One second I'm cosplaying as Akuma at a con with my friends, the next I'm in the middle of the Everfree. But you wanna know something? Finishing my outfit was worth it.
One second I'm cosplaying as Akuma at a con with my friends, the next I'm in the middle of the Everfree as Akuma.
Also, I kinda have a penchant for starting fights with everyone here I meet.
Ah well, it seems Fists will fly as this location!
“Ready, guys?” I asked. My group for friends and I had arrived at our first convention and, as it was our first, the four of us decided to go all out with themed costumes. As we all originally met in a karate class we joined because of Street Fighter, we decided to go as the fighters with the Ansatsuken fighting style. Lee was Gouken as he was the biggest guy in our group and could easily look the part, Simon was Ken Masters as he was the showoff of our group, John was Ryu as he was often found in the training or meditation room when we were at the dojo, and I was Akuma as I was the most aggressive fighter during sparring. Everyone's costume was perfect, except mine. I was missing the prayer beads, as we couldn't find one with the right kanji on it and we couldn't afford to get custom made.
“Yea,” Simon shouted, almost bolting towards the doors.
“Calm yourself, Simon. You’ll burn yourself out.” Lee said.
“Don’t tell me you’re not excited.” Simon said
“We’re all excited. He’s just more subdued about it,” John said, turning to me. “Now, come on so we can all check this con out.”
We entered the building and roamed for half an hour before I noticed a stall with the one thing I was missing from my costume: the prayer beads. I nudged John and pointed over to the stall.
“I must get those beads.” I said.
He shrugged and handed me a twenty. “Just in case your fifty isn’t enough.”
At the stall, I picked up the bead necklace to get a closer look. A minute of looking and I found what I was looking for: the heaven kanji on one of the beads. I was so busy with the beads, I almost failed to see the vendor running the stall.
“I think ya found somethin’ that interest ya, stranger.” He said in a gravelly voice that I couldn’t quite place as I took a look at him. He had a black trenchcoat on with a purple bandana covering the bottom half of his face.
“These beads… how much?” I asked.
“For you, Supreme Master of the Fist, 70 dollars.”
I quickly paid the man and put the beads on so I could rejoin my friends.
“Heh heh heh… Thank you kindly.” He said.
I took two steps… and promptly fell through the floor.
When I came to, I found myself in a forest, lying on my back. After checking myself over for any damage and finding not a scratch, I jumped to my feet and I took a look around. Dense vegetation surrounded me and it was eerily silent. I couldn’t even see the sky. After taking in my surroundings, I found no immediate danger.
“I need to do some stretches. Then, I can figure out where I am and what happened,” I said. I noticed then that my voice was much deeper than before. And also why my voice is deeper.
Now many would question why I would stretch first and find my bearings later, but physical exercise always helped me stay calm in stressful situations and I couldn’t risk injury when I had no idea where I was. I started my normal stretching routine: some flexibility stretches, then limb rotations, and finally squats and jumping jacks.
I just finished the limb rotations when I heard leaves rustle behind me. I turned towards the sound, but didn’t face the source.
“I’d recommend you come out slowly and steadily.” I said, silently wishing it wouldn’t so I could hurt the thing that interrupted my stress relief exercise. The being seemed to listen to my wish and not my words, as it and four others quickly moved into sight, snarling and circling me. While they circled me, I sized up my challengers. They seemed to be wolves of various sizes, but I could see they weren’t flesh and blood by the green glowing eyes. I couldn’t tell what they actually were made of, however.
That is, until one attacked. The one in front of me lunged forward. Instinct kicked in and I flipped him over me into another. A piece came off in my hand. I looked at it and crushed it.
“Wood. You guys are wooden wolves.” I bent my knees slightly. “I don’t have time to play with mere beasts.” I put up my fists. “I do have time for stress relief.”
Another one tried to lunge onto me, but I ducked under it, jumped, and landed a devastating uppercut, sending it flying into the tree branches above. I faced the final two wolves. One went for the predicted lunge while the other cowered in fear. Unfortunately for the wooden wolf, its face met my fist and it fell apart. With that one finished, I turned my attention to last one. It whimpered and backed away slowly. I took a step towards it and it bolted.
With that encounter finished, I looked at my fists. I knew I was not so strong that I could break all that wood flawlessly. Curious about this newfound power, I punched through a nearby tree.
How much stronger did I get? I thought before noticing how quiet it was.
“That is something I can find out later. Right now, I need to find a path of some sort to get me toward shelter,” I said as I went in a random direction.
Before long, I found a path. I followed the path for awhile before I encountered another being that lived in the forest. It looked like a big lion at first glance, but I noticed the bat wings and scorpion tail when it tried intimidating me with a roar. Unfazed, I swung a roundhouse into its face, knocking it into a tree, and kept going.
Eventually I found a break in the forest where I could see the night sky.
“So it's currently night time and I am still haven't found any…” I trailed off as I saw shelter I was looking for in the form of a old castle. I entered the building, found the first room without a hole in the roof, and sat in a meditative position. Within minutes, I was sleep.
My dream’s area was a tiled white room. I instantly recognized it as the training room from Street Fighter IV. I threw a couple punches and kicks as I thought of equipment I would normally use: a couple punching bags, wooden blocks, and jump rope to name a few. Each item I thought up appeared against one of the walls.
“Huh... I forgot that I could do that in my dreams,” I said.
One of the benefits of the dojo I went to was the stress relief classes in the same building. I was able to take a class once every weekend at one point when they were discussing lucid dreaming. With a little practice, I was able to pick up the skill. A little more practice and I made the training room my dreamsign, allowing me to know when I was dreaming. Normally I used this as a daily review for tricks and techniques I learned. The items I needed for any given technique would appear when I needed them but I hadn’t needed any item for practice in the longest time.
“Back to basics,” I said as I went over the techniques I’ve learned. I did roundhouse, hook, and side kicks before switching to uppercuts, jabs, and hooks. Each attack of mine whistled as it flew through open air, making me feel more at ease.
Eventually, I awoke and rose from my position on the floor. I did some stretches before heading out of the castle. The forest seemed to be vast and I wanted to find civilization. I followed the path from yesterday, thinking it would be a direct route to the nearest town. Once there I could find out where I was. After an hour of walking however, I was feeling irritated. Seemingly no progress has that kind of effect
Then stress relief appeared in front of me in the form of ten wooden wolves. Four of them immediately bared their fangs at me, while another cowered in fear. Same ones? I wondered.
One leaped at me, only to find another strong uppercut shatter it into pieces.
Same ones.
The eight that were not shaking lunged one at a time. Each one was easily struck down by a single blow that broke them into pieces. Thinking they were defeated, I started to continue on the path. Then I noticed the pieces I broke them into were moving towards a singular point. I turned to see the pieces were reforming into a single being three times my size. While it formed itself, I lost the little patience I had with the forest around me. I entered my fighting stance and stomped with my back foot, before raising my front knee and gliding across the ground.
The beast just finished forming when I grabbed it. Everything went dark as multiple strikes were heard. The darkness disappeared and the beast’s eyes ceased to glow as it crumpled before me. Only one word came to mind at what I had just done.
“Fool.”
I turned away from the mass of wood I had struck when I heard a terrified whimper. The last one of the wooden wolves (and the only one that didn't attack) was, simply put, scared for its life. I got the feeling it knew I could do this but didn't dwell on it over the fact I just performed the Shun Goku Satsu, a technique only users of the Satsui no Hado could use, effortlessly.
Can I use that power now? I wondered
“Only one way I’ll know for sure,” I said.
I cupped my hands together as I shifted my weight to the back of my stance, focusing my energy towards my hands. I kept this stance for almost three seconds before quickly shifting my weight forward and thrusting my palms forward. A purple ball of energy launched from my hands and hit the mass of wood, blowing it to splinters.
I can shoot the Gohadoken, so I guess I can.
With that thought, I smiled before continuing through the forest. Eventually, I made it out of the forest to find apple trees lined up in rows. At that exact moment, my stomach decided to made itself known.
“One couldn’t hurt,” I reasoned before stripping a single tree of its Red Delicious bounty, putting the apples into a conveniently placed wooden bucket. After finishing collecting them, I began to eat. They weren’t bad and I was hungry, so they were all gone fairly quickly.
I was tossing the last core away when a lasso was thrown around me, binding my arms.
"What is it now?" I asked, since the universe seemed to love angering me with things I could punch.
Following the rope’s length with my eyes, I saw my “captor” to be a orange female wearing a green shirt with a brown jacket and jean shorts. She wasn’t human as the proportions were off for that, but it was definitely better than wooden wolves or lions with scorpion tails or bat wings.
“Looks like ah found the thief who’s been stealin’ from mah orchard,” she said.
I’m going to enjoy myself in the next few minutes.
“Do you honestly think I’m going make this easy?” I asked.
The orange woman was leading me to what looked like a barn. I had inspected the rope I was tied with, and found it was a little ripped on the right side.
“Because that there rope will hold ya. Simple as that,” she said.
“May I ask your name? I like to know the name of my opponents,” I said.
“Mah name’s Applejack and what do ya mean ‘opponents?’”
At that question, I snapped the rope binding me with ease.
“I had no intention of coming with you without an actual fight. You want me? Come get me,” I said, shifting into my fighting stance.
Applejack was stunned for a second, before launching herself at me with a sloppy telegraphed punch. I simply dodged, watching her send her entire body weight into the failed strike. She threw another punch and I blocked to see how strong her fists were. The strike sent me back by a foot. Unfortunately, instead of a follow-up attack, Applejack threw another lasso. I grabbed the rope and pulled her to me, intent on trying another special technique, the Goshoryuken. However, she didn’t expect my tactic and fell in front of me. Instead of laughing as I wanted to do, I decided to show my other feeling for the display: disappointment.
“This grows boring. You are not even worth my time. Goodbye,” I said and walked toward the barn. As I walked, I reflected on the fight I had started and, more importantly, my opponent. She was strong, I could give her that, but if she was a gauge for the common person’s fighting ability, I’m going to need to find a somewhere to practice and meditate so I wouldn’t be knocking everyone out on the street again. Then I realized that my first impression was less than stellar and I was still lost.
Aw, bloody hell! I’m going to need a guide and the first person I met is on the ground. This will be fun.
I turned around to head back and apologize, but noticed something bashing a tree. Normally, I would have give the sight no mind, but I remembered Applejack thinking I was a thief that had struck more than once. If I caught her actual thief, then I could use him as leverage for her to listen to me.
With this plan in mind, I fired a Gohadoken at the tree to knock the apples down as a distraction. The bait was taken quickly as the thief went for the bounty that fell.
Gotcha now, I thought as I quickly approached to find… ANOTHER BLOODY WOODEN WOLF. Enraged, I forgot my original plan and focused my energy into a single palm. The wolf noticed me and leaped at me, baring its fangs. Unfazed and very angry, I punched the wolf into the ground with the hand I had focused the energy into. The energy then unleashed a shockwave, vaporizing the wolf’s body in a five foot crater.
“If I see ONE more wooden wolf...” I started. “Time for Plan B.”
With my rage subsided, I sat down to catch my breath. Unfortunately, that was about all I could do, as when I stood back up, I saw Applejack standing over the pit with two other females. One was unbelievably pink wearing a T-shirt and skirt and the other was blue with rainbow hair, wings, and wearing a track outfit.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
“Can ya tell me why ya sitting in a crater in mah orchard?” Applejack was the one to speak and she seemed a step away from being absolutely livid.
“I found the thief and this-” I gestured around me, “-was the wooden wolf’s fate.”
“Ya telling me that a Timberwolf was the thief, not ya, and ya dealt with it?”
“With a single blow, I might add. If you want to do me a favor, could you point me into the direction of a dojo. There I may find an actual fighter instead of someone who can’t throw a decent punch.”
Not receiving an answer, I climbed out of the hole and started to walk in the opposite direction of the forest. I had planted the bait by insulting Applejack in front of others. Hopefully, they would take it and plan B could start.
Then I heard movement behind me. They took the bait.
“Hey, you think you can insult my friend and get away with it?” I heard a shout from behind me.
I turned to see the blue female charging at me at a ridiculous speed and a fist cocked back. It seems that plan B worked again and there is a new challenger. Time to see if I can try the Goshoryuken. I smiled while she got into range.
She launched her fist at my face, only find her telegraphed attack punished hard by a wicked uppercut cloaked in purple energy. Nice, the move has the MvC visual effect. I landed from my attack to and noticed that this girl could roll with the punches. She had flipped in the air and was heading at me like a bullet.
“Take this!” She shouted as she threw a massive punch as me.
I jumped back and asked, “So, who are you?”
She started to throw more punches, each one synched to a syllable. “I’m Rainbow Dash and I’m gonna make-” I countered her latest punch with my own, knocking the wind out of her.
With Rainbow struggling to keep her balance, I started to walk away, knowing the fight was over. Unfortunately, Rainbow thought she had more in her and dashed at me for another strike.
“I’m not done yet!” She shouted.
I grabbed her fist. “Yes, you are.”
I turned to see the pink one with three others, a purple one with two-tone hair wearing what seemed to be a school uniform, a pristine white one with blue hair wearing a button-down shirt and dress pants, and a yellow one with pink hair wearing a simple green dress.
“Plan B seems to have worked earlier than normal this time.” I muttered to myself before addressing my audience, “Hello, can I help you?” A cannon was aimed at my face.
I had found that my normal Plan B could get a less than stellar response as I was currently in a pink bubble. Fortunately, said bubble was not soundproof so I could listen to the five ladies for any information. Unfortunately, that also meant listening to girl talk for answers to the questions I had. That soon proved to be futile.
Realizing that I would get no useful knowledge from these people, I decided to meditate and review what little I knew for certain. First, I’m not at the convention anymore. Second, I can use moves powered by the Satsui no Hado. Third, the wildlife has mythical creatures in it. Finally, the locals aren’t keen on my style of conflict resolution.
It was then I saw something flicker in front of me. I looked to see a purple will-o-wisp radiating power. Curious, I went to touch the spectral flame, only for it to transform into a rectangle.
I looked at the rectangle. A tenth of it was filled in. Beside the rectangle, there was a zero. I looked to see if there was anything else I could figure about the rectangle, but there wasn't anything that stuck out about its purpose.
I exited my meditative state to see what looked like a massive tree had fused with a house before being brought inside the place.
“Twilight, you’re back!” I heard a boy shout before seeing a pre-teen wearing a purple hoodie and jeans run out. Apparently missing the person in the big bubble, he asked, “What happened?”
“Spike, take a letter.” He left and was back in less than a minute with paper and a quill.
The one referred to as Twilight started to dictate to “Spike.” After she said "Dear," I stopped paying attention to her and started to look around the room.
It was a wide open space with books in the walls and a table in the center. On the table was what looked to be a knight chess piece carved out of wood the size of a vase. As I finished taking in my surroundings, a flash of green light snapped my attention back to the others in the room.
“Now, we wait,” Twilight said, pulling up a chair.
After five minutes of silent waiting, I decided to try talking again.
“Anyone mind telling where I am?”
No response.
“I deal with authorities that are more verbose than you two. At least they let me know where I am and what I’m coming in for.” Normally excessive force or property damage.
“You’re in Ponyville, which is near the Everfree Forest,” an annoyed Spike replied.
“So that’s where I was. Thank you for answering my biggest question. I think that you have a couple as well. So ask. One for one.” I wish I could say that I couldn't predict the question I got.
“What did you do?” Spike went for the obvious one.
“This all started because apparently I stole apples. I can give you the full answer later, when I don't have to repeat myself.” I said.
Twilight decided that she wanted answers as well. “Why did you attack my friends?”
“A question for a question. What is your name?”
“Twilight Sparkle.”
“Now to answer your question: I didn't. Attack implies I swung first. The first altercation was an accepted challenge and the second was self-defense. Do you have another?”
I took it that Twilight didn't like my honest response as she left in a huff. Spike quickly went after her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I tried to go back to mediation to try and piece together what I saw earlier, but instead I fell asleep.
I found myself on the first bonus stage, an empty car in front of me. I thought about my zen music playlist and immediately one of the songs started to play. Satisfied with the song playing in my head, I proceeded to practice on the car.
I had knocked the hood off the car when I felt myself being watched. Confused, I stopped hitting the car in front of me. Curiously, the feeling passed as soon as I reacted. I shrugged and went back to punching the car, alert in case the presence returned. Soon, I finished destroying the car and went to another bonus stage I loved: the second bonus stage from Final Fight that I loved to call the “Hallway of Glass.”
This time when the glass spun, I saw a figure like the women I met and fought before, only with a horn and wings. At first I wasn’t concerned. Then I noticed the reflection pointed in the same direction as the presence I felt. That’s not one of my thoughts… was the first thing to come to mind and that was infuriating.
I finished the stage before muting the song and replacing the surrounding with the top of a castle. “I know you’re there, whoever you are. Come out and show yourself.”
No response, but the presence stayed.
“I don’t know who you are but you’re pissing me off. Stop hiding.”
Still no response.
“You can show yourself or I can find you and that won’t be pretty.”
Two blades of shadow materialized and shot at me. I fired a Hadoken at them.
“Stop these cheap tricks and show yourself!”
A shroud of darkness started to engulf the area.
“Put away your toys and face me! Kongou Konruretsuzan!” With that I performed the technique, punching the ground and creating a huge shockwave that dispelled the dark around me and revealed my opponent. She was another one of those weirdly shaped girls, this time a midnight blue one about 7 feet tall with horn and wings.
“Your name or my fist? Choose quickly.” I said, almost at my snapping point.
“I am Luna and I have come to-” was as far as she got before I snapped and punched her in the face.
“Too slow.” I said before submitting to my anger and throwing a savage barrage of attacks. Luna barely could dodge each strike and my attacks left no openings for a counter. Eventually I ended the massive combo with a Goshoryuken, launching her into the air.
She recovered in mid-air and, after she could mend herself, asked, “Who are you?”
Still enraged, I shouted, “I am Akuma, and I will teach you the meaning of PAIN!”
Luna then materialized a scythe and charged at me. I saw her smile, presumably because she thought she would finally land an attack. I performed my taunt, bringing my front foot up and stomping it back down, the “Metsu” kanji briefly appearing.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the kanji and she hastened her charge, probably hoping to stop some ultimate attack. Instead, she charged directly into a powerful spinning roundhouse that launched her back into the air. I then began to spin for the second and more powerful strike.
After gaining enough force, I flew towards Luna and struck her directly, seemingly pinning her to an unseen wall.
“Let’s see your Limit. Tenshou Kaireki Jin!”
I struck through her and landing, briefly seeing my gi had turned purple, with my back facing her. Then I realized that I felt more power from her presence before when she was hiding. She's holding back! I turned her and saw she was leaning on the scythe.
“Show me your power,” I said, livid at the fact someone would invade my mind and NOT bring their best. “All of it. DON’T HOLD BACK!” I charged forward.
I closed the distance quickly and threw a punch, only to see it blocked by a magic shield. The force of the punch shattered the arena, returning it to a white space. I jumped back and grinned, before charging for the Messatsu Gou Hadou.
“So, you actually wish to fight us in our domain with our full pow-”
I fired the beam of ki, cutting her off and forcing her to duck behind her shield. The shield held, but shattered when the beam ended. I rushed in with another onslaught of attacks, but this time she blocked each strike without flinching. I flipped back to fire two Zanku Hadokens and a Gohadoken. Luna sliced though all three projectiles and hit me with the bottom end of her weapon.
She followed up the strike with a sweep, knocking me down, and leveled her scythe’s blade at my face. With me seemingly at her mercy, she asked “Are you done?” She was clearly mildly annoyed that I would fight her here.
Unfortunately for her, I was nowhere near done.I started to channel energy into my right fist and, when I had enough, punched the scythe. The weapon exploded, taking Luna by surprise. I took that opportunity to jump back to my feet. Luna recovered from her shock and immediately her aura intensified to a level I never thought I could feel come from anything.
“You truly wish to face the full power of the moon? TAKE THIS!!” With those words, she fired a massive laser directly at me. I ran towards Luna, surprising her as I dodged the blast, and performed one last attack: the Goshoryuken. The strike knocked her out of the air. I was about to attack again, but I felt a ripple.
“Next time we meet, we’re finishing this match.”
I awoke to find a wet sensation under my nose and the smell of blood. What happened? Did I lose my temper in that dream? I looked up to find it was nighttime and I was still in the bubble, but there were massive cracks crisscrossing in front of me. Must have been losing a sparring match in my sleep again.
“Well, I'm not sticking around here.” I said as I jabbed the crack, shattering the bubble. I quickly left.
Now outside, I considered my options. Lay low in town or back to the forest. I reflected back on my day. Not a contest, I’m going back to the forest. Now how to leave? I started walking on a random path that seemed to head out of town. After a while found myself at the top of a hill overlooking the orchard, the forest a bit further down the path. I looked behind me to see the sun beginning its rise into the sky and paused to watch its beauty. I almost forgot about how good it feels to watch the sunrise. Haven’t done this since… I turned back around and entered the forest.
In the forest, nothing but my steps made a sound as I ventured deeper in. At first this had me on guard, but after about two hours, I sat down and relaxed. After a five minute break, I began to practice my kicks on the trees. Each blow snapped a tree in half. Better, but not good enough. I know I can do more! I went through more than thirty trees before I switched to punches. The trees left were thicker and could withstand three of my punches before toppling. I punched four trees down before I heard a growl.
I turned to the sound to see a lone wooden wolf with two glowing eyes of different colors. The right was green, as I had seen in all the previous wolf constructs, but the other was a reddish-purple, a mix of my aura and my energy's colors.
“Hmm… What do want?” I asked. I took a step forward and it stepped back, shaking. It was obviously scared of me, but it seemed it also needed me for something. It beckoned for me to follow. “You want something of me?” The construct nodded and took off, weaving through the trees. I followed at a reasonable pace
Where is it going? I wondered why as it led me through the forest for a couple minutes. Eventually, we reached a clearing where a black shape was lying surrounded by more big lions with scorpion tails. Feeding time for big cats, this ain’t my- The shape moved and I felt something from it, not unlike my own power. Scratch that. That power is my problem if it's what I think it is.
I jumped into the clearing, launching two Zanku Hadokens at the beasts. Both ki balls struck one of the big cats, causing all of them to focus on me. As they charged at me, I felt the same something from the wooden wolf and I realized why it was scared of me before. It was the one that retreated while the others were destroyed.
“Listen, wolf,” I turned toward the wolf, “You defend the body, and I’ll...” The first lion lunged...
“Let’s Go!” I said to ensure we had every beasts’ attention. Three of the lion things started jabbing their scorpion tails at me from the front. Each strike was uncoordinated with the others and, before long, they hit each other multiple times. They stopped focusing on me and started to attack each other.
Taking this opportunity, I took a quick count of the hostiles. One flat on its back, Three fighting amongst themselves, and the wolf is facing two near the body. I sent a Gohadoken at one of the wolf’s opponents, pulling its attention to me.
The one I hit lunged at me with claws raised. I simply stepped to the side, causing the beast to faceplant into the dirt. The beast attempted to stand, only to collapse unconscious. One down, five to go.
I turned to the wolf just to see the construct rip the tail off the beast it was fighting. That’s two. Who’s next? I looked back to the three to see they were still mauling each other. Okay, they’re still occupied. I looked to the spot where the first beast I struck landed to see it was no longer there. Where is the one I knocked on its back? Wait, the wolf is distracted which leaves... CRAP!
I turned to see the beast within pouncing distance of the black shape. Angered by my lack of foresight, I charged a Hadoken and launched it. This attack was unlike my normal projectiles, as it was a actual fireball. The attack struck the beast and it burst into flames.
“Not today.”
That's three, which leaves... I turned to the three remaining beasts, who had stopped fighting each other and were staring at the one currently rolling all over the ground.
“Who's next?”
Time seemed to slow as one charged at me. I raised my right arm to gather energy but none came. Why can't I… The rectangle I saw during meditation! It's a Super Meter, but which one? Anyway, time for Plan B. I’ll figure out that stuff later. My thoughts ended as the beast pounced. A roundhouse sent it flying into the wolf, who impaled it with a spike formed from the wolf’s paw.
The two remaining beasts looked at each other before running away as if the devil himself was on their heels. Instead of chasing them, I went to the black shape to check out the wounds.
The first thing I noticed was that the being had a similar body structure as the other natives, except their “skin” seemed to be more like chitin. It was also covered with a huge amount of mostly minor cuts and cracks. Then I noticed the being was female. She jolted up.
“I must contact the Princess’s.” She said as she tried to stand. She barely succeeded.
“What? Calm down.”
“The crazy queen has done it! She’s going to-”
“Calm Down. Sit Down. Explain from the beginning.” I cut her off with my best demonic voice (which was even better now that my base voice was borderline demonic-sounding). She complied.
“Good, now, who are you?” I continued to check for wounds.
“I'm what you ponies refer to in myth as a ‘changeling'”
So that's what the beings I ran into before are called. I thought as I found the first of the major wounds: a huge gash running down her leg that was bandaged with what seemed to be her shirt sleeves.
“A rival queen is planning to expose us to the world with a invasion. I must-”
“You must heal. A dead messager can’t deliver a clear message.”
“But, my hive sent me to warn your princesses! I have to go.” With that said, she tried to take to the air, only to find one of her insectoid wings were bent horribly.
I gave an amused grunt. “Your body agrees. You are going to stop and let your body heal.” And I’m gonna find out why I felt the Satsui no Hado radiating from you.
She groaned. “Fine, There is about a month in between now and the attack. I may be able to spare a week to heal.”
“By the way, you haven't told me your name, ‘changeling.’ That's what I wanted to know when I asked my question and I would prefer to not keep using the name of your race.”
“You can call me ‘Mirror’ if you need something to refer to me by.”
“Ok, Mirror, time to go. I ain’t gonna stay out here after dark,” I picked her up in a bridal carry and went back the way I came, the wolf following behind us. “Luckily, I know a place.”
Night had fallen by the time I arrived at the ruined castle I stayed in two days ago. Well, until I figure out something better, I can stay here and train. Gonna need to figure out my food situation, but that can wait until tomorrow.
I found a room without any holes in the ceiling and put Mirror down there before heading to sleep myself.
When I arrived in my dreamscape, I immediately started to work on learning the Ashura Senku, the only non-offensive move I knew of in my new list of moves. It was basically a teleport, but I could still be seen during movement. I almost never used it in the games, but I knew it would be extremely useful moving forward here, wherever here was.
During this training, I felt what I could only describe as knocking on the dreamscape. At first I ignored it, but just when I got the technique down, mental vibrations became unbearable.
“Who is it? If it's the moon coward, I will HURT you until you feel it in the waking world.”
A ball of shadows with teal cat-like eyes appeared before me.
“Those eyes... Who are you?”
“I am a desperate soul locked away within Luna, I have no true name but many call me ‘The Nightmare.’ I felt your power last night and it gave me hope to be free.”
I sat down. “Well, I may be able to assist, but I need to know the story.”
She appeared fully, and I was stunned by her appearance. She looked similar to Luna, but with two notable differences. First, she had pitch-black fur as opposed to Luna’s midnight blue and second, she looked stronger. She would have been a bit intimidating honestly, except there was no presence behind it. That concerned me.
“I don’t want to bore you.” She said as she took a seat.
“Then tell me: why do you look strong and feel weak?”
She wouldn’t answer, so I continued.
“Is it because you are used to this form? Or for scare factor?”
‘Nightmare’ was silent.
“I don’t know what truly you are or what you have to lose or gain from a mask of power, but know that it angers me when people pretend to be something they aren’t for approval.”
She still refused to answer. Well, Actions always spoke louder than words.
I materialized a punching bag and placed it by her. She looked at it, puzzled.
“Hit it.” I said. She barely punched it.
“Again.” Another blow.
“Again!” A slightly stronger blow.
“AGAIN!” Another blow.
“Once more.” And a picture of Luna appeared on the bag. She punched through it, ripping a hole in the bag.
More bags appeared surrounding ‘Nightmare’, each with a picture of Luna. Each was struck with such fury that the bag was destroyed. She burst into a rage and punched the ground. That strike sent out a massive shockwave, obliterating every bag on contact.
“Why can she do that?” ‘Nightmare’ said. “Make me who I am and not own up to it? Give me what she doesn’t like about herself and lock me away?”
“I don’t know but I do know you needed this. Come back tomorrow and tell me your story. If I can, I will help you.”
Right before I woke, she said two of the best words to hear together.
I awoke to the wooden wolf staring at me. I took this opportunity to study the construct more thoroughly. The green glow in one eye was of a emerald hue and seemed to lace the construct together, as it’s glow was almost everywhere. There was a pureness about it.
On the other hand, the purple-red glow of the other eye was found faintly over the teeth and claws, places the construct would attack with. This glow radiated power, but not much.
My observation over, I arose from the floor to be reminded of that I had hardly eaten since I got here by a grumbling stomach. The wolf look quizzically before bolting.
“I wonder if… nah, I need to stretch now, I can wonder later.”
I went through my limb rotations rather quickly and was in the middle of some flexibility stretches when the wolf returned with some berries.
“Thank you…” A thought occurred to me. “You want to stick around? If so, I need something to call you.” The wolf nodded.
“But first, you can show yourself, Mirror. I know you are watching.”
Sure enough, Mirror appeared, looking a bit better than last night.
“How long did you know I was watching?” She sputtered.
“You started watching me during shoulder rotations.” I stated, unfazed.
“Impossible… You knew I was here the entire time.”
I grabbed a couple berries and popped them in my mouth, before continuing “Not that hard. Now,” I offered her a berry. “Want one?”
She shook her head. “I need a different kind of meal. My kind feeds on positive emotions, the best for us being love. Something I feel little of coming from you.”
I reached for more berries when a green cylinder of some kind hit me in the head. I grabbed it and almost flung it when I heard a voice emanate from the cylinder. I was only able to make out the last word in the speech. Clash. Maybe I need this.
“I’m heading outside. Don’t follow me.” The wolf nodded, but Mirror grumbled incoherently.
I headed out and pushed the button and, in my best demonic voice, said, “I don’t care who you are. You. Me. Fight. Now.”
I waited for a minute. “I got all excited for a quick match, but it seems that this place just breeds cowards. At least the moon chick stayed for a fight, however cowardly it was. I really had my hopes up that I could fight someone strong. Mystery voice, You are no army, you are a weak, mewling pussy, and your boasts are as weak as your spirit for battle!”
A moment of silence before the device went off with a green flash, a rather annoyed looking young man in a grey hoodie and torn jeans appeared, standing next to an extremely pissed off looking changeling around the age of 13.
“So, how about we dismiss with the pleasantries, who’s my opponent?” I asked. Please be the less angry looking one.
“I'd beat you in a second.” The man shook his head. “She’ll kick your teeth in.”
“Acceptable, I am going to-” I felt the amount of power they each held. “I did say a quick match. I concede first move to you.”
The girl cracked her neck, baring her fangs at me.
“Let’s go.” I leaped into the air, firing two Hadokens to gauge her response. She spread her wings, darting into the air.
“Crap, I’m no air fighter.” I muttered under my breath, before charging a Shakunetsu Hadoken to use as an anti-air. Ten bucks this won’t work.
“Ka...me...” she pulled her hands back, cupping them. “Ha...me...” a small orb of red energy flickered to life in her hands.
I fired my measly fireball before steeling myself for the attack.
“Ha!” She roared, firing off a beam of blood red energy. Wish I had a Super ready, was my last thought before the beam of energy hit. “Kaio Ken!” She screamed, suddenly appearing in front of me, punching me in the gut.
I doubled over in pain, but to my credit didn’t fall immediately. Just like my first day in the dojo. I tried to straighten myself back out, but collapsed instead. “Well, that was enjoyable, except that last hit.” I breathed out
Then, I heard growling. The wooden wolf jumped in front of me and started growling at my opponents.
“Calm down and help me up.” I said to the wolf. “Lass, that was fun. Wanna come in?”
“Screw you!” She snarled, decking me in the face. “You stupid, muscle bound idiot! Interrupt my birthday will you?”
“If this was three days ago, I’d be making the same type of complaint. Now, I could settle for a decent meal.” I got back onto my feet and turned to the male. “Also, I apologize for the insult to your honor. Last three days have not been fun.” I stopped as a thought occurred to me. “I haven’t introduced myself, the name’s Gouki. May I have your names?”
“I'm Jason Hughes, and that's my angry daughter, Freya.”
“Nice to meet you two.” I said. “I noticed that her Turtle Destruction Wave didn’t feel like pure ki, Could just be me though. Let’s continue this inside, less things that need to be punched.”
“Fine.” Freya huffed, dropping her aura
As we headed inside, I couldn’t resist a quick observation. “If her tempers that volatile, Dad must be three Death Stars of do not touch.”
“I've killed at least two thousand changelings in an afternoon.” Jason shrugged.
“Not. Touching. That. One.” I said as we entered the run-down castle.
“Why not?”
“I may now have a instant-kill move and can sink an island but I like my one-v-one matches. Besides, I don’t need the last resident here to try something stupid by attacking you.”
At that exact moment, Mirror walked in her horn glowing dimly.
“What's a drone doing here?” Freya asked, crossing her arms.
“Messenger that got hurt, stopped her from almost killing herself,” I said. “Something about a attack in a month.”
“Oh yeah, that's when Mom tried to take over Canterlot,” Freya nodded.
“Canterlot, rings some bells, but can’t quite place it. Is it from a movie?”
“It's the Capital of Equestria,” Jason explained, sitting down on one of the thrones.
“I know this ain’t Earth, and I’m not in a coma. That vendor sent me somewhere for seventy bucks. I just want to know if it’s based of something I seen or not.”
“My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.”
“Ok, that makes everything make more sense. Did you get a deal from that shopkeep too?”
“I bought this thing.” He held up his left hand, showing off an alien looking device.
“Nice watch. What’s it do? Or is that the ‘army?’”
“What? Never heard of Ben 10?” He asked, raising his eyebrow
“That show that was on repeat for a good year or two? I’ve seen maybe ten episodes from beginning to end,” I said. “Not my cup of tea.”
“Basically, this thing let's me turn into a little over a million aliens.”
“Cool, I got prayer beads,” I pointed to the necklace. “Finished my outfit and get me a one-way ticket here. Still wish the trip came with food.”
Jason reached into his pocket, proceeding to toss me a bag. “Eat up.”
“What is it?” I asked as I opened the bag.
“Salted meat.”
“Thanks, I owe both of you one.” I dived into the bag with gusto, eating until satisfied. “I guess those candy commercials were right. ‘You aren’t you when you’re hungry’”
“You're not you after a purchase from the Merchant.”
“That explains why I can tap into the ‘Satsui no Hado’ but not why I’ve felt it in three other beings.”
“The version you get sent to has elements of the fiction you were added to.”
“I don’t know how bad that is. If it’s only Street Fighter canon, I’ll be fine,” I took a deep breath. “But Akuma has been in at least three different crossover series and important to the story in some of them. The last thing I need is all of Capcom here.”
“You’ll be fine,” Jason said dismissively.
“Of course you’d say that,” I picked the cylinder thing from before. “Any chance I can get a calling card like this?”
“Just find something that represents you and just a message in it.”
I took off my prayer beads. “This work?”
“Sure why not?” Jason shrugged.
“For those with the warcry of a true warrior, Call upon me, The Master of the Fist, and I will assist. But know this, if you are cowardly, You will burn forever in the heat of my Rage!”
“Edgelord.” Freya rolled her eyes.
“I assume you don’t know of Street Fighter, Freya.” I used the Ashura Senku to phase past her. “In all seriousness, thank you. I needed to get schooled again.”
“Ermac’s the cooler hidden character,” she shot back.
“Gon. End of story.”
“Go play X Tekken.”
“Love too, but no. Favorite Tekken was 3.”
“Whatever.”
“This has been fun, but I’m pretty y’all want to go home. How to do?” I said. “I’ve got a couple of messes to clean up and the lass had her Pinata.”
“Lemme guess, you pissed off the princesses over something stupid?” Jason asked flatly.
“I got into a fight with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, may have given Purple Smart a headache wake-up call, and pissed off Luna by calling her a coward. Anything else I can neither confirm or deny. Oh, and Nightmare Moon has the power of the Satsui no Hado now.”
“Welp, we’re fixing that before we leave.” Jason stood up, cracking his back.
“I rather take care of the ‘lunar’ problem on my own. It’s not pressing and I doubt that anyone would approve of my plan for that.”
“Dude, they've done worse for less in some universes. Just buck up and deal with it.”
“I think I’m going to call for a IOU then for that one, because I meet her last night and-” I looked toward Freya. “She wasn’t a omnicidal night bringer, She was a very angry girl with a bad rep.”
“What?” Freya asked, raising her eyebrow
“I’m not going to condemn a fighter with a temper problem, but I get the feeling you two would. That’s why I say no thank you to lunar assistance.”
“One, Nightmare Moon is a friend of mine and two, I can help her.”
“Let’s just do the easy stuff first….” I pointed to the wolf. “Stay. Protect Mirror.” I turned back to Jason. “Time to rollout.”
“I'll lead the way.” Jason strode past me, Freya in tow.
Halfway through the forest, I decided to hum a tune I found in a fan video I found a while ago. They turned back, looking at me. “I Can’t Decide, look it up.” I said before returning to the tune.
“The cogs creak a melody,” Freya sang, quite beautifully despite her odd voice, “Sing a lullaby for the doomed. The ones who would never be, will find a vessel in the paleblood moon.”
“Dark, but lovely.” I said.
We reached the farm at around midday. No one was in sight but I got a strange sense of foreboding.
“Hey, wanna have some fun?” Jason asked with a grin.
“On a scale of one to ten, how much pain?”
“You are way too focused on pain. You guys hide, I'll mess with my dear sisters’ head a bit “
“So, one for physical, possible five for mental. Mind the crater.”
Jason rolled his eyes. “Omnitrix, Appleseed.” He transformed in a flash of green light, becoming a tall, green stallion with a resemblance to Applejack.
“Well, please don’t mind screw too much. Brain Bleach doesn’t exist yet.”
“The word you're looking for is 'fuck’” Freya corrected.
“I prefer not to curse needlessly.” I countered.
“Go hide already!” 'Appleseed’ commanded and it took me a moment to realize he had the voice of Johnny Cash.
“Ok, I will. But first, say hi to that Boy Named Sue for me.” I headed back into the forest and climbed a tree. Freya flew into an apple tree, snagging a piece for fruit.
Appleseed forward his throat before rushing towards the farm house. “Ma! Uncle Mac! Ah need ta talk to ya!”
“He’s not doing what I think he is….” I hung my head
“No one expects a son from the future.” Freya grinned, taking a bite from her apple.
“This is going to go straight to Hell.”
“Ma!” He ran into the porch, banging on the door.
Wait a minute, I gave the Purple lass a massive headache yesterday, so Applejack may be over at the library, plus middle of the day so the other two siblings are out, which means… “Bloody Hell!”
“What?”
“Old people don’t do surprises very well. I hope he has a plan if Granny opens the door.”
“Granny will be fine. Old coots got fire in her.”
“If anything goes wrong, I want it quoted as ‘I told you so.’”
Appleseed kept shouting, pounding on the door. As expected by my luck thus far, Granny opened the door. I caught something about young ones and screaming before Jason was ushered in.
I climbed back down the tree and ran over to the house so I could catch some of the outlandish conversation that was about to take place.
“Granny, have ya seen my ma anywhere?” Jason asked, looking around the den.
“And who would that be?” I heard Granny asked as another pair of hoofsteps entered.
Wait for it…. I peeked through the window to see Applejack walk in. Perfect timing. I ducked back down and braced for the bombshell word about to hit.
“Ma!” Jason called, rushing over to Applejack. You could have heard a pin drop in the second after that statement was said. I took a peek to see Applejack frozen with a look between shock and fear on her face, Granny was chuckling, and a flash of light captured the scene perfectly. “Thank Faust ah was able to find ya!”
“Whut in tarnation is going on here?” Applejack shouted. At this point, it took all of my willpower not to blow my hiding place laughing.
“Ah came back ta warn ya.” He panted, catching his breath.
“Warn me about whut?” She said. I started to snicker before composing myself. He’s gonna milk this for all it’s worth.
“That snake Frost Horn is tryin’ ta change the past.”
I honestly stopped processing what was said after that as I succumbed to full on laughter. I laughed for maybe a good half a minute before realizing I may have blown Jason’s prank.
“Ya hear that?! He’s already here!”
I headed back to my original hiding spot, as I heard movement for the door. “Kid from the future comes back to warn momma, a plot straight outta a tv show. That was a good one.” I made it to the tree where Freya was.
“Your dad’s a riot.” I said.
“Yes he is.”
“Say, I assume you’ve met others like your dad and me. They as funny as him?”
“A few are.” Freya spread her wings, flying over to the farmhouse.
“Cool,” I said, grabbing another meat snack and downing it. “Guess it’s showtime.”
“Not yet.” Freya shook her head
“Whaddya mean her not datin’ Soarin?!” Jasin cried.
“I hear ‘em, so showtime’s soon.” I looked down to see apple cores. “And I’m gonna get blamed for stealing again. Lovely.”
“Ah mean Ahm not datin’ Soarin! Now where’s that troublemaker you were talkin’ bout? I don’t see ‘im” Applejack said, her voice drenched in irritation.
“It’s already too late...” Jason hung his head, “He already undid me...”
“I’m liking Jason’s plan less and less by the second. If there’s a red flash, I’m out!” I said, preparing to bolt.
“What do ya mean ‘undid ya’? Ya still here.” She said.
“Ya'll were already supposed to be datin'...” He held up a hoof, which appeared to be fading away.
“Datin’ Soarin now? For ya to exist?”
He nodded, the effect spreading to his chest.
Applejack was speechless. I had a different feeling, though, one of rage. Jokes are good, but this might be pushing it.
“Ah think ah know the solution.” Granny waddled over. “Go get on the stick Jackie.”
“Can I do Plan B yet?” I asked, confused.
“Shush!” Freya hissed.
“What? Is it getting to the ‘good part’ now?”
Turning back to the scene, I could only describe Applejack as frozen. She had no visible reaction.
“Ok, this has been fun, but I have other things to do after this, so Plan B.” I said and threw a couple of cores beside the Apple clan ponies.
“Those are mine!” Freya called, buzzing into view. “Lemme see...” she pulled a bag out if her Jean pocket. “I think it was 2 for each apple, and 3 each for not asking.”
“Almost right, it’s 4 each for not asking.”
“That reminds me, how much work to I need to do to work off that one tree?” I asked.
“Just ruin the joke.” Jason rolled his eyes, returning to normal.
“I could explain the joke too if you want,” I retorted “I can explain him, the girl, and what happened two days ago, if you gather the six others people that need to hear it.”
“But, I wasn't lying,” Jason clarified, “Appleseed is technically your son AJ.”
“We can share everything later, now it’s roundup time.” I shot a gohadoken into the sky. “That should get Skittles’ attention.”
Jason rolled his eyes, leaning on a tree.
In less than a minute, a rainbow contrail came directly at me. I squatted under it. “That’s Guile here.”
“Chill.” Freya grabbed Dash in her magic, holding her still.
“The trip to the library will net three more, so only need to find the butterfly and the pearl. Can you meet me there?” I started towards town not waiting for an answer. “And, Rainbow, you can pummel me after I explain.”
“Come on Sis,” Jason said to AJ, walking toward town.
In town, I got my expected welcome: cannon fire from Pinkie. I simply dodged each shot with the Ashura Senku until the shots stopped. “Guess I don’t get party invites today, but follow me and you may get a story.” I said, heading for the library.
“OOOOOO… Story.” Pinkie said. She put her cannon away… somewhere and started to follow. With her in tow, I got to the library last, somehow. “Not questioning it.”
I headed inside to get six glares leveled in my direction. “Explanation time?” The glares continued. “Guess so.”
“So simple version, or complex version?” I asked. More glares. “Simple it is: I brought something, got transported to the forest, killed a couple of wooden wolves, got hungry, stripped a tree of apples, ate them, got labeled a thief for more than I ate, made Applejack look like a fool, vaporized the real thief, knocked Rainbow around a little, got captured on purpose, fought Luna in my dream to a standstill, gave Twilight a headache, and went back into the forest. In the span of two days. Any questions?”
“Who did you kill?” Jason asked.
“Another wolf, gotta be a name for them. They’re like squirrels, bloody everywhere.”
“You killed a timberwolf?” Twilight asked.
“Pretty easy when you can attack the energy binding them together.”
“Thier freaking pests,” Jason grumbled, “Making me waste the guard budget keeping them away from Valhalla.”
I couldn’t resist my the obvious (for me) question. “Have you tried destroying the Alpha?”
“Different universe, different rules. That's like me asking if you have a dark elf problem.”
“Dude, they’re trees that think like wolves.”
“No, their twigs animated by the remnants of Loki’s power.”
“Fair enough.” Sensing the next question, I said, “No, I will not be demonstrating either technique I used to put them down. Anymore questions, or have we gotten to the ‘eye for an eye’ segment yet?”
“I'm open for questions as well,” Jason added.
“Why are you here?” Spike asked.
“Akuma over there summoned me, Spike.”
“My birth name is Gouki, but you can call me Akuma if you wish.” I said. Then, I heard wingbeats. “So, stupid question: who called the Princesses?”
Everyone turned to Twilight.
“You may need a new front door in about ten seconds.” I got up and cracked my knuckles.
Jason rolled his eyes, moving to open the door. “This library still has a few years of life in it,” he told the stunned princesses, “It doesn't deserve needless abuse.”
“I always did ‘take it outside’ when the waiter asked,” I said heading to the door. “Luna, have you come for the rematch?”
“As much as I’d like to see a fight, everyone just shut up, sit down and let me talk.” Jason narrowed his eyes. “Now.”
“Later then, I did promise her one.” I entered a meditative stance. I saw my meter was at level 3. Good.
“Very well, We shall humor you.” Luna placed her scythe by the door and entered. Freya stepped up to her, leaning in close to her.
“You look better with the scar.”
“Your Luna got into a scrap?” I asked.
“She got it from Blueblood when he petrified her,” Jason replied.
“Then please, don’t share.” I stated. “I know I gotta be careful with the Goshoryuken, lest I rip someone open. I don’t need to hear about scars.”
“But now I’ve got everyone else intrigued.” Jason gestured at the ponies. “Why, I even have pictures.”
“Before you do,” I turned to Rainbow. “Remember that technique I hit you with?” She nodded. “A weaker version of that attack ripped a guy's chest open, from waist to shoulder about this wide-” I made a fist. “Y’all still wanna see, be my guest. But remember, things happen and they can happen to you.”
“Anyway, if your resident hidden character will shut up for about five minutes, I'll lay the basics on you guys.” Jason glared at me. “Now, I’m Jason Hughes, ruler of Jotunheim, lord of winter, member of the Apple clan and one of Equestria’s seven rulers.”
“My apologies, King Asskicker, any more titles you have?”
“I will remove your mouth.” Jason growled.
“Then I win.”
Princess Celestia chose that moment to interject. “One of Equestria’s seven rulers?” She asked.
“Aye.” Jason nodded. “My Equestria is split between Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Princess Cadance, Princess Twilight, Empress Gilda of Griffonstone, Dragonlord Spike and myself.”
I coughed into my hand and said “Spoilers!” Freya jerked her head forward, covering my mouth with quickly hardening green slime. Well they want spoilers, Let’s give them spoilers. I got up and fired a couple of Gohadokens in the direction of the forest. Jason moved far faster than I thought possible for him, easily intercepting them. With a look of bone chilling rage, he grabbed me by the neck, ice forming around me.
“Shut the fuck up! I swear to Odin I will rip your heart out and eat it. Now if you don't want to be left floundering in the dark at the mercy of the multiverse you will stay quiet and listen.” He leaned in, his eyes glowing a deep red. “Are we clear?”
“I rather be surprised, but sure, I’ll sit down and shut up.” And with that, I sat down and began mediating.
“Now...” Jason cleared his throat, sitting down. “Questions?”
I let myself hear the first question. Something about the amount of other like us.
“Infinite. There's an infinite number of all of us, an infinite number of Equestria’s, an infinite number of variables. And no, your not lucky enough to be Equestria Prime.”
The next hour was filled with questions, some unnecessary (Things like favorite color and food), some useful (the term for us as a group, Jason was very specific that Displaced was self explanatory, and that I should kick anyone in the nuts who tried to say it stood for 'dimensionally misplaced.’), and some bizarre (reproduction stays in the bedroom).
Jason refused to divulge certain things about his world, though he did explain that the changelings, griffon's and dragons had fallen under Equestria's banner.
I ended my mediation and stretched. “Well this has been fun, but I think I should head home. I have a dream appointment that I don’t want to miss.” I turned to Jason. “You still haven’t mentioned how you two are getting home.”
“We got that covered.” He tapped his watch. “Who wants to see a trick?”
Pinkie’s arm immediately shot up, followed by Rainbow’s. A moment later a rainbow explosion tore across the sky, a rift in space forming. A rainbow stream darted out, landing in front of the library. It appeared to be a four legged version of Dash, though her wings were huge and her front legs had been replaced with mechanical talons.
“Cool.” I said. “9 out of 10.”
“Screw you.” The new Dash snorted. “You guys ready? Rarity and Chrysalis are pissed you answered that summons.”
“My bad, that’s 9.75 out of 10, missing a radio though.” I corrected myself.
“Bye mom.” Freya waved, glancing at Rarity.
“Let me know if you want a round two, lass, no, princess Freya. I’d be happy to oblige, and Sir Jason Hughes, tell you wives they can come and kick my ass for calling.” I bowed to them.
“Trust me, you don't want that.” Jason smirked. Pony Dash wrapped the two up in her contrail, pulling them through the portal.
With my visitor gone and the time getting late, I began to head back to the forest, but not before promising to be back early tomorrow. My trip back to my current living space was uneventful, luckily, and I arrived back at the castle as the first stars appeared in the sky.
The timberwolf greeted me warmly as I came in, while Mirror just waved.
“So, I taste a hint of content coming from you. Mind telling me what brought this on?” She asked.
“I got some answers,” I yawned. “Now, I have a couple of appointments in the next 24 hours. Night.”
I found myself sitting in my mental training room and decided to over today’s events. The beating I got, I realized, was a bit like my first day at my dojo, just without the ki attacks. I went back to the memory with a smile.
“Hmmm… is this is the place?” I said, looking up from the flyer picture to the actual dojo in front. “Doesn’t look like the flyer picture.”
“You sure about this?” My mom asked. I nodded and headed in.
The inside seemed to be designed to impress, but I was underwhelmed by the trophies and medals. While I continued to look over the material things in the room, my mom was led into a office room in the back.
“Where’s the real fighters? I want to see what this place is really like, not some pathetic accolades that are probably older than me.” I said.
Unbeknownst to me at the time, one of the guys who won one of those trophies heard that and came over. I just thought he hated the disrespect.
“So, you think that we display old trophies here to recruit instead of honing our techniques.” He said. “Come with me.”
He led me downstairs to a mat and tossed me some pads. “Put these on.” I complied out of curiosity as he did the same.
“Now, this isn’t normally done, but show me what you got.” He said.
I circled around him before throwing a bunch different punches. He dodged each one flawlessly. My jabs were sidestepped, my hooks were ducked under, and my uppercut was useless. I tried a roundhouse, only for him to catch my foot and flip me into the ground.
“So, that’s what it’s like to get your butt handed to you,” I said as I got to my feet. “That wasn’t too bad.”
“Kid, you don’t want a round two…” He warned
“Not today, I want to learn how not to get beat like that.” I took off the pads and started for the stairs.
As the memory ended, Nightmare Moon appeared. She still was in the intimidating illusion.
“Right on time,” I turned to her. “Make yourself comfortable and tell me your problems.”
She mumbled something angrily under her breath and started fidgeting.
“If the problem is Luna-” She stopped, “I will let you pummel her if it will help. But first, you have to tell me your side.”
“It started 1,002 years ago, when I was ‘born’ as you would call it. You see, when a being with sufficient magical power becomes stressed, they can subconsciously create a new being in their mind to help cope. The ‘help’ I was to do was be a bottle for her despair and anger.” She started to bristle at this.
“So, the bottle eventually filled and shattered, which caused the Nightmare Moon thing.” I connected the dots.
“Yes, I was driven insane and, when I regained my senses, I’m stuck in a box made from her past sins.”
“Good news: I can definitely help you.” I said, standing up.
“What’s the price?” She asked
“You have to face her and win.”
Silence came over the dreamscape as she processed that last statement. Finally, she shouted, “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR BUCKING MIND? I can’t beat her, not in a fair fight.”
“I can feel the Satsui no Hado radiating from you, you can and you will.”
“The what?” She asked
“The Satsui no Hado, or ‘Surge of Murderous Intent,’ which is the dark energy you felt when I fought Luna, and you used on your last visit here. I can teach you how to utilize it, but you must accept the challenge.”
“And if I don’t?” Nightmare asked.
“It will consume you.”
“Then I accept the challenge.” She stated with confidence. “So, what’s first? One of your techniques, endurance training, how to-”
I threw a gohadoken at her. “DODGE!”
She didn’t, as expected, and was knocked down.
“What was that? It felt like pure malice in a fist.” She gasped.
“That’s what you signed up for,” I stated. “First lesson: Killing intent. This is what awakens the true power of the Satsui no Hado.”
“Then how do you wield it without killing anypony?”
“You misunderstand…. That attack was a monumental fraction of it’s full power. Without tapping into the surge, I could easily destroy a castle.” Nightmare paled at this.
“To tap into the power willingly is not my goal for these teachings,” I stated. “I wasn’t joking when I said it could consume you.”
“You’re trying to tell me how to stay sane with this dark power? Why use it then?”
“Why not?”
“IT’S DANGEROUS!” Nightmare shouted.
“If unprepared, yes. That’s why I am preparing you. It’s an instinctual power and insanity will set in if you can’t mentally control it.” I said
“And if I can overcome it?” She asked.
“The sisters would see you as a liability and inadvertently awaken it before you could.”
Silence reigned as that last statement registered in her mind. Wordlessly, she summoned gauntlets to her hands and threw a bunch of punches at me. I parried and blocked the barrage easily, at first. But as her attacks gained speed and power, I started to take a few hits. Impressive, if this is a base for her technique, I won’t have to do much on the physical side.
Then, I saw the one thing I was waiting for: a telegraph for the finisher, in the form of her horn glowing. The little things give you away. She fired the blast, and I phrased through it and her, before hitting her with a Tatsumaki Zankukyaku in the back.
“That was an impressive combo. Not going to work in an actual fight, however.” I said.
“And why is that?” Nightmare asked as she stood up.
“Your opponent will fight back.”
She threw another punch, but this time I didn’t parry or block the strike. Instead, I caught it and countered with my own.
“That will be all for tonight.” I said. “I expect you tomorrow night.”
I woke to my wolf in front of me. Its eyes’ glow were the only source of light in the room. I sat in the darkness for a short amount of time before pulling out another piece of meat from that bag and devouring it. With breakfast finished, I stood and addressed my pet.
“Let’s go…. I never did give you a name, did I?”
A shake of its head was the answer. I thought for a second.
“Amaterasu?” The timberwolf shook its head.
“Balto?” Another no.
“You want something intimidating, don’t you.” A nod.
The name then just clicked. “Jigoku. It means ‘Hell’ in a language from my home.”
The wolf seemed to think on it for a full minute before accepting.
“Come, Jigoku, We got work to do.” I said.
We left the castle and arrived at the orchard by sunrise. I headed to the house and did a distinct knock.
Soon enough, I heard frenzied movement from upstairs that lasted for a concerning amount of time. Eventually, the door was opened by a muscular red stallion.
“I’m here to pay off a debt with manual labor. How can I be of assistance?” I said.
The door was promptly closed in my face. The sound of more shuffling and the door opened again, this time by Applejack.
“Wut in tarnation made you ta decide ta-”
I cut her off. “I owe you a great amount and have no way to pay for it besides labor. What needs to be done today?”
“The apples in the eastern orchard need ta be harvested and they're sum repairs that need to be done in the barn.”
“Thank you. Jigoku come, sooner started, sooner finished.” I headed towards the orchard in question.
Once there, I noticed that some of the trees had baskets by them. I got to work, punching each of those trees. After each tree was punched, Jigoku put the apples that missed the basket into the basket. After the tenth tree, I fell into a rhythm and before long every tree with a basket with it was hit. I grabbed two baskets, while Jigoku grabbed another and we took them to the barn. I actually got so wrapped up in this job that I didn’t notice how long I had worked until I heard the closing school bell.
“Let’s see if we can finish this last round before the young one shows up.” I said.
I arrived at the barn with the last of the goods with not a filly in sight.
Then, I dropped it off and turned around.
Luckily, instead of questions (Which I didn’t feel like answering), the trio of fillies screamed at the sight of Jigoku (which was easier to deal with). Jigoku decided to play the part and growl at them, to my amusement. I let this continue for what felt like a minute or two before interjecting.
“Jigoku, stop.” It complied. “Now, this has been riveting,” I took a bite out of my meat treats. “I have work to do.”
I turned to look around in the barn. “She said repairs, but I don’t see anything damaged.”
The one in the middle that happened to be wearing a bow piped up. “Mah sis took care of it already. She also said sumthin about wantin’ ta see ya.”
“Thanks for the tip. Jigoku, wanna start home. I’ll be back before dark,” I said before turning to three fillies. “First, the polite question: who are you?”
The one in the bow started. “Ahm Applebloom,” before passing to the next one, a unicorn, who said, “I’m Sweetie Belle.” She then nudged to the last one, a pegasus, who finished with, “And I’m Scootaloo.”
Then they took a deep breath and said together. “And we’re-”
“Going to bring me to Applejack? Thanks!” I said while letting off as power as I could without moving. The fillies felt it, undoubtedly, and complied instead for finishing their greeting.
I saw Applejack by her house and unleashed my ‘power flood gates’ again to get her attention. “So, Boss, tomorrow’s jobs?”
Applejack seemed stunned. “Jobs?”
“I’m paying you back for the tree and one day of work doesn’t equate.”
“Right, why?”
I stared directly into her eyes and said, “I may be MANY things but an indebted man, I am not. I pay off my favors as soon as I can.” She broke eye contact with me.
“I’ll be back tomorrow.” I said and left for the library.
I arrived at the library and heading to the books. Taking a look at the bindings, I realized quickly I couldn’t read the text. I’m gonna have to fix that.
“Twilight, you here?” I asked. Some shuffling was heard before Spike came down.
“Oh, Spike, great, I need some help.”
“With what?” He asked.
“First, you laugh, there will be a new window,” I stated. “I can’t read your language.”
Luckily for both of us, he didn’t laugh. Unfortunately, he had the smuggest grin on his face.
“So, you need a kid’s book for letters.” He said, that grin plastered on his face.
“Yes.”
“Here.” He grabbed a book from off the shelf I was standing by.
I took a seat and read through it twenty times before I was satisfied. I was about to reshelf the book, but I remembered a rule from libraries I’d been in before. I left the book on a table and headed home.
In my dreamscape, I quickly got to work on recognizing the equestrian alphabet and matching it to English. I was lucky that they sounded the same, but I figured that I would need to be able to read the language as well. The last thing I needed was to be “purified” of my power because I didn’t know an opponent’s spell could do such a thing. Plus, if I could find a spell that could expel pieces of a soul before the month was up, I wouldn’t have to resort to whatever M. Bison used.
Nightmare arrived as I finished my review.
“You’re a reader?” She asked.
“Knowledge is Power, my student.” Even though it was what she was called, I didn’t want to refer to her as Nightmare, unless she herself said it was fine.
I turned to face her. “A fact you already know, I believe.”
‘Nightmare’ nodded before pausing. “Your…. Student? You are acknowledging me as your student?”
I nodded. “Your drive when pushed reminded me of myself when I started.”
I thought I saw her tear up slightly before she spoke. “I would let you down, Master. What is tonight’s-”
I jumped and fired off two Zanku Hadokens. “DODGE!”
This time she successfully dodged the attack while I landed.
“Not bad,” I said. “Remember, the little things give you away.”
“What do you mean?” She asked.
“Watch me while we spar and you will see.” I threw a single punch towards her. She easily blocked and returned with her own. I parried the strike and launched a kick. She ducked under and went for a uppercut, which I narrowly avoided on purpose.
We traded blows like this until ‘Nightmare’ began to tire.
“Did you see?” I asked.
“No attack truly comes out of nowhere.” She said. “There’s some kind of wind up with any blow. One attack may lead to another or move faster, but there’s always something to watch for.”
“And that concludes tonight’s lesson.” I have a seat.
“When are you going to teach me some of your moves?” ‘Nightmare’ asked
I smirked at that. “If everything goes the way I want it to go, no more than a month’s time.”
I awoke after Nightmare smiled in anticipation.
After another day of work (this time fixing up the barn), I was once again at the library. This time I had sat down with an advanced dictionary, skimming it for magic and mana related words I was unfamiliar with. I wasn’t finding anything new however, and that slightly annoyed me.
I finished with the massive book and went for the other one I wished to read over before my next lesson. It was a spellbook specializing on low-power spells. I opened the book at the table of contexts and skimmed for any spell of interest. Chilling Wind, Dancing Lights, Fog Cloud, Moonbeam, Magic Bolt, Sparks… Wait back up. I flipped back to the Magic Bolt spell and read the description aloud.
“This spell creates a single dart of magical energy that will launch at a target in a straight line.” I snickered. “Sounds like a weaker-”
“A weaker what?” Twilight asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
“Magic Missile.” I answered before continuing. “I was never one for magic back home. Might was more my forte. A friend of mine was more interested in the mystic artes, however, and I picked up a thing or two from him.”
That wasn’t a lie either. Simon played as the magic-based class in any tabletop game he got us to play. Magic Missile became his most casted spell. It tended to boil down to: if he could cast Magic Missile on a enemy, he would overkill that entire encounter.
“Interesting… What makes Magic Missile stronger?” Twilight asked, quill and parchment in hand.
“More shots. At its base, it fires three shots. My friend had figured out a way to fire 80 shots every half minute.” I said. “Simon did always like to put flair into the basics.”
“What was your friend like?”
I stared Twilight dead in the eye.“I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I’ve got work to do, which requires research, and my biggest trigger is distractions. I will gladly tell you anything later when my schedule is clearer, but for now, I prefer you or Spike’s librarian skills, not your personal skills.”
I left the library afterwards for home… only to be intercepted by Pinkie. She handed me a note and bounced away. Chalking it up to Pinkie being herself, I headed for the tree line, allowing my aura to flow freely to minimize other encounters.
Once I made it to the tree line, I opened the note. It was a invite to a picnic near the end of the month. By then, everything should be in place. I’ll accept. Then I noticed the tiny print: Favorite Flavor of cake? Gonna sink that thought tomorrow.
I entered the castle to see Jigoku and Mirror locked in at very intense stare-down. Neither of them seemed ready to cave anytime soon. I was amused at the childish display and didn't disturb them. Instead, I waited for my presence to be noticed.
It took an upwards of five minutes before Mirror noticed another source of emotions, one that was mostly amusement. She turned away from her rival in the staring arts to me.
“When did you get here?” She asked.
Jigoku answered for me, barking twice.
“What do you mean, you noticed him come in? My trained senses couldn't sense him.” She said, irritation thick in her voice.
“Then you may need a refresher. Stop using just your five senses and try to use your instinct.” I offered.
“Instinct? That is only for mere beasts, not for-” I threw a punch to cut her off. She flinched as my fist stopped a hair’s width away.
“Instinct told you to flinch away from my fist. Listen to it and it can save you.”
A bark of agreement came from Jigoku.
When my student arrived in my dream tonight, I had sculpted a simple course for her lesson. It was a tiled hallway filled with unseen weight-triggered traps. I set the traps to randomize their location after every attempt. The hall itself was just as tall as ‘Nightmare’ and was too narrow for flight. She saw this and raised an eyebrow.
“Tonight’s lesson: Instinct. You will need to work with them and that’s what the course is for. I will see you on the other side.” I walked through the short hall unimpeded and gestured for her to follow after I was through.
She took one step in and was spun around, throwing her back to the start. Her next five attempts fared no better, as she activated a different kind of trap on each try. She had been tripped, blown away, spun around (again), teleported, and launched back (in that order) before she started looking at the tiles for hints. Hints that weren’t there.
“How do I do this?” She asked.
“Close your eyes and open your mind.” I said.
She shut her eyes and was able to make it three-fourths of the way before she opened her eyes. “This version of the challenge is unwinnable.” She stated.
I sensed where she was. The tiles on the floor and ceiling were all trapped until the end, but the walls weren’t. “Remember, I said work with, not rely on. There is a solution.”
She stood where she was towards the floor and reached for the floor, flinching back before touch. Then she did the same with the ceiling. When she went for the walls, She didn’t flinch back. I think she’s getting it. She braced herself on the walls and moved through the rest of the puzzle with ease. I had her do it twice more and she did both runs flawlessly.
“Did you feel anything during during those runs?” I asked my student.
“A odd feeling, a lesser version of what I felt from you the day I regained hope.” She answered.
“That’s progress, you can actually feel the Dark Hado within. I didn’t expect this would happened until you tapped into the power.”
“So, I’m ahead?”
“In this crash course, yes. The real training will begin after you actively use this power.”
She smiled, before a realization hit her. “How can I use this power if I’m trapped in a dreamscape?”
“I know a couple ways.” I lied. In truth, I currently only knew one way and didn’t want to use it. Another way to separate my student and Luna was my main goal before the wedding because, if nothing else, against a horde of foes, I’d want someone I personally knew the full strength of to watch my six.
“Because you are ahead,” I said to shift the conversation. “I think I should show you some of me zen techniques. That was the next lesson anyway.”
The rest of the night was spent stretching and doing basic punches and kicks.
The next day, I was at work in the fields again, shaking the apples from the tree. Today, I decided to get in some strength training as well and was using the sturdiest branches for pull-ups. It wasn’t as fast as punching the trees but it was doing the job well enough. Around noon, I heard a bell but ignored it. Instead, I continued working, stopping only once for a bite of meat.
When I finished my area of trees, I began hauling the apples back to the barn. With that finished, I headed back to the Apple’s home to “clock out” only to be stopped by the sight of Applebloom. She seemed fed up with something. I knew that this was something I didn’t have to interfere with and almost ignored it, but then an idea formed. One with collateral, but could give me some brownie points with the girls. Plus, if I did it right, the collateral would play to my favor.
“Something wrong?” I asked while approaching the young Apple.
“No.” That was the reply I got. I was not deterred however as I walked with her back to the house.
“Your face betrays your words. Bullies?”
She nodded.
“Maybe I can help.”
“Ah don’t know…”
“Think about it, the offer is still there.”
We arrived at the house and Applebloom opened the door. I thanked her and quickly found Applejack.
“Ah appreciate the work, but it don’t feel right not to pay ya for yer work.” Applejack said.
“Then think about it like this: I ate a full bushel which equates to owing you an upwards of 500 bits. This type of work is probably 2-3 bits an hour and I work for twelve hours which equals 24-36 bits. I should have you paid off in two or three weeks through manual labor. Then, if you still want me to work here, you can pay me. I am currently repaying a debt. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Ah still don’t like it…”
“The other option is I find a job in town and show up with the payment. Either way, you would get compensation.”
Applejack scratched the back of her neck.
“Then ah will respect your choice.” I didn’t see or sense any deception, but to be sure...
I turned to leave, but stopped at the doorway to say one more thing, subduing my power as I did. “And I won’t accept anyone paying this off for me. Not the crown or your friends. This is the bed I made, now I must lie in it.” With that said, I made for the library.
I reached the library as Fluttershy was leaving. For some unexplainable reason, I felt a massive aura of power radiating from her. I filed it under “check later” and I nodded to her. The aura vanished as she noticed me. Even odder, Move to check soon. She hurried away and I was dazed. Screw it, check tomorrow.
In the library, I looked for any books on soul magic. Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t any, so I looked for something on timberwolves. I found a sizeable amount of books, but each of them were less about them and more filled of warnings.
I reached the last book in the pile. “The Bark’s Bite: A Guide to Timberwolves,” I read before taking a look at the author. Pack Member. “I’m not surprised. Now, what can this guy tell me?”
As it turned out, a lot. How they’re created (feral and domesticated), their “soul,” and the wood they prefer were only three of the many things in the book. One particular thing caught my eye however: a passage on shapeshifting for domesticated “wolves.” I read it:
Domesticated timberwolves are sometimes intelligent enough to shift their shape into another creature around. They cannot take a form bigger than they currently are (even though close by wood can be absorbed during the shift to help with size issues), and rarely take a smaller form. They normally do still act like wolves, but on rare occasions they will act like the species they turn into (besides for dietary needs). Feral wolves do have this ability to a extremely lesser degree. Their “merging” ability works the same way, with the added effect that the strongest feral with take over the end result.
“Which book have you picked out today?” I heard Spike’s voice ask.
“The only decent thing you have on Timberwolves.” I answered without looking up.
“Research?”
“For an associate of mine,” I looked up. “Things may be headed south for a time soon, and I wish to be prepared.”
Spike looked at me with thinly veiled curiosity. “What do you mean ‘South?’ You know something?”
“Not for certain, but I rather have warriors in the orchard than farmers on the battlefield.”
Spike seemed to accept this. “So, who is this associate?”
“I’ll introduce you later. Now, I’m going to need a book on Soul magic, if you could.”
“Why? That kind of magic is under lock and key.”
I looked around the room for any prying eyes before leaning in. “You must swear not to tell anyone the whole story until I say so. If this leaks out, everything will go straight to Tartarus in a handbasket. Not a simple promise, not a Pinkie Promise, but a oath of secrecy.”
“Why not a Pinkie promise?” Spike asked the obvious question for him.
“Simple: She appears if it’s in danger of breaking and none of your friends can know. Do I have it on your honor that this won’t leave your lips to others until further notice?”
He nodded once, so I began with the biggest thing. “I have been training whom history calls ‘Nightmare Moon’ to be ready for the power I wield.”
To his credit, Spike didn’t run or shout. He did start to panic, however, and took deep breaths. When he could find his voice again, he asked, “Are you crazy?”
“No, I am not. My student was not in control of herself at the time of either attack. I know you know about not being in control of oneself.”
“That was different.”
“Indeed it was, Yours came from a biological need of your own. Hers was worse, as she snapped under the pressure of another and was punished for the chain of events that she was forced to do.”
Spike opened his mouth to argue, but I could see the words die in his throat.
“Why tell me?”
“Because I get the feeling you will become a part of the events to come. You can take more punishment than a pony and I can see your physical strength. I’m not ever going to ask you to help me...” Spike raised a finger. “Because your friends will need you more in the back, than I on the front line. I tell you because you will need to prepare yourself in your own way. Be it sheild or sword, you must prepare.”
“How?”
“I don’t know that, but I do know the end of the month is the deadline and you’ll be ready by then.”
I closed the book on my lap and handed it to him. “You‘ll be fine.”
With that said, I left the library and went to Sugar Cube Corner. I was able to slip in unnoticed and took a seat. I checked the line’s length. It wasn’t very long, so I decided to wait it out. Soon enough, the last pony had left with their order. I went over to the counter, where I saw Pinkie. I waved to her and said, “To your question: N/A. I’m not a fan of most sweets.”
Pinkie gave me a look as if I committed a sin to existence. “What do you mean?”
“I dislike cake and cookies. I have a challenge for you, however. There is something I like that you can make, but you can’t throw me a party until you make it.”
Her hair deflated. “I can’t throw you a party?”
“Not until you find the sweet I like. Then you can throw me the a party as big as you like and I WILL be there. Do you accept the terms?”
“I can still send you invites, right?”
I chuckled. “As long as I as I’m not a guest of honor, yes.”
“I don’t know…”
“I haven’t had any for years. I can guarantee the smile if I get one.”
Pinkie stopped when I said ‘smile’. I mean, legit froze, no movement at all. She stayed like that for three minutes. Then, her hair poofed up to twice was it was before.
“For a friend, sure.” She stuck out her hand and I shook it.
“See you later and good luck.”
And with that said, I left for home.
Tonight’s lesson was the final one of importance, and as such, it was the most difficult. It was simple in concept, but many difficult things were. A question she had to answer herself. If she could do this, she could master the power instead of being mastered by it. The question?
“Who are you?”
“I’m the pony of nightmares. I’m-”
“Not ‘what are you?,’ not ‘what have you done?,’ no. The question is ‘Who. Are. You?’”
That stopped her. I expected this, sadly, but this was an important step. If she didn’t know who she was, she wouldn’t be using the dark Hado, the dark Hado would use her. This was also difficult for me as it was difficult to help her. No one could truly know anyone as much as themself, and many couldn’t do that.
Hours passed before ‘Nightmare’ spoke. “I don’t know… How do you know who you are, Master?”
“I know because I can feel my own energies at peace. Your answer will do the same.”
Nothing else was said the rest of the night. ‘Nightmare’ entered meditation to find her answer, while I practiced my punches and pondered what my student’s kanji would be.
I arrived at the Apple’s farm before sunrise and started the day’s work of apple harvesting. Single strong blows from my arms felled each apple from their tree. I had finished two rows before Applejack found me striking a tree for its yield.
“Something up boss?” I asked, picking up the apples that missed.
“Can you pick up Applebloom from school?” Applejack asked back.
“Sure, anything else?”
“You missed lunch yesterday,” Applejack crossed her arms.
“I ate while I worked. If you wish for me to join your breaks, I must decline currently.” I punched the next tree. “It’s not peak summer so the heat is no problem, I’m not breaking a sweat, and the bushels aren’t too heavy to carry. However, I will keep your offer in mind.”
“Yer stubborn, You know that?” Applejack shook her head.
“More than you could imagine.”
The rest of the work went by quickly and, eventually, I heard the school bell ring as I finished for the day. I headed for the school at a brisk pace. Everyone cleared away from me, even though I wasn’t exerting my power. I arrived at the school in time for the bullies to still be there. I heard a insult and grinned.
A purple mare approached me. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, Name’s Gouki. Applejack sent me to pick up Applebloom. May I have your name?”
“I am Miss Cheerilee,” She looked a bit puzzled. “Why did she ask you to come?”
“I’m currently a temp there.”
“Ok,” And she went to watch the other foals. That was easy.
I spotted Applebloom, her friends and, as I expected, two bullies.
“Applebloom, ready to go?” I asked.
The bullies laughed. “This blank flank needs a escort home.”
I decided to humor them for a second. “Who’s the blank flank?”
“She is and it seems that the escort is a dummy to not know.” The foals that the teacher wasn’t talking to started turning toward us.
“I apologize, I was making sure you weren’t referring to me,” I made eye contact with the one talking, a bleached pink filly with a tiara on her head. I wanted to made sure she saw my blood red eyes.
“You don't have a cutie mark? That makes this even funnier. All the blank flanks together.” She laughed, unaware of the beast she was challenging.
“Oh, I do. Only the worthy may see it,” I turned to Applebloom. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yea, Ahm ready to go.” Applebloom answered. I nodded and turned to go.
The pink filly, however, began fuming from our interaction. “Not worthy? My Daddy could-”
“-not touch me. Good Day.” With this said, I started to let my power be known. The other filly, gray with glasses, could see this starting to go downhill and tried to stop her friend.
“That blank flank isn’t worth it, Diamond. Let’s get our stuff and go.”
Predictably, it didn’t stop there. I heard something fly through the air at me. I didn’t stop it or try to dodge. I just turned to face the projectile, a pebble, so I could watch it. The rock was deflected and hit the teacher in the ear.
“Who threw that?” Miss Cheerilee asked in a very serious tone. It was the type of tone a teacher had that everyone would comply with. It was also the type of tone that told my instincts to leave.
Applebloom must have had the same feeling as she bolted. I wasted no time following after. The last I heard from the schoolyard was Diamond shouting in denial.
After dropping Applebloom off at her home (and telling Applejack the school situation), I headed for Fluttershy’s.
The walk to Fluttershy’s place was a chance for me to prepare myself for many scenarios. One of those scenarios was NOT fighting a bear, as I was currently doing.
It started simply enough, I arrived at the cottage and knocked. No one answered, so I decided to wait for her. After maybe twenty minutes, I began to mediate. That was when everything started to go downhill. Her bunny must have saw me and alerted every other creature of my presence. They were a mild annoyance at first, as they just shouted. Nothing more than a test of my patience. It stopped after three minutes and I honestly thought they were done.
Then came the bear.
He went for a bear hug that I narrowly evaded by rolling back. He let me stand (thankfully) before he started his onslaught of attacks. I could have ended the fight quickly (and almost did), but I saw the smirk on the bunny’s face. He wanted me to knock the bear out. Why, I had a stupid idea, but just the spite that bunny, I stayed on the defensive.
It was weird for me, not pushing the attack. I was used to either being the main attacker in a fight or looking for a opening. Due to the nature of this fight, however, an attack or counter of any kind was a bad idea. The last thing I wanted was for Fluttershy to show up just as I ‘won’ and hit me for a 40+ hit combo, especially with whatever unknown power she held.
Fortunately, the Ashura Senku proved to be a very useful technique, as it allowed me to phrase through any grapples the bear tried. His other attacks were a perfect time to practice parrying and, after a miss or two, I could do rather well.
So caught up in this ‘dance,’ I almost missed Fluttershy’s arrival, only detecting her because of that overwhelming power she had. She had her hands full of groceries.
“Harry,” The bear flinched at the mention of what I believed to be his name, even though it wasn’t said any louder than the wind from one of my strikes. “Would you be a dear and help me with these?” Harry sighed in relief and took two boxes from Fluttershy. Fluttershy whispered into Harry’s ear after her load was lightened and the bear paled.
I decided that it would be wise to assist Fluttershy at that exact moment.
After everything was put away, Fluttershy and I sat down, her at a table and myself on the floor. We sat in silence for awhile. Surprisingly, she was the first to speak.
“I’m sorry about Harry.” She said.
“No worries. It was unexpected here, but kinda soothing.” I said, shrugging. A quick scan of the room allowed me to see the face of the bunny. It was a perfect mix of shock and anger.
“I don’t want to pry, but ‘unexpected here?’ What do you mean?”
“Fights are common back home. I learned from the streets and took classes. How I got to where I am.”
I looked to see Fluttershy’s face had… pity and concern?
“Are you always fighting?” She asked.
“No,” Fluttershy sighed in relief. “But, I have been fighting so long that it has allowed me to spot another fighter. Like you. I don’t know why but I felt a power rivalling my own yesterday coming from you.”
Fluttershy was stunned. “Mmmme?”
“Yes, you.”
“The weird part was as soon as you noticed me, it disappeared.”
“Then it couldn’t be me.”
“Except that’s also how I knew when you arrived.” I paused. “I don’t feel it now, though.”
Fluttershy looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. I considered what it could mean, before dismissing it.
“In any case, I respect that power. If you find out how to use it, I would love to spar you. Very few can rival my power without using dark arts.”
I stood up and bowed. “Goodbye lass, I’ll see you later.”
I stepped out of the cottage and walked just out of sight of the windows. Sure enough, I felt the power again. Must be tied to emotion. I wonder which one?
I turned to head home to be confronted by three manticores, two with some semi-healed bites and scratches and one with burnt fur. They looked at me, baring their fangs.
“Do I know you?” I asked. The burnt one growled and leaped… into a roundhouse, sending him through three trees.
“No, seriously, am I supposed to know you?” I asked. The smaller wounded one leaped at me. Gonna get sick of this real fast.
“Messatsu…” I uppercutted the beast twice, breaking a couple of its bones. “Goshoryu!” I landed a third uppercut cloaked in purple energy. The blow sent the beast just over the tree line before it hit every branch on a tree on the way down.
I addressed the final beast, flaring my full power. “You attack, YOU DIE.”
It leaped at me as well. This time I raised a single hand to the sky and waited for the second before contact. Then I struck the earth with the Kongou Kokuretsu Zan. Everything within a 40-foot radius was hit by the extremely high-powered blast and it could be seen for miles.
“I did warn you, stupid beast.” I sat in the crater I made to catch my breath. The Kongou Kokuretsu Zan was a very powerful technique, but as I wasn’t anywhere near the power level Akuma was when he invented the technique, it was extremely draining to use at full power.
After five minutes of rest, I was ready to move again. I climbed out of the crater to come face-to- face with a striped lass. “If I were you, I wouldn’t be so brash. No one would like to encounter the one who made that flash.”
“So, don’t look in a mirror? I can do that,” I snickered. “May I ask your name?”
“Zecora is the name. You say the crater is yours to blame?”
“Indeed, and my name is Gouki.”
No later than the moment I said my name, she entered a fighting stance.
“Normally, I wouldn’t mind a spar, but I have other places to be.” I said and walked past her.
“The ‘Great Ogre’ wishes to take flight? I see your Bark is worse than your bite.”
I stopped. “I may not be at full power yet,” I closed my eyes to sense her strength. “But I am strong enough to easily beat you. DON’T push it.”
‘Nightmare’ was late. This wasn’t a surprise, considering last night question and the fact ‘Nightmare’ was technically sneaking out every night to meet me. I decided to pass the time in a mirror match.
After three rounds, ‘Nightmare’ arrived and she was... off-center to put it mildly.
“SHE KNOWS!” She shouted.
“One: who is ‘she?’ and two: knows what?” I asked, confused.
“Luna knows I can leave the barrier. Buck me sideways with a rusty spoon.”
I smiled. “Perfect. The pieces fall into play.”
“What do you mean perfect? Tomorrow-”
“She be here for you to fight. I’ll make sure she can’t use any tricks. Think of it as a final exam.”
“I’m not ready.” ‘Nightmare’ said.
“The question from yesterday. Answer it and you will be.”
I sat to meditate and motioned for her to join me.
“Something tells me you know. Now find where in your mind that you know.”
We sat like that until it was time for me to awaken.
Most of my work day was spent in anticipation. I was actually ecstatic for tonight’s feature. It was only when I heard the lunch bell that I noticed my job was done early and, more importantly, I didn’t remember progressing. It would not hurt to know my employers better. With that in mind, I headed for the bell.
Lunch was, as expected, apple-based. The meal was basically ants on a log (but replace the celery with apples) set up buffet-style. The meal began simple enough, they blessed the food, we all made a plate, and we began to eat.
Unfortunately, after every had their first bite, conversation started. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem, as I could truthfully navigate a lot of topics when calm. This topic, however, wasn’t one I wanted to touch.
“So, why are ya workin’ here, youngun?” Granny Smith asked.
“Bad first impressions and a debt.” I said, eying Applejack. She snorted. “I don’t think it’s a topic for the current setting.”
Of course, my second statement was ignored. “A debt? Ya owe sumpony sumthin’?”
I made this bed, now I must lie in it.
“I ate a bushel of apples when I first arrived. From a single tree.” I said.
Applejack didn’t respond but the other two Apples at the table had two distinct reactions. Granny seemed to be surprised, but Big Mac was… furious didn’t do his expression justice.
“You were the thief from last week.” He shouted.
“One: I only stripped one tree and Two: I ‘took care’ of the real thief.” I said, before adding, “Stupid wild timberwolves.”
“How fast?” Granny asked, derailing Big Mac’s confrontation.
“Pardon?”
“How fast did ya strip that tree?”
“It couldn’t have taken me more than thirty minutes to pick and eat every apple. I am a very different person hungry and/or angry.” I took another bite of lunch. “These apples are great, by the way.”
The rest of lunch was a bit odd. Big Mac kept giving me a death glare when Granny wasn’t looking. To most, it would be unnerving. To me, I thought it was hilarious and I did not try to hide that fact, to his chagrin.
When everyone finished, Big Mac and I cleaned the table in complete silence. Somewhere along the line, he realized his intimidation tactic was failing. Horribly. He opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to the punch.
“You can stop now,” I said.
“Stop what?” He asked.
“The intimidation attempt. I’m sure it works on most but for me, it’s laughable.”
“Laughable? Ahm tryin’ to-”
“I’m going to level with you,” I cut him off. “When I was 10, I was beating people your size in fights. The only reason I am trying to talk this out is that debt. I’m not asking you to like me, just tolerate me long enough to pay you back, instead of trying to challenge me.”
“Ah’ll try.”
After that conversation, we finished the rest of the dishes in silence. With the task finished, I left.
I headed to the library. Surprisingly, when I arrived, Pinkie was outside with a box. Trial one already? She spotted me and opened the box. Inside were eleven donuts of varying flavors. She offered me one, hoping she got my preferred sweet in one.
“I’ll take one, but you missed the mark. Try again.” I said, taking a glazed one.
“You don’t like donuts?” Pinkie asked.
“Not a lot. Nice try though.”
“Rats!” She walked off, muttering about a perfect streak ruined in guessing. I shrugged and entered the library.
Inside, Twilight was running to and fro, spouting magical nonsense, while Spike had a unamused look on his face. The situation was absurd, so instead of trying to alert them to my presence, I took a seat. It took five whole minutes (I was staring at the clock the entire time) before either noticed I was there. Twilight took a deep breath and approached me. Before she could ask any questions, I spoke.
“Yesterday’s power surge seen from the Everfree was me, there will not be a demonstration for study, it’s not magic, I won’t teach you, and if you think you can force me,” I flared my power. “I’ll cut loose.”
“That answers all of my questions. How did you-”
“You wanna study my ki, but you can’t handle the truths of this power. I will give you it’s name to curb some of your curiosity: The Satsui no Hado, or in your common tongue….”
“The Surge of Murderous Intent.” Twilight breathed out.
With that knowledge, she bolted up the stairs.
“Oh, before I forget, Spike, can you point Luna in the right direction? She knows.”
A shaky thumb-up was my answer.
“Thanks”
I arrived at home to hear three barks and a growl. Again?
“The week is almost over. As much as I must thank you for saving me, I have to go.” Again.
Two barks, a growl, and three more barks.
“I have a job to do.”
A whimper.
“Tell you what: If I survive this, I’ll stick with you.”
A more irate bark.
“What do you mean, ‘I will protect you’?”
I decided to interject there. “Jigoku,” The other two jumped as I walked in. “If you truly love someone, let them go. Mirror, I’ll get you a ride tomorrow.” I started to leave the room. “Tonight, under no circumstances, can you wake me. This is very important.”
Jigoku nodded, but Mirror was curious. “Why?”
“I will be meeting Luna tonight about your ride. We aren’t friends, so this can easily go south.” I explained.
“Why is she coming?” She stopped. “Have you been giving people nightmares?”
“Not yet, but a nightmare is why she’s coming.” I said cryptically. “So, unless you are 300% sure I will die otherwise, do NOT wake me. Jigoku will be able to handle it.”
Mirror seemed to accept this. “Ok, we won’t disturb your meeting.”
“Thank you.” I took a bite out of my bag and headed to a quiet room that wasn’t damaged to sleep in.
As soon as I arrived in my dreamscape, ‘Nightmare’ appeared. “Let’s get this over with.”
“The main event will be starting in 3… 2… 1…”
A hole was ripped in the wall. Through it stepped in a very irate Luna in full battle gear. A spiked suit of armor in pitch-black and an assortment of weapons made her look terrifying to a normal person. I just lifted my eyebrow before recreating a throne room.
“Luna, as much as I want round two, I am not your opponent tonight.”
“We care not who you think my opponent is,” Luna spat. “This is our domain. You cannot stop me here.”
She unsheathed a massive blade and charged at me, intent on running me through. I stepped to the side as ‘Nightmare’ made herself known, disarming Luna with a swift roundhouse.
“I’m the one you want, not my master.” She said.
“We have unfinished business with him.” Luna responded, venom in her voice.
“I’m sure, but tonight you were chasing a nightmare. I have a wager for you. Fight ‘Nightmare.’ If you win, you provide a ride to the castle for two…” I said.
“And if We win?”
“I will personally separate you and ‘Nightmare’” Even though I plan on doing that anyway.
“We accept.”
“The rules are simple: First to fall for a 5 count loses. Begin.”
‘Nightmare’ struck first, landing a punch in Luna’s gut. The punch was followed by ten more before a powerful uppercut sent Luna airborne. Luna recovered while airborne and launched herself at ‘Nightmare’ at a massive speed. ‘Nightmare’ was barely able to dodge the strike. That was fast. Luna pulled out her scythe and swung the blade, sending a shockwave at ‘Nightmare.’
‘Nightmare’ ducked under the blast and started dodging as more and more razor winds flew at her. Luna didn’t let up in her attacks and, soon, ‘Nightmare’ was hit on her wing. I winced as even more were sent at ‘Nightmare.'
I was barely able to see what happened next as it happened so fast. A void-like energy surrounded ‘Nightmare’ before focusing into her fists and horn. Is that… A barrier appeared in front of all the razor winds and absorbed the attack. She vanished only the reappear behind Luna. It feels like it.
“Mission objective one down, now for my student to finish this up.” I whispered, before raising my voice so Luna could hear. “The show’s starting.”
“What does thou mean-” Luna started before taking a punch to the face, followed by three to the gut and a Shoryuken cloaked in that energy from earlier. The force of the last blow shattered the dreamscape, returning the dream to a white tiled room.
“That’s what I meant.” I said as Luna hit the ground and a counter started.
5…
I looked over to my student to take see her changes. The only thing I noticed was the irises in her eyes were purple. Odd, I would have expected more changes to her outwards appearance. It doesn’t really matter, however. She has a strength increase and she seems to have sense of self.
4…
She didn’t move to strike the downed Luna, but instead stayed ready in case of a round two.
3…
Luna stood up, stopping the counter, and summoned her scythe back to her hand. The weapon changed as it flew, most of the snath becoming a ball and chain.
“I’m not done-” I didn't see ‘Nightmare’ move or attack. All I saw was Luna fall again with ‘Nightmare’ standing over her.
“This was a fight, not a conversation.” ‘Nightmare’ said. “Remember that next time.”
The counter started again.
5… 4… 3…
I felt an extreme pulse of power come from Luna.
2...
Three more pulses and I started to feel it through the dreamscape.
1… Time!
Luna stood up, flaring her power and fired a beam of pure energy at ‘Nightmare.’ I calmly moved in front of Luna’s attack and parried the whole beam.
“You lose lass.” I told Luna, “I expect a ride of some sort by the end of the day.” She began to charge another spell. “Or are you not a mare of your word?”
Luna cancelled her spell and closed her eyes. “Very well. We will see to it something is sent.” With that said, Luna left and I turned to my student.
“Now that that’s over, good job. You passed.”
‘Nightmare' blinked. “That was a test?”
I nodded. “To see if you were ready for the techniques of this style. Did you think tapping into the Dark Hado was it?”
I saw the gears turn in her head. “I tapped into the Dark Hado?”
I nodded. “I don’t know exactly how yours manifests itself, but you did unleash the Satsui no Hado. Take a rest if you need to tomorrow night.”
When I arrived at work the next day after oversleeping, I was surprised to see Applejack out front with most of her friends, all with varied expressions and levels of luggage. Twilight and Rarity seemed like they prepared for an apocalypse, and while Twilight looked concerned, Rarity looked a bit annoyed. Pinkie was smiling with her backpack and a nearly empty box of treats. Rainbow had a gym bag and seemed slightly angered. Applejack didn’t have anything packed and I didn’t see any body language showing how she was feeling.
“Yo boss,” I called. “Something up?”
“Twilight got a letter about you from Princess Luna.” Applejack replied.
“Ah, Did it say how she’s providing me transport for me and my plus one?”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Rainbow cut in, “‘Boss,’ Why would he call you ‘Boss’?”
“Because Applejack is currently my employer. Why else?” I simply replied
Rainbow looked at Applejack and back to me. “How did you…”
“I pay debts.” I said before returning to the more important issues. “So, what’s my ride?”
Twilight pulled out seven train tickets. “The letter said we are supposed to escort you to the castle.”
“You five, me, and my plus one. That’s seven.”
“Actually, the letter said ‘The Elements of Harmony and you.” Twilight said.
“I didn’t know Luna didn’t honor deals…” I muttered.
Rarity caught my comment and her eyes narrowed. “How dare you!”
“I guess there was no mention of a wager. That she lost. Or the terms. Which is the reason I’m going in the first place.” I stopped as a thought occurred to me. “By the way, Did you bring a cloak?”
Rarity, stuck speechless, just nodded to my seemingly random question.
“I’m going to need it for my plus one.”
“You mean her?” Pinkie asked pointing to a glowing tree.
I sighed. “Mirror, Jigoku, you two had to tail me. Might as well come out.”
Hearing both of their names, the changeling and the timberwolf showed themselves. Rainbow and Twilight immediately sprung into action, Rainbow charging toward Jigoku while Twilight fired a spell. Jigoku dodged both the spell and Rainbow’s attack. He responded with three barks. All of the ponies present but Pinkie stopped due to confusion.
“Do you want to translate or should I?” Pinkie asked.
Both Mirror and I shrugged. “Go ahead.”
“You understood it?” Twilight asked.
“HE said ‘That can’t be your best.’” Jigoku sniffed the air and gave another bark, pointing to the box. “‘Swing and a miss.’ Aww, I thought macaroons were right this time…”
“Anyway, Ji, when I said I needed you to stay, I meant it. You aren’t coming.”
A whine.
“Try shapeshifting and working on speaking to people with normal words. If you truly get bored, cover my shift for me.”
His response was a crude-sounding “ok” as he slunk back into the forest.
“With that out of the way, You can see why we need the cloak. We don’t need a street fight yet.”
The cloak was quickly handed over.
“When is the train the tickets are for?” I asked while pulling out another piece of meat from my bag to eat. I only have four strips left. Dang, gonna need a new snack soon.
“It’s the mid-afternoon train.” Twilight answered before asking her own question. “Why?”
“I have work to do.” I headed for the part of orchard that was supposed to be picked.
I was deep into work on the apple trees, lightly jabbing them to drop the apples, when Mirror asked me a question. “Why?”
Not ruining my rhythm, I responded, “Why what? Help you? Originally, a whim. Now, because I finish what I start.”
“I’m not worth it. There are hundreds that do my job.”
I stopped. “Then why the bloody hell would a timberwolf try to protect you and look for help to do so? I’m gonna see how deep the rabbit hole goes and that means helping you. Besides, if you’re worried about me getting into a fight on your behalf, that would happen with me anyway.”
She was quiet for awhile. When she finally spoke again, it was two simple words.
“Thank you.”
I gave her a smile and continued my work.
I finished my job in time for us to meet Twilight and her group at the train station. Instead of Fluttershy missing from the group, however, Applejack was the one not there. Fluttershy looked intimidated and had two bags. Everyone else seemed to have not changed their expressions from this morning with the exception of Rainbow. She was absolutely livid. I also saw Spike there carrying Rarity’s bags. Probably here for a send-off.
I checked the train schedule and the clock to see that the train wasn't to arrive for another half-hour or so. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to answer any question they may have. I turned to the group and saw Spike starting to strain.
“Spike,” The drake turned at the mention of his name. “First, you should put those down. You’ll hurt yourself.” He went to place them down and, one by one, they cascaded out of his hands. “Second, it’s fine to for them to know THAT now.”
“Tell us what?” Twilight asked.
“I’m teaching someone you have run into my techniques.” I stated
Rarity scoffed. “You teach your brutish moves? Who said yes?”
“Nightmare Moon.” Spike said.
All of the girls paled as the answer stewed around with them. Twilight was the first to speak.
“Have you gone mad?” She shouted, causing a couple of looks to come our way.
“And, more importantly, she’s going to help me-”
Rainbow cut in. “With taking over? I don’t think so!” She charged at me, using her wings for a speed boost. I stepped to the side as she went past.
“No, to protect you from others as strong as myself or stronger.”
“Ummmm, how strong?” Fluttershy asked.
“The weakest one can teleport, heal himself, and use mind control and that’s before his actual moves.” I said.
“Oh my….”
“I could take him on his own, but he also has a elite squad of assassins and three or four generals at his call.” I noticed Mirror fidget a bit at the mention of the Dolls, but continued. “The strongest one eats planets. I’d need at least two others to think of fighting that guy.”
“There is a huge difference in the power you just described.” Twilight pointed out. “How do we know we can trust you?”
“You don’t, but I will say this: I don’t want to rule the world. I live to fight. Now the question becomes: Do you want to truly fight me?”
Rainbow laughed. “You got the jump on me last time. I could easily beat you!”
I chuckled. “Our fight a week ago? That was a test drive. But if you think you could, I won’t stop you from challenging me.”
“Then I will.”
“Ok, you can name the time. In the meantime,” I addressed the rest of the group. “Any more questions?”
PInkie shot up her hand. “Yes?”
“How about these?” She handed me a box of muffins. “This the one?”
“I’ll eat one, but you’re wrong again.” Mirror got a whiff of the one in my hand, and the box suddenly was missing two more muffins. “But, at least someone likes them as much as you wished.” Sure enough, Mirror had a goofy grin on her face under the cloak.
That was the last question, as the train pulled into the station at that moment. Everyone boarded and found a seat rather quickly. I sat in the corner while the girls found a spot together in the middle and Mirror sat at the other side.
I closed my eyes and started to focus on the energies around me. Most of the train car had similar types of energy at different levels of strength. Must be the mana reserves of everyone. As expected, the middle of the car had the greatest output, as Twilight and her group was sitting there. To make time pass quicker, I decided to try to look over each signature. I had no idea if I could, but I felt it would be very helpful for future reference.
At first, I could only ‘see’ Twilight when focusing. Her raw power eclipsed everyone else's, like a sun beside lamps. I was impressed by the amount of power she had, but I wasn’t concerned who would win in a fight if we came to blows currently.
Eventually, I was able to notice the others, so I went to Rarity. She had quite a bit of power behind her, most likely from all the multitasking she did. She definitely had enough to carry her bags.
I was about to start on Pinkie when I felt a vastly different type of energy than the majority of the train. One that was concerningly familiar to me. It felt like the Dark Hado, but not. I followed it to the source and my mood soured. I didn’t feel the Dark Hado when I saved you last week. The bright side: at least I know my first opponents.
Within his lair, a imposing figure smiles upon his throne. “There was a delay, but everything seems to be happening according to plan. Doll, bring me Claw and Boxer.”
The underling leaves to follow his orders with a satule.
“Phrase one will begin shortly,” The figure licks his lips. “And will make for delicious entertainment.”
The train finally pulled into the station as the sun began its descent. Out of curiosity, I looked outside to see if an escort of some sort was waiting for us on the platform. At first I didn’t spot anyone, but with a second look, I saw a group of three watching the exits. That may be concerning. I made a mental note to keep Mirror within sight while we were here and got off the train.
The rest of the party was already off the train waiting for me, as the ones who bought bags had them already. Mirror seemed to be the only one annoyed by my delaying them.
“Ready?” She asked.
I nodded and turned to Twilight. “I do believe you are my escort, so if you would lead the way…”
“Of course…”
We fell into a group, Twilight taking point, and headed for the castle. I brought up the rear while carrying the luggage. Every so often, I looked over my shoulder in case the three from the train station decided to follow.
Rainbow noticed after the fifth time. “The big, strong fighter scared?” She taunted.
“I’m watching our six,” I said, before adding my own jab. “You decide when you wanna go for round two? I'm sure a quick match wouldn't be too taxing for me.”
Rainbow bristled at the comment. “Tomorrow at three! Training hall!”
I nodded. “Sounds fun. Meet you then.”
We arrived at the castle, where a new issue cropped up.
“The castle is closed to visitors at this moment.” A guard in purple armor told me as another took the bags and allowed everyone else in.
“May I ask why?” I began doing some deep breathing.
“I can't tell you.”
“I’ll give you one shot to have this not end badly, why the bloody FUCK can I not enter but those six can?”
“I only saw five…” The guard said. I cracked my knuckles. “But that beside the point! Princess Luna was expecting them. No one else is allowed in or out until all six and the ‘plus one’ has arrived.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “First: the information given to you was incomplete. It’s supposed to be plus two. Second: She is expecting me. And third: I’m coming in. The real question is: Will it be the easy way or the hard way?”
He drew a sword. “I think a trip to the dungeons should calm you down.”
“Nice sword.” I said, stabbing the blade into the ground. “Wanna try again?”
“How did you…”
“Disarm you? I took classes on that type of thing.” I went into a fighting stance. “Now, my patience has almost disappeared. Move, or I move you.”
The guard scampered to the side, allowing me to pass.
Inside, I quickly found myself lost and wandering the halls. I started to check rooms to see if I could find someone to assist me to the throne room. The first one was an empty study. Next were a lot waiting rooms, all empty as well. Finally, after fourteen other rooms of varying purposes, I came across a occupied one in the form of a personalized gym with a punching bag, a speed bag, jump-ropes, and a rack covered with boxing gloves. At the punching bag was a blond-maned pretty boy in a tight shirt and green pants.
“Excuse me!” I called out into the room. I was at my mental limit, so this was my last time trying to be patient. A kettle began to whistle.
“One moment, tea’s ready.” I heard him call. After a minute, he called out again. “Come in.”
A table was set up with two chairs and some steaming tea.
“I was looking for directions to…” I caught a whiff of the tea, and most of my anger was replaced with curiosity. “Is that Wild Orange Blossom?”
“Indeed, Have some.”
I took a seat and poured myself a cup. “Good stuff.”
“Of course,” He replied.
I finished my cup rather quickly and thanked him. “By the way, can I get directions to Night Court? I have an appointment.”
The stallion took a sip of his drink. “I think I’ll do you one better… I’m going there after this cup so I can guide you.”
“Thank you. Mind if I use some of your gear in the meantime?” I wanted to wind down. Punching a royal in the waking world would be a bit more of a hassle and I hadn’t used a jump rope in months.
“Go ahead.” He took another sip.
I grabbed a jump rope and started the exercise. When I got into the zone, I started reciting old rhymes. First was “Miss Mary Mack,” then “Three Blind Mice.” I continued through five or six more rhymes before the stallion was finished.
“That hit the spot. Now then…”
“...Your dad will fall into a bucket of paint… Oh, you’re done?” I stopped and returned the rope.
“Yes, time to go.”
The halls were a bit more populated than my first trip, but every maid we passed gave us a wide berth. I made note of it, but didn’t question it. Soon enough, we arrived at the Night Court doors. Each side had a guard wielding a spear held across the doors as to block them. They spotted us and, while the left one’s expression didn’t change, the right one gave my escort a glare.
“Evening, gents. I require entry into the Night Court.” My escort said.
“I afraid I can’t, Prince.” The right guard said, the last word laced with venom. “The only one’s allowed in right now are the element bearers and the one they are escorting.”
“It was two.” I said.
“Excuse me?” The left one asked. “Listen, Mr. Bodyguard or whatever, You aren’t allowed inside right now. If you could leave and come back later,” He leveled the spear at me and his next words were spoken in a condescending tone. “That would be nice.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe to stall the throttling the guard in front of me would get. Then, I felt it. The other dark power radiating from inside. Why... Then I remembered who else had that power. And she said a message… Shit!
“I don’t have time for this!” I grabbed the spear…. “I need to get in that room before a shitshorm happens.” And broke it.
The left guard drew a sword from his waist while the right readied his spear. “You made a mistake.”
They charged simultaneously and swung in unison. I phrased through the attacks and quickly opened the door. What I saw was a bit concerning.
Five guards were sprawled out on the ground, and four more were getting, well…. Destroyed was the best term for it. None of the guards could land physical hit, and spells were being shot wide. I could see Mirror was a whirlwind of destruction, as broken armor bits were scattered all over the floor. Neither Luna or the bearers were to be seen. I hoped that was a good thing and they had slipped out unnoticed.
The guards behind me saw the beating their fellow guards were taken and charged in… to also join into the sad display. My guide took one look in then turned to me.
“Is this why you wanted to be there?” He asked.
I sighed. “I was hoping for a good face-to-face meeting.” I started to walk in. “Wanna watch me fight?”
“You’re gonna fight that?” He asked. I nodded. “Good luck.”
As I went into the room, an unicorn guard flew past me and slammed into the wall. I didn’t give it a second thought until I heard him groan. I went back over to him.
“Can you still move?” I asked. He nodded. “Get the fallen out of here. I got the rest.”
I turned my attention to my opponent and prepared a projectile. “HEY BUG!” Mirror turned to me and caught a energy ball to the face. “Let’s dance.”
She recovered quickly and closed the distance with a Spiral Arrow, spinning under any projectile I could throw, before throwing a punch at me. I blocked that, but was unprepared for her follow-up: a sweep that knocked me onto my back. She turned back to the guards, seemly disappointed. I jumped back to my feet and charged a fireball.
“I’m your opponent!” I loosed the attack, striking her squarely in the back. “And this fight has only begun.” I performed my taunt, stomping my foot into the floor. “Now, learn your place!”
Mirror turned back to me and threw another punch. This time, I parried the blow and struck with a roundhouse. I followed the momentum of my kick and sent another kick at her face. The second kick sent her back a foot. She then leapt at me, and I tried to block low. Unfortunately, she went for the Fatal Leg Twister instead, grabbing my head with her legs and throwing me backwards with them and slamming my face into the ground.
It was about then the two remaining guards jumped in as I slowly stood back up. The first was hit with a Spin Drive Smasher, knocking him back the way he came violently. The second swung his sword at her, only for her to catch it and flip onto his shoulders for a neck snap. The guard fell, followed by Mirror, who landed on top of him and snapped his arm. Mirror then spun him around and snapped his other arm before using him as a springboard to stand back up.
“Targets escaped.” She said in a monotone voice as I finally saw her eyes. Her normally sky blue eyes were now purple.
Something about what she said and how she said it caused me to snap. “This battle is not yet over, but fun time is.”
I used the Ashura Senku to quickly close the distance between us, and hit her with a low kick, followed by a Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, a Goshoryuken, another Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, and a elbow to send her back at the ground. As she landed, I used my Tenma Gou Zankuu super art, sending a barrage of Zanku Hadokens at her. The blasts slowed my fall considerably and I landed as the dust cloud settled.
“Hmmm…” I heard a different voice come from Mirror. It was distinctly male and had a air of superiority to it. “You are not like them… Why protect such pitiful creatures?”
“I care little about them, but I’m not a fan of mind-controlling little twats like you.” I spat back.
“And here I was, about to offer you a place in my new world order… No matter. If you wish to protect them, then I will crush you like an ant under my boot.”
“If you can face me yourself, instead of with puppets, you may stand a chance. Now leave, before I remove you!”
“You’re bluffing, no mortal is strong enough to remove me.”
“I don’t bluff. You have until the count of 3.”
“You can’t hurt-” He began to taunt. Sadly, I wasn’t in the mood for games anymore. “3. Messatsu!”
I glided towards him, intent on testing a theory. The Raging Demon struck one’s soul, but I always wondered if I could strike at a certain part of a soul. It was a high-risk gamble, but if it worked I’d have a Plan A for my student. If it didn’t work, however, two things could happen: Mirror wouldn’t be long for this world, or this Dictator would be feeling it in the morning. Needless to say, he didn’t know my technique’s true power and scoffed at it before preparing to grab me.
I grabbed them and the area became pitch-black, except for 16 purple streaks that flashed. The darkness disappeared and Mirror was sprawled out on the floor, still breathing. So, either I can aim it, or that guy was extremely sinful. Mirror begun to stand and I heard the puppetmaster once more.
“What did you do? My hold, I can’t sustain it much longer..” He shouted.
“The same thing I’ll be doing to you when we meet. Now, leave!”
The purple left Mirror’s eyes and she fell to her knees. I let out a sigh of relief, before I felt my face start to hurt. Can’t rest yet. I looked around to see how many guards were still in the room. Luckily, It was only the two who foolishly jumped into action when I was knocked down the second time.
“What happened? Did I deliver the message?” I heard Mirror say.
“I think you were sent as a sleeper agent.” I said.
“By Celestia, what did I just see?” I heard from the hallway. I turned to see my guide to the throne room was sitting on the floor with his jaw dropped.
“I got moves.” I said simply, as I checked two remaining guards. The good news was they were both still alive. Surprisingly, the guy who was hit with the counter beatdown had his neck cracked instead of snapped. That led to the obvious bad news: they were in a pretty bad shape, as one guard was embedded in the wall behind the throne and the other had two dislocated arms.
“Hey, can you do me a favor? I’m going to need a guard and some medics up here. Can you get some?” I asked my acquaintance in the hall.
He nodded and took off.
Well, on the bright side, this may make my proposal go a bit smoother....
The medics arrived rather quickly and tended to the injured. With them were both princesses and the five element bearers that came with me. Only Rainbow and Luna even had scratches, but they were nothing major, just some bruises.
“I believe next time you’ll honor my agreements better, so stuff like this doesn’t happen.” I said.
Before anyone could say anything, Rainbow charged at me. “You knew this would happen!” She shouted.
I sidestepped the charge. “I knew something would happen during consul, yes. I figured someone would teleport in or something of the sort. I still could have stopped it much faster IF I was allowed in. Sadly, SOMEONE didn’t honor a bet that was a win-win all around.”
Celestia raised an eyebrow at this. “And what, pray tell, was the bet?”
“That the one you call ‘Nightmare Moon’ could best Luna in fair combat. If Luna won, I’d separate them. However, she lost and had to arrange transport for at least me and her.” I pointed to Mirror, who shied away from the attention. “Instead, Luna sends seven tickets, intent on sending the element bearers and me.” I turned to Twilight. “By the way, how did you decide Applejack would stay? I am grateful, but curious.”
“When you left to work, Applejack said with your help, she was a bit ahead of schedule and said she’d stay as a thank-you.” I nodded at this explanation. “Also, she expects you day after tomorrow.”
I nodded at that. “Of course. As I was saying, I was extremely delayed by the inept guards and fact this place is like a maze. Luckily, I found someone to assist me. He was the one who got the medics and witnessed the fight after I stepped in.”
Both princesses gave me a look. “You say you stepped in, but why?” Luna asked.
“I hate those who use another as their own plaything.” I motioned to Mirror. “She wasn't in control of herself during that attack.”
“How do you know?” Celestia asked.
“The fool that controlled her spoke to me. He said he was ‘impressed’ with my power.” I shook my head. “That was still holding back.”
“Holding back?” Rainbow spoke up. “She looks like you threw her through a tornado!”
“Are we still on a mountain?” I simply asked.
“You couldn't!” Twilight shouted. “The force required to do such a thing could sink an island!”
“Which I can do…” I let my words settle in their minds before I started to walk out.
“You can’t possibly be that strong, not with how you act. Not in the waking world.” Luna said.
I really don’t feel up to this back and forth after that fight. My performance was subpar at best and I need to train. “I care not what you think about my strength and I tire of your constant barking. If you truly wish to test me,” I faced her and entered a basic fighting stance. “Do it with actions, not words.”
Most of the others in the room gasped, while Luna and Celestia had no reaction. I didn’t know why and I was too angry to actually care. Only one thing mattered to me: That my first real fight here was only won because I wasn’t the target. In my excitement of new moves, I was slipping in basics. This had to be remedied soon or I’d become a bigger joke than Sean.
“Not while you look like you could collapse at any moment.” Luna said, her gaze softening a tiny bit, perhaps in pity.
“Then do not speak to me about how one should act with power.” I said.
“I wield-”
“I care not if you say you could throw stars through the sky or me through a wall. What I have seen of your powers are not more than illusions and trickery. The spirit may be your battleground, but mine is the body.” With that said, I left, intent on finding somewhere to practice.
As it turned out, there was a couple training rooms rather nearby. All of them have at least three other beings inside, mostly ponies with bat wings punching sandbags or each other. I picked the least occupied one and, since the bag were taken but the rings were open, began to stretch in the ring. After I finished with that, I began to do basic kicks. Axe, snap, and roundhouse kicks were some of the many that whistled through the air. The sounds from the punching bags began to fade away as I became one with my moves and my kicks gained power.
Eventually, I finished with my kicking practice and moved to punches. That part of the session was short-lived as one of the others in the room stepped into the ring. “Not bad. Not many stick to hand-to-hand in the guard long enough know those techniques.”
“I do not wish to chat.” I said.
“No, but you need to rest.” He said.
“Not while my techniques are sloppy.”
The pony stared in shock. “Sloppy? SLOPPY! I haven’t seen better kicks or punches.”
That actually snapped through to my mind. “What do you mean: ‘haven’t seen better kicks or punches?’ Surely someone here can do these basics well enough.”
He shook his head before my question registered. “Those were the BASICS?”
I nodded and began to leave the ring. With my anger’s haze lessened, I could feel my energy almost completely drained and it would do me no good to be unable to move under my own power. My friends and… I stopped as the thought came before me. We always did stop each other from overexerting ourselves. I headed into an empty corner. I wonder if I’ll see them again. Lee, Simon, John… I sat still deep in thought. I know that they noticed I disappeared. I closed my eyes.
I found myself in a void, no longer wearing my namesake’s clothes. Instead, I was in my own white gi from my dojo. I floated there for a while, steeling myself for whatever was to come. I have learning long ago that tampering with this type of dream was more trouble than it was worth. I may of had control over my dreams normally, but sometimes, for whatever reason, something unexplainable from deep inside had a message for me. That’s when I would find myself in this void.
These ‘messages’ came in two forms: Tests and codes. Right now, I was hoping for a code. It must have known because, as the void faded, I found myself at the drive-in stage with Simon in front of me dressed the way I last saw him. “It’s a test, figures. What’s the rules this time?” I entered my fighting stance… only to drop it when I saw my rules appear in front of me.
Must Gain victory in four 1-round fights with: Double Damage Taken, No Blocking, and No Parrying
“Aw, hell…”
Ready? FIGHT!
Simon wasted no time and fired off a Hadoken at me. I ducked under it, only to learn exactly how much double was as he threw a strong sweep kick at me. The wind left me as I fell onto the ground. I got back to my feet and threw a couple of punches. Each was easily blocked and my reward for swinging back was a roundhouse to the face.
Each other attempt to retaliate was met with the same fate. “What does it…” I wondered. Everything the force threw at me was for a purpose, but I didn’t know what it was trying to teach me now, and that angered me. It angered me a lot. More than the blows I was taking, more than being doubted, more than having been dropped in the forest, and more than being hungry.
I stopped thinking about my attacks and charged. Punches and kicks chained together seamlessly and my opponent was put on the defensive. When my attacks stopped doing damage, I threw him and fired my own Hadoken. The first match ended there and John appeared next.
I honestly stopped caring what the lesson was at this point. I had to hit something and he was there. “Second verse, same as the first.” I breathed out.
I charged forward, ducking under or jumping over all of the ki blasts sent my way. When I reached him, I launched him sky-high with a Shoryuken and jumped after him. As I rose, my fist begun to channel energy. I reached him as gravity begun to take hold and, with my fist cloaked in energy, launched it at to send him towards the ground. “Onitekken!” I shouted.
Gravity paused for me and I did what felt natural and fired a Hadoken towards the ground where my opponent landed.
With that the second match was over and, as I landed, Lee appeared. Lee looked at me and nodded, before entering his stance. I retook mine and we stared. Neither of us moved, not even a twitch. The little things give you away. We continued this staredown for what could have been hours before his gaze softened and he said, “I didn’t know why I was here, but I do now. Remember, no matter where, we’ll have your back.” He bowed to me. “I concede.”
I smiled and bowed to Lee as he faded out. Wait a minute… I had to go four matches, and I’ve only done three. I then heard a voice speak,
“Let us see, Child, if your training as paid off.” It sounded as if the Gates of Hell themselves spoke to me. Before I could try to make sense of this, a blue orb of energy appeared. In it, a… to say anything less than demon would be impossible to use to give it justice. Its body was muscular, glowing, and radiating pure dark energy. My mind wanted to run, but my body and soul Knew this was a fight I craved in my being.
I took my stance as the blue orb burst and I noticed the brown orbs floating around it. “Oni.”
Oni took his stance and said, “Show me the extent of your Power!”
(3rd person)
The two Alicorn Sisters had left the throne room and were now speaking about the new arrival. They had neglected to do so before, thinking Twilight and her friends could easily handle it, and this was coming back to bite them.
“Stubborn Fool, The darkness he is playing with is a slippery slope. No one can just control it.” Luna said.
“What concerns me, Sister, is the level of power he says he wields, yet never shows. He says he could level a mountain, yet the most we have seen is barely a fireball.” Celestia responded.
“He certainly has some control of his mind and is incredibly bold there. He challenged me in my domain after he noticed my watching.” Luna stopped for a second as Celestia gave her a look. “He fought me to a near-standstill after goading me to go all-out.”
Celestia’s composure slipped for half a second. “And he brushes off being beaten and exhausted as minor problems. What could be driving him?”
As the sisters thought on this, a wave of the Dark Hado swept through the castle. Both sisters felt it, to different degrees. For Celestia, it was a uneasiness. Luna, however, felt as if her mind had been struck with a stone pillar. Nightmare Moon also felt it, and though it felt good to her, she was the most unsettled of the three in the room.
Master, Nightmare thought, What are you doing with that…. That’s not all his! She quickly went for his dream. She arrived there, only to find she couldn’t enter though because of a barrier. She struck the barrier with everything she could think of, to no avail. Nightmare was so intent on entering the dream, she never noticed Luna appear behind her.
“Of course it would come from this dream. Nightmare, be gone.” Luna began to cast a spell, only for the barrier to reach out and strike the base of her horn. The spell lost its charge and fizzled. Luna tried again, to get the same result.
“You cannot stop me in my own domain.” Luna roared and charged the barrier. Right before contact, the barrier faded and an open doorway took its place.
(1st Person: Gouki)
I was on my last legs. Oni’s attacks were on another level of my own. I couldn’t evade his attacks and my own moves were striking air so often, if someone saw this, they’d think I was shadow-sparring badly. I threw another punch and my target once more dodged before striking me in the gut. As I used my willpower to remain standing, Oni jumped back and charged a Gorai Hadoken.
“Master!” I heard a shout. I didn’t look as willingly letting Oni out of my sight was insane.
“So, this is your nightmare. Normally, letting you face it would be what I would do, but this is leaking into the waking world, so I must dispel it now.” Another voice spoke.
“Dispel this dream and another will appear in its place, twice as strong.” I stated.
“As long as you hold back, your destruction in assured.” Oni said, ignoring the new arrivals.
“Hold back?” Then it clicked, I was getting my ass handed to me now for the same reason Simon was kicking my ass when this dream started. I grinned, “Shadow, thank you,” I shifted my stance. “NOW RETURN TO NOTHINGNESS!”
Oni threw the electrical projectile as I charged forward. I passed the ball of energy using a Tatsumaki Zankukyaku and struck Oni in the face. Without losing a bit of momentum, I continued my strikes. Punches and kicks flowed through me like water and, after forty or so more blows, I launched him into the air.
“Hell waits with open arms.” I said, before turning to see both ‘Nightmare’ and Luna.
“We can talk later. Right now, I’m asleep and don’t want to deal with a Q and A.” With that said, I collapsed.
I awoke surrounded by white walls and the sound of beeping. Looking around, I saw my gi folded neatly with my three ropes coiled on top of it. I could still feel the prayer beads, however, around my neck. I then realized I was not where I fell asleep. Instead, I was on a high-quality bed in a infirmary. After a brief inspection of myself, I found what looked like a suction cup with a scribble on the right side of my chest. I ripped it off effortlessly and the beeping flatlined.
I quickly changed back into my own clothes. As I finished tying my rope belt, four ponies burst through the door. I paid them no mind as I began to tie my rope gloves back on. That was until one of the ponies, a sky-blue unicorn, attempted to undo a rope as I finished tying it.
“After what you went through, you need a week’s more bed rest.” He said.
“You will either stop, or I will do it for you. Your choice.” I said.
“I insist that-” His mane blew back as I threw a punch towards his face. Both his sentence and concentration shattered as my fist stopped mere millimeters from his face.
“Do not test me…”
Before the medical staff could say another word, Celestia and Luna came through the door.
“I do believe that Akuma does not need any help.” Celestia observed. The staff didn’t need to be told twice and ran out at that statement.
“Now, Akuma…” Luna began.
“Save the speech. You want answers and I got work tomorrow.” I checked the rope that was tampered with. “What do you need to know about me?”
“Work? You have a occupation?” Luna asked.
“A bit of manual labor to pay back a debt, nothing more.” I started tying the other rope.
Celestia spoke next. “And when this debt is paid in full, What is your plan then?”
I chuckled. “Plan? To roll with the punches.” And beat Dictator to death.
“Surely you jest.” Luna said.
“Anything I could plan went to hell when I got here. Any other questions?” I finished tying the other rope and began giving myself a once-over.
“What was the being I saw you fighting?” Luna asked.
Now we’re going somewhere. “That was Oni, a demon of immense strength.”
Both sisters’ horns lit up at the word ‘Demon.’ “You have been harboring a demon inside you?”
“If the concern is something along the lines of ‘He’ll break out and terrorize,’ one, you aren’t worth it. Oni values a strong opponent, not golden pretty boys or scare tactics. Two, he can’t ‘break out’ anyway. Next question.” I said as I started for the door, unconcerned that only one horn dimmed.
“Why teach Nightmare Moon your dark magic?” Luna asked and I had to take a deep breath.
“I am incapable of magic. This,” I stopped at the doorway and performed my taunt to show my aura. “Is not mana, it’s ki.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Luna said.
“Why? Why not if she is capable? You’d be surprised what the Satsui no Hado can do.”
“That is the name of your evil power?”
“Watch what you say, girl.” Luna bristled at my blatant disrespect. “The dark Hado is no more evil than fight or flight. It is instinct given power. That’s why I taught control, why I learned control, before anything else. Guided rage is much better than blind destruction.”
“Anger can lead nowhere good. Discard that way of thinking and you’ll be a better being.” Celestia said.
“Maybe for you and your kind, but I’m not of that mold.” With that said, I left to reflect on what I saw during my dreaming. Last night’s test was different. While the ruleset wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, my opponents were. The things I normally fight in those matches are nothing more than constructs. However, I’ve fought with my friends before and my opponents moved more like my friends would than any construct.
Then, there was Oni. Oni’s attacks felt familiar, past the point of sight. It was more like I’d felt those blows before. I wasn’t completely certain, but every hit I took was done the same way in another fight. Regardless, to me, one thing was very blatantly clear: The old level of skill won’t cut it here. I’d have to learn how to blend my old style with my newer abilities seamlessly. Can’t be any harder than the bar brawl.
I left my musings to notice that I had stepped out of the castle, was now in a courtyard, and most importantly was not alone. Twilight and Rainbow were there as well and both were looking angrily at me. I didn't have to think hard for reasons for Rainbow, but for Twilight, I didn't have a clue.
As I had come back from zoning out, I decided to go for the blunt approach. “Can I help you?”
Rainbow started to approach me in what I think was supposed to be a threatening way. “Who do you think you are?”
“A fighter,” I shifted my stance slightly. “One who would rather walk the path again than deal with ineffective threats. So, unless you still wish to fight me, leave my sight.”
“You speak so much of fighting and your strength, but you can’t possibly have the mana to back your claims.” Twilight tried to counter.
To my credit, I dismissed the mana part of the comment. Unfortunately, my anger was rising, and with it, an urge to maim. “I don’t have to actually fight you to see you couldn’t handle facing a portion of the Dark Hado within me. A mere mortal such as you is not worth my time.” I turned around. This was their out. Sadly, they didn’t take it.
Both ponies instead saw the statement as a threat. I heard Rainbow charge forward. Well, at least I can blow off some stream. I grabbed Rainbow’s attempt at a flying kick and, with its momentum, sent her into the sky with a uppercut. Knowing that that wouldn’t be enough to dissuade either of their folly, I prepared to unleash one of my least accurate techniques as a scare tactic. I fired twenty or so Hadokens into the air toward my target at near machinegun speeds, half expecting her to try and fly through the barrage.
When I saw nothing of the sort, I turned to Twilight. “As I said, not worth my time.”
I expected many things to be her reaction. Anger, Fear, even Surprise wouldn’t have completely off the list. Awe was the farthest away from them as possible. I saw she was slackjawed at my display.
“You weren’t joking….” Twilight breathed out. I realized right then that Twilight really wanted to open this version of Pandora’s Box. “How strong are you?”
I begun to answer, but a resounding boom took my attention. Rainbow had finally righted herself and was, once again, doing her best Leeroy Jenkins impression, only this time at supersonic speeds… STRAIGHT DOWN. I wanted to pinch the bridge of my nose (and would have if I didn’t have seconds before impact). Instead, I jumped and grabbed the living prismatic missile and flipped her over me and into the ground. After landing myself, I turned to Rainbow.
“That was Pitiful. Come back when you can strike from a direction beyond the front.” A groan was my response. Well, she’s more resilient than I thought.
Of course, breaking the sound barrier attracts attention, especially near world leaders. The Royal Sisters teleported in with the rest of Twilight’s present entourage, almost all ready to fight. Fluttershy was the only one that didn’t seem willing to throw the first swing.
Though the idea of fighting my way out wasn’t unfeasible, I went with my normal line of (nonviolent) conflict resolution.
After the mess in the courtyard finished, I was honestly done with today. I asked Pinkie if she could spot me for the train fare. Not only did she do so, she gave me a couple bagels. I quickly made my way to the train station (eating along the way), bought a ticket, and boarded.
As I waited for the train to depart, I thought about Twilight’s friends, or at least the ones I actually talked to. First was Pinkie. She was, in a word, interesting. She seemed like the kind of Pony that could befriend almost any being, mortal or otherwise. Even the challenge I gave her, she threw herself at without any sign of even thinking of slowing down, simply because of the end goal. In a couple ways, she reminded me of Elena.
Applejack, even if she wasn’t my boss, I had nothing truly negative to say about her that wouldn’t be nitpicky. Well, almost nothing. She had brute strength aplenty, and though she knew how strong she was, it lacked the finesse needed for a fight. Still, I didn’t mind her or her family and after next week, I’d still be happy to help if necessary.
Fluttershy was like the calm before the storm with me eagerly waiting for the first drop. I knew she was strong, not only because I could feel it but because of her cottage. Beside that bunny, every animal she cared for there didn’t dare to cross her. I could swear I saw a mongoose and cobra there without either trying to even fight the other. The only reason I personally thought the bunny got a pass was because of some expert-level misdirection skills or hyper awareness.
Twilight seemed to change target. I wouldn’t have minded a little bit of friendly bonding after I finished dealing with my concerns. However, now she was a bit too confident trying to grab everything from her metaphorical Garden of Eden (i.e. knowledge), including the Forbidden Fruit. These things tended to snowball, so I’d resolved to tell Spike soon to keep an eye out and, if possible, subtly curb it.
Rainbow, the most glaring thing I could say about her was her policy. It seemed she liked the “When all you have is a Hammer…” approach and a frontal assault was not only her strongest attack, but the only one she was used to using. To her credit, moving at Mach speeds could help land that blow… if it were from ANY OTHER direction.
A shout of “ALL ABOARD” registered that we would being moving shortly. I got ready to take a nap, but as I got comfy, two mares approached where I was sitting.
“Excuse me, Sir, is this seat taken?” One of them, a gray pony in a nice suit, asked.
“Not until now.” I said. “And save the sir for the knights.”
The other, a ivory unicorn with blue shades, a t-shirt, and orange pants with a black stripe along them said, “Nice!” and flopped into the seat.
“Honestly Scratch? You do that in public? In front of someone?” The gray one said.
I shrugged. “I had a friend that would do the same. He would see how many heads he could turn.”
“He sounds like a riot.”
“Indeed, Scratch. I’m pretty sure we all have a couple funny stories about friends.”
“I’d share mine if you share yours. Better than sitting in silence anyway.”
For a good bit of time, Scratch and I shared stories. Eventually, we ourselves ran out of stories to share and the topic drifted.
“You’re a temp?” Scratch asked. “Lame.”
“Only for the next week. After that, I don’t know. I‘m a fighter at heart, so I may start a dojo or become a bouncer. I don’t have anything long-term.”
“Wait, you can fight?” She asked.
“Like a fish can swim.” I said.
“Mind showing a bit of what you can do?” She asked.
“Scratch, I’m sure he has other things to do than satisfy your idle curiosity.” The other mare said
“Not really, Ms…” I started.
“Octavia.”
“Octavia, I started fighting before I learned to fight. My parents even joked about it. To me, fighting is fun, as long as my opponent can fight back. Asking me for a demonstration is like giving me candy.” I said.
“Your parents supported such a thing?”
“My mom took me to get enrolled. My dad paid for it. I do believe they did.”
“How long?” Scratch said.
“I was seven when I started, so thirteen years.”
Over the loudspeaker, a voice shouted, “Ten minutes to Ponyville!”
“Almost done already?” I said. “Well, Where and when do you want that demo?”
Scratch handed me a note. “There’s the time and place.”
After leaving the train, I headed for the farm. I figured Jigoku would be there and, whether I liked it or not, he would want to know about Mirror. They seemed a bit closer than protector and protected. I shook my head. No matter what the actual relationship was, I knew one thing: He’d be pissed.
I arrived as the sun begun to set and went to knock at the door. I didn’t have to wait long, as Apple Bloom answered the door. “Yo, you get any help around the farm today?”
A shake of her head was all I needed. I turned to go when she asked me a question. “Career Day is comin’ up soon, and Ah was wonderin’ if you could come?”
I remembered Career Day from grade school. It was one of the better days at school. “If your sister says yes, sure. See ya tomorrow.” In reality, I wouldn’t mind in the slightest, but two things stuck out: One, Applejack is currently my boss and this was her sister. If something went wrong… Applejack could break a tree if she wanted and knew how to follow-up. I’m not as sturdy as a tree. Two, a ‘career’ was not a ‘job.’ My current job was a temp. My career was more along the line of ‘martial artist instructor.’
I headed back to the castle and saw Jigoku waiting by the door.
“I was wondering when you’d arrive.” His voice was nothing like before.
“I have a bit of bad news, something happened with Mirror.”
Jigoku lunged at me and I jumped to the side to evade it. “Before you continue, let me finish.”
“Why?” He said.
“She was being manipulated. If I wasn’t there, she’d be dead.”
“WHAT!?”
“Her ‘message’ designed as nothing more than a kick to a hornet’s nest and there was no escape plan.”
I saw him shift from a wolf to a tiger. I was curious why he picked this form but, for the moment, muted my unnecessary questions. Instead, I gave him a simple command, one he’d have done himself without being told.
“If you know something that can help, short of rushing to her side, do it and don’t stop until it’s done.”
With the negatives all done with, I went to sleep to start the positives. I knew I needed to train to integrate my new moves and the easiest way to do so was under the guise of teaching them. Beyond that, I was chomping at the bit for a fight that didn’t have something riding on it.
I was slightly surprised that my student was in my dreamscape as I arrived, until I saw her concern evident on her face. I didn’t want to bring the mood down any lower, so I didn’t mention it. Instead, I materialized three scrolls.
“Remember what I said two days ago?” She nodded. “This is what I meant. I will teach you the three advanced level techniques. Within my hands, I have three scrolls. Each has a seal depicting something about the basics of the technique inside. You may pick one to learn.”
She looked at me. “I thought I was going to learn all three.”
“Not at once,” I said. “I will teach you how to do the one you pick and when you score a clean hit with the move done correctly, you can learn the next one.”
“A clean hit?”
“If it’s blocked, it won’t count.”
With that said, I presented the three scrolls. The first seal was that of a fireball, the second was a dragon, and the third a tornado. This in itself was another assessment, as each of the moves was different in usage. I was curious what her personal style was and on instinct knew she’d pick the one most attuned to her preference.
After she got a good look at each one, she picked the third one. Must want to be up close. “The Tatsumaki, an interesting choice.”
“Tatsu...what?” My student asked.
“Tatsumaki, or ‘Tornado’, is a spinning kick that can dodge certain projectiles.” I answered, before preparing to demonstrate. I jumped and spun, my leg cutting through the air as I made three full rotations. I landed and turned to my student. “Ready to try?”
The rest of the night was spent watching her try to perform the move herself. While she easily could do the ‘light’ version of the attack within a few tries, she seemed to need to get more air time with the move. When the night’s rest was almost over, I saw her concern once again. That was when I knew what weighed on her. She had seen Oni and the power he wielded against me. My question was which fear came up.
“My student, I can see something concerns you. Would you like to share?”
“Will you become that thing you fought?” She asked.
I didn’t expect that to be her concern. However, I knew what brought Oni’s power to bear and that was not something I would normally consider. “It would need a very powerful being to cause that to even be considered by me. Enough of that, though, next time we begin sparring.”
With that done, I awoke and prepared for work.
After work, Applejack invited me to come to the train station to welcome back the rest of the girls. As I had nothing to do until nightfall, I accepted. As we walked, she struck up conversation.
“Applebloom asked me ‘bout ya comin’ ta Career Day…” She said.
“And?” I raised a brow.
“Ya wouldn’t mind none?”
“Career day was one of my top five class days in school. I wouldn’t mind at all.”
“What did ya do, if ya mind me asking?”
“Part-time martial arts instructor.”
“Ah figured you knew how ta fight, but ah didn’t know ya liked it that much!”
“Care to explain?” I figured violence wasn’t common here by the type of response I got upon arrival, but someone had to get a affinity of combat every once in awhile.
“Most ponies don’t like ta fight any more than maybe a bit of roughhousing. Most that do...” She shuddered.
“A country of peace has no need for a man of war. Let me guess, they lash out sooner or later and end up sitting in the psych ward or solitary. Thanks, I just got a idea.”
“An idea?” Applejack asked.
“A long-term job for next week.”
“Hm?”
“There’s a dojo in this town, correct?”
“Ah think Rainbow took Applebloom there once. Why?”
“Anyone own it?”
“Ah wouldn’t know.”
With that answer, we arrived at the train station. The girls’ train wasn’t scheduled for another five minutes, so I did some stretches. Nothing more than simple joint rotations, as we were in public. After a couple were done, I heard the train approach.
I watched as the train pulled into the station. The train emptied quickly, but orderly. At first, I wondered why. All was revealed, however, when I saw twelve guards, six in gold and six in purple flanking the girls.
Applejack immediately looked at me. “Gosh darnit! What did ya do this time?”
“I’d tell you the whole story, but you wouldn’t believe me. The cliffnotes version: An attack was made on your friends that was many people’s fault, including myself, and I had to protect them.” I said before turning to the guards. “So, you’re here for how long?”
“That’s need-to-know.” A golden-clad one said.
“I’m guessing until further notice bodyguard duty, one light and one dark for each.” I shrugged. “Well, it makes my idea easier.” I turned to Applejack. “I have a letter to send to the powers that be, so I’ll be off. Have fun with playing catch-up.”
I left the station and went to the library. I did a quick shave and a haircut on the door and the answer was swift. Spike came to the door with slight concern. “Hey, Spike. I need one more favor. Could you take a letter for me?”
“What happened in Canterlot?” He asked.
“The first move was made and we were caught with our pants down. I have a idea to run by the princesses.”
“About Nightmare?”
“And a couple of others probably in prison. When it works, we’ll all have what we want.”
Spike was quiet of a bit before speaking next. “How can I help?”
“Like so.” I begun putting a plan in motion to, at the very least, separate my student from their princess.
After the letter was sent, I headed home and went to sleep. ‘Nightmare’ wasn’t here immediately, so I began to listen to one of my favorite songs. I got halfway through the song when I felt knocking, as if it was synched to the words. Without missing a beat, I started to sing the words myself.
~Someone’s knocking on the door Somebody’s ringing a bell Do me a favor: Open the door
My face turned serious as I stopped the music.
“And Let ‘Em In.”
Before me now, was both my student, as expected, and Luna. There was an unmistakable amount of tension in the air, so I addressed them. “Luna, take a seat where you like. My student has come for her lesson and it wouldn’t do well to delay them.”
Luna was visibly angered by this, but took a seat as asked. I turned to ‘Nightmare’ and watched as she did a couple stretches before attempting to do the Tatsumaki for longer. After she did three of them, she walked over to me. “Is it time for practical training?”
“Indeed.” I said.
“Where are the targets?”
“We won’t need targets. You will be sparring with me.”
I saw her panic. “I can’t beat you. How-”
“You don’t need to beat me. You only need to strike me with the technique done right. I will not be fighting at full. Only enough to challenge you.” A mat appeared behind us. “I will be restricting myself to what you have learned. Meet me on the mat when ready.” I walked over to the mat and sat, watching her reaction to me basically telling her how hard the last move’s test would be.
She didn’t seem to notice and, after more than a few deep breaths, joined me on the mat. “Now, before we begin, there a couple of simple rules to go over. One, when sparring in my presence, you will bow to your opponent like so...” I demonstrated a simple bow. “Before the match, as it is a sign of respect. Two, spars stays on the mat and above the belt. You will not attack from off the mat. And finally, when time is up or the match is otherwise over,” I shot a glance at Luna. “Attacks are to cease. Do you understand?” She nodded. “Very well, let us begin.”
We bowed to each other, before the match began. We traded blows for a solid minute before she attempted a Tatsumaki. I ducked under it, before quickly standing and launching a quick (but normal) uppercut that knocked her out of the air. She hit the mat rather hard.
“Ow,” She said.
“Not bad for a first try in an actual fight.” I said while helping her up. “First round is over. Take a breather. I will call you for round two shortly.”
She nodded and sat down while I went over to Luna. “Enjoy watching your daughter train?” I asked.
She stammered. “D-D-Daughter? What makes ye say such a thing?”
“She did.” I motioned towards ‘Nightmare.’ “She told me the basics of how she came to be.” I looked Luna straight in the eyes. “She was not happy with how she was used. I would imagine she still isn’t.”
“Used? Who would dare to use such a unstable monster?” Luna said.
“The one that made her, and I quote, ‘a unstable monster.’ Bonds are one of my most valued things in life. One that would purposely break those bonds have no place here or anywhere.” I flared my full raw strength for all of a split-second. “I must ask: Did you know?”
She looked down. “It seems I am still guilty of the attack 1,000 years ago. I had no idea.”
I stood up. “I know this wasn’t the reason you came. You probably think I’m planning something… and I am. Nothing evil, I assure you, but I am planning something. When you leave, I’d like three things from you: you to talk to your sister about my proposition, a rematch at your leisure, and, most importantly, you to speak with her.” I stood up. “Now if you excuse me, the second scene will be starting shortly.”
I made my way to the mat. ‘Nightmare’ saw me and excitedly came over. We bowed to each other and began once again. We continued like this for the rest of the night, with a break after every round. Luna make her exit halfway through, seemingly burdened by what I said.
Two more nights passed since Luna’s visit and ‘Nightmare’ was making great progress. She actually beat me a couple times now and, on numerous occasions, almost landed her Tatsu on me. I assumed that Luna didn't talk to her yet and was either putting it off or steeling herself for a shouting match, as 'Nightmare's' focus didn't even slightly waver. Nonetheless, my student had been making great strides in progress.
Things were going right for me as well. I was confident with my own abilities as well. I didn’t have to think to get a combo the way I wanted. My other project had been approved, though not all at once. I was slightly concerned at the speed I got a yes, however. It made me think there was a player hidden from me. I shook my head. Worry will get me nowhere. Currently, I had an appointment to keep with Scratch. I looked in front of me, then back to the paper. It was the dojo and it was currently occupied.
I knocked twice and waited for an answer. “Dude! Come in!” I heard from inside. Shrugging, I went ahead in. I went through a couple rooms before finding her in a simple training room.
She was wearing another pair of orange pants with a black stripe along the side. This pair, however, had the word MAXIMUM in white letters on the black stripe. She also had a white t-shirt and green fingerless gloves on. Her shades had been placed to the side and allowed me to see her blood red eyes.
“So, you ready?” I asked as I went to the other side of the room.
“I should ask you the same.” She shot back.
I tightened my belt and entered a fighting stance more for boxing, instead of my own normal stance. “Well then, let’s begin.”
She hopped forward and delivered a roundhouse kick. I simply ducked under the move and delivered my own. She didn’t expect the uppercut and staggered backwards. I pushed my advantage, doing a quick one-two into her chest. She hunched over and fell to her knees.
“I guess you weren’t ready.” I said before offering my hand to help her up. She took it and I pulled her up. “I assume you aren’t a big fighter.”
“I learned enough to not have to pay bouncers.” She shrugged before wincing. “Yup, that’ll leave a mark.”
“Let me see.” She lifted up her shirt enough so I could take a look. As she said, there were two bruises where I struck. It was nothing the average person couldn’t walk off.
“Not for long, but I’d get a ice pack for this.”
She nodded. “I guess I’ll head home soon, then.”
“That’s good. Want a escort?”
“Sure,” She shrugged.
We left the dojo and, with her directions, made it to her house. A thought then occurred to me. “Why did you wanna see my skills anyway? Ponies are pretty peaceful, right?”
“We are. And as to the reason why, I’ve heard stories about fighters.” She said. I raised an eyebrow. “They say the sane ones aren’t good.... And the good ones aren’t sane.”
I covered my mouth. “Well, we know which slot you landed in.”
“Well, my cutie mark isn’t a fighter’s. It’s a musician’s.”
“Really now? Your sound travel through walls?”
“And Beats drop like waterfalls! Wait a minute... How did you know that line?”
“I’ve heard it a couple times in a song I know called Ultrasound.”
“Interesting…”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“One of those experimental groups I worked with did a song with that line… It’s not very popular here, but I heard the griffins like it.”
“Ah,” I nodded. I had a feeling that wasn't the whole of it, but I dropped it all the same. “I’ll see you round then.”
I left and headed back for the castle. I had arrived on Sweet Apple Acres when I heard a familiar southern accent. “Ya headin’ back ta yer place?”
“I wouldn't call it mine, but it’s a roof over my head and free to stay.” I turned to face her. “Unless you have a better spot?”
As soon as I said that, I knew that was a poor choice of words. Before I could elaborate, she handed something to her golden shadower, grabbed my wrist, and started to lead me to her house. “Ya don’t need ta be stayin’ in such a dangerous place, ‘specially at night.”
“So, are you offering me a room?” I asked. “If so, I’d prefer to stay at that barn you were taking me to two weeks ago.”
“We do have a extra room.” She said.
“Don’t want it.”
“Ya should take it.”
I was about to decline again, but I remembered I didn’t have any real reason to say no.
“Sure.” I said. Then, I heard a bell. “Dinner bell?”
As I had just been invited to stay over Applejack’s and it was dinner time, I was expected to join them for dinner. I wanted to say no, out of courtesy. News of what happened a couple days ago in the throne room was starting to circulate and, between the guards and the news, it wouldn’t be too hard for anyone with a good amount of facts to piece together what happened. I wasn’t afraid of starting a fight, but I did NOT want to have to take it outside.
I’d ask how hard could it be, but since this is a restraint issue, I know this’ll be hard. Stuff like this is how I got into that bar brawl. I shook my head. Worry can’t fix anything. Snapping out of my daze, I realized that I was at the Apple’s home. Well, can’t say no now.
I opened the door for Applejack and her shadow. “After you.” I said to the both of them. Applejack nodded in thanks, but the guard, who I just noticed was a unicorn, simply gave me a glare for a second, before continuing in. I shrugged and follows them in.
Inside, I saw Applebloom doing what looked like homework, Big Mac setting the table, Granny preparing plates, and the Night guard in the shadows in the corner of the room. Everyone looked up at our entrance, and I could briefly see each ponies’ reaction to my presence. Granny and Applebloom seemed at different levels of happy, while Mac had thinly veiled... disappointment seemed like the best word for it. The night guard was pissed and it looked like it took all of his willpower not to rush me right then and there.
Before Applejack could explain why I was here, I asked her where the restroom was.
“Upstairs, second door to left.”
Thanking the mare, I sped to the restroom for a throughout hand washing. Demonic-level strength and short patience meant I didn’t want to be in that room until the plates were all ready and everyone else that was going to eat was seated. I was pretty sure Mac would dislike Applejack’s decision after our first meeting, but at a table setting, regrettable things were less likely to happen.
Eventually, my hands were undeniably clean, so I headed back down just in time for everyone to have a seat. I saw seven spots set up with a stew of some sort. “I see the guards will be joining us.” I said, my tone a little less than friendly. Great, more pressure.
“And?” I heard Granny say.
“Merely made an observation, Granny. Nothing more, nothing less.” I replied before taking a deep sniff. “Now then, let’s eat. I want to know if it tastes as good as it smells.” I moved to a empty spot.
“Not so fast! We gotta bless the food first.” Granny said.
Mac proceeded to bless the food and we begun to eat. I took one bite to see what it was and was delighted that it was basically chicken noodle without the chicken. With that revelation, I tore through my meal with gusto. For five minutes, I ate with only a care for the food itself. I made sure the food only went into my mouth. The others at the table slowly stopped eating, one by one.
“Someone likes the soup.” I heard someone at the table say with a chuckle, although I couldn't tell due to me scarfing my food down.
Swallowing what was in my mouth, I looked into my bowl to see at least half was gone. “My bad, back home, dinnertime was before family time. Finishing dinner faster meant more family time. Soup is good, though.” I noticed then that all eyes were on me.
“That’s a good enough reason, I suppose,” The unicorn guard said, his gaze returning to his food.
“What’s yer family like?” Applebloom asked.
“We are all fight enthusiasts, all four of us. Mom booked them, Dad supplied practice gear, and my sis and I were learning how to.” At different levels. I put my hand up to my chin. “Probably why I was allowed to start so early…” I muttered and went back to my meal.
The night guard caught my words however, and asked, “How early?”
“Primary School. I started in second grade.”
“Who’d dare to subject their child to such things so early!?” The day guard all but shouted.
“I actually asked for it. My sister did too”
The effect was instantaneous. Applejack, Mac, and the day guard all got a few shades lighter, Applebloom almost jumped from her seat, and both the night guard and Granny asked to see what I could do.
“Maybe later because, believe it or not, I still have some food in my bowl.” I scooped up another bite. The room became quiet as we continued to eat.
This silence lasted until the guards and I finished our stews. “Good stuff.” I said before covering my mouth for a thunderous belch. “Good stuff indeed.”
Both guards stared appalled at my attempt at manners, while the farm folk looked stunned at my volume. I simply shrugged, excused myself from the table, and headed into the kitchen to wash my hands,taking my empty dish with me
As I begun cleaning dishes, I thought about my sister and her tenacity. I knew, of all my family, I’d see her again. She’d go through hell to find me. My real questions were ‘When’ and ‘Where.’ I hoped that it wouldn’t be in the thick of a fight. I quickly shelved those thoughts for the present situation. I had become something more than a simple fighter. I had Akuma’s attacks and looks. I was training someone how to use the Ansatsuken style. Somehow, becoming a demon in magical anthro pony land actually doesn’t suck.
Returning my attention to the dishes in front of me, I realized I did all the dishes from dinner in my zoned out state. Nodding at my job well done, I put the dishes on the rack and headed into the main room.
“Nope.” I heard Big Mac say. I could guess why, but said nothing.
“He needs a place ta stay.” Applejack shot back.
“Then he can stay in the barn.” Big Mac said, not budging from his stance.
I jumped in at the offer. “I accept! See ya tomorrow.”
Applejack’s jaw dropped as I walked out to the barn satisfied. I found a corner covered in shadows to sleep it and sat in it, ready for another night of sparring. Before long, I was once again in my dream room, sparring with my student. As her performance tonight determined tomorrow’s schedule, I didn't plan for anything special yet. However, as this would be the easiest goal to pass, I hoped she’d pass the Tatsumaki test rather quickly as it only got harder and faster she learned all three base specials, the faster I’d could, in good conscience, free her with that soul power skill.
We traded blows for minute sessions before resting for ten. I could see slight improvement in my fighting and leaps in hers. Each of her strikes were precise, and she could hold her Tatsumaki airborne for a solid four seconds, more than a simple feat. I was sure she had a grasp of the technique and was beginning to understand the power she had access to.
It was time for the last match for the night and we stepped once more onto the mat. We bowed to each other and entered our stances. She moved first, throwing a straight left. I parried and countered with my own punch, intent on striking her in the chest. It connected, sending her stumbling back. She jumped forward and punched me in the face. While I was still stunned from the first blow, she struck low, hitting me in my knee, and jumped for the Tatsumaki. Her kick caught me in a vortex of pain before sending me out of the ring.
Well then. Someone has been practicing. I thought as I flew. I landed on my front, more impressed than anything else. I stood up and looked to see my student looking down as if she thought she was in trouble. I dispelled such notion that I thought so with my next statement.
“Congratulations, you’ve passed this test.”
“But I broke one of your sparring rules.” She said, confused.
“Below the belt? I actually meant No Dirty Fighting.” I clarified and summoned the scrolls for the two remaining techniques.
Without missing a beat, she grabbed the scroll with the dragon.
I awoke and heard growling, a collie’s to be more precise, from the front of the barn. At first, I thought to flare my power, but quickly discarded the idea. I want to actually stay here for a bit and a whimpering pet is not the best idea. I decided to ignore the dog and stretch to prepare for the day.
After some simple limb rotations, the growling ceased but I could still feel the stare.
Well, it’s a improvement.
I went through the rest of my stretches and grabbed a couple of baskets. Having prepared for the day, I headed out to begin my work, careful not to approach the pet with any threatening motions. The dog watched me with an unspoken threat, but I paid it little mind.
I quickly got to work and almost finished my share by lunchtime, as I only needed to carry the bushels to the barn. The meal break was nice, and my work was done within the next couple hours. With nothing left to do here, I headed to the dojo.
With my presence around here more common and my aura suppressed, I was able to see more of the ponies in town. A few nods, a couple hellos, and even a smile or two came my way as I took my brisk walk. Then, as I got closer, I heard shouting.
“Why are we here?” One voice shouted.
“I don’t know! The Princess said something about rehabilitation for violent criminals.” Another snapped back.
So, I got approved? I wondered before making myself known by clearing my throat.
“Someone’s finally here,” A third voice, who I could see as a light blue pony with a dirty blonde mane in chained handcuffs. The other two ponies, who seemed to be standard guards turned to me. “You here to take these off?” The prison asked me.
“Absolutely not! Even if he was the pony-” The left guard started before I spoke.
“Demon.” I corrected.
Both guards’ faces went pale at my statement while the prisoner chuckled. “A ‘Demon' you say? Never fought one of those before.”
I shook my head with a slight smile and took a closer look at the prisoner and his binds. He was in a orange-and-blue striped prison outfit and his hands were cuffed. The chain that connected the two cuffs was about a foot long with markings engraved on them. He was rather muscled and looked like he’d been in a brawl or two.
With my assessment done, I walked in, beckoning the group to follow. “If you want to actually fight someone that can entertain you, I recommend you come in. The name’s Akuma, and I’m the guy who you are here for.”
I wasted no time heading for the main sparring room and, once there, started to stretch in preparation for my evaluation of the pony’s abilities. He was led in by the guards with a puzzled look on his face.
“So, how will you get me out of jail?” He asked.
“Simple, fight me for a pardon.” Within three seconds, he closed the distance and swung a left hook at my face. I grabbed his arm and pulled him forward, stepping behind him in the same motion, before chopping his off-balance back into the ground.
“Rather eager, are we?” I asked as the guards stood slack-jawed. “I didn’t say ‘Begin’. Still I’m impressed. That was some quick movement.”
“Ma was a Pegasus,” The pony wheezed out under me. He wobbled back up. “Could go faster without the cuffs.”
“Before we actually start, I still don’t know your name.” I walked to the other side of the mat.
“Dust Cutter.” He shook his head and stopped shaking.
“Dust Cutter, eh? Let’s see if you can’t do something about my boredom. When you’re ready.”
He nodded and put his fists up. “Let’s see what you got, ‘Mr. Demon.’” He charged forward with a few straights. I matched each punch with one of my own, our blows thunderous with their collisions. Suddenly, he swept low. I flipped back and threw a Gohadoken, expecting him to simply jump back. Instead, he threw a punch and disk-shaped projectile flew out, striking mine and canceling them both out.
“You can do better than that!” Dust taunted, sending two more at me. I simply phased through them with the Ashura Senku and swung a right hook into his jaw. He spun and staggered back.
“You’re right, and so can you.” I returned, stomping on the floor and charging my aura with my taunt.
He sent a jab at me, only for me to parry the blow and hit him with a Goshoryuken, launching him into the air. He rode the attack up to the ceiling before slamming his hands into it. He bent his arms with the impact, before straightening them back, launching himself at me.
That's interesting… I thought as he came down at me, feet first. I phased backward to dodge, but he wasn't done. The wood splintered when he hit the floor and a couple of the wooden boards were broken upwards. He kicked a few of the boards at me and they were reduced to dust.
The dust struck me head-on as I came out of the Ashura Senku, leaving me open to his wild strikes. I took five or six hits before he launched me into the air. I recovered my senses at the top of the pop-up and flipped back.
“For a ‘demon,' you don’t seem that strong if I can keep up with you.” Dust Cutter said, joy in his voice.
“You want to pick up the pace?” I asked and his eyes widened, before a smirk appeared on his face.
The guards decided at this time to speak up. “What in Tartarus was that?” The first one spoke.
“Warm-ups.” Both Dust and I said, relaxing slightly.
The guards paled at this. “Neither of us were at full.” I continued. “If we were, We’d be outside. I’m not keen on punching too many holes in the place.” I cast a glance at Dust. “That was a impressive move with the floorboards. You use that trick often?”
“Before the runecuffs, I did a lot,” He nodded. “Part of my Talent. I’m really good with aeromancy and cutting things with it.”
“Wind magic? That explains a few things.” I said, tensing up once more. “Now, testing isn’t over. Ready for round 2?”
He nodded and put his fists back up. I flipped forward and landed with a sweep kick. He jumped over it, only to meet a Goshoryuken in mid-air. Two Zanku Hadokens sent him back into the ground, making another smaller crater in the floor.
“Got anything left?” I asked as I landed.
Dust groaned as he sat up. “Little bit, not much.”
“Good, because I want to see what you can really do. Take them off.”
Dust looked at me with confusion, before smiling. “Couldn’t fool ya, huh?”
“What do you mean: ‘Couldn't fool him?’” Two cracks were the answer to the guard’s question.
“Apparently, you never thought he could take off his cuffs. Which I’m guessing was also a limiter of some kind?” I said as Dust slipped out of his cuffs. “Now gentlemen, what happens when you plug a leak? Pressure builds,” A wave of power burst from Dust. “Pressure that must release.”
Dust burst forward at subsonic speed, intent on punching me in the face. I dodged the blow by barely a hair. “You asked for this.” He said before raining a flurry of punches at me. With their speed, I couldn’t keep up and was launched outside into the dirt.
I shakily stood back to my feet. My vision was a bit blurred, and I think I saw stars. “You like the show?” I think I heard as I saw a shape moving towards me.
I gave a thumbs up as I waited for my vision to clear.
“Good, cause you’re boring to crap outta me.”
Am I? Let’s fix that. I thought as the world stopped swirling.
I regained my stance and tensed. He rolled his shoulder and smirked. We stared at each other, watching for the hint of movement. In those moments, I became aware of the breeze and our synced breathing.
Go for Broke.
We moved forward at the same time, fists raised. I swung a left straight and he dodged, returning with a right hook. I blocked and swung a roundhouse. He ducked under and kicked low. I jumped over it and threw a palm strike. Dodge, kick. Block, Punch.
Our attacks were like a dance. Neither side could hit the other, not for lack of trying, but we were just that skilled. That was, until Dust started to speed up.
I threw a straight and he turned around it, throwing a punch into my jaw. He followed it with a two-handed uppercut, a stomach blow which turned to a uppercut, a elbow to my face, and one last uppercut that made a tornado to launch me upwards. “You ready to stop playing?” He asked as he delivered his final blow.
I smirked as I rode the blow into the air. “Game over.” I said flipping in midair and bringing my hands together. “Tenma Gou Zanku!” I fired a powerful beam of ki downwards at Dust. The beam struck something as it slowed my descent. I couldn’t tell if it was a direct hit or blocked from this angle, but I was sure the fight was over either way. With my attack and most of my energy spent, I knew if he still have any fight left, he won this match.
I landed with a grunt and looked over to him. He had whipped up razor winds around him, shielding him from the worst of my attack, but he was just as drained as I was.
“So, I pass?” He asked weakly, before falling to his knees. I smiled and nodded.
“Good, cause I dooonnn’t…” He fell over.
That’s not good. Expected, but not good. “You two, go get a medic.” I pointed to the slack-jawed guards.
“For what?” I heard Applejack shout as she and the rest of her friends appeared, flanked by out-of-breath guards.
I pointed to the knocked out Dust Cutter. “He overexerted himself while we were sparring.”
“Sparring? That what you call the purple thing we saw on the way over?” Rainbow flew up into my face.
“As much as I would love to humor you, you wasting time better spent helping Dust Cutter here to the hospital.” I looked back to still see Dust’s guards standing there. “MOVE!” I shouted at them.
Luckily, they only needed to be told twice. They bolted back towards town as if the devil himself has on their heels. I fell onto my rear as soon as they were out of sight. “Never thought I’d find one of the other fighters that hold back this soon. That was something I needed.” I sighed and looked up.
Pinkie bounced over to my with a lollipop in hand. “Sucker for your thoughts?”
“Keep the lolly. I’ll share a bit. You remember how Jason and his explanations?” A couple nods. “Well, I’m a fighter, even before I got here. It’s how I’ve gotten to know people, solve problems, and generally get better.”
“Seems brutish to me.” I heard Rarity say.
“A lot can be learned about someone from the way they fight. I have yet to actually talk to Star Power over there,” I pointed to Rainbow. “But from the way she fights, she’s no planner. She’s fast and direct, almost blindingly so. She’s also persistent and dislikes losses. Collateral doesn’t seem to faze her much either”
Rainbow bristled.
“Heading straight down at supersonic speed is a good way to make a crater. A bad place to suddenly make a crater is the top of a mountain.”
Rainbow paled.
“Anyway, When you want to get better, you look for people on your level. That’s hard when decent fighters aren’t around. Finding where to spar one here… It’s like being a kid in a candy store.”
The sound of wingbeats stopped me from continuing my line of thought. I looked up to see a light red pegasus with what seemed to be a first-aid kit in their hand. I pointed them to Dust and went back inside. With my concerns handled for the moment, I decided to meditate and focus on regaining my energy. The fight has been draining, and I wished to regain some strength.
I found a quiet place further into the dojo and sat cross-legged. I took a deep breath, then another. I closed my eyes and found myself within a dark void. I let my mind drift through the darkness, and just let myself be.
‘Jigoku’ ran as quickly as his current body could handle. His destination was in the Badlands, but he had yet to escape the forest. The King must return, was his only thought as he attempted to reach his final location as soon as he could.
Almost a week had passed since the fight with Dust Cutter and my job for the day was done (My debt was paid, but AJ still said my assistance was welcome), so I had decided to take a walk in the woods. What happened to Dust was starting to grate at me. I found out that Dust was going through some kind of magical overclocking cooldown in the hospital. His body had a “sudden unknown influx of mana” and had to burn it all out. Nobody realized that the cuffs that he had on were like a finger in a dam. It stopped him from using it, but it didn’t stop him gaining more.
It brought me back to what Vinyl said the other day: ‘The sane ones aren’t good, and the good ones aren’t sane.’ It was something I didn’t pay too much to, but thinking about it now, besides Dust, not a single pony I fought was too skilled. Strong, yes, but nothing I couldn’t actually beat if I let loose.
I groaned
“I need to actually need to push myself.”
As I started to train some more, I could hear a quiet hum in the distance ringing within me. It was dull, but somewhat clear enough to signal its location. The hum followed a pattern like some sort of song. I followed curious, and soon came upon a strange stone, something like that of a monolith. Within the center of the structure, I found the source of the music.
Remembering my previous encounters with things I didn’t understand, I stopped suppressing my power before taking a look.
I could see some sort of wind swirling within its circle. The slow rhythm continue to repeat it’s pattern for some odd reason, like it was expecting something.
I didn’t recognize it, but it brought to mind the Song of Storms in my head. Shrugging, I hummed the melody for a minute. Wonder what this will do?
After the melody was played, a fanfare I vaguely knew filled the air followed by dead silence. The was replaced with what seemed to be wolf’s howl. This caused the stone’s center to glow brightly, before dying down.
“A wolf? It’s something, but I was hoping to fight something with skills… Oh well, at this point, Beggars can’t be choosers.” I entered my stance. “What can do you do, pup?”
As if answering my question, I heard the sound of deep breathing behind me.
I begin channeling power into my right fist. “If it’s parlor tricks, I’m going to be very disappointed.” With one fluid motion, I raised my arm and struck the earth. “Kongou Kokuretsu Zan!” I sent a massive shockwave of dark energy out from the ground.
I did not hear the whelp nor any sound of pain, but rather a quick growl. I did sense movement though as a wolf leaped in front my view with a angry and annoyed look. Something about this wolf looked off, not only was it not the usual timberwolves countered in those woods, but it had furry, and differently colored at that. It had blue eyes for a wolf, most of its fur the shades of red and green.
It took on a stance, growling deeply as if prepared to fight. I was about to push an offensive but the wolf moved first. It quickly leaped toward my head, and soon, my vision went black.
When it returned, my eyes were greeted by an unexpected sight, I was high above Equestria and standing what appeared to be solid floors made of clouds.
I carefully looked around at the strange sight before me, seeing no danger, but that same howl. The moment I turned around, I saw it standing there, panting out of breath. With yet another howl, it transformed into a man cloaked with a red hood, his face hidden within the shadows.
“That’s new…” I said. “You got a name, Fighter?”
“I go by many names. Some call me hero, some call me a legend, most call me a friend. It depends on which you desire, my real name? Or the name I was given when I arrived in my world?” The cloaked being asked.
“All I need is the one they’d put on your gravestone.” I activated the Dohatsu Shoten and cloaked my form in energy. “But if you wish for me to go first, I am Akuma and I will Teach you the Meaning of PAIN!” I swung two quick jabs forward, launching two Gohadokens at my opponent.
The man quickly took out a silver reflective shield that seemed familiar to me, but what took me off guard was that it literally absorbed the attack, coating the shield in a soft glow.
“Well, well, well. Aren’t we just willing?” The cloaked man said as he reached into his back to pull a finely crafted blade that reflected of the light. The hilt itself was purple with wing-safeguards at the top and had yellow gem within the center. The blade itself was nicely crafted as if it was recently made. In the center of the blade, were three triangles connecting together. That’s when I was able to place them.
The sword of evil’s bane, of course. “Only guy that can wield that is Link. You got anymore of his toys?”
The man who I assumed was Link, began to laugh. It wasn’t a laugh of mockery or amusement, but rather a hearty laugh. “Oh, you have no idea.”
I cupped my hands together and shifted my stance slightly. “Hope you like fire as much as evil.” I fired my charged projectile, the Shakunetsu Hadoken, and flipped forward, throwing Four Zanku Hadokens, hoping he’d block them.
At first, he didn’t react, but the moment my projectile drew close, he spun around on the balls of his feet, twirling his blade in circular motion to knock back my own attacks.
I landed, nearly dodging my own dark ki. “I heard that Link was good in tennis.” I phrased behind him and threw a Goshoryuken into the back of his head, sending him into the air. “But this isn’t Zelda, Smash, or Soul Calibur 2. Back and forth won’t be happening here.”
My fist connected with his skull, sending him forward onto his front. He grunted in pain, and stood back up. “That may be so.. but…” He raised his master sword skyward. “I’m not just One Link.” Suddenly, a bolt lightning struck the blade, making me think that he was going to perform a ranged technique with the blade, but that wasn’t the case as he leaped into the air to slam his weapon near my position, causing a powerful wave of lighting to travel across the ground. I didn’t remember this technique.
I threw a few Gohadokens at one of the blasts as it came closer, before leaping to the side. Why am I still so bad at real fights?
Suddenly, he dashed with incredible speed straight at me, leaping into the air to swing his sword overhead upon me. I quickly used the Ashura Senku to phrase back. I didn’t know too much about all of this guy’s arsenal, but I knew for a fact the Master Sword was one of the things I didn’t want to be hit by. I had to pick a fight with someone that has an advantage over me.
Link quickly reached into his pouch and pulled out what appeared to be some sort of blue and yellow pikachu. He placed it on the ground and it started darting toward me in a zigzag pattern. I flipped back and threw another one of my projectile blasts at it. Being on a defensive was starting to get to me.
Link quickly dashed at me again and I noticed why he was moving so fast on his feet, he was wearing what appeared to be golden winged boots. He got close to me and skidded to a halt to throw something. It burst open and I was blinded by a flash of light.
This was a breaking point for me. Focusing on power I didn’t realize I had, I threw my fist at the ground once more, erupting fully in the Dark hado. I closed my eyes and focused only on combat.
I heard Link take a leap back in surprise by this transformation. “Jeez, this got more serious real quickly.” He said, but I did not see what he was doing next. All I heard was the sound of shuffling, and then something shifting rapidly. Suddenly, I felt a surge of power followed by his voice getting to a lower key.
I kept my eyes closed and channelled the Dark Hado into my legs and fists. “Round 2.” I said, no emotion in my voice. I surged toward him and unleashed a flurry of blows upon him. Each blow, whether it connected or not, was stronger than the last. Instead of pushing an advantage, I stopped my flurry of blows with a backflip and opened my eyes.
What I saw before me was a much taller being, he was still wearing the same type of clothes and cloak, but it was different coloring, his eyes were blazing silver while his hair was white as snow. He was wearing armor under the now-white cloak with a triangle and crescent moon. I could see that much of my onslaught had connected as he was breathing deeply with his helix sword drawn in a blocked position. There were no dents in the weapon, but there were a few bruises along his face.
“Damn… Never expected for a Displaced to access the Dark Hadou that quickly, how long have you been fighting?” Link asked, now holding his wide infinity sign sword kind of like a certain one-winged angel.
I let the hado recede, returning my gi to it’s normal color. “Thirteen years, but the ki is three weeks. Thanks, by the way.”
“Hey, you summoned me and I had to test you to see your path. Can’t be too careful on who is an ally and who is an enemy. I’ve been this Displaced Link for twenty three years.” Link said, lowering his weapon. He reached up and pushed back the hood to fully reveal his face. Indeed, he looked Link even in his current form, although he looked nothing like the Links I remember, he looked a little… mixed.
I shook my head. “You mean you didn’t accept my challenge because you sense evil?” I shrugged. “Either way, You helped me figure out Shin. Hopefully, I’ll never have to go to the level after that.”
“At first, it was going to be a basic meeting, I entered your mind in wolf form, then see how you would act. But since you unleashed that burst of energy, it made me have my doubts. So as a precaution, I took out the Master Sword, but I didn’t go fully on the aggressive side. If you were truly out for blood, I think the Raging Demon would of sent the message.” Link suggested with a shoulder shrug. “Or the super… something hadouken. I can’t remember their translations.”
“The Shun Gotsu Satsu is impractical in the beginning of combat, and I know the Messatsu Gohado is unwise to use in a three-dimensional space. Still leaves me four separate Super Arts to use.”
“Ha, at least you’re smart.” Link commented as he sheathed the big weapon, he reached up to grab at his face and pulls it off, creating a small flash of light and returning him back to normal. “Now that I know you can be trusted, let’s return back to the real world, shall we?” Link asked. Slowly, the area began to fade to a bright white, returning me back to the world of awakening.
“That was in my head?” I asked standing up. “Cause if you were, I’m going to ask you to stay the night. Could use a little help with something then.”
“Sure, i’m pretty much at your command in a way.” Link said. I felt that there was extra weight around my prayer beads, I looked down to see a stone attached to them, very much like the one I had hummed to. “When you summoned me, it shrunk to be worn as a necklace as part of your current jewelry. It’s my token, the Howling Stone.” Link explained. It did look like it, but it was more a fallen diamond oval shape with a with in the center, still containing the same swirling wind energy. “Just hum whatever tune it radiates and I’ll come running in wolf form.”
I looked to the sky to see the sun beginning its descent. “That sounds good. Follow me and we can start shortly.” I headed deeper into the forest towards the old castle ruins.
Once there, I took a seat cross-legged and waited.
Link followed and entered after me, he didn’t sit crossed leg like. “So, what exactly do you need help with?” Link asked as he leaned back against the castle’s walls with arms crossed.
“I’ve taken a student who can’t currently walk in the waking world. I was hoping you knew a way to fix that.”
Link went silent for a moment as he thought about this. “Only thing I can think of is for me to try playing the Song Of Healing. It’s a song that heals troubled spirits and turns them into masks, but it has helped me heal the dark toxins of Nightmare a few years back. Either that, or I could try to find if my world has any fairies. I mean, its infested with monsters from the zelda-verse, so it's not too much of a far-fetched plan.”
“Wait a minute… Troubled souls, you say? I got a dumb idea. Head in my dream in a bit and maybe we can solve two problems.” Without waiting for a response, I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
Within the dream realm, I quickly found my student and Luna staring each other down once again. “Luna,” I called. “This is actually rather convenient. I actually was hoping to have a friend of mine assist us with something.”
Like before, the sound of a wolf’s howl echoed throughout the dreamscape, signaling the arrival of my newest ally. A fews moments later, he came running in, skidding to a halt near me.
“Luna, my student, this is Link.” I said. “He may be able to assist both of you.”
Luna looked him down. “How is a wolf going to free me from Nightmare?”
My student and I grimaced at this. “He’s got a song can heal and put lost souls to rest. I’m not sure if it’s going to give the effect most of us want, but it will separate you two.”
“Wait, lost souls? I don’t like this.” My student whispered. “I don’t want to pass on.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen if it’s played now, since Luna’s here. Normally, I’d want her here just as much as you, but she’s actually needed for the effect we want.”
“You’ll just to have to put your faith in me, dear princess.” Link’s voice spoke out and the moment Luna looked at him, I could see him bowing like a knight before royalty, though his face was hidden back in the hood once again.
My student frowned while Luna smiled. “Void Blitz,” I said, addressing my student with a name that, for some reason, felt right. “Trust me, I helped you once and I’m still helping you now.”
She lit up at the name. “Void Blitz, it feels right. Much better than Nightmare Moon, anyway.” She nodded. “Ok, if you can do this…” I nodded.
“Play it when you’re ready.”
Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out a beautiful ocarina that gleamed in the light. Near and around its mouth piece were three triangles standing in a formation I could recognize. Link reached up to push back his hood, revealing his face in full view. This is when I noticed his long elven ears. Raising the instrument to his mouth, he closed his eyes and began to play the first three notes of the song, and soon flowing into it. The others here, myself included, began to feel at ease. I felt my strength returning. Void Blitz had begun to sway to the music, as if melting away. I could see despair, pain, and across her face, before it relaxed and she smiled.
A tether appeared between Luna and Void and shattered. Void was launched at me due to its force and I awoke when she crashed into me. The force slammed me into the back of the wall I was leaning against. A brief smile graced my lips as I looked down to see a pitch-black form on my lap. “Told you it would work, didn’t I?”
“You did, Master.” She responded, before shakily getting to her hooves. I got to my feet as well and looked her over. Her pitch-black body came up to my stomach (including her horn) and her wings were outstretched, showing a rather impressive wingspan for what seemed to be a third-grader.
Then I realized she was naked.
“Hey, Link… before you go... You wouldn’t happen to have a spare set of clothes?”
Link wasn’t looking over here, preferring to give the young princess some respect. “Well, there is one, but it might be a little big for her..” Link said, reaching into his pouch to find them, he had to dig pretty deep though. “Are you familiar with Ordon clothing?”
“Not at all.” I said, looking up. “I only know your combat skills. Thank Goodness for Soul Calibur 2. I had all three versions.”
A few moments of shuffling he pulled out not one, but two different green tunics. “Also, for your information, I’m a mix of three Links, but I can access four different eras of His past.” Link said, holding out the two pieces of clothing that were neatly folded. “Shame the internet doesn’t exist here, otherwise I would've told you to look like Twilight Princess, Majora’s Mask, Ocarina Of Time, and a Link to the past. Now, the smaller tunic might fit her, but nothing will be covering her legs, while the Ordon clothing will be a little bit, so it may need to be modified.” He walks over to me with both clothes held out.
I took them both and handed it to Void. “It will work for tonight. I just needed something so we wouldn’t be arrested for indecent exposure. And for your information, my real name is Gouki. Kinda funny, if you think about it.”
“Since we’re exchanging our real name, mine would be Jeff. Yea, I know it's rather plain, haven’t used it in a long time since the ponies prefer my Displaced’s name.” Link said. He seemed to be visibly surprised that Nightmare, or rather, Void Blitz, was calm through hearing this.
Void put on the bigger outfit. “I also watched your little sparring session earlier. I figured you weren’t from here.” She turned to me. “Am I the only one you didn’t think about fighting before talking?”
“It’s how I truly get to know people.” I shrugged.
“After all, your Master allowed his fists do the talking.” Link said with a soft chuckle.
I smiled. “Again, thanks. Keep a lookout for a prayer bead necklace. It’s my Token. I’ll catch you later.”
“A little warning. If you find a pocket knife token, think twice before you summon. It belongs to my friend Chara and she’s got.. A bit of a foul mouth on her and she’s fairly powerful. Bad enough I have to keep her in check. Speaking of which, I hope she hasn’t tried to tear down Equestria looking for me after I vanished. “ Link said with a concern looked.
I stopped for a second and laughed. “I can kill souls.”
“Just.. take it easy on her, she lives in my world after hers got erased, alright?” Link said, holding out his fist towards me.
I bumped it. “Maybe bring them next time. Could use the exercise.” I took a deep breath. “Our Contract is complete.” I nodded.
With the words said, Link’s token began to glow and hum the tune of another song, one I couldn’t place. It put Link into a familiar crystal and spun around, before disappearing.
The next day I awoke to see Void on my lap, sleeping soundly. She looked like she was at peace, so much so I didn’t wish to wake her yet. Since I wasn’t going to be getting up soon, I let my thoughts drift.
First was Shin and finally answering why I was having problems fighting anyone with actual skill. I wasn’t using my full strength, but moving as if I was. Shin was no transformation or power increase tapping into an unknown well of power. It was simply my version of not holding back anymore. This was something I knew, especially after my mind match with Oni, but just realized. Unfortunately, this also meant I just realized that my training these past weeks were much less effective as I liked as well. After all, trying to get stronger only works if you are using everything you got and I wasn’t.
Next was Void. Many questions surrounded her and not many answers would be easily found. I’d still be training her, but I’d probably be her guardian as well. Schooling would probably be the first thing to come up. Which reminds me, she’s going to need clothes that fit.
She began to stir as the sun rose, snapping me from my thoughts. She stretched and stood, the barely fitting clothes hanging off her form. “Morning, Void.” I said, still wondering when the name came from, before shuffling it away for later. “We have a couple thing to do today before I can continue teaching you.”
Void looked at me in confusion. “Like?”
“Getting you a fitting outfit to train in.” I answered and headed for the door, Void following behind me.
With two powerful beings here, the wildlife of the forest were nowhere to be seen. I wasn’t convinced, however, that we were truly alone and reached with my other senses. What I found was much more enlightening. I could apply my usual senses to Void, but when I felt for her power, there was nothing there. Not like a “empty cup” nothing there, but like a “black hole” nothing there. I couldn’t feel her, but I knew something was there simply because I could feel energy around her.
That’s interesting…
We travelled through the forest with ease, more ease than naturally possible, and came out near Fluttershy’s cottage. We continued down a path towards Ponyville in silence, just taking in our surroundings. That was, until a rainbow streak came at us.
“Yo, Crayola,” I addressed the speeding form, taking a step to the side. “Charging me again?”
“What do you want?” Rainbow stopped.
“Nothing from you right now, unless you’re a tailor.” I said. “And considering your lack of detail…”
“I get it, dumb idea.” She stopped. “A tailor? Why?”
“In my eagerness to return my days to something familiar… I forgot to acquire gis for those I’d be working with.”
“So… you need someone to make workout clothes?”
I nodded. “And I’m pretty sure who to ask.”
I stood in front of a lilac purple cylindrical building I could only assume was the Carousel Boutique. It was vaguely as I remembered from the show, but bigger and more gaudy. I couldn’t look at it without feeling revulsion within the very core of my being. I wasted no time knocking at the door and closing my eyes.
I didn’t open my eyes until the door opened revealing Sweetie Belle and, even better, the fact that the inside wasn’t overly decorated. “Mind if I come in? I have a bit of business to attend to.”
Sweetie let us in with a nod and hurried away, presumably to get Rarity. The wait wasn’t long, thankfully, as I heard hoofsteps above me.
“A customer?” I could hear her voice. “I wasn’t aware of any event recently that would…” Rarity locked eyes with me. “Can I help you?” Her voice suddenly had a slight chill to it.
“I was hoping to use your services as a seamstress.” I pointed to Void. “I’m going to need two sets of clothing for my student Void Blitz. One causal and one like the gi I’m currently wearing. Nothing fancy.”
Rarity looked me over. “Make something like that dirty rag you’re wearing?”
“You’ll find that this ‘dirty rag’ is cleaner than you think, but that’s besides the point.” I pulled out a small sack of bits from my top. “She needs something a bit more form-fitting and a lot more durable for practice. Then something to wear at other times.”
Void picked this moment to speak up. “I would wish to be able continue my lessons quickly. It would be much easier to accept the request.”
Rarity was taken aback after Void spoke. “Nightmare Moon?”
Void bristled at the title and the air started to become heavier. “DON’T CALL ME THAT. My name is Void Blitz.”
Rarity quickly nodded and I could swear I saw a sweat drop. “Oh, I’m sorry. Could I ask you to stay for a bit? So I could get the measurements.”
The pressure lessened immensely as Void nodded. That was concerning. Did the Hado affect her in some way I wouldn’t know about? “How long will it take?”
Rarity pulled out a few measuring tapes. “Not long.” She ushered Void to another room.
Sweetie and I watched them leave before turning to each other. “So, any idea on how long this will take? I’ve seen ‘Not long’ turn into half a day many times.” I asked.
“I doubt it will be that long.” Sweetie answered before coming with her own question. “Apple Bloom said you said yes to career day, but what do you do?”
“Before I came here? Martial Arts Instructor. I’ll be starting again soon.”
“You taught people how to fight?”
I nodded. “It’s not only about fighting, though. There are life lessons there as well.”
“What would a fighting cutie mark look like?”
“I’m sure there is no set look. Depends on how and what you fight with. A staff-wielder wouldn’t have a shield, just as sure woodworker wouldn’t have a carrot.”
“Well, What’s your cutie mark?” She looked at the back of my gi.
“You want to know?” I asked.
“I do.”
I channelled my energy through me and revealed the kanji on my back. I held this flow for a couple seconds before stopping.
“What’s it mean?”
“Literally? Heaven. Figuratively? I have yet to learn fully, but that’s the joy in discovery. At least, that’s what my parents said.”
Our conversation continued for a few more minutes before Sweetie excused herself. Now alone, I decided to give general energy scanning another try. I close my eyes again and just felt. Void was the first one I noticed, but I was uninterested with that. I was feeling for weaker signatures. It was one thing to be able to find powerful or abnormal energy signatures, but being able to pinpoint a mess of weaker people would be much more useful.
I stood like this for a good amount of time, simply feeling around the flow of energy of the people before I felt the energy in the air itself. It was like a lazy river for the most part, brushing past most. Interestingly enough, I could sense it actively avoid me and, for lack of a better term, fight itself around Void.
I was brought from my musings by a shout from Rarity. I turned my attention to Rarity and Void. Void was in a plain white gi and clearly not in a happy mood. Rarity, for her part, either didn’t seem to pick up on the anger or didn’t care and was trying some type of meaningless small talk. Whatever the case, Void was nearing the end of her patience and it showed.
“Heads up.” I tossed Rarity the money purse before my student used Rarity for a dye job. “When can I expect the other set?”
Rarity barely caught the little sack in her magic. “It may take a bit longer. I expect tomorrow.”
“That’s good.” I said. With Void in tow, I headed to a clearing outside of town.
When we arrived at the clearing, I began to stretch. Void followed suit. We did rotations, flexibility stretches, and a few practice punches before a thought occurred to me: How hard can she hit?
“Before I show you the next technique, there is something I need to know.” I pointed to a nearby boulder. “I want you to hit that rock as hard as you can.”
“How?” Void asked.
“Anything but blasting it with magic.”
She nodded and went over to the rock. She took a deep breath. Then another. Afterwards, she punched the rock with a hard straight. The stone crumbled quickly to the blow and I had to bite back a whistle. It was a very impressive display of strength and I was about to congratulate her when she shook her hand out.
I snickered. For all her power, she was still a kid. Granted, an extremely powerful kid, but a kid all the same.
“Thank you, that was very insightful.” I said, before asking, “Ready for the new technique?”
She nodded.
“The Shoryuken, or ‘Rising Dragon Fist,’ is a devastating uppercut, useful for knocking opponents out of the air, or launching them into it.” I demonstrated the technique, crouching for a moment before leaping. My fist became a glowing purple uppercut, ripping through the air with precise destructive power. When I landed, I turned to Void. “Give it a try.”
Void nodded and crouched. She stayed like this for awhile. I was confused at first, but then I felt her power surge.
“Technique first, then you can increase power.” I called to her. “Otherwise, these skills are more dangerous to you than your target.
The energy stopped increasing, but as I could visibly see the amount of power she was putting into her first try, the point was moot. She unleashed the attack, leaping ten feet easily with the uppercut. A blade of nothingness slashed through the air from the swing before striking a nearby hill. When she landed, her eyes widened at the unintended target.
“What the attack supposed to do that?” Void asked.
I didn’t answer at first, instead looking at the impact in the hill. The blast cut into it, but not all the way.
“Not at all.” I said, but i thought something extremely different.
After the short session (which we decided quickly afterwards to keep in dreams for now), we headed for the dojo. The place actually felt like home to me, though I wasn’t sure why. I chalked it up to familiarity, though I never actually explored the place. In any case, it was a place I could feel able to lower my guard, if only slightly, which made it a good place to squat in while I stayed here.
I entered the dojo and, for the first time, just looked around without a reason in mind. I wasn’t scouting for any advantages or trying to find flaws in the structure. I was just looking around aimlessly. I was in this trance for maybe a half hour before a call brought me back.
“Master?” Void looked at me with… concern? “Are you ok?”
I nodded and entered a meditative stance. “Just fine.” I closed my eyes and sat. “It’s been awhile since I felt that I could loosen up. I’m taking advantage of this moment. Breaks like this, this don’t mean good things for the near future in my past experience.”
I focused my thoughts internally. I’ve made progress, but I doubt it’s enough. The fact that I have no one to measure it against doesn’t help much. I took a breath in. Just take it one round at a time, Gouki, like the arcade and sparring.
I exhaled and opened my eyes. Night had fallen while I was pondering, to my surprise and Void had found a empty room nearby to sleep in. I wasn’t ready to sleep yet, however, and decided to practice my basic kicks like I used to: Ten reps of each with both legs. It was something I used to do before going to sleep to tire my body when I knew I should go to bed, but wasn’t tired.
I took my stance and begun. Each kick whistled through the air and I could feel my rhythm return. Before I realized, I finished the exercise feeling not only no worse for wear, but for the first time since I got here, I felt like I was on my own tempo.
I sat down with this more content feeling and quickly fell asleep.
I arrived in my dreamscape and picked up exactly where I left off with the exercises, throwing kicks into the air. I was so consumed by the reclaiming of my flow and how pleased that made me, I didn’t notice Void’s appearance until I threw a in-to-out kick over her head. She blinked at the force used so close to her.
“Ready to pick up where we left off?” I asked, making a mat appear behind me. Void nodded and quickly headed for the mat.
My worries can be reflected on later. Now, it’s time to have fun the only way fighters do: Exertion of mind and body.
I awoke at sun up, my mind both tired and refreshed. With my mood positive and my certainty of self returned, I took stock of the dojo- no, my dojo- to access damage, both from my sparring earlier and general lack of use. After a good half-hour or so, I was satisfied that the only real damage was the missing wood planks from the warm-up before.
Knowing most of the work was cleaning, I got to work. Luckily, everything I’d need was in one of the assorted closets here, so everything that would need to be done could be done. Even a couple extra boards were in a out of the way closet.
I was able to do a lot, but unfortunately, not everything was done before I had knocks on my door. “Who is it?” I asked, dropping a rag into the bucket.
“Rainbow Dash” I heard back.
“Pleasant surprise. What brings Crayola to the dojo?”
“I do have a Black Belt in Karate. Doesn’t hurt to practice every once in awhile.”
“You know Karate?” I asked, moving for the door.
“Not to brag, but I got a couple trophies. Why?”
I stepped out and got a look at her, or more importantly, her gi. It was a pristine white with, as she said, a clean Black Belt tied nicely around her waist. All in all, it looked less like she earned them and more like she bought them from a costume shop. “Could have fooled me.”
“You think I couldn’t?” Rainbow shouted defensively.
“Not that.” I shook my head in mirth. “I think what you consider a Black Belt is not the same level I consider when I think of such.” I shot her a challenge with my eyes. “For course, I can be wrong…”
I smirked.
“Doubt it.”
She looked at me with wide eyes, as if what I just did was unheard of. “Is that a challenge?”
I said nothing. Instead, I straightened my gi and performed my taunt, before shifting seamlessly into my stance. “You can have the first swing.” I said.
“Oh really?” She asked, slipping into a standard fighting stance: left leg in front, knees slightly bent, and arms in front of her face.
As soon as she finished entering her stance, she leaped into the air and launched a divekick at my face. I thought to leap back before a better plan came to mind, and I parried the blow. With most of her weight centered on her strike, the deflected blow was sent into a tree behind me.
“All the striking power in the world will fail if you can’t truly strike your opponent.” I spoke, not turning to face Rainbow. “Where I’m from, any decent black belt would know not to lead with such a easily countered move.”
I heard movement. “How about-” In one fluid motion, I ducked under her flying charge and sent her into the air with a simple uppercut into her gut. I waited for her to right herself in the air before continuing my ‘assessment’ of what I thought of her skill.
She spun for longer than I thought she would, but Rainbow eventually righted herself and came back down. Instead of trying a third attack, she simply touched down, panting. I took this lull to explain how big the gap in our definition of ‘black belt’ was.
“A black belt is not earned just for knowing the skills taught with their mind or wielding the strength to break blocks with his head. A black belt is earned for not needing to know with the mind but with the body, for being able to have enough power to kill and not use it. If you have to think of your move and how it is done, while thinking of how to counter your opponent, you are at a disadvantage. If you can only fight at full force, even against an opponent who is weaker than you, that opponent has a much better chance of winning.
“A black belt doesn’t just know moves. A black belt know when what move is best used and when it’s not. A black belt won’t go with the flashiest thing they know. Do you know who the flashy moves are for?” I asked and Dash shook her head. “A performer. Actor, Daredevils, Stunt People, that’s where a flying kick from across a room or a loud ambush works.
“I won’t lie, your form was clean and the power was more than I expected, but your strikes mean little when you cannot land a single blow.”
Rainbow looked at me with confusion and anger, her wings flaring open.
“With all of that said, I still thank the exercise.”
The anger on Rainbow’s face left, leaving the confusion. “You… like me trying to fight you?”
“You have actually done the most to make me feel at home with our few interactions than anyone else here. This...” I pointed to her and myself. “Was something I did at least twice a week. Not with this level of power, mind you, but I’d spar with others a lot. My sister would ‘ask’ to spar with me when we disagreed.” I laughed as a memory came up.
“First time, I forgot she was shorter than me and... let’s just say I’m happy I had a cup on.”
Rainbow looked a little confused before realization appeared on her face with a wince. Quickly switching the topic, she asked, “You plan on teaching ponies how to fight?”
“No.”
“Then what was-”
“I plan on refining the skills of those who wish to fight.” I turned to go back inside. “After all, what’s a pony to do if not their talent?” I closed the door and got to work.
Almost a week passed in relative silence, allowing me to get a few things settled. The dojo had been cleaned from top to bottom and basic equipment put in place on the second day. Jump ropes, sandbags, and a few other items I found in good condition were sitting by the walls. The day after that, Dust Cutter was let out and brought to me, this time with non-magical cuffs. The guards told me they would have used a stronger version of the original cuffs, but that would require letting their superior officer know the first set broke and, more importantly, how they broke.
When I told them I saw that as the low end for what I planned on seeing, the guards ran... directly into the wall behind them.
The rest of that time was spent assessing Dust’s abilities with and without the cuffs (with a bit of assistance from Rainbow on the pegasus side of things) by day, and training with Void by night. Today was the last evaluation I wished to do and Void was a bit too eager to assist. We were outside for this as the dojo was yet to be reinforced and I didn’t want to rip a hole in it before real training begun.
“Dust, Void, This is to be strictly hand-to-hand. No weapons or enhancements of any kind. The match is one minute or until your opponent falls or yields. You start in 3…”
Both fighters took their stances. Dust’s stance, as he wasn’t currently wearing his cuffs, had his knees barely bent and his arms up, blocking his face perfectly. His stance was rigid, almost dangerously so. Void’s, on the other hand, was loose with her knees ready for take-off and arms positioned for assistance with lift-off.
“2...”
“Ready to be grounded?” Dust asked.
“Only after I make sure you will be seeing stars.” Void retorted.
“1…”
“You wish you could.”
“Go!”
Void leaped forward with a punch as Dust jumped back, only to be caught by a sweeping kick by a spinning Void. Dust recovered from the blow before he could fall on his back, getting back to his feet as Void got to hers. Wasting no time, they both surged forward to trade blows. Both were able to strike the other, but neither was able to actually land a solid blow. Punches were all deflected or blocked with no clear way to tell if someone was winning.
It was the 40-second mark when a turning point was reached. A blow from Void sent Dust skidding a few feet back. Instead of charging back in, Dust dropped his guard to (seemingly) catch his breath and Void lunged at him… only to miss and get struck in the back, sending her flying towards some nearby bushes. Before she could recover or crash, they reached the minute mark.
“Time,” I called out. “Well, that’s all I needed to-” A loud thud interrupted my statement. Looking over, I saw Void on top of Rainbow. Void was slightly dazed, while Rainbow was flat on her back.
“What brings you to the lawn this time?” I asked as the girls fumbled to stand back up. “You need help with a nap? I’m pretty sure I can tire you out in a couple minutes again.”
“As fun as that sounds,” Rainbow rubbed her left shoulder, one of the few places I got a solid strike on her when she decided “helping” was boring and wanted a piece of the action. “Two letters came from Canterlot while we were on a picnic. One was addressed to you.” She pulled it out.
“Odd.” I took it. “Wouldn’t it be easier to send a message through dreams? Unless…” One look at the official-looking seal told me all I needed to know. “This is going to suck.”
“Remind me why we have to come to Canterlot for this event.” Void asked me as we sat on the train platform at the break of dawn.
“Security detail… Apparently, instead of moving high-profiles events, we carry on as normal in a bubble and just call in extra muscle.”
“At least we get easy entry.” Dust spoke, now in white t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. He still had on the cuffs, but now it seemed to be personal preference. “But are you sure we won’t need a suit or uniform?”
“That’s stuff’s never built for fighting. It’s for looking good, and we won’t be needing to look good.” I answered.
“That’s nice to hear. Although, I do wonder… how will ponies know we aren’t thugs?” Dust asked.
“Good question for later,” I said as the other guards temporarily stationed here (including the two that came with Dust) approached in formation. “Right now, we got boys scouts.”
“Apparently, her Highness thinks you can help us make sure nothing goes wrong during the Royal Wedding.” One of them, presumably one of the one’s I had to deal with at the Apple’s. “Personally, I am of the opinion-”
“-That I’m a menace that needs to be locked away?” I finished his statement. A slight widening of his eyes told me I hit the mark. Before I could say what I wished, the telltale sound of a train whistle called our attention. “I’m not of the mind to be entertaining you and the whistle called time. Maybe next time.”
The guards boarded on the car in the back, while we boarded the car in front of them. As the train began to head for the capital, I began to meditate and focus on sensing energy around me. Unsurprisingly, probably due to both my lack of experience with the skill and the general lack of powerful around here, I couldn't sense a thing outside of my train car.
Wonder how this is going to go down… Knowing my recent luck, this will either be boring, or I get to blow something up.
Here’s hoping for the latter.
The Boxer was preparing for his mission. It was a simple one, but it was also his favorite kind. “Time to wreck a wedding.” He smiled as purple and green flames covered his body and he started to shift.
