even thought to ask the creature for its name before it took young Fluttershy into her cottage. The animals wouldn’t even let me or my sister get close to the house. I fear we may have ruined any chance of earning this creature’s friendship after what happened with Fluttershy.

It looked exactly like a pony and the way it spoke. It even understood and spoke Equestrian. It sounded male from the gruffness of its voice. I also remember it saying something about someone called Nero and there was that strange owl with him. He seemed to be able to understand the animals as well. They way the backed him, it could be they were just defending Fluttershy though. I wasn’t worried about Fluttershy as the Sleep Spell Luna and I used would only last for a day at most.

Then, there was the creature’s large sword. For something to have the weapon he had. A magic draining weapon like that could truly spell the end for all creatures on this world. But, the way he just stabbed it into the ground in front of us and left it. Saying we could have it if we left him alone. I truly think he is a kind being but there are things he didn’t tell us. Nevertheless, Luna and I tried to do as he requested and take the sword but we couldn’t. Every attempt, we failed, we simply could not touch the sword without it draining our magic ley alone lift it from the ground. That weapon, it has the potential to kill the wielder or any being that has magic, simply by touch it. The can will kill anyone by completely draining them of their magic. This was why Luna and I had to leave it behind and why we were in such sorry states at the moment. The sword had nearly sucked us dry of all our magic in a manner of a couple of hours. Any longer and we would’ve been husks on the ground.

When we arrived back at the castle I began to think on how that creature could hold and swing the sword so easily. It was as if he wasn’t affected by the sword’s ability at all but that was impossible unless he’d didn’t have magic at all. Then it came to me. He didn’t actually have magic. As soon as I had enough strength back I sent word to some guards and sent them to Ponyville to talk with the creature to come to the place and see Luna and myself. After that, I went to the Library and gathered as much reading material I could on beings of any kind that didn’t have magic as well as magic absorbing weapons and I started reading and researching to see if I could find anything that would explain the creature and or the sword.

I must’ve dozed off because in the next moment I was awoken with a puff of smoke and then hit in the face with scroll.

‘Twilight sent me a letter. She must be writing to tell me about the creature that she made friends with,’ I thought as I unfurled the scroll. “Perhaps we can still learn of him through her.’

My heart immediately sank as I saw what was written on the scroll.

Come now! Your guards are engaged with the creature that you wished to speak with!

I immediately teleported over to Luna room.
She was asleep but flew up drawing a dagger she kept under her pillow for protection.

“Sister?! What’s going on on? “ Luna looked at me before returning her dagger to its place. “I thought we were going to both take the day to rest. Did something happen?”

“Get dressed in something. And hurry, “I frantically pulled the blanket off only to cover my eyes with my hand. “Luna what have told you about sleeping in completely undressed. What if one of the castle staff walked in on you.”

“What is much more comfortable sleeping like this,” she went to her closet and threw on an everyday gown. “Now, what is so important that you just teleport in here?”

“You're ready?” I asked in a hurry as I focused my magic. “I’m teleporting us down to Ponyville.”

Pop!

I was doing my best not to really hurt these ponies but they were making extremely hard on me. They kept coming at me with the swords full force. I’d already broken the rest of the spear. I used the forearm of my gauntlets to block three incoming swords. The weapons weren’t the issue here but the magical blasts were. They were starting to figure out that even if the spells that hit me didn’t have any of the effects that they were supposed to that they still dealt damage to my body. I was then hit from behind by several blasts of magic all at once that sent me flying.

“RAH!” I was in the air and my back burned like hell. I landed on my face and got to the guards’ shock. My gauntlets we good for blocking head-on attacks but when it came to multiple long-ranged attacks from multiple attackers I was at a total loss. If it wasn’t for Asta’s monster will power, strength, and endurance I would've thrown in the towel after five minutes. That being said the guards aren’t really good but just skilled enough to be competent. They were like ants. Not all that of a threatening individually but once they came in mass they start to get dangerous.

“You guys are getting on…”I cracked my knuckles then grabbed my shirt and ripped it off. ‘No sense in wearing on the front of something.’ My body was covered in scars from my stunts. The guards got a good look and winced at what the saw. “my … “ I raised my fists up in front of my face take up a boxing stance this time. “My nervous”

I ran at the ass hats in full on fighter mode. I was going to crack some skull. Magic blasts came at me from all sides. I went left then right zigzagging from side to side while still moving forward. Making my way to the nearest guard, he was a pegasus, I grabbed his blade before he could react I snapped the weapon in two with my hand and landed a right jab to his gut with my knee. As he bent over grabbing his stomach I buried my right elbow in the back of his skull knocking him out. Another guard charged me and I spun around landing a foot to the side of his head sent him into three other that then toppled to the ground, Most of the enchantment on these guys’ armors were already dispelled thank to making contact with me gauntlets but it was still metal armor. It did a pretty good job of protecting the guys but at this point, most of their suits were starting to dent from me repeated strikes and blows. Left and right back and forth I dodged swords then blasts landed a punch in this guy face then sent the other guy flying with a kick. The commander was sitting in the back and letting all his soldier do the work. Whenever he saw on open he took it. I’d been lucky enough so far to block most of his shots on me but I was starting to run out of steam. I felt a sudden sharp pains in my lower leg. I looked down to see several of the spearheads embedded in my lower left leg. The bastard must’ve used his magic on these to turn them into arrows. I had to end this soon or I’d die of blood loss. I pushed through the pain and fought on.

I saw Nero had started to attack the commander. She was trying to take his crystal horn. Two guards on both sides of me charged. I flip-jumped up with my right leg and grabbed onto their helmets and slammed them both into the ground as I came back down. I looked over at the commander and Nero was on the ground unconscious. If I was annoyed before, I was pissed now. I made my way to the commander starting in a slow walk. My adrenaline was pumping causing me to ignore my leg. Two guards ran at me with swords drawn. I punched them of both in their faces through the sword. I started to pick up my pace. Another guard and I backhanded him away. No guards left to protect the prick I had my sights on. I was now running at the bastard while he shot beams of magic at me. One by one I knocked them away using my gauntlets until I was standing above the shaking commander who was trembling on the ground after he’d tripped over his own feet.

I reached down and picked the bastard up by his collar lifting him up well above my head. “You hurt my friend,” I said through my teeth as I glare at the shaking pony. “I should hurt you back but I won’t. Cause then I’m not better than you.”

I tossed him off to the sided and went to Nero. Her feathers were a little singed but she seemed fine otherwise. I heard the commander coming at before I could pick her up.

“You won’t look down on me and I won’t let you have Equestria monster!” The commander yelled at me. I turned expecting a blast of magic but instead He’d charged me with a large dagger. He plunged the dagger straight into the side of my gut. I grimaced at the site clenched my fist and looked the bastard straight in the eyes. He smiled at me. Then I pulled back my right arm and laid it into face sending him flying into the nearby oak tree. I fill to the ground with the knife still in my side. I managed to catch myself and roll over to my back.

‘Hell. everything hurts now.’ I thought as Iaid on the ground.

Hoo

I felt a soft feathery nuzzle at my shoulder. Nero had woken up and hopped over.

“Hey there Nero.” I raised my hand and scratched her head lightly. “Looky here at me. Not even here a full day and getting into fights. I feel like a school kid again. If you’re gonna be okay I’m gonna take a nap now.”

As my eyelids started to close I heard someone calling my name in the distance.

“Asta… Asta… Asta… “

I try with all the willpower I can muster to keep my eyes open to see who’s calling my name. I saw Fluttershy’s hovering over mine. ‘She’s so pretty.’

“Asta… Keep your eyes open. Don’t fall asleep,” Fluttershy cried out as tear fell from eyes on to my face.

“Sorry, Fluttershy but it looks like I won’t be able to help you with the animals for a few days,” I grinned as much as I could. “Man, I’m a lucky guy. I get to fall asleep on the… lap…of… a… pretty… girl.” My eyes were so heavy they started to shut on there own.

Fluttershy sat on the ground trying to keep her friend’s eyes opened. He’d lost a lot of blood from the wound on his leg already and was losing me by the second from the dagger still in his side. Her friends were soon beside her with Nero. She looked to Twilight desperately.

“Can you use a healing spell on him Twilight?” Fluttershy asked with tears in her eyes trying to keep herself together.

“I’m not good with healing magic. The best I can do is close his wounds long enough to get him to the nearest hospital,” The unicorn knelt down next to the human trying to keep her own composer. “First we need to get those gauntlets off of him so I can cast the necessary spell. But. no one here can touch them without losing their magic in the process. Unless, Spike do you think you can pull these off.” She looked to the young dragon in desperation.

“I’ll give it my best shot Twilight. I really like this guy and I don’t want to lose my new comic buddy,” Spike walked up to Asta’s side and began to remove the gauntlets. He could feel his body being drained of the magic he had but it wasn’t nearly as bad as if one of the other girls had done this. He through the gauntlets off to the side for now. “What should we do with those?” He looked at the danger artifacts.

“He pulled them from his Grimoire, right?” Pinkie pointed at Asta belt where he kept the book. “If we open it back up maybe they’ll go back in it.”

“One way to find out,” Rainbow grabbed the Grimoire and opened it. The gauntlets turn into anti-magic and shot back into the Grimoire. Rainbow then put it back on Asta’s belt. She looked at the state he was in. A state that he’d tried everything to avoid. “You have my respect dude. I’m sorry for the way I acted. I tell ya again when you’re better and you better get better. For Flutter’s sake.”

“Enough talking. Twilight cast the spell as soon as I pull the dagger from his side, please hurry,” Fluttershy pleading.

“I’ll take care of his legs dear. That way Twilight can stay focused on his knife wound,” Rarity said as she grimaced at the sight of Asta’s blood.

“Rainbow. Pinkie. Get on either side of him. Spike, grab the blanket. Between me, Shy, and you two if we use the picnic blanket we should be able to easily left him. Ponyville General isn't’ far.” Applejack ordered her friends. The all scrambled to save the human on the ground. “Twi, do ya think ya could teleport us instead of use runnin all the way through town with him?”

“If we wrap his leg and Rarity takes over his stab wound I can,” Twilight explained in a rush.

Applejack quickly grabbed the end of her shirt in her teeth and tore off a long wide strip. She then quickly bound Asta’s leg as tightly as she could. Rarity took over casting the healing spell while Twilight stood up and focus her magic into her crystal.

‘Why couldn’t the Princesses get here?’ Twilight thought as her horn. ‘No time now. Asta needs help.’ “Here we go!”

Pop!

They were gone.

Next Chapter: Parks and Hospitals Estimated time remaining: 48 Hours, 18 Minutes