A Legendary Issue
(1) - Recognition
I stood at the top of the plateau that I had called home for the past fifty-or-so years, gazing off into the distance. Where the clouds broke, I could see the rolling farmland of the Unicorn Range that stretched infinitely into the horizon, with the colourful rainbow waterfalls of Cloudsdale shining overtop. I peered over the edge, and saw the city of Canterlot jutting from the mountainside like a tick—a majestic, royal tick, if that made my analogy any better.
To the untrained eye, it appeared that I was standing there placidly, not particularly invested in the view, and not doing anything important. While the two formers were true (a view stops being breathtaking after the hundredth time), the latter was most certainly not. My mind was operating a mile a minute, with ideas, concerns, emotions, questions, answers, and plans being thought and mulled over at a speed considered frightful by anyone who didn't know how to catalogue them properly.
Being a Metagross certainly had its ups and downs, but the biggest advantages by far were the ones occurring beneath the hood, so to speak. I had the processing power of a top-of-the-line computer, and numerous Psychic abilities that were useful in a myriad of different way. Unfortunately, the piercing headaches that I received as both a Beldum and Metang were still present and annoying, but hey, that was an acceptable price tag.
I sighed heavily, despite not actually having lungs by which to do so. The scroll I received from the messenger now huffing her way back to Canterlot was a direct summoning from Celestia herself, and it wouldn't do to keep her waiting. Still, I could always pull the 'I'm old' card, even though I wasn't subject to any of the aches, pains, and general loss of cognitive capacity that comes with being a few centuries old...
... Ah, screw it. Hibernation was quite appealing, but I was awake for the first time in fifty-six years, if my internal clock was still functioning correctly, and I felt the need to do something.
I needed... adventure.
With a groan befitting the one-ton behemoth that I was, I launched myself into the air and over the edge of the mountain top, folding my legs as I did so. I dropped like a stone and gained momentum at a rapid pace, with the air rushing by at a frightful speed. The tallest spires of Canterlot grew increasingly larger with every passing second.
When I was but a few seconds away from impact, I engaged my floating capabilities with an effort of will, halting my progression almost immediately. Had I been something squishier, the sudden cessation of speed would've probably broken several bones and given, but being almost entirely metal, I didn't feel a thing.
I scanned the city below me. Ponies the size of ants hustled and bustled to-and-fro through the city streets, most of which were too pre-occupied to look up. I could hear the worried and panicked cries of the few that did.
If I could change the grumpy expression permanently etched into my face/body, I might've smiled. For some reason, being able to literally crush ponies but choosing not to was strangely satisfying. Must be some sort of power trip-type thing.
With a mental shrug, I flew towards the Royal Castle.
/\/\/
Canterlot may have grown and changed, but the Royal Castle remained unmodified since time immemorial—or at least, for as long as I could remember. I guess white marble never truly goes out of style.
I landed in the open courtyard, a dust ring expanding outward when I placed all four limbs onto the ground. I looked up at the guards standing in front of the entrance, which sat at the top of a small staircase. To their credit, I only saw one pony's eyes widen in fear. That was half the normal amount.
"Can I come in?" I asked.
The visibly shaken one became even more so. "I can't do that," replied his partner, swallowing nervously, but otherwise as blank-faced as a stone. "Only visitors bearing the royal seal can enter. If you have a complaint, you'll have to wait until tomorrow's Day Court."
Damnit. I knew I should've brought that bloody scroll with me...
I sighed, a sound akin to metal being crushed by a trash compactor. "Let me speak to your Guard Captain. I'm expected by Princess Celestia, and I'd hate to keep her waiting."
The straight-faced guard narrowed his eyes. After a couple seconds of deliberation, he nodded and muttered to the wide-eyed guard, "Go get the Captain. If you hear me scream, go to the barracks instead and raise the Guard. I don't think this thing means trouble, but one can never be too sure." The other guard was gone before the first's murmurings faded away.
Sometimes, it was nice to have incredibly amplified hearing.
"As a matter of fact, I don't mean trouble. I may look like an angry, floating tank, but I'm actually a pretty nice guy when you get through my rough exterior."
The guard blinked in complete confusion, and didn't say anything.
"Never mind," I muttered.
The rest of the time spent waiting went by in complete silence, with the guard thinking about how much he was going to enjoy his retirement, and with me twiddling my metaphorical thumbs.
What? I only listen to a pony's thoughts when it's absolutely necessary, or when I'm bored. And I was bored. Sue me.
When the nervous guard came back with the Guard Captain, I would've done a spit take had I been drinking a liquid. Lo-and-behold, it was none other than Shining Armor.
I guess I should've expected that I would eventually find the correct time period, but to be completely honest, I had given up that hope when I first realized I was stuck in a much younger Equestria. Now that I was finally in the right time, after all these years... I didn't know what to do. Might as well keep my knowledge a secret; it would be weird if I called him by his full name the first time we met.
"When you first described the size, I thought you were exaggerating, Corporal Pauldron," Shining Armour mused after doing a double take. "I see now that's not the case." Turning to me, he said, "I take it that you're the emissary Princess Celestia was speaking of."
"You would be correct in your assumption," I replied evenly. "Do I have your permission to enter?"
Shining Armour nodded. "Yes, but..."
I raised a metallic eyebrow. "But...?"
"I'm pretty sure you can't fit through the door. Is there another entrance you can—?"
"Yeah. I'll use the Garden entrance." There was another reason for me using the Royal Garden entrance, but Shining didn't need to know that. There was an old... acquaintance that I wanted to see before I met with Celestia.
"Good. I'll meet you there," he replied.
I launched myself into the air, folding my legs together in the process. If Shining Armour was surprised, he didn't show it.
Drifting towards the Garden, I wondered what I would say to my old acquaintance. After all, it had been over a hundred years since I last spoke with Discord.
Woohoo! I love this story already! Metagross and Gardevoir are my two favorite pokemon.
Well this is going to be a fun adventure. Been looking forward to this story and hoping that it would be as epic as the previous. I was wrong. It's going to be even more epic!
Also, I'm guessing he can talk with Discord on account of his telepathy?
I have been waiting so long and now I can live it again.
Oh sweet sequels up, looking forward to seeing how this pans out
Interesting, and off to a good start I see. I eagerly await what's in store for our metallic protagonist.
YOU'RE BACK!!!
And I wonder what happened to Ryder? (Because James mentioned previously "We don't talk about Ryder")
Did he go mad?
Metagross are a badass and a half.
Also, I wonder if James will be able to walk through the castle without cracking the marble with every step or will he be forced to hover the whole way.
serebii.net/anime/shiny/metagross.jpg
Man this story is even better then the previous one! :D
When should we expect updates?
I prefer daily but would we be lucky enough for monthly or even weekly?
so dost this mean none of james' friends still exist? as except for the ghost all of them should have died of old age by what your explaining?
Metagross is pretty damn high up in my list of awesome pokemon, I wonder if he'll get a mega-evolution at some point... that would be incredible.
Anyways, I'm glad to see the sequel to this story, I loved the first one and hopefully will love this one as well. From what I can gather, one or multiple legendaries (whether they were people before is not yet known) have arrived or will be arriving, with the first one already being in the Everfree forest.
I wonder who is still alive from his party, James and Ryder are immortal, but the others are not. I figure Psychic types live longer for some reason, so Cyndy might still be alive. Seth can hibernate, so the biggest concerns would be Miranda and Caleb. At the same time, you said that they didn't talk about Ryder anymore, and that worries me, as I've always liked him.
Hopefully the first legendary they meet isn't a fire or ghost type, James probably has enough problems as it is.
FINALLY!!!!
I have been waiting for this for so long!
I almost thought you were gonna not make a sequel.
If I remember correctly, Ryder and the rest got into a fight last time.... is that true?
Excellent.....
I've been looking forward to this.
*throws hands in air* YAY
It's good to see the sequel posted
Hell. Yes.
Oh god take all my my yes.
SWEET!
Yeah! What do you think your update rate will be?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH
Okay. I see that you have returned from your unannounced break, and have put this up. Which is cool. Metagross is cool. I like Metagross. I have one on my team. Or do I? I actually don't. I should put one on my team... when I find my DS, that is. Anyway, this was an enjoyable read.
My day has been made. Can't wait for more.
That's a pretty great start! It is very interesting to hear that James has seen and talked to Discord...
All you've done with this chapter is make us wait for a new chapter like impatient foals.
You meanie.
At Last!!! Thank you!!! :)
Yay! Good to see this continuing.
3285087Because they are best pokemon.
Finally, awesomeness is ahoof!
Hmm now how will this effect Equestria as we know it?
Thank you! I ran out of ideas on my first fanfic with the same premise, so now I have a reason not to finish it! (This was not a sarcastic insult or whatever)
Gah! Finally...
"Well, now I need dry panties."
If he looked surprised, he would have definitely shown it, since that's kinda the definition of looking surprised.
Other than that, I'm liking this new story. I would think, though, that being alive for hundreds of years would screws with one's sanity a little, but perhaps the fantastic Human has jaded my thoughts on that somewhat. Something else that has me apprehensive is that this fic also seems to be going the well-worn route of the HiE wherein the human has foreknowledge of the yet-to-happen events in the show, but can't spoil anything for fear of the unknown consequences. The intrigue with the main character knowing Discord is certainly a plus, though, and like I said, this new story seems enjoyable enough overall. Do try not to go the way of the cliche I mentioned, but otherwise, keep it up.
3287335
I see what you did there
3287382
First thing: good point, I'll fix that so it actually makes sense.
Second thing, about the sanity: I thought about making the main character a bit off his rocker, but eventually decided against it because of the amount of time he was in hibernation. Just because he was alive for a long time doesn't mean he was conscious for a long time.
And third: I'll do my best to not go down the well-worn way of Cliche Street.
Thanks!
I would but the other day i told my lawyer i wanted to sue a 1 ton metal animal residing in a mythical world ruled and inhabited mostly by ponies. I eventually sued him for trying to wrongly imprison someone in an asylum.
people these days
Ten of the first 13 comments have both one thumb up and one down. Weird
3286817 Ain't got nothin' on Blaziken.
Update, or I will launch a cross of Pinkie Pie and Abra at you, Imagine the HORROR of a teleporting Pinkie Pie with party cannons.
3288673I like Blaziken, I really do. But I love Gardevoir even more. And she can whoop Blaziken's ass.
3289026
3288839 Doesn't PP already pretty much have teleport powers? She's already able to show up wherever she wants/needs without much difficulty.
Also, I'm curious: What's with the NV transitions? I mean, I have no problem with it (it looks like a double N which reminds me of Black and White), but I don't think I've seen it used as a transition before.
And what's up with the +1/-1 rating on most of the comments? Someone on a trolling spree?
3289308
The /\/\/ transitions were just something I made up. I already saw some authors using //// and \\\\\ ones, so I decided to combine the two. It looks kind of silly, but at least it works.
And as for the comments, I guess someone was having a bad day and then someone else upvoted to balance the scales.
3286817 Awww Yeah!
I realy want to know what happend to Ryder considering he's my fav type (ghost) but good story
Yes! Yes! Awww yeah!
Very excited to see this back. Seriously love the way you went with the characters in the last story, already loving where this is going.
You sir, are awesome.
3289362 hmmm im interested AND this has a good flow but is a little slow and almost no back story....6.5/10 it IS good but so far its a little slow...ill see you next chappy :D (i rarely do by the word reviews. just reviews based on opinion since some people from other sites look for my reviews. bleargh its a curse.)
~Nightmare(so far you have a great idea)
I just gave you your 400th like... this calls for... A PARTY!!!!!!
Discord?!