>Savage Anon sneaked through the woods around Ponyville >He had prey to catch >He had a bow in his hand >He couldn't handle a bow like a sword, but he could kill with it when necessary. >He soon saw a brown shape through a small pocket of trees >It was a small, younger stag with developing Antlers >This was his catch for today >He quickly got closer and closer >The deer was oblivious >He raised his bow and drew it back >The arrow at the end gleaming >Finally, he let loose the bow, aiming a little above the stag's head >The blow stuck perfectly and stag fell down >Anon the warrior smiled, and walked over to the deer >He grabbed it and hauled it back to his hut >He was looking forward to the fresh meat; the jerky was starting to get old >He soon stood behind the cottage >He drew out his skinning knife >Holding it, he began to cut >He skinned the beast quickly, and prepared it for cooking >He cut up the corpse >Soon, he had his outdoor bonfire burning >Once he got the body prepared, he put them up to cook over the fire >Soon the smell began to become very strong >He ran inside and equipped his club >Just in case >Rarity walked up the path to Anon's home >She began to smell something "What- What is that?" >She hadn't really smelt something like this before >She walked up and peaked around the cottage "Oh my sweet Celestia!" She cried, moving back and almost barfing >Anon looked up from the fire and strode up to the cottage >He turned the corner and saw Rarity shaking "Rarity-" he began, moving closer to her "No! No you monster!" She said, shaking her legs >Anon grabbed her "Get a hold of yourself!" Anon said; shaking her a little >She calmed down "I'm sorry Anon.. It's just so strange to me. And gross." >Anon nodded and let go of her >Rarity seemed to still make a disgusted face, but spoke "I came here to ask you for something-" she said >Anon nodded, wanting to get back to his catch "Yes, what is it, Rarity?" >Rarity put a nose over her hoof, then speaks again "I had a break in last night. Could you come watch my shop tonight, if it's not too much trouble?" >Rarity bats her eyelashes, but still looks so disgusted by the smell it just looks comical "Alright Rarity, I'll be by tonight." "Thanks Anon!" she says, smiling, and then walking away a bit quicker then you think she normally would >You smile to yourself a bit, these ponies have no stomach whatsoever >The new skin now lies on the rack >The food has been cooked and you eat >The rest will soon be made into jerky >After a big dinner, Anon wants to sleep but doesn't >He has to go help Rarity tonight >So instead, he labors at his forge until after it gets dark >Then, he goes home and prepares himself, reading for an hour or two >Finally, he suits up and walks out the door >Anon walks down the path >Soon he gets down to Rarity's place >Once there, he sees Rarity and Sweetie Belle waiting outside >They smile and wave at him "Hello Anon! We're going to sleep at Twilight's house tonight. We're scared, we're afraid they will come back." >Anon looks puzzled "Why?" "They broke in last night, and I heard the ruckus. I came down and screamed at the Ruffians, and they ran off. I'm scared they'll come back to finish the job tonight." >Anon understood, but doubted them to come back >Rarity and Sweetie Belle left and Anon looked around >Anon saw the busted out window and such >He waited for a while, trying to avoid drifting off >Soon, he heard something. >Anon drew out his mace >He choose a mace this time because it wouldn't scrap and make noise like the sword >He stepped down the stairs slowly >He looked down and saw two figures sulking around >They wore black cloaks, and had big things around their necks >It's them >Anon gets closer, and hears them talking. "...Are the mannequins here?" "No, I think they are upstairs." >Anon freezes, and sneaks upstairs again >He waits around a corner >The two come up the stairs >Anon thinks to himself 'what would they ever want mannequins for...?' >Anon keeps moving back and watching and listening "...Shall we have time for the ritual?" "Yes, but we need the mannequins tonight." >Anon thinks and wonders what is going to happen >They enter the workshop >They see the mannequins, and walk over to them >Anon was hiding behind the door, and now has them trapped >He steps in front of the door and growls out "Freeze!" >The two figures stop and whirl around. >The first figure, the skinny unicorn female, makes her horn glow and flings sharp clothing tools at Anon >He raises his shield and those are blocked >Some pins and needles still his his legs and arms >he grits his teeth through the pain >Then, the stronger male Earth Pony runs up and starts to buck and smash at Anon >He blocks and flings him off, smashing with his mace >The Earth pony is knocked down >He charges and starts to swing at the Unicorn >The Unicorn tries to stab with her horn but Anon bashes her away >The battle is over in a second >The two ponies lay on the ground >The Unicorn looks completely unconscious, so he walks over to the Earth Pony >He's still awake >Anon grabs him; times to get some information. >Anon shakes the p0ny out of his delirium. >He slowly comes out of it >Anon stares at him, and glares "Who do you work for!" >The p0ny shakes his head angrily "I'll never tell you! Heretic!" >Anon smashes his mace down on the Earth p0nies leg >He screams out >Anon glares and shakes him "Talk! Talk or I break every bone in your body!" >The Earth P0ny searches Anon's eyes and sees he's serious "Ok! Ok! I'll talk!" He says >Anon smiles >Before he can talk again though, the collar on his neck seems to glow and the middle section twists >He stutters and coughs and blood pours out from under the collar >Anon whips around and sees the Unicorn with a glowing horn "Stop!" Anon screams >The Unicorn jumps out the window, breaking glass and hitting the ground, and running away off into the night >Anon watches with anger and frustration >He sheathes his weapon and goes downstairs, and contacts Twilight Sparkle in the middle of the night. ------------------------------------------------------- >Princess Celestia walks into the workshop >She looks down at the scene, two guards in tow >She looks over the Earth p0ny's collar, and seems to find trouble in it "Hmm... Thank you for this, Anon." >Anon looks at the Princess "For what, Celestia?" >Celestia looks over at him seriously "I've seen this before, my warrior. I will contact you later if something comes up. This is a serious matter. For now, I don't want you to leave Ponyville, I may need you at a moment's notice." >Anon nods slowly >He didn't like being trapped and commanded like this, but the Princess was the one who gave him permission to live in Equestria >She left, and the body was cleaned up >The windows were soon fixed, and Rarity and Sweetie Belle were back in their home within a few days. >Anon just thought to himself, worried. >What could she mean? What was wrong? ------------------------------------------------ >Anon walks through Ponyville one day >He sorta hated that he couldn't leave the town, but then again he had nowhere to go >He was beginning to thirst for adventure, but he had to stay. >He soon saw a small p0ny trot up to him "Hey there mister! Mister Anon?" The small p0ny said >Anon looks down, and smiles at the p0ny "Hello there, little one. What is your name?" "I'm Pipsqueak!" "Well, hello Pipsqueak." Anon said, wondering what he wanted >The little p0ny looks up at Anon, eyes full of hope "Anon, let's fight!" >Wat >Pipsqueak grabs a stick from the ground and stomps his hoof "Fight me Anon! Prepare yourself!" >Anon looks down >He is unsure what to do >Pipsqueak charges, trying to slap Anon's shins with his stick >Anon jumps back >He grabs a stick off the ground >Getting into a combat stance, he waits >Pipsqueak charges again >Anon parries the stick with his, it snaps easily >Then, he slashes with it, and smacking Pipsqueak across the face >He falls down and cries a little >A few ponies look on, concerned >Anon looks down at Pipsqueak with no real concern "Why did you want to fight me?" Anon asks >Pipsqueak looks up with tears of pain "I want- I want to be strong like you!" >Anon blinks, unsure of what to do "Come by my cottage tomorrow. We'll talk about this." >Anon walks away >Pipsqueak looks still hurt but stands up and walks off with pride >Anon smiles, that's what he likes to see. ------------------------------------------------------------------ >Anon walked home and waited >He wanted to work the forge or perhaps hunt, but he was waiting for Pipsqueak >He wasn't sure what to think about that pony >In the meantime, he went into the woods and grabbed two equal size sticks out >He spent time whittling them into wooden swords >Binding them together, he had his practice weapons. >After eating a short meal of beef jerky, he heard a noise coming up behind him >He reached and drew out his real sword, something he always carried with him after that manticore attack >He whirled around but just saw the young Pipsqueak >Pipsqueak jumped back in fright and Anon lowered his sword "Lesson one, don't sneak up on me." >Pipsqueak nodded furiously, he would remember that one. >Anon looked at Pipsqueak and wondered for a moment "Pipsqueak... why do you want to do this?" >Pipsqueak didn't have to think before he responded "I want to be strong and brave, like you!" >Anon sighed "Alright, then. But I warn you, it won't be easy. I will give no allowances for your size or race or age, understand?" >Pipsqueak nodded >Anon threw one of the wooden swords at Pipsqueak "Alright then. Defend yourself." >Pipsqueak bit the sword and watched as Anon got closer >He swung his sword in his mouth to the left >It wasn't even close to Anon >Anon slashed downwards and smacked Pipsqueak across the head with it >Pipsqueak dropped the sword and cried out in pain "Ouch!" >Anon kicked the sword back to Pipsqueak, his face hard set in anger and discipline "Again!" >Anon and Pipsqueak practiced all day >It was well into the dark of night before they took a break >Pipsqueak could barely stand, his face bruised and bloodied from the wooden sword >He panted, Anon stood up "Pipsqueak, there is something I must show you." >Pipsqueak watched Anon as he went back into his house and came back out >He didn't look any different, but he seemed to be carrying something very important in his pocket as he was watching it carefully "Follow me." Anon said >Pipsqueak followed Anon into the woods >They walked and walked and walked >It was very dark now, Pipsqueak could hardly see where he was going >He panted and had to give his all to keep up with the long-legged mammal >Finally, he called out "Stop! Please stop! I need to rest..." Pipsqueak said, stopping and panting >He didn't notice as Anon walked over to him and gave him a stiff kick to the stomach >Pipsqueak fell onto the ground crying >He cried and cried >Anon stood over him, his face scrunched up in anger and disappointment "Get up." >Pipsqueak shook his head "No- it's too hard! You're bigger than me! It's not fair-" >Anon kicked him again, causing a bigger cry of pain and anguish then before "Do you think the bandit cares if he's bigger than you? Do you think the wolf will take it easy on you if he knows you're younger than him? Does the arrow sting less if you can't go on? No! You must overcome. You will overcome." >Pipsqueak cried some more and sobbed >Anon waited a little over a minute "Get up." >Pipsqueak nodded and shakily got to his feet >They kept walking >Soon, they came to a fire pit in the middle of the woods >It was seldom used >Anon rolled the stones into place, and grabbed a handful of firewood >Once it was ready, he worked the wood until the fire burned >He sat across the fire on a stump, and Pipsqueak sat on the other side on the ground "Pipsqueak. There is something you must know. I am a warrior, but a warrior of a clan. In order for me to train you, you must first be a customary member of the clan." >Pipsqueak nodded, not saying much "And as the oldest surviving male of the clan, at least in this world, I will hereby begin the calling ceremony." >Pipsqueak watched in wonder as Anon got up and silently undressed >Soon, Anon was dressed in nothing but a loincloth >He held in his hands a necklace >At the end of it was a piece of bone with a figure carved on it >It had a resemblance of himself on it >Different man but very similar features >Anon held the piece of bone over the fire >His face stoic, there was a ritualism in this "Repeat after me, Pipsqueak the P0ny." >Pipsqueak nodded "I, Pipsqueak." "I, Pipsqueak." "Accept the responsibilities of my clan." "Accept the responsibilities of my clan." "To uphold the clan's spirit," "To uphold the clan's spirit," "To father, guide, and protect the younger of the clan," "To father, guide, and protect the younger of the clan," "To persecute the guilty and evil," "To persecute the guilty and evil," "And to hold honor above all else." "And to hold honor above all else." "And with that, I, Anonymous of the Ancestor clan, admit you into our warrior circle." >Anon lowered the pendant, and walked over to Pipsqueak >He put the necklace on the young p0ny >He then stepped back and began to chant. "Old Ones! Ancients! Forefathers!" he shouted out >Pipsqueak began to feel weird, and the sound ringed in his ears >He then saw something moving in the fire >As the young p0ny looked into the flames >He saw shapes moving >He saw the images of warriors >He saw how they looked similar to Anon, as they are related >But each was unique >They were formed in the flames >Each one stared right at him >Inspecting, judging >The chanting increased in volume and speed "Ancestors! Ancestors! Ancestors!" >Pipsqueak stared at the flames, unable to move >Hundreds of warriors >Maybe even thousands >Anon's ancestors >HIS ancestors >Soon, the flames seemed to be growing, the warriors joining in the chant "ANCESTORS! ANCESTORS! ANCESTORS! ANCESTORS!" >Pipsqueak felt his heart hammer against his chest >the sound was deafening >With each chant the figures grew in size >Soon, the fire began to get higher then it ever naturally should >Each shout, the flame burst outwards >Pipsqueak felt the heat on him >Anon was competently enraptured, he was dancing around the fire like a madman! >Pipsqueak felt a great force coming >It wouldn't be longer now >The necklace was burning hot against his coat >The fire was also burning bright hot >Anon breathed deep and let out one final shout "ANCESTORS!" >He held the final sound, and the fire grew to epic proportions >It then exploded in a shower of sparks, causing Pipsqueak to shout out as he was rained on by hot sparks >After that, he saw the fire had died >He looked down, and saw the necklace was glowing with a red light >Anon stood still, seeming to come down from his crazed state >He soon recovered, walked over to Pipsqueak, and took the necklace off of him >He motioned for the young p0ny to follow him >Pipsqueak did so silently, the mood was too powerful to break with words >They left the fire circle >Pipsqueak could hardly see, but followed Anon without complaint >Anon was much slower this time >Soon, they got back to the cottage >The silence finally broke. "Anon, what was that?" >Anonymous the warrior of the Ancestor clan looked down upon his new apprentice "You will wear this necklace twice, young one. First when you become a man, and on the day of your death." >Pipsqueak remained solemn. >Suddenly, there was a slight flash of light, and Pipsqueak's flank looked different >Lowering the still glowing necklace near it, Anon showed Pipsqueak his new cutie mark >It was a pair of crossed swords, the mark of a warrior "Oh wow! My special talent is fighting! I will be the greatest warrior ev-" >Anon interrupted him "Go home. Come back tomorrow. You're now one of us, one of my clan brothers. You will train hard every single day, you will do as I say without complaint or question. You cannot escape it now, you are one of us." >Pipsqueak nodded and slowly trudged away, his spirit soaring but his body tired and defeated after the long night >Anon went to his cottage, put away the necklace in his trophy room and went to bed >While he laid there, trying to sleep, he thought 'I thought I was the last... there is none of my clan here but me. But maybe now... maybe now we can continue.' >He slowly drifted to sleep, the fire blazing in his mind's eye. ================== End part 5