Chapter 1 Robert Shepard: mercanary leader

"Robert do you have everything?" Robert dressed in full travel gear was checking his ipod for a good song to play while Richards went over everything. "ROBERT!" "Yeah I got a musket for medieval, sword for archaic, sniper for modern. Food, vodka and tent set in the bag. Flashlight on my belt and batteries in pocket. Anything else?" Robert looked angrily at Richards. Going down the list Richards he saw nothing wrong. "Yep ok now do you remember what you are doing?" "Step 1 step through portal, 2 establish base, 3 contact you guys 4 leave." "I'll send a team in if you don't report back in a few days, to either A pull you out because it’s too dangerous or B make sure you weren't distracted." "Kay I'm going now." Said Robert as he stepped through the nearby portal.

 

It was dark not dark like cave dark more like nighttime dark. Pulling out his flashlight and looked around. "Peaceful enough I guess but this better not turn out to be like Alan Wake I'm in no mood for that." Going up a nearby hill he spotted what looked like a village or town. It was getting harder to tell these days. Only light was from one in one of the houses Robert observed. "Well I'll ask whoever about the area and see if there are any ruins nearby I can use for base." Robert mumbled to himself.

 

Entering the village (?) the one house was literally a treehouse like a house inside a tree. Robert though this was humorous but not enough to actually laugh. He was slightly taller than the door, so he bent down to knock. He heard a couple of voice inside and when it opened saw a small horse looking at him. Saying she was scarred would be an understatement. "Well met I’m Robert Shepard, mercenary leader.” he extended his hand. Unexpectedly she shut the door on him. "Well that was rather rude." Knocking on the door again, "hello I mean you no harm." Silence. Peering through the window nearby the purple thing seemed rather scarred while books flew left and right about her. The purple lizard nearby did not seem that freaked out. Lightly tapping on the window they both turned to see Robert grinning and waving hello. The lizard walked over to the door and opened it. "Hello?" "Well met I am Robert Shepard mercenary leader.” extending his hand to the lizard. The lizard took his hand, "Hi I'm spike, the baby dragon." "May I come in?" Spike moved out of the way allowing Robert inside.

 

The other purple creature saw Robert it ran upstairs. "Sorry about Twilight she’s like that sometimes." "No problem. Not being part of your world will do that to people." Spike turning around, with the look of confusion, "What do you mean not from here?" "I am what you call an alien, outsider, offworlder. I come from a different plane of existence." "A different what?” inquired the purple thing from upstairs now peering down at us.

 

"Different planes like that of the elemental planes of air, earth, water and fire. We live on different planes. We travel to other areas via portals that are connected all over the universe. There are neutral places where we can connect to different planes by dialing them into a time gate. The one I went through that lead me here was bought from a merchant of questionable background but his product seems to be legit." Spike starred baffled at Robert and the one known as Twilight seems to have calmed down and made her off the second floor and back to the first. Looking interested at Robert, "So what are you?" "I am known as a human... sort of." "Sort of?" "Well I've died quite a few times and came back so to call me undead would not be inaccurate. I am human but the whole 'rising from the dead' thing seems to... scare some people. "Oh." "And what about you? Spike told he is a dragon but I'm not sure what you are." "I am Twilight Sparkle faithful student of Princess Celestia." A brief silence, "Okay but what are you? A horse?" "No I'm a pony or a unicorn pony." "Ah I see that makes sense, so you are magical?" "Yes." Robert's hand flashed as a chair came out of the ground under him as he went to sit down. "And Celestia is magical as well?" Before Twilight responded, Spike chimed in, "Hey you're magical as well." "Indeed I am. I cast spells quite easily." "Can I see one?" "Spike we are trying to talk here!" Spike shuffled off as Twilight still starred at him. Turning back, "Princess Celestia is our ruler who raises the sun and moon everyday with her power." "Well I can do that as well. Where is the King and Queen don't they usually rule?"

 

A stifled laugh came from upstairs, "Can you raise the sun now?" "I don't see why not." Spike came running down the stairs and opening the door for Robert as they proceeded out. Twilight alone walked behind 'I have a bad feeling about this.

 

Walking outside Robert's hands were glowing as he concentrated his power. Spike watched in anticipation as the glow then covered both his arms. Robert was mumbling in an unknown tongue. Suddenly his spell went off directed at the moon. An explosion awoke and the shockwave hit everywhere. After a few seconds the moon dipped and the sun rose. Robert then passed out.

 

He awoke still on the ground but now Spike on top of him telling him how awesome that was. His presence did not go unnoticed as there was a gathering of ponies before him as he got up. "What is that?” one asked "It's a monster." Another one said. Superstitious bunch these ponies are. Twilight stepped up, "He's not a monster he's a traveler from another world." "OHH YOU MEAN HE'S AN ALIEN!" Oh gods the caps. A pink pony was now in Robert's face, "WE SHOULD THROW A WELCOMING PARTY." "That is not necessary. I don't need a party. I just want to-" Robert would have kept talking if a blue blur didn't smash into him. Tumbling a few feet away eventually whacking into a wall, Robert got up like nothing happened. "Yo watch where you’re standing!" The blue Pegasus said standing on its hindlegs. Robert put his hand slightly above him. The blue one was now floating in the air struggling to get free. "I suggest you learn some manners. I mean no harm but if you insist on attacking me I will not resist in harming you." Then he put his hand down and she fell to the ground.

 

"Monster!" "Run away!" Robert Shepard has failed at making a first impression as the only ones left are twilight, spike, the pink and blue one and three others. "Nice job there Rainbow, angering the guy with magic." "The blue one turned, "You could have warned me!" Robert walking up to the blue one and offering her a hand up. Scoffing she flew up and landed beside twilight. "So who is he?" Smiling Robert went over to Rainbow hand extended "I am Robert Shepard mercenary leader." He rather enjoys telling people his name. Twilight turned to Rainbow, "He knows magic, he's 'human' and he's not from around here." NOW CAN I THROW HIM A PARTY?" "No Pinkie he has scarred everyone off so there isn't really a point." "Note to self, Pinkie needs to drink decaf." Robert mumbled as he turned to the other three. The orange one was looking at him in a rather hostile manner, the white one looks curious and the yellow one looks afraid. Walking up to the three," What are your names?" The Orange one didn't speak but the white one stook her hoof out, "I'm Rarity, charmed really. She's Applejack and this is Fluttershy." pointing both of them out. A very small squeak which sounded like hello came from Fluttershy. "Does Fluttershy always act this way?" "What do you mean?" "Is she always this adorable?" Fluttershy's face had gotten a little red by the compliment.

 

"Then yes, yes she does." Robert looked at Applejack then back to Rarity, "What's she angry about?" "You attacked one of her friends." "The blue one?" "Yes Rainbow they're like frienemies." "Oh I understand that completely," looking back at Applejack, he got on his knees and bowed his head "I apologize for all offenses I have done to your friend." AJ was rather startled by his action, "well apology accepted." Robert getting back up and awkwardly hugged AJ then backed off. "Right now back to what I was saying-" he turned to see twilight, rainbow and pinkie talking in secret. 'My Shepard senses are tingling' Rarity, AJ, and Fluttershy have gone around Robert to talk with the others leaving him and Spike on the sidelines. Looking down at Spike, "Hey wanna wander off for magical shenanigans?" "Sure!"

 

In a large field Robert thought this would be a good place for being magical. "So what do you want to see first?" "Can you fly?" Bolts of electricity seemed to expel from Robert's feet floating him up into the air. Sitting in the air, he looked down, "You mean like this?" "Woooow!" "Hey look it’s the monster!" Robert turned to see three small ponies run up. "Hello I'm not a monster. Who are you three?" "We're The Cutie Mark Crusaders. I'm Applebloom." "I'm Sweetybell." And I'm Scootaloo." Hanging himself upside down to extend his hand, "Well met I'm Robert Shepard." "You never get tired of telling people your name do you?" Spike inquired. "Not in the slightest bit."

 

Still hanging upside down he turned to Spike, “What else do you want to see?" Can you summon things?" "I can summon other monsters but no worries they'll be under my control." Landing on his head, Robert flipped himself over, shooting a green blob at the ground. Gas erupted from the area, clearing to show a large spider the size of a wagon. "Ooooo!" "Is it dangerous?" "To my enemies yes, but to me," floating over to land on top of it, "it's a traveling companion although." The spider disappears, "it's only around for a limited time." "Where did you learn such magic?" "Traveling to a certain location," as Robert loaded off his bag to take out a book. "What's that?" "It's a book" Robert smiled at his ability to state the obvious though no one was amused. "It's a copy of the Dungeons & Dragons Player's handbook. It helped me find the location to the D&D universe where I studied magic." "Can we go?" "No it's a dangerous place far too dangerous for children." "Can we stay and watch you cast spells then?" "I see nothing wrong with that."

 

"SO WE ARE THROWING A PARTY?" "Yes Pinkie we just need to keep him occupied." Rainbow looked up, "That should be no problem because he's gone." Looking around the Mane 6 couldn't see Robert or Spike. "Where'd he go?" That was easily answered as a fireball flew into the sky a few clicks away from ponyvillie. Twilight turned back to the group, "ok I'll deal with that. You guys get everything ready." They went off in different directions while twilight went out of ponyvillie.

 

Twilight finally arriving where she had seen the fireball, found Spike and cutie mark crusaders sitting on chairs of ice while Robert summoned a tree. “… Druidic magic is rather different as they are commonly known as spell casters of the forest. Rangers can also cast spells but not until they’ve reached level 8 or 9, but they tend to be more warriors of the forest. Casting spells like Entangle would help a ranger so that his target has either stopped or slowed.” Robert was now casting a spell at the tree to have it uproot it self. “Summoning a tree is a third level spell but making a tree a mobile guardian requires a level six spell. Depending on the caster’s level they can usually guard you for hours but…” Robert now launching a purple spell over the area the tree rooted back to the ground and the ice chairs melted. “If someone casts Dispel it will take away all magical effects.” Robert finally turned around to notice Twilight as she sat amongst the others, “Any questions?” Spike raised his hand, “So what’s the difference between a mage and a druid if they are both spell casters?” “A mage is weak, low health can’t wear armor so they can specialize in spells. Druids can wear light armor like leather or elven chain and they have a larger array of weapons to use. Mages can summon a hammer to shot at its foes possibly knocking out or killing his enemies. Druids can cast a spell called Flameblade which lets them summon a sword made of fire and charge into battle. Mages will run from battle, druids will buff themselves, summon allies then charge into battle.”

 

Twilight was now taking down notes; technically she was distracting him as they got the party ready. “Now twilight I’ll need your help with this one.”, as he took her hoof to help her up. Walking about five paces out he cast a blue light around him. “Now fire an offensive spell at me.” “But I don’t want to hurt you.” Twilight said slightly scared. “Don’t worry I know what I’m doing now, attack!” Twilight hurled a small ball of energy at Robert quickly dispersing as it hit the blue light. “Spike shoot some flames at me.” Spike complied but again the flames died as it hit the blue light. “Level one cleric spell Sanctuary protect the user from all attacks until he takes and action like if I moved or attempted an attack.” The blue light faded as he stepped out. “Clerics are essentially healers in a party. They have offensive spells but healing or buffing is how they are usually looked over as. There are also bards who are spell casters/musicians who inspire their friend with song. There magic is overpowered as they can buff someone’s strength if it was eighteen is now thirty-eight. Clerics and druids are warrior mages while bards and mages are long range casters.”  

 

Twilight now raised her hoof “So clerics and druids have no long range?” “Well they do but they take longer to cast. Call lightning is a level three druid spell but it takes an hour to cast. Of course the longer it takes the more powerful it is. Druids in the same time can summon a chariot made of flames and pulled by fire horses. In truth I got to cast that once and it was hella fun to fly through the air like that. Of course being attacked by githyanki made it less fun but whatever.” “What’s a githyanki?” “Different plane, the astral plane I believe, is where they live. They’re green and want to wipe off many races that offend their goddess. The worst they can send are their silver swordsmen who bear swords that can turn to liquid to easily cut through the flesh of their enemies. So they’re not the friendliest.”

 

Then Robert just stood there thinking, Twilight then chimed in, “Did you want come back to my house for food and to get out of the weather.” The weather was nice but Robert didn’t really like the outdoors. “Yes that sounds fine to me.”, turning to the CMC “Now you three should run off I have a feeling this is gonna be a serious and boring conversation.” They got up and said their goodbyes. Twilight and Spike were already leaving as Robert got his bag back on. Patience is not a virtue in this place it seems.