Hello and welcome to Chapter 2. As I promised this chapter is nowhere near as long as the first. I would like to thank you first off for taking the time to read my story. I'm just getting warmed up and I hope to see my writing skills improve as the story progresses. Anyways enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own mlp only the ideas that I made up.
After what seemed like forever I woke up. When I rose I realized I was still in the med bay of the Valkyrie. "Huh, I guess it was just a dream...but where is everyone?" I asked aloud confused by the absence of the crew. I could hear or see no one but all the damage was gone and I could feel the gentle swaying motion of the ship sitting in the water. I rose from the bed and began looking for my clothes. I couldn't find my clothes but it appeared as if someone had left me some new ones. I found a pair of combat boots, socks, military pants, and a tan t-shirt sitting on a chair. I put on all the clothes but I failed to notice what was under everything until I was fully dressed. I pistol with a shoulder holster was lying there with 3 spare magazines. There was also a combat knife that had a sheathe that sat on my thigh. I put on the weapons and found a note taped to one of the clips.
Hello Wayne,
You don't know me. You may never know me. This is all, however, irrelevant. Everything you see in front of you, around you is an illusion, a dream. The dangers however are very real. You must face them, conquer them. There is a dark force at play and it is your destiny to stop it. I know that everything that happened today happened fast. I am sorry. I tried to make things flow smoother but I fear I made your return worse. You must find this evil and destroy it quickly. You are a good man but Celestia will be your biggest challenge outside of your destiny. She will not trust you. Not yet anyways. Even though you did save Luna's life she will still not see things as I do. You are very strong in magic but you must be careful. Trying to perform such advanced spells so early even though you succeeded can be dangerous to you. Beware the dark force this dream is his doing. I wish I could help you more but I can't. I'm sorry and good luck.
T.T.
"Well shit, I wasn't dreaming but I guess I am now." I grunted hefting the shoulder holster on. I stared at the note a few minutes before I placed it into my pocket. "So." I began speaking to myself. "It's my destiny to save this world. That's just great. I also presume this Celestia character must be Luna's sister. And who the hell is this dark force?" I stopped mid-thought when I heard something fall in the corridor outside the med bay. I drew my knife and hid beside the door behind a pipe. Everything got deathly quiet and all I could hear was my breathing and the steady beating of my heart.
Without warning the door burst out of its frame into the med bay crushing the bed I was just on. A large humanoid creature walked into the room. I could see no features as it was wearing armor that covered it's entire body. The figures armor seemed to be made up of a black, glass like substance. I saw the creature draw what I presumed was a sword but it formed out of his body instead of coming out of a sheathe. "Great" I thought to myself "more stuff to kill". I sprung out from behind the pipe and stabbed the knife into the figures neck. The figure didn't move or make any attempt to fall onto the ground. The figure instead shattered into thousands of pieces of glass. Luckily for me it's sword fell to the ground unscathed and I picked it up.
I heard more movement in the doorway and spun swinging the sword. Another one of the armored creatures had come through the door and was swinging his own sword at me. My sword connected with his and they both shattered into tiny fragments. I acted quickly and tackled the creature into the hall. I tried to pin it to the ground but it easily over powered me and threw me off with ease. I quickly picked myself off the ground and drew my knife. Instead of trying to stab this one I flipped the knife over so the blade of the knife rested in my hand. The armor clad figure had climbed off the ground as well and he seemed to have a crossbow in his hands. "Shit" I cursed to myself as I gripped the knife and threw it at the figure who to my dismay had also shot at the same exact time.
To my surprise the knife hit the bolt mid air and shattered it into tiny glass fragments. The blade went a little off balance but it still found it's mark, but not before he fired another bolt. The blade pierced the figures armor and he shattered just as the first had done. However I felt an unbearable pain in my knee and looked down to see the crossbow bolt sticking out. Even though I was dreaming I could still feel pain and it was nearly unbearable. "What are these things?" I asked myself through gritted teeth. "And an arrow to the knee ooohhhhh the fucking irony" I said grabbing the shaft of the arrow.
I hobbled over to where the being had shattered and picked my blade up off the ground replacing it in it's sheathe. Since the creatures seemed to be shattering into glass I thought I might as well give them a name.
I thought up Obsidian knights since they were a dark black color. I found a med kit in the med bay and ripped the bolt out so I could bandage the wound. Once I had it bandaged I went back into the corridor to figure out who was behind all of this.
I ran down the corridor as best I could with my injured knee. I had to silently dispatch a few of the Obsidian knights before I could continue, but they were all dazed so I didn't give myself much credit for it. After about five minutes I reached the main stairwell to the deck of the ship. I took a deep breathe and opens the hatch. Bright sunlight poured thought the door as I stepped on the deck.
The Valkyrie was a prototype ship and her appearance seemed to be a combination of aircraft carrier, battleship, and destroyer. The true appearance of the ship would be indescribable seeing as how the ship could literally reshape itself at the push of a button. I looked up towards the massive and numerous gun batteries and saw no movement.
When I turned to the runway and the plane docking areas my jaw dropped in amazement. A whole battalion of Obsidian knights was standing in a massive block formation. "Why?" I questioned no one in particular "do you hate me so much karma?" I stared at the massive army in front of me and started devising a plan.
"Wait.." I started with squinted eyes "this is nothing to do with karma. Some prick just wants me dead. And now he's trying to kill me in my dreams." I finished beginning to remember the note in my pocket. That's when I noticed something very intriguing. Sitting on the deck behind a make shift sandbag bunker was a .50 cal Gatling gun. I grinned from ear to ear as I snuck over to it.
I checked the ammo and saw it had a full capacity and I also had 3 more boxes of ammo though I doubted that I needed them. I also found a box of grenades which I saw as very convenient. I began pulling the pins out of the grenades and I started lobbing them at the formation of Obsidian knights. Once I had thrown all the grenades I quickly mounted the Gatling gun and started spinning it up.
Explosions began to coat the deck as the grenades went off severely thinning the knight's numbers and blasting holes into the runway. As the smoke began to clear I saw the remaining knights begin to charge me. I opened fire with the Gatling gun and began to finish them off. The shattered remains of their brethren was causing some of the remaining knights to kill themselves off which I though was slightly ironic. It also allowed me to conserve ammo.
After a few minutes of constant shooting and a whole battalion of dead Obsidian knights later I breathed a sigh of relief. But my spine went rigid when I hear a deep, evil voice call from across the runway. "So" it began "You are the fabled ruler of shadows. The one destined to defeat me." I began to peek over the sandbags to seed if I could see who was talking."It's pathetic really." It continued "that you were imprisoned in this world of humans. They are truly revolting. I was hoping you would have been killed when I destroyed this ship." He finished with an evil spurt of laughter. I finally managed to locate where the voice was coming from. On the far edge of the runway was a throne. On it sat one of the knights but it was different. He wore a golden armor and had a crown. He was also much larger than the others I had been fighting.
Surrounding him were 4 knights wearing crimson armor with capes that matched their armor. I leaped out from behind the makeshift bunker and began to walk up to the figure on the throne. It was a long walk and I had time to form a near flawless plan, but I wanted answers before I did anything.
I stopped about 20 feet from the throne and began to speak to the figure sitting in it. "Who are you?" I asked simply. "Your biggest fear." He chuckled "which is ironic since your the prince of nightmares" he started laughing to himself even louder now. "Why do you keep calling me prince of things?" I asked confused by everything he was saying. "You mean you don't remember?" He asked still chuckling obviously pleased by my confusion. "What are you talking about?" I asked beginning to get agitated.
"To explain it would take too long." He said becoming deathly serious. "But it wouldn't be any fun if I was fighting the real deal." Upon saying this he raised his hand in front of him. "You will remember this dream and we will meet again." he started "When your memory is returned you will awaken from your coma." He finished charging his hand much like I would do. Since he was really doing me a favor by awakening me I didn't do as I had planned and shoot the guards with the pistol before I used any means necessary to kill their leader, but after learning he could control magic as well I didn't know if it was such a good idea anymore. He released the bolt from his hand and it struck me causing me immense pain.
I jolted up from the bed I was in screaming in pain. I had awoken from the dream like the mysterious figure had promised but I began to wish I hadn't. I could feel the memories flooding into my body and every scrap of pain that went with them. After what seemed like forever the memories stopped and the pain ended.
I had fallen out of the bed and lay on the ground clenching my head where the pain had been the worst. What more should I have expected, the memories were going into my head after all. I saw a note on the floor beside me and I began to read it.
Hi again Wayne,
He returned your memory which is both good and bad. You will remember your true identity but you have your new personality. He hoped returning your memory would make you evil again but he was wrong. You will be able to freely access your memories in 24 hours but for now it may only be open to you in fragments or not at all. It will be very shocking when you can access it freely so be prepared.
Good luck,
T.T.
I placed the note in my pocket and stood up from the ground. I began to stretch and I realized that my armor was no longer on me but something was different. I saw something materialize on the wall and I realized it was another note.
Opps almost forgot,
With the return of your memory you will find it easier to begin your transformations again since you spent so much time as a human. To tell you the truth may shock you but you truly aren't human. You did however spend centuries as one so you may be comfortable in that body over your other for the time being. Upon your return to Equesria however e magic keeping your true identity is fading and soon you will be able to control it at will. One detail won't be able to be hidden though and will appear in both forms. Wings. Yours are unique and quite charming I might add. Look in the mirror behind you if you don't believe me.
Your secret friend,
T.T.
I didn't know who this T.T. Was but it didn't really bother me. He was helping me out, but what did he mean by I wasn't truly human. I walked over to the mirror and turned around. I did indeed have wings on my back which freaked me out a little considering I was still confused by everything going on.
The wings came down to my knees and they seemed to resemble angel wings kind of. Mine however were jet-black and seemed to be moving like shadows. I reached back and touched them feeling the feathers but I could also feel the shadows in them.
A searing pain shot through my head and I had a memory about a spell. I held my hand out in front of me after I had recovered and attempted to perform the spell. It was nothing special but... As my hand reached full charge for the spell I thought about what i wanted released it. A tuxedo made especially for my body appeared and it even had slots for my new wings which I was starting to get used to even though I had only been awake five minutes. I found a restroom and it actually had a shower in it so I took one. I found it kind of hard to wash my wings so I just let water get on them. Once I finished showering I found a new toothbrush and some toothpaste and brushed my teeth. After a few tries I was able to magically conjure some deodorant and cologne which was harder than I had expected. I didn't want to stink so I didn't give up until I succeeded.
After I left the shower I remembered I didn't have any clean...under garments...so I was able to conjure some up with the clothes making spell I used for the tux. Once I was fully dressed I combed my hair and used magic to smooth out my wings. I used my new spell to make a fancy watch, ring, and an obsidian necklace with a wolf's tooth on it. After I had put on all my accessories I found my old clothes and grabbed my gold coin. However when I was digging through my clothes another note appeared.
Sorry Wayne,
I should probably just start writing a really long note instead of these short ones since getting so many is probably bothering you. I thought you might need this though since everything you have been doing through magic has been experimental.
Your friend,
T.T.
Under the note was the pistol from my dreams. I took off my jacket and put the holster on and slid the pistol in. It matched the color of my tux so I didn't have to worry about that. I put my jacket back on and straightened up my tie. I also buttoned up my jacket so the pistol wouldn't show and I wouldn't frighten anyone. As soon as I had become fully dressed I heard a knock at the door.
The door opened and a few guards walked in dressed in the same armor as the ones I saw with Luna in the forest. Just now did I realize they were grey and had yellow eyes. They also all had wings like bats. "Come with us" one of the guards said kindly "the princesses require your presence." "Yes, lead the way then." I said walking towards them.
As we left the room I noticed that the walls were dark and slowly began to lighten and eventually turn into a white marble color the farther we walked down the hall. "Weird" I said aloud but none of the guards paid any attention. It was a longer walk than I expected but we finally reached the throne room, or that's what I called it since there were two thrones and the princesses we sitting in them.
The guards stopped at the doors and closed them. The one that spoke to me earlier instructed me to approach the princesses but I could have figured that out on my own. As I approached the princesses I gave a respectful bow but not one of submission. Luna spoke first out of the two which surprised seeing as the other one whom I was pretty sure was Celestia was older. "How art thou feeling Wayne?" Luna asked concerned.
I had completely forgot about my leg but I couldn't feel anything. I patted the spot on my leg where the wound was and didn't feel any pain. "Good as new" I said patting the leg again. "Tis good to hear." Luna said with a smile. I looked over at the other princess who was glaring at me like there was no tomorrow. I half expected her to take out a magnifying glass and start inspecting me like crazy.
"Wayne, what is that on your back." Luna asked puzzled. The last time she had seen me with wings was only temporarily in the forest. "Oh these things." I said smiling as I spread my wings out. As I spread my wings out the shadows began to wisp in them giving them a very unique look. The room also began to darken so I put them back down. "I have no clue. Woke up and they were just there." "This is very nice and everything but we do have business to attend to." The other pony interrupted our conversation. "And I presume you are Princess Celestia?" I asked the other pony. "Yes, and how is it possible that someone as civil as you are now nearly killed us all in the hospital." She shot back with venom. "I have my days" I said with a smirk.
"Well then who or what are you?" Celestia asked slightly relaxed by my little joke. "I am Captain Wayne Jacob Strider. I was lead engineer aboard the USS Valkyrie before she was destroyed." I began "I also led a group of elite soldiers on some of the most dangerous missions you can think of and I am proud to say I only lost one man." I continued describing my life and where I was from.
"Where I am from war is very prominent and the whole world is near chaos. I don't know what's going on here but it keeps getting weirder." I finished. I then took a few minutes to explain my dream and everything that had been happening to me along with the notes. When I reached the part of my dream where I was told I was royalty or something like that Celestia stormed out of the throne room saying we would speak later.
Luna just looked at me with a sad face. "Sorry. My sister can be...stubborn." She said trying to manage a weak smile. "Not that I don't like it but why do you talk like that?" I asked "now don't get me wrong I like it but I'm not used to hearing someone talk like that. "'Tis alright" Luna said smiling "Please. Sit down." she said levitating a big chair behind me.
I sat down and Luna began to explain her past and the story about Nightmare Moon. "Are you serious?" I asked shocked after she finished. "She sent you to the moon...for 1000 years." "Yes, mine sister did do so, but for a good reason." Luna responded. "Hmmm, I understand, but what did you do for 1000 years?" "We plotted revenge and looned" she said smiling. "Looned?" I asked puzzled. "Yes we bounced upon the moon like tomorrow was nigh." She said laughing.
Luna then stood up from her throne and walked to the middle of the room. "Watch" she said smiling. She then charged up her horn and began to surround herself in a bright light. I had to cover my eyes and look away until it dimmed. When I looked back Luna wasn't there. "Luna." I called out puzzled. "Boo" a different voice said from behind me causing me to jump.
I heard giggling from the pony that scared me. When I turned around the pony behind me shocked me. She was nearly as tall as Celestia and her coat was black as night. She had a cutie mark like Luna's except it was purple instead of black. "So this must be the infamous Nightmare Moon?" I asked smiling. "Tis me, but I prefer mine normal appearance" she said turning back into Luna.
"The bad girl look suits you." I smirked when Luna was back to her normal self. "Thank thee, but we prefer not being evil anymore." Luna said half happy half upset. "I understand" I said sincerely. We stood in silence for a few moments before I broke it. "So...am I going to get a tour or am I going to have to walk around lost forever." I grinned. "We shall show thee everything" Luna said giggling as she poked me with her horn pushing me towards the door. "Hey watch it." I said laughing. "Thou art amusing Prince Wayne" Luna said jokingly. We laughed together as we left the throne room and Luna began showing me around.
Dark Presence's Point of View
"He is strong my Lord." One of my personal guard said observantly. "Yes, and he is only beginning to learn his potential." I replied "Which is why we must stop him before he surpasses even me." The guard nodded his approval and went back to overseeing production of my army although he stayed close enough to hear me speaking to him.
"I made a mistake when I brought the prince back. I had presumed he would return evil as soon as he returned to Equestria. The same was to be said for his memory. Once his memory returns after the 24 hour wait he will be nearly unstoppable. I had to enter his dreams to return his memory which was extremely hard for me, and I had hoped that would make him evil again as well."
"Once he remasters his magic and powers he would be able to face the Elements of Harmony and be able to win. He could face both princesses at once and win. I am strong yes but I could only face them 1 at a time if I were to win, but having to face all three even with my army would be futile." I was running through all the things the prince was capable of even though I was the only one that knew it at the moment unless Celestia remembered something from all those years ago.
"Once he masters his powers of deceit, shadows, and nightmares he will be able to make day seem night and night seem day. He will be nearly unstoppable. If we can defeat him before he masters his powers though I will be able to absorb his power. Then I would be the unbeatable one. He is still mostly human, until he remembers how to break the spell and learn how to make complete transformations he is still weak. Even if it is weak by his standard."
"I will kill him and I will let nothing stand in my way. My armies will obliterate anything in their paths. I cannot be stopped." I let out a evil laugh as I watched mile long strings of troops line up side to side. "And if they try and stop me they will pay with their lives." I let out a menacing laugh as the clouds blotted out the sun and lightning flashed behind me.
"The prince may have the power of illusion and shadows but I have an army and power that could rival Celestia. And until the prince remasters his powers that makes me the most powerful pony in all of Equestria." I said beginning to laugh even more maniacally as more lightning flashed behind me and was followed by booming thunder. The guard let out a weak chuckle and retuned to his duties. Soon all of Equestria would be mine and the prince wouldn't be ready in time to stop me.
Yes yes,welcome to the end of the chapter. I hope your enjoying it so far. I can't really judge my own work and who knows. Your opinions can help me improve and could be added to the story. But you need to review. I hope I left a couple of cliff hangers and the next few chapters I don't plan to have action based. Anyways thanks for reading and have a great day! Don't forget to review and follow the story if you like.
QoTC: If you could be given 2 weapons to use in a life or death situation what would they be? (Try to make one lethal and the other non-lethal unless its used a lot) use your imagination.
