[AiE] Luna's Knight -Part 1-

>You are Sir Anon. Knight of the realm in service to the king

>And you have no idea where you are.

>You open your eyes and stare at a perfect clear sky through the thin slit of your helmet

>For the longest while you just lay there not even bothering to lift your visor

>You rest in your not exactly comfortable armour as cold wind rushes over you

>much later your back starts to hurt and you get up to remove some of the more cumbersome parts of your armour.

>after managing to take of your helmet you close your eyes and take a deep breath letting your lungs fill with cool autumn air

>You would allow yourself to enjoy this moment but when you open your eyes again you spot movement in the nearby trees.

>It looks anything but friendly.

>You toss your helmet aside having no time to refasten it and grab your sword

“Show yourself!” you say with as much authority as you can muster to whatever was lurking out of sight.

>hopefully it was just an animal.

>you really don't want to go head and try to fight someone without knowing who or what they are doing here.

>Luckily you're correct as a small zebra steps into view

>You sigh to yourself as you sheath your sword and go

“Gods above I’m being far to jumpy.”

>”Your fear is not unfounded this forest is far from calm.”

>You jump back round. Dragging your sword back out and pointing it at the zebra

>The zebra flinches but stays put at the edge of the tree line.

>“Did you just talk or have I lost my mind.”

>When you start to think about it your sure you already know the answer

>You've woken up is some strange place, weapons armour and coin purse intact and an exotic jewelled zebra just came up to you when you asked it to show itself.

>Of course it's likely it's going to talk too.

 

 

>”I did, but please lower your weapon I mean you no harm.”

>You don't want to believe it but she is right, she has not shown you any aggression and looks rather scared of you.

>Even if she was hostile, she wouldn't be too hard to fight off.

>You sheath your sword yet again and walk towards the zebra (after picking up your helmet)

“Can you explain to me what is going on?”

>”I would ask the same, I was collecting herbs and plants my concoctions when I saw you.

>'She knows alchemy? Impressive, perhaps she has a hamlet or village nearby, these druid types always stick on the outskirts of small towns.'

>”Do you not know where you are?”

>You shake your head.

>”Then follow me, I shall let you rest at my hut and share my brew.”

>The way to this zebra's hut (who you learnt was called Zecora) was difficult as you where scrapped by thorns and brambles which caught on your amour

>She was pleasant company at least, speaking in rhymes and songs, it was quite enjoyable.

>after arriving at her hut you where sat down and handed a tiny bowl of water which you greedily downed.

“I thank you Zecora, it's odd to imagine a zebra showing more hospitality than the common man.”

>You and Zecora talk for the longest time about where you are and what's around.

“So How far do you think this Ponyville is?”

>”It's not more than few hours but we cannot leave now it is night.”

>”The forest is full of danger and everything here will want a fight.”

>You look out the window and confirm it is in fact night.

“Then my I ask Zecora, that you let me sleep here tonight... for I have nowhere else to go. And er... I do not want to fight?”

>Zecora smiles at your attempt to imitate her rhyming which came off very forced but funny.

>”Of course.”

>She pulls out a small blanket and hands it to you.

>You try to sleep but the whole situation is getting to you.

>Unknown place, magical talking animals and an evil forest you are sleeping inside.

“where the hell am I.” you ask yourself in a whisper as you close your eyes and drift off.

 

 

>morning arrives and you find you haven't been eaten by a bear or something which is always good.

>Putting on your armour you get ready to leave.

>Zecora waits at the door and points the way to the nearby town of Ponyville.

>She also told you, while the night has passed the danger of wild animals is still there in the shadows.

>You wonder what kind of creatures you might see and what you should do if you see anything.

>The zebra is a wild animal yet last night you shared a meal and house with one while she taught you about this land

>Is there going to be a bear that'll offer you it's cave and a mug of honey mead?

>that would be cool.

>bear drinking buddy.

>unfortunately your dreams of returning to your castle barracks on the back of a drunk bear are dash upon the rocks because of the distinct lack of bears.

>or anything for that matter.

>this forest is silent.

>And that is never a good sign.

>perhaps you're the reason though, even Zecora was uncertain as to what you where so it makes sense she would hid and wearing a full set of armour that clanks and chimes like a festival parade your hardly subtle either.

>Of course on the upside that means only the most aggressive or desperate of beasts will want to deal with you.

>Always got to look on the bright side.

>After walking for about an hour you see a rabbit

>this was the only interesting thing to happen but by now you should be at the edge of this Everfree forest and looking for a town.

>and after a few more steps your out. The forest just ends. Thick dense brambles and ancient trees just ends like someone drew a line in the sand and declared this side was off limits.

“That isn't natural, there is magic at play here.”

 

 

 

>turning your back on the forest you look into the distance where you see a massive white castle extruding from the mountainside so many miles away

>many thought come to your mind as you gaze upon it, like how they built it? how beautiful it looks but mostly about how that bitch druid zebra better not expect you to walk all that way in full fucking armour then climb a bloody mountain.

>As you crest a nearby hill though you spot a sign that says “Welcome to Ponyville” and a path that leads to a little idyllic village complete with thatched roofs like in your old home town.

>gods how you missed that place.

>Time stops for no man though and your day dreaming will not get you home.

>you press on and enter the village.

>more equines it seems.

>you could have guessed that from the name of the village but you was holding out hope for it being a place where they had lots of pet ponies rather than being run by them.

>but as long as they are friendly and don't try and attack you, you don't mind.

>Doors shut, ponies flee from you as you walk through what looks like the main trading market

>as expected, hopefully the pony you where told to find won't flee

>someone called Twilight sparkle.

>Odd name.

>odder still is being told she lives in a tree.

>More tree hugging druids?

>as it turns out no, the tree was easy enough to find and judging from the books and book sign out front it's either a book store or a library.

>you knock on the “just-a-little-too-short-for-you” door and hear hoof steps coming your way.

>even though you where supposed to find this  pony in particular you wonder if she would freak out and flee like the others.

“Are you Twilight Sparkle?!” you yell through the closed door

>you hear her hooves stop dead

>”erm, yes?”

“Miss Sparkle please do not be scared when you open this door.”

>Because nobody would be scared if you say that.

 “I need your help.”

 

 

 

>the door opens and a purple-ish unicorn's eyes fall on your chest then slowly try to find your own eyes beneath your steel helmet.

>It's a town you know nothing about you're not going to risk removing your armour even if they do seem friendly.

“Please do not panic Miss Sparkle.”

>”What in Celestia's name are you?”

>Apart from being VERY scared at your height and massive thick armour she looks friendly enough

>You get down on one knee so your about the same height

“I'm lost.”

>”I'll say, I’ve never seen anything like you before. Please come in.”

>you tell her your story about where you woke up and about Zecora who guided you here

>”Did she come with you?”

“No she stayed in her hut.”

>”Shame I haven't seen her in a while.”

>The ideal chatter is nice but you really want to get back home now.

“So Miss Sparkle, do you think you can help me?”

>”Please call me Twilight, Miss sparkle is my mother and it makes me feel old.” she says sipping on her tea.

>her expression shifts into a more saddened state as she knows what she must tell you. You can see it too.

>“the problem is...”

“You can't send me back can you?”

>”Not just that, I don't even know where to begin. Magic like this isn't just used off hoof. I don't know where you came from or the magic used, if I even tried, a thousand things might happen and none of them pleasant, I can assure you.

>you sigh inwards and let yourself sink into the chair.

>”That does not mean that it ends here though.”

>You look up at her, she is wearing the smile that radiates hope.

>”My mentor, Princess Celestia is the ruler of Equestria, she is also the most powerful magic user in all the land, she has an entire library at her disposal in her city of Canterlot, if anyone can help you, it's her.”

>You stand up and place the small cup of tea you had been given on the table

“Then it's to her that I shall go.”

 

 

 

>”I'm just sorry I couldn't help you Sir Anon.”

>You laugh and gentle pat her head

“But you did Twilight, without you I would never have found where to go and I would be lost wondering the lands.”

>Twilight smiles proudly as you stand by he door ready to leave.

>”I'll send a letter to the princess about you coming to see her, she can send a carriage in a few hours I think.”

“No thank you Twilight, I want to see this world a little longer, and from what I saw on the way here, these “Trains” you have seem to go to Canterlot and they look like fun.”

>”then please take this too, as my way of saying sorry.”

>twilight throws you a small bag of coins which you thank her for.

>As you leave her tree-house you poke your head back through the door.

”Oh and Twilight? Call me Anon.”

 

 

 

>After a short wait and paying for the tickets you sit on the train and watch the town go by.

>This quite a nice form of transport you think to yourself as the train picks up speed and heads up the mountain side

>before too long you are pulling into Canterlot station

>the ticket inspector flinches as you hand him your ticket then gingerly takes it from your huge armoured hand

>You can probably lower your guard enough to remove your helmet but on the other hand, years of experience have told you always to be weary in new places

>Now however as you enter a major city about to meet with a princess you take it off and hold it at your side as you walk through the streets towards the huge white castle.

>Ponies turn and watch you as you walk and only a few flee but all of them make way for you.

>feels good to have this power but you know you shouldn't be exploiting this so whenever someone moves you thank them.

>it's not much but it's better than walking through them like it's your birthright.

>then you see it.

>the massive white castle of Canterlot and at the gates stand quite a few ponies in armour

>these are your people, the ones you are used to dealing with on a day to day basis.

>You approach the guards and politely salute.

“I am Sir Anon of Earth, I seek an audience with her highness princess Celestia of Equestria I was told she would be informed of my arrival before hand.”

>one of the guards nod to the other sending him off to see if this information is correct.

>He comes back a few moments later and opens the gates for you.

>”Follow me Sir Anon.”

>You do as you are told, on the way through the main entrance you make sure your armour is sparkling clean and correctly positioned making sure it's all fastened extra tight.

>after all you have standards to keep, you're still a knight of his majesty's army.

>you enter the main hall and it takes your breath away.

>you almost don't notice the guard asking you for your weapons?

 

 

 

>”I need to relinquish you of your weapons Sir Anon before you meet with the princess.”

>you always feel uneasy about getting rid of your weapons, even under thick armour that covers you head to toe you feel as naked as the day you where born.

>you hand them over as well as the little stiletto dagger you keep in your boot.

>you are told to wait until one of castle works takes you to the throne room to meet with her highness.

>so you wait

>and wait

>And shortly after you finish counting all the imperfections in the wall tiles out of boredom and wearing a little groove into the floor a cute little mare comes  up to you, she's a very timid pegasus and looks really scared of you

>”E...Excuse me s-s-sir Anon?”

“Yes?”

>”A-are you here to m-meet with princess Celestia?”

“Yes I am.”

>You're really trying to be polite and not scary but she looks like she's about to crack any second, you really wish there was something you could say or do but nothing comes to other than smiling and being polite.

>”Then please F-follow me Sir.”

>You reach the throne room in silence as the young mare opens the door for you

>you thank her and step into the room.

>heads turn, conversations stop and guards grip their spears tighter as you approach the princess.

>Trying your best to remember the rules for dealing with royalty you drop to one knee and bow.

“Greetings your highness. I am the Human, Sir Anon of Earth, I awoke here in your lands inside the Everfree forest through means I do not know and now I seek my way home, I came across your pupil Miss Twilight Sparkle who instructed me to seek you, Princess Celestia of Equestria as your pupil and I hoped you might know of a way. Forgive me for the intrusion of your lands, I mean your subjects no harm and offer only peace.”

 

 

 

>First comes the silence as she digests all the information then comes a light chuckle befitting a princess.

>“Dear Anon you needn’t be so formal here, we too offer peace and for us to have that we must talk to one another as equals wouldn't you say?”

>Well this is a refreshing change, most nobles you deal with are so far up their own ass they can't see

“Yes your highness, I agree but my duty as a knight of the realm show respect to members of royalty, I have spent much of my life obeying these rules it is as second nature to me as breathing.”

>”you remind me of my sister Anon, she too spent such along time being formal that she has forgotten that times change and with it speech. I feel you too would get along. Stand Sir Anon.”

>You look Celestia in the eyes as she steps off her throne and walks towards you.

>”I will of course help you Anon, it saddens me greatly to know you where taken from your homeland.”

>Celestia rests a giant wing on your cold armoured shoulder as her tone shifts to darker and altogether sadder note

>”But I cannot promise this road to getting you home will be either fast or pleasant.”

>The way she says it though it seems she has an idea of where to start.

>”In the mean time I offer you rest in this castle as my personal guest.”

“Princess you are too kind.”

>”Where else would you sleep?”

>She has a point.

“I do not wish to impose.”

>”Nonsense Anon, it is not your fault, there is no imposition, we are happy to accommodate you here.”

>You are led out the throne room under her wing and shown through the castle to a large room.

>Inside you have a bed an on-suite and many luxuries that only kings and queens could hope to dream of.

“Princess this generosity is far too much.”

 

 

 

>”I will have it no other way Anon. But I will ask that you remove your armour while inside the castle.”

“Then I’m going to have to ask for my weapons back, I’m sorry Celestia but it is one or the other.”

>She moves to protest, but she stops herself in mid thought.

>”You where a solider back in your homeland?”

“I knight your majesty, I was a high ranking solider that commanded others and fought in service for my king.”

 >”Then I wonder if I can't offer you a deal.”

>This has something to do with your equipment so you have to know what she wants, after all a knight should never be parted from his armour or weapons.

>”We cannot allow guests to roam our halls armed and dressed for war, it invites trouble and if we make exceptions for you then how long before we make exceptions for the other diplomats. We cannot.”

“So what do you propose instead?”

>”That you join our military force for the duration of your stay here, that way we shall allow you to keep both your weapons and armour and we shall know that not only do you offer peace but you are in our halls protecting us too.”

>An interesting idea.

“I’m tempted but I need to know more, would I still have this room?

>Celestia laughs.

>”Yes you would Anon, you would retain your rank or the Equestrian royal guard equivalent.”

“Who would I serve under?”

>”Well like I said I think you would get along wonderfully with my sister Luna so I’d like you to serve her.”

>You think about this. You already know you're going to say yes but you feel you need to confirm it to yourself first.

“Ok then princess, If it pleases you I shall serve under Princess Luna for as long as I am in your lands.”

>”Excellent I am most pleased Sir Anon. For now rest and we shall speak tomorrow about what your duties shall entail.”

>You walk back into your new room stripping off your armour and crash onto the bed

>You fall to sleep almost as soon as your head hit the pillow and for the first time in ages your have really sweet dreams.