It is finally here, the last chapter in the Crystal Empire!
Head Hunter was up early the next morning. He got what he needed from the item dispenser, but he wanted to do a last visual check in his room before leaving. He also used the last check to stall until someone else was awake and free for him to say goodbye to. Otherwise, if he met the warriors again, he might not receive a warm welcome.
Scout, who was coping very well with his hangover, walked into the room. At first, he didn't seem to notice the whole 'packing of supplies' that Head Hunter was doing.
"Uh, I was coming to talk to you about... That Rainbow Dash changeling... Wait… Are you leaving man? Something wrong?" Scout, who naturally seemed surprised.
"I... I feel this... Itch. Something is calling me south. I don't know what it is, but it's call is strong. So I am leaving to go to it." Said Head Hunter. I was kind of hoping for Medic or Garvel. I don't want to have to guide Scout through another problem right now.
As Head Hunter stood, last item stowed, Scout saw his full inventory. "Dude, how do you have so many weapons? You got like three secondaries, and two melee weapons!"
Head Hunter laughed under his breath. "Well mate, this isn't a Mann Co regulated area. It is a simple task to get multiple weapons on your person. I have got my rifle, my Carbine, my Danger Shield for a little boost of health, and a place to put stuff, my Shiv, a 'Big Earner' switch blade, and a Ludgermorph pistol I won from a rabbit in poker. I would teach you how, but I have to go now, remember?" Oh, and I mustn't forget my 3 misc, Professor's Specs, Silver Bullets, and Steel Songbird! But I am leaving now!
"Ya ya, alright, cool… I forgot about that… Did you say south? Equestria is that way! Man, I would love to go back there! All the peop… ponies there are really cool! Say hi to the DJ for me. There would probably be so much there that would remind me of Dashie." At this point, Head Hunter started ignoring him, not wanting to hear more about the pony. He started listening again when he heard: "Ya know, I think you could use a guide right? Take me with you!"
Thanks to his hood and glasses, Head Hunter was able to hide his suddenly fearful, wide-eyed expression. "No, you need to stay here with the Harmonics. Trust me, they will need you. Your friends, and the Crystal ponies... Though some advice would do me good. Give me a basic rundown. No street or path names, okay? Just towns that I can avoid." He started to walk down the hall. Heh heh... Looks like I want to 'Avoid All the towns!' Stupid memes gotten into my head...
"Hey, woah, woah, woah, what do you mean 'avoid?' You can trust these ponies! They will help you!" Scout seemed shocked. Head Hunter expected this reaction, after all, Scout did date a pony for a while.
Still, Head Hunter's facial expressions soured. "No, mate, I CAN'T trust them. They are too... Peaceful. Too happy for me to trust them. Every time I meet a new one, I can decide whether to take it at face value, or expect to have to unwind a riddle. And there is something else that I just can't put a finger on, but I don't trust them. I will avoid any town unless I am hurt or food less, okay? Just tell me where they are."
Scout sighed. "Alright, alright, I will tell you where the cities I have seen are."
Luckily, Scout didn't ask anymore questions, and Head Hunter was supplied enough information to draw a map. He wanted a map, but he had no idea where to get one. Scout had just finished when the two of them got to the gate.
Head Hunter offered Scout his hand. Scout grabbed it, and gave it a firm shake. "You better be in one piece next time we meet pal!"
Head Hunter laughed as he walked off. "Seems far mate! So you when I see you Scout!"
The journey was fairly uneventful through the Crystal plains. After all, there was nothing there. After a while, Head Hunter found himself talking to his little metal Songbird. It felt good to tell it his stories. To anyone who passed by, it would have looked like the sniper was crazy. Luckily, there was no one to pass on the way.
"It was a glorious battle my metal friend! After I was knocked off the statue, something clicked, and before you know it, I hade a Face-Melting Strange in my hands! That really shows you how many of them there were, because it use to be 'somewhat threatening.' Ho ho, what a battle. And then..."
And so he talked and talked. Of course, he was telling his little bird about the battle between changelings, Rainbow dash, and Warriors.
Head Hunter knew that the train tracks led to an Equsrian city, so he used it as a guide, but he stayed a good distance from it. And so he traveled for a while, until he found himself about 10miles from Canterlot, though he didn't know it yet. On the Second day of travel, Head Hunter was ambushed by a group if Diamond Dog raiders who dared to sneak into Equstria.
"Look you overgrown Pit-bulls, I don't have any money. Leave me to go on my way!" Head Hunter was surrounded by four foul beasts, but he stood calm, with his rifle on his back, and his arms crossed over his chest.
"Well, you have got to have something of value! Cause you need it ta trade for your LIFE!" With that, the leader, a large, gray furred creature with a bulldog like face, laughed. Well, half laughed, half snarled.
Suddenly, Head Hunter an idea, and he put his hand inside his vest. "Well... I do have one thing... Here, come closer, I will show it to you!"
Clearly, the Diamond Dogs were not very smart; the leader walked forward without even keeping up his guard. It was rewarded by being stabbed with a switchblade. As the dog fell, the Head Hunter threw the blade at another Diamond Dog, pulled out his Wooden Machete, and threatened the two remaining dogs. Never being faced with any actual resistance, the dogs scampered off, whimpering with their tails between their legs.
Satisfied with his work, Head Hunter retrieved his knife, and began searching the dead dogs, looking for loot. As he was doing so, two Pegasus landed in front of him. They were dressed in armor resembling the armor of the Crystal Royal Guards, although they sported dark blue and purple. It also appeared that they may have hade done sort of bat like wings, but Head Hunter could not say for sure.
"Uh... This isn't what it looks like. Uh, you see-" Head Hunter was cut off by one of the armored ponies.
"Did you kill these Diamond Dogs?" Head Hunter slowly and suspiciously nodded. "And you are the one they call 'Head Hunter?'" Again, the sniper nodded. "Then come with us, Princess Luna wants to speak with you. "
Princess Luna, eh? I think the librarian in the Crystal Empire said she was the co-ruler of Equistra... What ever happened to Kings and Queens? And better yet, if these ponies are perfect, , why isn't Luna a President or Speaker of the House!