Sunny Knight: a Pony's Tale

by TheothersideofSunny968

Carmel Smooth

Chrysalis was in a deep sleep, dreaming about draining the love out of some poor pony who thought she was his long lost love, watching the color in his eyes fade to grey. Once she had reduced him to a shivering, drooling doll, she tossed him aside, laughing evily as she sat upon her dark throan in her changeling castle. All around her were her minions who mimicked her laughter. Chrysalis was fully enjoying her dream, believing it to be real, that is, until a rather annoying sound filled the air. The sound of blowing raspberries. The dark and creepy changeling castle around Chrysalis turned bright pink and fluffed up like a thick shag carpet! Her minions all changed their forms to that resembling the same pink fluffball of a pony! With big blue eyes, her tounge sticking out, and only her face and the tips of her hooves poking out of her long, thick, pastel pink fur. It was at that moment that Chrysalis knew she was dreaming of better days and opened her eyes, waking up instantly from her dream and falling into despair.

Inches from her own muzzle was the muzzle of her savior. A fluffy pink mare who only spoke in blowing raspberries, meows and an array of different squeaks. It was this odd pony who had pulled the former changeling queen from the wreckage of her shattered hive, carried her back to the safetly of her own home, spent day after day caring for her wounds and nursing the changeling queen back to health, and provided more then enough love to sustain Chrysalis's own changeling thirst.

It was some odd anomaly; this pink pony, Chrysalis came to call Fluffle Puff (based on all the hanging embroidered pictures with that name), was able to produce more then enough love for the large changeling to happily feed off, and not suffer from any side effects. Chrysalis had drained dozens of stallions out of their love before and left them as drooling idiots. But Fluffle Puff was a different kind of pony all together.

With an annoyed sigh, Chrysalis got up and out of bed, remembering she was in the equally pink house that mirrored her savior. With a small yawn and streach, Chrysalis looked over at Fluffle Puff, and flat emotion in her voice, demanded "make me something for breakfast."

To which, Fluffle Puff flashed a wide smile before hopping out of the room, only to return a moment later with an empty box of cereal and a long look on her face. Chrysalis knew what this meant. The fluff ball was completly out of food.

"Ugh, then go and buy some more!" Chrysalis then rolled back over in bed, pulling the sheets over her, shutting her eyes. "And wake me when you get back and have food ready!"

Chrysalis was about to go back to sleep when she felt hot breath shooting bursts at her. When she cracked open her eyes, she saw Fluffle Puff standing there with a note drawn on paper in red crayon saying 'come with me, pweeese?'

The former queen rolled her eyes and growled in annoyance. "Fine! But you're gunna start a riot. If you haven't noticed I'm not exactly popular in town…"

Chrysalis threw the covers off her again and hopped out of bed, only to collapse to her knees. She breathed heavily as she sat there, wishing she had her horn still. Without it, not only could she not use any magic, but her body became incredibly weak. Getting up and out of bed was a hassle in itself. Whoever that monstrous earth pony was, he knew what he was doing when he snapped her horn off.

Before Chrysalis could try again to get up, Fluffle Puff appeared with a little red wagon. She had placed pillows on the inside for comfort and had written with more crayon on the side, in pink bold letters 'love wagon.'

Chrysalis was almost annoyed with how fluffy and lovey dovey this mare was, but the love Fluffle Puff gave off nourished her, so Chrysalis put up with it, for now. With a sigh, Chrysalis wabbled into the 'love wagon' and barked at Fluffle Puff "lets hurry up and get food so you can make me breakfast."

To which Fluffle Puff squeaked happily before grabbing the waggon's handle and tugging her special friend along behind her. Leading her out the door and down the road leading into the nearest town. Ponyville.

Sitting down with Big Mac at Sugar Cube, Sunny sipped his mint chocolate shake, his mind partly deflating from his baffled thoughts. Big Mac kept quiet and allowed Sunny to distress while sucking down on his own chocolate and banana shake. Several moments pass, Sunny finished 2/3rds of his shake then released a sigh.

"Did ah do somethin' wrong, Big Mac?" Sunny plainly asked the one friend who stuck by his side.

Swallowing one last gulp of his own shake, Big Mac answered just as plainly. "Well, what exactly were ya trying ta do?"

"Ah was trying ta help us all become more rounded. Help you, me and Thudnerlane gain some knowlage that could help us possibly later if we got into ah pinch" Sunny started to explain. "The same thing for Derpy, Octavia and Doctor. They aren't the most physically fit, an' ah wanted ta help them get to ah more active state that might help 'em later too."

"Well, that's good and all" Big Mac started, his tone just as flat as ever. "But even you have ta admit, th' stuff you an' Twilight wanted us ta read was as exciting as watching paint dry on th' barn on ah rainy day."

Signing again, Sunny put one hoof on the table and rested his head in his hoof. "Ah know… but it was ta help us better ourselves. Sometimes that ain't easy, but we all need to be prepared for every situation."

"Well, ah could be wrong, but th' way ah see it, our friends all are good at different things. Ah can lift heavy things, an' Doctor is good with science. You're good with stratagy an' all that diplomacy stuff, while Derpy is good with cheering ponies up. Octavia is all safisiticated an' Thunderlane is… ugh, good at sports." Big Mac unintentionally struggled with the last strength of their friend Thunderlane.

That struggle caused Sunny to chuckle a little. "One strength you, Derpy an' him have that Octavia and Doctor sometimes lack, it you two seem to be able ta talk an' understand the common pony. Ya make 'em feel more relaxed."

"Funny ya say that" Big Mac cocked a half smile at Sunny. "Ah hear th' same thing 'bout you. But ya also know how ta talk with them fancy ponies, too."

This kinda brought a smile to Sunny's muzzle. "So… what can we do? Our friends are all mad at eachother. We need ta get 'em back togeather an' get this whole mess sorted out. But how?"

As if by some magical unseen force, the universe gave Sunny and Big Mac the answer in the form of several screams, followed quickly by a barrel being thrown through the window of Sugar Cube Corner! The barrel was hurtling through the air, almost crashing into a glass display case of various pastries. Thankfully Sunny reacted in time and caught the barrel with his magical aura. Setting the barrel down gently, Sunny and Big Mac jumped out the broken window, laying in the streets, ready for action. But what they saw shocked them and left them a little confused.

There appeared to be the fluffies pony Sunny had ever seen, almost like a giant ball of pink fur that grew stubby legs and a muzzle. The pink fluff creature was running around on her hind two legs, holding over her head Queen Chrysalis, who was laying down inside a red waggon, holding on for dear life, both being chased by the brown earth pony Sunny remembered from the Grand Galloping Gala. Salted Carmel.

Salted was on a rampage, whipping the chain attached to his right hoof with the technique of a mad ninja. Flipping between using it like a whip and lasso. He would strike at the exact point where Fluffle Puff was about to step, only for the fluffy pony to just barely dodge the shot. Then the muscular earth pony would flip the chain back, having it wrap around a chair, barrel, or potted plant, and launch the item directly at the fluffy pony, hoping to separate her from the changeling queen she appeared to be protecting. Again, somehow, Fluffle Puff was able to dodge the attack at the last moment. Unfortunately, the objects being thrown ended up crashing into windows, houses, or almost hitting other ponies!

"I'm not sure what's going on, but we have to stop him" Sunny stated, his muscles tightening, readying himself for a fight.

"Eh, yep" Big Mac agreed, his body reacting in similarly.

"You go head on, I'll catch him from behind" Sunny spoke just low enough to where only Big Mac could hear.

The red farm pony nodded, then, upon Sunny's signal, charged at Salted Carmel before he could fling his chain again. While Salted's attention was drawn to Big Mac charging him from the front, Sunny teleported behind the Salted, then jumped onto the back of the large brown stallion. In one swift movement, with a level of strength that Sunny didn't expect, Salted Carmel grabbed Sunny from behind him, and flung him like a rag doll, sending him colliding into Big Mac! Both Sunny and Big Mac lay on the ground, aching from the impact.

When the two looked up, they were met with the burning gaze of Salted Carmel as he looked down on them with an annoyed, sharp look.

"Get away from our friends!" The call shocked Salted, but he didn't have time to react.

Thunderlane zoomed all around Salted, leaving behind a grey blure of on after image. Without Salted knowing, Thunderlane grabbed his chain like weapon and wrapped it around the large earth pony's body.

Once he was done, Thunderlane put distance between him and the angered Salted, then called out "now Doc!"

"Don't call me Doc!" Doctor Whooves yelled out as he flipped a switch on a large metal device with a large magnet attached to it. The machine shook for a moment as it powered up, then it began attracting small metal objects around it.

"Let me give you a helping hoof!" Derpy appeared infront of Salted. She had placed a wooden plank under him, a barrel at the plank's mid section, and positioned herself just right at the other end. With a mighty force that could destroy a building, Derpy cannon balled onto her end of the plank, Flipping Salted up and into the air, right in the feild of the magnetic pull of Doctor's machine.

The brown earthpony struggled for a long moment, using all his strength to try and break free of his own chins, but it was no use. His shackles that he made into his own personal weapons had once again been used to imprison him. Still, he knew they couldn't keep him locked up forever. And when he escaped, he wouldn't just leave Chrysalis under the bebris of a crumbled hive, but under an entire mountain! He would make sure nopony could get her out next time! He growled like a tiger as if vowing to never rest again until that monster was sealed away permanently!

"You need to relax" Octavia suddenly appeared, pulling Salted out of his aggressive thoughts. He narrowed his eyes on her and grunted, never breaking eye contact. "I know you're angery, and you have every right to be. But look what you've done…"

Octavia moved Salted's head around and directed his attention to the part of Ponyville where he had been rampaging through. The anger in Salted started to fizzle out as he realized what he had been doing. Homes had busted windows and walls. Foliage, trees and potted plants were crushed, snapped and broken. Ponies were hidding behind broken tables, behind closed doors half off their hindges. The sight was a nightmare. Something that one would think was left behind by a monstrous creature like an Ursa Major or a bug bear. But it wasn't. He had done it. One overly strong pony had done all this damage.

Salted looked away from the destroyed town and returned his burning gaze to Chrysalis, who was laying in a waggon not far from him. He wanted nothing more then to crush her like the overgrown bug she was. Then he took a second look at her.

She still didn't have her horn, so she couldn't do any magic, not even change her shape. The front legs she used to sit up with seemed to shake slightly, as if she was struggling to just hold herself up, and if that wasn't enough, her eyes had changed. The once green, reptilian like eyes, deprived of any and all emotion, were now a light blue color, mirroring the eyes of the fluffy pink puff ball standing between him and her. Salted looked from Chrysalis to Fluffle Puff, then back to the bug queen.

"I suppose you still aren't happy, are you?" Chrysalis's voice slithered over to Salted. "You stole my horn, and my magic. You destroyed my hive, and even stole my minions from me. If this one hadn't come along, I could have starved. But she keeps me well fed with her own love. Why she does, I dont know. But it seems to make her happy."

Fluffle Puff broke her hard gaze to make a squeek noise and hug Chrysalis, making several more high pitched squeezing noises and she boopped Chrysalis on the tip of her muzzle several times. Chrysalis growled, appearing annoyed, but did nothing to stop Fluffle Puff.

"Is that sufficient payment for whatever she did to you?" Sunny asked, approaching Salted. "How much more do you need to satisfy your rage? What will make it right? And how much more do you plan to destroy?"

Salted looked around once again at the part of the town he destroyed. Ponies were beginning to pop their heads out of their hidding places, curious to see if it was safe yet. Salted saw the fear in their eyes. Fear he created.

"I know you hurt inside" Octavia stepped forward, putting a gentle hoof on Salted's cheek. "But there is a better way. Will you let me show you a better way to express your pain?"

Salted felt his burning rage simmer down a bit. A fire still burned in his heart, but he wasable to think clearly. Releasing a sigh, Salted returned his defeated gaze at Octavia and nodded.

"If ya got him, Octavia, we'll get the town all fixed up an' make sure everypony is taken care of" Sunny stated.

"One moment, Sunny" Octavia stopped her yellow friends. "I need your help with one more thing before you go."

Octavia then motioned to the chain restricting Salted and the shackle around his right hoof.

Night had fallen, the stars were twinkaling and the Ponyville Fancy Hooves restaurant had placed a stage near the outside dinning tables. Ponies from all over town had their eyes glued to the center stage as a jazz band started another song, this one also with a saxophone solo. As the music lead up to the solo, Salted Carmel took center stage, the brass instrument in his hooves. Music just flowed through the instrument from his very soul. Notes carrying such feelings or passion. Of pain. Of yearning. Then of release. The crowd couldn't look away even if their town was on fire! The music was mesmerizing and full of emotion. Salted himself, felt as if a great weight was being lifted from his shoulders as smooth notes escaped his instrument, filling the air.

He could not speak his pain, talk to any pony, and had no patience for keeping a journal to write down his experiences. But with his saxophone, Salted was able to let free the pain and heart ache that plagued him for so many years. The rage that burned his soul now fueled a new passion. A necklace of a music note hung around his neck, made from his former magical bonds that he used as a weapon. So long as he kept the necklace on him, it restricted his muscular, behemoth like form. He was free to take it off any time he wanted, and it left his hooves free for him to play.

As the music died down, everypony stomped their hooves and cheered. Looking out to the sea of ponies who had come to listen to him and his new band mates play, Salted almsot felt a tear come to his eye. He hadn't felt so good about expressing himself in so long. He never expected he could entertain others and share his feelings in such a way. His eyes drifted to a table near the front where that grey mare sat with her friends. The one who believed in him and gave him just a few basic lessons earlier that day. She made it all possible. The mare named Octavia Melody.

"That was simply amazing" Doctor Whooves stated in a somewhat hushed tone.

"I can't believe it myself. Who knew a guy like him had the heart of a musician?" Thunderlane added, nudging Doctor a little. The grey pegasus paused for a second before directing his attention to doctor, his tone low. "Hey, ugh, sorry about earlier. I was a real donkeys behind."

"It's alright" Doctor met Thunderlanes appology with a small pat on the back. "I said things I shouldn't have as well."

"We all did" Octavia inserted herself, eyes falling to the ground, then back to the others. "I was very improper as a friend. Everything I said was uncalled for. I'm sorry I was so… so…"

"Mean?" Derpy plainly stated.

Clearing her throat, Octavia swallowed her pride, turned to Thunderlane, Doctor Whooves, Derpy, Big Mac, and Sunny "yes… for lack of a more appropriate word. Mean… can you all forgive me?"

"If you guys can forgive me" Thunderlane spoke more at ease. "I kinda started the whole thing. Sometimes I don't always think before I say something."

"Actually… this was my fault" Sunny stated, speaking up for the first time in their group appology.

"Your fault? But you didn't even say anything" Doctor noted, appearing a little confused.

"You're right. I didn't." Sunny began, taking in a breath, his expression turning more stoic. "I was the one who pushed you all out of your comfort zones, trying to make you do things you didn't feel right doing, until it all fell apart. Then when you all started going at one another, I didn't do anything to stop it. I'm supposed to be your leader as well as your friend, but I sat back and said nothing when my plans fell apart. If not for this whole incident with Salted, you all still might he mad at eachother."

"We were mad" Thunderlane stated, punching Sunny's shoulders lightly. "But friends get mad at eachother sometimes. It happens. "

"What matters is we get over it eventually, and make up" Doctor stated proudly. "I was kinda… feeling guilty about the whole fight, and wanted to find you guys to talk it all out. Thats when I saw the fight going on and worked out a plan with Thunderlane who was near by."

"And I was on my way to find Octavia to make up to" Thunderlane added. "Then when I saw what was going down, Doctor, Derpy and Octavia near by and we came up with a plan."

"And I was talking with Derpy to…" Octavia struggled with her part of the story, but pushed past her shyness. "I was talking with her to get another mare's understanding. Its not easy being the only girl around you guys sometimes. And being made out like some helpless maiden who needed rescuing pushed me over the edge. Derpy is always so thoughtful, so I thought to speak with her on the matter over some lunch. So long as we ate at a place that had plastic cups and plates."

"He he, sorry" Derpy chuckled, remembering how many plates and glasses she broke at the same resteraunt time and time again.

"Its alright, Derpy" Octavia smiled at her sweet friend. "You're perfect the way you are. If not for your kind influence, I wouldn't have pushed to help Salted half as much as I did."

Sunny looked around the table and couldn't help but smile. He had learned a very valuable friendship lesson he would have to share with his mother. "Guys, I wanted to help us by rounding out our skills and knowledge, filling in our personal gaps. But I think I see now that you don't need to be perfectly rounded, not so long as you have friends who are there to help fill in the gaps. Where some are slow or weak, you have friends who are strong and fast. And where some lack information or culture, others are endowed with that knowlage. I guess, that's what makes us good friends."

"No Sunny, that's not what makes us good friends" Doctor interjected, all eyes turning to him. "What makes us good friends is that we WANT to be there to provide help to eachother. We WANT to use our skills and strengths to help one another. To be there for eachother. And to help eachother shine. THAT is the magic of friendship."

A small applause came from their entire table after listening to Doctor give his speech.

"I guess we never really needed any kind of training to be good guardians. I guess we are the best we can be." Sunny stated after their applause died down.

"Well… actually, I would like to learn a little hoof to hoof combat, if possible" Doctor admitted. "I have a feeling it would come in handy. If you wouldn't mind teaching me, Sunny."

"I'd be honored, Doctor" Sunny tipped his hat a little to his friend.

"And I wouldn't mind spending some more girl time, maybe at the spa?" Octavia motioned to Derpy. "If you want."

A smile spread all across Derpy's muzzle, her front hooves pressed against her cheeks as if to try and contain the smile. "That would be soooo coooool! I'd love to!"

"Hey Thunderlane" Big Mac caught the grey pegasus stallion's attention, a mischievous grin on his red muzzle. "Mind if ah barrow your wings ta go flying again?"

"Ugh… well…" Thunderlane was nervous about the concept of lending another pony his wings. But he could trust Big Mac. Relaxing, Thunderlane shot his pal a smile and said. "Sure. Any time. We just need ta talk to Princesses Twilight."

"You could barrow my wings, if you want, Big Mac" Derpy turned to the farm pony. "If Octavia and I are at the spa, I don't need to fly."

"Thanks Derpy, Ah'll take ya up on that" Big Mac shot her a great full smile. "Then Thunderlane and ah could do some flyin' together."

The group of Guardians laughed and talked amungst themselves for a bit, and didn't even notice the large brown earth pony approach them. He wasn't alone. Spike and a light blue, thin looking colt with a fluffy blue mane and tail were by his side. Salted waited a few moments before clearing his throat to catch their attention. Everypony at the table stopped and turned their attention to him.

"Salted just wanted to thank you guys for everything you did for him" Spike spoke up. "You know, fixing the parts of the town he destroyed, teaching him to play the sax, setting this gig up for him, making his chains into sweet bling."

Salted let out a grunt and nodded his head.

"He said thank you, and to let him know if there's anything you guys need… you're gunna have to find where his bad is playing." The light blue stallion stated.

"Yeah, he's found his place with the Jazz band 'Careless Whispers' and they're going on their first tour starting tonight" Spike handed everypony a flyer listing all the different cities and towns the group was going to visit and when.

"I guess you found your calling" Octavia was a little disheartened by him leaving.

Salted could sence her sorrow, pulled his sax to his lips and played a forlorn tune, quickly followed up by a gentle scale.

Nodding, understanding the meaning behind music, Octavia smiled at him. "Well, get out there and have a good time. But don't think I'll wait around forever. I have music schools to run, you know."

Salted leaned in and kisses Octavia on the cheek. The first kiss he had given since he was a colt. Octavia's cheeks turned bright red, eyes wide with disbelief. Everypony didn't know what to say or do, except for Derpy, who took this opertunity to plant a small kiss of Doctor Whoove's cheek as well, who also turned bright red.

Big Mac and Thunderlane looked at eachother for a moment before Big Mac stated "you kiss me, I'll rip your wings off."

"Yeah, I'll knock your yoke off" Thunderlane replied flatly. Then both stallions laughed out loud.

Their joke brought back the laughter that filled the night air. For the rest of the night, the friends enjoyed just being with eachother.

Author's Note:

Notes; for those of you who don't watch Red Vs Blue, I based Salted Carmel half off a character named The Meta, losing his ability to speak and mostly communicating through growls and grunts. But the extra muscle transformation bit I came up with as a combination of Bane from 'The Batman' cartoon series for the size as well as Captain Kenpatchi from Bleach for the physical restriction to hold back his immense power.

I'm glad I got to give Salted Carmel a decent ending. Or maybe I'll give him more of an ending when he tours with his jazz band.

Who knows?

Also, for those who couldn't tell from the little information I gave, the light blue pony that was with Spike and Salted was Thorax in disguise. He was wandering around and wanted to check in on his two friends. By this time in the story, Spike and Thorax had already become friends, kinda off screen. But we all know how that story goes, and I didn't think I needed to go over it again. Same as in the show; Spike meets Thorax when Thorax is drawn to the Crystal Empire due to the love Flurry Heart was emitting, Thorax saves Spike and eventually Spike sticks up for Thorax who becomes accepted by ponies. But I figured to keep Thorax in his disguised pony form here.

Also, I stated it before, but I'll state it again; Fluffle Puff is not my oc, she was created by Mixermike622, and I don't own the rights to her.

But I did want Chrysalis to have some what of a happy ending here, and I really like the Fluffle Puff x Chrysalis videos.

Also, trivia, Careless Whisper is a song with smooth jazz playing in the back played by a group called Wham.

Yes. I am a Deadpool fan.

And that dedication goes out to a co-worker of mine who I call Sugar Bear. That little Easter egg was for you, Robert! Saying "…I'm never gunna dance again, the way I danced with yoooouuu!"