Author's Note. So, being that this is a crossover story, I'm not surprised that it's only getting a handful of views, but still, it's good to write something that I find interesting again. It's good to be able to entertain others with my writing again. And above all else, it's just nice to feel the creative flow again. Well, thanks for the trip down memory lane, everyone; I'll wrap this up and let the story begin. Here's chapter 2.
Chapter 2: Equestrian Hospitality.
The heavy thumping sound of Sentinel's footfalls and the softer, clopping sounds of hooves was all that could be heard as the group traveled down the beaten path towards the small town of cottages.
"You know, it's strange. This is far from the first time I've been bound and led around as a prisoner, but it's the first time it's ever been at the... uh... hooves of talking ponies." Sentinel commented, looking about the place casually.
"You're mighty calm fer a prisoner." Applejack replies before glancing back at him. "Oh, hay, what was yer name again?" she asks him, causing him to turn to face forward, momentary locking eyes with her.
"Sentinel. I'll explain everything when we get to this uh... castle... Wait, that's a castle?" he replies, getting a better glance at the building now that they were now farther into the town.
"Yepyepyep! It's R-r-r-r-really big! Great for playing hide and seek!" Pinkie pie shouts energetically, bouncing in a way that looked almost like she was simply defying gravity for moments at a time. She slows down enough to stand beside Sentinel before passing behind him. He tries to follow her, but when he goes to turn to face her, she disappears, only for her to reappear standing on his head. All four of her pink hooves work to plant her firmly in place, allowing her to lean forward and see him face to muzzle as she continued talking. "Sometimes, it's too good for hide and seek! I spent an entire day hiding, waiting for someone to find me, but nopony could! It was awesome! You should play with me sometime!"
"Okay, Pinkie, first, nopony was playing with you. You were playing hide and seek by yourself. And second, he's a prisoner, you don't play hide and seek with a prisoner. That's like, rule one for keeping a prisoner." The mare with a rainbow colored mane replied, looking back and down at the two of them as she'd been flying several feet above the group.
"Well, seeing as you were so kind as to introduce yourself, I believe we owe you the same, darling." The white-coated mare states, turning her head to glance back towards Sentinel as the pink one hops off his head. "I am Rarity, Color Coordinator Extraordinaire and Aspect of the Element of Generosity."
"I'm Rainbow Dash. Fastest pony alive and Aspect of the Element of Loyalty." The rainbow-maned one replied, a challenging smirk on her face.
"Pinkie Pie's the name! And planning parties is my game! I represent the Element of Laughter!" the pink mare shouts joyfully, springing backwards onto her back hooves, a burst of confetti seemingly launching from her front hooves as she swings them towards the sky.
"Ah'm Applejack, but you already knew that. Ah'm an applebuckin' pony, an' Ah'm more honest than a rattlesnake." Applejack said, somewhat embarrassed to have introduced herself for a third time.
"Applebucking is what we ponies do to get apples out of their trees, since we're not quite tall enough to reach them. Applejack's one of the best applebuckers in Ponyville. I'm Twilight Sparkle. I'm the Princess of Friendship, and I represent the Element of Magic." The purple mare states, turning her head back to speak to him. It was obvious in her tone and the way she carried herself that she was both very level-headed and not quite the stereotypical princess.
And the last mare; the one with a light pink, flowing mane and a light yellow coat spoke so softly, that Sentinel could barely hear her. As she speaks, her eyes dart back and forth from him to the ground and her steps slow down until she stops moving entirely. "I'm... Mm... Flut...ter..." however, as she spoke, she looked up at Sentinel and her words trailed off into indistinguishable syllables.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that, please?" Sentinel replies, not fully understanding what she'd said.
"I'm... Flut-Fluttershy..." she reiterates, stuttering slightly. She closes her eyes to force out her name, but can't manage to continue.
"She likes animals! And I mean a whole lot!" Pinkie Pie interjects, hopping up and down in place.
"Well, Fluttershy, I really like animals too. I don't need much, so if I get the opportunity, I like to relax against a tree and remain perfectly still until birds come and visit me." Sentinel said, moving to kneel a few feet away from her as the others observe them closely.
"You... you do?" she asks in a gentle voice, finally meeting his gaze with curious, sea-green eyes.
"I do. I even know a small bit about magic and could introduce you to a friend of mine." He replies with a soft chuckle. At this, Twilight's ears perked up, nearly in unison with Fluttershy's, though for a different reason.
"W-well... Maybe I could visit you in your cell sometime? I could bring a few of my animal friends, too." The gentle mare asked. "Oh, and, I'm the Aspect of the Element of Kindness." She continued, only just now remembering to finish introducing herself.
"I'd like that. Also, just for the record, I have no idea what these elements are, but they sound important." Sentinel answers, then turns to the rest of the group.
"We'll have plenty of time to explain everything at the castle, but in the meantime, I'd be interested to know just what kinds of magic you can do, Sentinel." Twilight interjects, walking up to him as they all continue towards the tree-like castle.
"Well, it's mostly parlor tricks and the ordinary utility spell here or there, but I know a few that are very cool. I could give you all a demonstration right now, if you'd like. It's a simple spell, one that I've found horses to really love, actually." He replied, trying to manipulate his arms to get at the pack at his waist. "Uh... Little Help? I need a sprig of Mistletoe. It's in this pouch, here, but I can't... quite... get it." He asks, trying to reach it again.
Then suddenly, a white aura envelopes the pouch, causing it to open and the contents to float out as Rarity investigates the individual items; a moment later, she hands Sentinel the small, petrified twig and the ponies keep a close eye on his actions. "There you are, darling." She states. With the twig in-hand, he nods his thanks and begins waving his hands slowly, speaking a small phrase.
"Majak lleisgar ekess wer naushindcal di tobor." He said, causing the small sprig to glow green a moment before it seemingly comes back to life, budding with berries almost immediately. "This spell is called "Goodberry". It's a life-giving spell. You can eat one of these berries and be sustained for a day. You won't need to eat anything else. They also work to cure minor wounds, like aching joints." He said his tone somewhat proud.
Twilight was struck silent, her muzzle pointed slightly down and mouth agape with her eyes transfixed on the berries in his hand, as were the other mares as well.
"What? Want one?" Sentinel asks, confused by their responses. "They're perfectly safe." He said, leaning towards Fluttershy slightly, his hand about a foot from her muzzle.
"Oh, well... I don't know..." Fluttershy replies, staring at the juicy, shining berries.
"I give you my word, they're completely safe." He said, holding out the branch. "Think of this as an olive branch; a sign of peace."
Brashly, Rainbow Dash comes up to the branch, somewhat irritated. "Ugh, if it'll get you to stop asking, I'll try one!" she said, using her teeth to pluck one of the delicate berries. She then looks about at her friends, somewhat nervously before she closes her jaw, crushing the berry between her teeth. When the berry's juices touch her tongue, her eyes widen in surprise and she swallows almost immediately, staring up at Sentinel. "This... this is awesome." She states, her eyes not leaving his.
"Well, thanks for the complement. I like to use Draconic when casting the spell instead of the usual language, since it makes them taste better; less bitter." He replies, chuckling. "Anyone else like to try one?" he asks, looking at the others.
"Listen, you guys, you gotta try these." Rainbow Dash comments as well.
At that moment, Twilight managed to shake herself free from her stunned stupor, taking the opportunity to ask him a question. "You mentioned something called "Draconic"? What is that?"
"Oh, it's the language of Dragons. Where I come from, dragons are the praetors of all arcane magic. It runs through their blood." He replies, holding out the branch for her to take a berry. She gently takes one in her mouth before responding.
"I have so many questions, but now's not the time to ask them." She replies turning and beginning to lead the group again. "Those are very good, by the way, thank you." She comments as they walk towards the castle.
In a matter of a few more minutes, they come to the foot of the castle, its semi-reflective, murky-crystal texture producing a bazaar light show, as if to greet them. Stepping inside, its expansive beauty comes to light. Long, shimmering corridors lead the eye on a journey through expansive rooms and elegant doorways, seemingly grown from the castle itself.
"Architecture's not my strong suit, but this castle looks impossible, and that's coming from a golem." He states, spellbound by the beautiful castle.
"What's a golem?" Rainbow Dash asks, confused.
"A golem is an automaton brought to life by magic." Twilight replies, using her magic to close the doors behind them. "Wait, you're a golem?!" she asks, her eyes widening.
"Yep. Forged about 100 years ago. I'm a unique type of golem called a Warforged. I can go into greater detail whenever you'd like, but I don't want to turn this into a history lesson about a world you've never seen." Sentinel answers, chuckling.
"Oh, I love history!" Twilight replies enthusiastically, standing on her hind legs to get closer to his face out of excitement, her front limbs kneeling against his abdomen to support her.
"Well, let's not bore the rest of them then, shall we?" he asks, gently grasping her hooves with his hands and lowering her back onto four legs.
"Right. Another time then. For now..." she states, nodding to Applejack, having the earth pony untie him. "...Let's talk like civilized beings." She continues, the rope falling to his feet.
"Alright. Where should I start?" he asks calmly, crossing his arms.
"From the beginning." Twilight answered simply.
"How did you get here, darling?" Rarity interjects, settling into her throne, along with the others.
"Yes, please, I'd like to know too." Fluttershy comments softly as she sits in her throne.
"Well, I don't know. To tell you the truth; I'm just as shocked as the lot of you. One moment, I'm breaking camp, and the next, the forest opens up to this place. I just thought it was a nice day outside until I saw Applejack, here." He replied, gesturing towards her.
"So this wasn't on purpose? You didn't want to come here?" Twilight asks, her face showing visible contemplation.
"Exactly; I had no idea heading out this morning that I'd stumble upon a land of talking, intelligent ponies. I just expected it to be another boring day of travelling." He reiterates, gesturing with his hands as he speaks.
"What do you mean by that? How smart are ponies in your world?" Twilight asks, curious.
"Where I'm from, horses aren't that smart. They're smart enough to understand things like commands, but certainly not communication or comprehension like you all can." he answered calmly, gesturing towards them.
"So this must come as quite a shock to you, then." She replied, nodding slightly.
"Almost as much as it was to you." He retorts before shrugging. "But I'm old, so not much surprises me anymore."
"I see. Well, you seem harmless enough; I see no problem with letting you stay in Ponyville, but under close supervision by either myself or one of my friends. Understood?" Twilight asks, her tone firm and intelligent.
"Yes, ma'am." Sentinel replies calmly before clapping his hands together, releasing a metallic clang. "Alright then, what now?" he asks, looking between the six of them curiously.
"Well, I reckon yer gonna need a place to hang yer hat, uh, so to speak, so you can stay in the guest room. You can take yer stuff now, by the way." Applejack replies, nodding to it as it rests upon the flat, crystalline table. He grabs his tattered cloak and shoulder guards, clamping them back into place.
"I appreciate the hospitality. Let me know if there's anything I can do to return the favor." He states, grabbing his shield and locking it in place on his left hand.
"Oh, don't worry, there's never a dull day, here in Ponyville. You'll have work find you." Twilight replies with a soft giggle: a giggle that fills Sentinel with an uneasy sense of foreboding.
End Chapter 2.
End Note: I don't have all that much to say other than thank you for reading and as always, read, review, and feel free to PM me whenever you'd like. Stay frosty, my friends!